Pile - Free Parking Management System And Method

Abstract

The present disclosure is for a pile-free parking management system and method comprising: an information manager which receives parking sensing information and locking information, and determines if a vehicle is properly parked and returned. The system comprises a plurality of sensing units each with a sensor and a sensing object installed onto and paired with a parking location and a vehicle. These sensing units are activated only when the sensor is aligned with the sensing object within a predetermined proximity of each other. Either the sensors and/or the sensing objects are installed at a parking location in a strategic and organized fashion. This system and method aim to maximize vehicle-parking capacity, and ensures orderly parking at the same time.

Claims

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22. A pile-free parking management system comprising: an information manager (1); and a plurality of parking sensing units (2) each comprises a sensor (8) and a sensing object (9) installed onto and paired with a parking location and a vehicle, wherein at least one parking sensing unit is activated when the sensor (8) is aligned with the sensing object (9) within a predetermined proximity of each other, and transmits the vehicle's parking sensing information (7) to the information manager (1).

23. The pile-free parking management system of claim 22 further comprises a locking sensor (3) in communication with a vehicle lock (4), which transmits and receives locking information (5) to and from the information manager (1).

24. The pile-free parking management system of claim 22, wherein the parking sensing units (2) further comprises a plurality of sensing objects (9) pre-installed on grounds of the parking location with/without a power source in an organized fashion.

25. The pile-free parking management system of claim 22, wherein the parking sensing units (2) further comprises a plurality of sensors (8) pre-installed on grounds of the parking location in an organized fashion.

26. The pile-free parking management system of claim 22, wherein at least one sensor (8) and/or one sensing object (9) is further coupled with physical guides to facilitate accurate orientation and placement of the vehicle.

27. A pile-free parking management system of claim 22, wherein the parking sensing units are proximity sensing units, contact sensing units, chip and card readers, and/or a combination thereof.

28. The plurality of parking sensing units (2) of claim 27 are installed symmetrically to facilitate accurate orientation and placement of the vehicle during parking.

29. The plurality of parking sensing units (2) of claim 27 are installed asymmetrically to facilitate accurate orientation and placement of the vehicle during parking.

30. The plurality of parking sensing units (2) of claim 27 further comprises different types of sensing units installed symmetrically, and are paired with sensing objects (9) at the parking location to facilitate accurate orientation and placement of the vehicle during parking.

31. The plurality of parking sensing units (2) of claim 27 further comprises same type of sensing units installed asymmetrically, and are paired with sensing objects (9) at the parking location to facilitate accurate orientation and placement of the vehicle during parking.

32. The pile-free parking management system of claim 22, wherein at least one sensor (8) is installed on a foot of a vehicle's stand and activates the sensing object (9) only when both are aligned within a predetermined proximity of each other.

33. The pile-free parking management system of claim 22, wherein a plurality of sensors (8) are installed on a plurality of feet of a vehicle's stand and activates the corresponding sensing objects (9) only when both are aligned within a predetermined proximity of each other.

34. The pile-free parking management system of claim 22, wherein the information manager (1) is installed onto the vehicle, and is in sleep mode until wirelessly activated by the parking sensing unit (2).

35. A pile-free parking management system and method comprising: an information manager (1) which receives parking sensing information (7) and locking information (5), and determines a vehicle's proper parking conditions and requirements; a plurality of parking sensing units (2) each comprises a sensor (8) and a sensing object (9) installed onto and paired with a parking location and a vehicle, wherein at least one parking sensing unit is activated when the sensor (8) is aligned with the sensing object (9) within a predetermined proximity of each other, and transmits the vehicle's parking sensing information (7) to the information manager (1); and a locking sensor (3) in communication with a vehicle lock (4), which transmits and receives locking information (5) to and from the information manager (1).

36. The pile-free parking management system and method of claim 35, wherein the parking sensing units are proximity sensing units, contact sensing units, chip and card readers, and/or a combination thereof.

37. The pile-free parking management system and method of claim 35, wherein the parking sensing units (2) further comprises a plurality of sensing objects (9) pre-installed on grounds of the parking location with/without a power source in an organized fashion.

38. The pile-free parking management system and method of claim 35, wherein the parking sensing units (2) further comprises a plurality of sensors (8) pre-installed on grounds of the parking location in an organized fashion.

