WO2002025973A1

WO2002025973A1 - Delivery of location-specific information

Info

Publication number: WO2002025973A1
Application number: PCT/EP2001/010648
Authority: WO
Inventors: Björn MELEN; Mika J. HYVÖNEN
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 2000-09-19
Filing date: 2001-09-13
Publication date: 2002-03-28
Also published as: AU2002223545A1

Abstract

A method of delivering location specific information to a mobile wireless communication device comprises displaying an identifier (5) in a location area or adjacent to said area, the identifier identifying the area, using the identifier as an address to contact a remote service operator from said mobile wireless device, and receiving information at said device from the remote location, which information is specific to said location. A method of charging the user of a car parking bay (2) comprises displaying an identifier (5) in or adjacent to the parking bay, the identifier being unique to that parking bay or to a group of parking bays, establishing a connection from a mobile wireless device to a remote service operator using the identifier as an address, establishing the identity of the user of the mobile wireless device at the remote service operator, and charging the user for an appropriate sum.

Description

DELIVERY OF LOCATION-SPECIFIC INFORMATION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a method of delivering location-specific information to or receiving location-specific information from a mobile communication device, and in particular, although not exclusively, to a method of paying parking charges.

Background to the Invention

Parking spaces requiring payment for use are found in all densely populated areas. Traditionally, a given fee is paid in advance for a predetermined parking period. The fee is normally deposited into a parking meter located at each parking space, or into a central ticket dispenser which issues a ticket disclosing the period for which the fee has been paid. This ticket may then be displayed inside the vehicle to demonstrate that the parking fee has been paid.

Such systems have a number of problems. Parking meters and ticket dispensers are expensive to install and maintain, and there is a risk of theft of cash deposited in the machines. One method used to overcome cash theft is the use of machines with which parking fees are paid using pay cards. These cards can be "charged" at central vending points for later use to pay for parking. This method, of course, depend on users possessing such cards. It may also be difficult for users to find suitable vending points in order to charge their pay cards.

In order to overcome these problems, proposals have been made for car parking charges to be paid using telephones. A car park operator maintains a telephone number which can be rung by users wishing to pay for parking. Users forward information such as a personal identifier to the operator at the start and end of the period for which they are parked, and the parking fee can be included on their telephone bill, or invoiced directly by the car park operator. A single car park operator may run many car parks spaced over a large geographical area such as a city. Different car parks may have different fees, and the operator needs to know where each car is parked so as to be able to determine the appropriate fee, and whether the fee has been paid. This is normally achieved by the user providing a code for a specific area to the operator once the call has been made. A car park may have signs advising users of the number which they must call to contact the operator, and the area code which must be provided once the call has been made. A typical call to pay parking fees will thus involve providing user-specific and location-specific information to the operator. Alternatively, this information may be sent in the form of an SMS message or similar.

Using a similar scheme, a person may also receive location-dependant information about the area around him. Operators can provide information such as shops and services available in the area in which the user is located. However, unless Global Positioning System (GPS) or a telephone based location system is used, the person must be able to describe the place by name, or provide some other identifier, in order to receive such location-dependent information.

Statement of the Invention

In order to overcome or at least mitigate the above problems, according to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of delivering location specific information to a mobile wireless communication device, the method comprising: displaying an identifier in a location area or adjacent to said area, the identifier identifying the area; using the identifier as an address to contact a remote service operator from said mobile wireless device; and receiving information at said device from the remote location, which information is specific to said location.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of paying for location-specific services using a mobile wireless device, the method comprising: obtaining a location-specific identifier; using the location-specific identifier as an address to contact a remote service operator using the mobile wireless device; and sending information identifying the user or subscriber using the mobile wireless device to said remote location.

The location-specific services may be the provision of parking. The word "parking" is not intended to be limited to the parking of vehicles in a vehicle park. The invention may also apply to for example the berthing of boats in a marina or harbour. The parking may paid for before use, enabling a user to make a reservation beforehand.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of charging the user of a parking bay, the method comprising: displaying an identifier in or adjacent to the parking bay, the identifier being unique to that parking bay or to a group of parking bays; establishing a connection from a mobile wireless device to a remote service operator using the identifier as an address; establishing the identity of the user of the mobile wireless device at the remote location; and charging the user an appropriate sum.

The connection may be established using text messaging (e.g. the Short Message Service of GSM) as well as using current and future circuit and packet switched connections.

The identity of the user may be established using the proof of identity (i.e. A-number, MSISDN, LMEI or Identity Key) of the mobile wireless device. Alternatively, the identity of the user may be established by the use of a PIN code or similar.

The user may send information to the remote service operator giving details of the length of time for which the use of the parking bay is required. The sum charged to the user may then be determined on the basis of the time at which the connection is made and the time required for use of the parking bay. If the user leaves the parking bay before the end of that length of time, a second connection may be established to the remote service operator in order to inform it that the parking bay has now been vacated, and the sum charged may be adjusted accordingly.

The parking bay may be a car parking bay or a berth for a boat in a harbour or marina.

