FR2823892A1 - Parking meter for multiple car park spaces includes indicators corresponding to spaces, and selector used by customer when paying - Google Patents

Abstract

The parking meter terminal includes several display indicators, and a selector enabling the customer to select a specific parking space, and make payment in relation to that space. The meter monitors the time for which payment is made, and the time elapsed since the vehicle was parked, in order to control one of several indicators to record parking status. The parking terminal (BO) can manage payment for several parking spaces. Visual indicators (MID) comprise a number of separate indication elements (30), each of which is associated with a parking space. A selection device accessible to the user enables the selection of the required parking time as a function of the payment which is made, and the specific parking location. Selection may be made by a pushbutton, or a keypad. A processor (6) can compare the parking cut-off time associated with a parking space selected by the user, with the current information provided by the time base, processing the results for real-time display on the indicator elements (30). The indicators may include display bands which are selectively excited in order to indicate the current status of the monitored parking location.

Description

SCHLUM33.FRD

  Paid parking terminal for a plurality of spaces

parking.

  The present invention relates to a parking bollard

  paying for a plurality of parking spaces.

  It finds general application in paid parking, and more particularly paid parking on

  public roads, parking lots or the like.

  There are already known parking meters in which the user inserts coins or a payment card into an appropriate introduction device for an amount corresponding to the desired parking time. A mechanism

  brings up an index corresponding to the station time-

  still allowed as time goes by. The index takes its initial position as a function of the amount introduced into the introduction device dedicated to the parking space associated with said index. The monitoring officer looks at the position of the index to find out whether the vehicle occupying the location controlled by the parking meter in question is in violation or not. The disadvantage of such a parking meter lies in the fact that it can at most control only two parking spaces. In addition, this type of parking meter generally comprises two separate introduction means each associated with an index, which makes it relatively expensive and

  complex the implementation of the parking meter for two places

  ments. We also know a parking terminal to control a much larger number of parking spaces.

  paid parking using a single terminal. The automobi-

  list who wants to park in one of the spaces controlled by the terminal inserted in the coin terminal or a payment card for an amount corresponding to the desired parking time. The terminal then issues a ticket on which the parking time limit is mentioned

  authorized. This ticket must then be placed by the automobi-

  list prominently displayed on the vehicle, for example behind the windshield. Monitoring such a parking system therefore requires the attendant responsible for monitoring to read the information on the ticket behind the windshield of each

  vehicle to find out if the vehicle is in violation or not.

  Such monitoring is relatively long for the attendant, insofar as the ticket can be placed in variable locations and where legibility may not be excellent. In addition, the control must be fairly careful

  to detect, as far as possible, counterfeit tickets

  fied. Paid parking terminals are also known, making it possible to manage a plurality of parking locations, the choice of which is made by pressing the key on a keyboard corresponding to the selected location. The user then pays for parking time for said location

thus identified.

  In practice, the selection of the location is carried out after a human / machine data exchange taking place

  on a human / machine interface of the screen type vi sualisa-

  tion and keyboard. Generally, the user has relatively poor indications to guide and help him in the selection of his location. I1 results in a certain hesitation on the part of the user in the use of the terminal, and an ergonomics relatively unsuited to the needs.

of users.

  In addition, the person responsible for monitoring the locations-

  The parking lot has no immediate indication of the state of the parking lot and in particular the cars in violation or not, and the unmanaged spaces. For this, it consults for example remotely the memory of the terminal to know the state of the parking lot and determine

cars in violation or not.

  Again, the exchange of data takes place via a man / machine exchange which can be relatively long and tedious. As a result, such a terminal is not completely satisfactory, in particular as regards information relating to the state of the parking lot as well for

  the user only for the attendant responsible for his supervision.

  The present invention overcomes these drawbacks.

  It concerns a paid parking terminal for a

  plurality of parking spaces.

  According to a general definition of the invention, the terminal comprises: - a plurality of visual indication elements each associated with a parking space to visually indicate to the attendant responsible for monitoring the plurality of parking spaces at least one parameter corresponding to the authorized parking time for a predetermined parking location; - selection means accessible to the user for choosing a parking time limit based on a payment made on the one hand and for choosing a parking space on the other hand; and - processing means comprising a time base for delivering present weather information, comparison means for comparing the parking time limit with the present weather information delivered by the time base and processing means for process the result of the comparison in order to make it appear in real time on

  the corresponding visual indication element.

