Valet parking system, valet parking method and valet car taking method

Abstract

The valet parking system according to the present invention is used for valet parking a vehicle entering an airport to a vehicle parking area, and comprises: a first vehicle transfer robot disposed in a vehicle parking area where a vehicle requiring valet parking is to be parked, and moving the vehicle parked in the vehicle parking area; a vehicle transfer tray disposed in the vicinity of the vehicle parking area and on which the vehicle moved by the first vehicle transfer robot is mounted; a vehicle transfer track provided from the vehicle parking area to a position of the vehicle parking area so that a vehicle transfer tray moves to the vehicle parking area; a second vehicle transfer robot disposed in the vehicle parking area and moving the vehicle transported by the vehicle transfer tray to a vehicle parking position of the vehicle parking area or re-moving the parked vehicle located at the vehicle parking position to the vehicle transfer tray; and a server that controls the first vehicle transfer robot, the vehicle transfer tray, and the second vehicle transfer robot.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2024 - 0001604, filed on January 1, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to a valet parking system, a valet parking method, and a valet pick - up method, and more particularly, to a valet parking system, a valet parking method, and a valet pick - up method using a vehicle transfer robot and a vehicle transfer track. Background art

[0004] There is a surface parking lot built within the airport grounds for parking the vehicles of users who utilize the airport. At airports with a large number of users, sufficient parking areas are ensured by securing large parking lot areas.

[0005] Since the parking areas within the airport are very extensive, drivers who want to utilize the airport usually find an empty space within the airport parking area, park their vehicles, remember the parking location, take out a large amount of luggage from the parked vehicle, and then carry it directly to utilize the terminal building within the airport.

[0006] Users who utilize the airport try to set aside sufficient time to park their vehicles in the airport parking lot and move around, taking into account the parking and moving times within the airport. However, depending on the situation, for drivers who do not have enough time to park their vehicles or move around within the airport, they may need to utilize a valet parking system that can provide valet parking within the airport.

[0007] Currently, the general valet parking method is operated as follows: a proxy driver who can drive the vehicle on behalf of the driver receives the driver's car key, issues a vehicle parking permit, receives the vehicle in the valet parking area, and then moves the vehicle to the parking area. Then, the driver who wants to find the vehicle shows the vehicle parking permit to the proxy driver who provides the valet parking service, and then can find the valet - parked vehicle.

[0008] However, this general method of directly driving the vehicle by a proxy driver and valet - parking it in the parking area may be effective in a small - sized parking space such as a hotel or a downtown parking lot. However, when valet parking is required in a large - sized and complex area such as an airport parking lot, there is a problem that the driver providing the valet parking service requires a long moving time. Moreover, when there are a large number of vehicles using valet parking, there is a risk of spending more time on valet parking, so it is not preferred.

[0009] In addition, in the case of an in-airport parking lot, the parking duration is often short, such as one or two days, or long, such as one week or more than one month. Therefore, it is necessary to effectively utilize the parking space.

[0010] On the other hand, recently, vehicle transfer robots that can move vehicles within a parking lot have been developed. When using such vehicle transfer robots to park or move vehicles in a narrow parking lot, there is no need for personnel to move the vehicle, so it has the advantage of conveniently parking or moving the vehicle. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a valet parking system and method that can use such vehicle transfer robots to valet park vehicles on a large-scale site such as an airport. Summary of the Invention

[0011] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0012] The present invention aims to solve the problems as described above. The object of the present invention is to provide a valet parking system and method that can valet park a driver's vehicle to a vehicle parking area within an airport.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a valet parking system and method that can automatically valet park a driver's vehicle to a vehicle parking area within an airport by using a vehicle transfer robot and a vehicle transfer tray.

[0014] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a valet parking system and method that can effectively operate the vehicle parking area within an airport.

[0015] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle pick-up method within an airport that can enable a driver to automatically pick up a vehicle parked in the vehicle parking area within the airport.

[0016] The object of the present disclosure is not limited to the above objects, and other objects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains through the following description.

[0017] Means for Solving the Problems

[0018] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a valet parking system for valet parking a vehicle entering an airport to a vehicle parking area, which includes: at least one first vehicle transfer robot, configured in a vehicle docking area for docking a vehicle requiring valet parking, and moving the vehicle docked in the vehicle docking area; at least one vehicle transfer tray, on which the vehicle moved by the first vehicle transfer robot can be carried; a vehicle transfer track, arranged from the vehicle docking area to the vehicle parking area so that the vehicle transfer tray can move to the vehicle parking area; at least one second vehicle transfer robot, configured in the vehicle parking area, and moving the vehicle carried by the vehicle transfer tray to a vehicle parking position in the vehicle parking area, or moving the parked vehicle located at the vehicle parking position back to the vehicle transfer tray; and a server for controlling the first vehicle transfer robot, the vehicle transfer tray, and the second vehicle transfer robot.

[0019] At this time, the vehicle docking area may include: a driver getting-off area, where a vehicle entering the airport and requiring valet parking docks, and the driver gets off at the driver getting-off area; and a driver getting-on area, for the driver to board the vehicle transferred from the vehicle parking area.

[0020] At this time, the vehicle parking area may include: a first vehicle parking area for parking long-term parked vehicles, where vehicles parked for a period longer than a specified period are parked in the first vehicle parking area; and a second vehicle parking area for parking short-term parked vehicles, where vehicles parked for a period shorter than a specified period are parked in the second vehicle parking area.

[0021] At this time, each of the first vehicle parking area and the second vehicle parking area is divided into: a first parking area operated by a part of the at least one second vehicle transfer robot; and a second parking area operated by the remaining part of the at least one second vehicle transfer robot, and the first parking area may be located at a position where the vehicle transfer tray moving along the vehicle transfer track arrives earlier than the second parking area.

[0022] At this time, the first vehicle parking area may be located at a position where the vehicle transfer tray moving along the vehicle transfer track arrives earlier than the second vehicle parking area.

[0023] At this time, the vehicle transfer track may be configured in the form of an infinite track type track between the vehicle docking area and the vehicle parking area.

[0024] At this time, the vehicle transfer track may be configured to pass through the vehicle parking area.

[0025] At this time, it further includes a kiosk arranged in the vehicle parking area, and the kiosk may further include: an information input unit for inputting information of the vehicle and the driver parked in the vehicle parking area; a display unit for displaying the input information of the vehicle and the driver; and a transceiver for sending and receiving the information of the vehicle and the driver to and from the server.

[0026] At this time, the server may include: a data storage unit for storing information of the vehicle and the driver that need to be parked in the vehicle parking area; a parking position calculation unit for judging which position among the multiple vehicle parking positions in the vehicle parking area to park the vehicle that needs to be parked in the vehicle parking area; a vehicle transfer robot control unit for controlling the first vehicle transfer robot and the second vehicle transfer robot so that the vehicle moves to the vehicle parking position calculated by the parking position calculation unit; a transfer tray control unit for controlling the movement of the vehicle transfer tray moving on the vehicle transfer track; and a transceiver for sending and receiving information between the vehicle transfer robot control unit and the first vehicle transfer robot, between the vehicle transfer robot control unit and the second vehicle transfer robot, and between the transfer tray control unit and the transfer tray.

[0027] At this time, the server may include: an input unit for inputting instructions for controlling the vehicle transfer robot control unit and the transfer tray control unit; and a display unit for displaying the control status of the vehicle transfer robot control unit and the transfer tray control unit.

