AT413460B - METHOD FOR VERIFYING A DEPLETED VEHICLE - Google Patents

Description

2

AT 413 460 B

The invention relates to a method for registering a vehicle in a parking area, in particular a short-term parking zone, and a method for checking a parked in such a parking area vehicle with regard to the fact that this in accordance with applicable to this storage area regulations, in particular with a rule 5 on the payment of a parking fee and / or the maintenance of a maximum storage period, is turned off. Likewise, the invention relates to a device (server device) for carrying out these methods.

In many cases, especially in public places and streets, the use of parking spaces io for vehicles is limited in time (so-called short-stay parking) and / or to a fee (so-called parking fee) bound. In order to avoid misuse of such parking spaces, measures must usually be taken to control the parking spaces or vehicles parked thereon. In particular, in the case of paid parking, these measures should help to ensure that parked parking is actually paid for parked vehicles.

A known method for charging parking fees uses parking meters. These must of course be installed stationary, so that the installation is expensive. Parking meter machines, into which coins are thrown, whereupon the parking meter displays a time corresponding to the amount paid, are well known. DE 100 36 111 A1 describes a device for parking time monitoring, e.g. in the form of a parking meter, which starts or stops the measurement of the parking time due to wirelessly received activation and deactivation signals and calculates a fee according to a parking time based on the thus measured parking time. Apart from the disadvantages already mentioned above about parking meters, this method requires that a monitoring device associated with the parking space be present; only if this is the case can a control body, when checking a parked vehicle in the parking space in question, use this monitoring device to determine whether a parking time has been set and, if necessary, the parking time has been exceeded. DE 100 19 649 A1 describes a method for reserving parking spaces, in which a request with desired parameters relating to the location and / or time of a parking space is sent to a computer via a telecommunication network. The computer maintains a list of actual parameters about the condition or availability of free parking. Based on the request, the computer compares the setpoint and actual parameters and releases actual parameters by sending back a signal to the driver. If the parking time is limited, shortly before the expiry of the booked time interval an SMS message is sent to the mobile phone of the driver. This procedure only relates to the management and reservation of free parking spaces and in any case requires the involvement of the vehicle user claiming the parking space; It is not possible to check whether parking spaces are used in the manner indicated 40 or even without registration.

Both cited references refer to the parking space used because the identity of the parked vehicle remains hidden from the managing system. A related to the parked vehicle reservation or registration of a parking space, especially in 45 a short-term parking zone, without the use of parking meters or the like., Is not shown.

According to another known method, the fee is paid by means of a parking ticket, e.g. consists of a paper printed on a form. The parking ticket is entered manually by the driver and the stored parking ticket is stored visibly in the vehicle. Depending on the type of parking ticket results in a maximum storage period before the expiry of the vehicle must be removed from the parking space. The verification of the payment of the short-term parking fee and the duration of the parking is carried out by control bodies - e.g. Surveillance authorities of the city council (Stadtamts) or control persons commissioned by an administration - by means of visual inspection whether a valid parking ticket (= not yet expired) is laid out in a parked vehicle. Such park 3

AT 413 460 B notes are inconvenient and error-prone for short-term parkers and inspection bodies - an erroneous statement on a parking ticket is usually not correctable and renders it useless - and eludes automated control. In WO 97/19568 A1, a mobile parking system is shown in which the communication between the users and a central parking database takes place via SMS. A user of the system who has parked his vehicle in a parking space, sends an SMS to the parking database, which then enters the data of the user or the vehicle. Likewise, when the user leaves the parking lot with his vehicle, he sends an SMS to the io parking database, which then completes the parking process. A parking attendant also communicates via SMS with the database, which sends this information on its SMS request, which vehicles are reported as parked in its vicinity. This SMS request from the car park attendant merely contains information about his location, but not data related to specific vehicles. 15

A similar method is described in WO 97/45814 A1 in connection with Figs. 7 and 8 of this document, according to which the payment of parking fees is made on the basis of messages sent by a vehicle driver via his mobile device to a host computer; a verification procedure for parking attendant is not covered in this document. 20

WO 98/58353 A1 discloses a control device for the access or occupancy time of a location, such as e.g. a parking space for a vehicle. The user enters the control device - e.g. the driver of the vehicle - the data relating to the parking lot and its user number and other data related to the parking space use, such as. the duration of the park, whereupon this data is sent to a server; After the data has been processed, the server sends back an acknowledgment message to a receiving device, for example integrated with the recording device, which displays the acknowledgment data and can be visibly stored in the vehicle. As a result, a check by a control body by (direct or electronically supported) reading the receipt data shown on the receiving device possible; In addition, however, the review by the control body in this document is not described in detail.

