GB2584250A

GB2584250A - Precise parking system and method for vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2584250A
Application number: GB2012417.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Huang Deyun; Tao Anping; Ceng Jian; Yin Yamin; Li Fuwei; Mao Fei
Original assignee: Youon Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Youon Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-02-13
Filing date: 2018-12-27
Publication date: 2020-11-25
Anticipated expiration: 2038-12-27
Also published as: WO2019157868A1; GB202012417D0; GB2584250B

Abstract

A precise parking system and method for a vehicle. The precise parking system for a vehicle comprises a spot provided with a base station and a parking rack, and a vehicle, and further comprises a first communication module, a second communication module, and a control module. The first communication module sends a broadcast signal comprising the number of available parking racks of the spot. The second communication module receives the broadcast signal and sends same to the control module. The control module compares the number of available parking racks in the broadcast signal with a preset number threshold, and controls, according to the comparison result, the vehicle lock to be locked or unlocked. Thus, a parking regulating function is provided while meeting the user's demand for easy use and convenient vehicle return.

Description

A Precise Vehicle Parking System & Parking Method

Technical field

The present invention relates to vehicles, particularly to a precise vehicle parking system and parking method.

Technical background

China is a large country in the production and use of vehicles. Vehicles have always been the main means of transportation for people to travel short distances in towns. Due to the advantages of low-costs, convenience, energy-saving, and environmental friendliness of the vehicles, especially with the rise of shared vehicles in recent years, and the continuous deepening of concepts such as green travel, low-carbon and environmental protection, more and more people begin to choose shared vehicles for travel.

However, while satisfying the needs for health and environmental protection, shared vehicles have also brought a lot of problems, including messiness in parking. Faced with the convenience and problems brought about by shared vehicles, the government has been encouraging the public to use these vehicles for healthy and environmentally friendly travel on the one hand, and attempting to regulate their parking on the other. Although the existing public parking lots with piles are successful models in regulating parking, a large number of parking piles inevitably need to be installed, and users are inconvenienced by requirement to return the vehicles to piles.

Therefore, there is a need for a solution that can not only meet the needs of users to pick up and return the vehicles any time they want, but also regulate the parking, one that allows easy installation and cost-saving.

To meet such a requirement, the present invention provides a vehicle parking system and parking method. It is a parking site with a station and parking racks. Vehicles communicate with the station to obtain the information on the number of available parking racks at the station. When the station has many parking racks available, users are guided to return the vehicle to the piles. However, if few parking racks are available at the station, users are allowed to park in the scope of the station, which meet their needs to pick up and return the vehicles any time they want, while parking is under regulation.

Summary of the invention

In order to overcome the above-mentioned technical defects, the purpose of this invention is to provide a vehicle parking system and a parking method.

This invention discloses a vehicle parking system, which consists of a base station, parking racks, parking sites, and vehicles; The said vehicle parking system further includes a first communication module, a second communication module, and a control module; The said first communication module sends out broadcasting signals including the number of parking racks available at the parking sites; The second communication module receives the broadcasting signals and sends them to the said control module; the latter compares the number of available parking racks in the broadcasting signals with a preset number threshold; When the number of available parking racks exceeds the number threshold, the said control module enables the locking function when the vehicle approaches the parking rack to trigger the induction; When the number of available parking racks is less than or equal to the threshold, the control module enables the vehicle's locking function when the vehicle is not parked in the parking rack, wherein The said first communication module is mounted in the base station, the second communication module and the control module are mounted on the vehicle; alternatively, the first communication module can be mounted on the parking rack, and the second communication module and the control module are mounted in the base station.

Preferably, the said vehicle parking system further includes a triggering & sensing module; The said triggering & sensing module includes an inter-compatible pair of triggering module and a sensing module that are respectively mounted on the parking racks and/or the vehicles. The positions for the installation of the triggering module and the sensing module allow the interactive reactions of the said vehicle and the parking racks; The sensing module sends the signals sensed and triggered to the control module, and the control module receives such signals and enables the vehicle's locking function.

Preferably, when the first communication module is installed in the base station, and the second communication module and the control module are installed on the vehicle, The said first communication module consists of a first short-range communication module and/or a first long-range communication module; The said second communication module consists of a second short-range communication module and/or a second long-range communication module.

Preferably, the said control module includes a Bluetooth control board; The first short-range communication module and the second short-range communication module include a Bluetooth communication module or an RF communication module; The said first long-range communication module and the second long-range communication module include a GPRS communication module.

