CA2720773A1 - System and method for documenting and enforcing vehicular transportation regulations - Google Patents
System and method for documenting and enforcing vehicular transportation regulations Download PDFInfo
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- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
- G07B15/00—Arrangements or apparatus for collecting fares, tolls or entrance fees at one or more control points
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- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
- G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
- G08G1/20—Monitoring the location of vehicles belonging to a group, e.g. fleet of vehicles, countable or determined number of vehicles
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Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for documenting and enforcing traffic and parking regulations. Infractions are recorded using client devices that are capable of determining the location of a vehicle. Information relating to the infraction and its location are sent to a remote server. The remote server accesses databases that identify, based on the location of the vehicle, photos and/or descriptions of upstream and downstream signs, and distances between the upstream and downstream signs and the vehicle. This information is transmitted to the client device and is preferable printed on a ticket generated by the client device. Additional information, including photographs of the windshield and license plate, may optionally be obtained by the client device and transmitted to the server. The information is preferable remotely accessible from the server by different stakeholders, including the alleged offender.
Description
CANADIAN PATENT APPLICATION
HILL & SCHUMACHER
Title: SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DOCUMENTING AND ENFORCING
VEHICULAR TRANSPORTATION REGULATIONS
Inventor: Josef Kates Canadian 3 Silverdale Cr.
Toronto ON M3A 3G9 SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DOCUMENTING AND ENFORCING
VEHICULAR TRANSPORTATION REGULATIONS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to systems and methods for enforcing transportation regulations. More particularly, this invention relates to systems and methods of documenting and enforcing parking infractions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The enforcement of parking regulations is a major concern for municipalities around the world. While parking enforcement can be a profitable component of municipal infrastructure, only a fraction of the total fines associated with parking infractions are typically collected within a given year. The inefficient and unfulfilled collection of parking fine revenues can be attributed to several problems that relate to documentation, communication, and the ability to mount a compelling case against an alleged offender in a court of law.
The documentation of parking tickets is a process that is often fraught with problems associated with insufficient proof or evidence of an infraction. For example, parking tickets are frequently issued that contain insufficient information to support the violation of a regulation. Furthermore, handwritten tickets are often illegible and/or misinterpreted by an offender, leading to confusion, frustration, and unnecessary costs associated with court challenges and lost productivity.
In other cases, invalid or questionable tickets are issued where a regulation was not broken, but where a Parking Control Officer incorrectly perceived the breaking of a regulation. For example, invalid parking tickets may be issued where a time window associated with an infraction as per a posted street sign was in fact obeyed, but where the officer perceived that an infraction was occurring. In another example, an officer may issue a parking ticket to a disabled person posting a visible permit, but where the officer did not notice the permit. In another case a parking ticket may be issued to an alleged offender alleging that the offender was parked during a restricted time zone when the sign at which the vehicle was parked displayed no time restriction.
Some electronic parking enforcement systems and devices have been proposed to address these problems. However, as described below, all of these systems are designed to provide limited information on a ticket.
For example, US Patent Application No. 20060106504 provides an apparatus and a system for determining compliance with parking rules by a vehicle. The apparatus includes a means for receiving a signal representing a location selected from a plurality of locations, a rule storage means for storing parking rules relating to the plurality of locations, means for obtaining from the rule storage means, a rule relating to the selected location, means for determining if a vehicle parked at the selected location complies with the rule and means for transmitting a compliance signal representing the compliance determination.
US Patent Application No. 20080308631 discloses a hand-held violation ticket issuing device which incorporates a digital camera so that the ticket can be
HILL & SCHUMACHER
Title: SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DOCUMENTING AND ENFORCING
VEHICULAR TRANSPORTATION REGULATIONS
Inventor: Josef Kates Canadian 3 Silverdale Cr.
Toronto ON M3A 3G9 SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DOCUMENTING AND ENFORCING
VEHICULAR TRANSPORTATION REGULATIONS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to systems and methods for enforcing transportation regulations. More particularly, this invention relates to systems and methods of documenting and enforcing parking infractions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The enforcement of parking regulations is a major concern for municipalities around the world. While parking enforcement can be a profitable component of municipal infrastructure, only a fraction of the total fines associated with parking infractions are typically collected within a given year. The inefficient and unfulfilled collection of parking fine revenues can be attributed to several problems that relate to documentation, communication, and the ability to mount a compelling case against an alleged offender in a court of law.
The documentation of parking tickets is a process that is often fraught with problems associated with insufficient proof or evidence of an infraction. For example, parking tickets are frequently issued that contain insufficient information to support the violation of a regulation. Furthermore, handwritten tickets are often illegible and/or misinterpreted by an offender, leading to confusion, frustration, and unnecessary costs associated with court challenges and lost productivity.
In other cases, invalid or questionable tickets are issued where a regulation was not broken, but where a Parking Control Officer incorrectly perceived the breaking of a regulation. For example, invalid parking tickets may be issued where a time window associated with an infraction as per a posted street sign was in fact obeyed, but where the officer perceived that an infraction was occurring. In another example, an officer may issue a parking ticket to a disabled person posting a visible permit, but where the officer did not notice the permit. In another case a parking ticket may be issued to an alleged offender alleging that the offender was parked during a restricted time zone when the sign at which the vehicle was parked displayed no time restriction.
Some electronic parking enforcement systems and devices have been proposed to address these problems. However, as described below, all of these systems are designed to provide limited information on a ticket.
For example, US Patent Application No. 20060106504 provides an apparatus and a system for determining compliance with parking rules by a vehicle. The apparatus includes a means for receiving a signal representing a location selected from a plurality of locations, a rule storage means for storing parking rules relating to the plurality of locations, means for obtaining from the rule storage means, a rule relating to the selected location, means for determining if a vehicle parked at the selected location complies with the rule and means for transmitting a compliance signal representing the compliance determination.
US Patent Application No. 20080308631 discloses a hand-held violation ticket issuing device which incorporates a digital camera so that the ticket can be
2 printed with an image of the vehicle license plate. The ticket may also include images of the expired meter and/or expired parking receipt or other evidence of a violation.
US Patent Application No. US20050111699 provides a system in which a digital camera and laser-based distance-measuring device are mounted on a patrol vehicle, street sweeping vehicle, or in a handheld harness. The patrol is performed along a route of parked vehicles to determine if any of them are in violation of parking regulations. Information about the offending vehicle is visually captured, recorded, and transferred via wireless communication to another site for further processing. For distance-based parking violations, visual data capture may include an image of a vehicle bumper in combination with a fire hydrant, driveway or other point of reference along with a super-imposed numerical readout of the measuring device to indicate that the offending vehicle is parked outside the limits of acceptability.
US Patent No. 6,081,206 discloses a system in which a video camera is mounted on a parking enforcement patrol vehicle and connected to a computer near the operator. The system is driven along a patrol route where parked vehicles are governed by a posted time limit. The system enforces the local parking regulation by automatically determining whether or not each parked car has been parked longer than the posted time limit. Violations are detected by applying a License Plate Recognition algorithm to the images. Each license plate number is time-tagged, geo-referenced and entered into a local database. When the patrol vehicle re-traces the patrol route after the posted parking time limit has
US Patent Application No. US20050111699 provides a system in which a digital camera and laser-based distance-measuring device are mounted on a patrol vehicle, street sweeping vehicle, or in a handheld harness. The patrol is performed along a route of parked vehicles to determine if any of them are in violation of parking regulations. Information about the offending vehicle is visually captured, recorded, and transferred via wireless communication to another site for further processing. For distance-based parking violations, visual data capture may include an image of a vehicle bumper in combination with a fire hydrant, driveway or other point of reference along with a super-imposed numerical readout of the measuring device to indicate that the offending vehicle is parked outside the limits of acceptability.
US Patent No. 6,081,206 discloses a system in which a video camera is mounted on a parking enforcement patrol vehicle and connected to a computer near the operator. The system is driven along a patrol route where parked vehicles are governed by a posted time limit. The system enforces the local parking regulation by automatically determining whether or not each parked car has been parked longer than the posted time limit. Violations are detected by applying a License Plate Recognition algorithm to the images. Each license plate number is time-tagged, geo-referenced and entered into a local database. When the patrol vehicle re-traces the patrol route after the posted parking time limit has
3 expired, the database is searched to flag vehicles that were observed at the same location during the previous circuit and therefore in violation of the parking regulations. When the system detects a parking violation, it prints a parking citation that the operator affixes to the offending parked vehicle. The system includes a map database that contains geo-referenced information describing different parking regulations. The map database and the geo-referenced regulations are used to determine when a violation has occurred.
US Patent Application No. US20080211689 discloses an illegal-parking-management portable terminal that includes a storage unit, an extracting unit, and a selecting unit. The storage unit stores facility information on a facility relevant to illegal parking and an illegal-parking application rule that defines illegal-parking condition for each penalty article. The extracting unit extracts, from the facility information, information on a "facility" (e.g. a fire hydrant or traffic light) within a predetermined range from a position specified as a vehicle parking position on a map displayed on a display unit. The selecting unit compares the extracted information with the illegal-parking application rule, and selects a penalty article to be applied to illegal parking of a vehicle. The selecting unit compares information on a facility and a distance calculated, and determines whether or not a violation has occurred based on an illegal parking application rule.
US Patent No. 6,243,029 provides a system that incorporates a camera device having optical character recognition capabilities for photographing vehicle indicia, which transmits data to and receives data from a remote central control
US Patent Application No. US20080211689 discloses an illegal-parking-management portable terminal that includes a storage unit, an extracting unit, and a selecting unit. The storage unit stores facility information on a facility relevant to illegal parking and an illegal-parking application rule that defines illegal-parking condition for each penalty article. The extracting unit extracts, from the facility information, information on a "facility" (e.g. a fire hydrant or traffic light) within a predetermined range from a position specified as a vehicle parking position on a map displayed on a display unit. The selecting unit compares the extracted information with the illegal-parking application rule, and selects a penalty article to be applied to illegal parking of a vehicle. The selecting unit compares information on a facility and a distance calculated, and determines whether or not a violation has occurred based on an illegal parking application rule.
US Patent No. 6,243,029 provides a system that incorporates a camera device having optical character recognition capabilities for photographing vehicle indicia, which transmits data to and receives data from a remote central control
4 unit to ensure vehicle compliance with regulations. A ticket is issued to those vehicles violating the parking regulations. The camera device also makes a pictorial record of the violation for use in court proceedings. The system may include a GPS device for determining a location of a vehicle.
US Patent Application No. US20020145664 provides a parking violation recording system for recording parking violations committed by violating vehicles, using an official vehicle having cameras located along the passenger side and along the driver side near the front and rear of the official vehicle. The operator of the official vehicle positions the vehicle substantially alongside the violating vehicle, and views images from the cameras on a display unit within the official vehicle. Once satisfied with the content of the images, the recording system acquires the images at the operator's request, and creates a data record memorializing the violation. Numerous data records are stored in image memory for later retrieval.
US Patent Application No. US20080218383 teaches a system and method for detecting parking infractions. It comprises computing one or more measurements associated with a stationary object found at a first location;
classifying the stationary object as being representative of a vehicle parked at the first location based on the one or more measurements associated with the stationary object; capturing one or more images of the vehicle parked at the first location; processing the one or more images of the vehicle to extract one or more present vehicle identifiers associated with the vehicle, and recording a time the one or more images were taken, a co-ordinate set associated with the first
US Patent Application No. US20020145664 provides a parking violation recording system for recording parking violations committed by violating vehicles, using an official vehicle having cameras located along the passenger side and along the driver side near the front and rear of the official vehicle. The operator of the official vehicle positions the vehicle substantially alongside the violating vehicle, and views images from the cameras on a display unit within the official vehicle. Once satisfied with the content of the images, the recording system acquires the images at the operator's request, and creates a data record memorializing the violation. Numerous data records are stored in image memory for later retrieval.
