PARKING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRE-CONFIGURING BASKS TO REDUCE VEHICLE EXIT TIMES - Patent application

Abstract

A parking system comprising: a plurality of pedestals; a plurality of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) configured to transport the plurality of pedestals; a plurality of stalls; and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a stall composition ratio based on collected parking data, and each stall is configured in one of a ready-to-enter state and a ready-to-leave state according to the stall composition ratio. When a stall is in the ready-to-enter state, the pedestal is located within the stall and an outward door of the stall is in an open position. When a stall is in the ready-to-leave state, an outward door of the stall is in a closed position, an inward door of the stall is in an open position, and the pedestal is not located within the stall.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 724,802, filed April 20, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. [Technical field]

[0002] The present specification relates generally to systems and methods for reducing the time required to exit a parking lot, and more specifically, to systems and methods for determining parking spaces for vehicles based on vehicle pick-up times. [Background technology]

[0003] Traditional parking lots are changing their landscape to meet the demand for high-volume storage. In urban areas where above-ground and underground space is at a premium, parking facility owners are constrained by a fixed footprint and a certain amount of vertical space extending from that footprint. In new construction projects, being able to park vehicles in a tightly packed arrangement can result in significant cost savings for the project. In existing parking lots, parking vehicles tightly can increase revenue through increased parking spaces or create new opportunities in vacant spaces.

[0004] A common approach to increasing parking density in existing parking lots is to hire attendants to manually park vehicles in tightly packed parking spaces. However, valet parking is fundamentally limited by the steering dynamics of the vehicles and the minimum spacing between vehicles required to allow for loading and unloading. This limits the achievable vehicle density. In new construction, density can be increased with mechanical parking systems such as stackers and rack-and-rail systems. However, these systems are large and expensive mechanical systems. Thus, they require a large upfront investment and are typically well integrated into the architectural design. Once installed, they tend to be very expensive and difficult to refurbish, remove or replace.

[0005] To increase parking density, some vehicles may be "parked", i.e., some cars are parked behind others, so that multiple cars must be moved to allow one car to leave. These extra vehicle movements increase the exit time of the parked vehicles, i.e., the time required to return the vehicle to its owner.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for an improved parking system that overcomes the need for human overhead and the limitations of automotive steering dynamics, and has the decision-making system necessary to efficiently exit vehicles with predictable waiting times for all vehicles. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In one embodiment, a parking system includes a plurality of loading platforms, a plurality of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) configured to transport the plurality of loading platforms, a plurality of stalls, and a controller configured to determine a stall composition ratio based on collected parking data, each stall being configured in one of a ready-to-enter state and a ready-to-leave state according to the stall composition ratio, and when a stall is in the ready-to-enter state, the loading platform is located within the stall and an outward door of the stall is in an open position, and when a stall is in the ready-to-leave state, the outward door of the stall is in a closed position, an inward door of the stall is in an open position, and the loading platform is not located within the stall.

[0008] In another embodiment, a parking system includes a plurality of mounting platforms, a plurality of automated guided vehicles (AGVs), a plurality of stalls, and a controller, wherein the plurality of mounting platforms each include a platform and a plurality of legs extending from the platform, the plurality of AGVs are configured to engage a bottom surface of the platform of each mounting platform and transport the mounting platforms, the plurality of stalls each have a base with a recess formed therein for receiving the mounting platforms, the controller is configured to determine a stall composition ratio based on the collected parking data, and each stall is configured in one of a ready-to-enter state and a ready-to-leave state according to the stall composition ratio, and when the stall is in the ready-to-enter state, the mounting platform is positioned within the stall and an outward door of the stall is in an open position, and when the stall is in the ready-to-leave state, the outward door of the stall is in a closed position, an inward door of the stall is in an open position, and the mounting platform is not positioned within the stall.

[0009] In yet another embodiment, the method includes determining a stall composition ratio based on the collected parking data and placing a plurality of stalls in one of a ready-to-enter state and a ready-to-leave state according to the stall composition ratio, wherein when the stall is in the ready-to-enter state, a loading platform is placed within the stall and an outward door of the stall is in an open position, and when the stall is in the ready-to-leave state, an outward door of the stall is in a closed position, an inward door of the stall is in an open position, and the loading platform is not placed within the stall.

[0010] These and additional features provided by the embodiments described herein will be more fully understood in consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and are not intended to limit the subject matter defined by the claims. The following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, in which like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:

[0012] [Figure 1]1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a vehicle parked on a platform and being transported along a parking lot floor by an automated guided vehicle, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein.

[0013] [Diagram 2] 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a compartment ready for storage, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein.

[0014] [Diagram 3] 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of the compartment of FIG. 2 in a ready to leave state, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein.

[0015] [Figure 4] 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of components of a parking system according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein.

[0016] [Diagram 5] 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of a controller of the parking system of FIG. 4 according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein.

[0017] [Figure 6] 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a number of parking spaces in an exemplary parking lot, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein.

[0018] [Figure 7] 1 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for locating a vehicle in a parking lot, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein.

[0019] [Figure 8] 1 illustrates, in schematic form, a flow diagram of a method for configuring stalls of a parking system, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] The embodiments described herein are directed to systems and methods for automated storage of vehicles and the like, with a system that manages the scheduling and planning of storage and retrieval requests and interacts with a system that transports vehicles between access locations, such as pick-up / transfer points or lots, and efficient storage locations, such as parking spaces in a parking lot.