Preferably, after the said vehicle lock's locking function is enabled when the vehicle is not parked in a parking rack and performs a locking action, The control module of the vehicle sends the ID information of the vehicle to the base station through the said second short-range communication module, and the said base station receives the said ID information through the first short-range communication module; or The said control module of the said vehicle sends the ID information of the vehicle to the base station through the second short-range communication module and, the base station receives the ID information through the first short-range communication module and passes the ID information through the said first long-range communication module to the managing platform; Or, The said control module of the said vehicle sends the ID information of the vehicle to the managing platform through the second long-range communication module.

Preferably, after the vehicle lock's locking function is enabled and a locking action is performed when the vehicle and the parking rack approach and trigger an induction, The said control module of the said vehicle sends the sensed signals of the vehicle to the said base station through the second short-range communication module, and the base station receives the such signals through the first short-range communication module; or The said control module of the vehicle sends the sensed signal of the vehicle to the base station through the second short-range communication module, and the base station receives the such signals through the first short-range communication module and passes such signals to the managing platform through the first long-range communication module; Or, The control module of the said vehicle sends the sensed signals of the vehicle to the managing platform through the second long-range communication module.

Preferably, when the first communication module is mounted on the parking rack, and the second communication module and the control module are mounted on the base station, The vehicle also includes a third communication module; The said first communication module includes a first short-range communication module and/or a first long-range communication module; The said second communication module includes a second short-range communication module and/or a second long-range communication module; The said third communication module includes a third short-range communication module and/or a third long-range communication module.

Preferably, the said first short-range communication module, the second short-range communication module, and the third short-range communication module include a Bluetooth communication module or an RF communication module; The said first long-range communication module, the second long-range communication module, and the third long-range communication module include a GPRS communication module.

Preferably, after the vehicle lock's locking function is enabled when the vehicle is not parked in the parking rack and a locking action is performed, The said third short-range communication module of the vehicle sends the ID information of the vehicle to the base station, and the base station receives such ID information through the second short-range communication module; or The said third short-range communication module of the vehicle sends the vehicle's ID information to the base station, and the base station receives such ID information through the second short-range communication module, and passes the ID information to the managing platform through the said second long-range communication module; or The third long-range communication module of the vehicle sends the ID information of the vehicle to a managing platform.

Preferably, after the said vehicle lock's locking function is enabled and a locking action is performed when the vehicle and the parking rack approach and trigger an induction, The said third short-range communication module of the vehicle sends the sensed signal of the vehicle to the base station, and the base station receives such signals through the second short-range communication module; or The said third short-range communication module of the vehicle sends the sensed signal of the vehicle to the base station, and the base station receives such sensed signals through the second short-range communication module, and passes such sensed signals to the managing platform the second long-range communication module; or The said third long-range communication module of the said vehicle sends sensed signals of the vehicle to a managing platform.

As another aspect of this invention, a vehicle parking method is disclosed, which includes the following steps: The vehicle receives a broadcast signal sent by a base station, which contains info. on the number of available parking racks at a site or, in a site where the vehicle is parked, the base station receives broadcast signals sent by the parking racks containing the info. on the number of available parking racks at the site. Afterwards, the number of available parking racks in the broadcast signal is compared with a preset number threshold; When the number of available parking racks exceeds the threshold, a control command is given to enable the vehicle lock's locking function when the vehicle and the parking rack approach and trigger induction; When the number of available parking racks is less than or equal to the threshold, the vehicle lock's locking function is enabled even when the vehicle is not parked in a parking rack.

Preferably, the vehicle parking method further includes the following steps: Detecting whether the vehicle has received a signal triggered as a result of the induction between the sensing module of the vehicle and the triggering module of the parking rack; When the vehicle receives such a signal, the vehicle lock's locking function is enabled. Preferably, the said vehicle parking method further includes the following steps: After the vehicle lock's locking function is enabled when the vehicle is not parked in the parking rack and a locking action is performed, The said vehicle sends its ID information to the said base station; or The vehicle sends its ID information to the said base station, and the said base station receives and sends such ID info. to the managing platform; or The said vehicle sends its ID info. to the managing platform.

