WO2019040033A2

WO2019040033A2 - A system for providing valet service

Info

Publication number: WO2019040033A2
Application number: PCT/TR2018/050388
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gokhan MERCAN
Original assignee: Mercan Gokhan
Priority date: 2017-08-25
Filing date: 2018-07-20
Publication date: 2019-02-28
Also published as: WO2019040033A3; TR201712812A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system (1) which enables to provide safe valet service and turn the process for providing valet service into an automated and followable process. The greeting device (2), the customer device (3) used by the customer (M), the valet device (4) used by the valet (V), the storage unit (5), the operation server (6), the database (7), the operator device (8) used by the operator (0) and the signal transmitter (9) and in one embodiment of the invention, also a printer (10) are included within the inventive system (1).

Description

A SY ST E M FOR PROVIDING VAL E T SE RVIC E T echnical F ield

The present invention relates to a system which enables to provide safe valet service and turn the process for providing valet service into an automated and followable process.

Background of the Invention

In the present technique, vehicles of customers arriving shopping malls and big restaurants are taken by the staff working at the said shopping malls and restaurants and placed to various parking spaces. In this process, valets have the responsibility after customers deliver their vehicles to the valets. Customers cannot follow-up their vehicles after the said delivery. This situation leads to trust issue between the customer and the valet. Sometimes, disagreements may occur among the customer, the valet and the company providing the valet service because of these trust i ssues.

Today, follow-up of transactions related to plate recognition and vehicles can be performed by means of image processing techniques and solutions which use image processing techniques as a base. However, information about which valet has the vehicle or which valet will receive the vehicle and which valet will deliver the vehicle cannot be transmitted to the customer by means of these solutions. In addition, in systems wherein the said solution is used, there is no compartment whereby the keys to be given by a customer will be kept safely and the keys will be only returned to authorized valets and features such as determining the most available valet for transactions of receiving and delivering the vehicle in the quickest way and assigning the related receiving and delivering duty to the said valet.

In addition to the problems resulting from the fact that the process cannot be followed up during the valet service procurement among the customer, the valet and the company providing the valet service; the fact that the process in valet companies wherein human density is always too much such as shopping malls, airports in particular and the number of customers change dynamically every weekday does not have an automatic and technological order in the present technique also lead to a process that is inefficient, cumbersome, time-consuming, open to human errors in terms of resource utilization and wherein security problems are experienced.

Considering the problems being experienced with respect to valet services in the present technique, it is understood that there is need for a solution which will enable to provide safe valet service and turn the process for providing valet service into an automated, less time-consuming and followable process.

The Turkish patent document no. T R 201618793, an application in the state of the art, discloses an electronic valet system which enables to park a vehicle more easily and to make control of services related to the vehicle.

The U nited States patent document no. US2002163443, an application in the state of the art, discloses a valet communication system for airports.

The K orean patent document no. K R 20160109633, an application in the state of the art, discloses a smart valet parking information system.

Summary of the Invention An objective of the present invention is to realize a system which enables to provide safe valet service and turn the process for providing valet service into an automated and followable process. Detailed Description of the Invention

^"A System for Providing Valet Service_, realized to fulfil the objective of the present invention is shown in the figure attached, in which: F igure 1 is a schematic view of the inventive system.

The components illustrated in the figure are individually numbered, where the numbers refer to the f ol I owi ng: 1. System

2. Greeting device

3. Customer device

4. Valet device

5. Storage unit

6. Operation server

7. Database

8. Operator device

9. Signal transmitter

10. Printer

M: Customer

V : Valet

O: Operator

The system (1) for enabling to provide safe valet service and turning the process for providing valet service into an automated and followable process comprises: at least one greeting device (2) which is an electronic device that can run at least one application, comprises at least one input unit and camera, is configured to carry out transactions required for greeting the vehicle owner- customer (M) and performing delivery of the vehicle;

at least one customer device (3) which is an electronic device that can run at least one application, comprises at least one input unit can interact with other electronic devices by connecting to a communication network and is configured to carry out transactions such that it will enable the vehicle owner- customer (M) to carry out transactions required to be performed during the valet service procurement;

at least one valet device (4) which is an electronic device that can run at least one application, comprises at least one input unit, can interact with other electronic devices by connecting to a communication network and can detect units in the near field by using near field communication technologies, can communicate with these units, is configured to carry out transactions such that it will enable the vehicle owner-customer (M) to carry out transactions required to be performed during the valet service procurement;

at least one storage unit (5) which contains at least one storage compartment, can interact with other electronic devices by connecting to a communication network and is configured such that it can use near field communication technologies;

at least one operation server (6) which is in communication with the greeting device (2), the customer device (3), the valet device (4) and the storage unit (5);

at least one database (7) which is managed by the operation server (6) and keeps the data that will be used by the operation server (6) in transactions to be carried out by thereof;

at least one operator device (8) which is configured such that it will enable the operator (0) to carry out management, observation, analysis, reporting transactions in order that the processes of valet service procurement run and which is in communication with the operation server (6);

- at least one signal transmitter (9) which emits a signal wherein its unique identity information is located, to the environment where it is located (Figure 1).

In one embodiment of the invention, the inventive system (1) comprises a printer (10). The said printer (10) is configured such that it can print a tag containing a customer (M) specific code on thereof after the greeting device (2) greets the vehicle owner- customer (M) and determines the information about the customer (M) again upon instruction of the greeting device (2).

