Patent Application
20090261988
This invention refers to a system, access control device and a method for the exchange and shared use of parking spaces between supply and demand entities (affiliated individual users or parking garages) which, in association with a central platform, form a parking exchange in which the associated access management and control operations to the available parking spaces are managed by it.
The system, although it is applicable to rotating parking garages with intelligent access control systems, has been especially conceived to allow owners and/or users of parking spaces in residential estates to make their parking spaces available to other users affiliated with the system when they are not occupied on a semi-automatic basis.
Its use is particularly ideal for areas in which the availability of parking spaces on the streets and in publicly or privately managed intelligent rotating parking garages is insufficient or does not meet the price or hourly needs of drivers. In particular, the system described herein makes it possible to increase the number of available spaces in the area and the rate of use of parking spaces primarily located in residential estates, although it is also applicable to private or public parking garages whose customary users and/or owners are affiliated with the system.
The field of application of the invention is obviously part of the industrial sector that provides, manages and maintains parking spaces in general, either of a public nature or associated with residential facilities.
The problems of mobility caused by the lack of parking in cities, and particularly in downtown areas, are known only too well. Parking spaces are divided between publicly or privately managed rotating parking garages, parking spaces on the street, normally subject to rotating schemes in large cities, and private and corporate parking garages.
In areas with a shortage of parking, drivers often face either an annoying search for spaces on the stress, with the detrimental effect of traffic congestion, the impossibility of parking for long periods of time in areas with regulated parking, or else the alternative of paying in high priced parking garages. This situation affects many drivers and particularly workers in these areas who use their cars to go to work and who often have to pay, either by a monthly ticket or else by time of stay, for a space in a rotating parking garage because of the impossibility of parking on the street for long periods of time.
The lack of parking resources means that it is of great interest to optimize the available resources in order to improve mobility and accessibility in these areas, often in the face of the difficult or costly investments required to equip them with new infrastructures for this purpose.
The available resources include the private spaces of residential communities. These spaces are often unoccupied by their regular users because they leave for work, take weekend trips, or other reasons.
Thus the exchange of potentially empty parking spaces in residential communities is underused, as there is no system that enables a semi-automatic exchange of these spaces between numerous users not necessarily linked to a single space or to a particular hour.
This invention provides a solution precisely to this problem, creating the necessary system and device to enable an exchange of spaces between those persons or entities offering spaces when they are unoccupied and the drivers requesting those spaces. Although the system focuses on parking located in residential communities, it is also applicable to existing rotation parking garages.
The system of the invention enables the mass organization of the shared use of already existing parking spaces by putting on the market an easy, cheap way to exchange underused parking. This is of particular interest to those drivers who can predict their movements and to those users or owners of parking spaces who, as compensation for ceding the space during unoccupied periods, can access the rest of the parking exchange in any other area or receive an equivalent economic incentive.
As we will see, a key aspect of the solution focuses on preventing the misplacement and copying of keys or remote controls, and on preventing the installation of new access control equipment in the associated resident parking garages, in order to permit a plural use of the available parking spaces with a view to allowing any user access to any parking space of the system through an access control device.
Moreover, the current state of the art already includes numerous known developments of parking and access control systems. Most of the developments in this field have been intended for premises with access control and paid parking, i.e. rotating parking garages that are equipped with, or require, the local implementation in each facility of intelligent systems with their respective database applications, access control and payment devices, and software applications for management thereof.
These systems have been developed in order to enhance the features and convenience for the users, offer them new information and parking space reservation services, and increase the access convenience and security and the security of the vehicle during the time it is parked there.
In addition, both for controlled access parking garages and for parking located on the street and subject to inspection by the authorities, i.e. regulated parking areas, the invention has also pursued a decrease of fraud, improvement of the control and inspection procedures to verify that the applicable parking regulations are met, and the provision of new payment possibilities for users through dedicated terminals, ID cards or mobile devices such as PDA type electronic agendas or mobile phones.
On the other hand, the manufacturers of access control systems for the residential market, which initially are not intended for the rotational use of garage spaces but rather for their regular owners or users, have adopted simple access control systems, most of them operated by radiofrequency. These include the use of a transmitter or remote control and a receiver located on the access door that validates the open door signal.
As we will see hereinafter, the characteristics of the developed systems, the most relevant of which are mentioned below, do not allow for establishing a system of controlled, semi-automatic exchange of garage spaces between individuals whose parking spaces are located in premises controlled by a radiofrequency-based access system.
For instance, a system to promote the exchange of parking spaces has been described in document JP-2003216988. This is no more than a simple form of intermediation via an Internet portal to help reach agreements on the shared use of a single space between regular users. This system does not include, however, an element of utmost importance, i.e. a necessary procedure and device to enable access to the spaces that are agreed to be shared, and therefore it does not enable an exchange and occasional access between plural users to different parking garages.
