WO2012109753A1

WO2012109753A1 - System and method for documenting and enforcing parking regulations

Info

Publication number: WO2012109753A1
Application number: PCT/CA2012/050088
Authority: WO
Inventors: Josef Kates; Philip Kates; Louis Kates
Original assignee: Josef Kates Associates Inc.
Priority date: 2011-02-17
Filing date: 2012-02-16
Publication date: 2012-08-23

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for documenting and enforcing traffic and parking regulations and making this information readily available to alleged offenders, courts and other interested parties. Infractions are recorded using client devices capable of determining the location of a vehicle. Information relating to the infraction and its location are sent to a remote server. The remote server optionally accesses databases that identify, based on the location of the vehicle, photos and/or descriptions of one or more upstream or downstream signs, and optionally a relative distance between at least one of the signs and the vehicle. This information is transmitted to the client device and may be printed on a ticket generated by the client device. Additional information, including photographs of the windshield and license plate, may optionally be obtained and transmitted to the server. The information may be remotely accessible by different stakeholders, including the alleged offender.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DOCUMENTING AND ENFORCING PARKING

REGULATIONS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority to Canadian Patent Application No.

2,732,047, titled "System and Method for Documenting and Parking Regulations" and filed on February 17^th, 201 1 , the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to systems and methods for enforcing

transportation regulations. More particularly, this disclosure relates to systems and methods of enforcing parking infractions and documenting these for the alleged offenders, courts and other interested parties.

The enforcement of parking regulations is a major concern for

municipalities around the world. While parking enforcement can be a profitable component of municipal infrastructure, only a fraction of the total fines associated with parking infractions are typically collected within a given year. The inefficient and unfulfilled collection of parking fine revenues can be attributed to several problems that relate to documentation, communication, and the ability to mount a compelling case against an alleged offender in a court of law.

The documentation of parking tickets is a process that is often fraught with problems associated with insufficient proof or evidence of an infraction. For example, parking tickets are frequently issued that contain insufficient information to support the violation of a regulation. Furthermore, handwritten tickets are often illegible and/or misinterpreted by an offender, leading to confusion, frustration, and unnecessary costs associated with court challenges and lost productivity.

In other cases, invalid or questionable tickets are issued where a regulation was not broken, but where a Parking Control Officer incorrectly perceived the breaking of a regulation. For example, invalid parking tickets may be issued where a time window associated with an infraction as per a posted street sign was in fact obeyed, but where the officer perceived that an infraction was occurring. In another example, an officer may issue a parking ticket to a disabled person posting a visible permit, but where the officer did not notice the permit. In another case a parking ticket may be issued to an alleged offender alleging that the offender was parked during a restricted time zone when the sign at which the vehicle was parked displayed no time restriction.

Some electronic parking enforcement systems and devices have been proposed to address these problems. However, as described below, all of these systems are designed to provide limited information on a ticket.

For example, US Patent Application No. 20060106504 provides an apparatus and a system for determining compliance with parking rules by a vehicle. The apparatus includes a means for receiving a signal representing a location selected from a plurality of locations, a rule storage means for storing parking rules relating to the plurality of locations, means for obtaining from the rule storage means, a rule relating to the selected location, means for determining if a vehicle parked at the selected location complies with the rule and means for transmitting a compliance signal representing the compliance determination.

US Patent Application No. 20080308631 discloses a hand-held violation ticket issuing device which incorporates a digital camera so that the ticket can be printed with an image of the vehicle license plate. The ticket may also include images of the expired meter and/or expired parking receipt or other evidence of a violation.

US Patent Application No. US200501 1 1699 provides a system in which a digital camera and laser-based distance-measuring device are mounted on a patrol vehicle, street sweeping vehicle, or in a handheld harness. The patrol is performed along a route of parked vehicles to determine if any of them are in violation of parking regulations. Information about the offending vehicle is visually captured, recorded, and transferred via wireless communication to another site for further processing. For distance-based parking violations, visual data capture may include an image of a vehicle bumper in combination with a fire hydrant, driveway or other point of reference along with a super-imposed numerical readout of the measuring device to indicate that the offending vehicle is parked outside the limits of acceptability.

US Patent No. 6,081 ,206 discloses a system in which a video camera is mounted on a parking enforcement patrol vehicle and connected to a computer near the operator. The system is driven along a patrol route where parked vehicles are governed by a posted time limit. The system enforces the local parking regulation by automatically determining whether or not each parked car has been parked longer than the posted time limit. Violations are detected by applying a License Plate Recognition algorithm to the images. Each license plate number is time-tagged, geo-referenced and entered into a local database. When the patrol vehicle re-traces the patrol route after the posted parking time limit has expired, the database is searched to flag vehicles that were observed at the same location during the previous circuit and therefore in violation of the parking regulations. When the system detects a parking violation, it prints a parking citation that the operator affixes to the offending parked vehicle. The system includes a map database that contains geo-referenced information describing different parking regulations. The map database and the geo-referenced regulations are used to determine when a violation has occurred.

US Patent Application No. US2008021 1689 discloses an illegal-parking- management portable terminal that includes a storage unit, an extracting unit, and a selecting unit. The storage unit stores facility information on a facility relevant to illegal parking and an illegal-parking application rule that defines illegal-parking condition for each penalty article. The extracting unit extracts, from the facility information, information on a "facility" (e.g. a fire hydrant or traffic light) within a predetermined range from a position specified as a vehicle parking position on a map displayed on a display unit. The selecting unit compares the extracted information with the illegal-parking application rule, and selects a penalty article to be applied to illegal parking of a vehicle. The selecting unit compares information on a facility and a distance calculated, and determines whether or not a violation has occurred based on an illegal parking application rule.

US Patent No. 6,243,029 provides a system that incorporates a camera device having optical character recognition capabilities for photographing vehicle indicia, which transmits data to and receives data from a remote central control unit to ensure vehicle compliance with regulations. A ticket is issued to those vehicles violating the parking regulations. The camera device also makes a pictorial record of the violation for use in court proceedings. The system may include a GPS device for determining a location of a vehicle.

US Patent Application No. US20020145664 provides a parking violation recording system for recording parking violations committed by violating vehicles, using an official vehicle having cameras located along the passenger side and along the driver side near the front and rear of the official vehicle. The operator of the official vehicle positions the vehicle substantially alongside the violating vehicle, and views images from the cameras on a display unit within the official vehicle. Once satisfied with the content of the images, the recording system acquires the images at the operator's request, and creates a data record memorializing the violation. Numerous data records are stored in image memory for later retrieval.

US Patent Application No. 20080218383 teaches a system and method for detecting parking infractions. It comprises computing one or more

measurements associated with a stationary object found at a first location;

classifying the stationary object as being representative of a vehicle parked at the first location based on the one or more measurements associated with the stationary object; capturing one or more images of the vehicle parked at the first location; processing the one or more images of the vehicle to extract one or more present vehicle identifiers associated with the vehicle, and recording a time the one or more images were taken, a co-ordinate set associated with the first location and the one or more identifiers associated with the vehicle; determining a time duration for which parking is allowed at the first location; and comparing the present vehicle identifiers with previously recorded vehicle identifiers associated with the first location to determine if the vehicle has been parked at the first location for a period exceeding the time duration.

GPS devices are employed in a positioning system included as a component of the system. As shown in Figures 4, 5 and 8, and described in paragraph 52, a parking locations database is employed when determining whether or not there are restrictions associated with parking. A photographic record of an infraction is obtained using a camera device, and a proximity detection system is included to detect the proximity of objects around the vehicle and to measure the vehicle length.

Despite the systems and methods taught in these references, the potential for unclear tickets and/or court challenges of tickets remains. Accordingly, there remains a need for a system that provides an automated enforcement tool and improved documentation especially for the alleged offenders but also for the courts and administrators SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are systems and methods that address the

aforementioned problems in enforcing parking regulations by electronically documenting the parking warning signs or other visible regulations relating to an infraction. Embodiments of the disclosure incorporate a database comprising geotagged information relating to warning indicators (warnings and/or

regulations), which may be utilized to document the proximity of such indications in relation to a particular infraction. The resulting indication proximity and indication information may be made available to multiple stakeholders in the prosecution of a given infraction, such as the offender, the officer documenting the offence, and individuals involved in a court proceeding such as a judge. Such information provides clear and unambiguous support for a given ticket and may be beneficial in reducing the volume of court cases and increasing the collection revenue and collection rate of parking fines. The disclosure also applies to infractions which do not require any physical signs or other explicit warnings. These types of infractions are addressed by the imaging capabilities of the portable client devices carried by parking control officers.

In a first aspect, there is provided a method of documenting a vehicular infraction, the method comprising the steps of: receiving, on a mobile client device, input from a user, the input comprising identification information pertaining to a vehicle associated with the vehicular infraction; instructing the user to provide content information associated with a prohibitory indicator, wherein the prohibitory indicator is proximal to the vehicle and relates to the vehicular infraction; receiving the content information; transmitting the content information and the identification information to a central computing system; and printing a ticket, the ticket comprising printed information relating to the content information.

