Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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VEHICLE VIOLATION ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD
[0001 ]This invention relates to a system and method for enforcing vehicular
parking violations via vehicle immobilizing boots.
[0002] Vehicular parking laws are typically enforced by issuing a summons and
placing the summons on the vehicle. The owner of the vehicle reviews the
summons on the vehicle, is then required to inquire as to the fine and pays
the
fine or appears in court to contest the summons. The enforcement of the
payment of the fines is haphazard in that in many instances the vehicle owner
does not pay the fine and accumulates summons and fines. The fines assessed
may be increased substantially for repeat violators who are termed scofflaws,
who ignore such summons.
[0003] One solution to insure payment of fines is to place a boot on the
vehicle
wheel. Such a boot is a device which is attached to the vehicle wheel to make
operation of the vehicle impossible since the wheel is no longer able to roll
on the
pavement due to the presence of the boot. Such boots are commonly used and
widely available. Such boots are typically cumbersome and heavy. For example,
such boots are disclosed in Japanese patent JP 58076348, UK design patents
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3008370 and 3007353, and US Pats. Nos. 1,489,272; 1,530,622; 3,907,072;
4,768,359; 5,134,868; 5,315,848; 5,372,018; and 5,673,574, all incorporated by
reference herein in their entirety.
[0004] Boot systems of the type in use, while unpopular with motorists, have
become more accepted. Thus, parking enforcement personnel place the
oversize and cumbersome boot on a vehicle wheel, immobilizing the vehicle.
The offender returns to the vehicle and can not use the vehicle. The offender
is
prompted by a sticker on the window to call the appropriate entity, e.g., the
police, the court or an administrator in order to learn how to have the boot
removed. The offender is prompted during the call to make his way to the
police
station, court or administrator, without his vehicle, to a payment location.
The
offender is required to pay the fine for this violation and all other
outstanding
violations, if any. In this regard, boot systems provide for catching
scofflaws who
have numerous outstanding parking violations. More specifically, once a boot
is
attached to a scofflaw's vehicle, the authorities can maintain control of the
vehicle until all outstanding violations against the owner or operator of the
vehicle
are paid. Clearly, the use of the boot wheel lock is inconvenient to the
offender
who must try to obtain alternative transportation from what ever location he
may
have parked to the payment center, which could be some distance away and to
which center there is no readily available transportation. Once the offender's
account is settled, he or she must return to his vehicle seeking further
transportation, while in parallel to the offender returning to his vehicle, to
await a
parking enforcement person to remove the boot. Such a person may or may not
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arrive at the offending vehicle in a timely manner, frustrating the offender.
This
process can take hours or even days, using up a portion of the collected fine
by
the summons issuing agency via the man hours spent in arranging for the
removal of the boot and in the time necessary for removing the boot and also
leaving a very disgruntled citizen. The present inventors recognize that such
a
system is not satisfactory. It is costly for both the motorist and the agency
responsible for enforcement of the traffic laws. In some cases, the boot is
used
in lieu of towing on private property to insure payment of parking violation
fines.
The tow operator may not get to the private parking facility for hours to
settle the
claim.
(0005] The present inventors also recognize that at present there is a
commercially available prior art electronic tagging device known as RFID
(radio
frequency identification). This device is known to be programmable and which
transmits information that is programmed, such as a tag identification number
unique to each tag or other information as desirable for a given
implementation.
Generally, an RFID tag includes a radio frequency (RF) transmitter, an RF
receiver, an RF modulator, and a memory. The memory retains a 'digital code
manifesting the identification number of the tag that is unique to each tag.
The
RF modulator extracts the digital code representing the identification number
and
other information as stored in the memory as a modulated signal which is
applied
to the RF transmitter. The RF receiver receives interrogation and control
signals
which manifest a request for the identification number and other information
as
may be stored in the memory. An interrogator unit transmits an interrogation
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signal to the tag to retrieve information stored in the tag. The interrogation
unit
may also transmit information to be stored in the tag and which information
can
be retrieved by an interrogator. For example, see US patent no. 6,265,973
which
discloses such a tag system. A similar tag system is shown in Fig. 4 herein.
