GB2536470A

GB2536470A - Car parks

Info

Publication number: GB2536470A
Application number: GB1504586.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mendel Sudak Menachem
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-03-18
Filing date: 2015-03-18
Publication date: 2016-09-21
Also published as: GB201504586D0

Abstract

A car park (10) for a destination (20), the car park (10) comprises one or more parkingspaces (12), an image capture device (4) and a monitoring device (3) connected to the image capture means (4) to receive one or more signals from the image capture device. The monitoring means (3) is configured to identify automatically, in use, a vehicle in a parking space (12), perhaps via automatic number plate recognition (ANPR), and to track automatically a vehicle user from the parking space (12) to the destination (20) or from the destination (20) to the parking space (12) based on image data received from the image capture means (4). The monitoring device is preferably also able to track the vehicle from the car park entrance to the parking space. The use of ANPR preferably allows the reading and recording of number plate information of vehicles at the parking lot entrance and within parking spaces or bays. Vehicle user contour data derived from the captured image data can be associated the vehicle identification data. The invention is intended to allow destination operators to implement parking compliance, determining if their car park is being used by people other than their customers.

Description

CAR PARKS

This invention relates to car parks and in particular to a car park, a monitoring system for a car park and a method for enabling a car park owner or operator to regulate parking activity.

There are many ways of regulating car park activity. Traditionally, parking attendants have been used to monitor compliance with parking rules in a particular geographical zone or region. In certain car parks a so-called "pay-and-display" system is used, io whereby a person wishing to park a vehicle purchases a ticket of a value dependent upon the intended duration of parking and displays the ticket in the vehicle's windscreen. This system requires attendants to ensure compliance. Alternatively, other systems may be provided whereby a vehicle user obtains a ticket on entry from or at a barrier-controlled entry point. The vehicle user then settles the payment charge before exiting the car park, typically at a barrier-controlled exit point or at a standalone payment machine. Both systems have drawbacks, the first requires the vehicle user to select parking duration at the start of a stay which is not always practicable and requires attendants for enforcement purposes. The second requires barrier control which slows vehicular throughput and also requires the vehicle user to retain a ticket which may become lost.

Systems have been proposed which utilise automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology to log vehicular entry at barrier less entry and exit points. These satisfy or at least help address the throughput issue (vehicles may still need to slow as they approach the ANPR camera) but may not be applicable in all scenarios. An example of such a system is shown in GB2415820.

Some destinations may provide car park spaces which are susceptible to specific terms of use. For example, retail stores may often provide complimentary parking spaces for use by their customers for a period of time but may wish to exclude or, for example, charge other users. However, without using parking attendants it is difficult if not impossible to exclude non customers or to enforce parking regulations, for example duration of stay. Clearly using parking attendants is expensive and, potentially, can lead to conflict. A partial solution may be provided by GB2437197 but this does not completely solve the problem because it requires an identity card, which certain users may be reluctant to take up. Also, there is a view that completely passive systems (from the point of view of the vehicle user) are preferable.

Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide a car park, system and method which is capable of providing a way of monitoring and controlling car park use.

A first aspect of the invention provides a car park for a destination, the car park comprising one or more parking spaces, image capture means and monitoring means operatively connected to the image capture means for receiving one or more signals therefrom, wherein the monitoring means is configured to identify automatically, in use, a vehicle in a parking space and to track automatically a vehicle user from the parking io space to the destination or from the destination to the parking space, for example based on image data received from the image capture means.

The car park may comprise an entrance. The monitoring means may be configured to track, e.g. automatically, the vehicle from the entrance to the parking space, for example from the image data received, in use, from the image capture means. In embodiments, the monitoring means or a processor thereof is operable or configured on receipt of information, e.g. one or more signals, indicative of a vehicle identification to track automatically a vehicle from the entrance to a parking space and/or to track automatically a vehicle user from the parking space to the destination or from the destination to the parking space.

A timer may start timing the duration of a vehicle's stay once the vehicle enters the car park or once the vehicle parks.