The printed information may comprise at least a portion of the content information, and may comprise instructions for accessing the content information from the central computing system.

The step of receiving the content information may comprise receiving a digital photograph of the prohibitory indicator, where the step of receiving the digital photograph may comprise receiving a digital image provided by a camera integrated with the mobile client device in response to an action of the user.

The step of receiving the content information may comprise receiving input from the user, the input comprising a description of the prohibitory indicator.

The step of receiving the content information may comprise the steps of: displaying a list of types of prohibitory indicators on the mobile client device; and receiving a selection of one of the types of prohibitory indicators, wherein the selection is performed by the user.

Prior to the step of printing the ticket, the following steps may be

performed: instructing the user to provide location information associated with a location of the prohibitory indicator relative to the vehicle; receiving the location information; and transmitting the content information and the identification information to the central computing system.

The location information may comprise qualitative information, where the qualitative information may comprise of one of an upstream and a downstream location of the vehicle relative to the prohibitory indicator.

The location information comprises quantitative information, where the quantitative information may comprise a relative distance between the vehicle and the prohibitory indicator.

The relative distance may be obtained by the steps of: instructing the user to move to a location corresponding to the vehicle; obtaining a first measurement of the location corresponding to the vehicle from a positioning device; instructing the user to move to a location corresponding to the prohibitory indicator;

obtaining a second measurement of the location corresponding to the prohibitory indicator from the positioning device; and processing the first measurement and the second measurement to determine the relative distance.

The positioning device may be integrated with the mobile client device.

The relative distance may be obtained by the steps of: instructing the user to measure a distance between the vehicle and the prohibitory indicator using a distance measuring device; and recording the relative distance.

The printed information may comprise the location information.

In yet another aspect, there is provided a method of providing information relating to a vehicular infraction, the method comprising the steps of: receiving, from a mobile client device, location information identifying a location of a vehicle involved in the infraction; accessing a database comprising content data and location data associated with a plurality of prohibitory indicators; identifying, based on the location information and the location data, a proximal prohibitory indicator associated with the infraction, wherein the proximal prohibitory indicator is proximal to the vehicle; and providing, to a user device, content information associated with the proximal prohibitory indicator.

The content information may comprise an image of the proximal prohibitory indicator. The image may be a photograph of the proximal prohibitory indicator. The image may be a visual representation of the proximal prohibitory indicator.

The method may further comprise the steps of: processing the location information and location data associated with the proximal prohibitory indicator to determine relative location information pertaining to a location of the vehicle relative to the proximal prohibitory indicator.

The relative location may comprise qualitative information, where the qualitative information may comprises of one of an upstream and a downstream location of the vehicle relative to the proximal prohibitory indicator.

The relative location may comprise quantitative information, where the quantitative information may comprise a relative distance between the vehicle and the proximal prohibitory indicator.

The content information associated with the proximal prohibitory indicator may be provided to the user device in response to a request from the user device. The user device comprises a web browser, or may be configured for making telephone calls.

The user device may be the mobile client device.

The method may further comprise the steps of receiving, from the mobile client device, information identifying the vehicle, and storing the information related to the vehicular infraction with the information identifying the vehicle.

In yet another aspect, there is provided a method of identifying a prohibitory indicator associated with a vehicular infraction, the method comprising the steps of: receiving, from a mobile client device, location information

identifying a location of a vehicle involved in the infraction; accessing a database comprising location data associated with a plurality of prohibitory indicators; and identifying, based on the location information and the location data, a proximal prohibitory indicator associated with the infraction, wherein the proximal prohibitory indicator is proximal to the vehicle.

In still another aspect, there is provided a method of processing payment of ticket on a mobile computing device, the ticket relating to a vehicular infraction, the method comprising the steps of: displaying, on the mobile computing device, a message instructing a user to obtain an image of a barcode printed on the ticket, the barcode comprising information associated with the infraction, the information comprising a fine associated with the vehicular infraction; receiving the image; processing the image to determine a fine associated with the infraction; displaying, on the mobile computing device, a message instructing the user to provide payment information; receiving payment information from the user; transmitting the payment information to a central computing system for payment processing; receiving confirmation from the central computing system that the payment has been processed; and communicating the confirmation to the user. In still another aspect, there is provided a method of providing information relating to parking resources, the method comprising the steps of: receiving, from a user device, a request for the information; receiving location information comprising a location of the user device; accessing a parking resource database comprising geotagged parking resource data; obtaining, from the database, parking resource information comprising geotagged parking resource data within a geographic region, the geographic region comprising a region relative to the location of the user device; and providing the parking resource information to the user device.

The parking resource information may comprise parking fine information and/or parking fee information.

The method may further comprise the step of receiving, from the user device, boundary information defining the geographic region. The boundary information may comprise a spatial region relative to the location of the user device.

In yet another aspect, there is provided a method of providing, on a user device, information relating to parking resources within a geographic region of interest, the method comprising the steps of: receiving input defining the geographic region of interest; accessing a database comprising geotagged parking resource data; obtaining, based on the geotagged parking resource data, parking resource information corresponding to the geographic region of interest; and displaying the parking resource information to a user operating the user device.

The input may comprise a location of the user device and a boundary defined relative to the location of the user device, and the boundary may comprise a radial distance.

The steps of accessing the database and obtaining the parking resource information may comprise the steps of: transmitting, to a central computing system, a request for the information, the central computing system comprising the database; transmitting, to the central computing system, location information defining the region of interest; and receiving, from the central computing system, the parking resource information.

The steps of accessing the database and obtaining the parking resource information comprise the steps of: accessing the database on the user device; and processing the geotagged parking resource data and determining, based on the geographic region of interest, the parking resource information. The parking resource information may comprise parking fine information and/or parking fee information.

The client device may comprise a positioning device, the method further comprising the steps of: obtaining a selection from the user of a selected parking resource; and directing the user to the parking resource according to

measurements obtained from the positioning device.

In another aspect, there is provided a method of providing information relating to a vehicular infraction, the method comprising the steps of: receiving, at a central computing system, a request from a user device, wherein the request is communicated according to instructions provided on a ticket related to the vehicular infraction, and wherein the request identifies the vehicular infraction identification; obtaining, from a database accessible by the central computing system, the information relating to the vehicular infraction; and sending the information from the central computing system to the user device.

The instructions may comprise a website address and the user device may comprise a computing device comprising a web browser or any equivalent device such as a smart phone with web browser functionality, where the step of sending the information comprises formatting the information for display on the web browser and transmitting the information to the user device.

The instructions may comprise a telephone number and the user device may be configured for making telephone calls, where the step of sending the information comprises formatting the information for audio playback.

The step of obtaining the information may comprise obtaining content information associated with a prohibitory indicator, wherein the prohibitory indicator was determined to be proximal to a vehicle involved in the vehicle infraction. The content information may comprise a digital photograph of the prohibitory indicator, or a description of the prohibitory indicator. The information may further comprise location information associated with a location of the prohibitory indicator relative to the vehicle.

The information may comprise a photograph of at least a portion of the vehicle involved in the vehicular infraction. The photograph may comprise evidence supporting the vehicular infraction. The photograph may comprise an image of a windshield of the vehicle.

The ticket may be generated by a method as described above. In yet another aspect, there is provided a method of documenting a vehicular infraction, the method comprising the steps of: receiving, on a mobile client device, input from a user, the input comprising identification information and location information pertaining to a vehicle associated with the vehicular infraction; accessing a database comprising content data and location data associated with a plurality of prohibitory indicators; identifying, based on the location information and the location data, a proximal prohibitory indicator associated with the infraction, wherein the proximal prohibitory indicator is proximal to the vehicle; and obtaining content information associated with the proximal prohibitory indicator; transmitting the content information and the identification information to a central computing system; and printing a ticket, the ticket comprising printed information relating to the content information.

In still another aspect, there is provided a device for documenting a vehicular infraction, the device comprising: an input device for receiving identification information and location information pertaining to a vehicle associated with the vehicular infraction; a memory; a database comprising content data and location data associated with a plurality of prohibitory indicators; a processor programmed to identify, based on the location information and the location data, a proximal prohibitory indicator associated with the infraction, wherein the proximal prohibitory indicator is proximal to the vehicle; and a communications interface. The device may further comprise a printer for printing a ticket.

A further understanding of the functional and advantageous aspects of the disclosure can be realized by reference to the following detailed description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 provides a schematic of a system for enforcing and documenting parking regulations and explanations of tickets issued to alleged offenders.

Figure 2 illustrates the components of a client device employed to access the system and generate tickets.

Figure 3 is an illustration of a parking violation where a vehicle is parked between two neighbouring prohibitory signs.

Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating the steps performed by a Parking Control Officer (PCO) when documenting an infraction.

