Patent Abstract:
There is provided a parking monitoring system comprising one or more sensors adapted to be deployed within a parking slot; a controller unit adapted to be connected to the one or more sensors for receiving information from the one or more sensors when a vehicle is parked in the parking slot, wherein the received information comprises activation and de-activation signals of the one or more sensors; and wherein the controller unit is adapted to determine whether the vehicle parked within the parking slot is allowed to be parked inside the parking slot based on the received activation and de-activation signals. The system is particularly adapted to monitor whether vehicles of certain categories such as bicycles, vans, cars and trucks are parked within their respective parking zones reserved for these categories of vehicles.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a parking monitoring systems and parking facilities and more particularly to parking monitoring system. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    During the last several years, the advancements of technology have had a tremendous impact on our lives. There are various real life scenarios where use of electronics and communication devices such as personal computers, sensing networks and devices, hand-held personal organizers and computerized automotive controls have changed one&#39;s daily life. However, there are very few instances where these technological advancements are being efficiently used in parking monitoring management. 
         [0003]    One can easily find a lot of parking facilities across the city. Most of these parking facilities have ample parking slots to accommodate vehicles. However, most of these facilities are not monitored properly, which leads to a chaotic state of affairs. The chaos leads to violating the rules of parking facility by drivers. For example, more often than not, a driver of a medium size vehicle parks his vehicle in a slot allocated for a large size vehicle which leads to a lesser number of available slots allocated for large size vehicles. In addition, even if the driver parks his car in an appropriate size slot, an improper parking of the vehicle in that slot causes an encroachment on an adjacent parking slot. This inadvertent encroachment further leads to reduced number of parking slots. Moreover, at times, the drivers are not aware that they have parked their vehicle at inappropriate slot or encroached on an adjacent parking slot or have violated the parking rules of that facility. 
         [0004]    Most of the existing facilities deploy a person/team to visually inspect all of the parking slots periodically, regardless of whether vehicles are actually there. This type of monitoring of parking is costly and time consuming. In addition, this task becomes more difficult when the parking facilities are distributed over a large area, such as a city block or a large, multi-level parking garage. 
         [0005]    The prior art provides some existing parking monitoring systems which utilizes technology in monitoring of the parking slots. However, most of these systems are limited to the detection of the presence or absence of a vehicle in a particular parking slot. Such systems are employed, for example, in garages to provide occupancy statistics, and to direct vehicles to open spaces. These systems do not apply parking restriction rules to determine whether a particular vehicle is parked in a slot where it should not be or is parked properly in the slot. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention aims to overcome the above mentioned limitations and other problems associated with the prior art. In light of the above stated discussion, there is a need for a method and system which overcomes the above stated disadvantages. 
         [0007]    As a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a parking monitoring system comprising:
       one or more sensors adapted to be deployed within a parking slot;   a controller unit adapted to be connected to the one or more sensors for receiving information from the one or more sensors when a vehicle is parked in the parking slot, wherein the received information comprises activation and de-activation signals of the one or more sensors; and   wherein the controller unit is adapted to determine whether the vehicle parked within the parking slot is allowed to be parked inside the parking slot based on the received activation and de-activation signals.       
 
         [0011]    In an embodiment of the invention:
       the parking slot has a parking slot size and is restricted for vehicles having a permissible size type;   the one or more sensors are adapted to be deployed within the parking slot according to a deployment configuration defining each sensor or group of sensors among the one or more sensors to a specific location or zone within the parking spot, the deployment configuration being based on the size of the parking slot and the permissible vehicles size type; and   the controller unit is adapted to determine a size type of a vehicle parked within the parking slot based on the deployment configuration and on the activation and de-activation signals received from the one or more sensors, and to generate a breach notification when the vehicle size type determined is different from the permissible vehicles size type.       
 
         [0015]    In an embodiment of the invention, the controller unit is further adapted to determine, based on the activation and de-activation signals received, the approximate position of the vehicle and whether the approximate position determined is a compliant position, and to generate a breach notification when the approximate position determined is not a compliant position. 
         [0016]    In an embodiment of the invention, the one or more sensors of the parking slot are a plurality of sensors comprising a first set of sensors and a second set of sensors, the first set of sensors being adapted to be deployed within an inner boundary portion of the parking spot and the second set of sensors being adapted to be deployed within an outer boundary portion of the parking spot, the inner boundary portion having a size defined based on the vehicles permissible size type. 
         [0017]    In an embodiment of the invention, the activation of all the sensors of the first set of sensors and the deactivation of all the sensors of the second set of sensors is indicative of presence of a parked vehicle of a permissible size type parked in a compliant position. 
         [0018]    In an embodiment of the invention, the activation of one or more sensors of the second set of sensors is indicative of a breach. 
         [0019]    In an embodiment of the invention, the activation of only a part of the sensors of the second set of sensors is indicative of a breach. 
         [0020]    In an embodiment of the invention, the system further comprises an image capturing unit adapted to capture an image of a license plate number of the parked vehicle. 
         [0021]    In an embodiment of the invention, the simage capturing unit is adapted to transmit the breach notification to a remote administration unit adapted to issue a fine. 
         [0022]    In an embodiment of the invention, the parking spot is a restricted area where parking is not permitted or restricted for specific types of people or vehicles. 
         [0023]    As a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a parking facility deploying the parking monitoring system of any one of the embodiments presented in this application. 
         [0024]    According to various embodiments, the present invention provides a parking monitoring system for determining a size type of a vehicle of a plurality of vehicles parked in a parking slot of a plurality of parking slots of a parking facility. The parking monitoring system includes one or more sensors positioned in the each parking slot and a controller unit. The one or more sensors are positioned and pre-configured for specific slots within the each parking slot based on a size of the parking slot and the size type of the vehicle allowed to be parked in the parking slot. The controller unit is configured to receive information from the one or more sensors of the parking slot when the vehicle is parked in the parking slot, and determine the size type of the vehicle and an approximate position of the vehicle within the parking slot based on a pre-configured criterion. The received information is related to activation and de-activation of the one or more sensors in the parking slot. The pre-configured criterion is based on the received information from the one or more sensors when the vehicle is parked in the parking slot. 
         [0025]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the controller unit is further configured to generate a breach notification when the size type of the vehicle allowed in the parking slot is different from the size type of the vehicle being parked in the parking slot. The parking monitoring system further includes an image capturing unit to capture an image of a license plate number of the parked vehicle. The image is captured for the vehicle to transmit the breach notification to at least one of an associated person or a device associated with the vehicle. 
         [0026]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the controller unit is further configured to generate a breach notification when the approximate position of the parked vehicle deviates from an allowed position. The parking monitoring system further includes an image capturing unit configured to capture an image of a license plate number of the parked vehicle. The image is captured for the vehicle to transmit the breach notification to at least one of an associated person or a device associated with the vehicle. 
         [0027]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the pre-configured criterion is based on mapping of a stored activation and a stored de-activation signals of the one or more sensors in the parking slot for the each size type of the plurality of vehicles for the each size of the plurality of parking slots with the received activation and de-activation signals of the one or more sensors when the vehicle is parked. 
         [0028]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the size type of the vehicle is a category of the size of the vehicle. Each parking slot is assigned with the size type of the vehicle which is allowed to be parked. 
