Vehicle detection system, vehicle detection method, and vehicle detection program

Abstract

This invention provides a vehicle detection system, a vehicle detection method, and a vehicle detection program that can improve the accuracy of vehicle detection in parking spaces. [Solution] In the vehicle detection system 10, the vehicle detection device 1 includes an operation processing unit 112 that executes a detection operation using a distance measuring sensor 22 installed in the parking space when a magnetic sensor 21 installed in the parking space detects a target and the detection state continues for a predetermined time, and a determination processing unit 113 that determines whether or not there is a vehicle in the parking space based on the detection result of the distance measuring sensor 22.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique for determining the presence or absence of a vehicle in a parking space such as a parking lot using a sensor.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a vehicle detection device is known that installs a magnetic sensor on the parking surface (ground) in a parking space of a parking lot and detects a change in geomagnetism caused by the presence or absence of a vehicle to determine the presence or absence of a vehicle in the parking space (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the conventional technology, for example, when a magnetic sensor is installed in a parking space under a railway viaduct, the geomagnetism of the magnetic sensor changes every time a train passes by, causing a problem of false detection of a vehicle.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle detection system, a vehicle detection method, and a vehicle detection program capable of improving the detection accuracy of a vehicle in a parking space.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A vehicle detection system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a system for determining the presence or absence of a vehicle in a parking space. The vehicle detection system comprises an operation processing unit and a determination processing unit. The operation processing unit executes a detection operation by a second sensor installed in the parking space when a first sensor installed in the parking space detects an object and the detection state continues for a predetermined time. The determination processing unit determines the presence or absence of a vehicle in the parking space based on the detection result of the second sensor.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a vehicle detection method for determining the presence or absence of a vehicle in a parking space. The vehicle detection method involves one or more processors performing a detection operation by a second sensor installed in the parking space when a first sensor installed in the parking space detects an object and the detection state continues for a predetermined time, and determining the presence or absence of a vehicle in the parking space based on the detection result of the second sensor.

[0008] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a vehicle detection program that determines the presence or absence of a vehicle in a parking space. The vehicle detection program causes one or more processors to perform the following actions: when a first sensor installed in the parking space detects an object and the detection state continues for a predetermined time; and to determine the presence or absence of a vehicle in the parking space based on the detection result of the second sensor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] This disclosure provides a vehicle detection system, a vehicle detection method, and a vehicle detection program that can improve the accuracy of vehicle detection in parking spaces. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the application of a vehicle detection system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle detection system according to an embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of vehicle detection in a vehicle detection system according to an embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a graph showing the changes in the Earth's magnetic field when a vehicle is detected in the vehicle detection system according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of detecting a railway in a vehicle detection system according to an embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a graph showing the changes in the Earth's magnetic field when a railway is detected in the vehicle detection system according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure for vehicle detection processing performed in the vehicle detection system according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments are merely examples of the embodiments of this disclosure and do not limit the technical scope of this disclosure.

[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an application example of a vehicle detection system 10 according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The vehicle detection system 10 includes a vehicle detection device 1 and a vehicle detection sensor 2. The vehicle detection system 10 is applied to a parking lot Ps where vehicles are parked, and determines the presence or absence of a vehicle in a parking space Pa (vehicle compartment) of the parking lot Ps. For example, as shown in Figure 1, the parking lot Ps is provided with multiple parking spaces Pa, and it is possible to park one vehicle in one parking space Pa. The vehicle detection system 10 determines the presence or absence of a vehicle in each parking space Pa and manages whether the parking lot Ps is full or empty. Furthermore, if the vehicle detection system 10 is applied to a parking lot Ps where parking fees are charged, the vehicle detection system 10 calculates the parking time of a vehicle in a parking space Pa and manages the parking fee.

