Patents Assigned to MUNICIPAL PARKING SERVICES INC.
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Patent number: 12249187Abstract: A parking enforcement system can include a weather resistant housing, a processor disposed inside of the housing, a memory disposed inside of the housing and coupled to the processor, a network interface disposed in the housing and coupled to the processor, a first camera disposed in the housing and facing outward towards a first parking space. The processor can be configured to recognize when a vehicle first occupies the first parking space and determine a classification for the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2024Date of Patent: March 11, 2025Assignee: Municipal Parking Services Inc.Inventors: Thomas G. Hudson, Joseph M. Caldwell, Richard C. Gage
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Patent number: 12142085Abstract: A parking enforcement system can include a weather resistant housing, a processor disposed inside of the housing, a memory disposed inside of the housing and coupled to the processor, a network interface disposed in the housing and coupled to the processor, a first camera disposed in the housing and facing outward towards a first parking space. The processor can be configured to recognize when a vehicle first occupies the first parking space and determine a classification for the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2023Date of Patent: November 12, 2024Assignee: Municipal Parking Services Inc.Inventors: Thomas G. Hudson, Joseph M. Caldwell, Richard C. Gage
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Patent number: 12087098Abstract: A parking meter system includes a plurality of parking space monitors, a central computer system networked with the plurality of parking space monitors, and a user computing device. Each of the parking space monitors includes a weather resistant housing, a processor disposed inside of the housing, a memory disposed inside of the housing and coupled to the processor, a network interface disposed in the housing and coupled to the processor, and camera coupled to the processor and aimed towards a parking space to be monitored. The user computing device is configured to transmit to a request for parking time, receive a purchase confirmation, and monitor a remaining purchased parking time which is synchronized to a parking timer countdown for a particular parking space where a user has parked that is being monitored by a particular one of the plurality of parking space monitors.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2023Date of Patent: September 10, 2024Assignee: Municipal Parking Services, Inc.Inventors: Mark J. Moran, Richard W. Kelley, II, David E. Collins, Jr., Steven B. Lane, Christopher W. Baldwin, Marcus N. Schmidt, John J. Leier, Ian T. Bui, Umarani Pandian
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Patent number: 12008898Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for managing parking monitoring and enforcement. In one aspect, a method of determining whether a vehicle is present in a parking space includes monitoring the parking space with a first vehicle detection technique utilizing image processing and monitoring the parking space with a second vehicle detection technique that does not utilize image processing. The parking space can be monitored with a third vehicle detection technique that is different than the first and second vehicle detection techniques. A conclusion that a vehicle has entered or left the parking space can be determined upon a agreement of the multiple techniques employed.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2021Date of Patent: June 11, 2024Assignee: Municipal Parking Services, Inc.Inventors: Mark J. Moran, Richard W. Kelley, II, Marcus N. Schmidt
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Patent number: 11810403Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for managing parking monitoring and enforcement. Parking at a meter or in a parking lot or ramp can be provided as a subscription. A registration and verification process for the subscription service can be provided as a multi-step process that combines the smart parking meter with a QR code, a mobile parking app for a smartphone, a central parking management system, and digital images of the parked vehicle(s). The registration process verifies that only vehicles owned by the subscriber are associated with the subscriber's account. Steps can also be employed to ensure that subscribers are not incorrectly issued parking citations by determining whether license plate data for a vehicle initially determined to be in violation matches an active subscription parker's roster of registered vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2022Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Municipal Parking Services, Inc.Inventors: Mark J. Moran, Richard W. Kelley, II, David E. Collins, Jr., Marcus N. Schmidt, Christopher W. Baldwin, Padmavathi Ramuni
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Patent number: 11756359Abstract: An automated kiosk is located adjacent to a point of access to a room or premises. The kiosk can control an automated locking mechanism for the point of access. The kiosk can read the temperature of all persons that attempt to enter the room or premises. The kiosk can also command the persons to sanitize their hands in a sanitation window of the kiosk while dispensing sanitizer and monitoring the hands of the person for effective sanitation action. The kiosk can read identification credentials, perform facial recognition, speech recognition and recognize gestures of persons. The kiosk can be further coupled to a central control computer.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Municipal Parking Services, Inc.Inventors: Joseph M. Caldwell, Mark J. Moran, Richard W. Kelley, II, Marcus N. Schmidt, David E. Collins, Jr., James Conlan, Jason Pflaum
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Patent number: 11688205Abstract: A parking enforcement and vehicle charging system can include a weather resistant housing, a processor disposed inside of the housing, a memory disposed inside of the housing and coupled to the processor, a network interface disposed in the housing and coupled to the processor, a first camera disposed in the housing and facing outward towards a first parking space, and a charging port and electricity supply configured to allow a vehicle in the first parking space to be plugged in for recharging. The processor can be configured to recognize when a vehicle first occupies the first parking space.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2022Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Municipal Parking Services Inc.Inventors: Thomas G. Hudson, Joseph M. Caldwell, Richard C. Gage
