METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LEGAL PARKING

• US 20160012726A1
• Filed: 09/19/2015
• Published: 01/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Operr Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Operr Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Wang, Kevin Sunlin
• Granted Patent: US 9,704,392 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3685 the POI's being parking facilities
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3896 Transmission of map data from central databases
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/02 taking into account a variable factor such as distance or time, e.g. for passenger transport, parking systems or car rental systems G07B15/06 takes precedence; taximeters G07B13/00; parking meters per se G07F17/24; car rental systems per se G07B15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0112 from the vehicle, e.g. floating car data [FCD]
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/012 from other sources than vehicle or roadside beacons, e.g. mobile networks
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0129 for creating historical data or processing based on historical data
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0141 for traffic information dissemination
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/144 on portable or mobile units, e.g. personal digital assistant [PDA]
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/146 where the parking area is a limited parking space, e.g. parking garage, restricted space
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/147 where the parking area is within an open public zone, e.g. city centre

Abstract

The various embodiments herein provide a system and method for a parking zone mapping, storing and alerting a user for a legal parking to avoid parking violations. The system comprises a location identifier, an accelerometer, a unified database, a data processing module and a display apparatus. The unified database resides in a central server. The unified database is synchronized with the location identifier. The data processing module is connected to the location identifier and the unified database through a communication medium. The data processing module is further connected to the accelerometer. The display apparatus is connected to the data processing module.

Claims

1. A system for a parking zone mapping, storing and alerting a user for a legal parking, the system comprises:

a location identifier;

an accelerometer;

an unified database, wherein the unified database comprises parking related data for commercial and non-commercial vehicles and is synchronized with the location identifier of commercial or non-commercial vehicle based on the type of the vehicle and type of the vehicle plate, wherein the unified database resides in a central server;

a data processing module, wherein the data processing module is connected to the location identifier and the unified database through a communication medium, wherein the data processing module is further connected to the accelerometer; and

a display apparatus, wherein the display apparatus is connected to the data processing module.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the location identifier is a Global Positioning module installed in a mobile device along with the accelerometer, wherein the location identifier and the accelerometer are wirelessly connected to the unified database and the data processing module;

and

the mobile device comprises an internal clock mechanism that measures a time and date for a parking of the vehicle.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the location identifier is a Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation device installed in a vehicle along with the accelerometer, wherein the location identifier and the accelerometer are connected to the data processing module through either a wired or a wireless medium;

and

wherein the Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation device comprises an internal clock mechanism, wherein the internal clock mechanism measures a time of a parked vehicle according to a parking meter, wherein the internal clock mechanism sends a notification over the display apparatus as an expiration of the parking time is approaching for the parked vehicle.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the unified database stores a plurality of parking rules, violation codes, abbreviations used by law enforcement agencies, historical parking violation citations and real-time crowd-sourced parking violation citations, wherein the plurality of issued parking violation citations include geolocations, reasons and time and date of the issued parking violation citations, a plurality of parking meter locations and applicable fees, public parking spots, private parking spots, and commercial parking garage information.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the data processing module cross-correlates an identified current location of users with time and location of each of the issued parking violation citations and parking rules to predict a likelihood of obtaining legal parking at the user'"'"'s identified current location, time and date.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the processing module further transmits a parking information over the display apparatus, wherein the parking information comprises a plurality of parking rules and regulations, potential legal parking locations availed from the unified database for current location of the user, potential legal parking locations availed from the unified database for current location of the user for a location requested by the user and alternative parking information for a specific location, wherein the alternative parking information comprises a type of vehicle, type of vehicle plate, name and location of an in-door or out-door parking facility, height or size of the entry of the in-door parking facility, an estimated time of arrival to a concerned parking facility, a walking time and distance from the concerned parking facility to an intended destination of the user, a cost of parking, an availability of parking, hours of operation and direction to said parking facility.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the central server further comprises:

a microprocessor; and

a server readable program storage medium, wherein the program storage medium is non-transitory and tangible in nature, wherein the program storage medium embodies a program of instructions executable by the microprocessor to search and update a parking related data, assist in finding a legal parking and refilling the parking meter.

8. The system according to claim 7 further comprises a social media function wherein users connect with each other as consideration to accept parking related information, or users use a monetary payment or non-monetary reward as another consideration option for accepting parking related information.