[0013] A vehicle detection sensor 2 capable of detecting vehicles is installed on the parking surface (ground) within each parking space Pa in the parking lot Ps. The vehicle detection sensor 2 is fixed to the ground near the center of the parking space Pa. The position where the vehicle detection sensor 2 is installed is not limited to the center of the parking space Pa, but may be at the rear or front of the parking space Pa. In another embodiment, the vehicle detection sensor 2 may be installed at a predetermined height from the ground at the rear of the parking space Pa. The number of vehicle detection sensors 2 installed corresponds to the number of parking spaces Pa in the parking lot Ps.

[0014] [Vehicle detection sensor 2] The vehicle detection sensor 2 comprises two sensors with different detection methods. Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, the vehicle detection sensor 2 comprises a magnetic sensor 21 capable of detecting magnetism (an example of the first sensor in this disclosure) and a distance measuring sensor 22 using millimeter-wave radar or infrared light (an example of the second sensor in this disclosure). The vehicle detection sensor 2 is electrically connected to the vehicle detection device 1 via a network N1.

[0015] The magnetic sensor 21 detects the intensity (magnetic flux density) of a magnetic field including the geomagnetism near the installation position, using a magnetic sensor element such as a coil, a Hall element, a magnetoresistive element (MR element), or a magnetic impedance element (MI element). Specifically, the magnetic sensor 21 detects a scalar quantity that is the magnitude component of the detected magnetic field vector (magnetic field vector), and outputs this scalar quantity as a detection value to the vehicle detection device 1. In addition to the magnetic sensor element, the magnetic sensor 21 includes an amplifier circuit, an AD conversion circuit, and the like. When the magnetic sensor 21 is of a three-axis (3D) type, the magnetic sensor 21 outputs, as a detection value to the vehicle detection device 1, the scalar quantity of the component force in the XYZ plane including the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis among the detected magnetic field vectors. The magnetic sensor 21 has a characteristic of low power consumption compared to the distance measurement sensor 22.

[0016] The distance measurement sensor 22 that uses a millimeter-wave radar is a radar sensor that measures the distance, speed, and angle to an object using radio waves in the millimeter-wave band (for example, the 60 GHz band). Detection methods include FMCW, pulse, CW Doppler, two-frequency CW, pulse compression, and the like. In this embodiment, for example, the FMCW method is adopted. The distance measurement sensor 22 outputs the distance, speed, and angle to the object as detection values to the vehicle detection device 一. The distance measurement sensor 22 has a characteristic of excellent straightness compared to the magnetic sensor 21.

[0017] In this embodiment, the magnetic sensor 21 and the distance measurement sensor 22 are built into one housing and configured as an integrated vehicle detection sensor 2. As another embodiment, the magnetic sensor 21 and the distance measurement sensor 22 may be separately configured and individually installed within the parking space Pa.

[0018] Also, the vehicle detection sensor 2 executes a detection operation in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 11 of the vehicle detection device 1. Further, the magnetic sensor 21 and the distance measurement sensor 22 are each driven by the power of a built-in battery.

[0019] [Vehicle Detection Device 1] As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle detection device 1 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an operation display unit 13, a communication unit 14, and the like. Note that the vehicle detection device 1 is not limited to a single computer, and may be a computer system in which a plurality of computers cooperate to operate, or may be configured by a cloud server. Also, various processes executed by the vehicle detection device 1 may be distributed and executed by one or more processors.

[0020] The communication unit 14 is a communication interface for connecting the vehicle detection device 1 to the network N1 by wire or wirelessly and performing data communication with the vehicle detection sensor 2 via the network N1 according to a predetermined communication protocol.

[0021] The storage unit 12 is a non-volatile storage unit such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), or flash memory that stores various information. In the storage unit 12, a control program for causing the control unit 11 to execute various processes such as vehicle detection processing (see FIG. 7) described later is stored. For example, the control program is non-temporarily recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD or DVD, and is read by a reading device (not shown) such as a CD drive or DVD drive provided in the vehicle detection device 1 and stored in the storage unit 12. Note that the control program may be distributed from a cloud server and stored in the storage unit 12.

[0022] Also, in the storage unit 12, for each parking space Pa, information such as information on the vehicle that has entered (parked), the entry time, the exit time, etc. is stored according to the determination result by the control unit 11.

