WO1994028517A2

WO1994028517A2 - Device for displaying or detecting the beginning of parking time

Info

Publication number: WO1994028517A2
Application number: PCT/DE1994/000591
Authority: WO
Inventors: Guido Wandschneider
Original assignee: Wandschneider Ingeborg; Guido Wandschneider
Priority date: 1993-05-24
Filing date: 1994-05-24
Publication date: 1994-12-08
Also published as: EP0701724A1; WO1994028517A3

Abstract

A device for displaying the beginning or the end of parking time may be easily built in or integrated into a vehicle. The device has a display arrangement (1) and a control coupled to the ignition which actuates the display arrangement (1) so that the moment in time when the ignition is switched off is automatically displayed as the beginning of parking. The control has a transmission unit (7) which emits control signals depending on the state of the ignition. The display arrangement (1) has a control signal reception unit.

Description

"Device for indicating or recording the start of the parking time"

The invention relates to a device for displaying the start of the parking time and possibly the end of the parking time, with a display device and with a control part coupled to the ignition, the control part acting on the display device in such a way that when the ignition is switched off the time of switching off is displayed becomes.

Devices of this type are already known in practice and are generally referred to as parking disks. Such parking disks are arranged as clearly as possible in the interior of motor vehicles which are parked in parking spaces with a limited parking time. From EP 0 513 429 A2 a parking disc with an adjustable display device is known, which is designed for the automatic display of the start of parking so that an electric clockwork for continuously driving the display device and a control part are provided, the control part controlling the clockwork in this way that it works in the normal time cycle when the ignition is switched on and is at rest when the ignition is switched off.

However, this known device for indicating the start of the parking time is problematic in practice for several reasons. On the one hand, the known device provides an electrical clock mechanism integrated in the display device. This requires an energy supply and associated maintenance, which includes checking the energy supply and possibly checking the accuracy. On the other hand, the known device provides a cable connection between the control part and the clockwork. On the one hand, this limits the possibilities of arranging the known display device in the vehicle interior. On the other hand, cables contribute to an increase in the total weight of the vehicle. In addition, the subsequent installation of the known device, in particular due to the cable routing between the control part and the display device, is at the expense of a clear auto-electrical system.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a device for indicating the start of the parking time, which can be easily and clearly installed or integrated in a vehicle.

The device according to the invention for indicating the start of the parking time solves the above object by the features of claim 1. Thereafter, the device mentioned at the outset is further developed such that the control part comprises a transmitter unit which transmits control signals as a function of the state of the ignition and that Display device comprises a receiver unit for the control signals.

According to the invention, it has been recognized that the display device can also be controlled directly or indirectly wirelessly from a control part arranged at a distance from the display device. According to the invention it is therefore proposed to equip the control part with a suitable transmitter unit and the display device with a corresponding receiver unit. In this way, control signals can be transmitted wirelessly from the control part to the display device. When installing the device according to the invention, it is now only necessary to ensure that the display device is arranged in the transmission range of the control part. Accordingly, the display device can advantageously be arranged at any point in the vehicle interior that is clearly visible from the outside and does not obstruct the driver's view, without having to take into account a suitable, as invisible cable routing between the display device and the control part must be taken. Finally, according to the invention, it has also been recognized that the proposed device for indicating the start of the parking time has a comparatively low susceptibility to faults, since the signal transmission between the control part and the display device cannot be impaired here by mechanical influences which are Cable connections can have a negative impact.

There are now various advantageous implementation options for the transceiver system of the control part and the display device of the device according to the invention. Systems which work on the basis of LF or HF signals, preferably on the basis of radio signals, may be mentioned here by way of example. In particular, it is also possible to cover the energy requirements of the display device by radio, i.e. to feed in the energy required in the display device by radio.

However, ultrasound signals or optoelectronic signals, preferably infrared signals, can also be used as control signals. For this purpose, the transmitter unit and the receiver unit must each be equipped accordingly. If the device according to the invention is now to work on an infrared basis, it is particularly advantageous to equip the transmitter unit with at least one IR transmitter diode. The receiver unit must accordingly have at least one IR receiver diode. However, it is particularly advantageous if the receiver unit comprises a plurality of IR receiver diodes, which are also arranged on different sides of the display device. In this way, failure of the entire receiver unit by partially shading an IR receiver diode can be avoided, since in this case another IR receiver diode can assume the sensor function of the receiver unit due to its spatial arrangement. In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the transmitter unit can emit different signals. These can be the control signals which correspond to the different states of the ignition. However, it is also possible to provide for the transmission of further signals with a different information content, for example the current time, the interior temperature or the like. In such a case, it can be advantageous if the transmitter unit transmits different signals on different channels, ie in different frequency ranges. Another possibility is to equip the transmitter unit and the receiver unit of the device according to the invention with a plurality of transmitter-receiver systems which operate on a different basis and are provided for different signals.

