Virtual attendant system and parking management system

• US 8,831,970 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2012
• Issued: 09/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David Fields, Gary Altenberg, Martin Herman Iii Weik
• Original Assignee: David Fields, Martin Herman Iii Weik
• Inventors: Weik, Martin Herman III, Fields, David, Altenberg, Gary
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaawat, Mussa A
• Application Number:
  US13/598,142
• Publication Number:
  US 20130117078A1
• Time in Patent Office: 741 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 705/13
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/205 Mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/00 Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles locks for vehicles E05B77/00-E05B85/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/305 using a camera
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/006 by emergency conditions, e.g. fire operating or controlling mechanisms for physical fire-barriers A62C2/24
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/02 gravity-actuated , e.g. by use of counterweights
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/00 Power-operated mechanisms for wings motor-operated accessories in locks for completing closing or initiating opening of a wing E05B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/60 using electrical actuators
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/70 with automatic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/72 responsive to emergency conditions, e.g. fire
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/75 responsive to the weight or other physical contact of a person or object
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 2015/767 using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/41 for closing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/50 Weights
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/59 Travel display
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/616 Generators
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/814 Sound emitters, e.g. speakers
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/822 Light emitters, e.g. LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/00 Details, accessories and auxiliary operations not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/424 against unintended use
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/00 : Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 : for garages
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/134 : Fire doors
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/70 : comprising an electric motor positioned outside the roller
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/82 : automatic
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0428 : Safety, monitoring G05B19/0423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24145 : Test for collision of actuated devices, articles, if interference inihibit entry
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2628 : Door, window
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 : Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3276 : using a pictured code, e.g. barcode or QR-code, being read by the M-device
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 90/00 : Systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial or supervisory purposes, not involving significant data processing
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/02 : taking into account a variable factor such as distance or time, e.g. for passenger transport, parking systems or car rental systems G07B15/06 takes precedence; taximeters G07B13/00; parking meters per se G07F17/24; car rental systems per se G07B15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/04 : comprising devices to free a barrier, turnstile, or the like turnstiles with registering means G07C9/10; coin-freed aspects G07F17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00928 : for garage doors
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/017 : identifying vehicles G08G1/015, G08G1/054 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/04 : using optical or ultrasonic detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/042 : using inductive or magnetic detectors

Abstract

A control and management system for defined areas, employs a card reader, vehicle sensing loop detectors and electric eyes, entrance door sensors and operators, truck securement devices, cameras, a control system with memory, and a wireless connection or internet/intranet connection, is provided to produce event log documentation. The event information is readily accessible by management or supervisory personnel, to see all of the recorded information concerning a specified event. Thus, an event can be readily reconstructed after the fact, using all available sensors and other information relevant to a manager or supervisor. An alert can be issued whenever an abnormal or unauthorized event occurs during operations. A QR code reader can be provided which communicates with the system to enable a person carrying the cell phone to scan QR codes at specified locations or on specified items or vehicles.

Claims

1. An intelligent facility management system for a facility, comprising:

a computer;

a database in communication with said computer;

a task tracking means in communication with said database;

an access management means in communication with said database, for supplying event information to said database;

a vehicle detecting means in communication with said database, for supplying event information to said database;

a plurality of sensors which have respective output signals, said plurality of sensors being in communication with said database;

and

an alert means in communication with said database, using said event information;

wherein said vehicle detecting means and said plurality of sensors communicate with said database via wireless signals sent to and received from a wireless receiver which is in communication with a mainframe computer and with said database; and

wherein said sensors include at least one camera having a high capacity SD memory card, software for associating a time stamp with each image captured by said at least one camera, and wherein said database can interrogate said at least one camera to receive only the images associated with a specific time;

whereby said computer uses the event information supplied to said database to compile an event library which is configured to generate alerts, compile reports, and control access to and egress from the facility.

2. An intelligent facility management system for a facility as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a network providing communication with said database and with said computer.

3. An intelligent facility management system for a facility as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sensors supplying output signals include at least one of the following:

video camera, electric eye, smoke alarm, carbon monoxide alarm, door sensor, and door lock controller.

4. An intelligent facility management system for a facility as claimed in claim 3, further comprising an event monitor for recording an event which includes providing a time stamp for the event.

5. An intelligent facility management system for a facility as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a revenue control system.

6. An intelligent facility management system for a facility as claimed in claim 5, wherein said revenue control system includes a cash intake/return device, a credit/debit transaction device, and a revenue reporting device.

7. A virtual attendant management system for remote management of a local facility, comprising:

a remote management facility having a remote processor which is remote from the local facility;

a database in communication with said remote processor, said database being remote from the local facility;

an access management means in communication with said database, for supplying event information to said database;

a vehicle detecting means in communication with said database, for supplying event information to said database; and

an alert means in communication with said database, using said event information;

said remote processor receiving said output signal of said at least one intercom and adding date/time information for storage in said database as event information;

wherein said local facility comprises;

a plurality of local readers;

a plurality of local cameras;

at least one local payment device;

a backup system in event of failure of communication with said remote processor;

at least one local portal,

at least one operator for operating a barrier associated with said at least one local portal; and

at least one local sensor;

whereby said computer uses the event information supplied to said database to compile an event library.

8. A virtual attendant management system for facility as claimed in claim 7, wherein said event information is used to generate alerts, compile reports, and control access to and egress from the facility.

9. A virtual attendant management system for facility as claimed in claim 7, wherein said local facility comprises at least one local portal, and at least one local payment device.

10. A virtual attendant management system for facility as claimed in claim 7, wherein said local facility comprises at least one local portal, and at least one local payment device;

and wherein said at least one intercom communicates with said remote facility using VOIP.

11. A virtual attendant management system for remote management of a local facility having intercom access and at least one pay-on-foot station, comprising:

a remote management facility having a remote processor which is remote from the local facility;

a database in communication with said remote processor, said database being remote from the local facility;

an access management means in communication with said database, for supplying event information to said database;

a vehicle detecting means in communication with said database, for supplying event information to said database; and

an alert means in communication with said database, using said event information;

at least one intercom in communication with said remote facility and having an output signal indicating use;

said remote processor receiving said output signal of said at least one intercom and adding date/time information for storage in said database as event information;

wherein said local facility comprises;

a plurality of local readers;

a plurality of local cameras;

at least one local payment device;

a backup system in event of failure of communication with said remote processor;

at least one local portal,

at least one operator for operating a barrier associated with said at least one local portal; and

at least one local sensor;

whereby said computer uses the event information supplied to said database to compile an event library.

12. A virtual attendant management system for facility as claimed in claim 11, wherein said event information is used to generate alerts, compile reports, and control access to and egress from the facility.