WO2022238994A1

WO2022238994A1 - Multi-space parking detection units and method of use

Info

Publication number: WO2022238994A1
Application number: PCT/IL2022/050477
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zvi Ganot
Original assignee: Zvi Ganot
Priority date: 2021-05-14
Filing date: 2022-05-09
Publication date: 2022-11-17

Abstract

A method for operation of a parking network including : providing an automated initiation and termination of a parking session, providing automated inspection of parking law violation in real time, providing automated control on residential and any other limited parking spaces according the vhhicle ' s parking status, providing a parking network comprising a plurality of parking detection unit s, a plurality of mobile devices, and a host, wherein each of the plurality of parking detection unit s monitors two or more parking spaces for occupancy of the parking spaces by vehicles, wherein the plurality of mobile devices each run a parking app; detecting, by one of the plurality of parking detection unit s of a vehicle in a monitored parking space; establishing communications between the one of the plurality of parking detection unit s and a parking application on one of the plurality of mobile devices as sociated with the parked vehicle; and informing of the host, by parking application and in addition by the one of the plurality of parking detection units of the parking space occupancy, wherein the plurality of parking detection units are configured to form bi¬ directional communications chains with the host, wherein each of the plurality of parking detection unit s is in short-range communications with only immediate neighboring parking detection unit s for forming the communication chain such that energy usage of each of the plurality of parking detection unit s is reduced.

Description

MULTI-SPACE PARKING DETECTION UNITS AND METHOD OF USE

Field of the Invention

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems and methods for multi space parking detection units with reduced energy usage and with car identification.

Background of the Invention

Street parking space detection units are designed to check a parking space's occupancy and provide information to the authorities and motorists. Such detection units may be based on various technologies such as geomagnetism, Radar, IR, etc. Many existing on-street parking detection units use geomagnetic sensors characterized by a relatively low precision rate. These detection units are usually placed at the center of a marked parking space. Geomagnetic sensing is particularly efficient where the main metal mass of the vehicle is located, such as the engine housing, and thus is more reliable only at a very close distance. Such detection units may prove to be increasingly inefficient with the increasing prevalence of electric vehicles with smaller electric motors attached to the wheels, together with the trend towards the use of non-metallic materials within the car body to save weight.

Directional sensors, such as radar sensors, on the other hand, are more efficient and are also resistant to outdoor conditions. However, radar- based sensors typically face upwards and not towards the parking space area and may thus fail to detect a vehicle that does not park directly above the upward-facing sensor.

To avoid providing wired power to the detection units, battery-powered detection units are typically used. Therefore, the Detection unit's battery life becomes extremely important. A battery lifespan of at least 10 years is desired to justify the detection unit's cost. Most of the battery's power is consumed by space sensing and inefficient wireless communication with a host. Energy consumption further increases when public, long-range wireless networks are used. Systems using proprietary wireless networks may require significant investments in deploying dense networks of routers and transmitters to increase the communication's reliability.

A detection success rate of around 90% is typically sufficient for simple space occupancy detection. However, deployment of parking detection units still tends to be limited, mainly because they don't provide sufficient economic benefits that justify the high investment required in installing a separate detection unit at each parking space. Accurate association of a parking space location with a parking car identifier (ID) enriches significantly the useful data provided by the detection units and accordingly may provide a basis for a profitable business model for all parties involved. Unfortunately, such solutions require at least a 99% precision rate for parking car identification and space occupancy detection. Thus, this high precision rate requirement precludes many current solutions, besides the difficulties to communicate via a short-range wireless system between a detection unit which is located beneath the heavy metallic bottom of the parking vehicle with the driver's smartphone, which is usually held in the locked vehicle, before the driver leaves the vehicle.

Summary of the Invention

This disclosure describes systems and methods for detecting occupancy of a parking space by a vehicle using occupancy detection units (referred to herein also as "parking detection units" or "space detection units" or "detectors"). In some embodiments, a single detection unit may detect occupancy in more than one parking space to reduce the number of detection units required and the related investment. The parking detection units are provided as part of a parking network that enables a high precision of vehicle identification and accuracy in associating the vehicle with parking occupancy.

The invention also relates to a method for operation of a parking network comprising: (a) providing a parking network comprising a plurality of parking detection units, a plurality of mobile devices, and a host, wherein each of the plurality of parking detection units monitors two or more parking spaces for occupancy of the parking spaces by vehicles, wherein the plurality of mobile devices each running a parking application; (b) detecting by one of the plurality of parking detection units of a vehicle in a monitored parking space; (c) establishing communications between the one of the plurality of parking detection units and a parking application within one mobile device associated with a parked vehicle; and (d) informing the host by the parking application and by the parking detection unit of the parking space occupancy, including an ID of the detecting parking unit and the vehicle's ID and of the detection space ID.

In an embodiment of the invention, each of the plurality of parking detection units utilizes energy-saving, short-range bi-directional packet communications to communicate with the host.

In an embodiment of the invention, the establishment of communications between each parking detection unit and the parking application, respectively, utilizes energy-saving short-range communications.

In an embodiment of the invention, each parking detection unit comprises at least one directional sensor.

In an embodiment of the invention, each parking detection unit comprises a geomagnetic sensor, the method further comprising determining by one of the plurality of parking detection units of an increased offset in the reading of the geomagnetic sensor, and activating the at least one directional sensor only after the determining of the increased offset.

In an embodiment of the invention, the directional sensor is activated with no assistance from the geomagnetic sensor.

In an embodiment of the invention, the method further comprising reducing a scan frequency of one or more of the directional sensors following the detection of a parked vehicle.

In an embodiment of the invention, the directional sensor is activated by a wireless communication call initiated by the application associated with a parking vehicle. In an embodiment of the invention, the directional sensor is activated by the parking vehicle's GPS-location transmitted by the host.

In an embodiment of the invention, the method further comprising providing a GPS-based parking location to the host by the mobile application.

In an embodiment of the invention,the method further comprising, by the host, allowing or forbidding on-line and in real-time of a parking session according to a parking ruleset associated with the parking space, parking time, and parking duration and a personal parking status of the vehicle occupying the parking space.

In an embodiment of the invention, the method further comprising, when communication is not established between a parking detection unit and the parking application, informing in real-time the host by the parking detection unit of detection of a vehicle in a monitored parking space and that communication was not successfully established with the vehicle.

In an embodiment of the invention, the plurality of parking detection units operates only during hours when parking needs to be supervised, or operates without or with a reduced scanning frequency and with a reduced frequency of communication with the host during hours when parking is free.

In an embodiment of the invention, the packet communication between the detection units and the host defines a transmit and receive schedule for the plurality of parking detection units and wherein reporting of occupancy status of a monitored parking space can be delayed according to the transmit and receive schedule without affecting parking fees charging time.

In an embodiment of the invention, the plurality of parking detection units are configured to form bi-directional communication chains with the host, wherein each of the plurality of parking detection units is in short-range communications with only immediate neighbouring parking detection units, at each time, thereby to form a communication chain in which energy usage of the parking detection units is reduced, and in which alternative directions along the chain are possibly used for communication with the host.

In an embodiment of the invention, the communication chain terminates on at least one of its ends with a connection to a repeater, wherein the repeater is configured for short-range communication with an adjacent parking detection unit and a long-range communication with the host.

In an embodiment of the invention, the communication chain comprises bridging connectors configured for short-range communication with at least one adjacent parking detection unit.

In an embodiment of the invention, the informing by the parking application of the parking space occupancy includes providing a parking vehicle's ID and a parking space ID.

