Parking lot management system

Abstract

To provide a parking lot management system that displays a parking position within a parking lot and guides a user to the parking position without prompting the user to make preparations in advance.SOLUTION: A parking lot management system 1 that manages entry or exit of a vehicle 70 to or from a parking lot 100 includes at least one imaging unit 10, a recognition unit 21 that recognizes identification information on the vehicle 70 imaged by the imaging unit 10 at a time of entry, a discrimination unit 22 that tracks travel of the vehicle 70 using the imaging unit 10 and discriminates a parking position Pp, a memory unit 42 that links the parking position Pp with identification information and stores the parking position Pp, a receiving unit 32 that receives an input manipulation of identification information, and a display unit 33 that displays the parking position Pp which is stored in the memory unit 42 while being linked with the identification information received by the receiving unit 32.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a parking lot management system, and more particularly to a parking lot management system that manages the entry and exit of vehicles into a parking lot. [Background technology]

[0002] In the parking lot management system described in Patent Document 1, a user obtains information about a parking location by photographing a two-dimensional barcode placed at the parking location with a user terminal. Then, the information contained in the two-dimensional barcode is obtained by analyzing the two-dimensional barcode, and a nearby map showing the layout of the parking lot can be displayed on the display unit of the user terminal. In addition, the nearby map displays the parking location and the current location of the user terminal with marks, so that the user can accurately grasp the current location and the parking location, and can reach the parking location without losing sight of the location of the parked car. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-199177 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the parking lot management system described in Patent Document 1 mentioned above requires users to read a two-dimensional barcode placed at the parking location in advance when parking, which poses a problem in terms of convenience.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide a parking lot management system that displays parking locations within a parking lot and guides users to those parking locations without requiring the users to make any prior preparations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The parking lot management system disclosed herein is a parking lot management system that manages the entry and exit of vehicles into a parking lot, and includes at least one imaging unit, a recognition unit that recognizes identification information of the vehicle imaged by the imaging unit at the time of entry, a discrimination unit that tracks the movement of the vehicle using the imaging unit to determine the parking position, a memory unit that links the parking position and the identification information and stores them, a reception unit that accepts input operations for the identification information, and a display unit that displays the parking position stored in the memory unit in linkage with the identification information accepted by the reception unit. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to display a parking location within a parking lot and guide a user to the parking location without requiring the user to make any prior preparations. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a parking lot management system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a payment machine 30 provided in the parking lot management system 1. FIG. [Diagram 3] This is a floor plan of parking lot 100. [Figure 4] 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a confirmation screen displayed on the payment machine 30 before payment of parking fees. FIG. [Diagram 5] 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a parking position display screen on the payment machine 30 after the parking fee has been paid. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a parking position display screen on the mobile terminal 50. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of displaying a parking position display screen on a payment machine 30 in the parking lot management system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of displaying a parking position display screen on a mobile terminal 50 in the parking lot management system 1. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters and will not be described repeatedly.

[0010] First Embodiment 1.1 Overall configuration of the parking management system 1 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a parking lot management system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a payment machine 30 provided in the parking lot management system 1. FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of a parking lot 100. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a confirmation screen before parking fee payment on the payment machine 30. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a parking position display screen after parking fee payment on the payment machine 30. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a parking position display screen on a mobile terminal 50.

[0011] As shown in these figures, the parking lot management system 1, which manages the entry and exit of vehicles 70 into a parking lot 100, includes an imaging unit 10, a parking lot data management unit 20 to which the imaging unit 10 is connected via a recognition unit 21 and a discrimination unit 22, a payment machine 30, and a WEB server 40. The imaging unit 10 has a camera 11, a camera 12, and an infrared sensor 13. In addition, a mobile terminal 50 can be wirelessly connected to the WEB server 40 via the Internet 60.

[0012] The parking lot data management unit 20 and the adjustment machine 30 are connected by wire so as to enable mutual communication, but may be connected wirelessly. They are also connected by wire to the WEB server 40 via the Internet 60, but may be connected wirelessly. Alternatively, the parking lot data management unit 20 including the recognition unit 21 and the discrimination unit 22 may be built into the adjustment machine 30.

[0013] 1.2 Imaging unit 10 Camera 11 captures an image of vehicle 70 when it enters. To that end, camera 11 is positioned near entrance / exit gate 101 (see FIG. 3). Since vehicle 70 stops temporarily at a predetermined position in front of entrance / exit gate 101 before entering, camera 11 is positioned so that the license plate (automobile registration number plate) attached to vehicle 70 stopped at that position can be captured as clearly as possible. Specifically, taking into consideration that there are various types of vehicles 70, the shooting direction, shooting magnification, or angle of view of camera 11 are appropriately adjusted. Note that camera 11 is an example of an "imaging section" and also an example of a "first imaging section" in the present disclosure.

