Vehicle parking assistance electronic timer system and method

• US 7,123,167 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2006
• Issued: 10/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: RanaVerde Tech Initiative, LLC
• Original Assignee: John T. Staniszewski
• Inventors: Staniszewski, John T.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US11/352,677
• Publication Number:
  US 20060139182A1
• Time in Patent Office: 246 Days
• Field of Search: 340/932.2, 340/933, 340/539.1, 340/309.16, 340/309.7, 340/5.9, 235/384, 701/1, 701/209, 701/210, 194/205, 194/217, 194/318, 194/902
• US Class Current: 340/932.2
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/30 Parking meters registering or indicating waiting time of vehicles by means driven by the vehicle G07C5/02; coin-freed parking meters G07F17/24
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/14 indicating individual free spaces in parking areas

Abstract

An electronic timer system includes a first unit. The first unit includes a memory device configured to store predetermined parking rule data, a timer device configured to determine at least one of a day, a date and a time of day, and an alert device configured to emit an alert in accordance with the predetermined parking rule data and based on at least one of the day, the date and the time of day determined by the timer device. A method includes storing predetermined parking rule data in a memory device, determining at least one of a day, a date and a time of day, and emitting an alert in accordance with the predetermined parking rule data stored in the storing step and at least one of the day, the date and the time of day determined in the determining step.

Claims

1. A vehicle parking assistance electronic timer system comprising:

data storage means for storing sets of data relating to;

(a) parking locations at which a vehicle is to be parked, and

(b) parking regulations, individually associated with the parking locations, that govern at least one of;

(1) the days of the week and the times of the day during which the parking of vehicles is permitted at the associated parking locations, and

(2) the days of the week and the times of the day during which the parking of vehicles is not permitted at the associated parking locations;

data entry means for entering data relating to;

(a) a selected one of the stored parking locations,

(b) the day of the week that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location,

(c) the time of the day that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location, and

(d) the period of time that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location;

means for;

(a) accessing from the data storage means, in response to the entered data relating to the selected parking location, the stored data relating to the parking regulations associated with the selected parking location, and

(b) processing;

(1) the entered data relating to the day of the week that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location,

(2) the entered data relating to the time of the day that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location, and

(3) the entered data relating to the period of time that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location

with the accessed data relating to the parking regulations associated with the selected parking location to determine;

(1) if parking a vehicle at the selected parking location for the period of time that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location is permitted, and

(2) when the period of time that a vehicle is permitted to be parked at the selected parking location will expire;

display means for displaying information relating to at least one of;

(a) a selected one of the stored parking locations,

(b) the day of the week that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location,

(c) the time of the day that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location,

(d) the period of time that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location, and

(e) the parking regulations associated with the selected location; and

alarm means, responsive to;

(a) the determination that parking at the selected parking location is permitted, and

(b) the determination when the period of time that a vehicle is permitted to be parked at the selected parking location will expire,

for notifying a user of the vehicle parking assistance unit that the time period for the parking of a vehicle at the selected parking location will expire in a predetermined period of time.

2. A vehicle parking assistance electronic timer system according to claim 1 further including:

(a) a transmitter/receiver for;

(1) receiving signals transmitted from a remote location to control the entry of data by the data entry means, and

(2) transmitting signals to the remote location to notify a user that the permitted parking will expire in a predetermined period of time, and

(b) a remote controller for;

(1) transmitting the signals from the remote location that control the entry of data by the data entry means, and

(2) receiving the signals at the remote location that notify a user that the permitted parking will expire in a predetermined period of time.

3. A vehicle parking assistance electronic timer system according to claim 1 further including means for measuring a distance and:

(a) said data entry means enter data relating to the measured distance,

(b) said data storage means store data relating to parking regulations having distance as a factor, and

(c) said accessing and processing means;

(1) access from the data storage means, in response to the entered data relating to the measured distance, the stored data relating to the parking regulations having distance as a factor, and

(2) process the entered data relating to the measured distance with the accessed data relating to the parking regulations having with distance as a factor to determine if parking a vehicle at the selected parking location is permitted.

