SK500252020A3 - Method for detecting the presence of a motor vehicle in the monitored zone with identification of its engine type and detection device - Google Patents

Abstract

The method of detecting the presence of a motor vehicle in a monitored zone with identification of its engine type comprises the steps of: activating a magnetic field sensor by a control unit to detect a change in the surrounding magnetic field; upon detection of a change in the surrounding magnetic field, activation of the radar sensor by the control unit to detect the presence of the motor vehicle in the monitored zone and activation of the acoustic sensor by the control unit to identify the engine type of the motor vehicle in the monitored zone; evaluating the sensed data from the magnetic field sensor, the radar sensor and the acoustic sensor by a computing unit to provide information data on the presence of the motor vehicle and the motor vehicle engine type in the monitored zone and sending the information data by the communication unit via the data network to the data repository. The detection device for detecting the presence of a motor vehicle in the monitored zone with the identification of its engine type consists of a control and calculation unit to which the following are connected: a sensor unit comprising a magnetic field sensor, a radar sensor and an acoustic sensor; communication unit with antennas and power supply.

Description

SK 50025-2020 A3

Field of technology

The invention relates to a method for detecting the presence of a motor vehicle present in a monitored zone, i. j. motor vehicle parked above the detection device and also relates to the identification of the just identified motor vehicle with the engine running from the type of power unit: diesel, petrol, CNG, electro. The invention also relates to the detection device itself (hereinafter also referred to as the detection device). The invention belongs to the field of the automotive industry and the field of smart cities.

Prior art

The number of cars in cities is increasing. On the other hand, the number of parking spaces in the streets and city zones remains approximately the same, resp. increases only to a limited extent. As a result, almost all cities have a parking problem.

However, the solutions currently used have many limitations. Magnetometry-based detectors often struggle with inaccurate measurements, poor battery life, and do not allow software updates or status records during possible network outages. Existing solutions usually rely on proprietary protocols and require the deployment of gateways, which is not cost-optimal. Alternatively, the delegation of the presence of parked cars may be based on cameras mounted only on buildings or lamps, they need to be powered and connected to the Internet, so that areas outside such infrastructures cannot be monitored by cameras. In addition, changing weather conditions, such as rain, fog, or snow, reduce the accuracy of camera-based imaging detection. Effective and reliable parking monitoring and management solutions must be built on accurate, high-quality and cost-optimal detection technology, with sophisticated data analysis and easy maintenance. For this reason, there is a clear market demand for a highly efficient and accurate intelligent parking solution based on loT (Internet of Things) sensors working on existing long-life infrastructure, with almost 100% detection accuracy and an additional authentication function (to extend usability) and compatibility with major IoT networks for large-scale global deployments.

Several wireless parking sensors are currently well known. Wireless magnetic parking sensors are designed to detect the availability of a parking space, responding to changes in the magnetic field when the vehicle is parked above them. They also transmit real-time parking space availability information to the monitoring system. These parking sensors are realized in the shape of a flat disk and are installed on the surface of the parking space or are installed below the surface of the parking space as is known from the Slovak utility model no. 8499, in which the parking sensor contains only a magnetometer.

The solution described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,525,845 B2 is known in the prior art, where the following is determined at the electric vehicle charging station by means of a range detection sensor with integrated RADAR, LIDAR sensor, ultrasonic and infrared sensor: vehicle type characteristics (standard, electric, hybrid, etc. .); identification information (VIN, license plate, etc.) and battery status information. The charging station responds on the basis of the specified characteristics to the authorized information about the unjustified occupation of the charging point.

The low-energy parking sensor described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,297,150, with an included magnetometer, optical, pressure and ultrasonic sensor, monitors the occupancy of a parking space, where the main criterion is the parking time.

Among the current parking requirements, the ban on entering motor vehicles with dedicated urban zones comes to the fore. This problem has put pressure on the development of parking sensor designs that would primarily identify diesel vehicles. The efforts of the authors led to the creation of intelligent parking or so-called "Smart parking" with an effort to optimize the current state by detecting the presence of a motor vehicle present in the monitored zone, t. j. of a motor vehicle parked above the detection device and identification of the just identified motor vehicle with the engine running from the type of power unit: diesel, gasoline, CNG, electro according to the invention.

