PARKING LOCATION CHECKING SYSTEM

A parking location checking system installed in a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: an electronic device including at least one communication circuit and at least one processor; at least one base station; at least one server communicatively connected to the at least one base station and including a database that stores therein information of the vehicle; and one or more user devices communicatively connected to the at least one server and linked to the vehicle. The electronic device is configured to transmit a first signal to the at least one base station by using the at least one communication circuit, and the at least one base station is configured to receive the first signal and transmit a second signal to the at least one server in response to the received first signal, and the at least one server is configured to receive the second signal and transmit a third signal to the user device in response to the received second signal, and the user device is configured to receive the third signal and provide a user of the user device with parking location information of the vehicle based on the received third signal. There can be various other embodiments.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a parking location checking system. More specifically, in the present disclosure, a system that detects a parking location of a vehicle without a user's separate manipulation when the user gets off the vehicle and provides a user device with the parking location for the user to check the parking location is described.

BACKGROUND

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted as prior art by inclusion in this section.

Due to advances in electronic control technology, various vehicular devices, which have been conventionally operated through mechanical methods, are now operated by electrical methods for the enhancement of driver convenience and safety. Also, vehicle systems are gradually becoming more advanced. Further, recently, a vehicle has been equipped with a telematics device to provide a smart control service that enables remote air conditioning, unlocking and locking of vehicle doors, parking location check, destination transmission, and vehicle status check with a smartphone, safety and security services such as emergency dispatch service, anti-theft tracking service, and burglar alarm service, a driving service that guides the fastest route by using real-time traffic information, and a vehicle management service that conducts a vehicle condition diagnosis and informs whether the vehicle needs to be repaired.

Despite the advancement of the existing telematics technology, users still have to remember their parking location to check the parking location. A blinking function that continuously blinks a light mounted on the vehicle or a chirp sound-making function that continuously generates a short and loud signal sound through a speaker mounted on the vehicle at a distance has been used to check the parking location. However, according to the above-described methods, it is difficult to recognize the exact direction and distance of the vehicle, and when the vehicle is far away from the user, it may be more difficult to find the location of the vehicle.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing, the present disclosure provides a vehicle user with a system that automatically checks a parking location of a vehicle at the time of parking and provides the user with the checked parking location through a user device by using a telematics device in addition to the above-described services. For example, a space for parking vehicles can be large and complex with multiple floors. In such a space, the users may forget to remember a parking location, or even if the user remembers the parking location, he/she may have a difficulty in recalling the exact location. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a system that enables a vehicle to directly check a parking location and provide it to a user device even without an active action of a user.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a parking location checking system installed in a vehicle includes: an electronic device including at least one communication circuit and at least one processor; at least one base station; at least one server communicatively connected to the at least one base station and including a database that stores therein information of the vehicle; and one or more user devices communicatively connected to the at least one server and linked to the vehicle. The electronic device may be configured to transmit a first signal to the at least one base station by using the at least one communication circuit, and the at least one base station may be configured to receive the first signal and transmit a second signal to the at least one server in response to the received first signal, and the at least one server may be configured to receive the second signal and transmit a third signal to the user device in response to the received second signal, and the user device may be configured to receive the third signal and provide a user of the user device with parking location information of the vehicle based on the received third signal.

According to an embodiment, the processor included in the electronic device may be configured to generate location information related to a parking location of the vehicle by using location determination technology, and the first signal may contain the location information.

According to an embodiment, the at least one server may be configured to generate location information related to a parking location of the vehicle based on the received second signal by using location determination technology, and the third signal may contain the location information.

According to an embodiment, the location determination technology may employ at least any one of Cell ID method, Enhanced Cell ID method, Angle of Arrival (AOA) method, Time of Arrival (TOA) method, Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) method, or Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) method.

According to an embodiment, the user device may receive the location information related to the parking location of the vehicle, match the location information in map data of a parking space related to the location information, and display the map data and the matched location information on a display device included in the user device.

According to an embodiment, the at least one server may be configured to further transmit parking space information containing the map data of the parking space related to the location information to the user device.

According to an embodiment, the user device may be further configured to transmit a signal for requesting parking space information to the at least one server if the parking space information containing the map data of the parking space related to the location information is not stored in the user device.

