GB2594461A

GB2594461A - A car park management system

Info

Publication number: GB2594461A
Application number: GB2006142.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Meaney Jim; Meaney Bill
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-04-27
Filing date: 2020-04-27
Publication date: 2021-11-03
Also published as: GB202006142D0

Abstract

A car park management system 1 comprises a car key depository 2 with a secure housing 3 having a plurality of individually secured storage compartments 5 for receiving a car key and having a locking mechanism operable to selectively close or open the interior of the storage compartment, and a control unit 7 having a processor 9, an accessible memory 11, a communications module 15, a user interface 13 and means to actuate the locking mechanisms of the storage compartments. The system may comprise a customer profile stored in the memory including a unique identifier and a record of the compartment and parking bay assigned to the customer. The identifier may be at least one of a customers mobile number, registration number, identifier or an access code assigned to the customer. The system may comprise a customer portal for remote access to the control unit which may be a web interface or an app stored on a customer’s computing device. The control unit may be distributed over a plurality of locations, one of which is coincident and one of which is located remote from the depository. The control unit may comprise a payment portal and an NFC reader.

Description

"A car park management system"

Introduction

This invention relates to a car park management system.

For many people, travelling, and in particular travelling abroad, can be a stressful experience. This induced stress can detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of a trip. One potential source of stress that is relatively common is the fear of losing one's car keys or having one's car keys stolen while away. The fear is that when the person returns from their trip, they will not be able to gain access to their vehicle and drive their vehicle home. Instead, they will be effectively stranded until a replacement key for their vehicle may be sourced.

In some cases, the traveller can take an alternative form of transport home, collect the spare key, and travel back to the airport, ferry port or train station where they parked their vehicle later that day or on a following day to collect their vehicle. For those fortunate to live in close proximity to the airport, this is a nuisance but often not too inconvenient. For those living further away from the airport, this can be a significant inconvenience that may be impractical. Often however, the travellers house keys will also be on the same set of keys and this adds further complexity and inconvenience.

The alternatives to making a second trip to the airport, ferry port or train station are to have a friend or relative bring the spare key out to the airport, ferry port or train station to meet the returning traveller with the spare key, to have an individual such as a mechanic gain access to the car and start it without the key, or to have a car dealer provide a spare key for collection. The first alternative is an inconvenience to the friend or relative whereas the second and third alternatives are often costly, may not be available or may only be available after significant delay.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a car park management system that overcomes at least some of the above-identified problems and that offers a useful choice to the consumer. -2 -

Statements of Invention

According to the invention there is provided a car park management system comprising: a car key depository comprising: a secure housing having a plurality of individually secured storage compartments, each of the storage compartments being dimensioned to receive a car key and each of the storage compartments having a locking mechanism operable to selectively close and prevent access to, or open and provide access to, the interior of the storage compartment; a control unit having a processor, an accessible memory, a communications module, a user interface and means to actuate the locking mechanisms of the storage compartments.

By having such a system, a traveller may park their car in the car park before they go on their journey, and they may leave their keys safely stowed in a locked storage compartment in the car key depository of the car park. In this way, they will not have to worry about their keys being lost or stolen while they are away and they will be able to enjoy their trip to a greater extent, safe in the knowledge that their keys will be waiting for them when they return. In addition, it is not necessary to employ staff to continuously manage the car keys and interact with travellers, and the infrastructure will be relatively inexpensive to construct and install. This leads to a system that is cost effective to install and operate. Furthermore, the system offers a potential additional source of revenue to the car park operators.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a car park management system in which there is provided a customer profile stored in the accessible memory, the customer profile including a unique identifier for the customer, and a record of the storage compartment assigned to the customer. In this way, the customer will be able to provide their unique identifier to the control unit, the control unit can check the unique identifier and thereafter allow the customer to retrieve the customer's car keys by unlocking the appropriate storage compartment. -3 -

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a car park management system in which the customer profile further comprises a parking bay identifier assigned to the customer.

