Parking management system for checking idle parking spaces by using unmanned aerial vehicle

Abstract

The application is suitable for the field of parking management, and provides a parking management system for checking idle parking spaces by using unmanned aerial vehicles. The parking management system comprises at least one first-level unmanned aerial vehicle, at least one second-level unmanned aerial vehicle and a parking management platform. The parking management platform comprises a cloud server, an identification module and a parking lot management system. The application can ensure the rapid verification of the change of idle parking spaces in all areas of the parking lot, accurately obtain the parking space occupation information of specific license plate vehicles, and timely update the idle parking space information and the parking space occupation information of specific license plate vehicles on the cloud server, so that the user can obtain the idle parking spaces of the parking lot in a timely and accurate manner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of parking management, and in particular relates to a parking management system for graded inspection of vacant parking spaces using drones. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, with the acceleration of urbanization, urban traffic congestion has become increasingly serious, and parking difficulties have become a common problem for many urban residents. Traditional parking management methods display the number of available parking spaces at the entrance of the parking lot. Users only know if there are any available spaces when they arrive at the entrance. If there are no spaces available, users have to search for other parking lots. Therefore, traditional parking management methods cause inconvenience to users. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this application is to provide a parking management system that allows users to obtain information on available parking spaces in a timely and accurate manner by using drones for graded verification of available parking spaces.

[0004] This application provides a parking management system for graded inspection of vacant parking spaces using drones, including at least one first-level drone, at least one second-level drone, and a parking management platform. The parking management platform includes a cloud server, a recognition module, and a parking lot management system.

[0005] The first-level drone performs inspection tasks according to the preset route and regional task points. The first-level drone takes one or more photos of parking space information at each regional task point and sends them to the identification module of the parking management platform for identification.

[0006] The second-level drone performs inspection tasks according to the preset flight path and parking space task points. The second-level drone takes one or more photos of the parking space and license plate information at each parking space task point and sends them to the recognition module of the parking management platform for recognition.

[0007] The identification module identifies the vacancy status of parking spaces in the corresponding area based on one or more parking space information photos taken by the first-level drone at each area task point, and determines the specific location of the vacant parking spaces. Based on one or more parking space and license plate information photos taken by the second-level drone at each parking space task point, it identifies and verifies the vacancy status of the corresponding parking space and the license plate number.

[0008] Once the identification module detects an available parking space, it sends the information about the available parking space to the parking management system.

[0009] The cloud server pre-stores basic parking space information for multiple parking lots;

[0010] The parking management system determines whether there are any changes in available parking spaces based on the information sent by the identification module. If there is an increase or decrease, it notifies the cloud server to update the available parking space information. The parking management system also promptly dispatches a second-level drone to the specific location of the available parking spaces to verify them. When the parking management system receives the available status and license plate number of the corresponding parking space identified by the second-level drone, it notifies the cloud server to promptly confirm and update the available parking space information and the parking space information occupied by the license plate number, so that users can know the parking area information and parking space information in advance through the cloud server and apply to reserve available parking spaces in advance.

[0011] In this application, the parking management system includes a first-level drone and a second-level drone. The first-level drone performs inspection tasks based on regional task points, while the second-level drone performs inspection tasks based on parking space task points. The identification module identifies the vacancy status of parking spaces in the corresponding area based on one or more parking space information photos taken by the first-level drone at each regional task point and determines the specific location of the vacant parking spaces. It also identifies and verifies the vacancy status and license plate number of the corresponding parking space based on one or more parking space and license plate information photos taken by the second-level drone at each parking space task point. When the identification module identifies a vacant parking space, it sends the vacant parking space information to the parking management system. The parking management system determines whether there are any changes in the vacant parking spaces based on the vacant parking space information sent by the identification module. If there are any increases or decreases, it notifies the cloud server to update the vacant parking space information. When the parking management system receives the vacancy status and license plate number of the corresponding parking space identified by the second-level drone, it notifies the cloud server to promptly confirm and update the vacant parking space information and the parking space information occupied by the license plate number. This ensures rapid verification of changes in available parking spaces across all areas of the parking lot, as well as accurate information on the occupancy of specific license plate vehicles. The system also promptly confirms and updates available parking space information and occupancy information for specific license plate vehicles on the cloud server, allowing users to obtain parking space availability information in a timely and accurate manner. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a parking management system for graded inspection of vacant parking spaces using drones, provided in one embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0013] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and beneficial effects of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0014] To illustrate the technical solution described in this application, specific embodiments are provided below.

