PARKING CONTROL METHOD AND CORRESPONDING COMPUTER PROGRAM

Abstract

Parking control method and corresponding computer program. For outdoor parking zones (100), each zone (100) with a beacon device (101) broadcasting a beacon signal (102) with a unique code. Taking part: a server (300) and vehicles (200) with a portable user device (210) and a vehicle code (201). Comprising the following steps: determining a parking start for a parking zone (100); sending to said server (300) a parking request (401); by said server (300), determining whether the request is acceptable with a maximum parking time and sending a replay; by said portable device (210), informing of said reply; by said server (300), registering said vehicle as parked in said parking zone (100); determining a parking end for the current parking zone (100);sending to said server (300) a parking end request (404); and by said server (300), registering said vehicle code (201) as not parked.

Claims

1. Parking control method for at least one outdoor parking zone, each parking zone having space for parking one or more vehicles, wherein, in each zone of said at least one parking zone, it is provided a beacon device configured to broadcast a beacon signal comprising a unique beacon code, and wherein the following also take part: a server; at least one vehicle; and for each vehicle of said at least one vehicle, a portable user device corresponding to said vehicle and which moves together with said vehicle, said portable user device being provided with: processing means; a user interface; beacon signal receiving means; wireless communication means; and a unique vehicle code, associated with said vehicle wherein the method comprises the following steps: (p1) by a portable user device which moves together with a vehicle and with a vehicle code, determining a parking start for a parking zone with a beacon code; (p2) by said communication means of said portable user device, sending to said server a parking request comprising said vehicle code, and said beacon code; (p3) by said server, determining whether said parking request is acceptable; (p4) if said parking request is not acceptable, by said server, sending a parking request reply comprising an indication that said parking request is not acceptable; (p5) by said portable user device, informing through said user interface, that said request is not acceptable; (p6) if said parking request is acceptable, by said server, further determining a maximum parking time and sending a parking request reply comprising an indication that said parking request is acceptable and said maximum parking time; (p7) by said portable user device, informing, through said user interface, that said request is acceptable and said maximum parking time; (p8) by said server, registering said vehicle code as parked in said parking zone corresponding to said beacon code and a parking start time for said vehicle code, and determining said parking zone as a current parking zone; (p9) by said portable user device, determining a parking end for said current parking zone; (p10) by said communication means of said portable user device, sending to said server a parking end request comprising said vehicle code; and (p11) by said server, registering said vehicle code as not parked.

2. Method according claim 1, wherein said parking request further comprises a user code.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein it comprises between said steps (p7) and (p8) the following additional steps: by said portable user device, requesting a parking start confirmation through said user interface; if said parking start confirmation is received, sending to said server a parking start request.

4. Method according to claim 1, wherein said step (p1) comprises the following steps: receiving through said user interface a parking start command; receiving by said beacon signal receiving means, a beacon code list; determining a closest beacon code as the beacon code of said beacon code list whose beacon device is the closest one; informing through said user interface of the parking zone corresponding to said closest beacon code; receiving through said user interface a selection of a parking zone; and determining said parking start for said received parking zone.

5. Method according to claim 4, wherein said step for determining the closest beacon code as the beacon code of said beacon code list whose beacon device is the closest one comprises: receiving each beacon code of said beacon code list through a corresponding beacon signal having a receiving power; and determining the closest beacon code as the beacon code whose beacon signal has the highest receiving power.

6. Method according to claim 1, wherein determining a distance between said portable user device and said beacon device is carried out by said portable user device from a received power of said beacon signal in said portable user device.

7. Method according to claim 1, wherein said point step (p1) comprises the following steps: determining when said beacon signal receiving means start detecting a beacon signal with a beacon code of a beacon device; determining whether said receiving means detect said beacon signal with said beacon code during a time window longer than a start threshold time; and in the affirmative, determining said parking start for a parking zone associated with said beacon code.

8. Method according to claim 7, wherein said step of determining said parking start for a parking zone associated with said beacon code is done after requesting confirmation through said user interface.

9. Method according to claim 1, wherein said step (p9) comprises the following steps: determining when said portable user device is located at a distance from said current parking zone greater than a threshold distance; and in the affirmative, determining said parking end for said current parking zone.

10. Method according to claim 9, wherein said step of determining said parking end for said current parking zone is done after requesting a parking end confirmation through said user interface.