There are several advantages of this aspect of the invention. By having a parking bay identifier assigned to the customer in the customer profile, when the customer accesses their car keys, the control unit can provide the customer with their parking bay identifier, effectively telling them the location of their car. When a traveler returns from an extended trip, they may not be able to recall with clarity where their car is parked and this aspect of the invention will assist them in locating their car in a speedy fashion, which also frees up the resources of the car park. In addition, this may also be useful to more effectively manage the resources of the car park in that they will know when a car parking space is occupied/unoccupied without the need for expensive dedicated sensors or monitoring, and will also enable the car park operator to identify the owners of abandoned vehicles.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a car park management system in which the unique identifier for the customer includes at least one of (i) the customer's mobile telephone number; (ii) the customer's car registration number; (iii) a customer identifier; and (iv) an access code assigned to the customer.

Preferably, the unique identifier will comprise two or more of the above-identified features. The customer identifier may be their actual name, a username, a code provided to them on booking, a retina scan, a fingerprint or thumbprint impression, a facial recognition scan, identification from a social media account or other identifier that will allow them to "log in". the access code assigned to the customer may be an alphanumeric code or password chosen by the customer or generated for the customer and provided to them. It is envisaged that their mobile phone number and/or their car registration number will be further useful identifiers but will preferably be used in conjunction with at least one other identifier listed above rather than in isolation.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a car park management system in which the car park management system comprises a customer portal for remote access to the control unit by the customer. In this way, a customer can access the control unit -4 -remotely and pre-book a space, make booking enquiries, make location enquiries, information requests, make payment and the like.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a car park management system in which the customer portal is a web interface accessible using a customer's computing device. This could be accessible using a customary computing device such as, but not limited to, a computer, a laptop, a tablet, a smart phone, a phablet, a smart television or the like capable of rendering the web interface and allowing commands and information to be passed therebetween.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a car park management system in which the customer portal is an app stored on and accessible using a customer's computing device. This is seen as a preferred aspect of the present invention. It is envisaged that the app could be loaded on a customer's mobile telephone and they could book their storage compartment and get the benefit of several additional features by simply using the app.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a car park management system in which the control unit is distributed over a plurality of locations, one of which being coincident with the car key depository and one of which being located remote from the car key depository. For example, it may be preferable having a central processor and accessible memory that many remotely-located control units access. This would provide a more secure storage of data but will also provide economies of scale as processing and maintenance of records can be done in one central location.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a car park management system in which the car park management system comprises a mapping component to provide directions to and from one or more locations, such as: the car park, the car key depository and the parking bay assigned to a customer. This is seen as a particularly preferred aspect of the present invention, particularly if the invention is delivered through an app on a user's mobile phone. The mapping component will provide a map to assist the user to find the car park, the key depository or their dedicated car parking bay. -5 -