In an embodiment of the invention, information provided to the host by the detection unit regarding the parking space occupancy and the parking vehicle's ID is backed-up and reported again via the application communicating with the host.

In an embodiment of the invention, the method further comprising by the host one or more of: a) initiating automatically a parking session according to a parking ruleset associated with a vehicle's parking -status and with the parking space ID; informing the driver via its app regarding the parking time limit and the parking fees with regards to the curerent parking session when parking is allowed; b) informing the driver via its app in real time whenever the required parking session is forbidden; c) informing the driver via the parking application parking time limit and parking fees with regard to the current parking session when parking is allowed; d) informing in real time the driver via the parking application whenever the required parking session is forbidden; e) charging fees automatically according to a fee schedule; and f) terminating the parking session automatically when the parking detection unit or the mobile application indicates that the vehicle has left the parking space; g) managing automatically a required administration regarding local residential parking-permits, handicapped or any other regulation of parking policy; h) enforcing automatically any parking-law violation in real-time;

The invention also relates to a parking detection unit for use in a parking network comprising one or more directional sensors.

In an embodiment of the invention, the parking deterction unit further comprising a geomagnetic sensor, wherein the parking detection unit is further configured to activate directional sensors based on detection of a vehicle by the geomagnetic sensor.

In an embodiment of the invention, the parking deterction unit further comprising: i) a battery pack; photoelectric cells; j) an enclosure and attachment mean; wherein the enclosure is partially transparent to enable charging of the battery pack by the photoelectric cells exposed to sunlight, wherein the parking detection unit is so positioned to minimize shade cast onto the parking detection unit by a parked vehicle.

In an embodiment of the invention, the parking deterction unit further comprising a medium/long-range transceiver and a short-range transceiver, wherein the short-range transceiver is configured to communicate with one or more adjacent parking detection units, with one or more adjacent repeaters, and with a vehicle or a mobile device associated with a vehicle parking in a parking space monitored by the parking detection unit, and wherein the medium/long-range transceiver is configured to communicate with a host directly or via distant repeaters for backing up the communication with the host.

In an embodiment of the invention, the parking deterction unit is configured to packet-communicate with a host by a directional line, using a form of predetermined time-set order, using the short-range transceiver, thereby reducing energy used for communication.

In an embodiment of the invention, the parking deterction unit further comprising one or more of: k) antennas associated with the sensors and directional sensors; l) lenses for use with the directional sensors and/or the antenna; m) short-range, medium/long-range, wireless transceivers; n) light or temperature sensors; o) battery Pack; and microprocessor, memory unit, quartz clock, and real-time clock.

In an embodiment of the invention, each directional sensor utilizes geomagnetic, radar, infrared (IR), ultra-sonic, thermal, or laser sensing units.

In an embodiment of the invention, the parking deterction unit is placed within, around a parking space, or between parking spaces, within or out of a geographic center of the parking space or beneath a parked car.

In an embodiment of the invention, the directional sensors include antennas and/or lenses facing the parking space area, and wherein the directional sensor scans the parking space horizontally.

In an embodiment of the invention, the parking deterction unit is configured to monitor two or more parking spaces.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features become apparent from the description, drawings, and claims. Brief Description of the Drawings

Aspects, embodiments, and features disclosed herein become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a multi-space parking detection unit according to an example implementation;

Fig. IB is a schematic sectional illustration of a multi-space parking detection unit according to an example implementation;

Figs. 1C-1F show non-limiting parking arrangements using multi-space parking detection units in accordance with implementations described herein;

Fig. 2A is a block diagram illustrating a multi-space parking network according to an example implementation;

Fig. 2B is a block diagram illustrating a connector for a multi-space parking detection unit according to an example implementation;

Fig. 2C is a block diagram illustrating a repeater for a multi-space parking detection unit according to an example implementation;

Fig. 2D is a block diagram illustrating operation of a multi-space parking network according to an example implementation;

Fig. 2E shows a data timing diagram of the communication procedure between two adjacent parking detection units;

Figs. 3A-3B are diagrams of an example process 300, showing operation of a parking network in accordance with implementations described herein;

Fig. 4 is a block diagram of an example process 400, showing an alternative short-range communication procedure between the vehicle/driver's mobile application with the parking space detection units; and

Fig. 5 is a block diagram of an example process 500, showing a method of which the driver's mobile GPS location stimulates the detection activities of the parking space.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

Reference is made in detail to non-limiting examples of a system for detecting parking occupancy, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The examples are described below by referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements. When like reference numerals are shown, corresponding description(s) are not repeated, and the interested reader is referred to the previously discussed figure(s) for a description of the like element(s).

Two variants of the invention are disclosed. The two variants are differentiated by the entity that initiates (triggers) the parking session. In the first variant (Figs.3a,3b), hereinafter referred to as "the detection unit triggering variant", the parking recorded session is initiated by the parking detection unit. In the second variant (Figs. 4-5), hereinafter referred to as "the mobile device application triggering variant", the triggering of the parking session is initiated by an app located within the vehicle. The application may be operated by the driver's mobile phone or positioned within the car (for example, by an autonomic/autonomous vehicle).

When used herein, the terms "application" or "mobile application" refer to software or hardware which is located within or which is run within a mobile device, such as a smartphone, tablet, etc. This term also refers to software or hardware installed within a built-in device in the vehicle. The term "vehicle" encompasses both conventional and autonomic vehicles.

Fig. 1A illustrates a multi-space parking detection unit in block diagram according to an example implementation. Fig. IB is a schematic sectional illustration of a multi-space parking detection unit according to an example implementation. Reference is also made to Figs. 1C-1F showing non-limiting parking arrangements using parking detection units 100 in accordance with implementations described herein.

As shown in Figs. 1A and IB, multi-space parking detection unit 100 may include internal components 106 enclosed by enclosure 108. Internal components 106 may include: a controller 110, a geomagnetic sensor 112, one or more directional sensors 114, one or more antennas 115 associated with directional sensors 114, one or more lenses 117 for use with directional sensors 114 and/or antenna 115, a battery pack 116, photoelectric cells 118, a medium/long-range communications transceiver 120, one or more short-range transceivers 122 and optionally a light/thermal sensor 123. In Fig. 1A two directional sensors 114-1 and 114-2 and two associated antennas 115-1 and 115-2 are depicted but the number of directional sensors 114 and antennas 115 should not be considered limited to two, for example, when used as a double-space- detection unit, or when by a single detection unit controls any other number of parking spaces.

Controller 110 is a computing device as defined herein for controlling the operation of parking detection unit 100. Controller 110 is in data communication with components 106 of parking detection unit 100. Where parking detection unit 100 performs actions such as making determinations or decisions or reporting data, these actions are performed by controller 110 optionally in association with other components of the parking detection unit 100. Additional components may be included, for example, a non-transitory computer-readable media that, as described herein, may be implemented as any combination of hardware, firmware, software, or any medium capable of storing data that is readable by any computing device (such as controller 110) with a processor for performing methods or operations represented by the stored data.

Medium/long-range transceiver 120 and short-range transceiver 122 may use any suitable wired or wireless communication protocol. For example, short-range transceiver 122 may utilize Bluetooth low energy (BLE) in some embodiments. In some other embodiments, the transceivers may utilize IOT wireless network communication.

In some embodiments, enclosure 108 may be formed partially or entirely from a rigid transparent glass or any other suitable transparent material to enable penetration of sunlight for conversion of the sunlight by photoelectric cells 118 into electricity for charging battery-pack 116.