In WO 98/30982 A1 a device for checking a parked vehicle is described. This apparatus comprises an optical imaging unit for capturing the image of a registration badge of the vehicle to be tested, and a control unit for checking the registration number determined from this image data, whether in a device list maintained by the vehicle parked are included. If the checked vehicle is not included in the list, this is displayed and the parking attendant can then print a ticket. The entire checking process is carried out on the device itself, merely keeping the list up-to-date by means of a communication unit of the device via a communication network with a central computer which collects the list data of registrars (such as parking meters).

The object of the invention is to provide a way to allow the registration of a parked driving-45 stuff in a registered and / or paid parking area as well as the subsequent review by inspection bodies, without this parking tickets, parking meters or other monitoring devices in, on or be mounted in the vicinity of the vehicle in question, yet the registration or charging the vehicle locally, ie from the location of the vehicle itself, should be verifiable. 50

According to the invention, this object is achieved on the one hand by a method for checking a vehicle parked in a parking area with the following steps: a) receiving a request message containing information for identifying a vehicle 55 via a telecommunication network, and evaluating this message with respect to FIG

AT 413 460 B of a vehicle identified therein and an inquiry time associated with the request message; b) checking whether the vehicle is properly parked at the request time by requesting an electronic register containing information for vehicles registered therein; to which the relevant vehicle is parked in accordance with regulations, and by comparing the request time with an expiry time determined for the vehicle, and c) initiating a penalty for the vehicle, if the result of the check is negative (vehicle parked in a way). 10

Correct (or improper) parking means that the vehicle in question is parked (parked) in compliance with (or against) the regulations applicable to the parking area, including those relating to a parking fee and / or duration. 15

In this way, the check is enabled and preferably after the registration process explained below registered vehicles allows, which also allows a less error-prone and comfortable for the control body performing the review. By means of a central electronic register, which can be reached in particular via uniform call addresses 20, the registration of parked vehicles is simplified and, in addition, an unproblematic check of the registration is made possible.

In many cases of application, the punishment is expediently initiated in step c) by issuing a criminal injunction. Conveniently, if the vehicle is not registered in the electronic register, the check will give a negative result.

In a preferred variant of the verification method according to the invention, the control organ, d.i. the sender of the request message, provided a response, wherein step c) is carried out by the following measure: 30 c ') generating a response message depending on the result of the check, the response message in case of a negative check contains instructions for initiating a penalty, and sending the response message via a (usually the same) telecommunications network to the sender of the request message. 35

In this case, it is favorable if, on the basis of the response message, at least one further message sent by the sender of the inquiry messages is received, which contains additional information regarding circumstances of the irregular stopping, and the punishment is carried out using the information thus supplemented. 40

Furthermore, it is advantageous if steps a-c) are performed by a server device connected to the telecommunication network and the exchange of messages between the sender of the request message and the server device takes place via a connection of the telecommunication network. 45

On the other hand, the invention solves the stated object by a method for registering a vehicle (an "electronic parking ticket") in a parking area with the following steps: aa) receiving a registration message (22) containing information for identifying a vehicle via a telecommunication network (MFN), and evaluating this message with regard to a vehicle (A1) identified therein and a logon time allocated to the logon message, bb) creating (26) information from which an expiration time can be determined for the vehicle, up to which it has been determined according to Storage area, in particular 5

AT 413 460 B in accordance with a provision on the payment of a parking fee and / or the maintenance of a maximum storage period, cc) entries (27) of the information in an electronic register (PR) for subsequent queries. 5 This solution solves the task in terms of the registration of a vehicle in a simple manner and allows a vehicle-specific registration in a parking area by electronic means, without additional effort such as parking meters or other monitoring devices. The registration and verification processes according to the invention relate to each other through the use of an electronic database, which is conveniently centistoal, and complement each other in an appropriate manner.

