Apparatus and method for monitoring the arrival and duration of stay of a vehicle at a drive-in window

A method for monitoring the arrival and duration of stay of a motor vehicle at a transaction station associated with a drive-in business or the like of the type having a building structure including a vertical wall mounting a drive-in window, and a vehicle approach lane positioned alongside the drive-in window to improve the operating efficiency of business personnel comprising:

• sensing the arrival of a motor vehicle at a predetermined position in the vehicle approach lane;
• timing the duration of stay of the vehicle commencing with the arrival of the vehicle at said predetermined position;
• and
• providing to business personnel within the building a sensible indication of the duration of stay of the vehicle.

A sensor for sensing the arrival and duration of stay of a motor vehicle at a transaction station associated with a drive-in business or the like of the type having a building structure including a vertical wall mounting a drive-in window, and a vehicle approach lane positioned alongside the drive-in window, said sensor comprising:

• a loop detector having a plurality of turns of wire;
• a box-like enclosure having a front face configured to face the vehicle approach lane;
• first means for mounting said loop detector within said enclosure;
• and
• second means for mounting said enclosure to a mounting surface such that said loop detector may sense the side of a motor vehicle passing within a predetermined distance thereof.