IL291255A - Parking reservation systems and methods - Google Patents

Description

PARKING RESERVATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates to reserving vehicle parking in general and in particular to computerized systems and methods for reservation of access to private parking spots.

BACKGROUND ART Car parking has become a more and more serious problem in the cities, as the ever-growing number of cars far exceeds the available parking spots. To make the situation worse, in many cases owners of commercial parking locations prefer to convert the parking location to a building or other real-estate constructions that far more profitable to the landowners.

On the other hand, while commercial parking locations spots are in high demand, there are many residential parking locations that are available for many hours during the days, for example, while the owners are at work, and yet there are not available for other users and their owners do not monetize their parking places when there are not occupied.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for helping users find and reserve parking places.

It is another object of the present invention, to enable parking place owners to monetize their parking spaces while not in use.

The present invention relates to a parking reservation system comprising: (i) a server system comprising at least one processor communicatively coupled to at least one memory, the server comprising • a parking places database, comprising information about location, availability, owner and rates, for each parking place; • a user database, comprising information about user identity, user vehicle identity and billing data, for each user; • a billing system for receiving payment from users and transferring payment to parking place owners; • a mapping database adapted for receiving a destination address and identifying nearby parking places in the parking places database; (ii) a mobile application adapted for allowing a user to locate, reserve and pay for an available parking place; and (iii) parking controllers each associated with one or more parking places, and adapted for receiving a request from a user to park his vehicle in a parking place, identifying the vehicle, authorizing entry to the parking place, registering the time the vehicle has left the parking place; wherein user wishes to find an available parking place, the user uses the mobile application to connect to the server system, select an available parking place and pay for using the parking place.

In some embodiments, the parking controller is adapted to open a parking gate to enable an authorized vehicle to enter a parking location.

In some embodiments, the parking controller is adapted to assist the user to locate the parking place.

In some embodiments, the parking controller is adapted to assist identify when a vehicle leaves a parking place, and notify the server system that the parking place is now available.

In some embodiments, the parking controller further comprises a camera adapted for taking a picture of the vehicle for identification purposes.

In some embodiments, the parking controller is further configured to assist the user to locate the parking place. In some embodiments, the parking controller assists the user to locate the reserved parking place, by one or more of: text directions, voice directions, static map with reserved parking location, GPS or GPS-like guidance over a map, one or more visual ques, one or more audio ques, displaying a hologram.

In some embodiments, the parking reservation system further comprises a blocking device, wherein the blocking device is attached to the floor, wall or ceiling 30 of the parking place, and in an extracted position physically disables occupying the parking space, and in a contracted position enables entrance to the parking place. In some embodiments, the blocking device further comprises an air compressor is inflatable, and the blocking device is inflated in the extracted position and deflated in the contracted position.

In some embodiments, the blocking device is shaped as a cone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Fig. 1is a block diagram of a parking reservation system of the invention.

Fig. 2 is an embodiment of a search result page on the mobile application of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a parking controller of the invention.

Figs. 4A-4B show a blocking device of the invention in the shape of a rounded cone.

Figs. 5A-5C show a blocking device of the invention in the shape of a triangle-type cone.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTIONIn the following detailed description of various embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part thereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for alleviating the problem of on one hand enabling drivers to access additional parking locations and on the other hand enable residential parking owners to generate revenue from their parking locations, when not in use.

Reference is now made to Fig. 1 showing the three main modules of the invention. The parking reservation system of the invention comprises a server system 10 , a mobile application 70 and a parking controller 80 .

The server system 10 comprises at least one processor communicatively coupled to at least one memory, the server 10 comprises four main modules: • A parking places database 20 , holding records of parking places that are available for rent. Each parking place record contains information about the location of the parking place including street address and parking space location in the parking lot (if relevant), availability: days and hours it is available for rent and if currently available or occupied, owner information comprising at least name billing information (so owner can get paid), and parking rates, there can be equal or variable hourly fees, different rates for busier days or holidays etc. • A user database 30 , comprising information about the system’s users (drivers of vehicles). Information can include user personal information (name, nickname, address, preferences), user vehicle details and billing data, for each user.

• A billing system 40 for receiving payments from users (vehicle drivers) and transferring payments to parking place owners. The billing system 40 can be adapted to receive payments from acceptable sources Similarly, parking place owners can receive payments from the billing system 40 in acceptable sources such as credit cards, digital wallets, financial applications, transfers from bank accounts etc.

• A mapping engine 50 is coupled to the parking places database 20 , so that parking places can be mapped in an area for a user to choose from.