According to an embodiment, the at least one server may be configured to receive the signal for requesting the parking space information and transmit the requested parking space information to the user device.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may be further configured to transmit the first signal in response to a vehicle location confirmation input. The vehicle location confirmation input may be at least one of an input to a mechanical button installed at the vehicle, an input to an icon displayed on a display device installed at the vehicle, a voice input received through a microphone installed at the vehicle, or an input from the user device.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may be further configured to transmit the first signal at every predetermined period, and the at least one base station may be further configured to receive the first signal and transmit the second signal to the at least one server every predetermined period in response to the received first signal, and the at least one server may be further configured to receive the second signal transmitted every predetermined period, generate location information related to the parking location of the vehicle and transmit the third signal including the generated location information to the user device every predetermined period.

According to an embodiment, a parking location checking method to be performed by at least one server includes: a process of receiving a signal transmitted from the vehicle through at least one base station; a process of generating location information related to a parking location of the vehicle based on the received signal transmitted from the vehicle by using location determination technology; and a process of transmitting a signal including the location information to a user device linked to the vehicle.

According to an embodiment, in the parking location checking method to be performed by at least one server, the location determination technology may employ at least any one of Cell ID method, Enhanced Cell ID method, Angle of Arrival (AOA) method, Time of Arrival (TOA) method, Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) method or Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) method.

According to an embodiment, the parking location checking method to be performed by at least one server may further include: a process of receiving a signal for requesting parking space information containing map data of a parking space related to the location information from the user device; and a process of transmitting the requested parking space information to the user device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereafter, embodiments and examples will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the present disclosure may be readily implemented by those of ordinary skill in the art. However, it is to be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and examples but can be embodied in various other ways.

The present disclosure relates to a parking location checking system. More specifically, in the present disclosure, a system that detects a parking location of a vehicle without a user's separate manipulation when the user gets off the vehicle and provides a user device with the parking location for the user to check the parking location is described.

FIG. 1is a schematic diagram illustrating a system for in-vehicle payment, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. A server130may be any computing device having an application server, a standalone server, a web server, other data transmission/reception functions, data identification functions and data processing functions. A network150may be composed of any device having a computer network, the Internet, a telephone network, a TCP/IP data network (including WAN, LAN, VPN, etc.) and other communication functions.

A vehicle110may be configured to communicate with an external device. For example, vehicle110may be configured to communicate with server130, at least one base station160and a user device140. The communication with the external device may be carried out through a network150. For example, network150may include a long-range wireless network, a short-range wireless network, or a wired network. Vehicle110may perform or receive various services, such as payment service and parking location checking service, through the communication with the external device. Vehicle110may enter a specific area, for example, a parking lot120, and the entry of vehicle110into parking lot120may be confirmed (hereinafter, specific area120may also be referred to as parking lot120). Vehicle110may check where vehicle110is located in parking lot120by using various location determination technologies such as GPS (global positioning system), WPS (wi-fi positioning system), CPS (cellular positioning system) and triangulation. For example, vehicle110may check the parking location by using triangulation performed by at least one base station160installed inside parking lot120. The location determination technology may employ at least one of Cell ID method, Enhanced Cell ID method, Angle of Arrival (AOA) method, Time of Arrival (TOA) method, Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) method, or Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) method.

At least one base station160may include a base station according to various communication protocols, such as a base station for CPS, an access point (AP) for WPS and a beacon. In another embodiment, at least one base station160may be installed outside parking lot120. The communication between the external device and vehicle110to provide a parking location checking service will be described in detail later.

Server130may be used for a parking location checking service. For example, server130may acquire absolute location information of vehicle110from vehicle110or at least one base station160, and generate parking location information based on the received location information and parking space information about specific area120(for example, parking lot) in which vehicle110is located. Server130may transmit the generated parking location information to user device140to allow the user to receive a parking location checking service through user device140.

Further, server130may generate payment information by collecting fees to be charged, and server130may be configured to be associated with a payment system to enable the charged fees to be paid and settled. The payment information may include parking fee information based on parking time, discount information and other payment information. The other payment information may include fee information about a car wash system installed in parking lot120, fee information about an electric vehicle charging system installed in parking lot120, and payment information in a specific place (for example, a repair shop, a shopping mall, etc.) to which parking lot120belongs, but is not limited to the examples described herein.

FIG. 2is a functional block diagram of an electronic device for implementing in-vehicle payment, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG. 2, an electronic device201installed inside vehicle110may communicate with user device140or server130through network150(for example, a long-range wireless communication network) or communicate with user device140through a short-range wireless communication network141. According to an embodiment, electronic device201may communicate with user device140through server130.

