Parking position management system and parking position management method

Abstract

To provide a parking position management system capable of determining a parking space which can be used by a user without anxiety even when there is no vacant parking space for a handicapped person vehicle.SOLUTION: A parking position management system according to the present disclosure includes a determination unit 12 that determines whether an entering vehicle, which is a vehicle that has entered a parking lot, is a vehicle for the disabled, and a parking position determination unit 13 that determines a parking position of the entering vehicle based on whether the entering vehicle is the vehicle for the disabled. When a vehicle for the disabled enters as an entering vehicle and two adjacent normal parking spaces are vacant, the parking position determination unit 13 determines the two normal parking spaces as the parking position of the entering vehicle. The normal parking space is a parking space for a normal vehicle which is a vehicle other than the vehicle for the disabled and is not a space exclusively used for the vehicle for the disabled which is a parking space exclusively used for parking the vehicle for the disabled.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a parking location management system and a parking location management method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which a navigation device that stores parking position information acquires the current situation, determines a parking position that corresponds to the current situation based on the parking position information, and outputs the parking position information. Here, the parking position information is information about parking positions within a parking lot that are recommended for each situation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-115234 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The technology described in Patent Document 1 uses a navigation device to guide a vehicle to a recommended parking location. However, Patent Document 1 does not describe a method for determining a parking location for a disabled vehicle when there are no available parking spaces for disabled vehicles.

[0005] There is a need for a system that can determine a parking space that a user can use with peace of mind even when there are no available parking spaces for disabled vehicles when a disabled vehicle attempts to park in a parking lot. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The parking position management system according to the present disclosure comprises a determination unit that determines whether an entering vehicle, which is a vehicle that has entered a parking lot, is a disabled vehicle, and a parking position determination unit that determines the parking position of the entering vehicle based on whether the entering vehicle is the disabled vehicle. When the disabled vehicle enters as the entering vehicle, if there are two adjacent normal parking spaces available that are parking spaces for normal vehicles that are not disabled vehicles, the parking position determination unit determines the two normal parking spaces as the parking position for the entering vehicle.

[0007] In the parking position management method disclosed herein, a parking position management system executes a judgment process to determine whether an entering vehicle, which is a vehicle that has entered a parking lot, is a disabled person's vehicle, and a determination process to determine a parking position for the entering vehicle based on whether the entering vehicle is the disabled person's vehicle.When the disabled person's vehicle enters as the entering vehicle, if there are two adjacent normal parking spaces available, which are parking spaces for normal vehicles that are not disabled person's vehicles, the determination process determines the two normal parking spaces as the parking position for the entering vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, even when a disabled vehicle attempts to park in a parking lot and there are no available parking spaces for disabled vehicles, it is possible to determine a parking space that the user can use with peace of mind. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a parking position management system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an entrance to a parking lot that is a target of management by the parking location management system of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of a vehicle for disabled persons. [Figure 4] 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display device in the parking position management system of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] 3 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing in the parking position management system according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a situation in which a disabled person's vehicle enters a parking lot that is a target of management by the parking location management system according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a state in which vehicles are parked in a part of the parking lot shown in FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 8] 7 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the process of determining a parking position for a normal vehicle in the process of FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a parking lot that is a management target of the parking location management system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in the parking position management system according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The following describes embodiments of the invention, but the invention according to the claims is not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the embodiments are necessarily essential as means for solving the problems. For clarity of explanation, the following description and drawings have been omitted and simplified as appropriate.

[0011] <First Embodiment> An example of the configuration of a parking location management system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a parking location management system according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the parking location management system according to the present embodiment will be referred to as the present system.

[0012] (Example of system configuration) As shown in FIG. 1, the system may include a server device 1, a camera 2, and a display device 3 connected to the server device 1 via a wireless or wired network. The system is a system for managing parking locations. Since a parking location can also be called a parking space, the system can also be called a parking space management system. The system can also be considered to include a navigation device 4.

[0013] The server device 1 is a device that can be used by a company that operates a parking lot. The server device 1 can be installed in each parking lot to manage each individual parking lot, but can also be configured to manage multiple parking lots. In either case, the server device 1 is not limited to being installed in the parking lot to be managed, but may also be installed in a location separate from the parking lot to be managed. The server device 1 is an example of a management device that manages parking locations.

[0014] Camera 2 is an example of an imaging device that is installed in a parking lot and captures images of entering vehicles. In this system, multiple cameras 2 can be installed, but it is sufficient that at least one is installed at the entrance to the parking lot or at the passageway leading to the entrance. Some or all of cameras 2 may also be used as surveillance cameras. As will be described later, camera 2 captures images for determining whether an entering vehicle is a vehicle for a disabled person. Other types of sensors can also be used instead of camera 2 as long as they can obtain information that enables such a determination.

[0015] A plurality of display devices 3 are installed in a parking lot to provide guidance to vehicle drivers. The plurality of display devices 3 installed in a parking lot may include a plurality of types of display devices with different display formats. For example, the display devices 3 may be display devices such as guide lights that indicate whether each parking space in the parking lot is available for entry, display devices installed at the entrance to provide entrance guidance, or guide lights embedded in the surface of the parking lot aisles to guide vehicles.