In a particularly advantageous variant of the device according to the invention, the display device displays the current time when the ignition is switched on and thus serves the vehicle occupants as a clock when the ignition is switched on. Due to the coupling of the control part with the ignition, however, the time at which the ignition is switched off is recorded and displayed on the display device in the sense of displaying a parking disc.

For certain forms of implementation of the device according to the invention, the transmitter unit only has to supply the information as to whether the ignition of the vehicle is switched on or off. In this case, it is advantageous if the control signal emitted by the transmitter unit can essentially reproduce two different states, each of which corresponds to either the ignition when it is switched on or when it is switched off. This variant has the advantage that the requirements to which both the transmitter unit and the E p catcher unit must be sufficient, are very small and the transmitter unit and the receiver unit are correspondingly robust against transmission errors. In the following, two advantageous implementation options are specified, which work with a control signal representing two states. In a first embodiment, the display device is assigned a clockwork which is controlled by the control part in such a way that it operates in the normal time cycle when the ignition is switched on and is at rest when the ignition is switched off. Since the display device already has a clockwork by means of which the current time can be called up, the display device only needs the information as to whether the ignition is switched on or off. In a second embodiment of the device according to the invention, the display device has a receiver for an external time signal. This can be the European radio time signal DCM / DCF. In this embodiment, too, the current time is available to the display device. Here, too, the display device only needs information from the control part as to whether the ignition is switched on or off.

However, the present invention also includes variants in which the transmitter unit, at least when the ignition is switched on, transmits control signals at regular intervals which correspond to the current time. In this case, either a clockwork can be assigned to the control part; or the control part has a receiver for an external time signal. On the one hand, such devices can be designed such that the time signal is transmitted to the display device at regular intervals only when the ignition is switched on and is displayed there. When the ignition is switched off, the last transmitted time is simply displayed continuously, namely until the ignition is switched on again. Another possibility is the time signal at regular intervals to be transmitted from the transmitter unit to the receiver unit of the display device both when the ignition is switched on and when it is switched off, and additionally a control signal which transmits the current state of the ignition. These two signals must then be linked in the receiver unit so that the time at which the ignition is switched off is displayed at least until the ignition is switched on again.

In particular in view of the fact that the device according to the invention serves as a clock when the ignition is switched on, it is advantageous if a time storage module is provided for recording the time interval between switching off and switching on the ignition again. With the help of the information stored here, it is easily possible to update the display of the display device. It can also be used for tachographs or the like. be of advantage if the duration of the parking is recorded.

Furthermore, it is of particular advantage if the control part is designed in such a way that it indicates the start of the park within the scope of the possibilities provided by the traffic regulations. After that, the actual start of the park should not be shown, but rather the half hour that follows the time of the stop. In other words, the display device would have to be actuated in such a way that when starting a park, for example at 2.10 p.m., the next full half hour, i.e. 2.30 p.m., as a fictitious start of the park.

The display device is advantageously designed analogously, for which purpose it is equipped, for example, with a dial or a dial replica and at least one pointer assigned to the dial for hour indication. In this embodiment, the device according to the invention is modeled on a conventional parking disc that has a flat surface Housing with a viewing window and a dial rotatably arranged in this housing. By turning the dial, different number ranges appear in the viewing window. A pointer is usually permanently assigned to this viewing window, so that the start of the parking time can be indicated by turning the dial. It is particularly advantageous if, in addition to a time storage module for recording the time interval between switching off and switching on the ignition again, an adjusting device is also provided which updates the display device when the ignition is switched on again. For the analog embodiment of a display device described above, this means that the dial is rotated with the aid of the adjusting device in accordance with the parking time. It is advantageous if the adjusting device comprises a stepper motor, the armature positions of which can be assigned clearly defined times. Such stepper motors are controlled via pulses, the armature position being determined by the number of pulses.

The display device could alternatively be digital, the display itself being carried out by means of liquid crystal or light-emitting diodes.

In any case, it is advantageous if the display device can also be adjusted manually and for this purpose has appropriate operating means, for example in the form of buttons or adjusting knobs. In extreme cases, the display could also be initialized, for example, when the ignition was switched on again.