9. The system according to claim 2, wherein the parking intent or leaving intent of the user is either displayed at the user'"'"'s request or detected automatically by the system through the location identifier and the accelerometer installed in a mobile device or a navigation system of the vehicle, wherein the location identifier and the accelerometer are wirelessly connected to the unified database and the data processing module;

and

wherein users with a parking intent connects with consideration for legal parking to users with a leaving intent or any other users who may offer a legal parking space through the platform of the system;

or

users with a leaving intent or any other users who may offer a legal parking space connects to users with a parking intent through the platform of the system wherein users with parking intent may offer consideration for legal parking.

10. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a forum module, wherein the forum is connected to each parking space location or a parking garage location;

wherein the forum module is used to share ideas, raise questions, get answers, and provide and obtain information related to a legal parking; and

the information for a parking garage may include a number of vehicles on the waiting list, waiting times for parking, and parking availability at parking garages in real time.

11. A method for a parking zone mapping, storing historical and real-time parking data in the unified database that resides in the central server, and alerting a user about a legal parking based on type of vehicle and type of vehicle plate. The method comprises:

storing a plurality of historical and real time parking violations for commercial and non-commercial vehicles in a unified database;

receiving a geocoded location through a Global positioning module of a location identifier;

using an internal clock mechanism to measure a time of a parked vehicle;

searching for historical or real time violation data based on the type of vehicle and type of vehicle plate in a specific geocoded location, wherein the searching is performed in an unified database through a microprocessor stored in a central server;

displaying potential legal parking spaces by precluding illegal parking based on the historical parking violation data and parking rules over a display apparatus; and

listing the potential parking spaces where parking is legal based on the type of the vehicle and the type of the vehicle plate.

12. The method according to claim 11 for increasing the possibility of finding a legal parking by precluding unavailable or illegal parking spaces that are identified with different formats or shapes based on the type of the vehicle and type of the vehicle plate, such as colors on the electronic map or location data shown over the display module, wherein unavailable or illegal parking spaces are correlated and displayed based on the type of the vehicle and type of the vehicle plate.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein to increase the possibility of finding a legal parking different formats or shapes such as colors are used, and the legal parking is shown dynamically by the system. The formats such as colors can be used to identify:

possibility of finding a legal parking space based on type of vehicle and type of vehicle plate;

density of issued parking violation citations at specific locations for specific type of vehicles and type of vehicle plates, wherein the density comprises a plurality of parking locations with higher number of issued parking citations identified by darker colors compared to locations with lesser density of issued parking violation citations identified by lighter colors;

density of issued parking violation citations for broad as well as narrow geographic area;

unavailability or illegality of parking spaces, wherein the unavailable or illegal parking spaces may be identified by different colors such as red colors; and

fluctuations in number of issued parking violation citations reflected at specific locations based on the time of the day and historical parking violation summary data for said location at time of the day; and

potential parking spaces reflected at specific locations based on the time of the day by colors such as green dots.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the location identifier is a Global Positioning module installed in the mobile device or a vehicle navigation system along with the accelerometer, wherein the location identifier, and the accelerometer are wirelessly connected to the unified database and the data processing module through either a wired or a wireless medium;

and

the data processing module comprises an internal clock mechanism that measures a time of a parked vehicle according to a parking meter and sends a notification over the display apparatus as the expiration of the parking time is approaching for the parked vehicle.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the location of parking spots or parking garages are connected to the forum feature that can be used to share ideas, raise questions, get answers, and provide and obtain other parking-related information in regards to the legal parking;

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein parking garage data includes information pertaining to availability of parking spaces at such parking locations in real time, number of users waiting for the parking spots at the specific garages and an estimated waiting time prior parking space will become available;

wherein such information may be reported by users, monitored by specially hired employees, or third party contractors and then disseminated through the platform of the application; and

wherein notifications will be sent to users who register to receive such information.

