DE102015208556A1 - Parking space access control system and method for access control in a parking space - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a parking space access control system having at least one parking space limiting shut-off device (4), an exit control device (8) arranged at the shut-off device (4), at least one payment terminal (14) and a control device (12) connected to the shut-off device (4), the exit control device (8) and the payment terminal (14) is communicatively connected, wherein the control device (12) is designed such that it opens the shut-off device (4) when a user with an identification element at the exit Control means (8) identified within a predetermined target period of time since a payment process at the payment terminal (14), wherein the control device (12) comprises a desired time period determination module (16) which is designed such that there is an actual time interval between each a payment process to the payment terminal (14) and a subsequent identification at the exit Kontro means (8) and adjusts the target time period based on a plurality of detected actual time periods, and a method for controlling access to a parking space.

Description

The invention relates to a parking space access control system according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a corresponding method for access control for a parking space.

Usual parking space access control systems have barriers at the entrances and exits of the parking space, for example a parking garage. At the entrance, the user pulls a parking ticket, whereupon the barrier opens at the entrance. Before the exit, the user must pay the price for the parking time that has expired by using the parking ticket at a payment machine. Afterwards he can open the exit barrier with his parking ticket. It is customary that between the payment process and the exit a maximum of a predetermined period of time, for example, of 10 minutes, may be in order to prevent premature payment of the parking price by the user. In some cases, however, this leads to the problem when many drivers want to leave a parking space or a car park at the same time. Then it can come to congestion, which lead to an exceeding of this period. In such cases, it has hitherto been customary for the exit barrier to be opened manually by a supervisor. Furthermore, systems are known in which a stowing function can be activated manually by a supervisor, by means of which the time span is temporarily increased, for example, from 10 to 30 minutes. After a predetermined time, this period then decreases automatically again.

It is an object of the invention to improve a parking space access control system to the effect that a reliable exit control is ensured even during traffic jams without manual intervention.

This object is achieved by a parking space access control system having the features specified in claim 1 and by a method for access control for a parking space with the features specified in claim 9. Preferred embodiments will become apparent from the appended subclaims, the following description and the attached figures.

The parking space access control system according to the invention serves, for example, the access control in a parking garage or in a parking lot. For this purpose, at least one parking space limiting shut-off device, in particular a barrier provided. This can be a combined barrier for entry and exit to the parking space. However, at least two shut-off devices are particularly preferably provided, one for at least one entrance and one for at least one exit. Furthermore, at least one exit control device is provided, which is arranged on the at least one shut-off device. In the event that a plurality of shut-off devices are present, at least one exit control device is arranged on at least one shut-off device which limits an exit from the parking space. Furthermore, at least one payment terminal, in particular a payment machine, as well as a control device are present in the system according to the invention. The control device is used to control the overall system and is communicatively connected to the at least one shut-off device, the exit control device and the payment terminal, i. H. The facilities mentioned are linked together in such a way that they can exchange data. When a user logs on to the exit control device for an exit request, for example by inserting a parking ticket, the exit control device reports via the communication link to the central control device, which then checks whether the user has paid the parking time and then after positive feedback the associated shut-off device , that means in particular the shut-off device blocking an exit, opens. For this transaction, the user requires an identification element, such as a parking ticket, with which he logs on his exit request at the exit control device. The control device according to the invention is designed so that it opens the shut-off device after a successful payment process only if the registration takes place at the exit control device with the identification element in a predetermined maximum period of time after completion of the payment process at the payment terminal. For this purpose, the central control device registers the time of the payment process either in a memory of the control device or notes this point in time on the identification element, for example the magnetic stripe of a parking ticket, so that the exit control device can verify that the predetermined time span is met.