The monitoring means may be configured to capture, in use, vehicle identification data associated with the vehicle. The car park or monitoring means may comprise vehicle identification means, e.g. for identifying a vehicle. The monitoring means or vehicle identification means may be configured or operable to identify a vehicle at or adjacent the entrance and/or when it is in the parking space. The monitoring means may comprise or be operatively connected to the vehicle identification means, e.g. for receiving one or more signals therefrom.

The monitoring means may comprise a processing means operatively connected to the image capture means and/or to the vehicle identification means. Information, e.g. one or more signals, from the image capture means may be used or usable by the monitoring means or processing means to track automatically the vehicle and/or the vehicle user.

In some embodiments, information, e.g. one or more signals, from the vehicle identification means may be used or usable by the monitoring means or processing means to identify the vehicle being tracked. The vehicle identification means may be operable or configured to determine from information, e.g. an image, captured by the or a further image capture means one or more indicia, e.g. characters, relating to the identity of a vehicle. The vehicle identification means may comprise an ANPR means, e.g. for o reading and/or recording number plate information of vehicle entering the car park. The ANPR means may be configured to read and/or record, in use, number plate information of the vehicle at an entrance of the car park and/or when it is in the parking space. In embodiments, the ANPR means comprises an ANPR device, which may incorporate a camera, at or adjacent the entrance of the car park. The ANPR device may incorporate an algorithm for reading and/or recording number plate information. The ANPR device may be operatively connected to the monitoring means.

Advantageously, the ANPR device may be located at the entrance to the car park. In an embodiment, the car park entrance may comprise means to slow a vehicle. Such slowing means (e.g. one or more of a speed bump, sleeping policeman, roadway narrowing, barrier, traffic light system, pedestrian crossing, warning light and so on) will ensure accurate ANPR monitoring of the vehicle's number plate and/or may ensure signal acquisition by the monitoring means.

The monitoring means may be configured to associate, in use, image data with the vehicle identification data. The image capture means may be configured to capture image data over time. The monitoring means may be configured to extract or derive, in use, vehicle contour data and/or vehicle user contour data from the image data or captured image data.

In some embodiments, the monitoring means may be configured to associate, in use, vehicle user contour data derived from the captured image data, with the vehicle identification data. The monitoring means may be configured to determine or estimate the position and/or movement over time of the vehicle user based on vehicle user contour data. The vehicle user contour data may comprise one or more pixels, for example two or more, preferably three or more, more preferably four or more pixels. In embodiments, the vehicle user contour data may comprise six or more pixels, for example, eight, ten, fifteen, twenty or fifty or more pixels.

In embodiments, the monitoring means is configured to associate, in use, vehicle contour data derived from the captured image data with the vehicle identification data. The monitoring means may be configured to determine or estimate the position and/or movement over time of the vehicle based on vehicle contour data. The vehicle contour data may comprise one or more pixels, for example two or more, preferably four or more, to more preferably six or more pixels, most preferably eight or more pixels. In some embodiments, the vehicle contour data may comprise ten or more pixels, for example, twelve, fifteen, twenty, fifty or one hundred or more pixels. Generally, the vehicle contour data comprises more pixels than, for example at least twice the number of pixels as, the vehicle user contour data.

The image capture means may be operable to capture one or both of visible-light image data and thermographic image data. The image capture means may comprise one or more of visible light image capture means or infrared image capture means or ultraviolet image capture means or sonar image capture means or any other suitable image capture means. The image capture means preferably comprises a digital image capture means.

Where present the thermographic image data may comprise plural pixels associated with a vehicle. The thermographic image data may also monitor occupant travel across the car park and may associate plural pixels with each occupant as they traverse the car park after exiting the vehicle.

The image capture means preferably comprises one or more cameras, for example two or more cameras. Each camera may be configured to capture image data relating to the same or a respective area of the car park. The respective areas may be the same or different and/or may overlap, but in some embodiments they are separate and/or do not overlap.

