Description:Field of invention
The present invention is in the field of Internet-of- things (IoT) based smart parking and its management. The present invention particularly relates to smart parking management system providing a web platform from where end user can access the information relating to vacant parking space and/or sending an alert message to users indicating the nearby vacant parking spaces.
Background of the invention
Over time a considerable increment in number of cars is expected and observed in any modern city. Especially, in a densely populated region, the huge number of cars regularly creates a traffic congestion. In addition to traffic congestion, the increased count of vehicles creates a scarcity of parking spaces. Across the cities, there are identified parking lots to solve the problem of unsystematic parking, thereby contributing to further traffic congestion. In addition to designated parking lots, designated roadside parking spaces are identified by city administration to ease the parking space problem. Besides, the information of parking availability inside a shopping mall or in the guest parking spaces in an apartment is useful to the commuter.
IoT-based smart parking management system involves monitoring the parking spaces in a parking lot to identify the vacant positions. The parking spaces are monitored via photography device and/or sensors. The collected data is stored and processed in a controller and decision is drawn regarding the availability of the parking space. The information regarding the availability of the parking space is uploaded in cloud, that can be accessed by the end user. Further, a message can be sent to the end user stating the availability in a specific parking space. The proposed system can assist the administration by determining the duration of occupancy of a parking space by a certain vehicle, thereby assisting in parking fee calculation.
In this regard, CN110619751A discloses an Intelligent parking management system based on cloud server which comprises a vehicle identification device via license plate
4
identification, a device for identifying the free parking spaces. It further can control the access gate to the enclosed parking lot based on vehicle information and display the charge and vehicle information. It does not monitor the parking space via photography device that can be a useful in providing a safe parking environment.
CN105303883B discloses a photographic device at the entrance of parking lot to identify the front and back number plate and body colour. Tracking information of the vehicle is sent to the main control server and based on the duration of parking space occupancy fees is calculated. The existing product consists of a photography device. It does not contain ultrasonic, or infra-red sensors installed at the parking space for vehicle detection. It is suitable for detecting free parking spaces.
US11132649B discloses a building management system that includes monitoring a private parking lot. This system comprises vehicle detection in a parking lot followed by identification of an individual associated with the vehicle and subsequent determination of the first parking and guidance. The system performs facial identification of the driver, retrieves context information corresponding to the individual associated with the car and sends notification to the concerned person regarding the arrival of the specific vehicle. It does not a cloud connectivity and arrangement to inform any incoming vehicle about the availability of free parking space.
Despite the prior art documents, still there is a need for an improved smart parking management system that provides an alert message to users indicating the free parking spaces in the nearby parking lot. It is also desired that the system provides a web platform from where end user can access the information related to parking space availability.
Object of invention
In view of forgoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for smart parking system.
5
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device to monitor the availability of free parking spaces in a parking lot.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device to monitor the parking spaces in a parking lot and upload the information in cloud, to be accessed by interested end users.
It is another object of the present invention to continuously monitor the parking spaces via photography device providing additional safety features to the parking space.
The present inventor while working on this, have surprisingly found that a device comprising a sensor assembly, a controller, a communication module monitor the availability of free parking space in a parking lot, upload the corresponding information in cloud to be accessed by user for parking guidance. The system can further notify the end user via SMS employing GSM network in case of unavailability of ethernet.
Thus, satisfying one or more of the objectives.
Summary of the invention
There is provided a smart parking management system comprising: a sensor assembly (20) connected to a controller (10); wherein the controller is in communication with a user interface (40) via a wireless communication module (30), wherein during the operation, the sensor assembly (20) senses a set of parameters inside a parking lot and feed it to the controller (10), the controller registers the parameters in a memory module inside the controller (10), and compares the parameters with a set of predefined values, subsequently, the controller (10) uploads the information to cloud (50) and/or send a message if at least one of the parameters is outside the range through the GSM module (32) to the user interface (40) alerting a user about a vacant parking slot.
Brief description of the figure
6
Figure 1 depicts a schematic of the device and its working.
Detail description of the invention
According to the present invention there is provided a device for smart parking management system. Preferably, the smart parking monitoring system has a parking lot, which is monitored for available parking space and subsequent smart management. The monitoring of the parking space may be performed by ultrasonic sensor and/or photography device. Data from such sensors are processed and the relevant information is sent to the end user.
The device comprises a sensor module. Sensor senses various parameters. There may be different sensors. Preferably the sensor module comprises at least one sensor selected from a group comprising ultrasonic sensor, and photography device, i.e., camera. Sensors are specifically designed to senses corresponding parameters. It may be possible to design various sensor according to the need. Sensitivity and performance of the sensors can also be optimised based on the requirement. Often such sensor requires a nominal power supply, preferably for biasing the circuit and operation. In present case, the ultrasonic sensor draw power from the controller, whereas the camera is powered from main power supply. There may by multiple sensor assembly placed in different part of the parking lot to assess the parameters across the parking lot where the IoT-based smart parking management system is installed.
