Apparatus and associated method for vehicle identification in automated logistics centers

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for managing a parking area for motor vehicles and a system comprising at least one human or robotic vehicle conveyor (10) provided for moving or transporting a motor vehicle (100), characterized in that the system comprises a plurality of physical media carrying a unique barcode-type optical identifier, each physical medium being disposed on or in the motor vehicle; at least one camera (4) for photographing the vehicle; an analysis device (6) for running a program for analyzing images transmitted by the camera (4) to extract the unique optical identifier; and a device (7) for wirelessly communicating between the analysis device (6) and at least one conveyor (10) for moving or transporting the vehicle associated with the identifier, in order to send a digital message indicating the destination address of the vehicle (100) to at least one conveyor (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of equipment and / or methods for managing motor vehicle storage areas or parking areas.

[0002] Existing technology

[0003] In existing technologies, it is known to read the license plates of each vehicle entering and exiting a parking area using cameras.

[0004] US Patent 20140271062 describes an elevator system for passengers and vehicles that transports a vehicle containing at least one passenger to a desired parking space in a multi-story building. The elevator system for passengers and vehicles includes multiple elevator cars arranged substantially at a distance from the building's central shaft. Each elevator car includes a shell and at least one door. The elevator car shell has a floor, a top plate, and at least one side wall. The elevator cars are sized and constructed to transport a vehicle and at least one passenger. Information related to the parking space is read from the vehicle using external sensors such as RFID sensors and barcode readers.

[0005] U.S. Patent Application 2007031218 describes a system and method for automatically storing and retrieving vehicles, containers, and vessels in a multi-story parking garage. The system uses a receiving device configured to receive identification data uniquely assigned to each vehicle associated with entry into a vehicle transfer area. Background Technology

[0006] In the context of parking areas containing new vehicles, unlike vehicles moving in existing technology solutions, those vehicles do not have license plates.

[0007] Patents US20140271062 and US2007031218 do not relate to the identification of vehicles, but rather to the identification of parking spaces by vehicles already identified by their license plates.

[0008] Therefore, a simple and inexpensive identification solution is desired for use in motor vehicle storage areas or new vehicle parking areas.

[0009] The technical problem to be solved is to securely ensure the identification of new vehicles that have not yet been registered so that they can be automatically moved to a location provided for them without any interference with the vehicle. This secure method can be used remotely and does not require any modification to the vehicle.

[0010] The solution provided by this invention

[0011] According to its most common acceptance, the present invention relates to a system for managing a vehicle storage area or a motor vehicle parking area including a camera having the technical features described in claim 1 or the dependent claims.

[0012] Within the meaning of this patent, "reusable medium" will be understood to mean a movable medium that can be placed in or removed from a vehicle without any tools or irreversible connection.

[0013] Within the meaning of this patent, "camera" refers to an image acquisition device, particularly an image sensor, or an infrared scanning device. The communication device may consist of a communication link (wired or wireless) between a gate and a centralized system, which itself is connected to the transmitters, people, or robots it manages.

[0014] The gate may include multiple devices for detecting / reading barcodes or QR codes / reading RFID tags in order to properly surround the vehicle.

[0015] The management system according to the present invention is a simple, inexpensive, and reusable solution because the media and associated identifiers can be reallocated.

[0016] Preferably, each physical medium is paper. Each sheet of paper is placed on the vehicle's dashboard and near the windshield or glued to the side window. For example, the paper format is A4 (21 cm × 29.7 cm).

[0017] Advantageously, the unique optical identifier is printed on at least 50% of the surface of the physical medium. This feature makes the identifier more visible and / or more distinguishable to the camera.

[0018] According to one variant implementation, the identifier is an RFID tag applied to the vehicle's windows.

[0019] According to one variant implementation, the system includes lighting devices designed to illuminate the vehicle.

[0020] Preferably, the system includes a frame that supports at least one camera. The frame may also have a lighting device.

[0021] For example, the frame is a door that allows vehicles to pass through. The term "door" refers to two pillars connected together by a horizontal crossbar. The length of the pillars is greater than or equal to the height of the motor vehicle. Cameras and possible lighting fixtures may be supported by the door's horizontal beams or one or both of the two vertical pillars.

[0022] In one variant implementation, the frame is a vertical pole. The camera and lighting equipment can be mounted on top of the vertical pole.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the system also includes at least one vehicle conveyor equipped with a communication device for receiving movement commands based on a unique identifier acquired by a camera and processed by an analysis device. The conveyor can be a robotic platform or a human driver equipped with a communication device.

[0024] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method for managing a motor vehicle storage area or motor vehicle parking area, wherein at least one vehicle conveyor is provided for moving or transporting vehicles, characterized by the following steps:

[0025] - Will carry a unique barcode type identifier or QR code Alternatively, the physical medium of the RFID tag may be placed near a polished surface in each vehicle.

[0026] - Use vehicle conveyors to move or transport vehicles.

[0027] - Allow a moving or transporting vehicle to travel in front of a camera so that it captures a unique optical identifier associated with the vehicle, or to travel in front of an RFID tag so that it identifies a unique RFID identifier associated with the vehicle.

[0028] -Analyze unique optical identifiers or RFID tags using analytical devices.

[0029] - A digital message indicating the destination address is sent to the transmitter via a wireless communication device. Attached Figure Description

[0030] The invention will be better understood by reading the following description and referring to the non-limiting exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein...

[0031] [ Figure 1 ] Figure 1 A system for managing a parking area according to a first embodiment is shown, the system including a door carrying a camera, lighting devices, analysis devices, and devices for wireless communication, the camera capturing a unique optical identifier placed inside a motor vehicle transported by a vehicle conveyor.