[0015] Please see Figure 1 An embodiment of this application provides a parking management system for graded inspection of vacant parking spaces using drones, comprising at least one first-level drone 11, at least one second-level drone 12, and a parking management platform 13. The parking management platform 13 includes a cloud server 131, an identification module 132, and a parking lot management system 133; wherein,

[0016] The first-level drone 11 performs inspection tasks according to the preset flight routes and regional task points. The total coverage of the preset flight routes of all the first-level drones 11 can cover all areas of the parking lot. Each area on the preset flight route has multiple regional task points. The first-level drone 11 takes one or more photos of parking space information at each regional task point and sends them to the identification module 132 of the parking management platform 13 for identification.

[0017] In one embodiment of this application, the preset route of the first-level drone 11 can be a route generated by the autonomous cruise of the first-level drone 11, or a route generated by the parking management system 133 to go to a designated parking space or a designated area.

[0018] In one embodiment of this application, the entire parking lot can be divided into multiple areas, such as areas A, B, C, and D. When there is only one first-level drone 11, the preset flight path of the first-level drone 11 can cover all areas of the entire parking lot, that is, it can cover areas A, B, C, and D. When there are multiple first-level drones 11 (e.g., two), the flight path of one first-level drone 11 can be set to cover areas A and B, and the flight path of the other first-level drone 11 can be set to cover areas C and D. That is, the total coverage of the preset flight paths of all first-level drones 11 can cover all areas of the entire parking lot.

[0019] The first-level drone 11 takes one or more photos of parking space information at each task point in the area. Specifically, the first-level drone 11 takes one or more photos of parking space information at a set location, altitude, and direction at each task point in the area. This improves the accuracy of identifying vacant parking spaces.

[0020] The second-level drone 12 performs inspection tasks according to the preset flight routes and parking space task points. The total coverage of the preset flight routes of all the second-level drones 12 can cover all parking spaces in all areas of the entire parking lot. Each parking space on the preset flight route has multiple parking space task points. The second-level drone 12 takes one or more photos of the parking space and license plate information at each parking space task point and sends them to the identification module 132 of the parking management platform 13 for identification.

[0021] In one embodiment of this application, each area can be divided into multiple parking spaces. Assuming the entire parking lot is divided into two areas, A and B, area A can be divided into four parking spaces: A-001, A-002, A-003, and A-004, and area B can be divided into four parking spaces: B-001, B-002, B-003, and B-004. When there is only one second-level drone 12, its preset flight path can cover all parking spaces in all areas of the entire parking lot, specifically parking spaces A-001, A-002, A-003, and A-004 in area A and parking spaces B-001, B-002, B-003, and B-004 in area B. When there are multiple Level 2 drones 12 (e.g., 2), the flight path of one Level 2 drone 12 can be set to cover all parking spaces in area A, and the flight path of the other Level 2 drone 12 can be set to cover all parking spaces in area B. That is, the total coverage of the preset flight paths of all Level 2 drones 12 can cover all parking spaces in all areas of the entire parking lot.

[0022] The second-stage drone 12 takes one or more photos of the parking space and license plate information at each parking space task point. Specifically, the second-stage drone 12 takes one or more photos of the parking space and license plate information at each parking space task point at a set location, altitude, and direction. Therefore, it can improve the accuracy of license plate number recognition.

[0023] The identification module 132 identifies the vacancy status of parking spaces in the corresponding area based on one or more parking space information photos taken by the first-level drone 11 at each area task point, and determines the specific location of the vacant parking spaces. Based on one or more parking space and license plate information photos taken by the second-level drone 12 at each parking space task point, it identifies and verifies the vacancy status of the corresponding parking space and the license plate number.

[0024] Once the identification module 132 identifies an available parking space, it sends the information about the available parking space to the parking management system 133.

[0025] The cloud server 131 pre-stores basic parking space information for multiple parking lots, including which areas the parking lots include and which parking spaces are included in each area.

[0026] The parking management system 133 determines whether there are any changes in available parking spaces based on the information sent by the identification module 132. If there are any increases or decreases, it notifies the cloud server 131 to update the available parking space information. The parking management system 133 also promptly dispatches a second-level drone 12 to the specific location of the available parking space based on the information. When the parking management system 133 receives the available status and license plate number of the corresponding parking space identified by the second-level drone, it notifies the cloud server 131 to promptly confirm and update the available parking space information and the parking space information occupied by the license plate number, so that users can learn about the parking area information and parking space information in advance through the cloud server 131 and apply to reserve available parking spaces in advance.

[0027] In one embodiment of this application, the identification module 132 can use deep learning and artificial intelligence to identify the parking space vacancy status and license plate number. Therefore, the system requires less equipment investment and has a high degree of overall integration.

[0028] Users can register via WeChat mini-program or by downloading the app to view electronic maps of the parking area and parking spaces. They can then access parking area and space information in advance through the cloud server and reserve available spaces. This facilitates quick parking for drivers entering the parking lot.

