Parking management system

Abstract

The purpose is to easily reallocate plots of land even if some plots become unusable due to construction or other reasons. [Solution] The system includes a storage unit 27 that stores management information 5 which includes parking information including parking space information, scheduled information, vacancy information, user information, and parking ID; a source parking space selection unit 21 that selects a source parking space which is a parking space that needs to be reassigned; a vacant parking space search unit 23 that extracts vacant parking spaces which are unused parking spaces based on the management information 5; and a candidate display control unit 24 that displays one or more candidate parking spaces PR on the display unit 11 which are candidates to reassign unused parking spaces from the source parking space. The selection unit 12 accepts an operation to select a destination parking space which is a parking space to be reassigned from among the displayed candidate parking spaces PR.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a parking lot management system for managing a parking lot having sections for parking vehicles.

Background Art

[0002] Various managements are performed in a parking lot. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a parking lot management system for managing a parking lot by a computer via a touch panel. Further, this parking lot management system performs management of vehicle entry and exit, management of fees, management of parking status, management of customer information, management of publicity, and the like. In addition, there are monthly parking lots, and it is necessary to perform various managements such as management of contracts for each section of the parking lot, management of renovation / construction work of the parking lot, rearrangement (movement of sections) of sections used by users accompanying renovation / construction work, and the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when rearranging a section that becomes unusable due to construction work or the like to another section, it is necessary to perform management of construction plans, management of sections in use (during use / under contract), search for unused (empty) sections, and the like. Further, in the rearrangement of sections, it is necessary to consider the circumstances of section users, individual circumstances other than information managed for each parking lot and each section, and in many cases, manual judgment considering various circumstances is required for rearranging sections, and automation has been difficult. Therefore, support for facilitating the rearrangement of sections that requires manual judgment has been demanded.

[0005] The present invention aims to easily reallocate plots of land even when some plots become unusable due to construction or other reasons. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above objective, a parking management system according to one embodiment of the present invention is a parking management system for managing a parking lot having spaces, comprising: a display unit; a selection unit that accepts an operation to select one of the display items displayed on the display unit; a storage unit that stores management information having space information including a space ID that identifies the space and affiliation information that indicates which parking lot the space belongs to; scheduled information which includes information that the space is scheduled to become unavailable; vacant space information which indicates whether the space is under contract or not; user information which is information about the contracted user; and parking information which includes a parking space ID that individually identifies the parking lot; a source space selection unit that selects a source space which is the space that needs to be transferred; a vacant space search unit that extracts unused spaces which are vacant spaces based on the management information; and a candidate display control unit that displays the unused space on the display unit as one or more candidate spaces which are candidates to transfer from the source space, wherein the selection unit accepts an operation to select a destination space which is the space to be transferred from among the displayed candidate spaces. Furthermore, a parking management system according to one embodiment is a parking management system for managing a parking lot having sections, comprising: a display unit; a selection unit that accepts an operation to select one of the displayed items from among the displayed items; a storage unit that stores management information having section information including section ID which identifies the section and affiliation information which indicates which parking lot the section belongs to; scheduled information which includes information which indicates when the section will be unavailable for use; vacant information which indicates whether the section is under contract or not; and parking information which includes a parking ID which individually identifies the parking lot; a source section selection unit that selects a source section which is the section that needs to be reassigned; a vacant section search unit that extracts vacant sections which are unused sections based on the management information; and a candidate display control unit that displays the unused section on the display unit as one or more candidate sections which are candidates to be reassigned from the source section, wherein the selection unit accepts an operation to select a destination section which is the section to be reassigned from among the displayed candidate sections.

[0007] The reallocation of parking spaces must be carried out on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration individual circumstances, and is often difficult to do simply, for example, automatically. With the above configuration, a screen that supports the reallocation operation (parking space transfer support screen) can be easily displayed, listing candidate parking spaces that are candidates for the reallocation destination of the source parking space, based on management information. As a result, since the movable candidate parking spaces are mechanically listed, the operator (manager) can easily reallocate parking spaces by simply selecting the destination parking space from the listed candidate parking spaces, taking various circumstances into consideration.

