HK1017752B - Vehicle parking system - Google Patents

Description

Automobile parking system

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an improved method and system for parking a vehicle and more particularly to such a method and system which does not require the use of parking meters or cards and which allows the user to be charged for the appropriate parking fee and to be credited to the corresponding parking authority.

Background

A large number of parking systems have been described and are known in the prior art, however, for various reasons, most of which are relatively complicated and/or not yet perfect, it is not possible for example for these systems to guarantee or delegate parking fees to the respective individual or to the respective parking authority, or to fraudulently abuse the system, etc. Most parking systems require the use of parking meters and/or parking cards, parking meters having a more or less complex structure and operation, the use of which may be complex and inconvenient and may require recharging or replacement thereof, etc. It is therefore desirable to eliminate these drawbacks and to provide a system that is simple, economical, easy to operate and safe.

WO 93/20539 describes a system in which the system assigns a unique number and/or letter code to each parking lot and also assigns a unique number and/or letter code to each car. When the car has been parked in a parking lot, the driver dials the code for that parking lot, the car code and the personal or payment responsibility code on the phone. This combination of codes is sent via a transmitter and a transfer station to a database, and the database registers information about the parking lot, the car using the parking lot and the person responsible for paying the parking fee. When the driver takes the car from the parking lot, he or she sends the aforementioned information again to the database via the car phone, and the database records that the parking period has expired. In this way, the parking costs are debited by the respective authority or company.

However, this system has several drawbacks. First, it is difficult to detect illegal parking because it requires knowledge of a graphical screen of a managed parking area and detection of whether the code of the car has been registered in the database with the aid of a computer. The difficulty in comparing this data is prone to parking fraud since the information sent by the user via the telephone is not controlled. In addition, it is not possible to immediately detect whether the vehicle has timed out. Such detection requires registration of the license plate numbers of all parked vehicles and requesting a central computer to detect whether any of them indicates that the vehicle has left the parking lot without error. This is of course impractical and inefficient. With this technique, parking can be requested and ended from outside the automobile, which is highly undesirable.

FR- A-2670002 describes A vehicle locating system comprising A device comprising: means for receiving a reference spatial signal from a satellite; computer means for calculating the position of the vehicle for such signals; modulation means for generating a modulated signal representative of a calculated position of the vehicle; and a radio ground communication device for transmitting said modulated signal to a vehicle positioning central station. However, this system is a car locating system and not a parking system.

FR- A-2562291 describes A parking system comprising A first memory for registering A total amount of money; controllable means for draining said memory to thereafter be able to represent a change in said sum value as a function of elapsed time from a given start time; means for interpreting elaboration signals to represent a state of the memory at a given instant; and means for emitting electromagnetic waves, the value of which represents said signal and is suitable for being received by the analysis and elaboration means. This parking system is only a system for estimating the parking fee as a function of parking time, and does not provide other relevant data to the central database, nor is illegal parking found, and no fraud verification is possible.

It is an object of the present application to provide a parking method and apparatus that is simple, easy to use, economical and safe.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a parking method and apparatus that does not require the use of a parking meter or parking card.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a parking method and apparatus that facilitates monitoring of a parking location and immediately recognizing an illegally parked vehicle.

Still another object is to provide a parking method and apparatus that eliminates all possible misuse and fraud on the part of the user.

Yet another object is to provide parking methods and devices that are very attractive and convenient for both the user and the parking authority.

Still another object is to provide a parking method and apparatus that can be easily and efficiently managed.

Still another object is to provide a parking method and apparatus that allows both simple and extremely accurate allocation and administration of parking fees.

It is a further object to provide parking methods and apparatus that allow public authorities, such as municipalities, that exercise rights in parking areas to determine parking hours and other parking conditions based on the area.

It is a further object to provide a parking method and apparatus that prevents damage to the parking apparatus due to vandalism or other causes.

A further object is to provide a parking method and apparatus that prevents the spreading of waste, e.g. used parking cards, in and around parking areas.

It is a further object to provide a parking method and apparatus that does not require recharging of the parking meter or replacement of the parking card.

It is a further object to provide an integrated vehicle locating and parking system.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as the description proceeds.

Summary of the invention

For a complete understanding of the present invention, the following terms used in the specification and claims should be clearly defined. Let us consider public institutions such as municipalities, provinces, counties and district governments that exercise rights in a given territory. Such an organization will be referred to as the "public authority" or "authority" -simply "PA". Typically, the territory will include a plurality of parking areas and parking fees and fines, if any, which are ultimately collected by the authorities, who will also take any required steps to enforce traffic laws and to take any penalties for their illegal activities, but which steps are beyond the scope of the parking method according to the invention. The PA will also establish parking fees and other parking conditions and restrictions.

In each geographical area controlled by the public authority, or in one or more parking areas comprised therein, one or generally more authorities will authorize the operation of the method according to the invention. Such a mechanism will be referred to as "operating mechanism" -simply "OA". The geographic area or areas of parking in which the OA operates is referred to as the "zone" of that OA. These areas of different OAs may overlap, i.e. multiple OAs may operate in the same parking area. The series of devices and apparatuses for carrying out the parking method of the invention in any given territory of an OA are known and referred to as "parking network". Thus, typically, there will be one parking network for each OA; but if an OA is to operate in several separate territories, there will be several parking networks operated by the OA. This parking network (if there is only one) or several parking networks (if there are more) constitute the device and system according to the invention. The OA is typically, although not necessarily, a company operating a system or network of devices capable of receiving and transmitting radio signals or messages, collectively referred to as a transponder device (hereinafter "TRD"). Examples of TRDs are cellular telephones, message recorders, pagers, dedicated alarms, car positioning units, etc. As is well known, a plurality of such companies typically operate in the same territory.

