Parking guidance system and methods for controlling the parking guidance system

Abstract

This application relates to a parking guidance system and a method for controlling the parking guidance system. A parking guidance system may include: an entrance sensor; a parking check sensor configured to identify whether a parking space in a parking lot is occupied by a vehicle; a vehicle detection sensor configured to detect a vehicle; and a controller configured to identify unoccupied parking spaces in the parking lot via the parking check sensor, to allocate a vehicle identified by the entrance sensor to one of the unoccupied parking spaces, to identify the location of a vehicle detected by the vehicle detection sensor, and to guide the corresponding vehicle to the parking space via a parking guidance unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a parking guidance system and a method for controlling the parking guidance system. The parking guidance system can effectively manage and guide parking in a parking lot to shorten parking time and departure time (or parking time) and allow users to conveniently use the parking lot. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasing prevalence of vehicles, parking lots have been provided in urban areas for shared use. However, if such parking lots are large, it can take a long time to find an empty space and become crowded.

[0003] Typically, in parking lots of this size, individual staff are used to guide parking, but due to increased labor costs, automated systems for guiding parking have been adopted.

[0004] However, even automated systems simply notify drivers of available parking spaces, and their errors cause inconvenience to users.

[0005] Meanwhile, with the introduction of autonomous vehicles, automatic parking, i.e., automatic valet parking, can be utilized through communication between the vehicle and the system, and in this environment, a new system different from the existing system may be needed.

[0006] The information included in the background section of this invention is intended only to enhance the understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be construed as an admission of prior art known to those skilled in the art or as any form of advice. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Various aspects of the present invention aim to provide a parking guidance system and a method for controlling the parking guidance system, the parking guidance system being configured to effectively manage and guide parking in a parking lot to reduce parking time and departure time (or parking duration) and allow users convenient access to the parking lot.

[0008] According to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a parking guidance system includes: an entrance sensor disposed at the entrance of a parking lot and configured to identify a vehicle entering the entrance; a parking check sensor configured to identify whether each parking space in the parking lot is occupied by a vehicle; a vehicle detection sensor disposed in the parking lot and configured to detect vehicles moving in the parking lot; and a controller configured to identify unoccupied parking spaces in the parking lot via the parking check sensor, to allocate one of the unoccupied parking spaces to the vehicle identified by the entrance sensor, to identify the location of the vehicle detected by the vehicle detection sensor, and to guide the corresponding vehicle to the parking space.

[0009] Entrance sensors can identify vehicles entering the entrance through communication with the vehicle or the driver's terminal of the vehicle entering the entrance via WAVE communication, wireless Internet or RFID communication.

[0010] The entrance sensor can identify vehicles entering the entrance using a camera.

[0011] The entrance sensor can identify the vehicle number of the entering vehicle and provide the identified vehicle number to the controller.

[0012] Vehicle detection sensors can detect vehicles moving in the parking lot and transmit the detected information to the controller, which can then identify whether the detected vehicle is parked or has left.

[0013] The parking guidance system may further include a parking guidance unit configured to guide vehicles traveling in the parking lot to assigned parking spaces, wherein if a vehicle is detected as parked in the parking lot, the controller may transmit information about the parking space assigned to the corresponding vehicle to the parking guidance unit.

[0014] The parking guidance system may also include a parking guidance unit configured to guide vehicles traveling in the parking lot to assigned parking spaces, wherein the controller can guide vehicles to parking spaces via the parking guidance unit.

[0015] The controller can guide parking spaces using parking guidance units located along the expected driving path of a vehicle detected by vehicle detection sensors.

[0016] The vehicle's expected route can be the route taken by the vehicle detection sensor from the vehicle's detection position to the assigned parking space.

[0017] The controller can guide a parking space by using a first parking guidance unit that is present in the vehicle's expected driving route, as detected by vehicle detection sensors.

[0018] The parking guidance unit can be a vehicle terminal or a driver terminal.

[0019] The parking guidance unit can guide vehicles to the assigned parking spaces and the driving routes detected by vehicle detection sensors.

[0020] The controller can detect departing vehicles using parking inspection sensors or vehicle detection sensors, and guide departing vehicles to the parking lot exit via the parking guidance unit.

[0021] When the controller receives information about the exit assigned to a parked vehicle, it can guide the vehicle to the exit via the parking guidance unit.

[0022] The controller can assign vehicles identified by the entrance sensors to one of the unoccupied parking spaces based on predetermined priority criteria.

