Check-operated Device For Controlling Parking Lot Patents (Class 194/902)
  • Patent number: 12139955
    Abstract: A vehicle sliding door system includes a door portal and a door opening, at least one sliding door with an, in the closing direction of the sliding door, vertical front lateral edge and an, in the closing direction of the sliding door, vertical rear lateral edge, and a door driving unit for displacing the sliding door. The door driving unit has a cable, which, with its first end, is attached to the sliding door in the region of the front vertical lateral edge, and with its second end in the region of the rear vertical lateral edge, a coupling member, connected to the cable and which is connected to a motor, which is attached on the door portal laterally next to the door portal and which drives the coupling member such that the cable is movable along its longitudinal extent in both directions of movement and displaces the sliding door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: BODE-DIE TÜR GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Pellegrini, Abbas Rasekhi Coochesfahani
  • Patent number: 12090919
    Abstract: An apparatus (100), including: a framework (104) configured to be secured to a vehicle; an arm base (106) configured to pivot relative to the framework between a retracted position and an extended position; an arm (110) removably secured to and extending from the arm base; and a shock absorber (142) configured to absorb shock and to prevent relative movement between the arm base and the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Inventor: Bassel Hatoum
  • Patent number: 11830360
    Abstract: Provided is a technology that allows, inter alia, two different patrol-vehicles to be used to enforce parking regulations. Unique systems and methods, inter alia, allow a patrol vehicle or the like to collect parking data pertaining to parked vehicles, and to wirelessly transmit such parking data to a server. A later patrol vehicle or the like can wirelessly receive parking data related to parking events related to its parking enforcement situation and determine whether parking violations, such as overtime or permit sharing violations, are occurring using a combination of parking data generated locally and extraneous parking data collected by the previous patrol vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Inventors: Chris Yigit, Jean Lambert, Mathieu Nadeau, Yannick Aublet, Guy Brousseau, Christophe Commeyne
  • Patent number: 11830359
    Abstract: Provided is a technology that allows, inter alia, two different patrol-vehicles to be used to enforce parking regulations. Unique systems and methods, inter alia, allow a patrol vehicle or the like to collect parking data pertaining to parked vehicles, and to wirelessly transmit such parking data to a server. A later patrol vehicle or the like can wirelessly receive parking data related to parking events related to its parking enforcement situation and determine whether parking violations, such as overtime or permit sharing violations, are occurring using a combination of parking data generated locally and extraneous parking data collected by the previous patrol vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Inventors: Chris Yigit, Jean Lambert, Mathieu Nadeau, Yannick Aublet, Guy Brousseau, Christophe Commeyne
  • Patent number: 11776395
    Abstract: Provided is a technology that allows, inter alia, two different patrol-vehicles to be used to enforce parking regulations. Unique systems and methods, inter alia, allow a patrol vehicle or the like to collect parking data pertaining to parked vehicles, and to wirelessly transmit such parking data to a server. A later patrol vehicle or the like can wirelessly receive parking data related to parking events related to its parking enforcement situation and determine whether parking violations, such as overtime or permit sharing violations, are occurring using a combination of parking data generated locally and extraneous parking data collected by the previous patrol vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventors: Chris Yigit, Jean Lambert, Mathieu Nadeau, Yannick Aublet, Guy Brousseau, Christophe Commeyne
  • Patent number: 11776394
    Abstract: Provided is a technology that allows, inter alia, two different patrol-vehicles to be used to enforce parking regulations. Unique systems and methods, inter alia, allow a patrol vehicle or the like to collect parking data pertaining to parked vehicles, and to wirelessly transmit such parking data to a server. A later patrol vehicle or the like can wirelessly receive parking data related to parking events related to its parking enforcement situation and determine whether parking violations, such as overtime or permit sharing violations, are occurring using a combination of parking data generated locally and extraneous parking data collected by the previous patrol vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventors: Chris Yigit, Jean Lambert, Mathieu Nadeau, Yannick Aublet, Guy Brousseau, Christophe Commeyne
  • Patent number: 11764593
    Abstract: A power supply unit for supplying power to a device has a rechargeable, main battery; a charging arrangement for charging the main battery; a non-rechargeable back-up battery; load terminals for connection to a load; and a control unit for controlling supply of power to the load primarily from the main battery and secondarily from the back-up battery. The device is, in particular, a single bay, stand alone parking meter. In the event that the main battery runs low, the control unit is configured to supply power to the load from both the main battery and the back-up battery or only from the back-up battery. The back-up battery is easily replaceable, and the power supply unit has a bay, with connectors for receiving the back-up battery. The main battery is charged from solar panels. A communication device is provided to communicate status messages wirelessly to a control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: IPS GROUP INC.
