WO2001054096A1

WO2001054096A1 - Electronic system for monitoring towaway of vehicles, in particular motor vehicles

Info

Publication number: WO2001054096A1
Application number: PCT/IT2001/000023
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paolo Degl'innocenti
Original assignee: Degl Innocenti Paolo
Priority date: 2000-01-18
Filing date: 2001-01-18
Publication date: 2001-07-26
Also published as: ITTO20000044A1; AU3051301A; IT1319632B1

Abstract

An electronic system for controlling towaway of vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, whereby a central processing unit (2) communicates with at least one portable first remote unit (6) used by an operator to enter alphanumeric data corresponding to a registration number of a vehicle about to be towed away. The central unit compares the registration number entered by the operator with stored data to select a user id associated with the registration number of the vehicle being towed away; and communication is established with a second remote unit associated with the selected user id to transfer a towaway warning message to the user of the second remote unit.

Description

ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING TOWAWAY OF VEHICLES, IN PARTICULAR MOTOR VEHICLES

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an electronic system of controlling towaway of vehicles, in particular motor vehicles .

BACKGROUND ART As is known, according to the highway code, any vehicle parked illegally and/or causing an obstruction to vehicular or pedestrian traffic may be towed away to a depot. The inconvenience to the user of a towed-away vehicle is well known, and substantially consists in direct costs, such as the fine relating to the parking offence resulting in the vehicle being towed away, and the cost of towing away and holding the vehicle at the depot .

In addition, various indirect expenses must also be taken into account, such as the time taken to recover the vehicle, the cost of transport to the depot, and telephone expenses to find out where the vehicle has been taken and the procedure to be followed for it to be DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic system for automatically warning in real time the users of vehicles which are about to be towed away, so that the user may personally remove the vehicle and the towaway operation thus be avoided.

According to the present invention, there is provided an electronic system for controlling towaway of vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, characterized by comprising a central processing unit, and at least one first remote unit communicating with said central processing unit over a communication channel; said first remote unit being portable and comprising means enabling an operator to enter alphanumeric data corresponding to a registration number of a vehicle about to be towed away; each first remote unit transferring to said central processing unit a message containing the information associated with said alphanumeric data; said central processing unit comprising means for receiving and recognizing said message and for generating decoded data representing the registration number entered by said operator; said system also comprising search means for receiving said decoded data and for comparing the input data with at least reference data stored on a data medium; in the event said search means find a match between at least one decoded data item and a reference data item, a user id associated with the reference data item for which said match was found is selected; and said system also comprising communication means for establishing communication with a second remote unit associated with the selected user id, so as to transfer to a user of the second remote unit a warning message indicating commencement of the towaway procedure .

Once warned, the user may return immediately to the vehicle and remove it personally before it is towed away.

The system according to the present invention affords numerous advantages by reducing all or some of the direct and indirect costs incurred in towing away the vehicle, by eliminating the risk of damage when towing the vehicle away (scratches, dents, etc.), by totally eliminating the time wasted to recover the vehicle, and by eliminating the risk of accidents to the vehicle on the way to the depot .

Traffic control authorities can also benefit from the advantages of the present invention, which include: greater efficiency of towaway personnel by removing more vehicles and faster (the vehicle being removed by the user as opposed to a pickup truck) ; improved public image by performing fewer "aggressive" towaway operations; and

. conformance with Law 241 of 1990 governing the transparency of official proceedings undertaken against members of the public, by the latter being informed immediately of the towaway procedure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, which shows, schematically, an electronic system for controlling towaway of vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Number 1 in the accompanying drawing indicates as a whole an electronic system for controlling towaway of vehicles, in particular motor vehicles. System 1 comprises a central electronic unit 2 communicating over a communication channel 4 with a number of first remote units 6, each of which is portable and assigned to an operator CV, in particular a traffic warden. Preferably, though not necessarily, remote units 6 may comprise commercial GSM cellular telephones having an alphanumeric keyboard 8 and an alphanumeric display device 9; in which case, communication channel 4 comprises, at least over one portion, a radio bridge. Remote units 6 may also comprise portable terminals 6a having an alphanumeric keyboard 8a and an alphanumeric display device 9a for entering and displaying alphanumeric data which is coded and transmitted over communication channel 4 to central unit 2. Remote units 6 may also comprise commercial portable transceiver devices 6b having a microphone 8b for picking up the voice of operator CV.

Central unit 2 is substantially fixed and preferably installed -in a building (not shown) preferably in an urban area. The service based on system 1 may be performed by a public body (town or county council) or by a private body (e.g. a mobile telephone administration) . Central unit 2 comprises an interface circuit 12 for two-way communication with, and for receiving a message from, remote units 6. The physical characteristics of interface circuit 12 (commercial type) depend on the type of communication channel 4 and remote units 6 used. Central unit 2 also comprises a message recognition device 15 for receiving input data from interface circuit

12 and supplying decoded output data to a search device

17, which, as described later on, compares the decoded data from device 15 with reference data stored on a data medium 20 (e.g. a hard disk) .

