Patents by Inventor Thomas G. Hudson

Thomas G. Hudson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230334912
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas G. Hudson, Joseph M. Caldwell, Richard C. Gage
  • Patent number: 11688205
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Municipal Parking Services Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Hudson, Joseph M. Caldwell, Richard C. Gage
  • Publication number: 20220165097
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas G. Hudson, Joseph M. Caldwell, Richard C. Gage
  • Patent number: 11257302
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Municipal Parking Services Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Hudson, Joseph M. Caldwell, Richard C. Gage
  • Publication number: 20210150246
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas G. HUDSON, Joseph M. CALDWELL, Mark J. MORAN, James CONLAN, John J. LEIER, Richard W. KELLEY, II, Marcus N. SCHMIDT
  • Patent number: 10885367
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20200312044
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas G. Hudson, Joseph M. Caldwell, Richard C. Gage
  • Patent number: 10685501
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Municipal Parking Services Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Hudson, Joseph M. Caldwell, Richard C. Gage
  • Publication number: 20200020174
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas G. Hudson, Joseph M. Caldwell, Richard C. Gage
  • Patent number: 10424125
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Municipal Parking Services Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Hudson, Joseph M. Caldwell, Richard C. Gage
  • Publication number: 20190130203
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas G. HUDSON, Joseph M. CALDWELL, Mark J. MORAN, James CONLAN, John J. LEIER, Richard W. KELLEY, II, Marcus N. SCHMIDT
  • Publication number: 20190088037
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas G. Hudson, Joseph M. Caldwell, Richard C. Gage
  • Patent number: 10134201
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Municipal Parking Services Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Hudson, Joseph M. Caldwell, Richard C. Gage
  • Patent number: 10121172
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Municipal Parking Services Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Hudson, Joseph M. Caldwell, Richard C. Gage, Nataliia Danko
  • Publication number: 20180025550
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas G. Hudson, Joseph M. Caldwell, II, Richard C. Gage
  • Patent number: 9773351
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Municipal Parking Services Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Hudson, Joseph M. Caldwell, Richard C. Gage
  • Publication number: 20140214499
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: MUNICIPAL PARKING SERVICES INC.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Hudson, Joseph M. Caldwell, Richard C. Gage
  • Publication number: 20140214500
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: MUNICIPAL PARKING SERVICES INC.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Hudson, Joseph M. Caldwell, Richard C. Gage, Nataliia Danko
  • Patent number: 8540641
    Abstract: A weight management system comprised of a body worn device which interfaces periodically with a computer. The established weight goals of the user are translated by the computer into daily activity targets and downloaded into the device. The device monitors the user's activity, offering progress status toward the daily activity target. Further, the device alerts the user of excessive sedentary periods which depress metabolic indicators. The activity targets, allowed length of sedentary periods and suggested activities to reach goal are specific to the individual based on their biometrics and living environment. The computer provides historical tracking of activity for motivational and coaching purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Gruve Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Kroll, Elise P. Brock, James A. Meyer, Marc A. Seaberg, Thomas G. Hudson, E. Andrew Wood, Gary A. Stein, James A. Levine
  • Publication number: 20130006125
    Abstract: A weight management system comprised of a body worn device which interfaces periodically with a computer. The established weight goals of the user are translated by the computer into daily activity targets and downloaded into the device. The device monitors the user's activity, offering progress status toward the daily activity target. Further, the device alerts the user of excessive sedentary periods which depress metabolic indicators. The activity targets, allowed length of sedentary periods and suggested activities to reach goal are specific to the individual based on their biometrics and living environment. The computer provides historical tracking of activity for motivational and coaching purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: GRUVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan Kroll, Elise Brock, James A. Meyer, Marc A. Seaberg, Thomas G. Hudson, E. Andrew Wood, Gary A. Stein, James A. Levine