Parking device

Abstract

 The invention regards a parking assembly for authorising vehicles with a driver to drive in and out of a car park provided with parking places, comprising a detector at the car park for detecting a vehicle characteristic of the vehicle at or in the car park, a key reading device for reading a key code of a key of the driver at or in the car park, and a data processing device, operationally connected to the detector and the key reading device, wherein the data processing device is provided with a data file with data record comprising at least a key characteristic field, a vehicle characteristic field, a personal details field, the detector is adapted for transmitting the detected vehicle characteristic to the data processing device, and the key reading device is adapted for reading the key code of the key, transmitting said key code to the data processing device, and the data processing device is further adapted for searching the data file for a data record with a vehicle characteristic field containing the vehicle characteristic, and if a data record containing the vehicle characteristic has been found, and if the data record does not have a key code in the key code field, filling in the key code in the key code field in said data record.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a parking assembly for authorising vehicles with a driver to drive in and out of a car park provided with parking places, comprising a detector at the car park for detecting a vehicle characteristic of the vehicle at or in the car park, a key reading device for reading a key code of a key of the driver at or in the car park, and a data processing device, operationally connected to the detector and the key reading device and a method for managing a car park having parking places for authorising access to and departure from the car park of a vehicle with a driver, wherein a parking assembly by means of a detector positioned in or at the car park, detects a vehicle characteristic of the vehicle and a key reading device positioned in or at the car park reads a key code of a key of the driver.

[0002] Among others from GB-A-2.273.596 and AU-B2-757706 and WO-A1-03/036569 parking assemblies are known provided with a camera system for among others recognising number plates. In WO-A1-03/036569 such a camera system is used for verifying whether a vehicle is of a subscriber. If such is the case the vehicle is allowed to drive through without a ticket being asked for.

[0003] In GB-A-2.273.596 the recognition of the number plate and/or another visual characteristic is used as additional security to reduce the risk of a vehicle being taken by someone else than the owner.

[0004] In AU-B2-757706 the camera recognition of the number plate is used to distinguish whether a vehicle is of a subscriber in order to subsequently apply a differentiated parking fee.

[0005] A problem that is not recognised in any of the known parking systems is providing a key to the subscriber.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an object of the invention to provide a parking assembly having new uses.

[0007] To that end the invention provides a parking assembly for authorising vehicles with a driver to drive in and out of a car park provided with parking places, comprising a detector at the car park for detecting a vehicle characteristic of the vehicle at or in the car park, a key reading device for reading a key code of a key of the driver at or in the car park, and a data processing device, operationally connected to the detector and the key reading device, wherein the data processing device is provided with a data file with data record comprising at least a key characteristic field, a vehicle characteristic field, a personal details field, the detector is adapted for transmitting the detected vehicle characteristic to the data processing device, and the key reading device is adapted for reading the key code of the key, transmitting said key code to the data processing device, and the data processing device is further adapted for searching the data file for a data record with a vehicle characteristic field containing the vehicle characteristic, and if a data record containing the vehicle characteristic has been found, and if the data record does not have a key code in the key code field, filling in the key code in the key code field in said data record.

[0008] The invention further provides a method for managing a car park having parking places for authorising access to and departure from the car park of a vehicle with a driver, wherein a parking assembly by means of a detector positioned in or at the car park, detects a vehicle characteristic of the vehicle, a key reading device positioned in or at the car park reads a key code of a key of the driver, and a data processing device provided with a data file with data records comprising at least a key code field, a vehicle characteristic field and a personal details field and operationally connected to the key reading device and the detector, wherein the key reading device provides the key code of the key to the data processing device, the detector provides the vehicle characteristic of the vehicle to the data processing device, and the data processing device searches the data file for a data record with a vehicle characteristic field containing the vehicle characteristic, and if a key code has not yet been filled in in the key code field, fills in the key code in the key code field.

[0009] By means of such a method and parking assembly a key can be provided to a user who for instance a short while ago became a subscriber. Alternatively such a parking assembly makes it easy for a user to book a place in advance and for instance be charged a fee adapted thereto.

[0010] In one embodiment the parking assembly further comprises a key delivery device at or in the car park for delivering the key to the driver of the vehicle when bringing his vehicle into the car park, and the data processing device being operationally connected to the key delivery device.

[0011] In one embodiment the key delivery device also comprises the key reading device.

