PARKING ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM

Description

Area

[0001] The invention relates to a method and system for controlling access to parking spaces. background

[0002] Truck drivers are required to take a legally prescribed minimum rest period every day. However, in Germany, there is a shortage of approximately 30,000 parking spaces for trucks every night. It is therefore often difficult for truck drivers to find a suitable parking space for a night's rest without exceeding the maximum permitted driving time or failing to complete the prescribed rest period. A lot of time and fuel is lost when drivers pull into a rest area only to find it is already fully occupied and then have to rejoin the traffic. Furthermore, freely accessible parking spaces are poorly protected against theft.

[0003] Thieves often take advantage of nighttime rest periods to secretly load entire truckloads onto another truck and steal them. However, restricted-access truck parking spaces are rarely available. When access is controlled by humans, the service is often expensive and opening hours are limited. US patent application 2004 / 236615 A1 describes a method and system for electronically booking parking spaces managed by at least one terminal (BO). A user submits a booking request, receives the corresponding booking data, and presents the booking data to the terminal associated with the parking space. The parking spaces can be equipped with remote access control devices that can only be controlled by the user who booked the parking space, via the terminal or a smartphone.

[0004] However, existing automated booking solutions are often isolated solutions with limited spatial and temporal availability, proprietary interfaces, and unresolved security issues. While there are often parking spaces owned by private delivery companies and freight forwarders near highways and access roads, the corresponding communication interfaces and backend services are often proprietary and / or only available to company-owned vehicles, meaning that available space can only be used by the company's trucks.

[0005] International patent application WO 2019 / 132988 A1 relates to a parking system for managing a parking event. The system comprises a server that schedules the parking event, a software component running on an electronic device and enabling wireless communication between the electronic device and the server, and a parking space device. The parking space device is configured to block / allow access to the parking space during the parking event. The server is configured to enable functions such as space swapping, early arrival, late arrival, and event repetition.

[0006] US patent application US 2017 / 061508 A1 relates to a parking system with a plurality of parking garages. Each parking garage has a plurality of parking sectors, and each parking sector has a plurality of parking spaces. A digital system tracks the occupancy level of each parking sector and the estimated departure time of the vehicles parked in each parking space. The digital system routes vehicles to a specific parking sector based on the driver's estimated departure time. The digital system also informs potential customers about the occupancy level and parking rates and shares information about the occupancy level and parking rates with other parking garages. Summary

[0007] The invention is based on the object of proposing an improved method for access control for parking spaces, as well as a corresponding system.

[0008] In one aspect, the invention relates to a method for controlling access to parking spaces according to claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a system for controlling access to parking spaces according to claim 8. Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer program product according to claim 11.

[0009] The method comprises providing a server with a parking space booking service. Multiple drivers and multiple parking spaces, each with one or more parking spaces, are registered with the parking space booking service. Each parking space contains one or more access control devices—hereinafter referred to as "access control devices." The parking space booking service uniquely assigns each of the access control devices a control system located in proximity to the access control device. At least some of the control systems are each configured to permanently or repeatedly emit a contactless near-field signal, wherein the contactless near-field signal contains a near-field identifier of the access control device assigned to the control system.

[0010] When one of the drivers arrives at a central parking bay (ZKV) of one of the parking spaces, an instance of a parking space booking app running on a mobile telecommunications device of one of the drivers receives a contactless transmitted near-field signal from the control system assigned to that central parking bay (ZKV). The near-field signal contains a central parking bay identifier that identifies the central parking bay (ZKV). The parking space booking app instance then sends the received central parking bay identifier and a driver ID of the driver to the parking space booking service. The transmission takes place via a network, in particular via a wireless network connection, in particular via the mobile network. In some embodiments, the parking space booking app of one driver does not immediately send the central parking bay identifier with the driver ID to the booking service.Instead, after receiving the near-field signal, the app first displays a GUI with a GUI element that allows the driver to explicitly initiate the sending of the ZKV ID with the driver ID to the service. This ensures that the ZKV is not opened without the driver's explicit request and request. The driver must first interact with the parking space booking app to confirm that they wish to open the ZKV. Only then does the app send a message with the ZKV ID and the driver ID to the service.

[0011] The parking space booking service checks whether the driver identified by the driver ID has a valid booking for one of the parking spaces in the parking lot containing the ZKV identified by the ZKV identifier. In particular, the check can also include a check to determine whether the driver identified by the driver ID has a valid booking for a period that includes the current time. Depending on the implementation, a parking space booking can be made in such a way that the driver is assigned a specific parking space during the booking period, or in such a way that the driver is granted the right to select any available parking space during the booking period. Accordingly, the booking, as well as the check for the existence of a booking, can be carried out at the parking lot level or at the level of a specific parking space.The term "booking a parking space" according to embodiments of the invention includes all these variants and / or mixed forms thereof (e.g., parking space-specific booking at some parking lots, purely parking space-related booking in other parking lots without individual parking space management).

[0012] If the check shows that a valid booking has been made, the parking space booking service sends a command to grant access to the control system assigned to the ZKV identified by the ZKV identifier.

[0013] In response to receiving the command to grant access, the control system sends a control command to the ZKV assigned to it to cause the ZKV to allow access to the parking lot.

[0014] This can be advantageous because the driver does not have to leave the vehicle to instruct the central parking system to allow access to the parking space if a booking has been made. It is not even necessary to lower a window to bring a credential near a sensor. Rather, it is entirely sufficient for a driver who has a booking for a parking space in a specific parking space for the current period to be within the transmission range of the control system belonging to the central parking system and for the parking space booking app on their smartphone to receive the control system's near-field signal. Optionally, manual confirmation from the driver may be required to ensure that the command to grant access is sent from the app to the control system.

[0015] A further advantage is that the process inherently ensures that only a driver who is in the immediate spatial proximity of the ZKV and its assigned control system can instruct the ZKV to grant access. If the driver were able to open an access gate, move a roller shutter or lower bollards from any position by issuing a corresponding control command via the app to allow access, there would be a significant risk of injury to third parties. The entrances to parking lots, especially truck parking lots, are often protected by large and correspondingly heavy mechanical doors and gates. For example, the parking lots may be truck parking lots belonging to haulage companies that protect their premises with heavy metal gates to prevent unauthorized access.If such heavy mechanical components were moved without ensuring that a driver was nearby and able to oversee the situation, there is a risk that people could be injured or trapped by the movement of these gates or doors. Furthermore, if the access is opened via an app by a driver located far away, there is a risk that unauthorized persons could gain access to the parking lot unnoticed. This poses a safety risk to other drivers and their cargo in the parking lot.According to embodiments of the invention, these security problems are reliably prevented in that without the app receiving the contactless near-field signal with the ZKV identifier, this app also does not send a message with the ZKV identifier and the driver ID to the parking space booking service Strichdienst and thus no verification of the booking is carried out and no command is generated to enable access.

[0016] The parking spaces can, for example, be a car park with multiple parking spaces. Preferably, it is a truck park, e.g., a shipping company site or other access-protected area with multiple truck parking spaces. In the context of truck parking spaces, the method according to embodiments of the invention is particularly advantageous because the above-mentioned security aspects are particularly urgent here: firstly, the gates of truck parking spaces are particularly large, and the risk of injury to third parties when these gates are moved is correspondingly high. Secondly, the damage in the event of theft, for example if unauthorized persons gain unnoticed access to the parking lot through an open gate, is particularly high.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the parking space booking service sends the command to grant access to the control system immediately after the check shows the existence of a valid booking.

[0018] According to another embodiment, the parking space booking service first sends a confirmation request to the parking space booking app of one driver. The parking space booking app is configured to output the confirmation request to the driver via a user interface of the mobile telecommunications device, e.g., via a display. The output occurs in such a way that the driver can comply with the request. For example, the request can be output together with a selectable GUI element (e.g., button, checkbox, link, etc.), so that the user can confirm that the access authorization command should now be sent by selecting this GUI element.

[0019] According to embodiments of the invention, the method comprises using the parking space booking app or a web application to book one of the parking spaces for one of the registered drivers. The booking is typically made for a specific period of time, for example for the duration of one night. The booking can, but does not have to, be made by the driver. For example, the driver can decide for himself during the journey at which parking space he would like to take a break and use the parking space booking app on his smartphone for this purpose. However, it is also possible for the employer, for example a freight forwarding company, to make the booking for the driver via the parking space booking app on an employee's smartphone or via a web application displayed in the browser of another computer belonging to this employee.

[0020] The booking causes the parking space booking service, which has access to a directory of all drivers and parking spaces registered with the booking service, to create and save a new booking. Each booking is an assignment of a parking space (and thus implicitly also of a parking area in which the space is located), a driver, and a period for which the booking is valid. The assignment can, for example, be stored on an electronic storage medium on a server to which the parking space booking service has access. For example, the booking can be stored as a record in a relational database.