Preferably, the vehicle parking method further includes the following steps: After the vehicle lock's locking function is enabled and a locking action is performed when the vehicle and the parking rack approach and trigger induction, The said vehicle sends such signals of the vehicle to the said base station; or The said vehicle sends such signals of the vehicle to the said base station, and the said base station receives and sends such signals to the managing platform; or The said vehicle sends the said sensed signals of the vehicle to the managing platform. Compared with the existing technics, the above-mentioned technical solution shows the following benefits: 1. The technical solution of the present invention provides a vehicle parking site with parking racks and base stations. The parking racks collect information on parking racks in the site. The base station communicates with the parking racks to obtain the information on the number of available parking racks at the site. In case that there are many parking racks available at the site, users are guided to return their vehicles to the racks. However, when there are few parking racks available at the site, users are allowed to park within the site range. By so doing, the users' needs of picking up and returning their vehicles any time they want is satisfied. Meanwhile, parking is regulated in the neatest manner.

Description of the Figures

Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a vehicle parking system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a vehicle parking system in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present invention; Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a vehicle parking system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of a vehicle parking method according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; Figure 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a triggering & sensing module in a vehicle parking system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of a vehicle parking method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Legend: 1-Inducting module; 2-Triggering module.

Content of the Invention In Figure 1, the vehicle parking system includes a base station, parking racks, site, and vehicles. Meanwhile, the vehicle parking system also includes a first communication module, a second communication module and a control module. In different embodiments, the first communication module, the second communication module and the control module are set at different locations.

Embodiment I In Figure 2, the parking rack includes a first communication module; the base station includes a second communication module and a control module; the parking rack broadcasts signals containing the number of available parking racks at the site through the first communication module; the base station receives such broadcast signals through the second communication module and sends them to the control module; the control module compares the number of available parking racks given by the broadcast signal with a preset threshold value, and sends a control command to the vehicle lock according to the result of the comparison, deciding whether the vehicle's locking function shall be enabled or disabled.

Specifically: In Embodiment 1 of the technical solution of the present invention, a site of a certain area for vehicle parking is provided. Within the scope of this site, one or more rows of parking piles are arranged, and each row of parking piles is provided with one or more parking racks. Meanwhile, one or more base stations are set within the site.

The parking rack includes a first communication module, which is able to communicate with the base station, the vehicle and the managing platform, etc. For instance, the parking rack is able to send a broadcasting signal containing the number of available parking racks at the site to the base station through the first communication module; the parking rack sends through the first communication module a broadcasting signal containing the number of available parking racks at the site to the vehicles within the site; the parking rack receives and collects through the first communication module the information on vehicle IDs and on the number of the parking racks; the parking racks send through the first communication module the information on vehicle TDs and on the number of the parking racks to the managing platform.

In a preferred embodiment, the first communication module includes a first short-range communication module and/or a first long-range communication module. In a preferred embodiment, the first short-range communication module includes a Bluetooth communication module or an RF communication module; the first long-range communication module includes a GPRS communication module.

As shown in Figure 1-2, the base station has instructions to guide users in the site to park their vehicles properly. The base station includes a second communication module and a control module. The second communication module realizes the communication with parking racks, vehicles and the managing platform, etc. Through the control module, the number of available parking racks is compared with a preset threshold value to determine the control over the states of the vehicle locks----locking enabled or locking disabled. For instance, the base station receives a broadcast signal containing the number of parking racks available at the site through the second communication module; the base station receives and collects the ID information of the vehicle and the number of parking racks through the second communication module; the base station sends the information on the vehicles' ID or on the number of available parking racks through the second communication module to the managing platform, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the second communication module includes a second short-range communication module and/or a second long-range communication module. In a preferred embodiment, the second short-range communication module includes a Bluetooth communication module or an RF communication module; the second long-range communication module includes a GPRS communication module. For instance, the base station receives a broadcast signal containing the number of parking racks available at the site through a second short-range communication module, such as a Bluetooth communication module or an RF communication module; the base station receives and collects vehicle ID information and parking rack quantity information through a second short-range communication module, such as a Bluetooth communication module or an RF communication module; the base station sends the information on the vehicles' ID or on the available parking racks to the managing platform through a second long-range communication module, such as a GPRS communication module.

The control module is used to receive the broadcast signal received and forwarded by the second communication module, and to compare the number of available parking racks carried by the broadcast signal with a preset threshold value, and to send a control command to the vehicle lock according to the result of such comparison so as to control the lock enabled or lock disabled states. For instance, when the number of available parking racks exceeds the threshold, the vehicle lock is disabled; when the number of available parking racks is less than or equal to the threshold, the lock is kept in an enabled state within a preset period of time.

