KR20000028849A - Intelligent car park system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A parking system is provided to quickly enter a vehicle from a parking place and to effectively use the parking place without a parking staff. CONSTITUTION: A parking system having a function for processing(ICPS) an information with a computer to automatically control the entrance and the exit of a vehicle from a parking place catches an image of vehicle entering the parking place using a camera(16) and processes the image to identify a checking characteristic of vehicle and an entered time stored in a database by transmitting to the database of a computer through a radio transmitting system, a local/wide network or the other kind of the interconnection of computer. The same processing processes are performed in the exit except comparing the record in the database with the checking information and calculating an appropriate fare according to the time sent in the parking place. A payment is performed without a cash based on a cash card, a credit card or a recorded credit information in the position of a paying device(22).

Description

Parking system with information processing function {INTELLIGENT CAR PARK SYSTEM}

The present invention relates to a parking system having an information processing function by a computer and a control method for automatically removing a car from a parking lot.

Many parking lot managers still employ people who, in turn, generally receive and / or leave the parking lot to control the receipt and release of vehicles. Such parking attendants are also responsible for providing proper billing for the accuracy of the charges and / or the calculation of the parking lot user. Regarding the high labor costs paid to parking attendants, other parking lot managers choose a fully or semi-automatic system in which cars can leave without a guide. For example, in the prior art, which is a fully automatic system, a driver is issued a parking card from a dispenser at an entrance location entering a parking lot that opens a boom gate to enter the parking lot. Upon returning to the parking lot, the driver calculates the appropriate fare and places the parking card in the banding machine, which authorizes the card for release of the fare required for the banding machine. The same parking card is inserted into the card reader at the exit position, which will automatically open the exit boom gate once the card is approved for shipping. An obvious disadvantage of this prior art system is the inconvenience that the driver must first find the banding machine and then pay the correct fee for exiting the parking lot.

Another disadvantage of this and other similar prior art automated parking systems is that they are not easily distinguishable between various types of vehicles for appropriate different fare applications.

The present invention has been developed in view of providing a parking system having an information processing function that overcomes at least some of the problems of the above-mentioned prior art systems, which is convenient for use by a vehicle driver using a parking lot.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for automatically controlling vehicle entry and exit from a parking lot using a parking system having an information processing function by a computer, the method comprising the following steps.

Detecting a vehicle entering or leaving a parking lot;

Capturing one or more images of the vehicle including the license plate;

Processing the image or images of the vehicle including the license plate to identify the same shape for the vehicle and the license plate to identify information that the vehicle is the same; And

Recording the identification information together with the time when the vehicle enters the parking lot or the time when the vehicle leaves the vehicle;

Contrasting the information previously recorded in the database with the confirmation information; And

Allowing the release of the vehicle from the parking lot.

Preferably the method further comprises approving or not approving the receipt of the vehicle into the parking lot.

Preferably the method further comprises the following steps.

Calculating an appropriate fee for the time the vehicle parked in the parking lot; And

Processing payment of an appropriate fee or verifying credit information for a credit of such fee.

Advantageously, the method further comprises comparing said information with information stored as basic knowledge to ascertain whether the vehicle is classified as a particular type or as a different vehicle. For example, the basic knowledge may include information for identifying taxis, vans, weight cars and general passenger cars to apply different parking rates. In addition, the requirements can be assured by the fact that the vehicle according to security and safety can be distinguished, for example, so that the vehicle does not exceed the limit height.

In general, the method also includes comparing the identification information with information stored in a database to confirm that the vehicle has a season pass for using the parking lot, where appropriate rates are weekly, monthly, quarterly, or It is charged according to different seasons. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a parking system having a computer-informed information processing function for automatically controlling vehicle release from a parking lot, the system comprising:

Means for detecting if a vehicle is around a parking entrance or exit;

Means for capturing one or more images of the vehicle including its number plate;

Means for processing the image or images including the license plate thereof to confirm the identification shape for the vehicle and the license plate to obtain confirmation information identifying the vehicle;

Means for recording the identification information in a database with a date and time at the time the vehicle came in;

Means for comparing said confirmation information with information previously recorded in a database; And

Means to approve or disapprove a vehicle leaving a parking lot.

Preferably the parking system with the information processing function also includes means for approving or not approving vehicles entering the parking lot.

Preferably the parking system having the information processing function also includes the following.

Means for calculating an appropriate fee for the time the vehicle is parked in the parking lot at the time the vehicle exits; And

Means for processing payment of an appropriate fee or for retrieving credit information for a credit of such fee.

Preferably the parking system with the information processing function further comprises means for guiding the driver with information about the parking method. The guidance means generally include visual display means for guiding the driver, for example, the date and time of receipt / release, license plate number, appropriate fee, parking fee to be paid and instructions for payment. In addition, the guiding means includes an automated voice response to enhance the delivery of information provided to the driver.