[0028] At this time, it may further include at least one repeater for performing signal relaying of sending and receiving between the server and the first vehicle transfer robot located in the vehicle parking area or between the server and the second vehicle transfer robot located in the vehicle parking area.

[0029] At this time, the server may provide a program on the network, and the driver of the vehicle can access the program using the terminal held, and the driver of the vehicle can send and receive information of the driver and the vehicle of the vehicle to and from the server through the program, and the server is configured to be able to receive the vehicle parking information of the vehicle that has been parked in the vehicle parking area through the program.

[0030] At this time, each of the first vehicle transfer robot and the second vehicle transfer robot may include: a robot body; two pairs of cantilever - type support members disposed on the robot body and capable of lifting the front wheels and rear wheels of the vehicle respectively; a plurality of wheels disposed on the robot body; a drive motor for driving the plurality of wheels; a power supply for supplying power to the drive motor; and a robot controller for controlling the drive motor.

[0031] At this time, the transfer tray may include: a plate - shaped tray body; a plurality of wheels disposed on the tray body; a drive motor for driving the plurality of wheels; a power supply for supplying power to the drive motor; and a transfer tray controller for controlling the drive motor.

[0032] At this time, the vehicle parking area may further include a first vehicle temporary parking area and a second vehicle temporary parking area. The first vehicle temporary parking area is set as an area where a vehicle that needs to be parked in the vehicle parking area is temporarily parked and then transferred to the first vehicle parking area. The second vehicle temporary parking area is set as an area where a vehicle parked in the second vehicle parking area is temporarily parked before being transferred to the driver boarding area for the driver to board.

[0033] At this time, at least one third vehicle transfer robot and at least one fourth vehicle transfer robot may be arranged in each of the first vehicle temporary parking area and the second vehicle temporary parking area.

[0034] At this time, vehicle transfer tracks for running between respective areas may be respectively provided between the vehicle parking area and the first vehicle temporary parking area, between the first vehicle temporary parking area and the first vehicle parking area, between the second vehicle parking area and the second vehicle temporary parking area, and between the second vehicle temporary parking area and the vehicle parking area.

[0035] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a valet parking method for valet parking a vehicle entering an airport to a vehicle parking area, including: an information providing step of receiving information of the vehicle and the driver that the driver wishes to park in the vehicle parking area from the driver; a vehicle docking confirmation step of confirming the vehicle docked in the vehicle docking area; a first vehicle transfer step using a vehicle transfer robot of using a first vehicle transfer robot to move the vehicle docked in the vehicle docking area to a vehicle transfer tray on a vehicle transfer track; a second vehicle transfer step using the vehicle transfer tray of using the vehicle transfer tray to move the vehicle to the vehicle parking area; and a vehicle parking step of, in the vehicle parking area, using a second vehicle transfer robot to move the vehicle to a vehicle parking position in the vehicle parking area.

[0036] At this time, in the vehicle parking step, the server may calculate and determine the vehicle parking position where the vehicle needs to be parked, and guide the second vehicle transfer robot to park the vehicle at the determined vehicle parking position.

[0037] At this time, after the vehicle parking step, a vehicle parking information notification step may further be included, in which the parking position information of the parked vehicle is notified to the driver of the vehicle.

[0038] At this time, after the vehicle parking step, a vehicle parking area operation step may be included, in which, during the parking of the vehicle, the second vehicle transfer robot moves the vehicle from a first vehicle parking area in the vehicle parking area to a second vehicle parking area, and the first vehicle parking area is located at a position where the vehicle transfer tray moving along the vehicle transfer track arrives earlier than the second vehicle parking area.

[0039] At this time, in the vehicle parking area operation step, the vehicle occupancy rate of the first vehicle parking area and the vehicle occupancy rate of the second vehicle parking area are compared, and when the vehicle occupancy rate of the first vehicle parking area is greater than the vehicle occupancy rate of the second vehicle parking area, the vehicle in the first vehicle parking area may be moved to the second vehicle parking area.

[0040] At this time, in the vehicle parking area operation step, the vehicle in the first vehicle parking area may be moved to the second vehicle parking area only when the vehicle occupancy rate of the first vehicle parking area exceeds a preset occupancy rate.

[0041] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a valet parking method for delivering a vehicle parked in a vehicle parking area at an airport to a driver, including: an information providing step of extracting vehicle and driver information, receiving information of the vehicle parked in the vehicle parking area and the driver from a driver who wishes to pick up the vehicle; a vehicle confirmation step of confirming the vehicle parked in the vehicle parking area; a first vehicle transfer step using a vehicle transfer robot, moving the vehicle parked in the vehicle parking area to a vehicle transfer tray on a vehicle transfer track by using a first vehicle transfer robot; a second vehicle transfer step using the vehicle transfer tray, transferring the vehicle transferred to the vehicle transfer tray to a vicinity of a driver boarding area for picking up the vehicle; and a vehicle waiting step for picking up the vehicle, moving the vehicle near the driver boarding area to the driver boarding area by using a second vehicle transfer robot and making the vehicle wait so that the driver can pick up the vehicle.

[0042] At this time, after the vehicle waiting step, a pick-up completion step may further be included. In the pick-up completion step, after the driver boards the vehicle, it is notified that the pick-up of the vehicle has been completed. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0043] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present disclosure pertains can more clearly understand the above content and other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure.

[0044] Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of a valet parking system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 2 It is a network layout diagram of a valet parking system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 3 It is a network structural diagram of a valet parking system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 4 It is a schematic structural diagram of a vehicle transfer robot used in a valet parking system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 5 It is an exemplary structural diagram of a vehicle transfer robot used in a valet parking system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 6 It is a schematic structural diagram of a mobile tray used in a valet parking system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 7It is a diagram showing a state in which a vehicle transfer robot used in a valet parking system according to an embodiment of the present invention is disposed adjacent to a mobile pallet and a vehicle transfer track.

[0051] Figure 8 It is a conceptual diagram for explaining a state in which a first vehicle transfer robot transfers a vehicle between a terminal building and a vehicle transfer track in a valet parking system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Figure 9 It is a detailed structural diagram of a vehicle parking area of a valet parking system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Figure 10 It is a flowchart of a valet parking method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Figure 11 It is a flowchart showing an operation step of a vehicle parking area in a valet parking method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] Figure 12 It is a flowchart of a valet pick-up method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] Figure 13 It is a structural diagram of a valet parking system according to another embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0057] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can easily implement the present invention. The present invention can be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described in this specification. To clearly describe the present invention, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted in the drawings, and the same or similar components throughout the specification are given the same reference numerals.

[0058] The words and terms used in the specification and claims are not limited to their ordinary meanings or dictionary meanings, and should be interpreted as meanings and concepts consistent with the technical idea of the present invention in accordance with the principle that the inventor can define terms, so as to best describe the present invention.

[0059] In this specification, it should be understood that terms such as "including" or "having" are intended to specify the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in this specification, and do not exclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0060] A valet parking system according to an embodiment of the present invention is a system installed in an airport to valet park (park) a vehicle driven by a passenger who takes a flight at the airport in a vehicle parking area within the airport.

[0061] At this time, the valet parking system according to an embodiment of the present invention can automatically transfer a vehicle to a vehicle parking area or automatically transfer the vehicle from the vehicle parking area to a driver boarding area where the driver can pick up (retrieve) the vehicle, using a vehicle transfer robot and a vehicle transfer tray for the movable vehicle, while the driver is out of the vehicle.