Parking space reservation systems have also been described for intelligent rotating parking garages, e.g. in documents US-2002077953, US-20044254840, WO-02/33675 and WO-02/097736. These systems have been designed for rotating parking garages and have numerous limitations for use as systems dedicated to the shared use of parking spaces in residential garages. On one hand, for the control of the access functions linked to a previous reservation, these systems require the installation of some kind of device in parallel to the customary systems of access to the parking garage, e.g. systems of bar code reading, cards with or without contact, voice recognition, license plate recognition, keyboards, Bluetooth type wireless data exchange or similar. Moreover, the management of reservations is based on the control of the level of occupation of the parking garage and not on the supply of spaces by periods established by the users themselves, the management of which requires excessively complicated systems that entail the use of system architectures that link numerous devices and servers for hosting the logic associated with the reservations control in accordance with the parking control operations and systems. Therefore, the complexity of these parking space reservation systems makes them economically unviable for implementation in residential environments, whose radiofrequency-based access systems are relatively simple and cheap and do not support intermediation with the reservation systems described above without installing other more complex control and communication devices and means in each associated parking garage.
On its part, document ES-1 047 775U describes a system for hotel reservations with an access control system that can be remotely configured via the telecommunications network. This document includes a description of the blocks needed to implement a remotely controlled variable code access system in order to prevent keys from being passed between the different customers who occupy the premises to be controlled. Again, in this model, the access blocking or enabling functions, such as the remote updating of the entrance codes, are made to reside in a terminal to be installed on the premises. Again this requires the installation of the necessary electronic device on the premises whose access is to be controlled and of communication interfaces with the central system in charge of managing the access.
There are other documents similar to the latter one mentioned above, e.g. documents US-2004036573 and WO-1/52053 which describe garage door access control systems for the residential market. These documents more precisely detail the configuration of the terminals required in the garages and the access operations they perform but, just as in the case of above mentioned document ES-1 047 775U, they require the installation of a complicated electronic system in the garage, with a communication interface with the external provider of remote access management services; therefore, although they do prevent the misplacement of keys, they do not resolve either the drawbacks mentioned above regarding installation and costs associated with the necessary communications.
In the case of this invention, its aim is precisely to devise a new specific system for the low cost exchange of parking spaces which avoids both the need to install new access control equipment on the premises to be controlled and the misplacement of keys or remote controls belonging to the premises, and which in turn allows the users to determine the periods of occupation of their spaces for managing their exchange.
In the system of the invention, the access control functions reside in a new portable device compatible with most of the systems already installed in residential accesses. This new device enables or blocks access on the basis of an internal coding system actuated via an access code associated with an exchange operation that is sent in the form of an electronic ticket to the user. In this way, there is no need to install new equipment on each of the premises, to change the access parameters of the existing equipment, or to remotely update the authorized entrance codes in a device installed in the garage.
As will be seen below, this is possible for numerous places which already have a radiofrequency access control system of the kind used in residential garages, i.e. by remote control.
In fact, there are known remote controls in the state of the art that are based on the transmission of a radiofrequency signal to trigger the opening of locks used in the residential market. Each manufacturer distinguishes its remote controls by the operating frequency in the authorized band, the modulation scheme used to transmit the signal, and the code sent from the transmitter to the receiver. Since the appearance of these radiofrequency equipments, the coding of the digital signal transmitted between the transmitter and receiver has become more complex, with the emergence of each manufacturer's own modulation modalities, improvements in encryption, or coding of the signal by means of keys between the transmitter and receiver and evolutive code controls, for the purpose of offering more secure access systems, some of which are virtually impossible to copy.
On the other hand, the competitive nature of the market, the need to replace discontinued transmitter models without the need to update the receiver and the need to lower costs have all given rise to practically universal compatible controls capable of replacing numerous models of different manufacturers and interacting with already installed receivers.
These universal controls make it possible to replicate the remote control signal of numerous manufacturers by reproducing the coding sequence, provided this sequence is fixed, in different ranges of modulation and frequency.
There are various methods and electronics required to replicate the signal used to operate a control. There are controls that incorporate dedicated electronics for the detection, copying and reproduction of the signal from an original control (see documents U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,804, U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,340 and WO-00/75905). Others are programmable by an external programmer designed for this purpose, which inputs the parameters that define the signal, and there are also controls that include a programming stage integrated into the control itself to select the pertinent transmission signal via a keyboard (document U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,108) or micro-switches (documents U.S. Pat. No. 6,486,795 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,101).
Since the manufacturers use a limited number of frequencies, modulation schemes and coding, the existence of universal controls, such as those mentioned in the preceding paragraph, to open different accesses is known and relatively frequent.
It should be noted that, in the case of evolutive controls, the variable nature of the codes has impeded the creation of fully universal controls. Nevertheless, some manufacturers (see document U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,804) have now developed practically universal controls compatible with a significant number of evolutive code control manufacturers. To do so, it is necessary to know the parameters required to generate evolutive codes, such as the production algorithms of security codes and keys by means of agreements with the original manufacturers. Another method for copying evolutive controls is to take advantage of the fact that evolutive controls in some cases include synchronization and resynchronization modes between the transmitter and receiver that convert an evolutive code into a fixed opening sequence that is valid under certain circumstances; this enables the replication of an evolutive control if the fixed opening sequence of a transmitter-receiver pair with evolutive technology, formerly impossible to copy, is known or can be derived by reverse engineering.
