WO2007066020A2

WO2007066020A2 - Method and system for managing a parking area for movable objects

Info

Publication number: WO2007066020A2
Application number: PCT/FR2006/002705
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roger Guzman; Patrice Keisermann
Original assignee: Rfid Systems
Priority date: 2005-12-09
Filing date: 2006-12-11
Publication date: 2007-06-14
Also published as: WO2007066020A3; FR2894704A1; FR2894704B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for managing a parking area consisting of a plurality of places (32) for parking subscriber objects (20) consisting in defining place allocation information by assigning a determined place to each subscriber object, in assigning an identification data item (Ii) to each subscriber object and in fixing a RFID label (10) to each subscriber object. According to said invention, the labels (10) are generally readable by means of a remote reader (12) whose communication range (Al, A2) covers the entire parking area, and managed places (32) are monitored by means of object sensors (16) devoid of a function for identifying a detected object. Said invention makes it possible to simplify detection and identification means and to provide a low-cost management system.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING A PARKING AREA OF MOBILE OBJECTS

In recent years, the significant development of the technology of electronic contactless tags ("contactless tags") or RFID tags ("Radio Erequency Identification"), has opened the way to various uses of these tags, in particular for the identification of people (electronic passport, access control, payment) or product identification for inventory management, tracking of goods during their distribution or collection, etc.

The present invention relates to an application of contactless labels to the management of a parking area for moving objects comprising a plurality of locations for parking said objects.

The present invention relates in particular to the management of a marina comprising a plurality of mooring locations.

A similar application has already been proposed by the French patent application ER 2 855 894. FIG. 1 illustrates the solution proposed by this patent application. We can see in this figure a pontoon comprising locations 4 receiving or intended to receive boats

2. Each boat 2 is equipped with a contactless electronic label 1 having its own identifier (identification number) and each location 4 has an identification and detection terminal 3 also having its own identifier and capable of reading a label in a communication perimeter 5 extending in the immediate vicinity of location 4.

The labels 1 periodically transmit their identifiers, in a pseudo-random manner and according to variable time intervals between each transmission. Terminal 3 which receives the identifier of a label transmits it to a central receiver 7, via relay cards 6, by adding its own identifier to it.

Thus, the detection of a label 1 by a terminal 3 makes it possible to locate the location 4 where the label is detected, by virtue of the identifier of the terminal and the fact that each terminal is assigned to the reading of an area corresponding to a mooring location.

The terminals 3 are also capable of detecting boats without a label, and for this purpose include infrared detection means. When a boat is detected by infrared, the terminal 3 concerned goes from a standby state to a listening position during a few minutes, before returning to the waking state. If a label 1 is present on the boat, the terminal exchanges data with the label via a first RF communication channel, and the information read in the label is transmitted to relay cards 6 via a second RF communication channel, up to 'to the central receiver 7. The latter centralizes the data received and determines the different locations occupied by boats 2.

As each label 1 can be indifferently recognized by each of the terminals 3, a boat 2 can occupy any location 4 equipped with a terminal 3.

In summary, this system according to the prior art is suitable for port management in which a boat 2 can occupy any location 4, the locations 4 being interchangeable.

Although efficient in theory, such a management system has the main drawback of being very costly to implement. Indeed, the identification and detection terminals are nothing other than RFΣD readers combined with infrared proximity detectors. However, such readers are very high cost, compared to that of RFH labels), to which is added the cost of the infrared detector. Given the number of terminals to be provided, the cost of the system quickly becomes prohibitive.

This system according to the prior art is also complex because it is designed to determine whether a boat 2 occupies one or more locations 4, for example if a boat is too large for a single location or if the boat has been placed incorrectly in a single location 4 To this end, each terminal 3 transmits to the central receiver 7 the level of reception of the signal transmitted by the label. As a function of the value of this level of the signal, the central receiver 7 determines whether the boat 2 is correctly positioned on the location 4 associated with the terminal having detected the presence of a boat 2.

Another disadvantage of this system according to the prior art is that the detection of a boat by infrared is difficult to implement in a maritime environment. As is moreover specified in application FR 2 855 894, such detection requires a light filter, a deflector, means for suppressing saturation of the detector in the infrared and means for masking the reflection on boats. of the infrared beam modulated by the white noise of the sun. In addition, bad weather and spray deposit dirt on the infrared emission head which affects the proper functioning of the detectors. Thus, the present invention relates to a system for managing a parking area for mobile objects which is less costly to implement, while making it possible to ensure effective management of the parking area.

To achieve this objective, the present invention is based on the premise that, in most applications of the aforementioned type, the locations occupied by mobile objects are not freely interchangeable. Indeed, objects provided with contactless labels are generally subscribed objects and subscribed objects are generally assigned a fixed location.

Another postulate of the invention is that, since subscribed objects are allocated a determined location, there is information for allocating locations which can be used to simplify the structure of the means for identifying and locating subscribed objects.

Thus, yet another assumption on which the present invention is based is that the management of a parking area for moving objects can be satisfactorily ensured by correlating the following essential information:

1) information on the presence or absence of the subscribed object within the parking area, based on an identification of the object without any notion of location of the place where it is located,

2) information on the presence or absence of an object at the location allocated to the subscribed object, without any notion of identification of the object detected at this location, and

3) allocation information for the above-mentioned locations.

By correlating these three pieces of information, one can know with a reasonably low risk of error if the subscribed object is present at the location which has been allocated to it. In addition, the essential needs expressed by potential users are:

1) to be able to identify and locate subscribed objects present in the parking area,

2) to be able to detect non-subscribed objects occupying a location without having declared themselves (so-called "pirate" objects), and

3) to be able to detect subscribed objects parked for long periods of time without being used (so-called "suction cups" objects).

