Method and system for managing tolling of indoor parking lots without physical poles

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of parking fee management technology, and more specifically, to a method and system for indoor parking fee management without physical barriers. A camera module captures vehicle images, analyzes them to obtain license plate recognition and vehicle location information, and once a vehicle enters the preset barrier range, the fee management platform calculates the fee due and payment status based on the license plate information. If payment is not made, a payment QR code is generated and projected onto the ground; if payment has been made, passage guidance information is projected. The barrier-free design eliminates the mechanical failures associated with physical barriers, improves passage efficiency, reduces vehicle waiting time, and facilitates driver operation by projecting payment and guidance information, enhancing user experience. The system's automated management reduces labor costs and enables accurate billing, achieving efficient parking lot operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of parking fee management technology, and more specifically, to a method and system for indoor parking fee management without physical barriers. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional indoor parking lot barrier gate systems generally use a physical lifting arm structure combined with an electronic display screen to control vehicles. Their core relies on a motor to drive the barrier arm up and down, which has the following technical drawbacks: Frequent mechanical failures, such as wear and tear or malfunction of components like the gate arm's gearbox, motor, and transmission mechanism, prevent vehicles from passing through normally and affect the operational efficiency of the indoor parking lot. It is susceptible to physical damage. When a vehicle is misoperated, it may hit the brake arm, causing equipment damage and increased maintenance costs. In severe cases, it may even cause a safety accident. Installation and commissioning are complex. The length of the gate arm needs to be customized according to the width of the passage, and professional personnel are required to adjust the motor parameters. The site modification work is extensive. The guidance method is limited, the electronic display screen is installed in a fixed position, and its visibility is poor in environments such as strong light and rain, making it easy for drivers to overlook the guidance information. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for indoor parking lot fee collection management without physical poles, so as to avoid the decrease in parking lot management efficiency caused by mechanical failure of physical poles.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the embodiments of the present invention provide the following technical solutions: According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for poleless toll collection management in indoor parking lots is provided, comprising: The camera module collects and analyzes images of vehicles entering and exiting the parking lot to obtain license plate recognition information and vehicle location information; When the vehicle location information shows that the vehicle is within the preset gate range, the license plate recognition information is analyzed based on the toll management platform to generate the vehicle's due fees and payment status. If the payment status is unpaid, a payment QR code is generated based on the amount due, and the payment QR code is projected onto the ground in front of the vehicle through the projection module. If the payment status is "paid", the drive projection module will project the traffic guidance information onto the ground in front of the vehicle.

[0005] According to another aspect of the present invention, a poleless charging management system for indoor parking lots is provided, comprising: a camera module, a projection module, an operation charging management platform, and a cloud server for the poleless charging management algorithm for indoor parking lots as described in any one of the first aspects.

[0006] As can be seen from the above technical solution, the indoor parking lot fee management method without physical poles provided by the present invention has the following beneficial effects: This invention eliminates the risk of mechanical failure, completely removes the physical lifting structure, avoids wear and tear on components such as motors and transmission mechanisms, reduces equipment maintenance costs, and ensures the continuity of vehicle traffic. Installation is simple; just install an integrated camera and projection module above the passage and a voice module on the side. No ground modification or custom mechanical parts are required, and it is suitable for indoor parking passages of different widths. The guidance is intuitive and efficient. The text, QR code and directional arrows projected on the ground have a wide viewing angle and are not affected by weather or lighting conditions. Combined with directional voice broadcasts, it provides dual guidance and improves the ease of operation for drivers. It offers high security, as the absence of physical barriers prevents equipment damage and safety accidents caused by accidental vehicle collisions. Meanwhile, directional voice broadcasts reduce noise pollution and improve the indoor parking environment. Attached Figure Description

[0007] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort: Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating the steps of an indoor parking lot fee management method without physical barriers provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an indoor parking lot fee management system without physical poles, provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0008] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0009] In view of this, the present invention provides a method for charging management of indoor parking lots without physical barriers, the steps of which are as follows: Figure 1 As shown, it includes: The first step involves using a camera module to collect and analyze images of vehicles entering and exiting the parking lot, thereby obtaining license plate recognition information and vehicle location information.

[0010] Specifically, in the first step of the embodiment provided by this invention, an image acquisition module is used, installed above the parking lot access road. This camera module is typically a camera with a resolution of at least 1080P to ensure clear vehicle images are captured. The camera continuously monitors and captures images of vehicles entering and exiting the parking lot, obtaining raw monitoring images. These images contain key information such as the overall appearance of the vehicles and their license plates, providing a data foundation for subsequent analysis.

