GB2470949A

GB2470949A - Subscriber identification system

Info

Publication number: GB2470949A
Application number: GB0910095A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rafael Contessa
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-06-12
Filing date: 2009-06-12
Publication date: 2010-12-15
Also published as: GB0910095D0

Abstract

A subscriber identification system having at least one vehicle parking region 103, the system comprises remote data storage 107 storing parking region 103 identification data and electronic transaction variables respectively associated with each parking region identification data. Subscriber identification 111 proximal a subscriber's vehicle stores subscriber information. Networked data input apparatus 112-114 located near each parking region 103 captures the subscriber data from the subscriber identification 111. A remote electronic transaction processor 109, such as a POS terminal, has a second data input 110 and receives subscriber data from the networked data input apparatus 112-114 and captures subscriber data with the second input 110 for setting parameters of an electronic transaction and matches the captured subscriber data with the received subscriber data. When a match occurs the transaction is updated with the transaction variables associated with the parking area 104 occupied by the subscriber's vehicle 106. The system thus recognises which subscriber is parked in a parking bay 104 and gives offers or discounts according to the specific parking bay they have used. The identifier 111 may be a barcode, RFID tag, a cellular telephone or the like with the data input apparatus having a reader, scanner or interrogator.

Description

SUBSCRiBER IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a subscriber identification system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a subscriber identification system for a vehicle parking area.

Background to the Invention

Developments in product and services retailing techniques have resulted in an ever -increasing array of consumer loyalty schemes, designed to entice those subscribing consumers to frequent specific stores in preference.

The technical implementation of loyalty schemes traditionally involves inputting and storing consumers' individual details in a database and issuing each consumer with a respective subscriber identification token, for instance a wallet-sized card configured with some form of machine -readable data storage therein or thereon, for instance a magnetic stripe, a barcode or a micro -processor.

This subscriber identification token may then be presented by a subscribing consumer whenever the token -issuing store is visited, and an electronic transaction is processed thereat, whereby various data parameters associated with the transaction may be recorded in the database. Such data accrues over time to define a retailer -consumer relationship, from which the retailer may gain useful business intelligence for purposes of premises and stock planning, and the retailer may optionally reward the customer for using the token and facilitating this data recordal.

Many retailers which implement such schemes, particularly of the large -scale type such as supermarket chains, usually make vehicle parking facilities available free of charge to their customers. Retailers willing to integrate such parking facilities to their customer data collecting system are however faced with substantial implementation costs and hindrances, both technical and administrative, depending on the legislation of the jurisdiction in which such developments are envisaged.

For instance, a retailer could wish to install an automatic number plate recognition system (usually abbreviated ANPR'), which records video footage of, or photographs, the individual number plate of each vehicle entering its vehicle parking facility and looks up a vehicle's registered keeper details in a remote database maintained by a third party, usually a government agency. The retailer system may then attempt to correlate the registered keeper's data (name and/or address) with subscribers' data it maintains in its own database, to attempt a match. From an administrative point of view, however, registered keeper details are not made available to the public or for such commercial purposes in many countries, whereby such an implementation could simply be legally forbidden.

Where such an implementation would be possible, however, there would still be no guarantee that the vehicle driver parking at the store facility and the registered keeper are one and the same person, i.e. that the retailer's subscribing consumer who parks a vehicle in the parking facility is the vehicle owner. Such an implementation is therefore sub -optimal, having regard to the desired quality and accuracy of the data collected, particularly when contrasted by likely implementation costs. A further limitation of such an implementation is the requirement for the constant availability of remote third party data sources, such as the remote database storing the vehicle's registered keeper details, which cannot be guaranteed, for instance as a result of scheduled or unscheduled interruptions in the required communication links.

Alternative implementations may be inspired from recent developments in car parking fee collection systems, an example of which is disclosed in European patent application EP 2034449 and involves mounting a vehicle identifying device which includes data processing and communicating features. Such implementations however remain cost -ineffective, because retailers do not traditionally charge consumers for parking their vehicles in their parking facility and the introduction of a fee collection system would likely drive consumers away, to those competitors which maintain their respective parking facilities free of charge.

There is therefore a disincentive for retailers to implement onerous data -collecting equipment in their vehicle parking facilities.