[0021] In an embodiment, the parking system includes a plurality of loading platforms, a plurality of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) configured to transport the plurality of loading platforms, a partition, and a controller configured to, in response to receiving a parking reservation from a user device, send instructions to the AGVs to position the loading platform within the partition to accept a target vehicle, send instructions to one of the AGVs to guide the target vehicle accepted within the partition to a target parking space, and send instructions to at least a subset of the AGVs to reposition the loading platform with the target vehicle based on the pick-up time indicated in the parking reservation.

[0022] Further, in an embodiment, the parking system includes a plurality of loading platforms, a plurality of AGVs configured to transport the plurality of loading platforms, a plurality of compartments, and a controller configured to determine a compartment composition ratio based on one or more parameters, and each compartment is configured in one of an entry ready state or an exit ready state according to the compartment composition ratio, and when the compartment is in the entry ready state, the loading platform is positioned within the compartment and an outward door of the compartment is in an open position, and when the compartment is in the exit ready state, the outward door of the compartment is in a closed position, an inward door of the compartment is in an open position, and the loading platform is not positioned within the compartment.

[0023] Various embodiments of the parking system and the operation of the parking system are described in more detail herein.Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

[0024] Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary AGV 100 is shown carrying a platform 102 on which a vehicle 104 is supported. In an embodiment, the AGV 100 is an omni-directional vehicle including omni-wheels, such as Mecanum wheels. As used herein, "omni-directional vehicle" refers to any vehicle that can move in a direction other than the forward vehicle longitudinal direction and the rear vehicle longitudinal direction. Specifically, the AGV 100 can rotate about a center point of the AGV 100, move laterally, and move diagonally by independently controlling the rotational direction of the AGV 100's omni-wheels. However, it should be understood that the AGV 100 may be any other suitable vehicle and is not limited to being an omni-directional vehicle including omni-wheels.

[0025] The AGV 100 includes one or more navigation sensors 110 configured to detect objects or obstacles to assist the AGV 100 in executing autonomous driving commands. As shown in Fig. 1, the AGV 100 traverses a floor 106 of a parking lot 108 that is provided with indicia 109 or any other suitable markings identifiable by the navigation sensors of the AGV 100 to enable the AGV 100 to orient itself within the parking lot 108. As shown, the indicia 109 define a grid on the floor 106 of the parking lot 108 that identifies individual parking spaces in which the platform 102 may be parked, and also defines one or more paths between the parking spaces for the AGV 100 to follow as it travels between stalls 200 (Fig. 2) and target parking spaces.

[0026] 1, the mounting platform 102 includes a platform 112 having an upper surface 114 on which the vehicle 104 is initially parked, and a number of legs 116 extending from corners of the platform 112. The legs 116 of the mounting platform 102 support the mounting platform 102 above the floor surface 106 and define a gap for the AGV 100 to move into so as to be positioned below the platform 112 of the mounting platform 102. Specifically, the platform 102 may have a pair of front legs 116A that define a front gap 118 at a front end 120 of the platform 102 so that the AGV 100 can be positioned below the platform 102 through the front end 120 of the platform 102 along the first axis A1, and a pair of rear legs 116B that define a rear gap 122 at a rear end 124 of the platform 102 so that the AGV 100 can be positioned below the platform 102 through the rear end 124 of the platform 102 along the first axis A1. The pair of front legs 116A and the pair of rear legs 116B also define a pair of side gaps 126 at a side 128 of the platform 102 so that the AGV 100 can be positioned below the platform 102 through opposing side surfaces 128 of the platform 102 along a second axis A2 that crosses the first axis A1. Thus, in an embodiment, AGV 100 is sized to be smaller than front gap 118 , rear gap 122 , and side gap 126 .

[0027] The AGV 100 includes a lifting mechanism that is operable between a lowered position that does not engage the platform 102, an intermediate position that engages or mates with the platform 102, and an elevated position that extends to lift the platform 102 off the floor surface 106. Specifically, when the lifting mechanism is in the elevated position, the lifting mechanism can engage with the underside 130 of the platform 112 and is extended to lift the platform 102 off the floor surface 106. In an embodiment, the AGV 100 can include one or more platform sensors for detecting when the AGV 100 is positioned below the platform 102 and for activating the lifting mechanism to move from the lowered position to the elevated position to raise the platform 102 in response to determining that the lifting mechanism is positioned below the platform 102. Additionally, when the lifting mechanism is in the raised position and carrying the platform 102, the navigation sensors 110 of the AGV 100 can be utilized to determine that the AGV 100 is at a target location for placing the platform 102, such as a target parking space or stall 200, and in response, actuate the lifting mechanism to move from the raised position to a lowered position to lower the platform 102 onto the floor surface 106. However, it should be understood that the AGV 100 may also be configured to engage and move the vehicle itself without the use of the platform 102.

[0028] 2 and 3, a bay 200 is shown in a ready-to-enter (FIG. 2) and ready-to-exit (FIG. 3) state. It should be appreciated that multiple bays 200 may be provided along the perimeter of parking lot 108 or any other suitable location for receiving vehicles parked in parking spaces of parking lot 108. In an embodiment, bay 200 has multiple walls 202 that define an enclosure 204. Specifically, bay 200 has a pair of side walls 202A, a top wall 202B extending between the pair of side walls 202A, and a base 202C opposite the top wall 202B and extending between the pair of side walls 202A. The side walls 202A, the top wall 202B, and the base 202C define an open front end 206 and an open rear end 208 opposite the front end 206.