The car park may comprise a first camera configured to capture image data relating to a first area of the car park and/or a second camera configured to capture image data relating to a second area of the car park. The monitoring means may be configured to track automatically a vehicle or a vehicle user moving from the first area to the second area, for example based on image data captured, in use, by the first camera immediately therebefore and/or image data captured by the second camera immediately thereafter. The monitoring means may be configured to extrapolate a position and/or movement of the vehicle or vehicle user, for example from image data captured by the first camera, to predict or estimate a position and/or movement of the vehicle or vehicle user in the second area, e.g. in order to track automatically the vehicle or vehicle user moving from the first area to the second area. The monitoring means may be configured to deploy a handover protocol as the vehicle moves from a first area of the car park to a second area io of the car park.

The car park may comprise two or more vertical levels. One of two or more cameras may be positioned and/or configured to capture image data relating to an area on a first level. Another of the two or more cameras may be positioned and/or configured to capture image data relating to an area on a second level.

The car park may comprise a parking area that may include the one or more parking spaces. The monitoring means may allocate image data according to a grid (e.g. a nominal or virtual grid) representing the parking area. The grid may comprise two or more sub-grids, each of which may represent a respective portion of the parking area. The portions may be the same or different and/or may overlap, but in some embodiments they are separate and/or do not overlap. Where the car park comprises two or more vertical levels, one of the sub-grids may represent a portion of the parking area on a first level and/or another of the sub-grids may represent a portion of the parking area on a second level. The image capture means may comprise two or more cameras each positioned or configured to capture image data relating to a respective sub-grid of the grid.

The car park or the monitoring means may comprise processing means and/or memory means, which may be operatively connected, e.g. electrically coupled, to processing means. The memory means may have instructions stored thereon or therein, for example wherein the processing means is operable or configured to access the memory means and/or to execute the instructions stored therein, e.g. such that it is operable or configured to carry out one or more of the aforementioned steps or features.

The processing means may comprise at least one processor, for example at least one electronic processor, which may comprise one or more electrical inputs for receiving one or more electrical signals, e.g. from the image capture means and/or from the vehicle identification means. The memory means may comprise a memory, e.g. an electronic memory device.

The vehicle identification means may comprise an ANPR algorithm, which may be embodied in a computer readable program code means and/or stored in or on the memory means. The memory means may have instructions stored thereon or therein, io wherein the processing means is operable or configured to access the memory means and to execute the instructions stored therein such that it is operable or configured to determine from information, e.g. an image, captured by the or the further image capture means one or more indicia, e.g. characters, relating to the identity of a vehicle.

Another aspect of the invention provides a car park for a destination, the car park comprising an entrance for vehicles and plural parking spaces, the entrance having an ANPR means to read and record number plate information of vehicles entering the car park and further comprising a monitoring system comprising one or more cameras and a processing means wherein a signal from the ANPR means and information from said one or more cameras is usable by the processing means to automatically track a vehicle from the entrance to a parking space and a signal from said one or more cameras is usable by the processing means to track automatically a vehicle user from or to the parking space to or from the destination.

The monitoring means may be configured to compare, in use, vehicle or vehicle user position and/or movement data with one or more predetermined rules, e.g. to ensure compliance. The monitoring means may be configured to notify an authority, e.g. via a wireless communication means, and/or to issue or cause to be issued a parking charge notice, for example if it is determined that one or more rules have not been complied with.

The issued parking charge notice may reflect or relate to a charge relating to the parking event.

The parking charge notice or a copy thereof may be issued to the owner of the vehicle and/or to the registered address. Additionally or alternatively, the parking charge notice or a copy thereof may be issued electronically, for example to one or more digital addresses, e.g. an email address or telephone number, associated with the system or with the vehicle. The parking charge notice may include information relating to the rights of the recipient, for example rights of appeal. The issuing of a parking charge notice may instigate a transaction or payment, for example from an account associated with the vehicle.

The car park may comprise, and/or the monitoring means may be operatively connected to, a customer loyalty system. In embodiments, the customer loyalty system comprises vehicle identification information associated with one or more customer profiles. In such embodiments, information gathered using the car park of the invention may be stored and/or used in conjunction with one or more customer loyalty schemes or initiatives.