[0012] The key reading device generally is a device as know for use in parking garages and other secured car parks. The key delivery may deliver a physical key, but also read a key ("token") offered by the driver and indicate its code as key code and use it as such. The key delivery device may also contain various types of keys, and by order of the data processing device and depending on the vehicle characteristic provided by the detector select a key type to be delivered to the driver.

[0013] It will for that matter be clear that although it says driver in the description, user can be read instead as well. Generally the user will be the driver of the vehicle.

[0014] In one embodiment of the parking assembly the data record further comprises a personal details field.

[0015] In one embodiment of the parking assembly the data processing device is further operationally connected to an input device for entering personal details and a vehicle characteristic, wherein the data processing device is adapted for filling in the personal details in a personal details field and the vehicle characteristic in a vehicle characteristic field of a data record.

[0016] It will be clear that the input device may be positioned in or at the car park. Modern techniques, however, also make it possible that the input device can be remotely operationally connected (wireless) to the data processing device. Such an input device may be a mobile telephone, a PDA or a computer that is operationally connected through the internet.

[0017] In one embodiment of the parking assembly the key reading device is adapted for accommodating a key in the device, and releasing the key for returning it to a person such as the driver of the vehicle.

[0018] In one embodiment of the parking assembly the data processing device is adapted for giving a release signal to the key reading device for releasing the key when the data record with the key code of the key comprises personal details in the personal details field in said data record and the vehicle characteristic determined by the detector corresponds with the vehicle characteristic in the vehicle characteristic field in said data record.

[0019] In one embodiment the detector comprises a camera, for instance a digital camera, for taking an image of the vehicle.

[0020] In one embodiment of the parking assembly the vehicle characteristic comprises the registration number of the vehicle. Such a camera system for (digitally) detecting a registration number and determining the registration number is generally known, among others from the above-mentioned publications. In addition or instead other vehicle characteristics can be used optionally as an additional check. Said characteristics may have been entered by the driver beforehand, but the data processing device may also retrieve them from other sources, such as for instance the registers of national vehicle registration containing the type and colour. Alternatively the detector may for instance also read a code of a transmitter, such as for instance a RFID tag or another characteristic, introduced in the vehicle.

[0021] In one embodiment of the parking assembly the key comprises an electronically readable key code, or a code entered by the driver or a biometric characteristic of the driver.

[0022] In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the vehicle characteristic is detected when driving into or out of the car park.

[0023] In one embodiment of the method according to the invention the key is provided to the driver when driving into the car park.

[0024] In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, at least prior to the vehicle leaving the car park, vehicle characteristic and personal details are entered by means of an input device, operationally connected to the data processing device.

[0025] The invention furthermore relates to software which, when operational in a data processing device, adapts it for operating as a data processing device in a parking assembly according to the invention.

[0026] The invention further relates to software which, when operational in a data processing device, adapts it for carrying out the method according to the invention.

[0027] Alternatively the invention relates to a parking assembly for managing a car park having parking places for authorising access to and departure from the car park of a vehicle with a driver, comprising a data processing unit provided with a data file including data fields comprising at least a key code field and a vehicle characteristic field and operationally connected to data input means for entering a vehicle characteristic of the vehicle, such as a registration number, and a detector at the car park for detecting a vehicle characteristic and operationally connected to the data processing unit for transmitting detected vehicle characteristics thereto, wherein the parking assembly is adapted for by means of the detector at the vehicle's entering or leaving the car park by means of the detector detecting a vehicle characteristic of the vehicle and transmitting it to the data processing device, and the data processing device searching the data file for a data field that includes the detected vehicle characteristic, and adding to the data field a key code of a key that is in the possession of the driver.

[0028] In one embodiment said parking assembly further comprises a key reading device, operationally connected to the data processing unit, for reading the key code of a key and providing said key code to the data processing unit.

[0029] In one embodiment thereof the key code is detected of the key which when entering the vehicle into the car park is already held by the driver, wherein the key preferably comprises a physical key, preferably electronically readable, such as a credit card, bank card, chip card, an object provided with a RFID label, mobile telephone or PDA.

[0030] In one embodiment said parking assembly further comprises a key delivery device for delivering a key, positioned at an access to the car park for delivering a key when a vehicle enters the car park, or positioned in the immediate vicinity of the car park or in the car park, preferably a key delivery device for delivering a physical key, preferably provided with a key code that is electronically readable, such as for instance a chip card or an object provided with an RFID label.

[0031] In one embodiment said parking assembly further comprises a key delivery device for delivering a key provided with a key code to a person, wherein the key delivery device preferably is adapted for delivering a physical key provided with a key code that preferably is electronically readable, such as for instance a chip card or an object provided with an RFID label.