According to the invention, it is now provided that the time interval between the payment process and the exit is not a fixed time span, but rather a setpoint time span which is automatically adjustable by the system, that is, by the control device. For this purpose, the control device is provided with a desired time period determination module, which is preferably realized as a software module. The target time period determination module is designed such that it detects an actual time interval between the payment process at the payment terminal and the subsequent identification at the exit control device for individual exit procedures. That is, the system records how long a user actually takes to travel from the pay terminal, when it has completed the payment process, to the shut-off device, which is the exit locked, to get to. This time recording takes place via the control device which, as described above, stores and records the time of completion of the payment process when the user logs on to the exit control device with the identification element for which the payment process was carried out, ie for example a parking ticket into the exit control facility. The target time-period determination module is configured to acquire and store the actual time periods for a plurality of pay-out processes. Based on these detected actual time periods, the controller automatically adjusts the target time period in its target time-period determining module. That is, it is detected by the controller, whether the set target period is actually sufficient to get to the exit control device after completion of the payment process. If there is a prolonged actual time span in the case of several payment processes, that is to say with a plurality of users, this indicates a congestion in the parking garage, which then causes the control device, via its desired time period determination module, to automatically increase the setpoint time span. Thus, it is automatically prevented that in a traffic jam due to too long a time for the exit the user is denied the exit without a supervisor manually intervene, for example, would have to open the exit gate manually. This is particularly advantageous if, for example, a parking garage is operated fully automatically and there is no on-site supervisor at all, which could manually intervene in the transaction. In addition, it will continue to ensure that a payment process is performed for each user. That is, it can not happen that users leave without paying the parking space, which would be possible with a manual opening of the shut-off device.

The control device is designed so that the adaptation of the desired time period is preferably carried out in such a way that in the event that increase the detected actual time periods, the target time period is increased. If it is determined that the detected actual time intervals subsequently decrease again, the setpoint time span can likewise be automatically reduced again. The increase or decrease in the setpoint time span can take place in fixed steps. Correspondingly, corresponding limit values for the actual time span can be set in the setpoint time-duration determination module, at which point the setpoint time span is increased and when it is undershot the setpoint time span is reduced. Instead of a stepwise adjustment, a direct proportional adjustment is also possible, that is, as the actual time increases, the target time is proportionately increased, and conversely, the target time is proportionately shortened as the detected actual time periods decrease.

In order to prevent the target time from being extended only due to the delayed exit of one user or fewer users, it is preferable that the target time period determination module is arranged to adjust the target time based only on a plurality of times recorded actual time periods.

Preferably, the desired time period determination module is designed such that it detects an actual time interval between each of the payment process at the payment terminal and a subsequent identification at the exit control device continuously for all payment transactions or for all exit operations. Thus, the largest possible statistical base for the adjustment of the target time period is taken into account, since so preferably all exit procedures and their actual time period are included in the calculation.

More preferably, the desired time period determination module is designed such that it continuously calculates at least one first average actual time interval from a plurality of successively detected actual time periods and adapts the desired time period on the basis of this first average actual time period. Thus, the desired time period determination module may either calculate a running average of all detected actual time periods or, for example, use a certain number of actual time periods to calculate the first average actual time period, for example the actual time periods of the last fifty or one hundred exit operations.

More preferably, the target time-period determining module is configured to calculate two different average-actual time periods. Thus, it is preferably designed so that it continuously calculates said first average actual time span as a short-term average actual time span over a limited time interval or for a limited number of exit processes from a plurality of detected actual time periods. Ie. Preferably, a moving average is determined for a limited number of past exit events to determine the first average actual time period on which the adjustment of the target time period is based. Further, the target time-period determining module is preferably configured such that it continuously calculates a second average-actual time period as a long-term average actual time period over a relatively long period of time or over a larger number of exit events from a plurality of successively detected actual time periods , The long-term average actual time period thus forms an average over a larger time interval or a larger number of exit events than the first average actual time period. Preferably is for the second average actual time span is an average over all exit events. From a comparison of the first short-term average actual time period and the second long-term average actual time period, the target time-period determining module determines an increase or decrease in the actual time periods. If the first average actual time period is greater than the second average actual time period, this indicates an increase in the actual time periods, while a state in which the first short-term average actual time period is smaller than the second long-term average time period. Actual time span is for a decrease in the actual time spans. From this, the target time-period determination module can determine a tendency, wherein it is preferably checked in dependence on the specific tendency in a subsequent method step, whether an adjustment of the desired time periods up or down is required. Ie. Preferably, the target time-period determination module is arranged such that, if a decrease in the actual time periods is determined by comparing the average actual time periods, it is only checked whether an adjustment of the target down time is required, while at a Only an increase in the actual time span is checked to see if an upward adjustment is required. This procedure can be used to prevent short-term fluctuations in the setpoint time span or unwanted oscillation or oscillation.

