GB2461397A

GB2461397A - Method and apparatus for deterring unauthorised parking

Info

Publication number: GB2461397A
Application number: GB0911470A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Fleming
Original assignee: ELECTRO AUTOMATION RES
Current assignee: ELECTRO AUTOMATION RES
Priority date: 2008-07-04
Filing date: 2009-07-02
Publication date: 2010-01-06
Also published as: IES20090509A2; GB0911470D0; GB0812286D0

Abstract

An apparatus for deterring unauthorised parking comprising a detector for detecting the presence of a vehicle in a parking bay, a verifier for determining if the detected vehicle is authorised to use the parking bay and an alarm for providing a warning to deter unauthorised use of the parking bay unless the verification means determines that the detected vehicle is authorised to use the parking bay. The verifier can include a detector or interrogator that identifies an identifier associated with the vehicle, the authorisation based on whether a valid identifier is detected. The identifier may be a document such as a token or card and the detector or interrogator may be a card reader. Alternatively, the identifier may be a passive or active remote identification device such as a RFID tag. The verifier could also comprise a keypad to receive a PIN or other code to give authorisation. The vehicle detector may comprise an inductive loop or an ultrasonic detector. The system and method can be used to deter parking in spaces reserved for disabled or handicapped drivers by non-disabled drivers.

Description

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Mthod and kppaz q sfrnDeterrngUnauthonsed Parking This invention relates to method and apparatus for deterring unamhorised parking and in particular to a method and apparatus for deterring the unauthorised use of disabled parking bays.

The abuse of disabled parking bays is one of the most time consuming and emotive issues that anyone who contiols a cat park must deal with Recent legislation opens the possibihtv that the providen of designated disabled parking spaces that are not properly controllea may be subject to challenge in the courts with resulting bad publicity and costs According to the present invention there is provided an tppaatus for oetenmg u iauthot ised parking compusing detecting means for detecting the presence of a vehicle in a parking bay, verification means for determining if the detected vehicle is authodsed to use the parking bay ann a[ann means for proudmg a warning to deter unauthorised use of the parking bay unless the verification means determines that die detected vehicle is authorised to use the parking bay.

Pieterabh said brerlfication means comprises means for detecting andlor interrogating an identification meant acociated with the eLi 1; -aid verification means determinmg that the vehicle is authru ised to use the paiking space f a valid identification means is identified Preferably said verification means includes means for authenticating the identification means In a preferred embodiment, said identification means comprises an identification docament authonsmg use of the paiking bay, for e\ample a disabled person paiking pemi�^t, such as the Department of Transport Bitie Bad&, said verificatiOn means comprising a document reader for authenticating such identification document. Said idertification document may comprise a token or card, having an identifier, such as oneor more indicia, a bar code, a rnagnetc strip or a chip provided thereon, said verification means comprising a card reader.

AlteInatively said idcnuficafton means may comprise an P211) tag or a snnilai ass1ve m active remote identification device, said verification means comprising a suitable reader or detection device lespoas ivc to the presence of the identification device in the proximity of the detection device, It is also envisaged that the verification means may comprise a keypad whereby the verification means determined that the vehicle is authoriseci to use the parking space upon eritr) of a piedetermined numeric and/or alphanumen code Preferably said detecting means compuses sensing means for sensng the pLesenee of a vehicle, said detecting means detectmg the presence of a vehicle in the parking bay then the ID sensing means senses the continuous piesence of a vehicle fbi a piedeterrnrned tune duration Said sensing means may coirprise an induction loop ot an ultrasonic detectox Pieferably said alarm means is adapted to selectively transmit an audible and/or visual warning to vain the dnvei of the detected vehicle, and otheis in the vicinty of the cietected vehicle, tInt the vehicle is not entitled to use the parking bay Pieferably said alaun means transmits said warning if said detecting means detects the presence of a vehicle ia the parking bay and said verification means fails to determine if the detected vehicle is authorised to use the parking bay within a predetermined time interval from detection of the presence of the vehicle by the detection means, Said alarm means may include one or more lights or other display means for indicating wliethei 01 not a detected s chicle is authonsed to use the parking bay, for example green light to indicate that the verification means has determined that the detected vehicle is authonsed to use the paiking bay and a ted light to indicate that that the vehicle is 110t entitled to use the parking bay.

