FR2698988A1 - Individual units for control of payment for motor vehicle parking - uses remote loading of prepayment and parking rates and has photocells to allow unit display to be controlled from outside vehicle. - Google Patents

Abstract

The parking payment control has individual units that are carried in each vehicle and set by the user. The units can be loaded over telephone lines after a prepayment has been received. The unit is left behind the windscreen of a parked vehicle and the prepayment is automatically debited after the unit has been set by the driver. The control of correct usage of these units is by means of a display and photo-voltaic 'buttons' on the front of the unit that can be operated from outside the vehicle by obstructing the light falling on a 'button'. The parking attendant can control display of the history of usage of the unit to ensure there has been no fraudulent operation. USE/ADVANTAGE - Allows single parking system to be loaded with local data and therefore used in different towns, and gives good security against misuse.

Description

The invention relates to the field of methods and devices intended for the collection of parking taxes and for the control of infringements.

It relates more particularly to surface urban parking, whether limited or not limited time.

In this area, it is common knowledge that none of the systems in service (or in experimentation) meets the legitimate expectations of motorists-users, among others - payment without money or a specific payment card.

- price proportional to real parking time.

- more practical, faster, less restrictive system - standard system, identical in all cities and, no more, than those of the managing municipalities: - simplified operation - centralized management - more flexibility to establish tariffs, modify them,
modulate them.

- simplified control of infringements - system eliminating fraud and embezzlement.

The present invention relates to a self-contained individual device. associated with a telematics system of which it is a terminal and which fulfills three main functions
Function 1. Download. The user goes through a public station to charge his device, for an amount he selects. In return for debiting his account, identified by the bank card presented in the reader fitted to the station, parking units are credited to him, then transferred to a protected memory of the device.

The loading is carried out in units and not in francs; thus, each municipality determines and modifies according to its own criteria, the selling price of the unit, or unit parking tax
Tariffs are therefore established and expressed in units per hour. This method allows the implementation of declining rates which provide financial compensation to users, depending on the amount of money they advance.

They select this sum (eg 50 to 300 F.) using the keyboard screens of the minitels fitted to the stations.

A device memory protection device prevents any possibility of fraud. It consists of a calculation unit and a comparator, linked to the computer of the server center. Access to the memory is only authorized, for loading, if there is absolute identity between the results of the calculations carried out on both sides, according to versatile algorithms.

The public download stations, standard equipment, autonomous and automatic, are connected to a single server center by the national network of telephone lines. They consist of a special minitel, a credit card reader modem, a modem for connecting the individual device and a receipt printer.

The telematic server centralizes all the data specific to each city. data relating to the rates and regulations in force.

 It provides global computerized management.

The public stations also carry out the following operations - verification of the device confidential code, for "anti-theft" protection - downloading of the variable parameters involved for
the calculation of the number of units to be debited.

- reset the integrated pilot clock time.

- functional remote control - issuing of receipts - user information (via the Minitel screen).

This system authorizes balance transfer operations, so that the user can park in all cities using only one device. I1 allows standardization of individual equipment, stations and devices.

Function 2. Unit flow and time counting
The user, before leaving his vehicle, puts his device into service by entering his confidential "anti-theft" code, then selects the parameters corresponding to his situation, ie - number of the zone where he is parked - type of his vehicle: petrol or electric - resident or non-resident.

the
Then, it places in a special support, studied so that the front face is pressed against the inside face of the left front window of the vehicle.

If it is parked, or as soon as it enters a paying time slot, the units are debited automatically according to variable parameters and the passage of time, measured by the internal pilot clock.

The flow of units stops automatically at the end of the paid time slot.

If the parking is located in a limited time zone, in the same way, the authorized time will be counted. A wanti-ventouseU function blocks any possibility of stopping this counting, for a determined period, before and after the time initially allocated. There is a marked violation as soon as the authorized time is exceeded (with the possibility of a deductible). A red light then flashes, to alert the contract agent.