According to an embodiment, electronic device201may include a processor210, a memory220, an input device240, a sound device250, a display device (or display)260, a power management module270, or a communication module280. In some embodiments, at least one of the components (for example, display device260) may be omitted or one or more other components may be added to electronic device201. In some embodiments, some of the components may be implemented with a single integrated circuit. For example, input device240(for example, a touch circuitry) may be implemented to be embedded in display device260.

Processor210may control at least one other component (for example, a hardware or software component) of electronic device201connected to processor210by executing, for example, software (for example, a program230) and may perform various data processing or calculations. According to an embodiment, as at least a part of the data processing or calculations, processor210may load an instruction or data received from another component (for example, input device240or a communication module280) to volatile memory221, process the instruction or data stored in volatile memory221, and store the resultant data in a nonvolatile memory222. According to an embodiment, processor210may include a main processor (for example, a central processing unit or an application processor) and an auxiliary processor (for example, a graphic processing unit, an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor) which may operate independently from the main processor or together with the main processor. Additionally or alternatively, the auxiliary processor may use lower power than the main processor or may be configured to specialize in a predetermined function. The auxiliary processor may be implemented separately from the main processor or as a part of the main processor.

Memory220may store various data used by at least one component (for example, processor210) of electronic device201. The data may include, for example, software (for example, program230) and input data or output data on an instruction related thereto. Memory220may include volatile memory221or nonvolatile memory222.

Program230may be stored in memory220and may include, for example, an operating system231, middleware232, or an application233.

Input device250->240may receive an instruction or data to be used by the component (for example, processor210) of electronic device201from the outside (for example, the user) of electronic device201. Input device250->240may include, for example, a touch panel and a physical input mean with button-type or dial-type.

Sound device250may output a sound signal to the outside of electronic device201or receive a sound signal. Sound device250may include, for example, a speaker or a recorder. The speaker may be used for general purposes, such as reproducing multimedia or recording, and the recorder may be used for receiving a voice instruction of the user. According to an embodiment, the recorder may be implemented separately from the speaker or as a part of the speaker.

Display device260may visually provide information to the outside (for example, the user) of electronic device201. Display device260may include, for example, a display, a hologram device, a projector, and a control circuit for controlling the corresponding device. According to an embodiment, display device260may include a touch circuitry configured to detect a touch, or a sensor circuit (for example, a pressure sensor) configured to measure the intensity of force generated by the touch.

Power management module270may manage power supplied to electronic device201. According to an embodiment, power management module270may be implemented as at least a part of, for example, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC). According to an embodiment, electronic device201may manage power supplied from the outside (for example, vehicle110) and/or power of an internal battery through power management module270. For example, power management module270may charge the internal battery with power supplied from vehicle110and may supply power to electronic device201and charge the internal battery at the same time.

Communication module280may support establishment of a direct (for example, wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between electronic device201and an external electronic device (for example, user device140or server130), and communicate through the established communication channel. Communication module280may include one or more communication processors that operate independently from processor210(for example, the application processor) and support direct (for example, wired) communication or wireless communication. According to an embodiment, the communication module280may include a wireless communication module (for example, a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module (for example, a local area network (LAN) communication module or a power line communication module). Among these communication modules, the corresponding communication module may communicate with the external electronic device through network150(for example, a long-range communication network such as a cellular network, Internet, or a computer network (for example, LAN or WAN))) or a short-range network141(for example, a short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi direct or infrared data association (IrDA)). Such various types of communication modules may be integrated into one component (for example, a single chip) or may be implemented with a plurality of separate components (for example, a plurality of chips).

A connection terminal290may include a connector that physically connects electronic device201to an ECU291. ECU291may be configured to control all vehicle operations, such as driving, braking and steering, of vehicle110. For example, ECU291may be configured to control an engine, an automatic transmission, an anti-lock brake system (ABS), and the like. In another embodiment, ECU291may be included in electronic device201. In yet another embodiment, ECU291may function as processor210of electronic device201or function as a substitute for processor210.

At least some of the components may be connected to each other through a communication scheme between peripheral devices (for example, a bus, general purpose input and output (GPIO), a serial peripheral interface (SPI), or a mobile industry processor interface (MIPI)) and may exchange signals (for example, instruction or data) therebetween.

According to an embodiment, an instruction or data may be transmitted or received between electronic device201and user device140through server130connected to network150. User device140may be electronic device201and various types of electronic devices. User device140may include, for example, a portable communication device (for example, a smartphone), a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a camera, a wearable device, or a home appliance. User device140is not limited to the above-described devices.