[0032] In one embodiment of said parking assembly the detector is positioned at an access to the car park.

[0033] In one embodiment of the parking assembly the detector is positioned at an exit of the car park.

[0034] In one embodiment of the parking assembly the data input device is adapted for entering a vehicle characteristic, preferably by a person, by means of a remote input data processing unit, preferably by means of a remote input data processing unit which by means of a WAN, LAN or internet connection either temporarily or not is operationally connected to the data processing unit.

[0035] The aspects and measures described in this description and claims of the application and/or shown in the drawings of this application may where possible also be used individually. Said individual aspects, such as the key, the data file, the key reading device, the software for the data processing device and optional input software, and other aspects may be the subject of divisional patent applications relating thereto. This particularly applies to the measures and aspects that have been described per se in the subclaims.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The invention will be elucidated on the basis of a number of exemplary embodiments shown in the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a parking assembly according to the invention with check and delivery at the entrance of a car park;

Figure 2 shows a parking assembly according to the invention with check at the exit and delivery of the key at the entrance of a car park; and

Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a data record according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a parking assembly according to the invention. Figure 1 shows a car park 1 provided with parking places 2. The car park 1 has been provided with an exit 3 and an entrance 4. In this case both the entrance 4 and the exit 3 have been provide with means for stopping vehicles, in the embodiment shown a barrier 7 at the entrance and a further barrier 1 2 at the exit. Furthermore shown are a vehicle 8 which by means of the entrance 4 tries to gain access to the car park in order to park, and a vehicle 11 that wants to leave the car park 1.

[0038] At the entrance 4 a detector 6 has been provided, in this case a camera for taking an image of the vehicle 8. In a particular embodiment the detector 6 comprises a (digital) video camera for taking an image of the number plate and the detector is adapted for deriving the registration number therefrom.

[0039] At the entrance a key delivery device 9 is furthermore provided.

[0040] At the exit 3 a key reading device 13 is furthermore provided. Both the key reading device 13, the detector 6 and the key delivery device 9 are operationally connected to a data processing device 5, which may be effected both by means of wires and wirelessly.

[0041] By means of the internet (indicated by a little cloud) the data processing device 5 has a connection to several computer devices 10, one of which has been shown. By means of said computers 10 data can be transmitted through the internet to the data processing device 5.

[0042] The operation of the parking assembly shown here in one embodiment is as follows. By means of computer 10 connected through the internet, a driver of a vehicle is able to enter the registration number of his vehicle and his personal details and send them to the central data processing device 5, this may take place both in or at the car park, but also at the driver's home. Said data processing device 5 has been provided with a data file or database containing data records. Said data record may be provided with the vehicle characteristic, such as a registration number, that has been entered by a user, and his personal details. In addition there is a possibility for said user to indicate when he wishes to book a parking place, or whether he wishes a subscription for this or several parking devices. When the user subsequently drives his vehicle 8 to the car park, a key is given to the driver at the key delivery device 9. Said key may either be a pass, if so desired remotely readable, such as provided with an RFID or a bluetooth option, or a personal pin code or one or more biometric characteristics of the driver that have been taken. By means of the operational connection of the key delivery device to the data processing device said key data are received by said data processing device and added to the record in the database related to the vehicle. To that end an image of the vehicle is taken by the detector 6 from which image the registration number data are retrieved. The data processing device then searches the database for the record related to the registration number in question, and will subsequently add the key code of the recently delivered key to the record. Subsequently the barrier is opened and the vehicle is able to enter the car park and the driver is able to park his car in one of the parking places 2. When it appears from the data record that it regards a so-called short-term parker, or a parker that only wishes to use a parking place once, the data processing device is able to release the key for re-use by a new parker. In addition the key reading device is unable for instance to return the card to the driver when the key is a physical key.

[0043] The fact whether the key should be returned to the parker can be derived by the data processing device from the fact whether the personal details have been filled in, but also from the fact whether at entering the car park a vehicle characteristic such as a registration number was already present in the record. On the other hand the record may also comprise a particular indicator indicating what type of parker it regards.

[0044] When leaving the car park a driver of a vehicle, in this case vehicle 11, will insert his key in key device 13. When it regards a short-term parker or a parker who only wishes to use the car park once, the data processing device 5 will recognise this when retrieving the record and retain the key. The record may then optionally be removed from the database. When it appears that it regards a vehicle of a driver who wishes to subscribe, the key reading device will return the key or not release it and the data processing device will not remove the record. The vehicle is then able to leave the car park via the exit 3. The key remains in the possession of the driver in order to be used a next time. The data processing device 5 will also be able to calculate the parking duration from the time of entry and the time of departure, and add it to the data file. Optionally it is also possible to file the time of entry and the time of departure in the data file in the record of the vehicle in question.

