Automated vehicle parking system for a plurality of remote parking facilities

Abstract

An automated vehicle parking system for a plurality of remote parking facilities that communicates with a vehicle approaching or leaving the remote facility with RF signals, or the like, that identifies the vehicle and sends the vehicle identification number, time of day, and lane number to a first computer at the remote facility for calculating the parking cost of a given vehicle based on rates for said given individual vehicle stored in the first computer of each of the plurality of remote parking facilities and having a central computer coupled to each remote facility for providing a single bill to a user of several remote facilities and advising each remote facility first computer of the total fees due for all users of that remote facility during specified periods.

1. An automated vehicle parking system for access and revenue control of a plurality of remote parking facilities, each facility having controlled entrance lanes and controlled exit lanes, the system including:
 a vehicle detection device with each of the remote parking facilities for detecting a vehicle as the vehicle approaches the facility entrance lane;    a lane controller system with each of the remote parking facilities coupled to the vehicle detection device for identifying the vehicle and generating a recognition signal;    a computer database with each of the remote parking facilities for storing parking information concerning all vehicles that use the automated system;    a first computer associated with each of the remote parking facilities and coupled to the lane controller and the database for receiving the recognition signal and generating appropriate parking response signals from the database to the lane controller system, said first computer calculating a parking fee for each vehicle;    a central facility; and    a communication system including a second computer in said central facility coupled to the first computer to enable the second computer to communicate with said first computer at each of the remote parking facilities and to periodically calculate a single parking fee statement for a given vehicle whether parked at one or more of the plurality of remote parking facilities and to advise each remote facility first computer of the total fees due to that remote facility for each vehicle during specified periods.    
     
     
       2. An automated vehicle parking system as in  claim 1  wherein the vehicle detection device at each remote parking facility includes a magnetic loop detector that detects an approaching vehicle and identifies the lane number of the vehicle. 
     
     
       3. An automated vehicle parking system as in  claim 1  wherein the lane controller system at each remote parking facility includes:
 a sensor for transmitting an interrogation signal to the approaching vehicle;    a tag associated with the vehicle for receiving the transmitted signal and returning a vehicle identification signal to the sensor; and    a lane controller processor coupled to the sensor and the vehicle detection device, said lane controller processor activating the sensor upon receipt of a signal representing a detected vehicle, receiving the vehicle identification number from the sensor, and passing the valid vehicle identification number, the lane number, and the time of day to the first computer.    
     
     
       4. An automated parking system as in  claim 3  wherein the first computer database at each remote parking facility includes data representing:
 status of each vehicle tag identification number;    rate schedule for each vehicle tag identification;    entrance time and date;    exit time and date;    parking duration interval;    maximum and minimum parking duration intervals;    parking facility identification; and    home parking facility identification.    
     
     
       5. An automated vehicle parking system as in  claim 4  further comprising an accounting module associated with each of the remote parking facilities and coupled to the first computer and database, the accounting module including:
 an accounts receivable submodule for each of the vehicle tags for storing costs and generating periodic billing statements for parking of each identified vehicle;    a rates definition table submodule for defining parameters for a rate calculation algorithm including parking rates for each identified vehicle; and    a rate calculation submodule identifying rate schedules for each vehicle transponder account and calculating costs with the rate calculation algorithm based upon appropriate rates and parking times.    
     
     
       6. An automated vehicle parking system as in  claim 5  further including:
 a data report module at each remote parking facility for generating reports showing parking activity by time of day, length of stay, cost, and the like;    a customer maintenance file at each remote parking facility including address, billing information, and vehicle information; and    a parking administration submodule at each remote parking facility for transmitting appropriate parking response signals to the lane controller modules for deactivating lanes, displaying cost, printing invoices, and the like.    
     
     
       7. An automated vehicle parking system as in  claim 1  wherein said second computer credits each remote parking facility with its appropriate fees for parker use thereof. 
     
     
       8. An automated vehicle parking system as in  claim 1  wherein said second computer advises each remote parking facility of its share of fees due from individual users. 
     