US Patent Application No. US20080218383 teaches a system and method for detecting parking infractions. It comprises computing one or more measurements associated with a stationary object found at a first location;
classifying the stationary object as being representative of a vehicle parked at the first location based on the one or more measurements associated with the stationary object; capturing one or more images of the vehicle parked at the first location; processing the one or more images of the vehicle to extract one or more present vehicle identifiers associated with the vehicle, and recording a time the one or more images were taken, a co-ordinate set associated with the first
5 location and the one or more identifiers associated with the vehicle;
determining a time duration for which parking is allowed at the first location; and comparing the present vehicle identifiers with previously recorded vehicle identifiers associated with the first location to determine if the vehicle has been parked at the first location for a period exceeding the time duration.
GPS devices are employed in a positioning system included as a component of the system. As shown in Figures 4, 5 and 8, and described in paragraph 52, a parking locations database is employed when determining whether or not there are restrictions associated with parking. A photographic record of an infraction is obtained using a camera device, and a proximity detection system is included for detect the proximity of objects around the vehicle and to measure the vehicle length.
Despite the systems and methods taught in these references, the potential for unclear tickets and/or court challenges of tickets remains. Accordingly, there remains a need for a system that provides an automated enforcement tool and improved documentation SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Disclosed herein are systems and methods that address the aforementioned problems in enforcing parking regulations by electronically documenting the parking warning signs or other visible regulations relating to an infraction. Embodiments of the invention incorporate a database comprising geotagged information relating to warning indicators (warnings and/or
determining a time duration for which parking is allowed at the first location; and comparing the present vehicle identifiers with previously recorded vehicle identifiers associated with the first location to determine if the vehicle has been parked at the first location for a period exceeding the time duration.
GPS devices are employed in a positioning system included as a component of the system. As shown in Figures 4, 5 and 8, and described in paragraph 52, a parking locations database is employed when determining whether or not there are restrictions associated with parking. A photographic record of an infraction is obtained using a camera device, and a proximity detection system is included for detect the proximity of objects around the vehicle and to measure the vehicle length.
Despite the systems and methods taught in these references, the potential for unclear tickets and/or court challenges of tickets remains. Accordingly, there remains a need for a system that provides an automated enforcement tool and improved documentation SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Disclosed herein are systems and methods that address the aforementioned problems in enforcing parking regulations by electronically documenting the parking warning signs or other visible regulations relating to an infraction. Embodiments of the invention incorporate a database comprising geotagged information relating to warning indicators (warnings and/or
6 regulations), which may be utilized to document the proximity of such indications in relation to a particular infraction. The resulting indication proximity and indication information may be made available to multiple stakeholders in the prosecution of a given infraction, such as the offender, the officer documenting the offence, and individuals involved in a court proceeding such as a judge.
Such information provides clear and unambiguous support for a given ticket and may be beneficial in reducing the volume of court cases and increasing the collection of parking fines. The invention also applies to infractions which do not require any physical signs or other explicit warnings. These types of infractions are addressed by the imaging capabilities of the portable client devices carried by parking control officers.
Accordingly, in a first aspect, there is provided a method of providing information relating to a vehicular infraction, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving, from a mobile client apparatus, location information associated with a vehicle; accessing a database comprising content information and location information associated with a plurality of prohibitory indicators; identifying one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to the vehicle; obtaining content information and location information associated with each of the one or more prohibitory indicators from the database; processing the location information associated with the vehicle and the location information associated with each identified prohibitory indicator to calculate a distance between each identified prohibitory indicator and the vehicle; and transmitting the distances and the content information associated with the one or more prohibitory indicators to the client
Such information provides clear and unambiguous support for a given ticket and may be beneficial in reducing the volume of court cases and increasing the collection of parking fines. The invention also applies to infractions which do not require any physical signs or other explicit warnings. These types of infractions are addressed by the imaging capabilities of the portable client devices carried by parking control officers.
Accordingly, in a first aspect, there is provided a method of providing information relating to a vehicular infraction, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving, from a mobile client apparatus, location information associated with a vehicle; accessing a database comprising content information and location information associated with a plurality of prohibitory indicators; identifying one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to the vehicle; obtaining content information and location information associated with each of the one or more prohibitory indicators from the database; processing the location information associated with the vehicle and the location information associated with each identified prohibitory indicator to calculate a distance between each identified prohibitory indicator and the vehicle; and transmitting the distances and the content information associated with the one or more prohibitory indicators to the client
7 apparatus. The content information preferably comprises a photograph of the prohibitory indicator, and the location information associated with the vehicle preferably comprises geographical coordinates. The plurality of prohibitory indicators preferably comprises one or more signs displaying parking restriction information.
The location information associated with the vehicle may further comprise a side of a street on which the vehicle is located, or the side of a street on which the vehicle is located may be identified based on the location information associated with the vehicle.
The database may further comprise name and location information associated with a plurality of streets, the method further comprising the steps of:
identifying a name of a street on which the vehicle is located; and transmitting the street name to the mobile client apparatus.
The method may further comprise receiving photographic documentary information from the mobile client apparatus, where the photographic documentary information is preferably selected from the group consisting of a photograph through a windshield of the vehicle and a photograph of a license plate of the vehicle.
The one or more prohibitory indicators may comprise an upstream prohibitory indicator and a downstream prohibitory indicator, wherein the step of processing the location information associated with the vehicle and the location information associated with each of the one or more prohibitory indicators comprises calculating an upstream distance and a downstream distance.
The location information associated with the vehicle may further comprise a side of a street on which the vehicle is located, or the side of a street on which the vehicle is located may be identified based on the location information associated with the vehicle.
The database may further comprise name and location information associated with a plurality of streets, the method further comprising the steps of:
identifying a name of a street on which the vehicle is located; and transmitting the street name to the mobile client apparatus.
The method may further comprise receiving photographic documentary information from the mobile client apparatus, where the photographic documentary information is preferably selected from the group consisting of a photograph through a windshield of the vehicle and a photograph of a license plate of the vehicle.
The one or more prohibitory indicators may comprise an upstream prohibitory indicator and a downstream prohibitory indicator, wherein the step of processing the location information associated with the vehicle and the location information associated with each of the one or more prohibitory indicators comprises calculating an upstream distance and a downstream distance.
8 The distances and the content information associated with the one or more prohibitory indicators may be stored in an additional database, in which case the method may further comprise receiving a request from an additional remote client apparatus for information relating to a given infraction, the request identifying the given infraction; and obtaining the information relating to the given infraction from the additional database; and providing the information relating to the given infraction to the additional remote client apparatus.
The additional remote client apparatus may comprise: a web browser, and wherein the step of providing the information relating to the given infraction comprises delivering the information relating to the given infraction as a web page; or a telephone, and wherein the step of providing the information relating to the given infraction comprises generating an audible message containing the information relating to the given infraction and playing back the audible message or wherein the request comprises a request for the information relating to the given infraction to be delivered via mail, and wherein the step of providing the information relating to the given infraction comprises printing a paper copy of the information relating to the given infraction for subsequently mailing.
The method may further comprise receiving, from the mobile client apparatus, information verifying an accuracy of the content information associated with the one or more prohibitory indicators.
In another aspect, there is provided an automated method of reporting a vehicular infraction on a mobile client apparatus, the mobile client apparatus comprising a processor, a positioning device for determining a location of the
The additional remote client apparatus may comprise: a web browser, and wherein the step of providing the information relating to the given infraction comprises delivering the information relating to the given infraction as a web page; or a telephone, and wherein the step of providing the information relating to the given infraction comprises generating an audible message containing the information relating to the given infraction and playing back the audible message or wherein the request comprises a request for the information relating to the given infraction to be delivered via mail, and wherein the step of providing the information relating to the given infraction comprises printing a paper copy of the information relating to the given infraction for subsequently mailing.
The method may further comprise receiving, from the mobile client apparatus, information verifying an accuracy of the content information associated with the one or more prohibitory indicators.
In another aspect, there is provided an automated method of reporting a vehicular infraction on a mobile client apparatus, the mobile client apparatus comprising a processor, a positioning device for determining a location of the
9 mobile client apparatus and a communications interface for communicating with a remote computing apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining location information associated with a vehicle from the positioning device;
transmitting the location information associated with the vehicle to the remote computing apparatus, wherein the remote computing apparatus is configured to identify one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to a location of the vehicle;
receiving, from the remote computing apparatus, content information associated with the one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to the vehicle and computed distances between the vehicle and the one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to the vehicle; and generating a ticket comprising the content information and the distances.
The mobile client apparatus may further comprise a printer or a printer interface, the method further comprising the step of printing the ticket.
The remote computing apparatus may be further configured to identify a street where the vehicle is located; the method further comprising: receiving, from the remote computing apparatus, a name of the street where the vehicle is located, where the method preferably further comprises the steps of: receiving additional input from an operator of the mobile client apparatus; and including at least a portion of the additional input when generating the ticket. The mobile client apparatus may further comprise an input device, and wherein the additional input comprises a selection of one or more types of infractions, and/or an imaging device or an interface for connecting to an imaging device, wherein the additional input comprises one of an image obtained through a windshield of the vehicle, an image of a license plate of the vehicle, and a combination thereof.
The additional input is preferably transmitted to the remote computing apparatus.
The method may further comprise the steps of receiving, from the remote computing apparatus, instructions to be performed by an operator of the mobile client apparatus; and displaying the instructions to the operator.
The method may further comprise the steps of: receiving verification input from an operator verifying an accuracy of the content information; and transmitting the verification input to the remote computing apparatus.
Instructions for remotely accessing information relating to the infraction from the remote computing apparatus are preferably included on the generated ticket and the information provided on the ticket is preferably transmitted to the remote computing apparatus. The instructions may prescribe accessing the information relating to the infraction by one or more of a telephone and a web browser.
In yet another embodiment, there is provided a method of reporting a vehicular infraction using a mobile client apparatus, the mobile client apparatus comprising a processor, a positioning device, and a storage device comprising content information and location information associated with a plurality of prohibitory indicators, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining location information associated with a vehicle from the positioning device; identifying one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to the vehicle; processing the location information associated with the vehicle and the location information associated with each identified prohibitory indicator to calculate a distance between each identified prohibitory indicator and the vehicle; and generating a ticket comprising content information associated with the one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to the vehicle and computed distances between the vehicle and the one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to the vehicle.
The mobile client apparatus preferably further comprises a printer or a printer interface, the method further comprising the step of printing the ticket.
The method preferably further comprises the steps of receiving additional input from an operator of the mobile client apparatus; and including at least a portion of the additional input when generating the ticket, wherein the mobile client apparatus preferably further comprises an input device, and wherein the additional input preferably comprises a selection of one or more types of infractions. The mobile client apparatus may further comprise an imaging device or an interface for connecting to an imaging device, wherein the additional input comprises one of an image obtained through a windshield of the vehicle, an image of a license plate of the vehicle, and a combination thereof.