[0062] Hereinafter, the valet parking system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0063] Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of a valet parking system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 It is a network layout diagram of a valet parking system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] Figure 3 It is a network structural diagram of a valet parking system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] Referring to Figures 1 to 3 , the valet parking system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first vehicle transfer robot 310, a vehicle transfer tray 400, a vehicle transfer track 20, a second vehicle transfer robot 320, and a server 100.

[0066] The first vehicle transfer robot 310 is disposed in a vehicle docking area 40 where a vehicle 2 that needs valet parking is docked, and is a robot that moves the vehicle docked in the vehicle docking area 40.

[0067] At this time, the first vehicle transfer robot 310 can be configured as a parking robot. In this specification, a "parking robot" refers to a robot that can lift a vehicle in a parking lot where the vehicle is docked or parked and move the parking or docking position of the vehicle.

[0068] Referring to Figure 1 , the first vehicle transfer robot 310 can be composed of multiple ones and can be disposed in the vehicle docking area 40 near the terminal building 1 so that the driver can dock the vehicle 2.

[0069] In an embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle docking area 40 includes a driver getting-off area 44 and a driver boarding area 42.

[0070] The driver getting-off area 44 is an area where the vehicle 2 that enters the airport and needs valet parking is temporarily docked and the driver can get off. A plurality of driver getting-off positions for docking the vehicle are designated in the driver getting-off area 44.

[0071] When a vehicle 2 that requires valet parking stops at a driver alighting position within a driver alighting area 44 and the driver alights, a first vehicle transfer robot 310 can be arranged on the side of the vehicle to carry the vehicle 2, and can transfer the vehicle 2 according to a control instruction from the server 100.

[0072] On the other hand, a driver boarding area 42 is an area where a driver can board the vehicle 2 transferred from a vehicle parking area 30 described later, and is an area for the driver to pick up the vehicle 2. A driver boarding position where the vehicle can stop is designated in the driver boarding area 42.

[0073] The first vehicle transfer robot 310 can transfer the vehicle to be picked up to the driver boarding position within the driver boarding area 42. As described above, the driver can pick up the vehicle in a state where the vehicle 2 is transferred to the driver boarding position.

[0074] The driver alighting area 44 and the driver boarding area 42 can be arranged adjacent to each other, or can be arranged at positions spaced apart from each other.

[0075] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the driver alighting area 44 and the driver boarding area 42 are located side by side and spaced apart from each other, and each of the driver alighting area 44 and the driver boarding area 42 has a plurality of first vehicle transfer robots 310.

[0076] On the other hand, a vehicle transfer track 20 is arranged near the vehicle stop area 40. A vehicle transfer tray 400 that can carry a vehicle is provided on the vehicle transfer track 20.

[0077] The vehicle transfer tray 400 is formed to be able to carry the vehicle from the vehicle stop area 40 to the vehicle parking area 30 along the vehicle transfer track 20.

[0078] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle parking area 30 is divided into a first vehicle parking area 32 and a second vehicle parking area 34. In this specification, if there is no need to distinguish between the first vehicle parking area and the second vehicle parking area, they are collectively referred to as the vehicle parking area 30, and are defined to include the first parking area and the second parking area for description.

[0079] The first vehicle parking area 32 can be an area for long-term parked vehicles that need to be parked for a period of time longer than a specified period (for example, one week or more than 10 days).

[0080] In addition, the second vehicle parking area 34 can be an area for short-term parked vehicles that need to be parked for a period of time shorter than a specified period (for example, less than a certain number of days).

[0081] According to an embodiment of the present invention, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the vehicle transfer track 20 configured to pass through the vehicle parking area 30 may be formed in a track form that circulates in a manner without a starting point and an ending point. Additionally, the vehicle transfer pallets 400 moving on the vehicle transfer track 20 may circulate counterclockwise on the vehicle transfer track 20 in a state where a plurality of pallets are connected to each other. At this time, the vehicle transfer pallets 400 circulating along the vehicle transfer track 20 may be controlled for their stop and operation by a transfer pallet control unit in a server for controlling the drive of the vehicle transfer pallets 400.

[0082] A second vehicle transfer robot 320 is disposed within the vehicle parking area 30. A plurality of second vehicle transfer robots 320 may be disposed within the vehicle parking area 30. The second vehicle transfer robot 320 is disposed within the vehicle parking area 30, thereby moving the vehicle carried by the vehicle transfer pallet 400 to the vehicle parking position 33 within the vehicle parking area 30, or moving the parked vehicle located at the vehicle parking position 33 to the vehicle transfer pallet 400.

[0083] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first vehicle transfer robot 310 and the second vehicle transfer robot 320 may be configured as parking robots formed in the same shape. This will be described in detail later. When referring to the vehicle transfer robot in this specification, when it is not named as the "first vehicle transfer robot" and the "second vehicle transfer robot", but is named as the "vehicle transfer robot", it should be understood that both the first vehicle transfer robot and the second vehicle transfer robot are included.

[0084] On the other hand, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a server 100 is provided to control the first vehicle transfer robot 310, the vehicle transfer pallet 400, and the second vehicle transfer robot 320.

[0085] Referring to Figure 3 , the server 100 may include a data storage unit 101, a parking position calculation unit 102, a vehicle transfer robot control unit 103, a transfer pallet control unit 104, a transceiver unit 105, a display unit 106, and an input unit 107.

[0086] The data storage unit 101 includes one or more volatile and / or non-volatile memories and is used to store instructions or various data related to other components. In addition, the data storage unit 101 may store software or programs. The programs include a kernel, middleware, an application programming interface (API), and application programs, etc., and may access each component in the server through these configurations to enable programmed operations to be executed within the device.

[0087] In one embodiment of the present invention, the data storage unit 101 may store vehicle parking request information sent by the driver and the driver's airport utilization records. For example, information such as the departing flight number, flight departure time, arriving flight number, and flight arrival time of the flight taken may be stored. In addition, the data storage unit 101 may store information about the parking position of the parked vehicle.

[0088] The parking position calculation unit 102 is a component that performs calculations for specifying the position where the vehicle should be parked. The parking position calculation unit 102 may be a part of at least one of a central processing unit, an application processor (AP), and a communication processor (CP).

[0089] According to one embodiment of the present invention, according to the parking period and schedule of the vehicle to be parked, the position of the parked vehicle in the vehicle parking area may change. This is to effectively use the vehicle parking area according to the parking space occupancy rate of the vehicle in a limited space.

[0090] In one embodiment of the present invention, parked vehicles with long-term parking may be arranged in the first vehicle parking area 32, and parked vehicles with short-term parking may be arranged in the second vehicle parking area 34.

[0091] In addition, vehicles whose vehicle extraction time is approaching may move to a position close to the driver boarding area so that the driver can quickly extract the vehicle in the driver boarding area.

[0092] At this time, while the vehicle is parked in the vehicle parking area 30, during the evening or night when the vehicle moves little, the vehicle transfer robot may move the vehicle from a crowded area with many parked vehicles to an area with few parked vehicles.

[0093] Therefore, at night, sufficient spare parking spaces can be provided in the first vehicle parking area 32 so that vehicles can be parked in the first vehicle parking area 32 at a faster speed during the day when valet parking is frequent.