    Inventors: Stephen John Hunter, Andre Malan Joubert
  • Patent number: 11615630
    Abstract: A method of generating a context-rich parking event of a target vehicle taken by a patrol vehicle including obtaining a plate read event identifying an identifier of the target vehicle; initiating a collection of a first context image of a first view of the target vehicle; obtaining of geolocation information; obtaining temporal information; verifying if at least one condition is met by calculating if at least one of: a temporal constraint threshold is reached by using the temporal information; and a position constraint threshold is reached by using the geolocation information; initiating a collection by the patrol vehicle of a second context image of a second view of the target vehicle; and causing an association between the second context image and the plate read event to generate the context-rich parking event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Inventors: Guy Brousseau, Chris Yigit
  • Patent number: 11538255
    Abstract: A parking enforcement system includes an autonomous vehicle that is equipped with an image capture device that is configured to capture images of license plates of parked vehicles while the autonomous vehicle moves through a parking zone. The system will process the images to extract license plate numbers from the images. The system will correlate the license plate numbers with data in a parking enforcement database to determine whether the license plate numbers are associated with an unexpired parking transaction. For any license plate number that is not subject to an unexpired parking transaction, the system may initiate an enforcement action. For any license plate number that is subject to an unexpired parking transaction, the system may not initiate an enforcement action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Meter Feeder, Inc.
    Inventors: James Gibbs, Daniel W. Lopretto
  • Patent number: 11157860
    Abstract: A system and method for motivating parking enforcement officer performance with the aid of a digital computer is provided. A time-based active representational model of the city is created by fusing sensory data collected from various sources around a city with numerical data gleaned from historical and on-going activities, including parking regulation citation and warning numbers, resource allocations, and so on. The model can be used to form quantitative predictions of expected violations, revenue stream, and so forth, that can then be used as recommendations as to where to enforce and when, so as to maximize the utilization of the limited resources represented by the officers on the street. Moreover, the performance of the officers can be weighed against expectations of performance postulated from the quantitative predictions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Conduent Business Services, LLC
    Inventors: Mark J. Stefik, Mudita Singhal, Kevin Albanese, Farrukh Ali, Eric A. Bier, Daniel G. Bobrow, Eduardo Cardenas Sanchez, Matthew T. Darst, Gaurang Gavai, Robert T. Krivacic, Sureyya Tarkan
  • Patent number: 11151494
    Abstract: A system and method for visualizing parking enforcement officer movement in real time with the aid of a digital computer is provided. A time-based active representational model of the city is created by fusing sensory data collected from various sources around a city with numerical data gleaned from historical and on-going activities, including parking regulation citation and warning numbers, resource allocations, and so on. The model can be used to form quantitative predictions of expected violations, revenue stream, and so forth, that can then be used as recommendations as to where to enforce and when, so as to maximize the utilization of the limited resources represented by the officers on the street. Moreover, the performance of the officers can be weighed against expectations of performance postulated from the quantitative predictions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Mudita Singhal, Mark J. Stefik, Sureyya Tarkan, Eric A. Bier, Robert T. Krivacic
  • Patent number: 11126942
    Abstract: A system and method for facilitating parking enforcement officer performance in real time with the aid of a digital computer is provided. A time-based active representational model of the city is created by fusing sensory data collected from various sources around a city with numerical data gleaned from historical and on-going activities, including parking regulation citation and warning numbers, resource allocations, and so on. The model can be used to form quantitative predictions of expected violations, revenue stream, and so forth, that can then be used as recommendations as to where to enforce and when, so as to maximize the utilization of the limited resources represented by the officers on the street. Moreover, the performance of the officers can be weighed against expectations of performance postulated from the quantitative predictions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Conduent Business Services, LLC
    Inventors: Mark J. Stefik, Mudita Singhal, Kevin Albanese, Farrukh Ali, Eric A. Bier, Daniel G. Bobrow, Eduardo Cardenas Sanchez, Matthew T. Darst, Hoda Eldardiry, Gaurang Gavai, Lu (Kate) Jia, Robert T. Krivacic, Sureyya Tarkan
  • Patent number: 11120375
