RU129683U1 - PARKING SPACE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

1. The parking space management system, working with preliminary and without preliminary user registration, containing at least one database server; at least one application server; at least one user communication device interconnected by receiving and transmitting a user request, characterized in that it contains at least one communication server; at least one automatic telephone exchange; at least one web server with the ability to remotely register a user, interconnected by receiving and transmitting a user request. 2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one user communication device is a cellular communication device. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one user communication device is a stationary telephone. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one user communication device is a personal computer. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one user communication device is a payment terminal. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains a monitoring device with Internet access.

Description

The invention relates to parking space management systems in which communication devices are used.

A well-known parking space management system (patent RU No. 2273050, filing date - 06/15/2001), in which there is a database, one cellular communication device, a monitoring device. The technical solution allows you to check the parking permit by using a standard cell phone. The user pays for the parking service services to the operator of the cellular communication network of which he is a user, and the cellular operator transfers the corresponding payments to the operator of the parking service for a certain commission. The beginning and end of parking is carried out using short text messages transmitted using a cell phone (hereinafter referred to as SMS messages). The disadvantage of the described technical solution is the insufficiently high level of reliability of SMS messages (time delays and loss of data transmission packets), as well as the complicated call processing procedure, which makes this system inconvenient for practical use, loads communication channels with redundant information and generally increases the cost of operation system. The main complexity of the technical solution lies in the fact that this method requires connecting all mobile databases of network operators working in this region with a database. The inconvenience of the system for the user is that the user needs to conclude an agreement with the bank on the transfer of monetary amounts from the bank account to the account of the mobile operator. Replenishment of the advance payment account for the parking service is done in portions and in the case of long-term parking, it is necessary to dial a special phone number several times. Each such call replenishes the user’s prepayment account for the specified amount. In this system, only the use of a cellular communication device is possible, and there is no possibility of pre-registration in the database and the mechanism for automatically determining the user by the phone number contained in the database.

The closest analogue to the claimed utility model is a parking space management system (patent RU No. 50697, application filing date - 10/31/2005), which contains a database server, an application server, a communication device with which parking is monitored, and a monitoring device. This utility model limits the user in choosing a device with which the beginning and end of parking is possible, since the beginning and end of parking is possible only with the help of a cellular communication device. This system does not have the ability to remotely register a user in a database via the Internet, and there is no mechanism for automatically detecting a user when parking, therefore, every time you park and remove it from the parking lot, you must inform the registration number of the vehicle. All this makes the use of the system inconvenient for the user.

The objective of the claimed utility model is to create a system for managing the city’s parking space in order to rationally and most conveniently use the city’s parking space.

The inventive utility model allows you to build an effective system for managing the parking space of the city by providing such regulatory tools as flexible pricing depending on the place and time of day, an individual approach to the user (for example, preferential conditions for the disabled, regular users), simple and affordable control tools, convenient mechanism for using parking and various forms of payment for parking services for users.

The technical results obtained when using the claimed utility model are to reduce the time spent by the user in the process of setting up and removing from the parking due to the automatic identification of the user when parking by phone number, information about which is contained in the database, improving the usability of the parking space by making it possible the use in the parking space management system of other communication devices other than a cellular communication device; as well as by providing the ability to remotely register a user in a database via the Internet with the aim of automatically identifying them later.

In addition, this utility model allows a wide range of forms of payment, including prepayment to a personal account pre-opened in the parking system, payment from a cell phone account, payment through payment system devices (for example, payment terminals), prepaid payment cards (such as scratch kart).

The following figures show: FIG. 1 is a diagram of a parking space management system, FIG. 2 is a diagram of an activation of a parking space management system with pre-registration, FIG. 3 is a diagram of an activation of a parking space management system without pre-registration, and FIG. 4 is a diagram monitoring in the parking space management system.

To achieve a technical result, the system comprises at least one centralized database server (1); at least one application server (2); at least one user communication device (6). In addition, at least one communication server (4), at least one automatic telephone exchange (5) with an interactive voice menu function (hereinafter - IVR menu), at least one web server (3) with the possibility of remote user registration in the system. To control the authorized use of the parking space, a control device with Internet access has been introduced (7). Such a device can be a cell phone, for example, a smartphone, communicator, or a mobile computer (for example, a laptop, netbook), through which the controller receives information through a web server (3) from a database server (1). In addition, the system may include a payment terminal (8), which performs not only the functions of receiving funds, but also provides the opportunity, like the web server (3), to conduct remote user registration in the system, being one of the user's communication devices.

Included in the parking space management system, at least one database server, at least one application server, at least one user communication device, at least one communication server, at least one automatic telephone exchange, at least one web server with the ability to remotely register a user is interconnected by receiving and transmitting a user request.

In the claimed utility model, the user's communication device may be either a cellular communication device, or a stationary telephone, or a personal computer, or a payment terminal.