[0021] According to the invention, it is possible to implement a method variant according to which, following a successful booking of a parking space for a driver, a graphic code is generated. The graphic code can be generated, for example, by the driver's parking space booking app or by the parking space booking service. The graphic code can be, for example, a barcode or a 2D code, in particular a matrix code, e.g. a QR code. The booking data, in particular driver ID, parking space ID and the booking period, and typically also other information such as parking space ID, amenities of the parking space or parking lot, booked services, personal information about the driver, etc., are encoded in the code.Alternatively, the code may simply contain a reference to this booking data, for example a link that leads to a data set managed by the pitch booking service and provided when the link is selected.

[0022] This graphic code is now provided to the driver in the form of a printout or a digital image that can be displayed via the parking space booking app.

[0023] For example, an employee of a haulage company can make the booking for a specific driver before the driver begins his or her journey and hand the driver a printout with the booking details, including a QR code representing the graphic code. Alternatively, this employee or the driver themselves can also make the booking via the pitch booking app. Preferably, each booking for a specific driver results in the generation of a corresponding graphic code encoded with the booking data or a reference to the booking data. The graphic code is transmitted to the pitch booking app of the driver for whom the booking was made and stored in the app. The pitch booking app is configured to output the graphic code via an electronic display of the mobile telecommunications device on which the app is instantiated.

[0024] Generating and printing a graphic code can be advantageous, as it makes the driver independent of the availability of their mobile telecommunications device. For example, if the smartphone's battery is completely dead, the smartphone is lost, or is temporarily unavailable for other reasons, it can be helpful to also carry a printout of the graphic code, as this allows the driver to still access the reserved parking space.

[0025] Another important advantage of using graphic codes (both electronically on a smartphone and as a printout) in the context of access to parking spaces is that the driver can access the parking space even if there is no mobile network connection in the parking area. In normal operating mode, the parking space booking app receives the near-field signal containing the ZKV identifier from the control system at the parking space entrance and sends the ZKV identifier along with a driver ID over the mobile network to the parking space booking service to prompt the service to verify the booking and, implicitly, to inform the service that the driver is now on site, which is achieved by providing the ZKV identifier.However, if a connection to the mobile network cannot be established, the subsequent steps of verifying the booking by the service and transmitting a corresponding command to the ZKV control system to instruct the ZKV to allow access cannot be carried out. Particularly in rural areas in Germany, there are still many gaps in the mobile network, so there is a risk that the process described above cannot be carried out at some parking spaces due to a lack of mobile connection. By providing the graphic code to the driver in the form of a printout or as an electronic code that is saved in the driver's parking space booking app, it can be ensured that the driver can access the parking space with the booked parking space using this graphic code if necessary.The transmission of the graphic code to the app can, for example, take place at a time when the driver's smartphone has a connection to the Internet via the mobile network or, for example, Wi-Fi.

[0026] The one control system assigned to the one central parking space (ZKV) at which the driver arrives includes an optical sensor for detecting the graphic code. According to some embodiments, several or even all control systems of the parking spaces registered with the parking space booking service include the optical sensor.

[0027] The one control system (or several or all of the control systems) is thus configured to provide an alternative method for access control to the one parking space based on the graphic code. The alternative method comprises detecting the graphic code with the optical sensor upon the driver's arrival at the one central control unit and allowing the driver access to the one parking space based on the graphic code.

[0028] For example, upon arrival at a ZKV, the driver holds a printout or the display of their mobile telecommunications device containing the graphic code within the detection range of the optical sensor (e.g., camera or video camera) of the control system assigned to that ZKV. The captured graphic code is then transmitted by the control system to the parking space booking service, which verifies the booking in a similar way to the verification process initiated by the app via a mobile phone connection. The code contains the booking data or a reference to the booking data, which includes the ZKV identifier, the driver ID, and the period, so that the booking service has all the data necessary for verification. Furthermore, by placing the graphic code within the detection range of the optical sensor, the driver has also proven that they are present at the location.This ensures that the driver can, for example, only open a gate to a parking lot if he is directly in front of the parking lot and can therefore see whether opening the gate poses a danger to bystanders or whether there are people nearby who could take advantage of a brief opening of the gate to gain unauthorized entry to the parking lot.

[0029] According to preferred embodiments, the graphic code captured by the control system is transmitted by the control system to the parking space booking service via a network connection with assured availability, e.g., wired, via WLAN, or via a securely available mobile phone connection. The mobile phone connection can, in particular, be a mobile phone connection based on the GSM, LTE, or UMTS standard. In particular, the mobile phone connection used for data exchange (e.g., sending the graphic code, receiving commands) between the control system and the booking service can be a GSM connection. The mobile phone connection used by the control system is a mobile phone connection that is known to be available with sufficient strength and stability in the area of ​​the parking lot containing the respective control system.This may be a different mobile connection than the one the driver uses to exchange data between the booking app and the booking service.

[0030] The network connection via which the control system and the parking space booking service exchange data (especially optical code and commands) is configured, according to preferred embodiments, as a "network connection with assured availability." A "network connection with assured availability" is understood here to mean one or more of the following network connections: a) a wired network connection at least in the area of ​​the parking lot; b) a Wi-Fi connection; c) a mobile network connection known to be available with sufficient strength and reliability in the area of ​​the parking lot containing the control system.

[0031] The sufficient strength and availability of the aforementioned connection types a), b), and c) depends on the requirements of the respective application scenario. According to embodiments, a wired connection and a Wi-Fi connection are generally considered connection types with sufficient (signal) strength and sufficient reliability. According to embodiments, a network connection according to a), b), or c) is considered a "network connection with assured availability" if an average availability of at least 23.5 hours per day is guaranteed over the year. Preferably, failures due to hardware defects (defective router, defective GSM module) are not taken into account.The network connection with assured availability may be a cellular connection provided by a different cellular network provider than the cellular connection used by the driver's smartphone to exchange data over the Internet.

[0032] Enabling access depending on the recorded graphic code includes: Sending the captured graphic code from the optical sensor via a network to the parking space booking service; the network may in particular be the Internet; the control system containing the optical sensor sends the graphic code, preferably via a network connection with assured availability, to the parking space booking service; checking, by the parking space booking service, whether a booking specified in the graphic code or identified by the graphic code is valid for that one driver; for example, the graphic code can be received and decoded so that the identifiers of the driver and the parking space stored in the code, as well as the booking period, can be compared with the bookings stored in a booking database of the parking space booking service;If a booking is found in the booking database with the same details regarding driver, parking space and booking period as encoded in the graphic code, the result of the check is that a valid booking exists; otherwise, there is no valid check; Only if a valid booking exists, a command to grant access is sent from the parking space booking service to the control system; preferably, the command is also sent to the control system via the network described above, e.g. the Internet; the command can be sent to the control system, for example, immediately after it has been determined that a valid booking exists; In response to receiving the command to grant access, a control command is sent from the control system to the ZKV assigned to it to cause the ZKV to grant access to the car park.

[0033] According to embodiments of the invention, the one parking space at which the driver arrives comprises a further ZKV. The further ZKV restricts access to a room within the parking space. The room can be various types of premises, for example entire buildings, parts of buildings, or individual rooms. The room can also be one of the parking spaces, which in this case is protected by its own ZKV. The room can be sanitary facilities, a storage room, a room with a refueling facility or a fuel depot, a spare parts room, or the like. A further control system is assigned to the further ZKV and the further ZKV is installed in spatial proximity to the further ZKV. The further control system includes an optical sensor for reading a graphic code.The additional control system is designed to provide a code-based procedure for granting access to the premises. The control system, which is assigned to the additional central control unit and can use it to control access to the premises, does not need to include a transmitter for emitting a contactless near-field signal. Since the additional control system only controls access to the premises and not access to the parking space, the advantage of granting access based on the near-field signal without the driver leaving the cab is less important. By the time the driver reaches the additional control system, they have already left the vehicle.In this respect, according to embodiments of the invention, at least some of the control systems within a parking lot, which only serve to control access to individual rooms within this parking lot, may only include an optical sensor for detecting the graphic code, but not a transmitter for the contactless near-field signal.