Here, the enabled and disabled state of the vehicle's lock refers to whether the vehicle lock can be locked. The enabled state of the vehicle lock refers to the state where the vehicle lock can be locked; the disabled state of the vehicle lock refers to the state where the vehicle lock remains open, that is, the state where the vehicle lock cannot be locked.

The threshold value preset in the control module is a non-zero value, which is less than the total number of parking racks in the site. For instance, if there is a row of parking piles at the site with 10 parking racks set, the threshold value can be set to 2. So, if the number of available parking racks given by the broadcast signal and received by the control module is 8, the number of available parking racks of 8 exceeds the threshold of 2, vehicle lock is disabled during a preset period of time; when the number of available parking racks given by the broadcast signal and received by the control module is 1, the number of parking racks is 1, which is less than the threshold value of 2, and the vehicle lock is enabled within a preset period of time. In this way, when there are many parking racks available at the site (e.g. when there are 8 available parking racks), the user is not able to park the vehicle recklessly within the site, rather, he must park the vehicle in the parking rack, realizing orderly parking of the users when they return the vehicles. On the other hand, when there are few parking racks available at the site, for example, when the number of available parking racks is 2, the user is allowed to park within the site without necessarily parking in the parking rack; when the user moves the vehicle out of the site, since the lock of the vehicle cannot receive the control commands from the base station, parking is impossible. Therefore, while meeting the needs of users for picking up and returning the vehicle conveniently, this invention also helps regulate the parking.

In order to prevent the user from moving the vehicle out of the site and/or parking recklessly during the time when the lock is enabled, the duration of lock enable can be set, say, 5 seconds. Therefore, when the number of available parking racks is less than the preset threshold value, the vehicle lock is enabled for only 5 seconds. After 5 seconds, the vehicle's lock is disabled again and users can no longer lock the vehicle.

As shown in Figure 1-2, the vehicle includes a third communication module and a lock. The third communication module is able to communicate with the base station, parking rack, and managing platform. For example, the vehicle receives the control command released by the base station through the third communication module; the vehicle receives the broadcast signals from the parking racks or the base station through the third communication module; the vehicle sends the ID information of the vehicle to the parking rack or the base station through the third communication module; the vehicle sends the ID information of the vehicle to the managing platform through the third communication module, and so on.

In a preferred embodiment, the third communication module includes a third short-range communication module and/or a third long-range communication module. In a preferred embodiment, the third short-range communication module includes a Bluetooth communication module or an RF communication module; the third long-range communication module includes a GPRS communication module. For example, the vehicle receives the control command released by the base station through a third short-range communication module, such as a Bluetooth communication module or an RF communication module; the vehicle receives broadcast signals released by parking racks or a base station through a third short-range communication module, such as a Bluetooth communication module or an RF communication module; the vehicle sends the ID info. of the vehicle to the parking racks or the base station through the third short-range communication module, such as the Bluetooth communication module or an RF communication module; the vehicle sends the vehicle ID info. to the managing platform through the third long-range communication module, such as the GPRS communication module, and so on.

The vehicle lock receives the control commands received and forwarded by the third communication module, which enable or disable it.

After the vehicle is properly parked in the site, the vehicle sends its ID information to the base station or to the managing platform. This action can be divided into three forms: from vehicle to base station; from vehicle to base station and to the managing platform; from vehicle to the managing platform.

In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle sends the ID info. of the vehicle to the base station through the third short-range communication module, and the base station receives the ID info. through the second short-range communication module; or The vehicle sends the ID information of the vehicle to the base station through the third short-range communication module. The base station receives the ID information through the second short-range communication module, and sends the ID info. to the managing platform through the second long-range communication module; or The vehicle sends the ID info. of the vehicle to the managing platform through the third long-range communication module.

In addition, as shown in Figure 5, a triggering & sensing module pair is provided in the vehicle parking system of this invention; the triggering & sensing module pair includes a triggering module 2 and a sensing module 1 respectively arranged on the parking rack and on the vehicle. The modules are mounted in the location that allows induction between the triggering module 2 and the sensing module 1.

In the technical solution of this invention, simply use the triggering module 2 and the sensing module I simultaneously. It doesn't matter which one is installed on the vehicle and which is installed on the parking rack. However, the cost of the triggering module 2 is low and the sensor module 1 is more expensive. Vehicle operators and government administrators are advised to set these modules according to their actual situation. For example, sensing module 1 can be mounted on self-owned vehicles and triggering module 2 on existing parking racks; or mount trigger module 2 on the vehicles operated by other companies, and mount the sensing module 1 on self-owned parking racks.