Preferably, there follows a further step which is intended to guarantee the vehicle owner to communicate about the registration effected, namely 15 dd) to generate an acknowledgment message concerning the entry in the electronic register and to send the acknowledgment message to the sender of the notification message.

A particularly expedient variant of the invention is that the notification message and possibly the acknowledgment message are transmitted by means of a message service, in particular a short message service, of a mobile radio network.

Furthermore, it is favorable if the registration process can only be carried out if the vehicle or the vehicle owner is subscribed thereto. For this purpose, in step bb) the electronic register is searched for a subscription entry relating to the identified vehicle and / or the sender of the login message, and if so, the information for the expiration time is created and in step cc) in Reference to this entry.

As a device for implementing the method according to the invention and its developments 30 is particularly suitable a server device of the type described in claim 11.

The invention together with further advantages will be explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment, which relates to the parking space management of a short-term parking zone using short messages (so-called SMS) as "electronic 35 parking tickets". For this purpose, the attached drawings are used, which show in a schematic form:

Fig. 1 shows the embodiment of a paid short-term parking zone;

FIG. 2 shows a signal sequence of the registration of a parked vehicle; FIG. FIG. 3 shows a signal sequence for checking a parked vehicle; FIG. and FIGS. 4-7 display forms in the check according to FIG. 3.

The embodiment shown below is based on e.g. in Vienna currently the usual short-term parking scheme, according to which for a multi-lane vehicle, which is parked in a toll-worth 45 short-term parking zone, a fee (in Vienna the so-called parking meter) is payable, the amount of which depends on the parking duration.

In Fig. 1, such a short-term parking zone K1 is shown. A car driver - d.i. the driver or owner of a (multi-lane) vehicle A1 - which turns off his vehicle A1 in a parking lot in the short parking zone K1 can, according to the invention, by sending a message, e.g. an SMS, to a service number of a telecommunications network in a simple way to activate an electronic parking ticket. The bodies entrusted with the examination of the fee payment and the validity of the parking tickets access the same database from suitable terminals via a telecommunications network, in particular via a mobile network. 55 6

AT 413 460 B

A person wishing to use the electronic parking ticket service is required to be registered in the mobile radio network MFN as a subscriber with a mobile phone M1 and further subscribed to the electronic parking ticket service as a user. During subscription, an entry is created for the user on the basis of specific user data in an electronic database PR 5. These user data include, for example: the MSISDN of the mobile phone M1, where appropriate the name, address and / or e-mail address of the user, billing-specific information, e.g. a credit card number or a direct debit authorization, - if applicable, a vehicle number (official registration number) of the vehicle A1.

The network MFN in which the service number for electronic parking tickets is set up is e.g. a GSM network of known type, which offers an SMS service ('Short Message Service', short message service). For the processing, temporary storage and delivery of short messages in the network GSM a so-called SMSC ('Short Message Service Center') is provided. Instead of the SMS service, another messaging service of a telecommunications network can also be used. Of course, the invention can also be realized with other telecommunication networks offering a messaging service, in particular with other radio networks such as GPRS or UMTS.

For centralized management of electronic parking tickets, an electronic database PR is created, e.g. on a server computer SR, which is connected via an interface IF to the network MFN; In addition, the server SR can also have further interfaces IF 'for connection to 25 other networks, e.g. to the Internet IPN. The database PR, as well as other related files such as e.g. a log file PD, is e.g. stored on a fail-safe storage medium SP of the server SR.

2 shows the exchange of messages in the registration 30 of a vehicle in the short-term parking zone, on the assumption that the vehicle A1 has been parked in a parking space of the short-stay parking area K1 and the driver now turns his mobile phone M1 into an electronic short-stay parking ticket wants to register for a parking period of, for example, one hour.

In the signal flow diagrams of Figures 2 and 3, the time axis is from top to bottom, and the digits involved in the signal flow - in Figure 2, the mobile phone M1 and the server SR - are shown as vertical lines. exchanged signals and data are shown as arrows. The transmission of messages in the network MFN is done in a known manner; therefore, and for the sake of clarity, the various signal transmitting devices of the telecommunication network MFN are not shown in the signal flow diagrams.

