WO2003005324A1

WO2003005324A1 - System for managing a parking lot without operators using telecommunication system

Info

Publication number: WO2003005324A1
Application number: PCT/KR2002/001105
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hyung-Gwan Yoon
Original assignee: Korea Traffic Industrial Development Corporation Ltd; Auto Parking High Technology Corporation Ltd
Priority date: 2001-06-13
Filing date: 2002-06-12
Publication date: 2003-01-16
Also published as: KR20010079095A; JP2004534332A; KR100400985B1

Abstract

The present invention is to provide system for managing a parking lot without operators using telecommunication system. Parking conditions of the parking lot can be recorded and managed by a managing center. Also, drivers can easily earn predetermined information of the parking lot by an internet or a cellular phone, IMT 2000, etc.

Description

SYSTEM FOR MANAGING A PARKING LOT WITHOUT OPERATORS USING TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to a system for managing parking lots without operators using a telecommunication system, and more particularly to a system for managing parking lots without operators using a telecommunication system, which is capable of integratedly managing vehicles parked at on-road or off-road parking lots distributed all over the country through a central management center equipped with a parking management apparatus without operators, and providing information on the parking lots to drivers through the Internet, mobile phones, etc.

Background Art

With an increase in the number of vehicles, the provision of sufficient parking space for vehicles is rising as a significant social issue. In particular, in metropolises where the number of vehicles is increasing geometrically due to an inflow of population, parking trouble becomes serious due to limited parking space, the movement of vehicles is obstructed by vehicles parked on sidewalks or byways, and the passage of fire engines is destructed when fires break out.

For the purpose of overcoming these problems, efforts have been made to improve traffic flows by building parking towers to simultaneously park a number of vehicles and building vehicle parking facilities at places adjacent to subways to suppress the entry of vehicles into the center of a city from places far from the center of the city. In addition, for vehicle parking facilities, systems have been used which control the entry of vehicles which wish to park by detecting the number of vehicles which are currently parked and ascertaining the parking condition of vehicles at a central control center using sensors provided for sensing parked vehicles.

However, such conventional systems for controlling the parking of vehicles are subject to spatial limitations. In other words, since vehicles can be parked only when they arrive at a first parking place where parking assisting equipment, such as parking meters, are provided, vehicles desired to enter the first parking place should move to a second parking place if there is no parking space in the first parking place because the first parking place is filled with vehicles, resulting in waste of time and resources. In addition, if the parking assisting equipment, such as parking meters, are not provided in a parking lot, parking caretakers should manage the parking lot, so there occur problems in that only a limited parking management can be achieved and it is difficult to hire parking caretakers for a job considered as undesirable.

Therefore, there is required a system for managing parking lots without operators, which allows an efficient use of a limited parking space and provides in real time the information required for vehicles which wish to park, without any need for parking caretakers.

Disclosure of the Invention

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a system for managing parking lots without operators using a telecommunication system, which is capable of remotely managing vehicles parked at parking lots distributed all over the country without operators.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for managing parking lots without operators using a telecommunication system, which is capable of providing information on parking lots to the drivers of vehicles so as to facilitate the parking and movement of vehicles, thus achieving a smooth traffic flow and playing a significant role in the development of orderly driving culture.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system for managing parking lots without operators using a telecommunication system, which is capable of providing information on parking lots and the availability of parking to the drivers of vehicles, thereby reducing the waste of time taken to look for a available parking lot.

In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a system for managing vehicles parked at a specific location using a communication network, comprising at least one parking sensing unit installed in a parking space prepared at the specific location for sensing parked vehicles and transmitting generated parking management data via the communication network; a parking management unit for receiving the parking management data from the parking sensing unit, storing the data according to a database format, extracting required data, and providing parking information via the communication network; and personal terminals connected to the parking management unit via the communication network for providing information to allow users to search for an available parking space at the specific location.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the parking sensing unit is constructed to suitable for a pre-payment or post-payment system, and transmits/receives data to/from the parking management unit through a wire or wireless communication network, thus being controlled at a remote location.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the parking sensing unit further comprises cameras to identify the state of parking and vehicles in the state of the non-payment or delinquency of a parking fee.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a system for managing parking lots without operators in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a single-type parking manager installed on a road;