[0029] The compartment 200 also has a front door 210 disposed at a front end 206 of the compartment 200 and a rear door 212 disposed at a rear end 208 of the compartment 200. In an embodiment, the front door 210 and the rear door 212 each extend between a pair of side walls 202A of the compartment 200. However, in other embodiments, the front door 210 and the rear door 212 may be formed adjacent to one another. The front door 210 and the rear door 212 each are switchable between an open position and a closed position. As shown in FIG. 2, the front door 210 is in an open position and the rear door 212 is in a closed position. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, the rear door 212 is in an open position and the front door 210 is in a closed position. The front door 210 and the rear door 212 may be any suitable door, such as, for example, a retractable door extending from one or more of the side walls 202A, the top wall 202B, and the base 202C. In other embodiments, the front door 210 and the rear door 212 may be pivotable doors pivotally mounted to one or more of the side wall 202A, the top wall 202B, and the base 202C. As shown, the front door 210 and the rear door 212 are pivotally mounted to the top wall 202B of the compartment 200.

[0030] The bay 200 is oriented such that the rearward door 212 faces the interior of the parking lot 108 and the frontward door 210 faces in the opposite direction away from the interior of the parking lot 108. A recess 214 is formed in the base 202C of the bay 200 and is open at the rear end 208 to receive the AGV 100 with the platform 102 in the recess 214. It should be understood that the base 202C of the bay 200 is elevated with respect to the floor 106 of the parking lot 108 so that the AGV 100 can be guided through the open rear end 208 of the bay 200 and lower the platform 102 in the recess 214 when the rearward door 212 is in the open position. When the platform 102 is lowered into the recess 214 in the base 202C of the bay 200, the upper surface 114 of the platform 102 is substantially flush with the upper surface of the base 202C of the bay 200. Thus, a vehicle, such as one that an owner has exited to park, may be entered into the stall 200 through the open front end 206 of the stall 200 when the forward door 210 is in the open position, and onto the platform 102 disposed within a recess 214 in the base 202C of the stall 200. The vehicle owner may then exit the vehicle and the stall 200 so that the vehicle can be transported by the AGV 100 to a target parking space, as described in more detail herein.

[0031] However, it should be understood that in an embodiment, the AGV 100 carrying the platform 102 can enter the compartment 200 through the open rear end 208 of the compartment 200 with the rear-facing door 212 in a closed position. Specifically, the recess 214 formed in the base 202C of the compartment 200 may be open at the rear end 208 of the compartment 200 to allow the AGV 100 carrying the platform 102 to move into the compartment 200 below the rear-facing door 212 and be positioned within the recess 214. In this embodiment, the rear-facing door 212 only needs to be positioned in an open position to allow the vehicle to enter and exit the compartment 200.

[0032] In an embodiment, the bay 200 has one or more presence detection sensors 216 configured to detect the presence of a vehicle and / or a person. In an embodiment, the presence detection sensor 216 may also be configured to detect whether a person, such as an owner of a parked vehicle, is present in the bay 200 and prevent the AGV 100 from moving the platform 102, and thus the vehicle, until it is determined that the person is not present in the bay 200. In some embodiments, the AGV 100 may be prevented from moving the platform 102 and the vehicle until it is determined that the forward door 210 is in the closed position, such that other people cannot access the bay 200 and risk injury by falling into the recess 214 formed in the base 202C of the bay 200.

[0033] As described herein, the bay 200 can be configured to be either ready to enter or ready to leave. As shown in FIG. 2, the bay 200 is configured to be ready to enter such that a vehicle owner can be ready to park a vehicle in the bay 200 for parking in the parking lot 108. Specifically, when in the ready to enter state, the platform 102 is disposed within a recess 214 formed in a base 202C of the bay 200, the front door 210 of the bay 200 is in an open position, and the rear door 212 of the bay 200 is in a closed position. Thus, a vehicle can enter the bay 200 and park on the platform 102 without requiring additional configuration before allowing the vehicle to enter the bay 200. In some embodiments, the AGV 100 may already be disposed under the platform 102 such that the vehicle is parked on the platform 102 and the platform 102 can be moved out of the bay 200 immediately after it is determined that the vehicle owner has left the bay 200.

[0034] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, the bay 200 is configured in a ready-to-go state so that the AGV 100 is ready to move the platform 102 with the vehicle into the bay 200 where the owner can exit. Specifically, when in the ready-to-go state, the platform 102 is not disposed in the recess 214 formed in the base 202C of the bay 200, the front door 210 of the bay 200 is in a closed position to prevent any vehicle from entering the bay 200 from outside the parking lot 108, and the rear door 212 is in an open position. Thus, the AGV 100 can easily move the platform 102 with the vehicle into the bay 200 through the open rear end 208 without modifying the configuration of the bay 200. This saves time in transferring the vehicle to the bay 200 and allowing the vehicle to exit the bay.

[0035] 4, there is shown a parking system 400 generally comprising a central server 402, stalls 200, AGVs 100, and user devices 404. The central server 402, stalls 200, AGVs 100, and user devices 404 are configured to communicate with each other, or at least with the central server 402, via a network 406. Although the parking system 400 is shown as comprising only a single stall 200, AGV 100, and user devices 404, it should be understood that the parking system 400 may comprise any number of stalls 200, AGVs 100, and user devices 404 for communicating with the central server 402 via the network 406.