(00063 Of interest also is US Publication No. 2003 0222792 (Serial No.
10/158,493) which discloses a parking meter monitoring system employing PDAs
(personal digital assistant), host computer systems employing computers such
as
personal computers and data bases, a communication network and RFID
transmitting and receiving devices for monitoring the status of parking
meters.
This publication is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
[0007]A motor vehicular parking enforcement system according to an
embodiment of the present invention comprises a vehicle wheel boot for
immobilizing a parking violation vehicle, the boot having a lock encoded with
a
boot release code for releasing the boot from the wheel. An RFID tag having a
unique ID is attached to the boot and which tag includes a memory and a
transmitter/receiver communication arrangement for receiving, storing and
transmitting first information which may include the tag unique ID. A handheld
PDA device is included and includes an RFID reader and transmitter, the device
is for entering, receiving, storing and transmitting second information at
least to
and from the tag including the tag ID and violation data of the parking
violation.
Also included is a communications system for communicating the second
information to an entity host computer system.
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[0008] In one aspect, the device includes a camera for taking and transmitting
a
photograph of the violation vehicle to the entity host computer system.
[0009] In a further aspect, the system includes a summons issuing governing
body data base (SDB) containing scofflaw data and wherein the host computer
system includes a link to the communication system for communicating with the
SDB to determine the scofflaw status of the violation vehicle and for
communicating this status to the entity host computer system.
[00010] In a further aspect, the device includes a communication
arrangement for communicating with a summons issuing governing body data
base (SDB) containing scofflaw data for storing the scofflaw data in the
device
memory.
[00011] In a further aspect, the host system includes a communication
link
for communicating with the SDB to determine and store the scofflaw status of
the
violation vehicle in the host system memory.
[00012] In a further aspect, the entity host system includes a data base
containing the boot release code corresponding to the unique RFID tag and a
CPU for corresponding the release code to the boot unique ID for accessing and
permitting the communication of the release code to the person associated with
the violation vehicle in return for payment of all outstanding fine(s) due
from the
person.
[00013] In a further aspect, the PDA includes a key pad for entering
summons data wherein the data entered includes the name and/or related
information regarding the person issuing the summons for the violation, the
date,
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the time, the location selected from codes stored in memory, the license
number
and state of the vehicle registration, the summons number, and a violation
code.
[00014] In a further aspect, the PDA includes a modem for communicating
to the host system summons and RFID tag data to the host system and for
communicating to a municipality computer system containing scofflaw data for
transferring scofflaw data to the PDA.
[00015] In a further aspect, further including a governing body data base
of
scofflaw data, a card reader/writer associated with the governing body data
base
for copying scofflaw data to a card associated with the reader/writer, the
card for
transferring the scofflaw data to the PDA.
[00016] In a still further aspect, the PDA includes a card reader for
copying
scofflaw data into the PDA from a memory card.
[00017] In a further aspect, a card reader/writer is attached to a
computer
associated with the scofflaw data base wherein the scofflaw data is uploaded
to a
memory card as needed.
[00018] In a further aspect, the host system includes a data base with
all
boot release codes and a CPU for accessing the release code from the host data
base for all RFID tags and the corresponding unique RFID codes for which a
summons is issued for a parking violation.
[00019] In a further aspect, the PDA includes a memory for storing
entered
current vehicle violation data and RFID read data including the unique RFID
code
and a communication system for communicating the stored violation data
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including scofflaw data, the RFID read data and the current violation data to
the
host system.
[00020] In a further aspect, the host system also may include a
communication link for communicating to a tow operator the status of the fine
payment, the location of the parking violation vehicle and the unlock code for
the
boot for removal of the boot and towing of the parking violation vehicle by
the tow
operator.
[00021] A method for enforcing parking violations in a further aspect
comprises the step of communicating the violation scofflaw status, the
location
and ID of a vehicle locking boot attached to a vehicle to a host system
controlled
by an entity representing a summons issuing controlling governing body. The
method further includes the step of communicating the identification of the
host
system controlling entity to the driver of the parking violation vehicle for
payment
of the associated fine and for communicating the boot release code to the
driver
upon payment of the fine.