When the user moves the vehicle into the parking rack, the triggering module 2 on the parking rack and the sensing module 1 on the vehicle are engaged. The sensor module 1 receives the signal generated by this engagement, and sends the sensed signal to the vehicle lock. The lock receives the signal and is enabled. Here, the enabled state of the vehicle lock refers to a state in which the vehicle lock can be locked.

In this invention, the priority of the sensed signal received by the vehicle lock, which is generated through the triggering induction, is higher than that of the control command released by the base station given to the vehicle lock. In other words, when the lock receives the sensed signal generated by the triggering induction, it is immediately enabled for the locking action. When the lock does not sense any signals triggered by the induction between modules, nor does it receive any control commands from the base station, this means the vehicle is not within the range of a site where parking is allowed. Therefore, the lock is disabled and vehicle cannot be locked. When the vehicle lock does not sense any signals triggered by the induction between modules but control command is received from the base station, this means that the vehicle has entered the range of a site where parking is allowed. This is when and where the base station compares the preset threshold value with the number of available parking racks. When the number of available parking racks exceeds the threshold value, the user cannot park the vehicle reckless within the range of the site, rather, it must be parked in the parking rack.

When the vehicle is properly parked in the parking rack, the triggering module 2 on the parking rack and the sensing module 1 on the vehicle interact to give the lock a signal to enable the locking, thereby guiding the user to return the vehicle to the desired location; when the number of available parking racks is less than the threshold value, the vehicle lock is immediately enabled for the locking action, allowing the user to park within the site, rather than in any parking rack, so as to provide convenience to the user. They now can pick up and return the vehicles conveniently.

After the vehicle is properly parked in the site, the vehicle sends its ID information to the base station or to the managing platform. The ID info. is contained in the signals triggered by the induction between the modules. This action can be divided into three forms: from vehicle to base station; from vehicle to base station and to the managing platform; from vehicle to the managing platform.

In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle sends the sensed signal of the vehicle to the base station through the third short-range communication module, and the base station receives such a signal through the second short-range communication module; or The vehicle sends the sensed signal of the vehicle to the base station through the third short-range communication module and, the base station receives such a signal through the second short-range communication module, and sends the signal to the managing platform through the second long-range communication module; or The vehicle sends the sensed signal of the vehicle to the managing platform through the third long-range communication module.

Embodiment 2 The base station includes a first communication module; the vehicle includes a second communication module and a control module that are electrically connected with each other in the lock; the base station broadcasts signals containing the number of parking racks available at the site through the first communication module; the vehicle receives the broadcasting signals through the second communication module and sends it to the control module; the control module compares the number of available parking racks given by the broadcast signal with a preset threshold, and enable or disable the vehicle lock according to the result of the compari son.

As shown in Figure I., a site of a certain area for vehicle parking is provided. Within the scope of this site, one or more rows of parking piles are arranged, and each row of parking piles is provided with one or more parking racks. Meanwhile, one or more base stations are set within the site.

The base station has instructions to guide users to park their vehicles within the site. Meanwhile, the base station can be used to receive, collect, and send information on parking racks and vehicles within the site.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the base station, which includes a first communication module, can communicate with vehicles, parking racks, managing platforms, etc. through the first communication module. For example, the base station sends a broadcast signal containing the information on the number of parking racks available at the site through the first communication module to the vehicle in the site; the base station receives and collects the ID info. of vehicles or information on the parking racks available that are sent by the vehicles parked or to be parked or by the parking racks through the first communication module; the base station sends the ID info. of the vehicle or the information on the number of parking racks to the managing platform through the first communication module, and so on.

For instance, the base station continuously broadcasts signals containing the information on the number of available parking racks at the site to the vehicles within the range of the site through the first short-range communication module, such as a Bluetooth communication module or an RF communication module; the base station receives and collects the ID info. of vehicles or information on the parking racks available that are sent by the vehicles parked or to be parked or by the parking racks through the first short-range communication module, such as a Bluetooth communication module or an RF communication module; the base station sends the ID info. of the vehicle or the information on the number of parking racks to the managing platform through the first long-range communication module, such as a GPRS communication module.

As shown in Figure 3, the vehicle includes a second communication module and a control module which are arranged in the lock of the vehicle and electronically connected to each other.