In the light of these postulates and observations, the present invention thus proposes:

- to carry out a global reading of the labels present on all the park area by means of a single RFID reader (or, at the very least, a reduced number of readers) in order to identify subscriber objects present without locating the locations they occupy,

- to carry out only a simple detection of the presence of objects on the locations to be managed, in order to obtain information on the occupation of locations without identifying the objects present at the locations concerned,

- to correlate the identification data read in the labels, the location occupancy information, and the location allocation information, to identify and locate with a reasonably low risk of error the subscribed objects and the presumed objects not subscribed.

Another idea of the present invention is to detect the presence of boats on the mooring places by means of ultrasonic sensors, little sensitive to atmospheric conditions and spray, subject to certain modifications appropriate to the maritime environment and which will be described later. .

Yet another idea of the present invention is to provide an RFID tag, transponder or tag, connected to a sensor, in particular one. ultrasonic sensor, for attaching to identification data sent by the label information representative of the value of the detection signal supplied by the sensor.

More particularly, the present invention provides a method of managing a parking area comprising a plurality of locations for parking subscribed objects and non-subscribed objects, comprising steps consisting in defining allocation information for locations by assigning a specific location to each subscriber object, assigning identification data to each subscribed object, fixing an RFID tag on each subscribed object in which the identification data assigned to the subscribed object is stored, reading the labels present in the parking area, to obtain the identification data present in the labels, monitor the locations to be managed, to obtain information on the occupation of locations, and in which the reading of the labels present in the parking area is carried out globally by means of a long-range reader having a communication perimeter covering the entire area of pa rcage and providing identification data not including location information of the precise locations where the labels read are located, and in that the monitoring of the locations to be managed is carried out with object detectors having no function object identification detected and providing location occupancy information including location identification data that does not include identification data of objects detected at the locations.

According to one embodiment, the method comprises a step consisting in correlating the identification data read from the electronic tags, the location occupation information, and the location allocation information, in order to identify and locate objects. subscribers and presumed unsubscribed objects.

According to one embodiment, the detection of objects is carried out by means of ultrasonic sensors providing an object detection signal.

According to one embodiment, the sensors are arranged to present a flattened detection field.

According to one embodiment, the sensors are arranged to provide a detection signal with two all-or-nothing states.

According to one embodiment, a radio transmitter is associated with the sensor to transmit data identifying the location and location occupancy information representative of the value of a detection signal supplied by the sensor.

According to one embodiment, an RFΣD transponder equipped with an input for reading the detection signal supplied by the sensor is used as radio transmitter. The transponder is configured to include the location occupation information in a message. identification including the identification data of the location.

According to one embodiment, the reader used to read the labels is also used to read the messages sent by the transponders associated with the object detectors.

According to one embodiment, the object detectors are cyclically activated and deactivated and the occupancy information provided by each ultrasonic sensor during an activation period is memorized during deactivation periods, in a storage circuit whose output is applied to the radio transmitter associated with the sensor.

According to one embodiment, the objects are boats and the locations are moorings.

According to one embodiment, the object detectors are arranged at the edge of the quay and have a flattened detection field and oriented horizontally in a plane located at a determined height relative to the surface of the water, so as not to detect the presence of waves. The invention also relates to a parking area management system comprising a plurality of locations for parking subscribed and non-subscribed objects, comprising a central device for computer management of the parking area, in which are stored location allocation information defining for each subscribed object a determined location, and identification data assigned to the subscribed objects, a plurality of RFID tags, each tag being arranged on one of the subscribed objects and storing the identification data allocated to the subscribed object, a label reading means, for reading the identification data held by the labels and transmitting them to the central device, a plurality of object detectors, each detector being arranged near a location to be managed and configured to detect an object at the location and send occupancy information to the location, and a data transmission means for supplying the central device with the location occupation information provided by the object detectors, a system in which, on the one hand, the label reading means comprises a reader long range with a communication perimeter covering the entire parking area, the reader being configured to read the labels globally and provide the central device with identification data which does not include location information of the precise locations where the labels are located read, and, on the other hand, the object detectors do not have the function of identifying the detected objects and provide information on the occupation of the locations comprising identification data of the locations not comprising identification data of the objects detected on the locations.

According to one embodiment, the central device is configured to correlate the identification data read from the electronic tags, the location occupation information, and the location allocation information, to identify locations where. there are presumed unsubscribed objects and locations where subscribed objects are found.

According to one embodiment, the object detectors include ultrasonic sensors providing an object detection signal.

According to one embodiment, the sensors provide a detection signal with two all-or-nothing type states. According to one embodiment, the object detectors comprise a radio transmitter associated with the sensor and configured to transmit data identifying the location and location occupancy information representative of the value of a detection signal supplied by the sensor.

According to one embodiment, the radio transmitter is an RFID transponder equipped with an input for reading the detection signal supplied by the sensor, and configured to include the location occupation information in an identification message comprising the location identification data.

According to one embodiment, the long-range reader ensuring the reading of the labels is configured to also read the messages sent by the transponders associated with the object detectors, and send them to the central device.

According to one embodiment, each object detector comprises a battery and a timer ensuring the cyclic activation and deactivation of the sensor, and means for memorizing, during periods of deactivation of the sensor, the detection signal supplied by the sensor during periods of activity.

According to one embodiment, the reader is connected to the central device via a wireless computer link of the WLΑN type.

