Parking information collection system and method

• US 8,432,297 B2
• Filed: 10/11/2011
• Issued: 04/30/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SelfieParking, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Parkme, LLC
• Inventors: Sonnabend, Eric, Landman, Marc
• Primary Examiner(s): Tweel, Jr., John A
• Application Number:
  US13/271,016
• Publication Number:
  US 20120062395A1
• Time in Patent Office: 567 Days
• Field of Search: 340/932.2, 340/933, 340/937, 340/992, 34099512-99515, 340/995.22, 340/995.25, 382/103, 382/104
• US Class Current: 340/932.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/56 exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/582 of traffic signs
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0112 from the vehicle, e.g. floating car data [FCD]
• 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 1/04 using optical or ultrasonic detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/143 inside the vehicles
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/207 with respect to certain areas, e.g. forbidden or allowed areas with possible alerting when inside or outside boundaries

Abstract

An integrated parking information system is disclosed. The system includes a collection system and a means for collection of parking data, and an information provision system and a method for the provision of parking information, for instance, enabling a driver to know exactly which city parking rules and fines apply for any given street parking space, as well as other associated information. The system can notify members about available parking spots through a GPS application that is integrated with phones & in dash Navigation Systems. The system can provide alerts to protect members against parking violations.

Claims

1. A method for provisioning parking information to a user, the method comprising:

receiving a geocoded location;

receiving data from a database;

receiving a list of preferences;

filtering the data with reference to distance from the location and the preferences to produce a list of candidates; and

presenting the data or the candidates to the user.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

displaying the data or the candidates on a map.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

requiring the user to provide a credential.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the preferences is selected by the user.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the data or the candidates include at least one of the following:

a special purpose for the data or candidates;

a size of vehicle for the data or candidates;

a type of vehicle intended for the data or candidates;

a vehicle currently occupying the data or candidates;

a circumstance affecting availability of the data or candidates;

a source for the data or the candidates;

a reliability rating for the source;

a time of last verification for the data or the candidates;

a parking rule for the data or the candidates;

a fine for violating the rule;

a summary of violations of the rule; and

a usage profile of the data or the candidates.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

performing an analysis of the data or the candidates; and

presenting the results of the analysis to the user.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

performing an analysis of the data or the candidates; and

presenting the results of the analysis to the user;

and in which the analysis is one of the following;

a time-of-arrival calculation from the location to the data or the candidates;

a distance calculation from the location to the data or the candidates;

an optimal routing between the location and the data or the candidates;

a predicted availability of the data or the candidates; and

a predicted fee for using the data or the candidates.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

performing an analysis of the data or the candidates; and

filtering the data or the candidates with respect to the results of the analysis.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

performing an analysis of the data or the candidates; and

filtering the data or the candidates with respect to the results of the analysis;

and in which the analysis is one of the following;

a time-of-arrival calculation from the location to the data or the candidates;

a distance calculation from the location to the data or the candidates;

an optimal routing between the location and the data or the candidates;

a predicted availability of the data or the candidates; and

a predicted fee for using the data or the candidates.

10. A parking information provisioning system, comprising:

a parking information database configured to store the data;

a processor connected to the database and configured to execute program code; and

a memory connected to the processor and configured to store program code, which program code, when executed by the processor;

receives a geocoded location;

receives data from the database;

receives a list of preferences;

filters the data with reference to distance from the location and the preferences to produce a list of candidates; and

presents the data or the candidates to the user.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a means of displaying the data or the candidates on a map.

12. The system of claim 10, further comprising a means of authenticating the user.

13. The system of claim 10, further comprising a means of obtaining at least one of the preferences from the user.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the data or the candidates include at least one of the following:

a special purpose for the data or candidates;

a size of vehicle for the data or candidates;

a type of vehicle intended for the data or candidates;

a vehicle currently occupying the data or candidates;

a circumstance affecting availability of the data or candidates;

a source for the data or the candidates;

a reliability rating for the source;

a time of last verification for the data or the candidates;

a parking rule for the data or the candidates;

a fine for violating the rule;

a summary of violations of the rule; and

a usage profile of the data or the candidates.

15. The system of claim 10, further comprising a means of:

performing an analysis of the data or the candidates; and

presenting the results of the analysis to the user.

16. The system of claim 10, further comprising a means of:

performing an analysis of the data or the candidates; and

presenting the results of the analysis to the user;

and in which the analysis is one of the following;

a time-of-arrival calculation from the location to the data or the candidates;

a distance calculation from the location to the data or the candidates;

an optimal routing between the location and the data or the candidates;

a predicted availability of the data or the candidates; and

a predicted fee for using the data or the candidates.

17. The system of claim 10, further comprising a means of:

performing an analysis of the data or the candidates; and

filtering the data or the candidates based on the results of the analysis.

18. The system of claim 10, further comprising a means of:

performing an analysis of the data or the candidates; and

filtering the data or the candidates with respect to the results of the analysis;

and in which the analysis is one of the following;

a time-of-arrival calculation from the location to the data or the candidates;

a distance calculation from the location to the data or the candidates;

an optimal routing between the location and the data or the candidates;

a predicted availability of the data or the candidates; and

a predicted fee for using the data or the candidates.

19. A computer program product consisting of a computer readable storage medium storing computer executable instructions that, when executed, implement a method for provisioning parking information, said method comprising:

receiving a geocoded location;

receiving data from a database;

receiving a list of preferences;

filtering the data with reference to distance from the location and the preferences to produce a list of candidates; and

presenting the data or the candidates to the user.

20. The product of claim 19, wherein the instructions further provide a means for presenting the data or the candidates to the user on a map.

21. The product of claim 19, wherein the method further comprises the step of requiring the user to provide a credential.

22. The product of claim 19, wherein the method further provides a means for the user to select at least one of the preferences.

23. The product of claim 19, wherein the data or the candidates include at least one of the following:

a special purpose for the data or candidates;

a size of vehicle for the data or candidates;

a type of vehicle intended for the data or candidates;

a vehicle currently occupying the data or candidates;

a circumstance affecting availability of the data or candidates;

a source for the data or the candidates;

a reliability rating for the source;

a time of last verification for the data or the candidates;

a parking rule for the data or the candidates;

a fine for violating the rule;

a summary of violations of the rule; and

a usage profile of the data or the candidates.

24. The product of claim 19, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

performing an analysis of the data or the candidates; and

presenting the results of the analysis to the user.

25. The product of claim 19, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

performing an analysis of the data or the candidates; and

presenting the results of the analysis to the user;

and in which the analysis is one of the following;

a time-of-arrival calculation from the location to the data or the candidates;

a distance calculation from the location to the data or the candidates;

an optimal routing between the location and the data or the candidates;

a predicted availability of the data or the candidates; and

a predicted fee for using the data or the candidates.

26. The product of claim 19, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

performing an analysis of the data or the candidates; and

filtering the data or the candidates with respect to the results of the analysis.

27. The product of claim 19, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

performing an analysis of the data or the candidates; and

filtering the data or the candidates with respect to the results of the analysis;

and in which one the analysis is one of the following;

a time-of-arrival calculation from the location to the data or the candidates;

a distance calculation from the location to the data or the candidates;

an optimal routing between the location and the data or the candidates;

a predicted availability of the data or the candidates; and

a predicted fee for using the data or the candidates.