These controls, although they can be used to replace the originals, cannot establish an access control logic remotely governed by an external reservation platform. In fact, controls such as the ones described in document U.S. Pat. No. 6,486,795 or document U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,804, can be used, once purchased by the user, to reproduce the transmission sequence of a transmitter-receiver system by merely following the programming instructions that govern their coding stage, and even to program several RF access control systems in one and the same control.
However, the functioning of the coding and programming stages of the radiofrequency signal to be transmitted by these controls does not make them suitable for implementing an access control system to different premises with already installed RF receivers. This is because their design does not incorporate in the control itself a control logic or the functional blocks for linking an externally validated reservation to the control operation so that the control can interpret, with data remotely generated by an external platform, i.e. the access code input into the control, whether or not it is advisable to actuate an open signal and the form that this signal should have.
In other words, the control electronics and logic of these controls, although they can replicate the operation of many of the RF controls on the market, cannot link this operation to an externally authorized reservation request.
Nevertheless, the manufacturers of access control systems have created specific transmitter-receiver procedures and systems to permit and control an occasional access by third parties other than the regular user; with an appropriate terminal, they can temporarily access premises controlled by a radiofrequency system, e.g. to distribute merchandise or maintain the control systems, without the need for the regular user to be present and limiting the access by renewable time intervals to authorized users. Systems of this kind have been described in documents US-2004036573, WO-01/52053 and EP-1 149 361. Again, and just as in the case of the systems developed for intelligent rotating parking garages, these access control systems need to incorporate new kinds of receivers and devices in which the remote access control functions again reside and whose installation on the premises to be controlled is therefore of a complex nature.
In short, there are various limitations of the systems explained above for the purpose described herein, including the main ones mentioned below:
For purposes of enabling a simple, dynamic exchange of parking spaces between users affiliated with the management platform, the system proposed by the invention solves the above described difficulties.
The solution proposed by the invention is to provide the users affiliated with the exchange system with an access control device (hereinafter, abbreviated to ACD), which functions as a universal remote control compatible with the majority of the radiofrequency systems already installed in the accesses to residential community garages. This device, which either directly receives or in which the access codes (hereinafter, abbreviated to AC) issued by the parking space exchange management platform in accordance with the established parking space management policy are easily input, is used to manage the access control to reserved spaces in different premises.
In this way, users can make their parking spaces available in unoccupied periods through the platform and its different access channels, e.g. Internet, voice recognition interface and telephone. If they are also in possession of the above mentioned ACD, they will also have access to reserve and occupy spaces made available by other users in other premises.
The interest is obvious because, by merely registering with the platform and having the appropriate ACD terminal, such a system would permit the dynamic, mass exchange between residents of parking spaces located in different parking garages, which is of particular interest in areas where there is a shortage of parking.
In addition, in order to incorporate professionally operated rotating parking garages into an eventual exchange of parking spaces between their users, and to enable them to operate as system bidders linked to the exchange platform or to operate as a backup resource of spaces, i.e. for meeting parking demands that are not satisfied by private resources offering spaces in residential communities, this system includes complementary procedures of execution and an additional receiver device for tailoring the control systems of the rotating parking garages to the requirements of this parking space exchange system which is primarily intended for residential garages.
The applicant is not aware of the existence of a management and control system such as the one proposed by the invention, the characteristics of which are described in more detail below.
These and other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more clearly explained in the following detailed description of a preferential form of execution, provided only by way of an illustrative, non-limitative example with reference to the accompanying drawings, where:
As discussed above, this invention aims to provide a new access control system, method and device to enable the shared use and exchange of parking spaces between system users, where the latter are either individual users or parking garages. The users affiliated with a central platform make up a parking exchange in which the access management and control operations to the available spaces are managed by it.
Therefore, the purposes. of the invention can be defined as follows:
In the general schematized view shown in
The general operation of the platform is as follows:
The offering user (1) identifies himself and notifies to the space exchange station (2) the availability of his space (4), or of spaces located in a parking garage (10), in accordance with the parameters required by the station (2). The parameters that define the characteristics and availability of a space include geographical location, localization in the garage, size, the period and hour of availability, and the price. These parameters are associated with the identity of the user offering the space and include data on the person, contact details such as telephones, e-mail and address, and data on the vehicle that normally occupies the space such as license plate number, brand and model.
According to a preferential method of execution, the offered space (4) may have a fixed display device (7) to identify it for the requesting users (3) once they have accessed the parking where it is located with their vehicle. This visual device contains a logotype reference of the exchange station or an alphanumeric reference, e.g. the offering user's vehicle license plate (3) in the form of a sticker or plaque conveniently placed on the wall, floor or ceiling of the space in order to make it easier to read from a vehicle driving through the garage.