The essence of the invention

These technologies are limited to detecting the presence of a motor vehicle and do not include other functionalities for identifying the type of motor vehicle, according to the mass or energy burned. This disadvantage is eliminated by a method for detecting the presence of a motor vehicle in a monitored zone with identification of its engine type and a detection device according to the invention, the method of which consists in that the sensor unit comprises sensor members which sense analogous environmental parameters of the detection device.

SK 50025-2020 A3, subsequently these parameters are digitized and read by the control unit. In the first step, the control unit activates the magnetic field sensor to detect a change in the surrounding magnetic field. The magnetic field sensor is activated max. 2 seconds and then min. 2 seconds, where at given intervals it measures the level of the surrounding magnetic field in three axes. The measured values of the magnetic field are evaluated in the control and calculation unit, where the size of the magnetic field vector is calculated according to the formula:

= * 4

If the size of the vector B _tot exceeds a defined value during n consecutive measurements, the detection algorithm continues in the second step in the measurement using a radar sensor (micro-radar) and an acoustic sensor. Radar sensor and acoustic sensor are activated max. 2 seconds. The radar sensor measures the amplitude of the reflection of the electromagnetic signal in time. The acoustic sensor samples the sound waves generated by the vehicle engine during this time.

The control unit preferably monitors the operating conditions of the detection device by means of a temperature sensor, and subsequently the calculation unit evaluates possible thermal anomalies which could affect the accuracy of the measured data and the service life of the detection device. The temperature sensor is preferably activated at regular intervals.

In the next process step, the calculation unit adjusts the read values, using calibration tables. The proposed mathematical algorithms and artificially intelligent evaluation methods based on neural networks are then applied to the adjusted values in order to correctly identify the presence of the vehicle and the engine type of the currently identified vehicle. After the computing unit evaluates the presence of the motor vehicle, the control and computing unit preferably turns on the short-distance two-way communication process (Bluetooth, BLE and Ultrawideband, UWB) in order to identify the user of the currently parked vehicle. This process preferably includes applications such as authorized parking identification, parking time tracking for automatic payment, motor vehicle type identification via BLE, or communication with other devices such as external signaling, gate opening, vehicle presence reporting for dispatching and the like.

In the third main process step, the data on the presence and type of the motor vehicle are evaluated, as well as the data on the user of the vehicle exposed to the communication unit. Each communication unit is connected to its own radio antenna, to send and receive radio waves. Subsequently, after the communication unit receives the result data packet and the command to send it from the control unit, the communication unit establishes a connection to the data network via an antenna and sends the data. Any communication with the data storage via the data network is subject to strict security rules.

The method for detecting the presence of a motor vehicle in a monitored zone with identification of its engine type is performed on a detection device according to the invention, the method of which consists in that the detection device for detecting a motor vehicle and identifying it comprises a sensor unit that converts analog signals to digital. The device contains a control unit that controls and manages the entire device, as well as a calculation unit for processing, evaluation and mathematical instructions applied to the captured data. Preferably, the control unit and the computing unit are arranged as a common control and computing unit. It is to be understood that the entire invention described herein may be implemented equally well by a common control and computing unit or a separate control and computing unit. Furthermore, the device also contains a communication unit together with the necessary antenna system as well as an internal monitored power supply.

In terms of mechanical construction, it is a detection device that is resistant to the external environment, is hermetically sealed in the housing and meets the requirements for environmental protection IP68. Stiffness and mechanical strength requirements resistant to the pressure generated by the weight of motor vehicles are also taken into account.

In terms of power supply, the detection device preferably comprises its own battery, capable of providing a power source for all motor vehicle detector perimeter, for more than five years, during normal parking cycles (20 parked vehicles / day). The internal power supply preferably includes monitoring of its own energy backup, the course of consumption during the entire life of the device, evaluation of possible anomalies and prediction of the life of the device.

The software of the detection device contains functions for controlling the sequence of processes for operating individual units (sensor unit, communication unit and power supply unit) as well as separate algorithms for evaluating sensed values and artificial intelligence supporting decision-making in determining the type of engine, sensed motor vehicle.