Everyone interested in utilizing the parking network or who can say enter the parking network will be referred to as "user" hereinafter. The user does not necessarily have to be the driver or owner of the car parked according to the method of the invention. The person who actually parks will be referred to as "driver" hereinafter. One advantage of the parking method according to the invention is that: it is irrelevant whether the driver is also the user: the OA only identifies the user and considers any information received by the system to be the result of the user's actions.

Each parking network according to the invention generally comprises: a central computer operated by the OA, or possibly several central computers, combined with a TRD for each user, for example, the TRD is not just a cellular telephone, the TRD comprising an auxiliary box (complementary box) which can be and only can be coupled to the TRD and allows the TRD to communicate with the central computer. Each central computer is assigned a numerical address-hereinafter "the computer's specified number" -this is a public number and known to all users, but the computer does not accept the communication of any TRD unless it together dials the specified number together with a numerical code (hereinafter also referred to as a comprehensive code) stored in the memory of the auxiliary box. The provisioning number may include a designation of a parking area and any other relevant information to simplify the connection with the OA. The combination of the prescribed number and the integrated code will be referred to as a "computer address". The TRD identifies the subscriber in order to ask him for a parking fee, either by using the TRD number recorded by the central computer when a parking is requested by the TRD, or by any other code that can be transmitted by or associated with the TRD. When the TRD dials the computer address, the parking procedure described below will proceed immediately if the computer line is open. If the line is busy, the computer will signal such busy and will perform a delayed stop routine described below.

The complementary box wants to communicate with the TRD during the parking procedure, or at least at the beginning thereof. The complementary box is equipped with display means which can be seen from outside the car by the parking manager for sending signals indicating the permitted parking and the expiration of the permitted parking time, and other relevant information, if any. If the complementary box is not coupled to the TRD, the parking routine cannot be executed and parking cannot be granted, and the complementary box indicates this by not sending a signal that it is activated. The same is true if the parking cannot be approved by the central computer for any other reason. When the permitted parking is terminated, the auxiliary box display means stops indicating a legitimate parking and indicates a time-out parking. This effect is preferably achieved by equipping the complementary box with a timer device, which registers the allowed parking time and measures the parking time actually used. In all cases where the car is not parked illegally, information about this fact can be transmitted to the PA as a monitoring procedure described below.

The term "coupling" is generally intended herein to refer to a physical coupling between the TRD and the auxiliary box, but as is well known, the term may also refer to a coupling achieved by radiation, such as electromagnetic waves.

Preferably, the auxiliary box contains identifying indicia or indices, for example digital identification means such as bar codes or the like, which are typically capable of being scanned and registered through the windshield from outside the vehicle. The identification tag corresponds to the identification number of the TRD, thereby also identifying the subscriber. The absence of the auxiliary box results in illegal parking.

Although not illustrated, it should be noted that the auxiliary box need not be just one part, but could for example consist of two parts, one of which could be a standard or generic part installed by the car manufacturer, and the other of which is provided and coupled with the part at the request of the user, which would be adapted to the specific TRD used by the user.

The auxiliary box includes:

a microcontroller or CPU which controls the operation of the cassette;

memory means for storing a numerical address or "specification number" and an integrated code of a central computer that is part of the parking system; means for storing and transmitting an identification number or tag corresponding to the TRD identification number to the microcontroller;

a timer device for counting a parking period;

buffer means for transmitting information to the TRD, and buffer means for receiving information from the TRD; and

-universal bus means for establishing the required connections between all the above mentioned components.

One embodiment of such an auxiliary box further comprises:

power backup means for connection to a main power source;

a display;

driver means for delivering to the display the signals required for performing the above-defined management steps; and

parallel/serial input/output devices.

One specific embodiment of the auxiliary cassette will be described below.

Preferably, each parking network according to the invention additionally comprises a plurality of parking control devices, used by a parking manager, each parking control device comprising: scanning means for reading the identification mark and the display symbol of the auxiliary box; validation (validation) device; memory means for registering information obtained from the scanning and any other relevant information; and coupling means for coupling the control means to a terminal or computer or other information receiving means belonging to the PA.

The invention also provides a parking installation comprising a plurality of networks as described above.

According to the invention, the method of controlling parking of a vehicle and charging a parking fee to a user thus comprises the steps of:

1. providing at least one central computer;

2. providing each user with at least one transponder device and an auxiliary box, specifically coupled to each other and identified accordingly, this auxiliary box having display means for visually indicating the non-expiry and expiry of its start-up and permitted parking time;

3. coupling the TRD to the auxiliary box once the car has been parked, unless they have so coupled;

4. control a specific parking position, its code and any other necessary parameters related to it, if any, (said code and parameters being derived from a symbol placed in the parking area or known to the user by other means);

5. dialing a prescribed number of the central computer, this number being combined with a code stored in the memory of the complementary box to constitute the address of the computer, and also dialing the code and the necessary parameters of said parking area;

6. if a connection of the TRD to the central computer is implemented, the following steps are performed:

I. transmitting from the central computer to the TRD a permitted parking, an allowed parking time and any other relevant parameters, if any, thereby completing the parking process;

if the parking process has been completed, activating a symbol in the auxiliary box display indicating legal parking and parking area;

counting down the actual parking time, i.e. continuously counting the time that has elapsed and subtracting it from the allowed or maximum parking time, using a timer contained in the auxiliary box;

7. if the connection of the TRD to the central computer is not implemented, the following steps are executed:

A. storing data dialed by the TRD in a buffer memory of the supplementary box, placing the TRD in a waiting list, and sending a signal to the TRD indicating that this has been done;

B. initiating a symbol in the complementary box display indicating legal parking and parking area and starting to count down the actual parking time using a timer contained in the complementary box;

C. continuing the countdown of the actual parking time when the connection of the TRD to the central computer has been completed and deactivating the symbol in the auxiliary box display indicating a legal parking and activating a signal indicating a timed-out parking at the end of the allowed parking time;

8. if the car leaves the parking lot before the end of the allowed parking time, this fact is signaled from the TRD to the central computer, stopping the countdown of the parking time and deactivating the auxiliary box display.