The inventive system includes customization tools for parking areas. Each parking zone has a unique number, which allows you to assign different tariffs, conditions restricting parking, and also different conditions for different categories of users for each parking zone, even in one area of the city. This is very important, given that the most popular parking spots (for example, in the city center during business hours) should have a higher tariff.

The inventive parking space management system can be implemented in several ways.

The first option is a parking space management system with pre-registration (Figure 2).

Before starting parking, the user is remotely registered in the database (1) in one of the following ways:

- through a web server (3) using a user communication device (6) with Internet access;

- through the payment terminal (8) of one of the payment systems and the application server (2) at the time of payment for parking services;

- through the parking system operator.

When registering, the user indicates the number of the vehicle (or several vehicles) and the phone number or phone numbers by which the database server will automatically determine the user (1).

At the time of registration, the user opens a personal account, which he can replenish with any of the available payment methods, including transferring funds from the user's bank account, from the user's mobile phone account, through payment terminals, scratch cards and other methods.

To start parking, the user in the IVR menu mode transmits a request from his communication device (6) through an automatic telephone exchange (5), which is processed by the communication server (4) and transmitted to the database server (1). The request contains only the parking zone code. The vehicle number is determined automatically by the database server (1) according to the user registration data. When a request is received, the database server identifies the user by phone number, checks the balance of the personal account and transmits the processed request to the application server (2), which generates and transmits a response to the user regarding the possibility or impossibility of parking. The available parking time is calculated by the system automatically based on the tariffs of the given parking zone and the availability of money in the user’s account, as well as taking into account the parking restrictions in this parking zone. If the account balance is zero or negative, the user is prompted to replenish the account. If at the moment parking in the zone is prohibited or limited for some categories of users, the user is notified by voice message via the IVR-menu about the impossibility of parking at the moment.

The user has a parking permit within the available amount on the personal account. In the case of approaching the end of the paid parking time, the user receives an SMS message warning of the end of the term (for example, 5 minutes, the time is customizable) so that the user can top up his personal account in a timely manner or leave the parking place. And if the user is busy and cannot leave the parking lot, the surcharge can be made remotely from a cell phone. Each time you replenish the account, the user receives a short SMS message confirming the amount transferred to the prepayment account and the balance of the personal account at the current moment taking into account the amount deposited. The user can check the balance of the personal account on his own by going to the system’s website, or by calling the system operator directly or in the IVR menu mode to request the account balance.

To complete the parking, the user transmits a request from his communication device (6) and ends the parking in the lVR menu mode. The database server (1) receives the request and identifies the user by phone number, determines the duration and cost of parking in accordance with the set tariffs in the given parking zone, and sends the processed request to the application server (2), which generates and sends a response to the user in the form of an SMS message regarding the completion of parking, the actual duration of parking and debiting funds from the personal account.

In another payment option, parking is calculated within a certain amount or a period of time predefined in the system in order to avoid unnecessarily spending money for parking if the user forgets to complete the parking operation. This option will allow the user not to lose the entire amount deposited in advance payment. The amount will be deducted from the personal account only within a certain time, if the user forgot to send a request to complete the parking. This limit is different for different parking zones and is mainly limited, for example, to four hours of parking payment. Another option is the ability for the user to set the planned parking time in minutes or hours. Before the end of the specified period, the user receives an SMS message about the need to extend the parking or complete it.

The second option is a parking space management system without prior registration (Figure 3).

This method is preferable for users who do not plan to use parking in the future and do not want to register in the system.

To start parking, the user transmits a request either through the payment terminal of one of the payment systems, or through the mobile payment system, or using prepaid cards (scratch cards). The user’s request is accepted and processed either by the web server (3) or the application server (2) and enters the database server (1), which processes the request and sends the user an answer about the possibility or impossibility of parking through the application server (2).

In this embodiment, the parking request contains, in addition to the parking zone number, the vehicle registration number and the planned parking time. The payment system transmits information to the database of the system (1), in which the cost of the service is calculated in accordance with the specified tariff and conditions in the specified parking zone. The result of calculations through the application server (2) is returned to the payment system and displayed on the terminal screen. If the amount entered by the user exceeds the amount calculated by the system, the user is invited to credit the remaining amount to the cell phone. In case of early termination of parking without prior registration, the balance of funds is not returned to the user.

In the method of paying for parking without registering with a scratch card, the user at the time of parking sends an SMS message through any of the systems that makes mobile payments, with information about the parking zone number, vehicle registration number and scratch card number. Scratch cards are issued in different denominations. By purchasing a scratch card of the corresponding denomination, the user gets the right to use the parking within the amount of this scratch card. Parking duration is calculated based on the tariffs of the used parking zone.

In another method of paying for parking without registering from a cell phone account through any of the systems that make mobile payments, the user at the time of parking sends an SMS message with information about the parking zone number, vehicle registration number and the amount of payment calculated by the user independently, based on the planned parking time and tariffs of this parking zone.