39. The pile-free parking management system and method of claim 35, wherein at least one sensor (8) and/or one sensing object (9) is further coupled with physical guides to facilitate accurate orientation and placement of the vehicle.

40. The pile-free parking management system and method of claim 35, wherein a properly parked vehicle is allowed to be relocated within a pre-determined boundary designated to the parking location.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[0031] FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of management method embodying the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a general view of management system embodying the present invention as embodiment 1.

[0033] FIG. 3 is a general view of bicycles in embodiment 5.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a general view of bicycles in embodiment 8.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a straight-line layout of ground sensing objects in embodiment 8.

[0036] FIG. 6 is an oblique layout of ground sensing objects same as FIG. 5.

[0037] FIG. 7 is a curve layout of ground sensing objects same as FIG. 5.

[0038] FIG. 8 is a layout of bicycles and ground sensing objects in embodiment 9.

[0039] FIG. 9 is a work flow diagram of embodiment 10.

[0040] In which, 1. 1. Information manager; 2. Parking sensing unit; 3. Locking sensor; 4. Vehicle lock; 5. Locking information; 6. Guide; 7. Parking sensing information; 8. Sensor; 9. Sensing object; 10. Machine station; 81. Reed switch; 91. Magnetic steel; 82. Optical receiving sensor; 92. Laser transmitter; 93. Laser

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Preferred Embodiment of the Present Invention

[0041] A more detailed description of the invention embodiment follows with reference to accompanying drawings.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 1, a pile-free parking management system and method described in the present invention comprises an information manager 1, parking sensing units 2 and a locking sensor 3. Each group of parking sensing units 2 consists of a pair of sensors 8 and sensing objects 9. When sensors 8 approach to or contact sensing objects 9, the sensing information 7 is generated. Such sensing information 7 may be the switching signal or sensing signal. The information manager 1 processes the sensing information 7 and then determines if a vehicle is parked properly. Locking sensor 3 is arranged near a vehicle lock 4. Locking sensor 3 sends the locking information 5 to the information manager 1. After receiving the parking sensing information 7 and the locking information 5, the information manager 1 will determine that the vehicle returning conditions are met, implement the subsequent procedure, including communication with the host computer or information recording by read and write and monitor and manage vehicles parked properly.

[0043] Information manager 1 can be arranged on any bicycle or fixed permanently at a vehicle renting station. Sensors 8 and sensing objects 9 of parking sensing units 2 are respectively arranged on any one of a vehicle or the ground. Sensors 8 send information to information manager 1 by means of wired or wireless electrical connection. Locking sensor 3 is arranged on a vehicle, sending information to information manager 1 by means of wired or wireless electrical connection.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the Present Invention

Embodiment 1

[0044] As shown in FIG. 2, parking sensing units 2 utilized in the present invention are magnetic proximity switches. The proximity switch is a prior art so that it is not detailed herein. A bicycle is arranged with an information manager 1, parking sensors 8 and a vehicle lock 4. Vehicle lock 4 can be an electric control lock or a mechanical lock. Locking sensor 3 is also arranged on a bicycle to give the information feedback on the opening and closing state of vehicle lock. Vehicle-mounted Information manager 1 at least monitors and processes signals from parking sensors 8 and locking sensor 3. Parking sensors 8 are magnetic components such as reed switch 81. To meet the requirement of trigger distance, the reed switch 81 can be arranged on the bicycle foot or the lower frame near the ground and electrically connected to vehicle-mounted information manager 1 in the wired or wireless manner. Vehicle renting stations are arranged with ground sensing objects 9 such as magnetic steel 91 and these positions are identified obviously. When reed switch 81 approaches to magnetic steel 91, reed switch 81 is triggered to generate the switching signal or sensing signal under the effect of magnetic field. Magnetic steel 91 in this embodiment is a passive sensing object and can be arranged on the ground easily without a power source. Just drill at the designated position on the ground, embed magnetic steel 91 and consolidate it with cement or another binding material, and finally arrange or coat the stall sign on the ground. A host computer is management machine station 10 arranged at a vehicle renting station or a remote central server. It receives or processes the information from vehicle-mounted manager 1 by means of information communication to manage bicycles at a vehicle renting station.

