TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to an automated access management system for vehicles entering or exiting a facility, and specifically to an automated parking system that utilizes Bluetooth low energy (BLE) technology.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The increasing demand for mobility within urban areas results in slow vehicle traffic flow and limited parking spaces. Large cities and urban centers are occupied by a large concentration of people and hence numerous vehicles. Traditional parking systems, such as manual toll stations and manually controlled terminals with manual payment systems, are often utilized to manage parking facilities. However, these systems are not time-efficient and require physical contact, both of which can greatly contribute to the slow traffic flow.

Manual control of parking terminals and contactless parking access are achieved with the use of state-of-the-art technologies such as radio frequency identification (RFID) cards, quick response (QR) codes, barcodes, and magnetic strip cards in granting entrance or exit to a parking facility.

However, transactions using RFID and other card-based parking systems are generally complicated because these still require the use of devices such as the user’s card, the card dispensers at the entrance lanes, and the card acceptors at the exit lanes. These moving parts make the entire system prone to breakdown and increase maintenance costs. Moreover, QR code-based and barcode-based systems typically require a certain distance from the scanner for the detection and reading of the displayed codes, making the transaction more complicated and slower as compared to card-based systems. Furthermore, parking systems of these types require the drivers to open their windows to initiate and complete a transaction. An average parking transaction using RFID cards may take a minimum of five (5) seconds.

Thus, there is a need to provide a more convenient, cost-efficient, and contactless parking system. Today, internet-based, or internet-enabled devices such as smartphones, computers, or other electronic devices are readily available to provide services by means of software. With the development of transportation and parking technologies, various systems of vehicle parking access and processing systems have been devised to systematically grant or deny access of a vehicle upon entering or exiting a facility using these smart devices.

One such technology, WO2016025513A1 (‘513), presents a facility access and payment processing system. The invention described in '513 comprises a parking facility server near a parking facility, a central authentication and payment processing server for authenticating and processing payments, a gate controller close to a barrier gate of the facility configured to receive user identification information via Bluetooth with an identification module, and a user computer device to relay the identification information to the parking facility server.

A disadvantage of using the system of ‘513 is the dependence on internet connectivity of the client device. This poses a problem when a vehicle enters or exits an area with poor internet connectivity such as parking facilities located at the basement of a building. Moreover, the system of ‘513 only provides communication between one user, a parking facility server proximate to the facility, and the centralized authentication and payment processing server remote to the facility in granting or denying entry or exit to the vehicle. It does not consider catering multiple users trying to enter or exit the same parking facility at a given time.

An improvement of the system of ‘513 will require an alternative to the internet in access control of parking systems. A potential alternative is using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons. Bluetooth, at least in its first version, was designed to communicate with Bluetooth devices within a 10-meter radius. Its successive versions were designed to communicate within at least a 20-meter radius. The inclusion of Bluetooth in ‘513 will allow for communication of devices within a wide detection range. A BLE beacon is a Bluetooth device configured for low data transfer rates and for sending small data packets. However, for this to work, the signal coming from BLE beacons must be modified because existing BLE beacons transmit omnidirectional radio waves which are detected within a 10-meter radius. Beam antennas are often used to convert omnidirectional radio waves into unidirectional radio waves while reducing interference from unwanted sources. However, such beam antennas are not configured to limit the transmission range of existing BLE beacons.

An average vehicle has an approximate length of 3 meters so the radio wave must only be detected once the vehicle is already about to enter or exit the parking facility because multiple vehicles may be trying to enter or exit the same parking facility at a given time. The signal coming from BLE beacons should be modified to limit its signal transmission and reception strength and for its omnidirectional radio waves to be converted into a unidirectional signal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to provide a fully contactless system and method for entering or exiting a facility by using wireless communication devices for generating transactions and verifying facility access requests.

The present invention also aims to provide a systematic automated parking system that limits communication with the facility terminal to one vehicle or client device at any given time.

The present invention further aims to provide an offline transaction mode for instances where internet connectivity is unavailable. In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for granting or denying entry or exit to a vehicle in a facility using a BLE device coupled with a beam antenna that transmits unidirectional signal to a vehicle or client device that is already directly in front of the facility terminal and receives a response signal from the client device according to a signal reception threshold.

In another aspect of the invention, the communication protocol between the facility terminal and an application program installed in a client device is modified to limit the communication to only one client device even if there is a plurality of other passengers or client devices inside the vehicle that is directly in front of the terminal.

In yet another aspect of the invention, an offline transaction mode is enabled both for the terminal and the client device using file encryption and synchronization.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Figure 1 is the isometric view of the system.

Figure 2 is the top-down view of the system with the vehicle.

Figure 3 is the system diagram of the system components.

Figure 4 is the server processes of the system components.

Figure 5 shows the process flow diagram of the system.

Figure 6 shows the entrance and exit facility terminal transaction process of the system.