[0036] The central server 402 comprises a controller 408 having one or more processors 410 and one or more memory modules 412. Each of the one or more processors 410 may be any device capable of executing machine-readable and executable instructions. Thus, each of the one or more processors 410 may be an integrated circuit, a microchip, a computer, or any other computing device. The one or more processors 410 are coupled to a communication path 414 that provides signal interconnectivity between various modules of the central server 402. Thus, the communication path 414 may communicatively couple any number of processors 410 to each other, allowing the modules coupled to the communication path 414 to operate in a distributed computing environment. Specifically, each of the modules may operate as a node that may transmit and / or receive data. As used herein, the term "communicatively coupled" means that the coupled components may exchange data signals with each other, such as, for example, electrical signals through a conductive medium, electromagnetic signals through the air, optical signals through optical waveguides, etc.

[0037] Thus, the communication path 414 may be formed of any medium capable of transmitting a signal, such as, for example, a conductor, a conductive trace, an optical waveguide, etc. In some embodiments, the communication path 414 may facilitate the transmission of wireless signals, such as WiFi, Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), etc. The communication path 414 may also be formed by a combination of media capable of transmitting a signal. In one embodiment, the communication path 414 includes a combination of conductive traces, conductors, connectors, and buses that cooperate to enable the transmission of electrical data signals to components such as processors, memories, sensors, input devices, output devices, and communication devices. Furthermore, it should be noted that the term "signal" refers to a waveform (e.g., electrical, optical, magnetic, mechanical, or electromagnetic) that can travel through a medium, such as DC, AC, sine wave, triangle wave, square wave, vibration, etc.

[0038] As mentioned above, the central server 402 has one or more memory modules 412 coupled to the communication path 414. The one or more memory modules 412 may comprise RAM, ROM, flash memory, hard drives, or any device capable of storing machine-readable and executable instructions such that they may be accessed by the one or more processors 410. The machine-readable and executable instructions may include, for example, logic or algorithms written in a machine language that may be directly executed by a processor, or in any programming language of any generation (e.g., 1GL, 2GL, 3GL, 4GL, or 5GL), such as assembly language, object-oriented programming (OOP), scripting language, microcode, etc., which may be compiled or assembled into machine-readable and executable instructions and stored in the one or more memory modules 412. Alternatively, the machine-readable and executable instructions may be written in a hardware description language (HDL), such as logic implemented via either a field programmable gate array (FPGA) configuration or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or equivalents thereof. Thus, the methods described herein may be implemented in any conventional computer programming language, as pre-programmed hardware elements, or as a combination of hardware and software components. The one or more memory modules 412 may include machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors 410, cause the central server 402 to send instructions to one or more of the multiple AGVs 100 to position the vehicle at a target parking space.

[0039] 4, the central server 402 includes network interface hardware 416 for communicatively coupling the central server 402 to the zones 200, the AGVs 100, and the user devices 404. The network interface hardware 416 may be any device capable of communicatively coupling to the communication paths 414 and capable of transmitting and / or receiving data over the network 406. Thus, the network interface hardware 416 may include a communication transceiver for transmitting and / or receiving any wired or wireless communication. For example, the network interface hardware 416 may include an antenna, a modem, a LAN port, a Wi-Fi card, a WiMax card, cellular communication hardware, near-field communication hardware, satellite communication hardware, and / or any wired or wireless hardware for communicating with other networks and / or devices. In one embodiment, the network interface hardware 416 includes hardware configured to operate according to the Bluetooth® wireless communication protocol.

[0040] 4, the central server 402 may be communicatively coupled to the plots 200, the AGVs 100, and the user devices 404 by a network 406. In one embodiment, the network 406 may include one or more computer networks (e.g., personal area networks, local area networks, or wide area networks), cellular networks, satellite networks, and / or global positioning systems, and combinations thereof. Thus, the central server 402 may be communicatively coupled to the network 406 via a wide area network, via a local area network, via a personal area network, via a cellular network, via a satellite network, etc. Suitable local area networks may include wired Ethernet and / or wireless technologies, such as, for example, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi). Suitable personal area networks may include wireless technologies, such as, for example, IrDA, Bluetooth, Wireless USB, Z-Wave, ZigBee, and / or other short-range wireless communication protocols. Suitable cellular networks include, but are not limited to, technologies such as LTE, WiMAX, UMTS, CDMA, and GSM.

[0041] 4, the parcels 200, as well as any other parcels 200 not shown herein, are communicatively coupled to a central server 402 via a network 406 and include various sensors and network interface hardware, as well as network interface hardware 416 of the central server 402. As described herein, the parcels 200 may include one or more presence detection sensors 216 to identify when objects, such as vehicles and / or people, are within the parcels 200. Data detected by sensors, such as the presence detection sensors 216, may be transmitted to the central server 402 to determine a schedule for configuring the parcels 200 into either an entry-ready or exit-ready state based on predicted parking demand.

[0042] The AGVs 100, as well as any other AGVs 100 not shown herein, are communicatively coupled to a central server 402 via a network 406 and include various sensors and network interface hardware, as well as network interface hardware 416 of the central server 402. In this manner, the central server 402 sends instructions to the AGVs 100, including instructions to move the platform 102 to a particular location so that the vehicle in the parking lot 108 may be parked in a target parking space or released and delivered to a bay 200 for pick-up by an owner.

[0043] The user device 404 may be any suitable device, such as a mobile device, e.g., a mobile phone, tablet, or other suitable computing device. In other embodiments, the user device 404 may be a stationary device located outside or inside the lot 200. In either case, the user device 404 may receive information regarding the parking reservation. The parking reservation identifies that the vehicle owner is leaving the vehicle to be parked within the parking lot 108. In an embodiment, the parking reservation may be created as the vehicle is already within the lot 200 so that it is ready to be parked at a particular parking space within the parking lot 108. In other embodiments, the parking reservation may be created in advance and thus may indicate a drop-off time at which the vehicle will arrive at the lot 200 to be parked within the parking lot 108. As described in more detail herein, the parking reservation may include a pick-up time at which the owner plans to pick up the vehicle. After the vehicle is parked within the parking lot 108, the parking reservation may be modified, for example, if the owner wishes to pick up the vehicle earlier than the previously indicated pick-up time. In an embodiment, the owner pays for the parking service via the user device and is permitted to select and / or pay for additional services, such as a priority preference, where the owner selects a priority preference and the central server 402 prioritizes instructions to have the owner's vehicle exit the parking lot before other owners who have not selected a priority preference.