4. A method of alerting a person that the time period for the permitted parking of a vehicle at a selected parking location will expire in a predetermined period of time, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a vehicle parking assistance unit having;

(a) data storage means,

(b) data entry means,

(c) display means, and

(d) alarm means;

storing in the data storage means sets of data relating to;

(a) parking locations at which a vehicle is to be parked, and

(b) parking regulations, individually associated with the parking locations, that govern at least one of;

(1) the days of the week and the times of the day during which the parking of vehicles is permitted at the associated parking locations, and

(2) the days of the week and the times of the day during which the parking of vehicles is not permitted at the associated parking locations;

entering in the data entry means data relating to;

(a) a selected one of the stored parking locations,

(b) the day of the week that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location,

(c) the time of the day that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location, and

(d) the period of time that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location;

accessing from the data storage means, in response to the entered data relating to the selected parking location, the stored data relating to the parking regulations associated with the selected parking location;

processing;

(a) the entered data relating to the day of the week that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location,

(b) the entered data relating to the time of the day that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location, and

(c) the entered data relating to the period of time that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location

with the accessed data relating to the parking regulations associated with the selected parking location to determine;

(a) if parking a vehicle at the selected parking location for the period of time that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location is permitted, and

(b) when the period of time that a vehicle is permitted to be parked at the selected parking location will expire;

displaying information relating to at least one of;

(a) a selected one of the stored parking locations,

(b) the day of the week that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location,

(c) the time of the day that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location,

(d) the period of time that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location, and

(e) parking regulations associated with the selected location; and

actuating the alarm means, in response to;

(a) the determination that parking at the selected parking location is permitted, and

(b) the determination when the period of time that a vehicle is permitted to be parked at the selected parking location will expire,

to notify a user of the vehicle parking assistance unit that the time period for the parking of a vehicle at the selected parking location will expire in a predetermined period of time.

5. A vehicle parking assistance electronic timer system comprising:

data storage means for storing sets of data relating to;

(a) parking locations at which a vehicle is to be parked, and

(b) parking regulations, individually associated with the parking locations, that govern at least one of;

(1) the days of the week and the times of the day during which the parking of vehicles is permitted at the associated parking locations,

(2) the days of the week and the times of the day during which the parking of vehicles is not permitted at the associated parking locations,

(3) the types of vehicles permitted to park at the associated parking locations, and

(4) the types of vehicles not permitted to park at the associated parking locations;

data entry means for entering data relating to;

(a) a selected one of the stored parking locations,

(b) the day of the week that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location,

(c) the time of the day that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location, and

(d) the period of time that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location;

means for;

(a) accessing from the data storage means, in response to the entered data relating to the selected parking location, the stored data relating to the parking regulations associated with the selected parking location, and

(b) processing;

(1) the entered data relating to the day of the week that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location,

(2) the entered data relating to the time of the day that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location, and

(3) the entered data relating to the period of time that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location

with the accessed data relating to the parking regulations associated with the selected parking location to determine;

(1) if parking a vehicle at the selected parking location for the period of time that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location is permitted, and

(2) when the period of time that a vehicle is permitted to be parked at the selected parking location will expire; and

alarm means, responsive to;

(a) the determination that parking at the selected parking location is permitted, and

(b) the determination when the period of time that a vehicle is permitted to be parked at the selected parking location will expire,

for notifying a user of the vehicle parking assistance unit that the time period for the parking of a vehicle at the selected parking location will expire in a predetermined period of time.

6. A vehicle parking assistance electronic timer system comprising:

data storage means for storing sets of data relating to;

(a) parking locations at which a vehicle is to be parked, and

(b) parking regulations, individually associated with the parking locations, that govern at least one of;

(1) the days of the week and the times of the day during which the parking of vehicles is permitted at the associated parking locations, and

(2) the days of the week and the times of the day during which the parking of vehicles is not permitted at the associated parking locations;

data entry means for entering data relating to;

(a) a selected one of the stored parking locations,

(b) the day of the week that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location, and

(c) the time of the day that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location;

means for;

(a) accessing from the data storage means, in response to the entered data relating to the selected parking location, the stored data relating to the parking regulations associated with the selected parking location, and

(b) processing;

(1) the entered data relating to the day of the week that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location,