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the single-type parking manager of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a centralized parking manager installed off a road;

Fig. 5 is a block diagram of a server of a parking management unit in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a view showing examples of display screens of a parking management terminal in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a process of using the parking management terminal; and Fig. 8 is a view showing one example of a data structure used in the system for managing the parking lots without operators in accordance with the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Reference now should be made to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used throughout the different drawings to designate the same or similar components.

Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a system for managing parking lots without operators in accordance with the present invention.

As shown in the drawing, the system for managing parking lots without operators is comprised of a parking sensing unit 10 installed in a parking space prepared at a specific location for sensing vehicles to park and transmitting generated parking management data via a communication network, a parking management unit 20 for receiving the parking management data from the parking sensing unit 10, storing the data according to a database format, extracting required data, and providing parking information via the communication network, and personal terminals 30 connected to the parking management unit 20 via the communication network for providing information so as to search for an available parking space at a specific location.

The parking sensing unit 10 installed on a road (the side of a road) or off the road (a location prepared specifically for parking like a normal parking lot) senses vehicles parked at a specific space and collects parking fees. The parking sensing unit 10 preferably collects parking fees which are changeable according to a parking fee collecting system, for example, a system in which pre-payment is applied to roadside parking and post-payment is applied to off-road parking. Of course, the system may be operated in a reverse case: post-payment in the case of roadside parking and pre-payment in the case of off-road parking. However, the post-payment in the case of roadside parking may cause difficulty in management.

Accordingly, the present invention will be described on the basis of a parking fee collecting system in which the pre-payment is applied to the case of roadside parking and the post-payment is applied to the case of off-road parking.

A perspective view of a single-type parking manager 11 for pre-payment in the case of roadside parking is shown in Fig. 2. As shown in this drawing, the single-type parking manager 11 is independently installed at a place adjacent to a roadside parking space for collecting parking fees and issuing parking tickets. In addition, the single-type parking manager 11 is provided with a communication function to transmit/receive data to/from the parking management unit 20. Referring to Fig. 3, the single-type parking manager 11 is comprised of a fee collecting unit 112 including a coin recognizer for recognizing various kinds of coins and corrupted coins, a note identifier for identifying notes and/or a card reader for identifying cards such as credit cards, subway cards, bus cards, etc. and deducting parking fees from the cards; a ticket issuing unit 114 for issuing parking tickets using a built-in paper roll; a state displaying unit 111 for displaying information and time required to be recognized by users on an Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) window, and displaying messages such as "normal", "out of order", "repair", etc., through a Light Emitting Diode (LED); a power supply unit 116 for supplying power used to operate the single-type parking manager; a control unit 113 including programs and memories required to operate the single- type parking manager; and a communication unit 115 for transmitting/receiving data to/from the parking management unit 20.

The fee collecting unit 112 can comprise all or some of the coin recognizer for recognizing various kinds of coins and corrupted coins, the note identifier for identifying notes, and the card reader for identifying such cards as credit cards, subway cards, bus cards, etc. and deducting parking fees from the cards. The drivers of vehicles pay parking fees using their own payment means. In the case of the cards, the fee collecting unit 112 can be configured to include a means for handling contact-type magnetic cards or noncontact-type Radio

Frequency (RF) cards.

The ticket issuing unit 114 is used to issue parking tickets using a built-in paper roll. The ticket issuing unit 114 outputs the parking tickets on which parking time requested by the drivers is recorded. The built-in roll is 370m in length, and 400 to 2,750 parking tickets can be issued depending on the kinds of parking tickets.