[0044] 5, there is shown a controller 408 of the central server 402. In an embodiment, the controller 408 generally comprises a reservation module 500, a job planning module 502, a pre-shuffle determination module 504, a priority determination module 506, a data collection module 508, and a partition configuration determination module 510.

[0045] As described herein, the user device 404 allows the vehicle owner to create a parking reservation and transmit the parking reservation to the central server 402. Thus, the reservation module 500 receives a parking reservation from each user device 404, including a drop-off time and a pick-up time. It should be understood that the pick-up time does not have to be associated with each vehicle. In an embodiment, the job planning module 502 is a decision-making system that plans the movement of the AGV 100 and the operation of the bay 200 to complete a provided job, such as a vehicle exit request. A target parking space in the parking lot 108 can be determined based on the length of time the vehicle is parked in the parking lot 108, i.e., the length of time between the drop-off time and the pick-up time. The length of time the vehicle is parked in the parking lot 108 can be directly correlated to the distance the vehicle is parked from the bay 200. For example, if the length of time is greater than 5 hours, the controller 408 can instruct the AGV 100 to park the vehicle in a target parking space that is farther from the bay 200 than if the length of time is less than 5 hours. Alternatively, or in addition, the length of time that a vehicle is parked in the parking lot 108 may directly correlate to how the vehicle is "parked." As described herein, the term "parked" refers to a situation in which one or more vehicles must be moved to allow another vehicle to leave. For example, if the length of time is greater than five hours, the controller 408 may instruct the AGV 100 to park the vehicle in a target parking space that has more vehicles parked there than if the length of time is less than five hours. In an embodiment, the pick-up time stored in the reservation module 500 may be changed in response to receiving an updated pick-up time from the user device 404. For example, the vehicle owner may utilize the user device 404 to indicate that the vehicle owner is on his way to pick up the vehicle. Thus, the reservation module 500 may update the schedule created by the job plan module 502, or instructions to leave the vehicle earlier than originally anticipated in the manner described herein.

[0046] 6, a diagram of a parking lot 108 is shown illustrating a graphical representation of each parking space within the parking lot 108, including two bays 200. As shown, each parking space is classified based on whether it is currently a one-car, two-car, three-car, or four-car parking space. A vehicle parked in a one-car parking space can be exited without having to move any other bays 102, regardless of whether it has a vehicle in it. A vehicle parked in a two-car parking space requires one bay 102 to be moved so that the vehicle can exit. A vehicle parked in a three-car parking space requires two bays 102 to be moved so that the vehicle can exit. A vehicle parked in a four-car parking space requires three bays 102 to be moved so that the vehicle can exit. It should be understood that in larger parking lots, parking spaces may be represented as five-car, six-car, etc. As the number of cradles 102 that need to be moved to allow a particular vehicle to exit increases, the total time to exit the vehicle also increases. Thus, vehicles associated with parking reservations that will be parked in the parking lot for a longer period of time may be parked there more than vehicles associated with parking reservations that will be parked for a shorter period of time. It should be appreciated that the classification of each parking space can be changed in real time based on the movement of cradles. Thus, if a cradle 102 parked in front of a two-car parking space is moved, the two-car parking space becomes a one-car parking space. Similarly, if a cradle 102 is parked in front of a one-car parking space, for example, the one-car parking space becomes a two-car parking space.

[0047] Referring again to FIG. 5 , the pre-shuffle determination module 504 is configured to identify how vehicles parked in the parking lot 108 should be rearranged based on the pick-up time of the parked vehicle. For example, if the remaining time until the pick-up time for a particular target vehicle parked in the parking lot 108 to leave is less than a predetermined pick-up time threshold, the pre-shuffle determination module 504 determines to send a set of pre-shuffle instructions to one or more AGVs 100 to allow the target vehicle to be parked near one of the bays 200 for the remaining time until the pick-up time. As a non-limiting example, the pre-shuffle instructions may include instructions sent only to a single AGV 100 to move the platform 102 with the target vehicle to an open parking space located near any bay 200. As another non-limiting example, the pre-shuffle instructions may include instructions sent to the AGV 100 to move the target vehicle directly into the bay 200 if the remaining time is determined to be less than a predetermined bay storage time threshold. As another non-limiting example, the pre-shuffle command may include commands sent to multiple AGVs 100, each of which is instructed to move an associated platform 102 out of the path of the target vehicle so that the target vehicle can be picked up by another AGV 100 and moved to a target parking space close to the stall 200 or, in an embodiment, within the stall 200 itself. In an embodiment, the pre-shuffle determination module 504 determines whether the target vehicle should be moved to a new parking space based on the time required to move the target vehicle to the new parking space and the time saved to deliver the target vehicle to the stall 200. For example, if the time required to move the target vehicle to the new parking space plus the time required to move the target vehicle from the new parking space to the stall 200 is equal to or greater than the time required to move the target vehicle from the original parking space to the stall 200, the pre-shuffle determination module 504 determines that it is not beneficial to move the target vehicle to the new parking space.