It would nonetheless be desirable for retailers to have an inexpensive and reliable system, which permits the identification of subscribing consumers before they conduct a transaction, preferably at the time they park their vehicle in the store vehicle parking faciUty, in order to obtain data representative of store visiting patterns.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect, there is provided a subscriber identification system for a parking area having at least one vehicle parking region, the system comprising remote data storage means storing parking region identification data and at least one electronic transaction variable respectively associated with each parking region identification data; subscriber identification means proximal a subscriber's vehicle, wherein the subscriber identification means stores subscriber data encoded thereon or therein; networked data input means located proximal each at least one parking region for capturing the subscriber data from the subscriber identification means; remote electronic transaction processing means having second data input means; and a data communication network interfacing the networked data input means, the remote data storage means and the remote electronic transaction processing means; wherein the electronic transaction processing means is for receiving subscriber data from the networked data input means, capturing subscriber data with the second data input means for setting parameters of an electronic transaction; matching the captured subscriber data with the received subscriber data, and, whenever a match occurs, updating parameters of the electronic transaction with the at least one specific transaction variable respectively associated with the parking area occupied by the subscriber's vehicle.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a kit of parts comprising subscriber identification means secured to a subscriber's vehicle, wherein the subscriber identification means stores subscriber data encoded thereon or therein; networked data input means located proximal each at least one parking region for capturing the subscriber data; remote data storage means storing parking region identification data and at least one electronic transaction variable respectively associated with each parking region identification data; and a data communication network interfacing the data input means and the remote data storage means; wherein the kit of parts is apt for interfacing with an electronic transaction system comprising remote electronic transaction processing means having second data input means, the remote electronic transaction processing means being for receiving subscriber data from the networked data input means, capturing subscriber data with the second data input means for setting parameters of an electronic transaction, matching the captured subscriber data with the received subscriber data and, whenever a match occurs, updating the electronic transaction parameters with the at least one specific transaction variable respectively associated with the parking area occupied by the subscriber's vehicle.

Preferably, the remote data storage means further stores the subscriber data, the electronic transaction processing means further retrieves therefrom the subscriber data corresponding to the received subscriber data and stores same, and is further for matching the captured subscriber data with the retrieved and stored subscriber data.

Preferably, the subscriber identification means is permanently or releasably secured to the subscriber's vehicle. For example, the subscriber identification means may comprise fastening means for permanent or releasable securing to the subscriber's vehicle.

The subscriber identification means is preferably selected from the group comprising a barcode, a radio-emitting device including radio-frequency identification (RFID') devices, a wireless networking device including JEEE8O2.11-capable devices and a cellular telecommunication device.

The data input means is preferably selected from the group comprising, respectively, a barcode reader, a radio receiving device including radio-frequency identification (RFID') devices, a wireless network access point and a cellular base station.

The remote data storage means is preferably a remote computer or server storing a database.

The subscriber data preferably includes at least a subscriber's unique identifier.

The parking region identification data is preferably a geographical location or a logical reference.

The at least one electronic transaction variable is preferably a promotional offer or the like, embodied as numerical data correlated to a unique identifier of a product or service stored in a database thereof.

The data communication network is preferably selected from the group comprising cabled networks, including Local Area Networks (LAN'), and wireless networks, including cellular and radio-frequency data communication networks, and any combination thereof.

The electronic transaction processing means is preferably a point of sale (POS') system.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a method of associating subscriber data with electronic transaction data comprising the steps of storing, in remote data storage means, parking region identification data of at least one parking region of a vehicle parking area of a merchant outlet, and at least one electronic transaction variable respectively associated with each parking region identification data; encoding subscriber data in or on subscriber identification means located proximal a subscriber's vehicle; parking the vehicle in at least one parking region of a vehicle parking area of a merchant outlet, capturing the subscriber data with data input means located proximal each at least one parking region; receiving the captured subscriber data at remote electronic transaction processing means, over a data communication network interlacing the first data input means, the data storage means and the electronic transaction processing means; capturing the subscriber data with data input means located proximal the remote electronic transaction processing means; matching the captured subscriber data with the received subscriber data; and, whenever a match occurs, updating parameters of the electronic transaction with the at least one specific transaction variable respectively associated with the parking area occupied by the subscriber's vehicle.

