SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING USAGE OF PRIVILEGES ASSOCIATED WITH VEHICLES, DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a system and method for monitoring usage of authorized and unauthorized privileges by vehicle drivers and/or passengers.

BACKGROUND

Some privileges associated with vehicles are authorized to certain vehicles only. For example, generally only the car(s) of the owner or renter of a private parking slot may park in the slot, although the slot may be accessible to everyone. Additionally, the owner or renter of a slot may wish to temporarily or permanently authorize a person visiting them to park at the slot. This may apply to residential parking, such as a private home parking, as well as to a business parking, wherein a business owner may wish to grant parking to a client, a medical clinic may wish to grant parking to scheduled patients, or the like.

In another example, only vehicles registered with the authorities as owned or used by handicapped people are allowed to park in designated parking slots, wherein the list of such vehicles may be very long and may change often, for example on a daily basis or even more often.

Parking violation in either private or public parking is a serious problem, which deprives the owners or recognized handicapped individuals from their basic right.

In yet another example, only vehicles registered with the authorities as owned or used by handicapped people are entitled to free assistance at self-service gas stations in various activities, such as, fueling the car, purchasing from the service store or filling air in the tires, wherein in this example, too, the list of entitled vehicles may be very long and may be updated often. However, since people often blow the horn in gas stations for various reasons, this makes it harder for gas station operators to recognize clients entitled to assistance. It will be appreciated that further situations may exist in which only certain vehicle users are entitled to a privilege.

There is thus a need for a device and method for monitoring the usage of privileges by vehicle users, such as drivers and passengers and alerting against unauthorized usage, or enabling the provisioning of other privileges or assistance to certain vehicle users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the above- described problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other advantages or improvements.

According to some embodiments, there is provided a system for monitoring privilege usage by a vehicle user associated with a mobile device, the system comprising: (a) a computer program product embodied on the mobile device, the mobile device comprises a mobile processor, a mobile Bluetooth transmitter and a mobile Bluetooth receiver, wherein the computer program product comprises computer instructions that when executed by the mobile processor cause the mobile processor to perform a plurality of operations, and (b) an indicating unit comprising a vehicle sensor, a first processor, a first Bluetooth transmitter and a first Bluetooth receiver; wherein the vehicle sensor is configured to generate at least one vehicle presence signal upon sensing a vehicle presence; wherein the first processor is configured to receive said at least one vehicle presence signal and to operate the first Bluetooth transmitter to generate vehicle presence Bluetooth signal thereupon; wherein the mobile Bluetooth receiver is configured to receive the vehicle presence Bluetooth signal; wherein the plurality of operations comprise determining a privilege status of the vehicle user comprising Entitled Privilege and Not Entitled Privilege upon said receiving the vehicle presence Bluetooth signals; wherein the mobile Bluetooth transmitter is configured to generate privilege indicating Bluetooth signals in accordance with the privilege status; wherein the first Bluetooth receiver is configured to receive the privilege indicating Bluetooth signals; and wherein the first processor is configured to perform at least one action corresponding to the privilege status. According to some embodiments, the first processor is configured to perform a first action corresponding to the privilege status being Entitled Privilege.

According to some embodiments, the first processor is configured to perform a second action corresponding to the privilege status being Not Entitled Privilege.

According to some embodiments, the first processor is configured to perform a third action corresponding to the first Bluetooth receiver not receiving the privilege indicating Bluetooth signals after a predetermined period of time from the generation of the vehicle presence Bluetooth signal by the first Bluetooth transmitter.

According to some embodiments, the third action and the second action are essentially identical.

According to some embodiments, the indicating unit further comprises a parking violation indicator configured to issue an alert, wherein the alert is selected from visual alert, voice alert, electronic alert to an authority and a combination thereof.

According to some embodiments, the at least one action comprises generating the alert by the parking violation indicator.

According to some embodiments, the second action comprises generating the alert by the parking violation indicator.

According to some embodiments, the third action comprises generating the alert by the parking violation indicator.

According to some embodiments, the indicating unit further comprises an assistance indicator configured to issue a notice, wherein the notice is selected from visual notice, voice notice, electronic notice to a service person and a combination thereof.

According to some embodiments, the at least one action comprises generating the alert by the assistance indicator.

According to some embodiments, the first action comprises generating the alert by the assistance indicator.

According to some embodiments, the indicating unit is a stationary indicating unit, the vehicle sensor is a stationary vehicle sensor, the first processor is a stationary processor, the first Bluetooth transmitter is a stationary Bluetooth transmitter and the first Bluetooth receiver is a stationary Bluetooth receiver. According to some embodiments, the parking violation indicator is a stationary parking violation indicator.

According to some embodiments, the assistance indicator is a stationary assistance indicator.

According to some embodiments, the plurality of operations further comprise exploring a privilege status database; and determining the privilege status of the vehicle user as Entitled Privilege subject to an identifier of the vehicle user present in said privilege status database or determining the privilege status of the vehicle user as Not Entitled Privilege subject to an identifier of the vehicle user not present in said privilege status database.

According to some embodiments, the mobile device further comprises a communication component, wherein the privilege status database is stored on a remote server, and wherein the plurality of operations further comprise contacting the remote server by the communication component.

According to some embodiments, the system further comprises a housing, wherein the indicating unit is housed therein.

According to some embodiments, the system further comprises a graphical sign attached to the housing.

According to some embodiments, the system further comprises a power source compartment.

According to some embodiments, the system further comprises a solar panel configured to collect solar energy that can be used to supply energy to at least one component of the system.

According to some embodiments, the mobile device is a smartphone.

According to some embodiments, there is provided a method for monitoring privilege usage by an vehicle user, the method comprising: transmitting a vehicle presence Bluetooth signal to be captured by a mobile device of a user; determining a privilege status of the vehicle user comprising Entitled Privilege and Not Entitled Privilege; and preforming at least one of a first action, a second action and a third action, wherein the first action is performed upon receiving an Entitled Privilege indication, the second action is performed upon receiving a Not Entitled Privilege indication; and the third action is performed upon no response being received from the mobile device.

According to some embodiments, the method further comprises a step of sensing a vehicle presence, wherein the transmitting of the vehicle presence Bluetooth signal is performed upon sensing the vehicle presence.

According to some embodiments, the method further comprises a step of receiving the vehicle presence Bluetooth signal by a mobile device of the vehicle user.

According to some embodiments, determining the privilege status of the vehicle user is performed upon receiving the vehicle presence Bluetooth signals.

According to some embodiments, determining a privilege status of the vehicle user comprises exploring a privilege status database; and determining the privilege status of the vehicle user as Entitled Privilege subject to an identifier of the vehicle user present in said privilege status database or determining the privilege status of the vehicle user as Not Entitled Privilege subject to an identifier of the vehicle user not present in said privilege status database.

According to some embodiments, the method further comprises contacting a remote server storing the privilege status database.

