Method and apparatus for obtaining data regarding a parking location

• US 7,081,832 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2003
• Issued: 07/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Interpark LLC
• Original Assignee: General Electric Capital Corporation (General Electric Company)
• Inventors: Tracy, Walt, Nelson, David
• Primary Examiner(s): La, Anh V.
• Application Number:
  US10/423,841
• Publication Number:
  US 20040212519A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,187 Days
• Field of Search: 340/932.2, 340/933, 340/937, 340/942, 340/905, 455/556.1, 455/557, 455/556.2, 705/13, 705/5, 705/918
• US Class Current: 340/932.2
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/14 indicating individual free spaces in parking areas

Abstract

A system, apparatus 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 managing data regarding a parking location, comprising:

providing an interface adapted to receive data associated with at least one parking location, said data being indicative of revenue associated with said at least one parking location and a monthly parker;

receiving said data via said interface; and

providing a presentation of said data via said interface;

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

configuring said interface based on said identifier.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said providing an interface includes providing said interface via a Web site.

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

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said data is associated with at least two different parking locations.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing said data 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

a number of drops made for 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:

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

a number of held tickets associated with said at least one parking location; and

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

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said providing a presentation of said data further comprises 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 selectively configurable regarding a presentation thereof.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said presentation further comprises data indicative of a reconciliation of data associated with said at least one parking location.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving data associated said at least one parking location and at least one of a product offered at said at least one parking location and a counter used at said at least one parking location.

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

14. The method of claim 1 wherein said data further comprises being indicative of revenue associated with said at least one parking location and a transient parker.

15. A system for managing 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 at least one parking location and indicative of revenue associated with said at least one parking location and a monthly parker;

receive data via said interface;

provide a presentation of said data via said interface;

determine an identifier associated with said at least one parking location and configure said interface based on said identifier.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said interface is provided includes providing said interface via a Web site.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein receiving said data includes receiving said data from a device located at said at least one parking location.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein said processor further comprises being operative to receive data associated with at least two different parking locations.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein said processor further comprises being operative to store data associated with said at least one parking location in a central location.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein said processor further comprises being operative to provide access to at least a portion of said data by an application.

21. The system of claim 15, wherein said interface is adapted to receive data indicative of a number of drops made for said at least one parking location.

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

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

a number of held tickets associated with said at least one parking location; and

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

23. The system of claim 15, wherein said presentation data further comprises 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.

24. The system of claim 15, wherein a presentation of said interface is selectively configurable.

25. The system of claim 15, wherein said presentation comprises data indicative of a reconciliation of revenues associated with said at least one parking location.

26. The system of claim 15, wherein said processor further comprises being operative to receive data associated with at least one parking location via said interface, said data being indicative of at least one of a product offered at said at least one parking location and a counter used at said at least one parking location.

27. The system of claim 15, wherein said interface is operated on a device remote from said at least one parking location.

28. The system of claim 15, wherein said data further comprises being indicative of revenue associated with said at least one parking location and a transient parker.

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

instructions for implementing an interface adapted to collect data associated with at least one parking location and indicative of revenue associated with said at least one parking location and a monthly or a transient parker;

instructions for receiving data via said interface;

instructions to provide a presentation of said data via said interface; and

instructions to determine an identifier associated with said at least one parking location; and

instructions to configure said interface based on said identifier.