[0034] The code-based procedure for granting access by the additional control unit includes: Upon the driver's arrival at the additional control system: the additional control system's optical sensor detects the graphic code and allows the driver access to the premises based on the graphic code. For example, the driver holds the graphic code, either as a paper printout or as a digital image displayed on the driver's smartphone, within the detection range of the additional control system's optical sensor;

[0035] According to embodiments, enabling access to the premises depending on the recorded graphic code includes: Sending the captured graphic code from the optical sensor of the further control system via a network to the parking space booking service; the network can in particular be the Internet, whereby the further control system containing the optical sensor sends the graphic code to the parking space booking service, preferably via a network connection with assured availability; checking, by the parking space booking service, whether a booking specified in the graphic code or identified by the graphic code is valid for this one driver; for example, the graphic code can be received and decoded so that the identifiers of the driver and the parking space stored in the code as well as the booking period can be compared with the bookings stored in a booking database of the parking space booking service;If a booking is found in the booking database with the same details regarding driver, parking space and booking period as encoded in the graphic code, the result of the check is that a valid booking exists; otherwise, there is no valid check; Only if a valid booking exists, a command to grant access is sent from the parking space booking service to the further control system; preferably, the command is also sent to the further control system via the network described above, for example the Internet; the command can, for example, be sent to the further control system immediately after it has been determined that a valid booking exists.In response to receiving the command to grant access to the premises, sending a control command from the additional control system to the additional central control unit assigned to it to cause the central control unit to grant access to the premises. The additional central control unit can, for example, be a door to a sanitary facility within the parking lot. The door can, for example, contain a door handle or door cylinder that can be controlled by the additional control unit via a radio signal and can be moved from the closed to the open state.

[0036] According to embodiments of the invention, each of the control systems includes a network interface, in particular a network interface for a network connection with assured availability, for transmitting data, in particular the graphic code, to the parking space booking service and for receiving commands for granting access and / or entry from the parking space booking service.

[0037] This can be advantageous because the graphic code with the optical sensor of the control systems according to embodiments of the invention is used as an alternative method for access control, particularly when the driver's parking space booking app cannot exchange data with the parking space booking service via a cellular connection. Because the graphic code of the control system is connected to the internet and the parking space booking service via a network connection with guaranteed availability (e.g., data cable, in particular an Ethernet cable, Wi-Fi, or via a GSM network for which reliable availability is known), this data transmission channel according to embodiments of the invention is completely independent of the presence of the cellular connection used by the driver's smartphone for data exchange.

[0038] Additionally or alternatively, each of the control systems or at least some of the control systems comprises a contactless interface, in particular a radio interface, for sending control commands to the ZKV assigned to the control system.

[0039] This can be advantageous because it creates a structural separation between the control system and the central control system. The central control system and the control system assigned to it exchange data only wirelessly; they are preferably not mechanically linked and / or each represent two different physical objects. This means that, in principle, any central control system—i.e., any existing door, any existing gate, or other existing locking device, provided it contains a radio-controlled handle or cylinder—can be integrated into the parking space booking service by installing a control system assigned to it in sufficient spatial proximity to this central control system, which can control the central control system—for example, wirelessly.The control system may store a unique identifier of the ZKV, referred to here as the ZKV identifier, which is also used to register the ZKV with the parking space booking service.

[0040] Although, according to embodiments of the invention, data is exchanged in a complex manner between the parking space booking service, the parking space booking app, and the control systems, all of these elements do not affect the properties and interfaces of hardware that may already be present at the respective parking lots in the form of ZKVs. This makes it particularly easy to integrate parking spaces into the parking space booking service without requiring major investments in new doors or gates, as long as these can only be controlled wirelessly, for example. Loading an app onto a driver's smartphone requires no effort on the part of the parking lot operator. A parking lot operator only has to ensure that a corresponding control system is installed at each relevant ZKV in its parking lot, which can control the ZKV, preferably wirelessly.The ZKV is therefore functionally integrated into the service through its assigned control system. The control system can be designed as a small box, which can be manufactured and installed easily and inexpensively. This is particularly advantageous in the context of truck parking areas, as there are too few parking spaces in Germany and truck drivers therefore often have to travel long additional distances along or even away from the motorways to find a suitable place to rest. The construction of additional parking spaces is expensive and often not even possible due to a lack of space. Embodiments of the invention make it possible to use parking space orTo utilize parking space capacities of companies, especially freight forwarders, more efficiently by making these parking spaces available to other drivers through the installation of one or more of the control systems described here and by assigning and registering ZKV identifiers of the ZKVs controlled by the control systems via the parking space booking app. Parking space owners can also benefit in a variety of ways from making their parking spaces available for the service, for example, through rental fees at the parking spaces and / or by allowing their own drivers to stay overnight in other companies' parking spaces under similar conditions, without the parking space owners having to set up their own IT infrastructure for renting the parking spaces.

[0041] According to embodiments of the invention, the near-field signal is selected from a group comprising a radio signal, a signal transmitted via WLAN, a Bluetooth signal, an NFC signal, an RFID signal, an iBeacon signal.

[0042] According to embodiments of the invention, the near-field signal is a contactlessly transmitted signal with a range of less than 30 m, preferably less than 20 m.

[0043] According to embodiments of the invention, the vehicle is a passenger car and the parking space is a passenger car parking space.

[0044] According to preferred embodiments, the vehicle is a truck and the parking space is a truck parking space.

[0045] According to some embodiments, a plurality of parking spaces are registered with the parking space booking service, wherein the parking spaces are car parking spaces, truck parking spaces, or a mixture of car and truck parking spaces. According to some embodiments, the parking space booking service is configured to take the vehicle type into account during the booking process, for example, to allocate car parking spaces only to cars and truck parking spaces only to trucks.

[0046] The one or more access control devices that may be present in each parking space registered with the parking space booking service may be, for example, a door, a gate, a door locking mechanism, a gate locking mechanism, a retractable bollard, or a combination of several of these. Several different types of access control devices may be used in a parking space, e.g., a large gate as an access control device to control parking space access and a door to control access to the restroom facilities.

[0047] In another aspect, the invention relates to a system for access control for parking spaces. The system comprises a server with a parking space booking service. Several drivers and several parking spaces, each with one or more parking spaces, are registered with the parking space booking service. Each parking space contains one or more access control devices—hereinafter referred to as "access control devices," with the parking space booking service uniquely assigning each of the access control devices a control system installed in spatial proximity to the access control device. At least some of the control systems are each configured to permanently or repeatedly emit a contactless near-field signal. The contactless near-field signal contains a near-field identification of the access control device assigned to the control system.

[0048] The system also includes one of the control systems, which is assigned to a central control unit (ZKV) of one of the parking spaces. This control system is configured to transmit the contactless near-field signal continuously or repeatedly. It is also possible for the system to include several control systems, e.g., all control systems of a parking space or all control systems of several parking spaces.

[0049] The system comprises a mobile telecommunications device belonging to one of the drivers. The mobile telecommunications device includes an instance of a parking space booking app. The parking space booking app is configured to receive one of the contactlessly transmitted near-field signals from the control system upon the arrival of the driver at the one central parking bay, wherein the contactlessly transmitted near-field signal contains a central parking bay identifier of the one central parking bay. The parking space booking app is also configured to send the received central parking bay identifier and a driver ID of the driver to the parking space booking service via a network.

[0050] The parking space booking service is configured to check whether the driver identified by the driver ID has a valid booking for one of the parking spaces in the parking lot containing the central parking facility identified by the central parking facility identification. Only if a valid booking exists does the parking space booking service send a command to grant access to one of the control systems. In response to receiving the command to grant access, one of the control systems is configured to send a control command from the control system to the central parking facility assigned to it, causing the central parking facility to grant access to the parking lot.

[0051] According to the invention, the control system assigned to the central control unit includes an optical sensor for detecting a graphic code. The graphic code can be in the form of a digital image displayed on a screen or a printout, for example.

[0052] The parking space booking service is a software application that can be implemented, for example, based on PHP and the Symfony software library. The driver's booking app can be implemented as a Java application (e.g., for Android systems), and the web portal, through which, for example, a freight forwarding company can make a booking for one of its drivers, can be implemented using Java script and related web-based technologies.

[0053] One control system is configured to provide, in interaction with the parking space booking service, an alternative method for controlling access to parking spaces based on the graphic code. The alternative method comprises detecting the graphic code with the optical sensor upon the driver's arrival at the parking space booking service and sending the detected graphic code, preferably via a network connection with assured availability, to the parking space booking service in order to allow the driver access to a parking space in the parking lot in interaction with the server if the check is valid.

[0054] According to embodiments, each of the control systems has a contactless interface, in particular a radio interface, for sending control commands to the ZKV assigned to the control system.

[0055] According to embodiments, the system comprises a further control system that is assigned to a further central control unit and that is located in spatial proximity to the further central control unit. The one parking space, at whose central control unit the driver arrives, comprises a room. The further central control unit restricts access to the room. The further control system includes an optical sensor for detecting a graphic code. The further control system includes an optical sensor for detecting the graphic code, which is present as a displayed digital image or as a printout. The further control system is designed to provide a code-based method for granting access to the room.

[0056] The code-based procedure involves the optical sensor of the additional control system reading the graphic code upon the driver's arrival at the additional control system. The additional control system, in conjunction with the parking space booking service, allows the driver access to the premises based on the graphic code.