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a car park management system in which the mapping component is GPS enabled. This will facilitate the provision of directions in real time to the customer to the car park, their car parking bay, or the car key depository.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a car park management system in which there is provided a vision system located at an entry/exit barrier of the car park in communication with the control unit. In this way, the vision system will be able to connect with the car park management system to allow or prevent access to or from the car park in one system. The vision system will also be able to detect those drivers that have booked car key storage services and instructions, directions or an access code may be printed out for them on their car park ticket as they gain access to the car park. The system may also be used to limit access to specific dedicated areas of the car park.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a car park management system in which the user interface comprises a touch screen having a plurality of icons. This is seen as a simple device to maintain that will also allow for new features and updates to be provided.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a car park management system in which the control unit comprises a payment portal. The car park provider may provide the service as a complimentary service or they may use it to generate additional revenue from their customers. It will also enable loyal customers to be incentivized and receive benefits.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a car park management system in which the control unit comprises an NFC reader. The NFC reader may be used for a number of disparate tasks including payments and unique identifier recognition. For example, the NFC reader may be used for identifying a customer's mobile telephone and this in turn could be used to unlock a storage compartment.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a car park management system in which the control unit comprises a booking engine, the booking engine having a record of the available parking bays and being operable to allocate those parking bays to -6 -customers upon receiving a booking request from a customer. This is seen as a useful way of managing the resources and optimizing revenue generation from the car park In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a mechanism to allow administrator users to provide remote support to customers that require assistance. Remote access can be facilitated through the internet via an administrator's portal which has access to the control unit and the data stored in the accessible memory. The purpose of which includes but is not limited to: manual overrides for entry/exit barrier system in instances whereby the barrier does not open automatically; manual overrides for storage key compartment, whereby the storage compartment does not operate as normal; and to review payments and issue refunds to users as required.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The invention will now be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a first embodiment of a car park management system according to the invention; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a car park in which the car park management system according to the invention operates; and Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a second embodiment of a car park management system according to the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a diagrammatic representation of a car park management system, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, comprising a car key depository 2 which includes a secure housing 3 having a plurality of individually secured storage compartments 5, each of which is dimensioned to receive a car key (or a bunch of keys) therein and each of which is secured by a releasable locking mechanism (not shown), one part of which is provided on the door of the storage compartment and the other part of which is provided on the frame of the secure housing. -7 -

The releasable locking mechanism is operable to selectively close and prevent access to the interior of the associated storage compartment, and open and allow access to the interior of the storage compartment.

The car park management system further comprises a control unit 7 comprising a processor 9 and accessible memory 11 (both of which are shown in dashed outline), a user interface provided by way of touch screen 13, a communications module 15 and means to actuate the locking mechanisms. The locking mechanisms may be mechanically operated in which case the means to actuate the locks will comprise an actuator to physically move at least one part of a locking component. More likely though, the locking mechanisms will be electrically operated locks such as those actuated by a magnet or an electrical motor and the means to actuate the locks will be provided by a device to convey the signal and to operate the magnet or electrical motor.

In addition to the foregoing, there is provided an NFC reader that may be used to accept payments or may be used to read an identifier from a carrier. The NFC reader may be used to read a mobile phone, a credit card, a debit card, an NFC tag or the like. An apparatus for receiving cash payments may be provided and the communication module may be configured to permit two way communication with a customer service representative. In those implementations, the communication module will include a microphone and a speaker. Typically however, the communications module will be understood to provide electronic communications via the internet or the web from customer's electronic devices to the control unit, as will be described in more detail below.

The touch screen 13 may provide a plurality of pictograms that the user may select and/or may provide a keypad, keyboard or other data entry device and if desired, the options and instructions may be provided in a plurality of different languages, one of which may be selected by the user upon session initiation.

There is provided a customer profile stored in the accessible memory 11, the customer profile including a unique identifier for the customer, and a record of the storage compartment 5 assigned to the customer. The customer profile may include a parking bay identifier assigned to the customer and the unique identifier for the customer -8 -typically includes at least one of (i) the customer's mobile telephone number, (H) the customer's car registration number; (Hi) a customer identifier; and (iv) an access code assigned to the customer.

In use, in a most basic implementation of the present invention, there is provided the car key depository with the plurality of storage compartments therein. A customer parks in a car park associated with the car park management system and they proceed to the car key depository. With the user interface, the user requests access to a storage compartment. If desired, the user will be asked how long they intend to stay for which may help car park management. They may also be asked to input the parking space identifier where they parked their car. The user may be asked to pre-pay for the key storage if desired The control unit will release the locking mechanism of one of the storage compartments that is not already in current use and the door of the compartment will open. Once open, the user will place their keys inside the storage compartment and close over the door. Alternatively, the door may be closed automatically upon sensing the insertion of the keys or after a given time period has elapsed. Once closed, the door is then locked closed. Before or after the door is locked, the user may be asked to provide certain information that will aid in identifying the user when they return for their keys such as their name, mobile telephone number or other identifier. The user may also be asked to insert a password, or they may be provided with a password that will be required to open the storage compartment. Alternatively, the user may have to present their mobile telephone or other data carrier (such as a credit card or debit card) that may be read by an NEC reader (or like reader) and used to open the storage compartment once more.