The method can further comprise:

if, at the end of the allowed parking time, the TRD has not signaled that the vehicle has left the parking lot, deactivating the symbol in the auxiliary box display indicating legitimate parking and activating the symbol indicating a timed-out parking;

the subscriber number, parking location, actual parking time and other data, if any, required by the PA are passed from the central computer to the PA in order to collect parking fees from the subscriber.

Parking fees can also be collected by the OA based on the same data and thus communicated to the PA.

If the allowed parking time has passed before the parking is over, the symbol representing a legal parking in the auxiliary box display is deactivated and a symbol representing a timed-out parking is activated.

In performing the aforementioned parking method, it may happen that the connection of the TRD to the central computer is not carried out and cannot be made within an acceptably short time, due to a malfunction of the central computer or a communication interruption for any reason. In this case, it is preferable to provide means in the auxiliary box for signalling to the driver that it is not possible to establish a connection, or to not provide or operate such means, and the driver becomes aware of a very long delay in establishing communication with the central computer. To take this into account, in one embodiment found, a buffer memory activatable by the driver is provided in the auxiliary box for registering the same operations as those of the normal parking operation which may have been performed. In particular, the complementary box is programmed to register in the buffer memory a hypothetical permitted parking, a hypothetical allowed parking time, and any other hypothetical, possibly required, relevant data. The assumed permitted parking time and other data are determined by the parking position code and by any other parameters related thereto, as in any parking. A symbol indicating a legitimate stop is initiated and a countdown is performed. At the end of the parking, the symbol is deactivated and the parking time is registered in a buffer memory. The driver can then leave the parking lot and, if appropriate, take the TRD with him. Thereafter, when the driver requests a stop to be obtained for the first time or before the first time, the contents of the buffer memory are transmitted to the central computer at any time selected by the driver. The central computer checks that the registered parking procedure is correct, i.e. if communication has been established when the parking actually takes place, the central computer transmits the same data, including the parking approval, the allowed parking time, and any other relevant parameters, registered in the buffer memory to the TRD. If it is confirmed that the registered parking operation is right, the central computer transmits to the PA a user number, a parking position, an actual parking time and other data required for the PA to collect a parking fee from the user, if any, just as it should be performed for a normal parking operation; and then passed to the TRD to be granted permission to resume normal operation. The auxiliary box does not allow any further parking to be performed until said approval is received; if the authorization is denied or has not been received within a given predetermined time, the auxiliary box displays a signal indicating an illegal parking. The central computer also registers illegal parking in preparation for all relevant purposes.

In addition to the steps of the parking method specified above, the following management steps are also an advisable part of the invention:

a-providing the manager of the parking position with a control device for validating the auxiliary box and for scanning and registering its identification code from outside the car;

b-for each such identification code, the fact of a legal or illegal parking and optionally the reason for the illegal parking (e.g. no start of the auxiliary box or parking overtime) and any other relevant data are registered;

c-preferably, the data comprised in the memory of the control device of the administrator are transmitted periodically to the PA, for example at the end of the administrator's shift.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the VLU is used as a TRD.

Automotive positioning units are well known in the art and are widely used for a variety of purposes. These aims are: locating a stolen vehicle, for which the VLU is activated if the vehicle is stolen; transmitting a signal of the vehicle's location in case of a vehicle failure or other emergency; and monitoring the position of various cars of a fleet of, for example, transport trucks or buses of any kind.

The VLU is part of a system that includes a control center, a plurality of fixed stations with transmit and receive antennas, and the VLU device itself. In one type of VLU system, a VLU device carried by a vehicle holds an identification address code. The control center transmits a modulated signal, i.e. a reference signal, to the located vehicle via the fixed station. The VLU receives this signal and compares it with its own identification code. If they correspond to each other, the VLU sends a signal. The response signals are received by the fixed stations and transmitted to the control centre, which analyses the information received from the fixed stations in order to determine, for example, the distance of the car from each of said stations and calculates therefrom the position of the car. Such VLUs are described in UK patent application 2234140 a.

Alternatively, once the VLU has been activated by the driver or automatically (as in the case of theft), it sends the fixed station an identification code containing itself, and the fixed station and control center will operate as specified above.

Now, according to the described embodiment of the present invention, the car parking system includes a car positioning unit as a TRD. In addition, however, the vehicle that is part of the parking system includes means for the VLU to communicate with the central computer and the central computer of the parking system. These devices, as well as other units mentioned earlier that are not part of a standard VLU; should be considered to constitute an auxiliary cassette according to the invention.

If the VLU is intended to be used only in an emergency, the VLU cannot normally transmit a signal, and the above-mentioned auxiliary devices will be activated by the driver when the driver starts parking and deactivated when the parking is suspended. When a signal containing a car identification code and possibly a parking place marker and other relevant data is received by the central receiver, it will operate to monitor the parking, determine its parking time, and send the auxiliary box the signal required to execute the management program.

However, it may be that the VLU continues to operate for a longer or shorter period of time while the vehicle is running. This may occur if the VLU system is used to track the vehicle at all times so that the control center may always know the vehicle location; wherein the VLU is activated by the driver when the driver wants to find a space or when the car is approaching such a location. In these cases, during VLU operation, the central computer will be constantly aware of the vehicle position and will not require any start signal when parking is initiated, because once the vehicle stops, the VLU compares the vehicle position to the parking positions it controls, and if the vehicle position is one of the parking positions, the parking routine will be initiated. It is clear that in this case the central computer must receive information about the position of the car from the car positioning control centre. Thus, the central computer and the control center will be connected by a message exchange device that is activated when the VLU begins operating with the same signal that activates the car positioning system.