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Patent number: 11574507Abstract: A mobile computing device executing software code interacts with a smart parking meter to permit the user to complete a parking transaction without the need to exit their car. The transaction proceeds digitally and confirmation of the purchase is sent to the user's smartphone or via other electronic message means. The user can access an interactive map via the parking application to provide real time status of the networked parking meters in a specific area. The user can view all meters meeting certain criteria, such as pricing and time to availability. The user can also reserve a particular parking space through the application. The user can further be directed to their car via map directions.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2016Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: Municipal Parking Services, Inc.Inventors: Mark J. Moran, Richard W. Kelley, II, David E. Collins, Jr., Steven B. Lane, Christopher W. Baldwin, Marcus N. Schmidt, John J. Leier, Ian T. Bui, Umarani Pandian
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Patent number: 11495059Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for managing parking monitoring and enforcement. Parking at a meter or in a parking lot or ramp can be provided as a subscription. A registration and verification process for the subscription service can be provided as a multi-step process that combines the smart parking meter with a QR code, a mobile parking app for a smartphone, a central parking management system, and digital images of the parked vehicle(s). The registration process verifies that only vehicles owned by the subscriber are associated with the subscriber's account. Steps can also be employed to ensure that subscribers are not incorrectly issued parking citations by determining whether license plate data for a vehicle initially determined to be in violation matches an active subscription parker's roster of registered vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2019Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: Municipal Parking Services, Inc.Inventors: Mark J. Moran, Richard W. Kelley, II, David E. Collins, Jr., Marcus N. Schmidt, Christopher W. Baldwin, Padmavathi Ramuni
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Patent number: 11257302Abstract: A parking monitoring and managing method can include capturing image data of a vehicle entering a parking lot or space and transmitting the image data to a remote networked computer system. A time of entry for the vehicle is recorded. Identification of the vehicle is determined upon entry. Image data is also captured for the vehicle when it exits the parking lot or space, and the image data is transmitted to the remote networked computer system. A time of exit is also recorded. The vehicle's identification is again determined upon exit. A violation is determined when a time period expires without the vehicle exiting the lot prior the time period expiring. A parking violation notice is issued to the owner of the vehicle determined to have been in violation. The time period can be, for example, a grace period, a parking time period or a maximum parking time.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2020Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: Municipal Parking Services Inc.Inventors: Thomas G. Hudson, Joseph M. Caldwell, Richard C. Gage
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Patent number: 11164452Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for managing parking monitoring and enforcement. In one aspect, a method of determining whether a vehicle is present in a parking space includes monitoring the parking space with a first vehicle detection technique utilizing image processing and monitoring the parking space with a second vehicle detection technique that does not utilize image processing. The parking space can be monitored with a third vehicle detection technique that is different than the first and second vehicle detection techniques. A conclusion that a vehicle has entered or left the parking space can be determined upon a agreement of the multiple techniques employed.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2018Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: Municipal Parking Services, Inc.Inventors: Mark J. Moran, Richard W. Kelley, II, Marcus N. Schmidt
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Patent number: 10885367Abstract: A parking enforcement device can be secured to a surface adjacent to the area designated as NO PARKING. The enforcement device can include a camera aimed towards the area designated as NO PARKING and monitor this area for the entry of a vehicle. A parking violation is determined to have occurred upon determining that the vehicle has entered the area designated as NO PARKING, and image data of the entry of a vehicle into the NO PARKING area that was captured by the camera can be relayed to a remote computing system. The parking enforcement device can be provided as a bollard that includes a camera secured to a center pole extending vertically upwards inside of the bollard. The camera can be located along the center pole so that the camera views outward from the bollard via a window section of the bollard.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2018Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: Municipal Parking Services, Inc.Inventors: Thomas G. Hudson, Joseph M. Caldwell, Mark J. Moran, James Conlan, John J. Leier, Richard W. Kelley, II, Marcus N. Schmidt
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Patent number: 10685501Abstract: A parking enforcement device includes a weather resistant housing, a processor disposed inside of the housing, a memory disposed inside of the housing and coupled to the processor, a network interface disposed in the housing and coupled to the processor, and a first camera coupled to the processor. The camera monitors a first parking space. A second camera remote from the parking meter monitors a second parking space and is networked to the processor. The processor is configured to recognize when a vehicle enters either of the first and second parking spaces and to determine if a parking violation min either of the spaces has occurred.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2019Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: Municipal Parking Services Inc.Inventors: Thomas G. Hudson, Joseph M. Caldwell, Richard C. Gage
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Patent number: 10657814Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for managing parking monitoring and enforcement. In one aspect, an in ground sensor provides a first vehicle detection technique and a video camera employing machine vision provides a second vehicle detection technique. A vehicle detection technique for a smart parking meter utilizes both of the first and second detection techniques to make a highly accurate determination of a vehicle entering a parking space and a vehicle exiting a parking space. The second detection technique can be used to perform a double check on the first technique, or vice versa.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2016Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: Municipal Parking Services, Inc.Inventors: Mark J. Moran, Richard W. Kelley, II, Marcus N. Schmidt