Another aspect of the invention provides a system for monitoring a car park comprising one or more features of the aforementioned car park. Preferably, the system comprises one or more of the monitoring means, the image capture means, the vehicle identification means and/or the processor. In some embodiments, the system comprises a controller operatively connected to one or more components or features of the car park. At least a portion of one or more of the monitoring means, the image capture means and the vehicle identification means may comprise a module of the system, which may be a physical or hardware module or may be a software or code module thereof.

A yet further aspect of the invention provides a system for monitoring a car park with one or more parking spaces for a destination, the system comprising image capture means and processing means operatively connected to the image capture means for receiving one or more signals therefrom, wherein the system is configured to identify automatically, in use, a vehicle in a parking space and to track automatically a vehicle user from the parking space to the destination or from the destination to the parking space, e.g. based on image data received from the image capture means.

A yet further aspect of the invention provides a system for monitoring a car park, the system comprising an ANPR means for reading and recording the number plates of vehicles entering a car park and a monitoring means, the monitoring means comprising a processing means and one or more cameras, a signal from the ANPR means and the one or more camera means being usable by the processing means to allow the monitoring means to automatically track a vehicle from an entrance to a car park to a parking space and a signal from said one or more cameras being usable by the processing means to allow the monitoring means to track automatically a vehicle user from or to the parking space to or from the destination.

The operative connection between one or more features or elements may comprise a physical, e.g. electrical or electronic, connection. Additionally or alternatively, the operative connection between one or more features or elements may comprise a wireless connection, for example via a wireless connection means such as one or more of radio frequency communication, cellular network data communication, Bluetooth or Wifi io protocols or any other suitable arrangements. It is further envisaged that some operative connections may comprise a combination of physical connections and wireless connections. For example, the image capture means may include one or more image capture devices or cameras that are connected to the monitoring means or system and/or one or more image capture devices or cameras that are connected via wireless connections.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of monitoring a car park, for example the aforementioned car park and/or using the aforementioned system. The method may comprise the use of any one or more features of the aforementioned car park or system.

Yet another aspect of the invention provides a method of monitoring a car park, the method comprising identifying automatically a vehicle in a parking space and tracking automatically, e.g. using image capture means, a vehicle user from the parking space to a destination associated with the car park or from the destination to the parking space.

The method may comprise tracking automatically using image capture means the vehicle from an entrance of the car park to the parking space. The method may comprise capturing vehicle identification data associated with the vehicle using a vehicle identification means such as an ANPR means. The method may comprise reading and/or recording number plate information of the vehicle, which may be carried out at an entrance of the car park and/or when it is in the parking space.

The method may comprise associating vehicle or vehicle user position and/or movement data, which may be derived from image data captured by the image capture means, with the vehicle identification data. The method may comprise associating vehicle position and/or movement data, which may be derived from image data captured by the image capture means, with the vehicle identification data.

The method may comprise comparing the vehicle or vehicle user position and/or movement data with one or more predetermined rules, e.g. to ensure compliance. The method may comprise issuing a parking charge notice notifying an authority and/or issuing or causing to be issued a parking charge notice, for example if it is determined that one or more rules have not been complied with.

io The parking charge notice may reflect or relate to a charge relating to the parking event.

The method may comprise sending the parking charge notice or a copy thereof to the owner of the vehicle and/or to the registered address. Additionally or alternatively, the method may comprise issuing the parking charge notice or a copy thereof electronically, for example to one or more digital addresses, e.g. an email address or telephone number, associated with the system or with the vehicle. The parking charge notice may include information relating to the rights of the recipient, for example rights of appeal. The issuing of a parking charge notice may instigate a transaction or payment, for example from an account associated with the vehicle.

The method may comprise sending information relating to one or more parking events to a customer loyalty system.

For the avoidance of doubt, any of the features described herein apply equally to any aspect of the invention. For example, the system may comprise any one or more features of the car park relevant to the monitoring thereof and/or the method may comprise any one or more features or steps relevant to one or more features of the car park or of the system.

A further aspect of the invention provides a computer program element comprising computer readable program code means for causing a processor to execute a procedure to implement the aforementioned method. A yet further aspect of the invention provides the computer program element embodied on a computer readable medium.

A yet further aspect of the invention provides a computer readable medium having a program stored thereon, where the program is arranged to make a computer execute a procedure to implement the aforementioned method.

