Automatic valet parking system and automatic valet parking method

Abstract

Even when there is a limited number of parking spaces that are expected to receive sunlight, vehicles equipped with solar power generation systems will be guided to these parking spaces. [Solution] An automated valet parking entry process is performed. During the entry process, equipment information of the vehicle to be entered is acquired. The entry process also determines, based on the equipment information, whether or not the equipment of the vehicle to be entered includes a solar power generation system. Furthermore, if, as a result of the determination based on the equipment information, the vehicle to be entered is determined to be a non-solar power generation vehicle that does not have a solar power generation system, guidance information is generated to guide the vehicle to a parking space with shorter daylight hours based on the time the entry process is executed, based on the usage information of parking spaces within a predetermined area and the daylight hours information within a predetermined area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to automated valet parking (AVP) of vehicles within a predetermined area such as a parking lot.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology related to AVP. In this prior art, when performing AVP of a vehicle equipped with a power receiver for non-contact charging, the vehicle is guided to a parking space where a power transmitter corresponding to this power receiver is installed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Consider the AVP of a vehicle equipped with a solar power generation system. In a solar power generation system, the electric power generated by solar panels is charged to an in-vehicle battery. Therefore, in the AVP of a vehicle equipped with a solar power generation system, when the vehicle is guided to a parking space where sunlight is expected, charging of the in-vehicle battery due to the operation of the system during parking is expected. However, depending on the configuration of the predetermined area, it is also assumed that the number of parking spaces where sunlight is expected is limited. Therefore, even in a case where the number of parking spaces where sunlight is expected is limited, technological development for guiding a vehicle equipped with a solar power generation system to such a parking space is desired.

[0005] One object of this disclosure is to provide an AVP technology capable of guiding a vehicle equipped with a solar power generation system to such a parking space even when the number of parking spaces where sunlight is expected is limited. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The first aspect of this disclosure is a system for automated valet parking of vehicles within a designated area, which has the following features: The system comprises one or more storage devices and one or more processors. The one or more storage devices store information on the use of parking spaces within the predetermined area and information on the amount of sunlight within the predetermined area. The one or more processors perform the automatic valet parking entry process based on the information stored in the one or more storage devices. The parking process includes: obtaining equipment information of the vehicle to be parked, determining whether the equipment of the vehicle to be parked includes a solar power generation system, and, if the determination based on the equipment information indicates that the vehicle to be parked is a non-solar power generation vehicle that does not have a solar power generation system, generating guidance information to guide the vehicle to a parking space with short daylight hours based on the time the parking process is executed, based on the usage information and the daylight hours information.

[0007] A second aspect of this disclosure is a method for causing a computer to perform automated valet parking of a vehicle within a designated area, and having the following features: The method includes: acquiring information on the use of parking spaces within the predetermined area and information on the amount of sunlight within the predetermined area; acquiring equipment information for vehicles to be parked, indicating the vehicles that are the target of the automated valet parking entry process; determining, based on the equipment information, whether or not the equipment of the vehicle to be parked includes a solar power generation system; and, if, as a result of the determination based on the equipment information, the vehicle to be parked is a non-solar power generation vehicle that does not have a solar power generation system, generating guidance information for guiding the vehicle to a parking space with a short amount of sunlight based on the time the entry process is executed, based on the use information and the amount of sunlight. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the first or second viewpoint, non-solar powered vehicles can be directed to parking spaces with short daylight hours. Therefore, even if there is a limited number of parking spaces with long daylight hours, it is possible to secure a sufficient number of such parking spaces. In other words, even if there is a limited number of parking spaces where daylight is expected, it is possible to direct solar powered vehicles to such parking spaces. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing an example configuration of an automated valet parking system. [Figure 2] This is a conceptual diagram illustrating the first receiving process according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] This flowchart shows an example of a process related to the first receiving process. [Figure 4] This is a conceptual diagram illustrating the rearrangement process according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows an example of a process related to reassignment. [Figure 6] This is a conceptual diagram illustrating the second receiving process according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows an example of a process related to the second receiving process. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are simplified or omitted.

