EP3207530A1

EP3207530A1 - Method and system for controlling an automobile parking apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP3207530A1
Application number: EP15790477.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Norbert Faessler; Norbert BLESSING
Original assignee: Klaus Multiparking GmbH
Current assignee: Klaus Multiparking GmbH
Priority date: 2014-10-15
Filing date: 2015-10-15
Publication date: 2017-08-23
Also published as: AU2015332661B2; AU2015332661A1; DE102015117591A1; WO2016059188A1; DE102015100127A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and a method for controlling the movement of an automobile parking apparatus that has a drive for the movement of a pallet holding the vehicle to be parked. A control unit is provided for the drive. An output is used to output an access code, and a mobile controller is used to input an input code. The input code is wirelessly transmitted to the control unit, and the control unit enables movement of the palate only if the input code corresponds to the access code.

Description

"Method and system for controlling a car parking device"

The invention relates to a method and a system for controlling a car parking device.

Known car parking devices have at least one movable by a controllable drive, the vehicle to be parked receiving pallet. Usually, a car parking device consists of one or more parks, which in turn each have a drive for at least one pallet. In this respect, a car parking device as described has at least one movable pallet. The car parking device preferably has vertical movable pallets. In this case, such, in particular generic car parking facilities are equipped so that the (one, two, three or four) pallets are stored and guided in a frame. Such car parking facilities are also referred to as Parker, double or multiple parker. But there are also car parking devices are known in which the (in particular individual) pallets are moved vertically or horizontally, for example guided on rails. Such car parking facilities are also referred to as (automatic) parking systems. For controlling the movement of the car parking device, the car parking device has at least one car park control. It is usually used to allow the platforms to be raised and lowered, and may be equipped with additional functionalities such as the opening of a barrier or gate or the like.

The park control system is operated via various variants known in the prior art. First, a control knob or a control lever is provided at the park control. This variant requires that the user must be at the location of the park control, usually in the immediate vicinity of the moving pallets, and can easily observe and monitor the movement of the pallet and, if problems arise in the movement, can intervene immediately. The disadvantage of this variant is that either a large number of individual control panels on the individual parks, which together form the car parking device, must be provided, which of course is expensive. Also, the comfort is low, since the user usually has to put a key in a lock, over which he identifies himself and only then can initiate the movement of the pallet; In addition, the user must get out of the car to operate the park.

For the operation or control of the parks but also cordless remote controls are known in the art. Here a distinction is made between radio and infrared remote controls. The use of infrared remote controls is not reliable and not comfortable. Often, the user sits in the car and wants to move via the infrared remote control the pitch / the pallet, but the infrared beam is deflected by the glass of the vehicle so that the receiver of the park control is not reached. Also, with an infrared transmitter, the receiver must be precisely targeted, as here a relatively narrow beam of light in the infrared wavelength range is emitted.

Radio remote controls are better usable because the radio transmitter emits its signal in a large solid angle segment, therefore, a precise sighting of the receiver is not necessary here. However, a radio remote control also allows operation of the park from a location that does not allow optical monitoring of the park, since the radio waves can penetrate visual barriers. Therefore, radio remote controls can not be recommended for safe operation and control of a car parking facility.

Based on the above-described prior art, the invention has taken on the task of finding a safe on the one hand and on the other hand comfortable way to control the generic car parking device.

This object is achieved, on the one hand, by a method for controlling the movement of a car park device, which has a drive for the movement of a pallet to be parked on the vehicle, a control unit being provided for the drive, and an access code being output on an output an input code is input to a mobile control unit, the input code is wirelessly transmitted to the control unit and the Control unit does not release a movement of the pallet until the input code corresponds to the access code.

On the other hand, this object is achieved by a system for controlling a car parking device with a mobile control unit, which is characterized in that the system has a car parking device with at least one, movable by a controllable drive, the vehicle to be parked receiving pallet, and a control unit, wherein the control unit has a receiving unit suitable for wireless information reception, a code generator, an output, a code comparator and a parking device controller, and the code generator generates an access code outputting the same, the receiving unit an input code sent from the mobile control unit and the code comparator compares the access code and input code and, in the identity of these codes, allows control of the parking device control by the mobile control device.

In an advantageous embodiment, a dead man monitoring device is provided for the movement of the pallet. Reference is made at this point to the various strategies and configurations of the deadman monitoring device described in this application.

The system preferably serves to carry out the method described above.

An advantage of the invention is that the merits of a radio transmitter can be used in wireline communication. The advantages of using a radio transmitter are that the radio waves can penetrate through glass, for example, so that the user can comfortably stay in the car when the car parking device is to be operated. With a radio transmitter, a precise sighting of the receiver is not necessary, since with a radio transmitter a sufficiently homogeneous radiation takes place in the direction of the parking facility control.

The trick of the invention is that the output of an access code is issued, which is to be re-entered via the wireless control unit. The user must therefore capture this issued access code and enter or record it actively on a mobile control unit.

This has two advantages: at the same time a local and a principal authentication is achieved.

Local authentication means that the user is at least within the perception range of the output (for example, in the viewing or listening area) of the car parking device during entry of the access code. This ensures that the operator is in the field of view of the park during movement of the pallet and thus can monitor their movement directly. If the user is too far away from the park, the issued access code can not be heard or seen, and operation is not possible.

A basic authentication considers that only the authorized user has a control device that is technically matched to the car parking device (for example suitable radio frequency, transmission protocol or software on the control device / terminal / smartphone) and that allows movement of the pallets.

The proposal according to the invention, which is realized on the one hand in the described method and on the other hand in the proposed system, combines for a safe operation of the car parking device, because a movement of the pallets is not unnoticed, with the high comfort of the used, wireless. bound mobile control unit. Operation of the system is possible both in the car and out of the car exit, and a precise alignment of the transmitter to the receiver is not necessary.

The use of a radio transmitter is, without thereby limiting the invention to this, advantageous because the radio waves penetrate easily the glass of the windshield and do not require a precise sighting of the receiver. Since the user perceives (sees and / or hears) and accesses the access code at the output, it is ensured that the user is also in the field of vision of the car parking device, thus ensuring safe operation, ie. Movement of the pallets or other moving elements takes place. With an acoustic output, the volume can be chosen so that the user is close (in the field of vision) of the car parking device!

