WO2008097399A1

WO2008097399A1 - Method for increasing subscriber retention through provision of available parking location information

Info

Publication number: WO2008097399A1
Application number: PCT/US2007/084577
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Green; Gregory Presson
Original assignee: David Green; Gregory Presson
Priority date: 2006-11-13
Filing date: 2007-11-13
Publication date: 2008-08-14

Abstract

A system/method to locate (on a real-time basis) available or soon-to-be-available on- street parking spaces in major metropolitan markets in North America and worldwide, using mobile/cellular telephone technology in concert with modern call center support services... the call center will essentially provide 'air-traffic control' oversight, maximizing the efficient matching of 'Users' (those in need of a parking space) with 'Providers' (those about to vacate a coveted on-street parking space) on a real-timebasis. The anticipated system/method should in no way be interpreted as the selling or renting of parking spaces belonging to a municipality...on the contrary, it is simply a service that facilitates the dynamic exchange of information (between independent parties) relating to parking needs.

Description

METHOD FOR INCREASING SUBSCRIBER RETENTION THROUGH PROVISION OF AVAILABLE PARKING LOCATION INFORMATION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The method of the present invention allows a subscription-based service provider (such as a wireless voice/data service provider) to manage and/or curb the chum rate of subscribers without compromising the provider's pricing power. The accepted methods of managing churn (practiced by all wireless carriers) include improving customer service, locking subscribers into multi-year contracts (with punitive early termination penalties) and offering carrier exclusive hardware selections. Industry research suggests that subscribers choose a carrier principally based on pricing criteria. However, offering a service that is coveted by the subscriber and available through one carrier exclusively, would very likely create significant brand loyalty and unheard of pricing power for the carrier.

A wireless carrier may similarly take advantage of a unique and exclusive service which provides timely information regarding parking, particularly with the higher demographic subscribers that are concentrated in or near major metropolitan markets, who are also likely to put a higher value on access to a service such as that of the present invention. Thus, by combining the information communications capability of wireless networks, with both personal and computer-mediated information flows, critical parking information may be made available exclusively to subscribers of a carrier's network, thus increasing "lock-in" and customer loyalty, and reducing subscriber defection, and its associated loss of revenue and increase in marketing cost. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The nucleus/backbone of the data network of the present invention will be a call center, operating a proprietary data management system that dynamically coordinates the exchange of information (between network members) enabling the organized passing (and transaction confirmation) of a highly sought parking space from the "Provider" to the "User." The process begins when an individual "User" (who desires a parking space in a crowded metropolitan market) calls into the call center and identifies himself with a unique identifier such as username and password (can be done automatically via caller ID.) Once the call center operator recognizes the caller as a registered user, they ask the following (3) questions; 1. What is the address, point of interest (e.g., Hospital, Restaurant, Theater, Stadium, etc.) or general cross streets/intersection of your destination? 2. What is your present location? 3. What is your estimated time of arrival (ETA)? As a practical matter, there is a functional limit to how much advanced notice the call center can assimilate, but there is no point clogging the network with User requests that are too early in the queue to attempt matching to a provider.

It is the responsibility (and to their advantage) of the User to call back the call center with any changes/updates to their ETA... if the User experiences unanticipated traffic delays resulting in a material change to their ETA, they risk missing the parking space (by not informing the call center of the change). The call center may ask the User for his/her intended route...this allows the call center to validate or challenge the User's ETA. Additionally the call center can monitor the condition of the User's intended route via Traffic.com or similar service, allowing the call center to provide value added feedback to the User (such as warnings of impending traffic interruptions and/or superior alternate routing options). Additional qualitative characteristics that might be considered in an effort to provide a tailored parking solution to the User could be:

1. Expected duration of stay (3 hrs. vs. 3 days)...may influence matching to a metered vs. un-metered spot (or other relevant parking regulations such as street cleaning schedules etc.).

2. The direction the User is approaching their destination from...allows the call center to re-route the User in the case of a one-way street or when the intended parking space is on the opposite side of the street. 3. The User is driving a commercial vehicle.

4. User is driving a different vehicle than the one they are registered under (e.g., they borrowed their neighbor's Hummer because their Honda Civic is in the shop, or they are driving their spouse's vehicle.) The call center would need to consider such material facts when attempting to match appropriate provider spaces to users needs.

5. Proximity vs. availability.

The call center is continually receiving and logging calls from prospective "Providers" who inform of their intention to leave a particular on-street parking space at a particular time. The Provider is incented and/or rewarded to give as much advanced notice (up to a defined [practical] maximum) and to stick as closely as possible to their estimated time of departure "ETD"... or to update the call center as to any changes to their ETD. The call center is constantly monitoring the User and Provider landscape to maximize the efficient "handoff ' of a parking space (again, think about an air traffic control center). The transfer of a space from the Provider to the User is confirmed by both parties (User & Provider) by calling the designated transaction confirmation number and entering a single digit number on their phone, thereby registering the transaction on a database. If, when the User arrives at their destination there isn't a spot available, the User can opt to search for a spot on his own, while waiting for a Provider to release a spot. If the User finds a spot on his own, he needs to inform the call center that he is no longer "in the pattern"...In the event that there is an insufficient inventory of on-street spaces to accommodate the demand of registered Users, will direct the User to the closest commercial parking garage, will provide addition value to their registered Users by negotiating advanced discounted rates with all/many commercial parking garages, and maintaining a database with any and all specific restrictions or guidelines of a parking garage

