Apparatus and method of finding an unoccupied parking space in a parking lot

• US 20050237225A1
• Filed: 04/06/2004
• Published: 10/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apijade Jesadanont, Mongkol Jesadanont, Sukanya Jesadanont
• Original Assignee: Apijade Jesadanont, Mongkol Jesadanont, Sukanya Jesadanont
• Inventors: Jesadanont, Mongkol, Jesadanont, Sukanya, Jesadanont, Apijade
• Granted Patent: US 7,106,214 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/932.200
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/14 indicating individual free spaces in parking areas

Abstract

Apparatus and method for finding an unoccupied parking space in a parking lot using an On-Line computer system conprises barring mechanisms at a parking space having a receiver capable of receiving a specific wave energy frequency transmitting from a remote control unit. Upon receiving of such signal of matching frequency resulting in removal of the barring mechanism, permitting parking of a vehicle into such space and sending information on-line to the system computer at the entrance that the space is occupied. Upon leaving of the vehicle from the parking space, the barring mechanisms resumes and the transmitter unit at the parking space sending signal on-line to notify the computer at the entrance that such parking space is unoccupied. For a permanent parking space in condominiums or apartments, the receiver unit is assigned to receive a specific signal from a remote control for a predetermined period of time.

Claims

1. Apparatus for finding an unoccupied parking space in a parking lot with an on-line computer system comprises 3 main sets of apparatus which are apparatus at the entrance of said parking lot, apparatus at each parking space, and apparatus at the exit of said parking lot.

2. Apparatus at the entrance of the parking lot and apparatus at the exit of the parking lot of claim 1 each comprises a remote control, a bar code reader and a system computer where each has an operator working at site.

3. Apparatus at said each parking space of claim 1 comprises

Receiver Unit with a switch and a wave energy receiver having a memory;

Transmitter Unit with a switch, a relay and a wave energy transmitter to transmit an infrared beam;

On-line signal transmitting device connected to said system computer at the entrance to notify whether said parking space is occupied or vacant;

Barring mechanisms to allow only permitted vehicle to park in said parking space.

4. Apparatus for finding an unoccupied parking space in a parking lot of claim 1 whereof said remote control unit of said apparatus at entrance and at exit transmits wave energy of an assigned frequency to said receiver of said apparatus at said parking space, where said remote control also has a number and a specific bar code to be pressed or transmitted as a code said receiver.

6. A permanently rented parking space where remote control as of claim 4 is preset to transmit a particular wave energy to match with the receiver of such particular parking space for a predetermined period of time.

5. Method for finding an unoccupied parking space in a parking lot of an on-line computerized system comprises steps of:

Indicating on-line of an unoccupied parking space on the monitor of a system computer;

Handing by an entrance operator to a driver of a vehicle a remote control unit able to transmit a wave energy of specific frequency communicable with said receiver at said unoccupied parking space;

Driving to said unoccupied parking space;

Pressing a button of said remote control to allow communication to said receiver resulting in removal of any barring mechanisms;

Sending information on-line to said system computer that said parking space is ‘

OCCUPIED’

;

Moving of said vehicle into said parking space;

Obscuring an infrared beam of dark-on type transmitted vertically at said parking space by said vehicle;

Leaving of said vehicle away from obscuring said infrared beam causes all the barring mechanisms to resume to original position and prevent getting in of any unauthorized vehicle where signal is transmitted on-line to said system computer at said entrance to notify that said parking space is now ‘

VACANT’

;

Handing of said remote control back to an operator at said exit of said parking lot;

Reading of said bar code of said remote control and calculating of time and thus fee of parking;

Paying of parking fee by said driver.