[0014] However, other methods of imaging and recognizing vehicle 70 and its license plate at the time of entry can be considered, such as the following. For example, an infrared sensor that detects the passage of vehicle 70 may be installed near entrance / exit gate 101, and camera 11 may image vehicle 70 when the passage of vehicle 70 is detected. A specific example of an infrared sensor is an infrared blocking sensor that detects an object by blocking infrared rays between a light transmitting unit and a light receiving unit, but is not limited to this. Alternatively, camera 11 may be installed to constantly image the vicinity of entrance / exit gate 101, and the passing vehicle 70 and its license plate may be recognized by analyzing the image captured by camera 11.

[0015] The camera 12 tracks the movement of the vehicle 70 after it has entered the parking lot. The camera 12 is placed in a position that allows monitoring of the entire parking lot 100 in order to track the movement of the vehicle 70 to the parking position Pp after it has passed through the entrance / exit gate 101 (after it has entered the parking lot). A so-called PTZ camera is suitable as the camera 12. A PTZ camera is a camera that can be controlled by remote control, such as by swiveling the camera. P stands for pan, and the horizontal direction of the camera 12 can be changed. T stands for tilt, and the vertical direction of the camera 12 can be changed. Z stands for zoom, and the image captured by the camera 12 can be enlarged or reduced. However, the camera 12 is not limited to a PTZ camera.

[0016] The number of cameras 12 is not limited to one, and it is preferable to place as many as necessary so as to adequately monitor the entire parking lot 100. In this parking lot 100, as shown in Fig. 3, one camera 12 is placed at the center of the left side and one at the center of the right side. However, this arrangement and number are not limited to this. Note that camera 12 is an example of an "imaging section" and also an example of a "second imaging section" in the present disclosure.

[0017] The infrared sensor 13 can measure the object distance for each pixel within the angle of view by, for example, a ToF (Time of Flight) method to obtain a three-dimensional distance image. By combining the visible image captured by the camera 12 and the three-dimensional distance image acquired by the infrared sensor 13, it becomes possible to more reliably track the travel of the vehicle 70. However, the infrared sensor 13 is not limited to a ToF method, and may be a stereo camera.

[0018] In the parking lot management system 1, an infrared sensor 13 is provided adjacent to each camera 12 so that the travel of the vehicle 70 to the parking position Pp can be tracked more reliably. However, the infrared sensor 13 does not necessarily have to be provided adjacent to all of the cameras 12, and the arrangement and number of cameras are not limited to this. Also, the infrared sensor 13 does not necessarily have to be used, or the infrared sensor 13 may be used instead of the camera 12. The infrared sensor 13 is an example of the "imaging section" and also an example of the "second imaging section" in the present disclosure.

[0019] 1.3 Parking lot data management section 20 The parking lot data management unit 20 is connected to the camera 11 via the recognition unit 21, and is also connected to the camera 12 and the infrared sensor 13 via the discrimination unit 22, and controls the recognition unit 21 and the discrimination unit 22. The parking lot data management unit 20 may include a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and execute a computer program stored in advance.

[0020] The recognition unit 21 recognizes the identification information of the vehicle 70 captured by the imaging unit 10 at the time of entry. Specifically, the recognition unit 21 analyzes the still image of the vehicle 70 captured by the camera 11 at the time of entry, and extracts only the license plate portion. The image of the license plate thus extracted is corrected to an image captured from the front, and information such as the number displayed on the license plate (automobile registration number, sometimes called the "vehicle number") is recognized. The vehicle number is an example of "identification information" in this disclosure.

[0021] The discrimination unit 22 tracks the travel of the vehicle 70 using the imaging unit 10 to discriminate the parking position Pp. Specifically, the discrimination unit 22 analyzes images (time-series images) of the vehicle 70 traveling from the entrance / exit gate 101 to the parking position Pp using the camera 12 and the infrared sensor 13 to track the travel of the vehicle 70. Then, the discrimination unit 22 discriminates the parking position Pp where the vehicle 70 finally stopped.

