Specification
TITLE: METHOD Fqj* PARKING SLOTS J ^ ^ R y ^ p N AtyJ} SY§TP? T ^ P Q f
TECHNICAL FIELD fljf TWf INVENTION: , ',
The present invention retyte$ to management of pJi^Uty of flaking sjqts ^\pm TO*ltjplp parking
spaces, and more particularly to a method and systspi |pr jTJPfUtoring parking slot avai^ility and
providing advance reservation of slots. The Pf^spflt jnvgn^on al§p pTqVi^s sinm|fapeous
promotion of a business in rg^j time. t
BACKGROUND OF TflE INVENTION:
In urban areas, drivers of vehicles frequently w^ste ^a lo{ of time 2^4 fuel driving ftfoupd a
parking lot in search ft)* 3ft ppen or optimal parking^slpt fpc^tion. Tljg searpp for a jwjfjmj slot
caa be exasperated when multiple vehicles which are dpvipg in a 9aravan ^re looting for parking
spot locations.
To easy the process of locating a parking slot, some parking lot facilities provide an indication in
their parking garage that there are parking slots available. However, this designated information
regarding parking slot locations are typically not available to the vehicle driver and are also not
accurate and reliable. Moreover, the vehicle driver needs to go to each parking space to check for
availability of slots.
Efforts are being made to develop systems and methods that ease the search for parking slot by
vehicle drivers in the varied types of parking spaces.
In prior art documents, US20020099574A1 discloses a method of electronically reserving a
space for parking a vehicle by two way communication between the consumer and monitors or
sensors installed in each parking space or slot. . However, the method uses monitors, which are
sensors to check the availability of a parking slot, and hence is an expensive requirement.
Moreover, the said method either provides one way or two way communications only and thus
cannot be verified or analyzed; or provided with additional support features.
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While the prior art in this arena of managing parking slots is exhaustive and varied, however
fewer people have focused on monitoring the parking slots in plurality of parking spaces in such
a way that the information with regard to availability of slots is reliable, robust and yet readily
available. More specifically, the existing solutions for parking space only provide rough
information of the status of the parking slots, which is dependent on the information provided by
the people working in a particular parking space and is not reliable.
Thus, the existing methods depend on the manual verification performed at a particular parking
space. Also, die existing methods do not provide a common solution to varied types of parking
slots like corporate, residential, assigned and unassigned parking spaces. Additionally, the
systems and methods require expensive infrastructure like sensors/monitors and communication
devices. Hence, iri-spite of all attempts to ease the parking space management method, the
available solutions has several weaknesses. Moreover, the existing methods and systems lack a
robust operator side integration, because of which the customers arriving at parking facilities,
later discover to their disgust that the slots are already full or are at a different higher price.
Thus, in lieu of the above drawbacks, it is required to develop a method and system that provides
reliable information of parking slot in multiple parking spaces. It is further required to develop a
method which monitors the availability status of plurality of parking slot in multiple parking
areas in such a way that the information is reliable and easily accessible to the vehicle driver.
Moreover, it is required to design a method and system that is simple, cost -effective, reduces
the wastage of customer's time and fuel. Furthermore, it is also required to develop a method and
o> system that assist in providing business advertisement in real time at the parking space.
Thus, the above-described deficiencies of existing methods and systems thereof, for parking
space monitoring and allocation are merely intended to provide an overview of some of the
problems of conventional methods, and are not intended to be exhaustive. Other problems with
conventional methods and systems and their corresponding benefits of the various non-limiting
embodiments described herein may become further apparent upon review of the following
description
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SUMMARY OF INVENTION:
The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic
understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of
the present invention. It is not intended to identify the key/critical elements of the invention or to
delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concept of the invention
in a simplified form as a prelude to a more detailed description of the invention presented later.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.
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Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for reserving one or more parking
slots in multiple parking spaces and systems thereof.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and system which provides
reliable and robust information from multiple parking spaces.