[0023] The control unit 11 includes control devices such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM. The CPU is a processor that performs various arithmetic operations. The ROM is a non-volatile storage unit that stores control programs such as a BIOS and OS in advance to allow the CPU to perform various operations. The RAM is a volatile or non-volatile storage unit that stores various information and is used as a temporary storage memory (work area) for the various operations performed by the CPU. The control unit 11 controls the vehicle detection device 1 by executing various control programs stored in advance in the ROM or storage unit 12 using the CPU.

[0024] Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, the control unit 11 includes various processing units such as an acquisition processing unit 111, an operation processing unit 112, a determination processing unit 113, and an output processing unit 114. The control unit 11 functions as these various processing units by executing various processes according to the control program using the CPU. Some or all of the processing units included in the control unit 11 may be composed of electronic circuits. The control program may be a program that causes multiple processors to function as these various processing units.

[0025] The acquisition processing unit 111 acquires detected values ​​from the vehicle detection sensor 2. Specifically, the acquisition processing unit 111 acquires the magnetic flux density value (geomagnetism), which indicates the strength of the magnetic field, from the magnetic sensor 21. For example, the acquisition processing unit 111 acquires the detected values ​​from the magnetic sensor 21 at predetermined intervals (for example, every 5 seconds).

[0026] Here, when the magnetic sensor 21 is installed in the parking space Pa, it may detect not only vehicles approaching the parking space Pa and vehicles parked within the parking space Pa, but also ferromagnetic materials such as reinforcing bars used in surrounding structures and vehicles traveling nearby. For example, if the parking space Pa is installed under a railway overpass, the magnetic sensor 21 may detect railways traveling above the parking space Pa. For this reason, the acquisition processing unit 111 also acquires the detected value from the magnetic sensor 21 when the magnetic sensor 21 detects a ferromagnetic material other than a vehicle.

[0027] Figures 3 and 4 show the process from when a vehicle enters the parking lot Ps until it stops in a parking space Pa. Figure 4 shows the change in the detected value (geomagnetic field) by the magnetic sensor 21 over time. For example, when a vehicle enters the parking lot Ps and approaches a parking space Pa, the magnetic sensor 21 installed in the parking space Pa detects the vehicle at time t1 and outputs a detected value. Subsequently, as the vehicle enters the parking space Pa and approaches the magnetic sensor 21, the geomagnetic field value increases (times T1 to T2). After that, when the vehicle stops in the parking space Pa, the geomagnetic field value reaches its maximum (time t2), and thereafter the geomagnetic field value remains constant (from time t2 onward).

[0028] Figures 5 and 6 show the elevated railway passing over the parking space Pa. Figure 6 shows the change in the detected value (geomagnetic field) by the magnetic sensor 21 over time. For example, when the railway approaches the parking space Pa, the magnetic sensor 21 detects the railway at time t3 and outputs a detected value. Subsequently, as the railway approaches directly above the parking space Pa (magnetic sensor 21), the geomagnetic field value increases (times T3-T4). While the railway is traveling directly above the magnetic sensor 21 (times T4-T5), the change in the geomagnetic field remains constant. Subsequently, as the railway moves away from the magnetic sensor 21, the geomagnetic field value decreases (times T5-T6). Finally, as the railway moves further away from the parking space Pa (time t6), the geomagnetic field value becomes 0.

[0029] Thus, the characteristics of the change in the Earth's magnetic field differ depending on whether the magnetic sensor 21 detects a vehicle or a railway.

[0030] Furthermore, the acquisition processing unit 111 acquires detected values ​​from the distance measuring sensor 22. Specifically, the acquisition processing unit 111 acquires the distance, speed, and angle values ​​from the distance measuring sensor 22 to the object.

[0031] The operation processing unit 112 controls the detection operation of the vehicle detection sensor 2. Specifically, the operation processing unit 112 controls the detection operation of the vehicle detection sensor 2 by outputting commands such as start and stop commands to the vehicle detection sensor 2.

