Patent Publication Number: US-11049397-B2

Title: Low-profile surface-mounted wireless parking sensor

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 62/654,141, filed on Apr. 6, 2018, entitled “A LOW-PROFILE, SURFACE-MOUNTED, WIRELESS PARKING SENSOR” naming the same inventors as in the present application. The contents of the above referenced provisional application are incorporated by reference, the same as if fully set forth herein. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to the field of vehicle parking sensors. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to surface-mounted wireless vehicle parking sensors. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A wireless parking sensor monitors the presence of a motor vehicle within a parking space. The wireless parking sensor communicates with a parking management system using a wireless protocol. The parking management system keeps track of which parking spaces are used and communicates real time information about parking use and spot availability to drivers, parking operators and other interested parties. The wireless parking sensor typically receives its power from a non-commodity, long-life battery. 
     Many wireless parking sensors are embedded in the parking surface to protect the sensors from the weight of the motor vehicles passing overhead. Embedding a wireless parking sensor in the parking surface complicates installation, drilling the asphalt or concrete is labor intensive, noisy and time-consuming operation. Recessed installation makes it more difficult to remove the sensor, for example, in case of road repair work, and makes battery replacement and other maintenance substantially more difficult. 
     Surface-mounted wireless parking sensors are different from in-surface sensors and are typically glued or screwed to the parking surface. Unfortunately, current surface mounted wireless parking sensors have a relatively high profile, and sometimes pedestrians or cyclists will trip over the sensors when walking over the parking spaces. 
     Parking management would be improved by a surface-mounted wireless parking sensor that was low-profile, low cost, easy-to-install, and easy-to-maintain. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide a low-profile, surface-mounted, wireless parking sensor (LPSMPS) that is easy-to-install, easy-to-maintain, easy-to-repair, and low-cost. The LPSMPS of the present invention can support the weight of a typical motor vehicle without damage to the electronic components therein. The LPSMPS has a disk-like shape and houses a circular printed circuit board (PCB) that includes electronics for motor vehicle sensing and for wireless communication with other devices. Batteries (e.g., standard AA batteries) are positioned around the circular PCB to enable a low overall profile. For example, according to some embodiments, the maximum height of the LPSMPS is less than 20 mm. 
     According to one embodiment, a surface-mounted wireless parking sensor device is disclosed. The device includes an electronic circuit board comprising circuitry configured to determine proximity to a vehicle and to transmit information to a remote device responsive to detecting the vehicle, a central pillar protruding through the center of the electronic circuit board, where the central pillar connects casing components and supports a vehicle load, a plurality of batteries for powering the circuitry of the circuit board, where the batteries are disposed around the central pillar. The casing components include a sensor body component, a base component coupled to the sensor body, and a cap component disposed on a top surface of the sensor body and configured to distribute a load across a surface of the cap. 
     According to some embodiments, the sensor body component, the base component, and the cap component have a maximum height of approximately 20 mm. 
     According to some embodiments, the device includes a plurality of base pillars disposed around the central pillar that connects the casing components. 
     According to some embodiments, the central pillar is hollow, and the device includes a solid central pillar that is received by the central pillar to distribute the load across the base component. 
     According to some embodiments, the base component includes tapered sides that become wider towards a bottom surface of the base component to prevent the base component from being dislodged from a parking surface. 
     According to some embodiments, the device includes a hand grip disposed on a top surface of the cap component. 
     According to some embodiments, the sensor body component is coupled to the base component and the cap component using metal screws. 
     According to some embodiments, the cap component includes screw holes that are configured to receive the metal screws, and the screw holes include screw reinforcement side ribs configured to reduce a force exerted on the screws from the load. 
     According to some embodiments, the cap component includes a plurality of radial and annular ribs extending along an inner surface of the cap and configured to reduce bending of the cap component and to transfer a force of the load away from the circuit board. 
     According to some embodiments, the cap component includes a plurality of arch shaped ribs covering the battery compartment. 
     According to some embodiments, the cap component includes a circular rib, and the device includes an o-ring, where the o-ring is operable to support the circular rib to uniformly distribute the load, and where the circular rib compresses the o-ring to provide a hermetic seal to restrict moisture from passing through the seal. 
     According to some embodiments, the sensor body component, the base component, and the cap component include extruded plastic. 
     According to some embodiments, the base component includes a pocket disposed on a bottom surface of the base component and configured to receive an adhesive to fix the base component to a parking surface. 
