AU2006235864B2 - Vehicle monitoring apparatus, system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle metering device and system for detecting and metering a vehicle parked on a parking space or bay, the device having components including 5 a programmable control means and preferably an infrared vehicle sensing means suitably powered and mounted about a parking space to detect when a vehicle parks and when it leaves the parking space and to feed status signals to the control means, the control means including a timer means for counting out a preset time period representing the allowable time period for which a vehicle can be legally parked, and being programmed to generate and send 10 coded signals to a remote receiver means, the remote receiver means being configured to generate infringement notices accordingly.

Description

Form No. 10 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION 5 STANDARD PATENT Application No.: 10 Application Date: 5 November 2006 1 5 Priority Date: 5 November 2005 from NZ 541683 Applicant: METER EYE IP LIMITED 20 Address for Correspondence: Schuch & Company PO Box 10 615 Wellington 25 New Zealand Complete Specification for the invention entitled: 30 VEHICLE MONITORING APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD 35 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: VEHICLE MONITORING APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD TECHNICAL FIELD 5 This invention relates to vehicle detecting, monitoring and metering systems and apparatus and methods. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a method, system and apparatus for monitoring and metering vehicles parked in pre-allocated parking spaces. 10 BACKGROUND ART Parking wardens, when monitoring a parking space to ensure that a vehicle is being parked legally, generally apply a manual system for monitoring the time period of the vehicle parked in the space. The manual system usually comprises chalking the tyre of a vehicle and then 15 returning later to check on whether the vehicle is parked beyond an allocated time or has exceeded the time it is permitted to be in that parking space. This system relies on good recording of time by a parking warden who may need to write details in a notebook, and as such, the process is cumbersome and time consuming, particularly if the vehicle has already left the space before the parking warden has walked back to the parking space to check 20 whether the vehicle is still present in the parking space. It is a non-limiting object of the invention to provide a method, system and apparatus for monitoring the presence of a vehicle which overcomes at least some of the abovementioned problems, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice. 25 It is a non-limiting object of the invention to provide a method, system and apparatus for managing the metering process of a parked vehicle which overcomes at least some of the abovementioned problems, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice. 2 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle metering 5 device for detecting and metering a vehicle parked on a parking space or bay, the device having components including a control means, vehicle sensing means, a power supply means to power the components of the device, and a telecommunication means configured and arranged together in a durable casing, the vehicle sensing means, in use, being mounted in or about a parking space to detect when a vehicle parks and when it leaves the parking space 10 and to feed status signals to the control means, the control means including a timer means for counting out a preset time period representing the allowable time period for which a vehicle can be legally parked, and being programmed, in use, to generate and send an output coded signal via the telecommunication means to a remote receiver means to confirm the time period that a said vehicle in the parking space has been parked along with identification of the 15 parking space. Preferably the control means is a computer controlled programmable microprocessor means being programmed to generate data on the parking time periods of a vehicle parked in a parking space along with identification of the parking space. 20 Desirably the vehicle sensing means is an infrared beam circuit means configured to generate a signal to the control means when the beam circuit is interrupted and when the beam circuit is re-established. 25 Advantageously the telecommunication means is adapted to receive input signals from a remote programming device adapted to enable the control means to be programmed with a maximum allowable parking time period. Preferably the control means, when determining that a vehicle has been parked in the parking 30 space for longer than the preset maximum time period, is programmed to generate and send coded signals at predetermined intervals of between 30 seconds and 5 minutes to the remote 3 receiver means, the signals including data to identify the parking space and the amount of time the vehicle has exceeded the maximum allowable parking time period. Desirably the telecommunication means includes a radio frequency transmitter adapted to 5 send coded signals to the remote receiver means at a frequency in the ultra high frequency range. Optionally the radio frequency transmitter transmits coded signals at a frequency of 433 MHz. Preferably the telecommunication means including a leaky coaxial aerial configured and 10 arranged either internally or externally of the casing to transmit coded signals. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle metering system for detecting and metering a vehicle parked on a parking space or bay, the system including the vehicle detection device of any one of claims I to 8 and including a suitably powered remote 15 receiver means, the remote receiver means including a radio frequency receiver set to receiver coded signals and data from the vehicle detection device at a preset frequency and a signal decoding means, and a programmable control means for receiving data from the vehicle detection device and determining details of any infringements incurred by a vehicle parked in a parking space for more than the allowable parking time period. 