Abstract: A system and method for providing distributed on-street valet parking with the aid of a digital computer is provided. Parking spaces for valet services are reserved. One of the reserved parking spaces is designated as a valet drop-off parking space. A motor vehicle is detected in the valet drop-off parking space and a notification that the motor vehicle requires parking is provided to a valet of the detected motor vehicle. A search is conducted for the reserved parking spaces available for valet services for the motor vehicle. At least one of the reserved parking spaces available for the motor vehicle is identified and the motor vehicle is parked in the identified reserved parking space.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a multiplicity of motor vehicle parking spaces through a server is provided. Smart parking devices and vehicle occupancy sensors that are each physically proximate to and which correspond to at least one of the parking spaces is interfaced with the server. Parking availability indicators that are each associated with at least one of the parking spaces is interfaced with the server. Street sweeping activity affecting the parking spaces is planned and comprising times and dates over which street sweeping of the parking spaces will occur. Any requests for reserving the use of the parking spaces during the street sweeping activity is denied. The parking availability indicators are activated associated with the parking spaces affected by the street sweeping activity. Occupancy of each of the parking spaces by a motor vehicle is sensed through the nearest vehicle occupancy sensor.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for facilitating rental of a private parking space by an urban resident are provided. Motor vehicle parking spaces located in a residential area are managed through a server. Smart parking devices that are each physically proximate to least one of the parking spaces are interfaced to the server. Vehicle occupancy sensors that are also each physically proximate to least one of the parking spaces are interfaced to the server. Parking availability indicators that are each associated with at least one of the parking spaces are interfaced to the server. The parking spaces are supplemented with a private parking space under legitimate control by a resident of the residential area. Use of the private parking space is managed through the server and the smart parking device nearest to the private parking space. Parking availability the parking spaces is indicated through the nearest parking availability indicator.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for providing information through a display of parking devices is provided. A multiplicity of motor vehicle parking spaces is managed through a server. Smart parking devices, vehicle occupancy sensors, and parking availability indicators are associated with at least one of the parking spaces. Use of the parking spaces is managed through the server. The parking availability indicators associated with the parking spaces are activated. Occupancy of at least one of the parking spaces by a motor vehicle is sensed through the nearest vehicle occupancy sensor and the location of the parking space is provided to the server. An identity of the driver of the motor vehicle is determined through the nearest smart parking device and the identity of the driver is provided to the server. Information associated with the identity of the driver is displayed on the smart parking device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for providing guest parking reservations are provided. Motor vehicle parking spaces located in a residential area are managed through a server. Smart parking devices and vehicle occupancy sensors that are each physically proximate to least one of the parking spaces are interfaced to the server. Use of one of the parking spaces for a guest of a resident of the area is reserved. A request for a reservation is accepted and that the resident is eligible to reserve the space is confirmed. The request is granted provided the parking space is available over any other reservations in the server. Use of the parking space is managed. Occupancy of the parking space by a vehicle is sensed through the nearest sensor. An identity of a motorist is verified through the nearest parking device. The use of the parking space is denied if not by the guest.

Abstract: A system and method for offering customer priority parking reservations. Motor vehicle parking spaces are provided through a server. The server respectively interfaces with smart parking devices, vehicle occupancy sensors, and parking availability indicators that are each associated with the parking spaces. The parking spaces are reserved by accepting a request for a customer priority parking reservation from a merchant for a reservation period. Use of the parking space is managed through the server by activating the parking availability indicators associated with the reserved parking spaces, sensing occupancy of the parking spaces by a motor vehicle through the vehicle occupancy sensor, and retrieving and providing an identity of the driver of the motor vehicle through the nearest smart parking device to the server. The use of the parking space is validated from the merchant through the server.