The invention skilfully combines better comfort with the safe operation of the generic car parking facilities.

The invention is not limited to the use of radio as a transmission channel between the mobile control unit and the control unit. Of course, all other wavelength ranges within the meaning of the invention can be used, for example, infrared transmitter or the like.

Furthermore, it is advantageously provided in the proposal that the mobile control device is designed as a hand-held transmitter or as a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone or smart phone, mobile computer or tablet computer. Advantageously, the mobile control unit is spatially unbound and removable from the control unit. An essential advantage of the invention is that in the system according to the invention both classic handheld transmitter as well as other known mobile devices such as mobile phone or smartphone, etc. can be used in parallel. With both types of mobile control units, the implementation of the proposed method or the safe and reliable operation of the so-equipped car parking device is possible. The user can choose whether he wants a simple handheld transmitter, which he leaves in the car, or whether he loads a corresponding program as an app on his mobile device, which may also allow additional additional functionality.

Furthermore, it is provided that the mobile control device is designed as an electronic circuit, such as an RFID circuit.

This is a very simple and therefore cost-effective embodiment of the mobile control unit, but it is with such a circuit, in particular an RFID circuit (also called transponder) a comparatively simple control feasible. Usually, such circuits are equipped with unique identification numbers, and you can use these identification numbers to specify the functionalities of this circuit ("lift pallet" or "lower pallet"). This information is stored, along with information about the user and their location in the car parking device, etc. in a file that the control unit can access.

An activation of the drive takes place when this circuit, or transponder, is connected to the data processing unit with the control unit. Cleverly, the circuit, in particular the transponder, comprises a transmitting or receiving antenna, via which a data connection with the control unit can then be established. A movement of the pallet then takes place as long as the circuit is connected to the control unit (with a corresponding send or receive unit). Conveniently, the user has two different circuits, wherein a first circuit for the lifting movement and a second circuit for the lowering movement is coded or provided.

In a preferred embodiment of the proposal, it is provided that the system has a local radio network for the communication between the mobile control unit and the receiving unit, and the control unit also comprises a transmitting unit in addition to a receiving unit. The modern mobile devices are equipped with various means of communication. These include, for example, an infrared transmitter, the Bluetooth connection or the so-called WLAN capability, ie the ability of the mobile terminal to integrate into a local radio network according to the known standard (which is generally described as WLAN or WIFI).

It should be expressly noted that for the communication between the mobile terminal and the car parking device or its control unit no Internet connection (which is also described below as a computer-aided network) is necessary, or the use of the mobile device, such as a smartphone, Here is also possible even if there is no wireless or wired Internet connection. The construction of a wireless network, such as the WLAN, does not require the presence of the Internet! Therefore, the invention has a significant advantage, since the generic car parking devices are often installed in basement floors of buildings stationary, where no mobile phone reception, so no telephone network, is available and thus the use of the mobile device, a smartphone, fails over the Internet , Also, it is not necessary to connect the control unit of the car parking device to the Internet or the telephone line, which is often very cumbersome, as this would provide separate telephone lines in the basement and also incur additional operating costs to to set up an access of the car parking device to the Internet. The skilful embodiment of the invention achieves the use and use of the now indispensable smartphone (and of course also of all other mobile terminals such as a mobile phone, mobile computer or tablet computer, without wishing to conclude this list) even in systems, who are not connected to the internet. Nevertheless, the free programmability of the programs used on the phone (the apps) can be used!

The system is equipped so that both simple handheld transmitters and complex mobile devices such as smartphones can be used in parallel. The respective communication channels are provided, that is, for the operation and use of simple hand transmitters, a receiving unit on the control unit is sufficient, since the flow of information, the access code and the control instructions to the plant control are only unidirectional. For the operation of smartphones, which can of course also use the simple radio channel of the remote control, optionally the above-described local radio network is set up, which then includes a transmitting unit on the part of the control unit, thus a correspondingly more complex, bidirectional communication between the mobile control unit and the control unit is possible.

Furthermore, it is provided that a time window is provided for the release. The use of the mobile control unit is carried out, for example, so that at the beginning of a request signal is sent from the mobile control unit to the control unit of the car parking device. With this request signal, the control unit is signaled that an operation of the system is desired, and at this time, if necessary, already made the necessary preparations, for example, a sufficient hydraulic pressure built, etc. After the control unit has received this request signal, the access code is issued , to the Example displayed on a display. In an adjustable time window after the access code is issued, the control unit is expected to input the correct input code. Within this time window, the acceptance of a corresponding input code is enabled and also subsequent control commands are only possible within a corresponding (same or additional) time window to ensure safe operation of the system.

Of course, it is possible to dispense with the sending of a request signal also. An appropriate access code is then offered, for example, continuously at the output. For example, instead of an actively sent request signal, the car parking device automatically recognizes automatically when an operation is desired. For example, the control unit is equipped with corresponding sensors, for example motion detectors or noise sensors. If a noise or movement is detected, it is assumed that a vehicle is parked. An input code is then offered at the output.

In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that an authentication of the mobile control unit is carried out before the release, the release of a positive authentication test depends and, where appropriate, the authentication is also stored.

Clever manner is provided for this purpose that the control unit comprises an authentication unit, which evaluates the information transmitted by the mobile control unit authentication information and optionally also stores in a memory.

In addition to the local and principal authentication described at the outset (which is at least tested, ie performed, with the prescribed authentication unit), with basically a personal authentication, ie an authentication of the user possible. With this information, for example, the user can be offered an exactly predetermined parking space. This also makes it possible to document the use of the system, ie which user used the car park device when. Due to the intended authentication unit, a very safe operation of the car parking device or its control is possible because only then an operation, ie control of the pallets or their drives is possible if the authentication is completed positively. The personal authentication takes place, for example, by transmitting the user name or by transmitting the number of the remote control, in which case a corresponding file is stored in the authentication unit of the control unit to check whether this user or this remote control is authorized, a corresponding control command here to be able to execute.

