AU2014202983A1

AU2014202983A1 - Parking Monitoring System

Info

Publication number: AU2014202983A1
Application number: AU2014202983A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Grant Dehlsen
Original assignee: ADOX Pty Ltd
Current assignee: ADOX Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2013-09-11
Filing date: 2014-06-02
Publication date: 2015-03-26
Also published as: AU2017254970A1; AU2015205954B2; AU2015205954A1; AU2021202484B2; AU2021202484A1; AU2019204088A1

Abstract

- 11 A parking monitoring system for detection of vehicles in restricted parking areas; said system including: - a first image capture of a vehicle as said vehicle enters a said restricted parking area, - a second image capture of said vehicle after a predetermined time lapse; and wherein said second image capture is made if said vehicle has not exited said restricted parking area within said predetermined time lapse. Also disclosed is method of monitoring a restricted parking area; said method including the steps of: (a) mounting an image capturing module adjacent said restricted parking area, (b) capturing a first image of a vehicle sensed entering said restricted parking area, (c) allowing a predetermined time period to elapse, and capturing a second image of said vehicle, if no sensed detection of said vehicle exiting said restricted parking area has occurred. Also disclosed is a smart pole structure for a parking monitoring system; said smart pole structure comprising a base unit and from which extends an extension pole; mounted to the top of said extension pole is a camera assembly and a communication controller; said camera assembly communicating image information to said communication controller for processing and on communicating to a remote data processing and database facility. 0 C) Z'H 00 ~ ~ -

Description

- 1 PARKING MONITORING SYSTEM TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to traffic management and, more particularly to monitoring of illegal parking of vehicles. BACKGROUND [00021 It is known to monitor traffic by means of still or video imagery. Thus W02012038964A2 describes a system for " defining, monitoring and reporting incidences of potential traffic violations, motion or parking" (abstract) by means of video clips. Similarly, JP2773135B2 describes a system for detecting illegal parking through image recognition of a vehicle's registration number. [0003] Neither of the systems described in the above patent applications discloses a system of timed image capture specifically related to the entry and exit of vehicles at a restricted parking zone. [0004] It is an object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages or provide a useful alternative. Notes [0005] The term "comprising" (and grammatical variations thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive sense of "having" or "including", and not in the exclusive sense of "consisting only of". [0006] The above discussion of the prior art in the Background of the invention, is not an admission that any information discussed therein is citable prior art or part - 2 of the common general knowledge of persons skilled in the art in any country. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0007] Accordingly, in a first broad form of the invention, there is provided a parking monitoring system for detection of vehicles in restricted parking areas; said system including: - a first image capture of a vehicle as said vehicle enters a said restricted parking area, - a second image capture of said vehicle after a predetermined time lapse; and wherein said second image capture made if said vehicle has not exited said restricted parking area within said predetermined time lapse. [0008] Preferably, said image capture is made by means of a camera module mounted on a support structure adjacent said restricted parking area. In a preferred form the camera module can be mounted in car; in an alternative form it can be mounted to any removable item. [0009] Preferably, said camera module is provided with a movement sensor, short range radar, ground loop or camera analytics; said movement sensor, short range radar, ground loop or camera analytics reactive to movement of vehicles into and out of said restricted parking area. In a preferred form movement at the vehicle is sensed by the movement sensor. The sensor can be magnetic field based. Alternatively any other suitable movement sensing technology can be used to provide the movement sensor capability to detect movement of the vehicle.