First - reference numeral 21 - the vehicle driver creates an SMS message on his mobile phone M1. For example, the message contains the desired parking duration, e.g. in the form of a number like " 60 " for a parking hour, as well as the vehicle number, if the parking ticket is to be valid for a vehicle number other than that assigned according to the subscription of the MSISDN of the mobile phone M1. By SMS service, the message 22 is sent to the set up in the network MFN service number for electronic parking tickets. In accordance with the above, the message 22 may e.g. &Quot; & quot 60; or (with a car number) " 60 W-123AEF. From the network MFN the SMS message 22 are added in a known manner, the MSISDN of the so mobile phone and date and time automatically. The message 22 is forwarded to the server SR on the basis of the service number specified as the destination address, the billing of the SMS in the network MFN taking place in accordance with the valid telecommunications tariff. On the part of the server SR - step 23 - the message is received and evaluated. The content 7

AT 413 460 B of the message is stored (step 24) for logging purposes in the already mentioned protocol file PD. Then - reference numeral 25 - it is checked on the basis of the database PR whether the subscriber is subscribed according to the MSISDN specified in the message 22. If a subscription is found, the content of the message 22 is checked in step 26 on the basis of the user-specific data of the data bank 5, whether the information contained in the parking duration and the vehicle number are in order, as well as whether the activation of a parking ticket in accordance with applicable regulations. The latter requirement excludes - depending on the applicable administrative provisions - e.g. a check whether the vehicle is not already registered as short-term parking, which is why a re-registration would result in an unacceptable prolongation of the parking time, or if a minimum time of, for example, 10 days has elapsed since the end of the last parking period registered for this vehicle. 20 minutes has passed.

If no subscription is found in step 25 or the test 26 is negative, an SMS is generated (not shown in FIG. 2) by the server which contains a corresponding error message 15 and sent to the mobile telephone M1. In a variant, if a subscription of the vehicle owner is missing, a subscription process can also be initiated, or at least the subscription option can be indicated in the reply SMS.

After a successful check 26, an electronic parking ticket is created by assigning a unique transaction number 27 (parking ticket number); it is recorded in the log file PD and the associated user entry in the database PR is updated. An SMS 28, e.g. the shape "short-term parking until 11:30 for W-123AB. TAN = 2T (here the number 27 stands for the transaction number) is sent to the mobile phone M1 to inform the driver about the successful creation of the electronic parking ticket. 25

The invention also allows the consideration of special permits or special conditions for parking end, e.g. an exemption or reduction of the parking fee for certain vehicles. For such vehicles, a corresponding feature can be set in the associated entry of the database, which is taken into account in the calculation of the parking fees. Similarly, regional permits (e.g., a district approval) may be dealt with.

In a variant of the illustrated registration procedure, the motorist can also perform the registration from other terminal locations, instead of from his mobile phone M1. from a telephone T2 in a licensed shop (e.g., a tobacconist) or from a web terminal W2 via a web page. In the latter case, user-specific data (vehicle number, identification of the user / driver, desired parking duration) are entered into the web page and sent to the server via the Internet IPN (or another packet-oriented data network), and the further data exchange corresponds to that Fig. 2, wherein 40 the terminal W2 takes the place of the terminal M1 and the message exchange based on the known HTTP protocol based messages instead of SMS.

As well as the registration of a parking ticket, the subscription for the service of electronic parking tickets via the mobile phone M1 or a terminal of the Internet - e.g. a 45 computer in the user's home or a terminal in a shop such as a tobacconist - done.

The electronic parking tickets according to the invention also enables more extensive services, which can be handled via the server SR. Thus, e.g. the user of a vehicle parked on 50 short-term parking zones via an SMS message " ? W-123AB " send a request to inquire about the remaining parking time. The information requested in this way takes place, for example, in the form of a reply SMS, e.g. in the form '' Remaining parking duration 12min for W-123AB at 11: 1 ff ', indicating the remaining permissible parking time and the corresponding time. Another additional service reminds the user of the upcoming expiration of the 55 parking period, e.g. in the form of an SMS message "remaining parking duration 10min for W-123AB at 11:20", 8

AT 413 460 B from the server to the vehicle owner or his mobile device M1 at an agreed time interval, e.g. 10 min or 30 min depending on previously agreed settings, before the end of the current electronic parking ticket assigned parking duration is sent. 5

The invention further allows the examination of the proper parking of a vehicle. The signal flow diagram of FIG. 3 illustrates such a check by a control organ, which finds the vehicle A1 in the short-term parking zone K1 and determines that there is no valid short-duration parking ticket in the vehicle. 10

The control body accesses the central parking ticket database PR via a mobile radio terminal E3 (FIG. 1, FIGS. 4-7), which enables the transmission of data via the mobile radio network. In the embodiment considered here, the terminal E3 is an HTML-enabled palmtop device with an online connection in the form of a terminal functionality for the mobile network MFN; 15 devices of this type are well known. The terminal may, for example, a WAP, HTML, PALM OS or Pocket PC-enabled terminal of a mobile network such as the GSM network considered here MFN, a radio network or the like. be.

