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AssigneeSun Microsystems, Inc.
InventorsDavid Curbow, Eric Macintosh, Robert St. Pierre, Stephen Uhler
Estimating the term…
Embodiments of the present claimed invention utilize video imaging to analyze the availability of parking spaces. In one embodiment, a computer is used to process video images of a parking location to determine if a parking space is available. In another embodiment of the present claimed invention, the type of parking space is also considered. For example, the system can distinguish between a compact parking space and a full-size parking space and direct vehicles to the appropriate parking space. This distinction becomes important when the optimization of space for parking in a crowded area is desired. Additionally, wireless communication can be used to deliver information regarding vacant parking spaces to motorists. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention incorporate a global positioning system (GPS) to provide location dependent parking availability to motorists. For example, a motorist can request the location of the closest available parking space by pressing a button inside the vehicle. In one embodiment, audible directions are provided to guide a motorist to the available parking location. In addition to using wireless communications to provide parking availability to motorists, the location of an available parking space can be printed on a ticket and provided to the motorist when entering a parking facility or can be displayed on a sign to alert motorists of available parking spaces.
A server based method for automatically reporting vacant parking stalls comprising:
A computer system comprising a processor coupled to a bus and a memory coupled to a bus, said memory comprising instructions for executing a method for automatically reporting vacant parking stalls comprising:
A computer system comprising a processor coupled to a bus and a memory coupled to a bus, said memory comprising instructions for executing a method for automatically reporting vacant parking stalls comprising:
A method for determining parking space availability comprising:
A method of finding vacant parking stalls comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.