VEHICLE DETECTION
First Claim
1. A vehicle detection unit (VDU) comprising:
- a sensor for outputting a sensor signal caused by occupancy of a vehicle space by a vehicle;
a storage device carrying parameters which define notifiable vehicle space occupancy events;
a processor operable to process the sensor signal to determine occupancy status of the vehicle space, and operable to compare the occupancy status of the vehicle space with the parameters in order to determine whether a notifiable event has occurred, and operable to initiate a communication from the vehicle detection unit to a supervisory device upon occurrence of a notifiable event, wherein the communication includes data items pertaining to the notifiable event and communicated in a format suitable for pre-population into infringement issuing software.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle detection unit (VDU) is embedded beneath each of a plurality of parking spaces. Each VDU has a sensor which detects magnetic field fluctuations caused by the arrival and departure of a vehicle in the parking space. The VDU runs a vehicle detection algorithm to distinguish magnetic fluctuations caused by vehicles from “exceptional” magnetic fluctuations from other sources. The VDU also stores parameters which define notifiable vehicle space occupancy events. A processor of the VDU processes the sensor signal to determine occupancy status of the vehicle space, and compare the occupancy status of the vehicle space with the parameters in order to determine whether a notifiable event has occurred, such as a vehicle going into violation of parking restrictions. As necessary, the VDU initiates radio communications with a supervisory device, either a transient portable device such as a Parking Officer'"'"'s PDA or a fixed radio node mounted within range.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A vehicle detection unit (VDU) comprising:
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a sensor for outputting a sensor signal caused by occupancy of a vehicle space by a vehicle; a storage device carrying parameters which define notifiable vehicle space occupancy events; a processor operable to process the sensor signal to determine occupancy status of the vehicle space, and operable to compare the occupancy status of the vehicle space with the parameters in order to determine whether a notifiable event has occurred, and operable to initiate a communication from the vehicle detection unit to a supervisory device upon occurrence of a notifiable event, wherein the communication includes data items pertaining to the notifiable event and communicated in a format suitable for pre-population into infringement issuing software. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for vehicle detection by a vehicle detection unit, the method comprising:
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sensing occupancy of a vehicle space by a vehicle and outputting a sensor signal; retrieving from a storage device parameters which define notifiable vehicle space occupancy events; processing the sensor signal to determine occupancy status of the vehicle space, comparing the occupancy status of the vehicle space with the parameters in order to determine whether a notifiable event has occurred, and initiating a communication from the vehicle detection unit to a supervisory device upon occurrence of a notifiable event, wherein the communication includes data items pertaining to the notifiable event and communicated in a format suitable for pre-population into an infringement issuing device. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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18. (canceled)
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23. A method for issuing a parking infringement notice, the method comprising:
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a portable device establishing a transient wireless connection with at least one fixed vehicle detection unit (VDU); the portable device obtaining from the VDU via the wireless connection data arising from a notifiable parking event detected by the VDU; and the portable device pre-populating the data into infringement issuing software and generating a parking infringement notice using the pre-populated data obtained from the VDU.
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24. (canceled)
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25. A system for detecting vehicle parking infringements, the system comprising:
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a plurality of vehicle detection units (VDUs) each associated with a respective vehicle parking space and storing parameters defining notifiable vehicle space occupancy events, each VDU configured to sense occupancy of the associated vehicle space and determine by reference to the parameters whether a notifiable event has occurred, and operable to communicate wirelessly including wirelessly transmitting data items pertaining to the notifiable event and communicated in a format suitable for pre-population into infringement issuing software; a mobile supervisory device configured to wirelessly communicate with each respective VDU when brought within range, to receive information from the VDU arising from a notifiable parking event detected by the VDU, to pre-populate received data items into infringement issuing software and to generate a parking infringement notice using the pre-populated data-items obtained from the VDU. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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Specification