Already in the other context it was pointed out that the device according to the invention can also be developed in such a way that the display device with the ignition fertil shows the current time and thus serves as a clock. In this case, the display device must be permanently supplied with energy, at least when the ignition is switched on. For this purpose, for example, it can be connected to the on-board electrical system, but this generally requires appropriate cabling between the display device and the on-board electrical system. With a view to arranging the display device in the vehicle interior as variably as possible, it is therefore preferable if the display device operates independently of the electrical system. For this purpose, for example, it can be equipped with an exchangeable battery or also with an exchangeable, rechargeable accumulator. Another particularly advantageous possibility consists in providing the display device and / or the control part with a solar cell unit for the power supply or also for charging the accumulator.

It should also be pointed out that the display device of the device according to the invention can be designed in the form of a conventional parking disc due to the physical separation of the display device and the control part. In such a configuration of the display device, it is particularly advantageous if the display device can be sucked or glued from the inside to the windshield of a motor vehicle. For this purpose, the display device can either be provided with corresponding suction buttons or with an adhesive coating or the like.

The device according to the invention of the type in question also achieves the above object through the features of patent claim 26. The device mentioned at the outset is further developed such that a reading device corresponding to the control part is provided for reading out a data carrier containing at least data about a cash credit is that external information and the data of the data carrier gers are transferable to the display device via the control part and that, in addition to the start of the parking time, the respective parking fee per unit of time and the money credit decreasing over the parking time can be displayed on the display device.

According to the invention, it has been recognized here that a device for recording the start of the parking time can be equipped in addition to displaying the time in free-of-charge parking spaces with a limited parking space in such a way that payment outside the motor vehicle in parking spaces subject to charges is unnecessary if the display device besides the start of Parking time indicates the respective parking fee per unit of time as well as the money credit that can be brought in via the data carrier and decreases over the duration of the parking. It has also been recognized that this additional information can be displayed if, on the one hand, there is a reading device which reads out the data from a data carrier, in particular about a cash balance, and on the other hand the control part external information, in particular be¬ transfers to the display device with regard to the parking fee per unit of time and the data read from the data carrier.

In this way, information about the start of the parking time, the correct applicable parking fee per unit of time and the debiting of the parking fee from the cash balance can be read by control persons on the display device, so that the parking authorization can be justified by the device according to the invention. By using the device according to the invention, it is no longer necessary to keep large amounts of small change ready. In addition, cumbersome additional payments or loss of time as a result of queues at the pay machines are effectively avoided.

The control part preferably contains a microprocessor, which uses the ex- internal and internal information. Information about the applicable parking fee per unit of time, the time that has elapsed since the beginning of the parking time and the money balance on the data carrier are of particular importance. In addition, especially in the case of parking spaces with a limited parking time, the maximum permitted parking time and - when storing time credit on the data carrier - the time credit decreasing over the parking time could play a role.

Of particular importance with regard to further detection systems, for example in parking garages, is a person-, company- or vehicle-related identification number, which is contained in the data carrier, is read out by the reading device and transmitted to the control unit, which, for example, sends the identification number to an external emp ¬ catch station sends.

The data carrier could on the one hand be reversibly insertable, for example in the form of a mobile memory card, in the form of a check card. If the money or time credit is used up, the data carrier could be updated in an external writing device coupled to the deposit of money in accordance with the amount paid in. Alternatively and less environmentally friendly, the destruction of the data carrier would be conceivable.

The data carrier could also be permanently integrated in the display device. An update of the cash balance in accordance with the payment at the other location would be conceivable through contactless transmission via an external transmission unit and the reception unit assigned to the control part, and a writing device coupled to the reading device. In view of the "account balance" decreasing over the duration of the parking, a readable memory is preferably assigned to the data carrier, in which the remaining credit can be stored.

To realize the display of the beginning of the parking time, it is generally necessary to assign either a clockwork or a receiver for receiving an external time signal, for example the European radio time signal DCM / DCF, to either the display device or the control part as a timer. The detector integrated in the control part for detecting the start of the parking time responds to a certain state, a signal or the like, which correlates with the beginning of the parking time, and uses the pointer to determine the time at which the Signal has been given or the specific state has occurred.

Concerning. In the control relating to the start of the parking time, it is of particular importance if the control part is designed in such a way that it indicates the start of the parking within the scope of the possibilities provided by the StVO. According to this, stopping using a parking disc is permitted if the pointer of the disc is set to the line of the half hour that follows the time of stopping.

The display device now expediently has at least one viewing window, preferably for each piece of information, for displaying the start of the parking time, the data on the data carrier and other external information. To display the beginning of the parking time, the display device or the viewing window provided therefor could be designed analogously. With this display variant, a clock face could be used, to which a hand for hour display is assigned. In order to enable a current time display in this window after the parking period has expired, it is advantageous if next to one A time adjustment module is also provided, which updates the display of the display device when the ignition is switched on again.