According to another mode of execution, the offering user can be a parking garage operator (11), in which case the spaces (4) may not be specifically identified inside the parking lot (11), or they may be identified with visual identification methods such as those normally used in rotating parking garages, with fixed or variable signals, illuminated panels and similar.
Another descriptive aspect of the system are the means used by the offering user (1) to notify the availability of spaces to the platform (2). The offering user (1) makes the availability of his space known through fixed or wireless communication networks with a PC type multimedia device, electronic agenda, or fixed or mobile telephone.
For purposes of inputting or updating the supply of spaces and their availability via different channels for electronic processing in the exchange platform (2), the latter is provided with a multi-channel communications portal (5) for communication of data between the users (1) and the platform (2). This portal (5) enables data communication, either via an Internet portal or else via telephone by means of recognition systems of data received by SMS text messages or by means of a voice recognition interface or by telephone pulse or tone data recognition, making it possible to take calls on an automated basis or through a platform operator (2).
The offering user (1) is identified by inputting unique user identification data, the ID reference in
During the process of offering a space, a user (1) already registered in the platform (2) will normally only need to update data corresponding to the availability of the space with indication of day, month and year of the beginning and end of availability (dd/mm/yy), and the hours that define the period to begin and end the space exchange (hh:mm (beginning)-hh.mm (end)).
In the exchange station (2), the records of the offering user's data and the availability of his space are related and updated through a database.
On the other hand, the requesting user (3) should define a space occupation request and/or reservation and notify it to the platform (2) according to the parameters established in the exchange platform. The parameters that define the space reservation characteristics may include its geographical location, requested period and hour of occupation, the size of the requesting user's vehicle and the price. These parameters are associated with the identity of the user requesting the space, which include data on the person, the vehicle and contact data such as e-mail, telephone number and ACD associated with the user (3) for sending the ACs.
The means used to request a space reservation and the identification of the requesting user are similar to the ones described above for offering users.
In the exchange station (2), the records of the requesting user's data and the availability of spaces are related and updated through a database.
During the reservation process, means are provided for the geographical localization of a requesting user (3) when this user requests a reservation by mobile phone, in order to match the supply of available spaces to the user's position. The user position is localized with a localization system based on triangulation of the signal of the mobile phone and the surrounding base stations of the telephone operator. This system is not described here, as it pertains to a player outside the system with a well known commercial operation. For purposes of enabling the necessary localization, the multi-channel communications portal (5) of the platform (2) contains means for recognizing the call number, and the platform (2) contains means for connecting to third-party servers in order to request and receive the localization of the requesting user's telephone (3) from the telephone operator. For this purpose, the requesting user (3) will have previously registered the necessary data in the platform (2), e.g. the mobile phone number for localization, as well as the prior localization authorizations as specified by his telephone operator.
The exchange station (2) that receives the offers of available spaces (4) and the demands of users (3) contains means to process this information via a database, and to communicate to the requesting user (3) the offers of available spaces, in accordance with the request for reservation and in the format suited to the reservation channel used by the requesting user via the communications portal (5) (voice, Internet, text messages).
According to an aspect of the invention, the platform (2) provides the subscribed users (1) or (3) with means to consult the historical of demands and occupations they have made in other offered spaces, or to consult the demands made by other requesting users (3) in the space they offer, as well as means to block the execution of their own future reservations in spaces offered by other users or to block the execution of reservations by requesting users who have previously occupied their offered space.
According to the operating mode, if there are no available spaces (4) coinciding with the details of the reservation request, the requesting user (3) is notified of the available spaces that come closest to the characteristics of the reservation according to geographical proximity, hour and price.
During the reservation process, it is required that a space be selected from among the possible spaces offered by the system and that. the requesting user (3) confirm, so that the platform (2) can generate an access code AC (8) and a reservation identifier RI, as shown in
This access code AC is unique for each defined reservation and assigns an available space (4) of a parking garage (10) or (11). According to an important characteristic of this invention, as will be detailed hereinafter, the access code AC contains information frames of variable configuration according to the destination garage, with reservation and user parameters and parameters that determine the actuation functions of the access system of the premises where the reserved space (4) is located, which can be actuated by means of the ACD to open and access the garage.
The exchange station (2) sends this access code AC (8) to the requesting user (3), along with the details that characterize the reserved space and the reservation identifier identified as RI in
According to a characteristic of the invention, the access code AC is sent to the requesting user (3) for input and actuation in the ACD via fixed or wireless communications networks.
The platform (2) sends the access code AC, as well as the characteristics of the reserved space and the reservation identifier RI, according to the reservation channel used by the user (3). The details that characterize the space may include the space localization, its geographical location, position in the garage and reference to the data of the fixed display device (7). Thus the AC, RI and characteristics of the reserved space can be notified to the user in the form of text, images, URL readdressing or voice notification, according to the reservation channel used by the user (3). The means used to send the AC, reserved space information and reservation identifier RI therefore include: e-mail, data file downloadable from Internet, readdressing to a URL address that displays on the screen the multimedia device used for the reservation or for sending the text message to the mobile phone of the user (3), or telephone voice notification.