[0016] The navigation device 4 is a device that is installed in the vehicle of a user using the parking lot and provides route guidance, etc. Alternatively, the navigation device 4 may be an information terminal device used by the driver or other passengers of the vehicle, as long as it has the same function of providing route guidance, etc. This information terminal device is composed of a portable computer such as a mobile phone, smartphone, mobile computer, or wearable device. The navigation device 4 can be configured to communicate with the server device 1 to display a route that leads to a parking location in the route guidance.

[0017] (Configuration example of server device 1) The server device 1 is configured as a server computer, and can include a control unit 10, an information storage unit 15, and a communication unit 16. In the following, an example in which the server device 1 is a single device will be described, but the server device 1 can also be constructed as a server system in which functions are distributed among multiple devices.

[0018] The control unit 10 controls the entire server device 1. The control unit 10 may be realized by, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a working memory, and a non-volatile storage device storing a control program. The program may include a program that, when executed by the processor, realizes the functions of the server device 1. The control unit 10 may also be realized by using a user-programmable integrated circuit, such as an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) or a microcomputer. The control unit 10 may include a communication control unit 11, a determination unit 12, and a parking position determination unit 13, which will be described later, and which perform the main functions of the server device 1.

[0019] The communication unit 16 performs wired or wireless communication with external devices such as the camera 2, the display device 3, and the navigation device 4. The communication unit 16 may include, for example, a communication unit that performs communication in accordance with a wireless communication standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark; the same applies hereinafter), or a communication unit that performs communication in accordance with a short-range wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark; the same applies hereinafter) LE (Low Energy). The communication control unit 11 controls communication with external devices via the communication unit 16.

[0020] The information storage unit 15 is a storage device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or HDD (Hard Disk Drive) that stores various information used by the server device 1. The information storage unit 15 stores, as one type of information to be stored, map information of the parking lots under management and vacancy information indicating whether each parking space in the parking lot is occupied or vacant.

[0021] The determination unit 12 determines whether an entering vehicle, which is a vehicle that has entered a parking lot, is a vehicle for a disabled person. The detection of an entering vehicle can be performed based on an image captured by a camera 2 installed at the entrance or the passageway leading to the entrance, or on information detected by other types of sensors. A vehicle for a disabled person can be defined as, for example, a vehicle for a wheelchair user, but is not limited to this. For example, a vehicle with a wheelchair mark sticker indicating a vehicle for a disabled person or a vehicle with a wheelchair mark painted on it may be defined as a vehicle for a disabled person. In this case, as described below, whether a vehicle is a vehicle for a disabled person can be determined based on an image captured by a camera. Alternatively, a vehicle that has been registered in advance and linked to its license plate number can be defined as a vehicle for a disabled person. In this case, as described below, whether a vehicle is a vehicle for a disabled person can be determined by reading the license plate number from an image captured by a camera. Alternatively, a vehicle carrying a person who has been registered in advance as a disabled person can be defined as a vehicle for a disabled person. In this case, whether a vehicle is a vehicle for a disabled person can be determined by facial recognition of the vehicle's occupant. The method for defining a vehicle for a disabled person is not limited to these, and various methods are possible. Furthermore, a combination of multiple different methods is also possible.

[0022] The parking position determination unit 13 determines the parking position of the entering vehicle based on the determination result by the determination unit 12, i.e., whether or not the entering vehicle is a disabled vehicle. Specifically, when a disabled vehicle enters as an entering vehicle, if there are two adjacent normal parking spaces available, the parking position determination unit 13 determines the two normal parking spaces as the parking position for the entering vehicle.

[0023] Here, a normal parking space is a parking space for a normal vehicle, not a special space for disabled vehicles, which is a parking space exclusively for disabled vehicles, and is a predetermined space. A normal vehicle refers to a vehicle that is not a disabled vehicle. A normal parking space can be defined regardless of whether or not a parking lot has a special space for disabled vehicles. However, in this embodiment, the explanation will be given assuming that a parking lot has a special space for disabled vehicles.

[0024] In this embodiment, when a disabled vehicle enters as an entering vehicle, if there is a vacant space reserved for disabled vehicles, the parking position determination unit 13 determines the space reserved for disabled vehicles as the parking position for the entering vehicle by giving priority to that space.

[0025] In other words, when a disabled vehicle enters as an entering vehicle, if there is a vacant space reserved for disabled vehicles where the disabled vehicle can park, the parking position determination unit 13 determines that space as the parking position for the entering vehicle. On the other hand, if there is no vacant space reserved for disabled vehicles and there are two adjacent vacant regular parking spaces, the parking position determination unit 13 determines the two adjacent vacant regular parking spaces as the parking position for the entering vehicle.

[0026] Furthermore, the parking position determination unit 13 may be provided with a trained model that has been machine-learned to input the determination result from the determination unit 12 and vacancy information indicating the current parking situation managed by the information storage unit 15 and output a parking position. Alternatively, the determination unit 12 and the parking position determination unit 13 may be provided with a trained model that has been machine-learned to input the image from the camera 2 and vacancy information and output a parking position. In either case, the algorithm of the trained model is not important.