A yet further aspect of the invention provides a control means or control system or controller comprising the aforementioned computer program element or computer readable medium.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. For the avoidance of doubt, the terms "may", "and/or", "e.g.", "for example" and any similar term as used herein should be interpreted as non-limiting such that any feature so-described need not be present. Indeed, any combination of optional features is expressly envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention, whether or not these are expressly claimed. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a car park according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the monitoring controller of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating a sequence of steps during use of the system of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of the car park of Figure 1 illustrating a first scenario; Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 4 illustrating a second scenario; Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a car park according to a second embodiment of the invention incorporating two cameras; Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a car park according to a third embodiment of the invention similar to that of Figure 5, but incorporating an ANPR camera at the entrance; and Figure 8 is a flow chart illustrating a sequence of steps during use of the system of Figure 7.

Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a car park 1 associated with a destination 2, which is a supermarket 20 in this embodiment. The car park 1 includes a parking area 10 with an entrance 11 and a plurality of parking spaces 12. The car park 1 also io incorporates a monitoring system in the form of a monitoring controller 3 and image capture means 4 in the form of a camera 40 mounted to a post 41 adjacent a corner 13 of the parking area 10. In this embodiment, the camera 40 includes a wireless antenna 42 and is operable to capture image data both in the visible spectrum and in the infrared spectrum.

The supermarket 20 owns and operates the car park 1, which is intended for the exclusive use of customers of the supermarket 20. The supermarket 20 includes a door 21. In this example, only customers of the supermarket 20 are authorised to use the car park and such customers are limited to, for example, two hours of parking time. Traditionally, monitoring of car parks 1 to ensure compliance with rules has been carried out by one or more members of staff or other operatives, hereinafter referred to as parking attendants. The purpose of the monitoring system of the invention is to minimise the requirement for such parking attendants. The monitoring data may also be used in customer loyalty schemes, for example where vehicle identification data is associated with a profile of such a loyalty scheme.

The monitoring controller 3, shown more clearly in Figure 2, includes a processing means in the form of a single processor 30, memory means in the form of a single memory 31 for storing data, ANPR means in the form of an ANPR module 32 for extracting vehicle registration information from image data, a tracking module 33 for tracking the movement of vehicles and occupants of vehicles and a wireless transceiver 34 with an antenna 35. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of devices may be used to provide the functionality of the monitoring controller 3, such as a personal computer, laptop, tablet or smart phone.

In this embodiment, the wireless transceiver 30 is configured to receive image data from the camera 40 and to send information to an in-store security post (not shown). The ANPR module 32 is configured to extract from image data captured by the camera 40 number plate information, which is then stored on the memory means. It will be appreciated that the camera 40 may be connected to the monitoring controller 3 by one or more cables.

In this embodiment, the monitoring controller 3 allocates image data according to a grid, for example a nominal or virtual grid, representing the parking area 10, wherein each io parking space 12, and potentially all or portions of the intervening driveway, is associated with a region of the grid. This enables the system to maintain a record of the path taken by the vehicle 5, its parking position and its occupants 51a, 51b based on the grid.

Referring now to Figure 3, the tracking module 33 is configured to detect from image data received from the camera 40 a vehicle 5 entering the parking area 10 via the entrance 11 and parking in one of the spaces 12. This is achieved by detecting movement of a contour indicative of the approximate size of a standard vehicle 5 at the entrance 11 and may involve capturing and, for example, overlaying infrared image data indicative of the engine (not shown) of the vehicle 5 in operation.

Once detected, the tracking module 33 extracts or isolates from the image data the contour of the vehicle 5 (and optionally the heat signature of the engine) and tracks the contour until it stops in the relevant region of the grid corresponding to one of the spaces 12. On detection of the parking event, the camera 40 captures a still image of the vehicle's number plate 50 from which the ANPR module 32 extracts number plate information. This information is then stored in the memory 31 together with details of the tracked path of the vehicle from the entrance to the parking space 12.