[00022] In a further aspect, the method includes the step of requiring
the
driver to pay a deposit in return for the driver receiving the boot release
code and
providing for the return of the deposit to the driver upon returning the boot
to a
boot collection depot or station.
[00023] In a further aspect, the method includes providing for the
payment
of the associated fine to the entity.
[00024] A method according to a further aspect includes attaching an RFID
tag with a unique code and memory to the boot, the boot having an unlock code;
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attaching the boot to a vehicle in scofflaw violation of a plurality of
parking laws;
communicating data manifesting the violation and scofflaw status of the
vehicle,
the unique code and location of the vehicle to the host system entity; and
transmitting information to the person driving the scofflaw violation vehicle
to
enable the person to contact the entity for payment of the fine associated
with the
scofflaw violations.
[00025] A system
for enforcing parking violations in a further aspect
comprises a PDA for storing information including parking violation including
scofflaw status of a parking violation vehicle, the location and unique ID of
a
vehicle locking boot attached to and for immobilizing the parking violation
vehicle
and for communicating this information to an entity host system.
[00026] The
system also includes a communication system for
communicating the identification of the entity to the driver of the parking
violation
vehicle for payment of the associated fine. The host
system includes a
computer and data base for storing the boot ID and boot release code for
enabling the communication via the communication system of the boot release
code to the driver upon payment of the fine,
[00027] In a
further aspect, the boot includes an RFID tag having memory
and a unique ID associated with the boot, the PDA having an RFID tag reader
and including a memory and keypad for receiving and storing the scofflaw
status
of the violation vehicle and for recording the details of the violation data,
the boot
RFID tag ID and location of the boot.
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[00028] In a further aspect, the system for enforcing includes a further
communication system for permitting the entity and PDA to communicate to a
summons issuing governing body data base to determine the scofflaw violation
data status of the violation vehicle and for communication to an entity data
base
the details of the scofflaw violation data, the boot ID and location of the
boot.
[00029] In a further aspect, the further communicating system is arranged
to permit the PDA to communicate with the host system for transferring
violation
data stored in its memory.
[00030] In a further aspect, the PDA and boot include an RFID reader and
an RFID tag, respectively.
[00031] In a further aspect, an ID medium is included with the identity
of the
host entity contact information imprinted thereon for attachment to the
violation
vehicle.
[00032] In a further aspect, the host system includes a data base in
which
the boot RFID unique ID is correlated with a corresponding boot release code.
[00033] In a further aspect, the PDA includes a key pad for entering PDA
data and wherein the PDA data entered includes the name of the person issuing
the summons for the violation, the RFID unique code, the date, the time, the
location selected from codes stored in memory, the license number and state of
the vehicle registration, the summons number, the violation code, and scofflaw
status data.
In the Drawing:
[00034] FIGURE 1 is a schematic diagram showing a typical boot attached
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to a vehicle wheel and an embodiment of the system according to the present
invention for release of the boot in return for payment of all outstanding
fines.
[00035] FIGURE 1a is a diagrammatic illustration of a GPS communication
system to the PDA of the system according to a further embodiment of the
present invention;
[00036] FIGURE 2 is a more detailed schematic diagram of the system of
claim 1;
[00037] FIGURE 3 is a further more detailed schematic diagram of the
system of claim 1; and
[00038] FIGURE 4 is a block schematic diagram of an RFID interrogation
reader-transmitter and tag system which may be used with the boot of Fig. 1.
[00039] In Fig. 1, violation enforcement system 10 includes a vehicle
wheel
boot 12 which is attached to a scofflaw's violation vehicle 14 wheel 16. A
scofflaw is a person whose vehicle has a number of outstanding summons for
parking violations which have been ignored. The number of outstanding
violations to achieve scofflaw status may vary for different number of summons
issued by summons issuing governing bodies such as for example, a
municipality, a city, a university or a corporation. For example, a scofflaw
may
have two or more outstanding violations.