According to some embodiments, the method further comprises a step of transmitting privilege indicating Bluetooth signals in accordance with the privilege status.

According to some embodiments, the method further comprises a step of receiving the privilege indicating Bluetooth signals.

According to some embodiments, the Entitled Privilege and Not Entitled privilege status correspond to the Entitled Privilege and Not Entitled privilege indications respectively.

According to some embodiments, the method comprises preforming one of the first action, the second action and the third action.

According to some embodiments, the second action comprises issuing an alert, wherein the alert is selected from visual alert, voice alert, electronic alert to an authority and a combination thereof. According to some embodiments, the third action comprises issuing an alert, wherein the alert is selected from visual alert, voice alert, electronic alert to an authority and a combination thereof.

According to some embodiments, the first action comprises issuing a notice to a service person, wherein the notice is selected from visual notice, voice notice, electronic notice and a combination thereof.

According to some embodiments, the third action is performed upon no response being received from the mobile device after a predetermined period of time since the transmittance of the vehicle presence Bluetooth signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS The present disclosed subject matter will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which corresponding or like numerals or characters indicate corresponding or like components. Unless indicated otherwise, the drawings provide exemplary embodiments or aspects of the disclosure and do not limit the scope of the disclosure. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a system for monitoring usage of privileges by vehicles, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure;

Fig. 2A is a block diagram of a system for monitoring usage of privileges by vehicles, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure;

Fig. 2B is a block diagram of a system for monitoring usage of privileges by vehicles, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure;

Fig. 2C is a block diagram of a system for monitoring usage of privileges by vehicles, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure;

Fig. 2D is a block diagram of a system for monitoring usage of privileges by vehicles, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure;

Fig. 3 is a flowchart of a method for monitoring usage of privileges by individuals, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure;

Fig. 4 is a flowchart of a method for monitoring usage of privileges by individuals, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure;

Fig. 5 is a view in perspective of a housed indicating unit, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure;

Fig. 6 is a view in perspective of a housed indicating unit attached to a pole, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure;

Fig. 7 is a view in perspective of a solar panel attached to a housed indicating unit, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure; and

Fig. 8 is a view in perspective of a plurality of parking spaces equipped with corresponding housed indicating units, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One technical problem dealt with by the disclosed subject matter is the need to monitor usage of privileges authorized for specific vehicle users only, such as but not limited to private parking authorized only for specific vehicle users, parking authorized for recognized handicapped individuals, receiving full service in self-service gas stations for handicapped individuals, or the like. The privileges may be permanent, for example parking of an owner of a parking slot. In other situations, the privilege may be temporary, for example a business may authorize a client to park in a designated parking space for the duration of a visit. Alternatively, a person may be recognized as entitled to handicapped privileges for a limited period of time until further assessment is given as to the person's future right to the privilege. Thus, a technical effect of the disclosure relates to the entitlement to the privilege being determined at the time it is required, such that the vehicle user may be entitled to the privilege permanently or temporarily. The system and method may thus be used for ad-hoc purposes, such as assigning parking to guests for a limited time, assigning parking privileges to pregnant women, or the like.

Another technical problem dealt with by the disclosed subject matter is that in case a vehicle user is using an unauthorized privilege, for example violates handicapped parking, it may be desired to take an action, such as turning on continuous or blinking light, sounding a vocal alarm, notifying a parking officer, or the like.

Yet another technical problem dealt with by the disclosed subject matter relates to cases where a driver is attempting to use an authorized privilege. For example upon a handicapped driver entering a gas station in a vehicle, it may be required that a service provider is notified to provide assistance. Specifically, a gas station operator may be notified when a handicapped driver is approaching, and thus can effectively assist the driver in fueling the car or filling air in the tires.

Yet another technical problem dealt with by the disclosed subject matter relates to preventing non- authorized individuals from exploiting privileges of authorized individuals. Specifically, many of the current privilege determination and monitoring systems are configured to detect authorized vehicles, rather than authorized individuals, which sometime lead to exploitation of the privilege by lending the vehicle.

Yet another technical problem dealt with by the disclosed subject matter relates to allowing authorized individuals usage of privileges, without the need to drive or own a vehicle. For example, a handicapped vehicle driver or passenger may use privileges as disclosed herein when driving a non-authorized vehicle.

One technical solution relates to a system for monitoring the usage of such privileges.

Reference is now made to Fig. 1 and Figs. 2A-C showing block diagrams of a system for monitoring privilege usage 100, according to some embodiments.

According to some embodiments, system for monitoring privilege usage 100 is for monitoring privilege usage by a vehicle user, which may be a vehicle driver, a vehicle passenger, etc.

According to some embodiments, system for monitoring privilege usage 100 is generally a two part system comprising an indicating unit 200, which is preferably stationary and located in at a location to be approached by authorized vehicle user(s); and a computer program product (not shown) embodied on a mobile device 300, such as a mobile computing device, preferably a smartphone of the authorized vehicle user.

According to some embodiments, indicating unit 200 is stationary. According to some embodiments, indicating unit 200 is a stationary indicating unit located in at a location to be approached by handicapped individuals. Locations to be approached by handicapped individuals include handicapped parking spots, gas stations and sites accessible to disabled individuals.

It is to be understood that computer program products embodied on mobile devices include, but not limited to computer programs installed on mobile computing devices. Specifically, computer programs installed on mobile computing devices include applications installed on smartphone devices. Such applications are typically downloaded from application stores. However, specialty applications, such as those permitted for use only for authorized individuals (e.g. only recognized physically disabled individuals) may be embodied specially to a specific device by a specialized service person.

Preferably, according to some embodiments a recognition or identification of a vehicle user as entitled to a privilege is verified versus the smartphone of the vehicle user rather than versus the vehicle license number. This is advantageous, since smartphones contain personal information are rarely transferred between individuals, thus preventing from a non-authorized user to exploit unauthorized privileges. For example, in order for a relative of a handicapped individual to park in a handicapped spot, the relative will need to lend the smartphone of the handicapped individual for a relatively prolonged period, which is uncommon. The uncommon occurrences of lending a personal phone is, of course, in contrast with the lending of a car, of prolonged periods, which is much more common, and enables misusage of unauthorized privileges.

The use of smartphones as identifying mean is further advantageous since it enables authorized vehicle user to take advantage of their statutory privilege even as occasional passengers. For example, in case that a handicapped individual drives, or is a passenger in a non-authorized vehicle, the handicapped individual may use the smartphone to park in a handicapped spot despite the vehicle being unauthorized.

The term“mobile device” may denote any mobile device, typically used and carried around by a moving person. The mobile device may be a mobile phone or a smartphone, typically equipped with a screen, a transceiver module (or a separate receiver and transmitter modules) to a mobile network and optionally with a transceiver for an additional short distance communication using, e.g., a Bluetooth transceiver.