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring parking enforcement officer performance with the aid of a digital computer is provided. A time-based active representational model of the city is created by fusing sensory data collected from various sources around a city with numerical data gleaned from historical and on-going activities, including parking regulation citation and warning numbers, resource allocations, and so on. The model can be used to form quantitative predictions of expected violations, revenue stream, and so forth, that can then be used as recommendations as to where to enforce and when, so as to maximize the utilization of the limited resources represented by the officers on the street. Moreover, the performance of the officers can be weighed against expectations of performance postulated from the quantitative predictions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Conduent Business Services, LLC
    Inventors: Mark J. Stefik, Mudita Singhal, Kevin Albanese, Farrukh Ali, Eric A. Bier, Daniel G. Bobrow, Eduardo Cardenas Sanchez, Matthew T. Darst, Hoda Eldardiry, Gaurang Gavai, Lu (Kate) Jia, Robert T. Krivacic, Pai Liu, Sureyya Tarkan
  • Patent number: 11107296
    Abstract: An intelligent parking management system for residential communities is disclosed that includes a license plate reader; and a server communicatively coupled to the license plate reader over a network. The server includes a memory storing a parking policy and registered license places for one or more residential communities registered with the at least one server; and at least one processor. The processor is operably configured to receive a license plate number, over the network, from the license plate reader; compare the license plate number to a plurality of registered license plate numbers stored in the memory; and communicate, over the network, a parking violation message as a result of determining that the license plate number does not match any one of the plurality of registered license plate numbers to a user such as a resident, a towing company, or administrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Inventors: Mark T. Vespia, Mathieu Philippe Boileau
  • Patent number: 11081006
    Abstract: The various systems and methods disclosed herein provide for a secure, cost effective, and high accuracy location detection. In some embodiments of the system and method for high accuracy location detection, a mobile location device obtains and calculates location data from a plurality of sources without requiring expensive and power inefficient processors. In some embodiments, such secure, cost effective, and high accuracy location detection by the mobile location device is used in improved parking and payment management systems and methods. In some such embodiments, the location device communicates with remote geomapping servers and payment systems to provide automated parking and payment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: PARKOFON INC.
    Inventors: Evgeny Klochikhin, Vladimir Klochikhin, Iurii Iatsinin
  • Patent number: 11068813
    Abstract: A system and method for providing conditional autonomous messaging to parking enforcement officers with the aid of a digital computer is provided. A time-based active representational model of the city is created by fusing sensory data collected from various sources around a city with numerical data gleaned from historical and on-going activities, including parking regulation citation and warning numbers, resource allocations, and so on. The model can be used to form quantitative predictions of expected violations, revenue stream, and so forth, that can then be used as recommendations as to where to enforce and when, so as to maximize the utilization of the limited resources represented by the officers on the street. Moreover, the performance of the officers can be weighed against expectations of performance postulated from the quantitative predictions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark J. Stefik, Mudita Singhal, Daniel G. Bobrow
  • Patent number: 11023613
    Abstract: Systems and methods for privacy breach notification and protection enabled by the Internet of Things (IoT) are provided. Some embodiments establish a passive early warning privacy-breach detection from laser beam scan capability on a mobile device and IoT device when a particular owned object (or set of owned objects) has been laser scanned. Sensor information (e.g., laser beam sensing transparent adhesive tape, automotive cameras and proximity sensors) can be used to create notifications that allow a user to take action or to have peace of mind relating to particular activities such as to avoid fees and fines, to recover lost objects, to confirm known events, and to trigger activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Yocam, Richard White, Damon Laursen
  • Patent number: 11010988
    Abstract: Method, system and product for automatic parking payment and policy detection. One method comprises detecting a parking event, querying a parking policy database to obtain a parking policy for the parking location, wherein the parking policy indicates that the parking location is a paid parking spot; and initiating, either automatically or semi-automatically, a parking payment service for parking of the vehicle in the parking location based on the parking policy, wherein said initiating is performed by the mobile device. Another method comprises detecting a parking exit event, wherein the exit parking event is associated with a parking location that is a paid parking location; automatically determining whether a parking payment service is being used by the user for the paid parking location; and stopping the parking payment service for the paid parking location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Anagog Ltd.
