Device, method and system for detecting parking in a no parking area

A parking enforcement device can be secured to a surface adjacent to the area designated as NO PARKING. The enforcement device can include a camera aimed towards the area designated as NO PARKING and monitor this area for the entry of a vehicle. A parking violation is determined to have occurred upon determining that the vehicle has entered the area designated as NO PARKING, and image data of the entry of a vehicle into the NO PARKING area that was captured by the camera can be relayed to a remote computing system. The parking enforcement device can be provided as a bollard that includes a camera secured to a center pole extending vertically upwards inside of the bollard. The camera can be located along the center pole so that the camera views outward from the bollard via a window section of the bollard.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to parking enforcement systems and, more particularly, to methods, systems and devices for automatically detecting the presence of a vehicle in a location where parking is prohibited.

BACKGROUND

There are many locations where it is undesirable for vehicles to park. For example a vehicle is a safety hazard if parked in a fire lane, in a bike lane or too near a fire hydrant. Unfortunately, clearly marking such “no parking” areas does not deter some people from parking there anyway. Thus, it is necessary to issue parking violation notices (e.g., parking tickets) to persons that park where prohibited. Such violations typically require a fine to be paid. However escalating penalties can be levied.

In order to issue a parking violation notice, citation or ticket to an illegally parked vehicle, a person authorized to issue parking citations (e.g. police officer or parking enforcement officer) must issue the notice to the vehicle when it is in the illegal parking location. A given officer cannot monitor everywhere at once and illegal parking is often short term in nature. Thus, many violations are not cited. Adding more enforcement officers cannot realistically capture all illegal parking acts. And adding more officers adds significant costs to the enforcement process.

Thus, there is a need to make the citation process automated for prohibited parking areas so that fewer violations go uncited and without increasing enforcement costs by adding more enforcement officers.

SUMMARY

Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for monitoring and managing enforcement of prohibited or “no parking” areas. In one aspect, a “no parking” enforcement device can include an embedded processor and microcontroller used to operate timers, decorative and targeted lights, cameras, and vehicle detection sensing (magnetometer, radar, etc. . . . ) means. The enforcement device is connected to the internet through either hard-wiring, Wi-Fi, a cellular modem or other wireless means. Power is supplied via hard-wiring, battery, and/or solar panels.

The enforcement device can be configured in the form of a bollard and monitor a single or multiple areas that have been designated by a governmental authority as “No Parking” areas. The enforcement device can be mounted adjacent the area(s) where a “no parking” condition is desired to be enforced. A variety of vehicle detection means can be employed to detect a vehicle in the “no parking” location. A violation notice and pertinent vehicle data and images are relayed to a remote computer system or to the municipality for processing and issuance of a parking citation to the vehicle's owner.

The parking enforcement device can be secured to a surface adjacent to the area designated as NO PARKING or to any other structure or can be incorporated into other traffic control devices or items of infrastructure (e.g. light poles).

The enforcement device can include a camera aimed towards the area designated as NO PARKING and monitor this area for the entry of a vehicle. A parking violation is determined to have occurred upon determining that the vehicle has entered the area designated as NO PARKING, and image data of the entry of a vehicle into the NO PARKING area that was captured by the camera can be relayed to a remote computing system.

The parking enforcement device can be provided as a bollard that includes a camera secured to a center pole extending vertically upwards inside of the bollard. The camera can be located along the center pole so that the camera views outward from the bollard via a window section of the bollard.

The parking enforcement device can include an elongated tubular body with a window section disposed atop the tubular body. A center pole can extend vertically through the tubular body and the window section. A camera can be secured to the center pole and located such that the camera views outward through the window section. An electrical control board can also be disposed inside of the tubular body.

A top plate can be disposed atop the window section and the tubular body can be disposed atop the base. A top cap can be disposed atop the top plate and/or atop the window section. Solar cells can be disposed on an exterior surface of the top cap. A horizontal plate can be disposed over the center pole and located within either the window section or the tubular body. A light can be disposed adjacent to the horizontal plate and arranged to project light outwardly from the parking enforcement device.

