Ideas

Oh come on man. Those images aren't REAL TIME! They're taken in batches like once every couple of years!

Weather images are taken every 20 min.
I have heard right now photos are taken every three hours.

So are you saying satellite only go around the earth every couple of years? Please verify things before you say them.

All you have to do is spend 5 minutes on Google Maps or Google Earth looking at recent construction sites. That data is commercial data which is sold via licenses to companies like Google in packages that are NOT updated anywhere CLOSE to every 20 mins. Satellite data for weather has nothing near the resolution you're referring to, as it's meant to show large cloud patterns. I believe you are the one who needs to do some verifying, and in fact get some basic education about satellite imagery.

Here's a BASIC place to start:
http://earth.google....om/images_dates.html

The images taken every three hours are currently not available to the public, and I guess weather would also be a factor.

Things will change in a few years.

You've got an interesting idea there PeteC.
I think the lag in the pictures could be overcome with a smart business deal with some company that has access to satellites etc. but this, as you've hinted, might be very expensive for the time being.
Perhaps it would be good to connect the particular service with a couple of others to make the whole package intriguing. Your idea about security (suspicious looking cars etc.) might be the way to go. Or you could connect it with some leisure service: how about if you offer an additional service for people who are sailing? For instance, they could give the co-ordinates of the ports they are approaching and they could have satellite pics of the port, see if there is parking space available.
Also, about the original idea, I believe your office should be automatically alerted so you shouldn't have to go through the hassle of making the call yourself.

Funny idea. But cybercerberus is right. Satelites just can't do it. Make at least some research before you submit your ideas here.

Thanks Anametheus for the great info.
Your also right on the auto alert feature.

The basic point is picture compairson that alerts someone when the pictures don't match.

stupid idea, man. do you really think that sats are looking down at every square inch every second? whew! sat images are very expensive - the only reason we can even see them is because someone like google has deep pockets. The military keeps tight controls on what can be seen and at what resolution. Retargeting a recon sat takes up precious maneuvering jet hydrazine fuel, so they would only do that on an as need basis. You might be better off with a webcam looking down on your parking lot? As for utility - how many people actually have assigned parking spots, and how critical is it that someone parking there gets booted out before you arrive? Are you Bill Gates? ;)

Yes, its too expensive for such a system.