Description:BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a vehicle parking system and particularly to a smart parking system for managing a vehicle parking in a parking area.
Description of Related Art
[002] Urban areas face severe traffic congestion due to a rapid increase in the number of vehicles. A major cause of this problem is the unavailability of accurate information about vacant parking slots. Drivers waste considerable time searching for appropriate spaces, that leads to unnecessary fuel consumption, road blockage, and frustration for both vehicle users and pedestrians. The lack of efficient systems for quick identification of parking availability continues to worsen this situation.
[003] There are some of systems in prior art that have attempted to address this issue through manual supervision, ticket-based entry systems, or simple digital displays. Most of these systems rely on security personnel to guide drivers through display panels that display basic occupancy information. While these approaches offer some assistance, they are limited in scale and effectiveness, especially in high-density urban environments.
[004] Existing solutions suffer from significant shortcomings. These solutions often lack real-time accuracy in reporting slot availability, and the information provided does not direct drivers to specific vacant spaces, forcing them to search manually. Further, systems requiring manual intervention reduce operational efficiency and increase labor and maintenance costs. Sensor-based solutions, although more advanced, generally operate at a basic level and fail to integrate multiple components, such as occupancy sensors, dynamic displays, and navigation assistance into a unified system capable of seamless parking management. Consequently, urban traffic congestion and parking inefficiency continue unabated, highlighting an urgent need for smarter, automated, and fully integrated parking solution that can adapt to dynamic urban demands.
[005] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced smart parking system for managing a vehicle parking in a parking area that can administer the aforementioned limitations in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a smart parking system for managing a vehicle parking in a parking area. The smart parking system comprising a first infrared sensor positioned at an entry gate of the parking area adapted to detect the vehicle. The smart parking system further comprising a first servo motor operatively coupled to the entry gate adapted to open the entry gate upon detection of the vehicle by the first infrared sensor. The smart parking system further comprising a second infrared sensor positioned at an exit gate of the parking area adapted to detect the vehicle. The smart parking system further comprising a second servo motor operatively coupled to the exit gate adapted to open the exit gate upon detection of the vehicle by the second infrared sensor. The smart parking system further comprising a display unit located at the entry gate of the parking area to provide information regarding availability of parking slots inside the parking area. The smart parking system further comprising a microcontroller. The microcontroller is configured to receive the detection of the vehicle at the entry gate of the parking area; actuate the first servo motor to open the entry gate; and activate the display unit to display information regarding the availability of the parking slots inside the parking area.
[007] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method for managing smart parking in a parking area. The method comprising steps of receiving a detection of a vehicle at an entry gate of the parking area; actuating a first servo motor to open the entry gate; and activating a display unit to display information regarding an availability of parking slots inside the parking area.
[008] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on their particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a smart parking system for managing a vehicle parking in a parking area.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a smart parking system that provides accurate real-time information about available parking slots, thereby reducing unnecessary delays for drivers.
[0010] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0011] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1A illustrates a circuit diagram of a smart parking system for managing a vehicle parking in a parking area, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 1B illustrates a smart parking system for managing a vehicle parking in a parking area, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 1C illustrates a smart parking system for managing a vehicle parking in a parking area, according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 1D illustrates a smart parking system for managing a vehicle parking in a parking area, according to another embodiment of the present invention; and
[0017] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a method for managing smart parking in a parking area, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0020] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0021] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0022] FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of a smart parking system 100 for managing parking of vehicles in a parking area, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The smart parking system 100 may be adapted to provide real-time monitoring and information of available parking slots. In an embodiment of the present invention, the smart parking system 100 may be adapted to assist users in locating an appropriate parking space in a reduced amount of time, thereby improving parking efficiency. Furthermore, the smart parking system 100 may contribute to alleviating traffic congestion associated with searching for vacant parking spaces.
[0023] According to the embodiments of the present invention, the smart parking system 100 may incorporate non-limiting hardware components to enhance a processing speed and an efficiency such as the smart parking system 100 may comprise a first infrared sensor 102, a first servo motor 104, a second infrared sensor 106, a second servo motor 108, a display unit 110, a microcontroller 112, a battery 114, and resistors 116. In an embodiment of the present invention, the hardware components of the smart parking system 100 may be integrated with computer-executable instructions for overcoming the challenges and the limitations of the existing smart parking systems.