For purposes of sending the AC, the RI and the characteristics of the space reserved via mobile phone channel, the data of the user's AC receiving device are previously registered in the platform (2), along with the user's mobile phone contact number.
According to one execution mode of the invention, the access code AC can be sent directly to the user ACD if this device is equipped with a data reception circuit (16). The receiver (16) of the ACD, which acts as a data interface with the platform (2), can be any type able to receive messages via a radio-messaging service, which include, by way of a non-limitative example, RDS receivers, localizers and DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) radio receivers. To this end, the platform (2) contains the transmission media or means of interaction with external operator servers to send radio-messages and it has the receiver identifier number (16) recorded, as required by type RDS, DAB or radio-localizer, for transmissions addressed to it.
The requesting user (3) receives this access code AC and inputs it into the access control device ACD (6) in order to actuate it and subsequently access the reserved space.
With reference to the ACD schematized in
The input of the AC into the ACD (6) is the programming and actuation method of the ACD radiofrequency stage (20). The ACD only contains the reverse functions for decoding the AC in order to actuate the open signal OS via the radiofrequency transmitter block (20), as will be described hereinafter.
According to a preferential model of execution, the user (3) inputs the AC through the alphanumeric keyboard (18), which is displayed on the ACD screen (24).
According to this mode of execution, when the AC is keyed in with the keys (28), the user presses a channel key (27) to actuate ACD operation according to the previously input AC and enable the transmission of an open signal OS. The actuated AC is also filed in the memory block (23) and associated with the channel actuated by the previously pressed key (27), such that successively pressing on this key (27) will retrieve the AC actuated with it. This characteristic of the invention enables the user (3) to key in and actuate a particular AC whenever he wants to use the ACD to open a garage with only one press of the key (27), which retries from the memory (23) the AC code previously used through that channel.
Thus the user (3) can record access codes that control receivers (12) of different entrance and exit doors of the same garage or different garages in different keys (27) associated with different transmission channels. The user (3) can also store the regular access codes of the access system of his own garage in the keys (27) and actuate them with a single stroke.
Likewise, the ACD contains memory (23) retrieval functions, via the keyboard (18), by using the key (29) of the last actuated ACs.
Other means to input the AC into the ACD, whose functional diagram is shown in
Therefore, according to another non-limitative mode of execution, the ACD can be equipped with connection ports (17), such as the USB, Bluetooth wireless or infrared types, as a data transmission interface with other PC type multimedia devices, electronic agendas and mobile phones, in order to transfer the AC received in the latter to the memory support (23) of the user (3) ACD.
According to another execution mode, the ACD can even be equipped with radiofrequency-based data reception circuits (16), such as, by way of a non-limitative example, RDS or DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) receivers or the types used in radio localizers, for direct reception of the AC and its storage in the ACD memory support (23).
Of note is the fact that, according to the ACD data reception mode, the keyboard (18) and the screen (24) can be executed in different ways, so that the user (3) can operate the functions for input, actuation, storage and retrieval of an AC through the different channels. In Access Control Devices with AC reception via receiver block (16) or connection ports (17), it may not be necessary to have typical alphanumeric keys (28) to input the code by manual strokes.
According to the execution in
In the ACD in
The key (32) is a memory key for retrieving the last codes actuated in the programmable transmitter block of
In this way, the user (3), on actuating one of the keys (33), will with a single stroke start the transmission stage in accordance with the AC recorded in that channel.
The ACD contains a microprocessor (19) that may be standard or specifically executed, as well as means of memory support (23) for permanent data storage, e.g. an EEPROM memory, and a RAM memory for the intermediate variables and ROM memory (for the serial number of the control and the processes used in AC decoding to convert it into an OS).
To specialists in the field, it is obvious that the functional blocks in
Now a description is provided below of the coding operation associated with the system of the invention. For this purpose, the requesting user (3) actuates the ACD (6) to transmit the open signal to the garage where the reserved space is located. Once the AC is actuated, the ACD (6) decodes the access code, checks that it contains the data that authorize the transmission of an access signal OS, and transmits the access signal compatible with the garage where the reserved space is located for both entering and exiting the garage.
According to the invention described herein, these functions are controlled by the ACD via its different functional blocks described above. The general AC decoding functions for conversion into an open signal OS are detailed below.
As explained above, the purpose of this invention is to facilitate the exchange of parking spaces between users without the need to install new access devices on the premises and thus prevent the misplacement of keys. Until now, this has been described in this invention on the basis of a programmable ACD by an access code AC transmitted by a platform in charge of managing the exchanges of parking spaces.
The access code AC is composed of a series of data frames encrypted by a secret key K where AC=function (D, Ma, CV), and where D, Ma, CV are the different parameters that govern operation of the control.