[00040] The boot 12 includes a combination lock 18 which is unlocked by
inserting a serial arrangement of a combination of numbers whose serial
arrangement is unique for each lock. The boot 12 is unlocked by entering the
correct combination of the combination encoded lock IS. Attached to the boot
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by bonding or any other convenient attachment arrangement is a radio frequency
identification tag (RFID) 218. The tag operates at radio frequencies as known
in
this art and will be described below in greater detail in connection with Fig.
4. The
boot 12 is preferably light weight to insure easy portability. The boot 12 has
jaws
22, 24 which pivot open and closed about the wheel 16 in response to entering
the appropriate combination into the lock 18. Typically the lock 18 is
assigned a
unique serial number and this serial number is the same as the unique ID code
number assigned the tag 218. Each tag 218 of each of a plurality of boots has
a
unique ID in the tag memory corresponding to the unique serial number of the
boot combination lock 18. Thus all boots used by the system 10 are
identifiable
by their unique RFID code and the preferably identical associated serial
number
of the corresponding lock 18.
[00041] The system includes a personal digital assistant (PDA) 26. The
PDA 26 includes an RFID interrogator 216. The interrogator 216 communicates
via a communication system internal to or external to the interrogator 216 to
a
governing body traffic scofflaw data base and to the tag 218 as shown in Fig.
4.
[00042] In Fig. 4, RFID system 214 includes an interrogator 216 and an
RFID tag 218. The interrogator 216 includes a host controller 220 to process
received information from the RFID tag 218 via receiver/memory 224 and
antenna 222 and from the PDA keyboard 250. A separate memory (not shown)
may be included in the host controller for receiving and storing the keyboard
inputted data separate from the tag inputted data.
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[00043] In Fig. 4, The antenna 222 also can receive data via a
communication network 28, Fig. 1, from other sources such as from the data
base of a municipality traffic violation computer system 30 for receiving
scofflaw
data. The scofflaw data may also be communicated directly to the host
computer system 32 from the municipal computer system 30 via network 28 or
from a PDA 26 communication modem 36, Fig. 3, using a communication link to
network 28 according to a given implementation. The network 28 may include the
Internet, a local area network (LAN) or the Intranet among others (not shown).
Not all PDA units may have a communication modem 36, Fig. 3, or equivalent
communication device.
[00044] The summons issuing person may receive and communicate the
scofflaw data from the municipal computer system 30 to the PDA 26 via the
modem 36 and network 28, to the RFID tag 218 using an RFID interrogator
transmitter to be described below and to the host computer system 34 via a
telephone system such as a cell phone (not shown).
[00045] In Fig. 4, the RFID system includes an interrogator 214 which
further includes host controller 220 which generates an interrogation command
signal which is transmitted by transmitter 226 and antenna 228 as signal 230.
The controller 220 also transmits scofflaw data, and other information in the
PDA
memory entered by the summons issuing person via antenna 228, the keyboard
250 or a separate antenna as may be needed.
[00046] The data entered into the PDA memory via the keyboard 250, Fig.
4, by the summons issuing person 38, Figs. 1 and 3, includes data shown in
Fig.
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2 such as the name of the summons issuing person or municipal officer, the
RFID unique tag number, the date, time and location of the summons, the
location may be selected from memory as stored codes for cities,
municipalities
and so on, the license number and registration state of the vehicle, the
summons
number, the violation code and scofflaw indicator which indicates the violator
is a
scofflaw. The location may also be determined by GPS/GIS system receiver
located in the PDA. This data may be entered in part via the keyboard 250 such
as the location, which may be entered automatically in the alternative via the
GPS if the PDA has such a GPS receiver system installed, license information,
officer information (which may be entered by a scanner from an officer ID card
in
some instances when available) whereas the scofflaw data may be entered
automatically for those PDAs that include a modem or communication device for
communicating with the network 28, Fig. 1. For those PDAs without a modem or
equivalent communication device, communication with the entity host and
municipality computer systems may be made manually by cell phone or other
telephone or communication device via telephone system 40 and then the
various data received from personnel at the host and municipality locations
entered manually via the keyboard 250.