- 3 [0010] Preferably, said camera module includes a communication system for transmission of image captures; transmission of said image captures forwarded to a monitoring authority or secure server. [0011] Preferably, said transmission of image captures include a date and time stamp of each of said image captures. [0012] Preferably, said camera module and said communication system are provided with power from a solar voltaic collector mounted at said support structure or from street power. [0013] Preferably, said system further includes one or more induction loops mounted within said restricted parking area; said induction loops responsive to a vehicle moving within sensing range of a said induction loop; each said induction loop in communication with a control micro processor included in said camera module. [0014] Preferably, said system includes two-way communication between said camera module and said monitoring authority; communication from said monitoring authority providing for adapting said time lapse to any one of a range of parking restrictions. [0015] In another broad form of the invention, there is provided a method of monitoring a restricted parking area; said method including the steps of: (a) mounting an image capturing module adjacent said restricted parking area, (b) capturing a first image of a vehicle sensed entering said restricted parking area, (c) allowing a predetermined time period to elapse, and capturing a second image of said vehicle, if no sensed detection of said vehicle exiting said restricted parking area has occurred. [0016] Preferably, said image capturing module is activated in a first instance to capture a first image by a motion sensor or camera analytics; said motion sensor reactive to a vehicle entering said restricted parking area. [0017] Preferably, said image capturing module is activated in a second instance to capture a second image when a predetermined time has elapsed from the capture of said first image and said motion sensor has not detected said vehicle exiting said restricted parking area. [0018] Preferably, a monitoring authority of said restricted parking area is in two way communication with said image capturing module; said monitoring authority enabled to adapt said predetermined time period to any one of a range of parking restrictions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0019] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a general view of a restricted parking area with a monitoring system according to the invention, Figure 2 is a schematic view of a communications system for use with the parking monitoring system of the invention, Figure 3 illustrates a pole mounted arrangement suited for use with the system of figure 1 and/or figure 2, - 5 Figure 4 illustrates a network topology in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the system, Figure 5 illustrates parking compliance workflow in relation to the system. Figure 6 illustrates parking compliance workflow in relation to the processing officer. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS First Preferred Embodiment [0020] In a first preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to figure 1, a restricted parking area 10 is provided with an image capturing module 12 mounted adjacent to the area 10 on a supporting structure 14. Preferably the supporting structure 14 is mounted to a parking advisory pole 16 and is so placed that the image capturing module 12 at the top of the supporting structure is afforded a clear view of the front or back, and therefore the license plate 18 of a vehicle 20 entering the area 10. [0021] The imaging device (not shown) of the image capturing module 18 may be a digital still or video camera. Also included in the image capturing or IP module 18 is a motion sensor (not shown) responsive to movement into and out of the restricted parking area 10 by vehicles. The motion sensor may be of any suitable type, including for example, infrared and short range radar systems or analytics. Furthermore, the module 12 is provided with a micro-processor and a communication module for at least transmitting image data over the internet to a monitoring authority or secure server 36 as shown in figure 2. [0022] Preferably, power for the image capturing module and its sub-systems is provided by a solar voltaic panel 22 and storage battery (not shown), or may be supplied from the street light power system or building power.