The sensor unit preferably consists of a system of sensors measuring non-electrical quantities such as a magnetic field sensor - magnetometer, radar sensor - micro radar, acoustic sensor and temperature sensor. The sensor unit preferably uses a high-precision 3-axis magnetometer to measure the intensity of the magnetic field in the X, Y, Z axes in its vicinity. The change in the intensity of the magnetic field indicates the possible presence of a motor vehicle, which with its metal construction changes the magnetic field in its

SK 50025-2020 A3 medium proximity. An integrated radar sensor with its own antenna detects the presence of the vehicle by measuring the time and intensity of the reflected electromagnetic signal from the vehicle chassis. The radar sensor also measures the non-contact vibrations of the motor vehicle. The radar sensor is preferably a pulsed coherent radar sensor calibrated to detect reflective waves in the range of 10 cm to 70 cm and is preferably located on the upper side of the printed circuit board under the micro-radar lens. The acoustic sensor preferably senses acoustic waves generated by the motor vehicle in the band from 10 Hz to 20 kHz, standing above the sensing unit of the detection device.

The detection device of a motor vehicle also consists of a communication unit, which consists of communication modules and a system of radio antennas, for transmitting and receiving radio signals. Preferably, it comprises at least one transmitter and at least one radio wine receiver in the band of the range:

• 3.1 GHz to 4.8 GHz mainly, but not exclusively, for short distance communication with UWB identification devices;

• 2.4 GHz mainly, but not exclusively, for short distance communication with BLE identification devices;

• Frequency LTE (Long Term Evolution) bands B8 and B20 for Europe • Frequency LTE bands B2, B4 and B12 for the USA

It is also possible to use other technology suitable for the transmission of information.

The communication module advantageously uses one of the following available loT technologies:

- LoRa (Long Range), for sending and receiving signals over long distances with LoRa stations

- SigFox, for sending and receiving signals over long distances with SigFox stations

- NBIoT (Narrow Band Internet of Things) unit for sending and receiving signals over long distances within the LTE network containing sensor telemetry, technical status information, vehicle user identification and vehicle identification.

The communication module preferably comprises a Bluetooth unit for short-distance two-way communication comprising vehicle user identification, vehicle identification or communication with a mobile device.

The communication module preferably comprises a UWB unit for short-distance two-way communication comprising the identification of the vehicle user as well as the distance of the UWB identifier from the scanning unit or communication with the mobile device.

The communication unit preferably comprises a set of radio antennas for handling the radio signal, for each of said communication modules. The antennas are designed and adapted to the requirements of the device and can form part of a printed circuit board.

The detection device may comprise an analog signaling, preferably consisting of an LED lamp for visual signaling of the defined states of the sensor. The analog signaling may also include a buzzer for audible signaling of defined sensor states.

The detection device of the motor vehicle comprises a control and calculation unit, which preferably consists of a single-chip micro-controller, serving to manage and control the entire device, operating individual internal communication lines with the peripherals of the device. The control and calculation unit is used for collection, processing, analysis and evaluation of scanned data. The control unit also serves to encrypt and display the evaluated data, as well as data on the technical condition of the detection device. The control and calculation unit also serves to manage the energy flow of the entire system, optimize consumption through the management of active peripherals and optimize calculation processes.

The advantages of the method for detecting the presence of a motor vehicle in the monitored zone with the identification of its engine type and the detection device according to the invention are apparent from its external effects. The effects and originality of the presented solution lie in the use of a unique intelligent solution for parking loT with the Fleximodo SPOŤ parking sensor with real-time parking space occupancy evaluation technology. This technology is universal for all types of Internet of Things (LoRaWAN Long Range Wide Area NetWork, SigFox, NB-IoT and LTE). The functionality of sensor authentication with a second loT device (eg card) was also developed, which enables the detection of parking authorization or so-called electronic parking permits. The sensor is equipped with two types of sensors (magnet and micro-radar), and in combination with algorithms on the cloud achieves almost 100% detection success, which is a unique accuracy in the market of similar sensors.

This technology is complemented by the unique functionality of distinguishing the type of engines of parked cars (diesel, gasoline and electric). This functionality can also be used to delegate so-called "Engine idling", when the car has the engine running after parking and thus contributes to air pollution. The sensor is also able to compare the noise level around the sensor and alert it to changes over time.

SK 50025-2020 A3

Overview of figures in the drawings

The method of detecting the presence of a motor vehicle in the monitored zone with the identification of its engine type and the detection device according to the invention will be shown in the drawings, where in fig. 1 shows a detection and identification method using a detection algorithm. In FIG. 2 shows the operating flow of a motor vehicle detector. In FIG. 3 shows the layout of the individual components of the detection device on the printed circuit board. In FIG. 4 shows a partially exposed detection device.

Examples of embodiments of the invention

It is to be understood that the various embodiments of the invention are presented by way of illustration and not by way of limitation. Those skilled in the art will find, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to specific embodiments of the invention. Such equivalents will also fall within the scope of the claims.