         [0029]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more sensors of the each parking slot include a first set of one or more sensors, and a second set of one or more sensors. The first set of one or more sensors are arranged within the parking slot and the second set of sensors is arranged on an outer boundary of the parking slot. The controller unit receives information related to corresponding activation and de-activation of the first set of one or more sensors and the second set of one or more sensors. 
         [0030]    In yet another aspect, a method for determining a size type of a vehicle parked in a parking slot having an inner boundary portion and an outer boundary portion. The method comprises a first group of sensors within the inner boundary portion and a second group of sensors within the outer boundary portion, receiving information from the sensors when the vehicle is parked in the parking slot, and determining the size type of the vehicle and an approximate position of the vehicle within the parking slot based on a pre-configured criterion. Preferably, the deployment is based on a size of the parking slot and the size type of the vehicle allowed to be parked in the parking slot. The received information is related to activation and de-activation of the sensors in the parking slot. The pre-configured criterion comprises the deployment configuration of the first and second group of sensors within the parking slot. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0031]    The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which: 
           [0032]      FIG. 1  illustrates a parking monitoring system for determining a size type of a vehicle; 
           [0033]      FIG. 2  illustrates a layout of parking slots for each size type of the vehicle; 
           [0034]      FIG. 3A ,  FIG. 3B ,  FIG. 3C ,  FIG. 3D ,  FIG. 3E  and  FIG. 3F  illustrates a system for showing an example of the plurality of parking slots, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 4  illustrates a system for issuing a penalty against the vehicle; 
           [0036]      FIG. 5  illustrates a system showing various components of the parking monitoring system; and 
           [0037]      FIG. 6  illustrates a flowchart for determining the size type of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0038]    Like numerals refer to like elements throughout the present invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0039]    The exemplary embodiments described herein for illustrative purposes are subject to many variations in structure and design. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. 
         [0040]    The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. 
         [0041]    The terms “having”, “comprising”, “including”, and variations thereof signify the presence of a component which is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. 
         [0042]      FIG. 1  illustrates a parking monitoring system  100  of a parking facility  102 . The parking monitoring system  100  monitors the occupancy of a plurality of parking slots  104  of the parking facility  102  by utilizing a controller unit  106 . The parking facility  102  is a facility for providing parking space to the plurality of vehicles. Further, the parking facility  102  can be an off street vehicle parking facility, a multi-level vehicle facility or any other type of vehicle parking facility presently known in the art. The parking facility  102  can be owned by a private company or a government organization. Moreover, the parking facility  102  can be located in a mall, a public area, a hospital or any other place having a facility of letting one or more users to park the vehicles. Further, the parking slots  104  of the parking facility  102  may comprise restricted parking slots which can include reserved and/or priority parking slots for certain categories of peoples or vehicles such as handicapped people, police car vehicles, ambulance vehicles, VIP personals and the like (referred herein as “restricted areas”). 
         [0043]    Further, each parking slot of the plurality of parking slots  104  are categorized based on the size type of the vehicle which is allowed to be parked inside the parking slot. The size type of the vehicle corresponds to a size of vehicle. For example, a bicycle and a motor bike can be considered as a small size vehicle. Similarly, a car and a van can be referred to as a small size vehicle and a bus and a truck can be considered/categorized/referred to as large size vehicle. 
         [0044]    Further, the each parking slot of the parking slots  104  having the same size allows the parking of the vehicle having the same size type. In an embodiment of the present invention, each parking slot of the parking slots  104  having the same size are adjacent to each other in the parking facility  102 . In another embodiment of the present invention, the parking slots  104  of variable size are adjacent to each other or designed in a random manner in the parking facility  102 . 
         [0045]    In addition, the controller unit  106  is configured for determining the size type of the vehicle of the plurality of vehicles parked in the parking slot of the parking slots  104  of the parking facility  102 . In general, the controller unit  106  of the parking facility  102  includes a data base and a central interface unit. The controller unit  106  can include any type of data processing and information center, such as a central processing unit in a municipality. The data base preferably includes any information pertinent to monitoring and/or billing use of parking facilities, such as parking facility identity, parking facility availability of a certain region, vehicle identification, user identification, billing information, and time related information of use of a parking facility. The database may also include law enforcement information, such as identity of stolen vehicles or previous parking or traffic violations. 
         [0046]    As mentioned above, the controller unit  106  is configured to determine the size type of the vehicle parked in the parking slots  104 . Moreover, the controller unit  106  is used for detecting whether the vehicle parked in the parking slot of the parking slots  104  corresponds to the size type of the vehicle which is allowed to be parked. Furthermore, the controller unit  106  is configured to detect whether the vehicle parked in the parking slot of the parking slots  104  is appropriately positioned within a boundary of the corresponding parking slot. 
         [0047]    In addition, an in-house administration unit  108  or a remote administration unit  110  can communicate with a central interface unit of the controller unit  106 . The in-house administration unit  108  is configured to take a set of actions against the vehicle which is determined to be parked wrongly in a parking slot. The in-house administration unit  108  may be an interconnection of one or more communication devices associated with the controller unit  106  of the parking monitoring system  100 . Similarly, the remote administration unit  110  is configured to take a set of actions against the vehicle which is determined to be parked wrongly inside a parking slot. 
         [0048]    The remote administration unit  110  may belong to any private or government organization authorized for the operating and the administrating the parking monitoring system  100  installed inside the parking facility  102 . 
         [0049]    It may be noted that in  FIG. 1 , the parking monitoring system  100  is shown to be associated with the parking facility  102 ; however, those skilled in the art would appreciate that the parking monitoring system  100  is associated with more number of parking facilities. It may also be noted that in  FIG. 1 , the controller unit  106  is shown to be associated with the in-house administration unit  108 ; however, those skilled in the art would appreciate that the controller unit  106  is associated with one or more in-house administration units and with more number of the third party administration units. 
         [0050]      FIG. 2  illustrates a sample layout of a parking slot  200 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. It may be noted that to explain the system elements of  FIG. 2 , references will be made to the system elements of the  FIG. 1 . The sample layout of parking slot  200  includes a first plurality of parking slots  202   a - n  in which a first size type of vehicles are allowed to be parked, a second plurality of parking slots  204   a - n  in which a second size type of vehicles are allowed to be parked, a third plurality of parking slots  206   a - b  in which a third size type of vehicles are allowed to be parked, vehicle entrance gates  208 - 210  and an exit gate  212 . In the sample lay out, the vehicle entrances  208 - 210  are configured to allow the vehicles to enter the parking facility  102 . In addition, the exit  212  is configured to allow the vehicles to leave the parking facility  102 . 