  Thus compared to the parking meters of the prior art, the terminal according to the invention is easy and simple to implement, allows the user to easily select a parking time limit and a location from a plurality of locations managed by the terminal, and offers the possibility to the attendant responsible for monitoring to visually check the monitoring status of a plurality of parking spaces. Compared to the terminals of the prior art, the terminal according to the invention comprises means of visual indication indicating the surveillance status of the parking lot in order to allow the attendant to immediately determine the cars in violation or not, as well as the locations no

managed by the terminal.

  Advantageously, the terminal is able to manage a plurality of parking spaces of which the number is greater.

together.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, each

  visual indication element is capable of indicating individual

  dual surveillance status of the corresponding parking space, of the type in violation or in

rule.

  According to another aspect of the invention, in certain configurations

  the number of parking lots to manage, the number of

  visual indication may be greater than the number

  locations to manage, in this case, each element of

  visual tion is able to further indicate a state of

  managed or unmanaged type monitoring.

  For example, each visual indication element includes display strips suitable for being excited according to a law

  depending on the associated monitoring status.

  According to a first embodiment of the invention, the selection means comprise a keyboard of which at least certain keys are associated with the identification / selection

a parking space.

  In practice, each key comprises a push button whose actuation allows the identification of the location. According to another aspect of the invention, the selection means for choosing the parking time limit include an input interface common to the plurality of parking spaces.

parking.

  As a variant, the selection means for choosing the parking limit time comprise an input interface

  specific to each parking space.

  According to another important characteristic of the invention, the keys of the keyboard are arranged in conjunction with the arrangement of the parking spaces with respect to the terminal, in order to indicate the order and the configuration of the parking spaces with respect to the terminal, which

  helps guide the user in his selection.

  Preferably, the visual indication elements are arranged in conjunction with the arrangement of the parking spaces with respect to the terminal, in order to indicate the order and the configuration of the parking spaces with respect to the terminal, which allows to assist the attendant in

his surveillance.

  According to another important characteristic of the invention, in which the terminal is arranged to the right of a first series of parking spaces and to the left of a second series of parking spaces, the terminal further comprises on its right side face, first signaling means suitable for signaling to the user the order and configuration of the first series of parking spaces with respect to the terminal, and on its left side face, second means signaling devices capable of signaling the order and

  configuration of the second series of station locations-

  in relation to the terminal, which helps the user

in his selection.

  Advantageously, the first and second signaling means as well as the selection means are configurable as a function of the number of locations to be managed as well as in

  according to their arrangement in relation to the terminal.

  According to another aspect of the invention, the terminal comprises communication means able to communicate with remote communication means for exchanging data remotely. Other features and advantages of the invention

  will appear in the light of the detailed description below

  after and drawings in which: - Figure 1 a front view of the terminal according to the invention; - Figure 2 is a perspective view of the terminal according to the invention; - Figures 3 and 4 are respectively right and left views of the terminal according to the invention; - Figure 5 is an equivalent diagram of the essential means of the terminal according to the invention; - Figure 6 shows schematically the situation of a terminal according to the invention with respect to the parking spaces to be managed; and - Figures 7A to 7C schematically represent different monitoring states which may be indicated by the indication means according to the invention in order to allow the attendant responsible for monitoring the parking lot to

  determine vehicles in violation or not according to the invention

  tion. With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the pay parking terminal according to the invention bears the reference BO. The BO terminal, for example, has a generally parallelepiped shape, with a height of the order of 1.70 m, a width of the order of 50 cm and a depth of the order of 40 cm. Preferably, the terminal BO includes 4 individual parts in P1 to P4. The part P1 corresponds to the first level of the terminal relative to the ground, it comprises for example elements not directly linked to the invention. The P2 part, arranged on the P1 part contains for example a safe CF intended to contain values. The P3 part includes on the front face an HMI man / machine interface which will be described in more detail below. Part P4 includes MID visual indication means which will also be described in detail, and which allow the attendant responsible for monitoring the parking lot to determine visually the vehicles in question.

  offense or not according to the invention.

  Preferably, the MID visual indication means are

  2 0 arranged in such a way that the attendant responsible for monitoring

  launches the car park is able to read visually and without difficulty (for example from a vehicle running on the track) of the indications

  appearing on the said means of indication.