In preferred embodiment of the invention, the greeting device (2) can be a smartphone or a tablet computer used by a greeter and in another embodiment of the invention, it can also be a kiosk containing a camera on thereof or an electronic device having a quality whereby it won~t be necessary to be used by a greeter.

The greeting device (2) has essentially three duties within the inventive system (1). These are duties of greeting the incoming vehicles, helping the customers (M) who want to receive their vehicles, ensuring that the valets (V) are organized.

In preferred embodiment of the invention, the greeting device (2) is configured such that it can determine the vehicle plate by means of image recognition algorithm by using the photo of the customer (M) vehicle. The greeting device (2) controls whether the customer (M) has a record in the operation server (6) previously or not by accessing the operation server (6) after determining the vehicle plate. If the customer (M) is registered previously, the greeting device (2) receives the customer information from the operation server (6). If the customer (M) is not registered previously, the greeting device (2) demands customer information such as name, telephone, e-mail address from the customer (M).

The greeting device (2) is configured such that it can receive the information about the customer (M) and the customer (M) vehicle by means of the input unit owned by thereof.

The greeting device (2) is configured such that it can transmit the customer (M) information to the operation server (6) so as to be registered in the database (7).

In one embodiment of the invention, the greeting device (2) is configured such that it can send a tag print command containing a customer (M) specific QR (Quick Response) code on thereof to the said printer (10) by communicating with the printer (10) non-wirelessly or wirelessly.

In one embodiment of the invention, the greeting device (2) sends a request for sending a customer specific QR code to the customer device (3), to the operation server (6) by communicating with the operation server (6) instead of printing a tag by means of the printer (10). The operation server (6) creates a QR code specifically for the customer (M) and the valet service transaction at that moment with reference to this request and sends this code to the customer device (3).

The greeting device (2) is configured such that it can read the tag or the QR code that is shown by the customer (M) on the customer device (3) when s/he receives his/her vehicle and can transmit the information that the said customer (M) has arrived the delivery point by requesting to receive his/her vehicle, to the operation server (6) upon determining the customer information considering this QR code.

The greeting device (2) is configured such that it can take notifications that are sent by the operation server (6) and relate to the acceptance approval of the valet (V) about duties of vehicle delivery and vehicle receipt and can display them on the screen owned by thereof.

In preferred embodiment of the invention, the customer device (3) is a smartphone, a tablet computer or a smart watch used by the customer (M).

In one embodiment of the invention, the customer device (3) is a unit which is configured such that it will ensure that transactions of adding, editing, displaying, deleting the customer information for the record to be included in the operation server (6) with respect to the customer (M) or deleting the customer (M) record entirely from the operation server (6) are carried out by the customer (M).

The customer device (3) is configured such that it will enable the customer (M) also to demand washing of the vehicle in addition to parking of the vehicle to a suitable space while s/he delivers the vehicle during the valet service procurement.

The customer device (3) is configured such that it will enable the customer (M) also to demand handling of various goods at the same time in addition to bringing the vehicle from the parking space to the delivery space while s/he receives the vehicle during the valet service procurement.

The customer device (3) is a unit which is configured such that it can take the information about the current location of the customer (M) vehicle from the operation server (6) and can display these information. The customer device (3) is also is a unit which is configured such that it can take and display notifications about situations such as ^'the vehicle is parked_,, ^'the vehicle left the parking space_,, ^'the vehicle started to move towards the delivery point_,, ^'goods/packages are placed to the vehicle_, determined by the operation server (6) about the valet servi ce and can i nf orm the customer ( M ) of these situati ons. In one embodiment of the invention, the customer device (3) is a unit which is configured such that it will enable the customer (M) to carry out transactions such as delivering the vehicle, receiving the vehicle, stating the request for washing, stating the request for handling of goods/packages in order to benefit from valet service by means of IV R (Interactive V oice Response) by calling an automatic call centre via the customer device (3). In this embodiment of the invention, the automatic call centre transfers the request stated by the customer via the customer device (3) to the operation server (6) and notifies the return of the operation server (6) to the customer device (3) as well.

In one embodiment of the invention, the customer device (3) is a device which has the quality to display the QR code ^"that is sent to the customer device (3) by the operation server (6) upon the greeting device (2) is triggered while the customer (M) delivers his/her vehicle^" by means of the display owned by thereof such that it can be read by the greeting device (2), when the customer (M) wants to receive his/her vehicle.

In one embodiment of the invention, the customer device (3) is a device which has the quality to display the QR code ^"that is sent to the customer device (3) by the operation server (6) previously^" so as to be read by a device inside the store wheref rom the goods/packages wi 11 be taken by the valet (V ), i n the event that the customer (M) states the request that s/he wants his/her goods/packages to be carried to his/her vehicle before receiving the vehicle. In preferred embodiment of the invention, the valet device (4) is a smartphone, a tablet computer or a smart watch used by the valet (V ).

The valet device (4) is a unit which has the quality to take the signals emitted by the signal transmitters (9) in the environment wherein it is located and thereby to determine the identity information located within the said signals and being specific to the signal transmitter (9) emitting the signal. The valet device (4) uses this identity information which is specific to each of the signal transmitters (9), in order to determine the location where it exists. The valet device (4) evaluates and interprets the said identity information by itself in one embodiment of the invention; whereas it sends the identity information to the operation server (6) di rectly i n another embodi ment of the i nventi on.

In preferred embodiment of the invention, the valet device (4) is a unit which has the quality to take and interpret the B L E (Bluetooth Low E nergy) signals emitted by the signal transmitters (9) in the environment wherein it is located.