The control board can include a processor that is configured to monitor an area designated as NO PARKING for the presence of a vehicle in the area designated as NO PARKING. The processor can utilize the camera to perform a machine vision analysis of the area designated as NO PARKING for the presence of vehicles in the area designated as NO PARKING. The processor can utilize the camera to capture an image of a license plate of the vehicle in the area designated as NO PARKING. The processor can transmit an image of the vehicle in the area designated as NO PARKING to a remote computing system. The processor can be configured to determine that a parking violation has occurred upon determining that the vehicle is present in the area designated as NO PARKING. The processor can also initiate a request for towing services upon an expiration of a predetermined period of time following a determination that the vehicle is present in the area designated as NO PARKING without the vehicle having left the area designated as NO PARKING.

A method of monitoring an area designated as NO PARKING can include securing a bollard to a surface adjacent to the area designated as NO PARKING, monitoring the area designated as NO PARKING for the entry of a vehicle into the area designated as NO PARKING, determining that a parking violation has occurred upon determining that the vehicle has entered the area designated as NO PARKING, and relaying image data of the entry of a vehicle into the area designated as NO PARKING, as captured by a camera, to a remote computing system. The camera is located inside of the bollard and aimed towards the area designated as NO PARKING.

The step of monitoring the area designated as NO PARKING for the entry of a vehicle into the area designated as NO PARKING includes using image data from the camera to perform a machine vision analysis to detect the presence of the vehicle in the area designated as NO PARKING. The step of monitoring the area designated as NO PARKING for the entry of a vehicle into the area designated as NO PARKING can further include using radar to sense the presence of the vehicle in the area designated as NO PARKING.

Towing services can be requested by the bollard upon an expiration of a predetermined period of time following the determination that the vehicle is present in the area designated as NO PARKING without the vehicle having left the area designated as NO PARKING.

The determination that a parking violation has occurred can be made without first timing a grace period.

A violation indicator light can be illuminated upon determining that a parking violation has occurred.

The above summary is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, or describe each embodiment, aspect, implementation, feature or advantage of the invention. The detailed technology and preferred embodiments for the subject invention are described in the following paragraphs accompanying the appended drawings for people skilled in this field to well appreciate the features of the claimed invention. It is understood that the features mentioned hereinbefore and those to be commented on hereinafter may be used not only in the specified combinations, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following descriptions, the present invention will be explained with reference to various exemplary embodiments. Nevertheless, these embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention to any specific example, environment, application, or particular implementation described herein. Therefore, descriptions of these example embodiments are only provided for purpose of illustration rather than to limit the present invention.

Any dimensional information provided herein and indicated in the figures is for certain preferred embodiments. It should be recognized, however, that the dimensions, proportions, scale and configurations of components are merely example embodiments and can be varied unless specifically limited in a given claim. Thus, the dimensions, proportions, scale and configurations can be varied without departing from the scope of the invention except where explicitly limited by a given claim.

Referring toFIGS. 1-9, the depicted “no parking” enforcement device100is configured in the form of a bollard. The bollard can also be configured to monitor parking events in locations where parking is allowed. In the latter situation, the bollard100is networked with a kiosk or a nearby parking meter that includes a user interface and payment acceptor means, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,773,351, which is fully incorporated herein by reference.

The enforcement bollard100generally comprises a center assembly102(FIG. 3) and an outer enclosure104(FIG. 4) disposed over the center assembly102. The fully assembled bollard100is shown inFIG. 1. A cylindrical body106extends upward from a base110. A transparent (or semi-transparent) window112is disposed atop the cylindrical body106so that the camera or cameras inside of the cylindrical body106can see through to the location being monitored for illegal parking. The outline of the cameras can be seen inFIG. 1through the window112. A cap108is disposed atop the window portion112.

The cylindrical body106can also have other elongated tubular shapes besides circular, such as square, triangular, octagonal or polygonal or other cross-sectional shape.