[0027] A specific example of such a determination process will be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 4. Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a parking lot entrance that is a target of management by the parking location management system of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a front view showing an example of a disabled vehicle. Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing an example of a display device in the parking location management system of Fig. 1. In the following, an example will be given in which the entering vehicle 5 is a disabled vehicle, but of course the entering vehicle may also be a normal vehicle.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, an entrance camera 2en, which is one of the cameras 2, and a display 3d, which is one type of display device 3, can be installed near the entrance to the parking lot. The entrance camera 2en is disposed in a position that includes the area in front of the entering vehicle 5 in its imaging range. Note that in FIG. 2, the imaging range of the entrance camera 2en is indicated by diagonal hatching. Alternatively, the entrance camera 2en may be disposed in a position that includes the area behind the entering vehicle 5 in its imaging range. Alternatively, the entrance camera 2en may be disposed in a position that includes the area in front of the entering vehicle 5 in its imaging range, and after the entering vehicle 5 has passed, the angle of view may be controlled to follow the entering vehicle 5 and rotate so that the area behind the entering vehicle 5 is included in its imaging range. Alternatively, two entrance cameras 2en may be disposed in positions that include the area in front of and the area behind the entering vehicle 5 in their imaging range.

[0029] The entrance camera 2en reads, for example, the license plate of the entering vehicle 5 and transmits the image 51 to the server device 1. This image 51 can be used to manage parking fees, but may also be used to determine parking spaces. The license plate of the entering vehicle 5 is the rear license plate 55b shown in FIG. 2 or the front license plate 55f shown in FIG. 3. The license plate 55f is the license plate included in the image 51.

[0030] The license plate of the entering vehicle 5 is assigned a number beginning with a different number for each vehicle type classification, such as a standard vehicle, a compact vehicle, or a large special-purpose vehicle, and the image 51 includes a number indicating this classification. The server device 1 can determine such classification and use it to determine the usage fee. Alternatively, if standard parking spaces are further divided according to size, the parking position determination unit 13 can determine the parking position of the standard vehicle so that it is a standard parking space that matches the determined classification. It is also possible to further classify compact vehicles into light vehicles and larger-sized vehicles, or to determine whether small vehicles other than light vehicles and standard vehicles are classified in the same classification or assigned to parking spaces of the same size.

[0031] Furthermore, the entrance camera 2en is preferably installed so that the area where the wheelchair mark is formed, for example by sticking a sticker or painting it on the vehicle for the disabled, is included in the imaging range. The wheelchair mark is a mark such as the wheelchair marks 56b and 56f shown as examples on the entering vehicle 5 in Figures 2 and 3. The determination unit 12 analyzes the image captured by the entrance camera 2en in this way, determines whether or not the entering vehicle 5 has a wheelchair mark, and outputs the result as a result of whether or not the vehicle is a vehicle for the disabled. In the example of Figure 2, the determination unit 12 can determine that the entering vehicle 5 is a vehicle for the disabled.

[0032] In this way, if a vehicle for a disabled person is defined as a vehicle for a wheelchair user, the judgment unit 12 can determine whether or not the entering vehicle is a vehicle for a disabled person based on whether or not the wheelchair mark 56b can be detected from the entering vehicle.

[0033] Even when other definitions of disabled vehicle are applied, the determination unit 12 can make the determination if the vehicle's number is linked in advance to whether it is a disabled vehicle or not in a license plate management system that can communicate with the information storage unit 15 or the communication unit 16. This license plate management system can be a system in which a company that operates a parking lot or a company that operates a facility or store where a parking lot is located manages the license plate numbers of users' vehicles. When a user registers with a parking lot, facility, or store, they simply register the vehicle's number and whether the vehicle is a disabled vehicle or not.

[0034] When the license plate number is used for the judgment in the judgment unit 12, that is, when the image 51 is used for the judgment in the judgment unit 12, the entering vehicle 5 can be classified into a disabled vehicle and a normal vehicle. Here, as described above, the normal vehicle can be further classified into a standard vehicle, a small vehicle, a large special vehicle, etc.

[0035] Furthermore, the vehicle height H and width W of the entering vehicle 5, or in addition the vehicle length, can be calculated from images captured by the entrance camera 2en, including image 51. The vehicle height H, width W, and length of the entering vehicle 5 can also be detected by other types of sensors instead of the entrance camera 2en. The server device 1 can also determine the vehicle type, such as a standard vehicle, a compact vehicle, or a large special-purpose vehicle, from information such as the vehicle height H, width W, and length of the entering vehicle 5.

[0036] The display 3d displays entrance guidance such as, for example, "Follow the guide lights," "Go further in," or "Go to the parking space in the right corner." The guide lights can be embedded in the aisles of the parking lot as a type of display device 3. The parking space guided to here is the space of the parking position determined by the parking position determination unit 13, and this information is received from the server device 1 via the communication unit 16. The display 3d may also simply display an image captured by the entrance camera 2en or a license plate extracted from that image.