Search device 17 also cooperates with an automatic message generating and transmitting device 23 for generating and transmitting a warning message (at least indicating commencement of the vehicle towaway procedure and possibly also the registration number) and which comprises at least one of the following circuits:

. a circuit 23c for generating and transmitting a text (e.g. SMS) message;

. a circuit 23a for generating and transmitting a synthesized voice message; and

. a circuit 23b for generating and transmitting a recorded voice message.

Automatic message generating and transmitting device 23 communicates with an interface circuit 25 for two-way communication, over a communication channel 27, between central unit 2 and second remote units 30, and for supplying second remote units 30 with a warning message. The physical characteristics of interface circuit 25 (commercial type) depend on the type of communication channel 27 and remote units 30 used. Each second remote unit 30 is preferably portable and assigned to a user GM of a vehicle 32, in particular a motor vehicle. Second remote units 30 preferably comprise commercial cellular telephones having an alphanumeric keyboard 33 and an alphanumeric display device 34; in which case, communication channel 27 comprises, at least over one portion, a radio bridge. Remote units 30 may also comprise digital or conventional fixed telephones (not shown) .

In actual use, on detecting a vehicle 32 in a towaway situation (e.g. blocking a vehicle passage or parked in a towaway zone) , a traffic warden CV may use the system according to the present invention, both before and during the towaway procedure and with the utmost "transparency" with regard to performance of the procedure itself, to effect nonforceful removal of the vehicle. The traffic warden CV therefore activates remote unit 6 (more specifically, turns on terminal 6a) to establish a two-way connection with central unit 2. Once the connection is made, alphanumeric data corresponding to the registration number 34 of vehicle 32 (e.g. AB 132 BA) is entered using remote unit 6.

Alphanumeric data can be entered in one of the following ways : . using alphanumeric keyboard 8 on the GSM telephone - preferably the GSM telephone functions for entering short text (SMS) messages; using alphanumeric keyboard 8a on portable terminal 6a; or . by voice message using the cellular telephone or transceiver 6b.

Interface circuit 12 therefore receives a message (comprising digital data if sent using the GSM cellular telephone keyboard or portable terminal 6a) or analog data (in the case of a voice message) . The message is transferred to device 15, which decodes the message data and generates decoded data REG_DATA corresponding to the registration number entered by the traffic warden CV using remote unit 6. More specifically, in the case of a voice message, device 15 comprises a known voice recognition circuit 15a for translating the message into alphanumeric decoded data.

Search device 17 automatically compares the decoded data REG_DATA with a number of reference data REF_REG_DATA resident in a DATABASE on data medium 20.

If a match is made between a decoded data item REG DATA and a corresponding reference data item REF_REG_DATA "in the database (i.e. if the registration number taken by the traffic warden CV matches one stored in the database) , a user id, in particular at least a telephone number N_TEL, associated with the matched reference data item is selected.

The data in the DATABASE, in fact, is so structured that each reference data item REF_REG_DATA is associated with at least one user id (telephone number N_TEL) of a respective user. The DATABASE data structure may comprise a number of fields, including:

. a first field unequivocally identifying the user (user code) ; a second field containing alphanumeric registration number data (reference data item) ; a third field containing a first user id (in particular, a first telephone number) ;

. a fourth field containing an auxiliary user id (in particular, a second telephone number that can be used alternatively to the first) ;

. a fifth field indicating the type of user service provided by system 1 (e.g. permanent or time-limited); a sixth field indicating the warning message language (Italian, English, etc.); and . a seventh field indicating a user identification code (PIN) for database inquiries using remote units 30.

The traced telephone number N__TEL is sent to warning message generating and transmitting device 23, which : . connects device 23, via interface circuit 25 and over communication channel 27, to the cellular telephone 30 the traced telephone number N_TEL corresponds to; and sends a warning message, again via interface circuit 25 and over communication channel 27, to the cellular telephone 30 the traced telephone number N_TEL corresponds to.

The warning message may be :

. a synthesized voice message (generated by circuit 23a) ; a recorded voice message (generated by circuit 23b) ;

. a text message (generated by circuit 23c) . The warning message informs the user that his or her vehicle is about to be towed away.

The message may be generated in one or more languages (e.g. Italian, English, German, etc.) and may contain additional information concerning recovery of the vehicle, if removed, and/or alternative parking solutions (e.g. ATTENTION, IF TOWED AWAY, VEHICLE NUMBER AB123BA

WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE DEPOT AT TELEPHONE

OFFICE HOURS ) . Additional information may also comprise parking solutions and advice (e.g. ATTENTION,

THE CITY OF HAS THE FOLLOWING PARKING FACILITIES LOCATED AT ) .

Informed that the vehicle is about to be towed away, the user GM may therefore go back immediately and remove the vehicle personally, thus avoiding all or some of the additional towaway fines. The user may therefore remove the vehicle at the sole cost of the parking fine plus, possibly, an additional sum for receiving the warning message over the system according to the present invention, and all in conformance with current laws and regulations .