According to some embodiments, the mobile device, in which the computer program product is embodied includes conventional smartphone elements: a mobile processor, a mobile Bluetooth transmitter and a mobile Bluetooth receiver. According to some embodiments, mobile device 300 comprises a mobile processor 302, a mobile Bluetooth transmitter 304 and a mobile Bluetooth receiver 306. It is to be understood that mobile device 300 may comprises a mobile Bluetooth transceiver (not shown), which functions as both mobile Bluetooth receiver 306 and mobile Bluetooth transmitter 304. According to some embodiments, mobile Bluetooth transceiver, replaces mobile Bluetooth transmitter 304 and mobile Bluetooth receiver 306. Thus, according to some embodiments, each of the characteristics of mobile Bluetooth transmitter 304 may be attributed to the mobile Bluetooth transceiver. Similarly, according to some embodiments, each of the characteristics of mobile Bluetooth receiver 306 may be attributed to the mobile Bluetooth transceiver. For example the phrase "indicating unit

200 and mobile device 300 are functionally associated via Bluetooth communication between first Bluetooth transmitter 204 and mobile Bluetooth receiver 306; and between mobile Bluetooth transmitter 304 and first Bluetooth receiver 206" may be replaced with

"indicating unit 200 and mobile device 300 are functionally associated via Bluetooth communication between first Bluetooth transmitter 204 and mobile Bluetooth transceiver; and between Bluetooth transceiver and first Bluetooth receiver 206" or with the phrase "indicating unit 200 and mobile device 300 are functionally associated via Bluetooth communication between first Bluetooth transceiver and mobile Bluetooth transceiver"; depending on the system configuration.

The term “transceiver” may denote a device comprising both, a transmitter and a receiver which may be combined and share common circuitry. Transceivers may be available for different radio frequencies, e.g., the ISM bands, in particular for Bluetooth communication, and frequencies for telephone communication.

According to some embodiments, indicating unit 200 comprises a vehicle sensor 210, a first processor 202, a first Bluetooth transmitter 204 and a first Bluetooth receiver 206.

It is to be understood that indicating unit 200 may comprise a first Bluetooth transceiver (not shown), which functions as both first Bluetooth transmitter 204 and first Bluetooth receiver 206. According to some embodiments, first Bluetooth transceiver, replaces first Bluetooth transmitter 204 and first Bluetooth receiver 206. Thus, according to some embodiments, each of the characteristics of first Bluetooth transmitter 204 may be attributed to the first Bluetooth transceiver. Similarly, according to some embodiments, each of the characteristics of first Bluetooth receiver 206 may be attributed to the first Bluetooth transceiver. For example the phrase "indicating unit 200 and mobile device 300 are functionally associated via Bluetooth communication between first Bluetooth transmitter 204 and mobile Bluetooth receiver 306; and between mobile Bluetooth transmitter 304 and first Bluetooth receiver 206" may be replaced with "indicating unit 200 and mobile device 300 are functionally associated via Bluetooth communication between first Bluetooth transceiver and mobile Bluetooth receiver 306; and between mobile Bluetooth transmitter 304 and first Bluetooth transceiver" or with the phrase "indicating unit 200 and mobile device 300 are functionally associated via Bluetooth communication between first Bluetooth transceiver and mobile Bluetooth transceiver"; depending on the system configuration.

According to some embodiments, indicating unit 200 is a stationary indicating unit. According to some embodiments, vehicle sensor 210 is a stationary vehicle sensor. According to some embodiments, first processor 202 is a stationary processor. According to some embodiments, first Bluetooth transmitter 204 is a stationary Bluetooth transmitter. According to some embodiments, first Bluetooth receiver 206 is a stationary Bluetooth receiver.

According to some embodiments, first processor 202 and first Bluetooth transmitter 204 are functionally associated. According to some embodiments, first processor 202 and first Bluetooth transmitter 204 are functionally associated via wired connection. According to some embodiments, first processor 202 and first Bluetooth receiver 206 are functionally associated. According to some embodiments, first processor 202 and first Bluetooth receiver 206 are functionally associated via wired connection. According to some embodiments, first processor 202 and vehicle sensor 210 are functionally associated. According to some embodiments, first processor 202 and vehicle sensor 210 are functionally associated via wired connection.

According to some embodiments, transmitting of signals by first Bluetooth transmitter 204 entails first processor 202 operating Bluetooth transmitter 204 to transmit signals. According to some embodiments, transmitting of Bluetooth signals by first Bluetooth transmitter 204 entails first processor 202 operating Bluetooth transmitter 204 to transmit Bluetooth signals. According to some embodiments, transmitting of Bluetooth signals by first processor 202 entails first processor 202 operating Bluetooth transmitter 204 to transmit Bluetooth signals.

Indicating unit 200 may comprise one or more first processors 202. Any of first processors 202 may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an electronic circuit, an Integrated Circuit (IC) or the like. Alternatively, first processor 202 can be implemented as one or more firmwares written for or ported to a specific processor such as digital signal processor (DSP) or microcontrollers, or can be implemented as hardware or configurable hardware such as field programmable gate array (FPGA) or application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) first processor 202 may be utilized to perform computations required by indicating unit 200 or any of it subcomponents. For example, first processor 202 can be used for determnining the identity of a vehicle or vehicle user from the infromation captured by vehicle sensor 210.

Indicating unit 200 may comprise one or more storage devices (not shown) for storing executable components, and optionally data during execution of one or more operations. For example, the storage device can be a Flash disk, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a memory chip, an optical storage device such as a CD, a DVD, or a laser disk; a magnetic storage device such as a tape, a hard disk, storage area network (SAN), a network attached storage (NAS), or others; a semiconductor storage device such as Flash device, memory stick, or the like.

According to some embodiments, receiving of Bluetooth signals by first Bluetooth receiver 206 entails first processor 202 operating Bluetooth receiver 206 to receive Bluetooth signals. According to some embodiments, receiving of Bluetooth signals by first Bluetooth receiver 206 entails first processor 202 receiving the Bluetooth signals. According to some embodiments, receiving of Bluetooth signals by first processor 202 entails first Bluetooth receiver 206 receiving the Bluetooth signals.

According to some embodiments, indicating unit 200 and mobile device 300 are functionally associated. According to some embodiments, indicating unit 200 and mobile device 300 are functionally associated via wireless connection. According to some embodiments, indicating unit 200 and mobile device 300 are functionally associated via Bluetooth communication. According to some embodiments, indicating unit 200 and mobile device 300 are functionally associated via Bluetooth communication between first Bluetooth transmitter 204 and mobile Bluetooth receiver 306; and between mobile Bluetooth transmitter 304 and first Bluetooth receiver 206.

