Technical Field

This invention relates to and refers particularly, though not exclusively, to a vehicle parking payment system and method and more particularly, though not exclusively, to a vehicle parking payment system and method using a mobile telephone.

Definitions

Throughout this specification a reference to a mobile telephone is to be taken as including a reference to any mobile telephone-enabled device including, but not limited to: a mobile telephone, cellular telephone, hand telephone, personal digital assistant, portable computer, laptop computer, notebook computer, and tablet computer.

Throughout this specification a reference to a message is to be taken as including an SMS message, MMS message, email and any other form of text message.

Throughout this specification reference to a telephone call is to be taken as including a telephone call, missed telephone call, and a computer-generated telephone call. Throughout this specification reference to a telephonic communication is to be taken as being a text message or a telephone call.

Background

Vehicle parking in publicly-accessible parking locations normally requires a payment. This may be by use of credit or debit cards, cash, or, as is common in many countries, pre-paid parking coupons. The pre-paid parking coupons often have chads that must be removed to indicate the correct date and time when parking commenced. Cash and credit or debit cards require significant expenditure in equipment and/or having permanent staff. As most persons driving vehicles have mobile telephones, the use of mobile telephones to enable payment for vehicle parking has been proposed. However, most such systems are complex, are open to abuse, and have not succeeded.

Summary

According to a first exemplary aspect there is provided a vehicle parking payment system comprising a server. The server comprises a telephone interface module for receiving a telephone call from a mobile telephone over a telecommunications network; a telephone process module for identifying by a location code a parking location of a vehicle, the location code being a call number for dialing by the mobile telephone to make the telephone call; a database comprising registration details of the vehicle, the vehicle's registration details being associated with the telephone number of the mobile telephone; a parking record module for recording a parking status of the vehicle; and a charging module for charging a parking fee based on the location code.

The server may further comprise a registration module configured to determine if the mobile telephone is registered in the system, and for sending a request telephonic communication to the mobile telephone requesting registration if the mobile telephone is not registered.

The system may further comprise an enforcement check module configured to determine a parking status of the vehicle according to the vehicle registration details upon receipt of a query telephonic communication from a remote hand-held communications apparatus. The enforcement check module may be configured to return a list of possible recorded parked vehicle registration details upon receipt of the query telephonic communication from the hand-held communications apparatus.

The parking record module is preferably configured to send a confirmation telephonic communication to the mobile telephone to confirm record of parking.

The parking fee may be charged by the server debiting an account associated with the mobile telephone. The parking record module may also be configured to make a warning telephonic communication to the mobile telephone at a predetermined time before the lapsing of the period for which payment has been made.

The parking record module may further be configured to make a second warning telephonic communication to the mobile telephone at the lapsing of the period for which payment has been made.

The warning telephonic communication is preferably a telephone call made by the parking record module that is terminated by the server such that the mobile telephone receives a missed call.

The parking record module may further be configured to renew the parking status for a further period in response to another telephone call from the mobile telephone, the further period being selected from the group consisting of: the fixed period and the flexible period. The charging module is preferably configured to compute the parking fee and to determine if a fee payment account has sufficient credit to pay the parking fee.

According to a second exemplary aspect, there is provided a vehicle parking payment method comprising a server receiving a telephone call from a mobile telephone over a telecommunications network; the server identifying by a location code a parking location of a vehicle, the location code being a number for dialing by the mobile telephone to make the telephone call; the server recording a parking status of the vehicle for a period according to an association of the telephone number and the vehicle registration details maintained in the server for each mobile telephone and each vehicle; and the server charging a parking fee for the period.

The server preferably determines if the mobile telephone is registered by the server and, if not, the server sends a request telephonic communication to the mobile telephone requesting registration.

The server preferably sends a confirmation telephonic communication to the mobile telephone to confirm record of parking. The server preferably makes a warning telephonic communication to the mobile telephone at a predetermined time before the lapsing of the period for which the parking fee has been charged.

The server preferably makes a second warning telephonic communication to the mobile telephone at the lapsing of the period for which the parking fee has been charged. The warning telephonic communication is preferably a warning telephone call and the server terminates the warning telephone call such that the mobile telephone detects a missed call. The server preferably renews the parking status for a further period in response to another telephonic communication from the mobile telephone, the further period being selected from the group consisting of: the fixed period and the flexible period.

Upon receipt of a query telephonic communication from a remote hand-held communications apparatus the server preferably determines the parking status the vehicle according to the vehicle registration details.

The query telephonic communication preferably comprises the vehicle registration details and the location code.

The server preferably returns a list of possible recorded parked vehicle registration details upon receipt of the query telephonic communication from the hand-held communications apparatus. The server preferably charges the parking fee by debiting an account associated with the mobile telephone.