[0011] 1. Example of the overall system configuration An automated valet parking system (AVP system) is a system that automatically performs the parking operation of vehicles within a designated area such as a parking lot, factory, or facility premises. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example configuration of an AVP system. Figure 1 depicts a parking lot PK as the designated area. The parking lot PK has a configuration that enables AVP. The configuration that enables AVP includes an entry / exit space PD and a parking space PS. The entry / exit space PD is a space for getting out of and / or getting into a vehicle VH. The parking space PS is a space for parking the vehicle VH. The parking space PS includes an empty parking space PS0 and an occupied parking space PS1. The configuration that enables AVP also includes markers to assist in the movement of the vehicle VH within the parking lot PK, and sensors (e.g., cameras, radar) to monitor the vehicle VH.

[0012] Figure 1 also shows a server 10 that manages the AVP in the parking lot PK (hereinafter also referred to as the "parking lot server"). The parking lot server 10 performs various processes related to managing the operational rights of the vehicle VH required for the AVP in the parking lot PK. The parking lot server 10 also acquires various information from the sensors of the parking lot PK and performs various processes related to the execution of the AVP in the parking lot PK based on this information. The parking lot server 10 may be a combination of a server that performs various processes related to the execution of the AVP (local server) and a server that performs various processes related to the management of the AVP (cloud server).

[0013] The parking server 10 is typically a computer including at least one processor 11, at least one storage device 12, and a communication interface 13. The processor 11 is a configuration corresponding to "one or more processors" in this disclosure. The processor 11 performs various processes. Examples of the processor 11 include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). The processor 11 can also be called "circuitry" or "processing circuitry." "Circuitry" is hardware programmed to realize the described functions, or hardware that performs the functions. The processor 11 reads various information from the storage device 12 and stores various information in the storage device 12.

[0014] The storage device 12 has a configuration corresponding to "one or more storage devices" in this disclosure. Examples of storage devices 12 include volatile memory, non-volatile memory, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), etc. Examples of various information stored in the storage device 12 include parking map information, parking usage information, vehicle management information, sunshine duration information, etc.

[0015] The parking lot map information indicates the map information of the parking lot PK. The parking lot usage information is information regarding the usage status (availability information) of the boarding and alighting space PD and the parking space PS within the parking lot PK. The vehicle management information includes information such as vehicle ID, entry / exit time, and vehicle position. The vehicle management information is managed for each vehicle VH. The vehicle ID is the identification information of the vehicle VH. The entry / exit time is information regarding the entry / exit time of the vehicle VH (e.g., reservation time, actual performance time, etc.). The vehicle position indicates information regarding the position of the vehicle VH within the parking lot PK. The sunshine duration information is information regarding the sunshine duration SD (Sunshine Duration) within the parking lot PK, and is managed for each parking space PS. The sunshine duration SD is calculated daily, for example, based on sunshine factors. The sunshine factors include meteorological information, the configuration information of the parking lot PK (position and information of structures), the surrounding information of the parking lot PK (position and height of surrounding structures), and the vehicle information parked around the parking space PS (parking position of parked vehicles and vehicle height of parked vehicles).

[0016] The communication I / F13 is an interface for communicating with devices external to the parking lot server 10 to transmit and receive information. For example, the communication I / F13 is composed of devices for connecting to surrounding devices via wireless LAN, devices for connecting to a mobile communication network, devices for connecting to the Internet, and the like. The parking lot server 10 transmits and receives information to and from the vehicle VH (vehicle system 20) via the communication I / F13. The parking lot server 10 also transmits and receives information to and from the general server 30 via the communication I / F13.

[0017] Figure 1 further depicts the vehicle system 20. The vehicle system 20 is installed in each vehicle VH as a system capable of executing AVP. The vehicle system 20 includes a control device 21, a communication I / F22, and a traveling device 23.

[0018] The control device 21 is communicably connected to the communication I / F 22 and the traveling device 23. The control device 21 is a computer that performs information processing related to the control of the vehicle VH based on various information. The control device 21 includes at least one processor and at least one storage device. The configuration example of the processor of the control device 21 is the same as that of the processor 11. Also, the configuration example of the storage device of the control device 21 is the same as that of the storage device 12. The processor of the control device 21 cooperates with the storage device of the control device 21 to realize information processing related to the control of the vehicle VH.