17. The method according to claim 11, wherein the unified database stores a plurality of parking rules, violation codes, and abbreviations used by law enforcement agencies, historical parking violation citations and real-time crowd-sourced parking violation citations for commercial and non-commercial vehicles, wherein the unified database further stores a plurality of issued parking violation citations including geolocations, reasons and time and date of the issued parking violation citations, a plurality of parking meter locations and applicable fees, and parking spot information;

the data processing module cross-correlates an identified current location of a user with a time and a location of each of the issued parking violation to predict a likelihood of obtaining legal parking at the user'"'"'s identified current location, time and date; and

the parking information comprises a plurality of parking rules and regulations, potential legal parking locations availed from the unified database for current location of the user, potential legal parking locations availed from the unified database for current location of the user for a location requested by the user and alternative parking information for a specific location, wherein the alternative parking information comprises a type of vehicle, a type of vehicle plate, name and location of an in-door or out-door parking facility, height and size of the entry of the in-door parking facility, an estimated time of arrival to a concerned parking facility, a walking time and distance from the concerned parking facility to a destination of the user, a cost of parking, an availability of parking, hours of operation and direction to said parking facility.

18. The method according to claim 11 further comprises:

obtaining real-time information street cleaning schedules from a municipal body, a company performing street cleaning, drivers employed by the municipal body or the company, the nearby users, employees of the system, or third party contractors of the system; and

sending a notification to the users desiring to avail parking spaces in the concerned streets.

21. A method according to claim 11 for updating the unified database wherein:

the system issues an advisory notification for the user to park;

the user is parking wherein three situations occur;

wherein the notification from the system is wrong, the user discovers the system is wrong, the user reports the inaccurate information and submits the correct information; and

the system updates the unified database, and when the user'"'"'s report receives ratings reaching a certain threshold, and the system rewards the user who reported the correct information;

or

wherein the notification from the system is wrong, the user receives a parking violation citation, the user reports the parking violation citation to the system; and

the system updates the unified database, and when the user'"'"'s report receives ratings reaching a certain threshold, and the system rewards the user who reported the correct information;

or

wherein the notification from the system is correct and the user parks without receiving a parking violation citation; and

wherein users with a firsthand experience are allowed to provide said ratings and firsthand experience is identified by one or more of the plurality of other users who received a notification about a parking advisory by passing through the location identified to have historical or real-time issued parking violation citation data.

25. The method according to claim 11, wherein the parking intent or leaving intent of the user is either identified by the request of the user or is automatically identified by the system through the location identifier and the accelerometer installed in a mobile device or a navigation system of the vehicle;

once parking or leaving intent of the user has been confirmed, the leaving intent information is sent to the users with an identified parking intent or the parking intent information is sent to users with an identified leaving intent or any other users who can offer a legal parking space;

or

users with an identified parking intent may be connected through a platform of the system to at least one or more users with an identified leaving intent or any other users who can offer a legal parking space; and

upon confirmation of two users connection with consideration for legal parking, the user with a parking intent is navigated to the location of the user with an identified leaving intent or the location of any other users who can offer a legal parking space wherein the consideration may include social media connection, monetary payment, or non-monetary reward.

26. The method according to claim 25 incorporates a social media feature into the platform of the system to connect the users as a consideration option for available parking spaces, wherein the method for a user who requests a parking space in real time comprises:

posting a request by a user, for example a first user looking for a parking space in real time, wherein the request is sent to a plurality of users having their vehicles parked in a closest proximity to the first user'"'"'s vehicle location;

accepting the request by a user, for example a second user who has identified leaving intent, wherein the first user is directed to a vehicle location of the second user through a location identifier on acceptance of the request, wherein the request disappears from the online platform as soon as the first user and the second user are connected;

forwarding the request of the first user to a plurality of other users in case of rejection of the request by the second user, wherein the request keeps transferring until at-least one user accepts the request of the first user; and

the social media connection between the first user and second user may serve as a consideration for accepting parking related information;

or

monetary payment or non-monetary reward may serve as another consideration option for accepting parking related information.

27. The method according to claim 25 incorporates a social media feature into the platform of the system to connect the users as a consideration option for available parking spaces, wherein the method for a user who requests a parking space in the near future comprises:

posting a request by a user, for example a third user looking for a parking space in near future, wherein the request is sent to the plurality of users having their vehicles parked within a specific radius of the third user'"'"'s intended destination;

accepting the request by a user, for example a fourth user, wherein the third user is directed to a vehicle location of the fourth user through a location identifier on acceptance of the request, wherein the request disappears from the online platform as soon as the third user and the fourth user are connected;

forwarding the request of the first user to a plurality of other users in case of rejection of the request by the third user, wherein the request keeps transferring until at-least one user accepts the request of the third user;

retracting a rejection or accepting the request by at-least one user at any time in case the request is still pending to be accepted by another user; and

the social media connection between the third user and fourth user may serve as a consideration for accepting parking related information;

or

monetary payment or non-monetary reward may serve as another consideration option for accepting parking related information.

