Parking system and parking facility

Abstract

To provide a parking system that can initiate pre-parking operations even when a registration number of a vehicle cannot be recognized, and that can suppress the execution of unintended, unnecessary pre-parking operations by users.SOLUTION: A parking facility causes a parking facility body to initiate pre-parking operations if a registration number of a vehicle approaching the parking facility body can be recognized from an image captured by an imaging camera, and when the recognized registration number matches a contracted registration number, and causes the parking facility body to initiate the pre-parking operations if a registration number of a vehicle approaching the parking facility body cannot be recognized from an image captured by the imaging camera, and when a mobile communication device outputs a parking instruction signal. The mobile communication device outputs the parking instruction signal when the strength of a radio wave signal received from a beacon transmitter is at or above a threshold value and a parking instruction button displayed by the mobile communication device is operated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present application relates to parking systems and parking facilities. [Background technology]

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses a mechanical parking facility that extracts a license plate from image data of a vehicle captured by an imaging camera, and outputs a parking entry command when the extracted license plate matches the license plate of a contracted vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-168985 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Parking systems using image recognition technology must recognize the registration number, which is the license plate number, from image data captured by a camera. However, there are cases where the registration number cannot be recognized due to dirt on the license plate or the influence of light. Therefore, in parallel with the recognition of the registration number, it is possible to enable the user to operate a mobile communication device such as a smartphone to output a parking entry command to the parking facility at any time. However, in this case, there is a risk that unnecessary pre-entry operations will be performed due to unintended operations by the user.

[0005] Therefore, the present application aims to provide a parking system that uses image recognition technology, which can start pre-entry operations even when the vehicle registration number cannot be recognized, and which can prevent the execution of unnecessary pre-entry operations that are not intended by the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A parking system according to one aspect of the present application comprises a parking facility and a mobile communication device, wherein the parking facility comprises a parking facility main body that allows a vehicle to enter the parking facility after completion of pre-entry operations, an imaging camera that captures an image of the license plate of a vehicle approaching the parking facility main body, a storage device that stores a contract registration number, a beacon transmitter that transmits a radio signal in the vicinity of the parking facility main body, and a control device that controls the parking facility main body, and when the control device is able to recognize the registration number of a vehicle approaching the parking facility main body from the image captured by the imaging camera, When the recognized registration number matches the contract registration number, the parking facility main body starts pre-entry operations, and if the registration number of the vehicle approaching the parking facility main body cannot be recognized from the image captured by the imaging camera, the parking facility main body starts pre-entry operations when an entry command signal is output from the mobile communication device, and the mobile communication device outputs the entry command signal when the strength of the radio wave signal received from the beacon transmitter is above a threshold and the entry command button displayed on the mobile communication device is operated.

[0007] With this configuration, even if the control device cannot recognize the vehicle's registration number, it can cause the parking facility main body to begin pre-entry operations when an entry command signal is output from the mobile communication device. Furthermore, the mobile communication device cannot always output the entry command signal; it outputs the entry command signal when the control device cannot recognize the registration number, the strength of the radio signal received from the beacon transmitter is above a threshold (i.e., the mobile communication device is located within a certain distance from the parking facility main body), and the entry command button is operated. This prevents the user from performing unnecessary pre-entry operations unintentionally.

[0008] In addition, in the above parking system, the parking facility may have a display device, and the mobile communication device may output an error signal when the strength of the radio signal received from the beacon transmitter is less than the threshold value and the entry command button is operated, and the control device may display error information on the display device when the error signal is output from the mobile communication device.

[0009] With this configuration, the user can check the error information displayed on the display device and move the car to an appropriate position where the strength of the radio signal received from the beacon transmitter of the mobile communication device is above a threshold.

[0010] In addition, in the above parking system, the mobile communication device may be configured not to display the entry command button if the control device can recognize the registration number of a vehicle approaching the parking facility main body from the image captured by the imaging camera.

[0011] According to this configuration, when the control device can recognize the registration number, the mobile communication device does not display the entry command button, thereby preventing erroneous operation by the user.