[0048] As described herein, the vehicle owner can operate the user device 404 to select or pay for a priority preference. This allows the vehicle to receive priority treatment over other vehicles or jobs that require the induction of other cradles 102 that do not have or have not been assigned a priority preference. For example, the jobs can include reparking the cradles 102, retrieving the vehicle, charging the AGV 100, etc. With continued reference to FIG. 5, the priority determination module 506 identifies the priority of the vehicles parked in the parking lot 108 and allows commands related to those vehicles when the priority conditions are met. For example, if it is determined that two vehicles parked in the parking lot 108 have the same pick-up time, the vehicle with the priority preference selected by the owner via the user device 404 is allowed to move closer to or into the lot 200 before other vehicles that did not receive a priority preference. Similarly, if the pre-shuffle determination module 504 identifies a first set of instructions for pre-shuffling vehicles in the parking lot 108 to move a first target vehicle having a priority preference closer to the stall 200 and a second set of instructions for pre-shuffling vehicles in the parking lot 108 to move a second target vehicle having no priority preference closer to the stall 200, the first set of instructions is executed before the second set of instructions to enable the first target vehicle to be moved closer to the stall before the second target vehicle.

[0049] The data collection module 508 of the controller 408 receives parking data collected by various sensors of each bay 200, such as the presence detection sensor 216. The data collection module 508 utilizes the collected parking data to determine trends regarding requests to park and retrieve vehicles. In an embodiment, the data collection module 508 associates the drop-off and pick-up times of each parking reservation with the time of day, the day of the week, the current weather, and other factors. The data collection module 508 utilizes this information to predict when owners will exit their vehicles to park in the parking lot and when they will request to exit for more vehicles. This information may be useful to pre-configure bays 200 in either an entry-ready or exit-ready state based on whether there is a higher demand from owners to park or exit their vehicles. For example, the data collection module 508 may determine that there is a higher demand for parked vehicles during the hours of 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM on weekdays, when most people are arriving for work. Similarly, the data collection module 508 may determine that there is a higher demand for vehicles to leave the lot between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM on weekdays, such as when most people have left work. The data collection module 508 may utilize machine learning algorithms to identify such trends.

[0050] Based on the trends identified by the data collection module 508, the lot configuration determination module 510 determines a lot composition ratio in which a predetermined number of lots 200 are configured ready to be loaded and a predetermined number of lots 200 are configured ready to be loaded. For example, if the data collection module 508 identifies that there is a greater demand for vehicles that are dropped off by their owners for parking than for vehicles to be picked up, the lot composition ratio may include a greater number of lots 200 configured ready to be loaded than the number of lots 200 configured ready to be loaded. Alternatively, the lot composition ratio may include a greater number of lots 200 configured ready to be loaded than the number of lots 200 configured ready to be loaded when the data collection module 508 identifies that there is a greater demand for vehicles that are dropped off by their owners than for vehicles to be picked up. The lot configuration determination module 510 may assign a particular configuration to each lot 200 based on the lot composition ratio. Thus, in an embodiment, the lot 200 that is assigned to be configured ready to be loaded is repeatedly configured ready to be loaded after the lot 200 is utilized to receive a vehicle and the vehicle is parked in the parking lot 108. Similarly, in embodiments, a lot 200 that has been assigned to be configured ready for storage is repeatedly configured ready for storage after the lot 200 is utilized to release a vehicle to an owner. In other embodiments, it may be determined that there is no need to reconfigure the lot 200 to its original determined configuration if another lot 200 can be readily configured to the required state and thus the lot composition ratios can be re-established. Additionally, it should be appreciated that the lot composition ratios may change throughout the day based on changing trends determined by the data collection module 508.

[0051] Referring now to FIG. 7, a method 700 for determining a parking space for a target vehicle is shown, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. The method 700 is described herein with reference to FIGS. 1-6. Initially, in step 702, the central server 402 receives a parking request from a user device 404. The parking request may be detected by a presence detection sensor 216 in the section 200, may be generated by some other device in the section 200, or may be created by the user device 404 prior to entering the section 200 and may identify a drop-off time at which the vehicle will arrive. The parking request is stored in the reservation module 500 of the central server 402. In either case, the method 700 proceeds to step 704, where one of the sections 200 is configured to be ready to leave if it is not already in a ready to leave state. In doing so, the central server 402 sends a command to one of the AGVs 100 to move under the platform 102, activate the lifting mechanism to lift the platform 102 off the floor surface 106, and move the platform 102 towards the compartment 200. In an embodiment, the central server 402 also sends a command to the compartment 200 to place the rear-facing door 212 in an open position so that the platform 102 can enter the compartment 200. However, as described herein, the platform 102 may be able to move under the rear-facing door 212 while in the closed position and still enter the compartment 200. Thus, the AGV 100 places the platform 102 in a recess 214 formed in the base 202C of the compartment 200. The central server 402 then commands the lot 200 to place the rear door 212 in a closed position if it was previously in an open position, and to place the front door 210 in an open position, so that the owner can enter the lot 200 with his vehicle.

[0052] In step 706, once the presence detection sensor 216 in the stall 200 identifies that a vehicle is parked on the platform 102 and that the owner has exited the stall 200, the front door 210 is placed in a closed position, the rear door 212 is placed in an open position, and the AGV 100 is commanded to move the vehicle, i.e., the target vehicle, to the target parking space. Specifically, the central server 402 sends a job request to the job planning module 502 to command the AGV 100 to move the platform 102 with the target vehicle on it to the specific target parking space. As described herein, the target parking space is based on the length of time the target vehicle will be parked in the parking lot 108, i.e., the length of time from the current time to the pick-up time.