Among them, the vehicle can respectively communicate with the base station, parking rack, managing platform, etc. through the second communication module. For instance, the vehicle receives the broadcasting signals from the base station through the second communication module; the vehicle sends the vehicle's ID info. to the base station through the second communication module; the vehicle sends the vehicle's ID info. to the managing platform through the second communication module, and so on.

In a preferred embodiment, the second communication module includes a second short-range communication module and/or a second long-range communication module. In a preferred embodiment, the second short-range communication module includes a Bluetooth communication module or an RF communication module; the second long-range communication module includes a GPRS communication module.

For instance, the vehicle receives the broadcast signal sent by the base station through the second short-range communication module, such as a Bluetooth communication module or an RF communication module; the vehicle sends its ID info. through the second short-range communication module, such as a Bluetooth communication module or an RF communication module to the base station; the vehicle sends its ID info. to the managing platform through the second long-range communication module, such as the GPRS communication module.

The control module includes a Bluetooth control board, which includes a Bluetooth chip, CPU, FLASH, RAM and I/O ports. The output end of the control module is electronically connected to the sound/light indicating module. The control module is used to receive the broadcasting signals received and forwarded by the second communication module, which future enable or disable the lock. The control module receives the broadcasting signals received and forwarded by the second communication module, before comparing the number of available racks given by the broadcasting signals with a preset threshold value, and enable or disable the vehicle lock according to the result of such comparison. For instance, when the number of available parking racks exceeds the threshold, the vehicle lock is disabled; when the number of available parking racks is less than or equal to the number threshold, the vehicle is enabled within a preset time.

The threshold value preset in the control module is a non-zero value, which is less than the total number of parking racks in the site. For instance, if there is a row of parking piles at the site with 10 parking racks set, the threshold value can be set to 2. So, if the number of available parking racks given by the broadcast signal and received by the control module is 8, the number of available parking racks of 8 exceeds the threshold of 2, vehicle lock is disabled during a preset period of time; when the number of available parking racks given by the broadcast signal and received by the control module is 1, the number of parking racks is 1, which is less than the threshold value of 2, and the vehicle lock is enabled within a preset period of time. In this way, when there are many parking racks available at the site (e.g. when there are 8 available parking racks), the user is not able to park the vehicle recklessly within the site, rather, he must park the vehicle in the parking rack, realizing orderly parking of the users when they return the vehicles. On the other hand, when there are few parking racks available at the site, for example, when the number of available parking racks is 2, the user is allowed to park within the site without necessarily parking in the parking rack; when the user moves the vehicle out of the site, since the second communication module of the vehicle cannot receive the control commands from the base station, parking is impossible. Therefore, while meeting the needs of users for picking up and returning the vehicle conveniently, this invention also helps regulate the parking.

In a preferred embodiment, the control module of the vehicle sends the ID info. of the vehicle to the base station through the second short-range communication module, and the base station receives the ID info. through the first short-range communication module; or The control module of the vehicle sends the ID info. of the vehicle to the base station through the second short-range communication module, and the base station receives the ID info. through the first short-range communication module, and sends the TD info. to the managing platform through the first long-range communication module; or The control module of the vehicle sends the ID info. of the vehicle to the managing platform through the second long-range communication module.

In addition, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, a triggering & sensing module pair is provided in the vehicle parking system of this invention; the triggering & sensing module pair includes a triggering module 2 and a sensing module 1 respectively arranged on the parking rack and on the vehicle. The modules are mounted in the location that allows induction between the triggering module 2 and the sensing module 1.

In the technical solution of this invention, simply use the triggering module 2 and the sensing module I simultaneously. It doesn't matter which one is installed on the vehicle and which is installed on the parking rack. However, the cost of the triggering module 2 is low and the sensor module I_ is more expensive. Vehicle operators and government administrators are advised to set these modules according to their actual situation. For example, sensing module I can be mounted on self-owned vehicles and triggering module 2 on existing parking racks; or mount triggering module 2 on the vehicles operated by other companies, and mount the sensing module 1 on self-owned parking racks.