[0011] More specifically, image processing and pattern recognition technologies are used to analyze the original surveillance images. Through specific algorithms, the license plate numbers of vehicles in the images are identified, thereby obtaining license plate recognition information. This is usually done with the help of professional license plate recognition software, which has been trained and optimized with a large amount of data and can accurately extract license plate information from complex image backgrounds.

[0012] More specifically, a license plate is a vehicle's unique identifier. By accurately identifying the license plate number, the vehicle's identity information can be determined. In parking lot fee management, the license plate information can be used to query a vehicle's parking records and payment history, providing a basis for subsequent fee calculation and management. Parking fees are usually based on the duration of parking, and license plate recognition information can be linked to parking time to accurately calculate the fees payable by the vehicle. License plate recognition information also helps with parking lot security management, such as providing warnings and intercepting blacklisted vehicles to prevent unauthorized vehicles from entering the parking lot.

[0013] More specifically, the dynamic trajectory of the vehicle is tracked based on the original surveillance images. By analyzing the changes in the vehicle's position in the images at different times, the specific location of the vehicle within the parking lot is determined, thus obtaining the vehicle's positioning information. Target tracking algorithms, such as the Kalman filter algorithm and the Mean-Shift algorithm, are then used to track and locate the vehicle in real time, ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of the positioning.

[0014] More specifically, vehicle location information allows for real-time monitoring of a vehicle's location within the parking lot, determining whether it has entered the preset gate area. This is crucial for subsequent fee calculations and payment status assessments. Based on vehicle location information, the parking management system can provide accurate traffic guidance, facilitating smooth entry and exit from the parking lot and improving traffic efficiency. Furthermore, statistical analysis of vehicle location information reveals vehicle usage patterns in different areas of the parking lot, enabling optimization of parking lot layout and space planning, thereby increasing parking lot utilization.

[0015] The second step involves analyzing the license plate recognition information based on the vehicle location information when the vehicle is within the preset gate range, and generating the vehicle's payable fees and payment status based on the toll management platform.

[0016] Specifically, in the second step of the embodiment provided by the present invention, when the vehicle positioning information shows that the vehicle is within the preset gate range, the license plate recognition information previously analyzed by the camera module is uploaded to the toll management platform. This process is usually achieved by using network communication technology, such as wired network (e.g., Ethernet) or wireless network (e.g., Wi-Fi, 4G / 5G, etc.), and the license plate recognition information is sent to the toll management platform in the cloud in the form of data packets.

[0017] More specifically, the fee management platform is the core of the entire parking lot fee management system. Uploading license plate recognition information to the platform enables centralized management and processing of all vehicle fee information, which improves management efficiency and facilitates unified scheduling and monitoring. The fee management platform can share and interact with other systems, such as financial systems and access control systems. After uploading license plate recognition information, it can ensure data consistency and accuracy between various systems, providing support for the overall operation of the parking lot.

[0018] More specifically, after receiving license plate recognition information, the fee management platform collects information from its database, which stores information such as the vehicle's entry time. By using the license plate recognition information, the platform can accurately match the vehicle's entry record and obtain the vehicle's parking duration. Based on the parking lot's pre-set billing standards, the platform calculates the parking duration. There are various billing standards, such as hourly billing, time-based billing, and daily billing. The fee management platform will calculate the vehicle's fee based on the specific billing rules and the parking duration.

[0019] More specifically, calculating the fees based on the actual parking duration and the billing standard ensures fairness in charging. Vehicles with different parking durations pay according to the corresponding standards, avoiding arbitrary charges and protecting the rights of car owners. Accurately calculating the fees helps the parking lot with financial accounting and statistics. By recording and analyzing the charging situation of each vehicle, the parking lot's revenue status can be understood, providing data support for business decisions.

[0020] More specifically, the toll collection management platform monitors the toll collection status by querying the vehicle's payment records in the database to determine the payment status. If the vehicle has completed payment, there will be a corresponding payment record in the database, and the payment status will be marked as paid; if there is no payment record, the payment status will be marked as unpaid.

[0021] More specifically, once the payment status of a vehicle is clearly identified, corresponding measures can be taken based on the different statuses. For vehicles that have not paid, the owner can be guided to pay by projecting a payment QR code; for vehicles that have paid, passage guidance can be provided to ensure smooth passage. Real-time monitoring and updating of payment status helps improve the management efficiency of the parking lot, can promptly identify vehicles that have not paid, prevent payment evasion, and can also speed up vehicle passage and reduce congestion.