Specifically, the Bluetooth technology is selected for communication between indicating unit 200 and the computer program product installed on mobile device 300, since it operates in acceptable distance ranges. For example, when a vehicle is parking or approaching to park in a private parking, handicapped parking or gas station, the distance is typically few meters or less, which is within the typical ranges of Bluetooth communication. More specifically, according to some embodiments, one of the technical problems dealt with herein is misusage of statutory privileges of handicapped individuals, and a short-distance communication technology may prevent using mobile device 300 the computer program product embodied thereon as a 'remote control' for allowing unauthorized parking privileges. In addition, the Bluetooth communication technology is incorporated in essentially all smartphones, which enables the implementation of system for monitoring privilege usage 100 without purchasing or installing additional hardware. Thus, implementation of system for monitoring privilege usage 100 is enabled with minimal requirement from the vehicle user. The term“Bluetooth” and related protocols and technologies may denote a wireless communication standard for exchanging data over short distances in, e.g., the industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) radio bands from 2400 to 2480 MHz. Using Bluetooth technologies, personal area networks or piconets may be built. Today, the Bluetooth specifications are managed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) which defines the complete Bluetooth protocol stack.

A“Bluetooth connection” may— in the context of this document— denote a wireless communication connection using Bluetooth technology and protocols between mobile devices, in particular mobile devices like e.g., mobile phones.

According to some embodiments, the computer program product comprises computer instructions that when executed mobile processor 302 cause mobile processor 302 to perform a plurality of operations. According to some embodiments, mobile device 300 is configured to execute the program instructions. According to some embodiments, the instructions comprise a non-transitory computer readable medium storing program code. According to some embodiments, the computer program product is a smartphone application.

According to some embodiments, system for monitoring privilege usage 100 recognizes a vehicle at a location, for example by vehicle sensor 210, which may be a motion sensor, an optic sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a magnetometer, a weight sensor and/or camera, positioned in the location. According to some embodiments, the vehicle sensor then generates at least one vehicle presence signal upon sensing a vehicle presence.

According to some embodiments, vehicle sensor 210 is selected from the group consisting of a motion sensor, an optic sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a magnetometer, a weight sensor and camera. According to some embodiments, vehicle sensor 210 comprises a magnetometer. According to some embodiments, vehicle sensor 210 comprises an optic sensor. According to some embodiments, vehicle sensor 210 comprises an ultrasonic sensor. According to some embodiments, vehicle sensor 210 comprises a motion sensor. According to some embodiments, vehicle sensor 210 comprises a weight sensor. According to some embodiments, vehicle sensor 210 comprises a camera.

According to some embodiments, vehicle sensor 210 is configured to generate at least one vehicle presence signal upon sensing a vehicle presence. According to some embodiments, vehicle sensor 210 is configured to sense a presence of a vehicle. According to some embodiments, vehicle sensor 210 is configured to sense a presence of a vehicle and to generate vehicle presence signals upon said sensing.

Throughout the current disclosure, the terms“at least one signal" "signal" and "signals" are used interchangeably. These terms as used herein, are not intended to limit the embodied applications of the present disclosure to be within the scope of communications the terms encompass transmissions which may, or may not, include or encode data or information and/or instructions or commands. For instance, a signal includes a transmission that does not encode data or instructions, but which simply provides power to a passive transponder.

According to some embodiments, first processor 202 is configured to receive the vehicle presence signal and to generate vehicle presence Bluetooth signal to be transmitted to mobile device 300. Specifically, according to some embodiments, upon receiving the vehicle presence signal, first processor 202 operates first Bluetooth transmitter 204 to transmit vehicle presence Bluetooth signal to be received by mobile device 300. According to some embodiments, first processor 202 is configured to receive the at least one vehicle presence signal and to operate the first Bluetooth transmitter 204 generate vehicle presence Bluetooth signal thereupon. According to some embodiments, first processor 202 is configured to receive the at least one vehicle presence signal and to operate the first Bluetooth transmitter 204 transmit vehicle presence Bluetooth signal thereupon.

According to some embodiments, mobile device 300 then receives the vehicle presence Bluetooth signal by mobile Bluetooth receiver 306, and determines a privilege status of the vehicle user. For the objective of the current invention, the privilege status comprises Entitled Privilege and Not Entitled Privilege. It is to be understood that the term Entitled Privilege corresponds to an individual, which is entitled to a privilege. For Example, a handicapped person, whose disability is recognized by the relevant authorities (e.g. the Ministry of Transportation), may receive an Entitled Privilege status. Similarly, the term Not Entitled Privilege corresponds to an individual, which is not entitled to a specified privilege at the time of privilege determination.

According to some embodiments, mobile Bluetooth receiver 306 is configured to receive the vehicle presence Bluetooth signal. According to some embodiments, the receiving of vehicle presence Bluetooth signals by mobile Bluetooth receiver 306 entails mobile processor 302 receiving said vehicle presence Bluetooth signals.

According to some embodiments, the plurality of operations comprise determining a privilege status of the vehicle user comprising Entitled Privilege and Not Entitled Privilege upon said receiving the vehicle presence Bluetooth signals. According to some embodiments, mobile processor 302 is configured to execute instructions of the computer program product to determine a privilege status of the vehicle user. According to some embodiments, the privilege status comprises Entitled Privilege and Not Entitled Privilege. According to some embodiments, the privilege status is selected from Entitled Privilege and Not Entitled Privilege.

According to some embodiments, the computer instructions of computer program product comprise instructions for determination of the privilege status. According to some embodiments, said instruction are executed by mobile processor 302. According to some embodiments, the determination of the privilege status by mobile device 300 is executed by mobile processor 302. For example, mobile device 300 or mobile processor 302 may include information as to the privilege status of the smartphone owner, the expiration of the status etc., according to some embodiments.

According to some embodiments, the plurality of operations further comprise exploring a privilege status database. According to some embodiments, the plurality of operations further comprise determining the privilege status of the vehicle user as Entitled Privilege subject to an identifier of the vehicle user present in the privilege status database. According to some embodiments, the plurality of operations further comprise determining the privilege status of the vehicle user as Not Entitled Privilege subject to an identifier of the vehicle user not present in said privilege status database. According to some embodiments, the plurality of operations further comprise determining the privilege status of the vehicle user as Entitled Privilege subject to an identifier of the vehicle user present in the privilege status database or determining the privilege status of the vehicle user as Not Entitled Privilege subject to an identifier of the vehicle user not present in said privilege status database.

According to some embodiments, mobile device 300 may include a communication element 308 for contacting relevant authorities (e.g. through internet connection) and acquiring the privilege status therefrom. According to some embodiments, mobile device 300 further comprises communication element 308. According to some embodiments, the privilege status database is stored on a remote server. According to some embodiments, the plurality of operations further comprise contacting the remote server by the communication element 308. According to some embodiments, mobile processor 302 is configured to contact the remote server through operation of communication element 308 and retrieve the privilege status therefrom. The computer program product comprises instruction that when executed by mobile processor 302 cause mobile processor 302 to contact the remote server through operation of communication element 308 and retrieve the privilege status therefrom. According to some embodiments, mobile processor 302 is configured to execute said instructions. According to some embodiments, mobile processor 302 is configured to receive through communication element 308 one or more signals indicative of the privilege status and store them in a storage device (e.g. storage device 312 shown in Fig. 2A).