The tracking module 33 continues to monitor the image data until one or more vehicle users 51 exit the vehicle 5, which can be ascertained by detecting the appearance and movement of a contour substantially smaller than that of the vehicle and optionally overlaying infrared image data indicative of one or more occupants exiting the vehicle. Once detected, the contour of each vehicle user 51a, 51b (and optionally, and in some cases preferably, their heat signature) is extracted or isolated from the image data and each such contour is tracked from the parking space 12. In some embodiments, for example where relatively low resolution image capture means are used, the contour detected may correspond to two or more vehicle users 51. The monitoring controller 3 is therefore configured to detect the separation of one or more contours during tracking and to track each such separated contour. Information relating to the tracked path of each vehicle user 51a, 51b is stored in the memory 31 with the number plate information relating to the vehicle 5.

In this embodiment, the tracking module 33 is configured to assess the movements of the vehicle users 51 and to determine whether or not the parking rules associated with the car o park 1 have been respected. If the rules have been respected, no further action is taken.

However, if one or more parking rules have been violated the processor 30 is configured to issue automatically a parking charge notice, which is then sent to the registered keeper of the vehicle 5 identified by the ANPR module 32.

A first scenario is illustrated in Figure 4 in which a driver 51a of the vehicle exits the parking area 10 without entering the supermarket 20, whilst a passenger 51b of the vehicle 5 enters the supermarket. Similarly, a second scenario is illustrated in Figure 5 in which the driver 51a' of the vehicle 5' exits the parking area 10 without entering the supermarket 20, but returns later, e.g. 20 minutes later, and enters the supermarket 20.

In this instance, it is the return of the driver 51a' to the vehicle 5' which will be monitored.

Thus, the cameras will monitor people exiting the supermarket until they until they enter or re-enter a vehicle within the car park. In this embodiment, each of these scenarios is deemed 'acceptable' provided that the vehicle 5 is parked for under two hours.

However, if in the second scenario (Figure 5) the driver 51a' returns to the vehicle 5' without entering the supermarket 20, this is deemed to be a violation of the parking rules and a parking charge notice is issued and sent to the registered keeper of the vehicle 5'. Other scenarios would also be appreciated by those skilled in the art and depend upon the parking rules associated with the destination 2.

Referring now to Figure 6, there is shown a car park 100 similar to the car park 1 according to the first embodiment, wherein like references depict like features that will not be described further herein. The car park 100 according to this embodiment differs from the car park 1 according to the first embodiment in that the image capture means incorporates two image capture devices 104a, 104b at opposite corners of the car park 100. Each of the image capture devices 104a, 104b includes all of the features of the image capture means 4 according to the first embodiment. A first of the image capture devices 104a is configured to capture one side of the parking area 10, whilst a second of the image capture devices 104b is configured to capture a second side of the car parking area 10. As illustrated in the drawings, the region covered by the image capture devices 104a, 104b overlaps one another.

The tracking module 33 in this embodiment is configured to track the vehicle 5 or the vehicle users 51a, 51b moving between the regions by synchronising the image data to captured by each of the image capture devices 104a, 104b. This synchronisation is straightforward in this embodiment because the regions overlap one another and, as mentioned above, the monitoring controller 3 allocates image data according to a grid representing the parking area 10. There is therefore no interruption in the image data when such intra-regional movement occurs.

However, it is envisaged that other embodiments may be provided in which there is no such overlap, for example in the case of a multi-story car park (not shown) where one or more image capture devices 104a, 104b are configured or positioned to capture image data relating to different levels. In such cases, an extrapolation of the image data captured may be required to anticipate the position at which a vehicle 5 enters a second region based upon its position and/or trajectory on leaving the first region.

Referring now to Figures 7 and 8, there is shown a car park 200 similar to the car park 100 according to the second embodiment, wherein like references depict like features that will not be described further herein. The car park 200 according to this embodiment differs from the car park 100 according to the second embodiment in that it includes a dedicated ANPR camera 233 located adjacent the entrance 11 and configured to capture number plate information of a vehicle 5 entering the car park 200 and to send it wirelessly to the monitoring controller 3.