The state displaying unit 111 is used to display information and time required to be recognized by users on an LCD window and necessary messages, such as "normal", "out of order", "repair", etc., through a LED. The LCD window for displaying time and character information displays the time in numerals on a region of a size of 8x12 mm and characters on a region of a size of 9 mm. In addition, the LED displays messages relating to the operating state of the single-type parking manager 11, such as "normal", "out of order", "repair", etc. Additionally, the operating state messages are detected by the control unit 113, and transmitted to the parking management unit 20 via the communication unit 115 to give notice of need for repair.

When a driver selects desired parking time using functional keys, a parking fee for the parking time is calculated and displayed with the parking time displayed on the LCD window. The driver pays the parking fee according to the displayed fee using coins, notes or a payment card. After the parking fee is paid, a parking ticket is issued by the ticket issuing unit 114. The driver can input data required for vehicle management such as his own vehicle number through the functional keys. The kind and format of data are set at the time of designing the parking management system.

It is preferable that the power supply unit 116 for supplying power used to operate the single-type parking manager 11 of the present invention ensures a stable power source because the single-type parking manager 11 is mostly used out of doors. The power supply unit 116 can supply the power using a commercially available power source, a storage cell (including a battery), a solar cell, or a combination thereof.

The control unit 113 is a one-chip microcomputer incorporating programs required to operate the single-type parking manager, and further includes memories for storing required information (parking-related information generated over about 45 days). The control unit 113 further includes programs required for data communication as well as the programs required for operation. The required information is set at the time of designing the parking management system, and includes data relating to vehicle numbers, vehicle owners, fee payment, etc., which will be described later. The communication unit 115 transmits information on the parking fee collected in the single-type parking manager 11 and all other information generated in the single-type parking manager 11 to the parking management unit 20, receives control data from the parking management unit 20, and performs required operations based on the received data. As shown in Fig. 1, the communication unit 115 is connected to base stations 41 of mobile communication companies 40, for example, SK, Shinsege, and Korea Telecom, which provides mobile telephone services in Korea, to transmit/receive data to/from the base stations using wireless communication networks. When data are transmitted/received using a wireless communication terminal such as a mobile phone or an International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT)-2000 terminal, the mobile phone or the IMT-2000 terminal can be used in such a way that it is incorporated into the single-type parking manager 11, i.e., it is connected to a hands-free communication equipment controlled by the control unit 113. On the assumption that the communication unit 115 is a mobile phone, the operation of the communication unit 115 will be described.

When the single-type parking manager 11 of the present invention receives data transmission instructions from the parking management unit 20 or a failure is detected by a check function incorporated into the single-type parking manager 11, related data are reported to a central control center (a location at which the parking management unit 20 is installed) and each of persons managing the parking facilities through a Short Message Service (SMS). The data transmitted/received to/from the single-type parking manager 11 are transmitted to the base station 41. The base stations 41 transmits the data to the parking management unit 20 through a dedicated line using a typical switcher of a telephone office 42, an IWF 43, and a router 44.

In data transmission to the parking management unit 20 or remote control of the parking management unit 20, the mobile phone (which functions as the communication unit 115) installed at the single-type parking manager 11 is converted into a modem mode and the data are transmitted to the parking management unit 20 through a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or a Public Switched Data Network (PSDN) after passing through the base station and the switcher. The parking management unit 20 remotely totals daily proceeds, parking conditions, etc., and checks print paper, small change, abnormalities, the states of peripheral devices (a note identifier, a note discharger, etc.), etc. in the single-type manager 11. In addition, the parking management unit 20 can perform various management functions for managing a parking fee for each region (basic fee, additional time fee, etc.), business hours, user message words, holidays, etc.

Data are transmitted/received using the SMS mode to check for abnormalities of the single-type parking manager 11. If an abnormality is detected, the single-type parking manager 11 transmits SMS data to both of the parking management unit 20 and the mobile phones of patrols. Accordingly, the patrols can find a failure or an abnormality and take a necessary action.