In still another aspect, there is provided a vehicular infraction enforcement and documentation system comprising: a remote computing apparatus comprising a processor coupled to a database, the database comprising content information and location information associated with a plurality of prohibitory indicators; and a mobile client apparatus comprising a positioning device for determining a location of a vehicle associated with an infraction and a communications interface for communicating the location of the vehicle to the remote computing apparatus, wherein the remote computing apparatus is configured to identify one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to the location of the vehicle.
The database preferably further comprises name and location information associated with a plurality of streets.
The processor is preferably programmed to: receive the information relating to the location of the vehicle from the mobile client apparatus;
identify the one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to the location of the vehicle;
obtain content information and location information associated with the one or more prohibitory indicators from the database; calculate a distance between each identified prohibitory indicator and the vehicle; and transmit the distances and the content information relating to the one or more prohibitory indicators to the mobile client apparatus.
The mobile client apparatus is preferably programmed to receive, from the remote computing apparatus, the content information associated with the one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to the vehicle and the distances; and generate a ticket comprising the content information and the distances.
The mobile client apparatus may further comprise a distance measuring device, wherein the mobile client apparatus is programmed to: record, during a communication failure between the mobile client apparatus and the remote computing apparatus, distance information and content information associated with one or more prohibitory indicators identified by an operator; and calculate a distance between each identified prohibitory indicator and the vehicle; and generate a ticket comprising the content information and the distances.
In another aspect, there is provided a method of generating a database comprising information associated with a plurality of vehicular prohibitory indicators, the method comprising the steps of: recording geotagged information associated with each the vehicular prohibitory indicator; and storing the geotagged information in a database.
The information associated with one or more of the vehicular prohibitory indicators may comprise one or more of a photograph and a description of content information.
The geotagged information is preferably recorded on a mobile client apparatus comprising an input device, a positioning device for determining a location of the mobile client apparatus, and a communications interface, wherein the step of storing the geotagged information in the database is preferably performed by: accessing a remote computing apparatus comprising the database; and transmitting the geotagged information to the remote computing apparatus for storage in the database.
The step of recording information associated with a given vehicular prohibitory indicator comprises: identifying a type of the given vehicular prohibitory indicator from a list displayed on a mobile apparatus, the mobile apparatus comprising a display for displaying the list, an input device, and a positioning device for determining a location of the mobile apparatus; and selecting the type from the list; wherein the type is recorded by the mobile apparatus in association with location information obtained by the positioning device.
A further understanding of the functional and advantageous aspects of the invention can be realized by reference to the following detailed description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which:
Figure 1 provides a schematic of a system for enforcing and documenting parking regulations.
Figure 2 illustrates the components of a client device employed to access the system and generate tickets.
Figure 3 is an illustration of a parking violation where a vehicle is parked between two neighbouring prohibitory signs.
Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating the steps performed by a Parking Control Officer when documenting an infraction.
Figure 5 provides an illustration of a ticket that includes information relating to adjacent prohibitory indicators, among other information.
Figure 6 illustrates additional information that can be provided on a generated ticket.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Generally speaking, the systems described herein are directed to systems and methods for documenting and enforcing transportation and vehicle regulations. As required, embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary, and it should be understood that the invention may be embodied in many various and alternative forms. The Figures are not to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular elements while related elements may have been eliminated to prevent obscuring novel aspects.
Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. For purposes of teaching and not limitation, the illustrated embodiments are directed to systems and methods for documenting and enforcing parking regulations.
As used herein, the terms, "comprises" and "comprising" are to be construed as being inclusive and open ended, and not exclusive. Specifically, when used in this specification including claims, the terms, "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean the specified features, steps or components are included. These terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.
As used herein, the terms "about" and "approximately", when used in conjunction with ranges of dimensions of particles, compositions of mixtures or other physical properties or characteristics, are meant to cover slight variations that may exist in the upper and lower limits of the ranges of dimensions so as to not exclude embodiments where on average most of the dimensions are satisfied but where statistically dimensions may exist outside this region. It is not the intention to exclude embodiments such as these from the present invention.
As used herein, the term "infraction" means any offence relating to a vehicle occupying a physical location that is in violation with a regulation.
Infractions may relate to any violation, and are not limited to parking violations.
Non-limiting examples of infractions include parking and speeding violations.
Infractions may also relate to "no stopping" signs, or the presence of a vehicle travelling in a restricted zone such as a carpool lane.
As used herein, the term "prohibitory indicator" refers to any visible, audible, or otherwise communicable warning or other indication relating to a potential infraction. Non-limiting examples of prohibitory indicators include text, symbols or other visible indications located on signs or roads. Non-limiting examples of signs include parking signs, stop signs, and signs posting a speed limit. Another non-limiting example of a prohibitory indicator is an expired parking meter or an expired receipt originally issued by a machine for paying for a selected parking period in advance.
Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved parking enforcement and documentation system that supports the generation and documentation of geocoded evidence relating to an infraction. Unlike existing systems, which have primarily focused on generating photographic evidence pertaining only to a vehicle and its immediate surroundings, the evidence generated and documented according to embodiments disclosed herein indicates the proximity of the vehicle to neighbouring signs or other prohibitory indicators that relate to a potential violation, and also documents the information provided on the signs or prohibitory indicators. By documenting such information in a geotagged manner, the documentation relating to an infraction is clear and unambiguous, and is significantly less likely to be challenged in a court of law. In selected embodiments, the system makes the evidence and other information relating to a violation accessible to an alleged offender and others by various methods, including the internet, optionally from any telephone to an automated voice response system, and optionally by automated telephone request for the information to be provided by mail to offenders without access to a computer.
Referring to Figure 1, a schematic of a parking regulation documentation and enforcement system 100 is provided. System 100 comprises remote processing and communication server 110 that is connected through network 120 to client devices 130. Client devices 130 are wireless devices that are operated by Parking Control Officers (PCOs) for documenting an infraction and communicating with remote server 110. Preferably, each client device 130 has a unique identifier that enables remote server 110 to identify a given client device.
Each client device 130 is preferably capable of printing a parking ticket, or may be interfaced with a printing device for printing a parking ticket. As shown in Figure 2, a client device 130 preferably comprises a processor 200, a memory 205, a communications interface 210, a positioning device 215, a printer or printing interface 220, input device 225, display 230 and calendar and clock 240.
Device 130 may comprise multiple processors for enhanced computing power.
Memory 205 may be volatile memory (e.g., registers, cache, RAM), non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM, EEPROM, flash memory, etc.), or a combination thereof.
Software is stored in memory 205 for implementing the methods described in the forthcoming embodiments. Input device 225 may be a touch input device such as a keyboard, mouse, pen, or trackball, a voice input device, a scanning device, or another device that provides input to client device 130.
Communication interface 210 enables communication over a communication medium to another computing entity, such as remote server 110 in Figure 1. The communication medium conveys information such as computer-executable instructions other data in a modulated data signal. A modulated data signal is a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media include wired or wireless techniques implemented with an electrical, optical, RF, infrared, acoustic, or other carrier.
Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that system 100 (and other systems disclosed and illustrated herein) may further comprise additional networking elements that are not shown, such as routers, gateways, and firewalls, to name but a few such components.
Positioning device 215 identifies the location of client device 130, and is preferably a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. The positioning system preferably provides latitude and longitude coordinates of the client device.
The GPS receiver typically has an accuracy of approximately 15 m, and in a preferred embodiment, a more precise receiver is employed. Two non-limiting examples of such receivers are differential or relative GPS receivers or systems (e.g.
DGPS), which have accuracies typically in the 3-5 m range, or more preferably, wide area augmentation system (WAAS) receivers, which provide accuracy of better than 3 meters under typical operating conditions.
The systems and methods can be described in the general context of computer-readable media. Computer-readable media are any available media that can be accessed within a computing environment. By way of example, and not limitation, with the client device 130, computer-readable media includes memory 205, any additional storage (not shown), communication media, and combinations of any of the above.
The systems and methods can be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as those included in program modules, being executed in a computing environment on a target real or virtual processor.
Generally, program modules include routines, programs, application programming interfaces, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules. Computer-executable instructions for program modules may be executed within a local or distributed computing environment.
Client device also preferably includes an imaging device, such as a CCD
or CMOS camera, or may be interfaced with such a device to acquire images.
The resolution of the imaging device is preferably sufficient to obtain an image of a vehicle windshield, where information such as parking receipts, parking permits, and vehicle identification numbers (VIN) may be recorded. The imaging device is preferably able to function under a wide range of ambient conditions and is able to take a photo through a windshield, if necessary from certain angles without being obscured unduly by reflections from the windshield. For example, the imaging device may be equipped with a polarizing filter to reduce reflective glare from a windshield or other surface.
In one embodiment, the imaging device superimposes a ruler or grid with units (preferably in metric or English) on the image so that distances such as vehicle distance from the curb, a hydrant, a transit stop, an entry, an intersection, etc. can be sufficiently accurately determined The ruler or grid is preferably scalable to the distance of the object from the imaging device. For example, multiple measurement scales may be provided to support measurements at multiple resolutions. A high-resolution scale (for example, in centimeters) may be provided for close measurements (such as for vehicles parked too far from the curb), a medium resolution scale (for example, with a resolution on of one or two meters) may be provided for intermediate distances (such as obstructing a vehicle entry), and a long-resolution scale (for example, with a resolution of
transmitting the location information associated with the vehicle to the remote computing apparatus, wherein the remote computing apparatus is configured to identify one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to a location of the vehicle;
receiving, from the remote computing apparatus, content information associated with the one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to the vehicle and computed distances between the vehicle and the one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to the vehicle; and generating a ticket comprising the content information and the distances.
The mobile client apparatus may further comprise a printer or a printer interface, the method further comprising the step of printing the ticket.
The remote computing apparatus may be further configured to identify a street where the vehicle is located; the method further comprising: receiving, from the remote computing apparatus, a name of the street where the vehicle is located, where the method preferably further comprises the steps of: receiving additional input from an operator of the mobile client apparatus; and including at least a portion of the additional input when generating the ticket. The mobile client apparatus may further comprise an input device, and wherein the additional input comprises a selection of one or more types of infractions, and/or an imaging device or an interface for connecting to an imaging device, wherein the additional input comprises one of an image obtained through a windshield of the vehicle, an image of a license plate of the vehicle, and a combination thereof.
The additional input is preferably transmitted to the remote computing apparatus.
The method may further comprise the steps of receiving, from the remote computing apparatus, instructions to be performed by an operator of the mobile client apparatus; and displaying the instructions to the operator.
The method may further comprise the steps of: receiving verification input from an operator verifying an accuracy of the content information; and transmitting the verification input to the remote computing apparatus.
Instructions for remotely accessing information relating to the infraction from the remote computing apparatus are preferably included on the generated ticket and the information provided on the ticket is preferably transmitted to the remote computing apparatus. The instructions may prescribe accessing the information relating to the infraction by one or more of a telephone and a web browser.
In yet another embodiment, there is provided a method of reporting a vehicular infraction using a mobile client apparatus, the mobile client apparatus comprising a processor, a positioning device, and a storage device comprising content information and location information associated with a plurality of prohibitory indicators, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining location information associated with a vehicle from the positioning device; identifying one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to the vehicle; processing the location information associated with the vehicle and the location information associated with each identified prohibitory indicator to calculate a distance between each identified prohibitory indicator and the vehicle; and generating a ticket comprising content information associated with the one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to the vehicle and computed distances between the vehicle and the one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to the vehicle.
The mobile client apparatus preferably further comprises a printer or a printer interface, the method further comprising the step of printing the ticket.