[0019] For example, the control device 21 is composed of one or more ECUs (Electronic Control Units). In another example, the control device 21 is composed of a kit (for example, an AVP kit) for the functions provided by the parking lot server 10. The control device 21 generates and outputs a control signal for the vehicle VH through information processing. When the vehicle VH receives the guidance information GDN of the AVP operation (for example, the warehousing operation, the outbound operation, the rearrangement operation, etc.) from the parking lot server 10, the control device 21 generates a control signal CON for the AVP operation. The control signal CON is transmitted to the traveling device 23.

[0020] The communication I / F 22 is an interface for communicating with devices outside the vehicle VH to transmit and receive information. The vehicle VH transmits and receives information to and from the parking lot server 10 through the communication I / F 22. The vehicle VH can also transmit and receive information to and from the user terminal 40 through the communication I / F 22.

[0021] The traveling device 23 includes a driving device, a braking device, a steering device, etc. Each device of the traveling device 23 includes an actuator that can be controlled by the control device 21. The traveling device 23 acquires a control signal from the control device 21. By operating the actuator according to the control signal, the control device 21 controls the traveling device 23. Also, the control of the vehicle VH is realized by the control of the traveling device 23. By operating the actuator 27 according to the control signal CON for the AVP operation, the vehicle control for the AVP operation is realized.

[0022] Figure 1 also depicts a central server 30. The central server 30 is a server (cloud server) that manages the entire AVP service. The central server 30 manages users who use the AVP service (hereinafter also referred to as "AVP users") and vehicles that have the vehicle system 20 (i.e., vehicle VHs). AVP user management includes authentication of AVP users and management of AVP reservations made by AVP users. Vehicle VH management includes management of vehicle information for vehicle VHs, management of operation rights for vehicle VHs, and management of AVP operation logs for vehicle VHs.

[0023] The central server 30 performs various processes related to managing AVP reservations at the parking lot PK. The central server 30 is typically a computer including at least one processor 31, at least one storage device 32, and a communication interface 33. The configuration example of the processor 31 is the same as that of the processor 11. The configuration example of the storage device 32 is the same as that of the storage device 12.

[0024] Examples of the various types of information stored in the memory device 32 include AVP reservation information, user information, and AVP vehicle information.

[0025] AVP reservation information is information about AVP reservations made by AVP users. AVP reservation information includes information such as the parking lot the AVP user wishes to use and entry / exit times. User information includes information such as the AVP user's user ID and the vehicle ID of the vehicle used by the AVP user. User information is managed for each AVP user. AVP vehicle information includes information such as the vehicle ID of the vehicle with the vehicle system 20, the IP address of the vehicle system 20, and the AVP operation log by the vehicle system 20. AVP vehicle information also includes equipment information for the vehicle with the vehicle system 20. Equipment information is information about on-board equipment. Examples of on-board equipment include a solar power generation system including solar panels, converters, and batteries, and an external charging system including batteries that can be charged from an external charger. In the case of a vehicle equipped with a solar power generation system or an external charging system, the state of charge (SOC) of the batteries in these systems may be included in the AVP vehicle information.

[0026] Communication I / F33 is an interface for communicating with external devices of the central server 30 to send and receive information. For example, communication I / F33 consists of devices for connecting to surrounding devices via wireless LAN, devices for connecting to a mobile communication network, and devices for connecting to the internet. The central server 30 sends and receives information with the parking server 10 via communication I / F33. The central server 30 also sends and receives information with the user terminal 40 via communication I / F33.

[0027] The user terminal 40 is a device carried by the AVP user (e.g., a smartphone). The AVP user sends and receives information with the vehicle VH (vehicle system 20) by operating the user terminal 40. The AVP user also sends and receives information with the central server 30 by operating the user terminal 40. The user terminal 40 is used by the AVP user for registering to use and reserving AVP services. The user terminal 40 is also used as appropriate when using AVP in the parking lot PK. Alternatively, information regarding AVP may be sent and received by operating a terminal installed in the vehicle VH (e.g., an HMI) instead of operating the user terminal 40.