For example, if there is a lack of small change of 100 won in the parking manager No. 1 installed in front of city hall, the parking manager transmits a message "Please supplement the parking manager No. 1 in front of city hall with 100 won" to a predetermined patrol via a wireless communication network. Accordingly, the patrol can take an action to restore the normal operation of the parking manager by supplementing the parking manager with 100 won. In addition, after the abnormality is solved, the parking manager has an advantage of a backup system in that it informs the parking management unit 20 of the solving of the abnormality by means of a self-checking function. With the single-type parking manager 11 constructed as described above, after a driver parks his vehicle on a specific parking area of a roadside parking lot, he pays a fee required for parking to the single-type manager 11 using coins, notes or a credit card in order to receive a parking ticket for parking for a desired period of time. For ensuring smooth parking, it is preferable that the single-type parking manager 11 does not issue a commutation parking ticket for a long-term parking

(e.g., a week, a month, etc.), but allows parking during a maximal term of one day in increments of more than 30 minutes. The commutation parking ticket is used in the centralized parking manager 12.

Since the above-described single-type parking manager 11 is not managed by parking caretakers, there is a risk of users not paying for parking. Therefore, a proper means or method for identifying vehicles is required to prevent nonpayment for parking. According to the present invention, a patrolling parking caretaker can inquire about unpaid or delinquent vehicles using the parking management terminal 13, which will be described later.

Fig. 4 shows another embodiment of the parking sensing unit 10 of the present invention, where the centralized parking manager 12 usable in the off-road parking lot is depicted.

As shown in the drawing, the centralized parking manager 12 is comprised of an admission ticket issuing unit 121 provided with a guide screen for issuing tickets on which magnetic material is printed and storing the issuing state in a database format; an entrance cutoff unit 122 located in the middle of a movement path of vehicles for controlling the entrance and exit of vehicles; an exit cutoff unit 123 located in the middle of a movement path of vehicle for controlling the entrance and exit of vehicles; an exit ticket examining unit 124 for reading tickets to confirm payment of vehicle parking and operate the exit cutoff unit 123; a manual accounting unit 125 for calculating and receiving a parking fee and issuing a receipt; an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) 126 for receiving the parking fee by means of notes, coins or a credit (or debit) card and issuing a receipt; and an off-road parking management unit 127 having programs for controlling the whole operation of the centralized parking manager 12 and a modem communication device for data communication with the outside.

In addition, cameras 128 for identifying vehicles, which arrives at the centralized parking manager 12, are assigned to parking spaces. The cameras 128 photograph number plates and store number plate data when vehicles are parked at their respective parking spaces. The photographed number plate data are stored in a generally used graphic format, for example, jp(e)g, gif, tif(f), wmf, etc. The photographing of vehicles are performed at regular intervals, so the off-road parking management unit 127 can identify occupied parking spaces and empty parking spaces using the stored data files. The data files are provided to drivers who wish to park their vehicles when they request a search for empty parking spaces. It should be understood that the empty parking spaces could be searched for by an electrical or electronic means, such as a conventional magnetic sensor, an on/off switch, etc., which can detect the parking condition and output a corresponding electrical signal.

In addition, the data on number plates photographed by the cameras 128 can be used to search for stolen and wanted vehicles. In other words, after information on the number plates of the stolen and wanted vehicles is received from the police agency and so on, the stolen and wanted vehicles can be searched for by examining the number plates of parked vehicles through the cameras 128.

The operation of the above-described centralized parking manager 12 of the present invention will be described below. After a driver receives a parking ticket on which information on entrance time and so on are recorded while passing through the admission ticket issuing unit 121, he parks his vehicle at a given parking space. After a while, when he withdraws his vehicle from the parking space, he pays a parking fee to the manual accounting unit 125 or the ATM 126 and receives a receipt by which the details of parking are confirmed. Then, the payment is checked while he passes the exit ticket examining unit 124. When it is confirmed that the payment has been received, the exit cutoff unit 123 is operated to allow the vehicle to exit.

The above-mentioned off-road parking manager 127 stores all data (payment, parking time, etc.) generated during the entrance and exit of the vehicle and transmits the stored data to the parking management unit 20 through an incorporated modem communication device. In order to perform such a function, the off-road parking manager 127 further comprises a storage device that is connected to the admission ticket issuing unit, the manual accounting unit, the ATM, etc. to store data generated by them, and a control unit that controls the off- road parking manager 127, etc. The data generated in the off-road parking manager 127 will be described in detail later.

