EP1326218A2 - Parking meter - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has an input for payment, at least one display (20) for elapsed and paid for time for a defined number of parking spaces, a controler and a signaling device (38) for signaling the parking time paid for with three states. The signaling device has an acoustic signal generator and/or a display controled by the controler for reduced energy consumption by the automatic device.

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to a battery-operated parking machine according to the preamble of claim 1.

State of the art

Especially in busy city centers, the one that can be offered is often Parking space limited. To counter long-term parking, so-called parking meters are used according to the state of the art, which have a coin slot, depending on the desired parking time and necessary parking fee different coins can be inserted are. By operating a rotary knob on the parking meter the parking meter unlocks the selected and paid parking time. One with one Clock-connected rotating plate rotates to a "0 mark" with the passage of time back, which indicates the expiry of the paid parking time. The disadvantage of these parking meters consists in the rather complex required mechanics, which is also susceptible to wear. Even if such parking meters as Dual parking meters designed for two parking spaces will ultimately A corresponding synchronous mechanism is required for each parking space.

In many cities and municipalities, in addition to parking meters, there are also parking ticket machines used after inserting a certain amount of money and selection of the desired parking time a printing unit in operation the parking time resulting from the paid fee as Spends final parking time. With this system, the parking lot user is instructed arrange the released parking ticket visibly inside the vehicle, to enable checks to be made whether the parking time has been exceeded. This process is not only cumbersome for the parking lot user, since it is both the way there and the way back from the vehicle to Must park the parking ticket machine before locking the vehicle and can leave the parking lot. Add to that the parking tickets when inserted into the vehicle due to external air movements or already by slamming the door from the dashboard where it should be filed regularly, blown away and for control lying unrecognizable on the vehicle floor. The parking ticket machines are also expensive because they have an electrically controlled printing unit have to.

From German utility model 296 06 229 it is also known an additional housing for each parking space at a parking ticket machine Provide a viewing window for inserting a parking ticket.

To avoid receipts about paid parking time, which is in the motor vehicle must be arranged visibly, is from WO 98/07123 a parking machine with an input device for payment and a display device for displaying the expiry of a paid parking time known. The display device has at least one acoustic signal or optical display means for a corresponding number of Parking spaces, with an actuating means associated with it Display means is operatively connected, and further all display means, the Actuating means and the input device for means of payment with a common control device are connected. It is a sound player provided with an acoustic announcement about the paid parking time. The display means are as optical, for example in the form of LEDs, or designed as acoustic devices, each Actuating means is associated with a display means. The input device for means of payment is as a coin actuation device and / or designed as a chip card actuating device.

It is still a generic parking machine from the previous one Application EP-B1-1 038 273 known by the same applicant. On the in State of the art listed and commented on in this publication is hereby expressly pointed out.

The parking machine from EP-B1-1 038 273 is an autonomous device, that can work for long periods without intervention by a control person, because neither a coin collecting container is emptied nor a parking ticket printer Printing paper must be reloaded. This results in Operation and maintenance considerable cost savings. in principle it would be conceivable to provide this parking machine with a mains supply for the electronics built into its interior. However, this would necessitate the laying of cables and thus at significant installation costs and a reduction in flexibility lead when setting up. It is therefore desirable that such autonomous parking machine not only operated with a built-in battery but that the built-in battery is kept to a minimum reduced electricity consumption of the parking machine also one the longest possible lifespan, so that the maintenance intervals and thus keeping the maintenance costs as low as possible.

It has now been found in practice that in the case of EP-B1-1 038 273 known parking machines a significant part of the electricity consumption is due to the sound reproduction device, which has a Loudspeaker acoustic announcements to the user of the parking machine emits.

Presentation of the invention, task, solution, advantages

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved To provide parking meters of the type mentioned above, which the above disadvantages are eliminated and at the same time easier Handling and readability for a control person by a clear extended service life of the built-in battery.

This task is performed by a parking lot machine of the above. Kind of with the in Characteristics characterized claim 1 solved.

For this purpose, it is provided according to the invention that the signaling device to reduce the energy consumption of the parking machine an acoustic signal generator controlled by the control device and / or a display controlled by the control device. An acoustic signal generator is used - in contrast to the Speakers - a buzzer or "buzzer" understood, for example in mobile phones or other compact electronic devices is used, the miniaturized structure and extremely low Power consumption emits a clearly perceptible buzzer or beep. The display is accordingly an LCD or comparable display very low power consumption and good readability under everyday conditions. With the acoustic signal generator or display it is possible to with extremely low energy consumption the necessary displays for to provide the user of the parking machine.