[0057] For example, the driver can hold the graphic code (as a printout or on the display of his smartphone) in the detection range of the optical sensor of the additional control system, e.g. to gain access to a sanitary area of ​​the parking lot.

[0058] The steps described here for embodiments of the method also disclose properties of the corresponding system components according to embodiments of the inventive system. Conversely, the component properties described for these components of the system also disclose aspects of the method steps performed by them.

[0059] In a further aspect, the invention relates to a computer program product for access control to parking spaces. The computer program product can be stored, for example, on a non-volatile, distributed storage medium. The computer program product comprises a parking space booking service and at least one parking space booking app.

[0060] The parking space booking service includes a register. This register stores user profiles of multiple registered drivers and data records of multiple registered parking lots, each with one or more parking spaces. Each parking lot contains one or more access control devices (hereinafter referred to as "access control devices"). The register of the parking space booking service uniquely assigns each of the access control devices a control system located in close proximity to the access control device.

[0061] The pitch booking app is designed to: Receiving a contactless near-field signal from one of the control systems upon arrival of a driver whose driver ID is stored in the parking space booking app at one of the ZKVs, wherein the contactless near-field signal contains a ZKV identifier of the one ZKV; Sending a message with the received ZKV identifier and the driver ID of the driver to the parking space booking service via a network;

[0062] The pitch booking service is trained to: Check whether the driver identified by the driver ID has a valid booking for one of the parking spaces in the parking area containing the ZKV identified by the ZKV identifier; only if a valid booking exists, send an access grant command to the control system assigned to the ZKV.

[0063] Depending on the design, the pitch booking app is designed to: in response to a message from the parking space booking service that a booking of one of the parking spaces for the one driver has been successfully made by the parking space booking app or by another application, generating a GUI with details of the booking;Displaying or activating a selectable GUI element in the GUI so that one driver can select the GUI element, wherein the display or activation of the selectable GUI element means that the driver is given the option of initiating the sending of a ZKV opening request to the parking space booking service by selecting the displayed or activated GUI element, wherein receipt of the ZKV opening request causes the parking space booking service to send the command to grant access to the control system, wherein the display or activation of the selectable GUI element only occurs when the parking space booking app receives the near-field signal with the ZKV identification of this ZKV upon reaching the ZKV; and sending the ZKV opening request to the parking space booking service in response to a selection of the GUI element by one driver.

[0064] For example, the ZKV opening request can be the message that sends the ZKV identifier and the driver ID received from the booking app to the parking space booking service. If a valid booking exists, this ZKV opening request triggers the sending of the command to grant access from the parking space booking service to the control system, and the sending of the control command to grant access from the control system to the ZKV.

[0065] In some embodiments, selecting this GUI element can also trigger the sending of a ZKV opening request to the booking service outside the immediate vicinity of the control system. However, since no near-field signal was received in this case, this ZKV opening request does not contain the ZKV identifier. In this case, it is an "incomplete" ZKV opening request to the booking service. While this can be evaluated if necessary, e.g., with regard to whether a booking is still valid, it cannot lead to the booking service opening the ZKV via its associated control system, since the incomplete request does not contain the ZKV identifier.

[0066] These features can be advantageous because they prevent a driver who is not yet in close proximity and thus out of sight of the ZKV from opening the ZKV. In particular, if the control command causes the automatic movement of larger objects, e.g. the swinging open or retracting of a gate or gate, there is a risk of injury to people who may be standing directly in front of the gate or who, for example, have put an arm or leg through the relatively movable bars of a gate. The following implementation variants are encompassed by the concept of displaying or activating the selectable GUI element described above: According to one embodiment, the said selectable GUI element, the selection of which causes the ZKV opening request to be sent to the parking space booking service, is only generated and displayed on the GUI after receipt of the near-field signal (i.e., depending on the driver's position).The user cannot select the GUI element from a "remote" position because the GUI element is not displayed there.

[0067] According to another embodiment, the selectable GUI element, the selection of which triggers the sending of the ZKV opening request to the booking service, is generated and displayed on the GUI before the near-field signal is received, but is "grayed out" or otherwise marked as inactive. Selecting the inactive GUI element does not trigger any action on the part of the booking app. The user cannot select the GUI element from a "remote" position, as the GUI element is displayed there, but in an inactive form. When the booking app receives the near-field signal, the GUI element is activated, e.g., displayed in its default colors. Selecting such an activated GUI element triggers the sending of a ZKV opening request to the booking service.

[0068] According to a further embodiment, the said selectable GUI element, the selection of which triggers the sending of the ZKV opening request to the booking service, is generated before the near-field signal is received and displayed on the GUI in standard colors. Selecting this GUI element also triggers an action, e.g., sending an incomplete ZKV opening request to the booking service. However, the action triggered in this way does not cause the booking service to send a corresponding command to grant access to the ZKV control system. Only when the booking app receives the near-field signal does it generate a complete ZKV opening request, including the ZKV ID, which, after successful booking verification by the booking service, causes the booking service to send a corresponding command to the ZKV control unit.

[0069] In all three embodiments, the GUI element is only "active" in the sense that its selection causes the opening of the central locking system when the driver is in sufficient spatial proximity to the control system to receive the near-field signal.

[0070] Under a " Parking space" is understood below to mean an area within a parking lot that is used to park a vehicle of a specific type. Typically, a parking space area is only slightly larger than the typical size of the vehicle of that type. A parking space can be, for example, a car parking space or a truck parking space. Typically, individual parking spaces in a parking lot are not separated from one another by structural devices such as walls or doors. In some cases, however, it is possible for individual parking spaces (truck boxes) to be separated from neighboring parking spaces by walls or tarpaulins. Typically, access to a parking space is not restricted. In some embodiments, however, it is also possible for at least some of the parking spaces to have additional access barriers, including a parking space-specific central locking system with an assigned control system.

[0071] Under a "Parking" is understood below to mean an area on which one or more parking spaces are located. A parking lot has one or more entrances. Preferably, each entrance is provided with a central control system and a control system assigned to this central control system. According to preferred embodiments, the parking lot is protected from unauthorized access by mechanical measures, for example by fences, walls, doors and / or gates. In some cases, the protection of a parking lot is limited to the fact that access via paved paths necessarily passes a central control system with an appropriate control system. If the parking lot has a lot of public traffic, for example, it can be assumed that access to the parking lot via unpaved paths would be too conspicuous and is therefore avoided.

[0072] Under a "Server"This refers to a computer system that provides a service to other data processing devices over a network. The server can be a single computer or a computer network, such as a cloud system.

[0073] Under a "Access control device"(ZKV) is understood here to be a physical device that can exist in at least two states, wherein in an open state a person is granted access to an area protected by the ZKV and in a closed state the person is denied access. The ZKV can in particular be a door, a gate, a bollard, a gate or a locking mechanism within the aforementioned elements. Preferably the ZKV is connected to an energy source, e.g. a battery or another power source, so that after receiving a corresponding control command the ZKV can be automatically transferred from the open to the closed state or vice versa using the energy from the energy source. In some embodiments the ZKV or a substantial part of the ZKV moves mechanically during the state transition.For example, a sliding gate can move horizontally when opening or closing, a rolling gate can move horizontally or vertically, or a door can move by rotating the door leaf around its hinge. In these embodiments, it is particularly advantageous that the method implicitly ensures that the driver must be in close proximity to the central locking system to open the central locking system. In other embodiments, opening the central locking system only causes a locking mechanism to open, allowing the driver to open a door or gate manually.

[0074] Under a "Control system in close proximity to a central control unit""Proximity" is understood here to mean that the control system is located within a distance of less than 80 m, preferably less than 30 m, and in particular less than 5 m from the central control unit to which the control system is assigned. In particular, if the control system controls the central control unit assigned to it via radio command, spatial proximity means a distance between the central control unit and the control system of a maximum of the range of the radio signal.

[0075] Under a "Near-field signal"is understood to mean a signal, in particular an electromagnetic signal, e.g. a radio signal, which has a range of less than 100 m, preferably less than 50 m, e.g. less than 10 m. For example, it can be an electromagnetic signal that is limited to a defined area by obstacles that are opaque to the respective wavelength range, or whose strength is so weak after e.g. 100 m, 50 m or 10 m that it can no longer be detected by a sensor on the driver's mobile telecommunications device. The near-field signal can be, for example, an NFC signal in the narrower sense, or a Bluetooth signal or other signal forms with a suitable effective range.

[0076] The term "near field" here is not limited to the "reactive near field," meaning the area in the immediate vicinity of an antenna. The near field, as defined by embodiments of the invention, can also include the transition field ("Fresnel region") or the far field ("Fraunhofer region"), provided that opaque signal obstacles and / or the signal strength ensure that the signal range is less than 100 m, preferably less than 50 m.