Non-limiting examples of the sensing technology used in directional sensors 114 include radar, infrared (IR), thermal, or laser. The parking detection unit 100 may include several directional sensors 114 using multiple sensing technologies. Directional sensors 114 concentrate the sensing beam to a specific direction (such as by utilizing antennas 115 and/or one or more lenses 117), thereby increasing the sensing range.

In some embodiments, a directional sensor 114 and/or antenna 115 has a suitable sensing angle above the street surface 130. In some embodiments, directional sensor 114 is aimed substantially to cover the main area of a parking space.

It should be appreciated that the increased sensing range enables the placement of parking detection unit 100 on the perimeter of a parking space 140 (such as shown in Figs. 1C-1F) as opposed to the current systems which requires placing the parking detection unit at the center of the parking space. In some embodiments, parking detection unit 100 may be positioned substantially on the line between two parking spaces 140 (Figs. 1C-1E) to detect vehicle occupancy in two parking spaces simultaneously. In some embodiments, the parking detection unit 100 may be positioned substantially at the center of four parking spaces 140 (Fig. IF) to simultaneously detect vehicle occupancy in four parking spaces. One or more of the parking detection units 100 may be placed on a parking spot close to the road, close to the sidewalk, or it may even be attached to the sidewalk's curb.

In some embodiments, geomagnetic sensor 112 has lower power consumption than directional sensors 114. In some embodiments, geomagnetic sensor 112 is activated very frequently, while directional sensors 114, which consume significantly more power, are only activated when geomagnetic sensor 112 shows any increase in an offset, indicating a possibility that a car enters close to its sensing range (up to one-meter distance for instance). In some embodiments, the directional sensors are activated independently on a routine that may differ depending on whether the space is free or occupied (such as one time per minute when space is occupied or three times a minute when space is free).

It should be appreciated that the geomagnetism's offset may be too weak for indicating an occupied parking space but may still be used to activate the more accurate directional sensors 114, thereby detecting and reconfirming the occupancy status of the parking space. In some embodiments, the parking detection unit 100 does not include a geomagnetic sensor 112, and occupancy sensing is performed by one or more directional sensors 114. In some embodiments (Fig IB), the parking detection unit 100 is anchored to a road surface 130 or to the sidewalk's curb using anchors 128. Fig. IB shows two anchors 128-1 and 128-2, but more than two anchors 128 may be provided as needed. In some embodiments, parking detection unit 100 extends 2-3 cm above surface 130.

In the non-limiting arrangement of Fig. 1C, six parallel parking spaces 140-1..140-6, between sidewalk 142 and road 144, are monitored by three parking detection units 100-1..100-3 (as shown) for detecting parking by cars AA, BB, CC, and DD as further described below with reference to Figs. 3A-3B. With this example, one detection unit detects two adjacent spaces using directional sensors, or at least one to each direction.

In the non-limiting arrangement of Fig. ID, two parallel parking spaces 140-7 and 140-8, between sidewalk 142 and road 144, are monitored by a single parking detection unit 100-4, as shown, for detecting car parking. The parking detection unit 100-4 of Fig. ID features a single directional sensor 114 coupled with a wide-angle lens 117 for monitoring two parking spaces 140-7 and 140-8. In some embodiments, the wide-angle lens may cover a range of 120°-150°, for instance. A single directional sensor instead of two may be used for energy-saving purposes of the parking detection unit 100.

In some embodiments, the parking detection unit 100-4 of Fig. ID features two directional sensor 114, each coupled with a narrow-angle lens 117, for monitoring the two parking spaces 140-7 and 140-8 in separate.

In the non-limiting arrangement of Fig. IE, eight side-by-side parking spaces 140-9 to 140-16 (each for single perpendicular parking), between sidewalk 142 and road 144, are monitored by four parking detection units 100-5 to 100-8, as shown, for detecting parking by cars AA, BB, CC, DD as further described below with reference to Figs. 3A-3B.

In the non-limiting arrangement of Fig. IF, 16 parking spaces P-1 to P-16, in an open parking area are monitored by four parking detection units 100-9 to 100-12, as shown, for detecting car parking as further described below with reference to Figs. 3A-3B. In the arrangement of Fig. IF, each parking detection unit detects up to four monitored parking spaces 140, while each detection unit utilizes four directional sensors, each being directed to a single parking space.

Figs. 1C-1F further illustrate imaginary sensing flow lines of the directional sensors 114. The angles of the directional sensors 114 and/or antennas 115 are directed inwards into the parking spaces 140, to be unaffected by passing cars within road 144.

Parking detection unit 100 may be raised relative to the parking space level, such as by mounting parking detection unit 100 on a curb or sidewalk, to increase its efficiency and avoid rainwater that usually runs along the sidewalk curbs of the parking spaces surface.

Fig. 2A is a block diagram illustrating a multi-space parking network according to an example implementation. As shown in Fig. 2A, parking network 200 may include parking detection units 100, repeaters 212 located at the two ends of a line of the parking detection units 100, drivers' mobile devices 214, an assossiated app. 215, communication network 216, and a host 218. Host 218 is a computing device used for controlling parking network 200. Multiple parking detection units 100- 1 to 100h are positioned to allow short-range communication 202 between adjacent parking detection units 100. The adjacent parking detection units 100, each communicating with an adjacent parking detection unit 100, form a parking detection unit communication chain 204.

In some embodiments, a connector 206 may be provided to bridge short- range communication between adjacent parking detection units 100 that may be too far from one another to maintain short-range communication as part of chain 204. Non-limiting examples of physical interpositions that may cause parking spaces, and thus parking detection units 100, to be spaced too far apart include bus and taxi stops, driveway entrances, loading zones, etc. In use, connector 206 forms a part of parking detection unit communication chain 204.

As shown in Fig. 2B, connector 206 may include a controller 220, a power source 222, a mounting mechanism 224, a short-range transceiver 226 for wireless communication with parking detection units 100, and a medium-range transceiver 228 for wireless communication with repeaters 212 (described further below). In some embodiments, connector 206 may be attached to a pillar or traffic sign. Connector 206 may also be buried in the asphalt or paving with transceivers 226, 228 facing the surface level but not disturb pedestrian or vehicle traffic flow. In some embodiments, a connector 206 bridges an interval of over 12 meters between parking detection units 100. Where greater distances must be bridged, two or more connectors 206 may be used. In some embodiments, connector 206 may include one or more sensors (such as sensors 112 or 114) to detect illegally parked vehicles at bus or taxi stops or vehicles blocking entrance ways.

Each parking detection unit 100-1 and 100-n located at an opposite end of chain 204 may be in data communication, respectively, with a repeater 212-1 and 212-2. Repeaters 212 enable communication between parking detection units 100 and a physically distant host 218 without the necessity for energy-intensive communication modules within parking detection units 100, thereby reducing the energy requirements of parking detection units 100. Repeater 212 includes a short-range transceiver 236 (Fig. 2C) for communicating with detection units 100 (via short-range transceiver 122 of the detection unit) and a long- range transceiver 238 (Fig. 2C) for communicating with host 218 via communication network 216. Communication network 216 utilizes one or more known wired or wireless protocols, including cellular.