[0045] Regarding the parking assembly according to the invention various alternatives are possible. Figure 2 shows such an alternative. In this case a driver of a vehicle 8 takes a key with key code from a key delivery device 9. Here again the key delivery device provides information regarding the key code to the data processing device 5. The driver again parks his vehicle. When leaving the car park the driver enters his key into the key reading device 13 which provides the key code to the data processing device 5. Moreover the detector 6', in this case again a camera, takes an image of the registration number and derives the registration number therefrom. This is transmitted to the data processing device 5. When it appears that it regards a vehicle of which the data have already been entered into the database in the data processing device 5, and when it appears that that the vehicle characteristic, such as the registration number, has been entered into the data file, and has been provided with personal details, it is derived that there is question of a subscriber and the key will be released to the driver. In many cases the pass will be returned to the driver. The key may also have another physical or non-physical form, and the data processing device 5 will release the key code via the operational connection in order to be used a next time.

[0046] In figure 3 a record 20 is shown as may be present in the database in the data processing device as described above. Said record 20 has been provided with a number of data fields, such as a personal details field 21, in which personal details of a driver or a vehicle. The record 20 has furthermore been provided with a key code field 23 in which the key code of a key, when it was provided to the driver of a vehicle, has been saved.

[0047] The record 20 has furthermore been provided with a vehicle characteristic field 24 in which in this case a registration number of a vehicle has been saved.

[0048] The record may furthermore be provided with a further data field 25, for instance a data field regarding the type of parking that means subscriber or not. In this data field for instance data regarding the use of one or more car parks may also saved, that means, when did the vehicle enter the car park and at what time did the vehicle leave the car park.

[0049] Alternative positions of the detector, the key reading device and the key delivery device than those explicitly described here, are also possible. For instance a detector may be positioned at both the entrance and the exit, for instance as additional check.

[0050] A key may for instance be provided at the entrance which at leaving the car park has to be returned. Alternatively a key that is offered by the driver may also be used. A bank card that is already in the possession of the driver may for instance be used a key. A key then does not need to be delivered. The parking assembly will in that case comprise a data processing device that registers the key code of a key offered in a data record.

[0051] It will for that matter be clear that a car park may be provided with several entrances and exits.

[0052] Furthermore the data file as described in this description may comprise the fields in question that have been provided with references (so-called pointers or hyperlinks) to the actual data filed in separate files, if so desired distributed over various physically separated locations, instead of the actual data.

[0053] It will be clear that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of preferred embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. Starting from the above explanation many variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention will be evident to an expert.

Claims

1. Parking assembly for authorising vehicles with a driver to drive in and out of a car park provided with parking places, comprising a detector at the car park for detecting a vehicle characteristic of the vehicle at or in the car park, a key reading device for reading a key code of a key of the driver at or in the car park, and a data processing device, operationally connected to the detector and the key reading device, wherein the data processing device is provided with a data file with data record comprising at least a key characteristic field, a vehicle characteristic field, a personal details field, the detector is adapted for transmitting the detected vehicle characteristic to the data processing device, and the key reading device is adapted for reading the key code of the key, transmitting said key code to the data processing device, and the data processing device is further adapted for searching the data file for a data record with a vehicle characteristic field containing the vehicle characteristic, and if a data record containing the vehicle characteristic has been found, and if the data record does not have a key code in the key code field, filling in the key code in the key code field in said data record.

2. Parking assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a key delivery device at or in the car park for delivering the key to the driver of the vehicle when bringing his vehicle into the car park, and the data processing device being operationally connected to the key delivery device.

3. Parking assembly according to claim 2, wherein the key delivery device also comprises the key reading device.

4. Parking assembly according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the data record further comprises a personal details field.

5. Parking assembly according to claim 4, wherein the data processing device is further operationally connected to an input device for entering personal details and a vehicle characteristic, wherein the data processing device is adapted for filling in the personal details in a personal details field and the vehicle characteristic in a vehicle characteristic field of a data record.

6. Parking assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the key reading device is adapted for accommodating a key in the device, and releasing the key for returning it to a person such as the driver of the vehicle.