The vehicle type parameters: petrol or electric, allow cities to conduct a policy aimed at promoting non-polluting vehicles by applying reduced rates to them.

The parameters: resident, non-resident, allow the motorist who selects "non-resident" to have (once per 24 hours) a limited time during which he can park, without being considered in violation, in a city other than the one where he resides, that is to say: the city whose code appears on the display in the event of a check.

Function 3. Control of infringements and authenticity
For the use of Contractual Agents, the device includes a sequential display which allows the visualization of a set of memorized data, necessary for control, as well as a flashing red light for the signaling of infringements (counter units at Zero, overshoot limited time).

The sequences are displayed by controlling an integrated device, simply by selective manual blackout of photovoltaic cells, through the left front window of the vehicle.

This control device, due to its sophistication, also fulfills an investigative function which makes it possible to verify the authenticity of the device and to rule out any attempt at fraud.

By fulfilling these three functions, the device meets the expectations listed on page 1 (non-exhaustive list ..)
The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention and its context:
Figure 1 - The telematics system and the terminal device
Figure 2 - The individual device
Figure 3 - Arrangement of the device in the vehicle
Figure 4 - Block diagram
Figure 1 - The telematics system consists of - a server center (1) funded and managed by an EIG

bringing together all the municipalities that have adopted the system.

- a set of networks for downloading electronic payment devices (2) "STAM". Each city-specific network is made up of a well-defined number of stations, distributed judiciously, so that users can recharge their devices 24 hours a day.

- a set of individual devices (3) purchased by users. Alternative solutions can be proposed, for example: free temporary provision, rental.

Figure 2 - The device is presented as a waterproof and tamper-resistant case, in credit card format. I1 has on one side, a display (1) type L.C.D. with 6 characters, an indicator light (2) and a group of 4 photovoltaic cells (3).

On the other side, instructions are printed.

On the right edge, a waterproof socket (4) for connection to the "STAM" modem.

On the edge on the left, a drawer (5) for extracting the battery (6). The other two edges are designed so as to obtain correct guidance and sliding over the long term when introduced into a modem. Inside the housing are housed the electronic devices.

Figure 3 - After having put it into service, the user places his device (1) in a support (2) designed so that the front face is pressed against the inside of the left front window (3). This arrangement - makes it easier to read the display (4) whatever the lighting conditions may be: type, level, direction, day or night, etc.

- allows to hide the photovoltaic cells (5) to control the sequential display device.

- eliminates the risk, for the user, of forgetting to switch off the device when leaving a parking lot.

- reduces heating by direct solar radiation (greenhouse effect) and allows natural ventilation of the device by slightly lowering the glass.

Figure 4 - A set of electronic devices, including integrated circuits and various components, performs the following functions
Interface (1) consisting of a connection socket (4) (FIG.2) and a device managing data transfers between device and server, via a public station. This device is equipped with a read-only memory receiving the confidential "anti-theft" code.

Unit memory (2) consisting of three decades (unit, ten, hundred). Its condition permanently reflects the credit balance of parking units. Credited by download, it is debited when the device is in service and parking in a paid time slot, by tops issued by a calculation unit.

A protection system prohibits any possibility of fraudulent loading, that is to say outside a public station.

Its status can be viewed by the sequential display.

Parameter memories downloaded (3). They contain data, updated with each download, necessary for the calculation of the units to be debited, either - zone tariff (units / hour) - tariff applicable to electric vehicles (coefficient
reduction).

- limited durations according to the zones (hours and minutes), with possible franchises stopped by the cities (+ 5 to 10 ') - calendar of the current year and number of the day, this in order to be able to modulate the tariffs according to the days of week or time of year (tourist towns). It is also used for summer / winter time changes.

- decreasing unit tariff bracket retained during the previous loading, for balance transfer calculations.

- paying time slots.