In the case mentioned above, i.e. if the driver activates the VLU only at the moment of parking and only for the purpose of starting the parking program, the same operating steps may be carried out, i.e. that signal which starts the VLU operation will also cause the central computer to communicate with the car positioning control center; alternatively, however, the driver may send a parking code to the central computer containing the signs of the parking areas as described herein, and in such a case, no information exchange between the vehicle positioning system control center and the central computer is necessary.

Thus, the invention comprises a method of controlling parking of a vehicle and charging a user for a parking fee, the method comprising the steps of:

1. providing at least one central computer;

2. providing a vehicle location system comprising a control center, a plurality of fixed stations, and a VLU for each customer;

3. at any desired time, sending a request signal to the central computer to monitor the position of the vehicle for parking control purposes;

4. sending a request for vehicle location data from the central computer to the control center when the signal is sent;

5. transmitting the requested data from the control center to the central computer when the request for the car position data has been transmitted;

6. monitoring a vehicle location based on the vehicle location data; and thereby determine when and where the car is parked;

7. comparing the location at which the vehicle is parked with a parking location table controlled by said central computer and registering the start of parking if said location at which the vehicle is parked is one of them;

8. activating a symbol visible from outside the vehicle indicating a legitimate stop;

9. counting the actual parking time;

10. registering the end of the parking when the vehicle starts to change its position;

11. the user number, parking location, actual parking time and other data, if any, required for the PA to collect parking fees from the user is sent from the central computer to the PA.

Once the central computer has identified the parking location, it will know if there is a maximum parking time or other limit at that location and will send a signal to the VLU or to a display implementing the limit, and if an automatic receiving device is equipped, the parking manager will recognize any violation by examining the display. In particular, if the longest parking time has elapsed and the central computer has not registered that car has been driven away and therefore has not sent a parking to the VLU or to the display that the parking has terminated, the display will indicate an illegal parking.

In one embodiment of the invention using a VLU as a TRD, the complementary box may be equipped with a buffer memory device for registering hypothetical parking manoeuvres if communication with the central computer cannot be established as described hereinbefore with reference to the general purpose TRD. When the data registered in the buffer memory is transmitted to the central computer, the central computer checks the correctness of the data to acquire the vehicle position at the time the data was registered from the control center of the vehicle positioning system. If the control center cannot normally provide past location data, the VLU may be equipped with means to request the VLU to register the location of the vehicle at the relevant time so that it can be transmitted to the central computer when the central computer requests the location data of the vehicle, or the driver may be equipped with means to request the control center to transmit the location to the VLU, which can then register the location in the buffer memory of the auxiliary box.

The present invention also includes an integrated vehicle locating system and parking system, the system comprising:

a components of a car positioning system, i.e. at least one control centre, several, e.g. three fixed stations and VLU's for each subscriber and

b-components of a parking system comprising at least one central computer and, for each user, means for use in conjunction with the VLU for allowing the VLU to communicate with the central computer.

According to one aspect of the invention, the integrated vehicle positioning system and parking network additionally comprises means for exchanging information between the vehicle positioning system control center and a central computer of the parking network. For example means in the computer for requesting position data from the control centre and means in the control centre for sending position data to the central computer.

Preferably, the integrated vehicle positioning system and parking network further comprises ancillary devices and components such as: a display device associated with the VLU, visible from outside the vehicle, for signaling permitted parking and permitted parking time limits and any other pertinent information;

a time counting means that registers an allowed parking time and measures an actual used parking time;

control means for the parking manager and other means required for performing the parking management steps.

As mentioned above, the means for allowing the VLU to communicate with the central computer, the display means and the timing means, when present, as well as any other units not included in conventional VLU's, should be considered to constitute an auxiliary box according to the invention, although in fact these means are not separate units combined with a conventional VLU, they are integrated units of a modified VLU in order to allow or improve its functioning as TRD for parking systems and devices. In any event, these configurations are within the scope of the present invention.

In the figure

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a parking system according to one embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a portable telephone set applied to an auxiliary box as viewed from the inside of an automobile;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view from the front of the auxiliary box when viewed from outside the vehicle;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of one embodiment of an auxiliary box;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a control device;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an auxiliary box according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

fig. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a parking system in which a VLU is used as a TRD.

Referring now to fig. 1, each parking network according to the invention comprises at least one central computer 10, located at a suitable location, typically remote from the parking area. For each user of the network, the network contains at least one TRD. In this particular embodiment, the TRD is shown generally at 11 as a cellular telephone for purposes of illustration, but this should not be construed as a limitation as any transponder device can be substituted for the cellular telephone. The TRD is mechanically supported by any convenient support, such as the support used to support the general equipment of a cellular telephone, such as in a car, for example, indicated at 18 (fig. 2). The parking system also comprises, for each user, at least one auxiliary box, generally indicated at 12. The telephone set 11 and the accessory box 12 are shown operatively connected at 13 for establishing a desired connection between the circuits thereof when the two devices are coupled. This operative connection may be any type of suitable connection and may for example comprise a cable arrangement and a connection box, which need not be described further here, since it can be easily equipped by a skilled person. Preferably, power supply means are provided for feeding power to the auxiliary cassette. These devices can include automotive batteries and electrical connections between the batteries and an auxiliary box, which is installed in the automobile. However, the auxiliary box can be equipped with an automatic power supply device. Typically, the TRD has its own battery device, such as a battery pack, but when used in accordance with the present invention, the TRD may be attached to the vehicle battery.