The method preferably comprises the further steps of storing subscriber data in the remote data storage means, retrieving subscriber data from the remote data storage means corresponding to the received subscriber data and storing same, and the matching step preferably comprises the further step of matching the captured subscriber data with the retrieved subscriber data.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, there will now be described by way of example only, specific embodiments, methods and processes according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates an environment in which a subscriber identification system according to the invention may be implemented, including remote data storage means, subscriber identification means, networked data input means and remote electronic transaction processing means, and a data communication network.

Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of the electronic transaction processing means shown in figure 1, including memory means.

Figure 3 shows and embodiment of the networked data input means shown in figure 1.

Figure 4 illustrates the contents of the memory means shown in figure 2 when in use, including a plurality of data tables.

Figure 5 illustrates the respective data contents of a plurality of tables shown in figure 4.

Figure 6 details the processing steps performed by the networked data input means of figures 1 and 3 for capturing subscriber data from the subscriber identification means of figure 1.

Figure 7 details the processing steps performed by the remote electronic transaction processing means of figures 1 and 2 when in use.

Figure 8 illustrates the data contents of one amongst the plurality of tables shown in figure 4, further to processing the steps of figure 7.

Detailed Description

There will now be described by way of example a specific mode contemplated by the inventors. In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding. lt will be apparent however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to

unnecessarily obscure the description.

With reference to figure 1, an embodiment of a subscriber identification system according to the present invention is shown in an environment 100. The system is intended for use with stores or venues 101, which provide a parking area 102 comprising one or more vehicle parking regions 103, 104, 105 for their visitors to park their vehicles 106 thereon or therein.

The system comprises remote data storage means 107, which is preferably computerised data processing means such as a remote computer or server. In the example shown, server 107 is off-site and may be geographically located anywhere, provided it can be interfaced with at least a data communication network 108, to which further elements of the system are interfaced or connected, as will be further described below. In an alternative embodiment, server 107 may be located at store or venue 101. Server 107 preferably stores parking region identification data, which respectively and uniquely identifies each of the vehicle parking regions 103, 104, 105. Server 107 also stores at least one electronic transaction variable, which is respectively associated with each parking region identification data, and an example of such electronic transaction variable will be described further below.

The subscriber identification system further comprises remote electronic transaction processing means 109, which is equipped with at least data input means 110. The remote electronic transaction processing means 109 is preferably located at store or venue 101 and, in the example, include a point of sale (POS) terminal, for instance a checkout terminal if store 101 is a supermarket or convenience store. POS terminal 109 further includes data input means 110 which, in the example, comprises a barcode scanner, using either infrared or laser optical recognition to scan barcodes affixed to products or tokens and to transt ate the scanned barcodes into aiphanumerical.

The subscriber identification system further comprises subscriber identification means 111, which may be selected from the group comprising a barcode, a radio emitting device including radio-frequency identification (RFID) devices, a wireless networking device including IEEE 802.11-capable devices and a cellular telecommunication device, such as a mobile phone. In the example, the subscriber identification means is a credit card-sized token 111 having a barcode engraved, printed or transferred thereon. The barcode embodies subscriber data, which is unique to the visitor to whom the store or venue 101 has issued the token as a subscriber, having preferably collected the subscriber data from the visitor during a previous visit or through another communication event.

The barcode token 111 is located proximal a subscriber's vehicle 106 and may be permanently or releasably secured to the subscriber's vehicle 106, for instance affixed to the windscreen thereof by an adhesive, a suction cup, static electricity or any other fastening means suitable for the purpose. Alternatively, the barcode token 111 is located proximai a subscriber's vehicle 106 during a time interval only, for instance at the time the subscriber exits the vehicle and moves toward the store or venue 101 by a specified or unspecified distance, corresponding to the capturing range of networked data input means 112, 113, 114, which are located proximal each parking region 103, 104, 105 and are apt to capture the subscriber data from the barcode token 111, when a subscriber parks a vehicle 106 in a parking region.