11. Method according to claim 9, wherein determining when said portable user device is located at a distance from said current parking zone greater than a threshold distance comprises: determining when said beacon signal receiving means start detecting another beacon signal with another beacon code of another beacon device; determining whether said another beacon device meets a remoteness criterion with respect to said current parking zone; and in the affirmative, determining that said portable user device is located at a distance from said parking zone which is greater than said threshold distance.

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein said remoteness criterion is one of the list consisting of: said another beacon code is not included in a white list of code beacons that are near codes; or said another beacon code is included in a black list of code beacons that are distant codes.

13. Method according to claim 1, wherein at least a supervisor also takes part and the same is provided with a portable supervisor device provided with: processing means; a user interface; beacon signal receiving means; and wireless communication means; wherein the method comprises the following additional steps: (s1) by a portable supervisor device, determining a parking zone with a beacon code; (s2) by said communication means of said portable supervisor device, sending to said server an information request comprising said beacon code; (s3) by said server, determining vehicle codes corresponding to vehicles registered as parked in said parking zone, and, for each one of said registered vehicle codes, determining a remaining parking time or an exceeded parking time; (s4) by said server, sending to said communication means of portable supervisor device reply to an information request, comprising an information list with said vehicle codes and, for each one of said vehicle codes, said remaining parking time or said exceeded parking time; and (s5) by said portable supervisor device, informing of said information list through said user interface.

14. Method according to claim 13, wherein said step (s1), determining a parking zone, is done through one of the list consisting of: receiving through said user interface, a parking zone selection command; and determining a parking zone whose beacon device is located closest to the portable supervisor device.

15. Method according to claim 1, wherein each of said parking zones comprises an informative sign and said beacon device provided in said parking zone is provided on said informative sign.

16. Method according to claim 15, wherein said informative sign also displays how to use the method, in particular, how to access the method from said portable user device.

17. Method according to claim 15, wherein said beacon device is provided in an internal housing provided in said informative sign.

18. Method according to claim 17, wherein said internal housing is located in the upper rear portion of said informative sign.

19. Method according to claim 17, wherein said internal housing has orifices arranged to allow said beacon signal to be outputted.

20. Method according to claim 15, wherein said sign is provided with a sealed case, said sealed case being removably attached to said informative sign through attaching means.

21. Method according to claim 20, wherein said sealed case has at least a sealing degree IP56 according to the IEC 60529 standard.

22. Method according to claim 20, wherein said sealed case is removably attached to said informative sign on the rear portion of said informative sign, and preferably, to the upper portion thereof.

23. Computer program containing program code instructions which, upon being executed by a portable user device which moves together with a vehicle, said portable user device being provided with: processing means; a user interface; beacon signal receiving means, configured for receiving beacon signals containing unique beacon codes, from beacon devices provided in outdoor parking zones, each parking zone having space for parking one or more vehicles; wireless communication means, configured for establishing a communication with a server; and a unique vehicle code, associated with said vehicle; perform operations carrying out the following method: (a1) determining a parking start for a parking zone with a beacon code; (a2) by said communication means, sending to said server a parking request comprising said vehicle code, and said beacon code; (a3) by said communication means, receiving an indication indicating whether said parking request is acceptable, and in the affirmative, receiving a maximum parking time; (a4) informing, through said user interface, about whether said parking request is acceptable and, in the affirmative, about said maximum parking time, and determining said parking zone as a current parking zone; (a5) by said portable user device, determining a parking end for said current parking zone; and (a6) by said communication means of said portable user device, sending to said server a parking end request comprising said vehicle code;

24. Computer program according to claim 23, wherein said parking request further comprises a user code.

25. Computer program according to claim 23, wherein said step (a5) comprises the following steps: determining when said portable user device is located at a distance from said current parking zone greater than a threshold distance; and in the affirmative, determining said parking end for said current parking zone.

26. Computer program according to claim 23, wherein said step of determining said parking end for said current parking zone is done after requesting confirmation through said user interface.

27. Computer program according to claim 23, wherein it comprises the following additional steps when the parking request is acceptable: requesting a parking start confirmation through said user interface; if said parking start confirmation is received, sending to said server a parking start request.

28. Computer program according to claim 23, wherein said step (a1) comprises the following steps: receiving through said user interface a parking start command; receiving by said beacon signal receiving means, a beacon code list; determining a closest beacon code as the beacon code of said beacon code list whose beacon device is the closest one; informing through said user interface of the parking zone corresponding to said closest beacon code; receiving through said user interface a selection of a parking zone; and determining said parking start for said received parking zone.