The user may then go on their journey and when they return, they can access their keys by providing their unique identifier to the control unit. Again, this might comprise the user entering a username and a password, providing their mobile phone number along perhaps with one or more identifiers, presenting a mobile phone to a reader, presenting a payment card, paying a fee and the like. Once the user has been verified as authentic and who they claim to be, and any fees due have been paid, the storage compartment in which their keys are locked will be opened, the user can take out their keys and the storage compartment will be ready for the next user. -9 -

Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown a diagrammatic representation of a car park in which the car park management system according to the invention operates. The car park comprises an entrance 21 and an exit 23 each with access barriers 25 and ticket dispensers 27 Of necessary). The access barriers also incorporate a vision system 29 that is able to read number plates using Optical Character Recognition and/or Optical Character Verification. Once the vision system has successfully inspected the car registration plate, it communicates with the control unit to determine if access to and/or from the car park should be granted/denied, as will be understood in the art.

The car park comprises a plurality of car key depositories spread around the car park however this is for illustrative purposes only and is not deemed limiting. A single car key depository may be provided and this will depend in part on the scale and layout of the car park. Indeed, if desired, the car key depository could be provided in a terminal building, spaced apart from the car park. The car key depository may be provided beside or incorporated with common car parking payment terminals. Once the user enters the car park, they proceed to the car key depository and drop off their key in the manner described above.

The car park is laid out into a number of rows of parking spaces 31, each of which may be provided with a unique parking bay identifier. For example, an alphanumeric code such as a letter and a number. Each of the parking bays in a particular row would have the same letter but a different number (Al; A2; A3;...A22; A23 etc.). Similarly, instead of or in addition to the letter and/or number identifier, the car park or rows of car parking bays may be colour coded to ease identification. If spaces are pre-booked (as will be described in more detail below), a user may be provided with the identifier of their space and they may be instructed to park in a particular spot to facilitate car park resource management. If desired, one or more sensors and/or one or more cameras or other detection technology may be provided to confirm that the user parks in the allotted spot and if they don't park in the correct spot, to confirm where they have parked.

Alternatively, the user may be required or have the option of inputting their car parking space identifier when they store their car keys. This car parking bay identifier will be added to their customer profile stored in accessible memory and when the user retrieves their keys, they will be provided with the car parking bay identifier on the user interface -10 - (along with directions if desired) and they will be reminded of the exact location of their car. Again, instead of relying on the user to input the correct data, means may be provided, such as but not limited to sensors, camera(s) or other identification technology, to detect the spot that the user parked their car in and thereafter add that information to their customer profile. These implementations of providing the user with a dedicated space or requiring them to enter the space identifier are considered optional features.

Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown a diagrammatic representation of a second embodiment of a car park management system according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 32, where like parts have been given the same reference numerals as before. In the embodiment shown, the processor 9 and the accessible memory 11 of the control unit are located off-site, remote from the car key depository 2. Furthermore, there is shown a vision system 29 and a plurality of user devices including a mobile phone 33, a laptop 35 and a PC 37. Other user devices will be readily envisaged.

The user devices are each provided with access to a customer portal for remote access to the control unit by the customer. In the case of the mobile telephone, this is provided by way of a dedicated app on the phone. In the case of the laptop and the PC, this is provided by way of a web interface (the mobile telephone, if a smart phone with web access, could also use the web interface instead of an app). The users access the system using their user devices and they can book a car parking space in advance of their arrival through the customer portal. The users may have a customer profile with a pre-set username and password or a username and password may be assigned to them.

