Parking Guard - Central Management System

Central Management System
Ideal for multiple users such as hotels, and corporate business customers.
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INTRODUCTION

This package supplements multiple installations of ‘Parking Guard’, where a central control point must oversee the operation of several automated parking barrier units.

In the normal stand-alone configuration each Parking Guard unit is provided with two small key-ring transmitters that allow the parking barrier to be raised or lowered from within a vehicle. Each Parking guard is provided with a

unique combination number ensuring that only one barrier can be operated by either of the two key-ring sender units.

While this functionality is suitable for individual installations, there are many instances at commercial sites where it is useful for a single coordinator in a gatehouse or reception area can raise or lower a larger number of units. A typical

example of this is where several parking spots are reserved for visitors at a busy business site which is frequently occupied by unauthorised persons.

Where each visitor site has been fitted with a Parking Guard unit and a Parking Guard Management System has also been installed, a visitor can approach a corporate reception area, sign in, then have the receptionist make a parking bay available for them. When the visitor departs, the receptionist can then restore the parking site to a protected state. In this situation the visitor need not have any access to the standard key-ring sender unit.

This system can restore parking control to a central coordinator to ensure parking resources are being used in the most effective way.

It also acts as a powerful supplement to personalised parking areas so that the site may still be readily used if the driver has left their personal key-ring sender at home, or if another authorised driver must use the space while the primary occupant is on leave.

PHYSICAL LAYOUT OF THE SYSTEM

The Parking Guard Management System consists of A windows based software package that is installed in a standard PC desktop or notebook, which communicates through a 5 metre RS232 cable to a transmitter box with a small antenna. If the Parking Guards are in a reasonably close proximity to the control point, the transmitter box may be located next to the PC.

The PC requires an active RS232 port for this connection. As most late model computers are only provided with USB ports, this may require the addition of a common USB to RS232 adaptor. The distance between the PC and the sender box may be extended by up to 50 metres with an extension control cable. Longer cable runs of several hundred metres are attainable if a long-range RS422 data extender is used.

MAIN FEATURES OF THE PROGRAM

The Parking Guard Management Program is password protected to ensure that only authorized staff have access to the system.

Additionally, every time a parking barrier is raised or lowered using this package, a Time, Date and Unit Identity snapshot is taken and stored in an internal database. The log database may also be viewed using this Parking Guard program.

A single mouse click from the main screen will return the application to a secure password protected state.

The Main Screen shows a graphical representation of twenty Parking Guard units. Each position identifies the name and vehicle registration of the normal user. Positions may be temporarily blocked out by the operator which can be useful if the parking sites are leased on a weekly or monthly basis.

Up/Down buttons automatically appear

When the mouse cursor passes over a Parking Guard graphic, the Up Down activation buttons are revealed may be pressed to immediately lower or raise a Parking Guard barrier.

When the operator clicks on the User Name of any Parking Guard position, a customer Record screen opens up to reveal full details of that position.

Separate fields of information permit contact details of both the owner and user of the site to be stored. Alternate vehicle registration numbers may also be stored here for fast reference by the operator.

Other options selectable on this screen include automatic scheduled up-down operations of Parking Guard Units by Time, Date and Day of the week.

This feature accommodates situations where positions are automatically enabled at specific times when staff usually arrive at the workplace. Timed events are also logged by the Customer Activity Log.

CUSTOMER ACTIVITY LOG

This log may be viewed from the Main Operator page, but once a Parking Guard event has been recorded, it cannot be deleted or changed. When the database reaches one thousand such records, the Log File is backed up on the computer hard drive and a fresh blank database is automatically inserted.

It is important to note that this package only Sends and does not Receive, so where individuals use their key-ring senders from within their vehicles, this activity will not be recorded here. This sample data shows the format of information logged in the internal database. All Information retained by the program is stored in a standard Microsoft Access file format.

BATTERY MANAGEMENT PAGE

Parking Guard units use an internal battery to assist with motor operation. While the Solar versions require little maintenance, the battery-only units require swapping with freshly charged units typically every three months.

A special Battery management page tracks battery maintenance history of the various types of Parking Guard and will generate automatic reminder messages when battery servicing is due. If a battery is due to be replaced or re-charged, a battery attention symbol will appear over the corresponding Parking Guard picture

ADDITIONAL SENDER UNITS

Like the key-ring units, the Sender Box uses low power LIPD (Low Interference Potential Device) frequencies and requires no radio license. Where Parking Guards units are spread over a large area or multiple levels, more than one Sender Box may be connected to the system to increase the scope of the local Parking Guard network.

SUMMARY

The Parking Guard Management System has been developed to be very simple to use. All controls clearly identify their functions an no special operator training is required. This system is an important supplement to Parking Guard installations within both residential apartment complexes and commercial sites It will manage and protect parking space resources which are becoming increasingly valuable assets in busy urban and industrial environments.