Users, interact with the system via a mobile application 70 adapted for allowing a user to locate, reserve and pay for an available parking place. Users first register with the system by supplying information about themselves such as name, nickname, address, vehicle make and model, vehicle license number (a user may register more than one vehicle with the system) and preferences and special information (like if handicapped, oversized vehicle, trailer etc.). In addition, a user must supply at least one valid payment method as accepted by the billing system 40 such as a credit card, a payment application, a digital wallet, authorized bank transfer etc. 30 Once a user is registered, the user can use his mobile application 70 to find available parking spaces. The user enters a destination address he wishes to go to, and the mobile application 70 connects to the server system 10 to identify available parking places nearby. The user may specify an address in any conventional way, for example, a full address, a partial address (like street name, without a number), a crossroad, a neighborhood, a point of interest (POI) such as a shopping mall, monument, museum etc. The user may specify specific parameters for the search, for example, rate limit, maximum distance from his destination, closed parking, accessibility features, handicapped parking, availability of electric charging etc. Any specified parameter may be part of general user preferences (thus specified for any search) or entered specifically for a given search. Using the mapping engine 50 , the server system 10 returns to the mobile application 70 relevant parking places that match the search requirements.

The search results are then returned to the mobile application 70 typically displayed on a map of the area of the destination address and/or available as a separate list. The results may be sorted / displayed / emphasized according to criteria such as rate and distance from destination address.

Fig. 2 shows an example of a search result screen on the mobile application 70 showing the results on a map along with a list showing each parking place address, if the parking is covered or not, and for how long (from now) it is available.

The user can examine each result, and make a reservation of a parking place.

The reservation may start immediately or if enabled from a future time and possibly date. Depending on the conditions specified, a future reservation may be cancelled freely (by a given date/time) or with a penalty.

Upon reservation of the parking place, the server system 10 transmits the reservation details to the parking controller 80 associated with the reserved parking place. The reservation details typically include the vehicle details (license number, make, model) and any limit on the parking time.

Once a user reserves a parking place and reaches the parking location, the user typically interacts with a parking controller 80 associated with the reserved parking places. The communication with the parking controller 80 is done via the mobile application 70 . Initially, the user may need access to a parking location by opening a parking gate. The user may be able to open the parking location gate in one or more ways, depending on the configuration of the parking gate system, including: · For parking gates equipped with a camera to identify vehicles, upon reservation of the parking place, the parking controller 80 can notify the parking gate system of the vehicle’s license plate number so it can be recognized by the gating system and authorized to enter the parking location. · Upon arrival to the parking gate, the user may contact the parking controller 80 via the mobile application 70 so that the parking controller 80 may send a message to the parking gate system to open the gate. · Upon arrival to the parking gate, the user may contact the parking controller 80 via the mobile application 70 so that the parking controller 80 may dial a given phone number that opens the gate. · The mobile application 70 may identify via GPS that the vehicle has arrived at the parking gate, and automatically send a message to the parking controller 80 to open the parking gate. · Upon making a reservation, the user may be provided with a phone number to call in order to open the parking gate. Alternatively, the number may be dialed directly by the mobile application 70 (and thus the number needs not be visible to the user).

Once the user vehicle is in proximity to the reserved parking place, the parking controller 80 needs to identify the vehicle, authorize entry to the parking place, register the time the vehicle has entered the parking place, and then register the time the vehicle has left the parking place.

Reference is now made to Fig. 3 showing the main components of an embodiment of a parking controller 80 . The parking controller 80 comprises at least one camera 200 so that a vehicle entering the parking place can be identified and authorized. The at least one camera 200 may also be used to identify when the vehicle leaves the parking place. Alternatively, or additionally, a motion sensor 250 may also be used to identify the vehicle entering and/or exiting the parking place. The parking controller 80 also comprises a communication module 210 to communicate with the server system 10 may, the mobile application 70 and the parking location gate system (when applicable). The communication means may be wireless (Wi-Fi, cellular via a SIM card, Bluetooth etc.) and/or wired.

The parking controller 80 also comprises visual ques 220 to communicate the parking place status. For example, a red light can mean the parking spot is not available, a green light for an available parking, while yet another color would signal that a reservation has been made so an approaching user might recognize his reserved parking place more easily. The visual ques 220 may also be used to project the user’s name, nickname or vehicle number inside or in proximity to the parking place, again so an approaching user might recognize his reserved parking place with convenience.