These memories also contain data necessary for control by contractual agents, ie - city code (3 digits) - maximum number of days authorized between two consecutive loads, counting down by the pilot clock.

NB: this parameter makes it possible to update the data in memory with a known periodicity and also to use for the balance transfer calculations, the tariff in force at the time of the previous loading of units.

Pilot clock (4) It is reset to the time of each download and controls the following devices - calculation unit - limited parking time counting unit - hourly comparator - calendar - number of days between two downloads
It includes a device, controlled by the calendar, for summer / winter time changes.

Parameter memories selectable (5) by user only - on or off, depending on paid or free parking - number of parking zone (1 to 5) - type of vehicle, petrol or electric (0 or 1) - resident or non-resident (0 or 1)
Transducers (6), associated with each of the photo voltaic cells. they provide, through a memorization and delay device, the "man / machine" dialogue function for - switching the device on and off - selection of parameters - sequential display.

Counting unit (7), it operates the counting of the authorized time for limited-time zones, controlled by the clock. It includes a device ensuring a temporary blocking of the commissioning which limits the "suction cup" effect.

Hourly comparator (8), it delivers the start and stop tops for the debit of the units and the time counting, by comparing the paying time slots in memory, to the time delivered by the clock
Calculation unit (9), this device takes into account all the variable parameters, involved in determining the number of units to be debited as a function of the passage of time. I1 delivers tops to the units memory, corresponding to whole units, through a buffer memory accounting for fractions d of units, controlled by the clock, in 100ths of an hour (36 seconds).

Calculation example
Base unit price = 2.00 F
Zone 2 parking, price = 4 units / hour
Petrol vehicle, coefficient = 1
Day number, coefficient = 1
Elapsed time 1h.15 '= 1.25 (1 hour and 25 / 100ths) or: 4 x 1 x 1 x 1.25 = 5 units at 2.00 F = 10 F
Display control (10) - device controlling a 7-segment LCD display (11), 6 characters, as well as a red indicator light (12).

I1 allows the sequential timed display of stored data, necessary for contract agents to carry out their checks, as well as for users to check their devices. Four sequences are planned
Sequence 1 - number of parking units, 3 characters (CDU) - elapsed time, limited parking, 3 characters (H. and Mn)
Sequence 2 - city code, 3 characters - resident, non-resident, 1 character (0 or 1) - zone number, 1 character (1 to 5) - vehicle type, petrol or electric, 1 character (0 or 1)
Sequence 3 - clock display, 6 characters (H / Mn / Sec.)
Sequence 4 - Day number of the year, 3 characters - Time credit balance in number of days, 3 characters
This device also controls the indicator by
Intermittent ignition indicating the following infractions
- empty unit counter (000)
- allowed time overrun
Fixed ignition, for 5 seconds, from activation
service, to alert the user when
- unit counter less than or equal to 20
- day credit less than or equal to 10
The stand-alone device has a power supply
consisting of a rechargeable lithium battery (13), 3 volts, housed in an extraction drawer. A charger (14)
powered by a group of three photovoltaic cells
(15) which also provide, with the cell (16), a function
control, in connection with the "transducers" device.

Command, by occultation of cells 1/2/3/4 - Diagram.

(NB- in bold, hidden cells)
DISPLAY CELL FUNCTIONS Ex.

Walk by secret code (ex. 4372) 4- 1 2 3 4
3- 1 2 3 4 4372 *
7 1 2 3 4
2- 1 2 3 4 * after correct dialing, the code display disappears. I1 is replaced by ON
OFF 1 2 3 4 OFF
Parameter selection
- Resident 1 2 3 4 - - - 0 -
- Non-resident (by iteration) 1 2 3 4 - - - 1 -
- Zone number (1 to 5 "") 1 2 3 4 - - - - 1
- Petrol vehicle 1 2 3 4 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 0
- "electric (by iteration) 1 2 3 4 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 1
Display sequences, for Control
-S1-units + parking time 1 2 3 4 1 5 4 0 5 2 -S2-City code + Res + Zone + Vehicle 1 2 3 4 2 1 0 0 1 0 -53- Hour, (H / Mn / Sec) 1 2 3 4 0 9 3 5 4 7
-S4- Day of the year + credit days 1 2 3 4 2 3 4 0 9 3
The invention is capable of application in all the municipalities managing paid parking lots and, first of all, in medium and small towns because - the investment required is limited to a participation in the GIE CENTER SERVEUR, proportional to the figure taxes, as well as the commissioning of some public download stations.