28. The method according to claim 25 incorporates a social media feature into the platform of the system to connect the users as a consideration option for available parking spaces, wherein the method for a user who offers a parking space in real time comprises:

posting an offer by a user, for example a fifth user for a parking space in real time, wherein the request notification is sent to a plurality of users looking for a parking space in a closest proximity to the fifth user'"'"'s vehicle location;

accepting the request notification by a user, for example a sixth user looking for a parking space, wherein the sixth user is directed to a vehicle location of the fifth user through a location identifier on acceptance of the request notification, wherein the request notification disappears from the online platform as soon as the fifth user and the sixth user are connected;

forwarding the request notification of the fifth user to a plurality of other users in case of rejection of the request notification by the sixth user, wherein the request notification keeps transferring until at-least one user accepts the request notification of the fifth user;

retracting a rejection or accepting the request notification by at-least one user at any time in case the request notification is still pending to be accepted by another user; and

the social media connection between the fifth user and the sixth user may serve as a consideration for accepting parking related information;

or

monetary payment or non-monetary reward may serve as another consideration option for accepting parking related information.

29. The method according to claim 25 incorporates a social media feature into the platform of the system to connect the users as a consideration option for available parking spaces, wherein the method for a user who offers a parking space in the near future comprises:

posting an offer by a user, for example a seventh user, wherein the offer comprises a parking space by the seventh user available in a near future, wherein the posted offer is sent to a plurality of user(s) looking for a parking space in a certain radius within the seventh user'"'"'s vehicle location;

accepting the posted offer by a user, for example an eighth user looking for a parking space at a time in the near future, wherein the eighth user is directed to a vehicle location of the seventh user through a location identifier on acceptance of the posted offer, wherein the posted offer disappears from the online platform as soon as the seventh user and the eighth user are connected;

forwarding the posted offer of the seventh user to a plurality of other users in case of rejection of the posted offer by the eighth user, wherein the posted offer keeps transferring until at-least one user accepts the posted offer of the seventh user;

retracting a rejection or accepting the posted offer by at-least one user at any time in case the request notification is still pending to be accepted by another user; and

the social media connection between the seventh user and the eighth user may serve as a consideration for accepting parking related information;

or

monetary payment or non-monetary reward may serve as another consideration option for accepting parking related information.

30. The method according to claim 11 provides a legal parking by combining a parking advisory with a route planning, wherein the method comprises:

entering a route planning mode through a GPS navigation device or a mobile device, wherein the route planning mode indicates that a user is within a configured radius range of the destination; and

entering an advisory mode, wherein the advisory mode provides a legality information about a parking zone;

retrieving a parking violation citation data and parking rules and regulations from the unified database and provides advisory parking alerts on identifying a parking intent of the user in the parking zone;

suggesting a route to the user to an intended destination; and

suggesting a plurality of parking locations within a specific radius of the intended destination with a least possibility of parking violations to seek a best opted legal parking space;

or

wherein there is no on-street parking or public garage available, the option of commercial garage or private parking spaces will be provided and the system may navigate the users to such parking location.

19. A method for the users to demand commercial parking garage spaces or private parking spaces, wherein the method comprises:

sending a request by a first user to a plurality of secondary users who own or manage commercial parking garage spaces or private parking spaces to demand a parking space in a parking area, for an allotted period of time or day, at a proposed price, and for a size of first user'"'"'s vehicle;

sending an parking space offer by the plurality of secondary users to the first user, wherein the plurality of secondary users send the parking space offer depending on their own availability and terms with a proposed price wherein the proposed price is kept confidential;

receiving the offer(s) sent from the plurality of secondary users by the first user, wherein the first user further chooses to review, negotiate, accept, or not respond to the second user'"'"'s offers, wherein the first user further may choose to retract a rejection and accept a previously rejected offer;

finalizing an agreement with the terms for a parking space arrangement between the first user and at-least one secondary user; and

final prices between the parties are kept confidential.