[0022] The third step is to generate a payment QR code based on the amount due, and then project the payment QR code onto the ground in front of the vehicle using the projection module if the payment status is "unpaid".

[0023] Specifically, in the third step of the embodiment provided by this invention, when the toll management platform determines that the vehicle's payment status is unpaid, it will generate a corresponding payment QR code based on the vehicle's outstanding fees. The toll management platform integrates key information such as the vehicle's outstanding fees and license plate number to form a string containing payment information. Using a QR code generation algorithm, the integrated payment information string is converted into a QR code image. This process is usually achieved with the help of a professional QR code generation library to ensure that the generated QR code conforms to standard specifications and can be accurately recognized by common scanning devices.

[0024] More specifically, the payment QR code provides car owners with a convenient payment method. Car owners can quickly complete the payment operation by simply scanning the QR code with their mobile phones, without cash transactions or manual intervention, which greatly improves payment efficiency. The QR code contains the vehicle's payment information, and the security of the information is ensured through encryption technology. Only the car owner who scans the QR code can access the payment information, avoiding the risk of information leakage. The generation and use of the payment QR code will be recorded on the fee management platform, which is convenient for the parking lot to conduct financial accounting and data analysis. It can statistically analyze payment status, analyze payment time distribution, etc., and provide data support for the operation and management of the parking lot.

[0025] More specifically, after receiving the generated payment QR code image, the projection module will perform necessary parameter settings, such as adjusting the brightness, contrast, and size of the projection, to ensure that the projected QR code is clearly legible. The projection module projects the payment QR code onto the ground in front of the vehicle. Since the projection module and the camera module are integrated and installed on the same bracket, and the bracket is fixed above the parking lot passage at a height of 4-6 meters from the ground, the projection position can be guaranteed to be accurate, making it easy for car owners to clearly see the QR code inside the car.

[0026] More specifically, by projecting the QR code onto the ground in front of the vehicle, drivers can clearly see the QR code without leaving their car, improving payment convenience. Compared to traditional display methods, such as displaying it at a fixed payment window or on a screen, ground projection is more likely to attract drivers' attention. The location of the ground projection directly guides drivers to the payment process, allowing them to quickly understand the payment procedure. At the same time, the projection position is aligned with the direction of vehicle travel, so it will not affect the normal passage of vehicles, ensuring smooth traffic flow in the parking lot. Ground projection ensures the visibility of the QR code for different types of vehicles. Regardless of the vehicle's height or color, drivers can easily scan the QR code, increasing the success rate of payment.

[0027] Fourth, if the payment status is "paid", the driving projection module will project the traffic guidance information onto the ground in front of the vehicle.

[0028] Specifically, in the fourth step of the embodiment provided by the present invention, after the charging management platform determines that the vehicle's payment status is paid, it will prepare passage guidance information. The passage guidance information usually includes guidance text (such as "Please proceed" "Exit in this direction" etc.) and guidance arrows. This information is stored in advance in the database of the charging management platform. The platform selects appropriate passage guidance information according to the layout of the parking lot and the current location of the vehicle.

[0029] More specifically, after receiving the traffic guidance information, the projection module sets the projection parameters, including adjusting the brightness, contrast, and size of the projection, to ensure that the projected traffic guidance information is clear and eye-catching. At the same time, it adjusts the angle and position of the projection according to the vehicle's location and driving direction, so that the traffic guidance information is accurately projected onto the ground in front of the vehicle.

[0030] More specifically, after the projection setup is complete, the projection module projects the traffic guidance information onto the ground in front of the vehicle. Since the projection module and the camera module are integrated and installed on the same bracket, and the bracket is fixed above the parking lot passage at a height of 4-6 meters from the ground, the projection effect and position can be guaranteed to meet the requirements, allowing car owners to clearly see the traffic guidance information inside the car.

[0031] More specifically, by projecting traffic guidance information, drivers can intuitively understand the direction and route of their vehicles, without having to search for exit signs or ask staff in the parking lot. This speeds up vehicle passage and reduces traffic congestion in the parking lot, which is especially important for parking lots with high traffic volume and can effectively improve the overall operational efficiency of the parking lot.