[0022] The parking lot data management unit 20 notifies the payment machine 30 of the vehicle number recognized by the recognition unit 21 and the parking position Pp determined by the discrimination unit 22, and also notifies the WEB server 40 via the Internet 60. As a result, the vehicle number of the vehicle 70 and the parking position Pp are linked and stored in the memory unit 42. However, the storage destination is not limited to the memory unit 42 of the WEB server 40, and may be, for example, a memory or storage device that the parking lot data management unit 20 itself has. Alternatively, the data may be stored in both.

[0023] Since the parking time is necessary for the settlement of the parking fee when exiting, the entry time is also stored in the memory unit 42. Furthermore, for example, an image of the vehicle 70 at the time of entry may also be stored in the memory unit 42 and displayed on the settlement machine 30 at the time of settlement so that the user can easily visually confirm whether the vehicle is his or her own at the time of settlement.

[0024] 1.4 Payment machine 30 The adjustment machine 30 is placed near the entrance / exit gate 101 (see FIG. 3) in order to settle parking fees before the vehicle 70 exits. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the adjustment machine 30 comprises a reception unit 32 that receives input operations from the user, a display unit 33 that displays information according to the input operations, and a control unit 31 that controls these. However, in the following, detailed explanations of the primary functions of the adjustment machine 30, such as parking fee settlement and payment operations, will be omitted.

[0025] The reception unit 32 receives an input operation of the identification information. Specifically, the reception unit 32 receives an input operation in which the user inputs the vehicle number of the user's vehicle when paying the parking fee. This is because the user does not necessarily remember the parking position Pp, but usually remembers the vehicle number of the user's vehicle. The reception unit 32 may be, but is not limited to, a mechanical keyboard, push buttons, or soft keys on a touch panel. In this embodiment, soft keys on a touch panel are used.

[0026] The control unit 31 inquires of the WEB server 40 whether the vehicle number accepted by the acceptance unit 32 is stored in the memory unit 42. If the vehicle number is stored, the control unit 31 reads it from the memory unit 42 together with the associated and stored parking position Pp, entry time, and image of the vehicle 70, and causes the display unit 33 to display them.

[0027] The display unit 33 displays the parking position Pp stored in the memory unit 42 in association with the identification information received by the reception unit 32. The display unit 33 may be, for example, a touch panel that uses liquid crystal or organic electro-luminescence (EL) and allows the user to perform touch operations, but is not limited to this. Here, a touch panel is used.

[0028] Next, as shown in Fig. 4, the control unit 31 displays an image of the vehicle 70 as an entry time image 34 on the display unit 33 together with the entry time 35. At the same time, to request the user to confirm whether the vehicle is their own, a soft key 36a for inputting "No" and a soft key 36b for inputting "Yes" are also displayed.

[0029] When the soft key 36a is touched to accept "No", the control unit 31 displays, for example, an entry image 34 and an entry time 35 of another candidate vehicle on the display unit 33. On the other hand, when the soft key 36b is touched to accept "Yes", the control unit 31 causes the display unit 33 to display a parking lot diagram 37 (a layout diagram of the parking lot 100) showing the parking position Pp in the parking lot 100, as shown in FIG. 5. That is, the display unit 33 displays the parking lot diagram 37. Furthermore, the display unit 33 also displays a QR code (registered trademark; notes are omitted in the following occurrences) 38 showing a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) where the parking lot diagram 37 is displayed. Note that the QR code 38 is an example of a "two-dimensional code" in this disclosure.

[0030] In addition, a soft key 36c for inputting "End" is also displayed, and when this soft key 36c is touched, the control unit 31 displays the initial screen on the display unit 33 again.

[0031] 1.5 WEB Server 40 The WEB server 40 includes a memory unit 42, a parking lot map creation unit 43, an information provision unit 44, and a CPU 41 that controls the entire system including these. Note that the hardware configuration of the WEB server 40 is similar to that of a general server computer, so a detailed description will be omitted.

[0032] The storage unit 42 stores the parking position Pp and the identification information in association with each other. Specifically, the storage unit 42 stores the vehicle number of the vehicle 70 notified from the parking lot data management unit 20 in association with the parking position Pp, and also stores the entry time of the vehicle 70 and an image captured at the time of entry. In addition, a template of a layout of the parking lot 100 is also stored in advance. Note that the template is not yet set with a color indicating the parking position Pp. According to the parking lot management system 1 configured in this way, it is possible to display the parking position Pp in the parking lot 100 and guide the user to the parking position Pp without requiring the user to make any advance preparations. As a result, the convenience of the parking lot management system 1 is improved.