The method preferably further comprises the steps of receiving additional input from an operator of the mobile client apparatus; and including at least a portion of the additional input when generating the ticket, wherein the mobile client apparatus preferably further comprises an input device, and wherein the additional input preferably comprises a selection of one or more types of infractions. The mobile client apparatus may further comprise an imaging device or an interface for connecting to an imaging device, wherein the additional input comprises one of an image obtained through a windshield of the vehicle, an image of a license plate of the vehicle, and a combination thereof.
In still another aspect, there is provided a vehicular infraction enforcement and documentation system comprising: a remote computing apparatus comprising a processor coupled to a database, the database comprising content information and location information associated with a plurality of prohibitory indicators; and a mobile client apparatus comprising a positioning device for determining a location of a vehicle associated with an infraction and a communications interface for communicating the location of the vehicle to the remote computing apparatus, wherein the remote computing apparatus is configured to identify one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to the location of the vehicle.
The database preferably further comprises name and location information associated with a plurality of streets.
The processor is preferably programmed to: receive the information relating to the location of the vehicle from the mobile client apparatus;
identify the one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to the location of the vehicle;
obtain content information and location information associated with the one or more prohibitory indicators from the database; calculate a distance between each identified prohibitory indicator and the vehicle; and transmit the distances and the content information relating to the one or more prohibitory indicators to the mobile client apparatus.
The mobile client apparatus is preferably programmed to receive, from the remote computing apparatus, the content information associated with the one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to the vehicle and the distances; and generate a ticket comprising the content information and the distances.
The mobile client apparatus may further comprise a distance measuring device, wherein the mobile client apparatus is programmed to: record, during a communication failure between the mobile client apparatus and the remote computing apparatus, distance information and content information associated with one or more prohibitory indicators identified by an operator; and calculate a distance between each identified prohibitory indicator and the vehicle; and generate a ticket comprising the content information and the distances.
In another aspect, there is provided a method of generating a database comprising information associated with a plurality of vehicular prohibitory indicators, the method comprising the steps of: recording geotagged information associated with each the vehicular prohibitory indicator; and storing the geotagged information in a database.
The information associated with one or more of the vehicular prohibitory indicators may comprise one or more of a photograph and a description of content information.
The geotagged information is preferably recorded on a mobile client apparatus comprising an input device, a positioning device for determining a location of the mobile client apparatus, and a communications interface, wherein the step of storing the geotagged information in the database is preferably performed by: accessing a remote computing apparatus comprising the database; and transmitting the geotagged information to the remote computing apparatus for storage in the database.
The step of recording information associated with a given vehicular prohibitory indicator comprises: identifying a type of the given vehicular prohibitory indicator from a list displayed on a mobile apparatus, the mobile apparatus comprising a display for displaying the list, an input device, and a positioning device for determining a location of the mobile apparatus; and selecting the type from the list; wherein the type is recorded by the mobile apparatus in association with location information obtained by the positioning device.
A further understanding of the functional and advantageous aspects of the invention can be realized by reference to the following detailed description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which:
Figure 1 provides a schematic of a system for enforcing and documenting parking regulations.
Figure 2 illustrates the components of a client device employed to access the system and generate tickets.
Figure 3 is an illustration of a parking violation where a vehicle is parked between two neighbouring prohibitory signs.
Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating the steps performed by a Parking Control Officer when documenting an infraction.
Figure 5 provides an illustration of a ticket that includes information relating to adjacent prohibitory indicators, among other information.
Figure 6 illustrates additional information that can be provided on a generated ticket.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Generally speaking, the systems described herein are directed to systems and methods for documenting and enforcing transportation and vehicle regulations. As required, embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary, and it should be understood that the invention may be embodied in many various and alternative forms. The Figures are not to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular elements while related elements may have been eliminated to prevent obscuring novel aspects.
Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. For purposes of teaching and not limitation, the illustrated embodiments are directed to systems and methods for documenting and enforcing parking regulations.
As used herein, the terms, "comprises" and "comprising" are to be construed as being inclusive and open ended, and not exclusive. Specifically, when used in this specification including claims, the terms, "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean the specified features, steps or components are included. These terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.
As used herein, the terms "about" and "approximately", when used in conjunction with ranges of dimensions of particles, compositions of mixtures or other physical properties or characteristics, are meant to cover slight variations that may exist in the upper and lower limits of the ranges of dimensions so as to not exclude embodiments where on average most of the dimensions are satisfied but where statistically dimensions may exist outside this region. It is not the intention to exclude embodiments such as these from the present invention.
As used herein, the term "infraction" means any offence relating to a vehicle occupying a physical location that is in violation with a regulation.
Infractions may relate to any violation, and are not limited to parking violations.
Non-limiting examples of infractions include parking and speeding violations.
Infractions may also relate to "no stopping" signs, or the presence of a vehicle travelling in a restricted zone such as a carpool lane.
As used herein, the term "prohibitory indicator" refers to any visible, audible, or otherwise communicable warning or other indication relating to a potential infraction. Non-limiting examples of prohibitory indicators include text, symbols or other visible indications located on signs or roads. Non-limiting examples of signs include parking signs, stop signs, and signs posting a speed limit. Another non-limiting example of a prohibitory indicator is an expired parking meter or an expired receipt originally issued by a machine for paying for a selected parking period in advance.
Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved parking enforcement and documentation system that supports the generation and documentation of geocoded evidence relating to an infraction. Unlike existing systems, which have primarily focused on generating photographic evidence pertaining only to a vehicle and its immediate surroundings, the evidence generated and documented according to embodiments disclosed herein indicates the proximity of the vehicle to neighbouring signs or other prohibitory indicators that relate to a potential violation, and also documents the information provided on the signs or prohibitory indicators. By documenting such information in a geotagged manner, the documentation relating to an infraction is clear and unambiguous, and is significantly less likely to be challenged in a court of law. In selected embodiments, the system makes the evidence and other information relating to a violation accessible to an alleged offender and others by various methods, including the internet, optionally from any telephone to an automated voice response system, and optionally by automated telephone request for the information to be provided by mail to offenders without access to a computer.
Referring to Figure 1, a schematic of a parking regulation documentation and enforcement system 100 is provided. System 100 comprises remote processing and communication server 110 that is connected through network 120 to client devices 130. Client devices 130 are wireless devices that are operated by Parking Control Officers (PCOs) for documenting an infraction and communicating with remote server 110. Preferably, each client device 130 has a unique identifier that enables remote server 110 to identify a given client device.
Each client device 130 is preferably capable of printing a parking ticket, or may be interfaced with a printing device for printing a parking ticket. As shown in Figure 2, a client device 130 preferably comprises a processor 200, a memory 205, a communications interface 210, a positioning device 215, a printer or printing interface 220, input device 225, display 230 and calendar and clock 240.
Device 130 may comprise multiple processors for enhanced computing power.
Memory 205 may be volatile memory (e.g., registers, cache, RAM), non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM, EEPROM, flash memory, etc.), or a combination thereof.
Software is stored in memory 205 for implementing the methods described in the forthcoming embodiments. Input device 225 may be a touch input device such as a keyboard, mouse, pen, or trackball, a voice input device, a scanning device, or another device that provides input to client device 130.
Communication interface 210 enables communication over a communication medium to another computing entity, such as remote server 110 in Figure 1. The communication medium conveys information such as computer-executable instructions other data in a modulated data signal. A modulated data signal is a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media include wired or wireless techniques implemented with an electrical, optical, RF, infrared, acoustic, or other carrier.
Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that system 100 (and other systems disclosed and illustrated herein) may further comprise additional networking elements that are not shown, such as routers, gateways, and firewalls, to name but a few such components.
Positioning device 215 identifies the location of client device 130, and is preferably a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. The positioning system preferably provides latitude and longitude coordinates of the client device.
The GPS receiver typically has an accuracy of approximately 15 m, and in a preferred embodiment, a more precise receiver is employed. Two non-limiting examples of such receivers are differential or relative GPS receivers or systems (e.g.
DGPS), which have accuracies typically in the 3-5 m range, or more preferably, wide area augmentation system (WAAS) receivers, which provide accuracy of better than 3 meters under typical operating conditions.
The systems and methods can be described in the general context of computer-readable media. Computer-readable media are any available media that can be accessed within a computing environment. By way of example, and not limitation, with the client device 130, computer-readable media includes memory 205, any additional storage (not shown), communication media, and combinations of any of the above.
The systems and methods can be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as those included in program modules, being executed in a computing environment on a target real or virtual processor.
Generally, program modules include routines, programs, application programming interfaces, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules. Computer-executable instructions for program modules may be executed within a local or distributed computing environment.
Client device also preferably includes an imaging device, such as a CCD
or CMOS camera, or may be interfaced with such a device to acquire images.
The resolution of the imaging device is preferably sufficient to obtain an image of a vehicle windshield, where information such as parking receipts, parking permits, and vehicle identification numbers (VIN) may be recorded. The imaging device is preferably able to function under a wide range of ambient conditions and is able to take a photo through a windshield, if necessary from certain angles without being obscured unduly by reflections from the windshield. For example, the imaging device may be equipped with a polarizing filter to reduce reflective glare from a windshield or other surface.
In one embodiment, the imaging device superimposes a ruler or grid with units (preferably in metric or English) on the image so that distances such as vehicle distance from the curb, a hydrant, a transit stop, an entry, an intersection, etc. can be sufficiently accurately determined The ruler or grid is preferably scalable to the distance of the object from the imaging device. For example, multiple measurement scales may be provided to support measurements at multiple resolutions. A high-resolution scale (for example, in centimeters) may be provided for close measurements (such as for vehicles parked too far from the curb), a medium resolution scale (for example, with a resolution on of one or two meters) may be provided for intermediate distances (such as obstructing a vehicle entry), and a long-resolution scale (for example, with a resolution of
10-meters) may be provided for larger distances (for example, from a hydrant, transit stop, nearby intersection etc). The appropriate scale may be automatically 20 inserted by the camera by sensing the distance to the object being photographed or it may be manually set by the PCO.
In one non-limiting example, client device 130 is a handheld device with an integrated printer for documenting an infraction and printing a parking ticket.
Client device may also comprise a device that is capable of being interfaced to a local printing device. Client device further comprises a power source (not shown), such as batteries. Client device may be selected from a wide variety of wireless and location-service enabled devices, including, but not limited to, portable computing devices such as laptops, netbooks, smartphones, and tablets, and also custom platforms such as application specific handheld systems.
Referring again to Figure 1, client devices 130 document infractions and communicate with remote server 110 as further described below. Remote processing and communications server 110 preferably communicates bidirectionally in real time with client devices 130 through network 120.
Remote server 110 is programmed with software for managing parking ticket control and for processing data provided by client devices 130. Remote server comprises at least a processor, a memory, and a communications interface.
Remote server is connected to two databases 140 and 150 for storing and archiving raw and processed data relating to infractions. The databases may be local to the server, or may be accessible through a local or remote network.
Databases may comprise any useful database, including relational databases such as SQL.
Geotagged prohibitory indicator database 140 comprises a geographical database of geotagged prohibitory indicators, such as parking signs. A
database entry for a given prohibitory indicator preferably includes spatial coordinates and the information provided by the prohibitory indicator. In a case where the prohibitory indicator is a traffic or parking sign located on one particular side of a street, the database entry for the preferably sign indicates the side of the street where the sign is located. In a preferred embodiment, the geotagged prohibitory indicator database 140 comprises images of signs, which therefore provide clear and unambiguous documentation of the information visible to a driver. The database preferably includes both fixed prohibitory indicators, and also geotagged temporary prohibitory indicators, for example temporary signs for construction locations, special events, and snow routes.