- 6 Second Preferred Embodiment [0023] In a second preferred embodiment of the invention, still with reference to figure 1, the motion sensor may be augmented, or replaced by one or more inductive loops 24 or other vehicle sensor positioned under the surface 26 of the restricted parking area 10 and in communication with the image capturing module 12. In this instance, still or short video imagery will be taken by the imaging device of the module when a vehicle 20 comes within range of an inductive loop 24. Third Preferred Embodiment [0024] Figure 3 illustrates a 'smart pole' arrangement suited for use with any of the described embodiments. In this instance the pole 50 comprises a base unit 50A which can be anchored by means of base plate 50B into the pavement 51. A smaller diameter extension pole 50C extends from the base unit 50A amounted to the top of the extension pole SOC is a lateral extender 50D to which is mounted a camera assembly 52. Also mounted to the top of the extension pole 50C is a solar panel 53. Also mounted to the top of the extension pole SOC is a logic and communication controller 54. These components interact with each other so as to provide a 'smart pole' arrangement which in turn communicates with the data processing and database facilities 38 of the monitoring authority. [0025] With reference to Figure 4 the camera assembly 52 and logic and communication controller 54 can be deployed widely. They are arranged to communicate over telephone networks 60 and via the internet 61 to servers 62. In preferred forms the data sent from the smart pole arrangement to the servers is sent securely and the servers managed in a secure environment. In conjunction with the server 62 a management system 63 orchestrates the release of data to users 64a, 64b, 64c. Fourth Preferred Embodiment [0026] The flow charts of Figures 5 and 6 illustrate steps in parking compliance followed by local processing steps which can be implemented in conjunction with any of the previously described embodiments. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY [0027] Software executed by the micro-processor provides for a still or a first short video image to be taken by the imaging device only when a vehicle 20 is detected as entering the restricted parking area 10, either through the triggering of the motion sensor, infrared or short range radar, analytics, or the reaction of an inductive loop 24 or other vehicle sensor. The image captured is date and time stamped and a timer set to to. If, at the elapse of a predetermined length of time (t,) there has been no detection of movement by the vehicle 20 out of the restricted parking area 10, the imaging device is triggered again to take a second still or video image of the vehicle. [0028] As shown schematically in figure 2, the capture of a second still or video image causes the micro-processor 30 to activate the communication system 32 and transmit, via the internet 34 or to a second unit for transmission via the internet, the first and second captured imagery to the monitoring authority 36 of the system. Either manual inspection or image analysis software may then be used to ascertain the license number of the vehicle and appropriate action taken with reference to data processing and database facilities 38 of the monitoring authority. [0029] Preferably, the system provides for two-way communication between the monitoring authority and the image capturing module. By this means the time lapse between to and t. can be varied as required to adapt the system to any parking restriction, from "NO PARKING", "NO STOPPING", "DISABLED" or "NO STANDING" to time specific parking, including variations in time limits according to time of day and days of the week. [00301 The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A parking monitoring system for detection of vehicles in restricted parking areas; said system including: - a first image capture of a vehicle as said vehicle enters a said restricted parking area, - a second image capture of said vehicle after a predetermined time lapse; and wherein said second image capture is made if said vehicle has not exited said restricted parking area within said predetermined time lapse.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said image capture is made by means of a camera module mounted on a support structure adjacent said restricted parking area.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said camera module is provided with a movement sensor, short range radar or ground loop; said movement sensor, short range radar or ground loop or analytics reactive to movement of vehicles into and out of said restricted parking area.

4. The system of claim 2 or 3 wherein said camera module includes a communication system for transmission of image captures; transmission of said image captures forwarded to a monitoring authority.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said transmission of image captures include a date and time stamp of each of said image captures.

6. The system of any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein said camera module and said communication system are provided with power from a solar voltaic collector - 9 mounted at said support structure or from street power or building.

7. The system of any one of claims I to 6 wherein said system further includes one or more induction loops mounted within said restricted parking area; said induction loops responsive to a vehicle moving within sensing range of a said induction loop; each said induction loop in communication with a control micro processor included in said camera module.

8. The system of any one of claims 2 to 7 wherein said system includes two-way communication between said camera module and said monitoring authority; communication from said monitoring authority providing for adapting said time lapse to any one of a range of parking restrictions.

9. A method of monitoring a restricted parking area; said method including the steps of: (a) mounting an image capturing module adjacent said restricted parking area, (b) capturing a first image of a vehicle sensed entering said restricted parking area, (c) allowing a predetermined time period to elapse, and capturing a second image of said vehicle, if no sensed detection of said vehicle exiting said restricted parking area has occurred.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said image capturing module is activated in a first instance to capture a first image by a motion sensor; said motion sensor reactive to a vehicle entering said restricted parking area. - 10

11. The method of claim 9 or 10 wherein said image capturing module is activated in a second instance to capture a second image when a predetermined time has elapsed from the capture of said first image and said motion sensor has not detected said vehicle exiting said restricted parking area.

12. The method of any one of claims 9 to 11 wherein a monitoring authority of said restricted parking area is in two way communication with said image capturing module; said monitoring authority enabled to adapt said predetermined time period to any one of a range of parking restrictions.

13. A smart pole structure for a parking monitoring system; said smart pole structure comprising a base unit and from which extends an extension pole; mounted to the top of said extension pole is a camera assembly and a communication controller; said camera assembly communicating image information to said communication controller for processing and on-communicating to a remote data processing and database facility.

14. The smart pole structure of Claim 13 further including a lateral extender extending from said extension pole to which is mounted said camera assembly.

15. A parking monitoring system as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.