The networked data input means 112, 113, 114 are interfaced with the data communication network 108 and may be selected from the group comprising, respectively, a barcode reader, a radio receiving device including radio frequency identification (RFID) devices, a wireless network access point and a cellular based station, as a function of the type of subscriber identification means 111 issued by the store or venue 101 to its subscribers. In the example, the networked data input means 112, 113,114 are optical recognition devices which, using infrared or laser, apt to scan the barcode token 111 in a respective parking region and the immediate vicinity thereof. Thus, depending on the subscriber identification means embodiment, a barcode reader 112, 113, 114 is apt to capture barcode data from a barcode token 111 affixed to a vehicle 106 or carried and by the subscriber when exiting the vehicle 106.

The data communication network 108 may be selected from the group comprising cabled networks, including local area networks (LAN) and wide area networks (WAN), and wireless networks including wireless local area networks (W LAN), cellular and radio frequency data communication networks, and any combination thereof. In the example, parking area barcode readers 112, 113, 114 are interfaced with a LAN 108, to which POS terminal 109 is likewise interfaced, and the data communication network 108 includes a WAN portion, for instance the Internet, to which both server 107 and POS terminal 109 are interfaced. There is therefore provided the scope for any of data processing devices 107, 109, 112, 113 and 114 to communicate data to and/or receive data from one another.

With reference to figure 2, an example of the internal components of POS terminal 109 is provided. POS terminal 109 is a computing device, which includes a data bus 201, to which a plurality of components are connected for exchanging data there between and/or powering the components. A central processing unit (CPU) 202 is connected to bus 201, for instance a microprocessor manufactured by Intel, AMD, VIA or ARM, which performs data processing tasks according to various sets of instructions, which will be detailed hereinafter. CPU 202 stores data which it requires for performing processing steps in memory means 203, which is one or more blocks of random access memory (RAM). CPU 202 writes and reads from RAM 203 constantly whilst in use, and may store processed data permanently in hard disk drive (HDD) 204 and retrieve stored data therefrom. CPU 202 may also load instructions from 1-100 204 when starting POS terminal 109 or at any given time as a function of the functionality required. RAM 203 and HDD 204 are therefore also connected to bus 201. Data may be input in POS terminal 109 with a variety of data input means, in the example a keyboard 205 connected to a first data input interface 206, for instance a universal serial bus (USB) connector interfaced with bus 201.

Data may also be input in POS 109 by further or alternative data input means, for instance the barcode reader 110 connected to a further USB connector or RS 232 serial bus connector 207, itself likewise interfaced with bus 201.

Remote data, for instance received from barcode readers 112, 113, 114 over data communication network 108, is input through a network interface card (NIC) 208 interfaced with bus 201. NIC 208 doubles as data outputting means for POS terminal 109, for instance if local data is broadcast to remote server 107 over data communication network 108. In addition to output data broadcast to remote recipients via NIC 208, data processed by CPU 202 may also be output locally, for instance to a user display 209 via a video display adapter (VDA) 210 interfaced with bus 201. A power supply unit (PSU) 211 completes the list of components of POS terminal 109, and supplies electrical power to the various components of terminal 109 for operation, as required.

It will be understood by persons skilled in the art that POS terminal 109 corresponds to a typical computing device and the above description is provided by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the scope of possible embodiments in any way.

With reference to figure 3, an example of the internal components of a networked data input device 112, 113, 114 is provided. As explained, in the example networked data input device 112 is a barcode reader or scanner device, which includes a data bus 301, to which a plurality of components are connected for exchanging data there between andlor powering the components. A central processing unit (CPU) 302 is connected to bus 201, for instance a microprocessor manufactured by VIA or ARM, which performs data processing tasks according to a set of instructions, which will be detailed hereinafter. CPU 302 stores data which it requires in use for performing processing steps in memory means 303, which is one or more blocks of non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM). CPU 302 writes and reads from NVFtAM 203 constantly whilst in use, and data written to NVRAM remains semi -permanently stored, i.e. even whilst device 112 is powered down, until such time as CPU 302 overwrites or deletes it.

CPU 302 may also load sets of instructions from read-only memory means 304, for an instance an electrically -erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) 304, when powering up device 112 or at any given time as a function of the functionality required. RAM 303 and ROM 304 are therefore also connected to bus 301.

