Tracking the use of at least one destination location

• US 9,208,619 B1
• Filed: 09/09/2015
• Issued: 12/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cloudparc, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Cloudparc, Inc.
• Inventors: Nerayoff, Steven David, Wong, Thompson S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dastouri, Mehrdad
• Assistant Examiner(s): Anderson, II, James M
• Application Number:
  US14/848,335
• Publication Number:
  US 20150379781A1
• Time in Patent Office: 90 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/00 Pattern recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/22 Matching criteria, e.g. proximity measures
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/02 involving a neutral party, e.g. certification authority, notary or trusted third party [TTP]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/145 Payments according to the detected use or quantity
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0284 Time or distance, e.g. usage of parking meters or taximeters
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/265 Personal security, identity or safety
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/40 Business processes related to the transportation industry shipping G06Q10/083
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10004 Still image; Photographic image
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30236 Traffic on road, railway or crossing
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30264 Parking
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/20 Analysis of motion motion estimation for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals H04N19/43, H04N19/51
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/292 Multi-camera tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/70 Determining position or orientation of objects or cameras camera calibration G06T7/80
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/73 using feature-based methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/90 Determination of colour characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/52 Surveillance or monitoring of activities, e.g. for recognising suspicious objects recognising microscopic objects G06V20/69
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/54 of traffic, e.g. cars on the road, trains or boats
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/56 exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/593 Recognising seat occupancy
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/62 : Text, e.g. of license plates, overlay texts or captions on TV images
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/625 : License plates
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/224 : of printed characters having additional code marks or containing code marks
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/23 : Recognition of whole body movements, e.g. for sport training
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/00 : Arrangements or apparatus for collecting fares, tolls or entrance fees at one or more control points handling coins or valuable papers, e.g. banknotes, G07D; apparatus for vending or hiring articles or services activated by coins, credit cards, paper currency or the like G07F7/00, G07F17/00
• 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: G07F 17/24 : for parking meters
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/00 : Traffic control systems for road vehicles arrangement of road signs or traffic signals E01F9/00 ; automatic vehicle control B62D
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/017 : identifying vehicles G08G1/015, G08G1/054 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0175 : by photographing vehicles, e.g. when violating traffic rules
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/052 : with provision for determining speed or overspeed speed measuring in general G01P
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/056 : with provision for distinguishing direction of travel
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/133 : within the vehicle ; Indicators inside the vehicles or at stops
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/14 : indicating individual free spaces in parking areas
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/142 : external to the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/143 : inside the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/144 : on portable or mobile units, e.g. personal digital assistant [PDA]
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/146 : where the parking area is a limited parking space, e.g. parking garage, restricted space
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/148 : Management of a network of parking areas
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/62 : Control of parameters via user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 : Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/69 : Control of means for changing angle of the field of view, e.g. optical zoom objectives or electronic zooming
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/80 : Camera processing pipelines; Components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/90 : Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 : Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 : for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

Tracking the use of at least one destination location is disclosed. Initially, four or more first images are received from a first camera having a first field of view. It is then determined that the first vehicle is stopped within the at least one destination location at a first time and that the first vehicle has left the at least one destination location at a second time. A first characteristic of an occupant of the first vehicle based on a first image is determined to correspond to a second characteristic of the occupant of the first vehicle based on a second image. It is then determined that the occupant of the first vehicle traveled between the first vehicle and a payment station. Payment information specifying a period of time that was received by a third-party parking payment system is received. The period of time is then associated with the first vehicle.

Claims

1. A method of tracking the use of at least one destination location, the method comprising:

receiving four or more first images from a first camera having a first field of view, the four or more first images showing a first vehicle, at least one destination location, and a payment station of a third-party parking payment system, wherein a first image of the four or more first images shows an occupant of the first vehicle adjacent to the first vehicle, and wherein a second image of the four or more first images shows the occupant of the first vehicle adjacent to the payment station of the third-party parking payment system;

determining, based on at least one of the four or more first images, that the first vehicle is stopped within the at least one destination location at a first time;

determining, based on at least another of the four or more first images, that the first vehicle has left the at least one destination location at a second time that is after the first time;

determining, based on the first image, a first characteristic of the occupant of the first vehicle;

determining, based on the second image, a second characteristic of the occupant of the first vehicle;