The term “module” as used herein may include a unit implemented with hardware, software, or firmware, and may be used interchangeably with the term, for example, “logic,” “logical block,” “component,” “circuit,” or the like. The module may be an integrated component, or a minimum unit for performing one or more functions or a part thereof. For example, according to an embodiment, a module may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

Various embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented by software (for example, a program230) including one or more instructions stored in a machine (for example, electronic device201)-readable storage medium (for example, an internal memory223or an external memory224). For example, the machine (for example, a processor (for example, processor210) of electronic device201) may retrieve at least one of the one or more instructions from the storage medium and execute the retrieved at least one instruction. This enables the device to operate to perform at least one function according to the retrieved at least one instruction. One or more instructions may include a code that is generated by a compiler or executed by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, the term “non-transitory” only means that the storage medium is tangible without including a signal, irrespective of whether data are semi-permanently or transitorily stored in the storage medium.

According to an embodiment, the method according to various embodiments disclosed herein may be included and provided in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as a product between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (for example, compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or may be distributed online via an application store (for example, Play Store™) or between two user devices (for example, a navigation device and a smartphone). If distributed online, at least a part of the computer program product may be temporarily generated or temporarily stored in the machine-readable storage medium, such as memory of the manufacturer's server, a server of the application store or a relay server.

FIG. 3is a flowchart showing a parking location checking process performed by the system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The flowchart ofFIG. 3is based on an algorithm implemented on vehicle110, server130, user device140and at least one base station160shown inFIG. 1. Hereinafter, each component of electronic device201of vehicle110shown inFIG. 2is used to explain each process ofFIG. 3, but the processes are not necessarily limited to the components shown inFIG. 2.

A process may begin at block301where electronic device201starts parking location checking based on parking of vehicle110into a specific area (for example, parking lot120inFIG. 1). Here, the term “parking location checking” may refer to an operation of triggering or starting vehicle110to check a parking location by itself when the user parks vehicle110in a specific area (for example, parking lot120inFIG. 1) that provides a parking location checking service. In other words, electronic device201(or vehicle110) may detect a situation in which the parking location needs to be checked and start a series of operations for checking the parking location by itself. When the parking location checking is started, electronic device201installed in vehicle110may control at least some related components (for example, communication module280) for providing a service capable of checking the location of vehicle110. For example, processor210of electronic device201may be activated to control at least some of the components even when vehicle110is turned off. As another example, electronic device201may further include an auxiliary processor capable of controlling at least some of the components of electronic device201while the processor is in an inactive (for example, sleep) state in a vehicle entry state.

According to an embodiment, when electronic device201detects a stop of the engine, electronic device201may start parking location checking. According to another embodiment, when electronic device201detects an operation of a hand brake (also referred to as a parking brake or a side brake) after the engine is stopped, electronic device201may start parking location checking. According to yet another embodiment, when electronic device201receives a signal for locking the doors of vehicle110transmitted from an external electronic device (for example, user device140inFIG. 1or a remote controller), electronic device201may start parking location checking. Electronic device201may receive information about vehicle driving from ECU291of vehicle110in order to detect a stop and a start of the engine.

In some embodiments, electronic device201may start parking location checking through a user input to input device240installed in vehicle110. This will be described in detail with reference toFIG. 4. For example, vehicle110may include a separate physical key (for example, a button241inFIG. 4) for starting parking location checking. Physical key241may include a push button or a dial key. Electronic device201may start parking location checking when detecting a user input to physical key241.

In another embodiment, electronic device201may start parking location checking in response to a user input on an interface displayed on display device260. Referring toFIG. 4, vehicle110may include display device260capable of interacting with the user. Electronic device201may display an interface for starting parking location checking and an icon for starting parking location checking through display device260. Electronic device201may start parking location checking when receiving a user input (for example, a touch input) to the icon.

In yet another embodiment, vehicle110may start parking location checking in response to the user's voice input through a microphone (for example,242inFIG. 4). For example, when electronic device201may start parking location checking when detecting receipt of a predetermined specific voice input (for example, the user's voice saying “parking location checking!”).

When parking location checking is started, electronic device201may transmit a first signal through communication module280. The first signal may be transmitted to at least one base station160through a long-range wireless network. The first signal may be transmitted according to a preset communication protocol with at least one base station. The first signal may be used by the system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure to check the location of electronic device201. According to an embodiment, signals transmitted and received between electronic device201and at least one base station may be cellular communication signals such as LTE signals, and each signal may contain control information PDCCH and data PDSCH. The data PDSCH may include data for measuring the location of vehicle110. In another embodiment, if at least one base station is a beacon, electronic device201may broadcast the first signal. However, as in an embodiment described below, if electronic device201and at least one base station160already know each other as communication partners, the first signal may contain, for example, destination information in a header to perform unicast.

