Parking Meter System

What is this patent about?

’302 is related to the field of automated parking management systems , specifically those that use cameras and networked computer systems to monitor parking lots and issue violations. Traditional parking meters and manual enforcement methods are costly and inefficient. This patent addresses the need for unattended, automated systems that can optimize revenue and deter parking violators.

The underlying idea behind ’302 is to use image data of vehicles entering and exiting a parking lot to automatically determine parking violations. By capturing images of the license plate upon entry and exit, the system can accurately track the time a vehicle spends in the lot and compare it to any purchased parking time. This eliminates the need for manual monitoring and ensures that violations are accurately identified.

The claims of ’302 focus on a method of monitoring and managing parking using image capture, license plate recognition (LPR), and networked computer systems . Claim 1 specifically covers capturing image data of a vehicle entering and exiting a parking lot, recording the entry and exit times, determining the vehicle's identification using LPR, determining if a parking violation has occurred, and issuing a parking violation notice. Claim 15 focuses on a parking enforcement and vehicle charging system with cameras, a processor, a display, a network interface, and a charging port.

In practice, the system uses cameras at the entrance and exit of a parking lot to capture images of vehicle license plates. The images are processed using LPR to extract the license plate number, which is then used to track the vehicle's time in the lot. If the vehicle exceeds the paid time or violates any parking rules, a violation notice is automatically issued. The system can also integrate with payment systems to allow drivers to pay for parking and fines directly through a kiosk or mobile app.

This approach differs from prior solutions by providing a fully automated, unattended parking management system . Unlike traditional parking meters that require manual enforcement, this system automatically detects violations and issues notices. The use of LPR and networked computer systems allows for real-time monitoring and management of parking spaces, optimizing revenue and deterring parking violations. The system can also be integrated with other services, such as vehicle charging and law enforcement databases, to provide additional benefits.