The cylindrical body106, base110and top cap108can be formed of metal. The window can be formed of plastic.

FIG. 2shows the components of the top assembly of the bollard100. A cylindrical collar114is disposed atop the window112. A top plate116is disposed atop the collar114. There is a hole in the center of the plate116so that a portion of the center post (discussed below) can protrude upwards and receive a nut118that secures the plate116and collar114in place. Note that rubber gaskets can be disposed between components to further enhance the weather-proof performance of the bollard. The top cap108is disposed atop the top plate to hide the nut118and present an attractive finished appearance to the bollard100.

The top surface of the top cap108can be rounded, flat or other desired shape. A grid of solar cells120can be disposed on the upper surface of the top cap108.

The bollard100can also be provided with a secondary window located below the primary window112to function as a violation light window122. In embodiments that include this feature, the violation light window122allows an internal light to project outward to form a lighted ring that provides a status indicator to persons that are parking or would attempt to park in a space being monitored.

If the bollard were being used as a parking space monitor device, then the ring could be green to indicate that the space is available for parking or that the space is paid for and will not imminently expire. A yellow ring may indicate that time is about to expire or that a grace period is currently counting down. A red ring can indicate that a violation has occurred.

If the bollard is configured to monitor a no parking location, the violation light window may be omitted or not used or may be lighted red at all times. The light can be flashed to further call attention to the no parking status if a vehicle attempts to enter the no parking area being monitored.

FIG. 3shows the center assembly102with the outer enclosure104components removed. A center pole124extends through the vertical height of the cylindrical body106. The lower end is fastened to the base and the top end is fastened to the top plate116. The cameras and electric components of the device are secured to the pole124as will be described below with regard toFIGS. 5-9. The center pole124can be formed of metal, fiberglass, carbon fiber, plastic or other suitable rigid material.

FIG. 4shows an exploded view of the components comprising the outer enclosure104of the bollard100. The cylindrical body106is divided into an upper portion106aand lower portion106b, which are divided by the violation light window122. Of course, the cylindrical body can be a single piece or can be divided into more then two segments in alternative embodiments. Rubber gasket rings126are provided between each of the adjacent components to seal the enclosure against water and environmental contaminants.

FIG. 5illustrates details of the upper internal assembly that is disposed above the cameras. A pair of upper horizontal plates128,130are disposed over the pole124and located above the cameras132. These plates block light from reaching the cameras. Clamps or other fasteners can be used to secure the plates to the pole124.

Also, a light (e.g., one or more LED strips)134is disposed between the upper horizontal plates128,130to provide an attractive look, to add safety so that the bollard is not impacted, to provide safety illumination for nearby persons, and to signal to persons parking vehicles that they are parking illegally. In the latter circumstance, the light color can be changed to a warning color such as yellow or red, vs. a normal white or other color. Light intensity and color can also be varied to match ambient conditions. A light sensor can be included for providing ambient light input data. The LED light strip(s) can be fastened to a mounting bracket136such as that shown inFIG. 5.

FIG. 6illustrates details of the camera assembly. One or more cameras132are secured to the center pipe124and view outward through the window112. One camera is shown inFIG. 6, but two or more cameras can be provided to increase the area(s) being monitored by a particular bollard100. The cameras132are secured to the pole by a bracket138and fastener hardware.

FIG. 7illustrates details of the lower internal assembly that is disposed below the cameras132. A pair of lower horizontal plates140,142are disposed over the pole124and located below the cameras132. These plates also block light from reaching the cameras. Clamps or other fasteners can be used to secure the plates to the pole124. Another of the previously-mentioned lights134can be provided between the plates.

FIGS. 8-9illustrate details of the electrical control components for the bollard. A flat mounting plate144is secured to a lower portion of the center pole124with clamps146and fasteners to provide a support surface for mounting the PCB (printed circuit board) control board148and other electrical circuit components. Those circuit components include the physical processor, controller and memory components that control operation of the bollard100. Cables150connect each of the cameras to respective terminals on control board148.

