EP1561186A1

EP1561186A1 - Parking space payment system and method

Info

Publication number: EP1561186A1
Application number: EP03809712A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Damien Mandy
Original assignee: Parkeon SAS; Schlumberger Systemes SA
Current assignee: Parkeon SAS
Priority date: 2002-10-30
Filing date: 2003-07-18
Publication date: 2005-08-10
Also published as: WO2004040522A1; US20070100700A1; CA2504157A1; FR2846773B1; AU2003251433A1; FR2846773A1; AU2003251433B2

Abstract

The invention relate to a parking space payment method and system comprising suitable payment means which enable the user to pay a given amount in order to use an authorised parking space for a corresponding length of time. The invention is characterised in that the aforementioned payment means co-operate with suitable processing and communication means in order to provide the user with a specific transaction code. The invention is further characterised in that said payment means also co-operate with processing and input means which enable the user to enter the code from a previous transaction, such as to increase the authorised parking duration by any authorised time remaining from the time authorised during the earlier transaction.

Description

PRΩr-F-nF- AND SVSTRMR nR PAIRMRNT TVTTNR PT, Af-R T R

STATTOWWRMRNT

The present invention relates to a method of paying for a parking space. The present invention also relates to a system for implementing this method.

We know, in particular from international application WO 96/11453, a paid parking space payment system built around a mobile telephone network of GSM or other type, in which a user calls, by means of his mobile telephone, a parking server to indicate the chosen parking zone, and provide a vehicle identifier such as the registration number, and possibly a personal identification code. The parking server records the call data as well as the parking start time. When the user leaves the parking place, he calls the parking server again to inform him of his departure. Taking into account the duration of parking and the rates in force in the parking area, the server can calculate the price to be paid by the user and establish an invoice either directly or through the mobile operator. .

In this known system, the control is carried out by surveillance agents equipped with portable devices allowing them to consult the parking server by telephone link in order to know whether the parked vehicles, identified in particular by their registration number, have have been regularly registered with the server.

Systems for paying for parking by mobile telephone are also known on systems using parking terminals, in particular through patent application WO00 / 55816 filed by the applicant.

We also know, especially through patent US6230868, the payment by place number which simplifies the control by surveillance officers. Indeed payments are linked to places identified uniquely by numbers, it is then easy to consult the paid or unpaid state of a place and this, whatever the means of payment used (currency, payment cards or mobile phone) and whatever the means of monitoring used (ticket, parking terminal display, mobile, etc.). Thus in the case of a payment system by mobile phone, it is easy to ensure that the numbers of the parking spaces appear in the same order on the terminal for monitoring the surveillance agents as on the parking site. In addition, it is no longer necessary for the user using his telephone to enter an identifier characteristic of his vehicle, the surveillance officers limiting themselves to checking whether the space occupied is well paid.

In a telephone call payment system, two separate payment methods can be used. In the first mode, the payment is initiated by a first communication to the system and interrupted by a second communication to the same system, in the second mode the payment is made for a predefined duration. The first method of payment has the major drawback of requiring two calls. As for the second, its application to a parking system by place number, raises certain difficulties.

Indeed, faced with a new payment request for a given parking space, one can imagine three ways of proceeding:

"Full Reset" mode, ie erasing the previous transaction in the same place. Any new payment on a site cancels the previous transaction, without taking into account any remaining parking time. However, this approach involves risks for users. Indeed, if a second user mistakenly makes a payment for a space already occupied and paid for by a first user and if the newly paid sum authorizes a parking time less than the time remaining, the first user will therefore have his parking time reduced and despite payment initially made.

"Best Time" mode, that is to say the best time between the remaining time and the paid time. When a new payment is made, the terminal checks what is the most favorable end of parking: that previously recorded, the fruit of the previous transaction for the same place or that corresponding to the transaction that has just been validated. This option prevents a new transaction from “canceling” the previous transaction, but obliges the user wishing to extend their parking time to wait until the end of the first period to pay for their additional time, under penalty of paying twice for the recovery period.

“Add Time” mode, ie adding the paid time to the remaining time. When a new payment is made, after validation of the transaction, the newly paid duration is added to the possible residual duration resulting from the previous transaction and then defines a new end time for authorized parking. This option prevents a new transaction from “canceling” the previous transaction. It also allows a user to extend their parking period without waiting for the end of the initial period and at no additional cost. However, it has the disadvantage that an arriving user fully benefits from the possible parking rights of the previous user, rights which he did not pay, which goes against the profitability of the political parking service of parking. It also has a negative impact in terms of parking management since it allows a user to obtain an authorized parking time greater than a possible maximum authorized duration.