Optimal design cannot be a problem for those skilled in the art, so these features have not been addressed in detail.

Example

In this example of a specific embodiment of the invention, a detection device for detecting the presence of a motor vehicle in a monitored zone with an identification of its engine type is described, as shown in FIG. 2 to 4. The detection device comprises a printed circuit board 1, which is connected to a high-capacity industrial battery 18, which serves as the main power supply of the whole device. The printed circuit board 1 comprises a voltage source regulator 13 for regulating and controlling the required voltage levels for each device module. The printed circuit board 1 comprises a micro-controller 9 (control and computing unit) with its own internal memory, connected to a voltage source. The printed circuit board 1 comprises a magnetic field sensor 7 connected to a microcontroller 9. The printed circuit board 1 comprises an integrated radar sensor 12 with its own antenna 15 connected to a microcontroller 9. The radar sensor 12 is a pulsed coherent radar sensor calibrated to detect reflection waves in interval of 10 cm to 70 cm and is located on the upper side of the printed circuit board 1 under the micro-radar lens 19. The printed circuit board 1 comprises a thermal sensor connected to the micro-controller 9. The printed circuit board 1 comprises an acoustic sensor 8 connected to the micro-controller 9. The printed circuit board 1 comprises a communication unit 5 connected to a microcontroller 9. The communication unit 5 with antennas (15) comprises at least one transmitter and at least one radio wine receiver in the band of the range:

• 3.1 GHz to 4.8 GHz for short distance communication with UWB identification devices;

• 2.4 GHz for short distance communication with BLE identification devices;

• LTE frequency bands B8 and B20 for Europe;

• Frequency LTE bands B2, B4 and B12 for the USA.

The printed circuit board 1 comprises a communication module LoRa connected to the microcontroller 9. The printed circuit board 1 comprises a communication module SigFox connected to the microcontroller. The printed circuit board 1 contains an NB-IoT communication module connected to a microcontroller 9. The printed circuit board 1 comprises a Bluetooth communication module 10 connected to a microcontroller 9. The printed circuit board 1 contains a UWB communication module connected to a microcontroller 9. Board 1 The printed circuit board comprises its own antenna system 15, designed directly on the top layer of the printed circuit board, serving the two-way transmission of radio signals of each of said communication modules. The printed circuit board 1 comprises an LED light signal 6 connected to a microcontroller 9. The printed circuit board 1 comprises an acoustic signaling buzzer 4 connected to the microcontroller 9. The printed circuit board 1 comprises a set of auxiliary electrical components necessary for recovery and proper functionality of said electrical components. The printed circuit board 1, soldered with said electrical components, as well as with the auxiliary electrical components and the battery 18, is housed in a hermetically sealed cover 16. All said electrical components are mounted on the upper side of the printed circuit board 1. A device battery 18 is mounted and soldered on the underside of the printed circuit board 1. The cover 16 of the vehicle detection device comprises a delimiting silent block 17 to achieve a set delimitation between the sensor circuit board 1 and the upper part of the cover 16. The outer part of the cover 16 of the vehicle detection device comprises a micro-radar lens 19 located above the radar sensor antenna 12. serves to reduce the beam width of the electromagnetic signal from 90 degrees to 20 degrees, which will improve the sensitivity of vehicle detection. Preferably, the lens is selected to have a circumference of 21.83 mm and a concavity radius of 12 mm and arranged so that the distance between the bottom of the lens 19 and the radar 12 is 5 mm with a maximum tolerance of 10%. Under these conditions, the sensitivity of detection is highest.

Detection device for detecting the presence of a motor vehicle in the monitored zone with identification of its

SK 50025-2020 A3 engine type works in a way that can be seen in fig. 1 as follows:

- activation of the magnetic field sensor by the control unit to detect a change in the surrounding magnetic field;

- upon detection of a change in the surrounding magnetic field, the activation of the radar sensor by the control unit to detect the presence of the motor vehicle in the monitored zone and the activation of the acoustic sensor by the control unit to identify the engine type of the motor vehicle in the monitored zone;

- evaluating, by a calculation unit, the data read from the magnetic field sensor, the radar sensor and the acoustic sensor to provide information on the presence of the motor vehicle and the engine type of the motor vehicle in the monitored zone;

- sending information data by the communication unit via the data network to the data storage.