         [0051]    In an embodiment, multiple sensors are positioned in each of the first plurality of parking slots  202   a - n , the second plurality of parking slots  204   a - n  and the third plurality of parking slots  206   a - b  in different configurations (explained in description for  FIG. 3 ). For example, each of a parking slot  202   a , a parking slot  202   b , a parking slot  202   c , a parking slot  202   d , a parking slot  202   e , a parking slot  202   f  and a parking slot  202   n  include the sensors positioned in a first pre-determined configuration. Moreover, the first plurality of parking slots  202   a - n  is enabled for allowing the parking of the first size type of vehicles. In an embodiment, the first size type of vehicles includes the motorcycle, the bicycle or any other type of vehicle that is small in size. On the same lines, each of a parking slot  204   a , a parking slot  204   b  and a parking slot  204   n  include the sensors positioned in a second pre-determined configuration. Moreover, the second plurality of parking slots  204   a - n  is enabled for allowing the parking of the second size type of vehicles. For example, the second size type of vehicles includes a car, a van or any other type of vehicle that is medium in size. Similarly, each of a parking slot  206   a  and a parking slot  206   b  include the sensors positioned in a third pre-determined configuration. Moreover, the third plurality of parking slots  206   a - b  is enabled for allowing the parking of the third size type of vehicles. For example, the third size type of vehicles includes a truck, a bus or any other type of vehicle that is large in size. 
         [0052]    Further, each parking slot of the first plurality of parking slots  202   a - n , the second plurality of parking slots  204   a - n  and the third plurality of parking slots  206   a - b  includes a parking zone and an outer boundary. In each parking slot, one set of sensors are placed in the parking zone and another set of sensors are placed in the outer boundary. The positioning of sensors is based on a first pre-determined configuration for each of the first plurality of parking slots  202   a - n , a second pre-determined configuration for each second plurality of parking slots  204   a - n  and a third pre-determined configuration for each third plurality of parking slots  206   a - b . In an embodiment of the present invention, the first pre-determined configuration, the second configuration and the third configuration of positioning of sensors are different. 
         [0053]    In the first pre-determined configuration, the sensors of each of the parking slots  202   a - n  are placed in specific slots within the parking zone. Similarly, in the second pre-determined configuration, the sensors of each of the parking slots  204   a - n  are placed in specific slots within the parking zone of the each parking slot. Similarly, in the third pre-determined configuration, the sensors of each of the parking slots  206   a - b  are placed in specific slots within the parking zone of the each parking slot. The placement/position of sensors for each of the first pre-determined configuration, the second pre-determined configuration and the third pre-determined configuration are based on the respective size of each of the parking slots  202   a - n , the parking slots  204   a - n  and the parking slots  206   a - b  and the size type of the first size type of vehicles allowed for each of the parking slots  202   a - n , the second size type of vehicles allowed for each of the parking slots  204   a - n  and the third size type of vehicles allowed for each of the parking slots  206   a - b . Moreover, these sensors are configured to detect a presence of the vehicle at the specific slots within the parking zone of the each parking slot of the plurality of parking slots  202   a - n , the second plurality of parking slots  204   a - n  and the third plurality of parking slots  206   a - b . In an embodiment of the present invention, each of the sensors detects the vehicle by emitting an electromagnetic field or a beam of electromagnetic radiation and analyzing a change in the electromagnetic field or a return back signal. 
         [0054]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the presence of the vehicle in each of the first plurality of parking slots  202   a - n , the second plurality of parking slots  204   a - n  and the third plurality of parking slots  206   a - b  is detected by an activation or de-activation of the corresponding set of sensors. In an embodiment of the present invention, the activation and/or de-activation of the sensors determines the size type of the vehicle parked in the parking slots. 
         [0055]    In an embodiment of the present invention, one or more sensors of the parking slot  202   a  positioned according to the first pre-determined configuration activates when an inappropriate vehicle size enters in the parking zone of the parking slot  202   a . In another embodiment of the present invention, one or more sensors of parking slot  202   a  positioned according to the first pre-determined configuration activates when an appropriate vehicle size is parked in an appropriate manner in the parking slot  202   a . The activation of the one or more sensors generates detection signals which create an alert or a breach notification regarding the violation of the rules of the parking facility. 
         [0056]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the activation and the de-activation status of the sensors for the first pre-determined configuration, the second pre-determined configuration and the third pre-determined configuration is different for corresponding first plurality of parking slots  202   a - n , the corresponding second plurality of parking slots  204   a - b  and the corresponding third plurality of parking slots  206   a - b . This activation and the de-activation status of the sensors determine the size type of the vehicle and the position of the vehicle parked in the parking slot. 
         [0057]    It may be noted that in  FIG. 2 , the sample parking facility is shown to include the first plurality of parking slots  202   a - n , the second plurality of parking slots  204   a - n  and the third plurality of parking slots  206   a - b ; however, those skilled in the art would appreciate that there are more number of parking slots for each size type of vehicles. 
         [0058]      FIG. 3A  illustrates an example system  300 A showing activation and deactivation status of sensors for parking slots appropriate for the first size type of vehicles, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The system  300 A includes a parking slot  302   a , a parking slot  302   b , a parking slot  302   c , a first set of sensors  304 , a second set of sensors  306 , a third set of sensors  308 , a fourth set of sensors  310 , a fifth set of sensors  312 , a sixth set of sensors  314 , a set of image capturing unit  316 , a small size vehicle  318 , a normal size vehicle  320  and a large size vehicle  322 . The set of image capturing unit  316  includes a capturing unit  316   a  associated with the parking slot  302   a , a capturing unit  316   b  associated with the parking slot  302   b  and a capturing unit  316   c  associated with the parking slot  302   c . The set of image capturing unit  316  is installed in front of the parking slot  302   a , the parking slot  302   b  and the parking slot  302   c . Further, the set of image capturing unit  316  are configured for capturing images of the vehicles wrongly parked or not associated with the size type of the parking slot  302   a , the parking slot  302   b  and the parking slot  302   c.    
         [0059]    The system  300 A depicts the activation and the de-activation status of the first set of sensors  304  and the second set of sensors  306  when the small size vehicle  318  is parked inside the parking slot  302   a . The parking slot  302   a  is defined for allowing the parking of the vehicles belonging to the small size type. Further, the system  300 A depicts the activation and the de-activation status of the third set of sensors  308  and the fourth set of sensors  310  when the normal size vehicle  320  is parked inside the parking slot  302   b . The parking slot  302   b  is defined for allowing the parking of the vehicles belonging to the small size type. In addition, the system  300 A depicts the activation and the de-activation status of the fifth set of sensors  312  and the sixth set of sensors  314  when the large size vehicle  322  is parked inside the parking slot  302   c . The parking slot  302   c  is defined for allowing the parking of the vehicles belonging to the small size type. 
         [0060]    Going further, the first set of sensors  304  are positioned inside the parking zone of the parking slot  302   a  defined for the vehicles of the small size type. The first set of sensors  304  includes a sensor  304   a , a sensor  304   b , a sensor  304   c , a sensor  304   d , a sensor  304   e  and a sensor  304   f . Moreover, the second set of sensors  306  is positioned on the outer boundary of the parking slot  302   a . The second set of sensors  306  includes a sensor  306   a  and a sensor  306   b . The small size vehicle  318  enters the parking slot  302   a  and a user driving the small size vehicle  318  parks the small size vehicle  318  in the pre-defined parking space made for the small size vehicle  318 . The small size vehicle  318  includes the motorcycle, the bicycle and the like. The sensor  304   a , the sensor  304   b , the sensor  304   c , the sensor  304   d , the sensor  304   e  and the sensor  304   f  activates on detecting the presence of the small size vehicle  318  inside the parking slot  302   a . Moreover, the sensor  306   a  and the sensor  306   b  remains deactivated due to an absence of the small size vehicle  318  over the outer boundary space equipped with the second set of sensors  306 . 