Directions to the car park, the car key depository and indeed directions to the car parking space allocated to the customer, if appropriate, may be provided. In the case of a mobile phone implementation, the user may be presented with a GPS enabled map in real time providing directions to the car park, car parking space or car key depository.

In the embodiment shown, the car park is a single storey outdoor car park however this is not intended to be limiting. The invention will work well with multi-storey car park arrangements as well. furthermore, whereas the invention is described for use in connection with an airport, ferry port or train station, it will be understood that this is not necessarily limiting either and indeed the car park management system could be used with any car park. It is envisaged that it may be particularly useful at event venues (e.g. concert arenas, sporting stadiums) and the like where the patrons can leave their car keys in the car key depository of the car park management system while they attend the concert or sporting event. This is particularly useful as there is often a threat of pickpockets at these venues and / or a fear of losing keys in such a crowded venue.

Throughout the specification, reference is made to a car key depository with storage compartments that are dimensioned to receive a car key. It will be understood that this is unlike a locker or other large scale storage compartment but would be provided by a compartment measuring of the order of 0.1m wide, 0.1m high and 0.1m deep (10cm x 10cm x 10cm). These may be varied and indeed some boxes may be smaller or larger in one or more dimensions. What is necessary is that a car key can be stored in the storage compartment. However, also important is that a number of storage compartments can be provided in a bank of storage compartments in a compact manner.

In this specification the terms "comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising" and the terms include, included, includes and including" are all deemed interchangeable and should be afforded the widest possible interpretation.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described but may be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

-12 -Claims: (1) A car park management system comprising: (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) a car key depository comprising: a secure housing having a plurality of individually secured storage compartments, each of the storage compartments being dimensioned to receive a car key and each of the storage compartments having a locking mechanism operable to selectively close and prevent access to, or open and provide access to, the interior of the storage compartment; a control unit having a processor, an accessible memory, a communications module, a user interface and means to actuate the locking mechanisms of the storage compartments A car park management system as claimed in claim 1 in which there is provided a customer profile stored in the accessible memory, the customer profile including a unique identifier for the customer, and a record of the storage compartment assigned to the customer.A car park management system as claimed in claim 2 in which the customer profile further comprises a parking bay identifier assigned to the customer.A car park management system as claimed in claim 2 or 3 in which the unique identifier for the customer includes at least one of (i) the customer's mobile telephone number; (ii) the customer's car registration number; OD a customer identifier; and (iv) an access code assigned to the customer.A car park management system as claimed in any preceding claim in which the car park management system comprises a customer portal for remote access to the control unit by the customer.A car park management system as claimed in claim 5 in which the customer portal is a web interface accessible using a customer's computing device.-13 - (7) A car park management system as claimed in claim 5 in which the customer portal is an app stored on and accessible using a customers computing device.(8) A car park management system as claimed in any preceding claim in which the control unit is distributed over a plurality of locations, one of which being coincident with the car key depository and one of which being located remote from the car key depository.(9) A car park management system as claimed in any preceding claim in which the car park management system comprises a mapping component to provide directions to and from one or more of the car park, the car key depository and a parking bay assigned to a customer.(10) A car park management system as claimed in any preceding claim in which the mapping component is GPS enabled (11) A car park management system as claimed in any preceding claim in which there is provided a vision system located at an entry/exit barrier of the car park in communication with the control unit.(12) A car park management system as claimed in any preceding claim in which the user interface comprises a touch screen having a plurality of icons.(13) A car park management system as claimed in any preceding claim in which the control unit comprises a payment portal.(14) A car park management system as claimed in any preceding claim in which the control unit comprises an NFC reader.(15) A car park management system as claimed in any preceding claim in which the control unit comprises a booking engine, the booking engine having a record of the available parking bays and being operable to allocate those parking bays to customers upon receiving a booking request from a customer.