[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first infrared sensor 102 may be positioned at an entry gate of the parking area adapted to detect an arrival of a vehicle. In an embodiment of the present invention, the first servo motor 104 may be operatively coupled to the entry gate and may be adapted to open the entry gate upon detection of the vehicle by the first infrared sensor 102. The first servo motor 104 may be a SG90 motor.
[0025] In an embodiment of the present invention, the second infrared sensor 106 may be positioned at an exit gate of the parking area adapted to detect the vehicle. In an embodiment of the present invention, the second servo motor 108 may be operatively coupled to the exit gate and may be adapted to open the exit gate upon detection of the vehicle by the second infrared sensor 106. The second servo motor 108 may be a SG90 motor.
[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 110 may be located at the entry gate of the parking area to provide information regarding availability of parking slots inside the parking area. The display unit 110 may be a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). In another embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 110 may be a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display, or any other suitable visual display module. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 110 may be adapted to present additional information such as the total number of available slots, occupied slots, and reserved slots. In another embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 110 may be configured to guide the user to a specific vacant parking slot by displaying slot numbers or directional arrows. In an embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 110 may further be integrated with an audio output unit to announce slot availability through voice or alert signals. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 110 may be connected wirelessly with a central server or cloud system to ensure that the displayed information is updated in real time. In another embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 110 may be adapted to operate in outdoor environments and may comprise weather-proof and sunlight-readable features to maintain clear visibility under different environmental conditions.
[0027] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 110 may be adapted with an interactive touch interface that may be adapted to enable the users to pre-select or reserve a specific parking slot upon arrival at the parking area. The display unit 110 may be further configured to generate a unique slot allocation code or QR code that can be scanned by the user’s mobile device for navigation to the assigned slot. The display unit 110 may further be integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to predict future parking availability based on historical data, peak hours, and current traffic conditions, for providing proactive guidance to users. In another embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 110 may further support multi-language or voice-assisted interaction to enhance accessibility for diverse users.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the microcontroller 112 may be configured to receive the detection of the vehicle at the entry gate of the parking area. In an embodiment of the present invention, the microcontroller 112 may be configured to actuate the first servo motor 104 to open the entry gate. In an embodiment of the present invention, the microcontroller 112 may be configured to activate the display unit 110 to display information regarding the availability of the parking slots inside the parking area. In another embodiment of the present invention, the microcontroller 112 may be configured to process input signals from sensors installed at the entry gate, such as infrared sensors, ultrasonic sensors, or radio frequency identification (RFID) readers, to confirm the arrival of a vehicle. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the microcontroller 112 may be adapted to record the entry time of each vehicle and store corresponding data in a memory unit or transmit the data to a central server for parking management. In another embodiment of the present invention, the microcontroller 112 may be configured to control communication with a payment system for processing entry fees, subscription validation, or ticket generation.
[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the microcontroller 112 may be configured to receive the input from the touch interface of the display unit 110 and process the user selection in real time. The microcontroller 112 may be further adapted to cross-check the availability of the selected parking slot against the data stored in a memory or received from sensors deployed in the parking slots. In another embodiment of the present invention, the microcontroller 112 may be configured to update the central database or cloud server with the reserved slot information and simultaneously update the display unit 110 to mark the slot as “reserved” for other incoming users. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the microcontroller 112 may be adapted to generate a unique identification code, QR code, or digital token corresponding to the reserved slot and transmit it to the user through the display unit 110 or a wireless communication module.
[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the microcontroller 112 may also be configured to interface with a mobile application or RFID-based system to authenticate the user and confirm access to the reserved slot upon entry. In an embodiment of the present invention, the microcontroller 112 may be operatively connected with the wireless communication module, such as a Wi-Fi module for example, ESP8266 or ESP32 or a Bluetooth module, for example, HC-05, through communication protocols such as Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter (UART), Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI), or Inter-Integrated Circuit (I²C). The mobile application may be adapted to transmit authentication data including reservation code, user ID, or encrypted token via the wireless module. The microcontroller 112 may be further configured to receive and decode the transmitted data and compare it with the reservation records stored in the memory or retrieved from a cloud-based server.