         [0061]    The activation of the sensor  304   a , the sensor  304   b , the sensor  304   c , the sensor  304   d , the sensor  304   e  and the sensor  304   f  and the de-activation of the sensor  306   a  and the sensor  306   b  determine the small size vehicle  318  to be in a category of the first size type of vehicle. The capturing unit  316   a  does not receive a trigger and does not take an image of the small size vehicle  318 . The sensor  304   a , the sensor  304   b , the sensor  304   c , the sensor  304   d , the sensor  304   e  and the sensor  304   f  generate the activation information and the sensor  306   a  and the sensor  306   b  generate the de-activation information. 
         [0062]    In an embodiment of the present invention, one or more of the second set of sensors  306  are activated when the small size vehicle  318  is parked inside the parking slot  302   a  defined for allowing the parking of the vehicles belonging to the small size type. The activation of the second set of sensors  306  indicates a deviation of an approximate position of the small size vehicle  320  from an allowed position. 
         [0063]    In addition, the third set of sensors  308  are positioned inside the parking zone of the parking slot  302   b  defined for the vehicles of the small size type. The third set of sensors  308  includes a sensor  308   a , a sensor  308   b , a sensor  308   c , a sensor  308   d , a sensor  308   e  and a sensor  308   f . Moreover, the fourth set of sensors  308  is positioned on the outer boundary of the parking slot  302   b . The fourth set of sensors  310  includes a sensor  310   a  and a sensor  310   b . The normal size vehicle  320  enters the parking slot  302   b  and the user driving the normal size vehicle  320  tries to park the normal size vehicle  320  in the pre-defined parking space made for the small size vehicle  318 . The size of the parking slot  302   b  does not enable the parking of the normal size vehicle  320 . The sensor  308   a , the sensor  308   b , the sensor  308   c , the sensor  308   d , the sensor  308   e  and the sensor  308   f  deactivates due to the absence of the normal size vehicle  320 . Moreover, the sensor  310   a  and the sensor  310   b  activates on detecting the presence of the normal size vehicle  320  over the outer boundary space equipped with the fourth set of sensors  308 . 
         [0064]    The de-activation of the sensor  308   a , the sensor  308   b , the sensor  308   c , the sensor  308   d , the sensor  308   e  and the sensor  308   f  and the activation of the sensor  310   a  and the sensor  310   b  determine the normal size vehicle  320  to not be in the category of the first size type of vehicle. The capturing unit  316   b  receives a trigger and takes the image of the normal size vehicle  320 . The sensor  308   a , the sensor  308   b , the sensor  308   c , the sensor  308   d , the sensor  308   e  and the sensor  308   f  generates the de-activation information and the sensor  310   a  and the sensor  310   b  generate the activation information. 
         [0065]    Furthermore, the fifth set of sensors  312  are positioned inside the parking zone of the parking slot  302   c  defined for the vehicles of the small size type. The fifth set of sensors  312  includes a sensor  312   a , a sensor  312   b , a sensor  312   c , a sensor  312   d , a sensor  312   e  and a sensor  312   f . Moreover, the sixth set of sensors  314  is positioned on the outer boundary of the parking slot  302   c . The sixth set of sensors  314  includes a sensor  314   a  and a sensor  314   b . The large size vehicle  322  enters the parking slot  302   c  and the user driving the large size vehicle  320  tries to park the large size vehicle  322  in the pre-defined parking space made for the small size vehicle  318 . The size of the parking slot  302   c  does not enable the parking of the large size vehicle  322 . The sensor  312   a , the sensor  312   b , the sensor  312   c , the sensor  312   d , the sensor  312   e  and the sensor  312   f  deactivates due to the absence of the large size vehicle  322  inside the parking slot  302   c . Moreover, the sensor  314   a  and the sensor  314   b  activates on detecting the presence of the large size vehicle  322  over the outer boundary space equipped with the sixth set of sensors  314 . 
         [0066]    The de-activation of the sensor  312   a , the sensor  312   b , the sensor  312   c , the sensor  312   d , the sensor  312   e  and the sensor  312   f  and the activation of the sensor  314   a  and the sensor  314   b  determine the large size vehicle  322  to not be in the category of the first size type of vehicle. The capturing unit  316   c  receives a trigger and takes the image of the large size vehicle  322 . The sensor  312   a , the sensor  312   b , the sensor  312   c , the sensor  312   d , the sensor  312   e  and the sensor  312   f  generate the de-activation information and the sensor  314   a  and the sensor  314   b  generate the activation information. 
         [0067]      FIG. 3B  illustrates an example system  300 B showing activation and deactivation status of sensors for parking slots appropriate for parking slots for the second size type of vehicles, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. It may be noted that to explain the system elements of  FIG. 3B , references will be made to the system elements of the  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3A . The system  300 B includes the parking slot  302   a , the first set of sensors  304 , the second set of sensors  306 , the capturing unit  316   a  and the normal size vehicle  320 . 
         [0068]    The system  300 B depicts the activation and the de-activation status of the first set of sensors  304  and the second set of sensors  306  when the normal size vehicle  320  is parked inside the parking slot  302   a  defined for allowing the parking of the vehicles belonging to the normal size type. Going further, the first set of sensors  304  are positioned inside the parking zone of the parking slot  302   a  defined for the vehicles of the normal size type. The first set of sensors  304  includes the sensor  304   a , the sensor  304   b , the sensor  304   c , the sensor  304   d , the sensor  304   e  and the sensor  304   f . Moreover, the second set of sensors  306  is positioned on the outer boundary of the parking slot  302   a . The second set of sensors  306  includes the sensor  306   a , the sensor  306   b , a sensor  306   c , a sensor  306   d , a sensor  306   e , a sensor  306   f , a sensor  306   g , a sensor  306   h , a sensor  306   i , a sensor  306   j  and a sensor  306   k.    
         [0069]    The normal size vehicle  320  enters the parking slot  302   a  and the user driving the normal size vehicle  320  parks the normal size vehicle  320  in the pre-defined parking space made for the normal size vehicle  320 . The normal size vehicle  320  includes the car, the mini-truck, the van and the like. The sensor  304   a , the sensor  304   b , the sensor  304   c , the sensor  304   d , the sensor  304   e  and the sensor  304   f  are activated on detecting the presence of the normal size vehicle  320  inside the parking slot  302   a . Moreover, the sensor  306   a , the sensor  306   b , the sensor  306   c , the sensor  306   d , the sensor  306   e , the sensor  306   f , the sensor  306   g , the sensor  306   h , the sensor  306   i , the sensor  306   j  and the sensor  306   k  remain deactivated due to the absence of the normal size vehicle  320  over the outer boundary space equipped with the second set of sensors  306 . The outer boundary space corresponds to the outer perimeter of the parking slot  302   a.    