Abstract: A system and method for providing distributed on-street valet parking with the aid of a digital computer is provided. Parking spaces for valet services are reserved. One of the reserved parking spaces is designated as a valet drop-off parking space. A motor vehicle is detected in the valet drop-off parking space and a notification that the motor vehicle requires parking is provided to a valet of the detected motor vehicle. A search is conducted for the reserved parking spaces available for valet services for the motor vehicle. At least one of the reserved parking spaces available for the motor vehicle is identified and the motor vehicle is parked in the identified reserved parking space.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for real-time feedback collection and analysis is provided. A location of a patient associated with an RFID tag is monitored. A space occupied by the patient is determined based on the location and one or more prompts for feedback are identified based on the occupied space. At least one of the prompts is provided to the patient. Feedback is received from the patient in response to the prompt. The received feedback is analyzed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for providing multi-locational curbside valet parking service is provided. A multiplicity of motor vehicle parking spaces are managed by a server. A plurality of smart parking devices and vehicle occupancy sensors are interfaced with the server. Use of a plurality of the parking spaces is reserved for a valet service. A reservation request for the use of the plurality of the parking spaces is accepted for use by the valet service for a period of time. Occupancy of the reserved parking spaces by a motor vehicle is sensed through the vehicle occupancy sensor. A valet drop-off location of at least one of the parking spaces that is reserved for the use of the valet service and is not occupied by a motor vehicle is identified. The valet drop-off location and a location of a lock box are provided to the motorist through a user interface.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for offering merchant and shopper-friendly parking reservations through tourist privileges is provided. A tourist identification card is issued to a tourist via an agency and is associated with one or more parking privileges. A presence of a motor vehicle in at least one parking space is identified and the tourist identification card is received via a smart parking meter that is associated with the parking space. The received tourist identification card is authenticated and parking privileges are provided upon the authentication of the received tourist identification card for the parking space. The parking privileges include one or more of extending parking limits, reserving tourist spaces, and reducing parking rates. An indicator for an unavailable status is displayed for the parking space.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for real-time feedback collection and analysis is provided. An event related to a patient is identified during the patient's visit to a medical care facility. A prompt soliciting feedback is triggered upon identification of the event and the prompt is provided to the patient with at least one inquiry regarding the event. Feedback regarding the event is provided by the patient during the patient's visit to the medical care facility in response to the prompt. The feedback is analyzed and a recommendation for intervention of the patient's care is provided during the patient's visit to the medical care facility based on the feedback analysis.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for offering merchant and shopper-friendly parking reservations through tourist privileges is provided. Motor vehicle parking spaces located in a tourist area of an urban environment are managed through a server. Smart parking devices and vehicle occupancy sensors are each proximate to at least one of the parking spaces. Tourist parking identification cards are issued to an agency authorized to provide tourist parking privileges, which are then provided to the visitors. The parking identification cards are activated by pairing each identification card with a digital ticket issued to the agency. The parking spaces are managed by sensing occupancy of one of the parking spaces by a motor vehicle through the nearest vehicle occupancy sensor and by determining an identity of the driver of the motor vehicle through the nearest smart parking device.

Abstract: A passive detector includes a sensor configured to sense an environmental parameter and to generate an output signal at an output of the sensor in response to the sensed environmental parameter. An energy scavenging circuit is coupled to the sensor, the energy scavenging circuit configured to convert a first voltage, V1, across the sensor to a second voltage, V2, where V2>V1. A discriminator is powered by the second voltage and is coupled to the output of the sensor. A nonvolatile memory is coupled to an output of the discriminator. The discriminator is configured to compare the sensor output signal to a threshold and, in response to the sensor output signal being above the threshold, to provide a programming signal at the output of the discriminator. The programming signal is configured to cause data to be stored or erased in the nonvolatile memory.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for detecting vehicle occupancy is provided. Light beam pulses emitted from a lidar system are applied to a passing vehicle. Scans of an object are generated from the light beam pulses. A signal is received from each of the beam pulses reflected at a point of reflection along a segment of the vehicle. A time is measured from when each beam pulse was emitted to receipt of the signal. A distance of the signal from the lidar system is calculated using the measured time. The points of reflection for that vehicle segment are positioned in relation to one another as a scan. The scans are compiled in a consecutive order according to the vehicle and a three-dimensional image of an interior of the vehicle is generated from the consecutive scans. A presence or absence of vehicle occupancy is determined based on the three-dimensional image.

