Computerized parking facility management system
First Claim
1. A computerized system for the operation and management of a parking facility including any and all spaces used to park vehicles, said system comprising:
- first vehicle characterization means for capturing inherent attributes of each vehicle upon or after its entry into the parking facility;
means for tracking each vehicle within the parking facility; and
computer means communicating with said vehicle characterization means and said tracking means, said computer means operative for processing and displaying data pertaining to the location and identification of each vehicle within the parking facility.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The computerized parking facility management system manages parking operations. The contour of each vehicle that enters the parking facility is captured and quantified as part of its identification. The comparison with subsequent contour measurements at designated locations allows the parking location of the vehicle to be determined. An alternate embodiment implements the Global Positioning System to determine parking location. Variable message displays provide ongoing information to motorists of available parking spaces. The system identifies the specific vehicle parked in any parking space. The system provides computer searching to locate vehicles within the parking facility. A vehicle theft deterrence component automatically notifies the vehicle owner, the police, parking facility operators and other appropriate persons. This invention also integrates with parking revenue operations. All system functions and the viewing of vehicle identities and activities are accomplished through a single control interface. The control interface translates the dynamics of the parking environment into a computer environment and can transfer parking information through the Internet, email, and facsimile as well as stored it for subsequent review.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A computerized system for the operation and management of a parking facility including any and all spaces used to park vehicles, said system comprising:
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first vehicle characterization means for capturing inherent attributes of each vehicle upon or after its entry into the parking facility;
means for tracking each vehicle within the parking facility; and
computer means communicating with said vehicle characterization means and said tracking means, said computer means operative for processing and displaying data pertaining to the location and identification of each vehicle within the parking facility. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A computerized system for determining and indicating the availability of parking spaces within a parking facility including any and all spaces used to park vehicles, said system comprising:
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vehicle characterization means for distinguishing between vehicle and non-vehicle objects that are in predetermined spaces of the parking facility;
means for displaying available parking spaces within a section of the parking facility; and
computer means communicating with said vehicle characterization means and said display means, said computer means operative for processing real-time information pertaining to the presence and absence of the vehicles in the spaces of the parking facility. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. A method for managing parking spaces comprising:
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a) characterizing a vehicle a first time to capture inherent vehicle attributes;
b) characterizing the vehicle a subsequent time, at a different location from said first characterization; and
c) comparing said first and subsequent vehicle characterizations to determine each vehicle'"'"'s identification and activities within the parking spaces and within the managed areas associated with said parking spaces. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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Specification