[0094] As described above, according to one embodiment of the present invention, considering the parking space occupancy rate in the entire vehicle parking area 30, the parking position calculation unit 102 determines which position the vehicle should be parked in. In addition, according to the determination result, the second vehicle transfer robot 320 in the first vehicle parking area 32 and the second vehicle parking area 34 may be operated to move the vehicle. Thus, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle parking area 30 can be effectively utilized, and the parking and extraction time of the vehicle can be saved.

[0095] The vehicle transfer robot control unit 103 of the server is used to control the vehicle transfer robot 300. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle transfer robot 300 includes: a first vehicle transfer robot 310 located in the vehicle docking area 40 to transfer vehicles; and a second vehicle transfer robot 320 located in the vehicle parking area to transfer vehicles.

[0096] In addition, the vehicle transfer robot control unit 103 controls the positions and actions of the first vehicle transfer robot 310 and the second vehicle transfer robot 320 respectively. At this time, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first vehicle transfer robot 310 and the second vehicle transfer robot 320 can be operated on a scale of multiple (for example, dozens). In addition, the moving distances, moving paths, and action modes of the vehicle transfer robots 300 operated on a scale of dozens are operated to most effectively achieve vehicle parking and retrieval. In order to effectively operate such dozens of vehicle transfer robots, the vehicle transfer robot control unit 103 can be operated through a known control program or learn and master an operation method based on an artificial neural network to run.

[0097] On the other hand, the transfer tray control unit 104 can be linked with the vehicle transfer robot control unit 103 to operate the vehicle transfer tray 400 working on the vehicle transfer track 20.

[0098] The vehicle transfer tray 400 can be configured to operate unmanned and autonomously in a state where a vehicle is loaded on the upper part of the vehicle transfer tray 400. The transfer tray control unit 104 can monitor the stop and movement of the vehicle transfer tray 400 and the states of the vehicles loaded on multiple vehicle transfer trays 400. In addition, by judging at which position the vehicle transfer tray 400 should stop and move, the docking and movement of the vehicle transfer tray 400 are controlled to achieve vehicle parking and retrieval.

[0099] At this time, the transfer tray control unit 104 is linked with the vehicle transfer robot control unit 103. When the vehicle transfer tray 400 docks at the vehicle docking area 40 or the vehicle parking area 30, the vehicle transfer robot 300 can be made to carry and load the vehicle onto the vehicle transfer tray 400. In addition, the transfer tray control unit 104 can unload the vehicle loaded on the vehicle transfer tray 400 and move it to the vehicle docking position or the vehicle parking position 33.

[0100] The transceiver unit 105 is a configuration that enables the server 100 to perform wireless communication with the vehicle transfer robot 300 or the vehicle transfer tray 400.

[0101] On the other hand, the display unit 106 is a configuration that displays various information to the operator operating the server 100. The display unit 106 forms a visual interface so as to visually display the operation state of the valet parking system to the operator.

[0102] The input unit 107 is configured such that an operator can input control instructions related to the valet parking system 10 using an input interface such as a keyboard or a mouse.

[0103] The server 100 including the display unit 106 and the input unit 107 can be located in a space in the airport terminal building and can be managed and operated by the airport operator together with equipment, controllers, communication instruments, etc. necessary for operating the airport.

[0104] On the other hand, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the kiosk 110 can be disposed in the vehicle parking area 40. As an example, one kiosk 110 can be disposed in the driver boarding area 42 and the driver alighting area 44, respectively.

[0105] The kiosk 110 can include: an information input unit 112 for inputting information of a vehicle and a driver that need to park in the vehicle parking area 40; and a display unit 114 for displaying the input vehicle and driver information. In addition, a transceiver unit 116 for transmitting and receiving vehicle and driver information to and from the server can be provided in the kiosk 110. In addition, a payment system for vehicle valet parking can be provided in the kiosk 110.

[0106] On the other hand, the repeater 120 can be disposed between the server 100 and the vehicle parking area 40 and between the server 100 and the vehicle storage area 30. The repeater 120 is used to perform communication relay between the server 100 and the kiosk 110 located in the vehicle parking area 40 or between the server 100 and the vehicle transfer robot 300 located in the vehicle storage area 30 and between the server 100 and the vehicle transfer tray 400. The repeater 120 can be provided as multiple units or not provided to match the positions and installation area characteristics of the server 100, the kiosk 110, the vehicle transfer robot 300, and the vehicle transfer tray 400 in the airport.

[0107] In an embodiment of the present invention, a driver can use the terminal 200 to provide information of a user and a vehicle to be parked to the server 100 for operating the valet parking system 10. For this purpose, a program associated with the valet parking system 10 can be provided in the driver's terminal 200. As an example, the terminal 200 can be a mobile phone, a portable PC, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, etc. The user can input user information through the program provided in the terminal 200 and can transmit and receive vehicle parking information.

[0108] The terminal 200 may include a main body 201 provided with a display unit 203 for a user to confirm information. The user may use the input unit 202 (e.g., a touch screen method implemented in the display unit 203 or an input button separately provided in the terminal 200) to send user information to the server 100 via the transceiver unit 204 before arriving at the airport for vehicle parking reservation or advance payment. As described above, when the user uses the terminal 200 for vehicle parking reservation or advance payment, the valet parking system 10 can be utilized without separately using a kiosk to make a payment or input information.

[0109] Hereinafter, the vehicle transfer robot 300, the vehicle transfer tray 400, and the vehicle parking area 30 constituting the valet parking system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to different drawings.

[0110] Figure 4 It is a schematic structural diagram of a vehicle transfer robot used in a valet parking system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 It is an exemplary structural diagram of a vehicle transfer robot used in a valet parking system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0111] Refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown in FIGS. and, the vehicle transfer robot 300 used in the valet parking system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a main body 301, a power supply unit 302, a driving unit 303, a control unit 304, and a transceiver unit 305.

[0112] Refer to Figure 5 As shown in FIG., the main body 301 may be provided as a rigid frame extending in the y-axis direction. The main body 301 has a power supply unit 302, a driving unit 303, a control unit 304, etc. built therein to protect the power supply unit 302, the driving unit 303, the control unit 304, etc. The power supply unit 302 is a component for supplying power for driving the vehicle transfer robot and may be implemented as a rechargeable battery module or the like.

[0113] The driving unit 303 may include: a driving motor for driving the wheels coupled to the lower part of the main body 301 to move the main body 301; and a power transmission member for transmitting the driving force from the driving motor to the wheels.

[0114] On the other hand, the driving unit 303 may include: two pairs of cantilever support members 306 capable of lifting the wheels of the vehicle to transfer the vehicle; and a driving module for operating the support members 306.

[0115] The vehicle transfer robot 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be configured to lift a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels of a vehicle by using two pairs of cantilever support members 306, and can be configured to move the vehicle by moving the body part 301 in a state where the front wheels and rear wheels of the vehicle are lifted in this way.

[0116] On the other hand, the vehicle transfer robot 300 can be controlled to move according to an instruction received from the server through the transceiver unit 305, or can be configured to calculate and judge the optimal movement path within the vehicle docking area or the vehicle parking area based on the parking position information and the driver's information received from the server 100, etc., by the control unit 304 provided inside the vehicle transfer robot 300, so as to move autonomously.

