Method and apparatus for obtaining data regarding a parking location

• US 20040212519A1
• Filed: 04/25/2003
• Published: 10/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Interpark LLC
• Original Assignee: General Electric Capital Corporation (General Electric Company)
• Inventors: Nelson, David, Tracy, Walt
• Granted Patent: US 7,081,832 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/932.2
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/14 indicating individual free spaces in parking areas

Abstract

A system, method, apparatus, means, and computer program code for obtaining data regarding one or more parking locations. According to embodiments of the present invention, an interface can be used to receive data regarding one or more parking locations. Users or devices at one or more parking locations may access the interface to enter, upload, or otherwise provide the information. In some embodiments, a parking location may be or include a parking garage, a parking lot, or one or more parking spots. A parking location may be manned or unmanned and different parking locations may have different configurations or devices (e.g., entry gates, exit gates, ticket dispensers, card readers). In some embodiments, different users entering or providing data for different parking locations may be able to access and use different features of the interface and the interface may be configured differently for different locations.

Claims

1. A method for obtaining data regarding a parking location, comprising:

providing an interface adapted to receive data associated with a parking location; and

receiving data via said interface, said data being associated with at least one parking location.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said providing an interface adapted to collect data associated with a parking location, includes providing said interface via a Web site.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving data via said interface, said data being associated with at least one parking location, includes receiving said data from a device located at said at least one parking location.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving data via said interface, said data being indicative of at least one parking location, includes receiving said data associated with at least two different parking locations.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

storing data associated with said at least two different parking locations in a central location.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing access to at least a portion of said data by an application.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said interface is adapted to receive data indicative of at least one of the following:

data indicative of a number of drops made for said at least one parking location; and

data indicative of revenue associated with said at least one parking location.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said interface is adapted to receive data indicative of at least one of the following:

data indicative of a number of voided tickets associated with said at least one parking location; and

data indicative of a number of held tickets associated with said at least one parking location.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said interface is adapted to provide data indicative of at least one of the following:

a number of tickets issued for said at least one parking location; and

a number of tickets received at said at least one parking location.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said interface is adapted to allow configuration of how said interface should be presented to a user providing data associated with said at least one location.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining an identifier associated with said at least one location; and

configuring said interface based on said identifier.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said interface is adapted to allow configuration of how said interface should be presented to a user providing data associated with said at least one location.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing data indicative of a reconciliation of data associated with said at least one parking location.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving data indicative of how said interface should be configured.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said interface is adapted to receive data indicative of at least one of the following:

a credit card that can be used for payment at said at least one parking location; and

a reason why a voided ticket can be accepted at said at least one parking location.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein said interface is adapted to receive data indicative of at least one of the following:

a product that is to be offered at said at least one parking location; and

a counter that is used at said at least one parking location.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein said interface is operated on a device remote from said at least one parking location.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

providing access to at least a portion of said data via said interface.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

providing access to at least a portion of said data by an application.

21. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

providing at least a portion of said data to a device.

18. A method for obtaining data regarding a parking location, comprising:

providing an interface adapted to receive data associated with parking locations;

receiving data via said interface, said data being associated with at least two parking locations; and

storing at least a portion of said data.

22. A method for obtaining data regarding a parking location, comprising:

determining an identifier associated with a parking location;

configuring an interface based, at least in part, on said identifier, said interface being adapted to receive data associated with said parking location;

providing access to said interface; and

receiving data via said interface, said data being associated with said parking location.

23. A system comprising:

a first device associated with a first parking location;

a second device in communication with said first device, wherein said first device can access an interface provided by said second device and said interface is adapted to receive data associated with said first parking location.

24. The system of claim 23, further comprising:

a third device associated with a second parking location, wherein said third device can access said interface and said interface is adapted to receive date associated with said second parking location.

25. A system for obtaining data regarding a parking location, comprising:

a memory;

a communication port; and

a processor connected to said memory and said communication port, said processor being operative to;

provide an interface adapted to receive data associated with a parking location; and

receive data via said interface, said data being associated with at least one parking location.

26. A computer program product in a computer readable medium for obtaining data regarding a parking location, comprising:

first instructions for implementing an interface adapted to collect data associated with a parking location; and

second instructions for obtaining data via said interface, said data being indicative of at least one parking location.