         [0070]    The activation of the sensor  304   a , the sensor  304   b , the sensor  304   c , the sensor  304   d , the sensor  304   e  and the sensor  304   f  and the de-activation of the sensor  306   a , the sensor  306   b , the sensor  306   c , the sensor  306   d , the sensor  306   e , the sensor  306   f , the sensor  306   g , the sensor  306   h , the sensor  306   i , the sensor  306   j  and the sensor  306   k  determine the normal size vehicle  320  to be in a category of the size type of vehicle. The capturing unit  316   a  is not triggered and does not take an image of the normal size vehicle  320 . The sensor  304   a , the sensor  304   b , the sensor  304   c , the sensor  304   d , the sensor  304   e  and the sensor  304   f  generate the activation information and the sensor  306   a , the sensor  306   b , the sensor  306   c , the sensor  306   d , the sensor  306   e , the sensor  306   f , the sensor  306   g , the sensor  306   h , the sensor  306   i , the sensor  306   j  and the sensor  306   k  generate the de-activation information. 
         [0071]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the first set of sensors  304  and the one or more of the second set of sensors  306  activates when the normal size vehicle  320  is parked inside the parking slot  302   a  defined for allowing the parking of the vehicles belonging to the normal size type. The activation of the second set of sensors  306  indicates a deviation of the approximate position of the normal size vehicle  320  from an allowed position. 
         [0072]      FIG. 3C  illustrates an example system  300 C showing activation and deactivation status of sensors for parking slots appropriate for the second size type of vehicles, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0073]    The system  300 C depicts the activation and the de-activation status of the first set of sensors  304  and the second set of sensors  306  when the small size vehicle  318  is parked inside the parking slot  302   a  defined for allowing the parking of the vehicles belonging to the normal size type. Going further, the first set of sensors  304  are positioned inside the parking zone of the parking slot  302   a  defined for the vehicles of the normal size type (as exemplary stated above in the detailed description of  FIG. 3B ). 
         [0074]    The small size vehicle  318  enters the parking slot  302   a  and the user driving the small size vehicle  318  parks the small size vehicle  318  in the pre-defined parking space made for the normal size vehicle  320 . The sensor  304   a , the sensor  304   b , the sensor  304   d , and the sensor  304   e  activates on detecting the presence of the small size vehicle  318  inside the parking slot  302   a . Moreover, the sensor  304   c , the sensor  304   f , the sensor  306   a , the sensor  306   b , the sensor  306   c , the sensor  306   d , the sensor  306   e , the sensor  306   f , the sensor  306   g , the sensor  306   h , the sensor  306   i , the sensor  306   j  and the sensor  306   k  remain deactivated due to the absence of the small size vehicle  318  over the outer boundary space equipped with the second set of sensors  306  and due to its absence from the parking zone having the sensor  304   c  and the sensor  304   f  of the parking slot  302   a . The outer boundary space corresponds to the outer perimeter of the parking slot  302   a.    
         [0075]    The activation of the sensor  304   a , the sensor  304   b , the sensor  304   d  and the sensor  304   e  and the de-activation of the sensor  304   c , the sensor  304   f , the sensor  306   a , the sensor  306   b , the sensor  306   c , the sensor  306   d , the sensor  306   e , the sensor  306   f , the sensor  306   g , the sensor  306   h , the sensor  306   i , the sensor  306   j  and the sensor  306   k  determine the small size vehicle  318  to be in a category of the normal size type of vehicle. The capturing unit  316   a  is triggered and takes the image of the small size vehicle  318 . The sensor  304   a , the sensor  304   b , the sensor  304   d , and the sensor  304   e  generate the activation information and the sensor  304   c , the sensor  304   f , the sensor  306   a , the sensor  306   b , the sensor  306   c , the sensor  306   d , the sensor  306   e , the sensor  306   f , the sensor  306   g , the sensor  306   h , the sensor  306   i , the sensor  306   j  and the sensor  306   k  generate the de-activation information. 
         [0076]      FIG. 3D  illustrates the system  300 D for showing an example of the parking slot of the plurality of parking slots for the second size type of vehicles, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0077]    The system  300 D depicts the activation and the de-activation status of the first set of sensors  304  and the second set of sensors  306  when the large size vehicle  322  is parked inside the parking slot  302   a  defined for allowing the parking of the vehicles belonging to the normal size type. Going further, the first set of sensors  304  are positioned inside the parking zone of the parking slot  302   a  defined for the vehicles of the normal size type (as exemplary stated above in the detailed description of  FIG. 3B ). 
         [0078]    The large size vehicle  322  enters the parking slot  302   a  and the user driving the large size vehicle  322  parks the large size vehicle  322  in the pre-defined parking space made for the normal size vehicle  320 . The sensor  304   a , the sensor  304   b , the sensor  304   c , the sensor  304   d , the sensor  304   e  and the sensor  304   f  are activated on detecting the presence of the large size vehicle  322  inside the parking slot  302   a . Further, the sensor  306   a , the sensor  306   b , the sensor  306   c , the sensor  306   d , the sensor  306   e  and the sensor  306   f  are activated due to the large size of the large size vehicle  322 . The large size vehicle  322  results in the parking of the large size vehicle  322  beyond the parking zone of the parking slot  302   a . Moreover, the sensor  306   g , the sensor  306   h , the sensor  306   i , the sensor  306   j  and the sensor  306   k  remain deactivated due to the absence of the large size vehicle  322  over some part of the outer boundary space equipped with the second set of sensors  306 . The outer boundary space corresponds to the outer perimeter of the parking slot  302   a.    
         [0079]    The activation of the sensor  304   a , the sensor  304   b , the sensor  304   c , the sensor  304   d , the sensor  304   e , the sensor  304   f , the sensor  306   a , the sensor  306   b , the sensor  306   c , the sensor  306   d , the sensor  306   e  and the sensor  306   f  and the de-activation of the sensor  306   g , the sensor  306   h , the sensor  306   i , the sensor  306   j  and the sensor  306   k  determine the large size vehicle  322  to be in a category of the size type of vehicle. The capturing unit  316   a  is triggered and takes an image of the large size vehicle  322 . The sensor  304   a , the sensor  304   b , the sensor  304   c , the sensor  304   d , the sensor  304   e , the sensor  304   f , the sensor  306   a , the sensor  306   b , the sensor  306   c , the sensor  306   d , the sensor  306   e  and the sensor  306   f  generate the activation information and the sensor  306   g , the sensor  306   h , the sensor  306   i , the sensor  306   j  and the sensor  306   k  generate the de-activation information. 
         [0080]      FIG. 3E  illustrates a system  300 E for showing an example of the plurality of parking slots for the third size type of vehicles, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. The system  300  includes the parking slot  302   a , the parking slot  302   b , the parking slot  302   c , the first set of sensors  304 , the third set of sensors  308 , the fifth set of sensors  312 , the set of image capturing unit  316 , the small size vehicle  318 , the normal size vehicle  320  and the large size vehicle  322 . The set of image capturing unit  316  includes the capturing unit  316   a  associated with the parking slot  302   a , the capturing unit  316   b  associated with the parking slot  302   b  and the capturing unit  316   c  associated with the parking slot  302   c . Further, the set of image capturing unit  316  are configured for capturing images of the vehicles wrongly parked or not associated with the size type of the parking slot  302   a , the parking slot  302   b  and the parking slot  302   c.    