As shown in Fig. 2C, repeaters 212 may include a controller 230, a power source 232, a mounting mechanism 234, a short-range transceiver 236 for wireless communication with parking detection units 100, and a long-range transceiver 238 for wireless communication with host 218. In some embodiments, repeaters 212 may include a medium-range transceiver 240 (with a range of up to 1000 meters) for communicating with the medium-range transceiver 120 of each parking detection unit 100. Medium-range transceiver 240 may, for example, support the synchronization of clocks (not shown) of parking detection units 100 or transfer daily communication time-tables and any other operational or technical updates directly to parking detection units 100 from host 218. In addition, repeaters 212 may be attached, using mounting mechanism 234, to lighting poles, traffic signs, electronic signs, etc. (not shown), as long as repeaters 212 are located within the effective short communication range of the nearest parking detection unit 100. Medium-range transceiver 240 provides a backup connection for parking detection units 100 if communication 202 is interrupted, for example, due to a failed detection unit 100 along the chain 204 of detection units 100. Once the chain 204 is broken, the detection units 100 switch to their medium-range transceiver 120.

Mobile devices 214 (Figs. 2A, 2D) are used by car drivers parking their cars within parking spaces 140 monitored by parking detection units 100. In Figs. 2A, 2D, two mobile devices 214-1 and 214-2 in use by the parkers are shown; however, multiple such devices may present in parking network 200. Mobile devices 214 are computing devices, as described herein, such as smartphones usually owned by the parking drivers.

An application (app) 215 runs on mobile device 214 (only one application 214 is shown in Fig. 2A to simplify the figure). Application 214 uses the hardware and software (not shown) of mobile device 214, such as short-range transceivers (Bluetooth for instance), long-range transceivers (cellular, for instance), communication software, display, and user interface, to communicate with parking detection units 100 and host 218 for enabling paid parking services for users of application 215. Each application 215 is associated with a specific user and may also be associated with one or more specific vehicles, including an autonomous vehicle. Therefore, communication between parking detection unit 100 and/or host 218 with a vehicle or with a mobile device 214 may relate to a specific user and/or vehicle. In use, parking detection units 100 may be in short-range data communication such as by using short-range transceiver 122, with a vehicle or with the mobile device 214 of a driver who has parked in a parking space 140 monitored by a parking detection unit 100. Mobile devices 214 may also be in data communication with host 218 via communication network 216.

Fig. 2D illustrates the transfer of information between parking detection units 100 along chain 204 and between chain 204 to host 218. In use, adjacent parking detection units 100 are in short-range communication 202 (Fig. 2A) with one another, such as by utilizing short-range transceivers 122. Network 200 relies on a form of packet communication where a packet 242 is passed along chain 204 such that each parking detection unit 100, with an associated data address, may add data to packet 242, which is ultimately delivered to host 218. Data for transmission by parking detection unit 100 may include but is not limited to parking detection unit status, parking space occupancy, and so forth.

In a non-limiting example, at time To, parking detection unit 100-1 transmits its data in packet 242 to parking detection unit 100-2. At time Ti, parking detection unit 100-2 transmits data in packet 242 to parking detection unit 100-3. Packet 242 now contains data from both detection units 100-1 and 100-2. At the end of chain 204, parking detection unit 100-n transmits packet 242 (potentially containing data from multiple parking detection units 100) to repeater 212-2, that in turn transmits packet 242 to host 218 for processing. Data from host 218 is similarly passed from host 218 to repeater 212, then to chain 204 to reach the specific parking detection unit 100. Data transferred using packet communication from host 218 may be directed to all parking detection units 100 in chain 204, or it may contain individual instructions for a particular parking detection unit 100.

The packet communication of network 200 is designed such that each communication action of each parking detection unit 100 has a fixed and pre-allocated timing slot within the entire period (schedule) required to transmit messages within packets from all parking detection units 100 to host 218. To enable communications along chain 204 without packet collisions, host 218 may periodically deliver a clock synchronization instruction to all parking detection units 100 and a detailed time schedule of transmitting and receiving for each parking detection unit 100 for the next day or other pre-defined period. Thus, when a first parking detection unit 100 communicates with an adjacent parking detection unit 100, wireless silence is maintained throughout chain 204 to prevent a wrong reception/transmission of the packet by a neighboring parking detection unit 100 whose turn has not yet arrived and to save power. Parking detection units 100 with no information to transmit may insert a null message. In some embodiments, the period between T₀ and Ti and between subsequent transmissions (such as Ti to T2) may be fixed. For example, the period may be for instance 1, 3 or 5 second, although any shorter or longer period may be used. In some embodiments, the period between packet transmissions by chain 204 may be increased (such as when the parking space activity is high) or may be reduced to conserve the energy of parking detection units 100 (such as during periods of low parking activity/occupancy, or when a parking space is free).

Where one of the parking detection units 100 in chain 204 malfunctions, the next packet 242 sent to host 218 will begin from the following parking detection unit in chain 204. Host 218 will notice that a unit of the chain is missing and may then attempt to communicate directly or via repeaters 212, using its medium/long wireless transceiver 120, with those parking detection units 100 that precede the failed detection unit in chain 204, so as not to lose reporting from these detection units 100. In some embodiments, to enable such medium/long-range communication, detection units 100 may be programmed in advance to activate long-range transceivers 120 periodically (once in five minutes, for instance) to listen for such a failed-detection unit message reporting the failure of a parking detection unit 100 in chain 204. Such a failed-detection unit message may also instruct detection units 100 with new transmission routines and directions such that detection units 100 operate packet communication vis its short-range network towards opposite repeaters 212, thereby moving packet communication away from the unavailable detection unit.

In some embodiments, data from/to parking detection units 100 may be encoded or encrypted. In some embodiments, the direction of data transmission along chain 204 may periodically be altered to reduce energy usage by those parking detection units located at the beginning of the chain of detection units. In some embodiments, messages reporting the maintenance status of parking detection units 100 are sent periodically to host 218, including the condition of the components 106, battery strength, etc. In some embodiments, this maintenance communication is performed using chain 204 or via direct wireless communication between repeaters 212 and detection units 100. Medium- range transceiver 120 may be utilized for backup when short-range transceiver 122 loses communication as part of chain 204. In use, it is anticipated that changes in the occupation status of a parking space are reported by a parking detection unit 100 once in three minutes for instance, after the occurrence since the report includes a time stamp when the occupancy change took place. In some embodiments, a change in occupation status is reported more than three minutes after the occurrence. Further, reporting a parking violation by a parking detection unit 100 at a particular parking space may also be delayed by a few minutes since law enforcement person takes more than a couple of minutes to arrive. Events/data for reporting are thus stored by each parking detection unit 100 in a dedicated memory "mail box", until packet 242 collects the events/data for onward transmission. New parking session initiation performed by a driver with a mobile device 214 may be reported in real-time directly via the application at mobile device 214 to host 218 over the communication network 216.

Fig. 2E shows a data communication procedure's timing diagram between two adjacent parking detection units 100-1 and 100-2. The one-second stop at each station does not necessarily reflect the transmission and reception times. Fig. 2E illustrates one contemplated communication technique and should not be considered limiting. According to the example of Fig. 2E, the entire communication procedure between two adjacent parking detection units 100 can be completed within 50 milliseconds. During this time, detection unit 100-1 repeats a transmission 250 to detection unit 100-2 of the same message five times, where transmission 250 lasts 5 milliseconds (ms), followed by a pause lasting 5ms between repeating messages. Following a pause of 10ms, the same 5 repeating messages are sent again. To ensure the transmission's reliability of the report (due to possible minor differences in the synchronization of the clocks of 100-1 and 100-2), the receiving detection unit 100-2 may open its receiving channel 5ms before the expected transmission from the detection unit 100-1. The receive channel of the detection unit 100-2 remains open for the transmission duration from the detection unit 100-1 (in the illustrated scenario, 50ms). For each transmission, the transmitting parking detection unit 101-1 should receive a successful confirmation from the receiving parking detection unit 100-2. If the confirmation is received, there is no longer a need for further advertising (broadcasts), and the communication chain continues to the next parking detection unit 100 according to the time schedule.