[0045] In practice, a user just pushes a bicycle to a parking stall identified on the ground and puts down the bicycle foot there when returning the bicycle. At this moment, reed switch 81 on the bicycle foot is triggered magnetically by magnetic steel 91 and generates the parking sensing information 7. Meanwhile, the user locks the bicycle with vehicle lock. After the bicycle is locked successfully, the vehicle-mounted locking sensor 3 is triggered and sends the locking information to the vehicle-mounted information manager 1. After receiving the parking sensing information 7 and the locking information 5, vehicle-mounted information manager 1 will determine that the vehicle returning conditions are met and implement the subsequent procedure.

[0046] After it is returned, a bicycle can be moved rather than restrained and fixed at a parking stall on the ground in the present invention. To return a bicycle, therefore, a user can just move any returned bicycle out of its parking stall to one side of the renting station, park the bicycle to be returned in such parking stall and trigger the implementation of locating information sensing if all parking stalls in a renting station are occupied during rush periods. The vehicle returning time and process are saved considerably and no manual intervention is required. By means of video monitoring on vehicle renting stations, or information communication established between a vehicle in the returned state and a vehicle renting station, a vehicle renting station or a vehicle will send an alarm or other messages to implement the anti-theft information management of bicycle if the vehicle is moved beyond the communication distance limit.

Embodiment 2

[0047] Parking sensing units 2 adopted in this embodiment are metallic information sensors. Such metallic information sensor is a prior art so that it is not detailed herein. In this embodiment, a bicycle is arranged with a vehicle lock 4, a locking sensor 3 and metallic sensing objects 9 like wheels or foot. Metallic sensors 8 are arranged on the ground. Information manager 1 is arranged in the machine station 10 in a vehicle renting station. Metallic sensors 8 on the ground send the information to information manager 1 in the machine station by means of electric connection. When a vehicle is parked at a parking stall of station, metallic sensors 8 and metallic sensing objects 9 will generate the parking sensing information 7. And locking information 5 will also be sent from vehicle-mounted locking sensor 3 to information manager 1 in the machine station 10. After receiving two signals, information manager 1 will determine that the vehicle returning conditions are met.

[0048] Metallic sensors 8 on the ground can be coded in this embodiment so that information manager 1 can manage parking stalls. Likewise, embodiments of the present invention do not restrict the arrangement of sensors 8 and sensing objects 9 of parking sensing units 2. For example, magnetic steel 91 is arranged on a vehicle and reed switch 81 is arranged on the ground in embodiment 1. By means of the electrical connection between reed switch 81 on each parking stall and machine station 10 or other control units, the enabling signal is responded and the parking stall can be located to realize the parking stall management.

Embodiment 3

[0049] Parking sensing units 2 in this embodiment include chips and card readers. Chips may be IC chips, RFID chips and other chips. It is a prior art so that it is not detailed herein. In this embodiment a bicycle is arranged with vehicle lock 4, locking sensor 3, information manager 1 and card reader. The card reader may be arranged on the foot or any part of a bicycle near to the ground. Readable chips like RFID chips are arranged on the ground. RFID chips memorize the code of parking stall and other relevant information. When a user returns a vehicle, the card reader reads out the memory of RFID chip and sends parking sensing information 7 to vehicle information manager 1. Vehicle-mounted locking sensor 3 also sends locking information 5 to vehicle information manager 1 after it is triggered. After receiving both signals, information manager 1 determines that the vehicle returning conditions are met and manages the parking stalls at a vehicle renting station.

[0050] Likewise, readable chips are arranged on any part of a bicycle near to the ground and card readers are arranged on the ground. Information manager 1 is arranged in a vehicle station. Card readers integrate sensors receiving sensing information from sensing objects. Vehicles are arranged with locking sensors. Adopt the similar parking way to achieve the same effect of pile-free parking management.

Embodiment 4

[0051] Parking sensing units 2 utilized in this embodiment are optical sensing units, such as IR or laser transmission self-return receiving sensor. Light transmission self-return receiving sensors are fixed on bicycles. Light reflection or absorption regions are arranged on the ground. Optical sensing is a prior art so that it is not detailed herein. When a bicycle arrives at a designated stall and parks, the laser transmitter transmits laser and the light reflection or absorption region on the ground reflects or absorbs the laser transmitted. If the receiving sensor acquires or does not acquire the light information, parking sensing information 7 is generated.

