GB2419997A

GB2419997A - Parking layout and enforcement system

Info

Publication number: GB2419997A
Application number: GB0424711A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Zak Aktas; John Galsworthy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-11-09
Filing date: 2004-11-09
Publication date: 2006-05-10
Also published as: GB0424711D0

Abstract

A parking layout and enforcement system comprises a set of roadside transmitters (1) for broadcasting parking information to an in-vehicle device (5). The information can then be displayed on a screen or provided acoustically for the driver. The transponders are connected through a local network to a street controller (7). This is connected to a central computer system. The in-vehicle device may also contain a transmitter which can provide information to a device carried by an enforcement officer (8). This device (8) may also receive information from the transponders (2) and the officer can determine if a vehicle is legally parked, issuing a penalty ticket if required.

Description

Parking Layout and Enforcement System

Background

This invention relates to a transponder based information system to transmit the on street parking and enforcement layout to a receiver When people park their vehicles on street, t can be dfficult to know what parking restrictions or moving restrictions apply in the area. This can lead to . LIrL UI U?iI t. I I I JI r\I I i IIUI L.I II R c9I IL,I III IU IL UIIIIL,UI1 iO effectively enforce the parking restrictions without receiving complaint of lengthy processes to confirm the series of events

Statement of nventjon

To overcome this the invention proposes to use a series of transponders mounted into the highway to send signals to receivers fitted in the vehicles or in hand held ticket machines When a car is in the vicinity of the transponders, information is passed to the driver via map, voice or text based means to indicate what parking restriction or moving turn restrictions apply in the area The aim is to inform driver of the restrictions so they can drive and park responsibly and legally The system can also be used by the enforcement services to confirm the parking layout and the illegally parked cars in order to issue tickets.

Specification - Definitions

Transponder means any device that is fitted for the purpose of transmitting or receiving discrete information about its position and other relevant information or data. For this Invention to pass information relating to the parking layout, date, time, vehicle information, ticket contraventions and any maintenance or fault information Parking restrictions refer to any egally enforceable restriction that refers to the movement or waiting/loading of a vehicle on the highway According to claim 1 this is the core information broadcast by the transponders Neork in this instance refer to any cabled or non cabled method of qonnect a series of devices to achieve the effect This includes power and information transmission Hub in this context is a method of joining a series of transponder neorks practically back to a central system to manage and maintain the information Diagram Explanation The parking layout Information is stored on a computer System This is fed to transponders (1) via a network (6) from a central hub in the Street (7) which is Connected to the main computer network through a modem device The transponders (1) then know what the Parking restrictions are painted on Street (2)(3) and transmit the data out in their zone of Influence A vehicle (4) fitted with a transponder (5) can detect the signals from the other transponders (1) and display to the driver whether they can park their or not This aids the driver in intei-face ensuring the vehicle 5 legally parked The display device in the car may use a text! voice and or map based A parking attendant with a handhejd ticket machine (8) also carries a transponder it can read the signals from the Street and the vehicle it can then determine the length of stay of the vehicle as well as whether its parked legally if the vehicle is not legalf' parked t can Issue a ticket logging all the relevant information from the transponders (1) (5)

Claims

Detafled Description C'aims

The plan yew dinram in figure 1 shc"s ne hg'v ensponders and a parked veh!ce contained within a parking bay The parking layout information is stored on a computer system accessed by the transponder hub (7) This is fed to the transponders (1) via a network (6) from a central hub in the street (7) which is connected to the main computer network. The transponders (1) then know what the parking restrictions are applicable on street (2)(3) and transmit the data out in their zone of influence that is determined by the range the device can broadcast. A vehicle (4) fitted with a transponder! reciever (5) can detect the signals from the other transponders (1) and display to the driver whether they can park their or not This aids the driver in ensuring the vehicle is legally parked. The display device in the car may use a text' voice and or map based interface.

A parking attendant with a handheld ticket machine (8) also carries a transponder! receiver. it can read the signals from the street and the vehicle It can then determine the length of stay of the vehicle as well as whether it's parked legally.

If the vehicle is not legally parked it can issue a ticket logging all the relevant information from the transponders (1) (5).

Th& vehicle devices can receive and broadcast information. This allows the vehicles Information be known on any compatible device. This may be use by other agencies such as the police for security! safety purposes.

If the parking layout is changed, the transponders can be updated remotely and in real time to reflect the legal changes