In a further preferred embodiment it is provided that the output is at least in close proximity to the moving pallet. The output of the access code thus takes place in the vicinity of the place, where then a pallet is moved, and the user just watch this movement demanded by him and monitor. The term "nearest proximity" can thus also be described, for example, as "accessible area", without, however, limiting the term to this. The aim of this additional proposal is to ensure safe operation of the system, which of course depends on the specific structural conditions where the car parking device (in particular their moving elements such as a frame, etc.) is installed, which is why this is not an exact Longitude can pretend. The arrangement is chosen such that the user has to position himself for output in such a way that he can also perceive the information output, the access code, while at the same time keeping in mind the movement of the pallet actuated and controlled by him. stops and observes. Then, if a malfunction occurs, the user can immediately respond to the malfunction of the car parking device. In addition, of course, a dead man's control is foreseeable here, whereby the operation is additionally safer.

The invention is directed to choosing an output that can also be perceived by the user. The output can be made optically or acoustically, for example, for which reason it is advantageous to provide a display or a loudspeaker as the output.

Furthermore, it is advantageously provided in the proposal that the access code is a sequence of different symbols on the output, for example the display. The user is thus requested to enter the sequence, that is to say the sequence of the various symbols, into his mobile control unit. For example, different colors, characters, numbers, letters, graphics or other elements may be used, which are to be understood here by the term "symbol", without limiting this enumeration.

Of course, an acoustic sequence of symbols is possible, for example, a Morse signal or different pitches are to be understood as a symbol.

Instead of a (temporal) sequence of different symbols indicated on the output, it is alternatively provided that an overall symbol formed from a plurality of different symbols is shown on the output as the access code. For example, at the output / display, the color combination red-blue-yellow is displayed simultaneously, and the user must press the red, blue, and yellow buttons one after another or simultaneously to enter the access code on his mobile controller. It is clear that there are a variety of variants here, as the access code or input code can be configured, all these variants are covered by the invention. Cleverly, an access code is selected that can be entered quickly, but also ensures sufficient operating safety on the other side. Therefore, simple access codes are preferred.

Furthermore, it is advantageously provided in the proposal that the mobile control unit, after actuation by the user, both a radio and an optical signal is sent to the control unit, which in turn with both a receiving unit for the radio signal as well as for the optical signal is equipped and the control unit releases a movement of the pallet when the optical signal receiving unit receives a signal or, if only the radio signal receiving unit receives a signal, an access code is output at the output. This proposal further enhances comfort without sacrificing operational safety. The optical signal needs a free, in particular obstacle-free route between the transmitter, the mobile control unit and the receiving unit, which is provided on the control unit. In this situation, it is assumed that the user has an eye on the movement of the pallet or car parking device, just as the mobile control unit has a connection to the control unit via the optical signal. In this case, no access code has to be output at the output, since the actual purpose of the output of the access code is to ensure that the user has a clear view of the moving pallet or car park device and the output preferably located in close proximity , Reached by the two remote signals only the radio signal, the control unit, then it can be assumed that the user does not have a clear view of the car parking device or the pallet and then for reasons of operational safety and movement of the pallet has to be omitted. Of course, the user will notice that, despite its input, the pallet does not move as desired. He then positions himself to view the output (and palette), then picks up the signals on the output and adds his access code to his request.

As an optical signal while a wavelength spectrum is considered, which has a high absorption rate or rate of reflection of solids such as concrete, steel, glass, masonry or the like. Typical representatives (without wishing to be limited thereto) are, for example, infrared wavelength ranges.

In a preferred embodiment of the proposal, it is provided that the input of the input code is effected by a typing in of the user or by a recording of the input code by the camera present in the mobile control device.

The input takes place in many different ways and is not limited to a manual input alone. The term "input" encompasses every possible recording of the access code shown on the output into the mobile control unit and, of course, also includes semiautomated or automated variants, such as with a camera, in which case the mobile control unit has, for example. a smartphone or similar, a camera and on the smartphone running a program (app) that allows a corresponding evaluation of the access code recorded by the camera.As a result, the input code is then generated and transmitted to the control unit, or it is possible that the picture taken by the camera Image is transferred to the control unit, and there is evaluated accordingly. This suggestion is smart, because it uses existing resources several times anyway and also significantly increases the convenience of operating such a equipped car park device.

The object according to the invention is also surprisingly achieved by the use of a mobile terminal, such as a mobile telephone, a smart phone, a mobile computer, a tablet computer or the like, as a mobile control unit for controlling a car parking device. Since these devices now provide sufficient computing power, so that relatively complex applications can be monitored and controlled, whereby a safe operation of the generic car parking devices is achieved.

In particular, the use and use of such a mobile terminal in the above-described method and system advantageously becomes clear.

Furthermore, the use of a mobile terminal as described is advantageously provided so that a communication between the mobile terminal and the car parking device or the control unit and the car parking device is exclusively wireless via a local radio network or in another way, e.g. by radio or by infrared data transmission and not via a computerized network such as the Internet. Surprisingly, this functionality is not needed for the use of this mobile terminal.

The object stated at the outset is also achieved by a method for controlling the movement of a car parking device with a mobile control device, wherein the car parking device has a drive for the movement of at least one vehicle to be parked. Having a receiving pallet, and a control unit is provided for the drive, which is connected to the receiving unit of an interface area, and first the mobile control unit is placed in the interface area, for example, on or on, then a data connection between the interface - area and the mobile control unit is set up, and thereafter an input of control commands for the movement of the pallet of the car parking device via the mobile control unit, these control commands are transmitted via the connection to the interface area and from the interface area in the control unit and the data connection from a dead man's monitoring device is monitored.

Analogously to the method described above, the system described below also solves the problem described above. This system is used to control a car parking device with a mobile control unit, in particular for carrying out the method described above, the system having a car parking device with at least one, movable by a controllable drive, the vehicle to be parked receiving pallet and a control unit, wherein the control unit is connected to an interface area, which has at least one receiving unit suitable for wireless information reception, and the system comprises a mobile control unit with a transmitting unit, which is to be brought by the user to control the drive in the interface area.