If an abnormality occurs, it is reported to patrolling parking caretakers so that they can take an appropriate action against the abnormality, which is the same as in the single-type parking manager 11. The parking-related data, abnormality detecting signals, etc. generated during the operation of the centralized parking manager 12 are collected in the off-road parking manager 127 and then transmitted to the parking management unit 20.

The data transmission is achieved through the modem communication device incorporated into the off-road parking manager 127. The parking management unit 20 includes a set of modems (modem pool) 24 for transmitting/receiving data to/from the off-road parking manager 127. The modem communication device and the modem pool 24 are connected to each other through an Internet communication network using the dedicated line or a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). It should be understood that the modem communication device of the centralized parking manager 12 can be wirelessly connected to the modem pool 24 using the mobile phone, the IMT-2000 terminal, etc.

Referring again to Fig. 1 , it can be seen that the parking management unit

20 connected to the parking sensing unit 10 described above comprises a server 21 connected to the dedicated line through a router 23 and the modem pool 24, and a in-charge terminal 25 and a plurality of user terminals 26 connected to the server

21 through a hub 22. The parking management unit 20 incorporates programs for controlling the overall system for managing the parking lot without operators according to the present invention, manages data generated by the parking sensing unit 10, extracts a result adaptable to a particular purpose from the data, reports an abnormality to parking caretakers for taking an appropriate action against the abnormality, and detects a solution of the abnormality. The in-charge terminal 25 has an authority for accessing the server 21 to input instructions required to be executed by the server or change information required for management. On the other hand, the user terminals 26 are mainly used to extract necessary information from the information stored in the server 21.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram of the server 21 of the parking management unit 20. As shown in the drawing, the server 21 comprises a communication module 201 for allowing data communication with the dedicated line or the modem; a control module 202 equipped with a control program for receiving and storing data inputted from the parking sensing unit 10, extracting necessary information from the stored data, and providing parking-related information for drivers; a vehicle number management module 203 for storing data on parked vehicles in a vehicle number DB 203 a and managing the data; a parking space sensing module 204 for storing data on the occupancy of the parking space in a parking space DB 204a and managing the occupancy data; a parking fee management module 205 for storing the conditions of paid, unpaid and delinquent fees of parked vehicles in a parking fee DB 205a and managing the conditions; and a commutation ticket management module 206 for storing data on the issuing of commutation tickets in a commutation ticket DB 206a and managing the data.

In addition, the control module 202 incorporates programs for processing requests from the personal terminals 30 and, particularly, a function for displaying a web page form if it is connected through the Internet. The personal terminals

30 will be described in detail later.

Fig. 8 shows one example of data generated, transmitted and received in the system for managing the parking lots without operators in accordance with the present invention. As shown in the drawing, in the case of paper feeding, it can be seen that data on the parking fee are generated as a paper feeding code generated when a parking ticket is issued. In addition, data on a parking lot name, a distinction between roadside and off-road parking lots, an address, a telephone number, a section number, a setup date, an opening data of operation, parking fees, etc., are generated as a parking lot code. The above-described data should be understood to be one embodiment to explain the present invention. Since a structure of data required for the parking management is changeable, the description of other data will be omitted.