Embodiments of a parking system with a preferred information processing function will be described in detail by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in order to further facilitate understanding of the characteristics of the invention.

1 is a view schematically showing a preferred embodiment of a parking system having an information processing function,

2A is a flowchart illustrating a control method for loading a car into a parking lot using the system of FIG. 1;

2B is a flowchart illustrating a control method for leaving a car from a parking lot using the system of FIG. 1.

In a preferred embodiment of a parking system with information processing function (ICPS) according to the present invention as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of computer workstations 10 and / or workstations / servers 12 are local network Interconnected via a (LAN) / wide area network (WEN) or wireless data transmission system 14 or other computer interconnection form according to the particular requirements of the parking lot operator and the area of the workstation. For example, two or more parkings are operated by the same actuator which can be controlled by one system. Each workstation 10 or workstation / server 12 may be a good personal computer (PC) or server / client configuration or may be combined into a single computer depending on the application. In general, the entrance and exit locations of each parking lot (s) may be provided to workstation 10 or workstation / server 12 or both may be connected to a single computer such that the entrance and exit may be controlled by a single computer.

Means are provided at the location of the entrance or exit to the parking lot to detect whether there is a vehicle around the entrance or exit of the parking lot. Such sensing means may take the form of an embedded (ground) sensor (not shown), such as an inductive loop sensor or a vehicle gravity sensor. In the described embodiment, the means for detecting the presence of a vehicle are connected to move to the workstations 10 and 12 to automatically monitor the state of the vehicle at the entrance or exit of the parking lot when the vehicle appears in the area. Or more cameras 16. Camera (s) 16 are also used to capture at least one vehicle image comprising a license plate and it is processed by workstations 10 and 12 to identify the same shape for the license plate and the vehicle to identify the vehicle. Get confirmation information.

Workstations 10 and 12 use commercially available off-the-shelf or specially developed license plate recognition (LPR) or other image processing (IP) software, which is typically present in the image. The process of iteratively reprocessing a directed object is used to identify the shape of the vehicle and / or license plate characteristics. LPR or IP software is an image processing and image recognition tool such as neural network recognizer, fuzzy logic and gray base level feature segmentation technology to recognize shapes and characteristics in various shapes and shapes. Use a combination of The system may include, for example, basic knowledge stored in a disc array 18 that can identify whether a vehicle is classified as a particular category of vehicle. Based on a well-established system, LPR or IP software maps identification characteristics and / or shapes in the form of information processing functions such as Singapore license plates or Malaysia license plates. ICPS may be provided as a processing rule that will distinguish different types of vehicles such as taxis, vans, vans and passenger cars. Such distinction may be desirable to charge different rates for different types of vehicles in a parking lot and also to ensure security and safety conditions that prohibit entry of vehicles beyond the restricted height of the parking lot, for example. can do.

The type and / or license plate characteristics of the vehicle identifying the vehicle entered into the database may be stored in local server 12 or disk array 18. At the entrance location, ICPS records the receipt and database update date and time with this information to facilitate the calculation of license plate or other identification characteristics of the vehicle and the applicable fee. At the exit, ICPS calculates the appropriate parking fee to be paid based on a database of each vehicle entering the parking lot and the recorded information about those vehicles.

At the wearing position of the vehicle, ICPS will obtain and record the identification information of the vehicle. The entrance of the vehicle can be controlled by the boom gate 20 or other obstruction that prevents the vehicle from entering or entering the parking lot. However, at the exit of the parking lot, ICPS will not allow such release to open the fire gate until the appropriate parking fee has been calculated and shown to the driver to be paid or calculated or credit information is retrieved for the credit of such a fee. From this database, ICPS can check whether a particular vehicle has a season pass. Vehicles paying seasonal parking fees may or may not have paid on a monthly, quarterly or other season basis, and such systems will allow shipping without paying separately at exit locations. However, for all other vehicles, ICPS will process the fare or credit information inquiry at an exit location, for example using a card terminal 22. The card terminal 22 is located on the side of the vehicle driver and is easily accessible by the driver without getting out of the vehicle. Card terminal 22 may be a stored value card, such as a cash card, electronic wallet, EFTPOS debit card, credit card, or other form of prepaid or smart card. It may be in the form of any suitable card reader capable of reading or processing. When the payment is processed or credit information is queried for a credit, ICPS will generate a clearance signal that automatically opens the boom gate 20 for the vehicle to leave the factory.

ICPS also includes means for guiding vehicle drivers with information about how to use the parking lot. Thus, for example, such a guide means 24 is a visual display that can indicate the date and time of receipt / release, the number / serial characteristics of the license plate, the appropriate rate of charge, the parking fee to be paid and the instructions for payment. It may include a screen (which may be an LED, LCD or plasma monitor). This can be further enhanced with automated voice response from ICPS at any time when required.

