Methods, systems, and computer program products for implementing a locator service

• US 7,289,903 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2004
• Issued: 10/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Adamczyk, Maria, Silver, Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Beaulieu, Yonel
• Application Number:
  US11/022,442
• Publication Number:
  US 20060136124A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,042 Days
• Field of Search: 701/200, 701/207, 701/24, 701/208, 701213-215, 340/988, 340/991, 340/992, 340/5.8, 340/5.81, 340/932.2, 705/5, 705/13, 235/375, 235/382.5, 235/384
• US Class Current: 701/207
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/127 to a central station ; Indicators in a central station

Abstract

Methods, systems, and computer program products for implementing a locator service. The method includes receiving object identification information from a mobile object and receiving location identification information from the mobile object. The location identification information indicates the presence of the mobile object at a location. The method also includes associating the object identification information with the location identification information and creating an occupancy record including results of the associating. The method further includes storing the occupancy record in a storage device.

Claims

1. A method for implementing a locator service, comprising:

receiving object identification information from a vehicle;

receiving location identification information from the vehicle, the location identification information indicating the presence of the vehicle at a parking space;

associating the object identification information with the location identification information and creating an occupancy record including results of the associating;

storing the occupancy record in a storage device;

tracking an amount of time the vehicle occupies the parking space;

associating the amount of time with an occupancy fee; and

implementing payment services for the occupancy based upon the amount of time.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the object identification information includes a description of the vehicle.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the location identification information is conveyed to the vehicle via a radio frequency identifier associated with the parking space.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request to locate the vehicle, the request including at least a portion of the object identification information;

retrieving the occupancy record; and

presenting the location identification information.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the location identification information is transmitted by the vehicle via a wireless network.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the object identification information includes an operator name and an identification associated with the operator;

and

wherein the operator name and identification associated with the operator are transmitted by a global positioning system in the vehicle.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the location identification information is emitted as a signal from a transponder at the parking space in response to detecting the presence of the vehicle at the parking space;

and

wherein the signal from the transponder is received by a global positioning system in the vehicle.

6. A system for implementing a locator service, comprising:

a processor executing a locator application; and

a storage device in communication with the processor, the storage device housing occupancy records generated via the locator application, the locator application performing;

receiving object identification information from a vehicle;

receiving location identification information from the vehicle, the location identification information indicating the presence of the vehicle at a parking space;

associating the object identification information with the location identification information and creating an occupancy record including results of the associating;

storing the occupancy record in the storage device;

tracking an amount of time the vehicle occupies the parking space;

associating the amount of time with an occupancy fee; and

implementing payment services for the occupancy based upon the amount of time.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the object identification information includes a description of the vehicle.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the location identification information is conveyed to the vehicle via a radio frequency identifier associated with the parking space.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the locator application further performs:

receiving a request to locate the vehicle, the request including at least a portion of the object identification information;

retrieving the occupancy record; and

presenting the location identification information.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein the location identification information is transmitted by the vehicle via a wireless network.

18. The system of claim 6, wherein the object identification information includes an operator name and an identification associated with the operator;

and

wherein the operator name and identification associated with the operator are transmitted by a global positioning system in the vehicle.

19. The system of claim 6, wherein the location identification information is emitted as a signal from a transponder at the parking space in response to detecting the presence of the vehicle at the parking space;

and

wherein the signal from the transponder is received by a global positioning system in the vehicle.

11. A computer program product embodied on a computer-readable medium for implementing locator services, the computer program product including instructions for causing a computer to implement a method, comprising:

receiving object identification information from a vehicle;

receiving location identification information from the vehicle, the location identification information indicating the presence of the vehicle at a parking space;

associating the object identification information with the location identification information and creating an occupancy record including results of the associating;

storing the occupancy record in a storage device;

tracking an amount of time the vehicle occupies the parking space;

associating the amount of time with an occupancy fee; and

implementing payment services for the occupancy based upon the amount of time.

12. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the object identification information includes a description of the vehicle.

13. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the location identification information is conveyed to the vehicle via a radio frequency identification associated with the parking space.

14. The computer program product of claim 11, further comprising instructions for performing:

receiving a request to locate the vehicle, the request including at least a portion of the object identification information;

retrieving the occupancy record; and

presenting the location identification information.

15. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the location identification information is transmitted by the vehicle via a wireless network.

20. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the object identification information includes an operator name and an identification associated with the operator;

and

wherein the operator name and identification associated with the operator are transmitted by a global positioning system in the vehicle.

21. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the location identification information is emitted as a signal from a transponder at the parking space in response to detecting the presence of the vehicle at the parking space;

and

wherein the signal from the transponder is received by a global positioning system in the vehicle.