According to one embodiment, the object detectors are arranged at the edge of the quay and have a flattened detection field oriented horizontally in a plane located at a determined height relative to the surface of the water, so as not to detect the presence of waves.

The invention also relates to a detection device comprising a sensor providing a detection signal, a KFID transponder or an RFID tag of the passive type providing by retromodulation identification messages comprising an identification datum, the transponder or the tag comprising a input for receiving an external signal receiving the detection signal supplied by a sensor, and being configured to send identification messages comprising, in addition to the identification data, information representative of the value of the detection signal supplied by the sensor.

According to one embodiment, the sensor provides a two-state detection signal. According to one embodiment, the sensor provides a progressive analog detection signal and the transponder or the RFID tag includes means for sampling, digitizing and memorizing the detection signal before incorporating it into an identification message.

According to one embodiment, the detection device comprises a timer for switching the sensor off and on alternately, in order to limit the electrical consumption of the detection device.

According to one embodiment, the detection device comprises a flip-flop for storing the value of the detection signal when the sensor is switched off.

According to one embodiment, the sensor is a sensor for the presence of an object.

According to one embodiment, the sensor is an ultrasonic sensor. According to one embodiment, the sensor is a panic switch emitting an SOS signal.

According to one embodiment, the sensor is a waterway sensor.

According to one embodiment, the sensor is a sensor for decreasing the charge of a battery.

According to one embodiment, the sensor is a fire sensor.

The invention also relates to a boat comprising a detection device according to the invention.

The invention also relates to a parking area management system comprising a plurality of locations for parking subscribed objects and non-subscribed objects, comprising a central computerized management system for the parking area in which are stored location allocation information defining for each subscribed object a determined location, and identification data assigned to the subscribed objects, a plurality of RFID tags each comprising an RFID transponder or a passive type RFID tag, each RFID tag being arranged on one of the subscribed objects and storing the identification data assigned to the subscribed object, and a means for reading the labels, for reading the identification data held by the labels and transmitting them to the central device , in which at least one subscriber object comprises a sensor providing the RFID tag with a detection signal, and the messages d identification issued by the RFID tag include, in addition to the identification data, information representative of the value of the detection signal supplied by the sensor and are transmitted to the central device via the means for reading the RFID tags.

According to one embodiment, the central device is configured to send to a subscriber a message representative of the value of the detection signal supplied by the sensor and retransmitted by the RFID tag.

According to one embodiment, the message is sent to the subscriber by SMS, fax or electronic mail.

The invention also relates to a parking area management system comprising a plurality of locations for parking subscribed objects and non-subscribed objects, comprising a central computerized management system for the parking area in which are stored location allocation information defining for each subscribed object a determined location, and identification data assigned to the subscribed objects; a plurality of RFID tags, each tag being arranged on one of the subscribed objects and storing the identification data assigned to the subscribed object; label reading means for reading the identification data held by the labels and transmitting them to the central device; a plurality of object detection devices according to the invention, each comprising a sensor associated with an RFID transponder or an RFID tag, the sensor providing the transponder or the RFID tag with a detection signal, the sensor being a object, for example an ultrasonic sensor, each detection device according to the invention being arranged near a location to be managed and configured to detect an object at the location and send information on the occupation of the location; and data transmission means for providing the central device with the location occupancy information provided by the object detection devices.

According to one embodiment, the label reading means comprises a long-range reader having a communication perimeter covering the entire parking area, the reader being configured to read the labels globally and supply the central device with identification data which do not include location information of the precise locations where the labels read are located, and the object detection devices according to the invention are devoid of the function of identifying the detected objects and provide information on the occupation of the locations comprising data ^• Identification of locations having no identification data of the detected objects on the plots, which are read by the reading means of the RFID tags and are transmitted to the central device.

According to one embodiment, the central device is configured to correlate the identification data read from the electronic tags, the location occupation information, and the location allocation information, to identify locations where they are located. presumed unsubscribed objects and locations where subscribed objects are found.

According to one embodiment, the detection devices according to the invention are arranged at the edge of the quay and have a flattened detection field oriented horizontally in a plane located at a determined height relative to the surface of the water, so as not to not detect the presence of waves.

These objects, characteristics and advantages as well as others of the present invention will be explained in more detail in the following description of an exemplary embodiment of a management system according to the invention, and of an application of this system to the management of a marina, made without limitation in relation to the attached figures among which:

FIG. 1, previously described, represents a conventional system for managing a marina by means of contactless electronic tags,

FIG. 2 represents a system for managing a marina according to the invention,

FIG. 3 represents the general architecture of an object detector present in the system of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 illustrates a characteristic of the object detector of FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 illustrates another characteristic of the object detector of FIG. 3,

FIG. 6 represents the structure of certain elements forming the object detector represented in FIG. 3,

FIGS. 7A to 7E are timing diagrams representing signals or internal states appearing in the object detector of FIG. 6, FIG. 8 is a general view of a marina comprising several mooring areas equipped with the management system according to the invention, and

FIG. 9 is a flowchart describing steps of an algorithm for managing the marina in FIG. 8.

FIG. 2 represents a parking area for mobile objects equipped with a management system according to the invention. The parking area is here a mooring area of a marina and includes a main pontoon 30 and auxiliary pontoons 31 ("catways") perpendicular to the main pontoon, the edges of the auxiliary pontoons 31 delimiting anchorage locations 32 .

In itself conventional, the management system comprises a plurality of electronic contactless labels 10, each label being placed on a subscribed object, in this case a pleasure boat 20. Preferably, each label is fixed at a location that is difficult to access (for example at the top of the mast) at. by means of a security collar so that it cannot be defrauded.