Further developments of the device are preferred in the claims 2 to 16 described.

For easy operation of the parking lot machine by a driver one of the parking spaces assigned to the parking machine is the Control device is designed such that it is plugged in each time a chip card in the chip card actuator a predetermined Debit unit from the chip card and summed up accordingly. In particular, the control device is designed such that the The unit is debited from the chip card by an acoustic signal Signal generator and / or the display is confirmed. Here corresponds to predetermined unit, for example, a parking time of 30 minutes.

The control device is such for determining a maximum parking time trained that after a predetermined number of insertion operations the chip card no further debiting a predetermined unit takes place or the chip card actuation device for further insertion processes the chip card is blocked.

In a preferred embodiment, the display device comprises at least a light emitting diode, which means the three states at least however, preferably two, but also three with different ones Luminous colors and / or by means of different intermittent or constant Illuminates represents. For example, a light emitting diode is provided wherein an intermittent flashing with a first predetermined Frequency or a first predetermined interval pattern first state, an intermittent lighting with a second predetermined Frequency or a second predetermined interval pattern the second state and possibly an intermittent lighting at a third predetermined frequency or a third predetermined Interval pattern signals the third state, in particular one of the predetermined frequencies is infinite and a continuous one Illumination corresponds.

Two light-emitting diodes of different colors are preferably provided, a lighting up of the light emitting diode with a first color, e.g. green, the first state, the other LED lights up with a second color, e.g. red, the second state and the third state by alternately flashing the two LEDs with one predetermined frequency or a predetermined interval pattern signals.

In a further embodiment, three light-emitting diodes are different Colors provided, with a light emitting diode with the color Green the first state, an LED with the color red the second State and an LED with the color yellow the third state by steady light, i.e. through continuous lighting and / or intermittent Lights indicate.

The lighting or flashing LEDs can also go out can be used as a signal for the expiry of the parking time.

For example, the "predetermined time" of the third state is one Hour, so that one hour after the paid parking time expires Removing the motor vehicle that is now occupying a parking space without authorization can be initiated.

For simple and clear operation by a driver and readability by a control person without having to park Make additional markings yourself, for example on the floor the parking machine has a floor plan of this Parking machine assigned parking spaces, the actuating means and displays arranged in the floor plan or are designated that each parking space in a clear manner of the floor plan an actuating means and a display device assigned. This results in the assignment of those on the floor plan drawn parking spaces to real parking spaces through the different in scale but geometrically consistent representation between the floor plan and the real parking lot arrangement. additional associated labels are not required.

A simple assignment of actuators and indicators on the parking machine to corresponding parking spaces on the floor plan, one achieves that each parking space in the Floor plan on the parking machine a symbol, in particular is assigned a number, each actuating means and each display device the same symbol, in particular the same number as the associated parking lot is assigned.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1

eine schaubildliche Aufsicht einer bevorzugten Ausführungform eines Parkplatzautomaten;

Fig. 2

ein schematisches Blockschaltbild eines Aufbaus des Parkplatzautomaten gemäß Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

die Abbildung eines im Einsatz befindlichen Parkplatzautomaten nach der Erfindung;

Fig. 4

die Frontplatte des Parkplatzautomaten nach Fig. 3;

Fig. 5

das Blockschaltbild eines Parkplatzautomaten nach der Erfindung mit einem akustischen Signalgeber ("Buzzer") als Signalisationseinrichtung; und

Fig. 6

das Blockschaltbild eines Parkplatzautomaten nach der Erfindung mit einem akustischen Signalgeber ("Buzzer") und einem Display als Signalisationseinrichtung.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show in

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a parking machine;

Fig. 2

a schematic block diagram of a structure of the parking machine according to FIG. 1;

Fig. 3

the illustration of a parking lot machine in use according to the invention;

Fig. 4

the front plate of the parking machine according to Fig. 3;

Fig. 5

the block diagram of a parking machine according to the invention with an acoustic signal generator ("buzzer") as a signaling device; and

Fig. 6

the block diagram of a parking machine according to the invention with an acoustic signal generator ("buzzer") and a display as a signaling device.

Best way to carry out the invention

The preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1 of an inventive Parking machine 100 includes a front panel 10 on which a Floor plan 12 assigned by this parking machine 100 Parking is arranged. Each parking space 14 of the floor plan 12 is provided with a number, with a symbol 16 the location of the parking machine 100 illustrated in the floor plan. The right and 100 parking spaces to the left of the parking machine according to the invention 14 and 15 are numbered "1" to "4". Each parking space 14, 15 is a respective actuating means 18 and one respective display device 20 by means of corresponding numbers "1" to "4" for each of the parking spaces 15 to the right of the parking machine 100 and the Parking spaces 14 clearly assigned to the left of the parking machine 100. The number of parking spaces 14, 15 left and right of the invention Parking machine 100 can be selected as desired and is only here exemplary four each.