Preferably the sensor assembly is connected to the controller via an electrical cable. However, any other mode connectivity in the context of electronics is also feasible.
Most preferably the sensor assembly comprises two sensors, namely ultrasonic sensor, and camera.
The device comprises the controller. Preferably the controller is 8-bit microcontroller. It may be powered by a 3.3 V DC supply directly, such as battery. Alternatively, it may also be powered by AC to DC power adaptor. Any other controller with comparable processing capability may also be employed in the present invention. It may also be
7
possible to consider higher bit microcontroller, which can accommodate a greater number of sensor assemblies and offers a higher speed of processing.
The controller receives the data/ parameter and store in the memory module of the controller. The controller also has memory register storing pre-set value of various parameter with acceptable range. The controller compares the data received from sensor assembly and optionally triggers a message to the end user indicating availability of free parking space. It may also trigger a message to the end user indicating all parking spaces are occupied. It may trigger a message in terms of text message if ethernet is unavailable. The text message may be pre-set. The message may also include the details of the free parking space to ensure a better route guidance.
The controller sends the message to the user interface of the user using a GSM module. Advantage of GSM module that it can be used on a moving vehicle or in absence of ethernet.
The user interface may be a mobile phone, or a device enable to received massage from GSM network.
Example
Figure 1 depicts the device in a block diagram and its working principle. The device comprises a sensory assembly 20, a controller 10, wireless communication module 30 and user interface 40. The sensor assembly 20 comprises sensors 21 and 22. Here, 21 is ultrasonic sensor and 22 is a photography device (camera). 10 is the controller of the device, in present case it is a 64-bit microcontroller. The sensors continuously sense the parameters like, proximity of the vehicle or a video grab of the parking lot under monitoring and feed the data/ parameter values to the controller 10. The controller 10 store the data in a memory module (not shown). The memory module is part of the controller (10). Subsequently the controller compares the data with pre-set values stored in it and decides on the availability of free parking space. The corresponding information is uploaded in cloud (50) employing the Wi-Fi module (31). The data from
8
cloud can be accessed by the end user on the user interface (40), which is a mobile handset connected to cloud via Wi-Fi (31). The controller may also send trigger a message if any one of the data/parameters values are out of range. The message is in the form of a text message (Short Messaging Service). The message may pre-set by the inventor. The controller (10) sends the message to the user interface (40), which is a mobile handset connected though a GSM module (32). The controller (10) is powered by a 3.3 V power supply, subsequent elements draw powers from the controller.
Specifications of the components
Following are the specifications of the components and the software platforms may be used in the present invention. This is a non-limiting example and by no means restrict the scope of the claims to below specification.
Raspberry Pi: The Raspberry Pi is a low cost, credit-card sized computer that plugs into a computer monitor or TV and uses a standard keyboard and mouse. It is widely used in many areas, including IoT and robotics, because of its low cost, modularity, and open design. Raspberry Pi 4 Model B has a 1.5 GHz 64-bit quad core ARM Cortex-A72 processor, on-board 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5, full gigabit Ethernet (throughput not limited), two USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, 1–8 GB of RAM, and dual-monitor support via a pair of micro-HDMI port and a composite video port.
Ultrasonic Sensor: HC-SR04-Ultrasonic Range Finder is an electronic device used to measure distance. These can be used as proximity sensors in parking technology or in robotics for obstacle detection. The distance of the obstacle is calculated based on the travel time of ultra soinc wave and its speed as follows:
𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 = 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑋 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑2
HC-SR04 requires a supply voltage of 5 with an effective measurement angle of 15° and measurement range 400 cm.
, Claims:We claim:
1. A smart parking management system comprising: a sensor assembly (20) connected to a controller (10); wherein the controller is in communication with a user interface (40) via a wireless communication module (30),
wherein during the operation, the sensor assembly (20) senses a set of parameters inside a parking lot and feed it to the controller (10),
the controller registers the parameters in a memory module inside the controller (10), and compares the parameters with a set of predefined values, subsequently, the controller (10) uploads the information to cloud (50) and/or send a message if at least one of the parameters is outside the range through the GSM module (32) to the user interface (40) alerting a user about a vacant parking space.
2. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sensor assembly (20) comprises at least one of ultrasonic sensor, proximity sensor, photography device and camera.
3. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the sensor assembly comprises ultrasonic sensor (21) and camera (22).
4. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the sensor assembly draw power from the controller or from an adapter connected to main supply.
5. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the controller is a 64-bit controller.
6. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the controller comprises a microcontroller.
7. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the user interface comprises a mobile handset.
8. The device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the message is a text message in the form of short messaging service (SMS).