determining that the second characteristic of the occupant of the first vehicle corresponds to the first characteristic of the occupant of the first vehicle;

determining, in response to the determination that the second characteristic of the occupant of the first vehicle corresponds to the first characteristic of the occupant of the first vehicle, that the occupant of the first vehicle traveled between the first vehicle and the payment station of the third-party parking payment system;

receiving, from the third-party parking payment system, payment information specifying a period of time that was received by the third-party parking payment system;

associating, in response to the determination that the occupant of the first vehicle traveled between the first vehicle and the payment station of the third-party parking payment system, the period of time with the first vehicle stopped within the at least one destination location; and

indicating the first time, the second time, and the period of time,

wherein the steps of receiving, determining, associating, and indicating are performed by one or more processors.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining that a difference between the first time and the second time is greater than the period of time received by the third-party parking payment system.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising indicating, in response to the determination that the difference between the first time and the second time is greater than the period of time received by the third-party parking payment system, a unique identifier of the first vehicle.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining, based on the at least one of the four or more first images, a unique identifier of the first vehicle.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the unique identifier of the first vehicle is a license plate number of the vehicle.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the unique identifier of the first vehicle is a one-dimensional bar code or a matrix bar code associated with the vehicle.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein associating the period of time with the first vehicle stopped within the at least one destination location comprises associating the period of time with the unique identifier of the first vehicle stopped within the at least one destination location.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein associating the period of time with the first vehicle stopped within the at least one destination location comprises associating the period of time with a unique identifier of the at least one destination location within which the first vehicle is stopped.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising receiving, from the third-party parking payment system, the unique identifier of the at least one destination location.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising determining, based on at least one of the four or more first images, the unique identifier of the at least one destination location.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the third-party parking payment system is a third-party pay-by-space parking payment system, a third-party pay-and-display parking payment system, or a third-party curbside parking meter payment system.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first camera is included in an air vehicle.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the air vehicle is an unmanned air vehicle that is configured to be autonomously operated.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the first vehicle is stopped within the at least one destination location at the first time comprises determining that a portion of the at least one of the four or more first images corresponding to the first vehicle is within a portion of the at least one of the four or more first images corresponding to the at least one destination location.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the first vehicle has left the at least one destination location at the second time comprises determining that a portion of the at least other of the four or more first images corresponding to the first vehicle is at least partially outside of a portion of the at least other of the four or more first images corresponding to the at least one destination location.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining, based on the at least one of the four or more first images, a first static characteristic of the first vehicle;

determining, based on the at least other of the four or more first images, a second static characteristic of the first vehicle;

comparing the second static characteristic of the first vehicle to the first static characteristic of the first vehicle; and

determining, in response to the comparison of the second static characteristic of the first vehicle and the first static characteristic of the first vehicle, that the second static characteristic of the first vehicle is approximately equal to the first static characteristic of the first vehicle, wherein

determining that the first vehicle has left the at least one destination location at the second time comprises determining, in response to the approximate equivalence between the second static characteristic and the first static characteristic, that the first vehicle has left the at least one destination location at the second time.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein:

the first static characteristic is one or more of a vehicle make, a vehicle model, a vehicle year, a vehicle color, a vehicle outline, a vehicle size, and a vehicle dimension; and

the second static characteristic is one or more of a vehicle make, a vehicle model, a vehicle year, a vehicle color, a vehicle outline, a vehicle size, and a vehicle dimension.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein:

the first static characteristic of the first vehicle comprises two or more first static characteristics of the first vehicle; and

the second static characteristic of the first vehicle comprises two or more second static characteristics of the first vehicle.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein determining that the second static characteristic is approximately equal to the first static characteristic comprises determining that each of the two or more second static characteristics of the first vehicle are approximately equal to each of the corresponding two or more first static characteristics of the first vehicle.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein determining that the second static characteristic is approximately equal to the first static characteristic comprises determining that at least one of the two or more second static characteristics of the first vehicle is approximately equal to at least one of the two or more first static characteristics of the first vehicle.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one destination location comprises a plurality of directly adjacent destination locations.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a cost for the first vehicle to occupy the at least one destination location from the first time to the second time; and

receiving the payment information from the third-party parking payment system.

23. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

obtaining a description of one or more restrictions for use of the at least one destination location;

determining that the use of the at least one destination location by the first vehicle from the first time to the second time violates at least one of the one or more restrictions; and

indicating the at least one of the one or more restrictions violated by the first vehicle.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein indicating the one or more restrictions violated by the first vehicle comprises:

automatically identifying a mailing address associated with the first vehicle without user interaction; and

automatically generating a citation requesting payment of a fee associated with the determined violation of the one or more restrictions without user interaction.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein indicating the one or more restrictions violated by the first vehicle comprises:

identifying an enforcement officer to issue a citation for the first vehicle based on the location of the at least one destination location; and

notifying the identified enforcement officer that the first vehicle is at the destination location.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the first vehicle is stopped within the at least one destination location at the first time comprises determining that the first vehicle is stationary within the at least one destination location for greater than or equal to a predetermined period of time.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the four or more first images includes a visual timestamp indicating a time at which the respective image was captured by the first camera.

28. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

requesting retention of the at least one of the four or more first images that show the first vehicle stopped within the at least one destination location at the first time; and

requesting retention of the other of the four or more first images that show the first vehicle has left the at least one destination location at the second time.

29. A system for tracking the use of at least one destination location, the system comprising one or more processors connected to at least one storage device, the system being configured to:

receive four or more first images from a first camera having a first field of view, the four or more first images showing a first vehicle, at least one destination location, and a payment station of a third-party parking payment system, wherein a first image of the four or more first images shows an occupant of the first vehicle adjacent to the first vehicle, and wherein a second image of the four or more first images shows the occupant of the first vehicle adjacent to the payment station of the third-party parking payment system;

determine, based on at least one of the four or more first images, that the first vehicle is stopped within the at least one destination location at a first time;

determine, based on at least another of the four or more first images, that the first vehicle has left the at least one destination location at a second time that is after the first time;

determine, based on the first image, a first characteristic of the occupant of the first vehicle;

determine, based on the second image, a second characteristic of the occupant of the first vehicle;

determine that the second characteristic of the occupant of the first vehicle corresponds to the first characteristic of the occupant of the first vehicle;

determine, in response to the determination that the second characteristic of the occupant of the first vehicle corresponds to the first characteristic of the occupant of the first vehicle, that the occupant of the first vehicle traveled between the first vehicle and the payment station of the third-party parking payment system;

receive, from the third-party parking payment system, payment information specifying a period of time that was received by the third-party parking payment system;

associate, in response to the determination that the occupant of the first vehicle traveled between the first vehicle and the payment station of the third-party parking payment system, the period of time with the first vehicle stopped within the at least one destination location; and

indicate the first time, the second time, and the period of time.

30. A storage device storing a computer program for tracking the use of at least one destination location, the computer program comprising one or more code segments that, when executed, cause one or more processors to:

receive four or more first images from a first camera having a first field of view, the four or more first images showing a first vehicle, at least one destination location, and a payment station of a third-party parking payment system, wherein a first image of the four or more first images shows an occupant of the first vehicle adjacent to the first vehicle, and wherein a second image of the four or more first images shows the occupant of the first vehicle adjacent to the payment station of the third-party parking payment system;

determine, based on at least one of the four or more first images, that the first vehicle is stopped within the at least one destination location at a first time;

determine, based on at least another of the four or more first images, that the first vehicle has left the at least one destination location at a second time that is after the first time;

determine, based on the first image, a first characteristic of the occupant of the first vehicle;

determine, based on the second image, a second characteristic of the occupant of the first vehicle;

determine that the second characteristic of the occupant of the first vehicle corresponds to the first characteristic of the occupant of the first vehicle;

determine, in response to the determination that the second characteristic of the occupant of the first vehicle corresponds to the first characteristic of the occupant of the first vehicle, that the occupant of the first vehicle traveled between the first vehicle and the payment station of the third-party parking payment system;

receive, from the third-party parking payment system, payment information specifying a period of time that was received by the third-party parking payment system;

associate, in response to the determination that the occupant of the first vehicle traveled between the first vehicle and the payment station of the third-party parking payment system, the period of time with the first vehicle stopped within the at least one destination location; and

indicate the first time, the second time, and the period of time.