Prior to charging the parking fee, the server computes the parking fee and determines if a fee payment account has sufficient credit to pay the parking fee. For both aspects, the period for which payment is made may be a fixed period or a flexible period. The hand-held communications apparatus is preferably telecommunications-enabled and is able to communicate with the server over the telecommunications network. The telephone call from the mobile telephone is preferably terminated by the server to serve as a missed call.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In order that the invention may be fully understood and readily put into practical effect there shall now be described by way of non-limitative example only exemplary embodiments, the description being with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an illustrative representation of an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle parking location;

Figure 2 is a block diagram of the server installation of the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1 ; and

Figure 3 is a flow chart for the operation of an exemplary method. Detailed Description of the Exemplary Embodiments

To first refer to Figure 1 there is shown a vehicle park 100 where a vehicle 200 is parked. A mobile telephone 300 is to be used to pay for the parking fee by telephonic communication with a remote server 400. The vehicle park 100 may be a single-level parking station or a multiple level parking station. The vehicle park 100 has a code 102 that is unique to that vehicle park 100, the code 102 being a call number for dialing by the mobile telephone 300 and for the remote server 400 to identify the vehicle park 100. The vehicle park 100 may have zones 106 each of which has its own unique code 102. Different parking zones 106 can thus be assigned different call numbers for unique identification by the remote server 400 when a unique code 102 is dialed. For a multiple-level vehicle park 100 each level may be a different zone and as such may have its own unique code 102. The code 102 is displayed on signs 104 that are strategically located throughout the vehicle park 100 and each zone 106. The vehicle 200 has a registration plate 202 and/or registration label 204 on which are the registration details 206 of the vehicle 200.

The mobile telephone 300 is used for payment of the parking fees. The mobile telephone 300 communicates telephonically with the server 400 over a

telecommunications network 500.

The server 400 has a telephone interface module 402 that is configured to receive telephone calls from the mobile telephone 300 when the code 102 is dialed. Upon receiving a telephone call from the mobile telephone 300, the server 400 preferably terminates the call without answering it so that the telephone call made by the mobile telephone 300 and received by the server 400 is a missed call.

Preferably, the telephone interface module 402 is also configured to send and receive text messages to and from mobile telephone 300 for communication of information such as parking times or balances of customer accounts. The server 400 also has a telephone call process module 404 that is configured to identify the parking zone 106 to which the dialed code 102 has been assigned, and to record the telephone number of the mobile telephone 300, for example, by use of caller identifier.

The server 400 also includes a database 406 that has a look-up table with the registration details 206 of the vehicle 200 and the telephone number of the mobile telephone 300, the telephone number and the registration details 204 being associated with each other. This may be by associating the telephone number of the mobile telephone 300 with the registration details 206; and/or by associating the registration details 206 with the telephone number of the mobile telephone 300. The registration details 206 may be the complete registration details (e.g. SFR3064E) or a shortened version thereof (e.g. 3064). The parking period paid for by use of the mobile telephone may be a fixed parking period of for example, 30 or 60 minutes; or may be for a flexible parking period depending on payment policies established for the vehicle park 100.

The server 400 further includes a parking record module 408 for recording a parking status of the vehicle 200 in the zone 106. The parking record module 408 is configured to instruct the telephone interface module 402 to send a confirmation telephonic communication to the mobile telephone 300 to confirm the record of the parking. Additional telephonic confirmation, preferably in the form of a text message, may be sent to the mobile telephone 300 to include the cost of the parking and/or the parking period for which payment has been made. It may further include brief details of a fee payment account to be charged with the parking fee. The parking record module 408 is preferably also configured to send a warning telephonic communication to the mobile telephone at a predetermined period before the lapse of the parking period. The predetermined period may be, for example, 5 or 10 minutes. A second or final warning telephonic communication may be sent by the server 400 to the mobile telephone 300 upon expiry of the parking period. For calls made by server 400 to the mobile telephone 300, the server 400 preferably terminates the calls when a "ringbank" tone is detected so that the mobile telephone 300 receives a missed call from the server 400.

The parking record module 408 is preferably further configured to renew the parking status for another parking period in response to another telephone call from the mobile telephone 300. The other parking period may be the same as the parking period and may be a fixed parking period of for example, 30 or 60 minutes, or a flexible parking period depending on payment policies established for the vehicle park 100.

The server 400 further has a registration module 410 configured to determine if the mobile telephone 300 is registered by the server 400 upon receiving the telephone call from the mobile telephone 300. If not, the telephone interface module 402 sends a request telephonic communication to the mobile telephone 300 requesting registration of the mobile telephone 300 and the vehicle 200 to be associated with that mobile telephone 300. In an exemplary embodiment, only one vehicle 200 is able to be associated with one mobile telephone 300. The mobile telephone 300 and the associated vehicle 200 may be registered by providing appropriate and required information regarding both the mobile telephone 300 and the vehicle 200, as well as details of the fee payment account, to the server 400 by a telephonic communication, or by use of the Internet.

The fee payment account to be charged for the parking fee may be an account associated with the mobile telephone 300. Alternatively, it may be a bank or similar account, debit card account or a credit card account. A charging module 409 is provided in the server 400 for computing the parking fee based on the parking zone 106. The charging module 409 is also configured to check whether the fee payment account has sufficient credit to pay the parking fee and if there is, to charge the parking fee to the fee payment account.