This arrangement has the advantage that image capture devices 104a, 104b with lower resolution capabilities can be used. Thus, conventional CCTV cameras, which are already installed at many locations, may be connected to the monitoring controller 3 to monitor the movement of the vehicles 5, 5' and their occupants 51a, 51a', 51b. Additionally or alternatively, thermographic cameras may be used to monitor the movement of vehicles and their occupants within the car park 200, as discussed above.

In a typical car park 200 plural thermographic and/or visible light cameras, will be mounted at various locations within the car park 200. The car park 200 will be subdivided into a nominal or virtual grid comprised of plural grid sections. Preferably, at least one camera will be associated with each grid section.

As a vehicle enters the car park 200 an ANPR camera will record the vehicle registration o of the vehicle. The vehicle may be slowed as it approaches or traverses the car park entrance. The travel of the vehicle will then be tracked from grid section to adjacent grid section using appropriate automatic handover protocols from camera to camera. Once the vehicle has parked in a car parking space 12 (or at least once the vehicle has remained stationary within a car parking space for a period of time (e.g. 30 seconds or 1 minute) a parking event will be recognised and a timer will start (alternatively the timer may start when the vehicle enters the car park or some other point in time). The occupants which exit the vehicle will then be tracked across the grid, from grid section to adjacent grid section and to the door 21 of the supermarket 20. By entering the supermarket the system will note that the recorded and tracked vehicle is associated with a 'shopper' (i.e. an authorised parker). As long as the vehicle remains in the car park for less than the prescribed time a parking charge notice or parking charge will not be issued.

Should the occupants not enter the supermarket but instead travel to another car park exit the system can potentially note that the recorded vehicle may not be associated with a 'shopper' (i.e. an authorised parker). The system will also monitor people leaving the supermarket. If a person exiting the supermarket travels to a parked vehicle, and should that vehicle exit the car park before expiry of the prescribed period, a parking charge notice or parking charge will not be issued.

By using thermographic image date, it is possible to track a few pixels with moderate computing power. This ensures that even in busy car parks with substantial volumes of vehicular and human traffic it is possible to monitor vehicle movements into and around and out of the car park and human traffic to and from the supermarket or other associated or not associated area. The contour data of the or each vehicle may be utilised as set out above. Alternatively, a heat signature may be used to monitor a vehicles journey into and across a car park. By using an appropriate grid pattern and sufficient cameras the resolution of the system will be capable of resolving both vehicular and human traffic.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that several variations to the aforementioned embodiments are envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the camera 40 may be configured to capture image data in only one of visible and infrared light spectrums. Moreover, the monitoring controller 3 may be operatively connected to, may incorporate or may be incorporated into a customer loyalty management system (not shown). In such embodiments, information relating to one or io more parking events may be used to track customer behaviour. Also, where the supermarket has a loyalty card system, the car park rules may be altered (for example prescribed parking time extended) when the loyalty card is presented at the point of purchase, or when voluntarily presented when entering the store.

It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of combinations of the aforementioned features and/or those shown in the appended drawings provide clear advantages over the prior art and are therefore within the scope of the invention described herein.