The valet device (4) is a unit which has the quality to display the duties of vehicle delivery and vehicle receipt created by the operation server (6) upon the greeting device (2) triggers and the detail information (such as the information of location where the vehicle will be received, delivered; the vehicle plate; the vehicle features) about these duties so as to be displayed to the valet (V), when the customer (M) delivers his/her vehicle so as to get valet service and receive his/her vehicle later.

In one embodiment of the invention, the valet device (4) is an electronic device which is configured such that it will take the response whether the valet (V) is available for the duties sent by the operation server (6) to the valet (V ) or not, by means of the input unit owned by thereof and will transmit it to the operation server (6). In one embodiment of the invention, the valet device (4) is an electronic device which is configured such that it will enable the valet (V) to display the number of duties performed related to all duties performed by him/her at a certain point of time and the duty detail information including the performance score that s/he gai ned from these duti es. In one embodiment of the invention, the valet device (4) is an electronic device which is configured to take the information of parking space where the customer (M) vehicle ^"that is delivered from the customer (M) ^" should be parked from the operation server (6) as the duty detail information as well.

The valet device (4) is configured such that it can make near field contact with the storage unit (5).

In different embodiments of the invention, the valet device (4) is an electronic device which is configured to such that it can make near field contact with the storage unit (5) over one of RFID (Radio- Frequency Identification), NFC (Near Field Communication) and Bluetooth communication techniques.

In one embodiment of the invention, the valet device (4) is configured such that it can read QR code. In this embodiment of the invention, the valet device (4) is configured such that it can control the information of whether the customer (M) has made the payment for the valet service or not by means of the valet application being run on the valet device (4) by reading the QR code. Similarly, the valet device (4) is configured such that it can display whether the customer ( M ) has made the payment for the val et servi ce or not on the detai I i nf ormati on of the vehicle delivery duty sent to him/her by the operation server (6) or the valet application being run on the valet device (4) also after the input of information about the customer ( M ) . T he storage unit (5) is configured such that it can make near field contact with the valet devices (4). The storage unit (5) is a unit which comprises at least one storage compartment where the keys of the customer (M) vehicles are put so as to be kept by the valet (V ) who receives and parks the said vehicle. T he storage unit (5) has a near field contact area where the valet (V ) can approach the valet device (4) after parking the customer (M) vehicle. In preferred embodiment of the invention, this near field contact area is NFC area. In other embodiments of the invention, the said area can be RFID or Bluetooth area as well. The storage unit (5) is a unit which controls whether the valet (V) is a registered valet in the operation server (6) or not by accessing the operation server (6) at first when the valet device (4) is approached to the near field contact area and in the event that the valet (V) is not registered, enables to display a warning to the valet (V). The storage unit (5) is a unit which opens one of the empty storage compartments in the event that the valet (V) registration is included in the operation server (6) and sends the transaction record comprising the information such as the date, the time about this transaction, the information of the valet (V ) carrying out the transaction to the operation server (6) after the valet (V ) puts the key to this compartment being opened and closes the cover of the compartment.

In preferred embodiment of the invention, the storage unit (5) subjects the temporary digital keys ^"which are sent by the operation server (6) both to the storage unit (5) and the valet device (4) upon being encrypted by means of 2048 bit SSL encryption method in the control process as to whether the valet (V) has a record or not at first^" to a match control after the data exchange occurring by means of the near field contact area.

Similarly, the storage unit (5) controls whether the said valet (V) has assumed duty of vehicle delivery or not by accessing the operation server (6) and opens the storage compartment wherein the key of the customer (M) vehicle is located related to the duty if the valet (V) has assumed the duty of vehicle delivery, when the valet device (4) is approached to the near field contact area in the event that the valet (V) comes to take the keys from the storage unit (5) in order to deliver the customer (M) vehicle. After the valet (V) takes the key from this compartment being opened and closes the cover of the compartment again; the transaction record comprising the information such as the date, the time about this transact! on, the i nf ormati on of the val et (V ) carryi ng out the transact! on are sent to operation server (6) by the storage unit (5).

In one embodiment of the invention, the storage unit (5) is a unit which contains a camera for distance sensors, security images, face recognition and motion detection features; a central lock control structure for voice response system, storage compartments; a safety battery for touch screen, wireless communication module, near field device recognition module and backup energy. The operation server (6) is a central server which enables to manage all transactions about the valet service to be provided to the customer (M) and all types of data to be used in the said transactions by communicating with the greeting device (2), the customer device (3), the valet device (4), the storage unit (5), the database (7) and the operator device (8); to organize interactions of the system members such as the greeti ng device (2), the customer device (3), the valet device (4), the storage unit (5) with one another; and thereby to execute all operation.