It should be appreciated that the features and functionality described above together contribute to a significant reduction of the energy consumption of parking detection units (100), thereby extending battery pack (116) life. These features and functionality include but are not limited to: parking detection units (100) operating using short-range communication (122), which is energy efficient; utilizing a repeater (212) for long-range communication (via transceiver 238) with the host (218); concentrating all communication tasks of parking detection units (100) to a strict predefined time-table for periodic transmitting all of detection unit's (100) messages to host (218), where the period of transmission may be dynamically altered during downtime or when parking is free to further reduce communications from parking detection units 100; and use of a direct long-range (cellular) communication between the parked vehicle application (215) and host (218) to enable fast initiation and termination of a parking session.

Figs. 3A-3B are diagrams of an example process 300 showing the operation of a parking network in accordance with implementations described herein. This method 300 may, for example, be performed by parking detection units 100 and other components of parking network 200 as described above.

In process 300, each monitored parking space 140 is provided with an identifying parking space ID recorded in host 218 along with the details (such as geo-position) of the parking detection unit 100 monitoring the specific parking space 140. Further, each mobile device 214 runs parking application (app.) 215, with a unique identifying driver and/or car ID. In some embodiments, the driver downloads parking application 215 onto mobile device 214, registers by providing his identifying details and its parking rights status, (residential parking permits, handicapped, etc.)) and uses application 215 whenever parking a vehicle in monitored parking space 140. In some embodiments, app 215 may also provide navigation instructions to a free parking space 140. In some embodiments, the application handles payment of parking fees based on the actual parked time as detected and recorded by parking network 200. Accordingly, app 215 communicates directly with host 218 over the communication network 216 and also exchanges ID details (using short- range communication, such as Bluetooth) with parking detection unit 100 monitoring the parking space 140 that the driver has parked in.

In step 302, parking detection unit 100, monitoring one or more parking spaces, analyzes the signal provided by geomagnetic sensor 112. In some embodiments, the strength of the geomagnetic offset of sensor 112 may be measured according a scale such as from 1-10, where a higher number represents a stronger magnetic offset. Based on such a scale, parking detection unit 100 may determine, for instance, that a measure of less than 3 in scale represents noises to be ignored, measures higher than 3 are strong enough to activate directional sensors 114.

Where the signal offset from a nominal value is low, then, in step 304, parking detection unit 100 determines that parking space 140 is unoccupied, and detection unit 100 reports the space 140 as "free" to host 218 in step 304. On the other hand, where the signal offset from a nominal value is high, then, in step 306, parking detection unit 100 determines that the parking space/s 140 may be occupied, and directional sensors 114 are activated.

In step 306, once directional sensors 114 are activated, they continue sensing the monitored parking spaces 140 until completing the parking session by the vehicle. While activated, and after the parking car has completed a parking session initiation procedure (see below), a directional sensor 114 may still scan the occupied space 140 but at a lower frequency to save energy, while a directional sensor 114 that is directed to an unoccupied parking space may continue regularly scanning on a higher frequency.

If the directional sensors 114 do not detect a vehicle, then in step 304, parking detection unit 100 determines that the parking space/s 140 are unoccupied, and the detection unit 100 reports the space as "free" to host 218 and returns to its routine activity.All the messages reported by detection unit 100 are transferred to host 218 based on the predetermined time-table of the communication chain, as described above.

In step 308, once a directional sensor 114 is activated and has detected a vehicle 146 in the parking, parking detection unit 100 continuously attempts to communicate with application 215 using short-range transceiver 122 for mutually exchanging identification details between the detection unit (100) and the parking app (215). At this stage, the detection unit's 100 short-range transceiver 122 communicates with the driver's application 215 at a high frequency, such as, for instance, a 10 milliseconds transmission every 3-5 seconds for limited periods to speed up the mutual identification procedure between parking detection unit 100 with application 215 to complete a new parking session's handshake, by providing the host with the parking car's and with the parking space detection unit's IDs. Following completion of the handshake, the parking session is confirmed by direct communication between application 215 and host 218 in step 312.

Considering Fig. 1C as a non-limiting example: Assuming vehicle 146-4 starts to park between parking spaces 140-5 and 140-6; geomagnetic sensor 112 of detection unit 100-3, that is located about one meter from vehicle 146-4 alerts controller 110, that in turn activates its directional sensors 114. The directional sensor 114 detects the presence of vehicle 146-4 and reports that space 140-6 is now occupied. In some embodiments, the short-range communication message sent from parking detection unit 100 to application 215 may include the parking space ID, plus a measure of the sensing strength. In some embodiments, the reply from application 215 may include the driver/vehicle ID and a confirmation of completion of the communication handshake.

By contrast, vehicle 146-3 is situated between two parking spaces (140- 4 and 140-5) with no parking detection unit 100 nearby. The geomagnetic sensor 112 of parking detection unit 100-3 is already engaged by vehicle 146-4, but geomagnetic sensor 112 of parking detection unit 100-2 senses a magnetic interference and activates its directional sensors 114. Thus vehicle 146-3 is detected by the right directional sensor 114 of parking detection unit 100-2, while at the same time, vehicle 146-3 is also detected by the left directional sensor 114 of parking detection unit 100-3. In this case, both parking detection units 100-2 and 100-3 send a short-range message to application 215 associated with vehicle 146- 3, each including a measure of sensing power.Application 215 determines the correct parking space 140 according to the directional sensor 114 with the stronger sensing power. Application 215 then sends the vehicle and parking space IDs to host 218. Application 215 also updates the selected parking detection unit 100 and provides it with the car's ID.

As also shown in Fig. 1C, vehicle 146-2, a short mini car, is parked very close to the separation line between parking spaces 140-2 and 140- 3. The geomagnetic sensor 112 of parking detection unit 100-2 senses the presence of vehicle 142-2 and activates the directional sensors 114 of parking detection unit 100-2. Vehicle 146-2 is thus detected as occupying parking space 140-3. Vehicle 146-1 has parked in the middle of the separation line between parking spaces 140-1 and 140-2. The geomagnetic sensor 112 of parking detection unit 100-1 detects a vehicle and activates its directional sensors 114, that in turn detect vehicle 146-1 and determine that it occupies either of parking spaces 140-1 or 140-2, depending on the sensing strength differences between the two directional sensors 114. In such a case, both spaces are reported as occupied, as in practice there is no room left for another vehicle to park in any of the parking spaces 140-1 and 140-2.

Thus, as shown above, the main task of determining the location of a parking car is performed by the directional sensors 114, but these are sometimes assisted by the geomagnetic sensor, working almost non-stop, causing them to be activated. Thus, directional sensors 114, which consume more power compared to geomagnetic sensor 112 do not function all the time and thus save energy. Moreover, even when the directional sensors 114 are active, these can be programmed to sense for a period of around 0.1 seconds each time, being activated by the detection unit at a fixed routine time schedule, which may differ based on the occupancy status of the particular parking space, and according to the intensity of the parking space in peak or in non-peak hours, and according to the operational method. As mentioned above, in some embodiments of the system, the detection units may function without a geomagnetic sensor being based on the directional sensors only or on two kinds of directional sensors, of which one directional sensor is more power-saving. For instance, adding a laser sensor or an IR sensor, to be activated mainly at dark times or when sunlight is heavily covered with clouds. To achieve that goal, a light or a thermal sensor has to be added to the detection unit's electronic circuit (106).