In some embodiments, electronic device201and at least one base station160may bidirectionally transmit and receive a plurality of signals. In some embodiments, the first signal may be first transmitted from at least one base station160to electronic device201. By using bidirectional signal transmission and reception, information for specifying the location of vehicle110(or electronic device201) or tracking the location of vehicle110(or electronic device201) in real-time may be generated. Location determination technology for specifying or tracking the location of vehicle110may employ at least one of Cell ID method, Enhanced Cell ID method, Angle of Arrival (AOA) method, Time of Arrival (TOA) method, Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) method or Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) method. According to the AOA method, each of at least three base stations160measures a phase of a signal depending on the received incident angle of a signal (for example, first signal) transmitted from electronic device201, calculates an incident angle using the distance and phase difference between base stations160and measures the location of electronic device201using the calculated incident angle. The TOA method uses transmission time of a signal, and according to the TOA method, under the assumption that all of at least three base stations160are correctly time-synchronized, the arrival time of a signal from electronic device201to each of base stations160is measured to measure the location of electronic device201. The RSSI method is a method of tracking the location by measuring the strength of a signal, and according to the RSSI method, the intensity of a signal (for example, first signal) received from electronic device201by three base stations160is measured to track the location of electronic device201. In another embodiment, the first signal may contain direct location information (for example, coordinate information) about electronic device201directly measured by electronic device201using a GPS or the like.

Then, the process may continue to block303where at least one base station160receives the first signal from electronic device201(or vehicle110) and generates a second signal. The second signal may be generated based on the first signal received from electronic device201by at least one base station160. For example, the second signal may contain at least one of first signals as it is, or may be generated by collecting only data necessary to generate vehicle location information from the first signal. The second signal may include information (for example, device identifier, identification number) of electronic device201that has transmitted the first signal or information (for example, vehicle plate number) of vehicle110including electronic device201. This is to measure the object of vehicle location information to be generated, that is, to measure which vehicle is parked.

The process may continue to block305where server130generates vehicle location information based on the second signal received from at least one base station160. Here, the term “vehicle location information” may refer to two-dimensional or three-dimensional absolute location information or two-dimensional or three-dimensional absolute coordinates of vehicle110(or electronic device201). In the vehicle location information, the coordinate space may use a standard local coordinate system or a world coordinate system. Alternatively, in the vehicle location information, the coordinate space may be a unique coordinate space designed to check a parking location. The vehicle location information may be two-dimensional location information, or may be three-dimensional location information further containing height (altitude) information.

The embodiment is not limited to the above description, and the vehicle location information may be generated by electronic device201installed in vehicle110and at least one base station160, and server130may receive the vehicle location information directly or indirectly from electronic device201or at least one base station160.

The process may continue to block307where server130checks user information corresponding to the vehicle based on the second information received from at least one base station160. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and block307for checking user information corresponding to the vehicle may be performed earlier than block305for generating vehicle location information, or blocks305and307may be performed simultaneously.

Server130may check user information corresponding to the vehicle based on the second signal received at block307. The second signal may contain information for identifying vehicle110, for example, a vehicle plate number, data on an identifier of vehicle110, or electronic device201. Server130may retrieve user information corresponding to the information for identifying vehicle110from a database DB. The user information may contain information of user device140of the user of vehicle110(for example, a phone number, a device identifier, or an email address). Server130may transmit a third signal to user device140based on the confirmed user information. The third signal may contain the vehicle location information generated by server130.

The process may continue to block309where user device140checks the space information and generates parking location information. User device140may match the vehicle location information to the parking space information based on the third signal received from server130. Here, a reference point of the vehicle location information may be matched to a reference point of the parking space information to check a relative location of vehicle110in specific area120. For example, when the vehicle location information indicates coordinates (x1, y1, z1), user device140may check where the coordinates (x1, y1, z1) are located in specific area120. For example, when the vehicle location information indicates the coordinates (x1, y1, z1), user device140may confirm that vehicle110has been parked in a specific parking zone (A1-1) on a parking lot floor (second basement floor) in a specific area120. In the process, the vehicle location information may be matched to the parking space information and then, the parking location information may be generated.

Then, the process may continue to block309where user device140provides the parking location information. According to an embodiment, user device140may provide the user with the parking location information based on the generated parking location information. For example, user device140may display, on the display device, an interface configured to allow the user to check the parking location. The interface for checking the parking location may include a height of vehicle parking (floor number in the parking lot), a parking location (zone number), the user's current location and a route to the parking location.

