The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 10, 2014
Filed:
Aug. 24, 2011
Mark Jeffrey Stefik, Portola Valley, CA (US);
Alan G. Bell, Los Altos, CA (US);
Craig Eldershaw, Belmont, CA (US);
Lance E. Good, Gaithersburg, MD (US);
Daniel H. Greene, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Francisco Eduardo Torres, San Jose, CA (US);
Serdar Uckun, Palo Alto, CA (US);
David Preston Cummins, Washington, DC (US);
Mark Jeffrey Stefik, Portola Valley, CA (US);
Alan G. Bell, Los Altos, CA (US);
Craig Eldershaw, Belmont, CA (US);
Lance E. Good, Gaithersburg, MD (US);
Daniel H. Greene, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Francisco Eduardo Torres, San Jose, CA (US);
Serdar Uckun, Palo Alto, CA (US);
David Preston Cummins, Washington, DC (US);
Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Xerox Corporation, Norwalk, CT (US);
Abstract
A computer-implemented system and method for offering commercial parking reservations through flexible loading zones is provided. Motor vehicle parking spaces located in a business district are managed through a server. Smart parking devices, vehicle occupancy sensors, and parking availability indicators are interfaced to the server. Use of the parking spaces as a loading zone is reserved. A reservation request from a business is accepted. The business is confirmed as eligible. The request is granted, provided the requested parking space is available over any other reservations. Use of the loading zone is managed. The parking availability indicator is activated contemporaneous to the reservation period. Occupancy of the requested parking space is sensed through the nearest vehicle occupancy sensor. An identity of a driver is verified through the nearest smart parking device. The use of the reserved parking space is permitted upon matching the driver's identity to the business.