PARKING SYSTEM

Abstract: A vehicle parking system in which each parking place (1) incorporated in the system is assigned a unique digital and/or alphabetical code which is unique to that particular parking space, characterized in that the vehicle (2) is assigned a unique digital and/or alphabetical code; and in that when a vehicle is parked in one such parking space and when parking of the vehicle is terminated, the parking space code and vehicle code together with a unique code assigned to the vehicle driver are sent to a database (5) for registration of the parking space, the vehicle concerned and the parking period, and for determining the parking fee and the address to which the parking fee shall be debited, on the basis of the data received.

Description: Parking System The present invention relates to a vehicle parking system in which each parking space - parking area, "f 5 parking square - is assigned a unique numerical and/or '* alphabetical code. Pay parking spaces are found in all densely populated areas, without exception. Various systems are found in 10 which a given fee is paid for an intended parking period, this fee being deposited in cash into a parking meter located at each parking space, or into a central parking ticket dispenser which serves a vehicle parking area and which issues a parking ticket disclosing the 15 period for which a parking fee has been paid, this ticket being placed in the vehicle in a position where it can be seen from outside the vehicle. Such pay park¬ ing systems, however, are encumbered with a number of serious problems. For instance, administration costs and 20 investment costs are high, as is also the cost of main¬ tenance resulting from malicious damage to the parking meters or ticket dispensers, including the theft of the coins contained therein, such damage requiring constant repair of the meters and dispensers. In order to prevent 25 the theft of the cash content of such parking machines, machines have been introduced with which parking fees are "paid 11 through the medium of pay cards. Such ma¬ chines, however, assume that the vehicle owner is in possession of such a card, and also means that the 30 machines must be adapted to accept the majority of pay cards, credit cards, available to the public at large. There is also the risk that climatic conditions will cause such machines to malfunction and, of course, the machines may also be damaged. 35 The present invention provides a parking system which eliminates the drawbacks of those parking systems known hitherto and enables parking fees to be paid in a simple fashion without needing to pay cash on the occasion of parking the vehicle. The inventive parking system is also cheaper with regard to administration, investments and maintenance. This is achieved with an inventive parking system having the characteristic features set forth in the following Claims. The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to an inventive parking system illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawing. The drawing illustrates schematically a parking place 1 which has been assigned a numerical and/or alphabetical code which is unique to that particular parking space, for instance 1 2 3, and a vehicle 2 parked in said space. According to the invention, the vehicle is as- signed a numerical and/or alphabetical code which is unique to that vehicle. For instance, the code may consist in the whole of the vehicle registration number or parts thereof, for instance A B C. In the illustrated embodiment, it is assumed that the vehicle is equipped with a vehicle telephone, as indicated by the transmit¬ ter 3. The driver of the parked vehicle shall be aware of or assigned a unique code which associates the vehi¬ cle directly withthe one responsible for payment of the parking fee. This code may be 4 5 6, for instance. The system also utilizes existing base or relay sta¬ tions, here referenced 4, and a computer centre or database 5. Having parked the vehicle in the parking space, the driver dials on his/her vehicle telephone - mobile telephone - the code 1 2 3 unique to that parking space, the vehicle code A B C and a personal or payment respons¬ ibility code 4 5 6. This code combination is sent via transmitter 3 and the base or relay station 4 to the database 5, in which the time at which the information was received is recorded together with data information concerning the parking space used, the vehicle using the parking space and the person responsible for paying the parking fee. When the driver collects the vehicle from the parking space, he/she again sends the combined code to the database 5, over the vehicle tele¬ phone, whereupon the database records that the parking period has been terminated. Data is processed and, for instance, is converted to a form which denotes the place, time and cost of the parking period. According to the invention, this parking cost can be debited by a municipal telephone company, or through the National telephone company, through its normal debiting routines. As an alternative to a vehicle telephone, it is conceiv¬ able to use a telephone located in the vicinity of the parking space, one such telephone being referenced 6 in the drawing, or the parking area can be equipped with a separate transmitter and keyboard for transmission of the parking codes inserted through the keyboard by the person parking the vehicle (not shown). The parking area may be equipped with a separate telephone which is intended solely for vehicle parking purposes. It is also conceivable to operate the inventive parking system with the aid of a separate code transmitter in the keeping of the person responsible for payment of the parking fee, this transmitter possibly being programmed with the vehicle code and the code of the responsible person, such that solely the code of the parking space need be inserted when parking the vehicle. The illustrated system may also be coupled to local computer centres 7, for instance so that a parking space can be booked and time checks and parking space follow- ups carried out. Vehicle parking and parking times can be supervised by a car park superintendent equipped with a portable com¬ puter 8 capable of displaying a graphic picture of the parking areas or spaces supervised. The car park super- intendent is then able to check with the aid of the computer whether or not the vehicles parked have been registered in a local computer and database. The refer¬ ence 9 identifies manual supervision in the form of computers which can be connected to. the database 5 or a local computer centre 7. This manual supervision, or service, enables the person parking a vehicle to receive supplementary information, to pre-book a parking space and also to request an extension of the parking period when necessary. An existing vehicle register 10 can also be connected to the database 5, thereby providing the database with information concerning the model of vehicle, colour, etc. , for checking the vehicle code - registration number. Although the inventive parking system has been described with reference to an exemplifying embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention. For instance, a parking space can be booked for a specific time or for an unspecified length of time, and it is possible for the driver of a parked vehicle to be called on his/her telephone at a given time prior to expiration of the parking period, to remind the driver that the parking period is about to expire or to extend the parking period when necessary. Booking of a parking period can be confirmed, for instance, by a telephone voice or a digital display. The database 5 may consist of a comput¬ er which is central to the country concerned, to which the local computer centres 7 are connected for parking follow-ups, booking, time checks, and the parking fee can be paid, for instance, via the telephone bill, payment card, a separate parking card or in some other way, as before indicated. The inventive parking system renders the use of pay machines and parking meters obsolete, therewith saving costs. The inventive system also provides a convenience whereby the motorist can obtain automatically informa- tion concerning available parking spaces, among other things. The subscription fee for long-term parking and residential parking can be administered readily and differential parking fees in accordance with parking zones, payment of said fees, etc. , can be readily achieved. The inventive system also provides for flexi¬ ble use of existing parking areas. The inventive parking system also enables parking to be effectively supervised, despite large parking areas being supervised with the aid of only a few superinten¬ dents. Superintendents equipped with portable computers obtain a comprehensive graphic view of the various parking areas. The parking superintendent also quickly receives information disclosing those parking spaces for which parking has not been paid. The parking system also enables differentiated parking fines to be issued, for instance the payment of an additional parking fee com¬ mensurate with to parking time in excess of the initial¬ ly recorded time period. Computer integration enables the inventive system to be modified, improved and adapted constantly without fur¬ ther requirement for expensive investment.