Figure 5 provides a schematic of a system for enforcing and documenting parking regulations without prohibitory indicator database and street map database.

Figure 6 provides an illustration of a ticket that includes information relating to adjacent prohibitory indicators, among other information.

Figure 7 illustrates additional information that can be provided on a generated ticket.

Figure 8 illustrates an embodiment of a parking ticket in which (a) an image of the first proximal prohibitory indicator passed by the vehicle is provided and (b) an advisory alerting an offender to seek more information is provided. Figure 9 illustrates (b) additional evidentiary information that may be accessed in relation to a parking ticket (a) shown also in Figure 8.

Figure 10 illustrates an embodiment of a parking ticket in which (a) an additional image of a proximal prohibitory indicator is provided and (b) an advisory alerting an offender to seek more information is provided.

Figure 11 illustrates (b) additional evidentiary information that may be accessed in relation to a parking ticket (a) the latter also shown in Figure 10.

Figure 12 illustrates (a) a prior art partly handwritten ticket and (b) a partly handwritten ticket further comprising an advisory that additional evidentiary information may be obtained.

Figure 13 provides a schematic of a system for enforcing and

documenting parking regulations and for providing information to a user operating an additional client device, where the information relates to one or more of regulations, fines and fees.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments and aspects of the disclosure will be described with reference to details discussed below. The following description and drawings are illustrative of the disclosure and are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to provide a concise discussion of embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the order of the steps of the methods disclosed herein is immaterial so long as the methods remain operable. Moreover, two or more steps may be conducted simultaneously or in a different order than recited herein unless otherwise specified.

As used herein, the terms, "comprises" and "comprising" are to be construed as being inclusive and open ended, and not exclusive. Specifically, when used in the specification and claims, the terms, "comprises" and

"comprising" and variations thereof mean the specified features, steps or components are included. These terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

As used herein, the term "exemplary" means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration," and should not be construed as preferred or

advantageous over other configurations disclosed herein.

As used herein, the terms "about" and "approximately", when used in conjunction with ranges of dimensions of particles, compositions of mixtures or other physical properties or characteristics, are meant to cover slight variations that may exist in the upper and lower limits of the ranges of dimensions so as to not exclude embodiments where on average most of the dimensions are satisfied but where statistically dimensions may exist outside this region. It is not the intention to exclude embodiments such as these from the present disclosure.

As used herein, the term "infraction" means any offence relating to a vehicle occupying a physical location that is in violation with a regulation.

Infractions may relate to any violation, and are not limited to parking violations. Non-limiting examples of infractions include parking and speeding violations. Infractions may also relate to "no stopping" signs, or the presence of a vehicle travelling in a restricted zone such as a carpool lane. The violation may include failure to pay for the parking space at the time of the ticket, including no payment or an expired payment contrary to the signs on the adjacent prohibitory indicators between which the offending vehicle was parked.

As used herein, the term "prohibitory indicator" refers to any visible or otherwise communicable warning or other indication relating to a potential infraction. Non-limiting examples of prohibitory indicators include text, symbols or other visible indications located on signs or roads and/or on pavement or other walkway. Non-limiting examples of signs include parking signs, stop signs, and signs posting a speed limit. Another non-limiting example of a prohibitory indicator is an expired parking meter or an expired receipt originally issued by a machine for paying for a selected parking period in advance.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an improved parking enforcement and documentation system that supports the generation and documentation of geocoded evidence relating to an infraction. Unlike existing systems, which have primarily focused on generating photographic evidence pertaining only to a vehicle and its immediate surroundings, the evidence generated and documented according to embodiments disclosed herein indicates the proximity of the vehicle to neighbouring signs or other prohibitory indicators that relate to a potential violation, and also documents the information provided on the signs or prohibitory indicators. By documenting such information in a geotagged manner, the documentation relating to an infraction is clear and unambiguous, and is significantly less likely to be challenged in a court of law. In selected embodiments, the system makes the evidence and other information relating to a violation accessible to an alleged offender and others by various methods, including the internet, optionally from any telephone to an automated voice response system, and optionally by automated telephone request for the information to be provided by mail to offenders without access to a computer.

Referring to Figure 1 , a schematic of a parking regulation documentation and enforcement system 100 is provided. System 100 comprises remote processing and communication server 1 10 that is connected through network 120 to client devices 130. Client devices 130 are wireless devices that are operated by Parking Control Officers (PCOs) for documenting an infraction and communicating with remote server 1 10, either instantly or by subsequent uploading.

Each client device 130 may have a unique identifier that enables remote server 1 10 to identify a given client device.

Each client device 130 may be capable of printing a parking ticket, or may be interfaced with a printing device for printing a parking ticket. Figure 2 shows one embodiment of a client device 130, which may comprise processor 200, memory 205, communications interface 210, positioning device 215, printer or printing interface 220, input device 225, display 230, imaging device 235. Client device 130 may further comprise a calendar and/or clock (not shown), which may reside in processor 200. Client device 130 may comprise multiple processors for enhanced computing power. Memory 205 may be volatile memory (e.g., registers, cache, RAM), non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM, EEPROM, flash memory, etc.), or a combination thereof. Software is stored in memory 205 for implementing the methods described in the forthcoming embodiments. Input device 225 may be a touch input device such as a keyboard, mouse, pen, or trackball, a voice input device, a scanning device, or another device that provides input to client device 130.

Communication interface 210 enables communication over a

communication medium to another computing entity, such as remote server 1 10 in Figure 1 . The communication medium conveys information such as computer- executable instructions of data in a modulated data signal. A modulated data signal is a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media include wired or wireless techniques implemented with an electrical, optical, RF, infrared, acoustic, or other carrier. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that system 100 (and other systems disclosed and illustrated herein) may further comprise additional networking elements that are not shown, such as routers, gateways, and firewalls, to name but a few such components. Communications with the remote server may be instantaneous or by subsequent uploading of the information stored in 130 to the remote server.

Positioning device 215 identifies the location of client device 130, and may be a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. The positioning system may provide latitude and longitude coordinates of the client device. The GPS receiver typically has an accuracy of approximately 15 m, and in one embodiment, a more precise receiver is employed. Two non-limiting examples of such receivers are differential or relative GPS receivers or systems (e.g. DGPS), which have accuracies typically in the 3-5 m range, or for example, wide area augmentation system (WAAS) receivers, which provide accuracy of better than 3 meters under typical operating conditions.

The systems and methods can be described in the general context of computer-readable media. Computer-readable media are any available media that can be accessed within a computing environment. By way of example, and not limitation, with the client device 130, computer-readable media includes memory 205, any additional storage (not shown), communication media, and combinations of any of the above.

The systems and methods can be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as those included in program modules, being executed in a computing environment on a target real or virtual processor. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, application

programming interfaces, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules. Computer-executable instructions for program modules may be executed within a local or distributed computing environment.

Client device 130 may also include an imaging device, such as a CCD or CMOS camera, or may be interfaced with such a device to acquire images. The resolution of the imaging device may be sufficient to obtain an image of a vehicle windshield, where information such as parking receipts, parking permits, and vehicle identification numbers (VIN) may be recorded. The imaging device may be able to function under a wide range of ambient conditions and is able to take a photo through a windshield, if necessary from certain angles without being obscured unduly by reflections from the windshield. For example, the imaging device may be equipped with a polarizing filter to reduce reflective glare from a windshield or other surface.

In one embodiment, the imaging device superimposes a ruler or grid with units (such as in metric or English) on the image so that distances such as vehicle distance from the curb, a hydrant, a transit stop, an entry, an intersection, etc. can be sufficiently accurately determined. The ruler or grid may be scalable to the distance of the object from the imaging device. For example, multiple measurement scales may be provided to support measurements at multiple resolutions. A high-resolution scale (for example, in centimeters) may be provided for close measurements (such as for vehicles parked too far from the curb), a medium resolution scale (for example, with a resolution on of one or two meters) may be provided for intermediate distances (such as obstructing a vehicle entry), and a long-resolution scale (for example, with a resolution of 10- 20 meters) may be provided for larger distances (for example, from a hydrant, transit stop, nearby intersection etc). The appropriate scale may be automatically inserted by the camera by sensing the distance to the object being photographed or it may be manually set by the PCO. In one non-limiting example, client device 130 is a handheld device with an integrated printer for documenting an infraction and printing a parking ticket. Client device may also comprise a device that is capable of being interfaced to a local printing device. Client device further comprises a power source (not shown), such as batteries. Client device may be selected from a wide variety of wireless and location-service enabled devices, including, but not limited to, portable computing devices such as laptops, netbooks, smartphones, and tablets, and also custom platforms such as application specific handheld systems.

Referring again to Figure 1 , client devices 130 document infractions and communicate with remote server 1 10 as further described below. Remote processing and communications server 1 10 may communicate bidirectionally in real time with client devices 130 through network 120. Remote server 1 10 is programmed with software for managing parking ticket control and for processing data provided by client devices 130. Remote server comprises at least a processor, a memory, and a communications interface.