More preferably, the target time period determination module is configured to extend the target time period as the first average actual time period increases. Conversely, the target time period determining module is preferably configured to shorten the target time period as the first average actual time period decreases. Thus, it becomes possible to adjust the target time period to the actually required exit time, which is determined statistically based on the average of the actual exit times, ie actual time periods. If a large number of users require a longer exit time and the first average actual time lapse increases, this is an indication of congestion, which also requires increasing the target time to prevent Users are denied the exit for exceeding the target time period. However, in order not to make the target period longer than required, the target period is then reduced again, as long as it is determined that the first average actual time interval is decreasing again. In this case, the setpoint time period is preferably reduced to a predetermined minimum. Also, in addition, a maximum for the target period can be provided.

The formed at least one average actual time span, d. H. said first average actual time period is preferably compared with the set target time period and the target time period is increased or decreased as the distance to the target time period changes beyond a predetermined amount. That is, it is ensured that the target time period is preferably longer by a predetermined amount than the first average actual time period. Conversely, the target time period is reduced when the distance between the target time period and average actual time exceeds a predetermined value. The predetermined difference value for the increase and the decrease may be the same value, but different values may also be specified.

The desired time period determination module is further preferably designed such that it changes the setpoint time period by a predetermined amount when the first average actual time span changes. Thus, predetermined amounts may be provided by which the target time period is changed, that is, increased or decreased, when the first average actual time period changes. There is thus a gradual change in fixed predetermined steps. Accordingly, for the first average actual time period, limit values or change thresholds may be defined in the desired time period determination module, in the case of which the target time period is exceeded or fallen below by one step, depending on whether the first average actual time period increased or decreased. Preferably, as described above, a difference between the set target time period and the first average actual time period formed takes place in the target time period determination module, and a change in the target time period is performed when the calculated difference or its amount exceeds or falls below a predetermined limit.

Instead of a gradual change in the desired time period and a continuous adjustment is possible. For this purpose, according to a further preferred embodiment, the desired time period determination module can be designed such that it adapts the setpoint time period proportional to this change, preferably by the same amount, when the first average actual time span changes. Thus, an even more accurate adaptation of the target time period to the actual requirements becomes possible.

The control device is preferably connected to the at least one payment terminal, the at least one shut-off device and the at least one exit control device via a data network, in particular via the Internet. A Such a configuration has the advantage that the control device can also be arranged remotely from the other components. In particular, it is possible to control, for example, different parking spaces or parking garages, which are geographically spaced from the location of the control device, via a central control device. For this purpose, the components can be interconnected via the Internet and / or suitable data networks. The adaptation according to the invention of the setpoint time period in such a system has the advantage that the individual parking garages or parking spaces can be operated completely remotely by the control device without a supervisory person being required on site.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the control device can be designed such that it generates an alarm signal when a predetermined limit value for the actual time span or the first average actual time span is exceeded. Such an alarm signal may for example be transmitted to a supervisor in a suitable manner to cause a manual check.

According to the parking space access control system described above, the subject of the invention is also a method for access control for a parking space. In this case, the method is preferably used in combination with the parking space access control system described above. The method is executed in particular in the form of a software application on a control device of a parking space access control system. The control device can be, for example, a personal computer, server or the like.

