Zone controller
DCFirst Claim
1. A method comprising:
- transmitting a measurement command from a computer-based controller to a selected one of a plurality of occupancy sensors, wherein the selected one of the occupancy sensors has an address that corresponds to an address in an occupancy sensor identifier,wherein the measurement command is adapted to cause the occupancy sensor to transmit an ultrasonic signal into an associated one of a plurality of monitored parking spaces in a parking facility, receive a plurality of echo signals reflected back to the occupancy sensor from surfaces in or around the associated parking space, and determine, based on the plurality of echo signals received, whether the associated parking space is occupied or empty;
after transmitting the measurement command, sending a status check to the occupancy sensor from the computer-based controller; and
receiving a response to the status check at the computer-based controller, wherein the response includes the occupancy sensor'"'"'s determination as to whether the associated parking space is occupied or empty.
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Abstract
A method includes transmitting a measurement command from a controller to an occupancy sensor with an address that corresponds to an occupancy sensor identifier. The measurement command causes the occupancy sensor to transmit an ultrasonic signal into a parking space, receive echo signals reflected back to the occupancy sensor, and determine, based on the echo signals, whether the associated parking space is occupied or empty. The method includes subsequently sending a status check to the occupancy sensor and receiving a response that includes the occupancy sensor'"'"'s determination as to whether the associated parking space is occupied or empty. The method also includes calibrating the occupancy sensors from the controller.
38 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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transmitting a measurement command from a computer-based controller to a selected one of a plurality of occupancy sensors, wherein the selected one of the occupancy sensors has an address that corresponds to an address in an occupancy sensor identifier, wherein the measurement command is adapted to cause the occupancy sensor to transmit an ultrasonic signal into an associated one of a plurality of monitored parking spaces in a parking facility, receive a plurality of echo signals reflected back to the occupancy sensor from surfaces in or around the associated parking space, and determine, based on the plurality of echo signals received, whether the associated parking space is occupied or empty; after transmitting the measurement command, sending a status check to the occupancy sensor from the computer-based controller; and receiving a response to the status check at the computer-based controller, wherein the response includes the occupancy sensor'"'"'s determination as to whether the associated parking space is occupied or empty. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A controller for a parking space occupancy monitoring system, the controller comprising:
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a computer-based processor; and a computer-based memory coupled to the computer-based processor, wherein the computer-based processor is configured to; transmit a measurement command from the controller to a selected one of a plurality of occupancy sensors, wherein the selected occupancy sensor has an address that corresponds to an address in an occupancy sensor identifier, wherein the measurement command is adapted to cause the occupancy sensor to transmit an ultrasonic signal into an associated one of a plurality of monitored parking spaces in a parking facility, receive a plurality of echo signals reflected back to the occupancy sensor from surfaces in or around the associated parking space, and determine, based on the plurality of echo signals received, whether the associated parking space is occupied or empty; after transmitting the measurement command, send a status check to the occupancy sensor from the controller; and receive a response to the status check at the controller, wherein the response includes the occupancy sensor'"'"'s determination as to whether the associated parking space is occupied or empty. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A method comprising:
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transmitting a measurement for calibration purposes command from a computer-based controller to one of a plurality of occupancy sensors having an address that corresponds to an address in an occupancy sensor identifier, wherein the measurement for calibration purposes command is adapted to cause the occupancy sensor to transmit an ultrasonic signal into an associated one of the plurality of monitored parking spaces in the parking facility, receive a plurality of resulting echo signals reflected back to the occupancy sensor from surfaces in or around the associated parking space, and determine, based on the plurality of resulting echo signals received, a calibration measurement value that corresponds to the associated parking space having a particular status; starting a timer to count off a predetermined amount of time; if the computer-based controller has received a response to the measurement for calibration purposes command from the occupancy sensor within the predetermined amount of time, storing the response in a computer-based memory;
otherwise, if the computer-based controller has not yet received the response to the measurement for calibration purposes command from the occupancy sensor within the predetermined amount of time, setting an indication in the computer-based memory that a calibration error has occurred for the occupancy sensor. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A controller for a parking space occupancy monitoring system, the controller comprising:
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a computer-based processor; and a computer-based memory coupled to the computer-based processor, wherein the computer-based processor is configured to; transmit a measurement for calibration purposes command from a computer-based controller to one of a plurality of occupancy sensors having an address that corresponds to an address in an occupancy sensor identifier, wherein the measurement for calibration purposes command is adapted to cause the occupancy sensor to transmit an ultrasonic signal into an associated one of the plurality of monitored parking spaces in the parking facility, receive a plurality of resulting echo signals reflected back to the occupancy sensor from surfaces in or around the associated parking space, and determine, based on the plurality of resulting echo signals received, a calibration measurement value that corresponds to the associated parking space having a particular status; start a timer to count off a predetermined amount of time; if the computer-based controller has received a response to the measurement for calibration purposes command from the occupancy sensor within the predetermined amount of time, store the response in a computer-based memory;
otherwise, if the computer-based controller has not yet received the response to the measurement for calibration purposes command from the occupancy sensor within the predetermined amount of time, set an indication in the computer-based memory that a calibration error has occurred for the occupancy sensor.
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Specification