In an alternative embodiment, in addition to the alphanumeric data corresponding to the registration number 34 of vehicle 32, the traffic warden also enters, directly or automatically (by means of a dedicated terminal) , data relative to the place (in particular the town) in which the vehicle to be towed away is situated. This data is sent to central electronic unit 2, is recognized and decoded by device 15, which sends it to device 17, which in turn selects data identifying the depot/s available in that particular place. Additional information is thus provided concerning recovery of the vehicle and indicating exactly where the vehicle will be taken. As stated, this greatly improves the authorities' public image - particularly with tourists (who may have hired a vehicle whose registration number is stored in the DATABASE, or who may have temporarily registered their own vehicle number) - by adopting a friendlier and generally more acceptable attitude, and also by providing additional information concerning recovery of the vehicle and/or alternative parking solutions .

Reception of the warning message by user GM may also be detected -by system 1 and confirmed by central unit 2 to remote unit 6. The traffic warden CV, if necessary, may therefore be informed of failure to transmit the warning message (e.g. because the user cannot be reached, or because the registration number data is not available on data medium 20) and may proceed otherwise, in particular to have the vehicle towed away.

In normal operating conditions of system 1, however, reception confirmation is not required, the user informed as far as is technically possible that the vehicle is about to be towed away - being expected to come back and remove the vehicle personally.

Activating system 1 and transmitting the registration number data in no way interferes with performance of the towaway procedure. In this respect, it should be remembered that current regulations allow the user to regain possession of the vehicle even if it has already been hooked up to the pickup truck. Consequently, in the event the user, following a warning message over system 1, manages to catch up with the pickup truck, the vehicle may still be recovered, thus avoiding all or some of the vehicle transfer and holding costs, as well as the cost of recovering the vehicle, in conformance with regulations governing such cases. The system according to the present invention may be extended to all users residing in a given geographical area (town, district, county) and in possession of a vehicle and user id, or may be restricted to selected users subscribing to a service based on system 1. In which case, the users pay a subscription fee and provide personal data and at least data relative to the registration number of the vehicle and the telephone number to be called in case of need. All of which is loaded into the DATABASE on data medium 20.

The system 1 service may also be extended nationally and possibly also internationally (e.g. Europe) to create structured databases also indicating the nationality of the user, so as to transmit the warning message in the user ' s language .

Moreover, if a sufficiently extensive communication network is employed (such as that ensured by a mobile telephone administration) , the service may be implemented indifferently in large and small towns, thus enabling small communities to also operate according to the teachings of the present invention.

The warning messages relative to the various registration numbers may be recorded permanently in unit 2 to create a user "call" file and possibly also adjust fines according to the user's file history.

Using remote unit 30, the user may also call central unit 2 and access the database to perform a number of auxiliary functions, such as: . inquire as to activation of the system 1 service relative to one or more registration numbers; change the registration number stored in the database to transfer the service to another vehicle; and change the user id stored in the database to transfer the service to another remote unit 30.

Clearly, changes may be made to the electronic system for controlling towaway of vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, according to the teachings of the present invention, without, however departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1) An electronic system for controlling towaway of vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, characterized by comprising:

- a central processing unit (2) ; and at least one first remote unit (6, 6a, 6b) communicating with said central processing unit (2) over a communication channel (4) ; said first remote unit (6) being portable and comprising means (8, 8b) enabling an operator (CV) to enter alphanumeric data corresponding to a registration number of a vehicle (32) about to be towed away; each first remote unit (6) transferring to said central processing unit (2) a message containing the information associated with said alphanumeric data; said central processing unit comprising means (12, 15) for receiving and recognizing said message and for generating decoded data (REG_DATA) representing the registration number entered by said operator (CV) ; said system (1) also comprising:

- search means (17) for receiving said decoded data (REG_DATA) and for comparing the input data with at least reference data (REF_REG_DATA) resident on a data medium

(20) ; in the event said search means (17) find a match between at least one decoded data item (REG_DATA) and a reference data item (REF_REG_DATA) , a user id (N_TEL) associated with the refejrence data item for which said match was found is selected; said system also comprising communication means (23, 25) for establishing communication with a second remote unit (30) associated with the selected user id (N_TEL) , so as to transfer to a user of the second remote unit (30) a warning message indicating commencement of the towaway procedure .

2) A system as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that said user id corresponds to a telephone number of a user; said communication means (23, 25) establishing data communication with a telephone, in particular a cellular telephone, associated with the selected telephone number (N_TEL) to transfer said warning message to the user.

3) A system as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said communication means (23, 25) comprise at least one of the following circuits:

. a circuit (23a) for generating and transmitting a synthesized voice message;

. a circuit (23b) for generating and transmitting a recorded voice message;

. a circuit (23c) for generating and transmitting a text message (SMS) .

4) A system as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that said first remote unit (6) comprises a GSM cellular telephone having an alphanumeric keyboard (8) for entering alphanumeric data corresponding to the registration number of the vehicle; said central processing unit having means (12, 15) for receiving and recognizing said message from said telephone and for generating said decoded data (REG_DATA) .

5) A system as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that said first remote unit (6) comprises a transceiver device having means (8b) for entering voice signals corresponding to the registration number of the vehicle; said central processing unit having voice recognition means (15a) for translating the voice message from said transceiver device into alphanumeric decoded data (REG_DATA) .