The auxiliary box 12 includes a display 19, shown as a separate unit in the figure, but in practice constitutes the front panel of the auxiliary box 12. The display 19 is for example composed of two lamps 14 and 15, which assume different colors red and green, and an identification code, which can be scanned and registered from the outside, indicated with 16 (fig. 2), assuming a digital code, such as a bar code or the like. The device may also display other information, such as the end of the allowed parking time, etc., as schematically represented in display 17 (fig. 2). The supplementary box allows the telephone set 11 to communicate with the central computer 10 via the antenna 22 by transmitting to the central computer an appropriate integrated code which, together with the computer's specified number, forms the address of the computer. The telephone keys, generally indicated at 20, allow dialing and other coded information to be transmitted to the central computer 10. 21 and 22 denote the antennas of the auxiliary box and of the central computer, respectively. A TRD antenna may also be used instead of an antenna as part of the auxiliary box. Reference numeral 25 denotes a control box, which will be described later. 26 is a computer of PA.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the telephone set 11 and the auxiliary box 12 when viewed from the inside of the vehicle, and fig. 3 schematically shows the display 17 of the auxiliary box 12 when viewed from the windshield.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram of the auxiliary box 12 according to an embodiment of the present invention. And 30 denotes the CPU of the box. 31 denotes a part of the CPU which confirms that the appropriate TRD has interfaced with the accessory box and provides approval and consent for the accessory box to perform its function. The CPU receives information from the TRD at 32 and transmits information to the TRD at 33. 34 is a unit with which the approval process to be described is performed to determine that the cassette 12 is the actual one. Reference numeral 35 denotes a timer circuit which counts down the actual parking time. The auxiliary box is powered by any convenient power source, such as an on-board battery, the power input being represented by arrow 36.

According to the invention, each parking network is used in the following manner. When the car is parked and the telephone set 11 (or other TRD) is coupled to the accessory box 12, the telephone set 11 can be connected to the central computer 10 by dialing the specified number of the central computer. If the phone is not coupled to the accessory box, the dialed number will not produce a result and the phone will not be able to contact the central computer. If the telephone is coupled to the accessory box and the specified number is also dialed, the accessory box uses an integrated code stored in the memory of the accessory box to merge with the specified number to form a computer address and allow the computer to receive communications from the TRD, as described above. The driver also dials (desirably with the usual keys, although other dedicated keys may be provided) a number of code numbers identifying the parking area and all relevant parameters relating to the parking area. Parking areas may be included in the labels.

If the central computer is open and a connection is made between it and the TRD, the computer will send a signal to the latter that a parking request has been received and any other useful information unless that particular phone is somehow ineligible to do so (or not accessible to the PA, for example because it cannot pay the previous telephone charges, or not associated with a pay-for-payment account, or not allowing parking at that time). While it also conveys the maximum available parking time and any other pertinent information. The central computer's reply will cause the auxiliary box to initiate a signal indicating a legitimate stop and start to count down the stop time, i.e. continuously measure the elapsed time and subtract it from the allowed stop time. This will complete the parking procedure.

If the line is busy when the driver dials the central computer, the computer will notify this, listing the user in a waiting list, and initiate a legal stop. The parking procedure is completed when the line becomes free, even when the phone is not on the accessory box.

Once the parking program has been completed, or the user has been placed on the waiting list, the TRD can be removed from the auxiliary box and used by the driver in the normal manner; it cannot communicate with the central computer and request parking anywhere or extend the allowed parking time until it is coupled to the complementary box again.

When the driver leaves the parking lot, he calls the central computer again and informs the end of the parking, the central computer deactivates the auxiliary box and records the parking time. Based on these data, the OA charges a parking fee, or more precisely, bills the customer the fee paid to the PA. Alternatively, the data may be sent to the PA, in which case the PA directly credits the user with the corresponding fee.

The parking manager carries a control device comprising scanning means and storage means, preferably random access memory, to pass between parked vehicles at regular intervals. Fig. 5 schematically shows such a device, generally indicated at 40, which is equipped with an antenna 41, keys 42 and a display 43. It is also equipped with a bar code reader or other device for reading the identification indicia, indicated at 44, of the auxiliary cartridge 12. 45 denotes a means for coupling this device to a PA computer or to a terminal leading to this device.

When the manager passes close to the car or stops in front of the car, a verification procedure is first performed to ensure that the car's auxiliary box is genuine and not counterfeit or not illegal. There are several ways in which such a procedure can be performed, one of which is that the supervisor sends a message to the complementary box using infrared or ultrasound or other radiation, to which the latter responds by displaying a coded response on its display according to the procedure stored in its memory. To make it more difficult for this program to fail, a number of programs may be stored in each of the secondary cartridge memories, and the administrator may select one of them in a random manner, or the administrator may change the messages he sends to the secondary cartridges randomly or otherwise. Another validation procedure requires the auxiliary box to send, continuously or at short intervals, messages with infrared or ultrasound or other radiation, whose real performance is checked by the control device.

Once a positive result is confirmed, the scanning means of the control device scans the identification of the auxiliary cartridge (a bar code or other convenient identification means as described above, or digital or otherwise) and this identification is recorded in the control device memory. If the supervisor sees an illegal parking of a car due to the auxiliary box being deactivated or showing a parking overtime or for any other reason, he records this fact in the control device with an applicable code identifying the specific parking violation. If the auxiliary box is lost, he can record the license plate number of the car. If the complementary box indicates a legal parking he can also enter this fact in the memory of the control device. The communication between the control device and the auxiliary box for accomplishing the above operations is schematically indicated at 46 in fig. 1.