20. The method according to claim 19 wherein the user or users who own or manage a commercial parking garage or a private parking space offers to one or a plurality of other users who have parking intent based on an availability and a size, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

sending a message by a user or users to one or a plurality of other users, wherein the sent message consists of an offer for an available parking space in a defined area, at a preferred time, and proposed price, and for a vehicle size wherein the proposed price is kept confidential to third parties;

receiving the offer(s) by one or more other users, wherein one or a plurality of other users further choose to review, negotiate, accept, or not respond to the offer, wherein the plurality of other users may choose to retract a rejection and accept a previously rejected offer;

finalizing an agreement related the terms for a parking space arrangement between the user or users and at-least one of the plurality of other users; and

final prices between the parties are kept confidential.

22. A method for avoiding receiving parking violation citations by refilling the parking meter on time comprising:

monitoring a geolocation of the vehicle of a user by the GPS identifier;

locking the user'"'"'s vehicle location and transmitting the location data information to the unified database;

identifying a duration of the vehicle parked at a parking meter based on the monitored geolocation of the vehicle;

determining an approaching expiration of the parking meter of the parked vehicle by an internal clock mechanism;

identification of parking meter location and corresponding parking cost information for extension of the parking duration in the parking meter at the concerned location;

sending one or more notifications to the user about the approaching expiration of the parking meter, wherein said notification is sent by SMS, phone call or email;

determining a response whether to extend the parking meter; and

wherein the user may refill the meter by himself or herself;

or

seek the assistance of another user who may accept to provide assistance in refilling the parking meter.

23. The method according to claim 22 further comprises an assistance in feeding a parking meter for a parked vehicle, wherein the assistance in feeding the parking meter comprises the steps of:

sending a request for refilling a parking meter by the first user to a plurality of secondary users located within a certain radius of the first user'"'"'s vehicle, wherein said request comprises a cost of the parking meter and proposed service fee;

sending an information about the parked vehicle of the first user including a location and an estimated distance or time consumption from the first user'"'"'s vehicle over a mobile device of the secondary users;

sending a financial information over a mobile device of the secondary user, wherein the financial information comprises an amount to be paid to the parking meter, first user'"'"'s vehicle details such as the plate number, color of the vehicle or photo of the vehicle and a proposed service fee for the secondary user opting to provide an assistance prior to expiration of a parking meter time;

receiving offers from the secondary users and negotiating a service fee with the interested secondary users to finalize the deal;

accepting an offer from at-least one secondary user;

placing the amount to be paid to the parking meter and negotiated service fee in an escrow account;

completing a payment at the parking meter by the secondary user;

sending a payment evidence from the secondary user to the mobile device of the first user;

transferring the negotiated service fee and the meter cost amount from the escrow account of the first user to the account of the secondary user through a payment gateway platform or directly to the secondary user;

rating of each other from the first user and secondary user who have engaged in the transaction; and

a dispute center for resolving dispute between users.

24. The method according to claim 22 further comprises an assistance in feeding a parking meter for a parked vehicle, wherein the assistance in feeding the parking meter comprises the steps of:

sending an offer for refilling a parking meter by the first user to a plurality of secondary users whose vehicles are parked within a certain radius of the first user'"'"'s location wherein said request comprises a proposed service fee;

acceptance of the offer to assist in refilling a parking meter by at-least one secondary user;

sending a financial information over a mobile device of the first user, wherein the financial information comprises an amount to be paid to the parking meter, secondary user'"'"'s vehicle details such as the plate number, color of the vehicle or photo of the vehicle, and a proposed service fee for the first user offering to provide an assistance prior to expiration of a parking meter time;

placing the amount to be paid to the parking meter and negotiated service fee in an escrow account;

completing a payment at the parking meter by the first user;

sending a payment evidence from the first user to the mobile device of the secondary user;

transferring the negotiated service fee and the meter cost amount from the escrow account of the secondary user to the account of the first user through a payment gateway platform or directly to the first user;

rating of each other from the first user and secondary user who have engaged in the transaction; and

a dispute center for resolving dispute between users.