If an unauthorized vehicle attempts to occupy a parking place, the parking controller 80 may alert the unauthorized vehicle driver, for example, by using the visual ques 220 to display a red light or any message signaling that the vehicle is not authorized to park in this location. Additionally, or alternatively, the parking controller 80 may alert the unauthorized vehicle driver, for example, by using the audio ques 230 to play a strong buzz, a message telling the driver that it is not legal to park in this location etc.

In some embodiments, a hologram 240 can be used to help the drive identify the reserved parking place more easily. A hologram 240 can also be used to signal an authorized vehicle not to park in an unauthorized parking space. Sometimes, it is not easy to identify the reserved parking place upon arriving to the parking lot or location. If the parking place is an open location, the location can be reached by GPS navigation, but if the parking place is in a covered place, with no GPS reception the user might need additional help to locate the reserved parking place.

Upon arrival to the parking location, the user may receive (via the parking controller 80 or the mobile application 70 ) a static map of the parking location with the reserved parking place pinpointed; and/or a text explanation how to find the reserved parking space (for example, "go down to level minus 3, make a left upon reaching the floor, the reserved parking place 57 will be on your left"); and/or receiving a voice message with instructions how to find the reserved parking place.

Additionally, existing controllers 80 may visually signal the way to the entering vehicle, for example, by flashing an arrow in the direction of the reserved parking place. In some embodiments, the parking controller 80 is coupled to a blocking device. The blocking device is intended block unauthorized access to parking space and only enable an authorized vehicle to use the parking space. The blocking device can be attached to the floor, wall or ceiling of the parking place. When in an extracted (open) position, for example, about 60 cm tall, it acts as a physical obstacle so an unauthorized vehicle cannot occupy the parking space. When the blocking device is in a contracted (folded, closed) position, its width is minimal (typically under 10 cm) and thus entrance to the parking place is available. The blocking device may be shaped as cone or take any other shape or form.

In some embodiments, the blocking device is inflatable and further comprises an air compressor. The blocking device is inflated in the extracted position and deflated in the contracted position. Alternatively, the blocking device can be extracted by filling it with water, oil or any other liquid that can be injected to turn to an extracted position, and removed (partially or entirely) to return to a folded (closed) position. Fig. 4A shows an embodiment of a blocking device in the shape of a round cone, in a retracted (open) position 400 . Fig. 4B shows an embodiment of a blocking device in the shape of a round cone, in a contracted (folded, closed) position 410 .

Claims (10)

1. A parking reservation system comprising: (i) a server system comprising at least one processor communicatively coupled to at least one memory, the server comprising · a parking places database, comprising information about location, availability, owner and rates, for each parking place; · a user database, comprising information about user identity, user vehicle identity and billing data, for each user; · a billing system for receiving payment from users and transferring payment to parking place owners; · a mapping database adapted for receiving a destination address and identifying nearby parking places in the parking places database; (ii) a mobile application adapted for allowing a user to locate, reserve and pay for an available parking place; and (iii) parking controllers each associated with one or more parking places, and adapted for receiving a request from a user to park his vehicle in a parking place, identifying the vehicle, authorizing entry to the parking place, registering the time the vehicle has left the parking place; wherein user wishes to find an available parking place, the user uses the mobile application to connect to the server system, select an available parking place and pay for using the parking place.

2. The parking reservation system of claim 1, wherein the parking controller is adapted to open a parking gate to enable an authorized vehicle to enter a parking location.

3. The parking reservation system of claim 1, wherein the parking controller is adapted to assist the user to locate the parking place.

4. The parking reservation system of claim 1, wherein the parking controller is adapted to assist identify when a vehicle leaves a parking place, and notify the server system that the parking place is now available.

5. r comprises a camera adapted for taking a picture of the vehicle for identification purposes.

6. The parking reservation system of claim 1, wherein the parking controller is further configured to assist the user to locate the parking place.

7. The parking reservation system of claim 6, wherein the parking controller assists the user to locate the reserved parking place, by one or more of: text directions, voice directions, static map with reserved parking location, GPS or GPS-like guidance over a map, one or more visual ques, one or more audio ques, displaying a hologram.

8. The parking reservation system of claim 1, further comprising a blocking device, wherein the blocking device is attached to the floor, wall or ceiling of the parking place, and in an extracted position physically disables occupying the parking space, and in a contracted position enables entrance to the parking place.

9. The parking reservation system of claim 9, wherein said blocking device further comprises an air compressor is inflatable, and the blocking device is inflated in the extracted position and deflated in the contracted position.

10. The parking reservation system of claim 9, wherein said blocking device is shaped as a cone.