(2) the entered data relating to the time of the day that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location, and

(3) the entered data relating to the period of time that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location

with the accessed data relating to the parking regulations associated with the selected parking location to determine;

(1) if parking a vehicle at the selected parking location for the period of time that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location is permitted, and

(2) when the period of time that a vehicle is permitted to be parked at the selected parking location will expire;

display means for displaying information relating to at least one of;

(a) a selected one of the stored parking locations,

(b) the day of the week that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location,

(c) the time of the day that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location,

(d) the period of time that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location, and

(e) parking regulations associated with the selected location; and

alarm means, responsive to;

(a) the determination that parking at the selected parking location is permitted, and

(b) the determination when the period of time that a vehicle is permitted to be parked at the selected parking location will expire,

for notifying a user of the vehicle parking assistance unit that the time period for the parking of a vehicle at the selected parking location will expire in a predetermined period of time.

7. A vehicle parking assistance electronic timer system comprising:

data storage means for storing sets of data relating to;

(a) parking locations at which a vehicle is to be parked, and

(b) parking regulations, individually associated with the parking locations, that govern at least one of;

(1) the days of the week and the times of the day during which the parking of vehicles is permitted at the associated parking locations, and

(2) the days of the week and the times of the day during which the parking of vehicles is not permitted at the associated parking locations;

vehicle locating means for determining, from a positioning system, the location of a vehicle and the selected parking location at which the vehicle being parked;

means responsive to said vehicle locating means for;

(a) accessing from the data storage means stored data relating to the parking regulations associated with the selected parking location, and

(c) processing the accessed data relating to the parking regulations associated with the selected parking location to determine;

(1) if parking a vehicle at the selected parking location for the period of time that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location is permitted, and

(2) when the period of time that a vehicle is permitted to be parked at the selected parking location will expire;

display means for displaying information relating to at least one of;

(a) a selected one of the stored parking locations,

(b) the day of the week that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location,

(c) the time of the day that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location,

(d) the period of time that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location, and

(e) the parking regulations associated with the selected location; and

alarm means, responsive to;

(a) the determination that parking at the selected parking location is permitted, and

(b) the determination when the period of time that a vehicle is permitted to be parked at the selected parking location will expire,

for notifying a user of the vehicle parking assistance unit that the time period for the parking of a vehicle at the selected parking location will expire in a predetermined period of time.

8. A vehicle parking assistance electronic timer system comprising:

data entry means for entering data relating to;

(a) a selected parking location at which a vehicle is to be parked,

(b) the day of the week that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location,

(c) the time of the day that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location, and

(d) the period of time that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location;

means responsive to the entered data relating to a selected parking location at which a vehicle is to be parked for accessing, from a remotely located storage having stored sets of data relating to;

(a) parking locations at which a vehicle is to be parked, and

(b) parking regulations, individually associated with the parking locations that govern at least one of;

(1) the days of the week and the times of the day during which the parking of vehicles is permitted at the associated parking locations, and

(2) the days of the week and the times of the day during which the parking of vehicles is not permitted at the associated parking regulations;

data relating to the parking regulations of the selected parking location;

means responsive to;

(a) the entered data relating to the day of the week that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location,

(b) the entered data relating to the time of the day that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location,

(c) the entered data relating to the period of time that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location, and

(d) the accessed data relating to the parking regulations of the selected parking location

for processing the entered with the accessed data to determine;

(a) if parking a vehicle at the selected parking location for the period of time that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location is permitted; and

(b) when the period of time that a vehicle is permitted to be parked at the selected parking location will expire; and

alarm means, responsive to;

(a) the determination that parking at the selected parking location is permitted, and

(b) the determination when the period of time that a vehicle is permitted to be parked at the selected parking location will expire,

for notifying a user of the vehicle parking assistance unit that the time period for the parking of a vehicle at the selected parking location will expire in a predetermined period of time.

9. A vehicle parking assistance electronic timer system according to claim 8 further including display means for displaying information relating to at least one of:

(a) a selected one of the stored parking locations,

(b) the day of the week that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location,

(c) the time of the day that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location,

(d) the period of time that a vehicle is to be parked at the selected parking location, and

(e) the parking regulations associated with the selected location.