Each label 10 includes a waterproof case, an electronic circuit, an antenna and a battery. The tags are of the long range type and transmit or receive data in the presence of a UHF (Ultra High Frequency) electric field. The labels are for example ILR transponders ("Intelligent Long Range") sold by the company IDENTEC SOLUTIONS under the reference "i-B Tag". Such labels operate in the presence of an electric field having a frequency of the order of 800 to 900 MHz, are accessible for reading up to a distance of a hundred meters, have a memory with a capacity of 13 bytes. , accessible in read / write. Their battery life is around 6 years. The labels are also equipped with an anti-collision algorithm allowing a reader to interact almost simultaneously with a plurality of labels (up to 100 labels).

In the memory of each label are recorded identification data, for example a unique identifier Ii coded on 1 with several bytes, and data relating to the boat and / or to the user of the boat. This data can be modified remotely, if necessary, to update labels.

According to a first aspect of the invention, all the labels 10 present in the mooring area are read by means of a single reader 12. This reader 12 is equipped with a radio card 14 which allows it to connect to a central device 18 for managing subscribed objects.

The reader 12 comprises an antenna having a large scattering angle, for example a polarized elliptical antenna having a scattering angle of 120 °. The electric field emitted by the antenna defines the perimeter of communication A1 of the reader and is represented diagrammatically in FIG. 2 in the form of a circle in dotted lines (the real shape of the field being rather ellipsoidal). This communication perimeter A1 covers the mooring area and is considered to define the limits of the mooring area.

The reader is, for example, the "i-CARD R2" reader sold by the company IDENTEC SOLUTIONS in the form of an electronic card. It is equipped with an anti-collision algorithm and is compatible with the ¹¹ iB Tag "labels.

The reader 12 transmits interrogation messages at regular intervals and, after execution of the anti-collision algorithm and sending of read commands, receives labels present in the perimeter A1 the requested identification data, which it can modify if necessary . These identification data are then communicated to the central device 18 using the radio card 14.

The reader 12 and the radio card 14 are preferably arranged in a common waterproof housing so as to form a single functional unit for reading the labels and retransmitting the data read to the central device 18. The power supply of the reader 12 and the radio card 14 is provided by the electrical network extending along the quay.

The radio card 14 is for example a WLAN ("Wireless Local Area Network") card of standard type and makes it possible to form a wireless computer connection of Wi-Fi type between the reader 12 and the central device 18.

The central device 18 comprises a Wi-Fi transceiver 18-1, a computer 18-2 and a hard disk 18-3 in which is stored a database comprising a list of subscribed boats, the identifiers Ii which have been assigned to them assigned (having been recorded in their respective labels) as well as IDi identifiers of the anchorage locations 32 which have been allocated to them. These predetermined data together form the information for allocating the anchorage locations within the meaning of the invention. The elements which have just been described form a first part of the system according to the invention, which has a reduced cost price due to the use of a single reader to cover the entire anchorage area considered.

It goes without saying, however, that if the wetting area turns out to be too large to be entirely covered by the reader 12, two readers can be provided at complementary locations. Furthermore, as will be described in relation to FIG. 8, the management of several mooring areas may require several readers, each reader being assigned to cover a mooring area. In any event, the number of readers required by the system according to the invention is very much lower than the system proposed by ER 2 855 894, which provides a terminal / reader with a short communication range at each anchorage location, each terminal being dedicated both to reading the labels present at the mooring location assigned to it and to identifying this location.

The management system according to the invention also comprises detectors 16 arranged along the main pontoon 30, opposite the mooring locations, in order to detect the presence of boats on these locations. Unlike the detection and identification terminals proposed in the prior art, the detectors 16 are devoid of boat identification means. In other words, these detectors are not RFID readers and therefore are not able to read the labels on the boats.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, each detector 16 advantageously comprises a UDET ultrasonic sensor associated with a radiofrequency transmitter TP. In addition to these two elements, a PS battery is provided, for electrically supplying the UDET sensor and the TP transmitter, and an ICCT control interface circuit. The UDET sensor provides a DET detection signal which is applied to the TP transmitter through the ICCT circuit.

The UDET ultrasonic sensor is, for example, a sensor sold by the company CONTRINEX under the reference "P41", which has been advantageously modified compared to the commercially available sensor in order to present a flattened detection field 17 and as rectangular in shape as possible, arranged here in a horizontal plane. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the detection field 17 of the UDET sensor has a thickness E of a few centimeters, a width 1 of a ten to a few tens of centimeters, and a length L of a few meters.

Such detection of boats by ultrasound does not have the drawbacks of infrared detection, and the provision of a flattened ultrasonic detection field (of small thickness E) makes it possible to avoid carrying out a hazardous volumetric detection which could in particular be disturbed by waves in the application considered here. For this purpose, the detection field 17 is arranged horizontally at a certain distance from the surface of the water, for example 1 to 2 meters.

The detection field 17 extends longitudinally between a proximal end point A located a few tens of centimeters from the housing of the UDET sensor, and a distal end point B located a few meters from point A.

Optionally but advantageously, the UDET sensor provides a DET detection signal with two states (all or nothing detection) and is configured so that the DET signal changes state only when an object is detected at the same time A and at point B, so that the entire detection field 17 must be occupied by an object for the object to be detected. The sensor is therefore arranged at the edge of the quay so that point A is above the water.