[0012] In addition, in the above parking system, the mobile communication device may not display the parking command button when the strength of the radio signal received from the beacon transmitter is less than the threshold value.

[0013] According to this configuration, when the mobile communication device is located more than a certain distance away from the parking facility body, the mobile communication device does not display the entry command button, thereby preventing erroneous operation by the user.

[0014] A parking facility according to one aspect of the present application comprises a parking facility main body that allows a vehicle to be parked after completion of pre-entry operations, an imaging camera that captures an image of the license plate of a vehicle approaching the parking facility main body, a storage device that stores the contract registration number, a beacon transmitter that emits a radio wave signal in the vicinity of the parking facility main body, and a control device that controls the parking facility main body; if the control device can recognize the registration number of a vehicle approaching the parking facility main body from the image captured by the imaging camera, and the recognized registration number matches the contract registration number, the control device causes the parking facility main body to start pre-entry operations; if the control device cannot recognize the registration number of a vehicle approaching the parking facility main body from the image captured by the imaging camera, the control device causes the parking facility main body to start pre-entry operations when the strength of the radio wave signal received from the beacon transmitter by a mobile communication device that can be operated by a user is above a threshold and the entry command button displayed on the mobile communication device is operated.

[0015] With this configuration, even if the control device cannot recognize the vehicle's registration number, the parking facility itself can be made to start pre-entry operations when the user operates the mobile communication device. Furthermore, the pre-entry operations cannot be started at any time; they can be started only when the control device cannot recognize the registration number, the strength of the radio signal received by the mobile communication device from the beacon transmitter is above a threshold (i.e., the mobile communication device is located within a certain distance from the parking facility), and the entry command button is operated. This prevents unnecessary pre-entry operations from being performed unintentionally by the user.

[0016] In addition, the above parking facility may further include a display device, and the control device may cause the display device to display error information when the strength of the radio signal received by the mobile communication device from the beacon transmitter is less than the threshold value and the entry command button is operated.

[0017] With this configuration, the user can check the error information displayed on the display device and move the car to an appropriate position where the strength of the radio signal received from the beacon transmitter of the mobile communication device is above a threshold. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present application, pre-entry operations can be started even when the vehicle registration number cannot be recognized, and unnecessary pre-entry operations that are not intended by the user can be prevented from being performed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a parking system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of the inventory determination program. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of the storage command program. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a storage command program according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] (Overall composition) The parking system 100 according to the embodiment will be described below. First, the overall configuration of the parking system 100 will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the parking system 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the parking system 100 according to the embodiment includes a parking facility 10 and a mobile communication device 20.

[0021] <Parking facilities> The parking facility 10 is a facility for storing automobiles. The parking facility 10 of this embodiment is a mechanical facility, and further belongs to the elevator type of mechanical facilities. However, the parking facility 10 is not limited to the elevator type, and may be a box-type circulation type, a horizontal circulation type, a flat shuttle type, a vertical and horizontal movement puzzle type, or other types.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the parking facility 10 includes a parking facility main body 11, an imaging camera 12, a storage device 13, a beacon transmitter 14, a display device 15, and a control device 16.

[0023] The parking facility main body 11 is the part that accommodates the automobile 101. In this embodiment, the parking facility main body 11 includes a building 17, multiple pallets located within the building 17 on which automobiles are placed, a pallet drive device that moves each pallet, a door 18 provided at the entrance / exit of the building 17, and a door opening / closing device that opens and closes the door 18. The parking facility main body 11 is able to accommodate the automobile 101 after pre-entry operations are completed. The pre-entry operations include, for example, the operation of moving a pallet without the automobile 101 on it to the entrance / exit of the building 17 and the operation of opening the door 18.

[0024] The imaging camera 12 is a camera that captures an image of the license plate of an automobile 101 approaching the parking facility main body 11. The imaging camera 12 in this embodiment is provided in the parking facility main body 11. However, the installation position of the imaging camera 12 is not limited. Furthermore, the parking facility 10 may have multiple imaging cameras 12.