In another payment method, an SMS message sends information about the parking zone number, vehicle registration number and estimated parking time. In this case, the system itself calculates the payment amount based on the specified parking time and tariffs of the specified parking zone, and sends a request about the need to write off funds to the service of the mobile operator.

Monitoring the use of parking in the inventive system is carried out using a monitoring device with Internet access (7) (Figure 4). The control device can be made in the form of a cellular communication device or in the form of a personal computer. Before the start of the survey, the controller reports to the system the number of the parking zone that he is going to control. A request for each vehicle in the parking lot is sent through the monitoring device (7) through the web server (3) to the database server (1), which determines whether the vehicle is parked in a specific parking zone. In this case, it is enough to send only the digital part of the vehicle number (3 digits). The response to the monitoring results is sent through the web server (3) to the monitoring device (7). The absence of a vehicle number in the database (1) is a sign that the vehicle was not parked.

The monitoring device (7) may include components for automatically recognizing the registration number of the vehicle and sending it to the database server (1) for processing, as well as a camera with which photo or video recording of the vehicle is made, for which permission must be confirmed to the parking lot. In addition, the monitoring device may include a portable printer for printing penalties, or generate an electronic penalties card and send it via communication channels to the user at the addresses specified during registration in the system.

All facts of violations related to the lack of parking permits and the lack of payment for parking services are recorded by the system at the time of the survey to carry out further regulatory actions to apply penalties. When paying fines, the controller’s contact with the user is excluded, since the required amount is either debited from the user’s account in the form of increased tariffs for violation, or fines are sent by mail in the delayed period.

The system’s capabilities allow you to monitor various types of violations and, in accordance with each violation, apply different penalties, for example, the lack of a parking permit, unpaid parking, the paid time is over, parking during prohibited hours in this parking zone, an unregistered vehicle in the system, etc.

All requests of the controller are recorded in the database (1), which allows not only to monitor vehicles in a given parking zone, but also to monitor the activity of the controller. An advantage of the control method described in this utility model is that one controller can control several parking zones during the day and the system does not require a tightly attached controller workstation to each parking zone. In fact, all parking service controllers can continuously monitor any parking zones throughout the day. In this case, the system will record a request for each car from all parking zones that. inspected by the controller.

Thus, this utility model makes it difficult to misuse parking, facilitates the management of expired user accounts and significantly reduces the time required to monitor parked vehicles by providing remote access to information about parked cars in the database.

The advantage of the system of the described utility model is the ability for each parking zone to set an individual tariff depending on the time of day, individual parking conditions for different categories of users, the ability to enter prohibited and limited parking hours using penalties. In places where there is a special demand in the parking space, you can limit the maximum time a car can be in the parking lot by introducing increased tariffs or penalties. To ensure the turnover of cars is higher, the system allows you to configure special tariff zones in which payment will be made on certain conditions. The system allows you to configure the application of decreasing and increasing coefficients to the tariff for appropriate cases. For example, in case of violation of the parking time in the parking zone with a limited parking time, you can apply a tariff with a double factor for the time of violation.

As an incentive to use the parking service, the system provides for the possibility of applying incentive discounts or bonuses both one-time (by issued code) and permanent.

An advantage of the system is the presence of a web server (3), which not only accepts payments on-line on the Internet, but also allows users to independently register in the database, monitor the status of their personal account and replenish it via the Internet, and also subsequently analyze their parking in a given period in the context of parking zones.

The absence of the need for technical equipment such as taximeters, automatic machines for selling coupons, drug commissariats, barriers, automatic gates allows municipal authorities to rationally organize the city’s parking space with minimal infrastructure and system support costs.

The system provides the formation of operational and analytical statistical reports on the use of parking space in various sections. Operational information about the loading of any of the parking zones, statistics of loading the parking space at different hours of the day, calculated for any period (day, week, month, year), allows you to control the flow of vehicles at peak hours of workloads by pricing and introducing restrictions on parking at certain hours and days. Financial indicators of the use of the city’s parking space for any period and the detailing of these data by parking zones allows municipalities to determine additional sources of income to the city’s budget.

The utility model with the greatest efficiency can be used in the organization of paid city parking lots in a limited parking space with the least investment in parking infrastructure, especially in places where it is difficult to organize parking using special parking equipment, for example, along streets.

Claims (6)

1. The parking space management system, working with preliminary and without preliminary user registration, containing at least one database server; at least one application server; at least one user communication device interconnected by receiving and transmitting a user request, characterized in that it contains at least one communication server; at least one automatic telephone exchange; at least one web server with the ability to remotely register a user, interconnected by receiving and transmitting a user request. 2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one user communication device is a cellular communication device. 3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one user communication device is a landline telephone. 4. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one user communication device is a personal computer. 5. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one user communication device is a payment terminal. 6. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains a monitoring device with Internet access.

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