7. Parking assembly according to claim 6, wherein the data processing device is adapted for giving a release signal to the key reading device for releasing the key when the data record with the key code of the key comprises personal details in the personal details field in said data record and the vehicle characteristic determined by the detector corresponds with the vehicle characteristic in the vehicle characteristic field in said data record.

8. Parking assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the detector comprises a camera, for instance a digital camera, for taking an image of the vehicle.

9. Parking assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle characteristic comprises the registration number of the vehicle.

10. Parking assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the key comprises an electronically readable key code, or a code entered by the driver or a biometric characteristic of the driver.

11. Method for managing a car park having parking places for authorising access to and departure from the car park of a vehicle with a driver, wherein a parking assembly by means of a detector positioned in or at the car park, detects a vehicle characteristic of the vehicle, a key reading device positioned in or at the car park reads a key code of a key of the driver, and a data processing device provided with a data file with data records comprising at least a key code field, a vehicle characteristic field and a personal details field and operationally connected to the key reading device and the detector, wherein the key reading device provides the key code of the key to the data processing device, the detector provides the vehicle characteristic of the vehicle to the data processing device, and the data processing device searches the data file for a data record with a vehicle characteristic field containing the vehicle characteristic, and if a key code has not yet been filled in in the key code field, fills in the key code in the key code field.

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein the vehicle characteristic is detected when driving into or out of the car park.

13. Method according to claim 1 1 or 12, wherein the key is provided to the driver when driving into the car park.

14. Method according to any one of the claims 11-13, wherein by means of an input device, operationally connected to the data processing device, vehicle characteristic and personal details are entered at least prior to the vehicle leaving the car park.

15. Software which, when operational in a data processing device, adapts it for operating as a data processing device in a parking assembly according to any one of the preceding claims.

16. Software which, when operational in a data processing device, adapts it for carrying out the method according to any one of the preceding claims.

17. Parking assembly for managing a car park having parking places for authorising access to and departure from the car park of a vehicle with a driver, comprising a data processing unit provided with a data file including data fields comprising at least a key code field and a vehicle characteristic field and operationally connected to data input means for entering a vehicle characteristic of the vehicle, such as a registration number, and a detector at the car park for detecting a vehicle characteristic and operationally connected to the data processing unit for transmitting detected vehicle characteristics thereto, wherein the parking assembly is adapted for by means of the detector at the vehicle's entering or leaving the car park by means of the detector detecting a vehicle characteristic of the vehicle and transmitting it to the data processing device, and the data processing device searching the data file for a data field that includes the detected vehicle characteristic, and adding to the data field a key code of a key that is in the possession of the driver.

18. Parking assembly according to claim 17, further comprising a key reading device, operationally connected to the data processing unit, for reading the key code of a key and providing said key code to the data processing unit.

19. Parking assembly according to claim 18, wherein the key code is detected of the key which when entering the vehicle into the car park is already held by the driver, wherein the key preferably comprises a physical key, preferably electronically readable, such as a credit card, bank card, chip card, an object provided with a RFID label, mobile telephone or PDA.

20. Parking assembly according to any one of the claims 17-19, further comprising a key delivery device for delivering a key, positioned at an access to the car park for delivering a key when a vehicle enters the car park, or positioned in the immediate vicinity of the car park or in the car park, preferably a key delivery device for delivering a physical key, preferably provided with a key code that is electronically readable, such as for instance a chip card or an object provided with an RFID label.

21. Parking assembly according to any one of the claims 17, 18 or 19, further comprising a key delivery device for delivering a key provided with a key code to a person, wherein the key delivery device preferably is adapted for delivering a physical key provided with a key code that preferably is electronically readable, such as for instance a chip card or an object provided with an RFID label.

22. Parking assembly according to any one of the claims 17-21, wherein the detector is positioned at an access to the car park.

23. Parking assembly according to any one of the claims 17-21, wherein the detector is positioned at an exit of the car park.

24. Parking assembly according to any one of the claims 17-23, wherein the data input device is adapted for entering a vehicle characteristic, preferably by a person, by means of a remote input data processing unit, preferably by means of a remote input data processing unit which by means of a WAN, LAN or internet connection either temporarily or not is operationally connected to the data processing unit.

25. Parking assembly provided with one or more of the characterising measures described in the attached description and/or shown in the attached drawings.

26. Data processing unit provided with one or more of the characterising measures described in the attached description and/or shown in the attached drawings.

27. Method comprising one or more of the characterising steps described in the attached description and/or shown in the attached drawings.

Drawing