    Inventors: Gil Levy, Yaron Aizenbud
  • Patent number: 10885371
    Abstract: A mobile apparatus is provided that includes an image sensor for converting an optical image into an electrical signal. The optical image includes an image of a vehicle license plate. The mobile apparatus includes a license plate detector configured to process the electrical signal to recover information from the vehicle license plate image. Upon capturing of the video that includes the image, a device operation instructor will dynamically determine a highest score of assigned object image scores for each frame of the video generate an operation adjustment control if the determined highest score is less than a predetermined score threshold, which is in turn dynamically displayed during continuous capture of the video by the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Blinker Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Russell Wilbert, Hans Brandon Wach, David Ching-Chien Chung
  • Patent number: 10872250
    Abstract: A parking enforcement system includes an autonomous vehicle that is equipped with an image capture device that is configured to capture images of license plates of parked vehicles while the autonomous vehicle moves through a parking zone. The system will process the images to extract license plate numbers from the images. The system will correlate the license plate numbers with data in a parking enforcement database to determine whether the license plate numbers are associated with an unexpired parking transaction. For any license plate number that is not subject to an unexpired parking transaction, the system may initiate an enforcement action. For any license plate number that is subject to an unexpired parking transaction, the system may not initiate an enforcement action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Meter Feeder
    Inventors: James Gibbs, Daniel W. Lopretto
  • Patent number: 10853936
    Abstract: A failed vehicle estimation system includes an processor configured to: store vehicle information including vehicle ID information and positional information of the vehicles and failure information of a failed vehicle or at least one image obtained by imaging an outside of the vehicles with a camera mounted in each of the vehicles, the failure information being obtained from at least one specific image; specify at least one specific vehicle existing on a periphery of a mounting position of a specific camera having captured the at least one specific image from which the failure information of the failed vehicle is obtained; estimate the failed vehicle from among the at least one specific vehicle; and notify a terminal apparatus associated with the failed vehicle of information relating to a vehicle failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Oe, Hirofumi Kamimaru
  • Patent number: 10817814
    Abstract: A system and method for coordinating parking enforcement officer patrol in real time with the aid of a digital computer is provided. A time-based active representational model of the city is created by fusing sensory data collected from various sources around a city with numerical data gleaned from historical and ongoing activities, including parking regulation citation and warning numbers, resource allocations, and so on. The model can be used to form quantitative predictions of expected violations, revenue stream, and so forth, that can then be used as recommendations as to where to enforce and when, so as to maximize the utilization of the limited resources represented by the officers on the street. Moreover, the performance of the officers can be weighed against expectations of performance postulated from the quantitative predictions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Conduent Business Services, LLC
    Inventors: Mark J. Stefik, Mudita Singhal, Kevin Albanese, Farrukh Ali, Eric A. Bier, Daniel G. Bobrow, Eduardo Cardenas Sanchez, Matthew T. Darst, Hoda Eldardiry, Gaurang Gavai, Robert T. Krivacic, Sureyya Tarkan
  • Patent number: 10783786
    Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for methods and systems for managing a parking area. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving a parking authorization request from a parking lot user, the request specifying a parking stall identifier corresponding to a parking stall occupied by the users vehicle, the request further specifying a parking duration parameter identifying a time duration the user's vehicle can occupy the stall; determining a parking duration rule for the stall based on the parking duration parameter, the rule indicating a parking expiration time; at a first time, receiving a first data associated with the parking stall identifier, the first data comprising an occupancy parameter indicating a presence or absence of a parked vehicle at the identified stall; if the occupancy parameter indicates a presence of a parked vehicle, generate a citation alert for the stall if the first time exceeds the parking expiration time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Tannery Creek Systems Inc.