20 Desirably the programmable control means includes a microprocessor means, and wherein the remote receiver means further includes a display means and an aerial means for receiving and transmitting signals, and being adapted with a means to communicate with a printer means, in use, to print infringement notices for vehicles that are determined as being parked 25 for longer than the maximum allowable parking time period. Desirably data received from the vehicle detection device is forwarded to a main database computer means for data logging and database purposes. 30 According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle metering system for detecting and metering vehicles parked in a plurality of parking space or bays in the same 4 geographical area such as on a floor of a vehicle parking building, the system including a plurality of vehicle detection devices according to any one of claims I to 8 configured and mounted each in a separate said parking space, and including a suitably powered remote data collection and display device comprising a programmable control means, a power supply 5 means, a large display means, a computer memory and storage means, and a housing with suitable mounting means, the remote data collection and display device further including a telecommunications means set to receive coded signals and data from each said vehicle detection device which is fed to the control means, the control means being configured and programmed to determine the number of parking spaces available in the geographical area 10 and to display the number of spaces on the large display means, and to transmit the data and coded signals on vehicle parking activity via a transmitter means to a remote data collection computer database server for data logging purposes. According to yet a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of detecting and 15 metering a vehicle in a parking space, the method including the steps of: a.) detecting the presence of a vehicle in a parking space being monitored and triggering a timer means; b.) comparing the allowable time limit for parking in the parking space 20 against a timer means running against the vehicle being parked; and c.) when the time being clocked is greater than the parking time period allocated, generating and sending a coded signal with identification of the parking space to a remote receiver means that is configured and arranged to indicate to a user that the parking limit has been exceeded 25 by a vehicle parked in the parking space. Preferably the method further includes step d. of sending repeat signals between preset time intervals of between 30 seconds and 5 minutes to confirm that the vehicle exceeding the time limit is still parked in the parking space. 30 5 Preferably in step c. a datafile is compiled after the timer is reset including relevant time stamps confirming the time of detection of the vehicle in the parking space, when the time limit was exceeded, and the time of manually resetting the timer when a user has physically reached the offending vehicle. 5 Additionally the method further comprising step F. of printing the report and/or storing a datafile of the report of the vehicle parking incident. According to yet a further aspect of the invention there is provided a computer controlled 10 process for monitoring the presence of a vehicle in a parking space, the process including the steps of: A.) setting user preferences and operating in standby monitoring mode; B.) detecting the presence of a vehicle in a parking space being monitored by a 15 vehicle detection device in accordance with any one of claims I to 8 and triggering a timer means; C.) comparing the predetermined allowable time limit for parking in the parking space against a timer counting the time the vehicle is being parked; and when the time being clocked is greater than the parking time period allocated, 20 D.) generating and sending a coded signal with identification of the car park to a remote receiver means held by a parking warden or user indicating that the parking limit has been exceeded by a vehicle marked in the parking space. Preferably the computer controlled process further includes step E. of compiling a 25 datafile report of the vehicle parking incident. Desirably the computer controlled process further includes step F. of printing the report and/or storing a datafile of the report of the vehicle parking incident. 30 6 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred and alternative embodiments of the invention will now be illustrated, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 5 Figure 1: Shows a broad block diagram of main components of the vehicle monitoring system according to one preferred embodiment of the invention; 10 Figure 2: Shows a schematic block diagram of device components in the system I; Figure 3: Shows a schematic block diagram of the device components in a system 30 including a data collection and display device 21; 15 Figure 4: Shows a flow chart of broad processing steps of the method of metering a vehicle parking space. Referring to figures I and 2, block diagrams of components of the system, generally referred 20 to as 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, is illustrated. The vehicle detection and metering system I of the invention includes a number of devices adapted to communicate with each other as required. The communication means used can be any one or more known forms of data and signal transfer methods with analogue or digital 25 signals and means, including any suitable and reliable wired and/or wireless communication methods as desired. In the case of wireless methods, which are considered preferable and advantageous, it will be seen that, for example only, infrared beam, bluetoothTM, and radio frequency devices may be employed as desired or preferred. 