[00047] In Fig. 4, the RFID tag 218 includes a receiving antenna 236
coupled to a controller 240 via a receiver 238, memory 242 coupled to the
controller 240 which extracts appropriate data upon receipt of the signal 230,
and a transmitter 244 for transmitting information in the memory 242 via
transmitting antenna 234. The interrogator 216 can selectively transmit an
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interrogation signal and/or first information to the tag which may include
violation
data such as violation code, summons number, date and time stamp, location,
license number and other data entered into the PDA. The tag 218 transmits the
RFID signal 232 containing second information in response to receipt of an
interrogation signal from the interrogator 216 antenna 228 to antenna 236.
This
second information includes the tag ID and the pertinent violation data which
is
transmitted to interrogator 216 via tag 218 antenna 234 to the interrogator
antenna 222. The signal 232 manifests the RFID identification number and also
violation data that may be stored in the memory 242. Such violation data may
be
received from the interrogator 216 under the control of controller 220 and
stored
in the PDA memory (not shown) as previously entered, manually and/or also
electronically from scofflaw data downloaded from the host or municipality
computer system. This data is transmitted by transmitter 226 under control of
controller 220. The keyboard 250 may include keys for controlling the mode of
operation of the controller 220 as to issuing an interrogation command signal
230
or first information violation data transmission signal 230 to be stored in
the tag
218, as the case may be. The received violation data and the RFID unique
number is stored in memory 242 under control of controller 240 and released
from memory and transmitted to antenna 234 in response to a control signal
received by controller 240 via antenna 236 and signal 230.
[00048] To retrieve information from the tag, the host controller 220
generates an interrogation signal 230 upon command from the keyboard 250 or
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by a signal received thereby and which signal 230 is transmitted by
transmitter
226 and antenna 228 as signal 230 to the RFID tag 218 receiving antenna 236.
[00049] The RFID tag 218 is affixed to the boot in any convenient
location
by any suitable attachment arrangement. Such an arrangement may include
bonding, fixation in a radio transparent housing which is permanently secured
to
the boot exterior, secured in an internal boot cavity but exposed in a
radiation
transparent housing for reception and transmission of radio signals from and
to
the interrogator and so on. An interrogator may also be located at the host
system 32 and/or municipality system 30 for entering or retrieving data from
the
tag 218.
[00050] In Fig. 1, the handheld RFID PDA reader interrogator 216 is used
to
scan the RFID tag 218. The interrogator 216 logs in its memory the scanned
information the unique ID of the tag and the date/time stamp. The remainder of
the data required as listed above and as shown in Fig. 2 is entered as
described
above. The PDA is used, if equipped with a communication modem, to contact
the municipality computer system 30 to retrieve scofflaw data which if
present, is
entered into the PDA memory. The PDA is then used to transmit this information
stored in the PDA to the host system 32 data base.
[00051] Any commercially known RFID interrogator 216 and tag 218 can be
used in the PDA 26 and boot 12 and if necessary, modified as described above.
Also, any known PDA can be adapted to include an RFID interrogator 216 such
as the TEK protégé RFID adapter. Preferably an employee identification card is
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included for use by the summons issuer for scanning into the PDA his or her
employee number.
[00052] The PDA 26 using the network 28 uploads the violation data stored
in the PDA including the tag ID and so on to the host system 32.
[00053] In Fig. 3, the host system 32 includes servers 42 comprising CPUs
and memory including data bases 44. The municipality system 30 comprises
=
servers 46 and data bases 48. The municipality system 30 also includes a
traffic
department data center 50 which has scofflaw data stored therein and which is
included in the municipality system 30 data bases 48.
[00054] While the host system 32 and the municipality system 30 are
described as servers which include high speed hard drives, fast
microprocessors
and large memories, conventional PCs may be used in the alternative. Such
systems also include printers (not shown) for printing out the necessary data.