[0117] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of vehicle transfer robots 300 are configured to move vehicles in their respective restricted areas (for example, between the vehicle docking area 40 and the transfer tray, or between the vehicle transfer tray 400 and the vehicle parking position 33 within the vehicle parking area 30), and thus are used as a means to move vehicles over a short distance.

[0118] If the size and weight of the vehicle transfer robot 300 for transferring vehicles are too large, it may become a factor that narrows the parking space or occupies too much moving space within the vehicle docking area 40 or the vehicle parking area 30. Therefore, preferably, it is made as small as possible and can move quickly even in a narrow space.

[0119] In addition, when the vehicle transfer robot 300 is powered by a rechargeable battery or the like, a charging system for the vehicle transfer robot 300 can be separately provided at a position in the vehicle docking area 40 and the vehicle parking area 30, so that the vehicle transfer robot 300 can be charged even in a non-operating state or a standby state.

[0120] The vehicle transfer robot 300 that can be used in the valet parking system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention can also be configured to move vehicles in a parking lot or the like having a narrow parking space other than the valet parking system 10 according to this embodiment.

[0121] However, the vehicle transfer robot 300 described in an embodiment of the present invention is only exemplary, and the form and driving method of the vehicle transfer robot 300 are not limited thereto.

[0122] Figure 6 It is a schematic structural diagram of a mobile tray used in a valet parking system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 It is a diagram showing a state in which a vehicle transfer robot used in a valet parking system according to an embodiment of the present invention is arranged adjacent to a mobile tray and a vehicle transfer track.

[0123] Refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 the vehicle transfer tray 400 may include a body part 401, a driving part 402, a transceiver part 403, a control part 404, and a power supply part 405.

[0124] The vehicle transfer tray 400 is a device that can move on the vehicle transfer track 20. The body part 401 may include a quadrilateral plate-shaped frame on which a vehicle can be mounted. On the upper part of the body part 401, fixing members for fixing the position of the vehicle mounted on the upper part of the body part 401 may be provided.

[0125] A plurality of wheels are provided at the lower part of the body part 401, and the plurality of wheels can be driven by a driving part 402 including, for example, a driving motor. At this time, the structure in which the wheels are provided at the lower part of the body part 401 can be implemented in various known structures so that the body part 401 can move on the vehicle transfer track 20.

[0126] In an embodiment of the present invention, the power supply part 405 for supplying power may be connected to the driving part 402 of the transfer tray, and a transfer tray control part 404 may be provided to control the driving of the driving part 402.

[0127] In an embodiment of the present invention, the driving and control of the vehicle transfer tray 400 may be implemented based on data and instruction signals received from the server 100 and through the control part 404.

[0128] At this time, the data received from the server 100 may include position information where the vehicle transfer tray 400 should stop within the vehicle docking area 40 and the vehicle parking area 30, time information when the vehicle transfer tray 400 should move, information on the type and weight of the vehicle loaded on the vehicle transfer tray 400, and the like.

[0129] An alarm device for preventing accidents that may occur during the operation of the vehicle transfer tray 400 or for notifying safety accidents that may occur during vehicle transfer and a braking device for forcibly stopping the vehicle transfer tray 400 may also be additionally provided on the vehicle transfer tray 400.

[0130] The configuration of such a vehicle transfer tray 400 can be implemented in a manner similar to known transportation methods using trains and tracks, so its detailed description will be omitted.

[0131] Refer to Figure 7, in an embodiment of the present invention, in a state where the vehicle transfer pallet 400 is docked on the vehicle transfer track 20, the vehicle transfer robot 300 can be configured to place the vehicle on the vehicle transfer pallet 400. To this end, the vehicle transfer robot 300 can be configured to lift the cantilever support member 306 of the vehicle transfer robot 300 to a position above the upper surface height of the vehicle transfer pallet 400. Alternatively, as another example, in a state where the vehicle transfer robot 300 is carrying a vehicle, the lifting device of the liftable vehicle transfer robot 300 can also be provided on the side of the vehicle transfer track 20 where the vehicle transfer pallet 400 is docked.

[0132] Figure 8 It is a conceptual diagram for explaining the state in which the first vehicle transfer robot transfers a vehicle between the terminal building and the vehicle transfer track in a valet parking system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0133] In an embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle parking area 40 can be located in front of the terminal building in an area where it is easy for airplane passengers to enter the terminal building. Vehicle parking positions can be arranged side by side in the vehicle parking area 40 so that a plurality of vehicles can be parked side by side. In addition, a plurality of first vehicle transfer robots 310 can reciprocate between the vehicle transfer track 20 and the vehicle parking area 40 to carry the parked vehicles located at each vehicle parking position.

[0134] At this time, in order to transfer the vehicle using the vehicle transfer pallet 400, a plurality of connected vehicle transfer pallets 400 can move along the vehicle transfer track 20 and be located in front of the vehicle parking area 40. At this time, the plurality of vehicle transfer pallets 400 can be docked in the driver boarding area 42 before docking in the driver alighting area 44 to unload the vehicle transferred from the vehicle parking area 30.

[0135] In a state where the vehicle transfer pallet 400 is docked in the driver alighting area 44, the vehicle transfer robot 300 for transferring the parked vehicle moves to the side of the vehicle transfer pallet 400 with an empty vehicle loading space through communication with the server, so that the vehicle can be loaded onto the upper part of the vehicle transfer pallet 400.

[0136] After a plurality of vehicles are respectively loaded on a plurality of vehicle transfer pallets 400, the plurality of vehicle transfer pallets 400 can move to the vehicle parking area 30 through communication with the server 100.

[0137] In addition, a plurality of second vehicle transfer robots 320 move close to each of the plurality of vehicle transfer pallets 400 near the vehicle parking area 30 and perform transfer to move each of the plurality of vehicles to a preset vehicle parking area 30.

[0138] Figure 9It is a detailed structural diagram of a vehicle parking area of a valet parking system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0139] Referring to Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 9 , the vehicle parking area 30 can be divided into a first vehicle parking area 32 and a second vehicle parking area 34.

[0140] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first vehicle parking area 32 can be an area for long-term parked vehicles, and the long-term parked vehicles need to be parked for a period of time longer than a specified period (for example, one week or more than 10 days).

[0141] In addition, the second vehicle parking area 34 can be an area for short-term parked vehicles, and the short-term parked vehicles need to be parked for a period of time shorter than a specified period (for example, less than a certain number of days). At this time, in this embodiment, the vehicle parking area 30 is divided into the first vehicle parking area 32 for long-term parked vehicles and the second vehicle parking area 34 for short-term parked vehicles. However, it is also possible not to divide it into long-term and short-term vehicle parking areas in this way, but to control and manage the areas for long-term parked vehicles and the areas for short-term parked vehicles within a single vehicle parking area 30 through a server.

[0142] In addition, referring to Figure 9 , the first vehicle parking area 32 and the second vehicle parking area 34 are also divided into a first area 32a, 34a and a second area 32b, 34b, so that vehicles parked for a longer time than those in the second area 32b, 34b are parked in the first area 32a, 34a according to the vehicle parking period within each area.

[0143] On the other hand, according to an embodiment of the present invention, as Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 9 shown, the vehicle parking positions 33 can be arranged in multiple columns in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the vehicle transfer track 20.