[0025] The storage device 13 is a device that stores various information. In this embodiment, the storage device 13 is provided in the parking facility main body 11. However, the storage device 13 may also be located on a network. The storage device 13 is, for example, a non-volatile memory. In this embodiment, the storage device 13 stores a contract registration number. The contract registration number is the registration number of the vehicle 101 that is permitted to enter the parking facility main body 11. The registration number of the vehicle 101 is a number assigned to each vehicle 101 and matches the number printed on the license plate.

[0026] The beacon transmitter 14 is a device that transmits a radio signal near the parking facility main body 11. The radio signal transmitted by the beacon transmitter 14 includes information of the unique ID of the beacon transmitter 14. The beacon transmitter 14 may transmit a radio signal continuously, or may transmit a radio signal when the automobile 101 approaches the parking facility main body 11. In addition, the beacon transmitter 14 is, for example, a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) beacon that is capable of communication with extremely low power.

[0027] The display device 15 is a device that displays predetermined information including error information, which will be described later. The display device 15 of this embodiment is provided in the parking facility main body 11. However, the installation location of the display device 15 is not limited as long as it is visible to passengers of the automobiles 101 approaching the parking facility main body 11. The display device 15 of this embodiment displays information consisting of character strings. However, the display device 15 may also be, for example, a lamp that displays information by lighting it up a certain number of times or by using a certain color.

[0028] The control device 16 is a device that controls each device including the parking facility main body 11. The control device 16 in this embodiment is provided in the parking facility main body 11. However, all or part of the control device 16 may be located on a network. The control device 16 has, for example, a processor, volatile memory, nonvolatile memory, an I / O interface, etc. Various programs including a parking entry determination program described below are stored in the nonvolatile memory of the control device 16, and the processor performs arithmetic processing using the volatile memory based on each program. Furthermore, the control device 16 in this embodiment is connected to a mobile communication device 20 described below via a network so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0029] The control device 16 can control the parking facility main body 11 by transmitting control signals to the components of the parking facility main body 11. Furthermore, the control device 16 is communicatively connected to the imaging camera 12 and the storage device 13, and can acquire images captured by the imaging camera 12 from the imaging camera 12, and can acquire the contract registration number from the storage device 13. The control device 16 is also communicatively connected to the display device 15, and can display any information. Note that communication in this embodiment includes both wired communication and wireless communication.

[0030] <Mobile communication device> The mobile communication device 20 is a mobile communication device operated by a user in the automobile 101. The mobile communication device 20 in this embodiment is a smartphone. However, the mobile communication device 20 may also be a tablet computer or a car navigation device mounted on the automobile 101. The mobile communication device 20 has a processor, volatile memory, nonvolatile memory, a communication module, and the like. Various programs including a warehousing command program described below are stored in the nonvolatile memory of the mobile communication device 20, and the processor performs arithmetic processing using the volatile memory based on each program.

[0031] Furthermore, the mobile communication device 20 of this embodiment is connected to the control device 16 of the parking facility 10 via a network so as to be able to communicate with it. However, the mobile communication device 20 may also communicate directly with the control device 16 of the parking facility 10 without using a network. The mobile communication device 20 also has a beacon receiver 21 that can receive radio signals transmitted from the beacon transmitter 14 of the parking facility 10. Note that a communication module may function as the beacon receiver 21. The mobile communication device 20 can obtain the unique ID of the beacon transmitter 14 and the strength of the radio signal via this beacon receiver 21.

[0032] Furthermore, the mobile communication device 20 has a display panel 22. The display panel 22 in this embodiment is a touch panel having a display function and an input function. However, the display panel 22 may have only a display function, and the mobile communication device 20 may have an operation unit for performing various operations separate from the display panel 22. The user operates the mobile communication device 20 based on the content displayed on the display panel 22.

[0033] (Inventory determination program) Next, the entry determination program will be described. Figure 2 is a flow diagram of the entry determination program. The entry determination program is executed by the control device 16 of the parking facility 10. By executing the entry determination program, if predetermined conditions are met, the parking facility main body 11 will start pre-entry operations.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, when the entry determination program is started, the control device 16 acquires an image of the license plate of the automobile 101 approaching the parking facility main body 11 from the imaging camera 12 (step S1).