Further, object of the present invention is to provide a method and system that monitors
the movement of vehicles in and out of a parking space.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for real
time advertisement at different parking spaces.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method and system with three way
communication for reserving parking slots in multiple parking spaces which is simple and
cost effective solution.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for reserving parking slot from multiple
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parking spaces. The said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a server accessible for three-way communication with the requesting
parties;
storing parking slot data in a database, defining one or more parking slot attributes
for each parking slot and in data communication with the server;
monitoring the empty/occupied status of parking spaces, said monitoring involves
an operator in communication with said server;
maintaining time-based parking slot availability data in database in response to
reservations from the server and to empty/occupied status from the operator, defining an
availability schedule for each parking. space, and defining various repeated parameters of
the requesting parties;
receiving a reservation request communication from a requesting party for a
parking slot;
determining the availability in a parking space from the database;
accepting the reservation request if the requested parking space has a slot
available;
reserving the parking slot for the said requesting party;
alternatively, if the requested parking space is not available then suggesting other
available paricing space in the vicinity; and
optionally dispensing a parking ticket.
In an implementation, the present invention provides a system for reserving of parking slot in
multiple parking spaces using the method as described herein. The said system comprising:
a parking area server adapted to provide three-way communication with the
requesting parties, said parties being consumer, parking space operator and vendor, and
having a database of inventory of parking slots;
one or more GmP means adapted to provide smart parking and ticketing, said
means is in communication with server and is adapted to monitor the empty/occupied
status of a parking slot in a parking space;
at least a processor in communication with the server and said means, the
processor being configured to:
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(a) accepting input regarding a reservation request for parking space on a
specific date and /or time;
(b) reserving a parking slot in a parking space and generate a confirmation
of the reservation;
(c) adjusting the database of available spaces based on the reservation and
data from the said GmP means;
(e) generating a parking ticket and transmitting to the consumer; and
(f) optionally, dispensing a ticket on the arrival of the vehicle at the
parking space.
In an implementation, the present invention provides a business advertisement in real time using
the system and method as described herein.
Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will become apparent to those
skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the
annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the
present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 illustrates the basic method steps for reserving a parking space in accordance with an
embodiment of the present subject matter.
Figure 2 is an illustration of the system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject
matter.
Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity
and clarity and may have not been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the
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elements in the figure may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve
understanding of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Throughout the
drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar
elements, features, and structures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a
comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention. It includes various
specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.
Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and
modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the
scope of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are
omitted for clarity and conciseness.
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The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the
bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent
understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that
the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for
illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the
appended claims and their equivalents.
It is to be understood that the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless
the context clearly dictates otherwise.
By the term "substantially" it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not
be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances,
measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill
in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to
provide.
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Features that are described and/or illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be used in the
same way or in a similar way in one or more other embodiments and/or in combination with or
instead of the features of the other embodiments.
It should be emphasized that the term "comprises/comprising" when used in this specification is
taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not
preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or
groups thereof.
The present invention relates to a method for reserving parking slot in multiple parking spaces
and a system thereof. The invention also relates to a method and a system that provides for real
time business advertisement. The present invention would replace all sorts of registers/tokens
etc. used in corporate and/or residential parking managements.
The present invention provides a method for reserving one or more parking slots by selecting
from multiple parking spaces and systems thereof. The present invention: GmP (get my parking)
method and systems, provides information regarding the availability of parking slot at parking
spaces through a specific GmP means for smart parking and ticketing; designed and developed
for installation at each parking space and operated by an operator, said means is in
communication with the server, which is in three way communication with the requesting
parties. The said parties are being selected from consumer, parking space operator and /or
vendor.
Thus, the present invention provides an efficient methodology to manage residential, corporate
as well as personal parking spaces. Further the present invention is unique in providing a three
way communication that provides reliable, robust information of the slots in the parking space
and their availability while also allowing business advertisement in real time.
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In an aspect, the method comprises: providing a server accessible for three-way communication
with the requesting parties, storing parking slot data in a database; monitoring the
empty/occupied status of plurality of parking space; maintaining time-based parking slot
availability; receiving a reservation request communication from a requesting party for a parking
space; determining the availability of parking space from the database; accepting the reservation
request if the requested parking slot is available; reserving the parking slot for the requesting
party using the unique space ID; alternatively, if the requested parking slot is not available then
suggesting other available parking slots in the vicinity; and then dispensing a parking ticket on
the arrival of the vehicle at the parking slot.