     
       9. An automated vehicle parking system including a plurality of remote parking facilities each of which has an entrance and an exit, the system including:
 a vehicle detector at each remote parking facility for generating a detector signal when a vehicle approaches the entrance to the facility;    a lane controller coupled to the detector at each remote parking facility for receiving the detector signal and generating an identification request signal;    a sensor at the entrance of each remote parking facility and coupled to the lane controller for transmitting the identification request as an RF signal to the detected vehicle;    a transponder in the vehicle for responding to the transmitted sensor identification request signal by returning an identification code to the sensor;    said lane controller receiving the identification code from the sensor, generating the time of day, and a signal representing the lane number;    a first computer at each remote parking facility that is coupled to the lane controller for receiving the vehicle identification code, the time of day, and lane number and generating an appropriate response to the lane controller, the lane controller automatically admitting the vehicle to the parking facility, or denying the vehicle admittance in accordance with the response from the first computer, said first computer calculating a parking fee for each vehicle using the facility; and    a second centralized computer coupled to the first computer at each of the remote parking facilities for communicating with each of the first computers and preparing a single periodic parking fee statement for each vehicle that uses one or more of the remote parking facilities.    
     
     
       10. An automatic vehicle parking system as in  claim 9  wherein said second computer credits each remote parking facility with its appropriate fees for parker use thereof. 
     
     
       11. An automatic vehicle parking system as in  claim 9  wherein said second computer advises each remote parking facility of its share of fees due from individual users. 
     
     
       12. A method for access and revenue control of a plurality of remote parking facilities, each having at least one controlled entrance lane and at least one controlled exit lane, the method comprising the steps of:
 generating a vehicle detection signal at each of the plurality of remote parking facilities with a detection device when a vehicle approaches the remote parking facility entrance;    identifying vehicles authorized to use the remote parking facility with a lane controller system and generating an authorization signal;    storing parking information in a first computer database concerning the vehicles authorized to the use the remote parking facility;    generating appropriate parking responses to the lane controller system upon receiving the authorization signal; and    communicating with the database of the first computer in each of the remote parking facilities with a central computer and compiling a single parking fee statement with the central computer for a user of one or more of the remote parking facilities.    
     
     
       13. A method as in  claim 12  further comprising the step of detecting an approaching vehicle at each of the remote parking facilities and identifying the lane number of the vehicle with a magnetic loop detector. 
     
     
       14. A method as in  claim 13  further comprising the steps of:
 coupling a sensor to the vehicle detection system for transmitting an interrogation signal to the approaching vehicle;    associating a transponder with the vehicle for receiving the transmitted signal and returning a vehicle identification signal to the sensor; and    storing data representing current vehicle transponder identification signals and time of day in a lane controller processor and passing the vehicle identification number, the lane number, and the time of day to the first computer.    
     
     
       15. The method as in  claim 14  further comprising the step of using said central computer to advise each remote facility computer of the total fees due the corresponding remote facility for all users of the respective remote facility during specified periods. 
     
     
       16. In an automated vehicle parking system for access and revenue control of a plurality of remote parking facilities, a method comprising:
   receiving parking information from a first remote parking facility, wherein the        parking information includes an identification of each user of the first parking facility or the user's vehicle;        receiving parking information from a second remote parking facility, wherein the parking information includes an identification of each user of the second parking facility or the user's vehicle; and        compiling and creating combined parking fee statements using a computer based on the received parking information from the first and second parking facilities.     
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16  wherein the received parking information from the first and second remote parking facilities includes a vehicle identification signal for a vehicle tag transponder associated with each vehicle and wherein the vehicle transponder is interrogated to receive the vehicle identification signal. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 16  wherein the first and second remote parking facilities are owned by respective first and second entities, and wherein the method includes providing separated statements to the first and second entities. 
     
     
       19. A system for payment at a plurality of remote parking facilities, the system comprising:
   a computer database at each of the remote parking facilities for storing parking information concerning users of the system;        a first computer associated with each of the remote parking facilities and coupled to the computer database, said first computer calculating a parking fee for said users;        a central facility; and        a second computer in said central facility for communicating with the first computer at each of the remote parking facilities and for periodically generating a single parking fee statement for a given user account whether used at one or more of the plurality of remote parking facilities.     
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 19 , further comprising:
   an exit gate; and        a sensor at the exit gate for transmitting an interrogation signal to a tag associated with a user account.     
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 20 , wherein the tag sends a user account identification signal to the sensor. 
     
     
       22. The system of  claim 21 , wherein:
   the first computer generates a parking response signal authorizing the exit gate to open upon receipt of a valid user account identification from the sensor.     
     
     
       23. A method for payment at a plurality of remote parking facilities comprising the steps of:
   storing in a first computer database parking information concerning users of a particular parking facility;        calculating a parking fee for a user's vehicle using the particular parking facility; and        communicating the parking information and the calculated parking fees to a central computer, the central computer receiving parking information and calculated parking fees from said plurality of remote parking facilities, and generating a single parking fee statement for a user account used at one or more of the remote parking facilities.     
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 23 , further comprising:
   detecting a transponder identification signal; and        generating a parking response signal to open an exit gate when the transponder identification is valid.     
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 23 , further comprising:
   detecting a transponder identification signal; and        generating a parking response signal to open an entrance gate when the transponder identification is valid.     
     