Remote server is connected to two databases 140 and 150 for storing and archiving raw and processed data relating to infractions (alternatively these databases may be stored in client device 130 as further described below). The databases may be local to the server, or may be accessible through a local or remote network. Databases may comprise any useful database, including relational databases such as SQL.

Geotagged prohibitory indicator database 140 comprises a geographical database of geotagged prohibitory indicators, such as parking signs. A database entry for a given prohibitory indicator may include spatial coordinates and the information provided by the prohibitory indicator. In a case where the prohibitory indicator is a traffic or parking sign located on one particular side of a street, the database entry for the sign may indicate the side of the street where the sign is located. In one example embodiment, the geotagged prohibitory indicator database 140 comprises images of signs, which therefore provide clear and unambiguous documentation of the information visible to a driver. The database may include both fixed prohibitory indicators, and also geotagged temporary prohibitory indicators, for example temporary signs for construction locations, special events, and snow routes.

Geotagged street map database 150 comprises a geographical database of geotagged street information with location coordinates correlated to street routes, names, street numbers and/or other prominent street items to identify a location where the adjacent street numbers are too far from the tagged vehicle location. The database contains entries describing the spatial locations of streets to which parking or other traffic regulations apply. By combining the information in prohibitory indicator database 140 and street map database 150, the prohibitory indicators in a given region or jurisdiction may be physically located and correlated with street identities. Although prohibitory indicator database 140 and street map database 150 are shown as two separate databases, it is to be understood that the databases may be combined and provided as a single database. In addition to being connected to databases 140 and 150 as shown in Figure 1 , remote server 1 10 may be connected to infraction database 160 for recording and archiving infractions documented and transmitted by client devices 130. While infraction database 160 is shown as a separate component of system 100, it is to be understood that any or all of database 140, 150 and 160 may be co-located on or local to remote server 1 10. Specific information relating to infractions that may be stored on infraction database 160 is described in further detail below.

Remote server 1 10 may also be connected to additional user devices 135 through network 120, or through an additional network. In several non-limiting embodiments, additional user devices 135 may be administrative computing systems employed by administrative staff, web portals accessible by drivers involved in an infraction via the internet and/or automated telephony and/or courtroom staff for accessing information before, during or after a court proceeding.

With reference to Figures 3 and 4, an illustration of a typical infraction is provided, and a flowchart is shown that illustrates the steps that are performed by a PCO when documenting the infraction. As noted above, client devices 130 are field-ready mobile and/portable and wireless devices (client devices 130 may alternatively be connected to remote server 1 10 through a physical connection) that are employed by PCOs to document and optionally verify a traffic violation and to print a ticket. The PCO interacts with client device via input device 225 and display 230, and client device 130 may be programmed to provide a user interface for facilitating the user interaction process.

The PCO is presented with a potential violation scenario, a non-limiting example of which is shown in Figure 3. Vehicle 300 is illegally parked on a street between two prohibitory indicators, namely upstream sign 310 and downstream sign 320. The prohibitory indicators may specify time windows (for example, rush hour periods) during which parking or stopping is prohibited. The two signs establish a geographic zone in which the signed regulations are in effect. The distance between the vehicle and upstream sign 310 is shown at 330, and the distance between the vehicle and downstream sign 320 is shown at 340.

After detecting the infraction, the PCO initiates, on the user interface, a session for reporting a vehicular infraction in step 400. Specifically, the PCO requests a new session and client device 130 generates location, date and time data (which may be optionally or alternatively input by the PCO). Location data is generated according to readings from positioning device 215. In step 410, the PCO enters the category of the alleged infraction (for example "parked in a no standing zone during prohibited time"). This may be achieved, for example, by selecting one or more coded keys on an input device, with each selection corresponding to a particular type of infraction. In other non-limiting examples, items on a touch screen or voice input can be used to select one or more types of infraction on client device 130. PCO may also input information identifying the side of the street on which the vehicle is located. Such information may not be necessary in cases where the GPS as well as the sign data would establish the side of the street in question. This initial data, as well as other related data such as the client device ID and the PCO ID, are communicated to remote server 1 10 either instantly or subsequently. .

Having received the information from client device 130, remote server subsequently assembles the information pertinent to that infraction classification and determines the location of proximal prohibitory indicators by cross- referencing the transmitted information with the contents of geotagged prohibitory indicator database 140 and geotagged street map database 150

One or more of the upstream and/or downstream distances 330 and 340 are computed by remote server 1 10, and transmitted to client device 130, along with the information pertaining to the content of the identified proximal prohibitory indicators and/or photographs of the identified proximal prohibitory indicators. Alternatively, one or more of the upstream and downstream distances 330 and 340 may be computed locally by client device 130 based on location data provided by remote server 1 10 or stored within client device 130.

It will be understood that it is not necessary to provide both the upstream and downstream distances 330 and 340, and that one distance is sufficient to locate a vehicle relative to the proximal prohibitory indicators. In some cases, only a single proximal prohibitory indicator may be present, such as a parking sign indicating that parking is allowed or restricted within a certain distance of a specific location, such as an intersection. Furthermore, in other embodiments, remote server 1 10 may utilize location information provided by client device 130 to determine that a vehicle is located in a restricted zone, and identify one or more proximal prohibitory indicators without providing relative distances 330 and 340.

In step 440, client device 130 receives information pertaining to the identified proximal prohibitory indicators, and may provide this information to the PCO for verification and validation of the recorded infraction. In the example shown, the PCO may compare the information describing the prohibitory indicator received from server 1 10 with the information displayed on the actual prohibitory indicator (such as a sign). For example, if the database is created such that the mobile unit receives information concerning the type of prohibitory indicator rather than a photo of the prohibitory indicator or information relating to the content of the prohibitory indicator, there can be discrepancies between the information in database 140 and the actual prohibitory indicator. Client device 130 may allow the PCO to communicate such discrepancies to remote server 1 10 (either through a remote connection or by subsequent downloading after physically connecting mobile device 130 to a network).

In another example, situations may arise where a sign might have fallen off or been vandalized, and the PCO may be instructed, based on instructions provided from remote server 1 10, on how to deal with any such discrepancies. For example, the PCO could be instructed to report such discrepancies for early remedial action and not to issue a ticket to a vehicle.

The PCO then performs additional actions to complete the documentation of the infraction in step 450. In one embodiment, the actions may be directed according to instructions provided by remote server 1 10 or from instructions based on the programming of client device 130 in response to the information provided in step 420. Actions may include obtaining an image (i.e. taking a photograph) of the license plate, and/or obtaining an image of the windshield to note the presence or absence of a valid parking receipt or permit. A photo of the rear windshield or other part of the vehicle may also be required and/or supplied in the event a temporary license plate is located there or if there is no license plate. A photo of a part or the whole vehicle may also be included. The data obtained by performing the additional actions is then transmitted to remote server 1 10 in step 460 or stored within the client device 130 for subsequent

downloading to server 1 10.

Having completed the documentation of the infraction, the ticket is generated and printed in step 470. The ticket may be generated according to software running on client device 130, or may be remotely generated by remote server 1 10 and uploaded to client device 130 for printing. Having completed the reporting of the infraction and generation of the ticket, client device 130 optionally terminates the session with remote server 1 10, and remote server 1 10 may complete the transaction by recording all outstanding information relating to the infraction in infraction database 160 for subsequent retrieval using additional user devices 135, as described above. Alternatively, the transaction is completed within client device 130 and uploaded to remote server 1 10 either instantly or subsequently.

The ticket to be printed will optionally be first displayed to the PCO via the user interface operating on client device 130. The PCO will then have the option to modify the input to client device 130 and/or to remote server 1 10, or to add additional information to be included in the ticket before printing the ticket by pressing an "acceptance" key or touching an "acceptance" icon on the touch screen, or optionally by a voice activated command.

Geotagged prohibitory indicator database 140 may be generated using a specialized mobile unit such as a smartphone that includes GPS or other location systems and cameras. Using such devices, database 140 may be generated for use in system 100. Specifically, a mobile operator may visit (for example, on a periodic basis) the streets in a particular region or jurisdiction and either obtain a photo of each parking sign and store a record of this photo together with its geotagged location, or select the type of parking sign on a mobile unit by a simple key or touch screen entry (typically the number of different parking signs is limited) and create a record of this type of parking sign together with its geotagged location. This database may then be transferred to remote server 1 10 and optionally from remote server 1 10 to client devices 130. Optionally, in certain cases, it may be possible to obtain and geotag signs based on online mapping services such as Google Maps and Mapquest. While creating geotagged prohibitory indicator database 140, it may be verified that pairs of upstream and downstream prohibitory indicators relating to a given regulation are matching and correctly documented, optionally, with the prohibitory indicators displaying arrows pointing into the zone corresponding to the regulation.