[0028] 2. AVP processing When executing AVP processing (parking operation), for example, the parking server 10 sends and receives information with the central server 30 to obtain control rights for the vehicle VH waiting in the boarding / alighting space PD. Once these control rights are transferred to the parking server 10, the parking server 10 (processor 11) can execute AVP on the vehicle VH. The vehicle system 20 generates a control signal CON according to the guidance information GDN for the AVP operation (parking operation) received from the parking server 10 and controls the driving device 23. This enables vehicle control for the AVP operation (parking operation) from the boarding / alighting space PD to the parking space PS0.

[0029] When performing AVP processing (relocation processing), for example, the vehicle system 20 generates a control signal CON according to the guidance information GDN for AVP operation (relocation operation) received from the parking server 10, and controls the driving device 23. This enables vehicle control for AVP operation (relocation operation) from parking space PS1 to parking space PS0.

[0030] When performing AVP processing (departure processing), for example, the vehicle system 20 generates a control signal CON according to the guidance information GDN for AVP operation (departure operation) received from the parking server 10, and controls the driving device 23. This enables vehicle control for AVP operation (departure operation) from the parking space PS1 to the boarding / alighting space PD. When the vehicle VH arrives at the boarding / alighting space PD, the parking server 10 sends and receives information with the control server 30 and returns the control authority for the vehicle VH. When this control authority is transferred to the control server 30, the execution of AVP for the vehicle VH by the parking server 10 (processor 11) is completed.

[0031] 3. Characteristics of AVP processing 3-1. Characteristics of the first receiving process Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the first vehicle receiving process according to the embodiment. Figure 2 depicts two types of vehicles VH. One is a vehicle VH equipped with a solar power generation system (hereinafter also referred to as "vehicle VH-SS"), and the other is a vehicle VH without such system (hereinafter also referred to as "vehicle VH-NSS"). Vehicle VH-SS corresponds to the "solar power generation vehicle" in this disclosure, and vehicle VH-NSS corresponds to the "non-solar power generation vehicle" in this disclosure.

[0032] In the first parking process, the parking location for vehicles VH-SS and VH-NSS is one of the parking spaces PS0. However, parking spaces PS0 include parking spaces PS0 where sunlight is expected (hereinafter also referred to as "sunny parking spaces PS0-SD0") and parking spaces PS0 where sunlight is not expected (hereinafter also referred to as "shaded parking spaces PS0-SD1"). Here, the distinction between sunny and shaded spaces is set according to the length of the sunshine duration SD. For example, parking spaces PS0 where the sunshine duration SD is longer than the designated duration DD belong to "sunny parking spaces PS0-SD0", and parking spaces PS0 where the sunshine duration SD is shorter than the designated duration DD belong to "shaded parking spaces PS0-SD1", thus distinguishing between sunny and shaded spaces.

[0033] If vehicle VH-SS can be parked in sunny parking space PS0-SD0, charging of the battery by the operation of the solar power generation system while parked is expected. However, if vehicle VH-NSS is parked in sunny parking space PS0-SD0, vehicle VH-SS will be deprived of the opportunity to park in sunny parking space PS0-SD0. Therefore, in the first parking process, if the vehicle VH subject to the parking process (hereinafter also referred to as "target parking LT") is vehicle VH-NSS, the parking position of target parking LT is set to shaded parking space PS0-SD1. This ensures that a parking opportunity for a vehicle VH-SS other than the target parking LT vehicle VH-SS is available in sunny parking space PS0-SD0.

[0034] Furthermore, even if the LT to be parked corresponds to a vehicle VH-SS, if the state of charge (SOC) of the solar power generation system battery of the LT to be parked is sufficient, another vehicle VH-SS with an insufficient SOC will be deprived of the opportunity to park in the sunny parking space PS0-SD0. Therefore, in the first parking process, if information on the SOC of the LT to be parked is available and this SOC is sufficient, the parking position of the LT to be parked may be set to the shaded parking space PS0-SD1. This ensures that another vehicle VH-SS with an insufficient SOC will have the opportunity to park in the sunny parking space PS0-SD0.