At the end of a particular time period, typically at the end of an administrator's shift or work day, or at any other convenient time, the administrator will bring his control device to the location specified by the PA, where he couples his control device to the computer or terminal operated by the PA and transfers the contents of his control device memory to the computer or terminal. The PA may react in any suitable way (which is not part of the inventive parking method) to any illegal parking recorded by the control device.

As will be appreciated, the parking network according to the invention is based on components that are technically feasible or easy to design by the manufacturer within the capabilities of the person skilled in the art. The central unit of each network consists of a coupling of the TRD and the auxiliary box. As mentioned, the central computer will not accept communications from any TRD that dials its specified number unless this is integrated with a specific code that can only be sent by the auxiliary box. A block diagram of an auxiliary box according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in fig. 5, which is for illustrative purposes only.

Each auxiliary box has a CPU that includes a memory device, preferably a ROM. When the user purchases the accessory box, the device manufacturer or vendor will record in its memory the number of the TRD, e.g., cell phone, that the user intends to use. This can be done in many ways, for example by coupling a TRD to the auxiliary cassette and driving it, or in any other way that will be readily understood by a person skilled in the art. Thereafter, the supplementary box will refuse to communicate with the TRD having a different number in any way, i.e. its circuitry will remain inactive until an approval or approval is given by the CPU, which approval depends on the TRD number recorded in the memory of the supplementary box received from the TRD coupled to the supplementary box. Once given consent, the complementary box will remain inactive as long as the TRD coupled to the complementary box does not dial the prescribed number of the central computer, and will combine said number with the code stored in its memory when the TRD dials the number. Typically, each user will dial one and only one computer, since each user typically signs up for a single parking network, as defined above, and a single such network typically comprises only one central computer; and therefore only one such code will be present in the memory of the auxiliary box. However, if the user may have to dial more than one central computer-if he signs up for more than 1 parking network (e.g. if he uses two or more cell phones belonging to different cellular phone networks), this may happen, or if the parking network he signs up for covering such a wide area-so that more than 1 central computer is required to cover this area-the memory of the complementary box will store a table of the prescribed numbers and corresponding integrated codes of such central computers, the user will know which central computer to contact in each case, or he will get this information from the sign posted on the parking location.

There is also a timer in the complementary box that will be set to the allowed parking time and the complementary box will calculate the actual parking time. As mentioned, the expiration of the allowed time will switch off the legitimate parking symbol and switch on the illegitimate parking symbol. In many cases, the legal parking symbol will be a green light, and the illegal parking symbol will be a red light, but a different display device can be provided without difficulty.

As mentioned, the control device of the administrator comprises scanning and storage means, means for executing a validation program and means for accessing the PA computer. Such devices are readily designed and manufactured by those skilled in the art.

Referring now to the block diagram of fig. 6, it is assumed that the TRD is a cellular telephone, but it should be clear that it could be any other TRD without requiring any changes in the auxiliary box, and therefore this latter could be used in any embodiment of the invention. The auxiliary box includes internal circuitry, generally indicated at 50, and a display, generally indicated at 51. The circuitry 50 and the display 51 may be contained in a single physical structure or box or may be part of a separate structure or connectable auxiliary box.

The circuit 50 includes a general bus 60 for connecting several functional devices together, which represents a particular model of several devices that are commercially available and which may be used to construct a particular embodiment of the present invention. It is clear, however, that other devices having the same functions may be used instead of those identified in fig. 6, and therefore the devices include a microcontroller or CPU61 and a non-volatile memory 62, which also includes an external identification unit 63 and an internal identification unit 64, the external identification unit 63 identifying the TRD (in this example, a cellular phone), and the internal identification unit 64 identifying the device (auxiliary box) itself. The timer 65 is also used to time the parking time. Buffers 66 and 67 are provided to provide buffers for data transmission and reception between the auxiliary box and the service telephone. A driver 68 connects the auxiliary internal circuitry 50 to the display 51 which is capable of receiving infrared or other radiated signals at 70 during the management procedure, the circuitry 50 receiving power from a power supply 71 through a back-up power supply 72, which ensures that data stored in the device is not erased when the normal power to the device is turned off. Finally, numeral 73 denotes a parallel/serial input/output unit for sending and receiving data at 74 and 75, these having the purpose of allowing a user to request and extract data from the device, for authentication or other purposes. As mentioned above, suitable devices for use in certain embodiments of the invention are identified in FIG. 6, while others may be used by the skilled artisan.

Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing a parking system in which a VLU is implemented as a TRD.

In this embodiment of the invention, where a car (not shown in the block diagram) belonging to a parking system user has installed in it a VLU80, VLU80 may be active at all times when the car is being driven, or VLU80 may be activated by the driver at selected times during the driving of the car to monitor the car for a considerable time, or when the car is approaching a parking lot and the driver wishes to prepare for a parking procedure. Activation of the VLU causes a signal to be sent to the central computer 82 which controls the parking lot and this signal includes the car identification code. The computer 82 then sends a signal requesting the vehicle location data to the vehicle positioning system control center 84. At the same time, the VLU sends normal car positioning signals that are received by fixed stations, such as the three stations 85, 86 and 87, which send the data to the control center. The control centre calculates the position of the car 80 and sends the parking including the position data to the computer 82, if they have been requested by said computer. When the signal received by the computer 82 indicates that the signal has stopped, the computer compares the coordinates received from the control center 84 with the parking lot coordinate table contained in its memory and if it finds that the car has stopped in the parking lot, initiates the parking procedure as described above. As a result, the display 89 associated with the VLU and which may be considered part of the parking aid box indicates that the vehicle is properly parked.