[0023] According to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a method for controlling a parking guidance system includes: identifying whether each parking space in a parking lot is occupied by a vehicle using a parking inspection sensor; identifying a vehicle entering the parking lot through an entrance sensor; identifying unoccupied parking spaces using a parking inspection sensor and assigning one of the unoccupied parking spaces to the vehicle identified by the entrance sensor; and identifying the location of a vehicle detected by a vehicle detection sensor and guiding the corresponding vehicle to the parking space.

[0024] The methods and apparatus of the present invention have other features and advantages, which will be more apparent from or set forth in more detail in the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and in the following detailed description, and together serve to explain certain principles of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 This is a view illustrating the operation of a parking guidance system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 7 and Figure 8 This is a flowchart of a method for controlling a parking guidance system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0027] It is understood that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and present slightly simplified representations of various features illustrating the basic principles of the invention. Specific design features of the invention as included herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, positions, and shapes, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and environment of use.

[0028] In the accompanying drawings, which run throughout the series, reference numerals denote the same or equivalent parts of the invention. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. Although the invention will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood that this specification is not intended to limit the invention to those exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments thereof, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments that may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0030] Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 These are views illustrating the operation of a parking guidance system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and Figure 7 and Figure 8 This is a flowchart of a method for controlling a parking guidance system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 This is a view illustrating the operation of a parking guidance system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The parking guidance system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention includes: an entrance sensor 12 disposed at the entrance of a parking lot and configured to identify vehicles entering the entrance; a parking check sensor 300 configured to identify whether each parking space in the parking lot is occupied by a vehicle; a vehicle detection sensor 300 disposed in the parking lot and configured to detect vehicles moving in the parking lot; and a controller 30 configured to identify unoccupied parking spaces in the parking lot via the parking check sensor 300, allocate one of the unoccupied parking spaces to a vehicle identified by the entrance sensor 12, identify the location of a vehicle detected by the vehicle detection sensor 300, and guide the corresponding vehicle to a parking space. In various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a case is provided where the parking check sensor and the vehicle detection sensor perform both functions as the same hardware as an example.

[0032] An entrance sensor 12 is installed at the entrance of the parking lot of this invention. The entrance sensor 12 can perform two functions, firstly identifying entering vehicles. Various communication units can be used to identify vehicles, and a camera can be used to identify the type and license plate number of the entering vehicle.

[0033] Once vehicle recognition is complete, the system can guide users at the entrance to determine if parking is possible and if there are available parking spaces. Furthermore, users can pre-book parking via a terminal such as a smartphone, and in the current scenario, vehicles can be authenticated via the entrance sensor 12, allowing only authorized vehicles to enter the parking lot.

[0034] Simultaneously, after the vehicle enters, navigation 104 can be activated to guide the vehicle to a parking lot using a map. Upon entry, controller 30 can assign available parking spaces P1 to the corresponding vehicle and set the driving route from the entrance to parking space P1.

[0035] Furthermore, the controller 30 can allocate one of the unoccupied parking spaces to a vehicle identified by the entrance sensor based on a predetermined priority standard. For example, in the case of an apartment or building, priority can be given to allocating parking spaces near the entrance of the corresponding residential space to vehicles of residents living in the apartment or building.

[0036] The parking lot is equipped with multiple parking inspection sensors 300, 302, 304, and 306 to determine whether each parking space P1 and P2 is occupied by a vehicle. Various methods such as near-infrared, radio frequency identification (RFID), and cameras can be used to inspect parking, and these sensors are located near each inspection parking space at an intersection within the parking lot to check nearby parking spaces.

[0037] In addition, multiple vehicle detection sensors 300, 302, 304, and 306 are installed in the parking lot to detect vehicles moving within it. Vehicle detection sensor 300 can also be used in various ways. Typically, vehicle detection sensor 300 can detect the direction of movement and position of vehicles whose license plates are identified by a camera. Vehicle detection sensor 300 (which is the same sensor as parking check sensor 300) can be a multi-functional sensor.

[0038] Simultaneously, multiple parking guidance units 500, 502, 504, and 506 are used to guide vehicles moving within the parking lot to their assigned parking spaces. The parking guidance unit 500, configured to guide identified vehicles to parking spaces, can be displayed at each junction of the parking lot. Furthermore, the parking guidance unit is not limited to parking lot hardware; it can also function via various terminals such as the vehicle's navigation system 104 or the user's smartphone 106. In this case, the vehicle's terminal or the user may require a communication module 102, configured to exchange information via communication with the parking lot's server, i.e., the controller.