[0037] In addition, it is advisable to install an indicator light such as indicator light 3a or indicator light 3b shown in FIG. 4 near the ceiling of each parking space as a type of display device 3. Indicator light 3a includes, for example, a red lamp 3re that indicates that parking is prohibited when lit and a blue lamp 3blg that indicates that the space is available for parking as a normal vehicle when lit. Indicator light 3b includes a red lamp 3re that indicates that parking is prohibited when lit and a blue lamp 3blh that indicates that the space is available for parking as a disabled vehicle when lit. In this example, a wheelchair mark can be displayed on blue lamp 3blh. Furthermore, to more clearly distinguish blue lamp 3blg from blue lamp 3blg, letters or marks indicating normal parking, such as "Normal," "Regular," or "General," may be displayed on blue lamp 3blh.

[0038] Furthermore, the blue lamp 3blg may be flashed to indicate the parking position of the entering vehicle 5 if it is a normal vehicle. Furthermore, the blue lamp 3blh may be flashed to indicate the parking position of the entering vehicle 5 if it is a disabled vehicle. By flashing in this manner, the entering vehicle 5 can be guided to the parking position. Furthermore, for guidance purposes, guide lights as a type of display device 3 buried or installed in the passage (not shown) may be flashed in sequence along the route to the parking position.

[0039] Indicator light 3b should be installed near the ceiling of the space reserved for disabled vehicles. Indicator light 3a should be installed near the ceiling of the normal parking space, and when the parking position determination unit 13 determines that the entering vehicle 5 is a disabled vehicle and that the parking position of the entering vehicle 5 is a normal parking space, the display should be switched to that of indicator light 3b. In addition, when the disabled vehicle leaves the parking lot after parking, indicator light 3b should be returned to the state of indicator light 3a.

[0040] In this example, the display is switched between the indicator lights 3a and 3b. However, the indicator light may be provided with three indicator lamps, and one may be turned on depending on the information to be displayed, in order to display one of three information: information indicating that parking is prohibited, information indicating that the parking space is available for disabled vehicles, or information indicating that the parking space is available for normal vehicles.

[0041] Furthermore, when determining the vehicle type classification and selecting a parking space that matches the classification, the indicator light installed in that parking space may display a mark or letter indicating the classification to indicate availability. For example, to indicate availability for standard-sized vehicles, compact vehicles, and large special-purpose vehicles, the blue lamp 3blg of indicator light 3a may display "Standard" or "Regular," "Compact" or "Small" or "Light," or "Large" or "Large," respectively. This allows, for example, even if the compact vehicle space is full, to guide the vehicle to a vacant standard-sized vehicle space, and the ceiling indicator light can be switched from "Standard" to "Light." This switching allows the vehicle to park without receiving complaints from other drivers. Of course, even when a parking space that matches the classification is selected, guided vehicles toward the selected parking space using guide lights embedded or installed in the passageway.

[0042] (Configuration example of navigation device 4) The navigation device 4 may include a control unit 40, an information storage unit 45, a communication unit 46, a display unit 47, an input unit 48, and a GNSS receiving unit 49. GNSS stands for Global Navigation Satellite System. The control unit 40 may include a communication control unit 41, a display control unit 42, an input control unit 43, and a location information acquisition unit 44, which perform the main functions of the navigation device 4.

[0043] The control unit 40 controls the entire navigation device 4. The control unit 40 may be realized, for example, by a processor such as a CPU, a working memory, and a non-volatile storage device that stores a control program. This program may include a program that, when executed by the processor, realizes the functions of the navigation device 4. The control unit 40 may also be realized using a programmable integrated circuit, such as an FPGA or a microcomputer.

[0044] The information storage unit 45 is a storage device such as an SSD or HDD that stores various types of information used by the navigation device 4. The information storage unit 15 stores map information used for route guidance as one type of information to be stored.

[0045] The communication unit 46 communicates with an external device such as the server device 1. The communication unit 46 may be, for example, a communication unit such as the communication unit 16. The communication control unit 41 controls communication with the external device via the communication unit 46.

[0046] The display unit 47 may be configured with a display device such as a liquid crystal panel, an organic electroluminescence panel, etc. The display control unit 42 controls the display on the display unit 47, such as the display of a user interface (UI) image.

[0047] The input unit 48 is a part that accepts operations by the user and can also be referred to as an operation unit. The input unit 48 may be configured with at least one of physical keys and software keys, or may be configured with a voice input unit and a voice recognition unit, or may be configured with both of them. The input unit 48 may also include a touch sensor incorporated into the display unit 47. In that case, the navigation device 4 will include a touch panel as an example of the display unit 47 and the input unit 48.

[0048] The input control unit 43 controls input at the input unit 48. For example, the operation content received by the input unit 48 is transmitted to the input control unit 43, and the input control unit 43 controls other parts of the control unit 40 in accordance with the operation content. For example, when a user of the navigation device 4 specifies a destination through the input unit 48, the control unit 40 calculates a route to the destination based on map information stored in the information storage unit 45 and current location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 44. The control unit 40 then generates a guidance image showing the calculated route and passes it to the display control unit 42. The display control unit 42 causes the display unit 47 to display this image.