Advantageously, parking detection units 100 may be operated only during hours when parking needs to be supervised and may not operate, or operate with reduced scanning frequency during hours when parking is free, thus saving energy. In practice, many parking areas provide free parking at least half of the time, and at such idle times, host 218 can instruct parking detection unit 100 when to enter a "sleep mode" and when to "wake up". The wake-up time may be managed by the internal clock of parking detection unit 100, which is synchronized daily with that of host 218.

In step 310, if directional sensor 114 has detected a vehicle 146 but the detection unit fails to communicate with application 215, parking detection unit 100 may report (using packet communication) that parking space 140 is occupied. Since the report doesn't contain an ID of the parked vehicle, host 218 determines that the short-range transceiver 122 of parking detection unit 100 failed to communicate with application 215 of the parking vehicle and will further alert law or other parking enforcement personnel to check whether the detected vehicle 146 has parked illegally.

If, in step 308, the handshake is completed, then in step 312, application 215 sends its ID together with the received parking space ID to host 218. In parallel, parking detection unit 100 uses the packet communication to send a message to host 218, confirming that a parking space is occupied and that a communication handshake was completed, including the vehicle/driver application ID, along with a timestamp.

In response, in step 314, host 218 determines whether to allow and confirm the parking session after checking the car parking status and whether the driver/vehicle is permitted to park in the identified parking space at the time parked according to a parking space ruleset (for instance parking at spaces allowed only to residents during specific hours or allowed only to disabled persons). It should be noted that the registered driver's details and each parking space ruleset are recorded in host 218.

In step 316, if the parking session is allowed, host 218 further activates a fee payment process according to the parking ruleset for the used parking space 140 status, and may send an appropriate message to mobile device 214, including any time limit and the applicable parking rates. Furthermore, once the parking session is launched and parking detection unit 100 is notified by host 218 using packet communication, the parking detection unit 100 may also reduce its scanning frequency as long the vehicle is present.

If, in step 314, the parking session is not allowed, then in step 318 host 218 sends a message to mobile device 214 instructing the driver that he may not park in the currently used parking space 140. Parking detection unit 100 may also be informed via packet communication from host 218 that the parking session is not allowed. If, at step 320, parking detection unit 100 continues to detect that parked vehicle 146 remains parked, then parking detection unit 100 may alert the parking enforcement.

In step 322, vehicle 146 leaves parking space 140, and application 215 sends a parking session termination to host 218, including a request to stop charging. In some embodiments, the departure from parking space 140 may be detected without the use of parking detection unit 100 by means of, for example, the reconnection of the short-range transceiver of mobile device 214 with the vehicle communication systems or by detection by application 215 of an increasing GPS distance once the car has left the parking space 140. Such methods may be included in application 215 to enable fully automated parking termination in real time.Parking detection unit 100 may also sense the departure of vehicle 146 and may report the departing event using packet communication, including the departure event's timestamp. It should be noted that the association of the space ID with each parker's ID, including its parking status rights, provides a by product, free of charge service, in which it saves almost the entire administration needed to control and manage the residential permit issues. Furthermore, it also provides almost automatic control of handicapped dedicated parking spaces and the buses/taxi's stops, loading and downloading areas, and the electric-vehicle charging spaces.

Also, as the activation and the termination of the parking sessions are fully controlled in real-time according to the particular parking space regulation assossiated with the particular parking vehicle's personal parking status, it also provides, as a by-product, a fully automated and strict enforcement method, including the enfoecement in real-time of the parking time limitation in down-town, which was and is still the main concern of the parking authorities. This automated enforcement also enables the enforcement authority to concentrate only on the small minority of parking violators, while the vast majority of parkers obeys the rules and thus doesn't need to spent enforcement resources regularly. Thus, results to a significant reduction of the enforcement costs on one hand and a significant increase of the enforcement efficiency agains violators.

Another significant benefit of the system is derived from the association of the space ID with the parking vehicle's ID. The authority is provided with the capability of setting many various and different parking regulations to maximize the parking policy benefits. For instance, it can set a wide variety of parking fees and parking time durations, according to the location, the day of the week, the rush hour times, to be based also on the parking status of the user. When a user launches a parking session, he receives in real-time all the relevant fees and time limits information on his mobile screen, which prevents confusion or misleading whenever too many parking regulations are imposed.

The parkers (the users), also benefit by receiving clear information about the local parking regulations and in real-time whenever attempting to launch a parking session. This would prevent confusion and unnecessary parking tickets resulting from endless and misleading traffic signs and parking regulations. As the directional sensor consumes a relatively high power when used frequently, this invention provides a less power-consuming system and method by modifying the direction of a typical parking session initiation.

The invention is also advantageous by the detection unit's utilization of short-range wireless communication, especially when it is open to record messages and not to transmit, thereby saving even more power.

So far, the description referred to the first variant of the invention, namely the "detection unit triggering variant". The following description (Figs. 4-5) releates to the second variant, namely the "mobile device triggering variant".

The mobile device triggering variant of system 400, is directed to trigger the detection unit's detection activities, as described in detail in Fig. 4. This variant assumes (step 401) that no indication is received at the driver's mobile device from the parking detection unit, once entering the parking space.

Step 402 describes the detection unit routines activities during the parking operational times as follows: a) The Geomagnetic sensor 112, (if applicable) detects very often (for instance, twice a second) whether the parking space is free or occupied. b) The directional sensor 114, (such as radar), detects the space occupancy routinely, for instance, once a minute, as long the space is free, and may also sense every 3 minutes (for instance) once the space has become occupied. It may also be programmed not to sense at all as long as the space is occupied. c) The short-range wireless transceiver 122, opens its recording channel, for instance, once every 10 seconds, to listen to a short- range wireless advertisement call that may be triggered by a vehicle's wireless system or by the driver's application while entering the space.

In step 404, a vehicle enters the space and starts advertising (broadcasting) continuously via its short-range (for example, Bluetooth) wireless communication, attempting to communicate with the parking space sensing unit. In step 406, the sensing unit receives the application's call, while in step 408 the detection unit missed the call from the application.

In step 410, whenever the sensing unit receives the call, it immediately activates the directional sensor, even if it is still in a sleep mode (during its routine time schedule), to verify the occupation status of the space.

In step 412 the system checks whether the directional sensor has approved the occupancy of the space.

If approved, then in step 414 the detection unit retrieves the ID from the app of the entering vehicle and advertises back to the application its own ID. In addition, the detection unit reports to the host, along the chain of the detection units, about the change of the occupancy status of the parking space, together with the retrieved vehicle's ID, during the routine time-table of the short-range wireless communication. Alternatively, if a different method of direct communication between the detection unit with the host is applicable, it reports the change directly to the host in real-time over the detection unit's medium/long-range wireless communication. Simultaneously, in step 416, the driver's mobile application sends a request to the host over its cellular network to approve the desired parking session request. It also transfers to the host the ID of the parking detection unit, the one with whom it established communication successfully. Fromthis point and on, the procedure is similar to steps 312-322 of system 300, as was described in Figs. 3A and 3B.

If in step 412 the presence of the entered vehicle was not approved by the directional sensor's scanning, then in step 418, the detection unit proceeds in reporting to the host that the space is empty without disturbing its routine activities as it was programmed to do as long the space is empty.

As for the driver itself, after failing in step 412 to get the approval of its location, in step 420 the required parking session cannot be confirmed immediately or automatically.

Nevertheless, the driver may begin parking at his own risk, and the parking session legality will be checked soon by the enforcement, which will most probable become alerted by the detection unit, which failed in identifying the parking vehicle. It should be noted that with this Bluetooth-based method, the communication between the detection unit and the vehicle/driver's mobile application is initiated by the application once the car enters the desired parking space and stops maneuvering. This must not disturb the detection unit from routinely attempting to detect the presence of the entering vehicle and identify it.