The aforementioned mobile unit may also be used to add to the database temporary parking regulation signs for locations affected by construction, snow routes, reroutes, special events etc. The vehicles used to set up temporary parking signs may contain the same data acquisition system as for the

permanent signs and the operators of these vehicles may be required to either take a photo of the temporary sign or key in to their data acquisition module the type of sign put up. In both cases the geotag for this location will be entered automatically by the mobile data unit. The mobile unit may also be employed to add new prohibitory indicators to the geotagged prohibitory indicator database 140, for example, when new prohibitory indicators are installed when

constructing a new street or repairing or modifying the prohibitory indicators on an existing street.

Geotagged street map database 150 may be constructed in a similar manner. For example, database 150 may be generated by visiting each street and entering the street name at the beginning of each street and the street number on each street as the operator passes that number. According to this embodiment, when the operator enters a street number in the operator's unit, a record of this number will be stored in the mobile unit together with its geo coordinates until a street number database is built up for the entire city.

Alternatively, online street databases such as Google Maps and Mapquest may be used, as noted above. Database 150 may then be transferred to remote server 1 10 and optionally from remote server 1 10 to client devices 130, as described above. Geotagged prohibitory indicator database 140 may also include the street name of each sign to ensure that the search for nearby indicators is constrained to the same street as that of the vehicle location. The generation of prohibitory database 140 and street database 150 may be performed as a combined operation.

In some circumstances, situations may arise where geotagged prohibitory indicator database 140 does not contain a record of a prohibitory indicator relating to an infraction. Such a case may occur, for example, during the construction of the database 140, when the infraction relates to a temporary restriction, or due to newly added prohibitory indicators, such as signs on a newly built street. In such cases, it may be desirable for client device 130 to be capable obtaining the content and distance information relating to the proximal prohibitory indicators. For example, client device 130 may be equipped with a distance measuring telephoto camera, whether physically integrated with client device 130 or as a separate unit that is interfaced with client device 130. This alternative would be functional for the majority of parking regulation signs marked on both sides of the plate which are mounted vertically to the street direction. For signs difficult to photograph from the vehicle location, the Parking Control Officer (PCO) would have to walk closer to such signs, and the camera, if not an integral part of client device 130, would also need to have its own GPS or other location device. This alternative may be only an interim step in the testing or during the construction of database 140.

While the preceding embodiments disclose a wireless and fully remote client device 130, another embodiment provides client device 130 with databases 140 and 150 (and optionally 160) stored internally. Such an embodiment may be useful or desirable, for example, during network outages, or in regions and/or jurisdictions where wireless connectivity to remote server 1 10 or mobile use is not supported. This also enables client device 130 to perform all the required information processing, data storing, and printing of the ticket. In such

embodiments, client device 130 comprises a data storage device, such as memory device, a flash drive, and a hard drive, to name but a few non-limiting examples. This embodiment advantageously allows the PCO to continue using client device 130 even if communications with remote server 1 10 are interrupted or if the system may not provide for wireless field-to-central communications in the first instance. In case of long communication interruptions or where no field- to-central communications are provided, data on client device 130 may be uploaded to remote server at a later time, for example, at the end of the PCO's shift, for example, by a local or wireless connection in an office setting.

The aforementioned embodiments provide systems and methods by which an offender may be presented with evidentiary information relating to a ticketed infraction. While the systems and related methods disclosed above incorporate geotagged prohibitory indicator database 140 and geotagged street map database 140 for obtaining and providing evidence related to the infraction, other embodiments do not require such databases, as will become apparent below.

In one embodiment, shown schematically in Figure 5, system 180 functions without the presence of geotagged prohibitory indicator database 140 and geotagged street map database 150, where the prohibitory indicator and location information pertaining to an infraction are provided by client device 130 and remotely communicated to central server 1 10 either instantly or by subsequent downloading. Client device 130 is equipped to support the generation of data elements of the information relating to an infraction, which may optionally include, but not limited to, the date and time at which the infraction is recorded (either automatically or manually provided), the relative location of a vehicle to one or more prohibitory indicators relating to an infraction (either quantitative distance information or qualitative information, such as indicating that the vehicle was parked between two signs), the type of infraction, and the type of prohibitory indicators relating to the infraction.

One or more of these information elements may be input to client device 130 by an operator, or automatically generated by client device 130. For example, client device 130 may be equipped with a user interface and a data entry device such as a keyboard, keypad or touch screen, for manual input of data relating to an infraction. Client device 130 may also comprise devices or subsystems to automatically provide some or all of this information, as described above in relation to Figure 2.

The relative distance between the vehicle and a prohibitory indicator may optionally be determined using a positioning device such as a Global Positioning System (for, example integrated with the mobile client device), where a location measurement is obtained at the vehicle location and another location

measurement is obtained at the location of the prohibitory indicator, and the measurements are processed to determine the relative distance between the vehicle and the prohibitory indicator. In another example, a distance

measurement device may be employed by the user to measure the relative distance. In one embodiment, any or all of the information required to process a ticket may be inputted directly by a user operating client device 130, after which client device communicates with remote server 1 10 to transmit and archive the information. For example, information that may be manually entered by the parking control officer includes any one or more of the time, date, location, vehicle identifying information, type of infraction, type of proximal prohibitory indicators, information displayed on proximal prohibitory indicators, fine, and parking control officer identifying information. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the subsystems shown in Figure 2 are not all necessary elements of client device. For example, in one embodiment, client device may comprise a data entry and display interface (such as a screen and a keyboard), a processor, and a communications interface for communicating with remote server 1 10 either instantly or by subsequent downloading.

In other embodiments, some of the aforementioned information elements may be manually inputted into client device 130, while other information elements (such as date, time, and location) may be automatically provided by client device 130, equipped with one or more of the additional subsystems such in Figure 2 (such as positioning device 215 and imaging device 235), and/or provided by remote server 1 10.

While client device 130 may be equipped with an imaging device for providing visual documentary evidence of an infraction (such as, images of a windshield or images of one or more proximal prohibitory indicators such as parking signs), stock images may be substituted for actual photos. For example, instead of providing an actual image of a windshield having no parking receipt, or of prohibited locations (e.g. hydrants, transit stops, distances from the curb or intersection, etc.), stock images may be employed to convey a visual

representation of the infraction. In other embodiments, messages in the form of text or pictures may be substituted simulating photographic images. Such stock images may be stored within client device 130 or provided remotely by remote server 1 10.

Furthermore, the information illustrating the proximal prohibitory indicators, which may be provided in the form of actual images of one or more proximal prohibitory indictors, may be generated generically based on input and selection of a particular type of prohibitory indictor or infraction category. For example, the user or parking control officer may select a "no standing" category from standard stored signs associated with each infraction category.

Figure 6 provides an exemplary yet non-limiting embodiment of a ticket printed according to the aforementioned embodiments. The information shown in the ticket 500 may be made available by access to server 1 10 or a separate server or computing system via the internet or by automated telephony. Ticket 500 includes multiple sections and/or fields, including authority and/or jurisdiction identification information 505, ticket number and barcode data 510, date, time, and vehicle identification information 515. Information relating to the nature of the infraction is provided at 520, and may further include the bylaw code or short form information and the set fine.

Specific optional evidence relating to the infraction is provided in items 525 to 565. Item 525 provides the location (street name and side of street) and optionally the geo-coordinates of the vehicle. Items 530 and 535 provide the alleged offender with clear evidence of the infraction in the form of photographs or descriptions of the upstream and/or downstream prohibitory indicators (in the present example, parking signs) relating to the infraction. Optional items 540 and 545 provide the approximate distances between the vehicle and each of the upstream and downstream signs. Optional item 550 indicates on which side of the street the vehicle is located.

In addition to the information provided above relating to the content of the signs and their approximate distances from the vehicle, further information relating to the infraction may optionally be provided in items 555, 560, and 565, which incorporate photographs of the windshield, an expired parking meter (where applicable), and a license plate, respectively. A photo of part or all of the vehicle may also optionally be provided. These additional items assist in clarifying the nature of the alleged offence.

Item 570 provides instructions regarding the payment of the fine, and further information related to dispute resolution, such as information regarding a challenge in a court of law. Item 570 may also include instruction that the alleged offender may follow to obtain more information related to the infraction, as further described below. Finally, in item 575, the PCO's identifying information and signature are provided.

The form of ticket 500 shown in Figure 6 illustrates one of many different ways of organizing the infraction information and evidence on a ticket. It is to be understood that the content of ticket 500 may be arranged in a variety of ways, and that Figure 6 merely provides a non-limiting embodiment for teaching purposes. Moreover, while ticket 500 provides an exemplary embodiment in which many forms of evidence are provided to support the infraction, other embodiments may provide more limited evidence. In one embodiment, ticket 500 need not provide both upstream and downstream distances 540 and 545, as one distance is sufficient to locate the vehicle relative to a prohibitory indicator (or distances may not be required to define certain categories of infractions where only the location anywhere between two signs is of importance). Furthermore, in some cases, only a single proximal prohibitory indicator may exist, and only a single photo (or description) and distance is provided, or only a qualitative description of the relative location of the vehicle may be provided. In another embodiment, it may be sufficient to only display and/or document, on the ticket, the first prohibitory indicator that the offender would have observed while parking the vehicle.