Figure 7 shows the transaction process between the client device and the facility terminal of the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention described is an automated access and processing system 100 for vehicles entering or exiting a facility, as shown in Figure 1 . The system 100 is a contactless system that comprises at least one client device 200, at least one facility terminal 300, at least one control module 400, and a cloud-based server 500. As shown in Figure 2, the client device 200, which can be any mobile or computer hardware device, located inside a vehicle 101 further comprises a first set of instructions 203 stored in a first non-transitory computer-readable medium 202, wherein said first set of instructions 203 are executable in at least one first processor 201 of said client device 200. Said client device 200 is further configured to have wireless communication with the facility terminal 300 using a wireless communication module 204.

On the other hand, the facility terminal 300, preferably made of an electrostatic box, is installed in a structure 102, which can be a curb or any raised platform, adjacent to a vehicle lane 103, as shown in Figure 1 . As depicted in Figure 3, said facility terminal 300 houses a control module 400. The control module 400 further comprises a second set of instructions 403 stored in a second non-transitory computer-readable medium 402, wherein said second set of instructions 403 are executable in at least one second processor 401 of said control module 400. Moreover, said control module 400 is electrically connected to at least one sensor

301. a transceiver 302, and a beam antenna 303 affixed to said transceiver

302. The facility terminal 300 is further configured to have an opening on a side facing the vehicle lane 103 to accommodate the placement of the beam antenna

303. Furthermore, the wireless module 204 is operably communicating with the transceiver 302, thereby allowing wireless connection between the client device 200 and the facility terminal 300.

Moreover, the beam antenna 303 is further comprised of an enclosure 304. In addition, an automated barrier gate 104 installed in the structure 102 and located adjacent to the facility terminal 300 is connected to the control module 400. An image capturing device 105 is also operably wired to the control module 400, as well as an uninterruptible power source (UPS) 106, and a visual signal using light emitting diode (LED) 107.

In its preferred embodiment, the grant of entry or exit of the system 100 operates when the vehicle 101 is approaching via the vehicle lane 103 of the facility. The vehicle which contains a user operating the client device 200 passes around a magnetic or electromagnetic wave generated by the sensor 301. In its preferred embodiment, the sensor 301 is a magnetic loop detector.

In other embodiments the sensor 301 may be an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared sensor, a wireless magnetometer, a machine vision system, or any other sensors that may be used to detect vehicles.

In yet another embodiment, the sensor is a Bluetooth receiver configured to detect Bluetooth signals from client device 200 inside the approaching vehicle 101 . Upon detection of the client device 200 by the Bluetooth receiver or upon detection of the vehicle 101 by the sensor 301 , the control module 400 via the second set of instructions 403 actuates the transceiver 302, preferably a short-range and low- energy radio transceiver such as a BLE device, to generate or broadcast radio wave signals every second.

Typically, the BLE or Bluetooth beacon, as the preferred embodiment of the transceiver 302, refers to a device with an antenna or resonator that can produce a wireless signal when activated or powered containing a plurality of data that broadcasts its identifier (such as a universally unique identifier code) to nearby portable electronic device(s). The portable electronic devices perform actions when near the beacon. The wireless signal produced by the Bluetooth beacon is typically low power, and intended for transmission over short distances, preferably beamed at a certain direction up to a 3-meter distance. In some embodiments, a Bluetooth device can communicate within 10 meters and successive versions of Bluetooth increased the range up to 20 meters omnidirectionally. In another embodiment, the Bluetooth beacon may be used for an indoor positioning system for a parking facility, which helps the user determine the approximate location of an available parking lot within the facility.

Since the radio wave generated by the transceiver 302 is omnidirectional and can communicate with other devices from 3 meters or more, there needs to be a means for said omnidirectional radio waves to be unidirectional and be able to connect only with one device per instance. Thus, the beam antenna 303 affixed to the transceiver 302 acts as a waveguide converting the omnidirectional radio waves generated by the transceiver 302 into a unidirectional signal, effectively transmitting said unidirectional signal towards the client device 200. In its preferred embodiment, said beam antenna 303 is a horn-shaped antenna. In addition, the control module 400 is further configured to limit the power emitted by the transceiver 302 thereby setting only a minimum signal strength. This configuration effectively sets a predetermined transmission range A which will serve as a broadcasting area between the facility terminal 300 and the client device 200, approximately between 0 to 3 meters, wherein the beam antenna 303 is affixed to the opening of said facility terminal 300. Said predetermined transmission range A is within the vehicle lane 103.

Said control module 403 is further configured to limit the radio wave receiving power of the transceiver 302 thereby setting a signal reception threshold. With this configuration, only the client device 200 in the vehicle lane which is nearest to the facility terminal 300 and within the predetermined transmission range A can establish the wireless connection with said facility terminal 300. Furthermore, the beam antenna 303 is further comprised of the enclosure 304 which shields said beam antenna 303, transceiver 302, and the control module 400 from any and all radio noises or signal interferences. These interferences occur when electrical processes in the environment like thermal noise and radio frequency from nearby electronic devices are picked up by the transceiver 302. The interference can also occur whenever devices outside the predetermined transmission range A still detect the unidirectional signal due to its high sensitivity. With the use of enclosure 304, the signal interferences are thereby reduced while also preventing any omnidirectional signal generated by the transceiver 302 to leak elsewhere other than the beam antenna 303 - which is the designed radio wave frequency guide of the system 100. In another embodiment of the system 100, the beam antenna 303 continuously directs a unidirectional signal towards the predetermined transmission range A. Said system 100 no longer utilizes sensor 301 to detect the presence of the vehicle 101. Instead, as the vehicle 101 passes through or within the predetermined transmission range A, the client device 202 automatically detects the unidirectional signal. This is applicable to facilities wherein the installation of the sensor 301 is not feasible.