[0035] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of computer processing related to the first parking process. The routine shown in Figure 3 is executed by the parking server 10 (processor 11) shown in Figure 1. The routine shown in Figure 3 is started, for example, when the vehicle to be parked (LT) reaches the boarding / alighting space PD.

[0036] In the routine shown in Figure 3, various types of information are first acquired (step S11). Examples of such information include parking lot map information, parking lot usage information, vehicle management information, and sunshine duration information, which are stored in the storage device 12. Other examples of such information include AVP reservation information, user information, and AVP vehicle information (including equipment information and charge rate SOC information) related to the LT to be parked, which are stored in the storage device 32.

[0037] Following the processing in step S11, the specified time DD is calculated (step S12). The specified time DD is calculated based on the execution time ET of the parking process. For example, if the execution time ET is after sunset and before sunrise, sunlight is expected to be received by the parking target LT from after sunrise until sunset. Therefore, in this case, the specified time DD is calculated based on daylight hours (for example, 4 hours before and after noon). If the execution time ET is after sunrise and before sunset, sunlight is expected to be received by the parking target LT from after it stops in the parking space PS. Therefore, in this case, the specified time DD is calculated based on the execution time ET until sunset.

[0038] Following the processing in step S12, parking spaces PS0 are classified into sunny parking spaces PS0-SD0 and shaded parking spaces PS0-SD1 (step S13). In the processing of step S13, first, the sunshine duration SD of parking spaces PS0 is identified based on the parking lot usage information and sunshine duration information obtained in the processing of step S11. Then, the identified sunshine duration SD is compared with the specified duration DD calculated in the processing of step S12. Parking spaces PS0 whose sunshine duration SD is longer than the specified duration DD are set as sunny parking spaces PS0-SD0. On the other hand, parking spaces PS0 whose sunshine duration SD is shorter than the specified duration DD are set as shaded parking spaces PS0-SD1.

[0039] Following the processing in step S13, it is determined whether the LT to be received is a vehicle VH-SS (step S14). The processing in step S14 is performed based on the equipment information of the LT to be received obtained in the processing in step S11. If the processing in step S14 determines that the LT to be received is a vehicle VH-SS, the processing in step S16 is performed. If the processing in step S14 determines that the LT to be received is not a vehicle VH-SS (i.e., the LT to be received is a vehicle VH-NSS), the processing in step S15 is performed.

[0040] In step S15, guidance information GDN is generated for the LT to be entered. This guidance information GDN contains information for the entry operation from the drop-off / pick-up space PD to the shaded parking spaces PS0-SD1. The generated guidance information GDN is then sent to the LT to be entered.

[0041] Step S16 is performed if information on the state of charge (SOC) of the solar power generation system battery of the incoming LT is available. If information on the state of charge (SOC) is not available, step S17 is performed instead of step S16. Step S16 determines whether the state of charge (SOC) is less than or equal to the threshold TH1. The threshold (charging threshold) TH1 is pre-set as the charge level at which charging of the solar power generation system battery is deemed necessary.

[0042] If the processing in step S16 determines that the charge level (SOC) is less than or equal to the threshold TH1, the processing in step S17 is performed. Otherwise, the processing in step S15 described above is performed. In the processing in step S17, guidance information GDN is generated for the LT to be entered. This guidance information GDN is information for the entry operation from the boarding / alighting space PD to the sunny parking space PS0-SD0. The generated guidance information GDN is then sent to the LT to be entered.

[0043] Following the processing in step S15 or S17, the parking lot usage information is updated (step S18). The processing in step S18 updates the usage status of the drop-off / pick-up space PD that the entering LT was using, and the usage status of the sunny parking spaces PS0-SD0 that the entering LT will use in the future.

[0044] 3-2. Characteristics of the reassignment process Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the rearrangement process according to the embodiment. Figure 4 shows vehicle VH-SS. Vehicle VH-SS is vehicle VH parked in parking space PS1 (hereinafter also referred to as "sunlight parking space PS1-SD0") where sunlight is expected. Sunlight parking space PS1-SD0 is set, for example, as the parking position for vehicle VH-SS as the vehicle LT to be entered.