The method according to the invention proceeds in such a way that after a payment process at a payment terminal, a shut-off device blocking off an exit, for example a barrier, is only opened by the said control device if a user checks in at an exit control device within a predetermined target time interval the payment process, that is, after the completion of the payment process identified. According to the invention, an actual actual time interval between the payment process and the identification at the exit control device is detected for a large number of payment processes or exit processes. That is, it is determined how long the users actually need from the payment terminal to the exit. On the basis of this detected actual time span or actual time periods, the setpoint time period is adapted. If the actual time period increases, the target time period is also increased according to the invention. Conversely, the target time period is reduced as the actual time lapse decreases. Preferably, it is not a single actual time span, but the actual time spans of a multiplicity of consecutive payment transactions are recorded and taken into account. Thus, a broad statistical basis is provided for the adjustment of the target time period so that their adjustment is not erroneously erroneous due to individual long actual time periods.

Particularly preferably, at least one first average actual time span is calculated from a plurality of successively detected actual time periods and the setpoint time period is correspondingly adapted, that is to say increased or reduced, when this first average actual time period is changed, as has been described above. Particularly preferably, a running average of all detected actual time periods can be formed. However, it is particularly preferable to take into account a predetermined number of past actual time periods, for example the last fifty or one hundred detected actual time periods. This ensures that the system responds quickly enough.

Both in the described system and in the method according to the invention, it is to be understood that in each case the adjustment of the setpoint time period takes place for subsequent payment or exit operations. With regard to further details of the method sequence, reference is also made to the preceding description of the parking space access control system, within the scope of which method features have also been described which are likewise the subject of the method according to the invention or preferred embodiments of the method according to the invention.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. In these show:

1 schematically a parking space access control system according to the invention,

2 schematically the course of the approach used in this approach control system and method

3 schematically the change of a time period for the exit from the parking space.

1 schematically shows a parking space access control system with an entrance barrier 2 and an exit gate 4 , The entrance gate 2 assigned is a driveway control device 6 which is, for example, an operating unit from which the user takes a parking ticket or a parking ticket. This forms an identification element. The exit barrier is corresponding 4 an exit control facility 8th assigned, in which the User inserts his parking ticket as an identification element around the exit gate 4 to open. The entrance gate 2 as well as the entrance control facility 6 and the exit gate 4 and the exit control facility 8th are over a data network 10 For example, the Internet, with a control device 12 connected. Further, in the system is a payment terminal 14 provided in the form of a payment machine, which also via the data network 10 with the control device 12 connected is. If in this example only one entrance barrier 2 and an exit gate 4 as well as a payment terminal 14 are shown, it is to be understood that this is only an example and in a real system multiple entry barriers 2 , several exit gates 4 and several payment terminals 14 may be provided, which with a central control device 12 are connected. It is also possible that the control device 12 with corresponding elements, that is entrance barriers 2 , Exit gates 4 and payment terminals 14 various parking spaces, that is, for example, different parking garages connected.

Usually, a user drives first in front of the entrance gate 2 and pulls out of the driveway control 6 a parking ticket. If he wants to leave the parking garage or the parking space again, he takes his parking ticket as an identification element and leads to the payment terminal 14 a payment process, this via the control device 12 is controlled. After payment, the user drives his vehicle to the exit gate 4 , puts his parking ticket in the exit control device 8th , whereupon the exit gate 4 opens, provided the insertion of the parking ticket in the exit control device 8th takes place within a predetermined target time interval ΔT (t) after completion of the payment process. This is done by the controller 12 supervised.

If there is a traffic jam in the parking garage, the exit may be delayed so that it is no longer possible for the user to exit the exit gate 4 within the specified, configured waiting time or target time interval ΔT (0). If this target time interval ΔT (0) is exceeded, the user would be at the exit control device 8th the exit denied and a Nachzahlen at the payment terminal 14 be required. To prevent this, the control device 12 According to the invention, a target time period determination module 16 on, over which the target period is adjusted automatically. Its function will be described in more detail with reference to the flowchart in FIG 2 as well as the diagram in 3 explained.