[0032] More specifically, clear and concise access information provides drivers with a better parking experience. After paying, drivers can quickly obtain access guidance and leave the parking lot smoothly, avoiding the confusion and anxiety caused by not being able to find the exit. This helps to improve drivers' satisfaction with the parking lot and enhance its competitiveness.

[0033] More specifically, projecting traffic guidance information can reduce the need for manual guidance in parking lots, lowering labor costs. At the same time, smoother vehicle traffic reduces management difficulties and potential safety hazards caused by traffic congestion, further reducing parking lot management costs.

[0034] More specifically, accurate traffic guidance information can guide vehicles to travel along designated routes, preventing vehicles from driving and turning randomly in the parking lot, reducing collisions and scrapes between vehicles, and improving traffic safety in the parking lot.

[0035] Furthermore, the steps of acquiring and analyzing images of vehicles entering and exiting the parking lot using a camera module to obtain license plate recognition information and vehicle location information include: S11: The camera module captures images of vehicles entering and exiting the parking lot to obtain raw surveillance images; S12: Perform license plate recognition on the vehicle based on the original surveillance image to obtain license plate recognition information; S13: Based on the original monitoring image, the vehicle's dynamic trajectory is tracked to obtain the vehicle's positioning information.

[0036] Specifically, the camera module is usually installed above the parking lot passage and is a camera with a resolution of no less than 1080P. It is installed in a suitable position to ensure that it can cover the parking lot entrance and exit and passage area to fully capture vehicle images. The camera is continuously working and takes pictures of vehicles entering and leaving the parking lot at a certain frame rate (such as 25 or 30 frames per second) to acquire vehicle image information in real time and form raw monitoring images. These images are stored on local storage devices or transmitted to cloud servers for further processing.

[0037] More specifically, the original surveillance images are the basic data source for subsequent license plate recognition and vehicle positioning. Only through high-quality image acquisition can accurate and clear information be provided for subsequent analysis and processing. The camera module installed above the parking lot passage can cover a large area, ensuring comprehensive monitoring of all vehicles entering and exiting the parking lot and avoiding missing vehicle information.

[0038] More specifically, the original surveillance image is preprocessed, including grayscale conversion, noise reduction, and edge detection, to enhance the features of the license plate area in the image and improve the accuracy of license plate recognition. Image processing algorithms (such as those based on color features and edge features) are used to locate the license plate in the preprocessed image, segmenting the license plate area from the entire image. Character recognition is then performed on the segmented license plate area, and optical character recognition (OCR) technology is used to convert the characters on the license plate into computer-recognizable text information, thereby obtaining the license plate recognition information.

[0039] More specifically, a license plate is a unique identifier for a vehicle. License plate recognition can accurately confirm the vehicle's identity information. In parking lot fee management, license plate recognition information is a key basis for calculating parking fees and querying vehicle parking records. Achieving automatic license plate recognition can reduce manual intervention, improve the automation and efficiency of parking lot management, and reduce management costs.

[0040] More specifically, the vehicle's position and bounding box are detected using target detection algorithms (such as YOLO and Faster R-CNN based on deep learning) in the original surveillance images. By matching and tracking the vehicle target in consecutive frames, the vehicle's position information at different times is recorded, thereby obtaining the vehicle's dynamic running trajectory. Algorithms such as Kalman filtering and particle filtering can be used to improve the accuracy and stability of trajectory tracking. Based on the vehicle's running trajectory and information such as the camera's installation location and parameters, the vehicle's specific position in the parking lot is calculated, thus obtaining the vehicle's positioning information.

[0041] More specifically, vehicle location information can be used to determine whether a vehicle has entered the preset gate area, providing a basis for subsequent fee management and access control. For example, when a vehicle enters the gate area, the system can promptly calculate the fee and determine the payment status. Vehicle location information helps the parking lot guide and manage vehicles, such as guiding vehicles to find available parking spaces and planning vehicle routes, thereby improving the parking lot's utilization efficiency and operational management level.

[0042] Furthermore, when the vehicle location information shows that the vehicle is within the preset gate area, the steps of analyzing the license plate recognition information based on the toll management platform to generate the vehicle's payable fees and payment status include: S21: When the vehicle positioning information shows that the vehicle is within the preset gate range, the license plate recognition information is uploaded to the toll management platform; S22: The charging management platform collects information from the license plate recognition information to obtain the parking duration of the vehicle, and calculates the parking duration according to the charging standard to obtain the fee payable; S23: Monitor the fee collection status of the fee management platform to generate the vehicle's payment status.