[0045] Furthermore, parking space PS1 includes not only sunny parking spaces PS1-SD0, but also parking spaces PS1 where sunlight is not expected (hereinafter also referred to as "shaded parking spaces PS1-SD1"). The concept of sunny parking spaces PS1-SD0 and shaded parking spaces PS1-SD1 is the same as that of sunny parking spaces PS0-SD0 and shaded parking spaces PS0-SD1.

[0046] When vehicle VH-SS is parked in sunny parking space PS1-SD0, its battery is charged by the operation of the solar power generation system. As a result, the state of charge (SOC) of the battery in vehicle VH-SS's solar power generation system increases. However, if vehicle VH-SS continues to park in sunny parking space PS1-SD0 even after its battery SOC has risen sufficiently, it deprives another vehicle VH-SS with an insufficient SOC of the opportunity to park in sunny parking space PS0-SD0.

[0047] Therefore, in the relocation process according to the embodiment, if the vehicle VH subject to the relocation process (hereinafter also referred to as "relocation target RT") is a vehicle VH-SS parked in the sunny parking space PS1-SD0, and the state of charge (SOC) of the solar power generation system battery of the relocation target RT is sufficient, the parking position is changed from the sunny parking space PS1-SD0 to the shaded parking space PS0-SD1. As a result of the change in parking position, the sunny parking space PS1-SD0 that the relocation target RT was using is switched to the sunny parking space PS0-SD0. This ensures that another vehicle VH-SS, different from the vehicle VH-SS that is the relocation target RT, has the opportunity to park in the sunny parking space PS0-SD0.

[0048] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of computer processing related to the relocation process. The routine shown in Figure 5 is executed by the parking server 10 (processor 11) shown in Figure 1. The routine shown in Figure 5 is executed repeatedly, for example, at a fixed period.

[0049] In the routine shown in Figure 5, steps S21 to S23 are executed first. The content of steps S21 to S23 can be explained by replacing "LT to be entered" with "RT to be relocated" and "entry processing" with "relocation processing" in the explanation of steps S11 to S13 in Figure 3. Note that the RT to be relocated is arbitrarily selected from among the vehicles VH parked in parking space PS1.

[0050] Following the processing in step S23, it is determined whether the RT to be relocated corresponds to vehicle VH-SS parked in sunny parking space PS1-SD0 (step S24). The processing in step S24 is performed based on the equipment information of the RT to be relocated obtained in the processing in step S21. If the result of the determination in step S24 is positive (i.e., it is determined that the RT to be relocated corresponds to vehicle VH-SS parked in sunny parking space PS1-SD0), the processing in step S25 is performed. Otherwise (i.e., it is determined that the RT to be relocated corresponds to vehicle VH-NSS, or that the RT to be relocated corresponds to vehicle VH-SS parked in shaded parking space PS1-SD1), the routine processing ends.

[0051] In step S25, it is determined whether the charge level (SOC) exceeds the threshold TH2. The threshold (charge completion threshold) TH2 is pre-set as the charge level at which the battery of the solar power generation system is determined to be fully charged (TH2 > TH1). If the result of the determination in step S25 is positive, the process in step S27 is performed.

[0052] If the result of step S25 is negative, guidance information GDN is generated for the RT to be relocated (step S26). This guidance information GDN is information for the relocation operation from sunny parking space PS1-SD0 to shaded parking space PS0-SD1. The generated guidance information GDN is then sent to the RT to be relocated.

[0053] The process in step S27 is performed if the result of the determination in step S25 is positive, or following the process in step S26. In the process in step S27, the parking lot usage information is updated. When the process in step S27 is performed, information regarding the usage status of the sunny parking space PS1-SD0 that the RT subject to relocation was using, and the usage status of the shaded parking space PS0-SD1 that the RT subject to relocation will use in the future is updated.

