Computerized parking facility management system

• US 6,340,935 B1
• Filed: 06/30/2000
• Issued: 01/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Brett O. Hall
• Original Assignee: Brett O. Hall
• Inventors: Hall, Brett O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T.
• Application Number:
  US09/609,196
• Time in Patent Office: 571 Days
• Field of Search: 340/932.2, 340/933, 340/937, 340/942, 340/905, 340/995
• US Class Current: 340/932.2
• 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: G08G 1/0175 by photographing vehicles, e.g. when violating traffic rules
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/14 indicating individual free spaces in parking areas
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/142 external to the vehicles
• 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

Abstract

The computerized parking facility management system manages parking operations. The contour of each vehicle that enters the parking facility is captured and quantified as part of its identification. The comparison with subsequent contour measurements at designated locations allows the parking location of the vehicle to be determined. An alternate embodiment implements the Global Positioning System to determine parking location. Variable message displays provide ongoing information to motorists of available parking spaces. The system identifies the specific vehicle parked in any parking space. The system provides computer searching to locate vehicles within the parking facility. A vehicle theft deterrence component automatically notifies the vehicle owner, the police, parking facility operators and other appropriate persons. This invention also integrates with parking revenue operations. All system functions and the viewing of vehicle identities and activities are accomplished through a single control interface. The control interface translates the dynamics of the parking environment into a computer environment and can transfer parking information through the Internet, email, and facsimile as well as stored it for subsequent review.

Claims

1. A computerized system for the operation and management of a parking facility including any and all spaces used to park vehicles, said system comprising:

first vehicle characterization means for capturing inherent attributes of each vehicle upon or after its entry into the parking facility;

means for tracking each vehicle within the parking facility; and

computer means communicating with said vehicle characterization means and said tracking means, said computer means operative for processing and displaying data pertaining to the location and identification of each vehicle within the parking facility.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a camera manes for photographing each vehicle and its license plate upon or after entry into the parking facility, said camera means communicating with said computer means.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the presence and absence of vehicle contour related information indicates the date and time of a vehicle'"'"'s arrival into the departure from the parking space and parking facility.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said tracking means includes at least one subsequent vehicle characterization means for capturing contour features of each vehicle to determine each vehicle'"'"'s location within the parking facility, said subsequent vehicle characterization means communicating with said computer means.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said computer means contain a database of contour related information for comparing vehicle characterizations of said first or subsequent vehicle characterization means, whereby the location of a vehicle is determined.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said computer means contain a database of known contour related information for different vehicle makes and models for comparing with vehicle characterizations of said first or subsequent vehicle characterization means, whereby the make and model of each vehicle is determined.

7. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of display means disposed within the parking facility for indicating the availability of parking spaces.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein said computer means includes means for displaying data pertaining to each vehicle'"'"'s identification and activities within the parking facility.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein said means for displaying includes a representation of a section of the parking facility showing number and location of parking spaces, and parking status of each of the parking spaces.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein said computer means includes control means for assessing said data and configuring the appearance of said means for displaying.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein said control means includes means for searching the parking facility to locate a vehicle based on a selected criteria.

12. The system according to claim 10, wherein said control means includes means for identifying a vehicle based upon manual invocation, time expiration, vehicle activities and unauthorized vehicle removal.

13. The system according to claim 1, further including theft prevention means for restricting the unauthorized removal of a vehicle from the parking facility, said theft prevention means includes a means for registering a vehicle for theft protection.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein said theft prevention means includes cameras, alarms and barriers activated by said computer means upon an attempted theft of a vehicle from the parking facility.

15. The system according to claim 13, where said theft prevention means further includes means for automatically notifying appropriate persons of the attempted theft.

16. The system according to claim 1, wherein said vehicle characterization means and said tracking means includes GPS technology.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein a graphical representation of the section of the parking facility showing availability of spaces is displayed on the monitor of a GPS-equipped vehicle.

18. The system according to claim 1, wherein said vehicle characterization means and said tracking means includes technology to capture vehicle contour features.

19. The system according to claim 1, wherein the presence and absence of vehicle contour related information indicates the occupancy status of parking spaces.

20. A computerized system for determining and indicating the availability of parking spaces within a parking facility including any and all spaces used to park vehicles, said system comprising:

vehicle characterization means for distinguishing between vehicle and non-vehicle objects that are in predetermined spaces of the parking facility;

means for displaying available parking spaces within a section of the parking facility; and

computer means communicating with said vehicle characterization means and said display means, said computer means operative for processing real-time information pertaining to the presence and absence of the vehicles in the spaces of the parking facility.

21. The system according to claim 20, wherein said computer means includes means for displaying a representation of a section of the parking facility showing availability of spaces within the section of the parking facility.

22. The system according to claim 20, wherein the presence and absence of information from each vehicle characterization means indicates the occupancy status of the parking spaces.

23. A method for managing parking spaces comprising:

a) characterizing a vehicle a first time to capture inherent vehicle attributes;

b) characterizing the vehicle a subsequent time, at a different location from said first characterization; and

c) comparing said first and subsequent vehicle characterizations to determine each vehicle'"'"'s identification and activities within the parking spaces and within the managed areas associated with said parking spaces.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising integrating with parking revenue operations.