Image enhanced parking enforcement system

• US 20100328103A1
• Filed: 06/24/2009
• Published: 12/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Goldman, Stuart O., Runyon, James P.
• Application Number:
  US12/456,920
• Publication Number:
  US 20100328103A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/932.2
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/02 taking into account a variable factor such as distance or time, e.g. for passenger transport, parking systems or car rental systems G07B15/06 takes precedence; taximeters G07B13/00; parking meters per se G07F17/24; car rental systems per se G07B15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/14 indicating individual free spaces in parking areas
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

An image-enhanced parking enforcement system utilizes cameras or other imaging modality to capture, record and/or report instances of parking infractions corresponding to a controlled parking space. In one embodiment, a metering device monitors allotted times for lawful utilization of the parking space and identifies instances of meter expiration; at least one detector monitors utilization status of the parking space; and the cameras or other imaging modality captures images corresponding to the parking space when the meter has expired and the space is occupied.

Claims

1. A parking enforcement platform comprising:

a metering device corresponding to a controlled parking space, the metering device operable to monitor allotted times for lawful utilization of the parking space and identify instances of expiration of the allotted times, defining meter expiration;

at least one detector for monitoring utilization status of the parking space; and

an imaging device operable to capture one or more images corresponding to the parking space responsive to occupation of the parking space and meter expiration.

2. The platform of claim 1, further comprising means for communicating parking enforcement information including at least a portion of the one or more images to a parking enforcement authority.

3. The platform of claim 1, further comprising means for storing at least a portion of the one or more images.

4. The platform of claim 1, wherein the imaging device comprises a camera for capturing still photographs corresponding to utilization of the parking space.

5. The platform of claim 1, wherein the imaging device comprises a video camera for capturing video clips corresponding to utilization of the parking space.

6. The platform of claim 1, further comprising a security module for detecting incidents of obstruction of the imaging device;

and an alarm for reporting the incidents to a parking enforcement authority.

7. The platform of claim 1, wherein the at least one detector comprises one or more of an ultrasonic proximity detector, strain gauge, photo detector and magnetometer.

8. The platform of claim 1, wherein the one or more images comprises one or more of a vehicle image and a license plate image.

9. A method comprising:

monitoring status of a metering device corresponding to a controlled parking space, the metering device operable to monitor allotted times for lawful utilization of the parking space and identify instances of expiration of the allotted times, defining meter expiration;

monitoring utilization status of the parking space; and

capturing one or more images corresponding to the parking space responsive to occupation of the parking space and meter expiration.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising communicating parking enforcement information including at least a portion of the one or more images to a parking enforcement authority.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising storing at least a portion of the one or more images.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of capturing images comprises capturing still photographs corresponding to utilization of the parking space.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of capturing images comprises capturing video clips corresponding to utilization of the parking space.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of capturing images comprises capturing one or more of a vehicle image and a license plate image.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

detecting incidents of obstruction of the imaging device; and

reporting the incidents to a parking enforcement authority.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of monitoring utilization status of the parking space is accomplished responsive to detecting meter expiration.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of monitoring status of the metering device is accomplished responsive to detecting occupation of the parking space.

18. The method of claim 9, further comprising resetting the allotted time to zero, if the parking space is unoccupied and the meter is not expired.