[0144] At this time, the direction and arrangement of the vehicle parking positions 33 can be variously changed according to the terrain and position of the parking space. At this time, the direction and arrangement of the vehicle parking positions 33 can be set so that the second vehicle transfer robot 320 can move while safely transferring the vehicle. On the other hand, there can be an interval and distance between the vehicle parking positions 33 and the vehicle transfer track 20 sufficient for the second vehicle transfer robot 320 to move while transferring the vehicle.

[0145] In an embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle parking area 30 can be formed in a wide and flat area far from the terminal building 1, and as Figure 1 、Figure 2 and Figure 9 As shown, the vehicle transfer track 20 can be configured to pass through the vehicle parking area 30. As described above, configuring the vehicle parking area 30 to allow the vehicle transfer track 20 to pass through is to shorten the moving distance, which refers to the distance that the vehicle transfer robot 300 moves the vehicle on the vehicle transfer pallet 400 to the vehicle parking position 33 within the vehicle parking area 30 while the vehicle transfer pallet 400 is temporarily stopped during passing through the vehicle parking area 30 along the vehicle transfer track 20.

[0146] On the other hand, according to an embodiment of the present invention, as Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 9 shown, the vehicle transfer track 20 configured to pass through the vehicle parking area 30 can be formed in an infinite track form without a starting point and an ending point. In addition, the vehicle transfer pallets 400 moving on the vehicle transfer track 20 can circulate counterclockwise along the vehicle transfer track 20 in a state where a plurality of pallets are connected to each other.

[0147] At this time, the stop and operation of the vehicle transfer pallet 400 circulating along the vehicle transfer track 20 can be controlled by the transfer pallet control unit 404 in the server for controlling the drive of the vehicle transfer pallet 400.

[0148] At this time, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first vehicle parking area 32 for long-term parking of vehicles can be configured at a position closer to the terminal building than the second vehicle parking area 34 when observed from the moving direction of the vehicle transfer pallet 400 on the vehicle transfer track 20.

[0149] Therefore, the vehicle transfer pallet 400 moving from the vehicle docking area 40 of the terminal building is formed to first reach the first vehicle parking area 32, then pass through the first vehicle parking area 32, and then pass through the second vehicle parking area 34.

[0150] As described above, making the vehicle transfer pallet 400 moving from the vehicle docking area 40 of the terminal building 1 pass through the first vehicle parking area 32 first is for operating the vehicle docking area 40. More specifically, for operating the vehicle parking area so as to park the long-term parking vehicles that need to be parked for a long time at a position close to the driver getting-off area 44 where the driver will leave the vehicle for valet parking, and park the short-term parking vehicles that need to be parked for a short time at a position far from the driver getting-off area 44.

[0151] At this time, the second vehicle parking area 34 for parking short-term parking vehicles can be located at a position closer to the driver getting-on area 42 where the driver picks up the vehicle.

[0152] Therefore, when the driver retrieves a short-term parked vehicle, the distance for the vehicle to move from the second vehicle parking area 34 to the driver boarding area 42 can be shorter than when the vehicle is parked in the first vehicle parking area 32, thereby saving the time for retrieving the vehicle.

[0153] On the other hand, as described above, the second vehicle transfer robot 320 is disposed within the vehicle parking area 30. A plurality of second vehicle transfer robots 320 can be disposed within the vehicle parking area 30.

[0154] The second vehicle transfer robot 320 is disposed within the vehicle parking area 30, thereby moving the vehicle carried by the vehicle transfer tray 400 to the vehicle parking position 33 within the vehicle parking area 30, or moving the parked vehicle located at the vehicle parking position 33 to the vehicle transfer tray 400.

[0155] The second vehicle transfer robot 320 can be configured to move and transfer the vehicle only within a specific part of the vehicle parking area 30 instead of moving and transferring the vehicle throughout the vehicle parking area 30, thereby shortening the moving distance. In addition, a charging device for supplying power to the vehicle transfer robot 300 during the standby time or operation stop time (e.g., at night) of the vehicle transfer robot 300 can be provided at a position in the vehicle parking area 30.

[0156] The valet parking method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to different drawings.

[0157] Figure 10 It is a flowchart of a valet parking method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 It is a flowchart showing the vehicle parking area operation steps in the valet parking method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 It is a flowchart of a valet pick-up method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0158] Refer to Figure 10 , in the valet parking method according to an embodiment of the present invention, first, information of the vehicle and the driver is received (step S10). At this time, the information of the vehicle and the driver can be directly input by the driver into the kiosk within the vehicle docking area or provided to the server through the user's terminal before parking the vehicle.

[0159] As described above, when the vehicle is docked in the vehicle docking area in a state where the user has provided the information of the vehicle and the driver before parking the vehicle, it is confirmed whether a vehicle matching the user information pre-input by the user has been docked in the vehicle docking area (step S20).

[0160] It is possible to confirm whether a reserved vehicle has parked in the vehicle parking area through an image captured by a camera or the like provided in the vehicle parking area.

[0161] Then, the first vehicle transfer robot is used to transfer the vehicle parked in the vehicle parking area to the vehicle transfer tray on the vehicle transfer track (step S30).

[0162] To this end, the vehicle transfer tray is controlled to standby near the vehicle parking area.

[0163] Multiple vehicle transfer trays can be controlled to move together, and after receiving vehicle transfer information and the position information where it needs to stop within the vehicle parking area and the vehicle parking region from the server, they are controlled to move accordingly, so that the vehicle transfer trays move to the vehicle parking region (step S40).

[0164] When the transfer tray is transferred to the vehicle parking region, the second vehicle transfer robot in the vehicle parking region moves the vehicle to the vehicle parking position in the vehicle parking region (step S50). At this time, multiple vehicles can move to the vehicle parking position simultaneously or sequentially in order.

[0165] At this time, in the vehicle parking step, the server pre-calculates and determines the parking position where the vehicle should be parked, and the second vehicle transfer robot moves the vehicle to the determined vehicle parking position to park the vehicle.

[0166] Therefore, when the parking of the vehicle is completed, the second vehicle transfer robot separates from the vehicle and performs the subsequent vehicle transfer process or stands by at a separate place.

[0167] On the other hand, after the parking of the vehicle is completed, the parking position information of the parked vehicle can be notified to the driver of the vehicle (step S60).

[0168] Therefore, the driver of the vehicle can confirm whether his vehicle has been parked safely.

[0169] At this time, for the realized parking position, the vehicle parking region is different according to whether it is long-term parking or short-term parking. As this parking time elapses, there may be a situation where parked vehicles are only concentrated in a specific space in the parking space inside the vehicle parking region. To prevent the inefficiency of the parking space, in an embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle parking region operation step is performed (step S70).

[0170] Refer to Figure 11, during the operation step of the vehicle parking area (step S70), while the vehicle is parked, the second vehicle transfer robot 320 moves the vehicle from the area where there are more concentrated vehicles in the vehicle parking area 30 to the area where there are not many concentrated vehicles. For example, the vehicle parking area can be divided into a first vehicle parking area 32 and a second vehicle parking area 34. At this time, the vehicle occupancy rates of the first vehicle parking area 32 and the second vehicle parking area 34 are compared (step S71).

[0171] At this time, it is determined whether the vehicle occupancy rate of the first vehicle parking area 32 is greater than the vehicle occupancy rate of the second vehicle parking area 34 (step S72).

[0172] If the vehicle occupancy rate is greater than the vehicle occupancy rate of the second vehicle parking area 34, the vehicle is transferred from the first vehicle parking area 32, which is set as the area where the vehicle transfer tray arrives first, to the second vehicle parking area 34, which is set as the area where the vehicle transfer tray arrives last (step S74).