    Inventors: William George Franklin, Jeffrey D. Bethune, Raphael Leung, Michael Braden Walker
  • Patent number: 10699394
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system and method for generating an image by the following steps: obtaining a first image and a second image relating to a subject; obtaining a third image of the subject by a radiology imaging technique; registering the first image and the second image to obtain a first element; calibrating the third image to obtain a second element based on the first element; calibrating the second image based on the second element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wentao Zhu, Hongdi Li, Mu Chen
  • Patent number: 10636306
    Abstract: The various systems and methods disclosed herein provide for a secure, cost effective, and high accuracy location detection. In some embodiments of the system and method for high accuracy location detection, a mobile location device obtains and calculates location data from a plurality of sources without requiring expensive and power inefficient processors. In some embodiments, such secure, cost effective, and high accuracy location detection by the mobile location device is used in improved parking and payment management systems and methods. In some such embodiments, the location device communicates with remote geomapping servers and payment systems to provide automated parking and payment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Parkofon Inc.
    Inventors: Evgeny Klochikhin, Vladimir Klochikhin, Iurii Iatsinin
  • Patent number: 10580300
    Abstract: Example parking management systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a method receives an image that includes a parking area for the unmarked parking of vehicles. The method defines a plurality of unmarked parking spaces in the parking area and assigns a first vehicle to a first unmarked parking space in the parking area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Danielle Rosenblatt, Hamid M. Golgiri, Anthony Melatti, Jack Van hoecke
  • Patent number: 10452079
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving sensor data from one or more sensors of each of one or more vehicles, processing a combination of the sensor data to generate an assessment of an area surrounding the one or more vehicles based on one or more points-of-view of the area, the one or more points-of-view of the area generated based on synchronizing the combination of the sensor data, and detecting an occurrence of an event based on the assessment of the area. The method further includes identifying one or more instructions corresponding to the event, the instructions associated with a particular vehicle and sending one or more executable instructions based on the instructions to the particular vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Lyft, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Danaher Harvey
  • Patent number: 10430907
    Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems for processing recorded data for storage is provided. An auditable device, such as a digital video camera, stores a set of recorded data. The auditable device also stores auditable event entries that represent auditable events detected by the auditable device. One type of auditable event is the receipt of information from a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system that indicates an event. The auditable device marks at least one subset of the set of recorded data based on the auditable event entries, and uploads the marked at least one subset of the set of recorded data to an evidence management system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: TASER International, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick W. Smith, Mark A. Hanchett, Aaron J. Kloc, Tyler J. Conant
  • Patent number: 10323450
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cloud-based device management. In one implementation, a processing device receives one or more images captured in relation to a device, processes the one or more images to determine a presence of one or more identifiers within the one or more images, based on a determination that an identifier is present within the one or more images, processes the identifier in relation to an information repository to determine a permission status with respect to the identifier; identifies an instruction protocol associated with the device, generates an instruction corresponding to the permission status and the instruction protocol, and provides the instruction to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Hi-Tech Solutions Ltd.