[0049] The GNSS receiver 49 is a GNSS receiver that receives GNSS-based location information and the time information at the time of acquisition, and passes the information to the location information acquisition unit 44. The location information acquisition unit 44 acquires the location information and time information. The latest location information is used as location information indicating the current location. For example, if the communication unit 46 is equipped with a communication unit conforming to the Wi-Fi wireless communication standard and a Wi-Fi access point is installed in the parking lot, the current location information measured based on the beacon signal from the communication unit can also be acquired. This measurement can be performed by a server device that provides location information services.

[0050] The navigation device 4 can also be configured to receive guidance information indicating the determined parking position from the server device 1 via the communication unit 46 and display it on the display unit 47. The navigation device 4 can set the parking position indicated by the guidance information as the destination. This allows the system to guide the driver of the entering vehicle to the parking space indicated by the determined parking position. The navigation device 4 may communicate with the server device 1 via a wireless communication device such as a wireless access point (not shown) separately installed in the parking lot, or may communicate with the server device 1 via a telephone line network.

[0051] (Example of processing in this system) Next, an example of processing executed by this system will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 7. Figure 5 is a flow diagram for explaining an example of processing in this system. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a situation in which a disabled vehicle has entered a parking lot that is the object of management by this system. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a situation in which a vehicle has been parked in a part of the parking lot shown in Figure 6. For the sake of simplicity, an example in which the parking lot has only one floor will be given, but the same can be applied to a case in which there are multiple floors.

[0052] First, the determination unit 12 determines whether or not the entry of a vehicle has been detected based on the image captured by the entrance camera 2en (step S101). This determination is repeated until the entry of a vehicle is detected. If the result in step S101 is YES, the determination unit 12 determines whether or not the detected entering vehicle is a vehicle for a disabled person, for example, based on whether or not a wheelchair mark has been detected (step S102).

[0053] 6 shows the state of the parking lot 60 when a disabled vehicle 5h enters as an entering vehicle. The disabled vehicle 5h is assumed to have a wheelchair mark 56b or 56f affixed to it, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In this case, the determination in step S102 is YES.

[0054] If the answer is YES in step S102, the parking position determination unit 13 determines whether there is a vacant space reserved for disabled vehicles based on the vacancy information stored in the information storage unit 15 (step S103). This vacancy information is assumed to be appropriately updated as vehicles enter and exit the parking lot. For example, the parking lot 60 may have multiple normal parking spaces 63, a disabled vehicle space 64a that is large enough to accommodate two normal vehicles side by side, and a disabled vehicle space 64b that is large enough to accommodate two normal vehicles side by side. The latest vacancy information for each of the parking spaces 63, 64a, and 64b is assumed to be stored in the information storage unit 15. The parking lot 60 is designed so that occupants enter through an entrance 61 equipped with an entrance camera 2en and exit through an exit 62.

[0055] If the answer is YES in step S103, the parking position determination unit 13 determines an empty space reserved for disabled vehicles as the parking position for the entering vehicle (step S104). In Fig. 6, an example is given in which the space reserved for disabled vehicles 64b in the parking lot 60 is determined as the parking position for the disabled vehicle 5h.

[0056] Next, the control unit 10 controls the display device 3 and transmits guidance information to the navigation device 4 so as to guide the entering vehicle to the determined parking spot (step S105). An example of control of the display device 3 in the example of Fig. 6 is as follows: That is, the guide light 3g embedded in the passage is made to flash or light up, and two indicator lights installed near the ceiling of the space reserved for disabled vehicles are made to flash blue lamps 3blh like the indicator light 3b in Fig. 4.

[0057] As a result, the driver of the disabled vehicle 5h can follow the guidance of the guide light 3g and the onboard navigation device 4, drive toward the disabled vehicle reserved space 64b, and check the indicator light 3b to park the disabled vehicle 5h in the disabled vehicle reserved space 64b. The control unit 10 may obtain location information from the disabled vehicle 5h or analyze images from the camera 2 to determine the location of the disabled vehicle 5h, and may appropriately light or flash embedded guide light components according to the location, as exemplified by the guide light 3g. This allows only the necessary embedded guide light components to light or flash. The processing of FIG. 5 ends upon completion of the processing of step S105.

[0058] If the answer is NO in step S103, the parking position determination unit 13 determines whether there is a vacant space in two adjacent normal parking spaces based on the vacancy information (step S106).If the answer is YES in step S106, the parking position determination unit 13 determines the vacant two adjacent normal parking spaces as the parking position for the entering vehicle, and changes the display of the parking space, as exemplified by the change from indicator light 3a to indicator light 3b (step S107).

[0059] Figure 7 shows an example in which the pre-set spaces 64a and 64b reserved for disabled vehicles in a parking lot 60 are full, and the two adjacent normal vehicle spaces 63 shown side by side in the upper left of Figure 7 are selected as the parking location for a disabled vehicle 5h. Note that in Figure 7, the symbol 5g indicates a normal vehicle. The indicator lights of these two normal vehicle spaces 63 are changed from indicator light 3a to indicator light 3b.