In other embodiments of ticket 500, distances 540 and 545 are not provided and evidentiary information related to the infraction is provided merely by providing photographs, images, or descriptive information of one or more proximal prohibitory indicators. While such an embodiment does not provide as much evidentiary content as the preceding embodiments that include distance information, it nonetheless provides an indication to the offender that a true infraction has been ticked and documented, and can be useful in decreasing the likelihood that the offender disputing the fine. In other embodiments, a portion of the information on the back side of ticket 500 may be provided in order to optimize the limited space available on a ticket. Although a short form of the evidence may already be provided on the front of the ticket (where space is typically very limited), it may be beneficial to include more detailed explanations and illustrations than what can be on the front side of the ticket.

Remote server 1 10 may also be programmed to provide its information in the major languages for the particular city, which may further be determined according to the geotagged location relating to the infraction.

Generally speaking, an infraction ticket provided according to

embodiments disclosed herein provides the offender additional information pertaining to the nature of the fraction, where the additional information

comprises evidence supporting the infraction. Although the exemplary ticket format described above and shown in Figures 6 and 7 illustrate one embodiment, the format and content of the ticket can be selected and organized in a variety of different ways.

In one embodiment, the ticket may comprise a written announcement, warning, advisory or other communication that more information is available via an external communications medium, such as, the internet, phone, or mail.

Figure 7 illustrates an optional and non-limiting embodiment illustrating how the availability of additional information may be communicated to the offender. The additional information advisory may be provided on a ticket without providing evidence of the infraction, or the additional information advisory may be provided in addition to the evidence of the infraction (for example, in box 570 of Figure 6). Additional information includes instructions for obtaining further documentation and/or evidence relating to the infraction via the web 580, an automated voice service 585, and through an automated mail request 590.

The evidence may be obtainable by an alleged offender by multiple forms, including, but not-limited to, access to remote server 1 10 or other server containing the infraction documentation from a computer or internet-capable device, by telephone to obtain an automated voice explanation, and by automated telephone request for a hard copy explanation of the alleged offense. The detailed evidence may also be provided in any subsequent notices or letters from the authority to an alleged offender.

The evidence and other information relating to the infraction may be made available to alleged offenders and others by accessing the remote server via a web-based interface (for example, using additional user devices 135), where the alleged offender may enter the infraction number and optionally select one of the languages offered. Remote server 1 10 provides a detailed explanation of the alleged offense in the selected language. This detailed explanation may also be included in all subsequent notices in the selected language, such as a "notice of impending conviction" or similar notice (which is usually sent to an alleged offender who has not paid the ticket promptly a few weeks after the date of the alleged offense) and in any other correspondence from the authority, for example, by mail and/or internet communication. In one embodiment, one or more automated telephone numbers are made available. For example, two numbers may be made available, the first of which is employed to obtain automated voice information in a selected language, and the second to request a mailed hard copy report also in a selected language. Both numbers request keying the infraction number into the telephone key pad and keying a language selection by selecting from a menu of languages (for example, 1 . English, 2. French, 3. Greek, 4. Portuguese, etc.).

A non-limiting example of information provided via web-based access to remote server 1 10 is shown below:

" Your vehicle with License plate number ABC 123 was parked at 3.44 pm on June 4, 2010 opposite 71 Simcoe Street. Your windshield displayed this disabled permit (photo of windshield). You were parked between two parking signs as illustrated (photos of signs, and distance information). Your vehicle was therefore in a "No standing zone" at that time. The fine for this infraction is $60 and has to be paid by June 16, 2010. (Payment and contest options). If not paid by that date you will be subject to an automatic conviction which may result in a higher fine. For additional information please call CONTACT -INTERNET LINK OR 1-800-.xxx.yyyy."

The corresponding automated voice message may be as follows:

" Your vehicle with License plate number ABC 123 was parked at 3.44 pm on June 4, 2010 opposite 71 Simcoe Street. Your windshield displayed disabled permit number 1276727 0133. You were parked 10 feet past a NO STANDING FROM 3.30 TO 6.30 PM sign and 80 feet before a NO STANDING FROM 3.30 TO 6.30 PM sign. You were therefore in a "No standing zone" at that time. The fine for this infraction is $60 and has to be paid by June 16, 2010. (Payment and contest options). If not paid by that date you will be subject to an automatic conviction which may result in a higher fine. For additional information please call 1-800.xxx.yyyy".

Tables 1 -4 below illustrate categories of offences, grouped by the type of information that may be included in a ticket as per embodiments disclosed herein. All offences are shown along with their individual probability of

occurrence within the jurisdiction of Toronto. In Table 1 , offences which relate to at least one proximal prohibitory indicator are listed.

Table 1 : Offences for which ticket may include information specifying proximal prohibitory indicators and optionally includes at least one relative distance. Tickets generated for this category of offences according to embodiments disclosed above may include at least one form of information relating to a proximal prohibitory indicatory. An embodiment of a no-standing offence ticket is shown in Figure 8, in which Figure 8a illustrates a ticket comprising images of the two proximal prohibitory indicators 610 and 620 relating to the offence. To conserve space on the ticket, the distance information which is not essential in this particular case is not provided, but may be accessed remotely as per the "MORE INFORMATION" advisory 630 printed on the ticket. Similarly, Figure 8b illustrates another form of the ticket relating to an offence for which evidentiary information has been obtained and documented, but which is not communicated or otherwise shown on the ticket. Instead, the evidentiary information may be accessed and reviewed remotely (again, according to advisory 635), for example, via the internet.

Figure 9b illustrates the content that may be provided as "additional information" via remote internet access, as pertaining to the ticket shown in Figure 9a. The additional information presented in Figure 9b provides evidentiary information relating to the infraction, for example, including images of two proximal prohibitory indicators 640, 645 located on the left side of the vehicle and two proximal prohibitory indicators 650, 655 located on the right side of the vehicle. The additional information may also include descriptive text 670, or a variation thereof. A payment transaction button 675 or link may also be included to facilitate payment of a fine relating to the infraction.

Table 2 below lists another category of offences, for which a ticket may include an image of the windshield of the vehicle or an image of an expired parking meter as evidentiary information.

Table 2: Offences for which ticket may include photograph of windshield or expired meter.

Figure 10 illustrates a ticket belonging to the category shown above in Table 2, in which the violation relates to a failure of the offender to display a valid parking receipt on the vehicle windshield. In Figure 10a, an exemplary parking ticket is shown including an image of a proximal prohibitory indicator warning that vehicles without a valid receipt will be ticketed. Figure 10b shows a similar ticket for which the evidentiary information is provided externally as per the "MORE INFORMATION" advisory.

Figure 1 1 b illustrates the content that may be provided as "additional information" via remote internet access, as pertaining to the ticket shown in Figure 1 1 a. The additional information presented in Figure 1 1 b provides evidentiary information relating to the infraction, for example, including images of proximal prohibitory indicators 690 and 692 located on either side of the vehicle and an image 694 of the vehicle windshield as evidentiary information. As in Figure 9b, the additional information may also include descriptive text and a payment transaction button 696 or link may also be included to facilitate payment of a fine relating to the infraction. As noted above, the image of the vehicle windshield may be an image of the actual vehicle involved in the infraction.

However, in another embodiment, the image may be a stock photo of a generic windshield. In a similar infraction involving an expired parking receipt, the additional information may include an image of the actual expired receipt, but may alternatively comprise a manually entered record of the expiry time shown on the receipt.

In another embodiment, a portion of the ticket may be manually written, with the advisory notice for more information pre-printed on the ticket. Unlike the case of fully printed tickets, the additional information would be available after the written ticket has been entered into the remote server 1 10. Figure 12a illustrates a partially handwritten ticket reflecting the current state of the art within the jurisdiction of Toronto. In Figure 12b, a similar partially handwritten ticket is illustrated, for which the additional information providing evidentiary information relating to the infraction is offered separately (e.g. via online access) as per the "MORE INFORMATION" advisory.

As shown in Table 3 below, a set of categories also exist (accounting for 10.4% of the total tickets) which may be ticketed by a handheld unit in which a camera provides images onto which are superimposed a date and time stamp as well as a ruler or grid for facilitating a measurement. Any photo obtained relating to an infraction may further includes a time and date stamp for verification of the time at which the infraction was detected and documented.

Table 3: Offences for which ticket may include a photograph with a

measurement grid.

In Table 4 below, yet another category of infractions is illustrated in which the ticket and/or additional information may comprise two time stamped photos as evidentiary information of the offence.

time time

Table 4: Offences for which ticket may include two time-stamped photos.