[0173] At this time, it can also be operated such that the vehicle in the first vehicle parking area 32 is moved to the second vehicle parking area 34 only when the vehicle occupancy rate in the first vehicle parking area 32 exceeds a preset occupancy rate (for example, the occupancy rate is 70% or more) (step S73).

[0174] As described above, the parking position within the vehicle parking area 30 is moved according to the vehicle occupancy rate of the area within the vehicle parking area 30, so that when there are many vehicles to be parked within the vehicle parking area 30, the vehicles can be parked effectively. In addition, when it is necessary to transfer the vehicle from the vehicle parking area 30 to the driver boarding area and let the driver pick up the vehicle, the vehicle can also be transferred quickly.

[0175] On the other hand, referring to Figure 12 , the valet parking method for delivering the vehicle parked in the vehicle parking area to the driver is as follows.

[0176] First, the information of the vehicle parked in the vehicle parking area and the driver is received from the driver who wishes to pick up the vehicle (step S110).

[0177] At this time, the received driver information can be the travel information input when parking the vehicle, that is, the flight departure information and arrival information or vehicle information, etc., or the information newly input after the user arrives at the airport.

[0178] Then, after providing the information of the vehicle to be picked up and the driver, the vehicle parked in the vehicle parking area is confirmed (step S120).

[0179] Then, the vehicle parked in the vehicle parking area is transferred to the vehicle transfer tray by the second vehicle transfer robot (step S130).

[0180] Then, the vehicle is transferred to a position near the driver boarding area where the vehicle needs to be retrieved by the vehicle transfer tray (step S140).

[0181] Then, the first vehicle transfer robot moves the vehicle from the transfer tray located near the driver boarding area to the driver boarding area (step S150).

[0182] When the driver boards the vehicle located in the driver boarding area and notifies that the retrieval of the vehicle is completed, the retrieval of the vehicle is completed (step S160).

[0183] Figure 13 It is a structural diagram of a valet parking system according to another embodiment of the present invention. When describing the valet parking system according to another embodiment of the present invention, the detailed description of the configurations that are the same or similar to those of the above embodiment will be omitted, and other embodiments will be described mainly with the configurations that are different in configuration.

[0184] Referring to Figure 13 , compared with the above embodiment, the valet parking system 10' according to another embodiment of the present invention further includes a temporary parking area 50 and a pick-up waiting area 60.

[0185] Therefore, the vehicle moved out from the driver alighting area 44 through the vehicle transfer track 20 will not be immediately transferred to the first vehicle parking area 32, but can be temporarily parked in the temporary parking area 50, and then transferred to the first vehicle parking area 32 or the second vehicle parking area 34 through the vehicle transfer track 20.

[0186] As described above, when temporarily parking a parked vehicle in the temporary parking area 50, if there are many vehicles to be parked and it is crowded or it takes time to maintain the vehicle parking area, before parking the vehicle in the vehicle parking area 30, it is possible to ensure the time for maintaining the vehicle parking area 30, thereby further improving the vehicle parking efficiency.

[0187] At this time, in the configuration of the vehicle transfer within the temporary parking area 50 by the vehicle transfer robot 300 and the vehicle transfer track 20 and the vehicle transfer tray 400 between the temporary parking area 50 and the first vehicle parking area 32 and the second vehicle parking area 34, the detailed description of the configurations similar to those of the above embodiment will be omitted.

[0188] In addition, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the first vehicle parking area 32 and the second vehicle parking area 34 are connected by a vehicle transfer track 20'. This configuration may be a case where the first vehicle parking area 32 and the second vehicle parking area 34 are far from each other. As described above, when the first vehicle parking area 32 and the second vehicle parking area 34 are far from each other, as shown in the above embodiment, compared with a vehicle transfer track in the form of an infinite track passing through the first vehicle parking area and the second vehicle parking area, using a vehicle transfer track in the form of reciprocating operation between vehicle parking areas can further improve space efficiency and can easily ensure the parking space in the vehicle parking area.

[0189] As described above, the valet parking system and method according to the embodiments of the present invention can valet park (park) a vehicle by using a vehicle transfer robot and a vehicle transfer tray capable of automatically moving the vehicle, and can move the vehicle from near the airport terminal to a distant location where the vehicle parking area is located.

[0190] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when transferring a vehicle from a vehicle docking position to a vehicle transfer tray, or moving the vehicle placed on the vehicle transfer tray to a vehicle parking position within the vehicle parking area over a short distance, a vehicle transfer robot capable of autonomous driving can be used to automatically valet park the vehicle.

[0191] In addition, the advantages of the valet parking system and method according to an embodiment of the present invention are that, based on considering the vehicle occupancy rate in the vehicle parking area where the vehicle is parked, the vehicle is moved from an area with a high vehicle occupancy rate to an area with a low vehicle occupancy rate during a time period when the vehicle parking area is not crowded, thereby effectively utilizing the vehicle parking area.

[0192] Therefore, the advantages of the airport vehicle valet parking system and the valet pick-up method according to an embodiment of the present invention are that it is operated to park the vehicle in the vehicle parking area based on considering the vehicle parking time, and as the vehicle pick-up date approaches, the vehicle is arranged near the driver boarding area where the driver picks up the vehicle, so that the vehicle can be delivered to the driver more quickly.

[0193] According to the above configuration, the valet parking system and method according to an embodiment of the present invention can valet park a vehicle by using a vehicle transfer robot and a vehicle transfer tray capable of automatically moving the vehicle.

[0194] The valet parking system and method according to an embodiment of the present invention can use a vehicle transfer tray running on a vehicle transfer track to move a vehicle from near the airport terminal to a distant location where the vehicle parking area is located.

[0195] In addition, when moving a vehicle from a vehicle parking position to a vehicle transfer pallet, or moving a vehicle placed on the vehicle transfer pallet to a vehicle parking position within a vehicle parking area over a short distance, a vehicle transfer robot capable of autonomous driving is utilized, thereby enabling automatic valet parking.

[0196] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a valet parking system and method move from an area with a high vehicle occupancy rate to an area with a low vehicle occupancy rate during a time period when the vehicle parking area is not crowded, based on considering the vehicle occupancy rate in the vehicle parking area where the vehicle is to be parked, thereby enabling effective utilization of the vehicle parking area.

[0197] An airport vehicle valet parking system and a vehicle pick-up method according to an embodiment of the present invention are operated to park a vehicle within a vehicle parking area based on considering the vehicle parking time, and as the vehicle pick-up date approaches, the vehicle is arranged near a driver boarding area where the driver picks up the vehicle, thereby enabling the vehicle to be delivered to the driver more quickly.

[0198] It should be understood that the effects of the present invention are not limited to the above effects, and include all effects that can be inferred from the configuration of the present invention described in the detailed description or claims of the present invention.

[0199] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described, the spirit of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments presented in the specification. Those skilled in the art should be able to understand the spirit of the present invention and will be able to easily propose other embodiments by adding, changing, deleting, or adding components within the same spirit range, which will also be included within the spirit range of the present invention.