[0032] For example, the operation processing unit 112 outputs a command to the magnetic sensor 21 to perform a detection operation at a predetermined interval (for example, every 5 seconds). The magnetic sensor 21 performs a detection operation according to the command from the operation processing unit 112 and outputs a detected value. In this case, the magnetic sensor 21 performs a detection operation once every 5 seconds and outputs the detected value to the vehicle detection device 1.

[0033] For example, the operation processing unit 112 outputs a command to the distance measuring sensor 22 to perform a detection operation. The distance measuring sensor 22 performs a detection operation using a millimeter-wave radar in a preset frequency band according to the command from the operation processing unit 112 and outputs a detected value. In this case, the distance measuring sensor 22 performs a detection operation using a 60GHz band radar and outputs the detected value to the vehicle detection device 1.

[0034] Furthermore, when the magnetic sensor 21 detects an object, the operation processing unit 112 outputs a command to the distance measuring sensor 22 to perform a detection operation. In other words, the distance measuring sensor 22 starts its detection operation only when the magnetic sensor 21 detects an object. This reduces the frequency of operation of the distance measuring sensor 22, thereby reducing power consumption and preventing unnecessary consumption of the battery capacity of the distance measuring sensor 22.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the operation processing unit 112 executes a detection operation by the distance measuring sensor 22 when the magnetic sensor 21 detects an object and the detection state continues for a predetermined time. Also, the operation processing unit 112 does not execute a detection operation by the distance measuring sensor 22 if the magnetic sensor 21 does not detect an object and the detection state does not continue for a predetermined time. In other words, the operation processing unit 112 initiates the detection operation of the distance measuring sensor 22 on the condition that the magnetic sensor 21 has detected an object for a predetermined time.

[0036] Specifically, the operation processing unit 112 determines that the detected object is a vehicle if the detection state continues for a predetermined time after the magnetic sensor 21 detects the object, and executes a detection operation using the distance measuring sensor 22. If the detection state does not continue for a predetermined time after the magnetic sensor 21 detects the object, it determines that the detected object is not a vehicle, and does not execute a detection operation using the distance measuring sensor 22.

[0037] For example, in the detection value of the magnetic sensor 21 shown in Figure 4, if the Earth's magnetic field remains above the threshold H1 for a predetermined period of time, the operation processing unit 112 determines that the detected object is a vehicle and causes the distance measuring sensor 22 to perform a detection operation.

[0038] In contrast, if the detection value of the magnetic sensor 21 shown in Figure 6 shows that the time during which the Earth's magnetic field is equal to or greater than the threshold H1 does not continue for a predetermined period of time, the operation processing unit 112 determines that the detection target is not a vehicle, for example, a railway, and has the distance measuring sensor 22 wait without performing a detection operation.

[0039] The operation processing unit 112 may, for example, set the predetermined time to the time required for the railway to pass over the elevated structure directly above the parking space Pa. For example, the operation processing unit 112 may calculate the required time based on information such as railway operation information and passing speed, and set the predetermined time accordingly.

[0040] With the above configuration, the detection operation of the distance measuring sensor 22 can be stopped when the detection target is something other than a vehicle, thereby reducing power consumption due to unnecessary detection operations in the distance measuring sensor 22.

[0041] The determination processing unit 113 determines whether or not there is a vehicle in the parking space Pa. Specifically, the determination processing unit 113 determines whether or not there is a vehicle in the parking space Pa based on the detection result of the distance measuring sensor 22. For example, the determination processing unit 113 determines that a vehicle has been parked in the parking space Pa when the operation processing unit 112 determines that the detected object is a vehicle and the distance measuring sensor 22 detects the detected object. For example, the determination processing unit 113 determines that a vehicle has been parked in the parking space Pa when the geomagnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor 21 remains above the threshold H1 for a predetermined period of time and the distance measuring sensor 22 detects the detected object directly above it.