When the client device 200 enters within or passes through the predetermined transmission range A and detects the unidirectional signal from the facility terminal 300, this will prompt the wireless module 204 and transceiver 302 to establish a wireless communication with each other, preferably through encrypted Bluetooth communications. Initiated by the user, the client device 200 then sends a response signal from the first non-transitory computer-readable medium 202, said response signal is received within the signal reception threshold of the facility terminal 300. Said response signal comprises an encrypted access code and payload data carrying client information, client device information, and vehicle information, to establish a single transaction via the wireless module 204 and transceiver 302, based on a predetermined set of transaction rules. Said predetermined set of transaction rules further comprise a communication protocol which allows only one client device 200 to transact with the facility terminal 300 at a given time. Thus, the first client device 200 within the predetermined transmission range (preferably first in line among other vehicles trying to get access to or out of the facility) can establish the transaction, even if there are multiple devices within the vehicle 101 and/or multiple vehicles trying to establish connection with the facility terminal 300 that may or may not be within the predetermined transmission range. Response signals from other devices will then be ignored and considered as a failed transaction once the client device 200 is already recognized by the facility terminal 300. The access code and payload data will then be verified based on the databases stored in the first 202 and second non-transitory computer-readable medium 402 of the client device 200 and control module 400, respectively. As represented in Figure 4, a client database 205 and a facility operator database 206 are stored in the first non-transitory computer-readable medium 202. Said client database 205 maintains a plurality of client information and facility transactions, whereas the facility operator database 206 is for maintaining a plurality of facility operator information, facility transaction operations, and facility occupancy data. On the other hand, the second non-transitory computer-readable medium 402 stores a facility terminal database 404, said facility terminal database 404 is for maintaining a plurality of facility terminal information and transaction information. Based on the facility operator database 206 and the facility terminal database 404, the control module 400 is then configured to generate a facility revenue and occupancy report.

After the payload data has been verified, an image of the vehicle 101 and/or user may be taken by an image capturing device 105 (in its preferred embodiment, a machine vision system, or any digital imaging device and/or system in other embodiments), said payload data and/or image will then be recorded in the databases, together with a generated plurality of transaction details derived from a successful transaction. Said transaction details further comprise terminal information, date of transaction, and time of transaction. Having confirmed the transaction details, the barrier gate 104 will then be actuated by the control module 400 to allow the vehicle 101 with the user using the client device 200 which established the successful transaction to pass through.

Said facility in its preferred embodiment may be a controlled-access vehicle parking facility, storage, warehouse, lot, garage etc., that may be an open or enclosed, single-level, or multi-level area, intended for parking vehicles. In other embodiments, said facility can be a toll facility or any facility that may be a public or private controlled-access facility for which a toll or fee is assessed for passage and levied on users. The amount of the fee may vary by vehicle type, weight, or number of axles. The system 100 may be installed in the entrance or exit of said toll facility to grant or deny access to a road or highway on which the facility is situated.

In its preferred embodiment, the process of granting entry to the vehicle 101 with the user using the client device 200 which established the successful transaction is the same for the process of granting exit from the facility. As some facilities have limited to no access with internet connectivity, offline transactions using the system 100 via encrypted Bluetooth communication allow users to enter and leave facilities even if network connectivity is limited or not available for both the facility terminal 300 and the client device 200. User and terminal data are stored in the databases as encrypted files and said data are periodically updated when online connection is available. Thus, each transaction together with the data in the databases will be added to the encrypted files and will be stored to and synchronized with the cloud-based server 500 when online. This transaction further comprises the facility use duration and facility fee billed on the user for using the facility for parking the vehicle 101 based on a set of predetermined payment rules. The transaction will reflect on the databases if client device 200 or the facility terminal 300 is connected to the internet. Once the user in the vehicle 101 with the client device 200 exits the facility, the facility terminal 300 through its control module 400 will calculate the facility fee based on the facility use duration and the predetermined payment rules. Said client device 200 is configured to display and record the facility use duration and facility fee. Said client device 200 through its first non-transitory computer-readable medium 202 is further comprised of an electronic wallet configured to allow payment of the transaction.

The preferred embodiment of this invention is described in the above- mentioned detailed description. It is understood that those skilled in the art may conceive modifications and/or variations to the embodiment shown and described therein. Any such modifications or variations that fall within the purview of this description are intended to be included therein as well. Unless specifically noted, it is the intention of the inventors that the words and phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meanings to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art. The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment and best mode of the invention known to the applicant at the time of filing the application has been presented and is intended for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise form disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in the light of the above teachings.