     
       26. A system for payment at a plurality of remote parking facilities, one of the plurality of remote parking facilities having a system comprising:
   a computer database for storing information concerning users of the remote parking facility;        a first computer associated with the remote parking facility and coupled to the database for generating response signals from the database, the first computer calculating a parking fee for a user of the remote parking facility; and        wherein the first computer is coupled to and provides the parking fee to a central computer, wherein the central computer, in response thereto, periodically generates a single fee statement for a given user account.     
     
     
       27. The system of  claim 26 , further comprising:
   an exit gate; and        a sensor for transmitting an interrogation signal to a tag associated with the given user account when the tag is at the gate.     
     
     
       28. The system of  claim 27 , wherein the tag sends a user account identification signal to the sensor, and wherein the first computer generates a parking response signal authorizing the exit gate to open upon receipt of a valid user account identification from the sensor. 
     
     
       29. In a system for payment at a plurality of remote locations, a system comprising:
   a computer database for storing information concerning tags used with the payment system;        a first computer associated with the remote location and coupled to the database for generating response signals from the database, the first computer calculating a parking fee for at least one of said tags; and        wherein the first computer is coupled to and provides the parking fee to a central computer, wherein the central computer in response thereto, periodically generates a single fee statement corresponding to a given tag whether used at one or more of the plurality of remote parking facilities.     
     
     
       30. A method for payment at a plurality of remote parking facilities, comprising the steps of:
   receiving parking information from a remote computer at each of the plurality of remote parking facilities, wherein the parking information concerns and identifies tags used at a remote parking facility; and        generating a single parking fee statement for a user account used at one or more of the plurality of remote parking facilities based on the received parking information.     
     
     
       31. The method of  claim 30 , wherein said step of receiving parking information comprises receiving a tag identification signal; and
   wherein the method further comprises storing data representing current tag identification signals, time of day, day of week and lane number.     
     
     
       32. The method of  claim 31 , further comprising:
   advising each remote facility computer of the total fees due the corresponding remote facility for users of the respective remote facility during specified periods.     
     
     
       33. In a system for payment at a plurality of remote parking facilities, a computer- readable medium providing instructions that when implemented by a computer performs a method comprising:      receiving parking information from a remote computer at each of the plurality of remote parking facilities, wherein the parking information concerns and identifies a user account authorized to use the system; and        generating a single parking fee statement for a user account used at one or more of the plurality of remote parking facilities based on the received parking information.     
     
     
       34. The computer readable medium of  claim 33  wherein the received parking information includes user account information and wherein a transponder is interrogated to receive the user account information. 
     
     
       35. In a system for payment at a plurality of remote parking facilities, a computer- readable medium storing for use by a central computer comprising:      user account identification provided to the central computer by a remote computer associated with each remote parking facility;        parking data provided to the central computer by the remote computer associated with each remote parking facility, wherein the parking data is for the remote parking facility and associated with user account identifications, and        wherein the central computer generates single parking fee statements for user accounts used at one or more of the remote parking facilities based on the vehicle identification and the parking data.     
     
     
       36. The computer- readable medium of    claim 35   , wherein user account identifications are produced based on a vehicle tag transponder and wherein the vehicle tag transponder is interrogated to receive user account information.   
     
     
       37. In a system for payment at a plurality of remote parking facilities, a data signal received and for use by a central computer system comprising:
   user account identifications provided to the central computer by a remote computer associated with each remote parking facility;        parking data provided to the central computer by the remote computer associated with each remote parking facility;        wherein the parking data corresponds to the remote parking facility and is associated with the user account identifications, and        wherein the central computer can generate single parking fee statements for user accounts used at one or more of the remote parking facilities based on the user account identifications and the parking data.     
     
     
       38. The received data signal of  claim 37 , wherein the user account identifications are produced based on a vehicle tag transponder and wherein the vehicle transponder is interrogated to receive user account information. 
     
     
       39. In a system for payment at a plurality of remote parking facilities, a data signal transmitted to and for use by a central computer system comprising:
   user account identifications provided to the central computer by a remote computer associated with each remote parking facility;        parking data provided to the central computer by the remote computer associated with each remote parking facility;        wherein the parking data corresponds to the remote parking facilities and is associated with the user account identifications, and        wherein the central computer can generate single parking fee statements for user accounts used at one or more of the remote parking facilities based on the user account identification and the parking data.     
     