As shown in Figures 4 and 6, in this invention, the priority of the sensed signal received by the control module, which is generated through the triggering induction, is higher than that of the broadcasting signal released by the base station given to the control module. In other words, when the control module receives the sensed signal generated by the triggering induction, the lock is immediately enabled for the locking action, without necessarily comparing the preset threshold value with the number of available parking racks. When the control module does not sense any trigging signals, nor does it receive any broadcasting signals from the base station, this means the vehicle is not within the range of a site where parking is allowed. Therefore, the lock is disabled and vehicle cannot be locked. When the control module does not sense any triggering signals but a broadcasting signal is received from the base station, this means that the vehicle has entered the range of a site where parking is allowed. This is when and where the control module compares the preset threshold value with the number of available parking racks. When the number of available parking racks exceeds the threshold value, the user cannot park the vehicle recklessly within the range of the site, rather, it must be parked in the parking rack. When the vehicle is properly parked in the parking rack, the triggering module 2 on the parking rack and the sensing module 1 on the vehicle interact to give the lock a signal to enable the locking, thereby guiding the user to return the vehicle to the desired location; when the number of available parking racks is less than the threshold value, the vehicle lock is immediately enabled for the locking action, allowing the user to park within the site, rather than in any parking rack, so as to provide convenience to the user. They now can pick up and return the vehicles conveniently.

In order to prevent the user from moving the vehicle out of the parking rack or parking recklessly during the time when the lock is enabled, the duration of lock enable can be set, say, seconds. Therefore, when the number of available parking racks is less than the preset threshold value, the vehicle lock is enabled for only 5 seconds. After 5 seconds, the vehicle's lock is disabled again and users can no longer lock the vehicle.

The control module of the vehicle sends the sensed signal to the base station through the second short-range communication module, and the base station receives the sensed signal through the first short-range communication module; or The control module of the vehicle sends the sensed signal of the vehicle to the base station through the second short-range communication module, the base station receives the sensed signal through the first short-range communication module, and sends the sensed signal to the managing platform through the first long-range communication module; or The control module of the vehicle sends the sensed signals of the vehicle to the managing platform through the second long-range communication module.