It should also be noted that the driver's application is programmed in a way which always keeps its short-range wireless communication open at "ON" position from the moment it was activated to navigate to an empty available space, or when starting a parking session, until terminating the parking session.

It should also be noted that if more than one detection unit records a mobile's Application advertisement's call when located within the relevant distance of the application's broadcasting, only the unoccupied detection unit from among the ones who got the call will answer the driver's application's call.

It should also be noted that the short-range communication between the detection unit and the driver's application can hold on even when the driver with his mobile application exits the car, as long they are still within the relevant distance. Moreover, the quality of the wireless connection could even be improved by then, which in a way, may increase the chances of a successful completion of the desired handshake.

When implementing the mobile device triggering variant, the routine of the detection units' chain of communication mustnot be affected.

It should also be noted that both variants, the the "detection unit triggering variant" and the "mobile application triggering variant" are not contradicting each other. On the contrary, by combining both variants into one system, the chances to detect and successfully identify a parking car, once it enters the parking space are significantly increased, as all the means, the geomagnetic sensor, the directional sensor, the sort-range communication device of the detection unit and the short-range communication device of the vehicle's app, are all directed to strengthen the reliability of the system for establishing a wireless communication "handshake" between the two parties. It should also be noted, that both short-range communication devices, namely, of the application and of the detection unit are programmed in a way that even when advertising, they are open to recording in between the pre-programmed advertisement activities. Thus, once one party collects a call from the opposite party, it will attept to collaborate in order to establish a successful hand-shake.

In some embodiments of the application triggering variant, two short- range wireless components 122, may be installed on the detection unit's PCB 106. One component could be dedicated to handle continuously the wireless recording channel in order to listen and to record a wireless call triggered by the application of an entering vehicle to the space whenever the detection unit's detecting means fails in doing it first. It should be noted that while the short-range communication device of the sensing unit opens routinely its recording channel, it does not disturb it to switch immediately to its advertising channel once the presence of a vehicle is detected in the space by the directional sensor.

The second component is dedicated to handle routinely the short-range communication channel along the line of the detection units. In some embodiments even one short-range component may serve both tasks.

The routine operation of the detection unit maintains the activation of the recording status of its short-range communication device on a high frequency, even during the time when the space is occupied. Doing that it enables a fully automated termination of a parking session once the driver turns ON the vehicle's ignition key. By turning it ON, the Bluetooth connectivity between the driver's mobile application and the vehicle's Bluetooth system is reconnected, and this can trigger the application to inform the host in real-time via its cellular network that the parking session has become terminated, which stops the fee charging. At the same time, the driver's application may reconnect its short-range wireless communication with the opposite device of the detection unit and accordingly update also the detection unit in real time about the termination.

Automated termination can also be achieved by a change of the GPS distance between the departing vehicle and the space sensing unit. These two termination methods are already State of the art, but can easily been integrated here. It should be noted that, the detection unit for itself may discover the vehicle's departure only after the next activation of the directional sensor and will report it to the host only during the next reporting event via the chain of detection units, according to the pre programmed time-table. A small delay of a couple of minutes will not reduce the reliability of the navigation to empty spaces.

In some other embodiments, the detection units report directly to the host via their medium/long-distance wireless communication, including IOT channels. With this method, the detection unit reports any change of the parking space status in real time, hereinafter the "Real-time method". y) The implementation of the real-time method, provides another way of improving the chances of the detection unit and the parking vehicle to mutually identify each other, hereinafter the "handshake" procedure. This is also referred to as the "GPS-based method".

The GPS-based method will be detailed with respect to system 500 of Fig. 5. Step 502 is the beginning point where a vehicle enters into an empty parking space and for some reasons it wasn't detected immediately by the routine activities of the detection unit, e.g., including by the mobile application triggering variant. Once entered into a parking space, the vehicle's/driver's application normally advertises via its short-range wireless means, attempting to contact the opposite device of the detection unit, similar to system 400 as mentioned earlier. Simultaneously, the application sends a packed massage to the host over its cellular channel, which includes its own ID and its current GPS location. In step 504, the host attempts to match the received vehicle's GPS location with detection units located within a reasonable distance of the vehicle's location that are not occupied by a idenfdified vehicle and/or registered in this particular space. In step 506, there is an example of three space detection units Nos' 1, 2, 3 which matched the host distance requirements and accordingly have been instructed by the host to activate in step 508 their directional sensors. Detection unit No' 1 wasn't able to detect the vehicle in its space, and accordingly, it returns in step 522 to its normal routine activities without reporting any change in its occupancy status. Detection units No' 2 and 3 succeeded in locating a parking car within their space, and as a result, in step 510, they begin to advertise by their short-range wireless communication in order to contact the vehicle which was detected in the space. With this example, in step 512, detection unit No' 2 failed to connect the vehicle detected in its space. As a result, detection unit No. 2 reports to the host in step 524 that an undefined vehicle parks in its space and returns to its normal routine activities in step 522. As for the driver entering the space of detection unit No' 2, its parking session cannot be initiated automatically, step 520. With this example, at step 512, detection unit No' 3 succeeds in contacting the vehicle, and reaches the desired handshake with its application, then, in step 514, the host selects this detection unit to be the one that matched the entering vehicle. In step 516, the vehicle matched to detection unit No' 3 could be allowed to park if not forbidden or limited.

It should be noted that this GPS-based method can be used only with direct real-time communication between the detection unit and the host, and it can also work in conjunction with both variants, with the detection unit triggering variant and with the mobile application triggering variant.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The materials, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only, and not intended to be limiting.

Throughout this application, various embodiments of this invention may be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range. Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is meant to include any cited numeral (fractional or integral) within the indicated range. The phrases "ranging/ranges between" a first indicate number and a second indicate number and "ranging/ranges from" a first indicate number "to" a second indicate number are used herein interchangeably and are meant to include the first and second indicated numbers and all the fractional and integral numerals therebetween.

Implementation of the method and system of the present disclosure may involve performing or completing certain selected tasks or steps manually, automatically, or a combination thereof. Moreover, according to actual instrumentation and equipment of preferred embodiments of the method and system of the present disclosure, several selected steps may be implemented by hardware (HW) or by software (SW) on any operating system of any firmware, or by a combination thereof. For example, as hardware, selected steps of the disclosure could be implemented as a chip or a circuit. As software or algorithm, selected steps of the disclosure could be implemented as a plurality of software instructions being executed by a computer using any suitable operating system. In any case, selected steps of the method and system of the disclosure could be described as being performed by a data processor, such as a computing device for executing a plurality of instructions.

As used herein, the terms "machine-readable medium" "computer-readable medium" refers to any computer program product, apparatus and/or device (e.g., magnetic discs, optical disks, memory, Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs)) used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal. The term "machine-readable signal" refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor.

Various implementations of the systems and techniques described here can be realized in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry, specially designed ASICs (application specific integrated circuits), computer hardware, firmware, software, and/or combinations thereof. These various implementations can include implementation in one or more computer programs that are executable and/or interpretable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor, which may be special or general purpose, coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device.

Although the present disclosure is described with regard to a "computing device", a "computer", or "mobile device", it should be noted that optionally any device featuring a data processor and the ability to execute one or more instructions may be described as a computing device, including but not limited to any type of personal computer (PC), a server, a distributed server, a virtual server, a cloud computing platform, a cellular telephone, an IP telephone, a smartphone, a smart watch or a PDA (personal digital assistant). Any two or more of such devices in communication with each other may optionally comprise a "network" or a "computer network".