Abstract: A passive detector includes a sensor configured to sense an environmental parameter and to generate an output signal at an output of the sensor in response to the sensed environmental parameter. An energy scavenging circuit is coupled to the sensor, the energy scavenging circuit configured to convert a first voltage, V1, across the sensor to a second voltage, V2, where V2>V1. A discriminator is powered by the second voltage and is coupled to the output of the sensor. A nonvolatile memory is coupled to an output of the discriminator. The discriminator is configured to compare the sensor output signal to a threshold and, in response to the sensor output signal being above the threshold, to provide a programming signal at the output of the discriminator. The programming signal is configured to cause data to be stored or erased in the nonvolatile memory.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for providing multi-locational curbside valet parking service is provided. A multiplicity of motor vehicle parking spaces are managed by a server. A plurality of smart parking devices and vehicle occupancy sensors are interfaced with the server. Use of a plurality of the parking spaces is reserved for a valet service. A reservation request for the use of the plurality of the parking spaces is accepted for use by the valet service for a period of time. Occupancy of the reserved parking spaces by a motor vehicle is sensed through the vehicle occupancy sensor. A valet drop-off location of at least one of the parking spaces that is reserved for the use of the valet service and is not occupied by a motor vehicle is identified. The valet drop-off location and a location of a lock box are provided to the motorist through a user interface.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for detecting vehicle occupancy is provided. Light beam pulses emitted from a lidar system are applied to a passing vehicle. Scans of an object are generated from the light beam pulses. A signal is received from each of the beam pulses reflected at a point of reflection along a segment of the vehicle. A time is measured from when each beam pulse was emitted to receipt of the signal. A distance of the signal from the lidar system is calculated using the measured time. The points of reflection for that vehicle segment are positioned in relation to one another as a scan. The scans are compiled in a consecutive order according to the vehicle and a three-dimensional image of an interior of the vehicle is generated from the consecutive scans. A presence or absence of vehicle occupancy is determined based on the three-dimensional image.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for providing multi-locational curbside valet parking service is provided. A multiplicity of motor vehicle parking spaces are managed by a server. A plurality of smart parking devices and vehicle occupancy sensors are interfaced with the server. Use of a plurality of the parking spaces is reserved for a valet service. A reservation request for the use of the plurality of the parking spaces is accepted for use by the valet service for a period of time. Occupancy of the reserved parking spaces by a motor vehicle is sensed through the vehicle occupancy sensor. A valet drop-off location of at least one of the parking spaces that is reserved for the use of the valet service and is not occupied by a motor vehicle is identified. The valet drop-off location and a location of a lock box are provided to the motorist through a user interface.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for real-time feedback collection and analysis is provided. An event related to a patient is identified during the patient's visit to a medical care facility. A prompt soliciting feedback is triggered upon identification of the event and the prompt is provided to the patient with at least one inquiry regarding the event. Feedback regarding the event is provided by the patient during the patient's visit to the medical care facility in response to the prompt. The feedback is analyzed and a recommendation for intervention of the patient's care is provided during the patient's visit to the medical care facility based on the feedback analysis.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for managing a multiplicity of motor vehicle parking spaces through a centrally-located server is provided. A plurality of smart parking devices that are each physically proximate to and which correspond to at least one of the parking spaces is interfaced with the server. Further, a plurality of vehicle occupancy sensors that are also each physically proximate to and which correspond to at least one of the parking spaces is interfaced with the server. Use of the parking spaces are managed. Occupancy of each of the parking spaces by a motor vehicle is sensed through the nearest vehicle occupancy sensor. Use of the parking space is processed based on an identity of a driver of the motor vehicle through the nearest smart parking device. Emergency services for an individual are notified through one of the smart parking devices upon request.