         [0081]    The system  300 E depicts the activation and the de-activation status of the first set of sensors  304  when the large size vehicle  322  is parked inside the parking slot  302   a  defined for allowing the parking of the vehicles belonging to the large size type. Further, the system  300  depicts the activation and the de-activation status of the third set of sensors  308  when the small size vehicle  318  is parked inside the parking slot  302   b  defined for allowing the parking of the vehicles belonging to the large size type. In addition, the system  300  depicts the activation and the de-activation status of the fifth set of sensors  312  when the normal size vehicle  322  is parked inside the parking slot  302   c  defined for allowing the parking of the vehicles belonging to the large size type. 
         [0082]    Going further, the first set of sensors  304  are positioned inside the parking zone of the parking slot  302   a  defined for the vehicles of the large size type. The first set of sensors  304  includes the sensor  304   a , the sensor  304   b , the sensor  304   c , the sensor  304   d , the sensor  304   e , the sensor  304   f , a sensor  304   g , a sensor  304   h , a sensor  304   i  and a sensor  304   j . The large size vehicle  322  enters the parking slot  302   a  and the user driving the large size vehicle  322  parks the large size vehicle  322  in the pre-defined parking space made for the large size vehicle  322 . The sensor  304   a , the sensor  304   b , the sensor  304   c , the sensor  304   d , the sensor  304   e , the sensor  304   f , the sensor  304   g , the sensor  304   h , the sensor  304   i  and a sensor  304   j  are activated on detecting the presence of the large size vehicle  322  inside the parking slot  302   a.    
         [0083]    The activation of the sensor  304   a , the sensor  304   b , the sensor  304   c , the sensor  304   d , the sensor  304   e , the sensor  304   f , the sensor  304   g , the sensor  304   h , the sensor  304   i  and the sensor  304   j  determines the large size vehicle  322  to be in a category of the third size type of vehicle. The capturing unit  316   a  is not triggered and does not take an image of the large size vehicle  322 . The sensor  304   a , the sensor  304   b , the sensor  304   c , the sensor  304   d , the sensor  304   e , the sensor  304   f , the sensor  304   g , the sensor  304   h , the sensor  304   i  and the sensor  304   j  generate the activation information. 
         [0084]    In addition, the third set of sensors  308  are positioned inside the parking zone of the parking slot  302   b  defined for the vehicles of the large size type. The third set of sensors  308  includes the sensor  308   a , the sensor  308   b , the sensor  308   c , the sensor  308   d , the sensor  308   e , a sensor  308   f , a sensor  308   g , a sensor  308   h , a sensor  308   i  and a sensor  308   j . The small size vehicle  318  enters the parking slot  302   b  and the user driving the small size vehicle  318  parks the small size vehicle  318  in the pre-defined parking space made for the large size vehicle  322 . The sensor  308   a , the sensor  308   b , the sensor  308   i  and the sensor  308   j  are activated due to the presence of the small size vehicle  318  on some part of the parking slot  302   b  covered by the activated third set of sensors  308 . Moreover, the sensor  308   c , the sensor  308   d , the sensor  308   e , the sensor  308   f , the sensor  308   g  and the sensor  308   h . are deactivated on detecting the absence of the small size vehicle  318  inside a remaining vacant part of the parking slot  302   b  equipped with the third set of sensors  308 . 
         [0085]    The activation of the sensor  308   a , the sensor  308   b , the sensor  308   i  and the sensor  308   j  and the de-activation of the sensor  308   c , the sensor  308   d , the sensor  308   e , the sensor  308   f , the sensor  308   g  and the sensor  308   h  determine the small size vehicle  318  to not be in the category of the third size type of vehicle. The capturing unit  316   b  is triggered and takes the image of the small size vehicle  318 . The sensor  308   a , the sensor  308   b , the sensor  308   i  and the sensor  308   j  generate the activation information and the sensor  308   c , the sensor  308   d , the sensor  308   e , the sensor  308   f , the sensor  308   g  and the sensor  308   h  generate the de-activation information. 
         [0086]    Furthermore, the fifth set of sensors  312  are positioned inside the parking zone of the parking slot  302   c  defined for the vehicles of the small size type. The fifth set of sensors  312  includes a sensor  312   a , a sensor  312   b , a sensor  312   c , a sensor  312   d , a sensor  312   e  and a sensor  312   f . Moreover, the sixth set of sensors  314  is positioned on the outer boundary of the parking slot  302   c . The sixth set of sensors  314  includes a sensor  314   a  and a sensor  314   b . The large size vehicle  322  enters the parking slot  302   c  and the user driving the large size vehicle  322  tries to park the large size vehicle  322  in the pre-defined parking space made for the small size vehicle  318 . The size of the parking slot  302   c  does not enable the parking of the large size vehicle  322 . The sensor  312   a , the sensor  312   b , the sensor  312   c , the sensor  312   d , the sensor  312   e  and the sensor  312   f  are deactivated due to the absence of the large size vehicle  322  inside the parking slot  302   c . Moreover, the sensor  314   a  and the sensor  314   b . are activated on detecting the presence of the large size vehicle  322  over the outer boundary space equipped with the sixth set of sensors  314 . 
         [0087]    The de-activation of the sensor  312   a , the sensor  312   b , the sensor  312   c , the sensor  312   d , the sensor  312   e  and the sensor  312   f  and the activation of the sensor  314   a  and the sensor  314   b  determine the large size vehicle  322  to not be in the category of the first size type of vehicle. The capturing unit  316   c  is triggered and takes the image of the large size vehicle  322 . The sensor  312   a , the sensor  312   b , the sensor  312   c , the sensor  312   d , the sensor  312   e  and the sensor  312   f  generate the de-activation information and the sensor  314   a  and the sensor  314   b  generate the de-activation information. 
         [0088]      FIG. 3F  illustrates a system  300 F for showing an example of the parking slot for the third size type of vehicles, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The system  300  includes the parking slot  302   a , the first set of sensors  304 , the second set of sensors  306 , the capturing unit  316   a  and the large size vehicle  322 . The capturing unit  316   a  is associated with the parking slot  302   a . Further, the capturing unit  316   a  is configured for capturing images of the vehicles wrongly parked or not associated with the size type of the parking slot  302   a.    
         [0089]    The system  300 F depicts the activation and the de-activation status of the first set of sensors  304  and the second set of sensors  306  when the large size vehicle  322  is parked inside the parking slot  302   a  defined for allowing the parking of the vehicles belonging to the large size type. 
         [0090]    Going further, the first set of sensors  304  are positioned inside the parking zone of the parking slot  302   a  defined for the vehicles of the large size type. The first set of sensors  304  includes the sensor  304   a , the sensor  304   b , the sensor  304   c , the sensor  304   d , the sensor  304   e , the sensor  304   f , the sensor  304   g , the sensor  304   h , the sensor  304   i  and the sensor  304   j . Moreover, the second set of sensors  306  is positioned on the outer boundary of the parking slot  302   a  (as exemplary stated above in the detailed description of  FIG. 3D  and  FIG. 3E ). The large size vehicle  322  enters the parking slot  302   a  and the user driving the large size vehicle  322  parks the large size vehicle  322  in the pre-defined parking space made for the large size vehicle  322 . The sensor  304   a , the sensor  304   b , the sensor  304   c , the sensor  304   d , the sensor  304   e , the sensor  304   f , the sensor  306   a , the sensor  306   b , the sensor  306   c , the sensor  306   d , the sensor  306   e  and the sensor  306   f  are activated on detecting the presence of the large size vehicle  322  inside the parking slot  302   a . Moreover, the sensor  306   g , the sensor  304   h , the sensor  304   i , the sensor  304   j  and the sensor  306   k  remain deactivated due to an absence of the large size vehicle  322  over the outer boundary space equipped with the second set of sensors  306 . 