[0031] In another embodiment of the present invention, the microcontroller 112 may be coupled with an RFID reader module, such as an MFRC522 reader, through SPI or I²C communication. The RFID reader may detect a unique identification number (UID) of an RFID tag or card associated with the user. The microcontroller 112 may be configured to verify the UID against authorized identifiers stored in local memory or synchronized with a central database. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the microcontroller 112 may be adapted to implement encryption and decryption algorithms, such as Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) or Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA), to secure communication between the mobile application, RFID system, and the smart parking system 100. Upon successful authentication, the microcontroller 112 may be configured to generate a control signal, such as a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signal, to actuate the first servo motor 104 or the second servo motor 108, thereby granting access to the reserved slot. Simultaneously, the microcontroller 112 may update the display unit 110 to indicate the status of the slot and transmit a confirmation notification to the mobile application.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the microcontroller 112 may further be adapted to verify pre-booked reservations and display corresponding slot allocations on the display unit 110. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the microcontroller 112 may be configured to operate in conjunction with the wireless communication module, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or ZigBee, to exchange information with external devices, mobile applications, or a cloud-based monitoring system. In another embodiment of the present invention, the microcontroller 112 may be configured to activate additional alert mechanisms, such as buzzers or signal lights, to provide entry confirmation to the user.
[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, the microcontroller 112 may be configured to actuate the second servo motor 108 to open the exit gate based on the received detection of the vehicle at the exit gate of the parking area. In an embodiment of the present invention, the microcontroller 112 may be configured to update the information regarding the availability of the parking slots in real-time based on entry and exit of the vehicle.
[0034] In an embodiment of the present invention, the microcontroller 112 may be an Arduino UNO. In another embodiment of the present invention, the microcontroller 112 may be an Arduino Mega, Arduino Nano, or Arduino Pro Mini. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the microcontroller 112 may be a Raspberry Pi, a NodeMCU (ESP8266), or an ESP32 module with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capability. In another embodiment of the present invention, the microcontroller 112 may be a PIC microcontroller, an ARM Cortex-M based microcontroller, or an STM32 microcontroller. In an embodiment of the present invention, the microcontroller 112 may be a BeagleBone Black or any other suitable programmable embedded system capable of processing sensor inputs and controlling actuators.
[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention, the microcontroller 112 may be configured to automatically close the exit gate after the vehicle has passed to ensure a secure operation of the parking area. In an embodiment of the present invention, the microcontroller 112 may be configured to update the display unit 110 with the newly available parking slot immediately after a vehicle exits. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the microcontroller 112 may be adapted to verify payment or subscription status before actuating the second servo motor 108, thereby preventing unauthorized exit.
[0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, the microcontroller 112 may further be configured with wireless communication capabilities to notify users through a mobile application that their vehicle has successfully exited the parking area. In an embodiment of the present invention, the microcontroller 112 may also be adapted to trigger additional alert mechanisms, such as lights or buzzers, at the exit gate to provide confirmation of successful exit to the user.
[0037] In an embodiment of the present invention, the battery 114 may be adapted to supply operational power to the microcontroller 112. In another embodiment of the present invention, the battery 114 may be a rechargeable battery such as a lithium-ion battery, nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery, or a lead-acid battery. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the battery 114 may be coupled with a solar charging unit or an external power adapter for continuous operation. Further, the battery 114 may be adapted to include a power management circuit for regulating charging and discharging cycles to extend its lifetime. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the smart parking system 100 may include a low-power detection circuit configured to alert the user when the battery 114 requires replacement or charging. In another embodiment of the present invention, the battery 114 may be adapted to support uninterrupted operation by working with a backup power source such as a supercapacitor or an auxiliary battery.
[0038] In an embodiment of the present invention, the resistors 116 may be adapted to modulate power supply. In an embodiment of the present invention, the resistors 116 may be configured to function in conjunction with capacitors, voltage regulators, and diodes to stabilize the supply voltage and prevent damage to the microcontroller 112.
[0039] FIG. 1B illustrates the smart parking system 100 for managing the vehicle parking in the parking area, according to an embodiment of the present invention. When the vehicle enters the parking area the first infrared sensor 102 may be present before the entry gate may detect the passing vehicle and the entry gate will be opened automatically before reaching to the entry gate.