Pinterably, in response to detection oith preseme ole vehicle in the parking bay by the detectmg means, said alarm means provides a visual author audible ieciuest for presentation of a valid identification means to the verification means during said predetermined time intervaL Said apparatus may thither comprise an imaging means for recording an image of a vehicle detected by the detecting means Sam imaging means may inLlude a number plate recognition device. Said imaging means may be anan gad to record an image of the driver of the detected vehicle.

Said apparatus may further include timer means to set a time limit for which an authorised vehicle is permitted to occupy the parking bay, said alarm means providing an indication if the time limit is exceeded, Said apparatus may be connected to a central parking control means, which may incorporate recording means for recording and monitoring usage of said parking bay.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of deterring unauthorised parking comprises detecting the presence of a vehicle in a parking bay, determining if the detected vehicle is anthorised to use the parking bay and providing a warning to deter unauthorised use of the parking bay unless the verification means 1 5 detennines that the detected vehicle is authoriscd to use the parking bay.

An embodiment of the present invention will now he described, by way of example only.

Jn one embodiment, an apparatus for deterting unauthorised use of a parking hay comprises a vehicle detecting means including a vehicle sensing device comprising a buried induction loop within the designated parking bay for sensing the presence of a vehicle within the parking hay. The vehicle detecting means determines that at vehicle is parked in the parking bay once the vehicle sensing device senses the presence of a vehicle continuously for a predetermined period of time. Thus, the transient passage of a vehicle through the parking bay will not lead to a determination that a vehicle is parked in the bay. It is envisaged that an ultrasonic detector 01 any other suitable vehicle sensing device may be used instead of an induction loop The apparatus includes a loudspeaker that is actuated once a vehicle has been detected by the vehicle detecting means to advise the driver of the vehicle that the parking bay is a restricted parking hay for use by authorised persons only, such as disabled drivers, and requesting presentation of a suitable identification means.

The apparatus includes a document render into which the user may insert a suitable identification document, such as a disabled parking Blue Badge', the document reader determining whether or not the identification document is valid, for example by detecting key indicia or patterns on the identification document, Alternatively the identification document may include a magnetic strip, a bar code or chip that can he read by the document reader. The identification document may be in the form of a card3 such as a store loyalty card or similar. The document reader may include image recognition means for recognising a photographic identification image of an authorised user.

If a valid identification document is presented within a predetermined time period) a green light may be illuminated to indicate that the vehicle is authorised to use the parking bay. if required, a tinier may be initiated to determine if a time limit for parking in the bay is exceeded. A message may be provided to the driver to advise the driver of the time limit, In such case3 a warning may be provided if the vehicle remains in the parking bay beyond said time limit.

If a valid identification document is not presented to the document reader within a predetennined time interval after detection of a vehicle by the vehicle detection means, an alann means may he activated in the form of a red light, which may be flashing, and an audible alert to advise the driver of the vehicle, and other persons nearby, that the vehicle is not authorised to use the parking space, The alarm means may remain activated until the detecting means determines that the unauthorised vehicle has been removed from the parking hay or until a valid identification document has been presented to the document reader. The apparatus may also have a manual reset allowing authorised staff to disable the alarm, for example by the use of a key or by entry of a code to a numeric pad.

The apparatus ntay include imaging means for recording an image of the offending vehicle.

The imaging means may include number plate recognition means for recording the identity of andlor identifying the vehicle, The imaging means may comprise a camera. The camera may be mounted at a location suitable for recording an image of the driver of the vehicle, The components of the apparatus may he mounted in a post in or adjacent the parking bay.

The apparatus may have a display, for example an LCD screen, for providing information and messages to the user, in addition to the loudspeaker.

The apparatus may include, or be in communication with, data recording means for recording data relating to the usage of the parking bay upon activation of the alarm means and/or the vehicle detecting means. Such data may include the time and date of the detection of a vehicle in the parking bay, the duration of use of the bay by the vehicle, information regarding the identity of the vehicle and/or identification document used if any, and images from the imaging means.

A number of parking bays may each be provided with such apparatus and each may communicate with a central controller for monitoring the overall usage of the parking bays.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment described herein but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example instead of or in addition to a document reader thr verification of an identification document the apparatus may include means for detecting the presence of a passive or active tag located in or on the vehicle to indicate that the vehicle is authorised to park in the parking hay. Such tag may compdse an REID tag or a radio transmitter. Where the imaging means includes number plate recognition means) such information may be used to determine whether or not the vehicle is authorised to ue the parking hay by comparing the nunTher plate with a list of those of authorised vehicles.