Alternatively, the start of the parking time could also be represented digitally. In digital form, data about a money credit or a time credit as well as the applicable parking fee per time unit are preferably also shown. For digital display, the viewing windows can be designed as liquid crystal screens. Both a numerical or a graphical representation is conceivable. E.g. the relationship between progressive parking time and decreasing money balance could also be made visible with the help of LEDs. Furthermore, information about the permissible parking time or also temperature and other times, such as the date, could be displayed.

The display device is preferably attached to the windshield so that control persons can take note of compliance with the parking period and / or the payment of fees. In order to be able to obtain information about the various data, in particular about the time, from the vehicle interior, it would be conceivable to provide viewing windows on both sides of the parking disc-like display device or to select a favorable position in the dashboard area.

In addition to an on-board network-dependent energy supply that consumes the energy of the car battery, it is particularly preferred to assign a separate energy supply to the device according to the invention. Examples here are preferably exchangeable batteries, accumulators or solar cells in connection with accumulators. According to a particularly simple and preferred embodiment of the invention, the control part, the display device and the reading device with the data carrier are combined to form a structural unit, the external design of which is matched to a conventional parking disc.

Another embodiment provides for a local separation of the control part and the display device. An assignment of the reading device with the data carrier to the control part is in view of the fact that the weight of the display device increases due to the assignment of the reading device to the data carrier and possibly through the integration of an accumulator, and an arrangement of the display device on the windshield, For example, with suction buttons, could make it more difficult.

With regard to a simple and in particular wireless installation of the control part, which is separate from the display device, it is advantageous to associate the control part with a transmitter unit that sends control signals to a receiver unit of the display device.

Various implementation options are conceivable for the transmitter-receiver system of the control part and the display device. For example, the transmission of low-frequency and / or high-frequency signals, radio signals, optoelectronic signals, preferably infrared signals, or also acoustic, preferably ultrasound signals, could be considered. In the preferred application of radio signals, it is also possible to cover the energy requirement of the display device by radio, ie to feed in the energy required in the display device by radio. So that a wide variety of information can now be displayed on the display device, it is particularly advantageous if the transmitter unit of the control part can transmit a plurality of signals, preferably on another channel or a number of other channels, ie in other frequency ranges.

In order to be able to control the display device, the control part or its detector could be coupled to the ignition and the display device could be acted upon in such a way that when the ignition is switched off the time of switching off corresponding to the start of the parking time is displayed. At the same time, the display of the money balance decreasing over the parking period could also be made dependent on the switching off of the ignition lock. In this variant of the device according to the invention, the display device could be controlled with the ignition switched on in such a way that it displays the current time and the current cash balance and thus serves as a clock and "balance indicator". With the ignition switched off, the time could be stopped and displayed in the sense of a parking disc and a continuous debiting of fee units could be illustrated. This simple embodiment of the invention provides, provided that the parking fee per unit of time has already been stored in a memory assigned to the data carrier, and is read out and displayed as a function of the ignition being switched off, and the enormous advantage that the parking legitimation is shown the necessary displays occur automatically when the ignition lock is switched off and the driver does not have to think about activating the control part.

A similar exemplary embodiment, which can be applied both to a control part which is separate from the display device and which is combined with it in a component, provides for a reversibly insertable data carrier to use and to activate the control part or its detector depending on the insertion of the data carrier.

A modification of the above exemplary embodiment, in which the control unit controls the display device by introducing the data carrier into the reading device, consists in that the control part is assigned a transmitter which transmits a signal to an external receiver. This modified exemplary embodiment could find practical application, for example, in parking garages. The control unit could be activated by inserting the mobile memory card and sending a signal with an identification number to the external receiver. This code number could, for example, contain a personal or company-related account number. The external receiver now identifies this identification number and saves the arrival time of the vehicle in the file, which also contains information about the money available under the identification number. Controllable for the vehicle driver, the display device of the device according to the invention also shows the charge level and the beginning of the parking time. When leaving the parking garage, a signal is sent again to the external receiver, which now saves the departure time. The external recipient is preferably connected to a computer which calculates the fees to be paid on the basis of the arrival and departure times and either debits them from an account or initiates the creation of an invoice.

According to a further modification of the preceding embodiment, the control part is assigned a receiver unit which receives signals from an external transmitter. In practice, this variant of the device according to the invention could appear in such a way that a vehicle activates the external transmitter when entering the parking facility. This could be done by the vehicle driving through a light barrier or an induction loop, for example. Now that the ex- If the internal transmitter is activated, it sends control signals to the receiver unit of the control part. These control signals could now contain information, in particular with regard to the rate of charges per time unit applicable to the parking facility, with respect to the time of arrival, which can already be designed in accordance with the regulation according to the StVO and with regard to a possible parking time limitation. The data received by the receiver unit of the control part are transferred from the read / write unit to the data carrier for updating. In particular, on the basis of the rate of charges per unit of time valid in the parking facility, the charges to be paid per unit of time can be debited and various data can be displayed in the fields of view of the display device.