[0043] Specifically, the camera module continuously monitors the vehicle's location information. When it detects that a vehicle has entered the preset gate area (which can be determined by the set geographical coordinates or an area at a certain distance from the gate), it triggers the information upload mechanism. The license plate recognition information is sent to the toll management platform in the form of data packets through network communication technologies (such as Ethernet, Wi-Fi, 4G / 5G, etc.). The license plate recognition information usually includes the license plate number, vehicle entry time, and other relevant data.

[0044] More specifically, the fee management platform is the core of the entire parking lot fee management system. Uploading license plate recognition information to the platform enables centralized management and processing of all vehicle fee information, facilitating unified scheduling and monitoring, improving management efficiency. The fee management platform can share and interact with other systems, such as financial systems and access control systems. After uploading license plate recognition information, it can ensure data consistency and accuracy between various systems, providing support for the overall operation of the parking lot.

[0045] More specifically, after receiving the license plate recognition information, the charging management platform searches its database for the entry record corresponding to that license plate, obtains the vehicle's entry time, and calculates the parking duration by the difference between the current time and the entry time. The charging management platform then calculates the parking duration according to the pre-set billing standards (such as hourly billing, time-based billing, monthly billing, etc.). For example, if the billing standard is 5 yuan per hour and the parking duration is 3 hours, the fee payable is 15 yuan.

[0046] More specifically, calculating the fees based on the actual parking duration and the billing standard ensures fairness in charging. Vehicles with different parking durations pay according to the corresponding standards, avoiding arbitrary charges and protecting the rights of car owners. Accurately calculating the fees helps the parking lot with financial accounting and statistics. By recording and analyzing the charging situation of each vehicle, the parking lot's revenue status can be understood, providing data support for business decisions.

[0047] More specifically, the toll management platform periodically queries the database for the vehicle's payment records to check if there is any payment information corresponding to the current parking. If there is a valid payment record in the database and the payment amount matches the amount due, the vehicle's payment status is marked as paid; otherwise, the payment status is marked as unpaid.

[0048] More specifically, once the payment status of a vehicle is clearly identified, corresponding measures can be taken based on the different statuses. For vehicles that have not paid, the owner can be guided to pay by projecting a payment QR code; for vehicles that have paid, passage guidance can be provided to ensure smooth passage. Real-time monitoring and updating of payment status helps improve the management efficiency of the parking lot, can promptly identify vehicles that have not paid, prevent payment evasion, and can also speed up vehicle passage and reduce congestion.

[0049] Furthermore, it also includes a voice broadcast module, which is used to broadcast corresponding guidance voice when the payment status is unpaid or paid.

[0050] Specifically, the voice broadcast module is integrated with the toll management system. Data transmission and control are achieved through appropriate interfaces (such as serial ports, network interfaces, etc.). The voice broadcast module is usually installed in a suitable location in the parking lot lane to ensure that the sound can be clearly transmitted to the area where the vehicle is located. The guidance voice for both unpaid and paid situations is pre-recorded or synthesized. The guidance voice for unpaid situations may include content such as "Your parking fee has not been paid. Please scan the QR code on the ground to pay." The guidance voice for paid situations may include content such as "Your fee has been paid. Please follow the instructions to proceed." These voice files are stored in the storage device of the voice broadcast module.

[0051] More specifically, the voice broadcast module establishes a data interaction channel with the toll management platform to obtain the vehicle's payment status information in real time. Once the toll management platform determines the vehicle's payment status, it sends this information to the voice broadcast module. Based on the received payment status information, the voice broadcast module determines whether the vehicle has not paid or has paid, and triggers the corresponding guidance voice broadcast. For example, if the payment status is "unpaid," the voice broadcast module plays the unpaid guidance voice file; if the payment status is "paid," it plays the paid guidance voice.

[0052] More specifically, the voice broadcast module has a volume adjustment function, which can adjust the volume of the voice playback according to factors such as ambient noise in the parking lot to ensure that the driver can clearly hear the guidance voice. At the same time, it ensures that the voice quality is clear and smooth, avoiding noise or distortion. To avoid excessively disturbing the driver, the number of times and duration of voice broadcasts can be set. For example, each voice broadcast can be repeated 2-3 times, and the duration of each broadcast can be controlled within a reasonable range.

[0053] More specifically, voice broadcasts can convey payment and passage information to car owners in a direct and intuitive way. Compared to simply displaying information through a projection, voice guidance allows car owners to quickly understand their payment status and next steps without having to look down at the ground projection. The advantages of voice broadcasts are even more obvious at night or in poor visibility conditions. Clear voice guidance can help car owners better understand the payment and passage process, reduce time wastage and unnecessary trouble caused by improper operation or misunderstanding of information, and improve the overall experience of car owners in the parking lot.