[0035] Next, the control device 16 determines whether or not the registration number can be recognized from the image acquired in step S1 (step S2).

[0036] In step S2, if it is determined that the registration number can be recognized from the image (YES in step S2), the control device 16 determines whether the registration number recognized from the image matches the contract registration number stored in the memory device 13 (step S3).

[0037] In step S3, if it is determined that the registration number recognized from the image matches the contract registration number (YES in step S3), the control device 16 causes the parking facility main body 11 to start pre-entry operations (step S4). When the pre-entry operations of the parking facility main body 11 are completed, the user can enter the automobile 101 into the parking facility main body 11.

[0038] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3 that the registration number recognized from the image does not match the contract registration number (NO in step S3), the control device 16 ends the entry determination program. In other words, the control device 16 ends the entry determination program without causing the parking facility main body 11 to start the pre-entry operation.

[0039] Furthermore, in step S2, if it is determined that the registration number cannot be recognized from the image acquired in step S1 (NO in step S2), the control device 16 outputs an unrecognizable signal (step S5). This unrecognizable signal is used in the storage command program (see FIG. 3) described later.

[0040] After step S5, the control device 16 determines whether or not a warehousing command signal has been output from the mobile communication device 20 (step S6). The warehousing command signal is output when the user operates the mobile communication device 20. The conditions under which the warehousing command signal is output from the mobile communication device 20 will be explained in the warehousing command program (see FIG. 3) described later.

[0041] In step S6, if it is determined that an entry command signal has been output from the mobile communication device 20 (YES in step S6), the control device 16 causes the parking facility main body 11 to start pre-entry operations (step S4). Thus, according to this embodiment, even if the control device 16 cannot recognize the registration number of the automobile 101, the user can operate the mobile communication device 20 to cause the parking facility main body 11 to start pre-entry operations as long as certain conditions are met.

[0042] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S6 that the entry command signal has not been output from the mobile communication device 20 (NO in step S6), the control device 16 determines whether or not an error signal has been output from the mobile communication device 20 (step S7). In this embodiment, the error signal is output when the mobile communication device 20 is located more than a certain distance away from the parking facility main body 11. Details of the error signal will be explained later in the entry command program (see FIG. 3).

[0043] If it is determined in step S7 that an error signal has been output from the mobile communication device 20 (YES in step S7), the control device 16 causes the display device 15 to display error information (step S8). In this embodiment, the error information is a display to urge the user to move the automobile 101 closer to the parking facility main body 11. For example, the control device 16 causes the display device 15 to display a string of text saying "Please move your car a little closer." This allows the user to move the automobile 101 to an appropriate position. After step S8, the entry determination program is terminated.

[0044] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S7 that an error signal is not output from the mobile communication device 20 (NO in step S7), the control device 16 ends the warehousing determination program without causing the display device 15 to display error information.

[0045] (warehouse receipt command program) Next, the warehousing command program will be described. Fig. 3 is a flow diagram of the warehousing command program. The warehousing command program is executed by the mobile communication device 20. By executing the warehousing command program, if predetermined conditions are met, a warehousing command signal is output from the mobile communication device 20. It is assumed here that the mobile communication device 20 is carried by the user who is riding in the automobile 101.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 3, when the parking entry command program is started, the mobile communication device 20 determines whether or not an unrecognizable signal has been output from the control device 16 of the parking facility 10 (step S11). As described above, the unrecognizable signal is output when the control device 16 determines that it cannot recognize the registration number (see step S5 in Fig. 2). In this embodiment, the mobile communication device 20 can receive the unrecognizable signal via the network, and therefore can determine whether or not an unrecognizable signal has been output from the control device 16.

[0047] In step S11, if it is determined that an unrecognizable signal has not been output from the control device 16 (NO in step S11), the mobile communication device 20 repeats step S11. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S11 that an unrecognizable signal has been output from the control device 16 (YES in step S11), the mobile communication device 20 displays a warehousing command button on the display panel 22 (step S12). In other words, if the control device 16 cannot recognize the registration number, the mobile communication device 20 displays the warehousing command button.