30 The system I of the invention preferably includes at least one vehicle detection device 2 configured and arranged in or about a vehicle parking space or bay that is subject to parking 7 restrictions. It will be appreciated that a restricted parking space may be in any usual location such as at the side of a public road, in an off road parking area, or on floors of a vehicle parking building, and can be subject to any restricted or maximum parking time period, For example, it is common in urban centres or shopping centres to offer vehicle parking spaces, 5 although such parking areas are usually offered for limited time periods with a maximum parking time of typically between 5 and 120 minutes duration per vehicle. The present invention is advantageously employed to detect, monitor and meter vehicles parked in such restricted parking areas, spaces or bays, and desirably facilitate the issuance of infringement notices for any vehicles that are parked for longer that the maximum time allotted for the 10 parking space. It is seen that the system 1 can be configured and arranged to monitor and meter a number of parking spaces using a number of components or devices to detect the presence of a vehicle parked in a space, and to transmit metered data and issue infringement notices accordingly. 15 In the non-limiting example shown in figure I and as further detailed in figure 2, at least two vehicle detection means 2 are suitably installed on or about respective parking spaces or bays and detect the presence of a vehicle parked on the space. A vehicle detection unit or device 2 is desirably housed in a robust and durable casing of any 20 suitable durable and resilient material, and mounted either into the surface of a parking space, or to the side, or in the case of floors in a parking building, onto the underside of the roof above the parking space. The casing is preferably made of a mouldable plastics material or glass impregnated plastic resin allowing wireless transmissions to emit from, and be received through, the casing and yet be sufficiently robust to withstand the usual forces applied to a 25 road surface from road users or the usual atmospheric weather conditions. In one example, the vehicle detection device 2 is recessed and set about 2 centimetres into the surface, with 1.5 centimetres protruding above ground surface. The shape of the casing of the device 2 may be circular and relatively flat such as the shape of a discus. The device 2 will preferably have an underside or base for mounting to a surface, and a topside through which 30 transmissions are made. In this respect there are desirably opaque or clear areas of the casing 8 through which signals and data can be transmitted, and received as in some applications and systems. The vehicle detection device 2 preferably includes a vehicle sensing means 3, a control 5 means 4, and a telecommunication means desirably in the form of a transceiver or transmitter means 5 suitably powered by a power source means 9 desirably in the form of a battery or batteries, for example a lithium or alkaline battery, and supplying power at a suitable DC voltage of 9 volts, more or less. In preferred embodiments two or three 1.5 volt AAA batteries in series can supply 3 or 4.5 volts of power to the vehicle detection device 2. It is 10 expected that the power consumption of the vehicle detection device 2 will be reasonably low and therefore a heavy duty battery may not need to be replaced or recharged for many months, and more desirably over 12 to 24 months. It will be appreciated that the more long lasting the battery, the less inconvenience incurred 15 with the time and effort with recharging or replacing batteries. It will be appreciated that according to an alternative embodiment the devices 2 may each be hard wired into a mains power supply that incorporates suitable transformers and filters to provide a smooth DC voltage. In this respect the devices 2 may require less maintenance and eliminate the need to recharge or replace batteries. Alternatively the device 2 in exposed or outdoor applications 20 may be adapted with solar power means to avoid the need to replace batteries. The vehicle sensing means 3 includes a means to sense or detect the presence of a vehicle in the immediate area to which the vehicle sensing means is located, and feed an alert signal to the control means 4. Any suitable sensing means 3 may be employed, and in this one 25 embodiment a programmable infrared beam means is suitably arranged, by any known method of setting up an infrared beam, to trigger an occupied signal when a vehicle is present in the parking space, and to trigger a vacant signal when that vehicle leaves the parking space. The infrared beam means desirably includes a beam transmitter and a beam receiver that are soldered to a base printed circuit board ("PCB") as a surface mounted device to 30 reduce assembly costs. A suitable infrared beam reflective device is set up in an appropriate place to reflect the transmitted beam that is reflected by a mirror or the like across the parking 9 space, and received by the infrared receiver to complete the infrared beam circuit. In this arrangement the beam circuit will be broken when a vehicle parked in the space, and re established or re-made when the vehicle leaves the space. The infrared beam means also desirably includes embedded daylight filter circuitry for more accurate operation during 5 bright days or during daylight hours which will be the main time period of operation, and the infrared beam means is preferably protected by at least one lens which is itself preferably covered and protected by a protective lens cover made of a suitable durable and resilient plastics material. 