[0054] More specifically, for vehicles that have not paid, voice reminders can prompt car owners to pay as soon as possible, reduce the time vehicles spend in front of the gate, and improve the vehicle flow speed in the parking lot. The voice broadcast module can automatically broadcast voice messages based on the vehicle's payment status.

[0055] More specifically, if drivers rely solely on viewing projected information while driving, it may distract them and increase safety risks. Voice prompts can help drivers focus on driving while obtaining necessary information, thus improving driving safety in parking lots.

[0056] Furthermore, when the payment status is "unpaid," the projection module also projects text information guiding payment onto the ground. When the payment status is "paid," the projection module projects passage guidance information including guidance text and guidance arrows. When the vehicle location information shows that the vehicle has left the preset gate area, the projection module stops projecting and switches to standby mode.

[0057] Specifically, after determining that a vehicle's payment status is unpaid, the fee management platform selects an appropriate payment guidance text from a pre-set text information database, such as "Please scan the QR code to complete the payment" or "Your parking fee is unpaid, please pay it in time." After receiving the payment guidance text, the projection module adjusts the projection parameters, including setting the font, font size, color, and brightness of the projection, to ensure that the text information is clear and eye-catching and can be clearly recognized by the driver under different lighting conditions. The projection module projects the payment guidance text and the previously generated payment QR code onto the ground in front of the vehicle, so that the driver can see both the payment QR code and the payment guidance prompt at the same time.

[0058] More specifically, the text information guiding payment can more clearly inform car owners of the current payment status and operational requirements, helping them quickly understand the payment process and improve the success rate of payment. Compared with a simple payment QR code projection, adding text information guiding payment can further attract car owners' attention and prevent them from missing the payment due to not understanding the purpose of the QR code. Clear text prompts can reduce car owners' confusion and anxiety, making the payment process smoother and improving the overall experience of car owners in the parking lot.

[0059] More specifically, the toll management platform selects appropriate combinations of directional text and arrows from a pre-set traffic guidance information database based on the vehicle's location and the parking lot's layout. The directional text can be phrases such as "Please proceed" or "Exit in this direction," while the arrows indicate the vehicle's direction of travel. The projection module sets parameters for the projected directional text and arrows, such as adjusting the size, color, and spacing of the text, and the shape, length, and color of the arrows, to ensure that the projected information clearly and accurately conveys the direction of travel. The projection module then projects the traffic guidance information onto the ground in front of the vehicle, providing drivers with clear traffic guidance.

[0060] More specifically, clear traffic guidance information helps drivers quickly understand the direction and route of their vehicles, eliminating the need to search for exit signs or ask staff in the parking lot. This speeds up vehicle passage, reduces traffic congestion in the parking lot, provides drivers with clear traffic guidance, avoids the confusion and anxiety caused by not being able to find the exit, improves driver satisfaction with the parking lot, reduces the need for manual guidance in the parking lot, lowers labor costs, and reduces management difficulties and potential safety hazards caused by traffic congestion due to smoother vehicle passage.

[0061] More specifically, the camera module continuously monitors the vehicle's location information. When it detects that the vehicle has left the preset gate range, it sends the information to the projection module's control system. Upon receiving the vehicle departure information, the projection module's control system immediately stops the current projection operation and turns off the projection light source. After stopping projection, the projection module switches to standby mode to reduce power consumption and extend the equipment's lifespan.

[0062] More specifically, once a vehicle leaves the gate area, the projected information is no longer needed. Timely stopping of projection and switching to standby mode can reduce energy consumption, lower operating costs, reduce the working time of the projection module, help reduce the wear and aging rate of the equipment, extend the service life of the equipment, and reduce the frequency of equipment maintenance and replacement. Stopping projection can avoid unnecessary interference to subsequent vehicles or other areas in the parking lot, ensuring a clean and orderly environment in the parking lot.

[0063] Based on the technical content of the indoor parking lot poleless charging management method described in the above-disclosed embodiments, the present invention provides an indoor parking lot poleless charging management system, the structure of which is as follows: Figure 2 It includes: a camera module, a projection module, and a cloud server for the operation and charging management platform and the poleless charging management algorithm for indoor parking lots as described in any one of the first aspects.