The identifier may be an Internet URL, WAP URL, SMS address or telephone number.

Thus, at least in preferred embodiments of the invention, every separate car park or area will be allocated a unique telephone number, prominently displayed nearby. A user wishing to use a mobile device to pay a parking charge will ring the displayed number. The car park operator can then deteπnine the location in which the user wishes to park, on the basis of the telephone number dialled. In order to ensure that a fee has been paid for all cars parked in a particular area, the operator can inform a locally based parking attendant which cars have paid their parking fees. In another other embodiment the address is a www or WAP address.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to payment for parking services. If a person arrives in a particular area and requires information about the local amenities in that area, a sign will provide a telephone number, specific to the area, which can be called. The system will respond to him with a location-specific push message determined by the number called. Thus the information that will be sent is relevant to the user's current location.

This aspect of the invention can be extended to service-specific information in general.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of delivering service-specific information to a mobile wireless communication device, the method comprising: selecting a telephone number specific to a service; using the telephone number to contact a remote service operator from said mobile wireless device; and pushing information in the form of a text message, WAP or www page to said device from the remote service operator, the information being specific to said service.

The telephone number preferably comprises a prefix defining a group of services and a suffix defining a service within said group of services. The suffix may define a specific location to which the service relates. Alternatively, the prefix may indicate that the suffix represents a machine readable code, for example a bar code or RFID tag, associated with a product, enabling information specific to that product to be pushed to the mobile device. The prefix may indicate that the suffix is the number of a train service, enabling the timetable for that train service to be pushed to the mobile device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of paying for service-specific services using a mobile wireless device, the method comprising: obtaining a service-specific identifier; using the service-specific identifier as an address to contact a remote service operator using the mobile wireless device; and sending information identifying the user or subscriber using the mobile wireless device to said remote service operator.

The telephone number preferably comprises a prefix defining a group of services and a suffix defining a service within said group of services. The prefix may indicates that the suffix is the number of a train (or bus or plane) service, enabling the payment for that train service to be made.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for putting the present invention into effect.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing part of a mobile telecommunications system. Figure 3 is a flow chart showing a method of paying parking charges according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Figure 1 illustrates schematically a car 1 parked in a parking space 2 in a car park 3. A sign 4 is located in the car park, displaying the fees for the car park, and a telephone number 5 to ring in order to pay these fees. When the user parks his car, he rings the number displayed on the sign, which connects to the car park operator. The operator can determine from the number dialled the car park for which payment is required.

Figure 2 illustrates part of a mobile telecommunications system by which the parking charges are determined and billed by a car park operator. A Mobile Station (MS) 7 is subscribed to a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) 8, which is itself connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 6. When the user rings the location- specific telephone number 5, the MS 7 establishes a connection through the PLMN 8 and PSTN 6 to a server 11 operated by the car park operator. There are many different telephone numbers which will establish a connection to the server 11, each telephone number identifying a different car park. The server 11 is connected to a database 12 which contains information associating the number called to reach the server 11 with the car park for which payment is required.

The last series of digits (e.g. four) of the telephone number called by the MS 7 may be split into sections. One section may contain information used to indicate the type of service required - which is payment for parking in the current example - and another section may specify the location, which may be an individual parking space or the whole car park.

Once the number has been called, the server 11 plays a recorded voice message to the MS 7. This voice message informs the user that his call has been received. He is also requested to enter the length of time for which he wishes to park, which may be achieved using the keypad of the telephone. The server calculates the charge for the requested length of time and a further voice message informs the user of this charge. It will be appreciated that the service need not use voice messages. SMS messages may be used to transfer information between the MS 7 and server 11. Alternatively, rather than (or as well as) a telephone number being displayed in the car park, an Internet WWW or WAP URL could be displayed to enable the user to connect with the server if the MS 7 has sufficient functionality (and this is supported by the PLMN 8).

The identity of the user (determined by the A-number of the MS 7) will be recorded by the server 11. The user has an account with the car park operator, and the parking charge can be deducted from this account. In some cases, the operator may be able to notify the PLMN operator of the charges, the PLMN operator then adding the charges to the user's telephone bill. It will be appreciated that the identity of the user can be determined by another identifier, e.g. MSISDN, LMEI or Identity Key.

If the user returns to remove his vehicle before his requested time has elapsed, he can send a second message to the location-specific telephone number or to another telephone number provided by the car park operator. The elapsed parking time can now be charged.

Towards the end of the requested time, the car park operator will notify the user that is parking time is about to finish, offering him the opportunity to extend the time and pay for the extra time in the manner described above.

It is important to have a simple system to ensure that the appropriate parking fee has been paid by all vehicles. A meter maid, or parking attendant, is provided with information by the car park operator concerning which cars are allowed to park in any given car park. The information can be sent for example by WAP upon a request made by the meter maid. The information comprises a list of cars whose drivers have rung the location-specific number in order to pay the parking charge. By comparing the cars present in the car park with those whose owners have rung the location-specific number to pay the car park charge, it is simple to determine which cars have been parked without payment. Thus the system allows simple initialisation of a parking transaction for a specific area, together with efficient control of the parking in that area.