Embodiment 5

[0052] Parking sensing units 2 utilized in this embodiment are optical sensing units, such as IR or laser transmitter and receiving sensors. Optical sensing is a prior art so that it is not detailed herein. As shown in FIG. 3, laser transmitter 92 can be arranged at the machine station 10 of a vehicle renting station or a higher object. Its transmitting range covers a corresponding vehicle renting station. It transmits laser 93 to identify or guide a parking stall on the ground. Optical receiving sensor 82 is arranged on a bicycle. To return a vehicle, a user parks the vehicle at a stall indicated by laser 93. After vehicle-mounted optical sensor 82 receives laser 93 signal, parking sensing information 7 is generated, indicating the proper parking. In this embodiment, laser transmitter 92 is equipped with a depression angle regulator that controls the angle of transmitter to change the light transmitting position and to identify and guide parking stalls for following bicycles to park. Laser receiving sensor 82 is equipped with an elevation angle regulator that a user applies to adjust and receive laser 93 according to the angle of light beam transmitted.

Embodiment 6

[0053] Parking sensing units 2 utilized in this embodiment are contact sensing units, such as contact switches arranged on the ground or vehicles. Contact switch is a prior art so that it is not detailed herein. If contact switches are arranged on the ground, foot of a bicycle properly parked touches and triggers a contact switch, sending parking sensing information 7 to information manager 1.

Embodiment 7

[0054] This embodiment utilizes contact chips as sensing objects 9 on the ground. Vehicle-mounted sensors 8 comprise one positive contact wire and one negative contact wire. Both wires are connected to information manager 1. In practice, such wires contact the chip of a sensing object 9 correspondingly. Utilize the carrier circuit to transmit the chip information for parking stall management and positioning.

Embodiment 8

[0055] Each parking stall is arranged with a sensing object 9 or sensor 8 on the ground in abovementioned embodiments. Such sensing object or sensor corresponds to sensors 8 or sensing objects 9 of vehicle-mounted parking sensing unit 2. As there is just one supporting point, vehicles may be parked in any direction around sensing object 9, resulting in the untidy parking and the poor space utilization. With reference to FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, guides 6 may be arranged in front of vehicles, such as wheel groove, in order to fix the wheel direction and realize the orderly parking.

[0056] Some vehicle renting stations require the flat ground without blocks, guides 6 or other physical barriers. Therefore, a bicycle is equipped with at least two parking sensing units 2 as shown in FIG. 4 in this embodiment. Bicycles are arranged with two feet. Each foot is arranged with sensor 8 and two sensing objects 9 are arranged on the ground. A vehicle must be parked at a designated stall as instructed. When two sensors 8 approach to sensing objects 9 on the ground, they send two pieces of sensing information 7. Information manager 1 will determine that the vehicle returning conditions are met only after receiving both pieces of sensing information 7 and locking information 5. If only one piece of parking sensing information 7 is received, it indicates that a vehicle is not parked in accordance with instructions. And information alert units will suggest the user parking the bicycle again as instructed. Hence, users can orderly and tidily arrange bicycles by autonomous parking under an unattended situation.

[0057] Sensing objects 9 on the ground in this embodiment can be arranged according to the actual space of vehicle renting stations. Under normal circumstances, for example, each group of sensing objects 9 is arranged along a straight line so that bicycles can be arranged positively in parallel (with reference to FIG. 5). In a narrow area, bicycles have to be parked obliquely so that each group of sensing objects 9 is arranged at a certain angle in parallel (with reference to FIG. 6). In a cambered area, each group of sensing objects 9 is arranged in an arc (with reference to FIG. 7). Of course, they can be arranged into a scattered or regular lattice. So, the pile-free parking system described in the present invention is suitable for all kinds of lands and easy for parking and management.

[0058] It should be pointed out that two groups of parking sensing units 2 in this embodiment are unnecessary to be of the same type. For example, one sensing object can be of magnetic type and the other sensing object can be of metallic type. Likewise, two sensors on a bicycle should be relevant magnetic sensor or metallic sensor. By this means, sensors will not be triggered by sensing objects on the ground even though bicycles are parked reversely. Alternatively, magnetic sensing objects combine readable chips, or optical sensing units, or light absorption sensing units combine light feedback sensing units. The present invention allows for three or more groups of sensing objects rather than limit to two groups. Combination of different sensing objects cannot only prevent vehicles from parking in the reverse way and realize the orderly and tidy parking under an unattended situation, but also implement the parking management or achieve anti-theft or any other purpose by means of readable chips.