The advantages of such a configuration are illustrated in FIG. 5 where we see a first boat 20-1 properly moored, perpendicular to a pontoon 30 '(here devoid of auxiliary pontoons) and a second boat 20-2 arranged parallel to the pontoon (for example a boat in the process of mancεuvrer). The boat 20-1 cuts the points A and B of the detection field of a detector 16-1, which thus transmits occupation information which signals an occupation of the location. On the other hand, although the boat 20-2 cuts the three respective detection fields of three detectors 16-2, 16-3, 16-4, the latter emit information not signaling occupancy because their respective detection fields do not are not cut at points A and B.

Of course, provision may be made, on the contrary, not to require detection at points A and B, this may be decided according to the layout of the marina and the client's possible wish to detect boats carrying out maneuvers. without occupying the entire detection field 17 of the sensors.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the radio frequency transmitter TP integrated in the detector 16 is a UHF transponder used as a transmitter, for example a transponder "iB Tag" identical to that used to make the labels 10. For this purpose, the transponder is modified with respect to the commercial product, so as to present an external input to which the DET signal emitted by the UDET sensor is applied. In a conventional manner, the transponder sends, in response to interrogation messages, identification messages comprising a unique identifier IDi, here making it possible to identify the location monitored by the UDET sensor. Thanks to the modification carried out, these messages also include location occupation information representative of the value of the detection signal DET supplied by the sensor UDET.

It should be noted that, according to RFID technology, the transmission of data by the transponder does not consist of the transmission of a UHF signal, which would cause excessive current consumption. A passive transponder does not have a UHF oscillator to provide an excitation signal for its antenna circuit. The transmission of data consists simply of a modulation of the impedance of the antenna circuit of the transponder, at the rate of the data to be transmitted, which modifies the coefficient of reflection of the antenna circuit and causes the transmission, by reflection, of part of an ambient electric field emitted by a reader (this technique being called a "retromodulation").

The transponder "I-B Tag" being compatible with the reader 12 "i-CAED R2", the reader 12 is advantageously used to read the messages transmitted by the transponders TP and send to the central device 18 the information which they contain. Thus, a single reader makes it possible both to read the labels present on the boats and to read the TP transponders.

In an alternative embodiment, an RFID tag is used as a radio transmitter, after having undergone a modification similar to that made on the TP transponder. A beacon differs from a transponder in that it transmits itself and continuously an identification message ("emission" by retromodulation requiring an electric field carrier). By incorporating the location occupation information into this message, a device is obtained which repeatedly sends a location occupation information message, the time elapsing between two messages being configured at the time of setting in service of the beacon.

FIG. 6 schematically represents the structure of the TP transponder and that of the ICCT circuit present in the detectors 16. The TP transponder, the ICCT circuit and the UDET sensor are supplied electrically under 12 V by the PS battery. The transponder TP comprises a central unit UC, a memory MEM containing in particular the identifier IDi (other data to be inserted in the messages sent may be provided), an oscillator OSC supplying a clock signal to the central unit, and an RX / TX circuit coupled to a UHF antenna for the transmission and reception of data. As indicated above, the transponder has an input receiving the DET signal. This input is connected to a port of the central unit which does not have a buffer circuit. When the TP transponder sends an identification message in response to an interrogation message (after execution of an anti-collision procedure), it reads the value of the identifier IDi in its memory, then reads the value of the DET signal on the dedicated port of the central unit, and incorporates these two data into the transmitted message which is thus of the form M (TDi, DET).

In an alternative embodiment, the detection signal DET supplied by the UDET sensor is a progressive analog signal (of variable amplitude). The detection signal is then sampled, digitized and stored by the TP transponder before being incorporated into the messages. Such a variant however involves a more complex transponder structure, therefore more expensive and less suitable for the intended application, taking into account the number of sensors to be installed.

The ICCT circuit includes TMEH and TMR2 timers. The timer TMRl supplies a signal Hl which turns off the UDET sensor (OFF state) when the signal Hl is for example equal to 1, and turns on the sensor (ON state) when it is equal to 0. The UDET circuit is for example switched off for 30s every 10s, so that it consumes only 25% of the current which it would consume if it were permanently active. The duty cycle of ON / OFF cycles can of course be modified to further limit power consumption. However, this arrangement already makes it possible to give the detectors 16 several years of autonomy, by using a 12V type battery having a capacity of 6 Amps / hour.

The ICCT circuit also includes a LV step-down circuit and a flip-flop FF. The LV circuit receives the DET signal in 0 / 12V format and transforms it into a 0 / 5V circuit logic signal which is applied to an input D of the flip-flop, the output of which Q supplies the DET signal to the central processing unit UC. The H synchronization input of the flip-flop receives an H2 signal supplied by the TMR2 timer. This signal H2 activates the flip-flop FF before the timer TMRl switches off the UDET sensor. Thus, the Q output of the flip-flop FF stores the value of the DET signal present on input D when the DET signal will disappear due to lack of sensor supply.

The operation of the detector 16 according to the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 7A to 7E. FIG. 7A represents the shape of the signal H1. FIG. 7B represents the ON / OFF states of the UDET sensor as a function of the signal H1. FIG. 7C represents the form of the signal H2, which passes to 1 to trigger the flip-flop FF at the moment when the signal H2 will pass to 0. FIG. 7D represents values DETO, DETl, ... DETi, DETi + 1 of the signal DET as provided by the output Q of the flip-flop FF, and shows that the signal DET is refreshed at each rising edge of the signal H2. FIG. 7E represents the messages of the “M (IDi, -DETj)” type sent by the detector 16. These messages are not synchronized with the periods of powering on or off of the UDET sensor. They incorporate the current value DETOn DETl, ... of the detection signal DET, memorized by the flip-flop FF.

