TIME MONITORING SYSTEM
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system, a method, and service that monitors the time a space is occupied. The time period for occupation of the space may be prepaid or the fees may accumulate while the space is occupied. The system detects when an occupant enters the space and starts a timer. The system further provides a user interface whereby a user may prepay for an allotted period of time or may accumulate time in the space and then be billed later. Identifying information about the occupant may be acquired by an imaging device. The imaging device may further poll the space to determine if and when the occupant departs from the space. Identifying information may also be acquired through a user interface in which a user may enter identifying information, such as a credit card, a license number, a VIN, a driver'"'"'s license, etc. The fact that the space has been occupied, the identifying information, and any prepaid amounts are transmitted via a communication device to a control station. The control station may monitor events in the space such that when an occupant departs the space, the timer is reset. Alternatively, the control station may issue fees for use of the space, may issue penalties or even call for removal of the occupant from the space if occupation of the space exceeds the amount of time purchased or poses an abuse of the privilege of using the space.
24 Citations
16 Claims
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1-15. -15. (canceled)
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16. A method for deploying a computing and a communication infrastructure, comprising:
attaching an imaging device, a processing device, and a communications device to a space occupation system proximate to a rentable space, wherein the imaging device, the processing device, and the communications device in combination with the space occupation system monitors the occupation of the space, the process further comprising; detecting occupation of the space; obtaining identifying information of an occupant from an identification source within the space; starting a timer; monitoring the occupation of the space by the occupant on a polled basis by matching the identifying information; determining that the occupant is no longer authorized to occupy the space; communicating that the occupant is no longer authorized to occupy the space; determining an appropriate action for the unauthorized occupation; automatically assessing the appropriate penalty to the occupant.
Specification