The operation server (6) is a unit which has the quality to take information about the customer (M) who wants to deliver his/her vehicle, the customer (M) vehicle and the location where the vehicle will be delivered while greeting the customer (M) from the greeting device (2) and record them to the database (7). Then, the operation server (6) is a unit which sends the duty of receiving the vehicle to the valet device (4) being used by the said valet (V) by determining the most available (in terms of location, being available for the duty and acceptance of duty) valet who can receive the vehicle according to these information and transmits the response of acceptance or refusal given for this duty to the greeting device (2) by the valet (V ) by means of the valet device (4). The operation server (6) is a unit which has the quality to receive the information about the customer (M) and the customer (M) vehicle from the greeting device (2) and write the records related to the transactions about the vehicle delivery to the database (7), during delivery of the vehicle to its customer (M). Thereafter, the operation server (6) is a unit which sends the duty of delivering the vehicle to the valet device (4) being used by the said valet (V) by determining the most available (in terms of location, being available for the duty and acceptance of duty) valet who can deliver the vehicle according to these information and transmits the response of acceptance or refusal given for this duty to the greeting device (2) by the valet (V ) by means of the valet device (4). In preferred embodiment of the invention, the operation server (6) is a unit which is configured such that it can make inferences by learning historical data by means of machine learning techniques and can use these inferences in transactions such as choosing the valet (V) who will be entrusted with the duty, estimating the completion period of the duty in order to improve operational processes and increasing the customer (M) satisfaction

In preferred embodiment of the invention, the operation server (6) is a unit which has the quality to determine locations of the valet devices (4) by taking the information that is determined by the valet devices (4) over the signal information received from the signal transmitters (9) and that is an unique identity information of the signal transmitter (9), from the valet devices (4) periodically.

The operation server (6) is a unit which is configured such that it will take the responses of duty acceptance or duty refusal given by the valets (V) by means of the input unit within the valet device (4) about the duties of vehicle receipt or vehicle delivery sent to the valet device (4) and will write these responses to the database (7) together with the i nf ormati on about the rel ated val et ( V ) .

The operation server (6) is a unit which is configured such that it will send the information about the valet (V) who accepts the duty and the information about the esti mated ti me of arrival of the valet (V ) to the place of duty, i n the event that the valet (V) accepts the duty by means of the input unit within the valet device (4) about the duties of vehicle receipt or vehicle delivery sent to the valet device (4). The operation server (6) is a unit which is configured such that it will send the said duty to the valet device (4) of next valet (V) according to the order of availability, in the event that the valet (V) does not accept the duty by means of the input unit within the valet device (4) about the duties of vehicle receipt or vehicle delivery sent to the valet device (4).

In one embodiment of the invention, the operation server (6) includes this additional request in the duty of receiving the vehicle sent to the valet device (4) and also sends the instructions that will send to the valet (V) to the vehicle washing area, to the valet device (4) if the customer (M) requested his/her vehicle to be washed as wel I .

In one embodiment of the invention, the operation server (6) also includes the information that the vehicle is sent to washing during the receipt in the duty of delivering the vehicle sent to the valet device (4) and also sends the instructions that will send to the valet (V) to the vehicle washing area so as to receive and deliver the vehicle to the customer (M), to the valet device (4) if the customer (M) requested his/her vehicle to be washed as well.

In one embodiment of the invention, the operation server (6) also includes the information of packages of which customer (M) will be taken from which store and carried to the vehicle in the duty of delivering the vehicle sent to the valet device (4) and sends a QR code to the valet device (4) so as to be displayed by the valet device (4) as well in order that the valet (V) can take the packages/goods when s/he stops by the store if the customer (M) requested his/her packages/goods to be taken from a store and carri ed to the vehi cl e. In preferred embodiment of the invention, the operation server (6) is a server which is configured also to send a digital key ^"which is encrypted by means of 2048 bit SSL encryption method^" to the valet device (4) together with each duty sent to the val et devi ce (4) .

The operation server (6) is a server which is configured to take the inquiry request sent by the storage unit (5) for the purpose of making a security inquiry about the valet (V) who arrives to leave or take the vehicle key and to return answer for this request.

The operation server (6) is a server which is configured to send the information that are accessed by the operator device (8) being used by the operator (O) and that are related to which valets (V ) are interested in which customer (M) vehicle in order to be displayed by a user interface to the operator device (8), the information that are related to which customer (M) vehicles have stayed in park for how long and the information that are related to the customers (M) who are provided with the valet service and the customer (M) vehicles.

The database (7) is a unit which is managed by the operation server (6) and keeps the data that will be used by the operation server (6) in transactions to be carried out by thereof.

The operator device (8) is an electronic device which is configured such that it will enable the operator (0) to carry out transactions of management, observation, analysi s, reporti ng i n order that the processes of the val et servi ce procurement run and which is in communication with the operation server (6).

In different embodiments of the invention, the operator device (8) is a smartphone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer or a desktop computer used by the operator (0). The operator device (8) is a unit which is configured such that it will enable the operator (0) to access the operation server (6) over a mobile application or a web application. The operator device (8) is a unit which is configured such that it will enable the operator (0) to carry out transactions of displaying, adding, editing, deleting, reporting information with full authority about the valet service process through an administrator role by accessing the operation server (6). The operator device (8) is a device which has the quality to retrieve the historical data about the valets (V) by accessing the operation server (6) and to display these historical data on a user interface as statistical information and reports.

The operator device (8) is a device which has the quality to retrieve the location information about the valets (V ) by accessing the operation server (6) and to display these location information on a user interface. In preferred embodiment of the invention, the operator device (8) is a device which is configured such that it can display the locations of the valets (V) on a map or a plurality of floor plans visually.

The operator device (8) is a device which ensures that the operator (0) can carry out transactions for enabling the customers (M) who have lost their park tags or cannot access the QR code at that moment to receive their vehicles by interacting with the operation server (6); to receive payment from the customers (M); to respond to the demands received from the customers (M) such as package carriage or vehicle delivery and send notifications to the customers (M) about the responds to these demands; to carry out all types of transactions carried out by the greeting device (2); to carry out transactions for managing and improving the customer (M) loyalty processes by analysing the customer (M) behaviours. The operator device (8) is also a device which is configured such that it will enable the operator (0) to carry out necessary transactions in order to identify persons and devices such as the valet (V), the greeting device (2), and the greeter, the store, the vehicle washer and to designate rights and powers to these persons and devices by interacting with the operation server (6).

