Parking Gate Wireless Communication via Remote Server

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gated parking facilities face challenges with unreliable Wi-Fi and cellular wireless communication due to their concrete and metal construction, requiring hardwiring to an onsite server for power and internet connectivity, which is costly and requires preplanning during facility construction.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle authorization system that uses a remote server positioned offsite, communicating with a gate controller via an ultra-wide band or long range wide area network protocol, minimizing interference from construction materials and eliminating the need for hardwiring, allowing for robust wireless communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hardwired communication is used between gate assembly and server, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical hardwired communication system with a wireless communication system using Wi-Fi and cellular protocols. The gate controller and server communicate through wireless signals transmitted via antennas, eliminating the need for physical cable installations between components while maintaining communication functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the server from the gate assembly location and places it in a remote location. The server is no longer physically coupled to the gate controller through hardwired connections, but instead communicates wirelessly over distance, separating the components while maintaining their functional relationship.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Speed

If server is positioned onsite, then communication speed is improved, but loss of substance increases due to cabling requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication speedVSAvoidcable material

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes mechanical cable-based communication with electromagnetic wireless communication. Data transmitted between the gate controller and server travels through air as radio waves rather than through physical cables, eliminating material loss associated with cable installation and degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If wireless communication is used in parking facility, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to construction materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidwireless communication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces antennas as intermediary components that facilitate wireless communication between the gate controller and server. The antennas are strategically positioned to optimize signal transmission through or around construction materials like concrete and metal, acting as mediators that overcome the interfering effects of the parking facility structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional planar communication (through cables laid on surfaces) to three-dimensional spatial communication (wireless signals propagating through space). This dimensional change allows signals to bypass physical obstacles rather than being constrained to surface-level pathways blocked by construction materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables reliable and uninterrupted wireless communication between the gate controller and remote server, reducing construction complexities and costs, and providing efficient access control for authorized vehicles without the need for onsite servers or extensive cabling.

Implementation Method 1

The gateway device is configured to transmit and receive the wireless long range signals using an ultra-wide band protocol or a long range wide area network protocol

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltra-wide band protocol:

Implementation Method 2

The gateway device is configured to transmit and receive the wireless long range signals using an ultra-wide band protocol or a long range wide area network protocol

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLong range wide area network protocol:

Data Source

PatentUS11842591B2Parking facility communication systems and methods

Publication Date: 2023.12.12 SPOTHERO INC

AI summary

Embodiments herein are directed a vehicle authorization system for a parking facility. The system includes a gate assembly and a communication system. The gate assembly includes a gate, a gate actuator configured to move the gate, and a gate controller that receives and transmits wireless long range signals. The gate controller is configured to actuate the gate actuator to move the gate. The communication system includes a remote server computing device that is positioned offsite of the parking facility and a gateway device positioned at the parking facility and communicatively coupled to the gate controller and to the remote server computing device. The remote server computing device provides the wireless long range signals to the gate controller via the gateway device such that a construction material of the parking facility and the housing of the gate assembly minimally interferes with the wireless long range signals.