Alternatively, such information, which can only be obtained externally, could also be entered manually into the control part. For this purpose, the control part or the component in which the control part, the reading device with the data carrier and the display device are combined, preferably has a keyboard.

Another embodiment provides that the control part is arranged outside the motor vehicle and the display device is arranged inside the motor vehicle. In this case, the control part necessarily has a transmitter unit and the display device has a receiver unit. The detector of the control part could expediently be addressed by driving over an induction loop and which could cause the transmission unit of the control part to record the start of parking on the display device, preferably with a determined delay according to StVO.

The transmitter unit of the control part could also periodically transmit signals to the receiver unit of the display device. the so that the display device shows the number of received signals, already modulated with the information about the applicable parking fee per unit of time, about the duration of the parking and the decreasing money credit with each received signal. In this way, the parking fee is automatically debited without the driver having to take activation actions when leaving the vehicle. A further development would be conceivable in such a way that the signal from the control device causes the reflection of an identification number signal, which - furthermore - could trigger a control and reminder system for overdrawn accounts.

There are various possibilities for advantageously designing and developing the teaching of the present invention. For this purpose, reference is made on the one hand to the claims subordinate to patent claims 1 and 26, and on the other hand to the following explanation of exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing. In connection with the explanation of the preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing, generally preferred configurations and developments of the teaching are also explained. In the drawing shows

1 is a plan view of an inventive device for indicating the start of the parking time,

2 is an exploded view of the structure of the device according to the invention shown in FIG. 1,

3 shows a schematic representation of a further exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention and

Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a third exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention. 1 shows a device for indicating the start of the parking time and possibly the end of the parking time with a display device 1 and with a control part coupled to the ignition, the control part acting on the display device 1 in such a way that when the switch is off Ignition the time of switching off is displayed.

According to the invention, the control part comprises a transmitter unit 7, which is shown here as the only component of the control part. The transmitter unit 7, which is coupled to the ignition, sends control signals depending on the state of the ignition. According to the invention, the display device 1 now comprises a receiver unit for the control signals which is matched to the transmitter unit.

In the exemplary embodiment shown here, both the transmitter unit 7 and the receiver unit operate on the basis of infrared signals. The transmitter unit therefore has three IR transmitter diodes 12. The receiver unit, which is not described in more detail here, comprises three IR receiver diodes 5 and 6, which are arranged on different sides of the display device 1, namely laterally and in the lower region. A distributed arrangement of a plurality of IR receiver diodes 5, 6 is advantageous, since in this way a transmission between the transmitter unit 7 and the receiver unit is ensured even with partial isolation of one or more IR receiver diodes.

In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the display device is designed analogously and has a dial 3 and a pointer 13 assigned to the dial for hour display. The display device 1 shown here is realized in the form of a flat, envelope-shaped housing which has a viewing window 2. A circular dial 3 is rotatably arranged within the housing, so that optionally different time ranges appear in the viewing window 2. Finally, in addition to the IR receiver diodes 5 and 6, the housing has two solar cells 4 which serve to supply energy to the receiver unit of the display device 1 and possibly also to supply energy to a clockwork mechanism assigned to the display device 1.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the components of the display device 1 that are essential for their function. In particular, the clockwork 10 is also shown here. 2 also shows that the display device 1, in addition to the solar cells 4, also has an accumulator 9, which can be fitted into a recess 8 in a carrier board (not shown). A time storage module is also arranged on this carrier board, which is provided for detecting the time interval between switching off and switching on the ignition again.

The mode of operation of the device according to the invention for indicating the start of the parking time will now be explained again with reference to the embodiment shown here. The clockwork 10 can continuously drive the dial 3 of the display device 1, so that the dial displays the current time while driving and thus serves as a clock. To save electricity, however, it is also possible to use the device according to the invention only for displaying the parking time, for which purpose the dial is only set to the current time at the beginning of the parking time using the clockwork. When the ignition is switched off, the transmitter unit 7 now emits a corresponding signal which arrives at the display device via the receiver unit. there is interpreted accordingly and is used to control the clockwork 10. The dial 3 is stopped via the clockwork 10 and now always indicates the start of the parking time over the entire parking time. As already mentioned in the general part of the description, however, this can also be the fictitious start of the parking time permitted under the traffic regulations, namely the next full half hour, ie, for example, 8.30 a.m., 9.00 a.m., 9.30 a.m. 10 a.m. ... when the ignition is switched on again, that is after the parking time has ended, the transmitter unit 7 sends out a corresponding signal which also reaches the display unit via the receiver unit, is processed there and is started again Clockwork leads. The display of the display device 1 is updated with the aid of the information from the time storage module 11 and an adjusting device in the form of a stepping motor.