     
       40. The transmitted data signal of  claim 39 , wherein the user account identifications are produced based on a vehicle tag transponder and wherein the vehicle tag transponder is interrogated to receive user account information. 
     
     
       41. A method for payment at a plurality of remote parking facilities, comprising the steps of:
   reading a vehicle's tag identification;        charging a parking fee to an account associated with the tag; and        transmitting a transaction record corresponding to the charging of the fee to a central computer for generation of a single parking fee statement, based on one or more accounts used at one or more of the remote parking facilities.     
     
     
       42. The method of  claim 41 , further comprising:
   determining that the tag is valid by comparing the read tag identification with a list of valid tags stored in a first computer corresponding to a first parking facility.     
     
     
       43. The method of  claim 41 , wherein the generation of a parking fee statement comprises including said parking fee. 
     
     
       44. The method of  claim 41 , wherein the generation of a parking fee statement comprises including in the single parking fee statement said parking fee and other parking fees charged to said tag when validated from any remote parking facility of the plurality of parking facilities. 
     
     
       45. The method of  claim 41 , wherein the tag is read when the vehicle approaches an exit of a first remote parking facility. 
     
     
       46. A method for payment at a plurality of remote parking facilities comprising the steps of:
   receiving a first transaction record corresponding to a first parking fee charged to a user account at a first remote parking facility;        receiving a second transaction record corresponding to a second parking fee charged to the user account at a second remote parking facility; and        generating a single fee statement by including in the statement the first and second parking fees charged to the user account.     
     
     
       47. The method of  claim 46 , wherein the first and second remote parking facilities are one and the same. 
     
     
       48. A system for payment at a plurality of remote parking facilities, comprising:
   a central computer in a central facility;        a first computer in a first parking facility for storing and communicating information about a user account to the central computer; and        a second computer in a second parking facility for storing and communicating information about said user account to the central computer;        wherein the central computer generates a single parking fee statement for said user account and advises the first and second computers of the total fees due to the first and second remote facilities for each user account using the facilities.     
     
     
       49. A method for payment at a plurality of remote parking facilities, comprising:
   receiving user account transaction records from the plurality of remote facilities; and        generating single fee statements for user accounts based on the transaction records.     
     
     
       50. The method of  claim 49 , further comprising:
   sending to each user having a user account a single fee statement with the transaction records associated with that user account.     
     
     
       51. The system of  claim 1 , wherein during specified periods said second computer advises each remote parking facility first computer of the total fees due by user accounts to that remote facility. 
     
     
       52. A system for payment at a plurality of remote parking facilities, comprising:
   a central computer in a central facility;        a first computer in a first parking facility for storing and communicating information about a user account to the central computer; and        a second computer in a second parking facility for storing and communicating information about said user account to the central computer;        wherein the central computer generates a single parking fee statement for said user account.     
     
     
       53. An automated vehicle parking system for access and revenue control of a plurality of remote parking facilities, each facility having controlled entrance lanes and controlled exit lanes, the system including:
   vehicle detection device with each of the remote parking facilities for detecting a vehicle as the vehicle approaches the controlled entrance lane;        lane controller system with each of the remote parking facilities coupled to the vehicle detection device for identifying the vehicle and generating a recognition signal;        computer database with each of the remote parking facilities for storing parking information concerning all vehicles that use the automated vehicle parking system;        first computer associated with each of the remote parking facilities and coupled to the lane controller and the computer database for receiving the recognition signal and generating appropriate parking response signals from the computer database to the lane controller system, said first computer calculating a parking fee for each vehicle;        central facility; and        communication system including a second computer in said central facility coupled to the first computer to enable the second computer to communicate with said first computer at each of the remote parking facilities and to periodically calculate a single parking fee statement for a given vehicle whether parked at one or more of the plurality of remote parking facilities and to advise each remote facility first computer of the total fees due to that remote facility for each vehicle during specified periods.     
     
     
       54. An automated vehicle parking system as in  claim 53  wherein the vehicle detection device at each remote parking facility includes a magnetic loop detector that detects an approaching vehicle and identifies a lane number of the vehicle. 
     
     
       55. An automated vehicle parking system as in  claim 53  wherein the lane controller system at each remote parking facility includes:
   sensor for transmitting an interrogation signal to the approaching vehicle;        tag associated with the vehicle for receiving the transmitted signal and returning a vehicle identification signal to the sensor; and        lane controller processor coupled to the sensor and the vehicle detection device, said lane controller processor activating the sensor upon receipt of a signal representing a detected vehicle, receiving a vehicle identification number from the sensor, and passing a valid vehicle identification number, a lane number, and a time of day to the first computer.     
     