FIG. 8 represents a simplified example of a marina equipped with a management system according to the invention. The port shown only includes two mooring areas A1, A2. Area A1 is covered by a reader 12-1 and area A2 is covered by a reader 12-2. Each reader 12-1, 12-2 reads the labels 10 and the detectors 16 present in the area assigned to it, and transmits the information received (identification data and occupancy information) to the central device 18. Incidentally, a third reader 12-3 is provided to cover an A3 area that does not include an allocated mooring location, for example a port entrance or a fairing area. The areas A1, A2, A3 have overlap zones, as shown in the figure.

When a reader sends identification data read from a label to the central device 18, he identifies himself to the central device 18 so that the latter can know in which area the corresponding boat has been detected. A boat such as boat 20-3 shown in FIG. 8 can be simultaneously in two or three areas, if it is in the overlap zones. Thus, the central system 18 can globally determine the location of the detected boat. Conventional localization techniques, such as measuring the response time of the tags, can be used as a complement to determine the distance between the tags and the readers and thus allow a more precise evaluation of the position of the boats in the port. As indicated above, the fact that the location occupancy information does not include identification data of the detected objects, is compensated by a correlation of this information with the identification data received and with the mooring location allocation information.

The table below is a simplified example of a database making it possible to manage these three types of data or information, and to deduce therefrom, by correlation, the location of the subscribed ships and the possible presence of pirate ships.

Columns 1 to 3 of the table contain predefined data forming the location allocation information:

- column 1 ("Ii") includes all the identifiers Ii assigned to the subscribed boats, which were recorded in the electronic tags at the time of subscription, i being a variable ranging from 1 to N, N being the number of boats subscribers,

column 2 comprises, for each identifier Ii, various information on the corresponding boat B (Ii), and

column 3 ("E (Ii") includes, for each identifier Ii, the location E (Ii) allocated to the corresponding boat B (Ii).

In this table, the notation E (Ii) = En (Aj) means that the location E (Ii) allocated to the boat with identifier Ii is the location "En" (number n) in the area Aj, "j "being here equal to 1 or 2.

Columns 4 to 7 contain data supplied in real time by the management system according to the invention, and are continuously refreshed:

column 4 ("Occupation of the location E (Ii)") comprises, for each identifier Ii, information on the occupation of the corresponding location E (Ii), supplied by the corresponding detector 16,

- column 5 ("B (Ii) present in Al") includes, for each identifier Ii, information of the "yes / no" type indicating whether the corresponding boat

B (Ii) is present or not in the area Al, this information being provided by the reader 12-1,

column 6 ("B (Ii) present in A2") includes, for each identifier Ii, information of the "yes / no" type indicating whether the corresponding boat B (Ii) is present or not in area A2, this information being provided by the reader 12-2, and

- column 7 ("B (Ii) present in A3") includes, for each identifier Ii, information of the "yes / no" type indicating whether the corresponding boat B (Ii) is present or not in area A3, this information being provided by reader 12-3.

As indicated above, a boat can be detected in several areas at the same time. For example, boat B6 is detected in both area A1 and area A3, although the location allocated to it is location El in area A2. This means that the boat is in transit in the port, either arriving or leaving, this can be determined from the tracking history of this boat ("tracking history") as will be detailed more far. This history is kept in memory for a determined time, which can range from a few hours to a few weeks or months depending on the size of the hard drive of the central device. To optimize the size of the database, secondary information can be deleted and essential information kept, for example the days and times of start and end of anchorage.

Columns 8 and 9 of the table contain information estimated by correlation of the data or information appearing in columns 1 to 7, in accordance with the premise on which the invention is based:

column 8 ("Location E (Ii) used") indicates, for each identifier Ii, whether the corresponding boat B (Ii) is or is not on its mooring location, and

- column 9 ("situation") indicates, for each identifier Ii, the situation of the corresponding boat B (Ii).

The difference between column 8 and column 4 is that column 4 simply contains the occupancy information provided by the detectors 16, while column 8 is the result of a correlation between the occupancy information and the detection information of the boats in areas A1 to A3.

For example, the boat Bl is detected in the area Al and information on the occupation of its location El (Al) is transmitted by the corresponding detector 16. The central device thus deduces with a fairly low risk of error that the boat is parked at the location which has been allocated to it. The location is therefore considered to be used (at the time considered) and the "situation" entered for this boat is "mooring".

As another example, boat B5 is not detected in any area of the port. His "situation" is therefore "absent". On the other hand, a detector 16 signals the presence of a boat at the location E6 (A1) allocated to this boat. Thus, the mention "pirate" is entered in column 8. The appearance of this mention in the database can be used to send a person from the harbor office on site to make contact with the supposed "pirate" boat that is parked on a space allocated to a third party.

As another example, the boat B3 to which the ElO location of the area A2 has been allocated is detected in the area A2 but no boat is detected at the location ElO (A2). In these conditions, the entry "arrival / departure" signifying that the boat is arriving at its location or is leaving its location is entered in column 9.

As a last example, boat B6 to which the location El in area A2 has been allocated is detected in areas A1 and A3 but is not detected in area A2. In these conditions, the mention "no" is entered in column 8 for this boat and the mention "transit Al-A3" is entered in column 9.

The situation of a boat as mentioned in column 9 is therefore selected from a finite number of situations, here the situations

"absent", "anchorage" or "transit". The "transit" information also contains a mention of the port areas in which the vessel is detected.

Even more precise situation information can be estimated by taking into account the history of the tracing of the boat. For example, if it appears that boat B3 was previously absent from area A2, the entry "arrival" may be entered in column 9 instead of the entry "arrival / departure". Conversely, if the boat was previously considered to be parked at its location, the mention "departure" can be entered instead of the mention "arrival / departure".