According to a first embodiment, each of the display devices 20 comprises two light-emitting diodes 24, 26, the first light-emitting diode in each case 26 with green color lights up as confirmation that the parking time is paid is when the second light-emitting diode 24 lights up with a red color indicates that the paid parking time has expired. After this The first red time phase turns red for a predetermined further time phase Blinking light emitted as a sign for the control person that the Park expiration time has long expired, so that with this last time phase the request to the control person goes because of exceeding the parking time of the car can be towed.

In another embodiment, each of the display devices includes 20 three LEDs 22, 24 and 26, with a respective first Light-emitting diode 22 with yellow color, a respective second light-emitting diode 24 with red color and a respective third LED 26 lights up with green color. As in the case of the first embodiment with two light-emitting diodes is an insertion slot for the insertion process of a chip card 28 30 provided. Via a signaling device 38 with little Power consumption, namely an acoustic signal generator or "buzzer" and / or a display are signals in the manner described below given to a parking lot user.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of the parking lot machine of Fig. 1 for an embodiment with three LEDs, the same Parts are designated by the same reference numerals, so that their explanation reference is made to the above description of FIG. 1. The block diagram is corresponding for an embodiment with two light-emitting diodes educated. Only the function of the first light-emitting diode 22 with a yellow one Colored light is integrated in the light-emitting diode 24 with the red colored light, and in such a way that the diode 24 turns red in a first controlled time phase Continuous light and red flashing light emits in a second controlled time phase. The yellow LEDs 22 are also with "Ge", the red ones Light-emitting diodes 24 are additionally marked with “R” and the green light-emitting diodes 26 are also marked with "Gr". The LEDs 22, 24, 26 of the Display devices 20 and the actuating means 18 are with a Control device 32, which actuations of the actuating means 18 registered and the LEDs 22, 24, 26 of the display devices 20 is controlled in a time-dependent manner in the manner described in more detail below.

Furthermore, there is a chip card actuation device 34 with an insertion slot 30, a signaling device 38 and a clock module 36 with the control device 32 connected. The clock module 18 serves as a timer for the Control device 32, which controls the light-emitting diodes 22, 24, 26 in a time-controlled manner of the display devices 20 and possibly the signaling device 38 controls. The control device 32 is, for example, a microprocessor unit and preferably via a data bus with the other components 18, 20, 34, 36 and 38 connected.

The parking machine 100 is, for example, by check or other Chip cards, operated similarly to telephone cards, the chip cards for example, are available as parking cards at petrol stations or kiosks. A chip or parking card contains 500 units, for example a unit of a predetermined parking period of, for example, 30 minutes equivalent.

The following is an example of an operation sequence of the parking machine 100 and a reading by a control person at a Describe embodiment with three light emitting diodes 22, 24, 26.

The parking card 28 with, for example, 500 parking units is inserted into the slot 30 inserted. At this first insertion of the parking card 28 a unit for a parking period of ½ hour through the Control device 32 debited and the card pulled out again or spent. If a longer parking period is desired, the Card inserted again, another unit by the control device 32 debited and the card removed or issued again, the parking time is 1 hour, 1½ hours, 2 hours etc. is added up, depending on the number of insertion or insertion processes the parking or chip card. A maximum parking period of is more appropriate for example, given 2 hours, so that after four insertion processes the control device 32 no longer debits a unit or the insertion slot 30 of the chip card actuator 34 blocks.

Whenever a parking unit is debited from the chip card 28, controls the control device 32, for example, the acoustic signal generator ("Buzzer") within the signaling device 38 such that which makes a buzzing sound. Be multiple units in a row debited and then added up and the added up Units assigned to a parking space by pressing the actuating means 18, the acoustic signal generator gives one of the number of the summed Units corresponding number of tones. Leave this way extremely energy-saving the essentials for the payment process Send sizes to the user of the parking machine. In an existing display can also be used in the same way.