Conveniently, the terminal, in addition to the online terminal and the user interface (e.g., display and keyboard), has a printer interface to print a penalty order, for example. In further embodiments of the invention, additional interfaces, e.g. for a barcode scanner, be provided. For example, a bar code scanner may be useful for recognizing numbers in form forms, such as those shown in FIG. a serial number of a payment slip form enclosed by the controlling body of a penalty order 25.

The data exchange shown in Fig. 3 between the terminal E3 and the server SR is advantageously carried out in the context of a connection that was made before the start of the review between the terminal E3 and the server SR through the network MFN and 3o after completion of the Review can persist. The exchange of messages in this telecommunication connection is e.g. based on the well-known HTTP protocol. Of course, if necessary (for example, if the controlling body only occasionally does a short-term parking check), the connection can be made only for the duration of the check and the connection is terminated after a check has been made. The message exchange shown in FIG. 3 could also take place independently of an existing connection, e.g. by SMS messages exchanged between the terminal E3 and the server SR.

At the start 31 of a review, the control body enters the license plate number of the vehicle A1 to be tested into the terminal E3. This happens e.g. via an input form in the form of an HTML page, which is displayed on the touch-sensitive display ANZ of the terminal E3 as shown in FIG. The input form contains, for example, an input field F1 for the input of the license plate number and a start field B1, by the actuation of which (by touching or clicking) the input is completed and the query is started. After 45 successful entry a request message 32 is created, in addition to the entered data (the car number) an identification number of the control body or the terminal E3, as well as date and time are used. The request 32 is then routed in a known manner via the HTTP protocol over the network MFN to the server. on the part of the server SR - step 33 - the request is received and evaluated. The content of the request can be logged in the log file PD if necessary (step 34). Then - reference numeral 35 - is checked on the basis of the database PR, if under the specified vehicle number a parking ticket is registered, which is valid at the time specified in the request. Depending on the result of the database query 35, a response message 36 is sent to 55 and sent back to the controller, more specifically the terminal E3; also the-

Claims (11)