10 The infrared beam means advantageously includes a two way communications port that can be configured for half duplex operation for set up and programming purposes via desirably a hand held programming device 7. The device 2 preferably includes a reset switch in the form of a magnetic reed switch to 15 It is seen that the vehicle sensing means 3, upon detecting a change in the presence or absence of a vehicle, will forward a defined or coded signal to the control means 4. In applications such as a parking space in a building, and where the devices are ceiling or roof mounted in full view of drivers, the signals can also desirably trigger a parking space status 20 indicator means in the form of an indicator light means 17, that desirably includes a suitably powered red LED light to indicate when the space is occupied and a green LED light to indicate when the space is vacant. This arrangement is particularly useful in a parking building where drivers are looking for available parks. 25 In applications where the device 2 is surface mounted and the indicator light means on the parking space surface is not visual enough, the parking space status indicator means may be in the form of a remotely mounted status indicator means in the form of a red LED light 30 to indicate when the space is occupied and a green LED light 31 to indicate when the space is vacant. The LED lights 30, 31 are adapted to receive trigger signals via infrared or other 30 such wireless means from the device 2 to operate as required. 10 The control means 4 can preferably include any suitable programmable microprocessor chip that may desirably be a microchip mounted on a PCB, and including a memory means with a volatile memory means and non volatile memory means, including preferably a flash RAM, and also including a counter or timer means. The control means 4 may optionally include a 5 data storage means. The control means 4 can be programmed to receive a signal from the sensing or detector means 3 and count or time out to predetermined time periods before sending an alert signal via the transmitter or transceiver means 5 to a parking warden or user carrying a hand held 10 sensor programming device 7 adapted to facilitate the programming of the vehicle detection devices 2 in the system 1. Further details of programming of the control means 4 are described in more detail with reference to figure 4. The transmitter or transceiver means 5 is hereinafter referred to as a transmitter means 15 although it will be appreciated that a vehicle detection device 2 may be configured and adapted for two way communications for use in some applications such as permitted disabling of the device by special users being exempt of time restrictions in selected parking spaces or otherwise. 20 The vehicle detection device 2 desirably includes an aerial 6 mounted either internally or externally of the case. The aerial 6 may desirably be of a leaky coaxial type, and may be adapted with a means to boost signal strength accordingly. The range of operation of the transmitter means 5 is variable depending on a number of factors known in the art, and any known means to maximise the range of operation can be employed with the scope of the 25 invention. The strength of the signals being transmitted will have a reasonable range, and should operate around 100 to 150 metres for radio frequency (RF) signals and further distances for line of sight signals being received. The transmitter means 5 is adapted to communicate with a parking warden carrying a hand 30 held communications device 8 such as desirably a programmable custom designed unit or alternatively a personal digital assistant ("PDA") adapted and programmed to function as the i I communications device 8. It will be appreciated that the customised communications device 8 may optionally incorporate all the features of the programming device 7, and in the instance of a PDA being employed, the programming device 7 for setting user preferences for each vehicle sensing device 2 or otherwise may be a separate hand held device 7. Such 5 preferences are described with reference to figure 4. In the application of a customised device 8, components of the device may preferably but not exclusively include a computer means desirably in the form of a programmable microcontroller unit I I with associated memory means, a data storage means, a power supply 10 means desirably in the form of a battery 12, a display means 13 desirably in the form of an LCD screen or otherwise, a transceiver or transmitter and receiver means 10 and an aerial 14 that may be mounted externally or internally of the case as required. In the preferred arrangement of the device 8 including the ability of programming vehicle 15 detector devices 2, the device 8 includes a means to communicate with the devices 2, preferably an infrared beam means 15, including desirably a transmitter and a receiver, and associated computer controlled software for programming each device 2 and for receiving data for data logging purposes and optionally and preferably forwarding logged information to a main database computer 20 as seen in figure 1. The main database computer 20 is 20 envisaged as being based in the check out booth of a vehicle parking building or in the infringement notice processing centre at the local authority vested with the authority to manage parking spaces and to issue infringement notices to vehicle owners that do not comply with regulations and time restrictions for parking spaces. 