At this point the parking time is calculated, which is preferably done by the central computer, which will consider the parking to be over when it continues to receive position data from the control centre indicating that the car has started to move. However, a timer can be associated with the VLU, particularly for indicating elapsed time on the display. If such a timer is provided, a stop indicating the end of the stop can also be sent by the VLU to the central computer, but this is not necessary and may not be desirable. In any case, while parking is in progress, the parking manager can see from the display: the car is parked correctly and all useful information can be derived therefrom and/or exchanged therewith, as described in detail herein, at the end of the parking the central computer records the parking data.

The same operation as described in fig. 7 can be implemented if the driver activates the VLU only when he is in the parking lot. In that case, he can send a signal identifying the parking lot to the computer 82 and does not require the intervention of the fixed stations 85 to 87 and the control center 84. Alternatively, however, the system shown in fig. 7 may still be used, in which case when the driver enters the parking lot he activates the VLU, which sends a signal to a computer, which sends a signal to a control centre or the like, as described in connection with fig. 7, in which case the signal sent from the VLU to the computer is only the activation signal and no identification of the parking lot is required, since this would be identified by the position of the car.

In any embodiment of the invention, all elements of the VLU required for its normal operation as part of the car positioning system may be considered to be the TRD of the parking apparatus, and on the other hand parts of the VLU or those elements associated with the VLU but not required may be considered to together constitute the auxiliary box of the parking apparatus.

As mentioned above, the coupling between the TRD and the auxiliary box does not necessarily require a physical connection between them to initiate the parking procedure, but may be accomplished by connecting the TRD and the auxiliary box using radiation, e.g. electromagnetic waves, although this is not shown. The TRD and the auxiliary box may have specific codes to allow them to communicate exclusively via specific wave frequencies, so that the central computer will recognize: the TRD is in fact coupled to an auxiliary box, which can then receive update data from the central computer. In this way, the user can obtain the advantage of extending the parking time without being forced to return to the car. The communication between the various components of the system required to complete the parking procedure will be as described above, with the TRD and the complementary box acting as if they were physically coupled.

While the present apparatus embodiments have been described for illustrative purposes, it will be apparent that the invention is susceptible to numerous modifications, variations and adaptations, without departing from its spirit or exceeding the scope of the claims.

Claims (40)

1. A parking network for controlling parking of a vehicle and charging parking fees to a number of users, comprising at least one central computer (10) and a transponder device (11) for each user, characterized in that said network comprises a complementary box (12) for each user, which complementary box is couplable to said transponder device and only to it, said transponder device only being able to establish communication with said central computer if said complementary box is coupled to said transponder device, said complementary box comprising:

a microcontroller or CPU (61) controlling the operation of the auxiliary box;

a memory device (62) for storing the numerical address or 'prescribed number' and the composite code of the central computer;

means (64) for storing and transmitting to said microcontroller an identification number or tag corresponding to the identification number of the transponder device;

-buffering means (66) for transmitting information to the transmitter-transponder means, and-buffering means (67) for receiving information from the transmitter-transponder means; and

-a universal bus means (60) for establishing the required connections between all the aforementioned components.

2. Parking network according to claim 1, wherein the complementary box is provided with display means (19), visible from outside the vehicle, for transmitting the signal allowing parking and the expiration of the allowed parking time.

3. Parking network according to claim 1, wherein the complementary box is provided with timing means which record the allowed parking time and measure the actually experienced parking time.

4. Parking network according to claim 1, wherein the complementary boxes are provided with identification marks or indices which can be scanned and recorded from the outside.

5. Parking network according to claim 1, wherein the complementary box is provided with means for receiving and interpreting the confirmation message.

6. Parking network according to claim 1, wherein the complementary box is provided with means for transmitting a confirmation message.

7. A parking network according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of parking control devices for use by a parking manager.

8. Parking network according to claim 7, wherein each parking control device comprises scanning means for reading the identification marks and display symbols of the complementary box and storage means for recording information derived from the scanning.

9. Parking network according to claim 8, wherein coupling means are provided in each control device for coupling the control device to a terminal or computer for transmitting the content of the control device memory to the public authority.

10. Parking network according to claim 1, wherein the complementary box is provided with a seat for housing and supporting the transponder means and electrical connection means for connecting said transponder means to said complementary box circuit.

11. Parking network according to claim 1, characterized in that the complementary box comprises:

a timer device (65) for counting the parking duration;

a display (51);

-drive means (68) for transmitting to the display the signals required to complete the management steps as defined above;

a parallel/serial input/output device (73); and

a backup power supply arrangement (72) for connection to the main power supply.

12. Parking network according to claim 11, wherein the components of the complementary box comprise components selected from;

microcontroller 80C 51;

a memory 2817A;

means 2817A for storing and sending an identification number or label to the microcontroller;

timer device DP 8571A;

display NSB 3882;

the driving device MM 74C 911;

the parallel/serial input/auxiliary device MM74HC 595; and

the buffer MM74HC 589.

13. A parking network according to claim 1, wherein the transponder means is selected from among a cellular telephone and a pager.

14. Parking network according to claim 1, wherein the transponder device is a car positioning unit.

15. A parking network according to claim 14 further comprising means for placing the vehicle locating unit in communication with at least one central computer of the parking network.

16. A parking network according to claim 14 including means for activating the car locating unit at any desired time.

17. A parking network according to claim 14, comprising means for informing the parking system central computer of the activation of the car locating unit.

18. A parking network according to claim 14, comprising means for transmitting vehicle identification data from the vehicle locating unit to the central computer.

19. Parking network according to claim 14, comprising means for transmitting parking data comprising parking position data.

20. Parking network according to claim 14, wherein the elements of the car locating unit required for normal operation of the car locating unit as part of the car locating system constitute transponder means, and on the other hand the elements which are part of the car locating unit or which are associated with the car locating unit but are not required together constitute an auxiliary box.