Subscriber data may be input in device 112 in a variety of ways but, in the example, data input means comprises a barcode reader 305, itself likewise interfaced with bus 201 and functionally equivalent to barcoder reader 110.

Communication of captured subscriber data to POS terminal 109 over data communication network 108 is performed by a network interface card (NIC) 308 interfaced with bus 301.

A power supply unit (PSU) 311 completes the list of components of barcode reader 112, and supplies electrical power to the various components of barcode reader 112 for operation, as required.

It will be understood by persons skilled in the art that barcode reader 112 corresponds to a typical computing device and the above description is provided by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the scope of possible embodiments in any way.

POS terminal 109 requires various sets of instructions to direct its operation in use, which are stored in RAM 203, along with the data required by the processing rules. Figure 4 illustrates the contents of RAM 203 in the context of the subscriber identification system according to the present invention.

An operating system is shown at 401 which contains the instructions required to provide POS terminal 109 with its basic functionality, therefore instructions which allow CPU 202 to read from and write to RAM 203 and HDD 204, output data to NIC 208 and VDA 210, receive input data from input components 206, 207, 208 and broadcast data to NIC 208.

A car park module is shown at 402, which contains the instructions required to process subscriber data received from barcode readers 112, 113, 114, store same in a car park table 403 which, in a preferred embodiment, is configured as a buffer and will be described in further details herein below.

A retail moduLe is shown at 404, which contains instructions for CPU 202 to process electronic transactions of subscribers, respective data of whom are stored in a subscriber database 405, and of non-subscribers, on the basis of a product database 406 and a car park database 407. Retail module 404 maintains parameters of ongoing electronic transactions in a transaction table 408, which will be described in further details herein below.

With reference to figure 5, examples of car park table 403, subscriber database 405 and car park database 407 are shown in the form of excerpted data tables which are, for the purpose of not unnecessarily obscuring the present

description.

In its simplest form, subscriber database 405, which in an alternative embodiment may be a table of a relational database, includes subscriber data in the form of the subscriber's name 501 and a unique identifier 502, which is respectively and uniquely associated with the subscriber's name 501. Persons skilled in the art will understand that database or table 405 may contain any number of further subscriber characteristics as subscriber data, for instance the first name, address, telephone number, email address, store visit counter and the like.

Car park database 407 which, in an alternative embodiment, may likewise take the form of a table in a relational database, contains parking region identification data 503, which is respectively and uniquely associated with each parking region 103, 104, 105 of the store or venue's parking area 102. Car park database or table 407 further includes an electronic transaction variable 504 which, in the example, is a promotional offer, embodied as alphanumerical data.

An example, parameter of 0.33 is shown, which translates as a promotional offer of three products sold for the price of a single product. Car park database or table 407 correspondingly further includes a product identifier 505, which respectively and uniquely identifies the product to which the promotional offers applies. Consequently, each entry in the car park database or table 407 uniquely associates a parking region, a product or service and a promotional offer applicable to that product or service.

Car park table 403 is structured as a buffer and is used to temporarily store details of which subscriber parked in which parking region, optionally at what time, until such time as the subscriber concludes an electronic transaction at POS terminal 109. Car park buffer 403 therefore includes at least the unique identifier 502 of the subscriber who has parked a vehicle 106 in a parking region 103, 104, 105, which was obtained from the barcode token 111 read by the reader 112, 113, 114. A unique identifier associated with each reader 112, 113, 114 determines in which parking region did the subscriber park their vehicle 106, whereby the parking region unique identifier 503 is likewise stored in car park buffer 403 in respect of the subscriber data 502. Car park buffer 403 may optionally store a time stamp 506 indicating the time at which the reader 112, 113, 114 captured the subscriber data 502. Recording a subscriber's time of arrival may prove useful, particularly if time of departure is also recorded, for instance at the POS terminal 109, for planning parking area development and parking surface maintenance. Persons skilled in the art will understand that recording the time of arrival is, however, entirely optional because, in its simplest form, buffer 403 maintains an entry consisting of the subscriber identification 502 and associated parking region 503 during the subscriber's visit, the entry being deleted from the buffer upon completion of an electronic transaction at POS terminal 109 or after a predetermined period of time.