[0054] 3-3. Characteristics of the second receiving process Figure 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a second warehousing process according to an embodiment. Figure 6 shows a vehicle VH-PIN. The vehicle VH-PIN is a vehicle VH equipped with an external charging system. The vehicle VH-PIN corresponds to the "externally charged vehicle" in this disclosure.

[0055] In the second parking process, the parking position of vehicle VH-PIN is one of the parking spaces PS0. However, it is conceivable that a sunny parking space PS0-SD0 or a shaded parking space PS0-SD1 may also be a parking space PO0 equipped with a charger BC (hereinafter also referred to as "external charging parking space PS0-PIN").

[0056] If vehicle VH-PIN can be parked in external charging parking space PS0-PIN, charging of the battery can be expected through the operation of the external charging system while parked. However, if external charging parking space PS0-PIN also corresponds to sunny parking space PS0-SD0, then vehicle VH-PIN will be parked in sunny parking space PS0-SD0, thus depriving vehicle VH-SS of the opportunity to park in sunny parking space PS0-SD0.

[0057] Therefore, in the second parking process, if the LT to be parked corresponds to vehicle VH-PIN and the state of charge (SOC) of the battery of the LT's external charging system is sufficient, the parking position of the LT to be parked is set to shaded parking space PS0-SD1. On the other hand, if the state of charge (SOC) of the battery of the LT's external charging system is insufficient, the parking position of the LT to be parked is set to external charging parking space PS0-PIN. This ensures that the opportunity for vehicle VH-SS to be parked in external charging parking space PS0-PIN and sunny parking space PS0-SD0 is secured.

[0058] In the second parking process, if the State of Charge (SOC) of the external charging system battery of the LT to be parked is insufficient, the parking position of the LT to be parked may be set to the external charging parking space PS0-PIN and the shaded parking space PS0-SD1. In this case, the distinction between sunny and shaded areas made in the first parking process will be performed separately. Even in this case, the opportunity for the vehicle VH-SS to park in the external charging parking space PS0-PIN and the sunny parking space PS0-SD0 will be ensured.

[0059] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of computer processing related to the second receiving process. The routine shown in Figure 7 is executed when, as a result of the processing in step S14 of Figure 3, it is determined that the receiving LT does not correspond to vehicle VH-SS.

[0060] In the routine shown in Figure 7, it is first determined whether the incoming LT corresponds to a vehicle VH-PIN (step S31). The processing in step S31 is performed based on the equipment information of the incoming LT obtained in the processing of step S11 in Figure 3. If the processing in step S31 determines that the incoming LT corresponds to a vehicle VH-PIN, the processing in step S33 is performed. If the processing in step S31 determines that the incoming LT does not correspond to a vehicle PIN, the processing in step S32 is performed.

[0061] In step S32, guidance information GDN is generated for the incoming LT. The content of the process in step S32 is the same as that of step S15 in Figure 3.

[0062] In step S33, it is determined whether the State of Charge (SOC) of the battery of the external charging system of the incoming LT is below the threshold TH3. The threshold (charging threshold) TH3 is pre-set as the charge level at which charging of the external charging system's battery is deemed necessary. The threshold TH3 may be set to the same value as the threshold TH1, or it may be set to a different value.

[0063] If the process in step S33 determines that the charge level (SOC) is less than or equal to the threshold TH3, the process in step S34 is performed. Otherwise, the process in step S32 described above is performed. In the process in step S34, guidance information GDN is generated for the vehicle to be entered into the parking space. This guidance information GDN is information for the vehicle entry operation from the passenger entry / exit space PD to the external charging parking space PS0-PIN. The generated guidance information GDN is then sent to the vehicle to be entered into the parking space.