Claims

Claims 1. A precise parking system for vehicles, characterized in that: the said vehicle parking system includes base stations, parking racks, sites, and vehicles; the said vehicle parking system further includes first communication module(s), second communication module(s), and control module(s); the first communication module sends out broadcasting signals containing the information on the number of parking racks available at the site; the said second communication module receives the broadcasting signals and sends them to the said control module; the said control module then compares the number of available parking racks given by the broadcast signal with a preset threshold value; when the number of available parking racks exceeds the threshold value, the control module enables the vehicle lock in respond to a triggering reaction between the modules mounted respectively on the vehicle and the parking rack; when the number of available parking racks is less than or equal to the threshold value, the control module enables the vehicle lock when the vehicle is not parked in the parking rack, wherein the said first communication module is installed in the base station while the second communication module and the control module are installed on the vehicle or; the first communication module is installed on the parking rack, and the second communication module and the control module are installed in the base station.
2. The precise vehicle parking system as mentioned in Claim 1, characterized in that: the vehicle parking system further includes triggering & sensing module pairs; the triggering & sensing module pair includes a triggering module and a sensing module that are respectively mounted on the parking rack and/or the vehicle, which are compatible with each other; the triggering module and the sensing module are mounted in locations where the interactive reactions between the said vehicle and the parking racks are allowed; the sensing module sends the sensed signals triggered by the engagement to the control module, and the control module receives such signals and enables the vehicle lock.
3. The precise vehicle parking system as mentioned in Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized in that: when the said first communication module is mounted on the base station, and the said second communication module and the control module are mounted on the vehicle, the said first communication module includes a first short-range communication module and/or a first long-range communication module; the said second communication module includes a second short-range communication module and/or a second long-range communication module.
4. The precise vehicle parking system as mentioned in Claim 3, characterized in that: the said control module includes a Bluetooth control board; the said first short-range communication module and the second short-range communication module include a Bluetooth communication module or an RF communication module; the said first long-range communication module and the second long-range communication module include a GPRS communication module.
5. The precise vehicle parking system as mentioned in Claim 3, characterized in that: after the vehicle lock is enabled when the vehicle is not parked in the parking rack and a locking action is performed, the control module of the vehicle sends the vehicle's ID info to the base station through the second short-range communication module, and the said base station receives the said ID information through the said first short-range communication module; or the said control module of the vehicle sends its ID info to the said base station through the second short-range communication module, and the base station receives such ID info through the first short-range communication module, and sends the said ID info to the managing platform through the said first long-range communication module; or, the said control module of the said vehicle sends its ID info to the managing platform through the said second long-range communication module.
6. The precise vehicle parking system as mentioned in Claim 3, characterized in that: after the vehicle lock is enabled and a locking action is performed upon engagement of the vehicle and the parking rack that trigger induction, the control module of the vehicle sends the sensed signals of the vehicle to the base station through the second short-range communication module, and the base station receives the sensed signal through the first short-range communication module; or the said control module of the said vehicle sends the sensed signal of the vehicle to the base station through the second short-range communication module, and the base station receives the sensed signal through the first short-range communication module and sends the sensed signals to the managing platform through the first long-range communication module; or, the control module of the vehicle sends the sensed signal of the vehicle to the managing platform through the second long-range communication module.
7. The precise vehicle parking system as mentioned in Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: when the said first communication module is set on the said parking rack, and the said second communication module and the said control module are set in the said base station, the said vehicle al so includes a third communication module; the said first communication module includes a first short-range communication module and/or a first long-range communication module; the said second communication module includes a second short-range communication module and/or a second long-range communication module; the said third communication module includes a third short-range communication module and/or a third long-range communication module.
8. The precise vehicle parking system as mentioned in Claim 7, characterized in that: the said first short-range communication module, the second short-range communication module, and the third short-range communication module include a Bluetooth communication module or an RF communication module; the said first long-range communication module, the second long-range communication module, and the third long-range communication module include a GPRS communication module.
9. The precise vehicle parking system as mentioned in Claim 7, characterized in that: after the said vehicle lock is enabled when the said vehicle is not parked in the said parking rack and a locking action is performed, the said third short-range communication module of the said vehicle sends the ID info of the vehicle to the said base station, and the said base station receives such ID info through the second short-range communication module; or the said third short-range communication module of the said vehicle sends its ID info to the said base station, and the same base station receives the ID info through the second short-range communication module, and sends the ID info to the managing platform through the said second long-range communication module; or the said third long-range communication module of the said vehicle sends its ID info to a managing platform.
10. The precise vehicle parking system as mentioned in Claim 7, characterized in that: after the vehicle lock is enabled and a locking action is performed upon the engagement of modules on the vehicle and the parking rack triggering induction, the third short-range communication module of the vehicle sends the sensed signals of the vehicle to the base station, and the base station receives such signals through the second short-range communication module; or the said third short-range communication module of the vehicle sends the sensed signals of the vehicle to the base station, and the base station receives such signals through the second short-range communication module, and sends the sensed signals to the managing platform through the second long-range communication module; or the said third long-range communication module of the vehicle sends sensed signals of the vehicle to a managing platform.
11. A method for precise parking of vehicles, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: the vehicle receives a broadcast signal containing the information sent by a base station on the number of available parking racks at the site or, in a site where the vehicle is parked, the base station receives a broadcast signal from the parking rack containing the information on the number of available parking racks in the site, and then the base station compares the number of available parking racks given by the broadcast signal with a preset threshold value; when the said number of available parking racks exceeds the threshold value, the vehicle lock is enabled based on a signal triggered through the engagement of modules mounted on the vehicle and the parking rack; when the number of available parking racks is less than or equal to the threshold value, the vehicle lock is enabled even when the vehicle is not parked in the parking rack.
12. The precise vehicle parking method as mentioned in Claim 11, characterized in that: the vehicle parking method further includes the following steps: detecting whether the said vehicle receives a signal triggered through the engagement of modules mounted on the vehicle and the parking rack; when the vehicle receives such a signal, the vehicle lock is enabled.
13. The method for precise parking of a vehicle as mentioned in Claim 11 or 12, characterized in that: the vehicle parking method further includes the following steps: after the vehicle lock is enabled and a locking action is performed when the vehicle is not parked in the parking rack, the said vehicle sends its ID info to the base station; or the said vehicle sends its ID info to the said base station, and the base station receives and sends this ID info to the managing platform; or the said vehicle sends its ID info to the managing platform.
14. The precise parking method for a vehicle as mentioned in Claim 11, characterized in that: the vehicle parking method further includes the following steps: after the said vehicle lock of the vehicle is enabled and a locking action is performed upon the engagement of modules on the vehicle and the parking rack triggering induction, the said vehicle sends the sensed signals of the vehicle to the base station; or the said vehicle sends the sensed signals of the vehicle to the base station, and the base station receives and sends the sensed signals to the managing platform; or the said vehicle sends the sensed signals of the vehicle to the managing platform.