In an implementation, the method has three way communication with the server. One of the
communication to the server is through the GmP means installed at the said parking spaces,
which are being operated by the operator of the parking space. Said means is adapted for
processing the check in and check out receipts including managing monthly pass holders'
account for the vehicles and communicating the same to the server.
In an implementation, the information is sourced from the GmP ticketing means installed on
operator side of the parking space. Thus the server always has robust, reliable information about
how many vehicles are parked at any location and how many empty spaces are available in a
parking space, in real time, which may be communicated to the customer also in real time. This
operator side integration is the core operational advantage of the present system and method,
which the other existing methods lack.
In an implementation, the method maintains a time-based parking information in the database, in
response to check in and check out status from the said GmP means and the reservation requests
from requesting party. The time-based data helps to determine the availability of slots for each
parking space. Database is maintained by the server on an ongoing basis, as the parking slots are
reserved and then occupied and eventually vacated. The database is in communication with the
server and the GmP means for receiving the availability information from the server, and thus
provides availability status to the server, when required.
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In an implementation, the method determines the availability of the slot in a parking space by
using the stored data in the database which provides variables like: average time spent by a
vehicle in a particular parking area, average occupancy during a specific day of the week, and
average number of vehicles checking in and out per minute during a particular time range of a
day.
In an implementation, one of the requesting parties is a consumer, who may see information
about all the parking spaces including their location, pictures, pricing and other characteristics.
Consumers may also see in real time available spaces in our partnered parking slots, and may be
able to make advance reservation.
In an implementation, the method and system may allow additional requesting parties to
advertise their own parking spaces for rent on the present system platform and allow the
consumers to see and reserve such spaces.
In an implementation, the reservation method permits the requesting party to reserve a parking
space from a remote location in advance of an event. The requesting party may make the
reservation from his office or home a few days or even months ahead of a critical meeting or
popular event. In a single transaction, the requesting party may make a sequence of reservations,
such as standing reservation at a parking slot near the stadium for the entire season of games.
In an implementation, the method provides for simultaneous business advertisement.
In an implementation, the requesting party may be the owner of the method, and/or may be a
person promoting a business.
In an implementation, the business advertisement may include a redeemable coupon.
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In an implementation, the method receives a reservation request communication from a
requesting party to the server via electronic communication network requesting a reservation for
a parking slot in the parking space. A single complex server may handle several parking spaces
in the same locality or multiple parking localities in distant cities. The request may be initiated by
clicking on a monitor display menu.,
In an implementation, the method may accept the request, reserve the slot, and notify the
requesting party. If such a slot is not available, the server rejects the request and consults the
database to execute the additional steps of: Selecting a substitute alternate space from the
available parking spaces based on the database; and provides the alternate space to the requesting
party for acceptance as a substitute slot. If the party accepts the substitute slot, the server reserves
the space. If the party rejects the space, the party may specify other slots. That is, after the
alternate submitting step and before the determining step, the reservation method may include the
additional steps.
In an implementation, is provided a POS (Point of Sale) ticketing system and method for parking
slots.
Referring now to figure 1, illustrating the method for reserving plurality of parking slot in
multiple parking spaces. The said method comprising; providing a server accessible for threeway
communication, said server stores the parking slot data in a database, said server also
monitors the empty/occupied status of plurality of parking spaces by a GmP means placed at
each parking space; maintaining time-based parking slot availability data in database in response
to reservations, thus defining an availability schedule for each parking slot in the parking space;
receiving a reservation or business advertisement request communication from a requesting party
for a parking space; determining the availability of parking slots from the database; accepting the
reservation request if the requested parking slot is available; reserving the parking slot for the
requesting party; alternatively, if the requested parking slot is not available then suggesting other
available substitute parking slots in the vicinity; and then dispensing a parking ticket with a
business advertisement.
