AU2017254970A1

AU2017254970A1 - Monitoring System

Info

Publication number: AU2017254970A1
Application number: AU2017254970A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Grant Dehlsen
Original assignee: ADOX Pty Ltd
Current assignee: ADOX Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2013-09-11
Filing date: 2017-11-03
Publication date: 2017-11-23
Also published as: AU2014202983A1; AU2021202484A1; AU2019204088A1; AU2015205954B2; AU2021202484B2; AU2015205954A1

Abstract

- 16 A vehicle compliance monitoring system for detection of vehicles in restricted parking areas; said system including: - at least one video camera module mounted above vehicle height for viewing multiple vehicle locations, - 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; said monitoring system further including analytics reactive to movement of vehicles; said analytics derived from video imagery of said vehicle moving into and out of said restricted parking area as recorded by said video camera module. 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. c~ ~ C9 7J1-

Description

VEHICLE COMPLIANCE MONITORING SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to traffic management and, more particularly to monitoring of illegal parking of vehicles.

BACKGROUND

[0002] It is known to monitor traffic by means of still or video imagery. Thus WO2012038964A2 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 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.

[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 microprocessor 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,

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 a vehicle monitoring compliance system according to 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. The image capturing module 12 and its supporting structure 14 may be one of a plurality of such modules and support structures arranged along a road or distributed within a parking area for example .

[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] In a preferred arrangement, the image capturing modules 18 within a given plurality of modules, are provided with short range communication modules for transmission of data within the plurality. One of the plurality of image capturing or IP modules 18, in addition to its function as an image capturing module, is a hub module and acts as an edge storage device for image and analytics data captured by the other image capturing modules which are part of a given plurality of modules. In this arrangement, only edge storage equipped image capturing module is provided with a transmission module for communicating with a remote monitoring authority.

[0023] The equipping of the image capturing system of the invention with local, that is incorporated in each image capturing module 18 with analytics software to perform at least some of the initial analysis of the images, time records and other captured raw data, thereby reducing the amount of relevant data for transmission to and storage at the hub module. Further processing at the hub module may reduce the data further thus minimising the volume and band width required for communication with the monitoring authority.

[0024] 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.

Second Preferred Embodiment [0025] 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 [0026] 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 50C 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 50C is a logic and communication controller 54. These components interact with each other so as to provide a 'smart pole' arrangement. As described above, these 'smart poles' may be in communication with all the other smart poles within a plurality of image capturing modules and with a hub module which in turn communicates with the data processing and database facilities 38 of the monitoring authority.

[0027] 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 [0028] 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

[0029] 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 (tx) 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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 tx 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.

Claims

1. A vehicle compliance monitoring system for detection of vehicles in restricted parking areas; said system including: - at least one video camera module mounted above vehicle height for viewing multiple vehicle locations, - 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; said monitoring system further including analytics reactive to movement of vehicles; said analytics derived from video imagery of said vehicle moving into and out of said restricted parking area as recorded by said video camera module.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said video camera module is one of a plurality of video camera modules; said video camera modules mounted on an array of support structures adjacent to, or within a said restricted parking area.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein each said camera module is provided with a movement sensor, short range radar or ground loop and a short range communication module.

4. The system of claim 2 or 3 wherein one of said plurality of video camera modules is a hub module; said hub module acting as an edge storage device for collected images and analytics data generated by other

5. The system of claim 2 or 3 wherein a communication module of said hub module transmits said image captures and analytics data to a remote monitoring authority.

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

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

8. The system of any one of claims 1 to 7 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 microprocessor included in said video camera module.

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

10. 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; said monitoring system further including analytics reactive to movement of vehicles derived from video imagery recorded by said video camera of said vehicle into and out of said restricted parking area.

11. The method of claim 10 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 .

12. The method of claim 10 or 11 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.

13. The method of any one of claims 10 to 12 wherein the image capturing module is one of a plurality of image capturing modules; each of said image capturing modules mounted on a support structure adjacent to, or within a restricted parking area.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein one of the image capturing modules provides edge storage of images captured and analytics data generated by other ones of

15. The method of any one of claims 10 to 12 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.

16. The method of any previous claims wherein the monitoring system further includes: - a monitoring pole structure for the parking monitoring system; said monitoring pole structure comprising a base unit from which extends an extension pole; - a video camera assembly and a communication controller mounted to the top of said extension pole; said camera assembly communicating image information to said communication controller for processing and on-communicating to a remote data processing and database facility.

17. The method of Claim 14 wherein the montoring pole structure further including a lateral extender extending from said extension pole to which is mounted said video camera assembly.

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

19. 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; said monitoring system further including analytics reactive to movement of vehicles into and out of said restricted parking area.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein said image capture is made by means of a camera module mounted on a support structure adjacent said restricted parking area.

21. The system of claim 20 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.

22. The system of claim 20 or 21 wherein said camera module includes a communication system for transmission of image captures; transmission of said image captures forwarded to a monitoring authority.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein said transmission of image captures include a date and time stamp of each of said image captures.

24. The system of any one of claims 19 to 23 wherein 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 or building.

25. The system of any one of claims 19 to 24 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 microprocessor included in said camera module.

26. The system of any one of claims 19 to 25 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.

27. 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.

28. The method of claim 27 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 .

29. The method of claim 27 or 28 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.

30. The method of any one of claims 27 to 29 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.

31. The method of any one of claims 27 to 30 wherein the monitoring system further includes a monitoring pole structure for the parking monitoring system; said monitoring 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.

32. The method of Claim 31 wherein the monitoring pole structure further includes a lateral extender extending from said extension pole to which is mounted said camera assembly.