29. Computer program according to claim 28, wherein said step for determining the closest beacon code as the beacon code of said beacon code list whose beacon device is the closest one comprises: receiving each beacon code of said beacon code list through a corresponding beacon signal having a receiving power; and determining the closest beacon code as the beacon code whose beacon signal has the highest receiving power.

30. Computer program according to claim 23, wherein determining a distance between said portable user device and said beacon device is carried out by said portable user device from a received power of said beacon signal in said portable user device.

31. Computer program according to claim 23, wherein said point step (a1) comprises the following steps: determining when said beacon signal receiving means start detecting a beacon signal with a beacon code of a beacon device; determining whether said receiving means detect said beacon signal with said beacon code during a time window longer than a start threshold time; and in the affirmative, determining said parking start for a parking zone associated with said beacon code.

32. Computer program according to claim 31, wherein said step of determining said parking start for a parking zone is done after requesting confirmation through said user interface.

33. Computer program according to claim 23, wherein determining when said portable user device is located at a distance from said current parking zone greater than a threshold distance comprises: determining when said beacon signal receiving means start detecting another beacon signal with another beacon code of another beacon device; determining whether said another beacon device meets a remoteness criterion with respect to said current parking zone; and in the affirmative, determining that said portable user device is located at a distance from said parking zone which is greater than said threshold distance.

34. Computer program according to claim 33, wherein said remoteness criterion is one of the list consisting of: said another beacon code is not included in a white list of code beacons that are near codes; or said another beacon code is included in a black list of code beacons that are distant codes.

35. Computer-readable recording medium containing a computer program according to claim 23.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0157] Advantages and characteristics of the invention will be more apparent from the following description, wherein preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth without limitation to the scope of the main claim, and with reference to the figures.

[0158] FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic representation of an embodiment of the invention, wherein an urban environment with various parking zones is shown, each with a beacon device, and wherein various vehicles take part.

[0159] FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic representation of one of the parking zones according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0160] FIG. 3 shows a diagrammatic representation of the different elements involved in the embodiment of the invention.

[0161] FIG. 4 shows a simplified flow chart of a method according to the invention.

[0162] FIG. 5 shows a simplified flow of messages between a portable user device and the server, according to an embodiment of the method.

[0163] FIG. 6 shows a simplified flow chart referring to the supervision functionality in accordance with an embodiment example.

[0164] FIG. 7 shows a simplified flow chart for the computer program operation according to an embodiment example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0165] FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show schematic examples for the system. For the sake of clarity, the different involved elements have been represented through corresponding graphical elements. However, the different parts in the drawings should not be understood as representing physical elements with real shapes, nor the different elements are drawn to scale.

[0166] Therefore, the figures show an embodiment of the parking control method according to the invention, for at least one outdoor parking zone 100. Each parking zone 100 comprises one or more parking spaces 120, or it can be a parking zone without markings of spaces. In the example, the operation for loading and unloading zones which are common in towns for use by hauliers is described. However, it is a non-limiting example and the invention is not restricted to only such parking zones 100, but it is applicable to a different type of zones wherein there is a parking time restriction. Further possible non-restrictive uses are, for example, the so-called orange zones in which resident vehicles are allowed to park for a limited time, or the so-called red zones in which both residents and non-residents are allowed to park for a limited time.

[0167] In each zone of said at least one parking zone 100 a beacon device 101 is provided and configured for sending out a beacon signal 102, although if the parking zone 100 is very large, more than one beacon device 101 can be provided for a parking zone 100.

[0168] All the examples herein described utilize beacon devices 101 which broadcast Bluetooth low energy, BLE, signals, and which emit at the same power. In particular, they are devices which transmit simultaneously according to the standards dictated by the trade names iBeacon and Eddystone. Those skilled in the art will understand that this is a particular implementation which is advantageous in relation with the state of the art at the time this document was written. However, it is a non-restrictive option and other technology types which are equivalent regarding the general functionality can be provided without falling thereby beyond the scope of the main claim. The beacon signal 102 comprises a unique beacon code, which is not repeated in the system. In the example, said beacon code comprises the media access control, MAC, address for the beacon device 101, i.e., the MAC address associated with the Bluetooth transmission. Also, the Bluetooth transmitted name of the beacon device 101 is chosen in such a way that it can be identified that said beacon device 101 pertains to the system. Thus, it is possible to use the system even through receiving devices supporting Bluetooth but not including iBeacon and Eddystone. Nevertheless, in order to provide an extra verification level, the beacon signal 102 in the example also includes a programmable identifying code, which comprises a start sequence identifying that the beacon device 101 pertains to the system, as well as the serial number for the beacon device 101, the date of manufacture thereof and an expected expiry date.