The number of actuating means 18 corresponds to the number of the parking machine 100 allocated parking spaces 14, 15. For the parking space "3" of the real parking spaces arranged to the right of the parking machine 100 15 is, for example, the actuating means "3" in the right row to press the actuating means 18 (see FIG. 1). The same preceding The sequence described is also in an embodiment with two light-emitting diodes 24, 26 given. The control device 32 then controls the this parking space associated display device 20 with the LEDs 22, 24 and 26 or with the LEDs 24, 26 in such a way that up to at the end of the paid parking time, the green LED 26 shines. After the paid parking time, for example after one hour, the green LED 26 and the control device go out 32 lights up the red LED 24. This signals a control person which is a proper payment for parking space use monitors that the paid parking time for this parking space has expired is. After another predetermined time, for example one another hour, the controller 32 leaves in one embodiment with two LEDs 24, 26, the red LED 24 flash up and in the embodiment with three LEDs 22, 24, 26 die The yellow LED 22 lights up continuously or flashing. This signals the control person that the paid parking time by more than predetermined time, in this case exceeded by more than an hour, if the car of the parking lot user is still on it Parking is located. In this case, the control person can remove it of the motor vehicle now parked without authorization, for example by towing.

In summary, the green LED lights up 26 that the paid parking time is still running, the red light comes on LED 24 that the parking time has expired and a waiting period of For example, one hour runs and the yellow LED lights up 22 or a flashing of the red LED 24, that the parking time around more than the waiting period of, for example, one hour has been exceeded and the motor vehicle parked in the associated parking lot 14, 15 is to be towed. Three different states are thus time-controlled displayed.

In the alternative embodiment, only two light emitting diodes are different Color, for example only the red LED 24 and the Green LED 26 provided. The lights up during the parking time Green LED 26 continuously, during the waiting period the flashes red LED 24 and after the waiting period the red one lights up LED 24 continuously or a reverse flashing sequence of Steady light and flashing light are possible. Alternatively, this is with just one LED realized, which depending on the applied voltage both green can also light up red.

In an embodiment with only a single light-emitting diode, as shown in 3 and 4, all the steady and flashing light levels are in combines a light emitting diode, which is part of an actuating means 40 with integrated LED is. Then sends during the duration of the parking period this LED flashes green. If the parking time has expired, Red flashing light emitted via the same LED. Is the flashing light period then a short period, e.g. from 15 Minutes, connect with a steady red light. The control of each Light and time periods also take place via the control device 32.

The light emitted by the LEDs can be in the form of flashing light, which is more economical and battery-saving, or of permanent light or alternating between flashing and steady light. Essential is that the current parking time, the elapsed parking time and an additional Time are displayed optically so that the individual states both is recognizable by the parking lot holder as well as by the control person.

3 is a section of a parking lot machine 200 according to the invention reproduced as it is intended for use in practice. The Input and output systems and the electronics of the parking lot machine 200 are arranged at the top of a pedestal. They include (see also Fig. 4) in the manner already described, a front panel 10 with a Slot 30 for the chip card, a floor plan 12 of the parking spaces, and actuating means 40 with an integrated light-emitting diode, which the are allocated to individual parking spaces. The actuating means 40 can mechanically acting microswitches which (together with the integrated light emitting diodes) mounted on a behind the front panel 10 Circuit board are mounted directly. Instead of mechanical means sensors are also used. With the integrated one LED All time periods can be per parking space in the manner described above of a parking process are displayed in an energy-saving manner. Below the front plate 10 are slot-like openings for a signaling device 38 arranged in the form of an acoustic signal generator ("buzzer").

In the middle between the two rows of actuating means 40 can In addition, a further light-emitting diode 42 can be arranged, which the user the parking meter shows that it only has a few (e.g. three) units on his chip card and is about buying a new chip card or take care of a possible reload. One (in Figs. 3 and 4 second additional light-emitting diode (not shown) can be provided for the near end of the battery capacity of the built-in battery display. In both cases it is from the founder of energy saving an advantage if the displays do not go through these LEDs Permanent but by flashing light.

As already mentioned above, the battery-saving display of the Debiting of the parking units from the chip card 28 in the signaling device 38 by means of an acoustic signal generator ("buzzer") and / or a display. The associated block diagram for the possible Configurations are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, with reference to FIG Fig. 2 are the same parts with the same reference numerals. In the 5 are with the central control device 32 (e.g. a microprocessor) the actuating means 18, the display device 20, the clock module 36 and a signaling device 38 connected, which can be an acoustic signal generator or a display. In 6 are with the control device 32 within the signaling device 38 both an acoustic signal generator 44 and a display 46 connected.