The present invention therefore proposes to remedy the problems posed above by proposing a method of paying for a parking space which is both simple and original.

The method of paying for a parking space according to the invention uses a payment system comprising acknowledgment means by which the user operates the payment of a given amount so as to benefit from a corresponding duration of authorized parking.

According to the invention, the method of paying for a parking space is characterized in that said acknowledgment means cooperate with appropriate processing and communication means to provide said user with a specific code for the transaction, and in that said acknowledgment means cooperate with appropriate processing and input means by which the user can enter the code of a previous transaction and thus increase said authorized parking duration by the possible residual authorized duration corresponding to the authorized duration related to said previous transaction.

According to another characteristic of the method of payment object of the present invention, said parking space is identified by an appropriate number and the user must enter during the payment operation said number using appropriate input and processing means cooperating with said acknowledgment means.

According to another characteristic of the payment method object of the present invention, said number is used by said processing means to develop said specific code of the transaction.

According to another characteristic of the payment method which is the subject of the present invention, said authorized parking duration is only increased by the possible residual authorized duration corresponding to the authorized duration linked to said previous transaction code entered by the user only if said transaction previous relates to the same parking space.

According to another characteristic of the payment method which is the subject of the present invention, the authorized duration corresponding to a given amount paid by a user is equal to the greater of the following durations: the duration directly linked to said payment as defined in particular by a table of appropriate tariff and any residual authorized duration corresponding to the previous authorized duration concerning said parking space.

According to another characteristic of the payment method which is the subject of the present invention, the authorized duration corresponding to a given amount paid by a user is equal to the greater of the following durations: the duration directly linked to said payment as defined in particular by a table of appropriate tariff and any residual authorized durations corresponding to the previous authorized durations for said parking space.

According to another characteristic of the payment method which is the subject of the present invention, only the duration directly linked to said payment, as defined in particular by an appropriate tariff table, is communicated to the user by appropriate communication means cooperating with said means of payment. 'acquittal.

According to another characteristic of the method of payment object of the present invention, the authorized duration of parking after entry by the user of the code of a previous transaction is equal to the greater of the following durations: the duration directly linked to said payment, such that in particular defined by an appropriate tariff table, increased by the possible authorized residual duration corresponding to the authorized duration linked to said previous transaction and the possible residual authorized duration corresponding to the preceding authorized duration concerning said parking space.

According to another characteristic of the method of payment object of the present invention, the authorized duration of parking after entry by the user of the code of a previous transaction is equal to the greater of the following durations: the duration directly linked to said payment, such that in particular defined by an appropriate tariff table, increased by the possible authorized residual duration corresponding to the authorized duration linked to said previous transaction and the possible residual authorized durations corresponding to the preceding authorized durations concerning said parking space.

The present invention also relates to a payment system for parking space for the implementation of the process.

The payment system for a parking space according to the invention comprises appropriate acknowledgment means by which the user operates the payment of a given amount so as to benefit from a corresponding duration of authorized parking.

According to the invention, the system is characterized in that said acknowledgment means cooperate with appropriate processing and communication means to provide said user with a specific code for the transaction, and in that said acknowledgment means cooperate with appropriate processing and input means by which the user can enter the code of a previous transaction and thus increase said authorized parking duration by the possible authorized residual duration corresponding to the authorized duration linked to said previous transaction. The objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the description given below of several embodiments of the invention, presented by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :

- Figure 1 is a schematic view of a parking space payment system implementing the method according to the invention; FIGS. 2a and 2b are timing diagrams illustrating the determination of the authorized parking durations according to the method which is the subject of the present invention. In accordance with FIG. 1, the payment system for a parking space is presented applied to on-street parking, it can obviously apply to parking in a closed park. This system includes a payment terminal 2 of the multiplace parking meter type connected to a remote server 1 to which the user can access by telephone call from a telephone set 3 through an appropriate network 4: PSTN, GSM, etc. This parking meter 2 belongs to a network of terminals regularly distributed, for example every fifty meters, along the sidewalks of streets subject to paid regulated parking. Such a network, meshing an agglomeration, is managed by an operator such as a private organization or even a municipality. The same park can include several tens to several thousand terminals depending on the size of the city or agglomeration concerned. Obviously the use of payment terminals of the parking meter type is not limiting of the present invention which can also relate to parking meters. This composition of the payment system shown in FIG. 1 is not limitative of the invention, which can be implemented with a network of terminals operating alone, without requiring a remote server to implement the invention, or even be implemented without a terminal with simply a remote server alone which then communicates directly the information relating to the payment of places to the surveillance agents on portable terminals equipping the latter. The payment terminal 2 makes it possible to manage a plurality of parking spaces P3, P4, P5, P6, ..., the choice of which is made by pressing the key on a keyboard corresponding to the selected location. The user then pays a predetermined parking time for said location thus identified.

