Connected vehicle lift and storage system

Abstract

A connected vehicle lift and storage system (VLSS) can include a plurality of platforms for storing vehicles that are movable between a plurality of positions. The connected VLSS can communicate with a computing device operated by a user to receive requests to store or retrieve the user's vehicle(s). As part of the request, location data generated by the computing device can be transmitted to the connected VLSS. In response to the request, the connected VLSS can determine a sequence of platform movements to fulfill the request to store or retrieve the user's vehicle(s). The sequence can be determined, at least in part, on the location data of the requesting user and/or the location data of other users. In addition, the sequence can be determined to minimize wait times for the requesting user and other users.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vehicle lift and storage system, comprising:
 a plurality of platforms for supporting motor vehicles, each of the platforms being movable between a plurality of storage positions and one or more vehicular access positions, the one or more vehicular access positions allowing for vehicular access to the vehicle lift and storage system;   one or more moving mechanisms operatively connected to the plurality of platforms to move the platforms between the plurality of storage positions and the one or more vehicular access positions;   a control system for controlling the vehicle lift and storage system, the control system including a network interface for communicating over one or more networks and being configured to:
 receive user data associated with a user of the vehicle lift and storage system, the user data comprising location information of the user and identification information of the user; 
 based on the identification information of the user, identify, among the plurality of platforms, a platform on which a vehicle associated with the user is located; and 
 based on a position of the identified platform and the location information of the user, update a sequence for moving the plurality of platforms to include steps for moving the identified platform to one of the one or more vehicular access positions.