[0040] FIG. 1C illustrates a smart parking system 100 for managing the vehicle parking in the parking area, according to another embodiment of the present invention. The operation of exit side will be same as that of entrance. When the vehicle may be leaving the parking area, the second infrared sensor 106 may be present before the exit gate may detect the passing vehicle and the exit gate may be opened automatically before reaching to the exit gate.
[0041] FIG. 1D illustrates the smart parking system 100 for managing the vehicle parking in the parking area, according to another embodiment of the present invention. In front of the parking area, the display unit 110 may be used to show the status of the parking slots, whether the parking is available or not. In another embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 110 may be adapted to indicate the total number of available slots, occupied slots, and reserved slots in real time.
[0042] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 110 may display slot-specific information, such as the location or identification number of the vacant parking slots, to guide the user directly to the available space. In an embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 110 may be an LED display, OLED display, or electronic ink (e-ink) display configured for outdoor use with sunlight-readable and weather-resistant properties.
[0043] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 110 may be integrated with directional indicators, such as arrows or symbols, to assist in navigation within the parking area. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 110 may be further adapted to display additional information, such as parking fees, operating hours, or real-time traffic advisories near the parking facility. In an embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 110 may also be connected to a central server or cloud platform through wired or wireless communication to ensure that the displayed information is continuously updated.
[0044] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a method 200 for managing smart parking in the parking area, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0045] At step 202, the smart parking system 100 may receive the detection of the vehicle at the entry gate of the parking area.
[0046] At step 204, the smart parking system 100 may actuate the first servo motor 104 to open the entry gate.
[0047] At step 206, the smart parking system 100 may activate the display unit 110 to display information regarding the availability of the parking slots inside the parking area.
[0048] At step 208, the smart parking system 100 may receive the detection of the vehicle at the exit gate of the parking area.
[0049] At step 210, the smart parking system 100 may actuate the second servo motor 108 to open the exit gate.
[0050] At step 212, the smart parking system 100 may activate the display unit 110 to display information regarding the availability of the parking slots inside the parking area.
[0051] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.
[0052] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. , Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. A smart parking system (100) for managing a vehicle parking in a parking area, the smart parking system (100) comprising:
a first infrared sensor (102) positioned at an entry gate of the parking area adapted to detect the vehicle;
a first servo motor (104) operatively coupled to the entry gate adapted to open the entry gate upon detection of the vehicle by the first infrared sensor (102);
a second infrared sensor (106) positioned at an exit gate of the parking area adapted to detect the vehicle;
a second servo motor (108) operatively coupled to the exit gate adapted to open the exit gate upon detection of the vehicle by the second infrared sensor (106);
a display unit (110) located at the entry gate of the parking area to provide information regarding availability of parking slots inside the parking area; and
a microcontroller (112), characterized in that the microcontroller (112) is configured to:
receive the detection of the vehicle at the entry gate of the parking area;
actuate the first servo motor (104) to open the entry gate; and
activate the display unit (110) to display information regarding the availability of the parking slots inside the parking area.
2. The smart parking system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microcontroller (112) is configured to actuate the second servo motor (108) to open the exit gate based on the received detection of the vehicle at the exit gate of the parking area.
3. The smart parking system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microcontroller (112) is configured to update the information regarding the availability of the parking slots in real-time based on an entry and an exit of the vehicle.
4. The smart parking system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display unit (110) is a liquid crystal display (LCD).
5. The smart parking system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microcontroller (112) is Arduino UNO.
6. The smart parking system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a battery (114) adapted to supply operational power to the microcontroller (112).
7. The smart parking system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first servo motor (104) and the second servo motor (108) are SG90 motors.
8. The smart parking system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising resistors (116) adapted to modulate power supply.
9. A method (200) for managing smart parking in a parking area, the method (200) characterized by steps of:
receiving a detection of a vehicle at an entry gate of the parking area;
actuating a first servo motor (104) to open the entry gate; and
activating a display unit (110) to display information regarding an availability of parking slots inside the parking area.
10. The method (200) as claimed in claim 9, comprising a step of actuating a second servo motor (108) to open an exit gate based on a received detection of the vehicle at the exit gate of the parking area.
Date: September 13, 2025
Place: Noida

Nainsi Rastogi
Patent Agent (IN/PA-2372)
Agent for the Applicant