[0060] As described above, in this embodiment, if there are no spaces available in the spaces 64a, 64b reserved for disabled vehicles, the disabled vehicle is guided to an adjacent normal parking space 63 with space for two vehicles. If the guided disabled vehicle parks in a normal parking space 63 that can accommodate two vehicles, the two spaces can be displayed as being in use to prevent other vehicles from parking there. Furthermore, the guided disabled vehicle may be parked in the center of the normal parking space 63 that can accommodate two vehicles, or in a normal parking space 63 on either the left or right side. Even if the disabled vehicle is parked in a normal parking space 63 on either the left or right side, the normal parking space that was not used can also be displayed as being in use, thereby preventing normal vehicles from parking there. After processing step S107, proceed to step S105.

[0061] If the result in step S106 is NO, the control unit 10 controls the display device 3 and transmits guidance information to the navigation device 4 to guide the entering vehicle to the exit (step S108), and ends the process. Note that instead of step S108, guidance to a normal parking space may be provided. In that case, however, the parking position determination unit 13 changes the display of the normal parking space and issues a warning to the driver. The warning may also be issued by the guidance information transmitted to the navigation device 4 or by a guidance display on the display device 3. The content of the warning may, for example, inform the driver that because only a normal parking space can be guided, it may be impossible to unload a wheelchair, or that care must be taken when unloading the luggage.

[0062] If the answer is NO in step S102, the parking position determination unit 13 determines an empty normal parking space as the parking position (step S109), and proceeds to step S105.

[0063] The parking lot 60 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is an example in which two types of spaces reserved for disabled vehicles are provided: a wide space reserved for disabled vehicles 64a and a wide space reserved for disabled vehicles 64b. However, only one of these may be provided. For example, only the wide space reserved for disabled vehicles 64a may be provided. In this case, the parking position determination unit 13 may search for an available normal parking space 63 adjacent to two vehicles side by side and assign it as a parking position for the disabled vehicle, and may not search for an adjacent normal parking space 63 adjacent to two vehicles side by side even if there is no available space. Alternatively, the parking position determination unit 13 may search for an available normal parking space 63 adjacent to two vehicles side by side and assign it as a parking position for the disabled vehicle, and only if there is no available space, may search for an adjacent normal parking space 63 adjacent to two vehicles side by side and assign it as a parking position for the disabled vehicle.

[0064] Furthermore, which of the dedicated spaces 64a, 64b for disabled vehicles is to be designated as the parking location for the disabled vehicle, or which of the adjacent normal parking spaces 63 for two vehicles side-by-side or two vehicles vertically is to be designated as the parking location for the disabled vehicle, may be determined based on the vehicle model. In this case, the license plate number and the vehicle model of the disabled vehicle may be linked and stored in advance in the license plate number management system, which can communicate with the information storage unit 15 or the communication unit 16, and the determination unit 12 may determine the vehicle model if it is a disabled vehicle. The vehicle models of disabled vehicles may be classified, for example, into those in which the disabled person exits through the left door, those in which the disabled person exits through the right door, and those in which the disabled person or wheelchair exits through the rear door. This allows the determination based on the vehicle model of the disabled vehicle, as described above, to be determined so that it is easy to exit the disabled person or wheelchair.

[0065] (Other processing examples in this system) Next, another example of the process of determining a parking position for a normal vehicle will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flow diagram for explaining another example of the process of determining a parking position for a normal vehicle in the process of Fig. 5. The determination process described in Fig. 8 can be executed instead of step S109.

[0066] In this example, when a normal vehicle enters as an entering vehicle, if there are two adjacent normal parking spaces available, the parking position determination unit 13 will prioritize a parking space other than the two adjacent vacant normal parking spaces and determine it as the parking position for the entering vehicle. This makes it possible to keep as much space available as possible for parking a disabled vehicle when it enters.

[0067] First, when a normal vehicle enters as an entering vehicle, the parking position determination unit 13 determines whether there are vacant normal parking spaces adjacent to each other based on the vacancy information (step S201). If the answer is YES in step S201, the parking position determination unit 13 determines an empty normal parking space other than the two adjacent vacant normal parking spaces as the parking position (step S202), and ends the processing. On the other hand, if the answer is NO in step S201, the parking position determination unit 13 determines an empty normal parking space as the parking position (step S203), and ends the processing.

[0068] Furthermore, when a normal vehicle enters, if there is no available parking space reserved for disabled vehicles and two adjacent parking spaces for normal vehicles are available, the parking position determination unit 13 may make a preferential determination. The preferential determination means that a normal parking space other than the two adjacent available normal parking spaces is given priority in determining the parking position for the entered normal vehicle.

[0069] (Effects of this embodiment) As explained above, according to this embodiment, even if there are no available parking spaces for disabled vehicles when a disabled vehicle attempts to park in a parking lot, it is possible to determine an effective alternative parking space. In other words, according to this embodiment, it is possible to secure as many spaces as possible in the parking lot as possible for disabled vehicles to park in, thereby reducing the number of situations in which disabled vehicles are unable to park, and it is possible to smoothly secure a parking space when a disabled vehicle enters the parking lot.