2A and 2B are flow charts illustrating a control method used by ICPS which can be implemented with software custom designed for a specific parking lot operator. FIG. 2A deals with the process at the inlet position, while FIG. 2B deals with the process at the outlet position. However, the actual hardware and equipment performing the processing at the inlet and outlet locations will generally be one and are understood to be the same even if a split set of hardware is required to be used. Significantly, the operational differences in the entry and exit positions are only differences in the software, and by changing the software the entry and exit positions can be interchanged and / or payment is processed at the entry position or exit position prior to parking the vehicle. Can be processed.

At the entrance position (see FIG. 2A), when the driver drives the vehicle to the parking lot entrance, the presence of the vehicle is sensed in the manner described above and starts the goods receipt process at ICPS as indicated by reference numeral 100. The image or images of the vehicle, including the license plate, are identified using one or more cameras, so ICPS uses the LPR or IP software to identify the vehicle and / or the type of vehicle identified and / or Or process the image (s) of the vehicle including the license plate to recognize properties for the license plate. By this application, ICC can also compare the identification information of the vehicle with the information stored in the basic knowledge to identify which class of vehicle, such as a taxi, a van, a van or a passenger car, for example, at this position. In this way, ICPS can distinguish between vehicle types according to a pre-programmed process to apply different rate rates for different types of vehicles as required.

When the vehicle has been identified and classified, ICPS will look at database 104 which may be local to ask if the vehicle has purchased a valid season parking pass for parking. If the vehicle has a valid season parking pass, the video display screen may indicate the license plate number and season parking expiration date at 106 if appropriate. Automated voice response may also be provided as required. The entrance is facilitated by opening the boom gate or other obstacle at 108 and the driver can enter to park the vehicle into the parking lot.

If the vehicle does not have a valid season parking pass and the parking permits day / time parking as determined at 110, the visual display screen shows a number plate and date of the vehicle entering the parking lot at 112, similar to 106. And time. However, if the vehicle does not have a valid season parking pass and the parking lot does not allow daily / hour parking, the screen will display “No Entry” at 114 and will instruct you to leave the area.

In another embodiment, the image of the vehicle is captured and processed to identify the vehicle but there is no means to control the entry of the vehicle. The vehicle can proceed through the entrance location without stopping.

At the exit location of the parking lot (see Fig. 2b), the process is similar when the vehicle prepares to leave the parking lot, but here the process or credit for calculating the appropriate fee for the time the vehicle was parked and paying the appropriate fee. The process of retrieving credit information is included. ICPS monitors whether there is a vehicle waiting to leave the parking lot and starts the delivery process at 120. One or more cameras captures an image of a vehicle with a number plate and ICPS uses the Elpiga or Affi software at 122 to identify features on the number plate that identify the car's annular shape or the vehicle. Processes images of the number plate. This process is similar to step 102 in the goods receipt process. When the vehicle is identified, ICPS will look in the database to specify the corresponding record for the same vehicle stored at the time of receipt, which record will include vehicle type information as well as the date and time of receipt if appropriate. So CPS calculates the appropriate fee for the time of the car parked in the parking lot by comparing the date and time of receipt of the vehicle with the release date and time. If the vehicle has a valid season parking pass as described at 124, ICPS may provide a visual display and / or voice response at 126 similar to reference 106. ICPS can be customized to meet personal parking conditions, such as season parking being paid monthly, and voice responses can provide reminders for payment. The boom gate or other obstacle is opened at 128 and the driver can proceed from the parking lot to the exit.

If the vehicle is not a valid season parking, this will be the daily / hour parking rate and ICPS will indicate parking lot usage information at 130. In general, ICPS will indicate the serial number / characteristics of the license plate, the duration of the parking, the parking fee to be paid and the instructions for payment. The driver inserts a "cash card" into the card terminal and ICPS will check the card at 132 to make sure there is enough cash in the card to pay the parking fee. If there is enough cash to pay the parking fee on the card, ICPS will subtract that amount from the cash card at 134 and return the card to the driver. The amount of cash remaining in the cash card is indicated simultaneously on the display screen at 136. The obstacle is opened at 128 and the driver can leave the parking lot. If there is not enough cash to pay the parking fee on the card, ICPS will warn that there is not enough cash in the cash card and display the balance of the card on the visual display screen at 138 and return the card to the driver. At this stage, the driver may be asked to insert another card or to cash the card before going out of the parking lot again, or ICPS may allow it to be released after checking credit information for the credit.

From the description of a preferred embodiment of a parking system and method having an information processing function for automatically controlling vehicles entering and leaving the parking lot, it will be apparent that ICPS has many advantages over prior art systems as follows.

(a) Minimize the driver's movements.

