Computer-implemented system and method for offering merchant and shopper-friendly parking reservations
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for offering merchant and shopper-friendly parking through validated parking, comprising:
- managing a multiplicity of motor vehicle parking spaces through a centrally-located server, the server configured to interface over a computer network and comprising a memory and a computer processor, the computer processor operatively coupled to the memory and configured to execute computer executable program modules, comprising;
interfacing by the computer processor via the computer network a plurality of smart parking devices that are each physically proximate to and which correspond to at least one of the parking spaces;
interfacing by the computer processor via the computer network a plurality of vehicle occupancy sensors that are also each physically proximate to and which correspond to at least one of the parking spaces; and
interfacing with the server via the computer network a plurality of parking availability indicators that are each associated with at least one of the parking spaces;
managing by the server use of the parking spaces, comprising;
sensing occupancy of one of the parking spaces by a motor vehicle through the vehicle occupancy sensor that corresponds to one such parking space and providing the location of the parking space to the server;
indicating a check-in status through the parking availability indicator that corresponds to the parking space and displaying a check-in message comprising a countdown time of a check-in grace period through the smart parking device that corresponds to the parking space, wherein the check-in grace period allows a driver of the motor vehicle to check in to the parking space through the smart parking device during a duration of the check-in grace period and denies the driver to check in to the parking space through the smart parking device provided the duration of the check-in grace period lapses;
accepting the check-in from the driver of the motor vehicle within the check-in grace period; and
determining by the server an identity of the driver of the motor vehicle through the smart parking device and providing the identity of the driver to the server; and
validating by the server use of the parking space, comprising;
retrieving by the server the parking space'"'"'s location and the driver'"'"'s identity at the location of a merchant; and
providing by the server payment for at least part of the use of the parking space from the merchant through the server.
11 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer-implemented system and method for offering merchant and shopper-friendly parking reservations through validated parking is provided. Motor vehicle parking spaces are managed through a server. Smart parking devices and vehicle occupancy sensors are interfaced to the server. Use of the parking space is managed. Occupancy of one of the parking spaces by a motor vehicle is sensed through the nearest vehicle occupancy sensor and the location of the parking space is provided to the server. An identity of the driver of the motor vehicle is determined through the nearest smart parking device and the identity of the driver is provided to the server. Use of the parking space is validated. The parking space'"'"'s location and the driver'"'"'s identity are retrieved at the location of a merchant. Payment for at least part of the use of the parking space from the merchant is provided through the server.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for offering merchant and shopper-friendly parking through validated parking, comprising:
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managing a multiplicity of motor vehicle parking spaces through a centrally-located server, the server configured to interface over a computer network and comprising a memory and a computer processor, the computer processor operatively coupled to the memory and configured to execute computer executable program modules, comprising; interfacing by the computer processor via the computer network a plurality of smart parking devices that are each physically proximate to and which correspond to at least one of the parking spaces; interfacing by the computer processor via the computer network a plurality of vehicle occupancy sensors that are also each physically proximate to and which correspond to at least one of the parking spaces; and interfacing with the server via the computer network a plurality of parking availability indicators that are each associated with at least one of the parking spaces; managing by the server use of the parking spaces, comprising; sensing occupancy of one of the parking spaces by a motor vehicle through the vehicle occupancy sensor that corresponds to one such parking space and providing the location of the parking space to the server; indicating a check-in status through the parking availability indicator that corresponds to the parking space and displaying a check-in message comprising a countdown time of a check-in grace period through the smart parking device that corresponds to the parking space, wherein the check-in grace period allows a driver of the motor vehicle to check in to the parking space through the smart parking device during a duration of the check-in grace period and denies the driver to check in to the parking space through the smart parking device provided the duration of the check-in grace period lapses; accepting the check-in from the driver of the motor vehicle within the check-in grace period; and determining by the server an identity of the driver of the motor vehicle through the smart parking device and providing the identity of the driver to the server; and validating by the server use of the parking space, comprising; retrieving by the server the parking space'"'"'s location and the driver'"'"'s identity at the location of a merchant; and providing by the server payment for at least part of the use of the parking space from the merchant through the server. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A computer-implemented method for offering merchant and shopper-friendly parking through validated parking, comprising:
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managing a multiplicity of motor vehicle parking spaces through a centrally-located server, the server configured to interface over a computer network and comprising a memory and a computer processor, the computer processor operatively coupled to the memory and configured to execute computer executable program modules, comprising; interfacing by the computer processor via the computer network a plurality of smart parking devices that are each physically proximate to and which correspond to at least one of the parking spaces; interfacing by the computer processor via the computer network a plurality of vehicle occupancy sensors that are also each physically proximate to and which correspond to at least one of the parking spaces; and interfacing with the server via the computer network a plurality of parking availability indicators that are each associated with at least one of the parking spaces; issuing by the server a parking coupon to a customer of a merchant, the parking coupon comprising at least one of a printed coupon, an encoded coupon, and a digital ticket; managing by the server use of the parking spaces, comprising; sensing occupancy of one of the parking spaces by a motor vehicle through the vehicle occupancy sensor that corresponds to one such parking space and providing the location of the parking space to the server; indicating a check-in status through the parking availability indicator that corresponds to the parking space and displaying a check-in message comprising a countdown time of a check-in grace period through the smart parking device that corresponds to the parking space, wherein the check-in grace period allows a driver of the motor vehicle to check in to the parking space through the smart parking device during a duration of the check-in grace period and denies the driver to check in to the parking space through the smart parking device provided the duration of the check-in grace period lapses; and reading the parking coupon provided by the driver of the motor vehicle through the smart parking device and providing information of the coupon to the server; and validating by the server use of the parking space, comprising; retrieving by the server the parking space'"'"'s location and the coupon; and providing payment for at least part of the use of the parking space from the merchant through the server.
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Specification