25 The device 8 is preferably also adapted with a means to generate output data that feeds into an external printer 28 via a wired series or parallel printer cable or by wireless means such as by Bluetooth, infrared or otherwise to print infringement notices and dockets as required. The device 8 is advantageously configured and arranged to receive suitable communication 30 signals via the receiver means 10, and more particularly coded signals identifying each vehicle detection device 2 allocated for each parking space. Such signals are preferably radio 12 frequency ("RF") signals that may be transmitted at an ultra high frequency in the usual range of ultra high frequency (UHF) ranges available, or using any other suitable and available frequencies. An example of a frequency is 433 MHz which is commonly used in a number of countries for applications such as garage door openers, car security systems and the like. 5 The signals as sent from the transmitter means 5 of the vehicle detection device 2 to the device 8 are desirably encoded to distinguish between signals being sent from a second vehicle detection device 2 monitoring another car park, and other similar devices. It is envisaged within any one operating system that dozens of parking spaces can be configured 10 and arranged to be monitored and metered with a plurality of devices 2, and wherein each device 2 sends signals to the one receiver means 10 of the device 8 being held by a parking warden or a vehicle parking building supervisor that is managing a number of vehicle parking spaces in any given geographical area. 15 It is considered that as signal strength effects the range of the devices, more powerful transmitters, RF repeaters and associated amplifiers may be used as required to boost and increase the signal strength and range of transmission. It is seen in operation, that the encoded signals being transmitted by the transmitter 5 can 20 provide details such as the identification of the parking space and the time exceeded by the vehicle in each monitored car parking space. The vehicle detection device 2 can then continue to send signals at predetermined intervals of, for example, between 30 seconds and 5 minutes as desired. It will be appreciated that the time interval will be set as part of the user preferences forming part of the programming options for the control means 4. 25 The time intervals can be determined and changed by a user at any time via the programming device 7 provided by a separate unit or being part of a remote hand held device 8. If the same hand held device 8 is used, the receiver means 6 may be alternatively a transceiver to enable two way communications between the devices 2, 8. If it is a separate hand held device 8 it 30 will have a battery power means and may desirably also include a display means 13. It is envisaged that a parking warden may well have the mobile remote hand held device 8 and 13 receive suitable signals from a plurality of vehicle detection devices 2 covering respective vehicle parking spaces. The device 8 can be configured to receive coded signals from dozens of devices 2, each being identified with the respective parking space being monitored. 5 It will be appreciated that in the alternative embodiment whereby a PDA may include all the usual functionality of the device 8 and more including use as a cellular phone operating with any available and suitable cellular networks such as GSM or GPRS or otherwise, and with desirable features such as electronic mail, SMS messaging, internet browser applications, instant messaging, a large memory means for various computer software applications, an 10 operating system and preferably data logging and storing capabilities, input means such as a qwerty keyboard and a display means such as an LCD or otherwise. Referring now to figure 3, an alternative system 30 may be configured and arranged with a locally based meter data collection and display device 21, in accordance with an alternative 15 embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, a plurality of vehicle detection devices 2 are mounted in suitable positions on or about respective vehicle parking spaces and with each device 2 being programmed to send data and coded signals to a meter data collection device 21 when a 20 vehicle has exceeded the allocated time permitted in a particular parking space. The number of devices 2 that can be monitored by a data collection device 21 is not limited, although it would be most likely applied to monitor all devices 2 operating on a floor of a vehicle parking building or parking spaces located on a street within a geographical area of about 50 to 100 metres radius or more from the device 21. The device 21 is preferably constructed and 25 mounted as a sign in an area of operation. The device 21 preferably includes a computer control means 22 desirably in the form of a suitably programmable microprocessor means with a memory means, a storage means and a counter and timer means, is configured and arranged to receive all encoded signals 30 transmitted from each vehicle detection device 2 via an infrared beam means 24, and thus, having been set up with data on the number of parking spaces, and to decode all such signals. 14 The control means 22 is preferably programmed to calculate the number of parking available to users, and display the number on a large display means 23. This is achievable by receiving encoded signals from each device 2 indicating when the parking space becomes occupied and when it becomes vacant. In this respect the device 21 serves as a sign for drivers entering a 5 car parking building or street area to clearly and quickly see how many free parking spaces are available on the floor or designated area. The device 21 preferably includes a cellular phone modem module 25 that is compatible with any locally operating cellular network such as GSM or CDMA or otherwise, and the device 10 21 being provided with an aerial 26 of sufficient strength to send data packets via a local cellular phone tower to a data collection computer means 20 programmed to process and manage infringement notices and data logging and report functions or otherwise such as when operating in the exit booth of a parking booth where it is programmed to calculate the fee payable based on the length of time a vehicle has been parked. 15 It is seen that the device may include a data storage means 27 for data logging purposes and the like, although in many instances it will mainly function as a data relay point to on forward data to the data collection computer means 20. 