Computer-controlled checking system for parking houses, garages or parking lots

• US 5,034,739 A
• Filed: 07/26/1989
• Issued: 07/23/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hartmut Gruhl
• Original Assignee: Hartmut Gruhl
• Inventors: Gruhl, Hartmut
• Primary Examiner(s): Orsino, Joseph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hofass, Jeffery A.
• Application Number:
  US07/299,833
• Time in Patent Office: 727 Days
• Field of Search: 340/932.2, 340/937, 340/928, 382/1, 364/467
• US Class Current: 340/932.2
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 6/42 Devices or arrangements peculiar to garages, not covered elsewhere, e.g. securing devices, safety devices , monitoring and operating schemes; centering devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0284 Time or distance, e.g. usage of parking meters or taximeters
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/04 comprising devices to free a barrier, turnstile, or the like turnstiles with registering means G07C9/10; coin-freed aspects G07F17/00

Abstract

A computer-controlled checking system for parking houses, garages, or parking lots. A computer for storing the license number of an entering vehicle calculating a parking fee to be paid and for clearing respective license numbers after payment of respective parking fees. A first video camera for taking a license number of the entering vehicle, and a first character reader for storing the license number of the entering vehicle and the entrance time in the computer. An automatic charging device for comparing the time of entrance of the vehicle with a charge settlement time, for displaying parking fee to be paid, and for thereafter emitting a code for opening the exit barrier. A second video camera for taking a license number of a leaving vehicle, and a second character reader for comparing the license number of the leaving vehicle with the license number stored in the computer as cleared, and for opening the exit barrier upon identifying the license number of the leaving vehicle with one of the cleared license numbers.

Claims

1. A computer-controlled checking system for parking houses, garages, or parking lots, said computer-controlled checking system comprising

an entrance having an entrance barrier;

an exit having an exit barrier;

a computer for storing license numbers of entering vehicles for calculating parking fees to be paid, for clearing respective license numbers after payment of respective parking fees, and for storing cleared license numbers;

means located at the entrance for registering entrance of a vehicle and including a first video camera for taking a license number of the entering vehicle, and a first character reader for storing the license number and the entrance time in the computer and for opening the entrance barrier in response to storing the license number of the entering vehicle in the computer;

an automatic charging device for comparing the time of entrance of the vehicle with a charge settlement time, displaying parking fee to be paid, and for emitting a code for opening the exit barrier for a predetermined period of time upon payment of the parking fee, said automatic charging device including a keyboard for entering the license number;

means for opening the exit barrier in response to emission of said opening code, said opening means comprising a second video camera for taking a license number of a leaving vehicle, and a second character reader for comparing the license number of the leaving vehicle with the license numbers stored as clear in the computer, and for opening the exit barrier upon identifying the license number of the leaving vehicle with one of said cleared license numbers.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein said first and second character readers are formed, respectively, to open said entrance and exit barriers, respectively, as soon as the license numbers of the entering and leaving vehicles, respectively, are stored and cleared, respectively, in said computer.

3. A system according to claim 1 further comprising a first lane located at said entrance and a directional signal pointing to said first lane and actuatable upon the first character reader reporting the license number of the entering vehicle as unidentifiable.

4. A system according to claim 1 further comprising a second lane and a second directional signal pointing to said second lane and actuatable upon the second character reader reporting the license number of the leaving vehicle as uncleared.

5. A system according to claim 1 wherein said automatic charging device comprises means for storing in the computer a parking authorization which allows a predetermined license number to be stored as permanently cleared.

6. A system according to claim 1 wherein said automatic charging device comprises a receipt dispensing unit for emitting a receipt provided with a date, license number and parking fee in response to payment of the parking feed.

7. A system according to claim 1 wherein said computer comprises means for erasing the license number of the leaving vehicle after opening of the exit barrier.

8. A system according to claim 1 wherein said entrance and said exit each have a drive lane having a center, and said first and second video cameras being each arranged in the center of the respective drive lane on the ground substantially at the respective barrier.

9. A system according to claim 8 further comprising first and second disc-shaped protective housing each having an open side facing entering and leaving vehicles respectively, said first and second video cameras being arranged beneath said protective housings, respectively.

10. A system according to claim 1 wherein each of said first and second video cameras is a CCD camera.

11. A checking system according to claim 1 further comprising a first sensor and a second sensor located at the entrance and the exit, respectively for actuating said first and second video cameras in a predetermined time.

12. A checking system according to claim 11 wherein each of said first and second sensors is a light barrier.

13. A computer-controlled checking system for parking houses, garages, or parking lots having an entrance with an entrance barrier and an exit with an exit barrier, said computer-controlled checking system comprising

a computer for storing license numbers of entering vehicles, for calculating parking fees to be paid, for clearing respective license numbers after payment of respective parking fees, and for storing cleared license numbers;

means located at the entrance for registering entry of a vehicle and including a first video camera for taking a license number of the entering vehicle, and a first character reader for storing the license number and the entrance time of the entering vehicle in the computer;

an automatic charging device for comparing the time of entrance of the vehicle with a charge settlement time, for displaying parking fee to be paid, and for thereafter emitting a code for opening the exit barrier for a predetermined period of time, said automatic charging device comprising a keyboard for entering the license number into the computer and;

means for opening the exit barrier after payment of the parking fee, said opening means comprising a second video camera for taking a license number of a leaving vehicle, and a second character reader for comparing the license number of the leaving vehicle with the license numbers stored in the computer as cleared and for opening the exit barrier upon identifying the license number of the leaving vehicle with one of said cleared license numbers.