[0077] Under a "Control system" This refers to an electronic device or electronic device component designed to send control commands to a central control unit assigned to the control system in order to control, i.e., "monitor," the central control unit with these control commands. The control system can transmit these commands to the respective central control unit via cable or wirelessly. Preferably, the detection is carried out wirelessly via radio signal.

[0078] Under a "App"This term refers to any application software (also known as an application program or application for short) that is executed on a mobile telecommunications device such as a smartphone, a notebook or a tablet computer and that typically provides a desired non-system-related functionality.

[0079] Under a "Driver ID" This refers to a data value or a combination of multiple data values ​​that is uniquely assigned to a driver and allows that driver to be identified among a multitude of other drivers. For example, the driver ID can be an alphanumeric value that is uniquely assigned to each driver registered with the parking space booking service. The driver ID can, for example, be a random value or a combination of first name and last name and, if applicable, other driver-related attributes such as place of birth or date of birth.

[0080] Under a "ZKV identifier" is understood here as a data value or a combination of multiple data values ​​that is uniquely assigned to a ZKV and allows this one ZKV to be identified within a multitude of other ZKVs. For example, the ZKV identifier can be an alphanumeric value that is uniquely assigned to each ZKV and / or each control system assigned to this ZKV during the registration of this ZKV or during the registration of this control system with the pitch booking service. The ZKV identifier can be a random value or a value derived from a hardware component of the ZKV or a hardware component of the control system assigned to it.

[0081] The term "NFC"Near Field Communication (NFC) is an international transmission standard based on RFID technology for the contactless exchange of data via electromagnetic induction using loosely coupled coils over short distances of a few centimeters. The maximum data transmission rate of this standard is currently 424 kbit / s. Transmission is either connectionless (with passive HF RFID tags according to ISO / IEC 14443 or ISO / IEC 15693) or connected (between equivalent active transmitters). The minimum security functions of the NFC standard are also integrated into the hardware of some mobile telecommunications devices. Qualifications of implemented devices according to ISO / IEC 15408 have not yet been published. The corresponding international standards, some of which are still under development, include ISO / IEC 13157, 16353, 22536, and 28361.

[0082] The term "NFC Signal"refers to a signal that is specified and transmitted according to the NFC standard. Therefore, not every near-field signal within the meaning of the invention is necessarily an NFC signal.

[0083] Under a "iBeacon signal"This refers to a signal emitted by a control system in accordance with the iBeacon standard. The iBeacon standard is a proprietary standard for indoor localization introduced by Apple in 2013. The standard is based on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and is supported by Apple's iOS operating system from iOS 7 onwards and by the Android operating system from Android version 4.3 onwards. The standard can therefore be used by the iPhone 4s, iPad (third generation) and iPod Touch (fifth generation) as well as current Android devices. Such mobile telecommunications devices can therefore receive an iBeacon signal, which is emitted continuously or repeatedly at short intervals by a control system, from the driver's mobile telecommunications device that supports the iBeacon standard.The received iBeacon signal is analyzed by the parking space booking app and the ZKV identifier specified therein is read out in order to transmit it, together with a driver ID that can be stored, for example, in the local instance of the parking space booking app, to the parking space booking service via the mobile network. Short description of the drawing

[0084] Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawing. In the drawing, Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of an access control system according to one embodiment; Fig. 2 shows a block diagram with further components of the access control system, with a focus on a first central access control system; Fig. 3 shows a block diagram with further components of the access control system, with a focus on a further central access control system; Fig. 4 shows a display of a mobile telecommunications device; Fig. 5 shows an exemplary flow diagram of an embodiment of the method according to the invention; Fig. 6 shows a photo of a prototype of components of a control system; Fig. 7 shows a photo of a door handle that can be controlled by radio commands.

[0085] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of an access control system 100 according to one embodiment. Figure 4 shows an exemplary flow diagram of an embodiment of the method according to the invention. In the following, the method steps illustrated in Figure 4 are to be explained with reference to the Figure 1The system components shown are described. The procedure according to Figure 4 However, it can also be carried out by other embodiments of the system.

[0086] In a first step 402, a server with a parking space booking service is provided. For example, the operators or owners of parking spaces can register these parking spaces and the spaces available therein with a central parking space booking service 130. During the registration process, at least each parking space 102, and according to some embodiments, each parking space 104-110, is assigned a unique identifier and stored in a register 131. The identifiers are stored on an electronic storage medium, for example, in a relational database managed by the service 130.

[0087] In embodiments in which individual parking spaces are also registered with the booking service, the parking space identifiers and parking space identifiers are stored in a linked manner so that it is possible to identify which parking space belongs to which parking space.

[0088] In other embodiments, only parking spaces with a specific number of bookable spaces are registered with the booking service, without individual IDs being assigned to the spaces in these parking spaces and / or without the drivers being assigned a specific space during the booking process. In this case, a booking is made for an unspecified space in the parking lot, and the booking process merely checks whether at least one space is still available. In this case, the booking is made for a parking lot and any space located therein; it does not include a unique assignment of a specific space to the driver.

[0089] In addition, additional data can be stored here, such as the times at which parking spaces are still available, the type of vehicle that can park in a space, whether restroom facilities or special security measures are available in the parking lot, etc. For example, shipping companies or businesses that have large parking lots for customers and delivery vehicles that are not used at night can register these parking spaces with the service. This can be done, for example, to generate revenue from the parking spaces even during unused times, especially at night.

[0090] According to one embodiment, drivers can register for the service. Drivers can, for example, independently first create a driver user account for a mobile parking space booking app 126 instantiated on the driver's smartphone, which is interoperable with the booking service 130. Immediately after creation within the local app, this account does not yet have access to the booking service. An invitation to activate the booking service is sent via a dispatcher of the company for which the driver drives. Alternatively, the parking lot operator can also send the driver an invitation to activate on behalf of a dispatcher, e.g., via a web interface of the booking service 130. Each invitation contains an activation code, which the driver must then independently enter at the appropriate point in the app (e.g., via another website of the parking space booking service) to activate the app.

[0091] According to other embodiments, the driver can register via a web interface of the service 130 or via the parking space booking app 126. During registration, each driver is assigned a unique driver ID, which is also stored by the service as part of the respective driver's user profile.

[0092] The registered parking spaces have at least one central control gate (CCV), for example, a gate at one entrance to the parking lot. Often, a parking lot even has several central control gates, for example, a main gate on one side of the parking lot and one or more secondary gates on other sides of the parking lot. Furthermore, additional central control gates can regulate access to buildings within the parking lot. To achieve full integration of the parking spaces into the booking service, a control system can be installed in close proximity to one or more of the parking lot's central control gates. This control system is configured to control the respective central control gate and thus monitor its status (open or closed). "Control" here implies that the control system can control, i.e., determine, the status, but does not imply that the control system can also record (sens) the current status. Depending on the central control gate or the central control gate used on site, the system may be configured to:Depending on the type of control system used, the control may include recording and taking into account the current status of the central control panel (CCP), but this does not have to be the case. Each central control panel (CCP) is assigned a unique identifier (CCP ID, CCP identifier). The CCP identifier can, for example, be stored in the control system that controls the respective central control panel (CCP). Furthermore, the CCP identifier is stored in the database managed by the server and, for example, linked to a parking space ID of the parking lot in which the central control panel is located. At least one of the control systems 112 installed in the registered parking spaces is configured to permanently or repeatedly (for example, once per second) transmit a near-field signal 133 containing an identifier of the central control panel 134 controlled by this control system 112 and in whose spatial proximity the control system is located.

[0093] In the next step 404, a booking of one of the parking spaces is made for one of the registered drivers. Figure 1In the example shown, a booking is made for parking space 104 in parking lot 102 for driver 101. For example, the booking can be made by driver 101 himself using the parking space booking app 126, or another person or driver 101 can use an optionally available booking website provided by the booking service over the Internet. The booking causes a corresponding data record to be stored in the database of booking service 130. This booking data record shows which registered driver has booked a parking space in one of the registered parking spaces and for which period. As shown above, the booking can clearly refer to a specific parking space, and the booking can mean that this parking space can no longer be booked by other drivers for the booking period. In other implementation variants, the booking only specifies the driver, the period, and the parking space.There's no booking of an individual parking space. Instead, the driver selects a free parking space on-site, and the booking service simply checks whether a free parking space is still available for the booking period.

[0094] When the driver 101 arrives at the near-field signal 134 of the parking lot 102 in which the booked parking space 104 is located, they are automatically within range of the near-field signal 133 transmitted by the control system 112. The booking app 126 on the smartphone 124 of the driver 101 receives the near-field signal 133 in step 408 and reads the near-field signal identifier specified therein. The received near-field signal can, for example, be a signal specified in the iBeacon standard. The fact that the booking app 126 can receive the signal 133 is proof that the driver 101 is actually in spatial proximity to the gate 134. To receive the signal 133, the driver does not need to leave the vehicle or move the vehicle to a specific position, as long as he or she remains within range of the near-field signal transmitter 133. A driver ID for driver 101 is stored in the booking app 126.