     According to different embodiments, a wireless parking sensor is disclosed. The wireless parking sensor has a casing including a sensor body coupled to a base, where the base is configured to be fixed to an external surface, a cap coupled to a top surface of the sensor body, where the cap is configured to receive a load disposed on the cap and includes a rib to distribute the load. The device includes a circuit board disposed in the sensor body, where the circuit board is configured to determine proximity to a vehicle and to transmit information to a remote device responsive thereto, a plurality of batteries coupled to the circuit board and providing power to the circuit board using a wire, where the wire is disposed in a groove of the casing, and an o-ring disposed between the sensor body and the cap, where the o-ring is configured to support the rib, and where the o-ring is compressed by the rib to seal an interior cavity between the cap and the sensor body. 
     According to some embodiments, the o-ring is approximately 3 mm thick and is disposed in a groove to provide substantially uniform compression along the circular rib, and where the groove is approximately 4 mm deep. 
     According to some embodiments, the circuit board is circular and surrounds a hollow pillar, and the wireless parking sensor includes a plurality of batteries disposed around the hollow pillar, and a solid pillar disposed on the base that penetrates the hollow pillar to support the load of the cap. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification and in which like numerals depict like elements, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram depicting an exemplary low-profile, surface-mounted, wireless parking sensor device according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram depicting an exemplary low-profile, surface-mounted, wireless parking sensor device with three separate components according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram depicting a top view of an exemplary low-profile, surface-mounted, wireless parking sensor body component according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram depicting a bottom view of an exemplary low-profile, surface-mounted, wireless parking sensor cap component according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram depicting a top view of an exemplary low-profile, surface-mounted, wireless parking sensor cap component according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram depicting a bottom view of an exemplary low-profile, surface-mounted, wireless parking sensor base component according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram showing a top view of an exemplary low-profile, surface-mounted, wireless parking sensor base component and a bottom view of an exemplary low-profile, surface-mounted, wireless parking sensor body component according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram depicting a first side-view, cross-section of an exemplary low-profile, surface-mounted, wireless parking sensor device according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram depicting a second side-view, cross-section of an exemplary low-profile, surface-mounted, wireless parking sensor device according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram depicting a side-view, cross-section of an exemplary low-profile, surface-mounted, wireless parking sensor device for cold weather conditions according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11A  is a diagram depicting an exemplary vehicle detection system including an LPSMPS device for detecting the presence of a motor vehicle according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11B  is a diagram depicting an exemplary vehicle detection system including a plurality of LPSMPS devices fixed to surfaces of parking spaces according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a block diagram of an exemplary circuit board of an LPSMPS device for detecting the presence of a motor vehicle according to embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments. While the subject matter will be described in conjunction with the alternative embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the claimed subject matter to these embodiments. On the contrary, the claimed subject matter is intended to cover alternative, modifications, and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter as defined by the appended claims. 
     Furthermore, in the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. However, it will be recognized by one skilled in the art that embodiments may be practiced without these specific details or with equivalents thereof. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects and features of the subject matter. 
     It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout, discussions utilizing terms such as “accessing,” “displaying,” “writing,” “including,” “storing,” “transmitting,” “traversing,” “determining,” “identifying,” “observing,” “adjusting,” or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system&#39;s registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices. 
     Low-Profile Surface-Mounted Wireless Parking Sensor 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide a low-profile, surface-mounted, wireless parking sensor (LPSMPS) that is easy-to-install, easy-to-maintain, easy-to-repair, and low-cost. The LPSMPS can support the weight of a heavy motor vehicle without damage to the electronic components therein. The LPSMPS in one embodiment has a disk-like shape and houses a printed circuit board (PCB) that includes electronics for motor vehicle sensing and for wireless communication with other devices. In one embodiment, the PCB may be circular in shape. Batteries (e.g., standard AA batteries) are positioned around the circular PCB to enable a low overall profile. For example, according to some embodiments, the maximum height of the LPSMPS is less than 20 mm. 
     Moreover, embodiments of the present invention can use standard batteries (e.g., AA alkaline batteries) to lower the cost of the LPSMPS compared to traditional parking sensors that require fixed, non-replaceable batteries. 
     According to some embodiments, a central vertical pillar is included to support the weight of a motor vehicle when the motor vehicle is driving over or parked on top of the LPSMPS. Other features are included in the LPSMPS to help distribute a motor vehicle&#39;s weight across the device. For example, the LPSMPS can include ribbed battery compartment arches, radial and annular reinforcement ribs on the cap (e.g., in a net formation), and a load bearing structure with wire grooves disposed between the PCB and battery compartments that house the batteries. 