To provide for interaction with a user, the systems and techniques described here can be implemented on a computer having a display device (a LED (light-emitting diode), or OLED (organic LED), or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor/screen) for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device (e.g., a mouse or a trackball) by which the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback (e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback); and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.

The systems and techniques described here can be implemented in a computing system that includes a back end component (e.g., as a data server), or that includes a middleware component (e.g., an application server), or that includes a front end component (e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a user can interact with an implementation of the systems and techniques described here), or any combination of such back end, middleware, or front end components. The components of the system can be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication (e.g., a communication network). Examples of communication networks include a local area network ("LAN"), a wide area network ("WAN"), and the Internet.

The computing system can include clients and servers. A client and server are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

It should be appreciated that the above-described methods and apparatus may be varied in many ways, including omitting or adding steps, changing the order of steps and the type of devices used. It should be appreciated that different features may be combined in different ways. In particular, not all the features shown above in a particular embodiment or implementation are necessary in every embodiment or implementation of the invention. Further combinations of the above features and implementations are also considered to be within the scope of some embodiments or implementations of the invention.

While certain features of the described implementations have been illustrated as described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the scope of the implementations. It should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, not limitation, and various changes in form and details may be made. Any portion of the apparatus and/or methods described herein may be combined in any combination, except mutually exclusive combinations. The implementations described herein can include various combinations and/or sub-combinations of the functions, components and/or features of the different implementations described.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method for operation of a parking network comprising: a) providing a parking network comprising a plurality of parking detection units, a plurality of mobile devices, and a host, wherein each of the plurality of parking detection units monitors two or more parking spaces for occupancy of the parking spaces by vehicles, wherein the plurality of mobile devices each running a parking application; b) detecting by one of the plurality of parking detection units of a vehicle in a monitored parking space; c) establishing communications between the one of the plurality of parking detection units and a parking application within one mobile device associated with a parked vehicle; and d) informing the host by the parking application and by the parking detection unit of the parking space occupancy, including an ID of the detecting parking unit and the vehicle's ID and of the detection space ID.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of parking detection units utilizes energy-saving, short-range bi-directional packet communications to communicate with the host.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the establishment of communications between each parking detection unit and the parking application, respectively, utilizes energy-saving short-range communications.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein each parking detection unit comprises at least one directional sensor.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein each parking detection unit comprises a geomagnetic sensor, the method further comprising determining by one of the plurality of parking detection units of an increased offset in the reading of the geomagnetic sensor, and activating the at least one directional sensor only after the determining of the increased offset.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the directional sensor is activated with no assistance from the geomagnetic sensor.

7. The method of claim 4, further comprising reducing a scan frequency of one or more of the directional sensors following the detection of a parked vehicle.

8. The method of claim 4 wherein the directional sensor is activated by a wireless communication call initiated by the application associated with a parking vehicle.

9. The method of claim 4 wherein the directional sensor is activated by the parking vehicle's GPS-location transmitted by the host.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising providing a GPS-based parking location to the host by the mobile application.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising, by the host, allowing or forbidding on-line and in real-time of a parking session according to a parking ruleset associated with the parking space, parking time, and parking duration and a personal parking status of the vehicle occupying the parking space.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising, when communication is not established between a parking detection unit and the parking application, informing in real-time the host by the parking detection unit of detection of a vehicle in a monitored parking space and that communication was not successfully established with the vehicle.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of parking detection units operates only during hours when parking needs to be supervised, or operates without or with a reduced scanning frequency and with a reduced frequency of communication with the host during hours when parking is free.

14. The method of claim 2, wherein the packet communication between the detection units and the host defines a transmit and receive schedule for the plurality of parking detection units and wherein reporting of occupancy status of a monitored parking space can be delayed according to the transmit and receive schedule without affecting parking fees charging time.

15. The method of claim 2, wherein the plurality of parking detection units are configured to form bi-directional communication chains with the host, wherein each of the plurality of parking detection units is in short-range communications with only immediate neighbouring parking detection units, at each time, thereby to form a communication chain in which energy usage of the parking detection units is reduced, and in which alternative directions along the chain are possibly used for communication with the host.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the communication chain terminates on at least one of its ends with a connection to a repeater, wherein the repeater is configured for short-range communication with an adjacent parking detection unit and a long-range communication with the host.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the communication chain comprises bridging connectors configured for short-range communication with at least one adjacent parking detection unit.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the informing by the parking application of the parking space occupancy includes providing a parking vehicle's ID and a parking space ID.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein information provided to the host by the detection unit regarding the parking space occupancy and the parking vehicle's ID is backed-up and reported again via the application communicating with the host.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising by the host one or more of: a) initiating automatically a parking session according to a parking ruleset associated with a vehicle's parking -status and with the parking space ID; informing the driver via its app regarding the parking time limit and the parking fees with regards to the curerent parking session when parking is allowed; b) informing in real time the driver via its parking application whenever the required parking session is forbidden; c) informing the driver via the parking application parking time limit and parking fees with regard to the current parking session when parking is allowed; d) informing in real time the driver via the parking application whenever the required parking session is forbidden; e) charging fees automatically according to a fee schedule; and f) terminating the parking session automatically when the parking detection unit or the mobile application indicates that the vehicle has left the parking space; g) managing automatically a required administration regarding local residential parking-permits, handicapped or any other regulation of parking policy; h) enforcing automatically any parking-law violation in real-time;

21. A parking detection unit for use in a parking network comprising one or more directional sensors.

22. The parking detection unit of claim 21 further comprising a geomagnetic sensor, wherein the parking detection unit is further configured to activate directional sensors based on detection of a vehicle by the geomagnetic sensor.

23. The parking detection unit of claim 21, further comprising: a) a battery pack; b) photoelectric cells; c) an enclosure and attachment mean; wherein the enclosure is partially transparent to enable charging of the battery pack by the photoelectric cells exposed to sunlight, wherein the parking detection unit is so positioned to minimize shade cast onto the parking detection unit by a parked vehicle.

24. The parking detection unit of claim 21 further comprising a medium/long-range transceiver and a short-range transceiver, wherein the short-range transceiver is configured to communicate with one or more adjacent parking detection units, with one or more adjacent repeaters, and with a vehicle or a mobile device associated with a vehicle parking in a parking space monitored by the parking detection unit, and wherein the medium/long-range transceiver is configured to communicate with a host directly or via distant repeaters for backing up the communication with the host.

25. The parking detection unit of claim 24, configured to packet- communicate with a host by a directional line, using a form of predetermined time-set order, using the short-range transceiver, thereby reducing energy used for communication.

26. The parking detection unit of claim 21, further comprising one or more of: a) antennas associated with the sensors and directional sensors; b) lenses for use with the directional sensors and/or the antenna; c) short-range, medium/long-range, wireless transceivers; d) light or temperature sensors; e) battery Pack; and f) microprocessor, memory unit, quartz clock, and real-time clock.

27. The parking detection unit of claim 21, wherein each directional sensor utilizes geomagnetic, radar, infrared (IR), ultra sonic, thermal, or laser sensing units.

28. The parking detection unit of claim 21, placed within, around a parking space, or between parking spaces, within or out of a geographic center of the parking space or beneath a parked car.

29. The parking detection unit of claim 21, wherein the directional sensors include antennas and/or lenses facing the parking space area, and wherein the directional sensor scans the parking space horizontally.

30. The parking detection unit of claim 21, configured to monitor two or more parking spaces.