Geotagged street map database 150 comprises a geographical database of geotagged street information with location coordinates correlated to street routes, names, street numbers and/or other prominent street items to identify a location where the adjacent street numbers are too far from the tagged vehicle location. The database contains entries describing the spatial locations of street to which parking or other traffic regulations apply. By combining the information in prohibitory indicator database 140 and street map database 150, the prohibitory indicators in a given region or jurisdiction may be physically located and correlated with street identities. Although prohibitory indicator database and street map database 150 are shown as two separate databases, it is to be understood that the databases may be combined and provided as a single database.
In addition to being connected to databases 140 and 150 as shown in Figure 1, remote server 110 is preferably connected to infraction database 160 for recording and archiving infractions documented and transmitted by client devices 130. While infraction database 160 is shown as a separate component of system 100, it is to be understood that any or all of database 140, 150 and may be co-located on or local to remote server 110. Specific information relating to infractions that may be stored on infraction database 160 is described in further detail below.
Remote server 110 is also preferably connected to additional client devices 160 through network 120, or through an additional network. In several non-limiting embodiments, additional client devices 160 may be administrative computing systems employed by administrative staff, web portals accessible by drivers involved in an infraction via the internet and/or automated telephony and/or courtroom staff for accessing information before, during or after a court proceeding.
With reference to Figure 3 and 4, an illustration of a typical infraction is provided, and flowchart is shown that illustrates the steps that are performed by a PCO when documenting the infraction. As noted above, client devices 130 are field-ready portable and wireless devices that are employed by PCOs to document and preferably verify a traffic violation and to print a ticket. The PCO
interacts with client device via input device 225 and display 230, and client device 130 is preferably programmed to provide a user interface for facilitating the user interaction process.
The PCO is presented with a potential violation scenario, a non-limiting example of which is shown in Figure 3. Vehicle 300 is illegally parked on a street between two prohibitory indicators, namely upstream sign 310 and downstream sign 320. The prohibitory indicators may specify time windows (generally rush hour periods) during which parking or stopping is prohibited. The two signs establish a geographic zone in which the signed regulations are in effect. The distance between the vehicle and upstream sign 310 is shown at 330, and the distance between the vehicle and downstream sign 320 is shown at 340.
After detecting the infraction, the PCO initiates, on the user interface, a session for reporting a vehicular infraction in step 400. Specifically, the PCO
requests a new session and client device 130 generates location, date and time data. Location data is generated according to readings from positioning device 215. In step 410, the PCO enters the category of the alleged infraction (for example "parked in a no standing zone during prohibited time"). This may be achieved, for example, by selecting one or more coded keys on an input device, with each selection corresponding to a particular type of infraction. In other non-limiting examples, items on a touch screen or voice input can be used to select one or more types of infraction on client device 130. PCO preferably also inputs information identifying the side of the street on which the vehicle is located. Such information may not be necessary in cases where the GPS as well as the sign data would establish the side of the street in question. This initial data, as well as other related data such as the client device ID and the PCO ID, are communicated to remote server 110.
Having received the information from client device 130, remote server subsequently assembles the information pertinent to that infraction classification and determines the location of proximal prohibitory indicators by cross-referencing the transmitted information with the contents of geotagged prohibitory indicator database 140 and geotagged street map database 150. Upstream and/or downstream distances 330 and 340 are computed by remote server 110, and transmitted to client device 130, along with the information pertaining to the content of the identified proximal prohibitory indicators and/or photographs of the identified proximal prohibitory indicators. Alternatively, the upstream and downstream distances 330 and 340 may be computed locally by client device 130 based on location data provided by remote server 110.
In step 440, client device 130 receives the distance and content information pertaining to the identified proximal prohibitory indicators, and preferably provides this information to the PCO for verification and validation of the recorded infraction. Preferably, PCO compares the sign data received from server 110 with the actual signs. For example, if the sign database is created such that the mobile unit receives information concerning the type of sign rather than a photo of the sign or information relating to the content of the sign, there can be discrepancies between the information in database 140 and the actual sign. Preferably, client device 130 allows the PCO to communicate such discrepancies to remote server 110. In another example, situations may arise where a sign might have fallen off or been vandalized, and preferably the PCO
would be instructed, based on instructions provided from remote server 110, on how to deal with any such discrepancies. For example, the PCO could be instructed to report such discrepancies for early remedial action.
The PCO then performs additional actions that are required to complete the documentation of the infraction in step 450. In one embodiment, the actions may be directed according to instructions provided by remote server 110 in response to the information provided in step 420. Actions may include obtaining an image (i.e. taking a photograph) of the license plate, and/or obtaining an image of the windshield to note the presence or absence of a valid parking receipt or permit. A photo of the rear windshield or other part of the vehicle may also be required and/or supplied in the event a temporary license plate is located there or if there is no license plate. The data obtained by performing the additional actions is then transmitted to remote server 110 in step 460.
Having completed the documentation of the infraction, the ticket is generated and printed in step 470. The ticket may be generated according to software running on client device 130, or may be remotely generated by remote server 110 and uploaded to client device 130 for printing. Having completed the reporting of the infraction and generation of the ticket, client device optionally terminates the session with remote server 110, and remote sever preferably completes the transaction by recording all outstanding information relating to the infraction in infraction database 160 for subsequent retrieval using additional client devices 160, as described above.
In some circumstances, situations may arise where geotagged prohibitory indicator database 140 does not contain a record of a prohibitory indicator relating to an infraction. Such a case may occur during the construction of the database 140, or when the infraction relates to a temporary restriction. In such cases, it may be desirable for client device 130 to be capable obtaining the content and distance information relating to the proximal prohibitory indicators.
For example, client device 130 may be equipped with a distance measuring telephoto camera, whether physically integrated with client device 130 or as a separate unit that is interfaced with client device 130. This alternative would be functional for the majority of parking regulation signs marked on both sides of the plate which are mounted vertically to the street direction. For signs difficult to photograph from the vehicle location, the Parking Control Officer (PCO) would have to walk closer to such signs, and the camera, if not an integral part of client device 130, would also need to have its own GPS or other location device. This alternative is preferably only an interim step in the testing or during the construction of database 140.
Preferably, the ticket to be printed will optionally be first displayed to the PCO via the user interface operating on client device 130. The PCO will then have the option to modify the input to client device 130 and/or to remote server 110, or to add additional information to be included in the ticket before printing the ticket by pressing an "acceptance" key or touching an "acceptance" icon on the touch screen, or optionally by a voice activated command.
While the preceding embodiments disclose a wireless and fully remote client device 130, circumstances may arise where wireless connectivity to remote server 110 or mobile use is not supported. In such cases, it may be desirable to replicate in client device 130 databases 140 and 150 (and optionally 160), and any other necessary information stored in remote server 110. Such an embodiment enables client device 130 to perform all the required information processing, data storing, and printing of the ticket. In such embodiments, client device 130 comprises a data storage device, such as memory device, a flash drive, and a hard drive, to name but a few non-limiting examples. This embodiment advantageously allows the PCO to continue using client device 130 even if communications with remote server 110 are interrupted. In case of long communication interruptions, data on client device 130 may be uploaded to remote server at a later time, for example, at the end of the PCO's shift, for example, by a local connection in an office setting.
A key component of the above embodiments is geotagged prohibitory indicator database 140, which may be generated using a specialized mobile unit such as smart phones that include GPS or other location systems and cameras.
Using such devices, database 140 may be generated for use in system 100.
Specifically, a mobile operator may visit (preferably on a periodic basis) the streets in a particular region or jurisdiction and either obtain a photo of each parking sign and store a record of this photo together with its geotagged location, or select the type of parking sign on a mobile unit by a simple key or touch screen entry (typically the number of different parking signs is limited) and create a record of this type of parking sign together with its geotagged location.
This database may then be transferred to remote server 110 and optionally from remote server 110 to client devices 130. Optionally, in certain cases, it may be possible to obtain and geotag signs based on online mapping services such as Google Maps and Mapquest.
The mobile unit may also be used to add to the database temporary parking regulation signs for locations affected by construction, snow routes, reroutes, special events etc. The vehicles used to set up temporary parking signs preferably contain the same data acquisition system as for the permanent signs and the operators of these vehicles are preferably required to either take a photo of the temporary sign or key in to their data acquisition module the type of sign put up. In both cases the geotag for this location will be entered automatically by the mobile data unit.
Geotagged street map database 150 may be constructed in a similar manner. For example, database 150 may be generated by visiting each street and entering the street name at the beginning of each street and the street number on each street as the operator passes that number. Every time the operator enters a street number in the operator's unit, a record of this number will be stored in the mobile unit together with its geo co-ordinates until a street number database is built up for the entire city. Alternatively, online street databases such as Google Maps and Mapquest may be used, as noted above.
Database 150 may then be transferred to remote server 110 and optionally from remote server 110 to client devices 130, as described above. Geotagged prohibitory indicator database 140 may also include the street name of each sign to ensure that the search for nearby indicators is constrained to the same street as that of the vehicle location.
Figure 5 provides an exemplary yet non-limiting embodiment of a ticket printed according to the aforementioned embodiments. Whether or not any of these information items are included in the ticket, they are preferably made available by access to server 110 or connected computer via the internet or by automated telephony. Ticket 500 includes multiple sections and/or fields, including authority and/or jurisdiction identification information 505, ticket number and barcode data 510, date, time, and vehicle identification information 515.
Information relating to the nature of the infraction is provided at 520, and preferably further includes the bylaw code or short form information and the set fine.
Specific optional evidence relating to the infraction is provided in items 525 to 565. Item 525 provides the location (street name and side of street) and optionally the geo-coordinates of the vehicle. Items 530 and 535 provide the alleged offender with clear evidence of the infraction in the form of photographs or descriptions of the upstream and/or downstream prohibitory indicators (in the present example, parking signs) relating to the infraction. Items 540 and 545 provide the approximate distances between the vehicle and each of the upstream and downstream signs. Item 530 indicates on which side of the street the vehicle is located.
In addition to the information provided above relating to the content of the signs and their approximate distances from the vehicle, further information relating to the infraction may optionally be provided in items 555, 560, and 565, which incorporate photographs of the windshield, an expired parking meter (where applicable), and a license plate, respectively. These additional items assist in clarifying the nature of the alleged offence.
Item 570 provides instructions regarding the payment of the fine, and further information related to dispute resolution, such as information regarding a challenge in a court of law. Item 570 may also include instruction that the alleged offender may follow to obtain more information related to the infraction, as further described below. Finally, in item 575, the PCO's identifying information and signature are provided.
The form of ticket 500 shown in Figure 5 illustrates one of many different ways of organizing the infraction information and evidence on a ticket. It is to be understood that the content of ticket 500 may be arranged in a variety of ways, and that Figure 5 merely provides a non-limiting embodiment for teaching purposes.
It may be preferably to have portions of the information provided on the back side of ticket 500 in order to optimize the limited space available on a ticket.
The reason for providing additional information which already have a short form of the evidence on the back of the ticket is that space on the ticket is very limited, whereas remote server 110 has no space or time limitations and can therefore provide much more detailed explanations and illustrations than what can be on the ticket itself. Remote server 110 may be programmed to provide its information in the major languages for the particular city, which may further be determined according to the geotagged location relating to the infraction.