     According to some embodiments, the base is tapered or flared at the bottom so that the LPSMPS remains securely fixed to the parking surface and is not easily dislodged by the blade of a snow plow, for example. 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram showing an exemplary LPSMPS device  100  with the cap component removed for convenience of viewing according to embodiments of the present invention. The LPSMPS body  150  houses and supports a circular shaped PCB  120  and the batteries  130 . The LPSMPS base  160  supports the LPSMPS body  150 . A central, vertical pillar  110  connects to the LPSMPS base  160  and is capable of supporting the weight of a motor vehicle. The rubber O-ring  140  provides a hermetic seal to prevent moisture from entering the device. According to one embodiment, the LPSMPS body  150 , the LPSMPS base  160 , and the central, vertical pillar  110  are made of extruded, light-weight plastic. The circular PCB  120  includes electronics for motor vehicle sensing (e.g., a magnetic field sensor) and wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi, etc.) The batteries  130  are disposed around the outside of the circular PCB  120  in on embodiment at approximately the same vertical elevation to minimize the height of the LPSMPS  100 . In one embodiment, the batteries  130  include five standard (e.g., alkaline) AA batteries, however, any suitable combination of well-known battery formats could be used. 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram depicting an exemplary LPSMPS device  200  with a cap component  210 , a body component  150 , and a base component  160  according to embodiments of the present invention. The cap component  210  covers the other components and functions to accept and distribute the weight of a motor vehicle or other forces exerted thereon. The body component  150  houses the electronics (e.g., a PCB) and batteries  130  while providing reliable structural support for the cap component  210 . The base component  160  can be permanently attached to the parking surface and provides mechanical support to the body component  150 . As shown, the components  210 ,  150 , and  160  are circular in shape, but may have a different shape according to some embodiments. The cap component  210  can be coupled to the top of the LPSMPS body component  150 , and the body component  150  can be coupled to the top of LPSMPS base component  160 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , the body component  150 , the base component  160 , and the cap component  210  are secured together using three metal screws  220  on the top side of the cap component  210 , and six metal screws on the bottom side of the base component  160  (not pictured). Securing the components using screws makes it easy to disassemble the LPSMPS into its separate components and to perform maintenance such as replacing the batteries  130  or circular PCB  120 . Using the same uniform light-weight plastic for the body component  150 , the base component  160 , and the cap component  210  provides an effective hermetic seal between the components. 
       FIG. 3  is a diagram depicting a top view of an exemplary LPSMPS body component  310  according to embodiments of the present invention. The central, vertical pillar  110  supports motor vehicle weights and is integral to the LPSMPS body  310  in this example. The LPSMPS body  310  includes a battery compartment  320  for securely holding the batteries in place. Battery wire groove  330  provides a channel for passing batteries wires through the load bearing structure  360  to connect the batteries  130  to the circular PCB  120 . The LPSMPS body  310  includes screw holes  340  for securely coupling together the cap component  210 , body component  310  and base component  160 . The LPSMPS body includes screw holes  350  for connecting the cap component  210  to the body component  310 . 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram showing a bottom view of an exemplary LPSMPS cap component  400  according to embodiments of the present invention. A set of radial and annular ribs  410  are disposed on the inner surface of the cap component in the form of a net or web shape and prevent the cap from bending. The ribs  410  also help transfer the weight of a motor vehicle away from the PCB. Arched ribs  420  fit over the battery compartment  320  and protect the batteries  130 . In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 4 , four arched ribs  420  protect each battery compartment  320 . The LPSMPS cap  400  includes screw holes  440  for coupling the cap component  210 , body component  150 , and base component  160 . The LPSMPS cap  400  includes screw holes  450  for coupling the cap component  210  to the body component  150 . Screw hole  450  is reinforced with side ribs to sustain higher levels of torque without breaking and to distribute the compressing force from the screw point to adjacent areas more uniformly. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4 , the LPSMPS cap  400  has six screw holes  450 , however fewer or more can be used in suitable configurations. 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram showing a top view of an exemplary LPSMPS cap component  500  according to embodiments of the present invention. The LPSMPS cap component  500  forms the upper component of the cap  210  depicted in  FIG. 2 . The LPSMPS cap  500  includes screw reinforcement ridges  510  to distribute stress caused by the weight of a motor vehicle driving or parking on the LPSMPS cap  500 . The screw reinforcement ridges  510  consist of circular ridges of plastic with greater thickness around the screw hole. The LPSMPS cap  500  and/or the LPSMPS device  100  includes pockets  520  that provide a hand grip for use during handling and installation, and provides compartments to hold and protect informational stickers such as module serial number stickers, for example. 
