Boat ramp occupancy indicator system and method

1 . A system having a server comprising:

a processing unit configured to receive at a first input information relating to at least one of current weather and tidal information in a vicinity of a plurality of boat ramps, and to receive at a second input information relating to traffic in a vicinity of the plurality of boat ramps; and

a database for storing information received by the processing unit,

the processing unit further configured to:

receive location data from a plurality of smart phones each having a boat ramp occupancy end-user application operating thereon,

send a push notification when any one of the plurality of smart phones is located at or near a selected boat ramp, the push notification inquiring of a user of the one of the plurality of smart phones whether the user is located at or near the selected boat ramp,

determine, based upon the location data and how long the location data indicates presence at a location, regardless of whether or not the user responds to the push notification, how busy the selected boat ramp is, and

send notifications about conditions at the selected boat ramp, including information about traffic, weather and/or tidal information, and how busy the selected boat ramp is determined to be, to other users of the boat ramp occupancy end-user application who have designated the selected boat ramp as a favorite boat ramp.

2 . The boat ramp occupancy indicator system according to claim 1 , wherein the system determines how busy the selected boat ramp is based upon a received reply to the push notification.

3 . The boat ramp occupancy indicator system according to claim 1 , wherein the system determines how busy the selected boat ramp is based upon how long the smart phone of the user is located at the selected boat ramp.

4 . The boat ramp occupancy indicator system according to claim 1 , wherein the system determines how busy the selected boat ramp is based upon how long it takes the smart phone of the user to move to a location remote from the selected boat ramp.

5 . The boat ramp occupancy indicator system according to claim 4 , wherein the server is a multi-data source which is designed for aggregation and compilation of data, has a machine learning and pattern analysis functionality, is designed to provide statistical data and probability calculations, and generates decision and risk calculations.

6 . The boat ramp occupancy indicator system according to claim 1 , wherein the processing unit is further configured to initiate a “group chat” for each user operating the end-user application on his/her smart phone and located at the selected boat ramp.

7 . The boat ramp occupancy indicator system according to claim 6 , wherein the processing unit is further configured to permit other users operating the boat ramp occupancy end-user application, to join in the group chat.

8 . The boat ramp occupancy indicator system according to claim 1 , wherein each smart phone has a camera for inputting one or more images of the selected boat ramp and the processing unit is further configured to receive the one or more images for evaluating how busy the selected boat ramp is based upon the received images.

9 . A method, comprising:

receiving information relating to at least one of current weather and tidal information in a vicinity of a plurality of boat ramps;

receiving information relating to traffic in a vicinity of the plurality of boat ramps;

receiving location data from a plurality of smart phones each having a boat ramp occupancy end-user application operating thereon;

determining when any one of the plurality of smart phones is located at or near a selected boat ramp;

sending a push notification, based upon the determination that one of the plurality of smart phones is located at or near a selected boat ramp, the push notification inquiring of a user of the one of the plurality of smart phones whether the user is located at or near the selected boat ramp;

determining how busy the selected boat ramp is based upon the location data and how long the location data indicates presence at a location; and

sending notifications about conditions at the selected boat ramp, including information about traffic, weather and/or tidal information, and how busy the selected boat ramp is determined to be, to other users of the boat ramp occupancy end-user application who have designated the selected boat ramp as a favorite boat ramp.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein determining how busy the selected boat ramp is, is based upon a received reply to the push notification.

11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein determining how busy the selected boat ramp is, is based upon how long the smart phone of the user is located at the selected boat ramp.

12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein determining how busy the selected boat ramp is, is based upon how long it takes the smart phone of the user to move to a location remote from the selected boat ramp.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the method is performed by a multi-data source designed for aggregation and compilation of data, having a machine learning and pattern analysis functionality, designed to provide statistical data and probability calculations, and that generates decision and risk calculations.

14 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising initiating a “group chat” for each user operating the end-user application on his/her smart phone and located at the selected boat ramp.

15 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising permitting other users operating the boat ramp occupancy end-user application to join in the group chat.

16 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising receiving one or more images for evaluating how busy the selected boat ramp is based upon the received images.