At the beginning, a configured waiting time or set time ΔT0 is set. This configured target time ΔT0 is optionally adjusted when jams are detected in the manner described below. For many vehicles, in each case the actual time interval Δt between the payment process at the payment terminal 14 and inserting the parking ticket as an identification element at the exit control device 8th detected (step S1 in 2 ). An average actual time interval ΔT1 or ΔT2 is determined via a plurality of such exit processes (see steps S2 and S3 in FIG 2 In this case, in the exemplary embodiment shown here, two different average values are calculated, on the one hand a first dynamically calculated short-term average ΔT1 over Δt, and a second dynamically calculated long-term average ΔT2 over Δt. The short-term average ΔT1 detects only a smaller past time interval than the long-term average ΔT2.

If this actual time interval .DELTA.t or its short-term average .DELTA.T1 exceeds a predetermined limit, may from the target time period determination module 16 the desired time period are increased by a predetermined value, so that then this extended target time period is taken into account for subsequent exit operations. This comparison can be done in such a way that the currently set grace period .DELTA.T (t) is compared with the actual time .DELTA.t or their short-term average value .DELTA.T1. If the difference or its amount falls below a threshold value or threshold value n, ie the actual time interval Δt approaches the set waiting time or setpoint time span, the setpoint time span ΔT (t) is adapted.

In the preferred embodiment shown here, however, before this comparison, in step S4 in FIG 2 made a direct comparison of the short-term average ΔT1 with the long-term average ΔT2 to see if the current time difference Δt increases or decreases. If the short-term average ΔT1 is greater than the long-term average ΔT2, this indicates an increase in the time period, whereas if the period decreases, the short-term average ΔT1 is smaller than the long-term average ΔT2.

If it is determined in step S4 that there is an increase in the actual time Δt, a comparison of the short-term average ΔT1 with the set target time ΔT (t) is made in step S5 by setting the set target time ΔT (t) from the short-term Average ΔT1 is subtracted. If the amount of this difference is smaller than a predetermined threshold value n, an adaptation of the setpoint time interval ΔT (t) takes place in step S6, by adding thereto a predetermined time increment m. In 2 Step S6 is shown starting from the configured waiting time ΔT0, which is given in the initial state. However, it should be understood that in subsequent incrementing steps, the time increment m is added to the previously set target time ΔT (t) instead of the configured output delay time ΔT0.

If it is determined in step S5 that the difference determined there is not smaller than the threshold value, no action takes place in step S7.

If it is determined in step S4 that there is no increase in the period .DELTA.T (t), the step S8, in which again a comparison of the set target period .DELTA.T (t) is made with the short-term average .DELTA.T1, followed by the short-term average ΔT1 is subtracted from the target time ΔT (t). If this difference is not greater than the predetermined threshold value n, step S9 follows and the time period ΔT (t) is maintained. If, however, it is determined that the difference is greater than the threshold value n, a reduction of the set target time interval ΔT (t) takes place in step S10, in that it is reduced by the predetermined time increment m. In this case, however, there is no reduction below the predetermined configured exit delay time ΔT0. Afterwards, the cycle begins again.

At the same time, the actual time intervals .DELTA.t are thus detected and further average values .DELTA.T1 or .DELTA.T2 are thus formed for subsequent parking operations, so that in accordance with the described procedure a continuous monitoring and possibly adjustment of the target time interval .DELTA.T (t) takes place. There is thus an automatic dynamic adaptation of the target time interval .DELTA.T (t). It should be understood that the adjustment of the desired period of time can also be done in a corresponding manner in several steps, whereby the time interval is always increased or reduced by a certain amount m when a certain limit is reached. Instead of a gradual increase or decrease, a stepless adjustment is possible in which the target time interval .DELTA.T (t) is increased or decreased by, for example, the amount by which the average actual time period increases or decreases.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

 entrance barrier

4

 exit barrier

6

 Gateway control device

8th

 Exit-control device

10

 Data network

12

 control device

14

 payment terminal

16

 Target periods determination module

.DELTA.T1

 First short-term average time span

.DELTA.T2

 Second long-term average actual time span

.DELTA.T (t)