[0064] In this embodiment, the specific implementation of each module in the above system embodiment is described in the above method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0065] Furthermore, the camera module is located above the parking lot passage, and the camera module is a camera with a resolution of not less than 1080P.

[0066] Furthermore, the projection module and the camera module are integrated and installed on the same bracket, which is fixed above the parking lot passage at a height of 4-6 meters above the ground.

[0067] In one embodiment, an indoor parking lot barrier-free payment management system includes: a high-definition camera module: installed above the indoor parking lot lane, using a high-definition camera with a resolution of no less than 1080P, equipped with license plate recognition and dynamic trajectory tracking functions, used to capture license plate information of vehicles entering and exiting, and to determine in real time whether the vehicle has entered the preset barrier range (i.e., the designated area from the lane entrance to the payment verification area); an information projection module: using a short-throw high-definition projector, integrated with the high-definition camera module and installed on the same bracket (the bracket is fixed directly above the lane, 4-6 meters above the ground), used to project visual guidance information onto the ground in front of the vehicle, the projected content of which can be switched according to the payment status; and a voice broadcast module: using a waterproof directional speaker, installed beside the lane, 1.5-2 meters above the ground. At a distance of [number] meters, a directional voice guidance system is used to avoid noise interference with the surrounding environment. The backend control module uses an embedded controller, which is electrically connected to the high-definition camera module, information projection module, and voice broadcast module via wired or wireless means. It has built-in license plate recognition algorithm, location judgment algorithm, and payment status verification unit. After receiving the license plate information and location data transmitted by the high-definition camera module, the backend control module associates the license plate information with the vehicle's parking time to generate the fee information due. At the same time, it obtains the vehicle's payment record through the network via the payment status verification unit, and generates control commands based on the verification results to drive the information projection module and voice broadcast module to work together.

[0068] The system's workflow is as follows: When the high-definition camera module detects a vehicle entering the preset gate area, the back-end control module uses the payment status verification unit to determine whether the vehicle has paid. If payment has not been made, the back-end control module sends a first control command to the information projection module, causing it to project a "Please Pay" text sign and a dynamic payment QR code (the QR code contains the vehicle's payment information and payment link) onto the ground; simultaneously, it sends a synchronization command to the voice broadcast module, causing it to repeatedly broadcast "Please scan the ground QR code ahead to pay." If payment has been made, the back-end control module sends a second control command to the information projection module, causing it to project a "Please Proceed" text sign and a passage guidance arrow aligned with the passage direction (the arrow uses a high-brightness color scheme, and the projection range covers the area directly in front of the vehicle's travel trajectory) onto the ground; simultaneously, it sends a synchronization command to the voice broadcast module, causing it to broadcast "Payment successful, please proceed."

[0069] Compared with existing technologies, the beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: It completely eliminates the physical barrier structure, avoiding wear and tear on components such as motors and transmission mechanisms, reducing equipment maintenance costs, and ensuring continuous vehicle traffic; it only requires the installation of an integrated camera and projection module above the passage and a voice module on the side, without the need to modify the ground or customize mechanical parts, adapting to indoor parking lanes of different widths; the text, QR codes, and directional arrows projected on the ground have a wide viewing angle, unaffected by weather or lighting conditions, and, combined with directional voice broadcasting, provide dual guidance, improving driver convenience; the absence of a physical barrier avoids equipment damage and safety accidents caused by accidental vehicle collisions, while directional voice broadcasting reduces noise pollution and improves the indoor parking environment.

[0070] In one embodiment, the high-definition camera module and the information projection module are integrated and installed on an L-shaped bracket. The bracket is fixed to the wall or column directly above the indoor parking lot passage, at a height of 5 meters above the ground. This ensures that the shooting range of the high-definition camera module covers the passage entrance to the payment verification area (approximately 3 meters in length), and the projection range of the information projection module covers the ground area 2-3 meters in front of the vehicle. The voice broadcast module is fixed to the column on the right side of the passage with expansion bolts, at a height of 1.8 meters above the ground, with its sound direction facing the center of the passage.