[0169] In FIG. 2, a schematic example of the parking zone 100 is shown. This zone comprises different parking spaces 120, and by way example, a vehicle 200 parked in one of said parking spaces 120 is shown. FIG. 2 shows that said parking zone 100 has an informative sign 110 as well. The beacon device 101 provided in said parking zone 100 is provided in said informative sign 110. The informative sign 110 is manufactured from metal and is attached to a post, displaying information about the parking conditions in said parking zone 100. Although not shown in FIG. 2, the informative sign 110 in the example is provided with a sealed case, in particular with at least a sealing degree IP56 according to the IEC 60529 standard, and more particularly with a sealing degree IP67. Said sealed case is removably attached to said informative sign 110 through attaching means, particularly on the upper rear portion of said informative sign 110. Said beacon device 101 is provided in said sealed case in the example.

[0170] FIG. 3 shows how a server 300 takes also part in the method, and the same comprises hosted computing services of the type known in the art as cloud computing such as, Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) or Infrastructure as a Service (laaS). In the example, the server 300 has a back-office software for management and maintenance of the system, including functionalities such as configuring the beacon position and their associated zones, maintaining user profiles, incidence and alarm management, among further possible functionalities. In FIG. 3, the server 300 is shown connected to the Internet 310, such that a connection with said server 300 can be established from any device allowing for said connection. In particular, from a mobile telephone cellular data network 320.

[0171] In the method, at least one vehicle 200 also takes part, which moves together with a user across the environment where said at least one parking zone 100 is located. Moreover, for each vehicle 200 of said at least one vehicle 200, a portable user device 200 takes part, corresponding to said vehicle 200 and moving together with said vehicle 200. In the embodiment examples, it will be assumed that the portable user device 210 is a mobile phone of the so-called smart phone type, since such devices are widely utilized at the moment this document is being written, resulting in an advantageous election for the users. However, different types of equivalent devices are possible, with non-limiting examples being smart cars, or devices specifically made to carry out the described method. In either case, said portable user device 210 is provided with:

[0172] Processing means, in the example, the mobile phone microprocessor.

[0173] A user interface, in the most common examples: a touch screen, a physical or virtual keyboard, loudspeakers, microphone, and vibration warning system.

[0174] Beacon signal receiving means, which, for these examples, comprises at least one Bluetooth receiver, and preferably implements one of the iBeacon or Eddystone protocols.

[0175] Wireless communication means, which, in the example, comprises a telephone data network 320, for example, 3G or 4G. This allows the server 300 to be connected through the Internet 310.

[0176] A unique vehicle code 201, associated with said vehicle 200, in particular, corresponding with said vehicle plate number, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0177] In the example, said vehicle code 201 is stored in the portable user device 210 in a previous method step. Thus, at first the user installs a computer program suitable for his/her device. Said computer program comprises program code instructions which, upon being executed by the portable user device 210, perform operations carrying out the method now described, in particular, that part of the method executed by the portable user device 210, as shown in FIG. 7. In the context corresponding to the smart phone example, these computer programs are often referred to as applications, for which reason both designations will be used herein. The user now utilizes said computer program to log into the system, and thus a user code is established. In this configuration phase, the user registers at least one vehicle, entering its plate number among other data, such as the type of vehicle 200, consumption thereof and features. In some preferred examples, the user also enters a picture of the vehicle. Said application sends the data to the server 300 where they are stored and used for determining the parking conditions for each vehicle 200, for example, based on the pollutant emission rate thereof. In the example of FIG. 2, the informative sign 110 also denotes the application to be used by the user, for example, through the application name and its identifying icon, a QR code with the download information, etc.

[0178] In FIG. 4, a simplified flow chart of the example method is shown comprising the steps described below. In a step p1, by a portable user device 210 which moves together with a vehicle 200 and with a vehicle code 201, determining a parking start for a parking zone 100 with a beacon code. Particularly, in the embodiment example, this step comprises either a parking start commanded by the user or an automatic parking start. Said parking start instructed by the user comprises the following steps:

[0179] Receiving through said user interface a parking start command.