[0064] In step S34, information for parking operations to the external charging parking space PS0-PIN and the sunny parking space PS0-SD0 may be generated using the result of step S13 in Figure 3. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 10…Parking server, 11,31…Processor, 12,32…Storage device, 13,22,33…Communication interface, 20…Vehicle system, 23…Driving device, 30…Main server, 40…User terminal, BC…Charger, LT…Vehicle to be parked, PK…Parking lot, PD…Pick-up / drop-off space, PS…Parking space, PS0…Empty parking space, PS1…In-use parking space, PS0-SD0…Empty sunny parking space, PS0-SD1…Empty shaded parking space, PS1-SD0…In-use sunny parking space, PS1-SD1…In-use shaded parking space, RT…Vehicle to be relocated, VH…Vehicle, VH-SS…Solar powered vehicle, VH-NSS…Non-solar powered vehicle, VH-PIN…External charging vehicle, GDN…Guidance information, SOC…Charging rate

Claims

1. A system for automated valet parking of vehicles within a designated area, One or more storage devices that store information on the use of parking spaces within the predetermined area and information on the amount of sunlight within the predetermined area, The system comprises one or more processors that perform the automatic valet parking entry process based on information stored in the one or more storage devices, The aforementioned receiving process, To obtain equipment information of the vehicle to be stored, which indicates the vehicle subject to the aforementioned storage processing, Based on the aforementioned equipment information, it is determined whether or not a solar power generation system is included in the equipment to be stored. If, as a result of the determination based on the equipment information, the vehicle to be parked is determined to be a non-solar power generation vehicle that does not have a solar power generation system, guidance information will be generated to guide the vehicle to a parking space with short daylight hours based on the time the parking process is executed, based on the usage information and the daylight hours information. An automated valet parking system characterized by including the following.

2. The system according to claim 1, The aforementioned receiving process, Based on the equipment information, if the vehicle being stored is determined to be a solar power generation vehicle equipped with a solar power generation system, the charge rate of the battery of the solar power generation system installed in the vehicle being stored is obtained. If the charge level of the solar power generation system's battery exceeds the charging threshold, guidance information is generated to guide the vehicle to a parking space with shorter daylight hours based on the time of the vehicle entry process, based on the usage information and the daylight hours information. If the charge level is below the charging threshold, guidance information is generated to guide the vehicle to a parking space with longer daylight hours based on the time of the vehicle entry process, based on the usage information and the daylight hours information. An automated valet parking system characterized by including the following.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, The one or more processors further perform rearrangement processing of vehicles parked within the predetermined area. The aforementioned rearrangement process, If the vehicle subject to the aforementioned relocation process is a solar power generation vehicle parked in a parking space with a long daylight hours based on the execution time of the relocation process, the charge rate of the battery of the solar power generation system equipped in the aforementioned vehicle is obtained. If the charge level of the battery of the solar power generation system exceeds the charge completion threshold, guidance information is generated to guide the vehicle to be relocated to a parking space with shorter daylight hours, based on the time the relocation process is executed, based on the usage information and the daylight hours information. An automated valet parking system characterized by including the following.

4. The system according to claim 1 or 2, The parking spaces within the aforementioned designated area include parking spaces equipped with chargers. The aforementioned receiving process, If the vehicle to be stored is a solar power generation vehicle, it is determined, based on the equipment information, whether or not an external charging system is included in the equipment of the vehicle to be stored. If, as a result of the determination based on the equipment information, it is determined that the vehicle to be brought in is an externally charged vehicle equipped with the external charging system, the charge rate of the battery of the external charging system equipped in the vehicle to be brought in is obtained, If the charge level of the external charging system's battery exceeds the charging threshold, guidance information is generated to guide the vehicle to a parking space with shorter daylight hours based on the time of the vehicle entry process, based on the usage information and the daylight hours information. If the charge level is below the charging threshold, guidance information is generated to guide the vehicle to a parking space equipped with a charger, based on the usage information. An automated valet parking system characterized by including the following.

5. A method for having a computer perform automatic valet parking of a vehicle within a designated area, To acquire information on the use of parking spaces within the designated area and information on the amount of sunlight within the designated area, To obtain equipment information of the vehicle to be parked, which indicates the vehicle to be parked for the automated valet parking process, Based on the aforementioned equipment information, it is determined whether or not a solar power generation system is included in the equipment to be stored. If, as a result of the determination based on the equipment information, the vehicle to be parked is determined to be a non-solar power generation vehicle that does not have a solar power generation system, guidance information will be generated to guide the vehicle to a parking space with short daylight hours based on the time the parking process is executed, based on the usage information and the daylight hours information. An automated valet parking method characterized by including the following.

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