Electronic car park management system

• US 20010052860A1
• Filed: 05/16/2001
• Published: 12/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steven James Mcmaster
• Original Assignee: Steven James Mcmaster
• Inventors: McMaster, Steven James
• Granted Patent: US 6,642,854 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/942
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/04 using optical or ultrasonic detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/14 indicating individual free spaces in parking areas

Abstract

An electronic system which facilitates active signs for car park management systems. There is a light sensitive sensor in each car space allowing a very simple circuit to distinguish whether a group of car spaces is full or has one or more vacant spaces available. There is not necessarily a need for a computer or even a microprocessor to ascertain the vacant or full state of a group of car spaces. This electronic system may directly switch devices accordingly.

Claims

1. An electronic system for the specific purpose of monitoring the full or vacant occupancy state of a group of car parking spaces, comprising;

an array of discreet light sensitive semi-conductor components, hereon referred to as ‘

light sensors’

, all electrically connected together in parallel sequence with corresponding polarity;

with each of these discreet components physically located within the bounds of a separate car space such that there is at least one light sensor in each monitored car space;

and that the light sensors are located on the floor of each of the car spaces such as to be positioned under any motor vehicles parked within the relevant car spaces;

and further comprising an electronic detection means for determining the state of the two rails of the above described parallel array of light sensors by way of comparing varying electrical resistances between the top and bottom rails and indicating if the resistance is over or under a desired limit;

with capability to switch other devices accordingly.

2. An electronic system as defined in

claim 1

, wherein;

the top and bottom rails of the parallel array of light sensors connect to the collector and base terminals of a transistor in correct polarity;

and additionally a light sensitive semi-conductor component, hereon referred to as an ‘

ambient light sensor’

, is connected between the base and emitter of the transistor in correct polarity for the purpose of automatically adjusting to ambient light conditions;

the ambient light sensor being physically located as to be exposed to ambient light representative of the parallel arrays of light sensors with the transistor and ambient light sensor forming part of the electronic detection means.

3. An electronic system as defined in

claim 2

, wherein;

the parallel array of light sensors with its transistor and ambient light sensor is connected in parallel with a number of other parallel arrays of light sensors, each with its own transistor and ambient light sensor whereby the collectors of the transistors are connected together and the emitters of the transistors are connected together;

for the purpose that each array of light sensors has its own independent ambient light sensor.

4. An electronic system as defined in

claim 1

, wherein;

the electronic detection means consists of a transistor connected in correct polarity in parallel with a transducer

with further means for detecting the output state of the transducer;

while the top and bottom rails of the parallel array of light sensors connect in correct polarity to the collector and base respectively of the transistor

with the voltage connected to the collector and emitter via a suitable resistor.

5. An electronic system as defined in

claim 4

, wherein;

the transducer is the light emitting diode of an optocoupler

and the means for detecting the output state is the light sensitive component of the optocoupler which by contemporary means may switch other devices accordingly.

6. An electronic system as defined in

claim 1

, wherein;

any or all of the parallel light sensors within a parallel array of light sensors may have additional light sensors connected in series in order to bridge from the top to bottom rail of the parallel array;

whereby these sets of series connected light sensors are still connected into the parallel array of light sensors in parallel with other light sensor components,

for the purpose of wide or long car spaces with a set of series connected light sensors distributed as desired within the one car space for greater coverage.