In another embodiment, user device140may further provide a voice signal for checking the parking location through the sound device. For example, user device140may provide guidance on the route from the current location to the parking location in the form of a voice signal. In another embodiment, user device140may provide a sound signal which changes, for example, the magnitude of which increases the sound changes as the user's current location becomes closer to the parking location.

FIG. 5is a flowchart showing at least a part of the parking location checking process performed by the system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The flowchart ofFIG. 5relates to a process implemented on vehicle110, server130and at least one base station160shown inFIG. 1. A detailed description of the process already described inFIG. 3may be omitted.

A process may begin at block501where entry of electronic device201(or vehicle110) into specific area120is checked. According to an embodiment, electronic device201may check by itself whether it has entered specific area120by using a global positioning system (GPS). Electronic device201may previously store location information of at least one area that provides a parking location checking service. Electronic device201may periodically check the current location and may check whether it has entered an area that provides a parking location checking service. According to another embodiment, electronic device201may check whether it has entered specific area120based on a signal from the outside through network150or short-range wireless communication network141. For example, when vehicle110passes through a specific passage or vehicle access control system, electronic device201receives a signal indicating that vehicle110has entered specific area120from a local network communication device installed in the specific passage or vehicle access control system. After confirming the entry into specific area120, electronic device201may transmit a signal indicating that it has entered specific area120to server130.

Then, at block503, server130may identify specific area120which electronic device201(or vehicle110) that transmits the specific area entry signal has entered. Server130may transmit a vehicle entry confirmation signal to operate in a standby state for checking the parking location to at least one base station160matched to identified specific area120. For example, server130may store an identifier (for example, a cell identifier) of at least one base station allocated to each specific area120for a parking location checking service. As another example, server130may check a public land mobile network (PLMN) corresponding to vehicle110and may transmit a vehicle entry confirmation signal to at least one base station belonging to the corresponding PLMN around specific area120. Server130may transmit a vehicle entry confirmation signal to such at least one base station directly or via another server.

Then, the process may continue to block505where at least one base station160operates in a standby state. At least one base station160may operate in a standby state in response to the vehicle entry confirmation signal received from server130. Here, the term “standby state” refers to an operation state capable of receiving the first signal transmitted from vehicle110(or electronic device201) based on starting the parking location checking (block301).

For example, at least one base station160may operate in a power-saving mode and then operate in an active mode when receiving the vehicle entry confirmation signal transmitted from server130. As another example, at least one base station160may acquire information of incoming vehicle110(or electronic device201) included in the transmitted vehicle entry confirmation signal. At least one base station160may allow access of incoming vehicle110(or electronic device201) based on the acquired information of vehicle110while operating in a standby state. As yet another example, at least one base station160may periodically track the location of vehicle110(or electronic device201) while operating in a standby state. At least one base station160may first transmit a specific signal to vehicle110(or electronic device201) and then receive a response signal from vehicle110to track the location of vehicle110(or electronic device201).

Thereafter, at least one base station160may transmit the second signal generated based on the first signal to server130and then, the process may continue to block507where the standby state is canceled. When at least one base station160transmits the second signal, there is no operation to be performed, and, thus, the standby state may be canceled. When the standby state is canceled, at least one base station160may return to the power saving mode or may stop periodically transmitting a certain signal to vehicle110(or electronic device201) to track the location of vehicle110in real-time.

FIG. 6is a schematic diagram of the system further including a vehicle access control system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 7is a flowchart showing at least a part of a process performed by the parking location checking system shown in FIG.6. The flowchart ofFIG. 7relates to a process implemented when a vehicle access control system610installed at the entrance of specific area120is further included in addition to vehicle110, server130and at least one base station160shown inFIG. 1. A detailed description of the process already described inFIG. 3may be omitted.

A process may begin at block601where vehicle plate number images of incoming vehicle110are acquired when vehicle110passes through vehicle access control system610to enter a specific area (for example, parking lot120inFIG. 1). Vehicle access control system610may acquire images of incoming vehicle110. The images of the vehicle may include front and/or rear images of vehicle110and may include a license plate of the vehicle. Vehicle access control system610may recognize a vehicle plate number of vehicle110based on the acquired vehicle plate number images. When under-recognition of the vehicle plate number of vehicle110occurs, vehicle access control system610may transmit the acquired vehicle plate number images to server130in order to check the vehicle plate number. The vehicle plate number images may be transmitted to server130directly or via another server (for example, a local server).