With the help of the device according to the invention, the start of the parking time is thus automatically displayed. After the parking time has ended, the dial is automatically rotated until the current time is displayed.

FIGS. 3 and 4 each show exemplary embodiments of a device according to the invention for detecting the start of the parking time and the end of the parking time with a display device 1. While in FIG. 4 the control part 14 with the reading device 15 and the display device 1 are locally separated 3, the display device 1, the control part 14 and the reading device 15 are combined in one component. The design of this component and the display device 1 according to FIG. 4 are approximated to that of a conventional parking disc and have a flat, envelope-shaped housing. The circular dial is rotatable on the inside of the case. ordered so that different time periods can be read optionally.

A data carrier 16, as can be seen in particular from FIG. 4, is inserted into the reading device 15. The reading device 15 is used to read out the data, in particular the money balance, on the data carrier 16. In both exemplary embodiments, the data carrier 16 can be reversibly inserted into the reading device 15.

In order to receive an external time signal, such as the European radio time signal DCM / DCF, a receiver 17 is assigned to the control part 14 or the component from FIG. 3 containing the control part 14. The display device 1 has viewing windows 18, 19, 20 or 18, 19, 20, 21, from which information can be seen, which is stored on the one hand on the data carrier 16, on the other hand relates to external information and finally relates to the time Respectively.

In both exemplary embodiments, both the control part 14, the reading device 15 and the display device 1 operate independently of the electrical system and have an internal energy supply. The control part 14 and the reading device 15 from FIG. 4 each receive energy from a battery 22. The display device 1 from FIG. 4 and the component from FIG. 3 are supplied with energy by solar cells 23. The solar cells 23 each have an accumulator (not shown) as an energy store and source when there is insufficient light irradiation.

According to the second exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the control part 14 is further equipped with a transmitter unit 24 which sends signals to a receiver unit 25 of the display device 1. In the second exemplary embodiment shown here, both the transmitter unit 24 and the receiver unit 25 operate on the basis of infrared signals. The transmitter unit 24 therefore has three IR transmit diodes, shown in dashed lines. The receiver unit 25 accordingly has three IR receiver diodes which are arranged on different sides of the display device 1, namely laterally and in the lower region. The distributed arrangement of a plurality of IR receiver diodes is advantageous because in this way a transmission between the transmitter unit 24 and the receiver unit 25 is ensured even when one or more IR receiver diodes are partially sealed off.

In order to make the display device 1 particularly easy to use for parking disc-like use, the reading device 15 was assigned to the control part 14. The display device 1 can, for example, be attached to the windshield of the motor vehicle with suction buttons or an adhesive surface.

In the first and in the second exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 3 and 4, the reading device 15 with the data carrier 16 and the control part 14 are electrically connected directly to one another. The control part 14 is coupled to the reading device 15 with a detector, not shown, and the control part acts on the display device 1 depending on the insertion of the data carrier 16 in such a way that the various information is displayed in the viewing windows 18, 19, 20 and 21 of the display device 1 become. 4, this means that the control unit 14 also causes the transmitter unit 24 to transmit infrared signals to the receiver unit 25.

These signals or the direct electrical contact of the control part 14 to the display device 1 after the first embodiment For example, the display of the beginning of the parking time on the viewing window 18 now has, for this purpose, has a dial for unspecified numbers as well as a pointer assigned to the dial for unspecified hours. While the motor vehicle is traveling, the dial in the display device 1 can be driven continuously, so that the current time is displayed in the viewing window 18.

The viewing windows 19, 20 and 21 are designed as liquid crystal screens. In both figures, the viewing window 19 - also as a result of the activation of the control part by inserting the mobile memory card - shows the cash balance read from the memory card or the data carrier 16, which is transferred from the control part 14 to the display device 1.

In view window 20, the applicable fees per unit of time are shown as external information. 3 that the external information is transmitted by an external transmitter 26. To receive the signal, the control part 14 contained in the component according to the first exemplary embodiment has a receiver 27. 4, the external information is entered manually using a keyboard 28.

The viewing window 19 in FIG. 4 could now indicate the permissible parking time that can be entered via the keyboard 28 or also the current date or other information via the control part 14.