As another example, if area A3 is a fairing area and boat B4 has been detected in area A3 for some time, the information "in transit in A3" can be replaced by information "under repair" .

To facilitate the operation ^'of information obtained by correlation, a graphical representation of this information can be displayed on a computer monitor. This graphic representation comprises for example a port map in which a subscribed boat is represented by a green rectangle comprising the name of the boat and its main characteristics, a "pirate" boat being represented by a red rectangle. The different rectangles are located globally on the map based on the information in columns 8 and 9.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram describing in a simplified manner an algorithm for correlating the identification data and the location occupation information. This algorithm makes it possible to permanently generate and refresh the estimated data present in the port database, ie the data present in columns 8 and 9 in the example described above. It is executed by the central device 18 under the control of a program.

The algorithm is initialized with a value i = 0 during a step SO and the central device 18 processes the identification and location occupation data for i ranging from 0 to N, ie for each boat to start. by the boat with the identifier 10 and up to the boat with the identifier I (i = N).

During a step S1, the central device determines whether the identifier "Ii" of the boat B (Ii) is read by one of the readers present in the port. If the answer is negative (N), the device goes to a step S9 where it writes the mention "B (Ii) absent" in the "situation" field which corresponds to this boat in the database. If the response is positive (O), the device determines, during a step S2, whether the identifier Ii is read in the area A (Ii) where the mooring location allocated to the boat is located. If the answer is negative, the device goes to a step SlO where it writes the mention "B (Ii) in transit in area (s) Ak" in the field "situation" of the boat (Ak designating the area where the areas other (s) than area A (Ii) where the boat identifier is read). If the response is positive, the device determines, during a step S3, whether the identifier is read in other areas in addition to area A (Ii). If the answer is positive, the device goes to a step SI1 where it writes "B (Ii) in transit in area A (Ii) and area (s) Ak" in the "situation" field of this boat. If the answer is negative, the device goes to a step S4 where it determines whether the location E (Ii) is occupied or not. If the answer is positive, the device goes to a step S5 where it writes the mention "yes" in the field "location E (Ii) used" then to a step S6 where it writes "wetting" in the field "situation" of the boat. If the answer is negative, the device goes to a step S7 where it writes the mention "no" in the field "location E (Ii) used" then to a step S8 where it writes "arrival / departure" in the field "situation " Of the boat. After any of the steps S9, Sl0, SI1 described above, the device goes to a step S12 where it determines whether the location E (Ii) is occupied or not. If the answer is negative, the device goes to a step S13 where it writes the mention "no" in the field "location E (Ii) used" of this boat. If the answer is positive, the device goes to a step S14 where it writes the mention "pirate" in the field "location E (Ii) used" of this boat. After executing any of the steps S6, S8, S13 and S14, the device goes to a step S15 where it increments the variable "i" by one, then goes to a step S16 where it determines whether "i" is greater than or not greater than N (total number of subscribed vessels). If the answer is negative, the device returns to step S1 to carry out the same processing loop, this time for updating the "situation" and "location used" information of boat B (Ii + 1). If the response is positive, the device returns to step SO to resume the processing loop from zero.

As indicated above, this algorithm is described here in a simplified version and can be improved by taking into account the tracing history of each subscribed boat.

It will thus appear to those skilled in the art that the present invention is capable of various variants and improvements, both as regards the structure and the nature of the detection and identification means used, as well as in the correlation of the data of identification, location occupancy information, and location allocation information.

In particular, other contactless labels (transponder or beacon) ^• can be arranged on boats, and in particular labels having an input for receiving an external signal (depending on the idea implemented to make the detectors 16) . A label linked to a SOS switch (or panic switch) can for example be provided. The SOS signal is then transmitted by the tag to the RFID readers contributing to the management of the port, and reaches the harbor master's office. A label connected to a waterway sensor (float switch arranged in the hold of the boat) can also be provided, to intervene quickly in the event of damage during winter periods when a boat is left dockside unattended no maintenance. Similarly, a label can be associated with any other type of sensor, for example a fire sensor, an intrusion sensor (presence detector), or even a sensor that monitors the battery charge of the boat and emits a signal when it is too low.

Goose electronic tag associated with a sensor according to the concept of the invention forms a detector device which in itself constitutes an autonomous invention relative to the general aspects of the management method according to the invention, this device making it possible to send identification messages comprising , in addition to the identification data, information representative of the value of the signal supplied by the sensor.

Furthermore, the management system of a parking area according to the invention can be configured so that the central computer management device retransmits to the subscribers messages representative of the value of the detection signal supplied by the detector device of each boat, in particular if this signal indicates an anomaly or damage. Messages are for example sent to subscribers by SMS (Small Message System), by fax or e-mail. This aspect of the invention makes it possible to quickly inform the subscriber of a possible fire on board the boat, of a waterway, of an intrusion, of a disappearance of the electric voltage or simply of a abnormal decrease in the boat's battery (especially in winters when the boats remaining on the quay are subject to less regular maintenance).

Furthermore, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the application example which has been described. The present invention is applicable to the management of all types of mobile objects, in particular motor vehicles. In other applications, different types of sensors can be used, if they are more suitable for these applications than ultrasonic sensors.