Figure 6 illustrates an optional and non-limiting embodiment of additional information that should be provided regarding the availability of additional information, shown originally at 570 in Figure 5. Additional information includes instructions for obtaining further documentation and/or evidence relating to the infraction via the web 580, an automated voice service 585, and through an automated mail request 590.
The evidence is preferably obtainable by an alleged offender by multiple forms, including, but not-limited to, access to remote server 110 from a computer or internet-capable device, by telephone to obtain an automated voice explanation, and by automated telephone request for a hard copy explanation of the alleged offense. The detailed evidence is also preferably provided in any subsequent notices or letters from the authority to an alleged offender.
In a preferred embodiment, the evidence and other information relating to the infraction is made available to alleged offenders and others by accessing the remote server via a web-based interface (for example, using additional client devices 160), where the alleged offender may enter the infraction number and optionally select one of the languages offered. Remote server 110 provides a detailed explanation of the alleged offense in the selected language. This detailed explanation is preferably included in all subsequent notices in the selected language, such as a "notice of impending conviction" or similar notice (which is usually sent to an alleged offender who has not paid the ticket promptly a few weeks after the date of the alleged offense) and in any other correspondence from the authority.
In one embodiment, two automated telephone numbers are be made available, the first to obtain automated voice information in a selected language, and the second to request a mailed hard copy report also in a selected language.
Both numbers request keying the infraction number into the telephone key pad and keying a language selection by selecting from a menu of languages (for example, 1. English, 2. French, 3. Greek, 4. Portuguese, etc.).
A non-limiting example of information provided via web-based access to remote server 110 is shown below:
"Your vehicle with License plate number VNH 787 was parked at 3.44 pm on June 4, 2010 opposite 71 Simcoe Street. Your windshield displayed this disabled permit (photo of windshield). You were parked between two parking signs as illustrated (photos of signs, and distance information). Your vehicle was therefore in a "No standing zone" at that time. The fine for this infraction is $60 and has to be paid by June 16, 2010. (Payment and contest options). If not paid by that date you will be subject to an automatic conviction which may result in a higher fine. For additional information please call 1-800-.xxx. yyyy. "
The corresponding automated voice message may be as follows:
"Your vehicle with License plate number VNH 787 was parked at 3.44 pm on June 4, 2010 opposite 71 Simcoe Street. Your windshield displayed disabled permit number 1276727 0133. You were parked 10 feet past a NO STANDING
FROM 3.30 TO 6.30 PM sign and 80 feet before a NO STANDING FROM 3.30 TO 6.30 PM sign. You were therefore in a "No standing zone" at that time. The fine for this infraction is $60 and has to be paid by June 16, 2010. (Payment and contest options). If not paid by that date you will be subject to an automatic conviction which may result in a higher fine. For additional information please call 1-800. xxx. yyyy".
The systems and method disclosed above provide numerous benefits and improvements in efficiency. The inclusion of the detailed content and proximal distance measurements can lead to improved acceptance of parking tickets, lower the cost of PCO who will not continue to issue questionable tickets, and reduced complaints and court costs. In particular, PCO forced to provide clear evidence of an infraction will give pause when considering the ticketing of cars for which they have minimal or no evidence. Offenders, aware that they are presented with unquestionably easily understood text and photographic evidence documenting the alleged infractions, will likely provide fewer complaints, challenge tickets less often in the courts, and are more likely to pay their tickets promptly. The result is therefore expected to be a net benefit to all stakeholders in the parking enforcement process.
While the proceeding embodiments of the invention were taught using parking infractions as examples, it is to be understood that the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein is intended to contemplate all location-based traffic offences that relate to the position of a vehicle, whether in motion or at rest. Accordingly, infractions may include parking infractions, speeding infractions, and infractions related to disobeying signs such as stop signs and red lights, to name but a few.
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention has been presented to illustrate the principles of the invention and not to limit the invention to the particular embodiment illustrated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by all of the embodiments encompassed within the following claims and their equivalents.
In one non-limiting example, client device 130 is a handheld device with an integrated printer for documenting an infraction and printing a parking ticket.
Client device may also comprise a device that is capable of being interfaced to a local printing device. Client device further comprises a power source (not shown), such as batteries. Client device may be selected from a wide variety of wireless and location-service enabled devices, including, but not limited to, portable computing devices such as laptops, netbooks, smartphones, and tablets, and also custom platforms such as application specific handheld systems.
Referring again to Figure 1, client devices 130 document infractions and communicate with remote server 110 as further described below. Remote processing and communications server 110 preferably communicates bidirectionally in real time with client devices 130 through network 120.
Remote server 110 is programmed with software for managing parking ticket control and for processing data provided by client devices 130. Remote server comprises at least a processor, a memory, and a communications interface.
Remote server is connected to two databases 140 and 150 for storing and archiving raw and processed data relating to infractions. The databases may be local to the server, or may be accessible through a local or remote network.
Databases may comprise any useful database, including relational databases such as SQL.
Geotagged prohibitory indicator database 140 comprises a geographical database of geotagged prohibitory indicators, such as parking signs. A
database entry for a given prohibitory indicator preferably includes spatial coordinates and the information provided by the prohibitory indicator. In a case where the prohibitory indicator is a traffic or parking sign located on one particular side of a street, the database entry for the preferably sign indicates the side of the street where the sign is located. In a preferred embodiment, the geotagged prohibitory indicator database 140 comprises images of signs, which therefore provide clear and unambiguous documentation of the information visible to a driver. The database preferably includes both fixed prohibitory indicators, and also geotagged temporary prohibitory indicators, for example temporary signs for construction locations, special events, and snow routes.
Geotagged street map database 150 comprises a geographical database of geotagged street information with location coordinates correlated to street routes, names, street numbers and/or other prominent street items to identify a location where the adjacent street numbers are too far from the tagged vehicle location. The database contains entries describing the spatial locations of street to which parking or other traffic regulations apply. By combining the information in prohibitory indicator database 140 and street map database 150, the prohibitory indicators in a given region or jurisdiction may be physically located and correlated with street identities. Although prohibitory indicator database and street map database 150 are shown as two separate databases, it is to be understood that the databases may be combined and provided as a single database.
In addition to being connected to databases 140 and 150 as shown in Figure 1, remote server 110 is preferably connected to infraction database 160 for recording and archiving infractions documented and transmitted by client devices 130. While infraction database 160 is shown as a separate component of system 100, it is to be understood that any or all of database 140, 150 and may be co-located on or local to remote server 110. Specific information relating to infractions that may be stored on infraction database 160 is described in further detail below.
Remote server 110 is also preferably connected to additional client devices 160 through network 120, or through an additional network. In several non-limiting embodiments, additional client devices 160 may be administrative computing systems employed by administrative staff, web portals accessible by drivers involved in an infraction via the internet and/or automated telephony and/or courtroom staff for accessing information before, during or after a court proceeding.
With reference to Figure 3 and 4, an illustration of a typical infraction is provided, and flowchart is shown that illustrates the steps that are performed by a PCO when documenting the infraction. As noted above, client devices 130 are field-ready portable and wireless devices that are employed by PCOs to document and preferably verify a traffic violation and to print a ticket. The PCO
interacts with client device via input device 225 and display 230, and client device 130 is preferably programmed to provide a user interface for facilitating the user interaction process.
The PCO is presented with a potential violation scenario, a non-limiting example of which is shown in Figure 3. Vehicle 300 is illegally parked on a street between two prohibitory indicators, namely upstream sign 310 and downstream sign 320. The prohibitory indicators may specify time windows (generally rush hour periods) during which parking or stopping is prohibited. The two signs establish a geographic zone in which the signed regulations are in effect. The distance between the vehicle and upstream sign 310 is shown at 330, and the distance between the vehicle and downstream sign 320 is shown at 340.
After detecting the infraction, the PCO initiates, on the user interface, a session for reporting a vehicular infraction in step 400. Specifically, the PCO
requests a new session and client device 130 generates location, date and time data. Location data is generated according to readings from positioning device 215. In step 410, the PCO enters the category of the alleged infraction (for example "parked in a no standing zone during prohibited time"). This may be achieved, for example, by selecting one or more coded keys on an input device, with each selection corresponding to a particular type of infraction. In other non-limiting examples, items on a touch screen or voice input can be used to select one or more types of infraction on client device 130. PCO preferably also inputs information identifying the side of the street on which the vehicle is located. Such information may not be necessary in cases where the GPS as well as the sign data would establish the side of the street in question. This initial data, as well as other related data such as the client device ID and the PCO ID, are communicated to remote server 110.
Having received the information from client device 130, remote server subsequently assembles the information pertinent to that infraction classification and determines the location of proximal prohibitory indicators by cross-referencing the transmitted information with the contents of geotagged prohibitory indicator database 140 and geotagged street map database 150. Upstream and/or downstream distances 330 and 340 are computed by remote server 110, and transmitted to client device 130, along with the information pertaining to the content of the identified proximal prohibitory indicators and/or photographs of the identified proximal prohibitory indicators. Alternatively, the upstream and downstream distances 330 and 340 may be computed locally by client device 130 based on location data provided by remote server 110.
In step 440, client device 130 receives the distance and content information pertaining to the identified proximal prohibitory indicators, and preferably provides this information to the PCO for verification and validation of the recorded infraction. Preferably, PCO compares the sign data received from server 110 with the actual signs. For example, if the sign database is created such that the mobile unit receives information concerning the type of sign rather than a photo of the sign or information relating to the content of the sign, there can be discrepancies between the information in database 140 and the actual sign. Preferably, client device 130 allows the PCO to communicate such discrepancies to remote server 110. In another example, situations may arise where a sign might have fallen off or been vandalized, and preferably the PCO
would be instructed, based on instructions provided from remote server 110, on how to deal with any such discrepancies. For example, the PCO could be instructed to report such discrepancies for early remedial action.
The PCO then performs additional actions that are required to complete the documentation of the infraction in step 450. In one embodiment, the actions may be directed according to instructions provided by remote server 110 in response to the information provided in step 420. Actions may include obtaining an image (i.e. taking a photograph) of the license plate, and/or obtaining an image of the windshield to note the presence or absence of a valid parking receipt or permit. A photo of the rear windshield or other part of the vehicle may also be required and/or supplied in the event a temporary license plate is located there or if there is no license plate. The data obtained by performing the additional actions is then transmitted to remote server 110 in step 460.
Having completed the documentation of the infraction, the ticket is generated and printed in step 470. The ticket may be generated according to software running on client device 130, or may be remotely generated by remote server 110 and uploaded to client device 130 for printing. Having completed the reporting of the infraction and generation of the ticket, client device optionally terminates the session with remote server 110, and remote sever preferably completes the transaction by recording all outstanding information relating to the infraction in infraction database 160 for subsequent retrieval using additional client devices 160, as described above.
In some circumstances, situations may arise where geotagged prohibitory indicator database 140 does not contain a record of a prohibitory indicator relating to an infraction. Such a case may occur during the construction of the database 140, or when the infraction relates to a temporary restriction. In such cases, it may be desirable for client device 130 to be capable obtaining the content and distance information relating to the proximal prohibitory indicators.
For example, client device 130 may be equipped with a distance measuring telephoto camera, whether physically integrated with client device 130 or as a separate unit that is interfaced with client device 130. This alternative would be functional for the majority of parking regulation signs marked on both sides of the plate which are mounted vertically to the street direction. For signs difficult to photograph from the vehicle location, the Parking Control Officer (PCO) would have to walk closer to such signs, and the camera, if not an integral part of client device 130, would also need to have its own GPS or other location device. This alternative is preferably only an interim step in the testing or during the construction of database 140.