Embodiment 9

[0059] Parking sensing units 2 in embodiment 8 are arranged symmetrically. As shown in FIG. 8, multiple groups of parking sensing units 2 are arranged asymmetrically in this embodiment. For example, equip one foot with two sensors 8 in the front and in the rear and the other foot with a sensor 8. Correspondingly, arrange three sensing objects 9 asymmetrically on the ground along the centerline of a bicycle. If such asymmetric arrangement is adopted, vehicles must be parked in strict compliance with the indication on the ground. If a bicycle is parked in the reverse or willful way, information manager 1 will determine that its returning conditions are not met because it does not detect its parking sensing information 7 and suggest the user to park such bicycle as instructed. Of course, using two groups of parking sensing units 2 asymmetrically arranged can also realize orderly parking. Two or more groups of parking sensing units 2 in this embodiment are of the same type, such as reed switch 81 and magnetic steel 91. The autonomous orderly parking can be realized by such asymmetric arrangement of location.

Embodiment 10

[0060] One and more groups of parking sensing units 2 utilized in the foregoing embodiment send parking sensing information 7 to information manager 1. And locking sensor 3 provides locking information 5 to information manager 1. There is no strict requirement for sequence of these two signals. When receiving them during a given period, information manager 1 will determine that the vehicle returning conditions are met.

[0061] Multiple groups of parking sensing units 2 are arranged in this embodiment and one group of parking sensing units 2 functions as starting switch. When a bicycle is in normal use or ridden, vehicle-mounted information manager 1 will be in the sleep or low-power running state and not monitor any signal, avoiding or reducing the energy consumption. As shown in FIG. 9, when a bicycle parks at a designated parking stall in a vehicle renting station, vehicle-mounted sensors 8 like reed switch 81 will be triggered by sensing objects 9 like magnetic steel 91 at such parking stall and send the switching signal or enabling signal. The circuit is energized and starts information manager 1. Then information manager 1 starts the encoder reader to read codes in the above-mentioned embodiment or activates laser to identify signs on the ground. Read locking information 5 and then determine if the vehicle returning conditions are met. Carry out the subsequent procedure, such as read and write a vehicle renting card, or communicate with the host computer to manage vehicles in a vehicle renting station, after foregoing steps are done successfully. So, parking sensing units function as starting switch of information manager or send the enabling signal in this embodiment, starting the vehicle or renting station information manager.

Embodiment 11

[0062] This embodiment is same as embodiment 1. Parking sensors 8 are Hall sensors with magnetic component or magnetoresistive sensors. Hall sensor or magnetoresistive sensor is a prior art and available on the market so that it is not detailed herein. Hall sensors or magnetoresistive sensors are arranged on a part of vehicle near the ground, such as foot, and electrically connected to information manager 1. When a bicycle is parked, Hall sensors or magnetoresistive sensors are triggered by sensing objects like magnetic steel, and send parking sensing information 7 to be acquired by information manager 1. Hall sensors or magnetoresistive sensors consume little electricity so that the circuit does not take much power even though it always keeps on.

[0063] Zero pile referred to in the present invention does not mean that no any device is arranged on the ground. Compared to the existing technology, it just means the elimination of vehicle locking piles. In all embodiments of the present invention, sensing objects or sensors on the ground cover those in flush with or a little above the ground rather than strictly limit to those under the ground. The scope of protection of the present invention also covers those arranged on the ground indirectly via objects.

[0064] The proper parking signal and locking information referred to in the present invention are just for easy description and understanding. Neither of them is a digital or analog signal in the strict sense. It just represents a change of enabling threshold and also includes the on-off signal. And such signal transmission is not strictly limited to the unidirectional transmission. It may be sent from sensors to information manager, or information manager monitors or reads the signal from sensors proactively.

[0065] Abovementioned description is the explanation of the present invention rather than restrictions. The present invention is subject to change in any form, providing that the spirit of the present invention is not offended.