21. Parking network according to claim 1, comprising means for feeding the complementary boxes.

22. Parking network according to claim 21, wherein the means for feeding the auxiliary box transponder means comprise a battery for parking the car.

23. Parking network according to claim 1, wherein the complementary box comprises buffer storage means for recording assumed parking data and means for activating said buffer storage means for recording said data or for sending recorded data to the central computer.

24. Parking network according to claim 23, wherein the complementary box comprises means for preventing further parking operations if presumed parking data are recorded in the buffer memory and/or signalling an illegal parking unless and until said presumed parking data have been validated and approved by the central computer.

25. Parking network according to claim 23, wherein the transponder device is a car locating unit and means are provided for requesting the control center of the car locating unit system to record or send the car position to the car locating unit upon activation of the buffer memory.

26. Parking network according to claim 1, wherein the complementary box and the transponder means are coupled by a circuit connecting them.

27. Parking network according to claim 1, wherein the complementary box and the transponder means are coupled by means of radiation.

28. Parking installation comprising a plurality of networks according to any one of claims 1 to 27.

29. A method of controlling parking of a vehicle and charging a user a parking fee, comprising the steps of:

a) providing at least one central computer;

b) providing each user with at least one transponder device and an auxiliary box, specially coupled to each other and identified accordingly, the auxiliary box having display means for visually indicating its activation and the non-expiry or expiry of the permitted parking time;

c) -coupling the transponder device to the auxiliary box once the car has been parked, unless they have been so coupled;

d) a code to control a specific parking position and it;

e) dialing a prescribed number of the central computer combined with a code stored in the auxiliary box memory to form a computer address and also dialing the parking area code and necessary parameters;

f) if the transponder device is connected to the central computer, the following steps are carried out:

I. transmitting from the central computer parking approval and the allowed parking time to the transponder device, thereby completing the parking procedure;

if the parking procedure has been completed, initiating a symbol in the auxiliary box display indicating a legal parking and parking area;

calculating an actual parking time by decrementing a timer included in the auxiliary box;

g) if the connection of the transponder device to the central computer is not implemented, the following steps are carried out:

I. storing in the central computer memory the data dialed by the transponder device, placing the transponder device in a waiting list, and sending a signal to the transponder device indicating completion;

initiating symbols in the complementary box display indicating legal parking and parking areas and starting to count down the actual parking time using a timer included in the complementary box;

continuing the decremental calculation of the actual parking time when the connection of the transponder device to the central computer has been carried out, and deactivating the symbol representing a legal parking in the auxiliary box display and activating the symbol representing a parking overtime at the end of the permitted parking time;

h) if the car leaves the parking lot before the allowed parking time is over, this fact is transmitted from the transponder device to the central computer, the countdown of the parking time is stopped and the auxiliary box display is deactivated.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising: if the transponder device has not indicated that the car has left the parking lot at the end of the permitted parking time, the symbol indicating a legal parking is deactivated in the auxiliary box display, whereas the symbol indicating a parking overtime is activated.

31. The method of claim 29, further comprising: the number of the user, the parking position and the actual parking time required by the public authority to collect parking fees from the users are transmitted from the central computer to the public authority.

32. The method of claim 29, further comprising: having the operating agency collect and transmit the parking fee to the public authority.

33. The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of managing:

a) providing the parking position to the manager by using the control device, and scanning and recording the identification code of the parking position from the outside of the automobile;

b) recording the fact of legal or illegal parking of each such identification code and optionally the reason for this illegal parking;

c) periodically sending data contained in the memory of the manager control device to a public authority.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising: the secondary box is validated by sending a message from the control device to the secondary box and the response of the secondary box to the message is checked.

35. The method of claim 33, further comprising: the auxiliary box is validated by sending a validation message from said auxiliary box to the control device.

36. A method for controlling parking of a vehicle and charging a parking fee to a user, comprising the steps of:

a) providing at least one central computer;

b) providing a vehicle locating system comprising a control center, a plurality of fixed stations and a vehicle locating unit for each user;

c) sending a request to the central computer at any desired time to monitor the position of the vehicle for parking control purposes;

d) transmitting a request for vehicle location data from said central computer to said control center while transmitting said signal;

e) transmitting the requested data from the control center to the central computer when the request for the vehicle location data has been transmitted;

f) monitoring the position of the vehicle according to the vehicle position data and determining when and where the vehicle is parked therefrom;

g) comparing the parked position of the car with a parking position table controlled by said central computer and recording the start of parking if the parked position of the car is one of them;

h) activating a symbol visible from outside the vehicle indicating a legitimate stop;

i) calculating the actual parking time;

j) recording the end of the stop when the vehicle starts to change its position;

k) data required for the public authority to collect parking fees from the users, including user numbers, parking locations, actual parking times, are transmitted from the central computer to the public authority.

37. An integrated vehicle positioning system and parking network comprising

a-components of a car positioning system comprising at least one control centre, a number of fixed stations and a car positioning unit for each user; and

b-a component of a parking network comprising at least one central computer and, for each user, means combined with said transponder means for allowing said transponder means to communicate with said central computer.

38. The integrated vehicle positioning system and parking network of claim 37 further comprising means for exchanging information between the vehicle positioning system control center and the parking network central computer.

39. An integrated vehicle positioning system and parking network according to claim 38 wherein the means for exchanging information between a vehicle positioning system control center and a parking network central computer comprises means in said computer for requesting position data from said control center and means in said control center for transmitting position data to said central computer.

40. The integrated vehicle locating system and parking network of claim 37 further comprising:

a display device associated with the transponder device, visible from outside the vehicle, for indicating information of an approved parking and expiration of the permitted parking time;

timing means for measuring the actual elapsed parking time;

and the control device is used for finishing the parking management step.