  With reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, the HMI man / machine interface includes a slot 2 for the introduction of coins, the overall amount of which determines the desired parking time. The coins introduced into the slot 2 are controlled by a coin selector (not shown) which detects the effective amount introduced into the slot 2. From this amount and the present time information delivered by a time base 4 (for example of the clock circuit type), a processing unit 6 develops the time limit for authorized parking. This time limit is displayed by a display panel 8. In practice, after being passed through the coin selector, the coins are stored in

a CF receptacle.

  Where appropriate, the terminal BO also includes, as is known, printing means 10, for example of the thermal head type, capable of issuing a ticket 12. This ticket can indicate the amount paid and the time limit for parking. The purpose of ticket 12 here is simply to constitute a payment request made for the motorist and possibly

  remind him of the parking time limit.

  The BO terminal can be equipped with a means of returning money 14. The BO terminal can replace or supplement the coin selector, be equipped with a payment card reader 16, placed above / below the selector the rooms. The card reader can be adapted to read

  magnetic stripe cards or electronic memory cards

  than. The card reader 16 can be accompanied by buttons

  selection of data 18 linked to the reading of pay cards

  is lying. These buttons 18 can also be used to select the

  language of the man / machine procedure.

  Likewise, the display screen 8 can be accompanied by selection buttons 20 making it possible to select certain

  parameters related to the payment transaction.

  According to the invention, there is provided a keyboard 22 comprising keys individualized here in 22-1 to 22-10 making it possible to identify the parking location selected by the user. In the case of a terminal BO managing 10 locations, the keyboard 22 here comprises two rows RA1 and RA2 of five keys each. The upper row RA1 can be associated with the series of locations A or 1, B or 2, C or 3, D or 4, and E or located to the left of the terminal as arranged with reference to FIG. 6. The row RA2 can be associated with locations F or 6, G or 7, H or 8, I or 9, and J or 10 located to the right of the terminal. The right / left sides of the terminal are indicated for the left by an arrowhead FL1 and for the right by the arrowhead FL2. The number of keys on the keyboard 22 can be modified according to the configuration of the parking lot. The keyboard 22 is accessible to the user to identify the parking location chosen from among the plurality

  of spaces managed by the parking terminal.

  The keys of the keyboard are for example of the button type-

  button. Very advantageously, the keys of the keyboard 22 are arranged in a manner combined with the arrangement of the parking spaces with respect to the terminal, in order to signal the order and the configuration of the parking spaces with respect to the terminal, which makes it possible to guide the user in

his selection.

  According to the invention, the terminal further comprises means of visual indication MID of the monitoring state of the locations managed by the terminal BO. These MID visual indication means can be arranged on the front and / or rear of the BO terminal, depending on the layout of the man / machine interface of the terminal with respect to the public road VO (Figure 6) . Indeed, it is very advantageous to arrange the visual indication means so that

  the attendant can take note of the state of surveillance

  launches the terminal from a vehicle traveling on the public highway. In other words, the man / machine interface of the terminal can be placed facing the public highway or else back to the public highway while the arrangement of the visual indication means is preferably facing the public highway. The management of the man / machine interface obviously takes account of the arrangement of the terminal in relation to the public road. As a variant, the MID visual indication means can be visible simultaneously opposite

front and rear.

  In practice, the visual indication means MID comprise a set of visual indication elements 30 associated with the

  parking spaces managed by the terminal.

  Very advantageously, the visual indication elements are arranged in conjunction with the arrangement of the parking spaces with respect to the terminal, in order to indicate the order and the configuration of the parking spaces with respect to the terminal, which makes it possible to assist the attendant in

his surveillance.

  For example, in the case of a keyboard with two rows of five keys 22 each, the indication means MID comprise two rows RA3 and RA4 of individual indication elements ordered in a manner combined with the rows RA1 and RA2 of keys on the keyboard 22. The direction of row RA3 is indicated by an arrowhead FL3 and the direction of row RA4 is

  indicated by the tip of an arrow FL4.

  Most often (Figure 6), the BO terminal is arranged (relative to the public road VO) to the right of a first series of parking spaces and to the left of a

  second series of parking spaces. advantageously

  ment, the terminal also comprises on its right side face (FIG. 3), first signaling means 40 suitable for signaling to the user the order and the configuration of the first series of parking spaces relative to the terminal BO , and on its left lateral face (FIG. 4), second signaling means 50 suitable for signaling to the user the order and the configuration of the second series

  parking spaces in relation to the terminal.