[0029] The advance application for a vacant parking space can specifically include: applying in advance to reserve a target vacant parking space or applying in advance for a parking area, with the cloud server 131 automatically allocating parking spaces in the parking area.

[0030] In one embodiment of this application, when a user drives into or out of the parking lot, the identification module 132 identifies the license plate number based on the license plate information data of the vehicles entering and leaving the parking lot transmitted from the entrance and exit, and sends it to the parking management system 133, which then notifies the cloud server 131 to update the license plate number of the vehicles entering the parking lot.

[0031] Once a user has reserved a target available parking space or has been assigned a parking space by the cloud server 131, the third-party navigation platform on the user's terminal will navigate to the target available parking space or the parking space assigned by the cloud server through the navigation service interface of the cloud server 131.

[0032] The parking management system 133 determines and records whether a user is parking according to a reservation, parking randomly, or occupying a reserved vacant parking space randomly. Parking according to a reservation refers to two situations: the user who made a reservation accurately parks their vehicle in the reserved vacant parking space, and the user who did not make a reservation accurately parks their vehicle in the target vacant parking space. Parking randomly refers to three situations: the user who made a reservation does not park their vehicle in the reserved vacant parking space, the user who did not make a reservation does not park their vehicle in the target vacant parking space, and the user who did not activate the navigation service interface and parked in a non-reserved vacant parking space. Occupying a reserved vacant parking space randomly refers to two situations: the user parks their vehicle in a publicly listed reserved vacant parking space, and the user who did not activate the navigation service interface and parked in a reserved vacant parking space.

[0033] The parking management system 133 incentivizes scheduled parking and discourages unauthorized parking, while also penalizing those who illegally occupy reserved spaces. This improves the on-time operation rate of the parking management system and enhances the efficiency of drone operations.

[0034] In one embodiment of this application, when the parking management system 133 receives a user's request to leave and retrieve their vehicle, it pushes the user's parking space information to the user's terminal, and then a third-party navigation platform navigates the user to the parking space. This makes it convenient for drivers wishing to leave to find their parked vehicles within the parking lot.

[0035] In one embodiment of this application, when a vehicle arrives at the exit and leaves, the parking management system 133 collects parking fees through the charging system according to a reward and punishment mechanism.

[0036] This application provides an embodiment of a parking management system for graded inspection of vacant parking spaces using drones, applicable to open-air or indoor parking lots that can be divided into multiple areas. The parking management system includes a first-level drone and a second-level drone. The first-level drone performs inspection tasks based on area task points, while the second-level drone performs inspection tasks based on parking space task points. The identification module identifies the vacancy status of parking spaces in the corresponding area based on one or more parking space information photos taken by the first-level drone at each area task point, and determines the specific location of the vacant parking spaces. It also identifies and verifies the vacancy status and license plate number of the corresponding parking space based on one or more parking space and license plate information photos taken by the second-level drone at each parking space task point. When the identification module identifies a vacant parking space, it sends the vacant parking space information to the parking management system. The parking management system determines whether there are any changes in vacant parking spaces based on the information sent by the identification module. If there are increases or decreases, it notifies the cloud server to update the vacant parking space information. When the parking management system receives the vacancy status and license plate number of the corresponding parking space identified by the second-level drone, it notifies the cloud server to promptly confirm and update the vacant parking space information and the parking space information occupied by the license plate number. This ensures rapid verification of changes in available parking spaces across all areas of the parking lot, as well as accurate identification of parking space occupancy information for specific license plate vehicles. The system promptly updates available parking space information and specific license plate vehicle occupancy information on the cloud server, allowing users to obtain parking space availability information in a timely and accurate manner. Furthermore, because the first and second-level drones operate on pre-set routes without interference, their operation is safe and reliable. Users can also obtain parking lot area and parking space information in advance through the cloud server and reserve available spaces. In addition, the drone-based tiered parking space verification management system can operate automatically according to tasks, requiring no human intervention, demonstrating a high degree of intelligence.

