Computer-Implemented System And Method For Offering Customer Priority Parking Reservations

A system for offering merchant and shopper-friendly parking reservations through customer priority parking, comprising:

• a server configured to manage a multiplicity of motor vehicle parking spaces, the server configured to interface over a computer network and comprising a memory and a computer processor, the computer processor operatively coupled to the memory and configured to execute computer executable program modules;
• a plurality of smart parking devices that are each physically proximate to least one of the parking spaces;
• a plurality of vehicle occupancy sensors that are also each physically proximate to least one of the parking spaces;
• a plurality of parking availability indicators that are each associated with each one of the parking spaces;
• a reservations module executed by the server and configured to reserve through the server use of one or more of the parking spaces, comprising:
• a request module configured to accept a request for a customer priority parking reservation from a merchant, comprising times and dates over which the reservation period would be in effect, and confirming that the merchant is eligible to reserve the requested parking spaces;
• a request grant module configured to grant the request provided the requested parking space is available throughout the reservation period over any other reservations stored in the server;
• the server configured to manage use of the parking space, comprising:
• a parking availability indicator module configured to activate the parking availability indicators associated with the reserved parking spaces throughout the reservation period in a merchant priority parking mode;
• an occupancy module configured to sense occupancy of one of the parking spaces by a motor vehicle through the nearest vehicle occupancy sensor and providing the location of the parking space to the server;
• and
• an identity module configured to determine an identity of the driver of the motor vehicle through the nearest smart parking device and providing the identity of the driver to the server;
• and
• a validation module configured to validate use of the parking space, comprising:
• a retrieval module configured to retrieve the parking space's location and the driver's identity at the location of a merchant;
• and
• a payment module configured to provide payment for at least part of the use of the parking space from the merchant through the server.

A method for offering merchant and shopper-friendly parking reservations through merchant-guided changes, comprising:

• managing a multiplicity of motor vehicle parking spaces through a server, comprising:
• interfacing a plurality of smart parking devices that are each physically proximate to least one of the parking spaces;
• interfacing a plurality of vehicle occupancy sensors that are also each physically proximate to least one of the parking spaces;
• and
• interfacing a plurality of parking availability indicators that are each associated with at least one of the parking spaces;
• reserving use of one or more of the parking spaces, comprising:
• accepting a request for a customer priority parking reservation from a merchant, comprising times and dates over which the reservation period would be in effect and merchant-guided changes in regular parking constraints, and confirming that the merchant is eligible to reserve the requested parking spaces;
• and
• granting the request provided the requested parking space is available throughout the reservation period over any other reservations stored in the server;
• and
• managing use of the parking space through the server, comprising:
• activating the parking availability indicators associated with the reserved parking spaces throughout the reservation period in a merchant priority parking mode;
• and
• managing the use of the parking space subject to the merchant-guided changes.