[00055] The host system 32 or the municipality system 30 can operate as
set up systems for setting up the PDAs and tags with the appropriate data such
as location codes in the PDA, serial nos. and RFID tag numbers for the tags
and
so on for use in the system 10. The PDAs may also have jacks for attachment to
the host system 32 and municipality system 30 for downloading necessary set up
information data and implemented with known devices (e.g., file transfer
server
protocols). The storage devices used in system 10 may be implemented using
various data formats as known in this art (e.g., relational databases). The
storage memories may be part of the computer systems or implemented with
separate devices. Access to the stored data may be by using Microsoft Access
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or other suitable databases. The host system and the municipality system
servers are located in the same location as the storage devices of the
respective
systems. Communication therebetween is conventional. The network 28 may be
. wireless or wired and may be any known system including those noted
above.
Printers may be at the same locations as the servers or different locations
and
coupled by known communication systems.
[00056] In operation, a summons issuer 38, Figs. 1 and 3 issues a
parking
summons to a vehicle in violation of a parking law, step 54a, Fig. 2. The
issuer
38 using the PDA communicates via the network 28, Fig. 1 or telephone system
40, with the municipality computer system data bases 48, Fig. 3, to learn if
the
vehicle has prior outstanding violations, i.e., is a scofflaw, step 54b. This
information is automatically downloaded to the PDA via the network 28 or
entered manually if by telephone, step 56, Fig. 2.
[00057] The municipality computer system 30, a governing body, includes
the data base 48, Fig. 3, of scofflaw data. The system 30 also, in an
alternative
embodiment, includes a memory card reader/writer (not shown) associated with
the data base 48 for copying scofflaw data to a memory card associated with
the
reader/writer. The card is used to transfer the scofflaw data from the data
base
48 to the PDA. Such cards are referred to as compact flash memory card,
secure data (SD) card or other terms and are relatively small, but having high
memory, e.g., 16, 64, 128 or 256 megabytes memory capacity, commonly used
with digital cameras and other electronic systems. Such card readers are
widely
available. The PDA also has such a card reader (not shown) for transferring
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scofflaw data entered onto the card from the municipality computer system 30
data base 43, Fig. 3, into its memory.
[00058] If the vehicle (via its license plate registration number) has
such
violations, the issuer 38 then enters the data as shown in Fig. 2 at PDA 26
and
described above into the PDA via the keyboard and by the network 28, if
available. The issuer then attaches the boot 12 to the vehicle wheel 16, step
60.
[00059] The boot 12 RFID tag 218 is previously embedded with a unique
ID code number which preferably corresponds to the serial number of the boot
12. At the same time the tag ID and corresponding combination of the boot lock
18 is already in the data base 44 of the host system entity data center 52,
Fig. 3.
This tag ID is correlated in the host data base 44 with the corresponding
combination code to unlock the boot 12 associated with that unique tag ID.
[00060] In Fig. 2, the issuer then communicates with the tag to upload
the
tag ID and then with the host system 32 at step 58. At this time the PDA is
used
to upload the violation data including the RFID unique code, the date and time
of
violation, the scofflaw information manifesting if the violator is a scofflaw
and to
optionally including the total fines attributed to the outstanding
violation's,
optionally also uploaded can be the vehicle make, the vehicle license number,
state of registration, the summons number and the violation code via the
network
28 or by telephone, if the PDA 26 does not have a modem or communication
device for communicating with the network 28. This violation data is also
transmitted to the tag 218 via the interrogator 216, Fig. 4., at step 60, Fig.
2.
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[00061] The summons issuer 38 also places a sticker on the vehicle with
information as to how to remove the boot 12, namely, the telephone number of
the entity 62 controlling the host computer system 32. The driver 64, Fig. 1,
of
the violation vehicle then calls the entity 62 via a conventional telephone
system
66, Figs. 1, 2 and 3, step 68.
[00062] The entity 62 is given the summons number (which also may be the
boot serial number) by the driver 64. Using this information, a person at the
entity looks up in its computer system data base the tag ID as communicated to
it
previously by the summons issuer 38 PDA unit or by telephone from the issuer
person. These events may occur within a number of minutes or hours of each
other as typically the boot will be attached before the driver returns to the
vehicle.
Once the entity has the tag ID it also has the associated scofflaw data and
fine
information. In the alternative, the entity can contact the municipality data
base
to obtain the fine information, which is more time consuming and not as
desirable
as having the fine information immediately available. The entity can use its
data
base to correlate scofflaw data with fine data to determine the fine due for
any
number of outstanding summons. However, preferably, this data is provided by
the PDA as downloaded directly from the municipality system 30, Fig. 1, or as
communicated directly to the host system 32 by telephone from the summons
issuer.