Claims

CLAIMSA car park for a destination, the car park comprising one or more parking spaces, image capture means and monitoring means operatively connected to the image capture means for receiving one or more signals therefrom, wherein the monitoring means is configured to identify automatically, in use, a vehicle in a parking space and to track automatically a vehicle user from the parking space to the destination or from the destination to the parking space based on image data received from the image capture means.
Car park according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the monitoring means is configured to track automatically the vehicle from an entrance of the car park to the parking space from the image data received, in use, from the image capture means.
3. Car park according to any preceding claim, wherein the monitoring means is configured to capture vehicle identification data associated with the vehicle.
Car park according to claim 3 comprising ANPR means for reading and/or recording number plate information of the vehicle.
Car park according to claim 4, wherein the ANPR means is configured to read and/or record, in use, number plate information of the vehicle at an entrance of the car park and/or when it is in the parking space.
6. Car park according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the monitoring means is configured to associate, in use, vehicle user contour data derived from the captured image data with the vehicle identification data.
7. Car park according to claim 6, wherein the image capture means is configured to capture image data over time, the monitoring means being configured to determine or estimate the position and/or movement over time of the vehicle user based on vehicle user contour data.
Car park according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the monitoring means is configured to associate, in use, vehicle contour data derived from the captured image data with the vehicle identification data.
Car park according to claim 8, wherein the image capture means is configured to capture image data over time, the monitoring means being configured to determine or estimate the position and/or movement over time of the vehicle based on vehicle contour data.
10. Car park according to any preceding claim, wherein the image capture means comprises an infrared image capture means.
11. Car park according to any preceding claim, wherein the image capture means comprises a digital image capture means operable to capture both visible light image data and thermographic image data.
12. Car park according to any preceding claim, wherein the image capture means comprises one or more cameras.
13. Car park according to claim 12 comprising two or more cameras, wherein each camera is configured to capture image data relating to a respective area of the car park.
14. Car park according to claim 13 comprising a first camera configured to capture image data relating to a first area of the car park and a second camera configured to capture image data relating to a second area of the car park, wherein the monitoring means is configured to track automatically a vehicle or a vehicle user moving from the first area to the second area based on image data captured, in use, by the first camera immediately therebefore and image data captured by the second camera immediately thereafter.
15. Car park according to claim 14, wherein the monitoring means is configured to extrapolate a position and/or movement of the vehicle or vehicle user from image data captured by the first camera to predict or estimate a position and/or movement of the vehicle or vehicle user in the second area in order to track automatically the vehicle or vehicle user moving from the first area to the second area.
16. Car park according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the areas overlap one another.
17. Car park according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the areas do not overlap one another.
18. Car park according to any one of claims 13 to 27, wherein the car park comprises two or more vertical levels, one of the two or more cameras being positioned and/or configured to capture image data relating to an area on a first level and another of the two or more cameras being positioned and/or configured to capture image data relating to an area on a second level.
19. Car park according to any preceding claim comprising a parking area including the one or more parking spaces, wherein the monitoring means allocates image data according to a grid representing the parking area.
20. Car park according to any preceding claim, wherein the monitoring means is configured to notify, in use, an authority or issue a parking charge notice if the vehicle user does not move to the destination or from the destination to the parking space.
21. A system for monitoring a car park with one or more parking spaces for a destination, the system comprising image capture means and processing means operatively connected to the image capture means for receiving one or more signals therefrom, wherein the system is configured to identify automatically, in use, a vehicle in a parking space and to track automatically a vehicle user from the parking space to the destination or from the destination to the parking space based image data received from the image capture means.
22. A system according to claim 21 adapted for use in a car park according to any one of claims 1 to 20.
23. A method of monitoring a car park, the method comprising identifying automatically a vehicle in a parking space and tracking automatically using image capture means a vehicle user from the parking space to a destination associated with the car park or from the destination to the parking space.
24. Method according to claim 23 comprising tracking automatically using image capture means the vehicle from an entrance of the car park to the parking space.
25. Method according to claim 23 or claim 24 comprising capturing vehicle identification io data associated with the vehicle using ANPR means.
26. Method according to claim 25 comprising reading and/or recording number plate information of the vehicle at an entrance of the car park and/or when it is in the parking space.
27. Method according to claim 25 or claim 26 further comprising associating vehicle user position and/or movement data derived from image data captured by the image capture means with the vehicle identification data.
28. Method according to any one of claims 25 to 27 further comprising associating vehicle position and/or movement data derived from image data captured by the image capture means with the vehicle identification data.
29. Method according to any one of claims 23 to 27 further comprising notifying an authority or issuing a parking charge notice if the vehicle user does not move to the destination or from the destination to the parking space.
30. A method of monitoring a car park substantially as described herein and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
31. A computer program element comprising computer readable program code means for causing a processor to execute a procedure to implement a method according to any one of claims 23 to 30.
32. A computer program element according to claim 31 embodied on a computer readable medium.
33. A computer readable medium having a program stored thereon, where the program is arranged to make a computer execute a procedure to implement a method according to any one of claims 23 to 30.
34. A car park with one or more parking spaces for a destination substantially as described herein and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
35. A system for monitoring a car park with one or more parking spaces for a destination substantially as described herein and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.