[0033] The parking lot map creation unit 43 creates a parking lot map 37 showing a parking position Pp in the parking lot 100. Specifically, the parking lot map creation unit 43 reads out a template of a floor plan of the parking lot 100 stored in the storage unit 42, and creates a parking lot map 37 showing the parking position Pp. At this time, it is preferable to use a conspicuous color (e.g., red) so that the part showing the parking position Pp can be clearly distinguished from other parking positions. However, the method of distinction is not limited to coloring. The parking lot map creation unit 43 transmits the parking lot map 37 and a URL that displays this parking lot map 37 to the settlement machine 30 via the Internet 60. Note that this URL is an example of the "access information" of the present disclosure. This allows the display unit 33 of the settlement machine 30 to display the access information. That is, the display unit 33 displays the URL where this parking lot map 37 is displayed together with the parking lot map 37, as shown in FIG. 5. As a result, the convenience of the parking lot management system 1 is further improved.

[0034] The information providing unit 44 provides the parking lot map 37 via the network. Specifically, when there is an access request from the user's mobile terminal 50 or the like via the Internet 60, i.e., via the network, the information providing unit 44 provides the parking lot map 37 created by the parking lot map creation unit 43. Furthermore, when position information of the current position Pc of the mobile terminal 50 or the like that has made the access request can be obtained, processing such as attaching a mark to a location in the parking lot map 37 that corresponds to the position information may be performed.

[0035] The information providing unit 44 may impose access restrictions, including limiting the provision of the parking lot map 37 to a predetermined time period. This is because it is preferable to set some kind of access restriction for the provision of the parking lot map 37 from the information providing unit 44 to the mobile terminal 50 or the like, from the viewpoint of protecting personal information or security. For example, access may be limited to a predetermined time period after the parking fee has been settled. As a result, the security of the parking lot management system 1 is improved.

[0036] The information providing unit 44 may also obtain position information of the current position of the accessing device and display the current position Pc on the parking lot diagram 37. Furthermore, the information providing unit 44 may provide a three-dimensional image seen from the current position Pc based on the position information and changes in the position information over time. Specifically, the information providing unit 44 may create a three-dimensional image seen from the user's current position Pc based on the position information of the current position Pc of the accessing mobile terminal 50 or the like and changes in the position information over time, and transmit the three-dimensional image to the mobile terminal 50. As a result, it becomes easier for the user to move to the parking position Pp.

[0037] 1.6 Mobile terminal 50 The mobile terminal 50 includes a camera 52, a touch panel 53, a GPS 54, and a CPU 51 that controls the entire device including these. The camera 52 has a QR code reading function in addition to normal photography. The touch panel 53 displays images and text, and accepts text input and touch operations by the user. The GPS 54 detects the current position Pc using a GPS (Global Positioning System). Note that the hardware configuration of these components is similar to that of a typical smartphone, and detailed explanations will be omitted.

[0038] After paying the parking fee, by reading the QR code 38 displayed on the display unit 33 of the payment machine 30 with the camera 52 of the mobile terminal 50, the parking lot map 37 provided by the information providing unit 44 of the web server 40 can be displayed on the touch panel 53.

[0039] As described above, the user does not have to do anything when parking, and after the parking fee is paid, not only is the parking lot diagram 37 showing the parking position Pp of the user's vehicle displayed on the payment machine 30, but the parking lot diagram 37 can also be displayed on the mobile terminal 50. In this case, the current position Pc is displayed along with the parking position Pp, and the displayed position of the current position Pc changes in real time in conjunction with the movement of the mobile terminal 50. This allows the user to smoothly reach the parking position Pp.

[0040] <Second embodiment> The parking lot management system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure is configured to improve security by using an access key. The main differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

[0041] 2.1 Operation of displaying parking location display screen on the payment machine 30 FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram explaining the operation of displaying a parking position display screen on the payment machine 30 in the parking lot management system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] 7, first, the settlement machine 30 transmits parameters for creating a floor plan to the parking lot data management unit 20. These parameters include, but are not limited to, the parking lot ID, the parking space ID, and the settlement completion time.

[0043] The parking lot data management unit 20 creates request data from the parking lot management table. Next, the parking lot data management unit 20 transmits a request for creating floor plan data to the WEB server 40. This creation request includes, but is not limited to, the reference position coordinates of the parking lot 100, the position coordinates of the parking position Pp, and the data expiration date.

[0044] The WEB server 40 prepares the floor plan data and issues an access key. Next, the WEB server 40 transmits the floor plan access key to the parking lot data management unit 20.

[0045] The parking lot data management unit 20 transmits the floor plan access key received from the WEB server 40 to the settlement machine 30.

[0046] The settlement machine 30 transmits a request for a layout diagram for screen display to the WEB server 40 .