  These signaling means 40 and 50 make it possible to help

the user in his selection.

  For example, the signaling means 40 and 50 comprise a self-adhesive label in the format of an arrow with a point arranged upwards and comprising a row

  of images each representing a vehicle.

  On each image is represented a number corresponding to the rank of the locations. The tip of the arrow indicates the direction

storing.

  In the case of Figure 6 o the parking terminal manages seven parking spaces arranged on the public road VO, the terminal can be arranged between a first series of locations 1 or A, 2 or B and 3 or C and a second series of locations 7 or D, 8 or E, 9 or F. and 10 or G. Referring to Figure 3, there is shown the configuration of the signaling means 40 for the parking lot of Figure 6. The numbers 7, 8, 9 and 10 are arranged on the images of the signaling means 40, in order to guide

the user in his selection.

  Referring to Figure 4, there is shown the configuration of the signaling means 50 for the parking lot of Figure 6. The numbers 1, 2, and 3 are arranged on the images of the signaling means 50, in order to guide

the user in his selection.

  According to the invention, the same numbering is found on the

  keyboard keys and visual indications.

  However, to lighten the drawings, this numbering is not

  not shown in Figures 1 and 2.

  According to the invention, the processing unit 6 compares the parking time limit associated with a location identified by the user using the keyboard 22 with the time information delivered by the time base 4 and processes the result of the comparison in order to make it appear in real time

  on the corresponding visual indication element 30.

  For example, the individual elements for indicating the monitoring status of the associated parking spaces are display or change of light display elements each having three horizontal display bands BH1 to BH3. For example, each horizontal band BH can be in an active yellow or bright color state (on) on the one hand or in a black or active color state (off)

on the other hand.

  For example, with reference to FIG. 7A, the indication element

  tion 30-4 is in a state in which the three horizontal bands BH are black, indicating that the corresponding location is not managed or monitored by

said terminal.

  With reference to FIG. 7B, the individual indication element

  duel 30-2 is in a state that the central horizontal strip is yellow while the two lateral horizontal strips are black, indicating that the corresponding location is managed or monitored by said

  terminal, but that the vehicle is in violation.

  With reference to FIG. 7C, the individual indication element

  duel 30-3 is in a state that all three bands

  horizontal are yellow, indicating that the location-

  the corresponding item is managed or monitored by said terminal, and

  that the vehicle is not in violation.

  It should be noted that the MID surveillance system installed in the upper part is used only for surveillance agents or agents. Thus, the latter make a passage from their car and thus look at the different states of the parking spaces and look at the different parking spaces with or without parked cars. They then make the comparison between the state of occupation of the corresponding locations and the state

  indicated by the MID monitoring means.

  In the example in FIG. 6, only places A to G are managed by the parking terminal. They are therefore likely to be monitored according to the cases described with reference to FIGS. 7B and 7C. The places 4, 5 and 6 are in the case of FIG. 7A which therefore corresponds to a non

  management of locations by the terminal.

  Preferably, the surveillance states are arranged on the upper part of the terminal which has a height chosen so as to allow visibility of the surveillance. The

  height of the terminal is for example of the order of 1.70 m.

  The operation of the terminal can be as follows.

  The user first selects the number of the place where he wishes to park. To guide and direct it, the user has signs 40 and 50 located on the sides of

  terminal. He can thus locate his seat number.

  Thus, when it arrives at the parking terminal, it finds on the selection buttons 22 the state of the park. It thus reconciles the parking spaces and the corresponding keyboard 22. It determines

thus its place and its number.

  After this determination, the user pays his parking time by card or by parts. He visualizes his end of

  parking on screen 8 with the amount he entered.

  If necessary, the user can obtain a ticket which justifies

  of his transaction by pressing a corresponding '' requt '' button

  ing. After a chosen delay, the user can leave as long as the transaction is completed. The BO terminal then goes into standby position waiting for the next user. In

  standby period, the terminal positions the monitoring system

  launches MID in the corresponding state. In the case where the user has correctly paid for his parking time, the monitoring state associated with the location chosen by the user is put into a monitoring state corresponding to FIG. 7C. Compared to the parking terminals of the prior art, the terminal according to the invention has means for indicating the monitoring state associated with all of the parking spaces managed by the terminal. These MID indication means are advantageously arranged in conjunction with that of the selection means 22 and signaling means.

tion 40 and 50.