Claims

1. A valet parking system for valet parking vehicles entering the airport into a vehicle parking area, characterized in that, Comprising: At least one first vehicle transfer robot, configured in a vehicle docking area for docking a vehicle that requires valet parking, and moving the vehicle docked in the vehicle docking area; At least one vehicle transfer tray, on which the vehicle moved by the first vehicle transfer robot can be loaded; A vehicle transfer track, which is set from the vehicle docking area to the vehicle parking area, so that the vehicle transfer tray can move to the vehicle parking area; At least one second vehicle transfer robot, configured in the vehicle parking area, and moving the vehicle carried by the vehicle transfer tray to a vehicle parking position in the vehicle parking area, or moving the parked vehicle located at the vehicle parking position back to the vehicle transfer tray; And A server, for controlling the first vehicle transfer robot, the vehicle transfer tray, and the second vehicle transfer robot.

2. The valet parking system according to claim 1, wherein: The vehicle docking area includes: A driver getting-off area, where a vehicle entering the airport and requiring valet parking docks, and where the driver gets off; and A driver getting-on area, where the driver boards the vehicle transferred from the vehicle parking area.

3. The valet parking system according to claim 2, wherein: The vehicle parking area includes: A first vehicle parking area, for parking vehicles for a period longer than a specified period; and A second vehicle parking area, for parking vehicles for a period shorter than a specified period.

4. The valet parking system according to claim 3, wherein: Each of the first vehicle parking area and the second vehicle parking area is divided into a first parking area where a part of the at least one second vehicle transfer robot works and a second parking area where the remaining part works, The first parking area is set such that the vehicle transfer tray moving along the vehicle transfer track first reaches the first parking area and then reaches the second parking area.

5. The valet parking system according to claim 3, wherein: The first vehicle parking area is set such that the vehicle transfer tray moving along the vehicle transfer track first reaches the first vehicle parking area and then reaches the second vehicle parking area.

6. The valet parking system according to claim 1, wherein: The vehicle transfer track is configured in the form of an infinite track type track between the vehicle docking area and the vehicle parking area.

7. The valet parking system according to claim 1, wherein: The vehicle transfer track is configured to pass through the vehicle parking area.

8. The valet parking system according to claim 1, wherein: It further includes an information kiosk configured in the vehicle docking area, The information kiosk includes: An information input unit, for inputting information of the vehicle and the driver docked in the vehicle docking area; A display unit, for displaying the input information of the vehicle and the driver; and A transceiver unit, for sending and receiving the information of the vehicle and the driver to and from the server.

9. The valet parking system according to claim 1, wherein: The server includes: A data storage unit for storing information on the vehicles and drivers that need to be parked in the vehicle parking area; A parking position calculation unit for determining which position among a plurality of vehicle parking positions in the vehicle parking area to park the vehicle that needs to be parked in the vehicle parking area; A vehicle transfer robot control unit for controlling the first vehicle transfer robot and the second vehicle transfer robot so that the vehicle moves to the vehicle parking position calculated by the parking position calculation unit; A transfer tray control unit for controlling the movement of the vehicle transfer tray that moves on the vehicle transfer track; and A transceiver for sending and receiving information between the vehicle transfer robot control unit and the first vehicle transfer robot, between the vehicle transfer robot control unit and the second vehicle transfer robot, and between the transfer tray control unit and the transfer tray.

10. The valet parking system according to claim 1, wherein: It further includes at least one repeater for relaying signals sent and received between the server and the first vehicle transfer robot located in the vehicle docking area or between the server and the second vehicle transfer robot located in the vehicle parking area.

11. The valet parking system according to claim 1, wherein: The server provides a program on the network, and the driver of the vehicle can access the program using the terminal held by the driver, The driver of the vehicle can send information on the driver of the vehicle and the vehicle to the server through the program, The server can receive the parking information of the vehicle parked in the vehicle parking area through the program.

12. The valet parking system according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the first vehicle transfer robot and the second vehicle transfer robot includes: A robot body; Two pairs of cantilever support members provided on the robot body and capable of lifting the front wheels and rear wheels of the vehicle respectively; A plurality of wheels provided on the robot body; A drive motor for driving the plurality of wheels; A power supply for supplying power to the drive motor; and A robot controller for controlling the drive motor.

13. The valet parking system according to claim 1, wherein: The vehicle transfer tray includes: A plate-shaped tray body; A plurality of wheels provided on the tray body; A drive motor for driving the plurality of wheels; A power supply for supplying power to the drive motor; and A transfer tray controller for controlling the drive motor.

14. The valet parking system according to claim 3, wherein: The vehicle parking area further includes a first vehicle temporary parking area and a second vehicle temporary parking area, The first vehicle temporary parking area is set as an area where, after temporarily parking the vehicle that needs to dock in the vehicle docking area, the temporarily parked vehicle is transferred to the first vehicle parking area. The second vehicle temporary parking area is set as an area for temporarily parking the vehicle before moving the vehicle parked in the second vehicle parking area to the driver boarding area for the driver to board.

15. A valet parking method for valet parking a vehicle entering an airport into a vehicle parking area, characterized in that, It includes: An information receiving step of receiving information about the vehicle and the driver that the driver wishes to park in the vehicle parking area from the driver; A vehicle docking confirmation step of confirming the vehicle docked in the vehicle docking area; A first vehicle transfer step of using a first vehicle transfer robot to move the vehicle docked in the vehicle docking area to a vehicle transfer tray on the vehicle transfer track; A second vehicle transfer step of using the vehicle transfer tray to move the vehicle to the vehicle parking area; And A vehicle parking step of using a second vehicle transfer robot to move the vehicle to a vehicle parking position in the vehicle parking area in the vehicle parking area.

16. The valet parking method according to claim 15, characterized in that In the vehicle parking step, the server calculates and determines the vehicle parking position where the vehicle needs to be parked, and guides the second vehicle transfer robot to park the vehicle at the determined vehicle parking position.

17. The valet parking method according to claim 15, characterized in that After the vehicle parking step, it further includes a vehicle parking information notification step, In the vehicle parking information notification step, the parking position information of the parked vehicle is notified to the driver of the vehicle.

18. The valet parking method according to claim 15, characterized in that After the vehicle parking step, it further includes a vehicle parking area operation step, In the vehicle parking area operation step, during the parking period of the vehicle, the second vehicle transfer robot moves the vehicle from a first vehicle parking area in the vehicle parking area to a second vehicle parking area, The first vehicle parking area is set such that the vehicle transfer tray moving along the vehicle transfer track first reaches the first vehicle parking area and then reaches the second vehicle parking area.

19. A valet parking method for delivering a vehicle parked in a vehicle parking area at an airport to a driver, characterized in that, It includes: An extraction vehicle and driver information receiving step of receiving information about the vehicle and the driver parked in the vehicle parking area from the driver who wishes to extract the vehicle; A vehicle confirmation step of confirming the vehicle parked in the vehicle parking area; A first vehicle transfer step of using a first vehicle transfer robot to move the vehicle parked in the vehicle parking area to a vehicle transfer tray on the vehicle transfer track; A second vehicle transfer step of moving the vehicle transferred to the vehicle transfer tray to a vicinity of the driver boarding area for extracting the vehicle; And An extraction vehicle waiting step of using a second vehicle transfer robot to move the vehicle near the driver boarding area to the driver boarding area and waiting, so that the driver can extract the vehicle.

20. The valet pick-up method according to claim 19, characterized in that After the vehicle waiting step, it further includes a pick-up completion step, In the pick-up completion step, after the driver boards the vehicle, it is notified that the vehicle has been successfully picked up.

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