Claims

REVEISDICATIONS

1. A method of managing a parking area comprising -a plurality of locations (32) for parking subscribed objects (20) and non-subscribed objects, comprising steps consisting in:

- define location allocation information by assigning each subscribed object a determined location,

- assign an identification data (Ii) to each subscribed object,

- attach to each subscribed object an RFID tag (10) in which the identification data (Ii) assigned to the subscribed object is stored,

- read the labels (10) present in the parking area, to obtain the identification data (Ii) present in the labels,

- monitoring the locations to be managed (32), to obtain location occupation information,

characterized in that:

- the reading of the labels (10) present in the parking area is carried out globally by means of a long-range reader (12) having a communication perimeter (Al, A2) covering the entire parking area and providing data identification (II) not including location information of the precise locations where the labels read, and in that

the monitoring of the locations to be managed (32) is carried out with object detectors (16) not comprising a function for identifying the detected objects and providing information on the occupation of locations comprising data (ΣDi) of identification of the locations that do not include identification data of the objects detected on the locations.

2. Method according to claim 1, comprising a step consisting in correlating the identification data read in the electronic tags, the location occupation information, and the location allocation information, in order to identify and locate objects. subscribers and presumed unsubscribed objects.

3. Method according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the detection of objects is carried out by means of ultrasonic sensors (UDET) providing a signal (DET) of object detection.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the sensors (UDET) are arranged to present a flattened detection field (17).

5. Method according to one of claims 3 and 4, wherein the sensors (UDET) are arranged to provide a detection signal (DET) in two states of all or nothing type.

6. Method according to one of claims 3 to 5, in which a radio transmitter (TP) is associated with the sensor to transmit data (IDi) identifying the location and location occupation information representative of the value of a detection signal (DET) supplied by the sensor.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein as RF transmitter is used as an RFID transponder equipped with an input for reading the detection signal (DET) supplied by the sensor, the transponder being configured to include the location occupancy information in an identification message including location identification data (TDi).

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the reader (12) used to read the labels (10) is also used to read the messages sent by the transponders (TP) associated with the object detectors

(16).

9. Method according to one of claims 6 to 8, in which the object detectors (16) are cyclically activated and deactivated and the occupancy information supplied by each ultrasonic sensor during an activation period is memorized during periods of deactivation, in a storage circuit whose output is applied to the radio transmitter (TP) associated with the sensor.

10. Method according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the objects are boats and the locations are mooring places.

11. The method of claim 10, in which the object detectors (16) are arranged at the edge of the quay and have a flattened detection field (17) oriented horizontally in a plane being at a height determined above the surface of the water, so as not to detect the presence of waves.

12. A parking area management system comprising a plurality of locations (32) for parking subscribed objects (20) and non-subscribed objects, comprising:

- a central device (18) for computer management of the parking area, in which are stored location allocation information defining for each subscribed object a determined location, and identification data (Ii) assigned to the objects subscribers,

- a plurality of RFID tags (10), each tag being arranged on one of the subscribed objects and storing the identification data (Ii) assigned to the subscribed object,

a means for reading the labels, for reading the identification data (Ii) held by the labels and transmitting them to the central device (18),

- a plurality of object detectors (16), each detector being arranged near a location to be managed and configured to detect an object at the location and transmit information on the occupation of the location,

- a data transmission means for supplying the central device (18) with the location information provided by the object detectors (16),

characterized in that:

the means of reading the labels includes a long-range reader

(12) having a communication perimeter (A1, A2) covering the entire parking area, the reader being configured to read the labels globally and supply the central device (18) with identification data (Ii) which do not include location information of the precise locations where the tags read, and that

- the object detectors (16) have no function of identifying the detected objects and provide information on the occupation of the locations comprising identification data (IDi) of the locations not comprising identification data of the detected objects on the pitches.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the central device (18) is configured to correlate the identification data read from the electronic labels, the occupancy information. locations, and location allocation information, to identify locations where presumed unsubscribed objects are located and locations where subscribed objects are located.

14. System according to one of claims 12 and 13, in which the object detectors (16) comprise ultrasonic sensors (UDET) supplying an object detection signal (DET).

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the sensors (UDET) are arranged to present a flattened detection field (17).

16. System according to one of claims 14 and 15, in which the sensors (UDET) supply a detection signal (DET) with two all-or-nothing states.

17. System according to one of claims 14 to 16, in which the object detectors (16) comprise a radio transmitter (TP) associated with the sensor and configured to transmit data (IDi) identifying the location and location occupancy information representative of the value of a detection signal (DET) supplied by the sensor.

18. The system as claimed in claim 17, in which the radio transmitter (TP) is an RFID transponder equipped with an input for reading the detection signal (DET) supplied by the sensor, and configured to include the occupancy information d location in an identification message comprising the location identification data (TDi).

19. The system as claimed in claim 18, in which the long-range reader (12) ensuring the reading of the labels (10) is configured to also read the messages sent by the transponders (TP) associated with the object detectors (16), and send them to the central device (18).

20. System according to one of claims 14 to 19, in which each object detector comprises a battery (PS) and a timer (TMEH, TMR2) ensuring the cyclic activation and deactivation of the sensor, and means for memorizing , during periods of dessaaccttiivvaattiioonn dduu ccaapptteeuurr ,, llee ssiiggnnaall ddee detection (DET) provided by the sensor during periods of ¹ activation.

21. System according to one of claims 12 to 20, wherein the reader (12) is connected to the central device (18) via a wireless computer link of the WLKN type.

22. System according to one of claims 12 to 21, wherein the objects are boats and the locations are moorings.

23. The system of claims 19 and 22, in which the object detectors (16) are arranged at the edge of the platform and have a flattened detection field (17) oriented horizontally in a plane at a height determined with respect to the surface of the water, so as not to detect the presence of waves.