This proposal according to the invention combines in a skilful manner a comfortable operation or control with a high degree of security. The convenient operation or control via the mobile control device, a mobile terminal, which is preferably designed as a mobile phone, smart phone, mobile computer or tablet computer. The free programmability and the wide distribution of this class of mobile devices are Advantages that are used in the realization of the system according to the invention, as well as in the implementation of the method. With this proposal, it is possible to realize a dead man's control for the operation of car parking devices controlled with smart phone and the like mobile control device / terminal. It is sufficient if the mobile control unit / terminal is brought into the interface area. The term "interface area" encompasses at least two contents: on the one hand, a connection is established via the interface between the mobile control unit and the control unit. The interface area thus also has a technical task; in particular, the interface area is equipped at least with a receiving unit, which in particular feeds the received data to the control unit. The term "area" also describes a local area, ie a space in which this interface actually works.

As the technology for the interface, for example, use is made of wireless, radio-based communication systems, which are conveniently provided as standard in the above-described terminals. This is, for example, the so-called near-field communication or the Bluetooth technology.

Near field communication (abbreviation NFC) is a transmission standard for the contactless exchange of data by radio technology over short distances of a few centimeters. It is designed to allow data exchange between two short-term, non-pending devices that are kept close to each other without any errors in the mutual assignment of the pairs. With this technology, a separate wireless network is not absolutely necessary, it comes only to a communication between the located in the interface area terminal and the interface. Also using the so-called Bluetooth technology, a distance-sensitive communication is feasible, with the help of this protocol, several terminals can access the control unit. By appropriate power control and the spatial width of the interface area is definable and adjustable from a few centimeters to about 50 cm, 1 or 2 m.

The interface area is chosen to be relatively small so as to cause the user who controls the car parking facility to be in the immediate vicinity of the interface or control unit or even the moving platforms. This allows the user to directly monitor the movement of the platform and, if necessary, intervene in case of malfunction.

The short-distance connection technology ensures that the user is in the immediate area of the platform, thus allowing the realization of deadman control. A control takes place only when the user, and his mobile control unit / terminal is on the one hand in the interface area and actually a conscious action of the user on the parking device, so for example a key press to move the platform is executed.

It is therefore advantageous that in the method it is provided that for the connection a short-range radio or infrared (or general optical information transmission) communication system, e.g. Near Field Communication (NFC) or Bluetooth is used.

In this case, provision is made in particular for the connection to be interrupted and / or the drive to be deactivated if the mobile control unit is removed from the interface area and / or no further input is made at the mobile control unit. A deliberate removal of the user leads to the termination of the connection and thus to a termination of the movement, as well as a passivity of the user is assumed that the user is no longer focused on the movement of the platform, and then also a (temporary) termination the movement is safer.

In an advantageous embodiment, a Totmannuberwachungsvorrichtung is provided for the movement of the pallet. Reference is made at this point to the various strategies and embodiments of the dead man monitoring device described in this application.

The use of a dead man monitoring device in technical systems, which in particular have movable elements and is usually not protected by a gate or the like from unauthorized access, is well known. The idea behind this proposal lies in the fact that, in particular, the mobile control unit, for example a mobile terminal, such as the mobile phone or smartphone or tablet computer, is used for realizing the dead man monitoring device. The dead man monitoring device is preferably formed in the area of the car parking device or as part of the control unit, but without reducing the proposal or this invention to these forms of implementation. Since modern smart phones or other mobile devices are arbitrarily programmable, it is of course also possible to realize the dead man monitoring device largely on the mobile terminal, for example in an intelligent software and then only the corresponding part of the dead man monitoring device, which faces the control device Output information, which then leads to an emergency stop or similar actions. It follows that the dead man's monitoring device is largely on the control unit, but also to a certain extent on the mobile control unit is feasible.

It should also be noted that a dead man's monitoring device is realized in further embodiments of the proposal completely on the part of the control unit and in particular only the presence or activity of the mobile control unit, which, as described, is designed very variable, observed or monitored and, at Presence of corresponding events, by an appropriate design of the algorithms, closes on a fault in the sense of deadman and then initiates appropriate scenarios that are deposited. Such a form of realization is for example already possible with a transponder.

In an advantageous embodiment, it is therefore provided that the dead man monitoring device has a contact surface and the dead man monitoring device prevents movement of the pallet when the mobile control device is not at, before or on the contact surface. The orientation of the contact surface is very variable (for example, horizontally, obliquely inclined, steeply inclined or vertically oriented) and in particular be designed so that it forces the user to his mobile control device, or mobile terminal on the contact surface itself in the hand hold and thus perform a conscious action. If the mobile control device is no longer on the abutment surface (for example, because the user is distracted and lowers the hand, or because the user drops the mobile control device or terminal), then the dead man's control has occurred, and further movement of the car parking device , or pallet is automatically suppressed.

In another variant of the embodiment of the dead man monitoring device, it is provided that the movement of the pallet is prevented if no input is made to the mobile control device. follows or the mobile control unit is not moved. This is based on an active action of the user on the mobile control unit or terminal and, if such activity is not detected, the case of deadman control adopted.

For example, it is provided that there is a program on the mobile control unit, or mobile terminal, via which the direction of movement of the pallet can be selected and controlled. The programming is chosen so that a movement of the pallet only takes place when the associated button is also pressed. This would then be the input to be monitored. Another variant would be that a shaking movement of the mobile terminal has to be made, which is perceptible by the mobile terminal as such (modern smartphones have corresponding acceleration sensors) and the absence of such shaking the case of dead man control is assumed.

It is clear that a deadman monitoring device can also combine several of the aforementioned variants with each other. It is also clear to the person skilled in the art that there are a multiplicity of different concepts for implementing a deadman monitoring device, all of which are encompassed by the present invention.

It is clear that the movement of the pallet at various points can be stopped by the deadman monitoring device. For example, the drives are available here, but it is also possible to provide fast-acting brakes, valves and the like in order to realize a short-term emergency stop. There are, for example, the use of attacks that are to be pivoted in the path of movement of the pallet or the like imaginable.