[0042] Furthermore, the determination processing unit 113 determines that there is no vehicle parked in the parking space Pa if the operation processing unit 112 determines that the detection target is a vehicle, and the distance measuring sensor 22 does not detect the detection target. For example, if the geomagnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor 21 of the first parking space Pa remains above the threshold H1 for a predetermined period of time, and the distance measuring sensor 22 of the first parking space Pa does not detect the detection target directly above it, the determination processing unit 113 determines that there is no vehicle parked in the first parking space Pa. This case can occur, for example, when a vehicle is parked in the second parking space Pa adjacent to the first parking space Pa. According to this embodiment, even in such a case, the presence or absence of a vehicle in the first parking space Pa can be appropriately determined while maintaining low power consumption.

[0043] Furthermore, if the detection target is not determined to be a vehicle by the operation processing unit 112, the determination processing unit 113 determines that there is no vehicle parked in the parking space Pa. This case can occur, for example, when a railway passes on an elevated structure above the parking space Pa. According to this embodiment, in such cases, it is possible to prevent false detection of a railway as a vehicle while maintaining low power consumption.

[0044] The output processing unit 114 outputs the result of determining whether a vehicle is present or absent. For example, the output processing unit 114 outputs information such as information about the parked vehicle, the time of entry, and the time of exit. The acquisition processing unit 111 stores each of the above-mentioned pieces of information in the storage unit 12.

[0045] [Vehicle detection process] The following describes an example of the procedure for vehicle detection processing performed in the vehicle detection system 10, with reference to Figure 7. Specifically, in this embodiment, the control unit 11 of the vehicle detection device 1 works together to execute the vehicle detection processing.

[0046] This disclosure may also be a vehicle detection method that performs one or more steps included in the vehicle detection process, and one or more steps included in the vehicle detection process described herein may be omitted as appropriate. The execution order of each step in the vehicle detection process may differ to the extent that similar effects are produced. Furthermore, although this description uses the case in which each control unit performs each step in the vehicle detection process as an example, a vehicle detection method in which one or more processors distribute and execute each step in the vehicle detection process can also be considered as another embodiment.

[0047] The control unit 11 executes the following vehicle detection processes in parallel for each parking space Pa (vehicle detection sensor 2) in the parking lot Ps.

[0048] <Step S1> First, in step S1, the control unit 11 determines whether or not it has acquired a detected value (geomagnetic field change) from the magnetic sensor 21. For example, the control unit 11 determines whether or not it has acquired a change in the geomagnetic field (detected value) relative to the detection target (ferromagnetic material) from the magnetic sensor 21, which performs detection operations at 5-second intervals. If the control unit 11 acquires a detected value from the magnetic sensor 21 (S1:Yes), it moves the process to step S2. The control unit 11 waits until it acquires a detected value from the magnetic sensor 21 (S1:No).

[0049] <Step S2> In step S2, the control unit 11 determines whether the detection state has continued for a predetermined time since the magnetic sensor 21 detected the object to be detected. If the detection state continues for the predetermined time (S2:Yes), that is, if the time during which the Earth's magnetic field of the magnetic sensor 21 is above the threshold H1 continues for the predetermined time (see Figure 4), the control unit 11 proceeds to step S3. Also, if the detection state continues for the predetermined time (S2:Yes), the control unit 11 determines that the object to be detected is a vehicle.

[0050] On the other hand, if the detection state does not continue for a predetermined time (S2: No), that is, if the time during which the geomagnetic field of the magnetic sensor 21 is above the threshold H1 does not continue for a predetermined time (see Figure 6), the control unit 11 returns to step S1. Also, if the detection state does not continue for a predetermined time (S2: No), the control unit 11 determines that the detected object is not a vehicle. Alternatively, the control unit 11 may determine that the detected object is a railway based on the detection state.

[0051] <Step S3> In step S3, the control unit 11 causes the distance measuring sensor 22 to perform a detection operation. That is, the control unit 11 starts the detection operation by the distance measuring sensor 22. The distance measuring sensor 22 performs the detection operation using, for example, a 60GHz band radar and outputs the detected value to the vehicle detection device 1.

[0052] <Step S4> In step S4, the control unit 11 determines whether or not a vehicle has been detected. For example, if the distance measuring sensor 22 detects the target (vehicle), the control unit 11 determines that a vehicle has been detected (S4: Yes) and proceeds to step S5. On the other hand, if the distance measuring sensor 22 does not detect the target (vehicle), the control unit 11 determines that no vehicle has been detected (S4: No) and returns to step S1.

