SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING A PARKING LOT
First Claim
1. A method for calculating a parking lot parking fee, the method comprising:
- receiving at least one time associated with a parking spot and determining a parking duration from the at least one time;
receiving an attribute associated with the parking spot that is selected from two or more attributes; and
calculating a parking fee for the parking spot based on the parking duration and the attribute.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for managing a parking lot where different parking spaces have associated logical attributes that determine pricing for using that space. Typical attributes are “Last Space”, “One of Last Spaces” or “Safe Space”. Other non-premium spaces can simply have an attribute of “Ordinary” or the like. As ordinary spaces are used up, motorists may become motivated to pay higher fees to park in the last remaining spaces or premium spaces. Also, safe spaces that provide additional protection for a vehicle may go at a premium price. The present invention works at both gated and ungated lots. With an ungated lot, a ticket can be printed displaying the fact that the vehicle has paid a premium (or ordinary) rate. With a gated lot, some of the spaces can be further gated as premium or discount spaces that go at a corresponding higher or lower price.
30 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for calculating a parking lot parking fee, the method comprising:
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receiving at least one time associated with a parking spot and determining a parking duration from the at least one time; receiving an attribute associated with the parking spot that is selected from two or more attributes; and calculating a parking fee for the parking spot based on the parking duration and the attribute. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system for calculating a parking lot parking fee, the method comprising:
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an input device that receives at least one time associated with a parking spot and determines a parking duration from the at least one time and receives an attribute associated with the parking spot that is selected from two or more attributes; and a controller that calculates a parking fee for the parking spot based on the parking duration and the attribute.
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20. A computer program product, comprising a non-transitory and tangible computer-readable storage medium whose contents include a program with instructions being executed on a controller so as to perform a method for calculating a parking lot parking fee, the method comprising:
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providing a system, wherein the system comprises one or more distinct software modules, and wherein the distinct software modules comprise a read module and a calculation module; receiving at least one time associated with a parking spot and determining a parking duration from the at least one time using the read module; receiving an attribute associated with the parking spot that is selected from two or more attributes using the read module; and calculating a parking fee for the parking spot based on the parking duration and the attribute using the calculation module.
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Specification