With the device according to the invention, it is easily possible for a control person to determine whether the user of the parking lot fulfills his duty to pay a fee and whether he / she adheres to the prescribed limited parking time in the case of parking spaces with a limited parking time. Therefore an application of the invented device according to the invention in conventional parking lots with parking meters and parking ticket machines is conceivable.

With the aid of the device according to the invention, the start of the parking time is indicated on the one hand, so that this device is suitable both for parking lots with a limited parking time and for parking facilities subject to charges. According to the invention, the "debiting" or the "consumption" of the previously paid or postpayable fees is cashless and from the motor vehicle.

With regard to further features of the device according to the invention not shown in the figures, reference is made to the description.

Claims

1. Device for indicating the start of the parking time and possibly the end of the parking time, with a display device (1) and with a control part coupled to the ignition, the control part acting on the display device (1) such that when the ignition is switched off, the time of Switching off is shown, characterized in that the control part comprises a transmitter unit (7) which transmits control signals as a function of the state of the ignition and that the display device (1) comprises a receiver unit for the control signals.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmitter unit transmits NF and / or HF signals, preferably radio signals, as control signals.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmitter unit ultrasonic signals as control signals aussen¬ det.

4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmitter unit (7) emits opto-electronic signals, preferably infrared signals, as control signals.

5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the transmitter unit (7) comprises at least one IR transmitter diode (12) and the receiver unit comprises at least one, preferably a plurality of IR receiver diodes (5, 6).

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized ge indicates that the transmitter unit (7) further signals, pre- preferably on another channel or several other channels, ie in other frequency ranges.

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized ge indicates that the control part acts on the display device (1) such that the current time is displayed when the ignition is switched on.

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized ge indicates that the control signal emitted by the transmitter unit (7) reproduces essentially two different states, each of which corresponds to either the ignition in the on or in the off state.

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized ge indicates that the display device (1) is associated with a clockwork (10) and that the control part controls the clockwork (10) in such a way that when the ignition is switched on in normal time clock works and rests when the ignition is switched off.

10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized ge indicates that the display device has a receiver for an external time signal.

11. The device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized ge indicates that the transmitter unit, at least when the ignition is switched on, transmits control signals at regular intervals which correspond to the current time.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that a clockwork is assigned to the control part.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the control part has a receiver for an external time signal.

14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized ge indicates that a time storage module (11) is provided for detecting the time interval between switching off and switching on the ignition again.

15. The device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized ge indicates that the display device (1) is designed analogously.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the display device (1) comprises a dial (3) and at least one of the dial (3) associated pointer (13) for hours display.

17. The device according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that an adjustment device is provided which is assigned to the time storage module (11) and updates the display of the display device (1) when the ignition is switched on again.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the adjusting device comprises a stepper motor, the An¬ anchor positions clearly definable times can be assigned.

19. Device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the display device is designed digitally.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that the display is carried out by means of liquid crystal or LEDs.

21. Device according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the display device (1) is manually adjustable and corresponding operating means, preferably buttons or control buttons, are provided.

22. The device according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the display device (1) and / or the control part operates independently of the electrical system.

23. Device according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterized ge indicates that the display device and / or the control part is provided with a preferably replaceable battery or with a preferably replaceable accumulator (9) for power supply.

24. Device according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized ge indicates that the display device (1) and / or the control part is provided with a solar cell unit (4) for power supply.

25. Device according to one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that the display device (1) can be fastened in the region of the windshield, preferably can be sucked or glued to the windshield.

26. Device for detecting the start of the parking time and possibly the end of the parking time with a display device (1), a control part (14) controlling the display device (1), a timer and a detector assigned to the control part (14) for detection at the beginning of the parking time, characterized in that a reading device (15) corresponding to the control part (14) for reading out at least data about a cash balance contains it is provided to the data carrier (16) that external information and the data of the data carrier can be transmitted to the display device (1) via the control part (14) and that the display device (1), in addition to the start of the parking time, contains the respective parking fee per unit of time and the decreasing cash balance over the duration of the park can be represented.

27. The apparatus according to claim 26, characterized in that the control part (14) contains a microprocessor which determines the money balance decreasing over the parking period on the basis of the external and internal information.

28. The apparatus of claim 26 or 27, characterized ge indicates that the data carrier (16) contains data about a time credit and / or a person, - company or vehicle-related identification number.

29. Device according to one of claims 26 to 28, characterized in that the data carrier (16) is reversible, preferably in the form of a memory card, in the reading device (15) can be introduced.

30. The device according to claim 29, characterized in that the data carrier (16), in particular with regard to Geldgutha¬ bens, can be updated in an external writing device.