[0053] <Step S5> In step S5, the control unit 11 determines that a vehicle has parked in the parking space Pa (vehicle present). The control unit 11 outputs the determination result (parking time, vehicle information, etc.).

[0054] As described above, the control unit 11 executes the vehicle detection process in parallel for each parking space Pa (vehicle detection sensor 2) and determines whether or not there is a vehicle in each parking space Pa.

[0055] As described above, the vehicle detection system 10 according to this embodiment is a system that determines the presence or absence of a vehicle in a parking space Pa. Furthermore, when the magnetic sensor 21 (first sensor) installed in the parking space Pa detects a target object and the detection state continues for a predetermined time, the vehicle detection system 10 executes a detection operation using the distance measuring sensor 22 (second sensor) installed in the parking space Pa, and determines the presence or absence of a vehicle in the parking space Pa based on the detection result of the distance measuring sensor 22. Furthermore, if the detection state does not continue for a predetermined time after the magnetic sensor 21 detects a target object, the vehicle detection system 10 does not execute a detection operation using the distance measuring sensor 22.

[0056] With the above configuration, for example, if the magnetic sensor 21 detects an object other than a vehicle, such as a train, it will not switch to the detection operation of the distance measuring sensor 22, thus preventing the false detection of an object other than a vehicle as a vehicle. Therefore, the accuracy of vehicle detection can be improved. In addition, since the magnetic sensor 21 does not switch to the detection operation of the distance measuring sensor 22, which consumes a lot of power, when it detects an object other than a vehicle, the lifespan of the distance measuring sensor 22 can be extended.

[0057] [Other embodiments] The vehicle detection system 10 relating to this disclosure may have the following configuration.

[0058] For example, in environments where the magnetic sensor 21 is unlikely to detect an object other than a vehicle, the determination process to determine whether or not the detected object is a vehicle can be omitted. For instance, during nighttime or late-night hours, trains do not run, so the magnetic sensor 21 under the elevated tracks is unlikely to detect a train.

[0059] Therefore, for example, during nighttime or late-night hours, the operation processing unit 112 may execute a detection operation by the distance measuring sensor 22 when the magnetic sensor 21 detects an object (before the detection state continues for a predetermined time after detecting the object). In other words, the operation processing unit 112 may omit the process of determining whether or not the detection state has continued for a predetermined time. Thus, during the first time period when railways are running, the operation processing unit 112 may cause the distance measuring sensor 22 to execute a detection operation on the condition that the detection state continues for a predetermined time after the magnetic sensor 21 detects an object, and during the second time period when railways are not running (nighttime, late-night, etc.), the operation processing unit 112 may cause the distance measuring sensor 22 to execute a detection operation on the condition that the magnetic sensor 21 detects an object.

[0060] Similarly, in the first area, such as under an elevated structure, where there is an impact from railway traffic, the operation processing unit 112 may cause the distance measuring sensor 22 to perform a detection operation on the condition that the magnetic sensor 21 has detected an object and the detection state has continued for a predetermined time. In the second area, where there is no impact from railway traffic, the operation processing unit 112 may cause the distance measuring sensor 22 to perform a detection operation on the condition that the magnetic sensor 21 has detected an object.

[0061] According to the above configuration, the detection time of the magnetic sensor 21 in environments unaffected by railway traffic (such as the second time zone or second area) can be shortened, enabling rapid determination of the presence or absence of a vehicle, and reducing the power consumption of the magnetic sensor 21.

[0062] The operation processing unit 112 may also be able to set an operation mode corresponding to the above configuration. For example, the operation processing unit 112 may be set to a first operation mode in the first time period or first area, which causes the distance measuring sensor 22 to perform a detection operation on the condition that the magnetic sensor 21 has detected a target and the detection state has continued for a predetermined time, and to a second operation mode in the second time period or second area, which causes the distance measuring sensor 22 to perform a detection operation on the condition that the magnetic sensor 21 has detected a target.