A main function of the server 21 is as follows: 1) Screen message change in the parking manager: the parking management unit 20 changes the display screen of a current parking manager. 2) Fee rate setting: changing the rates of a basic fee, additional fees, and parking fees for a disabled person, a light car, an every ten-day system and a person of national merit. 3) Parking schedule setting: setting a parking business schedule for each weekday, each hour, each month, each holiday, and each year. 4) Various error message transmission: setting error words to be used in the case of the occurrence of various errors. 5) Network setting: setting the kind of a mobile phone, a communication speed, a telephone number, etc., to be used in the case of the setting of a network. 6) Printer message setting: setting words to be used for receipts, parking tickets, repayment tickets, etc. 7) Credit card setting: setting a kind of credit card, registration function of black list cards, etc. 8) Traffic card setting: setting a bus card, a subway card, etc. 9) Receipt issuing setting. 10) Printer cutting mode setting: setting whether printer paper is cut completely or partially. 11) Small change repayment method setting: setting a solution method for a lack of small change. 12) Abnormality solution method setting: setting a solution method for an abnormality of the parking manager. 13) Machine time- remote synchronization and setting: maintaining a precise time by setting the time of the parking management system by the atomic clock of Korean Research Institute of Standards and Science. 14) Current parking condition record reception: receiving the conditions of currently parked vehicles. 15) Sales record reception: receiving the sales record of a day, a month, a year, etc. 16) Position display on a map in the case of the occurrence of an error: displaying the parking manager with an abnormality on a map. 17) Message transmission to the server and the mobile phones of parking caretakers at the time of the occurrence of an error: reporting the abnormality; and Message transmission to the server and the mobile phones of parking caretakers in the case of a lack of consumable items: reporting a lack of consumable items such as small change, printer paper, etc. 18) Message transmission to the server and the mobile phones of parking caretakers in the case of the operation of an antitheft unit: reporting a shock from the outside or the occurrence of a theft to the parking caretakers, police offices, etc. The above- described functions can be implemented by including the functions with a program incorporated into and executed in the server 21 when the program is written. In addition, it is apparent that other functions can be added to the above-described functions.

The above-described server 21 of the parking management unit 20 of the present invention is accessible to drivers through personal terminals 30 to allow information required for vehicle parking to be obtained by the drivers. In other words, the server 21 is connected to the external personal terminals 30 via a communication network (the Internet, a dedicated line, etc.) to provide parking- related data, for example, information on empty parking spaces adjacent to a specific location, which is requested by the personal terminals 30. This allows immediate parking without moving from place to place looking for an empty parking space. The personal terminals 30 can be personal computers 31, mobile phones

32, etc. The personal computers 31 or the mobile phones 32 incorporate a normal wire/wireless Internet communication function or a function of allowing a PC communication. The server 21 provides web pages to allow Internet communication as described above. The system for managing the parking lots without operators according to the present invention preferably operates without operators, but can operate standbys for emergency or patrolling caretakers for dealing with the failure or abnormality of the system. Particularly, the patrolling caretakers can fix or repair equipments while periodically visiting locations where the parking sensing unit 10 is installed. More particularly, the failures of equipment are reported from the single-type parking manager 11 to the patrolling caretakers by means of their mobile phones, so they can repair the equipment. In addition, the patrolling caretakers can use the parking management terminal 13 to obtain information on vehicles. The parking management terminal 13 can be a mobile phone or an

IMT-2000 terminal.

Figs. 6 and 7 shows screens and a procedure used to inquire data (information) of the parking management unit 20 using the parking management terminal, respectively. As shown in the drawings, the patrolling caretakers input an employee number for identification after accessing the server 21 using the parking management terminal 13, select a necessary item from a menu of a wireless inquiry terminal, "1. direct input, 2. vehicle inquiry, 3, time zone inquiry, 4. delinquency inquiry", and obtain necessary information on the basis of the selected item.

After a user logs in and accesses a main menu, when the item "direct input" is selected and then a vehicle number, entrance and exit time, the kind of a vehicle, a discount rate, etc. are selected, a detailed screen is displayed and related contents are printed and outputted as printed paper. When the item "vehicle inquiry" is selected and the four digits of a vehicle number are inputted, a list of vehicles is outputted. When a desired vehicle is selected from the outputted list, a detailed screen is displayed and related contents are printed and outputted as printed paper.

When the item "time zone inquiry" is selected and a time zone to be inquired is inputted, a list of all vehicles entering on that day is outputted. When a desired vehicle is selected from the outputted list, a detailed screen is displayed and related contents are printed and outputted as printed paper.