[0048] Next, the mobile communication device 20 determines whether the strength of the radio signal received from the beacon transmitter 14 of the parking facility 10 is equal to or greater than a threshold (step S13). In other words, the mobile communication device 20 determines whether the mobile communication device 20 is located within a certain distance from the parking facility main body 11. Whether the radio signal received by the mobile communication device 20 was transmitted from the beacon transmitter 14 can be determined from the unique ID information included in the radio signal.

[0049] In step S13, if it is determined that the strength of the radio wave signal is equal to or greater than the threshold value (YES in step S13), the mobile communication device 20 determines whether the entry command button has been operated (step S14). When the user wishes the parking facility main body 11 to start the pre-entry operation, the user operates the entry command button.

[0050] In step S14, if it is determined that the entry command button has not been operated (NO in step S14), the mobile communication device 20 ends the entry command program. In other words, the mobile communication device 20 ends the entry command program without outputting an entry command signal. In this case, the control device 16 of the parking facility 10 does not cause the parking facility main body 11 to start pre-entry operations (NO in step S6 of FIG. 2).

[0051] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S14 that the entry command button has been operated (YES in step S14), the mobile communication device 20 outputs an entry command signal (step S15). In this case, the control device 16 of the parking facility 10 causes the parking facility main body 11 to start pre-entry operations (YES in step S6 of FIG. 2). After step S15, the mobile communication device 20 ends the entry command program.

[0052] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S13 that the strength of the radio wave signal is less than the threshold value (NO in step S13), the mobile communication device 20 determines whether or not the entry command button has been operated (step S16).

[0053] In step S16, if it is determined that the entry command button has been operated (YES in step S16), the mobile communication device 20 outputs an error signal (step S17). That is, if the entry command button has been operated (NO in step S16) even though the strength of the radio signal received from the beacon transmitter 14 is less than the threshold (NO in step S13), the mobile communication device 20 outputs an error signal. In this case, the control device 16 of the parking facility 10 causes the display device 15 to display error information (step S7 in FIG. 2).

[0054] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S16 that the storage command button has not been operated (NO in step S16), the mobile communication device 20 ends the storage command program. That is, the mobile communication device 20 ends the storage command program without outputting a storage command signal or an error signal.

[0055] As described above, according to this embodiment, even if the control device 16 of the parking facility 10 cannot recognize the registration number, the user can operate the mobile communication device 20 to cause the parking facility main body 11 to start the pre-entry operation. However, the pre-entry operation cannot always be started. In other words, the pre-entry operation can be started when the control device 16 cannot recognize the registration number, the strength of the radio signal received by the mobile communication device 20 is equal to or greater than a threshold, and the entry command button is operated. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the pre-entry operation can be started even if the registration number of the vehicle 101 cannot be recognized, and the execution of unnecessary pre-entry operations unintended by the user can be prevented.

[0056] (Modification of the storage command program) Next, a modified example of the warehousing command program will be described. FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of the warehousing command program according to the modified example. In the warehousing command program shown in FIG. 3 described above, the mobile communication device 20 displays the warehousing command button (step S12) and then determines whether the strength of the radio signal is equal to or greater than the threshold (step S13). In contrast, in the warehousing command program according to the modified example shown in FIG. 4, the warehousing command button is displayed after determining that the strength of the radio signal is equal to or greater than the threshold. The warehousing command program according to the modified example will be described in detail below.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 4, when the entry command program according to the modified example is started, the mobile communication device 20 determines whether or not an unrecognizable signal has been output from the control device 16 of the parking facility 10 (step S21).

[0058] If it is determined in step S21 that an unrecognizable signal has not been output from the control device 16 (NO in step S21), the mobile communication device 20 repeats step S21. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S21 that an unrecognizable signal has been output from the control device 16 (YES in step S21), that is, if the control device 16 has not been able to recognize the registration number, the mobile communication device 20 determines whether the strength of the radio signal received from the beacon transmitter 14 is equal to or greater than a threshold (step S22).