         [0091]    The activation of the sensor  304   a , the sensor  304   b , the sensor  304   c , the sensor  304   d , the sensor  304   e , the sensor  304   f , the sensor  306   a , the sensor  306   b , the sensor  306   c , the sensor  306   d , the sensor  306   e  and the sensor  306   f  and the de-activation of the sensor  306   g , the sensor  304   h , the sensor  304   i , the sensor  304   j  and the sensor  306   k  determine the large size vehicle  322  is parked in an inappropriate position. In an embodiment of the present invention, the activation indicates the deviation of the approximate position of the large size vehicle  322  from the allowed position. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the activation determines that the large size vehicle  322  is not parked properly in its defined parking space in the parking slot  302   a.    
         [0092]    Furthermore, the capturing unit  316   a  is triggered and takes an image of the large size vehicle  322 . The sensor  304   a , the sensor  304   b , the sensor  304   c , the sensor  304   d , the sensor  304   e , the sensor  304   f , the sensor  306   a , the sensor  306   b , the sensor  306   c , the sensor  306   d , the sensor  306   e  and the sensor  306   f  generate the activation information and the sensor  306   g , the sensor  304   h , the sensor  304   i , the sensor  304   j  and the sensor  306   k  generate the de-activation information. 
         [0093]      FIG. 4  illustrates a system  400  for issuing a penalty against the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. It may be noted that to explain the system elements of  FIG. 4 , references will be made to the system elements of  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3A ,  FIG. 3B ,  FIG. 3C ,  FIG. 3D ,  FIG. 3E  and  FIG. 3F . The system  400  includes a plurality of sensors  404   a - j  positioned on a parking slot  402 , an image acquiring unit  406 , a penalty system  408 , the controller unit  410  and a small size vehicle  412 . 
         [0094]    Going further, the parking slot  402  is configured to allow the parking of the vehicles corresponding to the large size type. In an embodiment of the present invention, the size of the parking slot  402  corresponds to the size type of the vehicles. Further, the parking slot  402  includes the plurality of sensors  404   a - j . The plurality of sensors  404   a - j  is positioned at specific slots within the parking slot  402  based on the size type of the vehicle allowed to be parked in the parking slot  402 . The plurality of sensors  404   a - j  is the proximity sensors. The plurality of sensors  404   a - g  include a sensor  404   a , a sensor  404   b , a sensor  404   c , a sensor  404   d , a sensor  404   e , a sensor  404   f , a sensor  404   g , a sensor  404   h , a sensor  404   i  and a sensor  404   j . The plurality of sensors  404   a - j  is configured to detect the presence of the vehicle of the plurality of vehicles parking in the parking slot  402 . 
         [0095]    Moreover, the plurality of sensors  404   a - j  in the parking slot  402  is associated with the controller unit  410 . In addition, the controller unit  410  is configured for the determination of the size type of the vehicle and the position of the vehicle parked in the parking slot  402 . Further, the controller unit  410  determines the approximate position of the vehicle parked in the parking slot  402  based on a pre-configured criterion. The controller unit  410  is associated with the image acquiring unit  406 . The image acquiring unit  406  is configured to take the image of the vehicle when the vehicle deviates from the approximate position of the vehicle from the allowed position. 
         [0096]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the image acquiring unit  406  takes the image when the vehicle parked in the parking slot  402  does not correspond to the size type of the vehicle allowed to be parked in the parking slot  402 . Going further, the controller unit  410  is associated with the penalty system  408 . The penalty system  408  is a system for issuing the penalty against the vehicle parked in the parking slot  402 . The penalty is issued by the penalty system  408  when the vehicle parked in the parking slot  402  does not correspond to the size type of vehicle allowed to be parked in the parking slot  402 . In an embodiment of the present invention, the penalty system  408  issues the penalty based on an output given by the controller unit  410 . The output of the controller unit  410  corresponds to the determination of the size type of the vehicle parked in the parking slot  402  and the position of the vehicle parked in the parking slot  402  based on the activation and the de-activation status of the plurality of sensors  404  positioned in the parking slot  402 . 
         [0097]    The small size vehicle  318  enters the parking slot  402  and the user driving the small size vehicle  318  parks the small size vehicle  318  in the pre-defined parking space made for the vehicles of the large size type. The sensor  404   a , the sensor  404   b , the sensor  404   i  and the sensor  404   j  are activated due to the presence of the small size vehicle  318  on some part of the parking slot  402  covered by the activated plurality of sensors  404 . Moreover, the sensor  404   c , the sensor  404   d , the sensor  404   e , the sensor  404   f , the sensor  404   g  and the sensor  404   h . are deactivated on detecting the absence of the small size vehicle  318  inside a remaining vacant part of the parking slot  402  covered by the covered by the deactivated plurality of sensors  404 . 
         [0098]    Furthermore, the controller unit  410  utilizes the activation of the sensor  404   a , the sensor  404   b , the sensor  404   i  and the sensor  404   j  and the de-activation of the sensor  404   c , the sensor  404   d , the sensor  404   e , the sensor  404   f , the sensor  404   g  and the sensor  404   h  for determining the small size vehicle  412  to not be in the category of the large size type of vehicle. In an embodiment of the present invention, the controller unit  410  determines the size type of the vehicle parked in the parking slot  402  to not match with the size type of vehicle allowed to be parked in the parking slot  402 . In another embodiment of the present invention, the controller unit  410  determines a breach by the small size type vehicle  318  parked in the parking slot  402 . The controller unit  410  stores the information associated with the activation and the de-activation generated by the plurality of sensors  404  for transmitting it to the penalty system  408 . In an embodiment of the present invention, the controller unit  410  stores the activation information of the sensor  404   a , the sensor  404   b , the sensor  404   i  and the sensor  404   j  and the de-activation information of the sensor  404   c , the sensor  404   d , the sensor  404   e , the sensor  404   f , the sensor  404   g  and the sensor  404   h.    
         [0099]    Moreover, the image capturing unit  406  is triggered based on the determination of the breach by the small size type vehicle  318  parked in the parking slot  402  and takes the image of the small size vehicle  318 . In addition, the penalty system  408  issues the penalty against the small size vehicle  318  parked in the parking slot  402  defined for the parking of the vehicles. In an embodiment of the present invention, the penalty system  408  issues the penalty against a person associated with the small size vehicle  318 . The penalty may be any amount of money which has to be paid by the person associated with the small size vehicle  318 . 
         [0100]      FIG. 5  illustrates a block diagram of a parking monitoring system  500  showing various components of the parking monitoring system  500 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The parking monitoring system  500  includes one or more sensors  502 , a controller unit  504 , an image capturing unit  506 , a server  508  and a database  508   a . The components of the parking monitoring system  100  collectively enable the determining of the size type of the vehicle of the plurality of vehicles parked in the parking slot of the plurality of parking slots of the parking area. 
