Paul A Thomas

US Patent:

20030076417, Apr 24, 2003

Filed:

Aug 6, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/214803

Inventors:

Patrick Thomas - San Diego CA, US
Paul Thomas - Bellevue WA, US
Brett Turner - Kirkland WA, US
Byron Churchill - San Diego CA, US
Chris Aldern - San Diego CA, US

International Classification:

H04N005/225

US Classification:

348/169000, 382/103000

Abstract:

A system and method that provide for automated enforcement of parking lot fee payments, thereby not requiring a human attendant to be present at each parking lot. The system and method utilize a camera or other sensing device, as well as pattern recognition technology, capable of monitoring and tracking vehicles in a parking lot. The system and method additionally provide a central control station capable of monitoring the status of the parking lots and fee payments, storing and archiving parking information, and generating alerts when vehicles are parked without payment. The system and method provide for parking lot revenue generation to be maximized by significantly reducing or eliminating vehicles parking without payment. In other embodiments, the system may be adapted for monitoring vehicle traffic in a zone of interest.