[0070] For example, according to this embodiment, users do not have to search for an empty space in a parking lot of a shopping mall, etc., which not only saves time but also reduces the risk of accidents while searching, leading to safety. Also, if a vehicle for the disabled is parked in a space other than a space reserved for vehicles for the disabled, the display on the ceiling can be switched to, for example, a wheelchair mark to indicate that the vehicle is for the disabled, thereby providing flexibility in the type of vehicle parked.

[0071] Furthermore, when a regular vehicle enters the parking lot, if spaces corresponding to the respective sizes of vehicles, such as a standard car, a compact car, and a large special-purpose vehicle, are assigned as parking positions, the compact car will not end up parking in a space for a standard car, for example. Therefore, regular parking spaces can also be used more effectively.

[0072] As a comparative example, a system that simply recognizes the type of vehicle and guides it to a designated parking area will be presented. This comparative example only guides vehicles so that the parking spaces for standard-sized vehicles and large vehicles do not become crowded, and does not give priority to vehicles with disabilities when parking. In contrast, this embodiment allows vehicles with disabilities to be given priority when parking.

[0073] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by applying the processing example described in FIG. 8, even when a normal vehicle enters as an entering vehicle, two adjacent vacant normal parking spaces can be secured as much as possible, that is, an increase in parking spaces where users of disabled vehicles can park with peace of mind can be achieved. For example, by applying this method, other normal vehicles can be guided to park as close together as possible to secure two spaces for disabled vehicles. In other words, by applying this method, it is possible to more smoothly secure a parking space when a disabled vehicle enters in preparation for the case where the spaces reserved for disabled vehicles are full. Furthermore, even if the spaces reserved for disabled vehicles are full, users of disabled vehicles can park with peace of mind as long as there are two adjacent vacant normal parking spaces, such as for compact cars and standard cars.

[0074] As a further application example, the parking position determination unit 13 may reserve a parking space for a disabled vehicle in advance only when it is likely that there will be a shortage of spaces reserved for disabled vehicles based on the vacancy information. Furthermore, the application is not limited to this, and the parking position determination unit 13 may also specify a parking location according to the convenience of the parking lot manager, for example, when the manager wants to fill spaces from the back or when there is a place where the manager does not want people to park depending on the date and time.

[0075] <Embodiment 2> The parking location management system according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment, but the various examples described in the first embodiment can also be applied. Hereinafter, the parking location management system according to the present embodiment will be referred to as an alternative system.

[0076] (Example of alternative system configuration) The alternative system differs from the first embodiment in that the parking lots to be managed are parking lots that do not have pre-installed spaces reserved for disabled vehicles. Since the system configuration of Fig. 1 can also be applied to this embodiment, the alternative system will be described using Fig. 1.

[0077] In this embodiment as well, when a disabled vehicle enters as an entering vehicle and there are two adjacent regular parking spaces available, the parking position determination unit 13 determines the two regular parking spaces as the parking position for the entering vehicle. Note that in this embodiment, since no dedicated spaces for disabled vehicles are provided in advance, determining whether there are two adjacent regular parking spaces available means determining whether two adjacent parking spaces are available.

[0078] (Example of processing in an alternative system) Next, an example of processing executed in the alternative system will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the state of a parking lot that is the object of management in the alternative system. Figure 10 is a flow diagram for explaining an example of processing in the alternative system.

[0079] 9 differs from the parking lot 6 shown in FIG. 6 in that the parking lot 90 shown in FIG. 9 does not originally have spaces 64a and 64b reserved for vehicles of disabled persons, and all parking spaces are normal parking spaces 63.

[0080] The process illustrated in Figure 10 is the same as the process in Figure 5, except that steps S103 and S104 are removed, and if step S102 returns YES, the process proceeds to step S106. This change is made so that the alternative system can manage parking lots that do not have pre-designated spaces reserved for disabled vehicles. Other aspects are the same as the process in Figure 5, so a detailed description will be omitted.

[0081] To further illustrate the parking lot 90 in FIG. 9 , each normal parking space 63 is provided with indicator lights 31-35 in an indicator state similar to indicator light 3a. Note that FIG. 9 only shows some of the indicator lights. If step S106 returns YES, parking space 94a, consisting of two adjacent normal parking spaces 63 with indicator lights 31 and 32, can be determined as the parking location for the disabled vehicle that has entered. In this case, indicator lights 31 and 32 are changed from the indicator light 3a state to the indicator light 3b state. At this time, indicator lights installed in other normal parking spaces 63, such as indicator light 33, remain in the indicator light 3a state. Furthermore, instead of parking space 94a, parking space 94b, consisting of two adjacent normal parking spaces 63 with indicator lights 34 and 35, can be determined as the parking location for the disabled vehicle that has entered. In this case, indicator lights 34 and 35 are changed from the indicator light 3a state to the indicator light 3b state.

[0082] Also in this embodiment, if there are two adjacent vacant normal parking spaces when a normal vehicle enters, the parking position determination unit 13 will prioritize a parking space other than the two adjacent vacant normal parking spaces and determine it as the parking position for the entering vehicle. In other words, the processing example described in FIG. 8 can be applied to the processing of FIG. 10 instead of the processing of step S109. However, in the second embodiment, since no spaces reserved for disabled vehicles are provided in advance, this determination does not include a determination of whether or not there is a vacant space reserved for disabled vehicles, unlike the first embodiment. This makes it possible to keep as much space as possible available for parking when a disabled vehicle enters.