(e.g., hours of operation, height limitations, indoor vs. outdoor, valet vs. self- parking, etc.). will provide the User with directions to the garage, as well as a text messaged authorization code that the User presents to the garage attendant... resulting in the discounted parking rate and seamless billing option thru .When User is ready to leave, he/she may contact the parking garage through prior to arriving at the parking garage, to arrange for their car to be waiting for them vs. standing in line to pay a cashier followed by waiting 10-20 minutes for their car to be delivered. Additionally, the call center will confirm the availability of spaces before directing a User to a garage. Registered Users may choose to be directed to a commercial parking garage for a number of compelling reasons (convenience, weather, security, etc.).

The success of the network model is very much dependent on a predictable and robust inventory of parking spaces being continually replenished by "Providers." The obvious challenge is how to motivate busy "city slickers" to suffer the inconveniences required to provide quality data to the network... The built-in incentive to encourage participation of "Providers" is the reciprocal nature of the need to be a "User" when you return (and need a parking spot) or where you are going to when you leave your current spot. The cost to the User for using the network will be points/credits that were previously earned by providing spots for the network. There are anticipated exceptions... those being Providers who don't become Users as well as Users who don't want to have to provide. Here again the points/credits play a significant role...those who provide more than they use will have the ability to monetize their surplus points/credits thru a hosted auction portal. The inverse process will be the ability for non-providers to purchase the requisite points/credits for their personal User needs by bidding for the surplus points/credits on the hosted auction portal. Carriers may earn a percentage of the total amount of all sales transacted on their auction portal. The hosted auction portal will be the exclusive source for the purchase of points/credits. This system for monetizing surplus points/credits is expected to create the incentive for non-users to become prolific providers. Additionally, accuracy of providing for the network will be rewarded with bonus points/credits...the closer a Provider is to his ETD the more points he earns. New network subscribers will be "comped" a token amount of points (more or less based on the length of their subscription commitment e.g., 1000 pts. for 1 year, 2000 pts. for 2 years, 5000 pts. for 5 years) to allow them to realize the benefits of using immediately upon subscribing.

The call center will automatically identify if a caller is a registered User via caller ID. All registered Users will automatically be routed to a registered user representative. AU other callers (prospects) will be routed to a registration desk... where a registration representative answers questions and collects the following required information (to register the prospect):

• Vehicle information (color, type and size of vehicle is critical for matching User to Provider...a Hummer won't fit in a spot provided by a Honda Civic. Provider needs to know the color make and model of the User vehicle that will be taking their spot)

• Spouses vehicle information

• Spouses cell phone number • Billing information

• Mailing address

• Credit card information

Initial sign-up may be a free trial period (e.g., 2 months) - thereafter, the monthly billing rate pricing may be based on the contract commitment length, e.g., $12.95 per month for 3 months, $10.95 per month for 1 year, $8.95 per month for 5 years. Alternatively, no charge may be levied as long as the user is a subscriber to the communications service.

Additional commercial opportunities are presented by the method of the present invention:

• Commercial Applications - Huge opportunity to solve business owner's hassles and expenses of tracking and paying tickets, towing & storage. NYC will "hook" any vehicle registered to the same owner/business of another vehicle with un-paid tickets. Value proposition to business owner extends well beyond the direct savings of avoiding citations and knowing about them... an unanticipated tow could mean the loss of a job/client. Note: actual quote from business owner with a fleet operating in NYC - "I would pay to be a member tomorrow if it were available" • In addition, the operation could negotiate discounts with parking garages, allowing for monthly billing to business owner through the network. Business owner lowers risk of stolen tools, broken windows, and paying drivers to drive around all day (to avoid vandalism) by parking in a secure commercial garages. This minimizes the inherent conflict between business owners and employees (who are less concerned about parking violations).

The method will also permit any member (or non- member) to contact another member through the network for one or more following reasons: Fire, delivery truck needs you to move your car, windows are down, lights are on, someone hit your car, etc. All members will have an I.D. sticker (w/unique member #) on their vehicle.

Claims

We claim as our invention: 1. A method for increasing customer retention of a wireless network company by exclusively (with respect to other wireless network companies and their customers) providing a service to customers of the company comprising the following steps: (a) gathering information indicative of a set of available parking locations and approximate times at which such locations are expected to be available to be occupied; (b) gathering information indicative of the need of a customer of the company for a parking location and the approximate time at which such need will exist or currently exists; (c) matching one or more of the gathered available parking locations and times with the gathered need information and communicating information about the matched locations and times to the customer. 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: (a) providing a reservation for a particular matched location to the customer. 3. The method of claim 2 further comprising: (a) providing an identifying indicator to the customer via a wireless device, such identifying indicator being capable of being communicated to a person with authority over the matched location for purposes of providing access to the matched location by the customer. 4. The method of claim 3 further comprising: (a) wherein the identifying indicator is capable of being communicated electronically to the person with authority. 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising: (a) providing a financial benefit to the customer in return for use of a matched location.