In addition, the use of such a mobile terminal opens up a variety of other possibilities, as will be described below. Namely, the object of the present invention is further solved by the following method for transmitting information. This relates to a method for the transmission of information, such as plant, state, operation or fault data or the like of a car parking device not connected to a computer-based network such as the Internet or another fixed installation, wherein a mobile terminal, such as a mobile - Telephone, smart phone, mobile computer or tablet computer, wired or wireless communicates with the control unit of the car park device or fixed installation, in this case, the information is transmitted from the control unit to the mobile terminal and the data from the mobile terminal via the computer-aided Network are transmitted to a target computer.

The trick of the invention is that the mobility of the mobile terminal is used. Usually, the mobile terminal in an underground car park, the typical location of the generic car parking device, no connection to the telephone network and therefore no Internet connection. Nevertheless, it is active and is used to control the car parking facility. In this application, the information described above can then be transmitted, and, as soon as the mobile terminal has dialed back into the telephone network, this information is transmitted via the computer-controlled network (the Internet) to a target computer.

It should be noted here that this aspect of the invention is, of course, not limited to the particular application of a car parking device but, of course, is applicable and equally advantageous in any other controlled, fixed installation not connected to the Internet. Since the reliability of a corresponding car parking device is significantly increased by this proposal according to the invention, this proposal also contributes to increase the safety of such a car parking device or system.

The transport of information is of course possible in both directions. Therefore, another aspect of the invention comprises a method for the transmission of information, such as e.g. Setting data, equipment parameters or control programs or the like, from a central computer connected to a computer-based network, such as the Internet, to the control unit of a car parking facility or other fixed installation, wherein the information is transmitted to a mobile terminal via the computerized network, and then the information therefrom mobile terminal wirelessly or wirelessly transmits to the not connected to the computer-based network control unit of the car park device or fixed installation.

It is thus proposed an Internet-based communication method for car parking facilities or other facilities that are not themselves connected to the Internet!

It is advantageous that the number of users, and therefore the frequency of use in car parking devices is relatively large and thus information transfer is sufficiently likely because the information to be transmitted redundantly distributed to multiple mobile devices, due to a corresponding user file (the user A is on the car parking device XYZ authorized, etc.) can be controlled. The information exchanged is usually not time-critical, so they do not have to be available in real time. However, this information supports the work for the maintenance and monitoring of such car parking facilities. The service staff is relieved or optimally controlled. Advantageously, it is provided that a transfer of the information to the mobile terminal and / or the control unit takes place only after a positive authentication check. The authentication check ensures that only the correct data is loaded on the mobile device or the control unit.

Furthermore, it is provided that the transmission of the information takes place during a control process of the car parking device or system, wherein the mobile terminal is used for the control process. At this time, the authentication check is usually completed, and the control process, which takes a certain amount of time, can be used twice. The user usually does not notice anything about this data transfer, and is / are not hindered or impaired in his control of the facility.

Furthermore, the object formulated above is achieved by a method for controlling the movement of a car parking device, which has a drive for the movement of at least one, the parking vehicle receiving pallet and before the car parking device, a control area is provided and the control unit movement of the pallet only then releases when the user with the mobile controller is in the control area.

Analogously to the method described above, the system described below also solves the problem formulated at the outset. Here, a system is provided, which is provided for controlling a car parking device with a mobile control device, the system having a car parking device with at least one, movable by a controllable drive, the vehicle to be parked receiving pallet and a control unit, and the system a mobile control unit having a receiving unit to be brought by the user to control the drive in the control area.

This is a very comfortable suggestion, since the system or the method ultimately autonomously, automatically recognizes whether a movement of the pallet may or may not take place. If the user is not in the control area with his mobile controller, which is part of the system, there is a risk that the user will not have any direct visual contact with the car parking device and, logically, can not monitor movement of the platform.

Here are cleverly exploited functions that have modern mobile devices such as smartphones. There is provided an array of one or more control areas which are then detected by the sensors or elements (e.g., antennas or receiving units) of the mobile terminal, and then evaluated by, for example, an evaluation software installed on the mobile terminal. In this case, the system is cleverly realized so that the control area is in a geometric arrangement to the car parking device, which allows a secure control of the car parking device by the user. Of course, it is basically possible for such a system to have a plurality of different control areas in order to operate, for example, also larger car parking facilities sequentially safely. It is therefore also possible to provide a plurality of control area cells, which are also included in this proposal.

Release of the movement of the pallet is not granted until the user with the mobile controller / terminal is in the control area. This condition is detected by the mobile controller / terminal! For example, it is see that in the presence of this condition, the software on the mobile terminal allows access to the control unit of the car parking device. Alternatively, it is possible that in the presence of this condition, a data connection is established to the control unit or a corresponding presence information is given to the control unit, which then releases the movement of the pallet.

In an advantageous embodiment, a deadman monitoring device for the movement of the pallet is also provided here. Reference is made at this point to the various strategies and configurations of the dead man monitoring device described in this application.

Cleverly, it is provided that the system has at least one sector transmitter and the control range is defined as a function of the field strength of the at least one sector transmitter. Due to the size of the field strength, the distance of the measuring location to the sector transmitter can be determined. The field strength thus implies location information. If the signals of several sector transmitters are now considered or evaluated, a precise definition or delimitation of the control range is also possible. Cleverly, the mobile terminal, which has a correspondingly sensitive and evaluating receiving unit, can always be used for this purpose.

In another variant, the control area is defined, for example, by one or more motion detectors, and when the user is in the control area, the control unit releases the operation via the mobile control unit / terminal, ie, for example, an authentication takes place the car parking device, or the construction of a data connection. In this context, it should be noted in particular that all features and characteristics described in relation to the system for controlling a car park system or the advantageous use of a mobile terminal, but also methods, also apply mutatis mutandis to the wording of the method according to the invention for controlling the movement of a car parking facility or Method for the transmission of information transferable and usable in the context of the invention and be regarded as disclosed. The same also applies in the opposite direction, that is to say constructional, ie device-specific, features mentioned in relation to the methods (method for controlling the movement of a car park system or method for transmitting information) can also be taken into account and claimed within the scope of the claims of the system and are also part of the revelation.

The same applies analogously to the use according to the invention. As far as features in the two methods (method for controlling the movement of a car park system or method for transmitting information) and the system are mentioned, these may also be claimed in terms of use and are deemed to be disclosed.