The data in the telephone call process module 404, the parking record module 408 and the registration module 410 preferably reside in the database 406. The server 400 further comprises an enforcement check module 412 configured to determine a parking status of the parking status of the vehicle 200 according to the vehicle registration details 206 as received from a remote hand-held communications apparatus 600 over the telecommunications network. The hand-held communications apparatus 600 is telecommunications-enabled and is able to communicate with the server 400 over the telecommunications network 500 or another telecommunications network (not shown). In this way a parking enforcement officer can enter the vehicle registration details 206 into the hand-held communications apparatus 600 and send them to the server 400. The enforcement check module 412 receives the query and extracts the relevant data from the parking record module 408. The answer to the query is then sent to the remote hand-held communications apparatus 600 and the parking enforcement officer can take the appropriate action. To now refer to Figure 3, when the vehicle 200 is parked in zone 106 (30), the mobile telephone 300 is used to dial the location code 102 to make a telephone call to the server 400 (31). The server 400 receives the telephone call and first enquires whether the mobile telephone 300 is registered (32). If not, the server 400 sends a request telephonic communication to the mobile telephone (33) requesting registration. After allowing a suitable period the server enquires (34) whether the information has been received due to the mobile telephone 300 being registered. If not, the server cancels or rejects the parking request (35) and the process ends (36). A rejection telephonic communication may be sent to the mobile telephone 300 at that time.

If yes at (34) the registration information is updated to the database 406 and the server 400 identifies the parking zone 106 and records the telephone number of the mobile telephone 300 (38).

If yes at (32), the server 400 identifies the parking zone 106 using location code 102 and retrieves the registration details 206 associated with the mobile phone 300 (38). Based on this information, the server 400 computes the parking fee and parking duration. For example, different types of vehicles may have different parking fees for the same parking zone 106.

At (39), the server 400 checks if the fee payment account has enough credit to pay the parking fee. If there isn't, the server 400 may send a telephonic communication to the mobile telephone 300 informing that there is insufficient credit (47) and the process ends (48). If there is, the parking status is updated to associate the car registration details 206 with the parking zone 106 and to note an expiry time of the parking period. The parking fee is also charged (40).

If a predetermined period before the expiry of the parking period is reached (41), the server 400 sends a warning telephonic communication such as a telephone call or a text message to the mobile telephone 300 (42). If a second parking payment request is received from the mobile telephone 300 whether for the same zone 106, or for a different zone 106 by dialing the unique location code 102 for the zone 106 with the mobile telephone 300 (43), the server 400 automatically checks if credit is available in the fee payment account to pay the parking fee (39). If there is sufficient credit, the parking fee is charged and the server 400 updates the parking status (40) to extend the expiry period of the parking status of vehicle 200. If no further request is received, at the expiry of the parking period, a second or final warning telephone call or text message is sent (44) from the server 400 to the mobile telephone 300 and the process ends (45).

In the event that a second parking payment request is received from the mobile telephone 300 (46) when the predetermined period before the expiry of the parking period has not yet been reached (41), the server 400 also automatically checks if credit is available in the fee payment account (39). If there is sufficient credit, the parking fee is charged and the server updates the parking status (40) to extend the expiry period of the parking status of vehicle 200.

At any stage a hand-held communications apparatus 600 may be used to send the vehicle registration details 206 to the server 400 over the telecommunications network 500. This may be by reference to the location code 102 or may not be so limited. The server 400 will check the parking status for the vehicle registration details 206 and send an appropriate response to the hand-held communications apparatus 600. This may be a list of all vehicle registration details 206 (particularly if in a shortened form), the location code 102 for each vehicle 200, and the expiry time of the parking period for each vehicle 200. If the initial query from the hand-held communications apparatus 600 contains the location code 102, that data may be omitted from the response. Alternatively, if the registration details 206 of the vehicle 200 are not found by the server, the response may indicate that fact. A parking officer can then take the appropriate action. As the parking officer is relying on data from the server 400, and that data remains on the server 400 (even if archived) it will provide a quasi- independent verification of the parking status of the vehicle 200 and the parking period for which payment has been made in the event of a dispute.

Paying the parking fee is therefore made extremely convenient for drivers parking at a vehicle park 100 provided with a vehicle parking payment system as described above. Upon parking, a driver simply dials the location code 102 on his or her mobile phone 300 and shortly receives a confirmatory call or message from the server 400 to confirm that the parking fee has been charged for a parking period. Nearing the end of the parking period, the server 400 warns the driver that the parking period is expiring. To park for a further period, the driver simply dials the location code 102 again to pay a further parking fee.

By contrast, sending a text message to a server to log in a parking charge would involve calling up a messaging editor on the mobile phone, typing the message, entering a number to send the message to, and finally sending the message. It is much more time consuming and complex than simply dialing a location code, and can be daunting for people unfamiliar with text messaging. Dialing the location code 102 is a simple process that would allow even drivers who have not been able to learn how to send text messages on mobile phones to use the system. Whilst the foregoing description has described exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the technology concerned that many variations in details of design, construction and/or operation may be made without departing from the present invention.