[0039] The controller 30, configured as a server, identifies unoccupied parking spaces P1 and P2 through parking inspection sensors 300, and assigns the vehicle identified by the entrance sensor 12 to one of the unoccupied parking spaces, P1. The vehicle detection sensor 300 identifies the position of the vehicle, and the parking guidance unit 500 guides the corresponding vehicle to parking space P1.

[0040] This configuration allows for specific parking guidance for each individual vehicle entering the parking lot, and can even guide driving routes within the parking lot while guiding parking, thereby reducing parking congestion, enabling the collection of parking fees, and making efficient use of space.

[0041] The entrance sensor 12 can identify an entering vehicle by communicating with the vehicle or the driver's terminal via WAVE communication, wireless internet, or RFID communication. Additionally, the entrance sensor 12 can identify vehicles entering the entrance via a camera. Furthermore, the entrance sensor can identify the vehicle number of the entering vehicle and provide the identified vehicle number to the controller 30.

[0042] Simultaneously, when the vehicle detection sensor 300 detects a vehicle moving in the parking lot, the vehicle detection sensor 300 can transmit the detected information to the controller 30, and the controller 30 can use the detected information to identify whether the detected vehicle is a parked vehicle or a departing vehicle. If the detected vehicle is a parked vehicle, the controller 30 can transmit information related to the parking space allocated to the corresponding vehicle to the parking guidance unit 500.

[0043] Furthermore, the controller 30 can guide the vehicle to a parking space via a parking guidance unit 500 present in the vehicle's expected driving route detected by the vehicle detection sensor 300. Alternatively, in the case of an autonomous vehicle, the vehicle can be guided or controlled to an assigned parking space.

[0044] The intended driving route of the vehicle can be the route from the vehicle's detection position detected by the vehicle detection sensor 300 to the assigned parking space. Furthermore, the controller 30 can sequentially guide parking spaces starting from a first parking guidance unit 500 present in the intended driving route of the vehicle detected by the vehicle detection sensor 300. The parking guidance unit 500 can be a vehicle terminal or a driver terminal. Additionally, the parking guidance unit 500 can guide the assigned parking space and route to reach the assigned parking space.

[0045] Simultaneously, the controller 30 can detect departing vehicles via the parking check sensor 300 or the vehicle detection sensor 300, and guide the vehicles to the exit via the parking guidance unit 500. If information about the exit assigned to the parked vehicle is provided, the controller 30 can guide the vehicle to the exit 20 or 22 assigned to the vehicle via the parking guidance unit 500. Additionally, in the case of autonomous vehicles, the controller can directly control the vehicle to drive towards the parking space or provide a route to the vehicle.

[0046] Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 This is a view illustrating the operation of a parking guidance system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention. First, when vehicle 100 enters entrance 10, the vehicle is identified and recorded by entrance sensor 12. Parking space P1 is assigned to the vehicle. Additionally, information indicating that vehicle (vehicle 5634) entered at 10:35 and may park in area 2-1 is output via vehicle or user terminals 104 and 106 or via parking guidance unit display 500 in the parking lot (D). Regarding the allocation of parking spaces, the nearest space or the least crowded location is allocated and provided as a parking space.

[0047] like Figure 2 As shown, when vehicle 100 enters the parking lot, the vehicle is identified by vehicle detection sensor 300, and the driving direction (right turn) is guided by display D of parking guidance unit 500.

[0048] In addition, such as Figure 3 As shown, it continuously identifies vehicle 100 and guides the driving direction (right turn).

[0049] After that, as Figure 4 As shown, when vehicle 100 approaches the location of parking space P1, information about a specific parking space 2-1 is provided so that vehicle 100 can be parked in the designated location.

[0050] Figure 5 The departure process is illustrated. When vehicle 100 departs, it can be directed to exit 20 in the earliest reachable direction from the destination specified in the navigation, or it can be directed to the nearest exit or an exit with less congestion. In the current case, it will be directed to exit #1 20.

[0051] like Figure 6 As shown, the system identifies departing vehicle 100 and guides it to exit 20, allowing the vehicle to leave smoothly.

[0052] Figure 7 and Figure 8This is a flowchart of a method for controlling a parking guidance system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The method for controlling the parking guidance system includes: identifying whether each parking space in the parking lot is occupied by a vehicle using a parking inspection sensor (S101); identifying a vehicle entering the parking lot entrance using an entrance sensor (S103); identifying unoccupied parking spaces using a parking inspection sensor and assigning one of the unoccupied parking spaces to the vehicle identified by the entrance sensor (S105); and identifying the position of a vehicle detected by a vehicle detection sensor and guiding the corresponding vehicle to the parking space (S203).