The same applies to the two systems described according to the invention, as well as the associated inventive methods. Features that are described only in the one system / method can be used in the same way in the other system / method.

The invention and its various embodiments can be used both in Parker, double or multiple parker, as well as in parking systems.

In the drawing, the invention is shown schematically in particular in one embodiment. Show it: Fig. 1 in a schematic view of the system according to the invention

FIG. 2 shows a detail according to FIG. 1

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of the inventive method

Fig. 4a, 4b each in a view a detail of an embodiment of the system according to the invention

Fig. 5 in a plan view another

Embodiment of the system according to the invention

In the figures, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals and therefore, if not appropriate, will not be described again. The disclosures contained in the entire description are mutatis mutandis to the same parts with the same reference numerals or identical component names transferable. Also, the location information chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc. related to the immediately described and illustrated figure and are to be transferred to the new situation mutatis mutandis when a change in position. Furthermore, individual features or combinations of features from the illustrated and described different embodiments may represent for themselves, inventive or inventive solutions.

In Fig. 1, the inventive system 1 is shown schematically. It consists, as already described, of the car parking device 2 and a mobile control unit 3. In the here shown Embodiment, the car parking device 2 consists of at least one park 22. The park 22 has two superimposed pallets 21, 21a, 21b, on which the vehicles to be parked 20, 20a, 20b stand. As a drive (not shown) for the vertical movement (see double arrow 23) is for example a driven by a hydraulic motor working cylinder 24 or driven by an electric motor rope or chain hoist.

For the control of the car parking device 2 and the park 22, a control unit 4 is provided. It is connected via a data line 49 to the drive of the respective parking facility 22. As already stated, a car parking device 2 definitely comprises a plurality of parking systems 22 set up in parallel, which in turn have at least one pallet 21 for parking vehicles.

The control unit 4 is described in more detail in FIG. The control unit 4 has a receiving unit 40, which receives information from the mobile control units 3. Here, for example, several different types of mobile control units 3 are provided and shown. In a first, simple variant, a simple hand-held transmitter 3a is proposed as a mobile control unit 3. As indicated, this hand-held transmitter 3a has five keys (keys A, B, C, key up and key down).

If the user now wishes to move the pallet 21, for example because his vehicle 20 is to be moved from an upper to a lower extended position, the output 42 of the control unit 4, here for example a display 42, displays a sequence of different symbols , For example, on the display 42, the alphabet ACB appears. This order corresponds to the access code. The user takes this output was optically and enters this symbol sequence ACB in his hand-held transmitter 3a. This speaks the input code. If the input code transmitted from the hand-held transmitter 3a to the control unit 4 now corresponds to the access code, then the control unit permits access of the mobile control unit 3 to the parking device control 44 (a part of the control unit 4, see FIG. 2). Now the user can lower the corresponding pallet 21 via the "down" key, such a control being possible only for a certain time window for safety reasons.If the user has not yet started the control within this time window, a new access code will appear at the output / Display 42 is displayed.

The corresponding control command to the drives is transmitted from the control unit 4 via the data line 49 to the drive.

As already stated, the system or method according to the invention can be carried out not only with a simple radio remote control 3a, but in the same way also via a much more comfortable mobile terminal 3b, such as the smartphone shown here.

In this case, the smartphone 3b can communicate with the control unit 4 via the same channel as with the radio remote control 3a. But it is cleverer if, instead of this simple, unidirectional operation, a local radio network 5 is used which on the one hand provides a standardized protocol for the transmission of data, thus ensuring safe operation and at the same time allowing communication in both directions.

In Figure 2, the structure of the control unit 4 is shown schematically. A receiving unit 40 receives the data transmitted by the mobile control unit 3 and first forwards them to an authentication unit 45. The authentication unit 45 consists on the one hand of a file in which the data of the users, the are entitled to control this car parking device, are deposited. At the same time, the authentication unit also includes a comparator, ie it is checked whether the received information actually comes from an authorized user. Of course, if there is information of an unauthorized user, access to the parking device controller 44 is already denied at this point. This can be signaled by a corresponding message or optical display. In addition, a memory 46 is connected to the authentication unit 45, in which the user's access to the control unit 4 is logged in detail.

The control unit 4 also has a code generator 41. This is a random generator which randomly outputs symbols to the output 42, here a display 42. In the simple embodiment of an output 42 shown here, a visual display 42 consisting of three different lights A, B, C is provided, but without limiting the invention thereto. As already described, there are a number of variants which use symbols and how they are displayed. All of these variants are encompassed by the present invention.

In Fig. 3, the inventive method for transmitting information is shown schematically. With the rectangle 10, the situation shown in FIG. 1 is indicated. It should be expressed that a car parking device 2 is normally located in an area of a building which is disconnected from the mobile phone network (and thus also from the Internet), for example in an underground car park. As already stated, a communication takes place between the mobile terminal, the smartphone 3b with the control unit 4 via the local radio network 5, a WLAN or WIFI. The car parking device 2 is not connected to the Internet. However, it makes the local network 5 available. While now with the mobile device 3b, as described, the parking facility 22 is moved, the control unit 4 transmits information such as, for example, facility, status, operating or fault data to the mobile terminal 3b. This situation is indicated by the one in the circle, which describes the first location of the use of the mobile terminal 3b in the method according to the invention for the transmission of information.

The second step of the method according to the invention for the transmission of information is indicated by 2 in the circle. The same mobile terminal 3b (as from the position 1 in a circle) is now moved out, for example, with the user and the vehicle from the parking garage and is back in the range of mobile phone network and builds with the transmitting / receiving station or antenna 60 of the mobile phone network a connection 62 on. In this case, the mobile phone network 62 is also part of the computerized network 6, the Internet. As soon as this data connection is restored to the Internet 6, the mobile terminal 3b transmits the information recorded in the underground garage to a destination computer 61 which is on the Internet 6. Thus, it is possible to send information from a non-Internet connected device to a destination computer that is on the Internet. Of course, this communication channel can also be used in the other direction.

FIGS. 4a and 4b show different variants of the dead man monitor 7. As already explained, it is provided, for example, that the dead man monitoring device 7 is (predominantly) part of the control unit 4.