[0083] (Effects of this embodiment) According to this embodiment, even when the parking lot to be managed is a parking lot that does not have a dedicated space for disabled vehicles provided in advance, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0084] <Other alternatives> Some or all of the processing in the server device 1 or the navigation device 4 described above can be implemented as a computer program. The program includes a set of instructions (or software code) that, when loaded into a computer, causes the computer to perform one or more functions described in the embodiments. The program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable media or tangible storage media include random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray (registered trademark) disc or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device. The program may also be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, transitory computer-readable media or communication media include electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals.

[0085] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment and may be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the definition and detection process of a disabled vehicle are not limited to those exemplified. Furthermore, the parking position determination process is not limited to those exemplified, as long as two adjacent vacant normal parking spaces are used as candidate parking positions when an entering vehicle is a disabled vehicle.

[0086] As explained in the first embodiment, entering vehicles may be classified and detected as, for example, standard vehicles, compact vehicles, large special vehicles, and vehicles for disabled persons. Normal parking spaces may also be provided separately so that there are spaces corresponding to the respective sizes of standard vehicles, compact vehicles, large special vehicles, etc.

[0087] In such an example, the two adjacent regular parking spaces that can be allocated to a disabled vehicle may be of any size, and for example, only regular parking spaces for standard vehicles or regular parking spaces for standard vehicles and large special vehicles may be allocated. The two adjacent regular parking spaces that can be allocated to a disabled vehicle may be two adjacent regular parking spaces of different sizes. Furthermore, if disabled vehicles are classified and detected by size, the parking location for the disabled vehicle can be determined based on the results of determining whether there are two adjacent regular parking spaces of the appropriate size available.

[0088] Furthermore, it is possible to appropriately combine the first embodiment and the second embodiment. For example, in a certain parking lot, the spaces reserved for disabled vehicles and some of the regular parking spaces can be managed by the method described in the first embodiment, and the remaining regular parking spaces can be managed by the method described in the second embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1. Server device 2 Cameras 2en Entrance Camera 3 Display device 3a, 3b, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 indicator light 3blg, 3blh blue lamp 3D display 3g guide light 3re red lamp 4. Navigation devices 5. Entering vehicles 5h Disabled vehicle 5g Regular vehicle 10, 40 Control unit 11, 41 Communication control unit 12 Judgment section 13 Parking position determination unit 15, 45 Information storage section 16, 46 Communications Department 42 Display control unit 43 Input control section 44 Location information acquisition unit 47 Display section 48 Input section 49 GNSS receiver 51 images 55b, 55f license plates 56b, 56f wheelchair mark Parking spaces 60 and 90 61 Entrance 62 Exit 63 Regular Parking Space 64a, 64b Spaces reserved for vehicles with disabilities Parking spaces 94a and 94b

Claims

1. a determination unit that determines whether an entering vehicle that has entered the parking lot is a vehicle for a disabled person; a parking position determination unit that determines a parking position for the entering vehicle based on whether the entering vehicle is a vehicle for a disabled person; Equipped with When the disabled vehicle enters as the entering vehicle, if there are two adjacent normal parking spaces available, which are parking spaces for normal vehicles other than the disabled vehicle, the parking position determination unit determines the two normal parking spaces as the parking positions of the entering vehicle. Parking location management system.

2. The parking lot is a parking lot provided with a dedicated space for vehicles with disabilities, which is a parking space exclusively for parking vehicles with disabilities, When the disabled vehicle enters as the entering vehicle, if there is a vacant space in the disabled vehicle reserved space, the parking position determination unit determines the disabled vehicle reserved space as the parking position of the entering vehicle by giving priority to the disabled vehicle reserved space. The parking location management system according to claim 1 .

3. The parking lot is a parking lot that does not have a dedicated space for vehicles with disabilities, which is a parking space exclusively for parking vehicles with disabilities, When the disabled vehicle enters as the entering vehicle, if there are two adjacent vacant normal parking spaces, the parking position determination unit determines the two adjacent vacant normal parking spaces as the parking position of the entering vehicle. The parking location management system according to claim 1 .

4. When the normal vehicle enters as the entering vehicle, if there are two adjacent normal parking spaces available, the parking position determination unit determines a parking space other than the two adjacent vacant normal parking spaces as the parking position of the entering vehicle by giving priority to the parking space. The parking position management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The parking position management system executes a determination process of determining whether an entering vehicle, which is a vehicle that has entered a parking lot, is a vehicle for a disabled person, and a determination process of determining a parking position for the entering vehicle based on whether the entering vehicle is a vehicle for a disabled person, In the determination process, when the disabled vehicle enters as the entering vehicle, if there are two adjacent normal parking spaces available, which are parking spaces for normal vehicles that are not the disabled vehicle, the normal parking spaces for the two vehicles are determined as the parking positions of the entering vehicle. Parking location management method.

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