[0053] Figure 7 The situation illustrates the parking process.

[0054] When a vehicle arrives at the entrance, it is determined whether the current number of parking spaces in the parking lot is acceptable (S101 and S102). If the number of parking spaces is acceptable, the vehicle number is identified (S103). Therefore, an attempt is made to communicate with the vehicle (S104), a parking space is assigned, and the entry time is set and recorded (S105).

[0055] Once parking space allocation is complete, information about the parking space is displayed via the vehicle or terminal (S201), and guidance at the entrance terminates when the vehicle passes through the entrance (S202, S203, and S204). Information related to the vehicle is then guided through the next parking guidance unit (S205).

[0056] When a vehicle arrives at its assigned parking space, guidance is terminated (S301), or otherwise, guidance is continuously provided via the parking guidance unit (S306 and S302). If a vehicle is parked in an unassigned space, a warning is issued using a loudspeaker or parking lot lighting (S303 and S304). If the vehicle does not move despite the warning, a fine is imposed, and a message is sent to the user terminal, etc. (S306 and S402). Additionally, the assigned parking space is cancelled to allow another vehicle to park, and it is recorded that the vehicle was parked in the designated space; a fine is then collected from the offending vehicle upon departure (S403).

[0057] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating the departure process. First, when the driver inputs their destination via the vehicle's or terminal's navigation, the destination information is transmitted to the controller, which then selects and guides the driver to the exit closest to the destination (S501, S503, and S504). If no destination is set, the driver is guided to the exit closest to the parking location (S502). Whether the vehicle is about to leave can be determined via the user terminal or by using vehicle detection sensors to detect the movement of the parked vehicle.

[0058] The controller communicates with the vehicle and monitors whether the vehicle has correctly passed the guide point (S506, S507, and S508). When the vehicle arrives at the exit, the controller is configured to determine the parking fee (S601, S603, and S604). If the vehicle has not yet arrived at the exit, the controller continues to guide the vehicle to the exit via parking guidance units present on the vehicle's travel path (S602).

[0059] According to the parking guidance system and control method of the present invention, by effectively implementing parking management and parking lot guidance, parking time and departure time can be shortened, and users can conveniently use the parking lot.

[0060] In various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, each of the above operations can be performed by a controller, and the controller can consist of multiple controllers or an integrated single controller.

[0061] Furthermore, the terms "controller," "control unit," and "control device" refer to a hardware device including a memory and a processor configured to execute one or more steps interpreted as an algorithmic structure. The memory stores the algorithmic steps, and the processor executes the algorithmic steps to perform one or more processes of methods according to various exemplary embodiments of the invention. A controller according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention may be implemented via non-volatile memory configured to store algorithms for controlling the operation of various components of a vehicle or data regarding software commands for executing the algorithms, and a processor configured to perform the aforementioned operations using the data stored in the memory. The memory and processor may be separate chips. Alternatively, the memory and processor may be integrated into a single chip. The processor may be implemented as one or more processors.

[0062] The controller or control unit may be at least one microprocessor operated by a predetermined program, which may include a series of commands for performing methods according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0063] The foregoing invention can also be embodied as computer-readable code on a computer-readable recording medium. This computer-readable recording medium is any data storage device capable of storing data that can subsequently be read by a computer system. Examples of computer-readable recording media include hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-state drives (SSDs), silicon disk drives (SDDs), read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, optical data storage devices, etc., and implementations such as carrier waves (e.g., transmission via the Internet).

[0064] For ease of interpretation and accurate definition of the appended claims, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “outer,” “on,” “under,” “upward,” “downward,” “front,” “back,” “rear,” “inner,” “external,” “inward,” “outer,” “inside,” “outside,” “internal,” “external,” “inner,” “outer,” “forward,” and “backward” are used to describe features of exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of features shown in the accompanying drawings. It will be further understood that the term “connection” or its derivatives refer to both direct and indirect connections.