According to some embodiments, the remote server accessible by communication element 308 and can store privilege related information, such as privilege status, for example in the form of a table, a database, or the like. The remote server can be any computing device capable of performing the disclosed actions, including a server computer, a desktop, a mobile computer, a mobile phone, or the like.

It is to be understood that the word "status" as used herein refers both to the single form and the plural form of the word. For example, the phrase "the remote server can store privilege status" may indicate that the remote server may store a plurality of privilege status. Typically, larger servers store a plurality of status.

According to some embodiments, mobile device 300 may comprise one or more communication element(s) 308, adapted for communicating with one or more remote systems, using any communication protocol, and in particular internet communication protocols.

According to some embodiments, mobile device 300 may include a storage device 312 for storing privilege status. Although storage device 312 is described in detail when referring to Fig. 2A, each configuration of mobile device 300 may function with communication element 308, with storage device 312 or with both, according to some embodiments. For example, mobile device 300 may include both communication element 308 and storage device 312, according to some embodiments. According to some embodiments, when mobile device 300 includes both communication element 308 and storage device 312, mobile processor 302 may retrieve privilege status related information from storage device 312 to determine the privilege status. Further according to this embodiment, mobile processor 302 may execute computer instructions that cause mobile processor 302 to operate communication element 308 to contact a remote server and retrieve updated privilege status related information to be stored in storage device 312. mobile device 300 may comprise one or more storage devices 312 for storing executable components, and optionally data during execution of one or more operations. For example, the storage device can be a Flash disk, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a memory chip, an optical storage device such as a CD, a DVD, or a laser disk; a magnetic storage device such as a tape, a hard disk, storage area network (SAN), a network attached storage (NAS), or others; a semiconductor storage device such as Flash device, memory stick, or the like.

According to some embodiments, mobile device 300 then transmits signals indicating the privilege status back to indicating unit 200. Specifically, according to some embodiments, mobile processor 302 operates mobile Bluetooth transmitter 304 to generate privilege indicating Bluetooth signals in accordance with the privilege status. According to some embodiments, mobile processor 302 operates mobile Bluetooth transmitter 304 to transmit privilege indicating Bluetooth signals in accordance with the privilege status.

According to some embodiments, mobile Bluetooth transmitter 304 is configured to generate privilege indicating Bluetooth signals in accordance with the privilege status. According to some embodiments, mobile Bluetooth transmitter 304 is configured to transmit privilege indicating Bluetooth signals in accordance with the privilege status.

According to some embodiments, the plurality of operations comprise operating mobile Bluetooth transmitter 304 to transmit privilege indicating Bluetooth signals in accordance with the privilege status.

According to some embodiments, indicating unit 200 then receives the privilege indicating Bluetooth signals. Specifically, first Bluetooth receiver 206 may receive the privilege indicating Bluetooth signals, according to some embodiments. According to some embodiments, first Bluetooth receiver 206 is configured to receive the privilege indicating Bluetooth signals.

According to some embodiments, first processor 202 is configured to perform at least one action corresponding to the privilege status. According to some embodiments, the plurality of operations comprise performing at least one action corresponding to the privilege status. According to some embodiments, the plurality of operations comprise performing at least one action corresponding to the privilege status by first processor 202.

The action(s) to be performed by first processor 202 depend on the privilege status and situation, according to some embodiments. Generally, in case of a violation, such as parking of an unauthorized individual in a private parking or handicapped parking, first processor 202 may activate an alarm, such as a siren and/or contact the authorities. In case that a handicapped vehicle user needs an assistance, first processor 202 may contact a service person and indicate of the situation. Fig. 1 refers to parking violation indicator 208 and depicts the former situation, whereas Fig. 2A refers to assistance indicator 212 and depicts the latter situation. However, system for monitoring privilege usage 100 in which indicating unit 200 includes both parking violation indicator 208 and assistance indicator 212 is contemplated, according to some embodiments. In addition, system for monitoring privilege usage 100 in which indicating unit 200 includes first processor 202, which is configured to contact the authorities as detailed above, without the inclusion of a separate parking violation indicator, is also contemplated (Fig. 2D)

Referring to Fig. 1 , according to some embodiments, first processor 202 is further configured to perform a second action corresponding to the privilege status being Not Entitled Privilege. According to some embodiments, the plurality of operations further comprise performing a second action corresponding to the privilege status being Not Entitled Privilege.

According to some embodiments, first processor 202 is configured to perform a third action corresponding to first Bluetooth receiver 206 not receiving the privilege indicating Bluetooth signals after a predetermined period of time since the generation of the vehicle presence Bluetooth signal by first Bluetooth transmitter 204. According to some embodiments, first processor 202 is configured to perform a third action corresponding to first Bluetooth receiver 206 not receiving the privilege indicating Bluetooth signals after a predetermined period of time since the transmittance of the vehicle presence Bluetooth signal by first Bluetooth transmitter 204. According to some embodiments, first processor 202 is configured to perform a third action corresponding to first Bluetooth receiver 206 not receiving the privilege indicating Bluetooth signals after a predetermined period of time since the generation of the at least one vehicle presence signal by vehicle sensor 210. According to some embodiments, first processor 202 is configured to perform a third action corresponding to first Bluetooth receiver 206 not receiving the privilege indicating Bluetooth signals after a predetermined period of time since the transmittance of the at least one vehicle presence signal by vehicle sensor 210. According to some embodiments, indicating unit 200 further comprises a timing element (not shown), functionally associated with first processor 202 and configured to count the time since the generation of the at least one vehicle presence signal by vehicle sensor 210 and/or the time since the generation of the vehicle presence Bluetooth signal by first Bluetooth transmitter 204. According to some embodiments, the riming element is functionally associated with first processor 202 via wired connection.

According to some embodiments, the third action and the second action are essentially identical.

According to some embodiments, indicating unit 200 unit further comprises parking violation indicator 208. According to some embodiments, parking violation indicator 208 is configured to issue an alert. According to some embodiments, parking violation indicator 208 is configured to issue an alert in case of unauthorized parking. According to some embodiments, parking violation indicator 208 comprises a visual alert, a voice alert, an electronic alert to an authority or any combination thereof. According to some embodiments, parking violation indicator 208 is selected from visual alert, voice alert, electronic alert to an authority or any combination thereof. According to some embodiments, parking violation indicator 208 comprises a visual alert. According to some embodiments, parking violation indicator 208 comprises a voice alert. According to some embodiments, parking violation indicator 208 comprises an electronic alert to an authority. According to some embodiments, parking violation indicator 208 comprises a first communication element configured to contact an authority and notify of a parking violation. According to some embodiments, indicating unit 200 comprises a first communication element (not shown) configured to contact an authority and notify of a parking violation parking violation indicator 208 may be used for drawing the attention of people in the vicinity of a parking violating vehicle, such that the driver may feel embarrassed and move the car.