[0047] The WEB server 40 performs an access key check, and if there is no problem, creates layout data for screen display. Next, the WEB server 40 transmits the layout data for screen display to the payment machine 30. This enables the payment machine 30 to display the parking lot map 37 on the display unit 33.

[0048] Next, the settlement machine 30 creates a two-dimensional barcode (QR code) for displaying the parking lot map 37 on the mobile terminal 50. This QR code includes a terminal display URL and an access key. This allows the settlement machine 30 to display the QR code 38 on the display unit 33.

[0049] 2.2 Operation of displaying parking location display screen on the payment machine 30 FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of displaying a parking position display screen on the mobile terminal 50 in the parking lot management system 1. As shown in FIG.

[0050] The mobile terminal 50 reads the QR code 38 displayed on the settlement machine 30 with the camera 52, and analyzes the read QR code 38. Next, the mobile terminal 50 transmits a request for a floor plan for terminal display to the WEB server 40. This request includes a URL for terminal display and an access key.

[0051] The WEB server 40 performs an access key check, and if there is no problem, creates layout data for terminal display. Next, the WEB server 40 transmits the layout data for terminal display to the mobile terminal 50.

[0052] The mobile terminal 50 detects the current position Pc by the GPS 54. Next, the mobile terminal 50 performs a process of displaying the current position Pc on the terminal display floor plan data received from the WEB server 40. This allows the mobile terminal 50 to display on the touch panel 53 a parking lot diagram 37 that clearly shows not only the parking position Pp but also the current position Pc.

[0053] <Other embodiments> In each of the above-described embodiments, the vehicle number of the user's vehicle 70 is input to the reception unit 32 of the settlement machine 30, but it may be possible to input the parking position Pp directly.

[0054] Also, after the user reaches the parking position Pp, for example, guidance to the entrance / exit gate 101 may be provided. For example, in a vast parking lot 100 where many of the passages within the parking lot 100 are restricted to one-way traffic, it may be difficult to determine the shortest route from the parking position Pp to the entrance / exit gate 101. Also, in a case where there are multiple entrance / exit gates 101, the system may select the entrance / exit gate 101 that is most suitable for the user's next destination, taking into consideration restrictions on roads around the parking lot 100, and guide the user there.

[0055] The present invention can be implemented in various other forms without departing from its spirit or main features. Therefore, the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted as being limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and is not limited to the text of the specification. Furthermore, all modifications and changes within the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0056] The present disclosure can be used in a parking lot management system that manages the entry and exit of vehicles to a parking lot. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1. Parking Management System 10. Imaging unit 11 Camera 12 Camera 13. Infrared Sensor 20 Parking Lot Data Management Department 30 Payment machine 40 Web Server 50 Mobile Devices 60 Internet 70 vehicles 100 Parking 101 Entrance / Exit Gate Pp Parking position PC current location

Claims

1. A parking lot management system that manages the entry and exit of vehicles into a parking lot, At least one imaging unit; a recognition unit that recognizes identification information of the vehicle captured by the imaging unit at the time of entry; A determination unit that tracks the travel of the vehicle using the imaging unit and determines a parking position; A storage unit that stores the parking position and the identification information in association with each other; a reception unit that receives an input operation of the identification information; a display unit that displays the parking position stored in the storage unit in association with the identification information received by the reception unit; A parking lot management system comprising:

2. A parking lot map creating unit creates a parking lot map showing the parking positions in the parking lot, The parking lot management system according to claim 1 , wherein the display unit displays the parking lot map.

3. An information providing unit that provides the parking lot map via a network, The parking lot management system according to claim 2 , wherein the display unit displays access information to the information providing unit.

4. The parking lot management system according to claim 3 , wherein the information providing unit performs access restriction including limiting provision of the parking lot map to a predetermined time period.

5. The parking lot management system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the information providing unit acquires location information of a current location of an accessing device and displays the current location on the parking lot map.

6. The parking lot management system according to claim 5 , wherein the information providing unit provides a three-dimensional image visible from the current position based on the position information and a change in the position information over time.

7. The imaging unit includes: A first imaging unit that images the vehicle upon entry; a second imaging unit that tracks the travel of the vehicle after the vehicle enters the facility; The parking lot management system according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:

8. 3. The parking lot management system according to claim 1, wherein the identification information includes a vehicle registration number displayed on a vehicle registration plate attached to the vehicle.

9. The parking management system according to claim 3 , wherein the access information includes a two-dimensional code indicating a uniform resource locator.

Images