[0037] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0038] The above embodiments merely illustrate several implementation methods of the present invention, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of this invention patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A parking management system for graded inspection of vacant parking spaces using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), characterized in that, It includes at least one Level 1 drone, at least one Level 2 drone, and a parking management platform. The parking management platform includes a cloud server, a recognition module, and a parking management system. The first-level drone performs inspection tasks according to the preset route and regional task points. The first-level drone takes one or more photos of parking space information at each regional task point and sends them to the identification module of the parking management platform for identification. The second-level drone performs inspection tasks according to the preset flight path and parking space task points. The second-level drone takes one or more photos of the parking space and license plate information at each parking space task point and sends them to the recognition module of the parking management platform for recognition. The identification module identifies the vacancy status of parking spaces in the corresponding area based on one or more parking space information photos taken by the first-level drone at each area task point, and determines the specific location of the vacant parking spaces. Based on one or more parking space and license plate information photos taken by the second-level drone at each parking space task point, it identifies and verifies the vacancy status of the corresponding parking space and the license plate number. Once the identification module detects an available parking space, it sends the information about the available parking space to the parking management system. The cloud server pre-stores basic parking space information for multiple parking lots; The parking management system determines whether there are any changes in available parking spaces based on the information sent by the identification module. If there is an increase or decrease, it notifies the cloud server to update the available parking space information. The parking management system also promptly dispatches a second-level drone to the specific location of the available parking space, which is determined by the identification module based on the parking space information photos taken by the first-level drone, to verify the location. When the parking management system receives the available status and license plate number of the corresponding parking space identified by the second-level drone, it notifies the cloud server to promptly confirm and update the available parking space information and the parking space information occupied by the license plate number, so that users can know the parking area information and parking space information in advance through the cloud server and apply to reserve an available parking space in advance.

2. The parking management system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The total coverage of all the preset routes of the first-level drones can cover all areas of the entire parking lot, and there are multiple area task points preset in each area on the preset routes; the total coverage of all the preset routes of the second-level drones can cover all parking spaces in all areas of the entire parking lot, and there are multiple parking space task points preset in each parking space on the preset routes. The preset routes for the first-level drone are either routes generated by the first-level drone's autonomous cruise or routes generated by the parking management system to a designated parking space or area.

3. The parking management system as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The entire parking lot is divided into multiple areas. When there is only one Level 1 drone, the preset flight path of the Level 1 drone can cover all areas of the entire parking lot. When there are multiple Level 1 drones, the total coverage of the preset flight paths of all Level 1 drones can cover all areas of the entire parking lot. Each area can be divided into multiple parking spaces. When there is only one Level 2 drone, the preset flight path of the Level 2 drone can cover all parking spaces in all areas of the entire parking lot. When there are multiple Level 2 drones, the total coverage of the preset flight paths of all Level 2 drones can cover all parking spaces in all areas of the entire parking lot.

4. The parking management system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first-level drone takes one or more photos of parking space information at each mission point in the area. Specifically, the first-level drone takes one or more photos of parking space information at each mission point in the area at a set location, altitude, and direction. The second-level drone takes one or more photos of the parking space and license plate information at each parking space task point. Specifically, the second-level drone takes one or more photos of the parking space and license plate information at each parking space task point at a set location, altitude, and direction.

5. The parking management system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The recognition module uses deep learning and artificial intelligence to identify the vacancy status of parking spaces and license plate numbers.

6. The parking management system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Specifically, users register through a WeChat mini-program or by downloading an app, then browse electronic maps of the parking area and parking spaces within the parking area. They can then obtain parking area and parking space information in advance through a cloud server and reserve available parking spaces in advance. The advance application for a vacant parking space specifically includes: applying in advance to reserve a target vacant parking space or applying in advance for a parking area, with the cloud server automatically allocating parking spaces within the parking area.

7. The parking management system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When a user drives into or out of the parking lot, the recognition module identifies the license plate number based on the license plate information data of the vehicles entering and leaving the parking lot, and sends it to the parking management system. The parking management system then notifies the cloud server to update the license plate numbers of vehicles entering the parking lot.

8. The parking management system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Once a user has reserved a target available parking space or has been assigned a parking space by the cloud server, the third-party navigation platform on the user's terminal will navigate to the target available parking space or the parking space assigned by the cloud server through the navigation service interface of the cloud server. When the parking management system receives a user's request to leave and retrieve their vehicle, it pushes the user's parking space information to the user's terminal, and then a third-party navigation platform guides the user to the parking space.

9. The parking management system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The parking management system determines and records whether a user parks according to a reservation, parks randomly, or arbitrarily occupies a reserved vacant parking space. Parking according to a reservation refers to two situations: the user with the reservation accurately parks their vehicle in the reserved vacant parking space, and the user without a reservation accurately parks their vehicle in the target vacant parking space. Parking randomly refers to three situations: the user with the reservation does not park their vehicle in the reserved vacant parking space, the user without a reservation does not park their vehicle in the target vacant parking space, and the user does not use the navigation service interface and parks in a non-reserved vacant parking space. Arbitrarily occupying a reserved vacant parking space refers to two situations: the user parks their vehicle in a publicly listed reserved vacant parking space, and the user does not use the navigation service interface and parks in a reserved vacant parking space.

10. The parking management system as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The parking management system rewards parking on reservation and discourages random parking, while also penalizing the unauthorized occupation of reserved parking spaces. When a vehicle arrives at the exit and leaves, the parking management system collects the parking fee through the charging system according to the reward and punishment mechanism.

Images