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In an implementation, the system and method provides a means for requesting party who are
advertisers, wishing to advertise on the parking ticket of the present invention. Any advertiser
may see where the present systems are installed in parking spaces. Accordingly, they may choose
parking(s) spaces where they wish to advertise using the present advertisement configuration and
may push an advertisement in real time. These advertisements may be printed on the front side of
the ticket along with the parking content. Advertisers may see the performance of their
advertising campaign and make amendments in real time.
In an implementation, the system and method provides for On-Street Parking fare collection
using geo location. The method may visualize by a map of the street, authorized parking area,
along with real time availability and geo boundary. Thus, when a citizen parks the car in the
parking area, the method and system identifies the parking location using GPS and allows the
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consumer to make the payment of the parking fees for the desired duration directly, using online
payment modes. Alert notifications to remind citizen when the duration is expiring may also be
provided. Further, the parking time may be extended, by paying the extra amount.
In an implementation, the system and method provides an enforcement step. The method enlists
the vehicles who have paid and parked in that location. The vehicles that have not paid may be
seen based on geo location of the vehicle and then cross verified by its registration number for
valid payment. The step further provides to create a challan.
In an another aspect, the present invention provides a system for reserving parking slot in
multiple parking spaces using /the method as described herein. The said system comprising: a
parking area server adapted to provide three-way communication with the requesting parties and
having a database of inventory of parking slots; one or more GMP means to provide smart
parking and ticketing, in communication with server and adapted to monitor the empty/occupied
status of parking slot in a parking space; at least a processor in communication with the server
and said means, the processor being configured to: (a) accept input regarding a request for
reserving a parking space on a specific date and/or time ; (b) reserving a parking slot in a parking
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space and generate a confirmation of the reservation made; (c) adjusting the database of available
spaces based on the reservation and data from the said GmP means, (e) generating a parking
ticket and transmitting to the consumer; and (f) dispensing a ticket.
In an implementation, a GmP means is installed at each parking space, which is adapted to
provide a smart parking and ticketing method. The said means is operated by an operator and
provides reliable and robust information of the availability of parking slots in a parking space,
In an implementation, the GmP means may be installed at a public/market/commercial parking
spaces and is configured to provide: 1) Check-in and Check-out of vehicles; Print a Ticket on
each check-in and check-out event; Generates a unique barcode for each checked-in vehicle,
which may be used for check out; 2) Keep a record of the time spent by each vehicle in parking
slots and thus the corresponding revenue; 3) Present advanced occupancy and revenue analytics
for parking owner(s); 4) Click pictures of incoming/outgoing vehicles as an additional feature;
and 5) Integrate with boom barrier and image capturing means (e.g. cctv camera) for additional
enhanced performances.
In an implementation, the GmP means is installed at a Corporate parking spaces and configured
to provide : 1) a tab of checked in/Checked out systems; 2) unique barcode/RFID/smart card for
each employee which is used for checking in and checking out; 3) a bird-eye view of the parking
spaces; 4) Notification to employees once the parking spaces are full, and suggest nearby
residential spaces if available; 5) Provides analytics of parking occupancy to the parking owners;
u> 6) Integrate with boom barrier/security cameras and LED screens to display parking info within
c> the corporate premises; and 7) for easy creation and deletion of Ids, as new employees join and
£ old ones leave.
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jig In an implementation, the GmP means may be installed at a residential parking spaces, and
c3 configured to provide: 1) Tab of each resident or visitor vehicle checking in or checking out; 2)
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Documents
Application Documents
| # |
Name |
Date |
| 1 |
201611032378-Form 2(Title Page)-220916.pdf |
2016-09-26 |
| 1 |
201611032378-Other Patent Document-220916.pdf |
2016-09-26 |
| 2 |
201611032378-Form 3-220916.pdf |
2016-09-26 |
| 2 |
201611032378-FORM28-220916.pdf |
2016-09-26 |
| 3 |
201611032378-Form 5-220916.pdf |
2016-09-26 |
| 4 |
201611032378-Form 3-220916.pdf |
2016-09-26 |
| 4 |
201611032378-FORM28-220916.pdf |
2016-09-26 |
| 5 |
201611032378-Form 2(Title Page)-220916.pdf |
2016-09-26 |
| 5 |
201611032378-Other Patent Document-220916.pdf |
2016-09-26 |