       FIG. 6  is a diagram depicting a bottom view of an exemplary LPSMPS base  600  component according to embodiments of the present invention. Base holes  610  and pockets  620  facilitate adhesion when the LPSMPS  100  is installed/glued onto a parking surface, with the bottom side facing down. 
       FIG. 7  is a diagram depicting an exemplary LPSMPS device  700 , including a top view of a LPSMPS base component  150  and a bottom view of an LPSMPS body component  160  according to embodiments of the present invention. The LPSMPS body component  160  can be secured on top of the LPSMPS base  150  using base screw holes  710  aligned with body screw holes  440 , the base central pillar  720  aligned with the body central pillar  110 , and the base pillars  730  aligned with interlocking body cavities  740 . The base central pillar  720  and the body central pillar  110  form a central pillar capable of supporting motor vehicle weights. The base pillars  730  interlock with body cavities  740  to provide improved coupling between the base and body and provide additional support for the central pillar  720 . Body screw holes  450  are shown in the bottom view. 
       FIG. 8  is diagram depicting a side-view and cross-section of an exemplary LPSMPS device  800  according to embodiments of the present invention. This cross-section view shows the circular PCB  120 , the battery  130 , the O-ring  140  and the screw  220 . The maximum height of LPSMPS device  800  is approximately 20 mm according to this embodiment. 
       FIG. 9  is a diagram depicting a side-view and cross-section of an exemplary LPSMPS device  900  according to embodiments of the present invention. The embodiment depicted in  FIG. 9  does not include screw  220 . The rubber O-ring  140  supports a circular rib  910  on the cap to provide robust and uniform support for heavy loads placed on the cap, such as the weight of a motor vehicle. According to some embodiments, the circular rib  910  has length of approximately 6.7 mm, and the O-ring has a thickness of 3 mm. According to some embodiments, the circular rib  910  has a length of at least 3 mm and a groove depth of at least 4 mm to provide reliable sealing, particularly in the areas between screws. 
       FIG. 10  is a diagram depicting a side-view and cross-section of an exemplary LPSMPS device  1000  configured for cold weather conditions according to embodiments of the present invention. In this example, the LPSMPS  1000  includes a relatively long, tapered edge  1010 . According to some embodiments, a plastic sheath is attached to a standard LPSMPS base to achieve the tapered edge  1010 . The tapered edge  1010  is configured to lie flat on a parking surface and resists horizontal forces, for example, from snow-clearing equipment (e.g., a snow plow blade). 
       FIG. 11A  is a diagram depicting an exemplary vehicle detection system  1100  including an LPSMPS device  1110  for detecting an occupancy status change, such as the presence of a motor vehicle  1115 , according to embodiments of the present invention. The LPSMPS device  1110  communicates wirelessly with a central management system and database  1105  for managing a database of vacant and occupied parking slots or stalls  1120  based on the vehicle detection performed by LPSMPS device  1100 . 
       FIG. 11B  is a diagram depicting an exemplary vehicle detection system  1125  including a plurality of LPSMPS devices  1130 ,  1135 ,  1140 , and  1145  fixed to surfaces of parking spaces  1160 ,  1165 ,  1170 , and  1175 , according to embodiments of the present invention. The LPSMPS devices  1130 ,  1135 ,  1140 , and  1145  communicate wirelessly with central management system and database  1105  for managing a database of vacant and occupied parking slots or stalls based on the vehicle detection performed by the LPSMPS devices  1130 ,  1135 ,  1140 , and  1145 . For example, parking space  1170  is occupied by vehicle  1180 , and the occupancy status change of space  1170  is detected and stored in central management system and database  1105 . Parking spaces  1160 ,  1165 , and  1175  are vacant because no vehicle is detected by LPSMPS devices  1130 ,  1135 , and  1145 . 
       FIG. 12  is a block diagram of an exemplary circuit board  120  of an LPSMPS device  1200  for detecting the presence of a motor vehicle according to embodiments of the present invention. The circuit board  1200  includes a sensor  1205  for detecting the presence of a motor vehicle, a memory  1210  for storing data, a processor  1215 , and a wireless input/output system  1220  (e.g., WiFi, Bluetooth, etc.) for communicating with external devices using antenna  1225 . The circuit board  120  is powered by a plurality of batteries  1230  and  1235 . 
     All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure. 
     Embodiments of the present invention are thus described. While the present invention has been described in particular embodiments, it should be appreciated that the present invention should not be construed as limited by such embodiments, but rather construed according to the following claims.