  Preferably, a keyboard with two rows of push buttons has been chosen here. Obviously, depending on the configuration of the parking spaces to be managed, the selection keyboard 22 can be arranged in a different shape, for example according to horizontal rows, in oblique U shape or any other geometric shape. Likewise, in conjunction with the selection means 22, the elements of the MID indication means are individually arranged preferably in conjunction with the selection means.

selection 22.

  Likewise, the signage 40 and 50 arranged on the lateral faces of the terminal can be arranged according to the configuration of the parking lot to be managed. Here, the signage has been represented in the form of

  vertical arrows in conjunction with the selection means

  tion 22 and the means of indication and monitoring 30.

  Obviously, one can imagine other means of signaling -

tick 40 and 50.

  The terminal according to the invention may have communication means (not shown) enabling communication with a remote server via an appropriate communication network. The communication means can be of any kind, for example of the telecommunications means type on the switched telephone network, or

  still cell-type telecommunications means

  phone or GSM, or even of the radio frequency type.

  The terminal can be energy self-sufficient by having a solar panel capable of providing it with the corresponding energy. The electronics used are chosen here in order to limit the

  costs. This electronics is articulated around micropro-

trade stopers.

  Claims 1. Paying parking bollard for a plurality of parking spaces of the type comprising: - a plurality of visual indication elements (MID, 30) each associated with a parking space to visually indicate to the attendant responsible for surveillance from the plurality of parking spaces at least one parameter corresponding to the authorized parking time for a predetermined parking space; - selection means (22, 16, 2) accessible to the user to choose a parking time limit depending

  a payment made on the one hand and to choose a location

  parking ment on the other hand; processing means (6) comprising a time base (4) for delivering present weather information, comparison means for comparing the parking time limit with the present weather information delivered by the time base and means to process the result of the comparison in order to make it appear in real time on

  the corresponding visual indication element (30).

  2. Terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that the terminal (BO) is able to manage a plurality of locations of

  parking whose number is greater than two. 3. Terminal according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in

  what each visual indication element (30) is capable of indicating individually, according to the result of the comparison, a monitoring state of the corresponding parking space, of the type in

offense or in good standing.

  4. Terminal according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that each visual indication element (30) is able to visually and individually indicate a monitoring state of the managed or unmanaged type depending on

  the configuration of parking spaces.

  5. Terminal according to one of the preceding claims,

  characterized in that each visual indication element (30) comprises display strips suitable for being excited

  according to a law depending on the associated surveillance state.

  6. Terminal according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized

  in that the visual indication elements (30) are arranged in conjunction with the arrangement of the parking spaces with respect to the terminal (BO), in order to indicate the order and configuration of the parking spaces with respect to the terminal , which helps the attendant to

his surveillance.

  7. Terminal according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized

  in that the selection means (22) comprise a keyboard

  of which at least some keys are associated with the identifi-

  cation / selection of a parking space.

  8. Terminal according to claim 7, characterized in that each key (22) comprises a push button whose action

  allows the identification of the corresponding location

  ing. 9. Terminal according to claim 7 or claim 8, characterized in that the keys of the keyboard (22) are arranged in a manner combined with the arrangement of the parking spaces relative to the terminal, in order to indicate the order and the configuration of the parking spaces in relation to the terminal, which allows the user to be guided through

his selection.

  10. Terminal according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized

  in that the selection means (2, 16) for choosing the parking time limit include an interface

  input common to the plurality of parking spaces

is lying.

  11. Terminal according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized

  in that the selection means (2, 16) for choosing the parking time limit include an interface

  specific entrance to each parking space.

  12. Terminal according to one of the preceding claims, in

  which the terminal is arranged to the right of a first series of parking spaces and to the left of a second series of parking spaces, characterized in that the terminal further comprises on its right side face, first signaling means (40) suitable for signaling to the user the order and configuration of the first series of parking spaces relative to the terminal, and on its left side face, second signaling means (50 ) suitable for signaling to the user the order and configuration of the second series of parking spaces in relation to the terminal, which allows

  to help the user in his selection.

  13. Terminal according to claim 12, characterized in that the first and second signaling means (40 and 50) as well as the selection means (22) are configurable according to the number of locations to be managed as well as

  according to their arrangement in relation to the terminal.

  14. Terminal according to any one of the preceding claims

  teeth, characterized in that it comprises means of

  communication capable of communicating with means of communication