    Inventors: Igal Dvir, Yoram Hofman
  • Patent number: 10317911
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a request for access associated with a selected one of a plurality of autonomous vehicles in an array that comprises a plurality of columns, wherein the selected autonomous vehicle is in a first one of the columns and blocked by one or more other autonomous vehicles in the first column and one or more other autonomous vehicles in a second one of the columns, and computing coordinated movements for one or more of the autonomous vehicles to provide the requested access such that in each of the first and second columns, one or more of the autonomous vehicles in the column are moved longitudinally to move the column, and the movement of each of the first and second columns collectively creates a temporary access aisle for the selected autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Lyft, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Danaher Harvey
  • Patent number: 10263461
    Abstract: A power system for a vehicle parking structure is disclosed. The power system comprises: a DC voltage bus arranged throughout the vehicle parking structure and configured to distribute DC power throughout the vehicle parking structure; at least one DC power source operably connected to the DC voltage bus and configured to provide DC power to the DC voltage bus; a plurality of DC loads arranged throughout the vehicle parking structure and operably connected to the DC voltage bus, the plurality of DC loads being configured to operate using DC power from the DC voltage bus; and a control system operably connected to the DC voltage bus and configured to communicate with at least one DC load in the plurality of DC loads using data signals transmitted via the DC voltage bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: John Saussele, Dusan Brhlik, Sharmila Ravula, Tim Strunck
  • Patent number: 9985390
    Abstract: An electrically groundable support surface includes a lower portion configured to be deployed on or near the surface of the earth. An electrically-conductive cover portion constructed at least partially of electrically-conductive material is configured to extend at least partially across the top surface of the lower portion and is electrically groundable to the earth. At least one electrically-conductive interface is configured to facilitate electrical connection of the support surface to another electrically-conductive component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Newpark Mats & Integrated Services LLC
    Inventors: James Kerwin McDowell, Kenneth Edward Durio
  • Patent number: 9779311
    Abstract: An integrated control system and method using a vehicle surveillance camera, the method including: receiving vehicle license plate number information obtained by analyzing an image captured using the vehicle surveillance camera, from the vehicle surveillance camera via a server; receiving time information and position information about when and where the captured image was generated, from the vehicle surveillance camera via the server; and constructing a database by referring to the vehicle license plate number information, the time information, and the position information received via the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Hanwha Techwin Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-Jin Lee, Jeong-Eun Lim, Sun-Ki Kim
  • Patent number: 9630617
    Abstract: A method is provided for resuming the movement of a motor vehicle after unforeseen stopping in an automated parking process performed by a parking assistance system having automated longitudinal and transverse guidance. If the vehicle is stopped, a decision is made about a resumption of movement of the vehicle in the prior direction of travel that existed before the vehicle was stopped. The decision is made in dependence on the remaining travel path from the current position to the next planned stopping point of the trajectory lying in the prior direction of travel. A stopping point of the trajectory can be a reversal point or the final parking position, for example. If the decision is positive, the movement of the vehicle is resumed in the prior direction of travel. If the decision is negative, the movement of the vehicle is resumed against the prior direction of travel. Alternatively, in the case of a negative decision, the movement of the vehicle may not be resumed and the parking process may be ended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Burtsche, Thomas Velten, Rainer Schillinger, Thomas Goldmann
  • Patent number: 9607509
    Abstract: A framework for identifying parking areas from vehicle trajectory data is described herein. Vehicle trajectory data collected from a sensor network having a plurality of sensor stations for detecting vehicles is provided. The vehicle trajectory data is pre-processed to generate a tracking table of vehicles and analyzed to determine an interstation parking area between first and second sensor stations of interest based on input parameters from a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: SAP SE
    Inventors: Jing Liu, Junpeng Hu, Yinling Ni, Yongxun Li, Siyi Chen, Jun Liu
  • Patent number: 9410297
    Abstract: A mechanism for reducing the speed of road traffic and corresponding speed bump. A mechanism for reducing the speed of road traffic on public thoroughfares comprising [a] a collapsible surface (1) which moves between a raised position and a lowered position, where the collapsible surface is normally in the raised position, and [b] retaining means (19) adapted to retaining the collapsible surface in the raised position. The retaining means are activated when the speed of movement of the collapsible surface is greater than a predetermined maximum speed. With this mechanism it is possible to make a speed bump for reducing the speed of road traffic comprising one or two of these mechanisms. If it comprises two mechanisms, each of them has a width of less than 1.2 m and they are spaced apart at a distance such that an automobile rides simultaneously over both mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Inventor: Raül Ustrell I Mussons