Frame D includes information on the period of validity of the AC and on the serial number of the ACD to which the AC is sent. This frame D is used in the ACD actuation process in order to enable synthesizing and transmission of the OS signal whenever the serial number and period of validity data included in it correspond to the serial number prerecorded in the memory supports (23), the ACD control and the data of the internal clock (22) of the ACD.
The period of validity is a time period of use represented in the data frame D of the access code AC which may be daily or any combination of days within longer weekly, monthly or yearly periods.
The serial number of the frame D includes partial information on the serial number of the ACD to which the AC code is sent.
Frame MA provides information on operation of the garage access system (12). The information contained in MA is composed of those parameters pj used to synthesize the open signal OS from basic parameters such as: i) the transmission frequency, ii) the data modulation scheme, including: the work cycle, how the “zeros”, “ones” or the signals “+”, “zero” and “−”—typical of binary and trinary coding controls, respectively—are represented in that cycle, the type of modulation ASK or FSK, and the parameters that, according to this modulation, define the “zero” and “one” data for binary coding or the “+”, “zero” and “−” data for trinary coding, iii) the type of coding, either fixed or evolutive and binary or trinary, and iv) the signal beginning and end header that may include, for example, a typical manufacturer sequence.
According to the execution mode, frame Ma is therefore a function of the type Maj=f(pj), identifiable by the ACD, in which it is indicated if the parameters pj are predetermined and recorded in the memory supports (23) of the ACD, or if they are transmitted in frame Maj itself.
According to this characteristic, the ACD can receive AC codes, identify the type of frame Maj, and retrieve the parameters pj from the memory supports (23) of the ACD itself, or else directly read them from the AC function Maj, in order to use them for synthesizing the open signal OS compatible with the access system (12).
Frame CV is a data frame CV=f (CCi), which indicates the code(s) CCi to be modulated by the ACD in the open signal OS to emulate the open signal of an original remote control of the access system (12). Frame CV itself indicates whether the CCI(s) is(are) predetermined and recorded in the memory supports (23) of the ACD, or whether it(they) is(are) transmitted in the frame CV proper of the access code AC. For this purpose, the ACD is provided with means to identify the type of frame CV and thus retrieve the CCi from the memory supports (23) or else directly read them from the function transmitted in the CV.
For example, in the case of fixed code controls, the ACD emulates the open signal of an original control based on a single code CCi, where the open signal takes on the form OS=f(pj, CCi), where OS is synthesized from the parameters pj obtained from the frame Maj and in whose OS a single CCi is modulated. This CCi, for fixed code controls, usually has between 6 and 48 bits, according to the access system model (12). For example, fixed code remote controls programmable by micro-switches have codes ranging from 6 to 13 positions and can be coded in binary or trinary, according to the remote control-model, which is equivalent to an information frame CCi in binary base from 6 to 20 bits. The controls whose fixed code is recorded in the chip usually have longer modulated codes CCi, from 20 to 48 bits, although there are also longer ones.
In the case of some evolutive controls, as explained hereinafter, the ACD makes use of several CCi to synthesize an open signal that actuates, as if it were an original remote control, the access system (12). In fact, evolutive code remote controls are usually synchronized with the receiver of an evolutive access system based on a counter than changes with each actuation of the control and that is transmitted in the modulated signal between the transmitter and receiver. When the transmitter desynchronizes, which usually happens if it is actuated repeated times in the absence of the receiver, certain models of evolutive controls can resynchronize the transmitter and actuate the associated receiver if, on successively pressing the control, codes are sent which, as they are evolutive, have an evolution sequence of the logic counter in accordance with its manufacturer. This makes it possible to reproduce an evolutive control through a process of desynchronization and resynchronization of the control with the receiver, which can be emulated in the ACD by sending a fixed open signal OS that emulates several strokes of the original control, transmitting several CCi according to the form OS=ΣSAi=Σif(p, CCi), where OS is synthesized from the parameters pj obtained from the frame Maj and in whose OF all the CCi included in frame CV are reproduced.
According to another mode of execution, when the parameters pj indicate that the OS to be emulated by the ACD corresponds to an evolutive code remote control access system that cannot be emulated by a fixed signal as described in the preceding paragraph, the open signal OS transmitted by an ACD on the basis of an AC is a data function of the type OS=f(pj, CCI). In this case, OS forms whenever the AC is actuated in the ACD with the code CCi immediately following the previously actuated one of the frame CV. For this purpose, the ACD is equipped with memory resources (23) that save the last actuated CCi as reference, in order to select the next CCi in new actuations of the AC, the first CCi of the frame CV being the one used in the first actuation of the open signal OS.
In any of the previous cases, the CCi processed by the platform (2) to form the frame CV of a certain reservation in a certain garage are produced by remote controls of the original manufacturer previously registered in the receiver system (12) of those garages, and therefore the frames CCi, whether for a fixed or evolutive coding control, are known.
Now there is a description of the encryption of the information carried in the AC; this is encoded by means of a secret key K that is known by the ACD and used to decode the encrypted AC.