The operator device (8) is also an electronic device which is configured such that it will enable the operator (0) to inspect the business processes by using the reporting features and to analyse the behaviours and performances of the persons who fulfil duty during the valet service procurement by interacting with the operation server (6).

The signal transmitter (9) included in the inventive system (1) is at least one and it is a unit which emits a signal wherein its unique identity information is located, to the environment where it is located. In preferred embodiment of the invention, the said signal transmitters (9) are Bluetooth Low E nergy beacons. The signal transmitters (9) within the inventive system (1) are located in areas such as areas where the customers (M) deliver and receive their vehicles; stores; car parks where the customer (M) vehicles are parked; washing area where the customer (M) vehicles are sent to washing and they emit signals to the environment where they are located such that they can determine the location of the valet device (4) in closed spaces or small areas.

With the inventive system (1), transactions of providing safe valet service and turning the process for providing valet service into an automated and followable process are realized. To mention the process of the inventive system (1) in general; the customer (M) takes his/her vehicle to the area where it will be delivered in order to get valet service at the first step while carrying out the said transactions about the valet services and the customer (M) vehicle is displayed by the greeting device (2) here. The greeting device (2), which determines the vehicle plate from the image obtained, sends the customer registration data to the operation server (6) to get them inquired in the database (7) and the customer (M) registration information are created by using the input unit of the greeting device (2) in order to create a new record if the operation server (6) cannot find a record. After the customer (M) record is created or if the customer (M) is already registered, the operation server (6) sends notification of duty to the valet device (4) of the said valet (V) by detecting the valet (V ) who is at the closest range to the area where the customer (M) vehicle will be delivered by means of the valet devices (4) the locations of which are known because they take the signals emitted by the signal transmitters (9). In the event that the valet (V) accepts the assignment by means of the valet device (4), the valet (V) information is sent by the operation server (6) to the greeting device (2) and preferably the customer device (3) as well. Thereafter, the valet (V) receives and parks the vehicle. If the customer (M) makes requests such as vehicle wash, fuel intake, vehicle maintenance while delivering his/her vehicle; these requests are also indicated in the duty details sent to the valet device (4) and are carried out by the valet (V ).

In one embodiment of the invention, the greeting device (2) prints a tag containing a QR code on thereof by means of the printer (10) so as to be submitted by the customer (M) when s/he comes to receive the vehicle and the customer (M) takes and keeps this tag. The said QR code can also be sent to the customer device (3) by the operation server (6) as well in addition to the tag or instead of giving a tag.

In the process of the inventive system (1), then the valet (V) who has parked the vehicle places the vehicle key to the storage unit (5) by means of the valet device (4). During this placement transaction, a safe medium is provided between both the storage unit (5) and the valet device (4) by using near field communication during this placing transaction. The transact! on of leaving key is also registered by means of the fact that the storage unit (5) sends the information of the customer (M), the vehicle and the storage compartment where the key is located to the operation server (6) as well. When the customer (M) comes to receive the vehicle after his/her job is done where s/he is located, s/he makes a notice that s/he wants to receive the vehicle to the operation server (6) by means of the customer device (3) or leaves the duty of making this notice to the greeting device (2) by scanning the QR code to the greeting device (2). The operation server (6), which is notified that the vehicle delivery request is taken from the customer (M), detects the valet (V) who is at the closest range to the parking area of the vehicle and sends the assignment of the vehicle delivery to the valet device (4) of this valet (V) and the detail information about this duty. The operation server (6) sends the information of the key and the valet (V) who is authorized to take the key from the storage unit (5) also to the storage unit (5) together with the assignment sent to the valet device (4). Thereafter, the valet (V ) who accepts the assignment of the vehicle delivery accesses the storage unit (5) and scans the valet device (4) by the near field communication and the storage unit (5), which interprets the correct valet (V), opens the key cover and delivers the key to the valet (V). Then, the vehicle is taken from the parking space and it is delivered to the customer (M) by the valet (V) after the information of whether the customer (M) has made the payment or not is detected by scanning the QR code.

In one embodiment of the invention, the customer (M) who has delivered his/her vehicle to the valet (V) can receive his/her vehicle by stating that s/he will carry out the delivery transaction by himself/herself -not by means of the valet (V )- when s/he will receive the vehicle later. This is called as ^'express valet service_,. In this embodiment of the invention, the customer (M) enters the storage unit (5) by himself /herself and the storage unit (5) makes near field contact with the customer device (3). The storage unit (5) communicates with the operation server (6) similarly to the transactions carried out when it makes near field contact with the valet device (4); and it shares the customer (M) information that it obtains by the near field contact made with the customer device (3), with the operation server (6). If the storage unit (5) determines that the customer (M) is authorized to take the customer (M) key according to the response returned from the operation server (6), s/he opens the cover of the compartment wherei n the key of the customer ( M) vehicle is placed by the valet (V) previously. Meanwhile, the information about the place where the customer (M) vehicle is placed is sent by the operation server (6) to the customer device (3) as well. Thereby, the customer (M) receive his/her vehicle ^"which is parked by the valet (V ) ^" by taking the key from the storage unit (5) wherein the vehicle keys are placed by the valet (V ) previously by hi mself/herself and by I earni ng the i nf ormati on of the I ocati on where the val et (V ) has parked the vehicle from the notice reaching the customer device (3).