Terminal 2 conventionally comprises a certain number of means making it possible to ensure the essential functions of a multiplace parking meter, that is to say means of payment, such as a card reader with electronic memory or with microcontroller and / or a coin or token collection device, information input means, such as a keyboard or a scroll wheel, associated with a display screen, in particular for selecting the parking space and the parking time, a generator time, means of power supply, etc. Terminal 2 further comprises means for visual indication of the monitoring state of the locations managed by terminal 2. These means for visual indication can be arranged on the front face and / or on the rear face of terminal 2, in depending on the layout of the man / machine interface of the terminal in relation to the public road. Indeed, it is very advantageous to have the means of visual indication so that the attendant can take note of the payment status of a given place from a vehicle traveling on the public highway.

If necessary, the terminal 2 also includes, as is known, printing means for example with thermal head, capable of delivering a ticket indicating the amount paid and the parking limit time. A central unit or microcontroller with appropriate software ensures the operation of the parking meter and its various peripherals.

The terminal 2 also includes appropriate communication means making it possible to exchange data with the remote server 1 In particular, it is possible to operate the parking space payment operations directly with the server 1 by simple telephone call, this the latter then supplying, directly or through terminal 2, the payment statements for the various parking spaces to the surveillance officers. According to the invention, the microcontroller of terminal 2 is equipped with a specific program, capable of providing and using a transaction code making it possible to optimize the payment for a parking time, both for the user and for the manager of the terminal 2. Figures 2a and 2b specify the method according to the invention for determining the parking time.

This method is based on the general application of the "Best Time" mode from one transaction to another, except when it is the same user who wishes to extend their parking time and to which the mode is then offered. "Cumulative Times" thanks to the code given to the user after each payment.

Let us consider a user "A" who parked on place P5 and who acknowledged with terminal 2 or after from server 1, at time tO (9h00 am), an amount for example of one euro and fifty cents (1, 5 €) to benefit according to the tariff table in force, for example of one hour of authorized parking, period going from instants tO to tl ( ohoo am). This payment constitutes the n th transaction for terminal 2. The user "A" receives during his payment a parking code for example "P5-2313" associated with this n th transaction. This code is simply displayed on the display screen or even printed on a ticket. However, user “A” having left place P5 well before the end of his authorized parking period, another user “B” seeing place P5 free, parks there in turn. User “B” then presents himself in front of terminal 2 at time t2 (9:25 am) (t2 <tl), notes that the place is in authorized parking thanks to the green light corresponding to place P5, but not knowing not the end of this period, pays the amount necessary for the planned parking period, for example fifty cents of a euro (0.5 €) for twenty minutes of authorized parking, period from instants t2 to t3 (9.45 am). The user "B" receives during his payment a parking code for example "P5-5489" associated with this n + l-th transaction. In fact, user "B" benefits from an authorized parking duration equal to the greater of the following durations:

- authorized duration directly linked to the payment that user “B” has just made, that is to say twenty minutes (t3-t2);

- and residual authorized duration linked to previous transactions, in this case thirty-five minutes (tl-t2).

In the example illustrated, the user “B” therefore benefits from the duration tl-t2 since the latter is greater than t3-t2.

It should be noted that user "B" knows a priori only the period for which he paid, that is to say t3-t2. User “B” having subsequently realized that he needs a longer parking period than the one initially chosen returns to time t4 (9:35 am) to make a second payment, for example a euro (l €) for forty minutes of authorized parking from t4 to t5 (10hl5 am), if during this new payment the user "B" enters the code previously obtained, namely "P5-5489", then the authorized parking time is calculated according to the "Cumulative Times" mode , that is to say that the authorized duration is equal to fifty minutes from t4 to t6 (9.45 am), i.e. the forty paid minutes to which the remaining ten minutes (t3-t4) have been added at time t4 corresponding to the previous authorized period linked to the code "P5-5489". Obviously, at the end of their second payment, user "B" receives a new transaction code "P5-7320" corresponding to this n + 2-th transaction.

According to the embodiment described, the user “B” could just as easily have extended his authorized parking period without returning to terminal 2 but directly by calling the server 1 from his telephone 3 or any other telephone. In accordance with the embodiment described, the paid parking spaces are numbered and the payment can be made either to the server 1 via a telephone or to the terminal 2.

The user carrying out a transaction receives in return a unique code valid until the expiration of the authorized parking time initially requested.