In one embodiment, the system may facilitate rapid payment of a parking fine by an offender. Such an embodiment may be particularly useful for improving the payment rate and the mean time to receiving payment, since an offender, when presented with the evidence of the infraction, may be less inclined to protest the ticket and more likely to pay immediately. The rapid payment option also may relieve offenders of the burden of payment; offenders who receive parking tickets when returning to their cars can immediately dispose of the payment burden and misplacing or forgetting about the ticket.

Rapid payment may be facilitated by the use of a mobile computing device by the offender to complete a payment transaction, where the mobile device is configured to communicate with the central computing system over a network. Rapid payment processing may be processed, for example, by a client application operating on a mobile device, such as an app for a smart phone, or by communicating with the central computing system via a web interface.

Suitable, yet non-limiting, examples of mobile devices include mobile phones, smart phones, netbooks, laptops, and the like, which are configured for data transmission over a wireless network.

In one embodiment, a rapid payment option may be combined with the aforementioned "MORE INFORMATION" advisory, in the form of an internet address or phone number. For example, an offender may be presented with a website address, which the offender can enter into an internet browser (for example, on a smart phone). The web page presented to the offender may include two or more options: a first option to review the additional documented evidence relating to the infraction, as described above, a second option to provide payment for a fine associated with the infraction and additional options such as the addresses, phone numbers etc of the Parking Tag Offices and other options pertaining to parking tags. In one example embodiment, when reviewing the additional evidence relating to the infraction, the offender is provided with a hyperlink or other actionable button or link for payment. Accordingly, the offender, when presented with the additional evidence, is given the option of providing payment without having to return to the main screen or menu.

If the system is multilingual the web page may initially offer a choice of languages following which it would offer the choices outlined above.

In another example, a single phone number may be provided on the ticket, which the offender may call to be provided with an auditory or mail version of the additional evidence and/or an option to process payment and other options pertaining to parking tickets. For example, upon calling the phone number, the offender may be presented with an automated greeting that provides three or more options: a first option to review the additional auditory evidence relating to the infraction, as described above, a second option to request a mailed hard copy print out of the evidence supporting the alleged infractions, a third option to provide payment for a fine associated with the infraction and other options pertaining to parking tickets. In one example embodiment, when reviewing the additional auditory evidence relating to the infraction, the offender may at any time request, via the phone touchpad, the option to provide payment.

Accordingly, the offender, when presented with the additional auditory evidence, is given the option of providing payment without having to dial another phone number or return to the initial greeting.

If the system is multilingual the phone response may initially offer a choice of languages following which it would offer the choices outlined above.

Rapid payment may be facilitated by a mobile device capable of acquiring an image of the ticket, and processing the image to obtain identifying information relating to the infraction. For example, the ticket may be printed with a barcode, such as a one or two-dimensional barcode, which can be imaged by the mobile device and processed by client software operating on the client device. Such processing methods are presently known and could be readily adapted to the present system by those skilled in the art. Existing client applications capable of such scanning include Access control and ZXing. It is to be understood that other non-barcode alternative modalities may be employed to provide the identifying information to the client device, including, but not limited to, radio frequency identification.

While cell phone cameras without auto-focus are not ideal for reading some common barcode formats, there are 2D barcodes (such as Semacode) which are optimized for cell phones, as well as QR Codes and Data Matrix codes which can be read quickly and accurately with or without auto-focus. Microsoft Tags is an additional barcode technology that may be employed. To process payment, the offender is instructed by the client software to obtain a photograph of the barcode and the client software processes the barcode to extract information identifying the infraction. The client then facilitates payment, for example, via an internet browser. As the scanned barcode is individual for each ticket, the client software may direct the offender directly to a specific invoice web page that allows offender to pay instantly, for example, by credit card. The central computing system may confirm the receipt of the payment, for example, by indicating receipt of payment on the mobile device interface, sending an email to the offender, sending a text message to the offender, and/or providing a link or other reference for obtaining proof of receipt information.

Other image processing modalities may be employed to process an image of the ticket and extract identifying information, such as an infraction number. Such image processing functionality is currently employed by mobile client applications such as Google Goggles. In yet another embodiment in which the mobile computing device is equipped with a microphone, client software may be configured to record and process the voice of the offender to support the oral entry of identifying information such as an infraction number or an infraction reference identifier.

In another embodiment, geotagged information relating to parking regulations, fees and/or fines is provided in addition to geotagged prohibitory indicator database. Such a database may be employed by a user operating client device 130 to obtain the amount of a fine relating to an infraction. The fine amount may be automatically transmitted to client device 130 and is directly incorporated into a printed ticket. Such an embodiment is illustrated in Figure 13, where system 700 comprises regulation database 710 that is connected to central server 1 10 for providing any one or more of regulations, fine amounts, and payment amounts. While regulation database 710 is shown as a separate component of system 700, it is to be understood that database 710 be co-located on or local to remote server 1 10, or may be integrated with any other database connected to system 700.

In one embodiment, information relating to parking regulations, fees, and/or fines may be accessed by a user operating additional user device 135, where requests for information by additional user device 135 are processed by central server 1 10, and where central server 1 10 obtains the requested information from one or more of databases 140, 150 and 160. For example, information relating to the parking fees, regulations, and fines may be provided based on the user's current location.

In another non-limiting embodiment, an additional user device 135 may communicate with central server 1 10 to obtain parking resource information relating to location of parking resources, parking fees and/or parking fines within a specified geographic region. The specified geographic region may be specified as a geographic boundary, such as a radius, relative to the present location of additional user device 135. The location of additional user device 135 may be entered by a user operating additional user device 135, or may be automatically provided if additional user device 135 comprises a positioning subsystem such as a GPS. Additional user device 135 may be any portable computing device that is equipped to communicate with server 1 10, for example, through a wireless network.

Such an embodiment enables a user operating additional user device 135 to search within a specified geographic region and obtain information relating to parking availability, fees, and fines. For example, additional user device 135 may be an in-vehicle GPS equipped mobile computing system, which may be operated according to the method and system described above to provide to a user information relating to the cost and availability of parking within a 5 minute drive from the current location. In another embodiment, additional user device 135 may be programmed to prioritize the listing of available parking resources based on cost. Parking resources may be displayed on a local map. A user may select a preferred parking location (for example, based on cost) and a positioning subsystem residing in additional user device 135 may be employed to direct the user to the selected parking location.

Additional user device 135 has been described above as communicating with central server 1 10 to obtain parking resource information relating to the parking fees and/or fines. In one embodiment, additional user device may be provided with geotagged parking resource data instead of obtaining such information from central server 1 10 on a per-request basis. This may be achieved by initially or periodically downloading parking resource data from central server 1 10, or, alternatively, the additional user device may be factory programmed with the parking resource data, which may be optionally updated at a later time. Accordingly, the parking resource information relating to a location of the user device may be obtained by locally processing to geotagged data and extracting the parking resources corresponding to the geographical region. The systems and method disclosed above provide numerous benefits and

improvements in efficiency. The inclusion of the detailed content and proximal distance measurements can lead to improved acceptance of parking tickets, lower the cost of PCO who will not continue to issue questionable tickets, and reduced complaints and court costs. In particular, PCO forced to provide clear evidence of an infraction will give pause when considering the ticketing of cars for which they have minimal or no evidence. Offenders, aware that they are presented with unquestionably easily understood text and photographic evidence documenting the alleged infractions, will likely provide fewer complaints, challenge tickets less often in the courts, and are more likely to pay their tickets promptly. The result is therefore expected to be a net benefit to all stakeholders in the parking enforcement process.

While the proceeding embodiments of the disclosure were taught using parking infractions as examples, it is to be understood that the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein is intended to contemplate all location-based traffic offences that relate to the position of a vehicle, whether in motion or at rest. Accordingly, infractions may include parking infractions, speeding

infractions, and infractions related to disobeying signs such as stop signs and red lights, to name but a few.

The specific embodiments described above have been shown by way of example, and it should be understood that these embodiments may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms. It should be further understood that the claims are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but rather to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

Claims

THEREFORE WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1 . A method of documenting a vehicular infraction, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving, on a mobile client device, input from a user, said input comprising identification information pertaining to a vehicle associated with said vehicular infraction;

instructing said user to provide content information associated with a prohibitory indicator, wherein said prohibitory indicator is proximal to said vehicle and relates to said vehicular infraction;

receiving said content information;

transmitting said content information and said identification information to a central computing system; and

printing a ticket, said ticket comprising printed information relating to said content information.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said printed information comprises at least a portion of said content information.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said printed information comprises instructions for accessing said content information from said central computing system.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said step of receiving said content information comprises receiving a digital photograph of said prohibitory indicator.