Figure 6 describes the processing steps performed by the CPU 302 of each reader 112, 113, 114 in use. The sequence of processing steps define a continuous data processing cycle, which begins when the device 112 powers up at step 601 and loads instructions from ROM 304 necessary to perform the further processing steps described hereinafter. At step 602, CPU 302 instructs the reading module 305 to perform an optical scan, for capturing any subscriber data 502 from a token 111. A first question is asked at step 603, as to whether the scanning operation has been successful and subscriber data 502 has been captured.

If the question of step 603 is answered positively, then at step 604 CPU 302 compares the captured subscriber data 502 with subscriber data which may already be stored in its NV RAM 303 for a match.

Each reader 112, 113, 114 maintains a buffer substantially similar to car park buffer 403 in its NV RAM 303, having a single entry within which the last-scanned subscriber data 502 is semi-permanently stored until such time as the comparison of step 604 becomes negative.

A question is therefore asked at step 605, as to whether a comparison of the scanned subscriber identification 502 against the subscriber data 502 stored in NV RAM 303 yields a match. If the question of step 605 is answered negatively, then a further subscriber has parked a new vehicle 106 in the parking region since the last scanning operation 602, whereby CPU 302 updates subscriber data 502 stored in NV RAM 303 and broadcasts the new subscriber data 502 to POS terminal 109 over network 108 at step 606.

Thereafter, CPU 302 powers down the reader 112, 113, 114 at step 607 and the apparatus begins a time count at step 608, at the expiry of which the sequence resumes at step 601 and so on and so forth.

When the question of step 603 is answered negatively, signifying that the scanning operation of step 602 was unsuccessful, for instance due to the absence of any token 111 within the range of capturing component 305, then the process proceeds directly to the step 607 of powering down the reader.

Likewise, if the question of step 605 is answered positively, signifying that the subscriber data 502 captured by component 305 still corresponds to subscriber data 502 previously captured, then there is no requirement to update subscriber data 502 stored in NV RAM 303 and broadcast same to POS terminal 109 and, again, the process proceeds to the step 607 of powering down the reader.

The above sequence therefore provides a particularly energy-efficient device which, depending on the choice of components as detailed in figure 3 and depending on the time interval specified for the time count of step 608, may only require full power for activation and processing pursuant to steps 601 to 606 for a duration of several seconds, within a period of several minutes or tens of minutes.

Figure 7 describes the processing steps performed by the CPU 202 of POS termina' 109 in use. The sequence of processing steps define a continuos data processing cycle, which begins when the POS terminal 109 powers up at step 701 and loads instructions such as described in relation to figure 4 from HDD 204 at step 702, which are necessary to perform the further processing steps described hereinafter.

At step 703, a first questions is asked, as to whether parameters of a new electronic transaction should be input at POS terminal 109, for instance with keyboard 205 and/or barcode scanner 110. In a typical situation, a subscriber approaches the POS terminal 109 and hands over one or more product to its operator, for inputting the respective product details thereof and conduct a electronic transaction in relation thereto.

If the question of step 703 is answered negatively, signifying that no electronic transaction currently requires processing, then a second question is asked at step 704, as to whether POS terminal 109 has received subscriber data 502 from a car park reader 112, 113 or 114, over network 108. If the question of step 704 is answered positively, then at step 705, CPU 202 updates the car park buffer 403 with the subscriber data 502 received from the reader 112, 113 or 114. Control returns to the question of step 703 and the sequence of steps 703, 704 and 705 are repeated until such time as question 703 is next answered positively.

As and when the question of step 703 is answered positively, and likewise as and when the question of step 704 is answered negatively, controls subsequently proceeds to step 706, at which CPU 202 requests input of the subscriber data 502 associated with the subscriber at POS terminal 109 conducting the transaction thereat. Subscriber data 502 may be captured with barcode reader scanning token 111 carried by the subscriber, or scanning a second, identical token 111 having the same subscriber data 502 encoded thereon or therein as that which is affixed to that subscriber's car, or by inputting an alphanumerical string of characters corresponding to the subscriber data 502 on token 111 with keyboard 109.