[0008] Furthermore, the system may further include an unavailability receiving unit that receives information indicating that the area is scheduled to become unusable, and a schedule reflection unit that reflects the information received by the unavailability receiving unit into the schedule information of the management information, and the source area selection unit may select the area in which the schedule information has been reflected by the schedule reflection unit as the source area.

[0009] Information indicating that a section will become unavailable is obtained from various sources, and management information is updated based on this information. With the above configuration, when a worker (manager) updates (reflects / creates) scheduled information, they can then immediately reassign the section that will become unavailable (the original section). Therefore, while efficiently performing the reassignment work, the section reassignment can be easily done using the section reassignment support screen.

[0010] The system further includes a source area extraction unit that extracts areas that need to be reassigned based on the management information, and a source area display control unit that lists the extracted areas on the display unit, wherein the selection unit accepts a selection operation for one of the listed areas, and the source area selection unit may designate the selected area as the source area.

[0011] With the above configuration, based on management information, it is possible to easily extract the partitions that need to be reassigned (source partitions) and list them on the display. Therefore, the operator can use the partition relocation support screen to select a source partition from the partitions listed on the display and easily reassign the partition to the selected source partition.

[0012] Furthermore, the source parking space extraction unit may cause the parking lots to be listed on the display unit, the selection unit may accept an operation to select the parking lot from which to transfer the parking space from the parking lots listed on the display unit, the source parking space extraction unit may display one or more of the parking spaces present in the selected parking lot on the display unit, the selection unit may accept an operation to select the parking space to which to transfer from the parking spaces displayed on the display unit, and the source parking space extraction unit may extract the parking space selected by the selection unit as the source parking space.

[0013] With this configuration, if there are multiple parking spaces that need to be reassigned and they span multiple parking lots, the reassignment process can be started by first selecting the parking lot and then selecting the source parking space within that parking lot. As a result, even when there are many parking spaces that need to be reassigned, the reassignment process can be carried out by selecting the source parking space one by one in order, making the reassignment process easier.

[0014] Furthermore, the system may also include an information modification unit that replaces the user information of the destination partition with the user information of the source partition, and rewrites the management information so that the source partition cannot be used.

[0015] This configuration allows for the automatic updating of management information for both the source and destination partitions when a destination partition is selected using the partition transfer support screen. Specifically, the management information is automatically modified to prohibit the use (contracting) of the source partition, and the user information in the management information is automatically changed from the user of the destination partition to the user of the source partition. As a result, partition transfers can be performed more easily.

[0016] The system may further include a priority determination unit that determines the priority of the candidate partitions based on the management information, and the candidate display control unit may display the candidate partitions in order of highest priority.

[0017] This configuration allows for easy selection of the appropriate destination partition and facilitates partition reassignment.

[0018] Alternatively, the candidate display control unit may cause the display unit to list the parking lots having the candidate spaces, the selection unit may accept a selection operation for one of the parking lots listed on the display unit, the candidate display control unit may cause the display unit to list the candidate spaces having the selected parking lot, and the selection unit may accept a selection operation for the destination space by selecting one of the candidate spaces listed on the display unit.

[0019] With this configuration, workers can select a destination parking lot from a list of parking lots, taking various factors into consideration, and then select a destination parking space from the available spaces within the selected parking lot. This allows workers to use the space transfer support screen to make step-by-step selections from parking lots to parking spaces, taking various factors into consideration, and easily transfer spaces.

[0020] Furthermore, the management information may include the location information of the parking lot, and the candidate display control unit may cause the display unit to display a map and, based on the location information, display the locations of the listed parking lots on the map.

[0021] When reallocating parking spaces, simply moving to a space that is closest in a straight line is not always appropriate; it is sometimes more appropriate to consider the surrounding conditions of the parking lot. With the above configuration, it is possible to easily select a parking space and reallocate spaces while considering various circumstances such as the surrounding conditions of the parking lot.