20 Furthermore, the device 21 is desirably programmed to periodically receive status signals from each device 2, and should any one device 2 fail to send signals within a predetermined period of time during a normal operating period, an error report may be compiled and sent to the database computer means 20 to alert an operator that a particular device 2 may be faulty or non operational. 25 It would be appreciated by one skilled in the art that each parking space may be provided with a registration plate reading means configured and arranged to read the registration plate number of the vehicle and forward such data to the device 21, and onto the data collection computer means 20 along with a coded signal identifying the particular parking space on 30 which the vehicle is or was parked. That way, an accurate method of monitoring, metering 15 and charging the owner of a parked vehicle can be determined by an exit booth operator having access to the data collection computer means 20. It will also be appreciated that a system of the invention may comprise any number of fixed 5 devices 21 in combination with the devices 2, with all devices 2, 21 being used continuously to relay data to a central data collection and processing computer means 20 configured with infringement management software including data logging and associated functions. Referring now to figure 4, a flow chart of broad processing steps of the method of the 10 invention as applying to a vehicle detection device 2, is illustrated. The computer controlled process of the invention is by way of a program for controlling the operation of the device 2, and in particular programming the control means 4 in a manner that carries out the operation of the invention. 15 The program in step a. allows for user preferences to be set, and this includes at least the time limit for a vehicle to be parked in a particular car park or parking space. The usual restricted time limits are commonly between 5 minutes and 120 minutes but may involve greater or different time periods such as long time vehicle parking and associated data logging at airport 20 parking spaces. A further parameter is the time interval between which a coded signal identifying the vehicle in the parking space has exceeded a limit will be sent to the receiver means 6. This parameter can be any desirable time interval and would be likely set between 15 seconds and 5 minutes. Further programming will include configuring the control means 4 of the device 2 to carry out at least some of the following steps. 25 After the device 2 is powered on either manually or by operation of a preset 24 hour timer in the control means 4 to operate during set hours during a day, usually between 8:00 hours to 18:00 hours or any other applicable hours or days as required. The device 2 will operate in standby mode whereby the car parking space will be monitored. When a car parks over the 30 space, in step b. of the program the detector means 3 will sense or detect the presence of a vehicle and send a signal to the control means 4 indicating a vehicle is present and occupying 16 an identifiable parking space and the control means 4 will trigger a counter means that counts how long the car has been parked in the space without being moved. In step c. the control means 4 will compare the time counted with the predetermined 5 maximum parking time limit allowed for the car park. If the vehicle moves away from the car park the vacancy is detected and in step bb. the timer or counter will be stopped and the control means will be reset to standby mode. If the vehicle continues to be parked in the car park at the predetermined time limit, the control means 4 will generate a coded signal that is transmitted from the transceiver 5 to the receiver means 6 of the unit 8 when the maximum 10 time limit, plus the first preset time interval has elapsed. If the vehicle leaves the car park the timer or counter means will be stopped and the control means will reset to standby mode. 15 In step d. if the vehicle continues to remain in the car park the coded signal will be repeatedly sent to the receiver 6 at the predetermined time interval between 30 seconds and 5 minutes until either the user in step dd. manually resets the device 2 by way of the programming unit 7 or from a device 8 sending a reset signal to the control means 4. This last operational step dd. is expected to apply when a user or parking warden has reached the parking space and has 20 decided to issue a ticket. A further step e. in the computer controlled process may apply which is where details of the infringement can be compiled into a suitable datafile report that is stored in the data storage means of the control means 4 or can be transmitted to another hand held unit 8 and onto a 25 data collection and storage means 20, or sent to a third party or otherwise as required. It will be appreciated that the device 2 may be adapted with a text sending capability such that it can additionally or alternatively send a text message supplying details of the car park to a standard cellular phone. This option has the advantage of being able to send a text message 30 without limits to the operational range of the signal being sent as may apply to the RF coded signals being transmitted by the transceiver 5. 17 Wherein the aforegoing reference has been made to integers or components having known I equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that changes may be made to the above described 5 embodiments of the invention without departing from the principles taught herein. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Additional advantages of the present invention will become apparent for those skilled in the art after considering the principles in particular form as discussed and 10 illustrated. Thus, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described or illustrated, but is intended to cover all alterations or modifications which are within the scope of the appended claims. 18