Alternatively, a control step is inserted between the step of activating the magnetic field sensor and the step of activating the radar sensor and the acoustic sensor, in which the operating conditions of the detection device are monitored by means of a temperature sensor. The magnetic field sensor is activated for 2 seconds and then deactivated for 2 seconds. The radar sensor is activated for 2 seconds and also the acoustic sensor is activated for max. 2 seconds. Partial activation of individual sensors leads to reduced power consumption. It has been found that this combination of time intervals guarantees a long service life of the device in terms of energy efficiency, which is extremely important for long-term maintenance-free use of the parking sensor in real conditions.

Industrial applicability

The solution according to the invention can be used in parking systems, in parking management in zones with a special regime, but also in other applications where it is necessary to monitor the presence of vehicles in the monitored zones and identify their technical characteristics.

SK 50025-2020 A3

List of reference marks

1. printed circuit board

2. Sim chip

3. sim card holder

4. buzzer

5. loT communication module

6. LED light signaling

7. magnetometer

8. acoustic sensor

9. microcontroller (control and calculation unit)

10. Bluetooth chip

11. energy consumption meter

12. radar sensor

13. voltage regulator

14. UWB

15. antenna system

16. detection device cover

17. silentblock

18. battery

19. micro-radar lens

Claims (3)

SK 50025-2020 A3 PATENT CLAIMS A method for detecting the presence of a motor vehicle in a monitored zone, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: activating a magnetic field sensor (7) by a control and calculation unit (9) for detecting a change in the surrounding magnetic field; after detecting a change in the surrounding magnetic field, activating the radar sensor (12) by the control and calculation unit (9) to detect the presence of the motor vehicle in the monitored zone and activating the acoustic sensor (8) by the control and calculation unit (9) to identify the motor vehicle engine type in the monitored zone; evaluating the sensed data from the magnetic field sensor (7), the radar sensor (12) and the acoustic sensor (8) by the control and calculation unit (9) to provide information on the presence of the motor vehicle and the motor vehicle engine in the monitored zone; sending information data containing information on the presence of the motor vehicle and on the motor vehicle engine in the monitored zone by the communication unit (5) via the data network to the data storage. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the information data comprises any of the following: vehicle identification; engine type information; vehicle user identification; the distance of the UWB identifier from the scanning unit; scanning unit telemetry information; information on the technical condition of the detection equipment. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a monitoring step is inserted between the step of activating the magnetic field sensor (7) and the step of activating the radar sensor (12) and the acoustic sensor (8). conditions of the detection device. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magnetic field sensor (7) is activated for max. 2 seconds and then min. 2 seconds. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the radar sensor (12) is activated for max. 2 seconds. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the acoustic sensor (8) is activated for max. 2 seconds. Device for detecting the presence of a motor vehicle in a monitoring zone according to the method of at least one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is formed by a control and calculation unit (9) to which they are connected: a sensor unit comprising a magnetic field sensor (7) , a radar sensor (12) and an acoustic sensor (8); a communication unit (5) with at least one antenna (15); power supply unit (18). Device according to Claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a micro-radar lens and / or a temperature sensor. Device according to any one of claims 7 to 8, characterized in that the radar sensor (12) is a pulsed coherent radar sensor calibrated to detect reflection waves in the range of 10 cm to 70 cm and / or the acoustic sensor (8) is arranged to detect acoustic wines with a frequency from 10 Hz to 20 kHz. Device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the control and computing unit (9) and the communication unit (5) with at least one antenna (15) and with a sensor unit comprising a magnetic field sensor (7), a radar the sensor (12) and the acoustic sensor (8) are mounted in a printed circuit board (1) which, together with the battery (18), is located on a silentblock (17) in a housing (16) with a microradar lens (19). Device according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the radar sensor (12) is located on the upper side of the printed circuit board (1) below the micro-radar lens (19). Device according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the communication unit (5) with at least one antenna (15) comprises at least one transmitter and at least one radio wave receiver in the band: 3.1 GHz to 4.8 GHz for short distance communication with UWB identification devices; 2.4 GHz for short distance communication with BLE identification devices; Frequency LTE bands B8 and B20 for Europe; Frequency LTE bands B2, B4 and B12 for the USA. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the communication unit (5) with at least one antenna (15) comprises an integrated Bluetooth signal receiving and transmitting module (10) and / or an integrated UWB receiving and transmitting module (10). Device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the communication unit (5) with at least one antenna (15) comprises an integrated receiving and transmitting module of the following series: LoRa, NBIoT, SigFox. 3 drawings