  • Patent number: 9323993
    Abstract: Methods, systems and processor-readable media for identifying a vehicle for street parking management. An initial identification of one or more vehicles detected parked along a street can be generated based on one or more of a group of factors. The initial identification can be communicated to a user of the vehicle by transmitting an image indicative of the vehicle parked along the street (e.g., via a mobile communications device). An operation can then be implemented for requesting a confirmation or a non-confirmation as to whether the vehicle detected and displayed on the image is associated with the user. Upon confirmation, an operation can be implemented for identifying the at least one vehicle as the initial identification. Upon non-confirmation, an operation can be implemented to query to identify the vehicle associated with the user from among a group of vehicles displayed via the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Yao Rong Wang, David Cummins, Matthew Darst, Michael Furst, Panya Chanawangsa, Zhigang Fan
  • Patent number: 9298993
    Abstract: A method and system for on-street vehicle parking occupancy estimation via curb detection comprises training a computer system to identify a curb, evaluating image data of the region of interest to determine a region wherein a curb is visible in said region of interest, and estimating a parking occupancy of said region of interest according to said region where said curb is visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Zhigang Fan, Orhan Bulan
  • Patent number: 8684158
    Abstract: An electronic parking meter mechanism for inserting into a parking meter assembly is provided. The mechanism includes an inner housing, a payment receiving structure located on the inner housing, a user input device located on the inner housing, and an electronic display screen supported by the inner housing. The mechanism includes a front shelf and a front solar panel coupled to the upper surface of the front shelf. The mechanism may also include wireless communications hardware supported by the inner housing configured to wirelessly communicate with a parking management system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Duncan Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Gavin Jones, Balu Subramanya, Mike Nickolaus
  • Patent number: 7950570
    Abstract: A system and method for managing a permit-based parking environment governed by a parking program. The permit-based parking environment includes a number of parking permits each including a unique RFID tag and tag number. One or more RFID readers are used to scan the vehicles parked in the parking environment to determine if a RFID tag is associated with the parked vehicle. The results of the scan along with information related to the parked vehicle are provided to a permit management system to determine if the vehicle is parked within the scope of privileges pre-defined for that vehicle, pursuant to the parking program governing the parking environment. The permit management system stores, manages, and monitors data related to the permits controlled under the parking program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: IPT, LLC
    Inventors: Cory D. Marchasin, Patrick J. Moynihan, Josiah D. Johnson, Lawrence Berman
  • Patent number: 7898439
    Abstract: A bicycle rental system and automated station that may be integrated with an automobile parking payment and management system. Users may pay for parking and/or rent and pickup bicycles at the station. The station has a meter, bicycle docks, and power plant. Transaction formalities for parking payment and rental may be handled at the meter. The bicycle docks each are adapted to secure a bicycle. The power plant uses a solar panel to collect power and stores it in energy storage device. Low-power operation may be achieved by placing some electronics in a low-power mode. Each bicycle dock may have a trigger mechanism that when activated powers on associated electronics. The bicycle docks may be divided among a number of bicycle modules. The bicycle modules provide flexibility and modularity so that the number of bicycle docks at a station may be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventors: Isabelle Bettez, Jean-Sebastien Bettez
  • Patent number: 6917307
    Abstract: A management method and system for a parking lot utilizes multiple parking space sensors to detect the using status of each parking space. A computer is provided to connect to all parking space sensors and controls a display board that is placed at the entrance of the parking lot to show which position is available. Thus, the display board provides the guiding function to the vehicle driver that enters the parking lot. Further, the guiding function is performed by multiple modules mounted on all paths in the parking lot to identify a proper direction so that an available position is easily found.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Inventor: Shih-Hsiung Li
  • Patent number: 6467602
    Abstract: An electronic security system for a parking meter includes a vault door having a spring-biased contact terminal for making breakable electrical contact with a housing hinge bracket contact terminal mounted in a vault opening. An electronic lock control circuit is able to communicate with a meter control (coin counting/auditing) circuit in the meter portion of the system through the vault door/housing hinge bracket contact terminals, thus eliminating a direct cable connection between the lock circuit and the meter circuit. The spring-biased contact may be substituted by equivalent breakable electrical contacts such as optocoupler contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignees: Medeco Security Locks, Inc., J.J. Mackay Canada Limited
    Inventors: James D. Bench, David G. Lefevers, Gary Hoss, J. Michael Lumpkin, Gregory E. Chauvin
  • Patent number: 6384717