31. The device according to one of claims 26 to 28, characterized in that the data carrier (16) is permanently integrated in the reading device (15) and data from an external transmitter unit via a receiving unit of the data carrier (16) or the control part ( 14) and a writing device coupled to the reading device (15) can be transmitted.

32. Apparatus according to claim 29 or 31, characterized in that the data carrier (16) is assigned a readable memory in which the currently determined money and / or time credit decreasing over the parking period can be stored.

33. Device according to one of claims 26 to 32, characterized in that the timer is a clockwork.

34. Device according to one of claims 26 to 32, characterized in that the timer comprises a receiver (17) for receiving an external time signal.

35. Device according to one of claims 26 to 34, characterized in that the display device (1) at least one viewing window (18, 19, 20, 21) for displaying the parking time, for displaying the data of the data carrier (16) and for Display of external information includes.

36. Apparatus according to claim 35, characterized in that the display device (1) is arranged so that it is clearly visible on the windshield or in the dashboard area of a motor vehicle.

37. Device according to one of claims 26 to 36, characterized in that the control part (14) and / or the display device (1) and / or the reading device (15) work independently of the electrical system.

38. Apparatus according to claim 37, characterized in that the control part (14) and / or the display device (1) and / or the reading unit (15) with a battery (22) or egg accumulator or with at least one solar cell (23rd ) and an accumulator for energy supply.

39. Device according to one of claims 1 to 38, characterized in that the control part (14), the reading device (15) and the display device (1) are combined in one component.

40. Apparatus according to claim 39, characterized in that the component essentially has the outer design of a parking disc.

41. Device according to one of claims 1 to 38, characterized in that the control part (14) and the display device (1) are locally separated from one another and the read device (15) with the data carrier (16) preferably either the control part (14) or the display device (1) is assigned.

42. Apparatus according to claim 41, characterized in that the control part (14) has a transmitter unit (24) and the display device (1) has a receiver unit (25).

43. Apparatus according to claim 42, characterized in that the transmitter unit (24) transmits LF and / or HF signals, preferably radio signals, as control signals.

44. Apparatus according to claim 42, characterized in that the transmitter unit (24) emits optoelectronic signals, preferably infrared signals, as control signals.

45. Apparatus according to claim 43 or 44, characterized gekennzeich¬ net that the transmitter unit (24) further signals, preferably on another channel or several other channels, d. H. in other frequency ranges.

46. Device according to one of claims 42 to 45, characterized in that the control part (14) or its detector the ignition of the motor vehicle is coupled and, when the ignition is switched off, the display device (1) acts in such a way that at least the time of switching off corresponding to the start of the parking time is displayed.

47. Device according to one of claims 26 to 45, wherein the data carrier is reversibly insertable, characterized in that the control part (14) or its detector responds to the introduction of the data carrier (16) and the display device (1) depending on the introduction of the data carrier (16) is acted on in such a way that at least the time of introduction corresponding to the start of the parking time is displayed.

48. Device according to one of claims 28 to 47, characterized in that the control part (14) for identification by an external receiver is assigned a transmitter which emits a person, company or vehicle-related identification number of the data carrier (16) containing signal .

49. Apparatus according to claim 48, characterized in that the external receiver is connected to a computer which calculates fees on the basis of the arrival and departure times registered by the external receiver and debits them from an account or creates an invoice.

50. Device according to one of claims 26 to 47, characterized in that external information, in particular about the charge rate per unit of time, contactlessly, via a signal of an external transmitter (26) receiving receiver (27) of the control part (14) to the display device (1) are transferable.

51. Apparatus according to claim 50, characterized in that the external transmitter (26) can be activated by the pulse of a light barrier or an induction loop.

52. Device according to one of claims 26 to 47, characterized in that external information, in particular about the charge rate per unit of time and the permissible parking time, can be entered manually, preferably by means of a keyboard (28), into the control part (14).

53. Device according to one of claims 41 to 52, wherein the control part (14) is locally separated from the display device (1), characterized in that the control part (14) is arranged outside the motor vehicle and the display device (1) inside the motor vehicle is arranged.

54. Apparatus according to claim 53, characterized in that the control part (14) or its detector can preferably be addressed by the pulse of a light barrier and via the transmitter unit (24) acts on the display device (1) such that the start of the Parking time corresponding time of the pulse, possibly with a determined delay, is shown.

55. Device according to one of claims 42 to 54, wherein the control part (14) from the display device (1) is locally separated, characterized in that the transmitter unit (24) of the control part (14) periodically emits signals so that the display device ( 1) indicates at least the number of signals received (parking time and rate of charge per unit of time) and the money or time credit decreasing with each received signal.