In particular, it is stated in FIG. 4 a that the dead man monitoring device 7 is equipped with a contact surface 70 which is oriented horizontally and to which the user hangs up his mobile control device 3, in particular his mobile device 3 b (for example a smartphone). The dead man monitoring device 7 is with the near field communication technology (NFC), or a equipped similar protocol, which is also supported by the mobile control unit 3.

It is thus possible for the receiving unit 40 of the dead man monitoring device 7, which in this case is also identical to the receiving unit 40 of the control unit 4, to the mobile control unit 3 to (in particular bidirectional) data exchange (indicated by the waves) and one Movement of the pallet 21 prevents, for example, if no control inputs are made on the mobile control unit 3, since then it can be assumed that the control unit 3 has only been deposited on the support surface 70, but in fact no movement of the pallet 21 should take place.

FIG. 4b shows another variant of the embodiment of the dead man monitoring device 7. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the abutment surface 70 is provided vertically oriented and does not form a storage option for the mobile terminal 3b or mobile control unit 3. The user is thus encouraged to actively hold his mobile terminal 3b against the abutment surface 70 and in turn builds this Mobile terminal 3b on a data connection with the receiving unit 40 of the control unit 4 and Totmannüberwach- device 7 on. Already this activity of the user is enough to realize the deadman monitoring, because if the user lowers the arm because he is distracted or fainted, for example, the data connection with the receiving unit immediately stops and the dead man monitoring device 7 stops immediately another movement of the pallet 21.

The dead man monitoring device 7 is realized completely on the control unit 4 in a first embodiment. In this case, the control unit 4 allows the movement of the pallet only if there is a positive signal of the deadman monitoring device 7, which is queried for example as a corresponding data flake (simple J / N query). In hundred percent embodiment of the Totmannuberwachungsvorrichtung 7 on the control unit 4, this also monitors that appropriate input or presence information from the mobile control unit 3 are present, the entire other logic is realized by the control unit 4.

In an alternative embodiment, the Totmannuberwachungsvorrichtung 7 is partly realized on the one hand on the control unit 4 and on the other hand on the mobile control unit 3, for example in such a way that on the mobile control unit 3, or mobile terminal 3b, a program of Totmannuberwachungsvorrichtung, the necessary instructions provides for the user and thereafter only the information "user active" or "user inactive" transmitted to the control unit 4. The control unit 4 causes a movement of the pallet 21 as a function of this information.

Of course, it is possible to combine these two concepts with each other. The person skilled in the art also recognizes further concepts for the realization of a dead man monitoring device 7 which ultimately has to monitor the activity of the user and, in the event of an apparent inactivity of the user, for whatever reason, prevents further movement of the pallet 21.

FIG. 5 shows a further exemplary embodiment according to the invention in plan view. 25, the common access area to the individual parks 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d is shown, which together form the car parking device 2. 9 shows a user who holds a mobile control unit 3, preferably a mobile terminal 3b, like a smartphone in his hand. He is located in the access area 25 in front of the park 22c and would like, for example, this park 22c lower to get to his vehicle. In a very comfortable and at the same time safer way, the movement just this park 22c (or even a car parking device 2 in general) is realized by the system described here. In the access area 25, in front of the parking area 22c, there is a control area 8. The user 9 is only able to control the parking area 22c in the control area 8. The control areas 8 is selected, for example, so that the user can actually only move the park 22c when he is in the immediate vicinity of the park 22c and the car parking device 2 (this is often regarded as synonymous in the context of this application) and Thus, in direct eye contact with the park 22c and car parking device 2 and can terminate the movement of the platforms 21 in case of misconduct.

Indicated at 80, 80a, 80b and 80c are several sector transmitters emitting a directional radio signal (for example in the radio frequency band, but other frequency bands are also conceivable, for example in the optical domain as defined in this application). The boundaries of the directional radio signals are indicated by different dashed lines and are chosen so that the four indicated here parks 22 each lie in the radio field of the respective sector transmitters 80, 80a, 80b and 80c.

Using a directional radio signal saves energy. However, the invention is not fixed on this, but the sector transmitter can also radiate radio waves homogeneously in all spatial directions in order to achieve the effect according to the invention.

It is clear that the respective field strength of the sector transmitter decreases with increasing distance from the sector transmitter. If you now know a field strength at a first distance, you can draw conclusions about what field strength you at a certain distance to a sector transmitter. By way of this it is possible to define the limits of the control areas 8 (only one is indicated in FIG. 5 in order not to jeopardize the clarity, it is, of course, possible to define a plurality of such control areas or cells of control areas). It is easy to see that the radio fields of the different sector transmitters overlap one another and thus this redundant configuration allows a very precise definition of the respective control areas 8 and thus even in the case of large-area car parking devices, which indeed has a large number of parks, the user 9 is exactly in front the respective park, which he also wants to control. The redundant design allows for a higher positional accuracy of the respective limits of the control areas 8 on the one hand and on the other hand, a higher reliability in the event that a sector transmitter 80, 80a, 80b and 80c fails.

The claims now filed with the application and later are without prejudice to the attainment of further protection.

If, on closer examination, in particular also of the relevant prior art, it appears that one or the other feature is beneficial for the purpose of the invention, but not crucial, it is of course already desired to have a formulation which is such a feature , in particular in the main claim, no longer having. Such a sub-combination is also covered by the disclosure of this application.

It should further be noted that the embodiments and variants of the invention described in the various embodiments and shown in the figures can be combined with one another as desired. Here, one or more features are arbitrarily interchangeable. These feature combinations are also disclosed with. The referenced in the dependent claims refer back to the further development of the subject of the main claim by the features of the respective subclaim. However, these are not to be understood as a waiver of obtaining independent, objective protection for the features of the dependent claims.

Features which have been disclosed only in the description or also individual features from claims which comprise a plurality of features can at any time be taken over as being of essential importance for the purpose of differentiation from the prior art in the independent claim (s), even then, if such features have been mentioned in connection with other features or achieve particularly favorable results in connection with other features.