[00063] Having the fine information, the entity person advises the driver
what the fine amount is. If the driver accepts at this time to pay the fine,
he does
this by telephone by giving the entity a credit card number to charge the fine
at
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step 70. The payment also includes a deposit for the boot, for example, $500,
to
insure the driver returns the boot to the entity. This payment is made at step
70,
Figs. 2 and 3. When the payment charge is approved by the card holder bank or
financial institution, the entity then gives the driver the combination code
to
unlock the boot 12 by telephone and the address of the agency to return the
boot. When the boot is returned at step 72 to the entity, or to an agent or
dealer
and so on, the boot tag is read by the entity, agent or dealer to insure this
boot
matches the driver data received by telephone. If there is a match, the
deposit is
returned to the driver. This entire proceeding between the driver and the
entity to
, release the boot from the vehicle is a matter of a few minutes. The driver
merely
then has to drive to' the agency at any time at his convenience to return the
boot
to obtain the refund of his deposit. This return may be done at the driver's
convenience.
[00064] If the driver refuses to pay and does not contact the entity, the
entity sends an impound notice to the municipality issuing the summons. In the
drawings the term "municipality" is intended to represent any controlling
governing body that issues summons for parking violations and may include
private parties as well as political entities. The municipality then contacts
a
towing service via telephone, step 74, Fig. 3, for towing the violation
vehicle to an
impound site. To tow the vehicle, the tow operator needs to remove the boot,
step 76. The tow operator communicates with the entity system 32 via telephone
to obtain the required combination of the boot lock, step 74. In the
alternative,
the operator can use a PDA RFID interrogation tag reader to obtain the boot
tag
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ID and related violation data and to communicate this information to either
the
entity or to the municipality via the network 28 or by telephone to obtain the
unlock combination for the boot. The tow operator then removes the boot and
tows the vehicle to an impound site, step 76, and the boot is returned, step
72.
[00065] The boot release code may be a scrolling number to prevent
distribution of boot release codes indiscriminately. That is, the codes may be
assigned as random numbers to the boots. When so assigned the numbers are
then entered into the appropriate host and municipality data bases wherein
control of the boots is initially maintained. If the boots are distributed by
the
municipality, then it assigns the release codes to each boot, records the
release
code and boot tag IDs and then transmits such codes to the entity with
correspondence to the unique tag IDs associated with each boot. The boots
preferably have a master override key to release the boot in case of
technological failure of the release code.
[00066] While the PDA data is preferably entered manually, the PDA may
also have software programming stored therein that enables the PDA to read the
scofflaw data base data at the municipality computer system. The PDA has a
connector for mating with a receptacle in which such data can be transferred
using control circuitry at the municipality computer system 30, Fig. 1.
Additionally, the municipality system 30 may also include a system in the
alternative for reading scofflaw data directly into the boot tag without a
need for
the PDA to do so. This direct input of data into the tag memory at the
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municipality computer system eliminates possible error in the communication
system transmission of such data via the PDA to the tag.
[00067] It should be understood that the PDA may take many forms of
electronic communication systems and may include personal computer systems
(PC) such as laptops for example. Such laptops have appropriate software
programs including RFID read/write capabilities. Access to the stored data may
be made using Microsoft Access, or MsSQL, an open source server query
language program based server side database system that is commercially
available form Microsoft Corporation and that is widely used, plain text files
(.txt)
or other database technologies. The plain text file is key for extracting data
from
multiple sources and for use with a universal readable format.
[00068] It will occur to one of ordinary skill that the disclosed
embodiments
are given by way of example, and that modifications may be made to the
disclosed systems. For example, the PDA may include a digital camera whose
data may also be communicated by the PDA to the RFID tag and to the entity
system 32 and/or to the municipality data base system 30. The disclosed
embodiments are given by way of example and not limitation. It is intended
that
the invention is defined by the appended claims and not by the disclosed
embodiments.
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