When the item "delinquent fee inquiry" is selected and a vehicle inquiry is inputted, vehicle numbers, owners, contents, and fees are displayed on a delinquency screen. Also, the contents in the delinquency screen are printed and outputted as printed paper. In addition, for delinquent vehicles, data shown in Fig. 8 are displayed, and notices issued based on the data are sent to addresses of delinquent drivers to urge them to make payment.

Industrial Applicability

As described above, the present invention provides a system for managing parking lots without operators using a telecommunication system, which is capable of integratedly managing vehicles parked at roadside or off-road parking lots distributed all over the country through a central management center without operators, and providing information on the parking lots for drivers using the

Internet, mobile phones, etc.

Claims

1. A system for managing vehicles parked at a specific location using a communication network, comprising: at least one parking sensing unit installed in a parking space prepared at the specific location for sensing parked vehicles and transmitting generated parking management data via the communication network; a parking management unit for receiving the parking management data from the parking sensing unit, storing the data according to a database format, extracting required data, and providing parking information via the communication network; and personal terminals connected to the parking management unit via the communication network for providing information to allow users to search for an available parking space at the specific location.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the parking sensing unit comprises a single-type parking manager installed adjacent to a parking space for managing parking of a vehicle in the parking space and a centralized parking manager for simultaneously managing a plurality of parked vehicles.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the single-type parking manager comprises: a fee collecting unit including a coin recognizer for recognizing various kinds of coins and corrupted coins, a note identifier for identifying notes and/or a card reader for identifying cards such as credit cards, subway cards, bus cards, etc. and deducting a parking fee from the cards; a ticket issuing unit for issuing parking tickets using a built-in paper roll; a state displaying unit for displaying information and time required to be recognized by users on an LCD window and displaying messages, such as "normal", "out of order", "repair", etc., through a LED; a power supply unit for supplying power used to operate the single-type parking manager; a control unit including programs and memories required to operate the single-type parking manager; and a communication unit for transmitting/receiving data to/from the parking management unit.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the card reader of the fee collecting unit is one of a contact-type card reader for reading data while being in direct contact with the card and a noncontact-type card reader for reading data while being spaced by an interval from the card.

5. The system according to claim 2, wherein the centralized parking manager comprises: an admission ticket issuing unit provided with a guide screen for issuing tickets on which magnetic material is printed and storing issuing states in a database format; an entrance cutoff unit located in the middle of a movement path of vehicles for controlling the entrance and exit of vehicles; an exit cutoff unit located in the middle of a movement path of vehicles for controlling the entrance and exit of vehicles; an exit ticket examining unit for reading tickets to confirm payment of parking fees and operate the exit cutoff unit; a manual accounting unit for calculating and receiving parking fees and issuing receipts; an automatic teller machine for receiving parking fees by means of notes, coins or a credit (or debit) card and issuing receipts; and an off-road parking management unit incorporating programs for controlling the whole operation of the centralized parking manager and a modem communication device for performing data communication with the outside.

6. The system according to claim 2 or 5, wherein the centralized parking manager further comprises cameras for sensing parking of vehicles.

7. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the parking sensing unit is connected to the parking management unit to perform data transmission/reception through a wire or wireless communication network that is capable of carrying out an Internet communication.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the parking management unit comprises a server connected to a dedicated line through a router and a modem pool, and an in-charge terminal and a plurality of user terminals that are connected to the server through a hub.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the server comprises: a communication module for performing data communication with the dedicated line or the modem; a control module equipped with a control program for receiving and storing data inputted from the parking sensing unit, extracting necessary information from the stored data, and providing parking-related information for drivers; a vehicle number management module for storing data on parked vehicles in a vehicle number DB and managing the data; a parking space sensing module for storing data on occupancy of the parking space in a parking space DB and managing the occupancy data; a parking fee management module for storing conditions of paid, unpaid and delinquent fees of parked vehicles in a parking fee DB and managing the conditions; and a commutation ticket management module for storing data on issues of commutation tickets in a commutation ticket DB and managing the data.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein each of the personal terminals is one of a personal computer, a mobile phone, and an International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT)-2000 terminal.