According to some embodiments, parking violation indicator 208 is functionally associated with indicating unit 200. According to some embodiments, parking violation indicator 208 is functionally associated with indicating unit 200 via wired connection. According to some embodiments, parking violation indicator 208 is a stationary parking violation indicator.

According to some embodiments, parking violation indicator 208 is functionally associated with first processor 202. According to some embodiments, first processor 202 comprises a sound card. According to some embodiments, According to some embodiments, the sound card of first processor 202 is configured to provides input and output of audio signals to and from parking violation indicator 208. According to some embodiments, According to some embodiments, the sound card of first processor 202 is configured to provides input and output of audio signals to and from parking violation indicator 208 under the control of the computer program product.

According to some embodiments, the at least one action comprises generating the alert by parking violation indicator 208. According to some embodiments, the at least one action comprises operating the first communication element to contact an authority and notify of a parking violation.

According to some embodiments, the second action comprises generating the alert by parking violation indicator 208. According to some embodiments, the second action comprises operating the first communication element to contact an authority and notify of a parking violation.

According to some embodiments, the third action comprises generating the alert by parking violation indicator 208. According to some embodiments, the third action comprises operating the first communication element to contact an authority and notify of a parking violation.

According to some embodiments, the plurality of operations comprise generating the alert by parking violation indicator 208 corresponding to the privilege status being Not Entitled Privilege. According to some embodiments, the plurality of operations further comprise generating the alert by parking violation indicator 208 corresponding to first Bluetooth receiver 206 not receiving the privilege indicating Bluetooth signals after a predetermined period of time since the generation of the vehicle presence Bluetooth signal by first Bluetooth transmitter 204. According to some embodiments, the plurality of operations further comprise generating the alert by the parking violation indicator corresponding to first Bluetooth receiver 206 not receiving the privilege indicating Bluetooth signals after a predetermined period of time since the generation of the at least one vehicle presence signal by vehicle sensor 210.

Specifically referring to Fig. 2A, in locations, where a vehicle user, who is entitled to a privilege requires the assistance of a service-person, the entitlement to a privilege entails performing the action of alerting the service-person, according to some embodiments. For example, a disabled vehicle user may require, and be entitled to the assistance of a gas station worker in fueling and/or maintaining the vehicle, upon approaching a gas station. In this situation, system for monitoring privilege usage 100 is configured to indicate the requirement to the gas station worker or management, such that assistance is enabled with minimal delay, according to some embodiments.

According to some embodiments, first processor 202 is configured to perform a first action corresponding to the privilege status being Entitled Privilege.

Although of alerting the service-person by indicating unit 200 is straightforward, as indicating unit 200 is typically to be located in vicinity to the service location, it is also contemplated that mobile device 300 performs the action of alerting the service-person.

According to some embodiments, the plurality of operations further comprise performing a first action corresponding to the privilege status being Entitled Privilege. According to some embodiments, indicating unit 200 further comprises an assistance indicator assistance indicator 212 configured to issue a notice, wherein the notice is selected from visual notice, voice notice, electronic notice to a service person and a combination thereof. According to some embodiments, the notice is a visual notice. According to some embodiments, the notice is a voice notice. According to some embodiments, the notice is an electronic notice to a service person. According to some embodiments, indicating unit 200 further comprises a communication element (not shown) configured to generated the electronic. According to some embodiments, indicating unit 200 is stationary and located in vicinity to a service station. According to some embodiments, the service station is a gas station. According to some embodiments, the service-person is a gas station service- giver. According to some embodiments, assistance indicator 212 indicator is a stationary assistance indicator.

According to some embodiments, the first action comprises issuing a notice to a service- person. According to some embodiments, the notice indicates that the vehicle user requires assistance. According to some embodiments, the notice at least one identifier of the vehicle user or of the vehicle.

According to some embodiments, the first action comprises operating assistance indicator 212 to issue a notice to a service-person. According to some embodiments, the at least one action comprises generating the alert by assistance indicator 212. According to some embodiments, the first action comprises generating the alert by the assistance indicator.

Figs 2B and 2C depict other non-limiting configurations of system 100, namely, system 100, which comprises indicating unit 200 comprising parking violation indicator 208 and mobile device 300 comprising storage device 312 (Fig 2B); and system 100, which comprises indicating unit 200 comprising assistance indicator 212 and mobile device 300 comprising communication element 308 (Fig 2C).According to some embodiments, the plurality of operations further comprise issuing a notice to a service -person. According to some embodiments, the notice comprises a massage, wherein communication element 308 is configured to transmit said massage.

Reference is now made to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 showing flowcharts for monitoring privilege by vehicle users, according to some embodiments.

According to some embodiments, there is provided a method for monitoring privilege usage by an vehicle user 500. Herein, two alternatives of method 500 are presented, namely, method 500a and method 500b, however, it is to be understood that steps included in method 500a may by also included in method 500b and vice versa. According to some embodiments, method 500 is performed using system for monitoring privilege usage 100.

According to some embodiments, method 500 comprises step 502 of sensing a vehicle presence. According to some embodiments, step 502 is performed by vehicle sensor 210. According to some embodiments, step 502 is performed by a vehicle sensor. Step 502 may be repeated when new information is received, or at predetermined periods of time, such as every hour, every day, or the like. According to some embodiments, method 500 further comprises step 502 of sensing a vehicle presence, wherein the transmitting of the vehicle presence Bluetooth signal is performed upon sensing the vehicle presence According to some embodiments, method 500 further comprises a step of generating at least one vehicle presence signal. According to some embodiments, method 500 further comprises a step of generating at least one vehicle presence signal upon sensing a vehicle presence. According to some embodiments, method 500 further comprises a step of generating at least one vehicle presence signal.by vehicle sensor 210 upon sensing a vehicle presence.

According to some embodiments, method 500 further comprises step 504 of transmitting vehicle presence Bluetooth signal in response to the at least one vehicle presence signal. According to some embodiments, method 500 further comprises step 504 of transmitting vehicle presence Bluetooth signal upon sensing the vehicle. According to some embodiments, step 504 is performed by first Bluetooth transmitter 204. According to some embodiments, step 504 is performed by a stationary Bluetooth transmitter.

According to some embodiments, method 500 comprises step 504 of transmitting a vehicle presence Bluetooth signal to be captured by a mobile device of a user. According to some embodiments, method 500 comprises step 504 of transmitting a vehicle presence Bluetooth signal to be captured by mobile device 300. According to some embodiments, method 500 comprises step 504 of transmitting a vehicle presence Bluetooth signal by first Bluetooth transmitter 204 to be captured by mobile device 300.