[0053] In step 708, the pre-shuffle determination module 504 of the central server 402 determines whether a pre-shuffle condition is met. In an embodiment, the pre-shuffle condition may be met if the remaining time until the pick-up time of the target vehicle is less than a predetermined pick-up time threshold. If in step 708 it is determined that the pre-shuffle condition is not met, the method 700 proceeds to step 710, where the target vehicle remains in the current target parking space. The method 700 then returns to step 708 until it is determined that the pre-shuffle condition is met, at which point the method 700 proceeds to step 712, where the target vehicle is moved to a new parking space, i.e., a candidate parking space.

[0054] In step 712, the central server 402 transmits a set of instructions to the multiple AGVs 100 to coordinate the movement of the target vehicle to a candidate parking space that is closer to the section 200. As described herein, the set of instructions may include instructions transmitted to the multiple AGVs 100 to move one or more platforms 102 from the movement path of the AGV 100 carrying the platform 102 on which the target vehicle is parked so that the target vehicle can be parked in the candidate parking space.

[0055] Thereafter, in step 714, if a request to leave is received, such as when the time remaining until pick-up time falls below a predetermined lot storage time threshold or a specific request to leave is received from a user device 404, the central server 402 determines that it may be appropriate to move the subject vehicle into lot 200. However, before moving the subject vehicle into lot 200, method 700 proceeds to step 716 where the priority determination module 506 determines whether a priority condition is met.

[0056] As described herein, the priority determination module 506 may also create a plan for completing jobs, such as re-parking the platform 102, retrieving the vehicle, charging the AGV 100, etc., such that various jobs are completed in the shortest possible time while prioritizing jobs that received a priority preference. More specifically, the priority determination module 506 may receive multiple jobs, create a plan for performing or completing the jobs, and execute the plan. The plan may continually change based on additional jobs received, pick-up time updates received from the user device 404, etc.

[0057] Specifically, in step 716, the priority condition may be met, for example, if there are no other vehicles moving simultaneously to the same section 200 such that a scheduling conflict occurs between the vehicles in the section 200. Another example in which the priority condition may be met is if the target vehicle receives a priority preference over another vehicle intended to move simultaneously to the same section 200. If so, the method 700 proceeds to step 718, where the central server 402 sends an instruction to the AGV 100 to perform a job, for example, to move the platform 102 on which the target vehicle is parked into the section 200. In the above example, the central server 402 also sends an instruction to the section 200 to be configured to a ready-to-enter state, if it is not already. However, it should be understood that the priority determination module 506 continuously determines whether the priority condition is met, even during the current job. Thus, the method 700 may return to step 716 and continuously determine that the priority condition is met so that the job can continue to be executed.

[0058] However, if it is determined at step 716 that the priority condition is not met, e.g., another vehicle has a higher priority preference than the target vehicle, method 700 proceeds to step 720, where the particular job is not completed, e.g., the target vehicle remains in its current parking space, e.g., the target parking space if pre-shuffled, or a candidate parking space, and processing returns to step 716 until the priority condition is met, such that the target vehicle may be moved into section 200 and its owner may exit.

[0059] 8, there is shown a method 800 for determining stall composition ratios and pre-configuring stalls 200 according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. Method 800 is described herein with reference to Figures 1-6. Initially, in step 802, the data collection module 508 obtains parking data based on the number of vehicles parked and exited, as well as when each occurs, such as the time of day, day of the week, weather conditions, and other factors.

[0060] Once the parking data is collected, method 800 proceeds to step 804 where the stall configuration determination module 510 identifies trends in the parking data and, more specifically, determines stall configuration ratios. As described herein, stall configuration ratios indicate how many stalls 200 should be configured as in-ready and how many stalls 200 should be configured as out-ready based on the current demand for parking and retrieving vehicles.

[0061] Thereafter, in step 806, the central server 402 sends instructions to each partition 200 to be configured in a particular configuration based on the partition composition ratios determined by the partition configuration determination module 510. As a non-limiting example, if the partition composition ratios indicate a partition composition ratio of 80% ready to enter and 20% ready to leave, the central server 402 sends instructions to 80% of the partitions 200 to be configured in a ready to enter state and 20% of the partitions 200 to be configured in a ready to leave state. In response to each partition 200 receiving a particular instruction from the central server 402, each partition 200 is configured in a particular configuration.

[0062] In step 808, the bays 200 may be utilized to park vehicles and to exit vehicles as described herein. In so doing, the bays 200 may be positioned out of their initial configuration as vehicles that entered the bays 200 are parked in the parking lot 108 and other vehicles exit the bays 200. Thus, the method 800 continually returns to step 806 to reconfigure the bays 200 to ensure that the bay composition ratio remains satisfied. As described herein, it is not necessary for each bay 200 to return to its initial configuration if it is more efficient, i.e., less time, to configure other bays 200 such that the total number of bays 200 meets the bay composition ratio. For example, it may not be necessary to reconfigure a bay 200 to an entry-ready state if another bay 200 that was previously in an exit-ready state can be more efficiently configured to an entry-ready state such that the bay composition ratio remains the same across all bays 200.