Target period

.delta.t

 Actual time

.DELTA.t0

 Output waiting period

m

 Time increment

n

 threshold

Claims (12)

Parking space access control system with at least one parking space limiting shut-off device ( 4 ), one at the shut-off device ( 4 ) arranged exit control device ( 8th ), at least one payment terminal ( 14 ) and a control device ( 12 ), which with the shut-off device ( 4 ), the exit control device ( 8th ) as well as the payment terminal ( 14 ) is communicatively connected, the control device ( 12 ) is designed such that it the shut-off device ( 4 ) opens when a user with an identification element at the exit control device ( 8th ) within a predetermined target period of time since a payment transaction at the payment terminal ( 14 ), characterized in that the control device ( 12 ) a desired time period determination module ( 16 ), which is designed such that it has an actual time interval (Δt) between in each case a payment process at the payment terminal ( 14 ) and a subsequent identification at the exit control device ( 8th ) and the target time period (ΔT (t)) is subsequently adjusted based on a plurality of detected actual time periods (Δt). Parking lot access control system according to claim 1, characterized in that the target time period determination module ( 16 ) is designed such that there is an actual time interval (Δt) between each of the payment process at the payment terminal ( 14 ) and a subsequent identification at the exit control device ( 8th ) is continuously recorded for all payment transactions. Parking lot access control system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the target time period determination module ( 16 ) is formed such that it continuously from a plurality of successively detected actual time periods (At) at least a first average actual time (ΔT1) calculated and based on this first average actual time (ΔT1) the target period (.DELTA.T (t)). Parking space access control system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the desired time period determination module ( 16 ) is designed such that it continuously over a limited time interval of a plurality of successively detected actual time periods (At) the first average actual Time interval (ΔT1) as a short-term average actual time interval (ΔT1) calculates that over a longer period of time, a second average actual time interval (ΔT2) is calculated as a long-term average actual value from a plurality of successively detected actual time intervals (Δt). Calculated time interval (.DELTA.T2), and that it detects an increase or decrease of the actual time periods (.DELTA.t) from a comparison of the first short-term average actual time (.DELTA.T1) and the second long-term average actual time (.DELTA.T2). Parking lot access control system according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the target time period determination module ( 16 ) is configured to increase the target time period (ΔT (t)) as the first average actual time (ΔT1) lengthens. Parking space access control system according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the desired time period determination module ( 16 ) is made such that it shortens the target time period (ΔT (t)) as the first average actual time (ΔT1) decreases. Parking space access control system according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the desired time period determination module ( 16 ) is designed such that it changes the setpoint time interval (ΔT (t)) by a predetermined amount (m) when the first average actual time span (ΔT1) changes. Parking lot access control system according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the desired time period determination module ( 16 ) is designed such that, in the event of a change in the first average actual time interval (ΔT1), it adjusts the setpoint time interval (ΔT (t)) proportionally to this change, preferably by the same amount. Parking space access control system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device ( 12 ) with the at least one payment terminal ( 14 ), the at least one shut-off device ( 4 ) and the exit control device ( 8th ) via a data network ( 10 ), in particular the Internet. Method for access control for a parking space, in which after a payment process at a payment terminal ( 14 ) a shut-off device blocking an exit ( 4 ) is only opened when a user is at an exit control device ( 8th ) within a predetermined target time interval (ΔT (t)) after the payment process, and in which an actual actual time interval (Δt) between the payment process and the identification at the exit control device ( 8th ), and subsequently the target period (ΔT (t)) is adjusted based on the detected actual time (Δt). A method according to claim 10, wherein the actual time period (Δt) for a plurality of consecutive payment operations is detected and the target time period (ΔT (t)) is increased as the actual time period (Δt) increases and the target time period (ΔT (t)) is decreased as the actual time (Δt) decreases. Method according to Claim 10 or 11, in which at least one first average-current time interval (ΔT1) is calculated from a plurality of actual time intervals (Δt) detected in succession and the set time period corresponding to changing the first average actual time period (ΔT1) is adjusted.

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