[0065] For purposes of illustration and description, the foregoing description of specific exemplary embodiments of the invention has been given. These are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and it will be apparent that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the foregoing teachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described to explain certain principles of the invention and its practical application, enabling others skilled in the art to make and utilize various exemplary embodiments of the invention and their various alternatives and modifications. The scope of the invention is intended to be defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A parking guidance system, comprising: An entrance sensor is installed at the entrance of the parking lot and is configured to identify vehicles entering the entrance; Parking inspection sensors are configured to identify whether each parking space in the parking lot is occupied by a vehicle; A vehicle detection sensor is installed in the parking lot and configured to detect vehicles moving in the parking lot; A parking guidance unit is configured to guide the vehicle traveling in the parking lot to an assigned parking space; as well as The controller is configured to: identify unoccupied parking spaces in the parking lot via the parking inspection sensor, allocate parking spaces among the unoccupied parking spaces to the vehicle identified by the entrance sensor, identify the position of the vehicle detected by the vehicle detection sensor, and guide the vehicle detected by the vehicle detection sensor to one of the unoccupied parking spaces; The vehicle detection sensor is further configured to transmit detection information related to the vehicle moving in the parking lot to the controller, the detection information including the vehicle's direction of movement and position. The controller is further configured to: identify, based on the detection information, whether the detected vehicle is a vehicle parked in the parking lot or a vehicle leaving the parking lot, and guide the vehicle leaving the parking lot to one of the following exits via the parking guidance unit: the exit closest to the vehicle's destination, the exit closest to the vehicle's parking location, and the exit with the least congestion. The parking inspection sensor and the vehicle detection sensor are the same hardware and are located near the intersection of each road in the parking lot.

2. The parking guidance system according to claim 1, wherein, The entrance sensors are configured to identify a vehicle entering the entrance by communicating with the vehicle entering the entrance or the driver's terminal of the vehicle entering the entrance via WAVE communication, wireless Internet, or RFID communication between them.

3. The parking guidance system according to claim 1, wherein, The entrance sensor is configured to identify the vehicle entering the entrance via a camera.

4. The parking guidance system according to claim 1, wherein, The entrance sensor is configured to identify the vehicle number of a vehicle entering the entrance and provide the identified vehicle number to the controller.

5. The parking guidance system according to claim 1, further comprising: in, The controller is configured to transmit information about the parking space allocated to the vehicle in the parking lot to the parking guidance unit when the detected vehicle is the vehicle parked in the parking lot.

6. The parking guidance system according to claim 1, further comprising: in, The controller is configured to guide the vehicle traveling in the parking lot to the assigned parking space via the parking guidance unit.

7. The parking guidance system according to claim 6, wherein, The controller is configured to guide a vehicle traveling in the parking lot to an assigned parking space via a parking guidance unit present in the expected travel route of the vehicle detected by the vehicle detection sensor.

8. The parking guidance system according to claim 7, wherein, The expected driving route of the vehicle detected by the vehicle detection sensor is the route taken by the vehicle from the location of the vehicle detected by the vehicle detection sensor to the assigned parking space.

9. The parking guidance system according to claim 8, wherein, The controller is configured to guide the vehicle detected by the vehicle detection sensor to the assigned parking space via a first parking guidance unit present in the expected driving route of the vehicle detected by the vehicle detection sensor.

10. The parking guidance system according to claim 6, wherein, The parking guidance unit is a vehicle terminal or a driver terminal.

11. The parking guidance system according to claim 6, wherein, The parking guidance unit is configured to guide the assigned parking space and guide the vehicle, detected by the vehicle detection sensor, along the driving route to the assigned parking space.

12. The parking guidance system according to claim 1, wherein, The controller is configured to guide vehicles leaving the parking lot to the exit via the parking guidance unit when the controller receives information about the exit assigned to a parked vehicle.

13. The parking guidance system according to claim 1, wherein, The controller is configured to allocate parking spaces from the unoccupied parking spaces to the vehicle identified by the entrance sensor according to a predetermined priority criterion.

14. A method for controlling the parking guidance system according to claim 1, the method comprising: The controller uses the parking inspection sensor to identify whether each parking space in the parking lot is occupied by a vehicle. The controller identifies the vehicle entering the parking lot through the entrance sensor; The controller identifies unoccupied parking spaces via the parking inspection sensor and allocates the parking spaces among the unoccupied spaces to the vehicle identified by the entrance sensor; as well as The controller identifies the position of the vehicle detected by the vehicle detection sensor and guides the vehicle detected by the vehicle detection sensor to the assigned parking space.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein, The controller includes: Processor; and A non-transitory storage medium having a program recorded thereon for performing the method of claim 14 and executed by the processor.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein, The controller is configured to guide a vehicle traveling in the parking lot to an assigned parking space via a parking guidance unit present in the expected travel route of the vehicle detected by the vehicle detection sensor.

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