Claims

Claims:

Method for controlling the movement of a car parking device (2), which has a drive for the movement of at least one pallet (21, 21a, 21b) accommodating the vehicle (20, 20a, 20b) to be parked, wherein a control unit (22) is provided for the drive, and at an output an access code is output, an input code is input to a mobile control unit (3), the input code is wirelessly transmitted to the control unit (22) and the control unit (22) controls a movement of the pallet (21 , 21a, 21b) only free when the input code corresponds to the access code.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that

a time window is provided for the release and / or an authentication of the mobile control unit (3) is carried out before the release, the release depends on a positive authentication check and if necessary the authentication is also stored. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a sequence of different symbols is indicated on the output as the access code and / or as the access code a total symbol formed from a plurality of different symbols is shown on the output.

Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that from the mobile control device (3), after actuation by the user, both a radio and an optical signal to the control unit (22) is sent, which in turn with both a receiving unit for the radio signal as well as the optical signal is equipped and the control unit (22) releases a movement of the pallet (21, 21a, 21b) when the optical signal receiving unit receives a signal or if only the radio signal receiving unit is on Signal receives, at the output an access code is issued.

Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the input of the input code is effected by a typing in of the user or by a recording of the input code by the camera present in the mobile control unit (3).

System for controlling a car parking device (2) with a mobile control unit (3), in particular for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system (1) comprises a car parking device (2) with at least one movable by a controllable drive and a control unit (22), wherein the control unit (22) has a control unit (22) for which wireless information is stored. receiving unit (40), a code generator (41), an output (42), a code comparator (43) and a parking device controller (44), and the code generator (41) generates an access code, the output (42) outputs this, the receiving unit (40) receives an input code sent by the mobile control unit (3), and the code comparator (43) compares the access code and the input code and, if these codes are identified, control possibility of the parking device controller (44) by the mobile control unit ( 3) and in particular a deadman monitoring device (7) for the movement of the pallet (21) is provided.

7. System according to claim 6, characterized in that the mobile control unit (3) as a hand-held transmitter (3a), as an electronic circuit such as an RFID circuit or as a mobile terminal (3b) such. B. a mobile phone or smart phone, mobile computer or tablet computer is formed and / or the control unit (22) comprises an authentication unit (45) which evaluates the of the mobile control unit (3) transmitted authentication information and possibly also in a memory (46) stores.

8. System according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the system (1) for the communication between the mobile control unit (3) and the receiving unit (40) has a local radio network (5), and the control unit (22) in addition to a receiving unit (40) also comprises a transmitting unit (47) and / or the output (42) is at least in close proximity to the moving pallet (21, 21a, 21b) and / or as an output (42) has a display (42 ) or a speaker is provided.

9. Use of a mobile terminal, such as a mobile telephone, smart phone, a mobile computer, a tablet computer or the like as a mobile control unit for controlling a car parking device, in particular as part of a system according to one of claims 6 to 8 and 13 , 14, 16 or 17, and / or for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 5 or 11 to 12 and 15.

10. Use according to claim 9, characterized in that

a communication between the mobile terminal (3b) and the car parking device (2) or the control unit (22) of the car parking device (2) exclusively via a local radio network (5) or otherwise wirelessly, z. B. by radio or by infrared data transmission (for example, near field communication or Bluetooth) and not via a computer-based network such as the Internet, takes place.

11. A method for controlling the movement of a car parking device (2) with a mobile control unit (3), wherein the car parking device (2) has a drive for the movement of at least one pallet (21, 20a, 20b) receiving the vehicle (20, 20a, 20b) to be parked. 21a, 21b), and a control unit (22) is provided for the drive, which is connected to the receiving unit of an interface area, and first the mobile control unit (3) is placed in the interface area, for example, on or on, then a data connection between the interface area and the mobile control unit (3) is established, and thereafter an input of control commands for the movement of the pallet of the car parking device via the mobile control unit (3), these control commands via the connection to the interface area and from the interface area in the control unit (22) and the data connection is monitored by a dead man monitor.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that

for the connection, short-range radio or infrared communication technology, such as e.g. Near field communication (NFC) or Bluetooth is used and / or the connection is interrupted and / or the drive is disabled when the mobile control unit (3) is removed from the interface area and / or no longer takes place at the mobile control unit (3).

13. A system for controlling a car parking device (2) with a mobile control unit (3), in particular for carrying out the method according to any one of the preceding claims 11 to 12, wherein the system (1) a car parking device (2) with at least one, by a controllable Drive movable, the vehicle to be parked (20, 20a, 20b) receiving pallet (21, 21a, 21b) and a control unit (22), wherein the control unit (22) is connected to an interface area, the at least one for the wireless information reception a suitable receiving unit (40), and the system comprises a mobile control unit (3) with a transmitting unit to be brought by the user to control the drive in or to the interface area and in particular a Totmannuberwachungsvorrichtung (7) for the movement of the pallet (21 ) is provided.

14. System according to any one of claims 6, 7, 8, 13, 16 and 17,

characterized in that the dead man monitoring device (7) has a contact surface (70) and the dead man monitoring device (7) prevents movement of the pallet (21) when the mobile control device (3) not on, in front of or on the contact surface (70) and / or the deadman monitoring device (7) prevents the movement of the pallet (21) when no input to the mobile control unit (3) or the mobile control unit (3) is not moved ,

15. A method for controlling the movement of a car parking device (2) which has a drive for the movement of at least one pallet (21, 21a, 21b) receiving the vehicle (20, 20a, 20b) to be parked and in front of the car parking device (2). a control area (8) is provided and the control unit (4) only releases a movement of the pallet (21, 21a, 21b) when the user (9) with the mobile control unit (3) is in the control area (8).

16. A system for controlling a car parking device (2) with a mobile control unit (3), in particular for carrying out the method according to claim 15, wherein the system (1) a car parking device (2) with at least one, movable by a controllable drive, the parked vehicle (20, 20a, 20b) receiving pallet (21, 21a, 21b) and a control unit (22), and the system comprises a mobile control unit (3) with a receiving unit, the user for controlling the drive in the control area (8) and in particular the deadman monitoring device (7) is provided for the movement of the pallet (21).

17. System according to claim 16, characterized in that the

System has at least one sector transmitter (80, 80a, 80b, 80c) and the control range (8) in dependence on the field strength of the at least one sector transmitter (80, 80a, 80b, 80c) is fixed.