5. The method according to claim 4 wherein said step of receiving said digital photograph comprises receiving a digital image provided by a camera integrated with said mobile client device in response to an action of said user.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said step of receiving said content information comprises receiving input from said user, said input comprising a description of said prohibitory indicator.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said step of receiving said content information comprises the steps of:

displaying a list of types of prohibitory indicators on said mobile client device; and

receiving a selection of one of said types of prohibitory indicators, wherein said selection is performed by said user.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein prior to said step of printing said ticket, the following steps are performed:

instructing said user to provide location information associated with a location of said prohibitory indicator relative to said vehicle; receiving said location information; and

transmitting said content information and said identification information to said central computing system.

9. The method according to claim 8 wherein said location information comprises qualitative information.

10. The method according to claim 9 wherein said qualitative information comprises of one of an upstream and a downstream location of said vehicle relative to said prohibitory indicator.

1 1 . The method according to claim 8 wherein said location information comprises quantitative information.

12. The method according to claim 1 1 wherein said quantitative information comprises a relative distance between said vehicle and said prohibitory indicator.

13. The method according to claim 12 wherein said relative distance is obtained by the steps of:

instructing said user to move to a location corresponding to said vehicle; obtaining a first measurement of said location corresponding to said vehicle from a positioning device;

instructing said user to move to a location corresponding to said prohibitory indicator;

obtaining a second measurement of said location corresponding to said prohibitory indicator from said positioning device; and

processing said first measurement and said second measurement to determine said relative distance.

14. The method according to claim 13 wherein said positioning device is integrated with said mobile client device.

15. The method according to claim 12 wherein said relative distance is obtained by the steps of:

instructing said user to measure a distance between said vehicle and said prohibitory indicator using a distance measuring device; and

recording said relative distance.

16. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 15 wherein said printed information comprises said location information.

17. A method of providing information relating to a vehicular infraction, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving, from a mobile client device, location information identifying a location of a vehicle involved in said infraction;

accessing a database comprising content data and location data associated with a plurality of prohibitory indicators;

identifying, based on said location information and said location data, a proximal prohibitory indicator associated with said infraction, wherein said proximal prohibitory indicator is proximal to said vehicle; and

providing, to a user device, content information associated with said proximal prohibitory indicator.

18. The method according to claim 17 wherein said content information comprises an image of said proximal prohibitory indicator.

19. The method according to claim 18 wherein said image is a photograph of said proximal prohibitory indicator.

20. The method according to claim 18 wherein said image is a visual representation of said proximal prohibitory indicator.

21 . The method according to claim 17 or 18 further comprising the steps of: processing said location information and location data associated with said proximal prohibitory indicator to determine relative location information pertaining to a location of said vehicle relative to said proximal prohibitory indicator.

22. The method according to claim 21 wherein said relative location comprises qualitative information.

23. The method according to claim 22 wherein said qualitative information comprises of one of an upstream and a downstream location of said vehicle relative to said proximal prohibitory indicator.

24. The method according to claim 21 wherein said relative location comprises quantitative information.

25. The method according to claim 24 wherein quantitative information comprises a relative distance between said vehicle and said proximal prohibitory indicator.

26. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 25 wherein said content information associated with said proximal prohibitory indicator is provided to said user device in response to a request from said user device.

27. The method according to claim 26 wherein said user device comprises a web browser.

28. The method according to claim 26 wherein said user device configured for making telephone calls.

29. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 26 wherein said user device is said mobile client device.

30. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 29 further comprising the steps of receiving, from said mobile client device, information identifying said vehicle, and storing said information related to said vehicular infraction with said information identifying said vehicle.

31 . A method of identifying a prohibitory indicator associated with a vehicular infraction, said method comprising the steps of:

accessing a database comprising location data associated with a plurality of prohibitory indicators; and

identifying, based on said location information and said location data, a proximal prohibitory indicator associated with said infraction, wherein said proximal prohibitory indicator is proximal to said vehicle.

32. A method of processing payment of ticket on a mobile computing device, said ticket relating to a vehicular infraction, said method comprising the steps of: displaying, on said mobile computing device, a message instructing a user to obtain an image of a barcode printed on said ticket, said barcode comprising information associated with said infraction, said information comprising a fine associated with said vehicular infraction;

receiving said image;

processing said image to determine a fine associated with said infraction; displaying, on said mobile computing device, a message instructing said user to provide payment information;

receiving payment information from said user;

transmitting said payment information to a central computing system for payment processing;

receiving confirmation from said central computing system that said payment has been processed; and

communicating said confirmation to said user.

33. A method of providing information relating to parking resources, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving, from a user device, a request for said information;

receiving location information comprising a location of said user device; accessing a parking resource database comprising geotagged parking resource data;

obtaining, from said database, parking resource information comprising geotagged parking resource data within a geographic region, said geographic region comprising a region relative to said location of said user device; and

providing said parking resource information to said user device.

34. The method according to claim 33 wherein said parking resource information comprises parking fine information.

35. The method according to claim 33 or 34 wherein said parking resource information comprises parking fee information.

36. The method according to any one of claims 33 to 35 further comprising the step of receiving, from said user device, boundary information defining said geographic region.

37. The method according to claim 36 wherein said boundary information comprises a spatial region relative to said location of said user device.

38. A method of providing, on a user device, information relating to parking resources within a geographic region of interest, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving input defining said geographic region of interest;

accessing a database comprising geotagged parking resource data;

obtaining, based on said geotagged parking resource data, parking resource information corresponding to said geographic region of interest; and displaying said parking resource information to a user operating said user device.

39. The method according to claim 38 wherein said input comprises a location of said user device and a boundary defined relative to said location of said user device.

40. The method according to claim 39 wherein said boundary comprises a radial distance.

41 . The method according to any one of claims 38 to 40 wherein said steps of accessing said database and obtaining said parking resource information comprise the steps of:

transmitting, to a central computing system, a request for said information, said central computing system comprising said database;

transmitting, to said central computing system, location information defining said region of interest; and

receiving, from said central computing system, said parking resource information.

42. The method according to any one of claims 38 to 40 wherein said user device comprises said database, and wherein said steps of accessing said database and obtaining said parking resource information comprise the steps of: accessing said database; and

processing said geotagged parking resource data and determining, based on said geographic region of interest, said parking resource information.

43. The method according to any one of claims 38 to 42 wherein said parking resource information comprises parking fine information.

44. The method according to any one of claims 38 to 43 wherein said parking resource information comprises parking fee information.

45. The method according to any one of claims 38 to 44, wherein said user device comprises a positioning device, said method further comprising the steps of:

obtaining a selection from said user of a selected parking resource; and directing said user to said parking resource according to measurements obtained from said positioning device.

46. A method of providing information relating to a vehicular infraction, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving, at a central computing system, a request for said information from a user device, wherein said request is communicated according to instructions provided on a ticket related to said vehicular infraction, and wherein said request identifies said vehicular infraction;

obtaining, from a database accessible by said central computing system, said information relating to said vehicular infraction; and

sending said information from said central computing system to said user device.

47. The method according to claim 46 wherein said instructions comprise a website address and said user device comprises a computing device comprising a web browser, and wherein said step of sending said information comprises formatting said information for display on said web browser and transmitting said information to said user device.

48. The method according to claim 46 wherein said instructions comprise a telephone number and said user device is configured for making telephone calls, and wherein said step of sending said information comprises formatting said information for audio playback.

49. The method according to claim 46 or 47 wherein said step of obtaining said information comprises obtaining content information associated with a prohibitory indicator, wherein said prohibitory indicator was determined to be proximal to a vehicle involved in said vehicle infraction.

50. The method according to claim 49 wherein said content information comprises a digital photograph of said prohibitory indicator.

51 . The method according to claim 49 wherein said content information comprises a description of said prohibitory indicator.

52. The method according to claim 49 wherein said information further comprises location information associated with a location of said prohibitory indicator relative to said vehicle.

53. The method according to any one of claims 46 to 52 wherein said information comprises a photograph of at least a portion a vehicle involved in said vehicular infraction.

54. The method according to claim 53 wherein said photograph comprises evidence supporting said vehicular infraction.

55. The method according to claim 53 wherein said photograph comprises an image of a windshield of said vehicle.

56. The method according to any one of claims 46 to 52 wherein said ticket is generated by a method according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

57. A method of documenting a vehicular infraction, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving, on a mobile client device, input from a user, said input comprising identification information and location information pertaining to a vehicle associated with said vehicular infraction; accessing a database comprising content data and location data associated with a plurality of prohibitory indicators;

obtaining content information associated with said proximal prohibitory indicator;

58. A device for documenting a vehicular infraction, said device comprising: an input device for receiving identification information and location information pertaining to a vehicle associated with said vehicular infraction; a memory;

a database comprising content data and location data associated with a plurality of prohibitory indicators;

a processor programmed to identify, based on said location information and said location data, a proximal prohibitory indicator associated with said infraction, wherein said proximal prohibitory indicator is proximal to said vehicle; and

a communications interface. The device according to claim 58 further comprising a printer for printing