9 AT 413 460 S This result can be logged if required (step 37). If a valid parking ticket is found, a reply message is sent back, indicating to the control body that the vehicle in question has been parked in accordance with the regulations; In addition, additional information may be provided in the response message, e.g. the time when the valid parking period expires. In this case, the verification process with the response message 36 is completed. 5 shows an example of a corresponding report display on the terminal E3, wherein besides the identification of the vehicle in a text field R1 in the text field R2, the information regarding the correct parking ("VALID" or "INVALID") as well as any further information is included. Via the action fields B0, B2, a new query (FIG. 4) can be started or a criminal order (" punitive mandate ", FIG. 7) can be initiated. However, if there is no valid parking ticket, an anti-spam message 36 will be prepared and sent to the terminal E3 to initiate a prosecution (for example, under administrative penalty). The controlling body can now issue a court order. Fig. 6 shows such a report display which, apart from the suitably changed text in the field R2 ', corresponds to the display of Fig. 5. In an extension of the verification process, the penalty may also be supported by the server SR, e.g. using an HTTP-supported input form as shown in FIG. In this case, the control body shall provide the E3 terminal with additional information concerning the circumstances of the irregular parking, such as the place of storage (eg street and house number), vehicle characteristics (type, color, etc.), type of short-term parking area K1, reason for the offense and other offenses etc., in the input fields F3. For example, 25 by pressing the start field B3 these are sent in a further message 38 to the server. The latter forwards the accumulated information to a computer (not shown) of the offending authority, where, if necessary, a penalty order is issued. If, for example, due to delays or other disturbances in the transmission of 30 SMS messages, the server SR arrives during a verification process (FIG. 3) or only after that a late SMS message 22 for the registration of the respective vehicle, which invalidates the criminal order if so, the injunction 39 is reversed; if necessary, an additional SMS of the content that the dispatched penalty order has no object is created and sent to the vehicle owner or his mobile device M1. 1. A method for checking a vehicle (A1) 40 parked in a parking area (K1) with regard to the fact that this is in accordance with regulations applicable to this parking area, in particular with a provision for the payment of a parking fee and / or compliance a maximum stopping time, characterized by the following steps: a) receiving a request message (32) containing information for identifying a 45 vehicle via a telecommunications network (MFN.IPN), and evaluating this message with regard to a vehicle identified therein ( A1) and an inquiry time associated with the request message, b) checking (35) whether the vehicle is parked correctly at the request time, requesting an electronic register (PR) containing information for vehicles registered in it from the respective one expiration time to which the vehicle in question v Correctly arranged, and comparing the request time with a certain for the vehicle (A1) expiration time, and c) initiate a penalty for the vehicle, if the result of the check is negative (illegally parked vehicle). 55 1 0 AT 413 460 B 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that in step c) the punishment by issuing a criminal order (39). 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in step b), if the vehicle 5 (A1) in the electronic register (PR) is not registered, the check provides a negative result. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that step c) is carried out by the following measure: io c ') generating a response message (36) depending on the result of the check, wherein the response message in case of a negative check instructions for initiating a punishment, and sending the answer message via the telecommunication network (MFN) or another telecommunication network to the sender (E3) of the request message. 15 5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that on the basis of the response message (36) at least one sent by the sender of the request messages further message (38) is received, which contains additional information concerning circumstances of the illegal parking, and the punishment using the so amended Information is carried out. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the steps ac) are executed by a connected to the telecommunications network server device (SR) and the exchange of messages between the sender (E3) 25 of the request message and the server device (SR ) via a connection of the telecommunications network (MFN). 7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that for the preceding registration of a vehicle (A1) in a storage area (K1), the following 30 steps are performed: aa) receiving a notification message (22), which information for identifying a Vehicle contains, via the telecommunication network (MFN) or another telecommunication network, and evaluating this message with regard to a vehicle (A1) identified therein and a logon time associated with the logon message, creating (26) information from which an expiry time for the vehicle (c) entries (27) of the information in the electronic register (PR) are determinable to which it applies in accordance with the provisions applicable to the storage area, in particular in accordance with a provision for the payment of a parking fee and / or the maintenance of a maximum storage period; for later Ab-40 questions. 8. The method of claim 7, characterized by the following additional step: dd) creating an acknowledgment message (28) concerning the entry in the electronic register (PR) and sending the acknowledgment message to the sender (M1) of the login message (22). 9. The method of claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the notification message (22) and optionally the acknowledgment message (28) by means of a message service, in particular short message service, a mobile network are transmitted. 50 10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that in step bb) the electronic register is searched for a subscription entry, which refers to the identified vehicle (A1) and / or the sender (M1) of the notification message, and if so, the expiration time information is created and entered in step 55 cc) with respect to this entry. 1 1 AT 413 460 B 11. Server device (SR) which can be connected via an interface (IF) to a telecommunication network (MFN.IPN), characterized by an electronic register (SP) which contains information for vehicles registered therein, 5 from which a respective expiry time can be determined to which a vehicle (A1) parked in a parking area (K1) can be parked in accordance with regulations applicable to the parking area, in particular according to a provision for the payment of a parking fee and / or the maintenance of a maximum parking duration, the server facility (SR ) is configured to evaluate io logon messages (22) received via the interface, which contain information for identifying a vehicle, with regard to a vehicle (A1) identified therein and a logon time allocated to the logon message, from which information can be generated from which the vehicle has a Expiration time is determinable, to which it according to the Provisions for the storage area, and to enter this information in the electronic register (PR) 15, wherein the server device (SR) is further adapted to receive via the interface received inquiry messages (32) containing information for identifying a vehicle with respect to a in said identified vehicle (A1) and an inquiry time associated with the request message, on the basis of these request messages, checking the electronic register (PR) for a check (35) as to whether the vehicle in question complies with the provisions for the parking area and, if the result of the check is negative (vehicle parked in breach of the law), initiate a penalty concerning the vehicle. 25 For 2 sheets of drawings 30 35 40 45 50 55