[0180] Receiving by said beacon signal receiving means, a beacon code list.

[0181] Determining a closest beacon code as the beacon code of said beacon code list whose beacon device 101 is the closest one. Particularly, through the following steps: [0182] receiving each beacon code of said beacon code list through a corresponding beacon signal 102 having a receiving power; and [0183] determining the closest beacon code as the beacon code whose beacon signal 102 has the highest receiving power.

[0184] Informing through said user interface of the parking zone 100 corresponding to said closest beacon code;

[0185] Receiving through said user interface an election of a parking zone 100; and

[0186] Determining said parking start for said received parking zone 100.

[0187] Said automatic parking start comprises the following steps:

[0188] Determining when said beacon signal receiving means start detecting a beacon signal 102 with a beacon code of a beacon device 101. Particularly, in the example, detecting a beacon signal 102 comprises receiving said beacon signal 102 meeting a validation criterion, such that, in a case that said criterion is not met, it is not deemed detected. In the example, said validation criterion comprises a minimum receiving power threshold for said beacon signal 102, in particular 100 dBm. Additionally, for the embodiment examples herein described, the validation criterion also comprises verifying that the name of the beacon device 101 corresponds to a system name, and, in a case that the portable user device 210 supports the iBeacon or Eddystone protocols, also checking the format of the programmable identifying code transmitted in said protocols.

[0189] Determining whether said receiving means detect said beacon signal 102 with said beacon code during a time window longer than a start threshold time.

[0190] In the affirmative, in the example, additionally requesting confirmation through said user interface.

[0191] In the affirmative, determining said parking start for a parking zone 100 associated with said beacon code.

[0192] In a step p2, by said communication means of said portable user device 210, sending to said server 300 a parking request 401 comprising said vehicle code 201 and said beacon code. For this example, said parking request 401 also comprises a user code.

[0193] In a step p3, by said server 300, determining whether said parking request 401 is acceptable. In a step p4, if said parking request 401 is not acceptable, by said server 300, sending a parking request reply 402 comprising an indication that said parking request 401 is not acceptable. In a step p5, by said portable user device 210, informing through said user interface, that said request is not acceptable.

[0194] In a step p6, if said parking request 401 is acceptable, further determining, by said server 300, a maximum parking time and sending a parking request reply 402 comprising an indication that said parking request 401 is acceptable and said maximum parking time.

[0195] In a step p7, by said portable user device 210:

[0196] Informing, through said user interface, that said request is acceptable and said maximum parking time.

[0197] Requesting a parking start confirmation through said user interface.

[0198] If said parking start confirmation is received, sending a parking start request 403 to said server 300.

[0199] In a step p8, by said server 300, registering said vehicle code 201 as parked in said parking zone 100 corresponding to said beacon code and a parking start time for said vehicle code 201, and determining said parking zone 100 as a current parking zone 100.

[0200] Thus, when the starting situation for a vehicle 200 is being parked in a current parking zone 100, the method part in charge of finishing the parking can start. For this example, while parked, the application of the portable user device 210 provides instructions relative to either the remaining parking time, or the exceeded time in case said maximum time has been surpassed. In particular, by means of text and a colour code, the application signals whether the maximum time is being reached or has been surpassed. The application may also use the acoustic or notification means, in order to warn the user.

[0201] In a step p9, the method also comprises thereby, by said portable user device 210, determining a parking end for said current parking zone 100. Particularly, in the example, it comprises either receiving, through said user interface, a parking end command, or the following steps:

[0202] Determining when said portable user device 210 is located at a distance from said current parking zone 100 greater than a threshold distance. In particular, through the following steps: [0203] Determining when said beacon signal receiving means start detecting another beacon signal 102 with another beacon code of another beacon device 101. [0204] Determining whether said another beacon device 101 meets a remoteness criterion with respect to said current parking zone 100. In the example, said remoteness criterion comprises verifying that said another beacon code is not included in a list of near codes, although, in further examples, said criterion comprises verifying that said another beacon code is included in a list of distant codes. [0205] In the affirmative, i.e., if the remoteness criterion is met, determining that said portable user device 210 is located at a distance from said parking zone 100 which is greater than said threshold distance.

[0206] In the affirmative, in the example, said portable user device 210 additionally requests a parking end confirmation through said user interface.

[0207] in the affirmative, determining said parking end for said current parking zone 100.