[0059] In step S22, if it is determined that the strength of the radio signal received from the beacon transmitter 14 is equal to or greater than the threshold (YES in step S22), the mobile communication device 20 displays a warehousing command button (step S23). On the other hand, in step S22, if it is determined that the strength of the radio signal received from the beacon transmitter 14 is less than the threshold (NO in step S22), the mobile communication device 20 ends the warehousing command program without displaying the warehousing command button.

[0060] In this way, the storage command program according to the modified example displays the storage command button when the strength of the radio signal is equal to or greater than the threshold. Therefore, in the modified example, when the strength of the radio signal is less than the threshold, the user cannot operate the storage command button. Therefore, an error signal (see step S17 in FIG. 3) in the storage command program shown in FIG. 3 is not output.

[0061] Next, in step S24, if it is determined that the entry command button has been operated (YES in step S24), the mobile communication device 20 outputs an entry command signal (step S25). This causes the control device 16 of the parking facility 10 to cause the parking facility main body 11 to start pre-entry operations (step S4 in FIG. 2). On the other hand, in step S24, if it is determined that the entry command button has not been operated (NO in step S24), the mobile communication device 20 ends the entry command program without outputting the entry command signal. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 10 Parking facilities 11 Parking facility body 12 Imaging camera 13 Storage device 14 Beacon transmitter 15 Display device 16 Control device 17 Building 18 Doors 20 Mobile communication devices 21 Beacon Receiver 22 Display panel 100 Parking System 101 Automobiles

Claims

1. a parking facility; and a mobile communication device; The parking facility includes: a parking facility main body that allows a vehicle to enter the facility after completing pre-entry operations; an imaging camera that captures an image of the license plate of a vehicle approaching the parking facility body; a storage device that stores a contract registration number; a beacon transmitter that transmits a radio wave signal in the vicinity of the parking facility body; a control device for controlling the parking facility body, When the control device can recognize the registration number of the vehicle approaching the parking facility main body from the image captured by the imaging camera and the recognized registration number matches the contract registration number, it causes the parking facility main body to start pre-entry operations, and when the control device cannot recognize the registration number of the vehicle approaching the parking facility main body from the image captured by the imaging camera, it causes the parking facility main body to start pre-entry operations when an entry command signal is output from the mobile communication device, A parking system in which the mobile communication device outputs the entrance command signal when the strength of the radio wave signal received from the beacon transmitter is above a threshold and when the entrance command button displayed on the mobile communication device is operated.

2. the parking facility has a display device; the mobile communication device outputs an error signal when the strength of the radio wave signal received from the beacon transmitter is less than the threshold value and the storage command button is operated; The parking system according to claim 1 , wherein the control device causes the display device to display error information when the error signal is output from the mobile communication device.

3. The parking system of claim 1, wherein the mobile communication device does not display the entry command button when the control device can recognize the registration number of a vehicle approaching the parking facility body from the image captured by the imaging camera.

4. The parking system according to claim 1 , wherein the mobile communication device does not display the parking command button when the strength of the radio wave signal received from the beacon transmitter is less than the threshold value.

5. a parking facility main body that allows a vehicle to enter the facility after completing pre-entry operations; an imaging camera that captures an image of the license plate of a vehicle approaching the parking facility body; a storage device that stores a contract registration number; a beacon transmitter that transmits a radio wave signal in the vicinity of the parking facility body; a control device for controlling the parking facility body; The control device When the registration number of the vehicle approaching the parking facility body can be recognized from the image captured by the imaging camera, if the recognized registration number matches the contract registration number, the parking facility body starts a pre-entry operation, If the registration number of a vehicle approaching the parking facility main body cannot be recognized from the image captured by the imaging camera, the parking facility main body will begin pre-entry operations when the strength of the radio wave signal received from the beacon transmitter by a mobile communication device operable by a user is above a threshold and the entry command button displayed on the mobile communication device is operated.

6. Further comprising a display device, The parking facility according to claim 5, wherein the control device causes the display device to display error information when the strength of the radio signal received by the mobile communication device from the beacon transmitter is less than the threshold value and the parking command button is operated.

Images