Preferably, the ticket to be printed will optionally be first displayed to the PCO via the user interface operating on client device 130. The PCO will then have the option to modify the input to client device 130 and/or to remote server 110, or to add additional information to be included in the ticket before printing the ticket by pressing an "acceptance" key or touching an "acceptance" icon on the touch screen, or optionally by a voice activated command.
While the preceding embodiments disclose a wireless and fully remote client device 130, circumstances may arise where wireless connectivity to remote server 110 or mobile use is not supported. In such cases, it may be desirable to replicate in client device 130 databases 140 and 150 (and optionally 160), and any other necessary information stored in remote server 110. Such an embodiment enables client device 130 to perform all the required information processing, data storing, and printing of the ticket. In such embodiments, client device 130 comprises a data storage device, such as memory device, a flash drive, and a hard drive, to name but a few non-limiting examples. This embodiment advantageously allows the PCO to continue using client device 130 even if communications with remote server 110 are interrupted. In case of long communication interruptions, data on client device 130 may be uploaded to remote server at a later time, for example, at the end of the PCO's shift, for example, by a local connection in an office setting.
A key component of the above embodiments is geotagged prohibitory indicator database 140, which may be generated using a specialized mobile unit such as smart phones that include GPS or other location systems and cameras.
Using such devices, database 140 may be generated for use in system 100.
Specifically, a mobile operator may visit (preferably on a periodic basis) the streets in a particular region or jurisdiction and either obtain a photo of each parking sign and store a record of this photo together with its geotagged location, or select the type of parking sign on a mobile unit by a simple key or touch screen entry (typically the number of different parking signs is limited) and create a record of this type of parking sign together with its geotagged location.
This database may then be transferred to remote server 110 and optionally from remote server 110 to client devices 130. Optionally, in certain cases, it may be possible to obtain and geotag signs based on online mapping services such as Google Maps and Mapquest.
The mobile unit may also be used to add to the database temporary parking regulation signs for locations affected by construction, snow routes, reroutes, special events etc. The vehicles used to set up temporary parking signs preferably contain the same data acquisition system as for the permanent signs and the operators of these vehicles are preferably required to either take a photo of the temporary sign or key in to their data acquisition module the type of sign put up. In both cases the geotag for this location will be entered automatically by the mobile data unit.
Geotagged street map database 150 may be constructed in a similar manner. For example, database 150 may be generated by visiting each street and entering the street name at the beginning of each street and the street number on each street as the operator passes that number. Every time the operator enters a street number in the operator's unit, a record of this number will be stored in the mobile unit together with its geo co-ordinates until a street number database is built up for the entire city. Alternatively, online street databases such as Google Maps and Mapquest may be used, as noted above.
Database 150 may then be transferred to remote server 110 and optionally from remote server 110 to client devices 130, as described above. Geotagged prohibitory indicator database 140 may also include the street name of each sign to ensure that the search for nearby indicators is constrained to the same street as that of the vehicle location.
Figure 5 provides an exemplary yet non-limiting embodiment of a ticket printed according to the aforementioned embodiments. Whether or not any of these information items are included in the ticket, they are preferably made available by access to server 110 or connected computer via the internet or by automated telephony. Ticket 500 includes multiple sections and/or fields, including authority and/or jurisdiction identification information 505, ticket number and barcode data 510, date, time, and vehicle identification information 515.
Information relating to the nature of the infraction is provided at 520, and preferably further includes the bylaw code or short form information and the set fine.
Specific optional evidence relating to the infraction is provided in items 525 to 565. Item 525 provides the location (street name and side of street) and optionally the geo-coordinates of the vehicle. Items 530 and 535 provide the alleged offender with clear evidence of the infraction in the form of photographs or descriptions of the upstream and/or downstream prohibitory indicators (in the present example, parking signs) relating to the infraction. Items 540 and 545 provide the approximate distances between the vehicle and each of the upstream and downstream signs. Item 530 indicates on which side of the street the vehicle is located.
In addition to the information provided above relating to the content of the signs and their approximate distances from the vehicle, further information relating to the infraction may optionally be provided in items 555, 560, and 565, which incorporate photographs of the windshield, an expired parking meter (where applicable), and a license plate, respectively. These additional items assist in clarifying the nature of the alleged offence.
Item 570 provides instructions regarding the payment of the fine, and further information related to dispute resolution, such as information regarding a challenge in a court of law. Item 570 may also include instruction that the alleged offender may follow to obtain more information related to the infraction, as further described below. Finally, in item 575, the PCO's identifying information and signature are provided.
The form of ticket 500 shown in Figure 5 illustrates one of many different ways of organizing the infraction information and evidence on a ticket. It is to be understood that the content of ticket 500 may be arranged in a variety of ways, and that Figure 5 merely provides a non-limiting embodiment for teaching purposes.
It may be preferably to have portions of the information provided on the back side of ticket 500 in order to optimize the limited space available on a ticket.
The reason for providing additional information which already have a short form of the evidence on the back of the ticket is that space on the ticket is very limited, whereas remote server 110 has no space or time limitations and can therefore provide much more detailed explanations and illustrations than what can be on the ticket itself. Remote server 110 may be programmed to provide its information in the major languages for the particular city, which may further be determined according to the geotagged location relating to the infraction.
Figure 6 illustrates an optional and non-limiting embodiment of additional information that should be provided regarding the availability of additional information, shown originally at 570 in Figure 5. Additional information includes instructions for obtaining further documentation and/or evidence relating to the infraction via the web 580, an automated voice service 585, and through an automated mail request 590.
The evidence is preferably obtainable by an alleged offender by multiple forms, including, but not-limited to, access to remote server 110 from a computer or internet-capable device, by telephone to obtain an automated voice explanation, and by automated telephone request for a hard copy explanation of the alleged offense. The detailed evidence is also preferably provided in any subsequent notices or letters from the authority to an alleged offender.
In a preferred embodiment, the evidence and other information relating to the infraction is made available to alleged offenders and others by accessing the remote server via a web-based interface (for example, using additional client devices 160), where the alleged offender may enter the infraction number and optionally select one of the languages offered. Remote server 110 provides a detailed explanation of the alleged offense in the selected language. This detailed explanation is preferably included in all subsequent notices in the selected language, such as a "notice of impending conviction" or similar notice (which is usually sent to an alleged offender who has not paid the ticket promptly a few weeks after the date of the alleged offense) and in any other correspondence from the authority.
In one embodiment, two automated telephone numbers are be made available, the first to obtain automated voice information in a selected language, and the second to request a mailed hard copy report also in a selected language.
Both numbers request keying the infraction number into the telephone key pad and keying a language selection by selecting from a menu of languages (for example, 1. English, 2. French, 3. Greek, 4. Portuguese, etc.).
A non-limiting example of information provided via web-based access to remote server 110 is shown below:
"Your vehicle with License plate number VNH 787 was parked at 3.44 pm on June 4, 2010 opposite 71 Simcoe Street. Your windshield displayed this disabled permit (photo of windshield). You were parked between two parking signs as illustrated (photos of signs, and distance information). Your vehicle was therefore in a "No standing zone" at that time. The fine for this infraction is $60 and has to be paid by June 16, 2010. (Payment and contest options). If not paid by that date you will be subject to an automatic conviction which may result in a higher fine. For additional information please call 1-800-.xxx. yyyy. "
The corresponding automated voice message may be as follows:
"Your vehicle with License plate number VNH 787 was parked at 3.44 pm on June 4, 2010 opposite 71 Simcoe Street. Your windshield displayed disabled permit number 1276727 0133. You were parked 10 feet past a NO STANDING
FROM 3.30 TO 6.30 PM sign and 80 feet before a NO STANDING FROM 3.30 TO 6.30 PM sign. You were therefore in a "No standing zone" at that time. The fine for this infraction is $60 and has to be paid by June 16, 2010. (Payment and contest options). If not paid by that date you will be subject to an automatic conviction which may result in a higher fine. For additional information please call 1-800. xxx. yyyy".
The systems and method disclosed above provide numerous benefits and improvements in efficiency. The inclusion of the detailed content and proximal distance measurements can lead to improved acceptance of parking tickets, lower the cost of PCO who will not continue to issue questionable tickets, and reduced complaints and court costs. In particular, PCO forced to provide clear evidence of an infraction will give pause when considering the ticketing of cars for which they have minimal or no evidence. Offenders, aware that they are presented with unquestionably easily understood text and photographic evidence documenting the alleged infractions, will likely provide fewer complaints, challenge tickets less often in the courts, and are more likely to pay their tickets promptly. The result is therefore expected to be a net benefit to all stakeholders in the parking enforcement process.
While the proceeding embodiments of the invention were taught using parking infractions as examples, it is to be understood that the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein is intended to contemplate all location-based traffic offences that relate to the position of a vehicle, whether in motion or at rest. Accordingly, infractions may include parking infractions, speeding infractions, and infractions related to disobeying signs such as stop signs and red lights, to name but a few.
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention has been presented to illustrate the principles of the invention and not to limit the invention to the particular embodiment illustrated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by all of the embodiments encompassed within the following claims and their equivalents.
Claims (41)
1. A method of providing information relating to a vehicular infraction, said method comprising the steps of:
receiving, from a mobile client apparatus, location information associated with a vehicle;
accessing a database comprising content information and location information associated with a plurality of prohibitory indicators;
identifying one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to said vehicle;
obtaining content information and location information associated with each of said one or more prohibitory indicators from said database;
processing said location information associated with said vehicle and said location information associated with each identified prohibitory indicator to calculate a distance between each identified prohibitory indicator and said vehicle; and transmitting said distances and said content information associated with said one or more prohibitory indicators to said client apparatus.
receiving, from a mobile client apparatus, location information associated with a vehicle;
accessing a database comprising content information and location information associated with a plurality of prohibitory indicators;
identifying one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to said vehicle;
obtaining content information and location information associated with each of said one or more prohibitory indicators from said database;
processing said location information associated with said vehicle and said location information associated with each identified prohibitory indicator to calculate a distance between each identified prohibitory indicator and said vehicle; and transmitting said distances and said content information associated with said one or more prohibitory indicators to said client apparatus.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said content information comprises a photograph of said prohibitory indicator.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said location information associated with said vehicle comprises geographical coordinates.
4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said location information associated with said vehicle further comprises a side of a street on which said vehicle is located.
5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 further comprising the step of identifying a side of a street on which said vehicle is located based on said location information associated with said vehicle.
6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said database further comprises name and location information associated with a plurality of streets, said method further comprising the steps of:
identifying a name of a street on which said vehicle is located; and transmitting said street name to said mobile client apparatus.
identifying a name of a street on which said vehicle is located; and transmitting said street name to said mobile client apparatus.
7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 further comprising receiving photographic documentary information from said mobile client apparatus.
8. The method according to claim 7 wherein said photographic documentary information is selected from the group consisting of a photograph through a windshield of said vehicle and a photograph of a license plate of said vehicle.
9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein said one or more prohibitory indicators comprise an upstream prohibitory indicator and a downstream prohibitory indicator, and wherein said step of processing said location information associated with said vehicle and said location information associated with each of said one or more prohibitory indicators comprises calculating an upstream distance and a downstream distance.
10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 further comprising storing said distances and said content information associated with said one or more prohibitory indicators in an additional database.