According to some embodiments, method 500 further comprises step 506 of receiving the vehicle presence Bluetooth signal. According to some embodiments, method 500 further comprises step 506 of receiving the vehicle presence Bluetooth signal generated in step 504. According to some embodiments, step 506 is performed by mobile Bluetooth receiver 306. According to some embodiments, step 506 is performed by mobile device 300. According to some embodiments, step 506 is performed by a mobile Bluetooth receiver installed in a smartphone device. According to some embodiments, method 500 further comprises step 506 of receiving the vehicle presence Bluetooth signal by a mobile device of the vehicle user. According to some embodiments, the consequence of method 500 are different for mobile devices (e.g. smartphones), in which the computer program product is installed, from mobile devices, in which the computer program product is not installed.

In step 508 it is determined whether the computer program product is embodied in each mobile device, which receives the vehicle presence Bluetooth signals.

Method 500a refers to a situation of monitoring parking privilege, according to some embodiments. For example, a vehicle user, which is not authorized to park in handicapped parking may illegally approach with the vehicle to park in the handicapped parking, according to some embodiments. After completing steps 502, 504, 506 and 508, it is determined that the vehicle user does not have a mobile device having the computer program product installed thereon (step 508 - No). In this case, first Bluetooth receiver 206 will not receive privilege indicating Bluetooth signals, and method 500a will need to establish whether this is a permanent violation or temporary. Temporary events may include e.g. authorized privilege vehicle user's mobile device initially not sending or receiving signals; unauthorized vehicle passing through the handicapped spot, or a pedestrian falsely recognized as a vehicle. Thus, a step of waiting for a predetermined period of time before taking actions is preferable, according to some embodiments.

According to some embodiments, method 500 further comprises step 514, of determining whether vehicle presence is sensed after a predetermined period of time. according to some embodiments, step 514 is performed upon step 508 indicating no program installed. According to some embodiments, step 514 is performed by vehicle sensor 210. According to some embodiments, in case step 514 indicating that there is no further sensing of a vehicle, no alarming action is taken and vehicle sensor 210 repeats its action until the next vehicle is sensed. According to some embodiments, in case step 514 indicating that there the sensing of an unauthorized vehicle is maintained after the predetermined period of time, step 516, of taking a third action is performed. The third action is elaborated hereinabove. According to some embodiments, the third action comprises issuing an alert, wherein the alert is selected from visual alert, voice alert, electronic alert to an authority and a combination thereof. According to some embodiments, the third action is performed upon no response being received from the mobile device after a predetermined period of time since the transmittance of the vehicle presence Bluetooth signal. According to some embodiments, method 500 further comprises step 510 of determining a privilege status of the vehicle user comprising Entitled Privilege and Not Entitled Privilege. According to some embodiments, determining the privilege status of the vehicle user is performed upon receiving the vehicle presence Bluetooth signals.

According to some embodiments, determining a privilege status of the vehicle user comprises exploring a privilege status database; and determining the privilege status of the vehicle user as Entitled Privilege subject to an identifier of the vehicle user present in said privilege status database or determining the privilege status of the vehicle user as Not Entitled Privilege subject to an identifier of the vehicle user not present in said privilege status database.

According to some embodiments, method 500 further comprises comprising contacting a remote server storing the privilege status database. According to some embodiments, said contacting may comprise internet communication as detailed herein.

According to some embodiments, method 500 further comprises preforming at least one of a first action, a second action and a third action. According to some embodiments, method 500 further comprises preforming at least one of a first action 518, a second action 512 and a third action 516. According to some embodiments, wherein the first action is performed upon receiving an Entitled Privilege indication. According to some embodiments, the second action is performed upon receiving a Not Entitled Privilege indication. According to some embodiments, the third action is performed upon no response being received from the mobile device. According to some embodiments, the Entitled Privilege and Not Entitled privilege status correspond to the Entitled Privilege and Not Entitled privilege indications respectively. According to some embodiments, method 500 comprises preforming at least one of first action 518 and second action 512. According to some embodiments, method 500 comprises preforming one of first action 518, second action 512 and third action 516. According to some embodiments, method 500 comprises preforming one of first action 518 and second action 512.

According to some embodiments, method 500 further comprises a step of transmitting privilege indicating Bluetooth signals in accordance with the privilege status. According to some embodiments, method 500 further comprises a step of transmitting privilege indicating Bluetooth signals by mobile Bluetooth transmitter 304 in accordance with the privilege status. According to some embodiments, method 500 further comprises receiving the privilege indicating Bluetooth signals by first Bluetooth receiver 206.

As specified above, method 500a refers to a situation of monitoring parking privilege. In case that a vehicle user approaches with the vehicle to a restricted parking, and wherein the vehicle user has a mobile device having the computer program product installed thereon, method 500a is to determine whether the vehicle user is entitled to the restricted parking, according to some embodiments. According to some embodiments, upon step 508 indicating that the computer program product is installed, step 510 is performed. According to some embodiments, step 510 includes determining the privilege status of the vehicle user according to some embodiments, step 510 is performed by mobile processor 302.

According to some embodiments, upon step 510 indicating Not Entitled Privilege, step 512, of taking a second action is performed. According to some embodiments, step 512 is directed to alarming of an unauthorized parking, as detailed herein. According to some embodiments, step 512 comprises issuing an alert, wherein the alert is selected from visual alert, voice alert, electronic alert to an authority and a combination thereof. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment.

According to some embodiments, upon step 510 indicating Entitled Privilege, step 550 of sensing vehicle presence is performed. According to some embodiments, step 550 is performed by vehicle sensor 210. According to some embodiments, upon step 510 indicating Entitled Privilege, step 550 is performed for a plurality of periods until a vehicle is no longer sensed. Specifically, upon parking, the authorized individual may leave the vehicle with the mobile device. Thus, after the Entitled Privilege status is confirmed, system for monitoring privilege usage 100 needs to wait until the vehicle leaves the parking without alarming of an unauthorized event, according to some embodiments. According to some embodiments, upon vehicle sensor 210 indicates in step 550 that no vehicle is sensed, method 500a returns back to step 502 of sensing the next vehicle.

Method 500b refers to a situation, where an individual, who is entitled to a privilege, requires an assistance from a service-person. For example, when a handicapped individual enters with a vehicle into a gas station, the individual requires help with maintaining the vehicle, fueling, inflating the tires, etc. In this situation, a stationary Bluetooth transmitter may be permanently located in the service shop, without the requirement to sense presence of vehicles, which enter regularly thereto. Thus, method 500 may begin at step 504 of transmitting Bluetooth signals by first Bluetooth transmitter 204.

As in method 500a, the following steps are step 506 of receiving the Bluetooth signals by mobile Bluetooth receiver 306 and step 508 of determining whether the computer program product is installed in the mobile device(s) receiving said transmission, according to some embodiments.