According to a characteristic of the invention, the secret key K is previously recorded in the memory support (23) of the ACD, normally in an EEPROM.
According to the simplest execution mode, the secret key K used to decode the ACs is the same for all the ACD supports.
In order to prevent the fraudulent use of the ACD devices and enhance system security, other modes of production of keys K are considered.
According to one execution mode of the invention, different keys are used for each ACD device according to its serial number.
According to one execution mode of the invention, the keys K are periodically updatable, and these are supplied to the users (3) so they can be updated in their ACD devices. The user (3) updates keys by means of a key update function f(K) generated by the platform (2) and recognizable by the ACD. According to the type of ACD that the user (3) has, f(K) is input through the keyboard (18), such as the alphanumeric kind (28) shown in figure (2), or directly sent by the platform (2) to the ACD when it is on of the types that have a data reception circuit (16), or else through connection ports (17), where the function f(K) can be input into the ACD from other devices. According to this execution mode, the ACD associated with a user (3) is known by the platform (2), which has a record in its database with the ACD associated with each user by the serial number and a record with the update of keys K of each ACD device.
According to another mode of execution, means have been provided to use different secret keys K for encrypting the AC, such that each key K is unique for each device and reservation, and the key generated by a key production function is known by the ACD, K=f(D,pj) which is linked to the parameters D, which include the period of validity and the serial number of the ACD device, and the radiofrequency signal synthesizing parameters pj. According to this encryption characteristic of the AC, the parameter D and/or pj used in the production function of key K is not encrypted in the AC, but instead is transmitted in a known position in the information frame from the AC to the ACD, for purposes of which the ACD can process the appropriate key K for the AC decoding process.
Since the keys K may differ according to usage time intervals and are generated through a function K=f(D, pj) known by both the platform (2) and the ACD, the latter uses the internal clock 22 in the decoding process, for which purpose the ACDs are synchronized with the platform (2), which has a record in its database with the dates the ACD devices of each user (3) were added.
Thus the ACD receives the AC whose data frame has most of its information encrypted. The ACD uses the appropriate decoding key K. Remember that this key K, according to the encryption execution mode, may be fixed, may have been updated in the ACD after notification to it or to the user (3), or may be linked to a certain time interval D or a parameter pj through a production function known by the ACD, for which purpose the ACD uses its internal clock (22). As mentioned above, according to another characteristic of the invention and in order to enable the encryption process, the ACDs are synchronized with the platform (2) which has a record in its database with the date that the ACD of each user (3) was added and the serial number of the ACD assigned to each user.
According to the invention, the access control is performed in the ACD by logic resources. These are able, on the basis of the frame AC, to decode the information contained in it based on the key K, and to decide if the OS should be thus transmitted on the basis of the access authorization period contained in the frame D.
Once the AC is decoded and in order to determine the validity of the AC, the ACD is provided with an internal clock (22) to compare the information carried in the frame D with the internal clock 22 of the ACD. The ACD also compares the serial number sent as part of the frame D in the AC with the serial number of the control itself, to decide whether or not to transmit the OS signal.
If this verification of both the period of validity and the serial number is positive, the ACD excites the radiofrequency circuit (20) in accordance with the signal synthesizing parameters pj contained in the frame MAj, and modulates the code(s) CCi obtained from the frame CV of the AC, generating an open signal OS compatible with the receiver (12) that will open the door (15).
The ACD is therefore a universal remote control device programmable by electronic ticket, denominated herein access code AC, which enables the ACD to chose the appropriate routine for emulating the different manufacturer protocols, with the above mentioned OS construction variables, and to digitally excite the RF circuit (20) for opening a garage controlled by radiofrequency access systems.
In the case of a variant of a parking garage equipped with means of automatic access control, e.g. in the case of offering garages of type (11) that have access means such as a barrier, gate or door (14) controlled by the parking management and control applications (9) typical of rotating parking garages (11), additional means are provided for access control to the spaces offered by this type of garage and demanded via the exchange platform (2), as well as additional means for interaction between the platform (2) and the garage systems (11) via the receiver (13), as explained hereinafter.
According to this mode of execution, to be able to control access, the parking garage (11) requires the installation of a receiver (13) with:
According to this mode of execution, the platform (2) sends the AC and the reservation identifier RI both to the user (3) and the receiver (13), to which it also sends the data regarding that reservation such as the user details and authorized time interval for the reservation, once the user (3) has confirmed the reservation of a space via the platform (2). The communications between the platform (2) and the receiver (13) for this data exchange include appropriate communication devices in the platform (2) and in the receiver (13) for the exchange of data via Internet, radio messaging or similar for transmission via fixed and/or wireless telephone networks.
For access control and as a data interface with the user (3), the receiver (13) has the indicated means for receiving data through a radiofrequency reception block compatible with the ACD transmitter block, via keyboard or contact cards, such that, in practice, the reservation identifier RI of the user to be input via the keyboard, the frame CCi of the open signal OS transmitted by the ACD of the user (3) and received by the receiver (13), or a contact card associated with the user identifier, can be used as the access code AC to the parking garage (11).