Claims: Claims 1. A vehicle parking system in which each parking place (1) incorporated in the system is assigned a unique digital and/or alphabetical code, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the vehicle (2) is assigned a unique digital and/or alphabetical code; and in that in conjunction with parking a vehicle in one such parking space and in conjunction with terminating a parking period, the parking space code and vehicle code together with a unique code assigned to the vehicle driver are sent to a database (5) for registration of the parking space, vehicle and the parking period and for determin¬ ing the parking fee and the address to which the parking fee shall be debited, on the basis of the data received. 2. A parking system according to Claim 1, c h a r ¬ a c t e r i z e d in that the unique vehicle code is comprised of the vehicle registration characters or parts of said characters. 3. A parking system according to any one of Claims 1-2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the codes are trans¬ mitted by a cordless transmitter or by cable transmis- sion. 4. A parking system according to any one of Claims 1-2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the codes are trans¬ mitted by telephone. 5. A parking system according to any one of the preced¬ ing Claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the codes are transmitted by a transmitter which is pro¬ grammed with the vehicle code and the code of the ad- dressee.

Inventors: JONSSON TOMMY, JONSSON, TOMMY
Applicants: JONSSON TOMMY, JONSSON, TOMMY
Application year: 1993
Main classification: G07C1
IPC codes: G07B15, G07C1, G07F7, G07F17