[0095] In response to receiving signal 133, booking app 126 generates a message containing both the ZKV identifier and the driver ID. This message is automatically transmitted to parking space booking service 130 via the internet 132 in step 410. This preferably occurs via a mobile radio connection between server 128 and mobile telecommunications device 124. Data exchange between app 126 and service 130 can occur via any interface. For example, data exchange can occur based on the REST API or comparable or similar interfaces, particularly those that use standardized procedures such as HTTP / S, URI, JSON, or XML.

[0096] In step 412, the parking space booking service 130 performs a check to determine whether a valid booking exists for the driver identified by the driver ID and for one of the parking spaces in the parking lot identified by the ZKV ID. For example, checking for a valid booking may also include checking whether the booking period includes the current time or is close to that time. To determine this, the service searches the booking records stored in the database. Figure 1 The booking records are shown in the left table, the assignment of various ZKV identifiers to parking space IDs in the right table.

[0097] If no valid booking exists, no command to grant access is sent from the booking service to the control system 112, as indicated in box 116. Optionally, however, a notification message can be sent to the booking app 126, from which the message was transmitted to the service, and displayed to the driver on the display of the telecommunications device 124. The notification message can, for example, contain further information about why the check resulted in a negative result. For example, there might be no booking at all, the booking period might not match the current time, etc.

[0098] If the service's check results in a valid check, the service sends a command to grant access to the control system 112 in step 414, which is assigned to the ZKV 134 whose ZKV identifier was included in the message to the service.

[0099] In response to receiving this command, the control system 112 sends a control command to the ZKV 134 assigned to it in step 418. For example, the control command can be in the form of a radio signal, and the ZKV 134 can have a corresponding radio receiver that correctly interprets the radio signal and converts it into a change in the state of the ZKV.

[0100] In response to receiving the control command, the central control unit 134 allows the driver 101 to access the parking space 102 in step 420. For example, the control command from the control system 112 can cause the central control unit 134, configured as a gate, to open automatically, so that the driver does not have to leave the vehicle. The driver then drives to the parking space 104 that was booked for him. For example, the driver may have been informed of the relevant booking details, including an identifier for the parking space 104, in various ways during the booking process, for example, by email or via the app 126.

[0101] According to one embodiment, a successful booking for a driver results in a selectable element, for example, a button labeled "Open," being displayed in the GUI of the driver's parking space booking app in connection with the booking. The button is only activated, i.e., selectable by the driver, when the driver's mobile telecommunications device or the parking space booking app instantiated on it receives the near-field signal containing the ZKV identifier of this ZKV upon reaching the ZKV. In this embodiment, the receipt of the near-field signal by the app does not automatically trigger the sending of a message containing the ZKV identifier specified in the near-field signal and the driver ID from the app to the server via the mobile network.Rather, in order to send this message, the driver must explicitly confirm by selecting the GUI element that the message will be sent to the server, which will ultimately result in the opening of the ZKV 134 if the check is successful.

[0102] According to some embodiments, after receiving the near-field signal 133, the parking space booking app 126 checks whether the ZKV identifier specified in the near-field signal is identical to one of one or more ZKV identifiers stored in the app as part of a booking data record associated with this booking. The selectable GUI element is only activated if the ZKV identifier of the near-field signal matches a ZKV identifier in the booking data record. This ensures that a driver who is at a ZKV in a parking space other than the parking space for which they booked the space cannot successfully open a ZKV in a distant parking space.

[0103] The method described here, however, requires the presence of a mobile network connection so that the booking app 126 can transmit the ZKV identifier and driver ID to the service via the mobile network. Preferably, the control system 112 additionally includes an optical sensor for detecting a graphic code in which the booking details are specified and which is available to the driver as a printout or digital image on the app. This allows the driver to gain access even without a mobile network if necessary. This alternative method is described in detail with reference to the embodiment shown in Figure 2 and can also be used according to embodiments of the invention in the Figure 1 system shown.

[0104] Larger parking lots, especially truck parking lots, often also contain additional rooms 120, for example, sanitary facilities. These are often also protected against unauthorized access. For example, access to the building 120 is protected by a further central control panel 136, here, for example, a door. The further central control panel 136 is monitored and controlled by a further control system 123, which is assigned to the further central control panel 136. A method by which the driver 101 can gain access to the building 120 according to embodiments of the invention is described with reference to Figures 2 and 3 described in more detail.

[0105] Figure 2 shows a block diagram with further components of the access control system with a focus on a first ZKV 134. The first ZKV can, for example, be a ZKV that is structurally and / or functionally similar to the ZKV from Figure 1 corresponds.

[0106] In the Figure 2 In the example shown, the near-field signal can, for example, be a radio signal based on the iBeacon standard. The iBeacon standard is based on a transmitter-receiver principle. For this purpose, small transmitters (beacons) are placed in the room as signal generators, which transmit signals at fixed time intervals. For example, a transmitter (beacon) is integrated into one or more control systems 112, 123 of a parking lot. If a receiver - e.g., a smartphone of driver 101 with an installed parking space booking app 126 configured to receive iBeacon signals - comes within range of a transmitter 134, the Universally Unique Identifier (UUID) of the transmitter, which is assigned here as the ZKV identifier of the ZKV controlled by the control system, can be identified and its signal strength measured.

[0107] IBeacons cannot collect or store user data themselves. They only transmit information about their own identity in the form of a (three-part) UUID as well as a major and a minor value. The advantage of this technology, in addition to its data economy (no tracking of drivers by the control systems), is its very low power consumption, which means it can also be used in battery-operated control systems. Current iBeacon modules achieve a range of up to 30 meters, so the near-field 133 signal is limited to the range of these iBeacon transmitters. Instead of the iBeacon standard, alternative standards can also be used, such as Eddystone, a standard published by Google in 2015, or the Alt Beacons from the manufacturer Radius Networks.

[0108] The UUID, major, and minor values ​​of the iBeacons of the control systems registered with the booking service can, for example, be configured so that only the UUID or the UUID together with the major value are identical for all registered control systems. Only the minor value, or the major value together with the minor value, differs from iBeacon to iBeacon. For example, the ZKV identifier can be specified only in the minor value or in a combination of the minor value and the major value. The minor and major values ​​can, for example, be numbers in the range from 0 to 65535.

[0109] The control system 112 is assigned to the gate 134 at the entrance to the parking lot 102. The control system 112 includes a transmitter module 213 that emits the near-field signal 133. The transmitter 213 can be configured, for example, as an iBeacon, and the signal 133 can contain the ZKV identifier of the gate 134. As soon as the driver 101 and their vehicle 103 have approached the gate 134 far enough for their smartphone 124 to receive the iBeacon signal and read the ZKV identifier specified therein, the GUI of the parking space booking app 126 displays an "Open" button to the driver 101. This gives the driver 101 the option of automatically opening the gate 134 by selecting this button without leaving the vehicle. Selecting the button causes the app 126 to send a message 220 with the ZKV identifier of the gate 134 and with a driver ID of the driver 101 to the server 128 with the parking space booking service.Message 220 is transmitted to the server via the mobile network.

[0110] As already described, the service checks whether a valid booking currently exists for one of the parking spaces in parking lot 102 and for driver 101. If this is the case, the service sends a command 207 to enable access to a receiver module 211 of control system 112. Command 207 is transmitted via the Internet. Command 207 is preferably transmitted via a network connection with guaranteed availability. Depending on the embodiment, this network connection can be wired (as indicated, for example, by interface 215) or based on a reliable mobile network (as indicated, for example, by GSM interface 214). This has the advantage that command 207 can be transmitted reliably even if the driver's mobile provider's network is currently unavailable.In Germany and other countries, the quality and availability of mobile network providers varies considerably across many regions. Often, only a portion of the mobile network providers operating on the market can guarantee a stable and sufficiently strong network in a specific geographical region.

[0111] After receiving command 207, according to one embodiment, the receiver module 211 causes a radio module 216, which is also part of the control system 112, to send a control command 210 in the form of a radio signal to the radio receiver 204 of the gate 134. Receipt of command 210 by the radio receiver causes it to automatically open the gate, thereby allowing access to the parking space 102. According to another embodiment, after receiving command 207, the receiver module 211 sends the control command 210 via cable to the central control unit.