Then, at block603, server130may recognize the vehicle plate number by using the received vehicle plate number images. Server130may check the vehicle plate number based on the received vehicle plate number images by using big data technology, cloud computing technology, distributed computing technology, client-server computing technology, or machine-learning technology.

According to an embodiment, server130may provide the checked vehicle plate number to vehicle access control system610. Also, server130may transmit a vehicle entry confirmation signal to operate in a standby state for checking the parking location to vehicle access control system610that has transmitted the vehicle plate number images and/or to at least one base station160matched to the checked vehicle plate number. For example, server130may transmit a vehicle entry confirmation signal to at least one base station, at least one AP, and at least one beacon corresponding to vehicle access control system610that has transmitted the vehicle plate number images. Server130may store an identifier (for example, a cell identifier) of at least one base station allocated to each vehicle access control system610for a parking location checking service. As another example, server130may check the user's PLMN corresponding to the checked vehicle plate number and transmit a vehicle entry confirmation signal to at least one base station belonging to the corresponding PLMN around vehicle access control system610(or specific area120). Server130may transmit a vehicle entry confirmation signal to such at least one base station directly or via another server (for example, a local server620).

However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the vehicle entry confirmation signal for at least one base station160may be transmitted directly from vehicle access control system610or via another server (for example, local server620). This may occur when vehicle access control system610accurately recognizes the vehicle plate number of vehicle110.

Then, the process may continue to block605where at least one base station160operates in a standby state. At least one base station160may operate in a standby state in response to the vehicle entry confirmation signal received from server130. Here, the term “standby state” refers to an operation state capable of receiving the first signal transmitted from vehicle110(or electronic device201) based on starting the parking location checking (block301).

For example, at least one base station160may operate in a power-saving mode and then operate in an active mode when receiving the vehicle entry confirmation signal transmitted from server130. As another example, at least one base station160may acquire information of incoming vehicle110(or electronic device201) included in the transmitted vehicle entry confirmation signal. At least one base station160may allow access of incoming vehicle110(or electronic device201) based on the acquired information of vehicle110while operating in a standby state. As yet another example, at least one base station160may periodically track the location of vehicle110(or electronic device201) while operating in a standby state. At least one base station160may first transmit a specific signal to vehicle110(or electronic device201) and then receive a response signal from vehicle110to track the location of vehicle110(or electronic device201).

Thereafter, at least one base station160may transmit the second signal generated based on the first signal to server130and then, the process may continue to block607where the standby state is canceled. When at least one base station160-1,160-2or160-3transmits the second signal, there is no operation to be performed, and, thus, the standby state may be canceled. When the standby state is canceled, at least one base station160may return to the power saving mode or may stop periodically transmitting a certain signal to vehicle110(or electronic device201) to track the location of vehicle110in real-time.

FIG. 8is a flowchart showing at least a part of a parking location checking process performed by a system, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 8may be a detailed flowchart of block309for checking parking space information and generating parking location information in the flowchart ofFIG. 3.

At block701, user device140may check whether parking space information exists. In other words, user device140may check whether the parking space information for specific area120where vehicle110has entered or has been parked is stored in a memory or database of user device140. According to an embodiment, if it is determined that parking space information exists, the process may continue to block707where the parking space information is matched to vehicle location information.

According to an embodiment, if it is determined that parking space information does not exist, the process may continue to block703where parking space information is requested from server130. Specifically, user device140may transmit, to server130, a signal to request transmission of parking space information of specific area120where vehicle110has been parked. Then, user device140may receive the parking space information transmitted by server130in response to the signal to request transmission of parking space information. The received parking space information may be stored in the memory or database. Then, the process may continue to block707where the parking space information is matched to vehicle location information.

At block707, user device140may match the vehicle location information to the parking space information based on the third signal received from server130. Here, a reference point of the vehicle location information may be matched to a reference point of the parking space information to check a relative location of vehicle110in specific area120. For example, when the vehicle location information indicates coordinates (x1, y1, z1), user device140may check where the coordinates (x1, y1, z1) are located in specific area120. For example, when the vehicle location information indicates the coordinates (x1, y1, z1), user device140may confirm that vehicle110has been parked in a specific parking zone (A1-1) on a parking lot floor (second basement floor) in specific area120. The process may continue to block709where the vehicle location information is matched to the parking space information and then, the parking location information is generated.