     
       56. An automated parking system as in  claim 55  wherein the computer database at each remote parking facility includes data representing:
   status of each vehicle tag identification number;        rate schedule for each vehicle tag identification;        entrance time and date;        exit time and date;        parking duration interval;        maximum and minimum parking duration intervals;        parking facility identification; and        home parking facility identification.     
     
     
       57. An automated vehicle parking system as in  claim 56  further comprising an accounting module associated with each of the remote parking facilities and coupled to the first computer and computer database, the accounting module including:
   an accounts receivable submodule for each of the vehicle tags for storing costs and generating periodic billing statements for parking of each identified vehicle;        a rates definition table submodule for defining parameters for a rate calculation algorithm including parking rates for each identified vehicle; and        a rate calculation submodule identifying rate schedules for a transponder account associated with each vehicle and calculating costs with the rate calculation algorithm based upon appropriate rates and parking times.     
     
     
       58. An automated vehicle parking system as in  claim 57  further including:
   a data report module at each remote parking facility for generating reports showing parking activity by time of day, length of stay, and cost;        a customer maintenance file at each remote parking facility including address, billing information, and vehicle information; and        a parking administration submodule at each remote parking facility for transmitting appropriate parking response signals to modules in the lane controller system for deactivating lanes, displaying cost, and printing invoices.     
     
     
       59. An automated vehicle parking system as in  claim 53  wherein said second computer credits each remote parking facility with appropriate fees for parker use thereof. 
     
     
       60. An automated vehicle parking system as in  claim 53  wherein said second computer advises each remote parking facility of a share of fees due from individual users. 
     
     
       61. An automated vehicle parking system including a plurality of remote parking facilities each of which has an entrance and an exit, the system including:
   a vehicle detector at each remote parking facility for generating a detector signal when a vehicle approaches the entrance to the remote parking facility;        a lane controller coupled to the detector at each remote parking facility for receiving the detector signal and generating an identification request signal;        a sensor at the entrance of each remote parking facility and coupled to the lane controller for transmitting the identification request signal as an RF signal to the vehicle;        a transponder in the vehicle for responding to the transmitted identification request signal by returning an identification code to the sensor;        said lane controller receiving the identification code from the sensor, generating a time of day, and a signal representing the lane number;        a first computer at each remote parking facility that is coupled to the lane controller for receiving the identification code, the time of day, and lane number and generating an appropriate response to the lane controller, the lane controller automatically admitting the vehicle to the parking facility, or denying the vehicle admittance in accordance with the response from the first computer, said first computer calculating a parking fee for each vehicle using the facility; and        a second centralized computer coupled to the first computer at each of the remote parking facilities for communicating with each of the first computers and preparing a single periodic parking fee statement for each vehicle that uses one or more of the remote parking facilities.     
     
     
       62. An automatic vehicle parking system as in  claim 61  wherein said second computer credits each remote parking facility with appropriate fees for parker use thereof. 
     
     
       63. An automatic vehicle parking system as in  claim 61  wherein said second computer advises each remote parking facility of a share of fees due from individual users. 
     
     
       64. A method for access and revenue control of a plurality of remote parking facilities, each having at least one controlled entrance lane and at least one controlled exit lane, the method comprising the steps of:
   generating a vehicle detection signal at each of the plurality of remote parking facilities with a detection device when a vehicle approaches a remote parking facility entrance;        identifying vehicles authorized to use the remote parking facility with a lane controller system and generating an authorization signal;        storing parking information in a database of a first computer concerning the vehicles authorized to use the remote parking facility;        generating appropriate parking responses to the lane controller system upon receiving the authorization signal; and        communicating with the database of the first computer in each of the remote parking facilities with a central computer and compiling a single parking fee statement with the central computer for a user of one or more of the remote parking facilities.     
     
     
       65. The method as in  claim 64  further comprising the step of detecting an approaching vehicle at each of the remote parking facilities and identifying a lane number of the vehicle with a magnetic loop detector. 
     
     
       66. The method as in  claim 65  further comprising the steps of:
   coupling a sensor to a vehicle detection system for transmitting an interrogation signal to the approaching vehicle;        associating a transponder with the vehicle for receiving the transmitted signal and returning a vehicle identification signal to the sensor; and        storing data representing current vehicle transponder identification signals and time of day in a lane controller processor and passing a vehicle identification number, the lane number, and a time of day to the first computer.     
     
     
       67. The method as in  claim 66  further comprising the step of using said central computer to advise each remote facility computer of total fees due the corresponding remote facility for all users of the respective remote facility during specified periods.