[0063] From the above, it should be understood that a parking system is defined herein that includes a controller, the controller configured to receive a parking reservation from a user device that identifies a target vehicle that is to be parked, and in response to receiving the parking reservation, transmit instructions to one of a plurality of AGVs to place a pedestal in a stall to receive the target vehicle, transmit instructions to one of the AGVs to guide the target vehicle received in the stall to the target parking space, and transmit instructions to at least a subset of the AGVs to reposition the pedestal with the target vehicle based on a pick-up time indicated in the parking reservation. The controller may also be configured to determine a stall composition ratio based on one or more parameters, and each stall is configured in one of a ready-to-enter state or a ready-to-leave state according to the stall composition ratio, and when the stall is ready-to-enter state, the pedestal is placed in the stall and an outward door of the stall is in an open position, and when the stall is ready-to-leave state, the outward door of the stall is in a closed position, an inward door of the stall is in an open position, and the pedestal is not placed in the stall.

[0064] While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the claimed subject matter have been described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Claims

1. 1. A parking system comprising: A plurality of mounting tables; a plurality of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) configured to transport the plurality of platforms; A plurality of compartments; a controller configured to determine a stall composition based on the collected parking data, each stall being configured into one of an entry ready state and an exit ready state according to the stall composition; Equipped with When the compartment is in the ready-to-store state, a platform is disposed within the compartment and an outward door of the compartment is in an open position; when a bay is in the ready-to-go state, the outward door of the bay is in a closed position, the inward door of the bay is in an open position, and no platform is disposed within the bay. Parking system.

2. 2. The parking system according to claim 1, The controller is configured to determine the section composition ratio based on a tendency of vehicles to disembark within the section and exit from the section during a particular time period. Parking system.

3. 3. The parking system according to claim 2, the controller is configured to receive parking data from a presence detection sensor disposed within each stall, the presence detection sensor being configured to detect the presence of a vehicle within each stall; The section composition ratio is determined based on the parking data received from the presence detection sensor. Parking system.

4. 3. The parking system according to claim 2, The compartment composition ratio is determined using a machine learning algorithm; Parking system.

5. 3. The parking system according to claim 2, the platform is positionable within a recess formed in a base of the compartment; the exterior door is opposite the interior door; Parking system.

6. 2. The parking system according to claim 1, the controller is configured to assign each zone one of the entry ready state and the exit ready state, and after a vehicle is removed from the zone, command the zone to be reconfigured to one of the entry ready state and the exit ready state to re-establish the zone composition ratio. Parking system.

7. 1. A parking system comprising: The system includes a plurality of platforms, a plurality of automated guided vehicles (AGVs), a plurality of compartments, and a controller; Each of the plurality of mounting tables has a platform and a plurality of legs extending from the platform; the plurality of AGVs are configured to engage a bottom surface of the platform of each mounting stage and transport the mounting stage; Each of the plurality of compartments has a base having a recess formed therein for receiving a mounting table; the controller is configured to determine a stall configuration ratio based on the collected parking data, and each stall is configured into one of an entry ready state and an exit ready state according to the stall configuration ratio; When the compartment is in the ready-to-store state, a platform is disposed within the compartment and an outward door of the compartment is in an open position; when a bay is in a ready-to-go state, the outward door of the bay is in a closed position, the inward door of the bay is in an open position, and no platform is disposed within the bay. Parking system.

8. 8. The parking system according to claim 7, when the mounting table is disposed within the recess formed in the base of the compartment, an upper surface of the platform is flush with an upper surface of the base; Parking system.

9. 8. The parking system according to claim 7, the AGV is dimensioned to be positioned under the platform of the stage by moving through a gap formed between the legs of the stage in a first axis and a second axis transverse to the first axis; Parking system.

10. 8. The parking system according to claim 7, The controller is configured to determine the section composition ratio based on a tendency of vehicles to disembark within the section and exit from the section during a particular time period. Parking system.

11. 11. The parking system of claim 10, the controller is configured to receive parking data from a presence detection sensor disposed within each stall, the presence detection sensor being configured to detect the presence of a vehicle within each stall; The section composition ratio is determined based on the parking data received from the presence detection sensor. Parking system.

12. 11. The parking system of claim 10, The compartment composition ratio is determined using a machine learning algorithm; Parking system.

13. 11. The parking system of claim 10, the bays are positioned around the parking lot such that the interior door is adjacent to the parking lot and the exterior door is opposite the interior door; Parking system.

14. 8. The parking system according to claim 7, the controller is configured to assign each zone one of the entry ready state and the exit ready state, and after a vehicle is removed from the zone, command the zone to be reconfigured to one of the entry ready state and the exit ready state to re-establish the zone composition ratio. Parking system.

15. 1. A method comprising: determining a stall composition ratio based on the collected parking data; placing the plurality of bays in one of an incoming ready state and an outgoing ready state in accordance with the bay composition ratio; Including, When the compartment is in the ready-to-store state, a platform is disposed within the compartment and an outward door of the compartment is in an open position; when a bay is in the ready-to-go state, the outward door of the bay is in a closed position, the inward door of the bay is in an open position, and no platform is disposed within the bay. method.

16. 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising: determining the partition composition ratio based on a trend of vehicle alighting within the partition and vehicle exiting from the partition during a particular time period; method.

17. 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising: receiving the collected parking data from a presence detection sensor disposed within each stall, the presence detection sensor configured to detect the presence of a vehicle within each stall; determining the section composition ratio based on the collected parking data received from the presence detection sensor; A method comprising:

18. 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising: determining said compartment composition ratio using a machine learning algorithm; method.

19. 16. The method of claim 15, the platform is positionable within a recess formed in a base of the compartment; the exterior door is opposite the interior door; method.

20. 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising: assigning each parcel one of the entry readiness states and the exit readiness states; reconfiguring the zone to one of the entry-ready state and the exit-ready state to re-establish the zone composition after vehicles are removed from the zone; A method comprising:

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