The receiver (13) contains computing means to compare the access code AC received from the user (3) with the reservation data received by the platform (2), in order to verify the reservation and, if positive, to authorize the opening of the garage access system (14).
In order to enable synchronized operation of the receiver device (13) and the access operations linked to a reservation, and the operation of the devices and regular access operations of the access management and control system (9) of the parking garage (11), the receiver (13) contains memory and computing resources for recording and exchanging data with the system (9) and the platform (2) regarding the space reservation, the entry and exit status of assigned reservations, the level of occupation of the garage, and the result of the received AC verification. With regard to the indicated means of communication for data exchange between the receiver (13) and the parking control system (9), these may include USB type fixed communication ports, RS232, RS485 or similar, and/or Bluetooth wireless, wi-fi or similar devices.
In the event of a positive verification of an AC in the receiver (13), this contains means to send an actuation message, either directly to the access system (14) of the barrier type or similar parking garage via a logic signal or an electronic message through an analog output or a communications port connected directly to the access system (14), or else via a communications port connected to the local management and control system (9) of a parking garage operator.
In the case of a variant of a parking garage with manual access control to the garages (11), i.e. done by a supervisor, the access codes AC can be simplified and be in the form of a simple alphanumeric localizer not operable by the ACD, i.e. the reservation identifier RI.
In order to control the access of users (3) to parking garages with manual access control and to validate their reservations, the AC, in this case the RI, is communicated, once the user has confirmed the reservation of a space via the platform (2), to the management and control system (9) of the parking garage (11), if the parking has one.
According to another mode of execution, if the parking garage (11) does not have a management system, these RI codes are notified via telephone through a voice interface that can be interrogated by the offering parking garage (11) affiliated with the platform (2), or else by PC type multimedia devices via Internet. Just as in the case of an offering user (1), the parking garage (11) has query functions via the multi-channel portal (5) regarding reservations of spaces made available to the system by it and the associated RI codes.
In a parking garage (11) with manual access control, the entry and exit of associated reservations is controlled by notification of the RI by the user (3) to the person in charge of garage access control (11).
In accordance with the invention, a simpler execution version is considered, in which the exchange of spaces by a rotating parking lot is managed with the parking itself acting as management platform (2). In an execution of this type, the system and the method for the exchange and shared use of parking spaces can be locally implemented in a parking garage of type (11) to enable the exchange of garage spaces located in residential garages (10) near the parking garage (11) without the intervention of a universal access control device (6).
According to this mode of execution, the platform (2) sends the reservation identifier RI to the user (3) requesting a space located in a parking garage (10) for a reservation processed by the platform (2). For access control to the parking garages (10), the garage (11) is provided with means to store copies of the remote controls of the garages of the offering users (1), which are collected at the beginning of the reservation period and returned at the end by the requesting user (3) from the garage, subject to presentation of the RI to the parking garage supervisor (11).
In order to provide the appropriate copy of the remote control of a parking garage (10) to a user (3), these copies are identified by an information frame, which may be the address of the garage of the associated offering user (1) or a random alphanumeric frame registered in the platform (2) and associated with a reservation, and its RI, made by a user (3).
According to this method of execution, the information frame that identifies a remote control copy is available in a display device secure to the copied control, e.g. a sticker or similar for identification of the control copies by the garage supervisor (11) during the control delivery and collection operations with the user (3).
The invention also provides the system with means to manage incidents and irregular use. To this end, the platform (2) has, among its affiliated garages and suppliers, its own parking space exchange or one agreed on with offering third parties in different parking garages. In order to absorb peak demands and even to solve an irregular use of shared spaces that could give rise to an occupation conflict, methods are provided to resolve incidents. According to this aspect of the invention, if a user of type (3) or (1) finds that the space he has reserved is being used by another user during his period of occupation, procedures are provided to assign another parking space (4).
According to this characteristic of the invention, the user affected by irregular use defines the incident and reports it to the platform (2) via the multi-channel portal (5), and provides the details associated with the occupying vehicle (license plate) and the characteristics of the irregularly occupied space, e.g. space identifier.
The platform (2) processes a new request for occupation in the nearest available parking garage, and issues and sends to the user a new AC code and reservation identifier RI associated with this new parking space.
In accordance with the preceding explanation, the advantageous characteristics of the implementation and use of the invention could be summarized as follows:
It is not deemed necessary to enlarge upon the contents of this description for an expert in the field to be able to understand its scope and the advantages derived from the invention, and also to develop and put its object into practice.
Notwithstanding the above, it should be understood that the invention has been described according to a preferential mode of execution and that, therefore, it is subject to variations and modifications embodied in the spirit and scope of the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| P200502295 | Sep 2005 | ES | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/ES2006/000525 | 9/20/2006 | WO | 00 | 3/19/2008 |