The control board can also include the wireless communication componentry, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular modem or other wireless communications means.

A terminal connection block152is also secured to the pole124and located adjacent to the control board148. The connection block152provides a plurality of connection points for conduits connecting various electrical components, such as the lights, with the control electronics disposed on the board148.

A computer readable program code (e.g., software code) can be stored in the physical memory (e.g., random access memory, flash memory or hard-drive) of the device. The computer readable program code is configured such that when executed by the controller or processor, the code causes the device to perform the steps of the invention described herein.

A plurality of flanges154extend upward from a bottom plate156so that the base110can be secured in place. The bottom plate156also includes a plurality of apertures158through which fasteners can be inserted so that the bollard100can be secured to the ground.

Another embodiment of the parking enforcement bollard is shown inFIGS. 10-18and is generally designated with the numeral200. The bollard200again generally comprises a center assembly202(FIGS. 12-13) and an outer enclosure204(FIG. 5) disposed over the center assembly202.

The fully assembled bollard200is shown inFIG. 10. An elongated tubular body206sits atop a base210. A transparent (or semi-transparent) window212is disposed atop the tubular body206so that the camera or cameras inside of the tubular body206can see through to the location being monitored for illegal parking. The outline of the cameras can be seen inFIG. 10through the window212. A cap assembly208is disposed atop the window portion212.

FIG. 11shows the components of the top assembly of the bollard200. A cylindrical collar214portion of the top plate216is disposed atop the window212. There is a hole in the center of the top plate216so that a portion of the center post (discussed below) can protrude upwards and receive a nut218that secures the collar/plate216in place. Rubber gaskets can be disposed between components to further enhance the weather-proof performance of the bollard. The top cap assembly208is disposed atop the top plate216to hide the nut218and present an attractive finished appearance to the bollard100.

The top cap assembly208in this embodiment has a removable upper plate209. The upper plate209can be removed to gain access to the nut218without the need to first remove the remaining portion of the cap assembly208.

The top surface of the top cap208can be rounded, flat or other desired shape. A grid of solar cells can be disposed on the upper surface of the top cap208similar to that shown inFIG. 2.

The bollard200does not have a secondary window located below the primary window in this embodiment. However, such a feature can be added.

FIGS. 12-13show the center assembly202with the outer enclosure204components removed. A center pole224extends through the vertical height of the cylindrical body. The lower end is fastened to the base and the top end is fastened to the top plate216. The camera(s) and electric components of the device are secured to the pole224as will be described below with regard toFIGS. 15-18.

FIG. 14shows an exploded view of the components comprising the outer enclosure204of the bollard200. The tubular body206sits atop the base portion210and the window portion212is disposed atop the tubular body206. The tubular body206is a single piece in this embodiment. However, the tubular body206can be formed of two or more segments in alternative embodiments. Rubber gasket rings226are provided between each of the adjacent components to seal the enclosure against water and environmental contaminants.

FIG. 15illustrates details of the upper internal assembly that is disposed above the camera(s). A pair of upper horizontal plates228,230are disposed over the pole224and located above the camera232. These plates block light from reaching the cameras and keep the pole224centered within the bollard. Clamps or other fasteners can be used to secure the plates to the pole224. No lights are provided in this embodiment, but could be included, if desired, as described in the previous embodiment.

FIG. 16illustrates details of the camera assembly. A camera232is secured to the center pipe224and arranged to view outward through the window212. One camera is shown inFIG. 16, but two or more cameras can be provided to increase the area(s) being monitored by the particular bollard200. The cameras132are secured to the pole by a bracket238and fastener hardware.

FIG. 16also illustrates the lower internal assembly that is disposed below the cameras232. A pair of lower horizontal plates240,242are disposed over the pole224and located below the camera232. These plates also block light from reaching the camera and center the pole224. Clamps or other fasteners are used to secure the plates to the pole224. Again, no lights are provided in this embodiment, but could be included, if desired, as described in the previous embodiment.