Claims (22)

1. A vehicle metering device for detecting and metering a vehicle parked on a parking space or bay, the device having components including a control means, 5 vehicle sensing means, a power supply means to power the components of the device, and a telecommunication means, the components being configured and arranged together in a durable casing and forming a stand alone device, the vehicle metering device, in use, being mountable in, on or about a parking space to detect when a vehicle is present in the parking space and when it leaves the 10 parking space, the vehicle sensing means being adapted to feed status signals to the control means, the control means including a timer means for counting a preset time period representing the allowable time period for which a vehicle can be legally parked, and when the device has determined that a vehicle has been parked in the parking space for longer than the preset maximum time period, the 1 5 control means is programmed, in use, to generate and send an output coded signal via the telecommunication means to a remote receiver means at preset time intervals to confirm the time period that a said vehicle in the parking space has exceeded the maximum allowable parking time period along with identification of the parking space. 20

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the control means is a computer controlled programmable microprocessor means being programmed to generate data on the parking time periods of a vehicle parked in a parking space along with identification of the parking space. 25

3. A device according to either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the vehicle sensing means is an infrared beam circuit means configured to generate a signal to the control means when the beam circuit is interrupted and when the beam circuit is re-established. 30 19

4. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the telecommunication means is adapted to receive input signals from a remote programming device adapted to enable the control means to be programmed with a maximum allowable parking time period. 5

5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the control means, when determining that a vehicle has been parked in the parking space for longer than the preset maximum time period, is programmed to generate and send coded signals at predetermined intervals of between 30 seconds and 5 minutes to the 10 remote receiver means, the signals including data to identify the parking space and the amount of time the vehicle has exceeded the maximum allowable parking time period.

6. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the 1 5 telecommunication means includes a radio frequency transmitter adapted to send coded signals to the remote receiver means at a frequency in the ultra high frequency range.

7. A device according to claim 6 wherein the radio frequency transmitter transmits 20 coded signals at a frequency of 433 MHz.

8. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the telecommunication means including a leaky coaxial aerial configured and arranged either internally or externally of the casing to transmit coded signals. 25

9. A vehicle metering system for detecting and metering a vehicle parked on a parking space or bay, the system including the vehicle detection device of any one of claims 1 to 8 and including a suitably powered remote receiver means, the remote receiver means including a radio frequency receiver set to receiver coded 30 signals and data from the vehicle detection device at a preset frequency and a signal decoding means, and a programmable control means for receiving data 20 from the vehicle detection device and determining details of any infringements incurred by a vehicle parked in a parking space for more than the allowable parking time period. 5

10. A system according to claim 9 wherein the programmable control means includes a microprocessor means, and wherein the remote receiver means further includes a display means and an aerial means for receiving and transmitting signals, and being adapted with a means to communicate with a printer means, in use, to print infringement notices for vehicles that are determined as being parked for longer 10 than the maximum allowable parking time period.

11. A system according to either claim 9 or claim 10 wherein data received from the vehicle detection device is forwarded to a main database computer means for data logging and database purposes. 15

12. A vehicle metering system for detecting and metering vehicles parked in a plurality of parking space or bays in the same geographical area such as on a floor of a vehicle parking building, the system including a plurality of vehicle detection devices according to any one of claims 1 to 8 configured and mounted each in a 20 separate said parking space, and including a suitably powered remote data collection and display device comprising a programmable control means, a power supply means, a large display means, a computer memory and storage means, and a housing with suitable mounting means, the remote data collection and display device further including a telecommunications means set to receive coded signals 25 and data from each said vehicle detection device which is fed to the control means, the control means being configured and programmed to determine the number of parking spaces available in the geographical area and to display the number of spaces on the large display means, and to transmit the data and coded signals on vehicle parking activity via a transmitter means to a remote data 30 collection computer database server for data logging purposes. 21

13. A method of detecting and metering a vehicle in a parking space, the method including the steps of: a. detecting the presence of a vehicle in a parking space being monitored with the metering device according to claim 1, and triggering a timer means; 5 b. comparing the allowable time limit for parking in the parking space against a timer means running against the vehicle being parked; and when the time being clocked is greater than the parking time period allocated, c. generating and sending a coded signal with identification of the parking space to a remote receiver means that is configured and arranged to indicate to a 10 user that the parking limit has been exceeded by a vehicle parked in the parking space.

14. A method according to claim 13 further including step d. of sending repeat signals between preset time intervals of between 30 seconds and 5 minutes to confirm 1 5 that the vehicle exceeding the time limit is still parked in the parking space.

15. A method according to claim 13 wherein in step c. a datafile is compiled after the timer is reset including relevant time stamps confirming the time of detection of the vehicle in the parking space, when the time limit was exceeded, and the time 20 of manually resetting the timer when a user has physically reached the offending vehicle.

16. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 15 further comprising step F. of printing the report as an infringement notice and/or storing a datafile of the report 25 of the vehicle parking incident.

17. A computer controlled process for monitoring the presence of a vehicle in a parking space, the process including the steps of: 30 A. setting user preferences and operating in standby monitoring mode; 22 B. detecting the presence of a vehicle in a parking space being monitored by a vehicle detection device in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 8 and triggering a timer means; C. comparing the predetermined allowable time limit for parking in the parking 5 space against a timer counting the amount of time the vehicle is being parked; and when the time being clocked is greater than the parking time period allocated, D. generating and sending a coded signal with identification of the car park to a remote receiver means held by a parking warden or user indicating that the 10 parking limit has been exceeded by a vehicle marked in the parking space.

18. A computer controlled process according to claim 17 further including step E. of compiling a datafile report of the vehicle parking incident. 15

19. A computer controlled process according to either claim 17 or claim 18 further including step F. of printing the report as in infringement notice or storing a datafile of the report of the vehicle parking incident.

20. A vehicle metering device or system for detecting and metering a vehicle parked 20 on a parking space or bay substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.

21. A method of detecting and metering a vehicle in a parking space according to claim 13 substantially as herein described. 25

22. A computer controlled process for monitoring the presence of a vehicle in a parking space according to claim 17 substantially as herein described. 23