This code can be transmitted via the terminal 2 display, or printed on a receipt by the terminal, or be communicated by the server 1 via the mobile phone in the event of payment with such a means (voice message, SMS, etc. This code can be the unique identifier of the electronic means of payment if applicable (mobile phone identifier, bank card number, etc.) or a badge type identifier.

The user realizing that the time for which he has chosen to park is not sufficient can then, remotely or directly on the terminal, extend the transaction in progress for the location considered, provided that he indicates via the chosen interface (mobile phone or parking terminal keypad), the transaction code allowing to extend it. If the code is the identifier of the means of payment, the system will automatically authorize the extension of the parking time.

Thus, the system only allows the same user to extend his own transaction in progress, based on an identifier which is specific to him or which is known only to him. Thus the system allows to force the rotation of vehicles:

Indeed, it makes it possible to comply with the maximum duration constraints for the same transaction even if it is extended. The advantage of the system for extending time is that when the maximum duration has been reached, it is restrictive for the user, by imposing a return to the device to carry out a new transaction. Indeed, we can optionally prohibit a second transaction - whether remote or not - from the same electronic payment method, whatever it may be.

It is also possible to prohibit the use of this same electronic means of payment in a parking area.

It has the advantage of allowing the user to perform this operation remotely, via his mobile phone. It can also use the conventional telephone network.

Another user, on the other hand, will not be able to use any time remaining since he is not aware of the code linked to the transaction. He must therefore carry out a standard transaction, with calculation of the time from the moment at which payment is made.

Claims

RRVRnrnir-ATTOWR

[1] Method of paying for a parking space using a payment system comprising appropriate means of payment by which the user makes payment of a given amount so as to benefit from a corresponding duration of authorized parking, characterized in that said acknowledgment means cooperate with appropriate processing and communication means to provide said user with a specific code of the transaction, and in that said acknowledgment means cooperate with appropriate processing and input means thanks to to which the user can enter the code of a previous transaction and thus increase said authorized parking duration by any remaining authorized duration corresponding to the authorized duration linked to said previous transaction.

[2] Method of paying for a parking space according to claim 1, characterized in that said parking space is identified by an appropriate number and in that the user must enter said number in the payment transaction. using appropriate input and processing means cooperating with said acknowledgment means.

[3] Method of paying for a parking space according to claim 2, characterized in that said number is used by said processing means to develop said specific code of the transaction.

[4] Method of paying for a parking space according to claim 2, characterized in that said authorized parking duration is not increased by the possible residual authorized duration corresponding to the authorized duration linked to said previous transaction code entered by the user only if said previous transaction concerns the same parking space.

[5] Method of paying for a parking space according to claim 2, characterized in that the corresponding authorized duration to a given amount paid by a user is equal to the greatest of the following durations: the duration directly linked to said payment as defined in particular by an appropriate tariff table and the possible residual authorized duration corresponding to the previous authorized duration concerning said place parking.

[6] Method of paying for a parking space according to claim 2, characterized in that the authorized duration corresponding to a given amount paid by a user is equal to the greatest of the following durations: the duration directly linked to said payment such that in particular defined by an appropriate rate table and any residual authorized durations corresponding to the previous authorized durations concerning said parking space.

[7] Method of paying for a parking space according to claims 5 or 6, characterized in that only the duration directly linked to said payment, as in particular defined by an appropriate rate table, is communicated to the user by appropriate communication means cooperating with said acknowledgment means.

[8] Method of paying for a parking space according to claim 5, characterized in that the authorized parking duration after entry by the user of the code from a previous transaction is equal to the greatest of the following durations: the duration directly linked to said payment, as in particular defined by an appropriate rate table, increased by the possible residual authorized duration corresponding to the authorized duration linked to said previous transaction and the possible residual authorized duration corresponding to the previous authorized duration concerning said parking spot.

[9] Method of paying for a parking space according to claim 6, characterized in that the authorized parking duration after entry by the user of the code from a previous transaction is equal to the greatest of the following durations: the duration directly linked to said payment, as defined in particular by a appropriate rate table, increased by any residual authorized duration corresponding to the authorized duration linked to said previous transaction and any residual authorized durations corresponding to the previous authorized durations concerning said parking space.

[10] System for paying for a parking space comprising appropriate payment means by which the user makes the payment of a given amount so as to benefit from a corresponding duration of authorized parking, characterized in that said acknowledgment means cooperate with appropriate processing and communication means to provide said user with a specific code of the transaction, and in that said acknowledgment means cooperate with appropriate processing and input means through which the user can enter the code of a previous transaction and thus increase said authorized parking duration by any remaining authorized duration corresponding to the authorized duration linked to said previous transaction.