Providing city services using mobile devices and a sensor network

摘要

Apparatus and methods related providing city services, such as parking, are described. A mobile device can be configured to receive information from parking sensor nodes in the vicinity of the mobile device. In a parking application, the mobile device located in a moving vehicle can be configured to locate available parking based upon the information received from the parking sensor nodes. After an available parking space is obtained, the mobile device can be configured to initiate a purchase of parking and receive information related to parking enforcement. The mobile device can be configured to receive other types of information from local sensor nodes, such as transportation related sensor nodes and merchant provided sensor nodes. Based upon the information received from the local sensor nodes, a transportation application executing on the mobile device can be utilized to formulate a transportation solution involving one or more transportation modes.

主权项

1. A system comprising:
a sensor node device of a first type comprising:
a first sensor configured to measure first data used to determine an occupancy of a parking space;a first analog/digital converter coupled to the first sensor;a first radio transceiver;a first power interface; anda first microcontroller coupled to the analog/digital converter, the radio transceiver, the power interface and a first memory, the first microcontroller configured to receive the first data via the analog/digital converter and broadcast, via the first radio transceiver, a status of the parking space; a sensor node device of a second type comprising:
a second sensor configured to measure second data used to determine a real-time condition within a store;a second analog/digital converter coupled to the second sensor;a second radio transceiver;a second power interface; anda second microcontroller coupled to the second analog/digital converter, the second radio transceiver, the second power interface and a second memory, the second microcontroller configured to receive the second data and broadcast, via the second radio transceiver, the condition within the store; and a mobile device comprising:
a processor;a third memory coupled to the processor;display;a touch screen;a first communication interface configured to communicate with a cellular network or a wireless data network; anda second communication interface configured to gather first information related to available parking located in an area surrounding the mobile device and second information including available promotions offered by one or more local merchants located in the area surrounding the mobile device;wherein the first information is received directly, via a first short range wireless communication, from the sensor node device of the first type, which generates and broadcasts the first information for reception by any devices in wireless communication range of the sensor node device of the first type;wherein the second information is received directly, via a second short range wireless communication, from the sensor node device of the second type, which is located in an area surrounding the one or more local merchants and which generates and broadcasts the second information for reception by any devices in wireless communication range of the sensor node device of the second type; andwherein the processor is configured to:
1) determine a current location of the mobile device;2) output a map to the display, said map including streets, the location of the mobile device and the location of the available parking;3) receive a request to initiate a transaction to purchase parking via the touch screen;4) generate the transaction to purchase parking via one or more communications with a remote device;5) receive an electronic receipt from the remote device indicating the parking is purchased;6) store the first information related to parking and the second information related to the one or more local merchants;7) send all or a portion of the second information received via the second communication interface to the remote device via the first communication interface; and8) prior to the transaction to purchase parking, output, via the display or an audio device coupled to the mobile device, the condition within the store.