[0032] [ Figure 2 ] Figure 2 A system for managing a parking area according to a second embodiment is shown, the system further comprising a single light curtain.

[0033] [ Figure 3 ] Figure 3 A system for managing a parking area according to a third embodiment is shown, the system also including a dual light curtain.

[0034] [ Figure 4 ] Figure 4A system for managing parking areas according to a fourth embodiment is shown, the system also including a vertical detection camera. Detailed Implementation

[0035] Figure 1 A system or device 1 for managing a motor vehicle storage area or motor vehicle parking area is shown.

[0036] The system includes electric vehicle conveyors 10 arranged to move or transport motor vehicles 100. Each conveyor is arranged and / or programmed to cover a parking area with motor vehicles waiting to be delivered (in this case, new cars without license plates) and to transport vehicles from a storage area of ​​the parking area to a transfer area of ​​the parking area.

[0037] In addition, each motor vehicle includes a medium, such as a piece of paper with a unique identifier printed on it, which is placed on the dashboard or adhesively attached to a window so that it is visible through the windshield from the outside of the vehicle (not shown). The unique identifier is a barcode or QR code.

[0038] The system includes a door 3 housing a camera 4 and a lighting device 5. When a vehicle is present in front of the door via a conveyor 10, the camera 4 and the lighting device 5 are pointed at the vehicle's windshield. The camera 4 is arranged to read or scan a unique identifier.

[0039] The system includes an analysis device 6. The analysis device 6 is connected to the camera 4 and is configured to run a program that analyzes the images transmitted by the camera 4 to extract the unique optical identifier. As the conveyor passes under the gate with the vehicle, the code read by the camera is transmitted to the analysis device for association with the vehicle.

[0040] The management system also includes a database in which each unique identifier is associated with a destination address. A wireless communication device 7 between the analysis device 6 and each transmitter enables the transmission of digital messages indicating the destination address of vehicles transported by that transmitter.

[0041] The usefulness of this system is particularly important when dealing with vehicles that do not yet have license plates, such as in the case of logistics points for new vehicles.

[0042] Alternative implementation plan

[0043] Figures 2 to 4 A variant implementation is shown, in which the system incorporates functionality for measuring vehicle length.

[0044] According to these three variations, the door (3) includes an optical device that interacts with the front end of the vehicle to allow the vehicle (100) to pass through the door, thereby automatically determining its length.

[0045] according to Figure 2 In the variant shown, the door (3) includes a pillar (20) which includes a light source laterally oriented in the direction of a second pillar (30) including a photodetector to form a photogate (25) which is blocked when a vehicle passes by.

[0046] according to Figure 3 The variant shown includes two ramps (20, 21) for the light source and two ramps (30, 31) for the photodetector, forming a double photogate (25, 26). This variant enables automatic detection of the direction of movement.

[0047] according to Figure 4 In the variant shown, the door (3) includes a camera (40), which is vertically arranged in this example to detect the passage of the rear end of the vehicle (100).

[0048] The detection of a vehicle (100) moving from the rear end of the conveyor (10) and then from the front end (or vice versa) allows the length of the vehicle (100) to be inferred based on damage to the photogate or based on the beam of the camera (40).

[0049] When the robot (10) brings the car (100) into the handover area, it must pass under the door (it needs to pass between the handover area and the storage area).

[0050] As the vehicle moves slowly under the door, the position of the unseen surface of the vehicle (100) passing under the door (3) is obtained by means of a photoelectric door or camera (40), and the length of the vehicle is inferred by combining the position of the robot (10) when the unseen surface passes through the vertical part of the door (3).

Claims

1. A system for managing (1) a motor vehicle parking area including a vehicle identification device, characterized in that, The system includes at least one vehicle conveyor (10) arranged and / or programmed to cover a parking area, and the vehicle identification device includes: • Multiple reusable physical media, each carrying a unique barcode type or QR code associated with a memory containing a unique digital identifier. Types of optical identifiers or RFID tags, each physical medium being deployed on or inside a motor vehicle (100), • At least one sensor (4), said sensor being arranged to acquire information recorded in the physical medium of the vehicle, • An analysis device (6), connected to the at least one sensor (4), which runs a program for analyzing information sent by the sensor (4) to extract a unique optical identifier or digital identifier. • A means (7) for wirelessly communicating between the analysis device (6) and the at least one vehicle transporter (10) that moves or transports the vehicle associated with the unique optical or digital identifier, in order to send a digital message indicating the destination address of the vehicle to the at least one vehicle transporter (10). The system includes a door (3) that carries at least one of the sensors (4) and allows the vehicle to pass through. The door (3) further includes means for detecting the passage of the front end of the vehicle moved by the at least one vehicle conveyor (10). The means for detecting the passage of the front end of the vehicle is composed of a photoelectric gate (25). The photoelectric gate (25) is formed by a light source ramp (20) oriented toward a photodetector ramp (30). The light source ramp (20) and the photodetector ramp (30) are arranged on either side of the door (3).

2. The management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each reusable physical medium is a piece of paper bearing instructions with a unique coded identifier, and the sensor (4) is a camera.

3. The management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each physical medium includes an RFID tag associated with a digital memory containing a record of unique digital identifiers, and the sensor (4) is an RFID reader.

4. The management system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The management system includes a lighting device (5) configured to illuminate the vehicle.

5. The management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one vehicle conveyor (10) is equipped with a communication device for receiving movement instructions based on the unique optical identifier or digital identifier acquired by the at least one sensor (4) and processed by the analysis device (6).

6. The management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The photogate (25) is a double photogate (25,26), which is formed by two light source ramps (20,21) oriented toward two photodetector ramps (30,31).

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