List of reference numerals:

100,200

Parking meter

10

front panel

12

Floor plan

14.15

parking spot

16

symbol

18

actuating means

20

display device

22,24,26

led

28

smart card

30

slot

32

control device

34

Chip card actuating device

36

Clock module

38

signaling device

40

Actuator with integrated light emitting diode

42

led

44

acoustic signal generator

46

display

Claims (16)

Battery-operated parking machine (100, 200) with an input device (34) for means of payment and at least one display device (20) for displaying the expiry of a paid parking time, the display device (20) each having at least one optical display means for a corresponding number of parking spaces, wherein One actuating means (18) each with a display means (20) is assigned to a parking space, furthermore all display means (20), the actuating means (18) and the input device (34) for means of payment are connected to a common control device (32), furthermore a signaling device (38) is provided for signaling the paid parking time and the input device (34) for payment means is designed as a chip card actuation device (30, 34) designed for the insertion of chip cards (28), and the one assigned to each actuation means (18) Display means (20) is designed such that this w represents at least three different states which can be read by a control person, a first state of the control person signaling "paid parking time running", a second state of the control person signaling "paid parking time expired" and a third state of the control person signaling "paid parking time expired longer than a predetermined time",
characterized in that the signaling device (38) for reducing the energy consumption of the parking machine (100, 200) comprises an acoustic signal transmitter (44) controlled by the control device (32) and / or a display (46) controlled by the control device (32). Parking machine (100, 200) according to claim 1,
characterized in that the control device (32) is designed such that each time a chip card (28) is inserted into the chip card actuation device (30, 34), a predetermined unit is debited from the chip card (28) and added up accordingly. Parking machine (100, 200) according to claim 2,
characterized in that the control device (32) is designed such that the debiting of the unit from the chip card (28) is confirmed by a signal from the acoustic signal generator (44) and / or the display (46). Parking machine (100, 200) according to claim 2 or 3,
characterized in that the predetermined unit corresponds to a parking time of 30 minutes. Parking machine (100, 200) according to claims 2 to 4,
characterized in that the control device (32) is designed such that after a predetermined number of insertion processes of the chip card (28) no further debiting of a predetermined unit takes place or the chip card actuation device (30, 34) for further insertion processes of the chip card (28 ) Is blocked. Parking machine (100, 200) according to one of claims 2 to 5,
characterized in that the control device (32) is designed such that after actuation of an actuating means (18), a parking time (14, 15) assigned to this actuating means (18) is allocated to the parking space assigned to this actuating means (18) and previously accumulated due to the insertion of the chip card (28) this actuating means (18) associated display device (20) controls time-dependent according to the assigned parking time, and that the number of validated units is confirmed by a signal from the acoustic signal generator (44) and / or the display (46). Parking machine (100, 200) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the display device (20) comprises at least one light-emitting diode (22, 24, 26). Parking machine (100, 200) according to claim 7,
characterized in that a light-emitting diode (22, 24, 26) is provided which represents the three states by means of at least two, in particular three, different light colors and / or by means of different intermittent or constant lighting. Parking machine (100, 200) according to claim 7 or 8,
characterized in that a light-emitting diode (22, 24, 26) is provided, intermittent lighting with a first predetermined frequency or a first predetermined interval pattern being the first state, intermittent lighting with a second predetermined frequency or a second predetermined interval pattern being the second state and intermittent lighting with a third predetermined frequency or a third predetermined interval pattern signals the third state. Parking machine (100, 200) according to claim 9,
characterized in that one of the predetermined frequencies is infinite and corresponds to a continuous lighting. Parking machine (100, 200) according to claim 7 or 8,
characterized in that two light-emitting diodes (22, 24, 26) of different color are provided, with a continuous lighting of the light-emitting diode with a first color the first state, a continuous lighting up of the other light-emitting diode with a second color the second state or the third state and an intermittent lighting up of one of the two light-emitting diodes with a predetermined frequency or a predetermined interval pattern signals the third state or the second state. Parking machine (100, 200) according to claim 7 or 8,
characterized in that three light-emitting diodes (22, 24, 26) with different colors are provided, one light-emitting diode (26) with the color green the first state, one light-emitting diode (24) with the color red the second state and one light-emitting diode (22 ) indicates the third state with the color yellow. Parking machine (100, 200) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the "predetermined time" of the third state contributes one hour. Parking machine (100, 200) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that it has a floor plan (12) of the parking spaces (14, 15) associated with this automatic parking machine (100, 200), the actuating means (18) and display devices (20) being arranged or labeled in the floor plan such that in an actuating means and a display device are uniquely assigned to each parking space of the floor plan. Parking machine (100, 200) according to claim 14,
characterized in that each parking space (14, 15) in the floor plan (12) on the automatic parking machine (100, 200) is assigned a symbol, in particular a number, each actuating means (18) and each display device (20) having the same symbol, in particular the same number as the associated parking space (14, 15) is assigned. Parking machine according to claim 7,
characterized in that further light-emitting diodes (42) are provided to indicate the imminent exhaustion of a chip card (28) and / or the battery of the parking machine (200).

Images