         [0101]    Going further, the one or more sensors  502  are positioned in the each parking slot of the plurality of parking slots. The one or more sensors  502  are positioned and pre-configured for the specific spots within the each parking slot based on the size of the parking slot and the size type of the vehicle allowed to be parked in the parking slot. The one or more sensors  502  detect the presence of the vehicles in the parking slot based on the activation and the de-activation status of the one or more sensors  502 . 
         [0102]    Moreover, the one or more sensors  502  include a first set of one or more sensors and a second set of one or more sensors. The first set of one or more sensors is positioned inside the each parking slot of the plurality of parking slots. The positioning of the first set of one or more sensors inside the each parking slot is based on the size type of the vehicle allowed to be parked in the parking slot. The first set of one or more sensors is configured to be activated when the vehicle is parked in the parking slot. In an embodiment of the present invention, some of the first set of one or more sensors are activated and the other remaining first set of one or more sensors are deactivated when the vehicle parked in the parking slot corresponds to the size type of vehicle not allowed to be parked in the parking slot. 
         [0103]    In addition, the second set of one or more sensors is arranged on the outer boundary of the parking slot. The second set of one or more sensors is configured to be activated when the vehicle is parked in the inappropriate position in the parking slot. In an embodiment of the present invention, the second set of one or more sensors is activated when the vehicle parked in the parking slot corresponds to the size type of vehicle which is larger than the size type of vehicle allowed to be parked in the parking slot. In another embodiment of the present invention, the second set of one or more sensors is activated when the vehicle corresponding to the size type of vehicle allowed to be parked in the parking slot is parked in the inappropriate position. 
         [0104]    Further, the controller unit  504  is coupled to the one or more sensors  502 . The controller unit  504  receives information from the one or more sensors  502  of the parking slot when the vehicle is parked in the parking slot. The information received by the controller unit  504  corresponds to the activation and the de-activation of the one or more sensors  502 . Moreover, the controller unit  504  is configured to determine the size type of the vehicle and the approximate position of the vehicle within the parking slot based on the pre-configured criterion. The pre-configured criterion is based on the received information from the one or more sensors  502  when the vehicle is parked in the parking slot. 
         [0105]    In addition, the pre-configured criterion is based on mapping of a stored activation and a stored de-activation signals of the one or more sensors  502  in the parking slot for the each size type of the plurality of vehicles for the each size of the plurality of parking slots with the received activation and de-activation signals of the one or more sensors  502  when the vehicle is parked. 
         [0106]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the controller unit  504  analyzes the received activation and de-activation signals for determining the size type of the vehicle parked in the parking slots. The controller unit  504  is further configured to generate a breach notification when the size type of the vehicle allowed in the parking slot is different from the size type of the vehicle parked in the parking slot. The breach notification corresponds to a breach signal generated by the controller unit  504 . 
         [0107]    Going further, the controller unit  504  is coupled with the image capturing unit  506 . The image capturing unit  506  is configured to capture an image of a license plate number of the parked vehicle. The image is captured for the vehicle to transmit the breach notification to at least one of an associated person or a device associated with the vehicle. 
         [0108]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the image capturing unit  506  is triggered when the approximate position of the parked vehicle deviates from the allowed position. In another embodiment of the present invention, the image capturing unit  506  is triggered when the size type of the vehicle allowed in the parking slot is different from the size type of the vehicle parked in the parking slot. The image capturing unit  506  may be a digital camera or any other device configured to capture the image of the parked vehicle and transmitting it to the controller unit  504 . 
         [0109]    The breach notification and the captured image associated with the parked vehicle breaching the parking slot is transmitted to one or more authorities by the controller unit  504  who are authorized for charging the user associated with the parked vehicle in violation with the penalty. The one or more authorities receive the breach notification and the captured image associated with the parked vehicle through a remote control server facilitating one or more administrators administrating the parking slots to take actions against the user associated with the parked vehicle in the violation. 
         [0110]    Furthermore, the controller unit  504  is associated with the server  508 . The server  508  handles all operations performed by the controller unit  504 . The server  508  includes a database  508   a . The database  508   a  is configured to store one or more images of the license plate number of the corresponding plurality of vehicles captured by the image capturing unit  506 , the information of the activation and the de-activation of the first set of one or more sensors and the second set of one or more sensors and the size type of vehicle and the approximate position of the vehicle parked in the parking slot determined by the controller unit  504 . 
         [0111]    It may be noted that in  FIG. 5 , the image capturing unit  506  is associated with the controller unit  504 , however those skilled in the art would appreciate that there are more number of image capturing units associated with the controller unit  504 . 
         [0112]      FIG. 6  illustrates a flowchart  600  for determining the size type of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. It may be noted that references will be made to the system elements of  FIG. 5  to explain the flowchart  600 . The flowchart  600  initiates at step  602 . At step  604 , as explained above, the one or more sensors  502  are positioned in the specific spots within the each parking slot. The positioning is based on the size of the parking slot and the size type of the vehicle allowed to be parked in the parking slot. At step  606 , as mentioned above, the controller  504  receives information from the one or more sensors  502  of the parking slot when the vehicle is parked in the parking slot. The received information is related to the activation and the de-activation of the one or more sensors  502  in the parking slot. At step  608 , the controller  504  determines the size type of the vehicle and the approximate position of the vehicle within the parking slot based on the pre-configured criterion. The pre-configured criterion is based on the received information from the one or more sensors  502  when the vehicle is parked in the parking slot. The flowchart  600  terminates at step  610 . 
         [0113]    It may be noted that the flowchart  600  is explained to have above stated process steps; however, those skilled in the art would appreciate that the flowchart  300  may have more/less number of process steps which may enable all the above stated embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0114]    In another embodiment of the present invention, sensors are positioned in restricted areas where parking is not permitted at all or where parking is reserved for certain categories of people or vehicles such as handicapped people, police, VIP people, ambulances and the like. The presence of any vehicle within these restricted areas is detected by the sensors. The activation of one or more sensors in the restricted areas leads to the generation of detection signals transmitted to the control unit  106 . The controller unit  106  determines whether vehicles parked within the restricted areas. In an embodiment of the invention, where parking is strictly restricted, the control unit  106  concludes for a breach in case any vehicle is parked within these areas. An image of the vehicle (or plate number) is taken and sent to the penalty system  408 . In case where parking is reserved for certain types of vehicles or people, an image of the vehicle, plate number or any associated information such as special license number is taken and analyzed before a breach decision is concluded. The analysis can be conducted by the control unit  406  or alternatively the image is sent to a server (at the authorities side for example) to determine whether these vehicles are authorized vehicles. In an embodiment of the invention, where a vehicle is parked in a restricted area where parking is strictly restricted, the control unit  106  sends a signal to the penalty system  408  for issuing fine. In another embodiment of the invention, where a vehicle is detected in a restricted zone reserved for special vehicles or people, the image capturing unit  406  is adapted to be triggered at the outset (before a breach is determined) in order to have the image of the vehicle (or any associated information such as a plate number or a license number) for determining whether the parked vehicle is an authorized vehicle before determination of a breach. If a breach is determined, the penalty system  408  issues a penalty against the person associated with the vehicle. 
         [0115]    The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6