(b) Provide accurate records of parking practices useful for administrative purposes.

(c) Car parks facilitate the fast loading and unloading of vehicles, in particular season parking is available here.

(d) Custom made and / or reconfigurable to meet individual parking needs.

(e) Small single parking lot actuators as well as large multiple parking lot actuators.

(f) The driver does not have to change the change, process the parking coupon, operate the meter to pay the parking fee, or find an automatic payment location.

(g) Parking security is increased in terms of parking management, and shoplifting / damage problems in automatic payment places are prevented.

(h) It is more desirable to carry out or approve payments, especially in unattended parking lots or where there is a receptionist (or parking agent) who does not believe to be honest.

The best modifications and variations will be suggested to those skilled in the art in addition to what has already been described without departing from the basic spirit of the invention. All such modifications and variations are included within the spirit of the invention and the features are determined by the description and claims that are described.

Claims (19)

Detecting a vehicle entering or leaving a parking lot; Capturing one or more images of the vehicle including the license plate; Processing the image or images of the vehicle including the license plate to identify the same shape for the vehicle and the license plate to identify information that the vehicle is the same; Recording the identification information together with the time when the vehicle enters the parking lot or the time when the vehicle leaves the vehicle; Contrasting the information previously recorded in the database with the confirmation information; And A method for automatically controlling vehicle access from a parking lot using a parking system having an information processing function by a computer, the method comprising allowing a vehicle to leave the parking lot. The method of claim 1, The method of automatically controlling vehicle access from the parking lot further includes the step of approving or not approving the receipt of the vehicle into the parking lot. The method of claim 2, A method for automatically controlling vehicle entry and exit from the parking lot includes calculating an appropriate fee for the time the vehicle parked in the parking lot; And Processing the payment of the appropriate fee or verifying the credit information for a credit of such fee. The method of claim 3, wherein The method of automatically controlling vehicle entry and exit from the parking lot further includes comparing the vehicle with information stored as basic knowledge to determine whether the vehicle is classified into a particular type. The method of claim 4, wherein The method of automatically controlling vehicle entry and exit from the parking lot further includes calculating an appropriate fare to present a different fare rate according to the type of vehicle. The method of claim 2, The method of automatically controlling vehicle access from the parking lot includes the information stored in the database to confirm whether the vehicle has a season pass in which an appropriate fee for the use of the parking lot is paid weekly, monthly, quarterly or another period. Further comprising comparing the information. The method of claim 3, wherein The method for automatically controlling vehicle access from the parking lot further comprises processing a payment process for deducting a charge from a cash card, debit card, credit card or other store value card. The method of claim 1, The method of automatically controlling vehicle entry and exit from the parking lot further comprises transmitting confirmation information with the arrival time of the vehicle to the computer database when the vehicle is received by an appropriate transmission means for recording. Means for detecting if a vehicle is around a parking entrance or exit; Means for capturing one or more images of the vehicle including its number plate; Means for processing the image or images to obtain identification information identifying the vehicle and to confirm the identification shape for the vehicle and license plate; Means for recording the identification information in a database with a date and time at the time the vehicle came in; Means for comparing said confirmation information with information previously recorded in a database; And A parking system having a computerized information processing function for automatically controlling vehicle release from a parking lot including means for approving or not approving a vehicle leaving the parking lot. The method of claim 9, And the system further comprises means for allowing a vehicle to enter or not enter the parking lot. The method of claim 10, The system includes means for calculating an appropriate fee for the time the vehicle is parked in the parking lot at the time the vehicle exits; And And a means for processing payment of an appropriate fee or for retrieving credit information for a credit of such fee. The method of claim 11, The system further comprises means for guiding the vehicle driver with information on how to use the parking lot. The method of claim 12, The guiding means further comprises, for example, visual display means for guiding the driver of the date and time of receipt / release, the serial number / feature of the license plate, the appropriate fare, the parking fee to be paid and the instructions for payment. System with information processing function. The method of claim 13, Said guiding means having an information processing function comprising an automated voice response to enhance the presentation of the information provided to the driver. The method of claim 10, And said image processing means further comprises a computer workstation programmed with image processing software comprising license plate recognition software. The method of claim 11, And said payment processing means further comprises a card terminal capable of reading or processing the cash card inserted by the driver at the parking lot exit position. The method of claim 10, The vehicle detecting means further comprises an embedded vehicle sensor. The method of claim 10, The image processing means, the recording means, the collating means and the computing means are provided in contact with a plurality of computer workstations which are in communication with each other via a wireless transmission system or a local / wide area network or other form of computer interconnection. Having a system. The method of claim 10, The system further comprises means for transmitting acknowledgment information along with the receipt time of the vehicle to the computer database via a wireless transmission system or a local / wide area network or other form of computer interconnection.