Thereafter, transaction parameters are input at 707, which result in updating transaction table 408, an example of which is shown in figure 8. The transaction parameters inputting step 707 comprises updating transactions table 408 with a unique identifier 801 for the new electronic subscriber transaction detected at step 703, which is associated with the subscriber data 502 captured at step 706.

The inputting of electronic transaction parameters of step 707 further comprises updating transaction table 403 with a new entry for each product selected by the subscriber for the transaction, the unique identifier 505 of which is entered with keyboard 209 or barcode reader 110, as well as further typical details such as the number 802 of identical products selected for the transaction and the like, Upon completing the input of product data required for parameterising the transaction, control proceeds to step 708, at which CPU 202 performs a comparison of the subscriber data 502 captured at step 706 and stored in transaction table 408 in respect of the ongoing electronic transaction, against subscriber data 502 stored in car park buffer 403.

A question is subsequently asked at step 709, as to whether the comparison yields a match. If the questions of step 709 yields a match, then at step 710, CPU 202 updates transaction parameters 803 in transaction table 408 with the transaction variable 504 of car park database 407 corresponding to the parking region 503 in which the subscriber identified by the matching subscriber data 502 has parked the vehicle 106, which parking region is commonly identified by its unique parking region identification data 503 in each of car park database 407 and car park buffer 403. In the example, the subscriber has selected a product with a unique identifier 505 for which a 10% discount is offered whenever a subscriber parks their vehicle 106 in the relevant parking region 503. The transactions table parameter 803 corresponding to the line entry associated with the said product is updated with the electronic transaction variable 504 respectively associated with the parking region identifier 503.

At step 711, CPU 202 deletes the entry in car park buffer 403 corresponding to the parking region identifier 503 or, as the case may be, subscriber data 502 captured at step 706, since the parameterising of the ongoing electronic transaction is now complete and the subscriber's visit to the store or venue 101 is coming to an end.

The electronic transaction is subsequently processed at step 712 according to techniques which will be familiar to persons skilled in the art, i.e. wherein electronic payment or payment by alternative means is sought, obtained and the transaction details subsequently archived.

If the question of step 709 is answered negatively, however, then control proceeds directly to the transaction processing step 712. This situation may for instance correspond to a subscriber visiting the store or venue 101 without parking a vehicle 106 in a parking region 103, 104 or 105.

A final question is asked at step 713, as to whether operation of POS terminal 109 should be interrupted, for instance as a power or cost-saving measure, or for maintenance purposes. If the question of 713 is answered positively, then the power supply 211 of POS terminal 109 is switched off and the terminal is powered down. Alternatively, operation of POS terminal 109 should be maintained and control returns to the question of step 703, pursuant to which processing details of a further transaction with a further subscriber, or updating the car park buffer 403, may take place according to the method described herein above.

