Apparatus and method for locating, identifying and tracking vehicles in a parking area

Abstract

A method for use in the management of vehicle parking in a vehicle parking area having a plurality of vehicle parking spaces, the method comprising determining the locations of vacant vehicle parking spaces; and displaying the locations of vacant vehicle parking spaces to people seeking to park vehicles.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to vehicle parking. In particular, it relates to apparatus and method for locating, identifying and tracking vehicles in a car park. BACKGROUND [0002] A driver encounters many problems while parking vehicles in a huge car park. For instance, in a crowded huge multi-storey car park, it is difficult for a driver to remember where his / her vehicle is parked. Often it is a frustrating experience to search for his / her vehicle. Quite often, it is difficult for a driver to locate an empty parking space to park his / her vehicle in a huge car park, despite being informed that numerous parking spaces are available. Precious time is wasted by drivers when he / she cannot remember where the vehicle is parked or not being in a position to trace an empty parking space. The present car parking systems are not efficient enough for a car park operator to ease the problems mentioned above. Slow vehicle retrieval and delay in searching for empty lots res...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a method and system for managing vehicle parking in a parking area with multiple parking spaces. The method involves determining the locations of vacant parking spaces and displaying them to people seeking to park vehicles. The system includes a detection unit for determining the locations of vacant spaces and a display unit for displaying the locations. The method can also involve identifying features of each vehicle in the parking area, such as the number plate, color, make, and model, and using those features to determine the possible location of a specific vehicle. The system can also automatically provide information about the occupancy status of specific parking spaces. Overall, the invention provides a more efficient and effective way to manage vehicle parking in parking areas."

Problems solved by technology

A driver encounters many problems while parking vehicles in a huge car park.

For instance, in a crowded huge multi-storey car park, it is difficult for a driver to remember where his / her vehicle is parked.

Often it is a frustrating experience to search for his / her vehicle.

Quite often, it is difficult for a driver to locate an empty parking space to park his / her vehicle in a huge car park, despite being informed that numerous parking spaces are available.

Precious time is wasted by drivers when he / she cannot remember where the vehicle is parked or not being in a position to trace an empty parking space.

The present car parking systems are not efficient enough for a car park operator to ease the problems mentioned above.

Slow vehicle retrieval and delay in searching for empty lots results in problems, such as delayed exit of vehicles, increased car park jams, less effective parking capacity, and poor car park utilisation.

Furthermore, motorists are at great inconvenience, and may even result in discouraging others from parking in such car parks.

For the car park operators, these problems translate directly to revenue loss.

This in turn, reduces the revenue of the shop keepers or businessmen who are present in a building having such a car park.

However, the existing car park systems have many drawbacks, including inability to determine when specific lots become available, high infrastructural costs, high per car park lot equipment, high installation and maintenance costs.

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