[0071] In actual operation: When a vehicle enters the lane and is within the shooting range of the high-definition camera module, the high-definition camera module captures an image of the vehicle's license plate, extracts the license plate information, and transmits it to the back-end control module. Simultaneously, dynamic trajectory tracking confirms that the vehicle has entered the preset gate area. The back-end control module queries the indoor parking lot's barrier-free payment management platform using the license plate information to obtain the vehicle's parking duration and the fee due, while verifying whether payment has been completed. If payment has not been made, the back-end control module generates a first control command, driving the information projection module to project a green "Please Pay" message (100cm x 100cm) and a dynamically updated payment QR code (50cm x 50cm) onto the ground in front of the vehicle. Simultaneously, the voice broadcast module continuously announces "Please scan the QR code on the ground ahead to pay" every 3 seconds. After the driver completes payment by scanning the QR code on the ground with their mobile phone, the indoor parking lot's barrier-free payment management platform sends a payment success signal to the back-end control module. Upon receiving the payment success signal, the back-end control module generates a second control command, which drives the information projection module to switch the projected content to the red text "Please proceed" and a white passage guidance arrow (the arrow is 100cm long and points towards the exit of the passage). At the same time, it drives the voice broadcast module to announce "Payment successful, please proceed" once and then stop. After the vehicle leaves the preset barrier gate area, the high-definition camera module sends a departure signal to the background control module, which then drives the information projection module to stop projection, and the system returns to standby mode.

[0072] The system in this embodiment does not require a physical gate arm or an independent electronic display screen, making it easy to install and adaptable to various indoor parking lot lanes. It also provides accurate guidance through ground projection and voice linkage, effectively solving many of the shortcomings of traditional gate barriers and possessing high practicality and promotional value.

[0073] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other.

[0074] The steps of the methods or algorithms described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented directly by hardware, a software module executed by a processor, or a combination of both. The software module can be located in random access memory (RAM), main memory, read-only memory (ROM), electrically programmable ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM, registers, hard disk, removable disk, CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art.

[0075] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method for charge management of a parking facility without physical poles, characterized in that, include: The camera module collects and analyzes images of vehicles entering and exiting the parking lot to obtain license plate recognition information and vehicle location information; When the vehicle location information shows that the vehicle is within the preset gate range, the license plate recognition information is analyzed based on the toll management platform to generate the vehicle's due fees and payment status. If the payment status is unpaid, a payment QR code is generated based on the amount due, and the payment QR code is projected onto the ground in front of the vehicle through the projection module. If the payment status is "paid", the drive projection module will project the traffic guidance information onto the ground in front of the vehicle.

2. The indoor parking lot fee management method without physical barriers as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The steps involved in acquiring and analyzing images of vehicles entering and exiting the parking lot using a camera module to obtain license plate recognition information and vehicle location information include: The camera module captures images of vehicles entering and exiting the parking lot to obtain raw surveillance images; The vehicle's license plate is identified based on the original surveillance image to obtain license plate recognition information; The vehicle's dynamic trajectory is tracked based on the original monitoring images to obtain the vehicle's location information.

3. The indoor parking lot fee collection management method without physical barriers as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the vehicle location information shows that the vehicle is within the preset gate area, the steps of analyzing the license plate recognition information based on the toll management platform to generate the vehicle's payable fees and payment status include: When the vehicle location information shows that the vehicle is within the preset gate range, the license plate recognition information is uploaded to the toll management platform; The charging management platform collects information from the license plate recognition data to obtain the vehicle's parking duration, and calculates the parking duration based on the charging standard to obtain the fee payable. The fee collection status of the aforementioned fee management platform is monitored to generate the payment status of vehicles.

4. The indoor parking lot fee collection management method without physical barriers as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a voice broadcast module, which is used to broadcast corresponding guidance voice when the payment status is unpaid or paid.

5. The indoor parking lot fee collection management method without physical barriers as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the payment status is "unpaid", the projection module also projects text information guiding payment onto the ground.

6. The indoor parking lot fee collection management method without physical barriers as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the payment status is "paid", the navigation guidance information projected by the projection module includes guidance text and guidance arrows.

7. The indoor parking lot fee collection management method without physical barriers as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the vehicle location information shows that the vehicle has left the preset gate range, the projection module is driven to stop projecting and the projection module is switched to standby mode.

8. A barrierless toll collection management system for indoor parking lots, characterized in that: include: The system includes a camera module, a projection module, a charging management platform, and a cloud server for implementing the poleless charging management algorithm for indoor parking lots as described in any one of claims 1-7.

9. The indoor parking lot poleless toll collection management system as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The camera module is located above the parking lot passage, and the camera module is a camera with a resolution of not less than 1080P.

10. The indoor parking lot poleless toll collection management system as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The projection module and the camera module are integrated and installed on the same bracket, which is fixed above the parking lot passage at a height of 4-6 meters above the ground.

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