Claims

Claims 1. A subscriber identification system for a parking area having at least one vehicle parking region, the system comprising remote data storage means storing parking region identification data and at least one electronic transaction variable respectively associated with each parking region identification data; subscriber identification means proximal a subscriber's vehicle, wherein the subscriber identification means stores subscriber data encoded thereon or therein; networked data input means located proximal each at least one parking region for capturing the subscriber data from the subscriber identification means; remote electronic transaction processing means having second data input means; and a data communication network interfacing the networked data input means, the remote data storage means and the remote electronic transaction processing means; wherein the electronic transaction processing means is for receiving subscriber data from the networked data input means, capturing subscriber data with the second data input means for setting parameters of an e'ectronic transaction; matching the captured subscriber data with the received subscriber data; and whenever a match occurs, updating parameters of the electronic transaction with the at least one specific transaction variable respectively associated with the parking area occupied by the subscriber's vehicle.
2. Subscriber identification system according to claim 1, wherein the remote data storage means further stores the subscriber data, the electronic transaction processing means further retrieves therefrom the subscriber data corresponding to the received subscriber data and stores same, and is further for matching the captured subscriber data with the retrieved and stored subscriber data.
3. Subscriber identification system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the subscriber identification means is permanently or releasably secured to the subscriber's vehicle.
4. Subscriber identification system according to any of claims I to 3, wherein the subscriber identification means is selected from the group comprising a barcode, a radio emitting device including radio-frequency identification (RFID') devices, a wireless networking device including IEEE8O2.11-capable devices and a cellular telecommunication device.
5. Subscriber identification system according to claim 4, wherein the data input means is selected from the group comprising, respectively, a barcode reader, a radio receiving device including radio-frequency identification (RFID') devices, a wireless network access point and a cellular base station.
6. Subscriber identification system according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the remote data storage means is a remote computer or server storing a database.
7. Subscriber identification system according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the subscriber data includes at least a subscriber's unique identifier.
8. Subscriber identification system according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the parking region identification data is a geographical location or a logical reference.
9. Subscriber identification system according to any of claims I to 8, wherein the at least one electronic transaction variable is a promotional offer or the like, embodied as numerical data correlated to a unique identifier of a product or service stored in a database thereof.
10. Subscriber identification system according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the data communication network is selected from the group comprising cabled networks, including Local Area Networks (LAN'), and wireless networks, including cellular and radio-frequency data communication networks, and any combination thereof.
11. Subscriber identification system according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the electronic transaction processing means is a point of sale (POS') system.
12. A kit of parts comprising: subscriber identification means secured to a subscriber's vehicle, wherein the subscriber identification means stores subscriber data encoded thereon or therein; and networked data input means located proximal each at least one parking region for capturing the subscriber data; and remote data storage means storing parking region identification data and at least one electronic transaction variable respectively associated with each parking region identification data; and a data communication network interfacing the data input means and the remote data storage means; wherein the kit of parts is apt for interfacing with an electronic transaction system comprising remote electronic transaction processing means having second data input means, the remote electronic transaction processing means being for receiving subscriber data from the networked data input means, capturing subscriber data with the second data input means for setting parameters of an electronic transaction, matching the captured subscriber data with the received subscriber data, and whenever a match occurs, updating the electronic transaction parameters with the at least one specific transaction variable respectively associated with the parking area occupied by the subscriber's vehicle.
13. Kit of parts according to claim 12, wherein the remote data storage means further stores the subscriber data, the etectronic transaction processing means further retrieves therefrom the subscriber data corresponding to the received subscriber data and stores same, and is further for matching the captured subscriber data with the retrieved and stored subscriber data.
14. Kit of parts according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the subscriber identification means comprises fastening means for permanent or releasable securing to the subscriber's vehicle.
15. Kit of parts according to any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the subscriber identification means is selected from the group comprising a barcode, a radio emitting device including radio-frequency identification (RFID') devices, a wireless networking device including IEEE8O2.1 1-capable devices and a cellu'ar telecommunication device.
16. Kit of parts according to claim 15, wherein the data input means is selected from the group comprising, respectively, a barcode reader, a radio receiving device including radio-frequency identification (RFID') devices, a wireless network access point and a cellular base station.
17. A method of associating subscriber data with electronic transaction data comprising the steps of: storing, in remote data storage means, parking region identification data of at least one parking region of a vehicle parking area of a merchant outlet, and at least one electronic transaction variable respectively associated with each parking region identification data; encoding subscriber data in or on subscriber identification means located proximal a subscriber's vehicle; parking the vehicle in at least one parking region of a vehicle parking area of a merchant outlet, capturing the subscriber data with data input means located proximal each at least one parking region; receiving the captured subscriber data at remote electronic transaction processing means, over a data communication network interfacing the first data input means, the data storage means and the electronic transaction processing means; capturing the subscriber data with data input means located proxrnal the remote electronic transaction processing means; matching the captured subscriber data with the received subscriber data; and whenever a match occurs, updating parameters of the electronic transaction with the at least one specific transaction variable respectively associated with the parking area occupied by the subscriber's vehicle.
18. The method of claim 15, comprising the further steps of storing subscriber data in the remote data storage means, retrieving subscriber data from the remote data storage means corresponding to the received subscriber data and storing same, and wherein the matching step comprises the further step of matching the captured subscriber data with the retrieved subscriber data.
19. A system substantially as herein described, with reference to, and as shown in, any of the accompanying figures.
20. A kit of parts substantially as herein described, with reference to, and as shown in, any of the accompanying figures.
21. A method substantially as herein described, with reference to, and as shown in, any of the accompanying figures.