All transactions and the course occurring in the process of the inventive system (1) can be observed, managed and the reported through the operator (0) by accessi ng the operation server (6) through the operator device (8).

Within these basic concepts; it is possible to develop various embodiments the inventive system (1), the invention cannot be limited to examples disclosed herein and it is essentially according to claims.

Claims

C L AIM S

A system (1) for enabling to provide safe valet service and turning the process for providing valet service into an automated and followable process; comprising

at I east one greeti ng devi ce (2);

at I east one customer devi ce (3);

at I east one val et devi ce (4);

at least one storage unit (5) which contains at least one storage compartment;

at least one signal transmitter (9) which emits a signal wherein its unique identity information is located, to the environment where it is located;

and characterized by the

at least one greeting device

(2) which is an electronic device that can run at least one application, comprises at least one input unit and camera, is configured to carry out transactions required for greeting the vehicle owner-customer (M) and performing delivery of the vehicle; at least one customer device

(3) which is an electronic device that can run at least one application, comprises at least one input unit, can interact with other electronic devices by connecting to a communication network and is configured to carry out transactions such that it will enable the vehicle owner-customer (M) to carry out transactions required to be performed during the valet service procurement;

at least one valet device

(4) which is an electronic device that can run at least one application, comprises at least one input unit, can interact with other electronic devices by connecting to a communication network and can detect units in the near field by using near field communication technologies, can communicate with these units, is configured to carry out transactions such that it will enable the vehicle owner-customer (M) to carry out transactions required to be performed during the valet service procurement;

at least one storage unit (5) which contains at least one storage compartment, can interact with other electronic devices by connecting to a communication network and is configured such that it can use near field communication technologies.

A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by a printer (10) which is configured such that it can print a tag containing a customer (M) specific code on thereof after the greeting device (2) greets the vehicle owner-customer (M) and determines the information about the customer (M) again upon instruction of the greeting device (2).

A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the greeting device (2) which can be a smartphone or a tablet computer used by a greeter.

A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the greeting device (2) which is a kiosk containing a camera on thereof or an electronic device having a quality whereby it won^'t be necessary to be used by a greeter.

5. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the greeting device (2) which is configured such that it can determine the vehicle plate by means of image recognition algorithm by using the photo of the customer (M) vehicle.

6. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the greeting device (2) which controls whether the customer (M) has a record in the operation server (6) previously or not by accessing the operation server (6) after determining the vehicle plate and if the customer (M) is registered previously, receives the customer information from the operation server (6).

7. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the greeting device (2) which is configured such that it can demand customer information such as name, telephone, e-mail address from the customer (M) if the customer (M) is not registered previously and can receive the information about the customer (M) and the customer (M) vehicle by means of the input unit owned by thereof.

8. A system (1) according to Claim 2; characterized by the greeting device (2) which is configured such that it can send a tag print command containing a customer (M) specific QR (Quick Response) code on thereof to the said printer (10) by communicating with the printer (10) non-wirelessly or wirelessly.

9. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the greeting device (2) which is configured such that it can send the request for sending a customer specific QR code to the customer device (3), by communicating with the operation server (6).

10. A system (1) according to Claim 9; characterized by the operation server (6) which is configured such that it can create a QR code specifically for the customer (M) and the valet service transaction at that moment with reference to the request of the greeting device (2) and can send this code to the customer device (3).

11. A system (1) according to Claim 8 or Claim 9; characterized by the greeting device (2) which is configured such that it can read the tag or the QR code that is shown by the customer (M) on the customer device (3) when s/he receives his/her vehicle and can transmit the information that the said customer (M) has arrived the delivery point by requesting to receive his/her vehicle, to the operation server (6) upon determining the customer information considering this QR code.

12. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the greeting device (2) which is configured such that it can take notifications that are sent by the operation server (6) and relate to the acceptance approval of the valet (V) about duties of vehicle delivery and vehicle receipt and can display them on the screen owned by thereof.

13. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the customer device (3) which is a smartphone, a tablet computer or a smart watch used by the customer (M).

14. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the customer device (3) which is configured such that it will ensure that transactions of adding, editing, displaying, deleting the customer information for the record to be included in the operation server (6) with respect to the customer (M) or deleting the customer (M) record entirely from the operation server (6) are carried out by the customer (M).

15. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the customer device (3) which is configured such that it will enable the customer (M) also to demand washing of the vehicle in addition to parking of the vehicle to a suitable space whi I e s/he del i vers the vehi cl e duri ng the val et servi ce procurement.

16. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the customer device (3) which is configured such that it will enable the customer (M) also to demand handling of various goods at the same time in addition to bringing the vehicle from the parking space to the delivery space while s/he receives the vehicle during the valet service procurement.

17. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the customer device (3) which is configured such that it can take the information about the current location of the customer (M) vehicle from the operation server (6) and can display these information.

18. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the customer device (3) which is configured such that it can take and display notifications about situations such as ^'the vehicle is parked_,, ^'the vehicle left the parking space_,, 'the vehicle started to move towards the delivery point_,, ^'goods/packages are placed to the vehicle_, determined by the operation server (6) about the valet servi ce and can i nf orm the customer ( M ) of these situati ons.

19. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the customer device (3) which is configured such that it will enable the customer (M) to carry out transactions such as delivering the vehicle, receiving the vehicle, stating the request for washing, stating the request for handling of goods/packages in order to benefit from valet service by means of IV R (Interactive V oice Response) by calling an automatic call centre via the customer device (3).

20. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the customer device (3) which has the quality to display the QR code ^"that is sent to the customer device (3) by the operation server (6) upon the greeting device (2) is triggered while the customer (M) delivers his/her vehicle^" by means of the display owned by thereof such that it can be read by the greeting device (2), when the customer (M) wants to receive his/her vehicle.

21. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the customer device (3) which has the quality to display the QR code ^"that is sent to the customer device (3) by the operation server (6) previously^" so as to be read by a device inside the store wherefrom the goods/packages will be taken by the valet (V), in the event that the customer (M) states the request that s/he wants his/her goods/packages to be carried to his/her vehicle before receiving the vehicle.

22. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the valet device (4) which is a smartphone, a tablet computer or a smart watch used by the valet (V).

23. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the valet device (4) which is a device that has the quality to take the signals emitted by the signal transmitters (9) in the environment wherein it is located and thereby to determine the identity information located within the said signals and specific to the signal transmitter (9) emitti ng the signal .

24. A system (1) according to Claim 24; characterized by the valet device (4) which is a device that has the quality to take and interpret the BL E (Bluetooth Low E nergy) signals emitted by the signal transmitters (9) in the environment wherein it is located.

25. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the valet device (4) which has the quality to display the duties of vehicle delivery and vehicle receipt created by the operation server (6) upon the greeting device (2) triggers and the detail information (such as the information of location where the vehicle will be received, delivered; the vehicle plate; the vehicle features) about these duties so as to be displayed to the valet (V ), when the customer (M) delivers his/her vehicle so as to get valet service and receive his/her vehicle later.

26. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the valet device (4) which is configured such that it will take the response whether the valet (V) is available for the duties sent by the operation server (6) to the valet (V ) or not, by means of the input unit owned by thereof and transmit it to the operation server (6).

27. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the valet device (4) which is configured such that it will enable the valet (V) to display the number of duties performed related to all duties performed by him/her at a certain point of time and the duty detail information including the performance score that s/he gai ned from these duti es.

28. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the valet device (4) which is configured to take the information of parking space where the customer (M) vehicle ^"that is delivered from the customer (M) ^" should be parked from the operati on server ( 6) as the duty detai I i nf ormati on as wel I .

29. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the valet device (4) which is configured such that it can make near field contact with the storage unit (5).

30. A system (1) according to Claim 29; characterized by the valet device (4) which is configured to such that it can make near field contact with the storage unit (5) over one of R FID (Radio- Frequency Identification), NFC (Near Field Communication) and Bluetooth communication techniques.

31. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the valet device (4) which is configured such that it can control the information of whether the customer (M) has made the payment for the valet service or not by means of the valet application being run on the valet device (4) by reading the QR code.

32. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the valet device (4) which is configured such that it can display whether the customer (M) has made the payment for the valet service or not on the detail information of the vehicle delivery duty sent to him her by the operation server (6) or the valet application being run on the valet device (4) also after the input of information about the customer ( M ) .

33. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the storage unit (5) which comprises at least one storage compartment where the keys of the customer ( M ) vehi cl es are put so as to be stored by the val et (V ) who receives and parks the said vehicle.

34. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the storage unit (5) which has a near field contact area where the valet (V) can approach the valet devi ce (4) after parki ng the customer ( M ) vehi cl e.

35. A system (1) according to Claim 34; characterized by the storage unit (5) which has a NFC area where the valet (V) can approach the valet device (4) after parking the customer (M) vehicle.

36. A system (1) according to Claim 34; characterized by the storage unit (5) which is configured to control whether the valet (V) is a registered valet in the operation server (6) or not by accessing the operation server (6) at first when the valet device (4) is approached to the near field contact area and in the event that the val et ( V ) is not regi stered, to real i ze a warni ng i ndi cati on to the valet (V).

37. A system (1) according to Claim 36; characterized by the storage unit (5) which is configured to open one of the empty storage compartments in the event that the valet (V) registration is included in the operation server (6) and send the transaction record comprising information such as the date, the time about this transaction, the information of the valet (V ) carrying out the transaction to the operation server (6) after the valet (V) puts the key to this compartment being opened and closes the cover of the compartment.

38. A system (1) according to Claim 36; characterized by the storage unit (5) which subjects the temporary digital keys ^"which are sent by the operation server (6) both to the storage unit (5) and the valet device (4) upon being encrypted by means of 2048 bit SSL encryption method in the control process as to whether the val et (V ) has a record or not at f i rst^" to a match control after the data exchange occurri ng by means of the near f i el d contact area.

39. A system (1) according to Claim 36; characterized by the storage unit (5) which is configured to control whether the said valet (V) has assumed duty of vehicle delivery or not by accessing the operation server (6) and to open the storage compartment wherei n the keys of the customer ( M ) vehi cl e are I ocated related to the duty if the valet (V) has assumed the duty of vehicle delivery, when the valet device (4) is approached to the near field contact area in the event that the valet (V) comes to take the keys from the storage unit (5) in order to del i ver the customer ( M ) vehi cl e.

40. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the storage unit (5) which contains a camera for distance sensors, security images, face recognition and motion detection features; a central lock control structure for voice response system, storage compartments; a safety battery for touch screen, wireless communication module, near field device recognition module and backup energy.

41. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the operation server (6) which is configured to carry out transactions of managing all transactions about the val et servi ce to be provi ded to the customer ( M ) and al I types of data to be used in the said transactions by communicating with the greeting device (2), the customer device (3), the valet device (4), the storage unit (5), the database (7) and the operator device (8); organizing interactions of system members such as the greeting device (2), the customer device (3), the valet device (4), the storage unit (5) with one another; and thereby executing all operation.

42. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the operation server (6) which has the quality to take information about the customer (M) who wants to deliver his/her vehicle, the customer (M) vehicle and the location where the vehicle will be delivered while greeting the customer (M) from the greeting device (2) and record them to the database (7).

43. A system (1) according to Claim 42; characterized by the operation server (6) which is configured to send the duty of receiving the vehicle to the valet device (4) being used by the said valet (V) by determining the most available (in terms of location, being available for the duty and acceptance of duty) valet who can receive the vehicle according to the information that it receives while greeting the customer (M) from the greeting device (2), and to transmit the response of acceptance or refusal given for this duty to the greeting device (2) by the val et (V ) by means of the val et devi ce (4) .

44. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the operation server (6) which is configured such that it can receive the information about the customer (M) and the customer (M) vehicle from the greeting device (2) and write the records related to the transactions about the vehicle delivery to the database (7), during delivery of the vehicle to its customer (M); thereafter, send the duty of delivering the vehicle to the valet device (4) being used by the said valet (V) by determining the most available (in terms of location, being available for the duty and acceptance of duty) valet who can deliver the vehicle according to these information; and transmit the response of acceptance or refusal given for this duty to the greeting device (2) by the valet (V ) by means of the valet device (4).

45. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the operation server (6) which is configured such that it can make inferences by learning historical data by means of machine learning techniques and use these inferences in transactions such as choosing the valet (V) who will be entrusted with the duty, estimating the completion period of the duty in order to improve the operational processes and increasing the customer (M) satisfaction.

46. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the operation server (6) which has the quality to determine locations of the valet devices (4) by taking the information that is determined by the valet devices (4) over the signal information received from the signal transmitters (9) and that is an unique identity information of the signal transmitter (9), from the valet devices (4) periodically.

47. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the operation server (6) which is configured such that it will take the responses of duty acceptance or duty refusal given by the val ets (V ) by means of the i nput unit withi n the val et device (4) about the duties of vehicle receipt or vehicle delivery sent to the valet device (4) and write these responses to the database (7) together with the i nf ormati on about the rel ated val et ( V ) .

48. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the operation server (6) which is configured to send the information about the valet (V) who accepts the duty and the information about the estimated time of arrival of the valet (V) to the place of duty, in the event that the valet (V ) accepts the duty by means of the input unit within the valet device (4) about the duties of vehicle recei pt or vehi cl e del i very sent to the val et devi ce (4) .

49. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the operation server (6) which is configured to send the said duty to the valet device (4) of next valet (V) according to the order of availability, in the event that the valet (V) does not accept the duty by means of the input unit within the valet device (4) about the duties of vehicle receipt or vehicle delivery sent to the valet device (4).

50. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the operation server (6) which is configured to include this additional request in the duty of receiving the vehicle sent to the valet device (4) and also to send the instructions that will send to the valet (V) to the vehicle washing area, to the valet device (4) if the customer ( M ) requested hi s/her vehi cl e to be washed as wel I .

51. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the operation server (6) which is configured to include the information that the vehicle is sent to washing during the receipt in the duty of delivering the vehicle sent to the valet device (4) and also to send the instructions that will send to the valet (V) to the vehicle washing area so as to receive and deliver the vehicle to the customer (M), to the valet device (4) if the customer (M) requested his/her vehi cl e to be washed as wel I .

52. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the operation server (6) which is configured to include the information of packages of which customer (M) will be taken from which store and carried to the vehicle in the duty of delivering the vehicle sent to the valet device (4) and to send a QR code to the valet device (4) so as to be displayed by the valet device (4) as well in order that the valet (V) can take the packages/goods when s/he stops by the store if the customer (M) requested his/her packages/goods to be taken from a store and carri ed to the vehi cl e.

53. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the operation server (6) which is configured to also send a digital key ^"that is encrypted by means of

2048 bit SSL encryption method^" to the valet device (4) together with each duty sent to the valet device (4).

54. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the operation server (6) which is configured to take the inquiry request sent by the storage unit (5) for the purpose of making a security inquiry about the valet (V) who arrives to leave or take the vehicle key and to return answer for this request.

55. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the operation server (6) which is configured to send the information that are accessed by the operator device (8) being used by the operator (O) and that are related to which valets (V) are interested in which customer (M) vehicle in order to be displayed by a user interface to the operator device (8), the information that are related to which customer (M) vehicles have stayed in park for how long and the information that are related to the customers (M) who are provided with the valet service and the customer (M) vehicles.

56. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the operator device (8) which is a smartphone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer or a desktop computer used by the operator ( O) .

57. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the operator device (8) which is configured such that the operator (0) will be enabled to access the operation server (6) over a mobile application or a web application.

58. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the operator device (8) which is a device that has the quality to retrieve the historical data about the valets (V) by accessing the operation server (6) and to display these historical data on a user interface as statistical information and reports.

59. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the operator device (8) which is a device that has the quality to retrieve the location information about the valets (V ) by accessing the operation server (6) and to display these location information on a user interface.

60. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the operator device (8) which is configured such that it will enable the operator (O) to carry out necessary transactions in order to identify persons and devices such as the valet (V), the greeting device (2), and the greeter, the store, the vehicle washer and to designate rights and powers to these persons and devices by interacting with the operation server (6).

61. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the signal transmitter (9) which is a Bluetooth Low E nergy beacon.