Wherein the computer program product is not installed in a mobile device, no alert is made and method 500b returns to the initial step 504, according to some embodiments.

According to some embodiments, upon determining in step 508 that the computer program product is installed in mobile device 300, step 510 as detailed above is performed. According to some embodiments, step 510 comprises determining the privilege status. According to some embodiments, upon Not Entitled Privilege status determined in step 510, method 500b is sequentially repeated through step 504. According to some embodiments, upon Entitled Privilege status determined in step 510, step 518 of taking a first action is performed. The first action is detailed herein. Specifically, according to some embodiments, the first action comprises issuing a notice to a service person, wherein the notice is selected from visual notice, voice notice, electronic notice and a combination thereof. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment. According to some embodiments, the first action comprises issuing a notice to a service person of an individual in need for assistance.

Referring now to Figs. 5-8, a housed indicating unit 600, in accordance with some embodiments. Housed indicating unit 600 comprises a housing 670, configured to house indicating unit 200 therein. Housing 370 comprises indicating unit compartment 620, housing at least one of the components of indicating unit 200.

according to some embodiments, indicating unit compartment 620 is housing indicating unit 200 therein. According to some embodiments, indicating unit compartment 620 is housing at least one component of indicating unit 200, while the remainder of the components of indicating unit 200 are housed within other regions of housing 670. According to some embodiments, indicating unit compartment 620 is housing at least first processor 202. According to some embodiments, indicating unit compartment 620 is housing at least processor first processor 202 and vehicle sensor 210.

according to some embodiments, housing 670 further comprises attention drawing mounting bracket 610, configured to attach to at least one of parking violation indicator 208 and assistance indicator 212. According to some embodiments, attention drawing mounting bracket 610 comprises at least one mounting bracket configured to attach to parking violation indicator 208, and at least another separate attention drawing mounting bracket 610 configured to attach to assistance indicator 212.

According to some embodiments, housing 670 further comprises a power source compartment 630. According to some embodiments, power source compartment 630 is configured to house at least one power source (not shown). According to some embodiments, the at least one power source is a disposable power source. According to some embodiments, the at least one disposable power source is a rechargeable power source. It will be clear that any reference to a disposable or rechargeable power source throughout the specification, may also relate to a permanent rechargeable power source.

According to some embodiments, the at least one power source is configured to supply energy to any component of indicating unit 200 in need thereof.

As used herein, the term "energy" refers to electrical energy such as electricity or power. Energy is quantified in e.g. Watt-hour, Ampere-hour, or Joule.

According to some embodiments, housed indicating unit 600 further comprises a frame 650 surrounding at least a portion of housing 670. According to some embodiments, frame 650 is adapted to attach to a graphical sign, such as a handicapped sign. According to some embodiments, frame 650 comprises at least one sign attachment means 660, such as screw holes configured to receive screws therein, for attaching a graphical sign to housed indicating unit 600. According to some embodiments, a graphical sign is painted directly on housed indicating unit 600.

According to some embodiments, housed indicating unit 600 comprises capture component attachment region 640, configured to attach to vehicle sensor 210. According to some embodiments, capture component attachment region 640 is adjacent housing 670. According to some embodiments, capture component attachment region 640 is adjacent frame 650. According to some embodiments, capture component attachment region 640 is housed within housing 670. According to some embodiments, capture component attachment region 640 is positioned on an outer surface of housing 670 or frame 650.

Referring now to Fig. 6, showing housed indicating unit 600 attached to a pole 700, according to some embodiments. Housed indicating unit 600 is shown in Fig. 6 having a graphical sign, such as a handicapped sign, attached thereto or painted thereon.

According to some embodiments, housed indicating unit 600 further comprises at least one solar cell or solar panel 680, shown in Fig. 6 and in further detail in Fig. 7. According to some embodiments, solar panel 680 is configured to collect solar energy that can be used to supply energy for housed indicating unit 600. According to some embodiments, the graphical sign receives energy from solar panel 680. According to some embodiments, solar panel 680 is further configured to collect solar energy that can be used to supply energy for recharging the at least one rechargeable power source, to supply energy directly to any component of housed indicating unit 600 in need thereof, or both. According to some embodiments, power source compartment 630 is configured to house at least one battery. According to some embodiments, the at least one battery is configured to supply power to housed indicating unit 600. According to some embodiments, solar panel 680 is configured to supply power to housed indicating unit 600 in the day hours, and the at least one battery is configured to supply power to housed indicating unit 600 in the night hours. According to some embodiments, at least one solar panel 680 is connected to housing 670, to pole 700 or to frame 650 via attachment means, such as a rod 684. According to some embodiments, housed indicating unit 600 comprises rod attachment means, such as bracket 682 for attachment to rod 684, for example via bolts (not shown), It will be appreciated that other pole attachment means, aside from a bracket, can be used to attach solar panel 680 to rod 684. It will be further appreciated that solar panel 680 may be attached to housed indicating unit 600 via other attachment means, aside from a rod, for example via a bracket directly connected to housed indicating unit 600 or any other means known in the art.

According to some embodiments, housed indicating unit 600 one or more photocells, configured to turn lights on at sunset and off at dawn, such that, the graphical sign next to an unoccupied parking space is alight from sunset to dawn.

Referring now to Fig. 8, showing a plurality of parking spaces 800 for vehicles 850 (see three adjacent parking spaces 800a, 800b and 800c exemplified in Fig. 8), each equipped with a pole 700 (see pole 700b exemplified in Fig. 8) attached to a housed indicating unit 600 (see housed indicating units 600a, 600b and 600c exemplified in Fig. 8). According to some embodiments, housed indicating unit 600 further comprises a lamp (not numbered) configured to light parking space 800. According to some embodiments, the lamp is configured to operate only during a predetermined time-frame, for example during the night or dark hours. According to some embodiments, the lamp is configured to operate when the parking spaces is unoccupied (for example, parking spaces 800a and 800c, as depicted in Fig. 8) and to discontinue operation when the parking spaces is occupied (for example, parking space 800b, as depicted in Fig. 8). According to some embodiments, the lamp is designated to help disabled individuals to identify unoccupied restricted parking spaces, where they may park.

According to some embodiments, vehicle sensor 210 is configured to detect a vehicle approaching, parking or leaving the premises of the parking space 800 in its vicinity. Referring to Fig. 8, vehicle monitoring system 800b, according to some embodiments, comprises first indicating unit 200 configured to detect whether vehicle 850 enters, parks or leaves predetermined boundaries of parking space 800b, while other parking spaces, such as parking spaces 800a or 800c are monitored by other indicating units 200.

According to some embodiments, housed indicating unit 600 can be placed to monitor a single parking space, as shown in Fig. 8. In other embodiments, housed indicating unit 600 can be configured to monitor a plurality of parking spaces or other areas.

The present invention may include a system and/or a method, each may comprises a computer program product. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non- exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, Java, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). According to some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware -based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.