    Abstract: An unattended bicycle rental and security system, utilizing bi-directional communications with data verification between the individual bicycles and the system is provided which is equipped with an alarm, and can individually identify a number of bicycles and attribute their rental with corresponding customers. The unattended bicycle rental and security system is able to identify if a rental bicycle has sustained an impact during a rental that is sufficient to damage it and identify the customer whose care the rental bicycle was in at the time. The system also allows the integration of several rental locations allowing a bicycle to be rented at one location and returned at another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Dean R. DeVolpi
  • Publication number: 20010051531
    Abstract: This invention discloses a parking meter system having a (I) parking meter and a (ii) central system on a global computer network, wherein the parking meter is activated by the central system. The parking meter is adapted with a cellular telephone device with an embedded central processing unit with parking meter function, whereby the function interfaces with the central computer system for the purpose of activation/deactivation of the parking meter and in collection of parking fees. The invention also discloses a dual-use parking meter system where the parking meter may have a coin box, a coin insertion slot with a coin sensor, and a coin status function logic embedded in the adapted telephone device, wherein on inserting coins for parking fee payment, the central system is able to send meter use status for display in the adapted cellular telephone device's display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: Tara Chand Singhal, Mukunda Singhal
  • Publication number: 20010037928
    Abstract: An electronic security system for a parking meter includes a vault door having a spring-biased contact terminal for making breakable electrical contact with a housing hinge bracket contact terminal mounted in a vault opening. An electronic lock control circuit is able to communicate with a meter control (coin counting/auditing) circuit in the meter portion of the system through the vault door/housing hinge bracket contact terminals, thus eliminating a direct cable connection between the lock circuit and the meter circuit. The spring-biased contact may be substituted by equivalent breakable electrical contacts such as optocoupler contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Applicant: MEDECO SECURITY LOCKS, INC.
    Inventors: James D. Bench, David G. Lefevers, Gary Hoss, J. Michael Lumpkin, Gregory E. Chauvin
  • Patent number: 6275169
    Abstract: A parking meter includes an input device for payment and at least one indicating device for indicating a paid parking time. The indicating device has at least one visual indicator for a corresponding number of parking spaces, wherein an actuating unit with an indicator is assigned to each parking space. All indicators, the actuating devices and the input device are connected to a common control device. A sound reproduction device provides an acoustic announcement about the paid parking time. The input device is a chip card actuating device. The indicator assigned to each actuating unit is designed such that the indicator represents at least three different states, wherein a first state indicates “paid parking time running”, a second state indicates “paid parking time expired”, and a third state indicates “paid parking time expired for longer than a predetermined time”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventors: Agenor Krygler, Alicja Krygler
  • Patent number: 6243028
    Abstract: A parking meter includes a payment input device, an optical indicating device with optical indicating elements, actuating elements for a corresponding number of parking spaces provided for and interacting with the indicating elements, wherein the indicating elements, the actuating elements and the input device are connected in a common control device. An actuating key labeled “zero” is provided for initiating operation of the parking meter The optical indicating device includes a luminescent diadoe panel with indicating lights. The actuating device includes additional actuating keys. Only one indicating light is provided for each actuating key. A sound reproduction device with a loudspeaker is provided for an acoustic announcement of the paid parking time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Inventors: Agenor Krygler, Alicja Krygler
  • Patent number: RE37193
    Abstract: A low power parking meter to control two or four parking bays. A display, either by a flag-wheel or a digital display will normally indicate the status of each bay. When funds are deposited without indicating the bay to be credited, the meter will escrow the amount until a bay is chosen. The meter normally operates in an idle loop unless an individual bay is being checked or vended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: POM Incorporated
    Inventors: Seth Ward, II, Gary W. Speas, R. Todd Brown
  • Patent number: RE38626
    Abstract: A video camera mounted on a parking enforcement patrol vehicle and connected to a computer near the operator. The system is driven along a patrol route where parked vehicles are governed by a posted time limit. The system enforces the local parking regulation by automatically determining whether or not each parked car has been parked longer than the posted time limit. Violations are detected by applying a License Plate Recognition algorithm to the images. Each license plate number is time-tagged, geo-referenced and entered into a local database. When the patrol vehicle re-traces the patrol route after the posted parking time limit has expired, the database is searched to flag vehicles that were observed at the same location during the previous circuit and therefore in violation of the parking regulations. When the system detects a parking violation, it prints a parking citation that the operator affixes to the offending parked vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Visionary Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. Kielland