[0208] In a step p10, by said communication means of said portable user device 210, sending to said server 300 a parking end request 404 comprising said vehicle code 201. In a step p11, by said server 300, registering said vehicle code 201 as not parked.

[0209] For the sake of brevity, the method for the portable user device 210 is not described separately, being carried out by a computer program which is executed in said portable user device 210. The person skilled in the art will not have any problems distinguishing actions by said device, considering what was previously described, as well as the flow chart in FIG. 7 and the action and message flow as described in FIG. 5. It can be seen in this figure how some of the requests from the portable user device 210 receive an acknowledgement message 405 from the server. In the example embodiment, there is a correspondence between the steps shown in FIG. 7 and those shown in FIG. 4. In the example, steps a1, a2, a5 and a6 in FIG. 7 thus correspond with steps p1, p2, p9 and p10 in FIG. 4, respectively. Also, step a3 in FIG. 7 corresponds with the reception of information sent by the server 300 in steps p4 and p6 of FIG. 7. Finally, step a4 corresponds with p5 and p7.

[0210] In addition to the above described method, the invention also facilitates the supervision of the one or more parking zones 100 by a supervisor. In FIG. 6, a simplified flow chart for that part of the method corresponding to said supervision is shown. Thus, at least a supervisor also takes part and the same is provided with a portable supervisor device 501 provided with processing means, a user interface, beacon signal receiving means, and wireless communication means. In particular, it is assumed in the example that the portable supervisor device 501 comprises a mobile phone of the so-called smart phone type, for the same reasons as those previously described for the portable user device 210. Likewise, the portable supervisor device 501 has an application stored therein which executes that part of the method corresponding to said portable supervisor device 501. The application of the example is different from that executed in the portable user device 210.

[0211] Thus, the method comprises the following further steps:

[0212] s1 By a portable supervisor device 501, determining a parking zone 100 with a beacon code. In particular through any of the following options:

[0213] Receiving, through said user interface, a parking zone selection command 100. That is, as triggered by the supervisor.

[0214] Determining a parking zone 100 whose beacon device 101 is located closest to the portable supervisor device 501. That is, automatically when the supervisor is located close to a beacon 101.

[0215] s2 By said communication means of said portable supervisor device 501, sending to said server 300 an information request comprising said beacon code.

[0216] s3 By said server 300, determining vehicle codes 201 corresponding to vehicles 200 registered as parked in said parking zone 100, and, for each one of said registered vehicle codes 201, determining a remaining parking time or an exceeded parking time.

[0217] s4 By said server 300, sending to said communication means of portable supervisor device 501 a reply to an information request, comprising an information list with said vehicle codes 201 and, for each one of said vehicle codes 201, said remaining parking time or said exceeded parking time.

[0218] s5 By said portable supervisor device 501, informing of said information list through said user interface.

[0219] In the example, the vehicle code 201 comprises the plate number of said vehicle 200, the supervisor being thus able to associate the screen information with that which can be seen in the parked vehicles 200 in a simple way. Likewise, in a case where a picture of the vehicle 200 is available, verification is even easier.

[0220] Hereinafter, further embodiments of the invention will be shown, which share many of the characteristics as described in the above paragraphs. Accordingly, only distinguishing elements will be described hereinafter, while, for the common elements, reference is made to the first embodiment description.

[0221] In further embodiments, said beacon device 101 is provided in an internal housing provided in said informative sign 110. Particularly, on the upper rear portion of said informative sign 110. Also, said internal housing has orifices arranged to allow said beacon signal 102 to be outputted.

[0222] In another embodiment example, determining when said portable user device 210 is located at a distance from said current parking zone 100 greater than a threshold distance comprises:

[0223] Determining a location for said beacon device 101 of said current parking zone 100.

[0224] Determining a location for said portable user device 210, preferably through a geolocation means provided in said portable user device 210.

[0225] Determining a separation distance between said location of said beacon

[0226] Determining whether said separation distance is greater than said threshold distance.

[0227] In further examples, said remoteness criterion comprises verifying that said another beacon code is included in a list of distant codes. That is, when the device detects a beacon code which is in a list of distant codes, the remoteness criterion is met, and the portable user device 210 determines that it is distant from the current parking zone 100.

[0228] The embodiments so far described represent non-limiting examples, such that the person skilled in the art will understand that multiple possible combinations among the claimed characteristics are possible, beyond those examples shown and within the scope of the invention.