FIGS. 17-18illustrate details of the electrical control components for the bollard200. A flat mounting plate244is secured to a lower portion of the center pole224with clamps246and fasteners to provide a support surface for mounting the control board148and other electrical circuit components. Those circuit components include the physical processor, controller and memory components that control operation of the bollard200. The control board can also include the wireless communication componentry, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular modem or other wireless communications means. A terminal connection block252is also secured to the pole224and located along the pole224opposite the mounting plate244. Cables are not shown, but conduits would be provided to connect each of the cameras and other components to their respective terminals on control board248.

Any of the foregoing embodiments can also include an impact sensor located within the bollard and coupled to the processor. The impact sensor senses impacts above a threshold force value such as might be encountered by vandalism or a vehicle strike. If such an impact is sensed, the processor transmits a communication of the impact event to a central control computer for further investigation and possible repairs.

Onboard batteries can be located within the housing104,204and secured to the inner pole124,224to power the onboard electronics.

Use of the bollard will now be described with reference toFIG. 19. The bollard will now be designated with reference number300. It should be understood that any of the foregoing embodiments and variations of the bollard may be used as described herein. The bollard300is disposed adjacent to a designated NO PARKING area302. The bollard300is placed and the camera in the bollard300is aimed so that the license plate of the vehicle is captured by the camera.

In the example shown inFIG. 19, parking in area302is prohibited because the space is adjacent to a fire hydrant304. The parking space is preferably marked by appropriate conventional designations to warn potential parkers of the NO PARKING status. A vehicle306is shown as having entered the monitored space302. The vehicle's presence is sensed (detected) by the bollard300upon entry into the monitored space302.

Vehicle detection can be performed solely by machine vision algorithms, such as background subtraction, edge detection, pattern recognition, or a combination thereof. Other sensors, such as magnetometer, radar, and sonar sensors can be included within the enclosure of the device. A further window can be provided, if necessary, for the non-image sensors. One or more of the sensors can be located remote from the enclosure in a further alternative embodiment. Machine vision can be combined with one or more of the other detection means to operate as a double-check to confirm that the vehicle has been detected in the NO PARKING space. Vehicle detection methods suitable for the present device are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Pub. Nos. 2017/0116857 A1 and 2018/0240337 A1, which are both incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Once a vehicle is detected as having parked in the NO PARKING space, a violation is deemed to have occurred. Alternatively, a grace period can be timed upon such detection, and no violation will be deemed to have occurred if the vehicle exits the NO PARKING space before the grace period expires.

At (or before or after) the time of violation, image (video or still image data) and any calculated information are relayed to the back office (e.g. central computer, cloud computer or other remote computing system) computing system for issuance of the parking violation, or relay to the municipality for issuance of the violation notice. This same information may also or alternatively be relayed to parking enforcement officers using handheld mobile applications such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2017/0032582 A1, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The bollard is configured via its software code to maintain the logical state of the areas being monitored to record and can report violations to the municipality through use of a hosted back office application and/or handheld mobile applications in real time. In cases where internet connectivity is temporarily unavailable, images and calculated information are stored locally in the memory until the connection is restored.

The bollard can also time the length of the violation and take additional action as appropriate, including notifying the back office computing system when certain milestones occur, such as 10 minutes, 20 minutes, etc., and/or the bollard can also send notification to a towing service to tow the illegally-parked vehicle.

As a vehicle in the monitored NO PARKING area exits the monitored area, any timers applicable to the event are reset awaiting the next vehicle detection event.

Depending on the environment surrounding the enforcement bollard, lights may be illuminated to indicate no parking status or violation occurrence. Targeted lights or a flash can be used to improve camera vision on the area where an image is captured by the camera.

Emergency and official vehicles can be exempted from violation issuance through use of license plate recognition and image review by the municipality officers or via automated algorithms.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments. It will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and equivalent arrangements can be made thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, such scope to be accorded the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all equivalent structures and products. Moreover, features or aspects of various example embodiments may be mixed and matched (even if such combination is not explicitly described herein) without departing from the scope of the invention.