[0063] In another embodiment, the operation processing unit 112 may set the predetermined time according to the time period or area. For example, in the first time period or first area, the operation processing unit 112 may set the predetermined time to the time required for the railway to pass over the elevated structure directly above the parking space Pa, and in the second time period or second area, the predetermined time may be set to 0 seconds or a few seconds.

[0064] Furthermore, the operation processing unit 112 may switch the detection interval of the magnetic sensor 21 in the first operation mode. For example, in the first operation mode, the operation processing unit 112 may start the detection operation of the magnetic sensor 21 at 5-second intervals, and when the magnetic sensor 21 detects a target, or when the detected value of the target (geomagnetic field) exceeds the threshold H1 (see Figure 4), the detection interval of the magnetic sensor 21 may be switched from 5-second intervals to 2-second intervals. This can improve the detection accuracy of the target by the magnetic sensor 21.

[0065] Furthermore, in the second operating mode, the operation processing unit 112 may maintain the detection interval of the magnetic sensor 21 at a constant 5-second interval. This reduces the power consumption of the magnetic sensor 21.

[0066] In this embodiment, the vehicle detection device 1 alone corresponds to the vehicle detection system according to this disclosure, but the vehicle detection system according to this disclosure may be configured to include the vehicle detection device 1 and the vehicle detection sensor 2. That is, the vehicle detection system according to this disclosure may be a vehicle detection system 10.

[0067] The control unit 11 of the vehicle detection device 1 controls the entire vehicle detection device 1. The control unit 11 realizes various functions by reading and executing various programs stored in the memory unit 12 (for example, storage or ROM). The control unit 11 may be realized by one or more control devices / arithmetic units (CPU (Central Processing Unit), SoC (System on a Chip)). The control unit 11 may also be composed of one or more control circuits (electronic circuits).

[0068] [Disclosure Note] The following is an overview of the disclosures extracted from the above-described embodiments. Note that each configuration and processing function described in the following notes can be selected and combined as desired.

[0069] <Note 1> A vehicle detection system that determines the presence or absence of a vehicle in a parking space, An operation processing unit that, when the first sensor installed in the parking space detects an object and the detection state continues for a predetermined time, executes a detection operation by the second sensor installed in the parking space, A determination processing unit that determines the presence or absence of a vehicle in the parking space based on the detection result of the second sensor, A vehicle detection system equipped with the following features.

[0070] <Note 2> The operation processing unit does not perform the detection operation by the second sensor if the detection state does not continue for the predetermined time after the first sensor has detected the target to be detected. The vehicle detection system described in Appendix 1.

[0071] <Note 3> The aforementioned operation processing unit, When the first sensor detects the target and the detection state continues for the predetermined time, the detection target is determined to be a vehicle, and the second sensor performs a detection operation. If the detection state does not continue for the predetermined time after the first sensor has detected the target, the system determines that the target is not a vehicle and does not perform the detection operation by the second sensor. The vehicle detection system described in Appendix 2.

[0072] <Note 4> The determination processing unit determines that a vehicle has parked in the parking space when the operation processing unit determines that the detection target is a vehicle and the second sensor detects the detection target. The vehicle detection system described in Appendix 3.

[0073] <Note 5> The determination processing unit determines that there is no vehicle parked in the parking space if the operation processing unit determines that the detection target is a vehicle, and the second sensor does not detect the detection target. The vehicle detection system described in Appendix 4.

[0074] <Note 6> The operation processing unit can switch between a first operation mode in which the detection operation by the second sensor is performed on the condition that the detection state continues for a predetermined time after the first sensor has detected the target to be detected, and a second operation mode in which the detection operation by the second sensor is performed on the condition that the first sensor has detected the target to be detected. A vehicle detection system as described in any of the appendices 1 to 5.

[0075] <Note 7> The operation processing unit sets to the first operation mode in the first time period or first area, and to the second operation mode in the second time period or second area. The vehicle detection system described in Appendix 6.