11. The method according to claim 10 further comprising:
receiving a request from an additional remote client apparatus for information relating to a given infraction, said request identifying said given infraction; and obtaining said information relating to said given infraction from said additional database; and providing said information relating to said given infraction to said additional remote client apparatus.
receiving a request from an additional remote client apparatus for information relating to a given infraction, said request identifying said given infraction; and obtaining said information relating to said given infraction from said additional database; and providing said information relating to said given infraction to said additional remote client apparatus.
12. The method according to claim 11 wherein said additional remote client apparatus comprises a web browser, and wherein said step of providing said information relating to said given infraction comprises delivering said information relating to said given infraction as a web page.
13. The method according to claim 11 wherein said additional remote client apparatus is a telephone, and wherein said step of providing said information relating to said given infraction comprises generating an audible message containing said information relating to said given infraction and playing back said audible message.
14. The method according to claim 11 wherein said additional remote client apparatus is a telephone, wherein said request comprises a request for said information relating to said given infraction to be delivered via mail, and wherein said step of providing said information relating to said given infraction comprises printing a paper copy of said information relating to said given infraction for subsequently mailing.
15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14 further comprising receiving, from said mobile client apparatus, information verifying an accuracy of said content information associated with said one or more prohibitory indicators.
16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein said plurality of prohibitory indicators comprises one or more signs displaying parking restriction information.
17. An automated method of reporting a vehicular infraction on a mobile client apparatus, said mobile client apparatus comprising a processor, a positioning device for determining a location of said mobile client apparatus and a communications interface for communicating with a remote computing apparatus, said method comprising the steps of :
obtaining location information associated with a vehicle from said positioning device;
transmitting said location information associated with said vehicle to said remote computing apparatus, wherein said remote computing apparatus is configured to identify one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to a location of said vehicle;
receiving, from said remote computing apparatus, content information associated with said one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to said vehicle and computed distances between said vehicle and said one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to said vehicle; and generating a ticket comprising said content information and said distances.
obtaining location information associated with a vehicle from said positioning device;
transmitting said location information associated with said vehicle to said remote computing apparatus, wherein said remote computing apparatus is configured to identify one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to a location of said vehicle;
receiving, from said remote computing apparatus, content information associated with said one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to said vehicle and computed distances between said vehicle and said one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to said vehicle; and generating a ticket comprising said content information and said distances.
18. The method according to claim 17 wherein said mobile client apparatus further comprises a printer or a printer interface, said method further comprising the step of printing said ticket.
19. The method according to claim 17, wherein said remote computing apparatus is further configured to identify a street where said vehicle is located;
said method further comprising:
receiving, from said remote computing apparatus, a name of said street where said vehicle is located.
said method further comprising:
receiving, from said remote computing apparatus, a name of said street where said vehicle is located.
20. The method according to claim 17 or 18 further comprising the steps of:
receiving additional input from an operator of said mobile client apparatus;
and including at least a portion of said additional input when generating said ticket.
receiving additional input from an operator of said mobile client apparatus;
and including at least a portion of said additional input when generating said ticket.
21. The method according to claim 20 wherein said mobile client apparatus further comprises an input device, and wherein said additional input comprises a selection of one or more types of infractions.
22. The method according to claim 20 wherein said mobile client apparatus further comprises an imaging device or an interface for connecting to an imaging device, wherein said additional input comprises one of an image obtained through a windshield of said vehicle, an image of a license plate of said vehicle, and a combination thereof.
23. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 22 further comprising transmitting said additional input to said remote computing apparatus.
24. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 23 further comprising the steps of:
receiving, from said remote computing apparatus, instructions to be performed by an operator of said mobile client apparatus; and displaying said instructions to said operator.
receiving, from said remote computing apparatus, instructions to be performed by an operator of said mobile client apparatus; and displaying said instructions to said operator.
25. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 24 further comprising the steps of:
receiving verification input from an operator verifying an accuracy of said content information; and transmitting said verification input to said remote computing apparatus.
receiving verification input from an operator verifying an accuracy of said content information; and transmitting said verification input to said remote computing apparatus.
26. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 25 further comprising the steps of:
including on said ticket instructions for remotely accessing information relating to said infraction from said remote computing apparatus; and transmitting information provided on said ticket to said remote computing apparatus.
including on said ticket instructions for remotely accessing information relating to said infraction from said remote computing apparatus; and transmitting information provided on said ticket to said remote computing apparatus.
27. The method according to claim 26 wherein said instructions prescribe accessing said information relating to said infraction by one or more of a telephone and a web browser.
28. A method of reporting a vehicular infraction using a mobile client apparatus, said mobile client apparatus comprising a processor, a positioning device, and a storage device comprising content information and location information associated with a plurality of prohibitory indicators, said method comprising the steps of :
obtaining location information associated with a vehicle from said positioning device;
identifying one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to said vehicle;
processing said location information associated with said vehicle and said location information associated with each identified prohibitory indicator to calculate a distance between each identified prohibitory indicator and said vehicle; and generating a ticket comprising content information associated with said one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to said vehicle and computed distances between said vehicle and said one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to said vehicle.
obtaining location information associated with a vehicle from said positioning device;
identifying one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to said vehicle;
processing said location information associated with said vehicle and said location information associated with each identified prohibitory indicator to calculate a distance between each identified prohibitory indicator and said vehicle; and generating a ticket comprising content information associated with said one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to said vehicle and computed distances between said vehicle and said one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to said vehicle.
29. The method according to claim 28 wherein said mobile client apparatus further comprises a printer or a printer interface, said method further comprising the step of printing said ticket.
30. The method according to claim 28 or 29 further comprising the steps of:
receiving additional input from an operator of said mobile client apparatus;
and including at least a portion of said additional input when generating said ticket.
receiving additional input from an operator of said mobile client apparatus;
and including at least a portion of said additional input when generating said ticket.
31. The method according to claim 30 wherein said mobile client apparatus further comprises an input device, and wherein said additional input comprises a selection of one or more types of infractions.
32. The method according to claim 30 wherein said mobile client apparatus further comprises an imaging device or an interface for connecting to an imaging device, wherein said additional input comprises one of an image obtained through a windshield of said vehicle, an image of a license plate of said vehicle, and a combination thereof.
33. A vehicular infraction enforcement and documentation system comprising:
a remote computing apparatus comprising a processor coupled to a database, said database comprising content information and location information associated with a plurality of prohibitory indicators; and a mobile client apparatus comprising a positioning device for determining a location of a vehicle associated with an infraction and a communications interface for communicating said location of said vehicle to said remote computing apparatus, wherein said remote computing apparatus is configured to identify one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to said location of said vehicle.
a remote computing apparatus comprising a processor coupled to a database, said database comprising content information and location information associated with a plurality of prohibitory indicators; and a mobile client apparatus comprising a positioning device for determining a location of a vehicle associated with an infraction and a communications interface for communicating said location of said vehicle to said remote computing apparatus, wherein said remote computing apparatus is configured to identify one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to said location of said vehicle.
34. The system according to claim 33 wherein said database further comprises name and location information associated with a plurality of streets.
35. The system according to claim 33 or 34 wherein said processor is programmed to:
receive said information relating to said location of said vehicle from said mobile client apparatus;
identify said one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to said location of said vehicle;
obtain content information and location information associated with said one or more prohibitory indicators from said database;
calculate a distance between each identified prohibitory indicator and said vehicle; and transmit said distances and said content information relating to said one or more prohibitory indicators to said mobile client apparatus.
receive said information relating to said location of said vehicle from said mobile client apparatus;
identify said one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to said location of said vehicle;
obtain content information and location information associated with said one or more prohibitory indicators from said database;
calculate a distance between each identified prohibitory indicator and said vehicle; and transmit said distances and said content information relating to said one or more prohibitory indicators to said mobile client apparatus.
36. The system according to claim 35 wherein said mobile client apparatus is programmed to:
receive, from said remote computing apparatus, said content information associated with said one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to said vehicle and said distances; and generate a ticket comprising said content information and said distances.
receive, from said remote computing apparatus, said content information associated with said one or more prohibitory indicators proximal to said vehicle and said distances; and generate a ticket comprising said content information and said distances.
37. The system according to claim 35 wherein said mobile client apparatus further comprises a distance measuring device, wherein said mobile client apparatus is programmed to:
record, during a communication failure between said mobile client apparatus and said remote computing apparatus, distance information and content information associated with one or more prohibitory indicators identified by an operator; and calculate a distance between each identified prohibitory indicator and said vehicle; and generate a ticket comprising said content information and said distances.
record, during a communication failure between said mobile client apparatus and said remote computing apparatus, distance information and content information associated with one or more prohibitory indicators identified by an operator; and calculate a distance between each identified prohibitory indicator and said vehicle; and generate a ticket comprising said content information and said distances.
38. A method of generating a database comprising information associated with a plurality of vehicular prohibitory indicators, said method comprising the steps of:
recording geotagged information associated with each said vehicular prohibitory indicator; and storing said geotagged information in a database.
recording geotagged information associated with each said vehicular prohibitory indicator; and storing said geotagged information in a database.
39. The method according to claim 38 wherein said information associated with one or more of said vehicular prohibitory indicators comprises one or more of a photograph and a description of content information.
40. The method according to claim 38 or 39 wherein said geotagged information is recorded on a mobile client apparatus comprising an input device, a positioning device for determining a location of said mobile client apparatus, and a communications interface, wherein said step of storing said geotagged information in said database is performed by:
accessing a remote computing apparatus comprising said database; and transmitting said geotagged information to said remote computing apparatus for storage in said database.
accessing a remote computing apparatus comprising said database; and transmitting said geotagged information to said remote computing apparatus for storage in said database.
41. The method according to claim 38 wherein said step of recording information associated with a given vehicular prohibitory indicator comprises:
identifying a type of said given vehicular prohibitory indicator from a list displayed on a mobile apparatus, said mobile apparatus comprising a display for displaying said list, an input device, and a positioning device for determining a location of said mobile apparatus; and selecting said type from said list;
wherein said type is recorded by said mobile apparatus in association with location information obtained by said positioning device.
identifying a type of said given vehicular prohibitory indicator from a list displayed on a mobile apparatus, said mobile apparatus comprising a display for displaying said list, an input device, and a positioning device for determining a location of said mobile apparatus; and selecting said type from said list;
wherein said type is recorded by said mobile apparatus in association with location information obtained by said positioning device.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2720773A CA2720773A1 (en) | 2010-11-09 | 2010-11-09 | System and method for documenting and enforcing vehicular transportation regulations |
| CA 2732047 CA2732047A1 (en) | 2010-11-09 | 2011-02-17 | System and method for documenting and enforcing parking regulations |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2720773A CA2720773A1 (en) | 2010-11-09 | 2010-11-09 | System and method for documenting and enforcing vehicular transportation regulations |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2720773A1 true CA2720773A1 (en) | 2012-05-09 |
Family
ID=46050165
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2720773A Abandoned CA2720773A1 (en) | 2010-11-09 | 2010-11-09 | System and method for documenting and enforcing vehicular transportation regulations |
| CA 2732047 Abandoned CA2732047A1 (en) | 2010-11-09 | 2011-02-17 | System and method for documenting and enforcing parking regulations |
Family Applications After (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2732047 Abandoned CA2732047A1 (en) | 2010-11-09 | 2011-02-17 | System and method for documenting and enforcing parking regulations |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (2) | CA2720773A1 (en) |
-
2010
- 2010-11-09 CA CA2720773A patent/CA2720773A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2011
- 2011-02-17 CA CA 2732047 patent/CA2732047A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2732047A1 (en) | 2012-05-09 |
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