VALET PARKING SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20120111937A1
• Filed: 07/07/2011
• Published: 05/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lori C. Rogich
• Original Assignee: Lori C. Rogich
• Inventors: Rogich, Lori C.
• Application Number:
  US13/178,354
• Publication Number:
  US 20120111937A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/12 Hotels or restaurants

Abstract

A valet system including a valet computer communicatively linked to one or more hand-held interface devices. The interface devices allow a valet attendant to input a vehicle owner'"'"'s/driver'"'"'s text number, email address and/or vehicle make, model and color. The interface devices transmit acquired vehicle owner/driver and vehicle data to the valet computer which then transmits an electronic virtual valet ticket to the vehicle owner'"'"'s/driver'"'"'s smart phone. When the vehicle driver/owner desires to depart from the establishment, the driver/owner electronically replies to the text message and/or email. The driver'"'"'s/owner'"'"'s electronic reply is transmitted to the valet computer notifying a valet attendant to retrieve the vehicle identified by the electronic virtual number code (or other code). Before returning possession of the vehicle to the driver/owner, the valet attendant confirms that both the interface device and the driver'"'"'s/owner'"'"'s smart phone display the same electronic virtual number code.

Claims

1. A valet system comprising:

a valet computer maintaining one or more databases for storing vehicle owner/driver and/or vehicle information;

one or more hand-held interface devices communicatively linked to said valet computer, said one or more hand-held interface devices for receiving said vehicle owner/driver and/or vehicle information and transmitting said vehicle owner/driver and/or vehicle information to said valet computer; and

wherein responsive to receiving said vehicle owner/driver and/or vehicle information said valet computer issues an electronic virtual valet ticket and causes said electronic virtual valet ticket to be transmitted to a hand-held communication device possessed by said vehicle owner/driver, said electronic virtual valet ticket including a unique identifier associated with said vehicle owner/driver and/or vehicle information and a communication link facilitating communication between a vehicle owner/driver and said valet computer and/or hand-held interface devices.

2. The valet system of claim 1 wherein said one or more hand-held interface devices include a magnetic card reader.

3. The valet system of claim 1 wherein said one or more hand-held interface devices includes means for capturing a barcode.

4. The valet system of claim 1 wherein said unique identifier is a number code.

5. The valet system of claim 1 wherein said unique identifier is a barcode.

6. The valet system of claim 1 wherein said hand-held device possessed by a vehicle owner/driver is a smart phone.

7. The valet system of claim 1 wherein said electronic virtual valet ticket is transmitted via text and/or email from said valet computer to said hand-held device.

8. A valet system comprising:

a valet computer maintaining one or more databases for storing vehicle owner/driver and/or vehicle information;

one or more hand-held interface devices communicatively linked to said valet computer, said one or more hand-held interface devices including means for a valet to input vehicle and/or vehicle information and for transmitting said vehicle owner/driver and/or vehicle information to said valet computer;

a valet station including a valet terminal communicatively linked to said valet computer and said one or more hand-held interface devices; and

wherein responsive to receiving said vehicle owner/driver and/or vehicle information said valet computer issues an electronic virtual valet ticket and transmits said electronic virtual valet ticket to a hand-held communication device possessed by said vehicle owner/driver, said electronic virtual valet ticket including a unique identifier associated with said vehicle owner/driver and/or vehicle information and an active communication link facilitating communication between a vehicle owner/driver and said valet computer and/or valet station.

9. The valet system of claim 8 wherein said one or more hand-held interface devices include a magnetic card reader.

10. The valet system of claim 8 wherein said unique identifier is a number code.

11. The valet system of claim 8 wherein said unique identifier is a barcode.

12. The valet system of claim 8 wherein said hand-held device possessed by a vehicle owner/driver is a smart phone.

13. The valet system of claim 8 wherein said electronic virtual valet ticket is transmitted via text message and/or email from said valet computer to said hand-held device.

14. A method comprising:

utilizing a valet computer communicatively linked to one or more hand-held interface devices for

maintaining on said valet computer one or more databases for storing vehicle owner/driver and/or vehicle information;

receiving vehicle owner/driver and/or vehicle information via said one or more hand-held interface devices;

transmitting from said one or more hand-held interface devices to said central computer said vehicle owner/driver and/or vehicle information;

issuing an electronic virtual valet ticket from a database stored on said valet computer;

transmitting said electronic virtual ticket to a hand-held communication device possessed by a vehicle owner/driver; and

responsive to activation of a communication link associated with said electronic virtual valet ticket, transmitting a vehicle request to said valet computer and/or one or more hand-held interface devices.