Determining vehicle dwell time within predetermined zones

{
  "publication_number": "US10628962B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Determining vehicle dwell time within predetermined zones",
  "abstract": "Systems and methods for determining the amount of time that an object occupies a predetermined space are provided. In one implementation, a system comprises a sensor configured to determine a start time when a recognizable object enters a predetermined space. The sensor is further configured to determine an end time when the recognizable object leaves the predetermined space. The system also includes a processing device configured to determine an elapsed time, based on the start time and the end time, when the recognizable object remains in the predetermined space.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A system for determining vehicle dwell time, the system comprising: a first camera configured to obtain image data of a first predetermined zone; a second camera configured to obtain image data of a second predetermined zone; a processor; and a display screen; wherein the processor is configured to: utilize the image data from the first camera to determine if a first condition is met, the first condition being met when any vehicle occupies at least an amount of space in the first predetermined zone greater than a first predetermined threshold; recognize image characteristics of a first vehicle in the first predetermined zone; determine a first start time when the first condition is first met by the first vehicle and a first end time, after the first start time, when the first condition is no longer met by the first vehicle; calculate, from the first start time and first end time, a first dwell time that the first vehicle remains in the first predetermined zone; utilize the image data from the second camera to determine if a second condition is met, the second condition being met when any vehicle occupies at least an amount of space in the second predetermined zone greater than a second predetermined threshold; recognize the image characteristics of the first vehicle in the second predetermined zone; determine a second start time when the second condition is first met by the first vehicle and a second end time, after the second start time, when the second condition is no longer met by the first vehicle; calculate, from the second start time and second end time, a second dwell time that the first vehicle remains in the second predetermined zone; utilize the first dwell time and second dwell time to calculate a total dwell time; and display an image of the first vehicle and the total dwell time on the display screen.",
    "2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a third camera configured to obtain image data of a third predetermined zone; wherein the processor is further configured to: utilize the image data from the third camera to determine if a third condition is met, the third condition being met when a vehicle occupies at least an amount of space in the third predetermined zone greater than a third predetermined threshold; recognize the image characteristics of the first vehicle in the third predetermined zone; determine a third start time when the third condition is first met by the first vehicle and a third end time, after the third start time, when the third condition is no longer met by the first vehicle; calculate, from the third start time and third end time, a third dwell time that the first vehicle remains in the third predetermined zone; and utilize the first dwell time, second dwell time, and third dwell time to calculate the total dwell time.",
    "3. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to: recognize image characteristics of a plurality of vehicles in the first and second predetermined zones; determine start times and end times for the plurality of vehicles that meet the first and second conditions; count the number of vehicles that meet the first and second conditions; calculate the total dwell time of each vehicle that meets the first and second conditions; and calculate an average dwell time based on the number of vehicles counted and the total dwell times of each vehicle.",
    "4. A system for determining vehicle dwell time, the system comprising: at least one camera configured to obtain image data; and a processor configured to: utilize the image data from the at least one camera to determine if a first condition is met, the first condition being met when either (1) a vehicle occupies at least an amount of space in a first predetermined zone greater than a first predetermined threshold, or (2) image characteristics of the vehicle is recognized in the first predetermined zone; determine a first start time when the first condition is first met by the vehicle and a first end time, after the first start time, when the first condition is no longer met by the vehicle; calculate, from the first start time and first end time, a first dwell time that the vehicle remains in the first predetermined zone; utilize the image data from to determine if a second condition is met, the second condition being met when either (1) the vehicle occupies at least an amount of space in a second predetermined zone greater than a second predetermined threshold, or (2) image characteristics of the vehicle is recognized in the second predetermined zone; determine a second start time when the second condition is first met by the vehicle and a second end time, after the second start time, when the second condition is no longer met by the first vehicle; calculate, from the second start time and second end time, a second dwell time that the first vehicle remains in the second predetermined zone; utilize the first dwell time and second dwell time to calculate a total dwell time; and output the total dwell time.",
    "5. The system of claim 4, wherein the processor is further configured to: recognize image characteristics of a plurality of vehicles in the first and second predetermined zones; determine start times and end times for the plurality of vehicles that meet the first and second conditions; count the number of vehicles that meet the first and second conditions; calculate the total dwell time of each vehicle that meets the first and second conditions; and calculate an average dwell time based on the number of vehicles counted and the total dwell times of each vehicle.",
    "6. A system for determining vehicle dwell time, the system comprising: at least one camera configured to obtain image data; and a processor configured to: determine, using the image data from the at least one camera, a first start time when either (1) a vehicle occupies at least an amount of space in a first predetermined zone greater than a first predetermined threshold, or (2) image characteristics of the vehicle is recognized in the first predetermined zone, determine a first end time when the vehicle leaves the first predetermined space, calculate a first elapsed time, based on the first start time and the first end time, indicating how long the vehicle remained in the first predetermined space; determine a second start time when either (1) the vehicle occupies at least an amount of space in a second predetermined zone greater than a second predetermined threshold, or (2) image characteristics of the vehicle is recognized in the second predetermined zone, determine a second end time when the vehicle leaves the second predetermined space, and calculate a second elapsed time, based on the second start time and the second end time, indicating how long the vehicle remained in the second predetermined space; utilize the first dwell time and second dwell time to calculate a total dwell time; and output the total dwell time."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention is directed to systems, methods, and analysis software for counting a number of vehicles that occupy predetermined zones over a predetermined time period and for determining the length of time (dwell time) that each vehicle remains within the predetermined zones.\n\nMany service businesses strive to provide a satisfying experience for its customers so that customers will continue to visit their establishments. For example, businesses that provide quick oil changes for vehicles may try to perform an oil change service within a certain amount of time. Otherwise, if the service time is too long, customers may become disgruntled and refuse to revisit the establishments. According to another example, a quick service restaurant (QSR) may wish to provide a speedy process for ordering, paying for, and receiving food such that a drive-through customer can place an order, pay for the order, and pick up his or her food all within a reasonable amount of time.\n\nTherefore, there is a need to monitor the amount of time that a customer has to wait to receive a service and to automatically monitor the amount of time that it takes to perform various services for the customer. There is also a need to gather and analyze statistics related to service wait times.\n\nThe present disclosure generally describes various systems and methods for determining the amount of time that an object occupies a predetermined zone. For example, the predetermined zone may be a space where a service is performed for a customer, and may be occupied by a person, vehicle, or other object that is being serviced.",
  "cpc": [
    "G06T 7/74",
    "G04F 10/00",
    "G06F 3/14",
    "G06K 2209/23",
    "G06K 9/00771",
    "G06T 2207/30242",
    "G06T 2207/30256",
    "G06V 20/52",
    "G06V 2201/08",
    "H04N 23/90",
    "H04N 5/247",
    "H04N 7/181"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "G04F 10/00",
    "G06F 3/14",
    "G06K 9/00",
    "G06T 7/73",
    "H04N 23/90"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Worldcam LLC"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Andrew Slattery",
    "Shane PITMAN"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2018-06-04",
  "publication_date": "2020-04-21",
  "grant_date": "2020-04-21",
  "priority_date": "2017-11-08",
  "application_number": "US-201815996814-A",
  "family_id": "66328729",
  "cited_by_count": 2,
  "citations": [
    "US20120092190A1",
    "US20150127485A1",
    "US20150312529A1",
    "US10373226B1",
    "US20180349708A1"
  ]
}