- The return on investment is rapid, due to a drastic reduction in maintenance, operating and management costs, made possible by the implementation of this system and the use by motorists-users of individual devices , mainly purchased.

Claims (9)

1 / Individual device (Fig 2) for the payment of parking fees, characterized in that it is a terminal of a telematic system ensuring the functions of downloading parking units (Fig. 4) in a protected memory, automatic debit of parking units (Fig. 4) if the parking is, or enters a paid time slot, authorized time counting and control of infringements and authenticity (Fig. 4) of a sequential display device controlled by selective manual blackout of photovoltaic cells through the left front window of the vehicle (Fig.3) 2 / The device is characterized in that it includes a double anti-theft protection ", by confidential code in read-only memory and thus, on download, the server reads the code and asks the user to type it (minitel station dialog) for identification and authorization, and moreover, for switching on his device, the USA ger must enter his code number by obscuring the photovoltaic cells. 3 / The device according to claim 1, is characterized by a device for protecting the memory units, prohibiting any possibility of fraudulent loading, that is to say without going through a public station, consisting of a calculation unit and d '' a comparator, this device is linked to the server computer before any unit download operation and access authorization is only issued if there is absolute identity between the results of the calculations on both sides according to versatile algorithms. 4 / The device according to claim 1, is associated with a single telematic server which has in memory all the data specific to each city, relating to the tariffs and regulations in force and therefore capable of ensuring centralized management. 5 / The device according to claim 4, is characterized by the fact that a centralized management authorizes the balance transfer operations allowing the user to park in all the cities having adopted the system with one and the same device, because, although having loaded it initially in city A, the user can use it in city B via a public station of the latter, the central server then identifying: city code A, unit balance, declining tariff band and date of the previous load before proceeding to calculate the sum corresponding to this data, which it automatically deducts from the amount to be paid for the units requested in town B so that this sum can be charged to the debit for town A and to the credit for the city B. 6 / The device according to the preceding claims is characterized in that the system and the methods used allow a total standardization of the devices and that only one type can be used in all the cities adopting the system of the invention, since all the variable parameters, specific to each city, are taken into account, managed and transferred by a single server center. 7 / The device comprises, at the level of the device for selecting parameters by the user, two original possibilities, vehicle type, so that cities can conduct a policy aimed at promoting non-polluting (electric) vehicles by applying reduced prices to them and, resident / non-resident, allowing the user, once every 24 hours, to park without being considered in violation in a city other than the one where he resides, i.e. the city whose code appears on the display during a check. 8 / The apparatus is characterized in that the unit for counting the limited time is equated with an "anti-suction" device preventing the resetting of its memory, by voluntary stopping of the apparatus, for 30 minutes before and after the time initially allocated, with a maximum before and after, of 30 minutes from the shutdown of the device, the user therefore not being able to breach the regulations by periodically rejoining their vehicle to stop and immediately return their device to walk, maneuver which, without this device, would reset the count to zero. 9 / The device according to claim 1, is also characterized in that it comprises a device for the use of contract agents for the control of offenses, consisting of a sequential display of the data in memory controlled by simple occultation manual selection of photovoltaic cells, through the left front window. 10 / The control means according to claim 9, due to their sophistication, also fulfill an investigative function, making it possible to verify the authenticity of the device and to rule out any attempt at fraud (example: decoy device) .