[0076] <Note 8> The first sensor is a magnetic sensor capable of detecting magnetism, The second sensor is a distance measuring sensor that uses millimeter-wave radar or infrared light. A vehicle detection system as described in any of the appendices 1 to 7.

[0077] <Note 9> A vehicle detection method for determining the presence or absence of a vehicle in a parking space, When the first sensor installed in the parking space detects an object and the detection state continues for a predetermined time, the second sensor installed in the parking space performs a detection operation. Based on the detection results of the second sensor, the presence or absence of a vehicle in the parking space is determined, A vehicle detection method performed by one or more processors.

[0078] <Note 10> A vehicle detection program that determines the presence or absence of a vehicle in a parking space, When the first sensor installed in the parking space detects an object and the detection state continues for a predetermined time, the second sensor installed in the parking space performs a detection operation. Based on the detection results of the second sensor, the presence or absence of a vehicle in the parking space is determined, A vehicle detection program for causing one or more processors to execute, or a non-temporary computer-readable recording medium on which the vehicle detection program is recorded. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0079] 1: Vehicle detection device 2: Vehicle detection sensor 10: Vehicle detection system 11: Control Unit 12: Storage section 13: Operation display section 14: Communications Department 21: Magnetic sensor 22: Distance measuring sensor 111: Acquisition Processing Unit 112: Operation Processing Unit 113: Determination Processing Unit 114: Output Processing Unit Ps: Parking lot Pa: Parking space

Claims

1. A vehicle detection system that determines the presence or absence of a vehicle in a parking space, An operation processing unit that, when the first sensor installed in the parking space detects an object and the detection state continues for a predetermined time, executes a detection operation by the second sensor installed in the parking space, A determination processing unit that determines the presence or absence of a vehicle in the parking space based on the detection result of the second sensor, A vehicle detection system equipped with the following features.

2. The operation processing unit does not perform the detection operation by the second sensor if the detection state does not continue for the predetermined time after the first sensor has detected the target to be detected. The vehicle detection system according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned operation processing unit, When the first sensor detects the target and the detection state continues for the predetermined time, the detection target is determined to be a vehicle, and the second sensor performs a detection operation. If the detection state does not continue for the predetermined time after the first sensor has detected the target, the system determines that the target is not a vehicle and does not perform the detection operation by the second sensor. The vehicle detection system according to claim 2.

4. The determination processing unit determines that a vehicle has stopped in the parking space when the operation processing unit determines that the detection target is a vehicle and the second sensor detects the detection target. The vehicle detection system according to claim 3.

5. The determination processing unit determines that there is no vehicle parked in the parking space if the operation processing unit determines that the detection target is a vehicle, and the second sensor does not detect the detection target. The vehicle detection system according to claim 4.

6. The operation processing unit can switch between a first operation mode in which the detection operation by the second sensor is performed on the condition that the detection state continues for a predetermined time after the first sensor has detected the target to be detected, and a second operation mode in which the detection operation by the second sensor is performed on the condition that the first sensor has detected the target to be detected. The vehicle detection system according to claim 1.

7. The operation processing unit sets to the first operation mode in the first time period or first area, and to the second operation mode in the second time period or second area. The vehicle detection system according to claim 6.

8. The first sensor is a magnetic sensor capable of detecting magnetism, The second sensor is a distance measuring sensor that uses millimeter-wave radar or infrared light. A vehicle detection system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A vehicle detection method for determining the presence or absence of a vehicle in a parking space, When the first sensor installed in the parking space detects an object and the detection state continues for a predetermined time, the second sensor installed in the parking space performs a detection operation. Based on the detection results of the second sensor, the presence or absence of a vehicle in the parking space is determined, A vehicle detection method performed by one or more processors.

10. A vehicle detection program that determines the presence or absence of a vehicle in a parking space, When the first sensor installed in the parking space detects an object and the detection state continues for a predetermined time, the second sensor installed in the parking space performs a detection operation. Based on the detection results of the second sensor, the presence or absence of a vehicle in the parking space is determined, A vehicle detection program that causes one or more processors to run.

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