The system has been described in relation to the payment of car parking charges, but it will be appreciated that it will apply equally well to the payment of other "parking" charges, for example the berthing of boats in a harbour. When entering a harbour it can be difficult to locate the harbour-master so as to pay the visiting fee. If each berth has displayed a specific telephone number, in the same manner as car parks described above, the visiting fee can be paid using a mobile device in the same manner as for car parking.

Alternatively, the harbour may display a single telephone number for the whole harbour rather than having one for each berth. When a user rings this number a WAP message is pushed to his mobile device showing the location of berths which are currently free. The user can then simultaneously pay the visiting fee and reserve a free berth.

It will be understood that the system described above is not limited to the payment of parking charges. Information about local services can also be made available to users of mobile devices. Rather than sending such information to everybody in a particular area, users of mobile devices may choose what sort of information they require, and this requires a simple triggering mechanism for the service provider.

The easiest user interface is the keypad and the easiest and most natural way to use the keypad is to dial numbers. When triggering (service initialising) is made by dialling numbers, the response to the user can be sent via another medium such as SMS, WAP or similar.

When triggering has taken place, the service operator can provide the user with the service required. If the medium used for the service provisioning is WAP or similar the person can have all the pushed information loaded in the browser, so the person can view the service options even later without a new connection to the service provider or the person can start a new transaction with service provider by replying to the previous message provided by the service provider. The system may also be used to make reservations for services such as buses, trains, theatres etc. A service provider may advertise numbers having a prefix that defines that a reservation is required, and suffices defining the particular service from a group. For example, a train operator may provide a general prefix for reserving train tickets, and a series of suffices where each suffix defines a particular train service. The operator may also provide timetable information to the user (for example in the form of a WAP page) when the telephone number for a particular train service is called.

With such a system the service operator will be able to identify the user who made the reservation and levy a charge, so that the user is less likely to make a reservation and then not fulfil it.

It will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that departures from the above preferred embodiments will fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method of delivering location specific information to a mobile wireless communication device, the method comprising: displaying an identifier in a location area or adjacent to said area, the identifier identifying the area; using the identifier as an address to contact a remote service operator from said mobile wireless device; and receiving information at said device from the remote service operator, which information is specific to said location.

2. A method of paying for location-specific services using a mobile wireless device, the method comprising: obtaining a location-specific identifier; using the location-specific identifier as an address to contact a remote service operator using the mobile wireless device; and sending information identifying the user or subscriber using the mobile wireless device to said remote service operator.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the location-specific services are the provision of parking.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the parking is paid for before use.

5. A method of charging the user of a parking bay, the method comprising: displaying an identifier in or adjacent to the parking bay, the identifier being unique to that parking Bay or to a group of parking bays; establishing a connection from a mobile wireless device to a remote service operator using the identifier as an address; establishing the identity of the user of the mobile wireless device at the remote service operator; and charging the user for an appropriate sum.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the identity of the user is established using the proof of identity of the mobile wireless device.

7. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the identity of the user is established using an identification number, PIN code or similar.

8. A method as claimed in claim 5, 6 or 7 and comprising sending information to the remote service operator giving details of the length of time for which the use of the parking bay is required.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8 and comprising subsequently establishing a connection to the remote service operator to inform it that the parking bay was used for a shorter time, and the sum charged being adjusted accordingly.

10. A method as claimed in any of claims 5 to 8 and comprising subsequently establishing a second connection to the remote service operator in order to inform it that the parking bay has been vacated.

11. A method as claimed in any of claims 5 to 10, wherein the parking bay is a car parking bay.

12. A method as claimed in any of claims 5 to 10, wherein the parking bay is a berth for a boat.

13. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the identifier is an Internet URL, WAP URL, SMS address or telephone number and the connection(s) established between the device and the remote service operator use a corresponding connection link.

14. A method of delivering service-specific information to a mobile wireless communication device, the method comprising: selecting a telephone number specific to a service; using the telephone number to contact a remote service operator from said mobile wireless device; and pushing information in the form of a text message, or WAP or www page to said device from the remote service operator, the information being specific to said service.

15. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the telephone number comprises a prefix defining a group of services and a suffix defining a service within said group of services.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the suffix defines a specific location to which the service relates.

17. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the prefix indicates that the suffix represents a machine readable code associated with a product, enabling information specific to that product to be pushed to the mobile device.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the machine readable code is a bar code.

19. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the prefix indicates that the suffix is the number of a train service, enabling the timetable for that train service to be pushed to the mobile device.

20. A method of paying for service-specific services using a mobile wireless device, the method comprising: obtaining a service-specific identifier; using the service-specific identifier as an address to contact a remote service operator using the mobile wireless device; and sending information identifying the user or subscriber using the mobile wireless device to said remote service operator.

21. A method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the telephone number comprises a prefix defining a group of services and a suffix defining a service within said group of services.

21. A method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the prefix indicates that the suffix is the number of a train service, enabling the payment for that train service to be made.