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Automated Prepaid Parking Systems
Application: Auto Pay Parking Ticket Kiosk and Associated
Automated Parking Gate Attendant
Quatech Products Used: QSE-100D
4 Port RS-232 Serial Device Servers, and QSU-100-EMB
4 Port Embedded RS-232 USB Serial Adapter
Auto Pay parking lot systems are becoming increasingly popular because
they are more convenient for customers and less expensive to implement
for owners. The typical self-service parking system consists of two components,
a payment kiosk and an automated gate attendant. Used together, these
two stand-alone components can provide full service capability to any
parking lot without the need for any manned payment stations.
A typical Auto Pay kiosk is pictured below. This kiosk is used to purchase
parking rights for any desired amount of time. The kiosk is used in conjunction
with a standard ticket dispenser at the point of entry. The ticket dispensed
records time of entry. When ready to exit, the ticket is inserted into
the kiosk and the person is prompted to pay an appropriate amount for
the time expired. After payment is made, it is recorded on the ticket,
which is returned to the customer. The peripheral devices required to
provide necessary I/O functionality in this kiosk are a touchscreen, a
ticket reader/printer, a cash slot and a credit card reader. As shown
in the diagram, embedded USB serial adapters are an ideal way to add the
necessary serial functionality to a system that uses a small embedded
single board computer that does not provide sufficient serial ports.
After paying at the Kiosk, the customer proceeds to the exit with the
prepaid ticket. The ticket is inserted into the automated parking gate
attendant that validates the time and amount paid. If payment is insufficient,
the screen instructs the customer that additional payment will be required.
If payment is sufficient, the parking gate is released to enable exit.
The system pictured below, provides this functionality, plus the added
ability to control the pan-tilt-zoom on the security camera mounted at
the exit. This ability would not be possible in a standard stand-alone
exit point. However, when the system is network-enabled using Serial Device
Servers, the camera can be remotely controlled from any computer on the
Network or even over the Internet. In addition, all data from the parking
system can be recorded on the remote server, and can be used to monitor
traffic, sales, typical parking stay, or any other desired statistics.
Other Access Control Applications:
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