[0112] According to some embodiments, a parking space includes one or more first control systems, each controlling access to the parking space by means of a first central access control (ZKV), and one or more second control systems, each controlling access to a space within the parking space by means of a second central access control (ZKV), wherein the first control systems send the control command 210 to their respective first central access control (ZKV) via cable, and wherein the second control systems send the control command 210 to their respective second central access control (ZKV) in the form of a radio signal. However, other embodiments are also possible, e.g., those in which the first control systems send the control command 210 to their respective first central access control (ZKV) via radio signal, and wherein the second control systems send the control command 210 to their respective second central access control (ZKV) via a wired network connection. Mixed forms are also possible.For example, some pairs of first control systems and first central locking systems of a particular parking lot can exchange data via wired connection, while others can exchange data wirelessly. Additionally or alternatively, some pairs of second control systems and second central locking systems of a particular parking lot can exchange data via wired connection, while others can exchange data wirelessly. If a door to a building or a gate to a parking lot already has a "buzzer," i.e., an electrical device built into the door frame with a remote control and electromagnetic lock release, which can be controlled via wired connection and emits a sound before the door is opened, wired data exchange can be selected, for example.

[0113] The sequence of the various signals, messages, and commands 133, 220, 207, and 210 has been described here under the assumption that a cellular connection is available near parking space 102. However, this is not always the case.

[0114] To ensure that the driver can access the parking space even if no mobile network is available, the control system 112 additionally includes an optical sensor 212, for example, a camera. If no network is available, the driver holds a printout with a graphic code 222 within the camera's optical detection range. Instead of the printout, the display of the mobile telecommunications device 124, on which the graphic code is displayed, can also be placed within the camera's detection range. The code 222 detected by the optical sensor is sent from the control system 112 to the server 128 via the interface 214 or 215, i.e., via a network connection with assured availability. The code 222 also contains the ZKV identifier and the driver ID or a reference to these data. Thus, the parking space booking service 130 can perform the check based on the graphic code 222 in the same way as based on the message 220.The data transmission channel of the code from the display of the smartphone 124 via the receiver module 211 of the control system 112 to the server 128 is shown with dashed arrows and represents an alternative data transmission channel that is always available, even if the mobile network normally used by the driver's smartphone for data exchange is not available. The steps following the check for transmitting the commands 207, 210 proceed in the same way as already described for the case of availability of a mobile network.

[0115] In any case, the driver must prove that he or she is in the spatial proximity of the gate in order to open it. This verification is achieved either by reading the ZKV identifier from the near-field signal 133 and transmitting it in the form of message 220, or by placing the graphic code within the detection range of the optical sensor 212 so that the code or the data specified therein can be transmitted from the control system to the server.

[0116] Control systems that include both a transmitter 213 for the near-field signal 133 and an optical scanner 212 are preferably used at least to control those central locking systems (CCSs) that regulate access to the parking lot. Here, it is particularly advantageous that the driver does not have to leave the vehicle to release the access restriction. Often, additional control systems 123 can be present in a parking lot, which, for example, control the central locking systems (CCSs) of individual rooms 120. Since the driver has typically already left the vehicle to enter these rooms, these control systems do not necessarily have to include a transmitter module for a near-field signal. In some embodiments, such an additional control system can also include just an optical sensor 212, which grants the driver access to the room based on a method that has already been implemented for the control unit 112 orthe optical sensor 212 was described.

[0117] Figure 3 shows a block diagram with further components of the already mentioned Figure 1 System 100 for access control shown. The focus of Figure 3 is located on a further central control unit 136 and a further control system 123, which is assigned to and controls the central control unit 136. The further central control unit 136 is a door through which a driver can gain access to a building, for example, to a sanitary area. The door can, for example, include a handle 202, the state of which (open or closed, or manually openable or not manually openable) can be controlled by the further control system 123 via radio signal.

[0118] The further control system 123 includes a receiver module 211 and a radio module 216, which functionally corresponds to the corresponding modules of the control system 112 and is designed to perform the functions described with regard to the control system 112.

[0119] The Figure 3The further control system shown does not include a transmitter module 213 for transmitting a near-field signal 133. However, the driver can gain access to the premises 120 using the graphic code 222. Additionally or alternatively, the driver can gain access to the premises 120 by sending a request to open the door 136 to the booking service 130 on a GUI of the booking app 126 by selecting a corresponding GUI element of the app 126 (e.g., "Open"), e.g., via a cellular connection of the driver's smartphone 124. The booking service 130 is configured to grant a driver who has effectively booked a parking space in a parking lot access to the premises 120 upon request during the booking time. In response to receiving the request, the service checks whether a booking for the parking space exists and, if so, sends a command to the control system 123 to allow access.In response to receiving this command, the control system 124 sends a command to the door 123 that causes the door to allow the driver access. For example, the command may cause the door to open automatically or release a locking mechanism, allowing the driver to open the door.

[0120] In other embodiments, however, the further control system 123 may also include a transmitter module 213, so that the driver has both options for gaining access.

[0121] Preferably, the receiver module 211 and the radio module 216 are connected to each other via a potential-free interface. This facilitates the subsequent installation of a control system for an existing door, because in the case of an existing door with a radio receiver of a certain type, it is particularly simple from a construction point of view to combine a transmitter 216 corresponding to the radio receiver 204 with the receiver module 211. The receiver module can thus work together with radio modules 216 of different types.

[0122] Figure 4 shows a mobile telecommunications device 124, for example, a smartphone, on whose display a GUI of the parking space booking app 126 is shown. A graphic code 222 in the form of a QR code, in which booking data is encoded, is displayed on the GUI.

[0123] Figure 6shows a photo of a prototype of components of a control system. The square box 211 corresponds to the receiver module. In the center of the receiver module is the optical sensor 212 in the form of a camera, with which a graphic code 222 can be captured. After receiving a command 207 to grant access or access, the receiver module can send a further command 208 to the radio module 216, thereby causing the radio module 216 to send a control command 210 in the form of a radio signal to a radio receiver 204 of the associated ZKV 136. This radio receiver can, for example, be part of a door handle (see Figure 7 ) or a cylinder lock can be a door.

[0124] Figure 7 shows a photo of a door handle 202 that can be controlled by radio commands 210. List of reference symbols

[0125] 100System 101Driver 102Parking space 103Vehicle 104Parking space 106Parking space 108Parking space 110Parking space 112Control system for ZKV 134 120Premises (building) 123Further control system 124Mobile telecommunications device 126Parking space booking app 128Server 130Parking space booking service 131Register 132Network 133Contactless near-field signal 134ZKV (gate for parking space access) 136Further ZKV (door) 202Handle 204Radio receiver of ZKV 206Building wall 207Command to grant access / access 210Control command 211Receiver module for command from server 212Optical sensor 213Near-field signal transmitter 133 214GSM interface 215Ethernet interface 216Radio module of control system 218Antenna of radio module 216 220Message with driver ID and ZKV identification 222Graphic code 402-420Steps

Claims

1. An access control method for car parks, comprising the steps of: - providing (402) a server (128) with a parking space booking service (130), wherein a plurality of drivers (101) and a plurality of car parks (102) each with one to a plurality of parking spaces (104-110) are registered with the parking space booking service, wherein each car park includes one or more access control devices (134, 136) - hereinafter referred to as "ACDs" - wherein the parking space booking service uniquely assigns to each of the ACDs a control system (112, 123) located in spatial proximity to the ACD, wherein at least some of the control systems are in each case configured to permanently or repeatedly emit a contactless near-field signal (133), wherein the contactless near-field signal includes an ACD identifier of the ACD (134, 136) assigned to the control system, wherein the control systems each include an optical sensor (212) for detecting a graphic code (222) and are configured to provide an alternative method of access control for the one car park based on the graphic code; - after successful booking of a parking space for the one driver: generating the graphic code (222) by the parking space booking service or by the parking space booking app, wherein the graphic code contains booking data or a reference to the booking data in coded form; and providing this graphic code (222) to the driver in the form of a printout or a digital image that may be displayed via the parking space booking app; - on arrival of one of the drivers at an ACD of one of the car parks, provided that a connection of a mobile telecommunications device (124) of the one driver (101) to the mobile network is possible in the area of the car park: • receiving (408), by an instance (126) of the parking space booking app on the mobile telecommunications device (124), of one of the contactlessly transmitted near-field signals (133) with the identifier from the control system (112) associated with this one ACD; • sending (410) the received ACD identifier and a driver ID of the driver from the parking space booking app to the parking space booking service via a network (132); • checking (412), by the parking space booking service, whether there is a valid booking for the driver identified by the driver ID for one of the parking spaces of the car park that contains the ACD identified by the ACD identifier; • only if there is a valid booking, sending (414) a granting-of-access command from the parking space booking service to the control system; • in response to receiving the granting-of-access command, sending (416) a control command from the control system to its associated ACD (134) to cause the ACD to allow access to the car park; - when one of the drivers arrives at the ACD, even if it is not possible to connect the mobile telecommunications device to the mobile network in the car park area: • detecting the graphic code by the optical sensor and enabling access for the driver to the one car park depending on the graphic code, wherein the enabling of access in dependence on the detected graphic code comprises: - sending the detected graphic code from the optical sensor via a network to the parking space booking service; - checking, by the parking space booking service, whether a booking specified in the graphic code or identified by the graphic code is valid for this one driver; - only if there is a valid booking, sending a granting-of-access command from the parking space booking service to the control system; - in response to receiving the granting-of-access command, sending a control command from the control system to the ACD associated with it (134) to cause the ACD to allow access to the car park.

2. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising the step of: - using (404) a parking space booking app (126) or a web application to book one of the parking spaces for one of the registered drivers.

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one car park, at an ACD of which the driver arrives, comprises a further ACD (136) which restricts access to a space (120) within the car park, wherein the further ACD is assigned a further control system (123) and is mounted in spatial proximity to the further ACD, wherein the further control system includes an optical sensor for detecting a graphic code, wherein the further control system is configured to provide a code-based method for granting access to the space, comprising the step of: - on arrival of the driver at the further control system: detecting the graphic code by the optical sensor of the further control system and allowing the driver to enter the space depending on the graphic code.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, - wherein each of the control systems comprises a network interface (214, 215) for transmitting data, in particular the graphic code, via a network connection with secure availability to the parking space booking service and for receiving granting-of-access and / or granting-of-entry commands from the parking space booking service; and / or - wherein each of the control systems comprises a contactless interface, in particular a radio interface, for sending control commands to the respective ACD associated with the control system.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the near-field signal is selected from a group comprising a radio signal, a signal transmitted via WLAN, a Bluetooth signal, an NFC signal, an RFID signal, an iBeacon signal; and / or wherein the range of the near-field signal is shorter than 30 m.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one car park is a lorry car park, and wherein the driver is the driver of a lorry.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more access control devices are selected from a group comprising: - a door, - a gate - a door locking mechanism, - a gate locking mechanism, - a retractable bollard, - a combination of a plurality of elements from this group.

8. An access control system for car parks, comprising: - a server (128) with a parking space booking service (130), wherein a plurality of drivers (101) and a plurality of car parks (102) each with one to a plurality of parking spaces (104-110) are registered with the parking space booking service, wherein each car park includes one or more access control devices (134, 136) - hereinafter referred to as "ACDs" - wherein the parking space booking service uniquely assigns to each of the ACDs a control system (112, 123) located in spatial proximity to the ACD, wherein at least some of the control systems are in each case configured to permanently or repeatedly emit a contactless near-field signal (133), wherein the contactless near-field signal includes an ACD identifier of the ACD (134, 136) assigned to the control system, wherein the parking space booking service or a parking space booking app interoperable with the parking space booking service is configured, after successful booking of a parking space, to generate a graphic code (222) for one of the drivers, wherein the graphic code contains booking data or a reference to the booking data in coded form and is configured to provide this graphic code (222) to the one driver in the form of a printout or a digital image that may be displayed via the parking space booking app; • a (112) control system, wherein the control system includes an optical sensor (212) for detecting the graphic code (222) to enable an alternative method for controlling access to the one car park which is also executable in the event that a mobile telecommunications device of the one driver is unable to be connected to the mobile network in the area of the one car park, wherein the alternative method comprises: on arrival of the one driver at an ACD located in spatial proximity to the control system, detecting the graphic code by the optical sensor and enabling access for the driver to the one car park in dependence on the graphic code, wherein the enabling of access in dependence on the detected graphic code comprises: - sending the detected graphic code from the optical sensor via a network to the parking space booking service; - checking, by the parking space booking service, whether a booking specified in the graphic code or identified by the graphic code is valid for this one driver; - only if there is a valid booking, sending a granting-of-access command from the parking space booking service to the control system; - in response to receiving the granting-of-access command, sending a control command from the control system to the ACD associated with it (134) to cause the ACD to allow access to the car park; - the mobile telecommunications of the one driver, wherein the mobile telecommunications device includes an instance of the parking space booking app, wherein the parking space booking app is configured to carry out the following method if a connection to the mobile network is possible in the area of the car park: • receiving one of the contactlessly transmitted near-field signals (133) from the one (112) control system on arrival of the one driver at the one ACD, wherein the contactlessly transmitted near-field signal includes an ACD identifier of the one ACD; • sending the received ACD identifier and a driver ID of the driver to the parking space booking service via a network (132) ; wherein the parking space booking service is configured to: • check whether there is a valid booking for the driver identified by the driver ID for one of the parking spaces of the car park that contains the ACD identified by the ACD identifier; • only if there is a valid booking, sending a granting-of-access command to the one control system; wherein the parking space booking service is further configured to: • receive the detected graphic code from the optical sensor via a network; • check whether a booking specified in the graphic code or identified by the graphic code is valid for this one driver; • only if there is a valid booking, sending a granting-of-access command to the one control system; wherein the one control system is configured: • in response to receiving the granting-of-access command, to send a control command from the control system to the ACD associated with it (134) to cause the ACD to allow access to the car park.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein each of the control systems comprises a contactless interface, in particular a radio interface, for sending control commands to the respective ACD associated with the control system.

10. The system according to any one of claims 8-9, further comprising a further control system (123) which is assigned to a further ACD (136) and which is located in spatial proximity to the further ACD, wherein the one car park, at an ACD of which the driver arrives, comprises a space (120) and the further ACD restricts access to the space, wherein the further control system includes an optical sensor for detecting a graphic code, wherein the further control system includes an optical sensor for detecting the graphic code, which is present as a displayed digital image or as a printout.

11. A computer program product for granting access to car parks, comprising: - a parking space booking service (130) with a register (131), wherein user profiles of a plurality of registered drivers (101) and data records of a plurality of registered car parks (102) each with one to a plurality of parking spaces (104-110) are stored in the register of user profiles, wherein each car park includes one or more access control devices (134, 136) - hereinafter referred to as "ACDs" - wherein the register of the parking space booking service uniquely assigns to each of the ACDs a control system (112, 123) located in spatial proximity to the ACD, - a parking space booking app, wherein the parking space booking service or the parking space booking app is configured, after successful booking of a parking space, to generate a graphic code (222) for one of the drivers, wherein the graphic code contains booking data or a reference to the booking data in coded form and is configured to provide this graphic code (222) to the one driver in the form of a printout or a digital image that may be displayed via the parking space booking app; wherein the parking space booking app is configured to carry out the following method if a connection is able to be made to the mobile network in the area of the car park: • on arrival of the one driver at an ACD of one of the parking spaces, receiving (408) a contactlessly transmitted near-field signal (133) from the control system (112) associated with this ACD, wherein a driver ID of the one driver is stored in the parking space booking app, wherein the contactlessly transmitted near-field signal includes an ACD identifier of the one ACD; • sending a message (220) with the received ACD identifier and the driver ID of the driver to the parking space booking service via a network (132); wherein the parking space booking service is configured to: • check whether there is a valid booking for the driver identified by the driver ID for one of the parking spaces of the car park that contains the ACD identified by the ACD identifier; • only if there is a valid booking, send a granting-of-access command to the control system assigned to the one ACD; - wherein the parking space booking app is configured to display the graphic code for carrying out an alternative method for access control for the one parking space, which alternative method is also executable if no connection to the mobile network is possible in the area of the parking space; wherein the parking space booking service is further configured to: • receive the graphic code detected by the optical sensor via a network; • check whether a booking specified in the graphic code or identified by the graphic code is valid for this one driver; • only if there is a valid booking, send a granting-of-access command to the one control system - machine-executable instructions of the one control system, wherein the enabling of the access in dependence on the detected graphic code by the control system comprises: • sending the detected graphic code from the optical sensor via a network to the parking space booking service; • receiving a granting-of-access command from the parking space booking service by the control system if a valid booking has been made; • in response to receiving the granting-of-access command, sending a control command from the control system to the ACD associated with it (134) to cause the ACD to allow access to the car park.

12. The computer program product according to claim 11, wherein the parking space booking app is configured to: - in response to a message from the parking space booking service that a booking of one of the parking spaces has been successfully made for the one driver from the parking space booking app or from another application, generating a GUI with details of the booking; - displaying or activating a selectable GUI element in the GUI such that the one driver may select the GUI element, wherein the display or activation of the selectable GUI element means that the driver is hereby given the possibility to cause the sending of an ACD opening request to the parking space booking service by selecting the displayed or activated GUI element, wherein the receipt of the ACD opening request causes the parking space booking service to initiate the granting-of-access command to the control system, wherein the display or activation of the selectable GUI element only takes place when the parking space booking app receives the near-field signal with the ACD identifier of this ACD when the ACD is reached; and - sending the ACD opening request in response to a selection of the GUI element by the one driver.