User device140may generate parking location information at block709. User device140may match the vehicle location information to the parking space information based on the third signal received from server130. Here, a reference point of the vehicle location information may be matched to a reference point of the parking space information to check a relative location of vehicle110in specific area120. For example, when the vehicle location information indicates coordinates (x1, y1, z1), user device140may check where the coordinates (x1, y1, z1) are located in specific area120. For example, when the vehicle location information indicates the coordinates (x1, y1, z1), user device140may confirm that vehicle110has been parked in a specific parking zone (A1-1) on a parking lot floor (second basement floor) in specific area120. In the process, the vehicle location information may be matched to the parking space information and then, the parking location information may be generated.

In this way, the user can check a parking location through the user device by using the system for providing a parking location checking service according to the present disclosure even without memorizing the parking location or without the user's special manipulation to remember the parking location. Also, a business operator providing a specific area as a parking space can provide a parking location checking service in a specific area while minimizing the addition of new facilities by using the system of the present disclosure.

In particular, the parking location checking service of the present disclosure provides a system that enables electronic device201installed in vehicle110to communicate directly with an external device, for example, server130or at least one base station160, through network150and check a parking location even without the user's manipulation.

The above description of the present disclosure is provided for the purpose of illustration, and it would be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without changing technical conception and essential features of the present disclosure. For example, the specific area has been described above as a parking lot of a complex shopping mall, but the specific area may be a space, such as a concert hall, a drive-in theater, a festival site, in which a parking space is provided but it is difficult for the user to remember a parking location. It is clear that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and do not limit the present disclosure. For example, each component described to be of a single type can be implemented in a distributed manner. Likewise, components described to be distributed can be implemented in a combined manner.

In addition, in the embodiments described in the present disclosure, processes, such as generating vehicle location information, matching the vehicle location information to parking space information including map data, and generating parking location information, may be performed by respective components (for example, electronic device201installed in vehicle110, server130, local server620, user device140, and at least one base station160) constituting the system. The processes are performed by different components, respectively. Thus, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that signals containing information and/or data that may be added between the components can be transmitted and received.

There is little distinction left between hardware and software implementations of aspects of systems; the use of hardware or software is generally a design choice representing cost vs. efficiency tradeoffs. There are various vehicles by which processes and/or systems and/or other technologies described herein can be effected (e.g., hardware, software, and/or firmware), and that the preferred vehicle will vary with the context in which the processes and/or systems and/or other technologies are deployed. For example, if an implementer determines that speed and accuracy are paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly hardware and/or firmware vehicle; if flexibility is paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly software implementation; or, yet again alternatively, the implementer may opt for some combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware.

The programs (software modules or software) may be stored in nonvolatile memories including a random-access memory and a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a magnetic disc storage device, a compact disc-ROM (CD-ROM), digital versatile discs (DVDs), or other type optical storage devices, or a magnetic cassette. Alternatively, any combination of some or all of the may form a memory in which the program is stored. Further, a plurality of such memories may be included in the electronic device.

Further, the programs may be stored in an attachable storage device that is accessible through a communication network, such as the Internet, the Intranet, a local area network (LAN), wide LAN (WLAN), or storage area network (SAN), or a communication network configured with a combination thereof. The storage devices may be connected to an electronic device through an external port. Furthermore, a separate storage device on the communication network may access a device that performs an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In the above-described detailed embodiments of the present disclosure, the number of elements included in the present disclosure is expressed in the singular or the plural according to a presented detailed embodiment. However, the singular form or plural form is selected for convenience of description suitable for the presented situation, and various embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to a single element or multiple elements thereof. Further, multiple elements expressed in the description may be configured into a single element or a single element in the description may be configured into multiple elements.

Although the embodiment has been described in the detailed description of the present disclosure, the present disclosure may be modified in various forms without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure should not be defined as being limited to the embodiments, but should be defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Throughout this document, the term “connected to” may be used to designate a connection or coupling of one element to another element and includes both an element being “directly connected to” another element and an element being “electronically connected to” another element via another element. Through the whole document, the term “on” that is used to designate a position of one element with respect to another element includes both a case that the one element is adjacent to the other element and a case that any other element exists between these two elements. Further, through the whole document, the term “comprises or includes” and/or “comprising or including” used in the document means that one or more other components, steps, operation and/or existence or addition of elements are not excluded in addition to the described components, steps, operation and/or elements unless context dictates otherwise. Through the whole document, the term “about or approximately” or “substantially” is intended to have meanings close to numerical values or ranges specified with an allowable error and intended to prevent accurate or absolute numerical values disclosed for understanding of the present disclosure from being illegally or unfairly used by any unconscionable third party.