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Patent number: 10424125Abstract: A parking enforcement device includes a weather resistant housing, a processor disposed inside of the housing, a memory disposed inside of the housing and coupled to the processor, a network interface disposed in the housing and coupled to the processor, and a first camera disposed inside of the housing and coupled to the processor. The camera is aimed to face outward from the housing towards a target space, the first camera coupled to the processor. The processor is configured to recognize when a vehicle enters the target space, determine which of a plurality of parking class rules is applicable to the vehicle in the target space, and determine that a parking violation for the vehicle has occurred if parking in the target space is prohibited by the applicable parking class rule for the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2018Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: Municipal Parking Services Inc.Inventors: Thomas G. Hudson, Joseph M. Caldwell, Richard C. Gage
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Patent number: 10134201Abstract: A parking meter includes a housing, processor, memory, network interface, display screen, first camera facing outward from the first side of the housing, second camera facing outward from the housing towards a parking space, and a payment acceptor. The meter is configured to sense a vehicle's presence in the parking space, capture an identification of the vehicle, transmit the identification to a remote networked computer system, determine that a parking violation has occurred, transmit the notice to the remote computer system, accept payment of fines, transmit notice of fine payment to the remote computer system, reset the parking time period to zero upon the vehicle's exit from the parking space, and receive updated parking rate parameters by the processor from the remote computer system via the network interface.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2017Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Municipal Parking Services Inc.Inventors: Thomas G. Hudson, Joseph M. Caldwell, Richard C. Gage
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Patent number: 10121172Abstract: A parking lot management system and method may include capturing image data and time of entry of a vehicle entering the parking lot and transmitting the image data and time data to a remote networked computer system. A vehicle identification is determined from the image data. Time and image data of the vehicle exiting the parking lot is determined and transmitting the remote networked computer system. A parking violation is determined due to a parking time period expiring without the vehicle exiting the lot prior the parking period expiring. A violation notice is communicated to the person associated with the vehicle identified to be in violation. A parking kiosk adjacent the parking lot can be provided. The kiosk is coupled to the remote networked computer system and is configured to set parking time, calculate payment and receive payment.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2014Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: Municipal Parking Services Inc.Inventors: Thomas G. Hudson, Joseph M. Caldwell, Richard C. Gage, Nataliia Danko
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Patent number: 9870648Abstract: A central computing system is configured to monitor quotas for multiple different classifications of vehicles that park in a parking facility. License plate reading (LPR) cameras read the license information of each vehicle entering and exiting a parking facility. The vehicle images or identifications are communicated to the central computing system which updates its database and monitors each virtual lot in the parking facility according to quotas, prices and other parameters for each corresponding class of vehicles. Control gates can be provided at entrances and exits to the parking facility. A parking kiosk can be provided to the parking facility that is networked with the central computing system.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2016Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: Municipal Parking Services, Inc.Inventors: Mark J. Moran, Richard. W. Kelley, II, Marcus N. Schmidt, David E. Collins, Jr.
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Patent number: 9773351Abstract: A parking meter includes a housing, processor, memory, network interface, graphical user interface, first camera disposed in the housing and facing outward from the first side of the housing, microphone, speaker, second camera disposed in the housing and facing outward from the housing towards a parking space, a status light, and a payment acceptor. The meter is configured to sense a vehicle's presence in the parking space, capture an identification of the vehicle, transmit the identification to a remote networked computer system, determine that a parking violation has occurred, transmit the notice to the remote computer system, accept payment of fines, transmit notice of fine payment to the remote computer system, transmit a time of the vehicle's exit from the first parking space to the remote computer system via the network interface, and reset the parking time period to zero upon the vehicle's exit from the parking space.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2014Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: Municipal Parking Services Inc.Inventors: Thomas G. Hudson, Joseph M. Caldwell, Richard C. Gage
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Publication number: 20140214499Abstract: A parking meter includes a housing, processor, memory, network interface, graphical user interface, first camera disposed in the housing and facing outward from the first side of the housing, microphone, speaker, second camera disposed in the housing and facing outward from the housing towards a parking space, a status light, and a payment acceptor. The meter is configured to sense a vehicle's presence in the parking space, capture an identification of the vehicle, transmit the identification to a remote networked computer system, determine that a parking violation has occurred, transmit the notice to the remote computer system, accept payment of fines, transmit notice of fine payment to the remote computer system, transmit a time of the vehicle's exit from the first parking space to the remote computer system via the network interface, and reset the parking time period to zero upon the vehicle's exit from the parking space.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2014Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: MUNICIPAL PARKING SERVICES INC.Inventors: Thomas G. Hudson, Joseph M. Caldwell, Richard C. Gage