[0022] Furthermore, the system may further include a priority determination unit that determines the priority of the candidate spaces based on the management information, and the priority determination unit calculates the straight-line distance from the parking lot having the source space to the parking lot having each of the candidate spaces based on the location information, and determines the priority so that the parking lot having the candidate space with the shorter straight-line distance has a higher priority.

[0023] With such a configuration, it is possible to easily select a destination section that is as close as possible to the source section, and it is possible to easily perform the transfer of the section.

[0024] Further, the priority determination unit may derive the number of vacant sections in the parking lot having the candidate sections from the management information, and determine the priority so that the priority of the candidate sections in the parking lot with a larger number of vacant sections is higher.

[0025] With such a configuration, by providing a destination section in a parking lot with many vacant sections, the operation rate of the parking lot can be improved. Also, even when it is necessary to transfer a plurality of sections from one parking lot, it is possible to easily find a destination parking lot with many vacant sections, and it is possible to easily transfer a plurality of sections to the same parking lot in a lump.

[0026] Further, the section information may further include a usage condition that is a condition of the vehicle that can be used in the section, and the candidate display control unit may display only the candidate sections having the same usage condition as the section scheduled to be unusable based on the management information.

[0027] Usage conditions may be provided for the sections of the parking lot. For example, for each section, usage conditions such as for large vehicles and below, for medium vehicles and below, for small vehicles, etc. are provided according to the size of the vehicle that can be parked. And even if a section where a large vehicle is parked is transferred to a section for medium vehicles and below or a section for small vehicles, it is not possible to park the large vehicle that was parked in the source section in the destination section.

[0028] According to the above configuration, since candidate sections can be extracted and selected in consideration of the usage conditions of the sections, it is possible to perform the transfer while easily performing the transfer of the sections, and to perform the transfer so that the vehicle can be parked in the destination section after the transfer. Note that the usage conditions are not limited to the same conditions for the candidate section and the source section, and the usage conditions of the candidate section may be stricter than the usage conditions of the source section.

[0029] The system may further include a contract management system that manages the parking lot and generates the management information, and an information and communication unit that retrieves the management information from the contract management system and stores it in the storage unit.

[0030] This configuration allows for easy acquisition of management information and easy reassignment of partitions.

[0031] Furthermore, the system may also include a partition input unit that accepts an operation to add an unused partition to the management information.

[0032] This configuration allows management information for parking lots not currently managed to be added to the management information, making it possible to use parking spaces in unmanaged lots as destination spaces. As a result, the number of candidate spaces can be increased by searching a wide range, making it easier to reallocate spaces.

[0033] Furthermore, the user information may include the user's contact information, and the system may further include a notification unit that automatically notifies the contact information of the selected transfer area to the user of the area that is scheduled to become unavailable.

[0034] This configuration allows for easy reassignment of parking spaces, while also promptly informing users that a space has been moved and where it has been moved to.

[0035] Furthermore, the aforementioned planned information may also be information indicating that the use of the aforementioned area will be impossible due to construction work.

[0036] With this configuration, even for sections that become unusable due to construction, the section relocation support screen allows for easy reassignment of sections while taking various circumstances into consideration. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0037] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating the layout of a parking lot. [Figure 2] This diagram illustrates the configuration of a server that manages a parking lot. [Figure 3] This diagram illustrates the configuration for rearranging the partitions. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates the configuration of a parking management system. [Figure 5] This diagram illustrates the structure of management information. [Figure 6] This diagram illustrates the workflow for reallocating partitions. [Figure 7] This diagram illustrates a section movement support screen. [Figure 8] This diagram illustrates a parking space movement assistance screen that lists parking spaces in order of priority. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0038] [Parking lot management] First, we will explain the management of parking lot P using Figures 1 and 2.

[0039] As shown in Figure 1, the parking lot P has several parking spaces (PAs), and each PA is rented out to users. The PAs are available for regular use such as monthly rentals and for temporary use such as hourly rentals.

[0040] Manager M is responsible for various aspects of managing the parking lot P. For example, Manager M manages the usage status (availability) of each section of the parking lot P, manages users, manages the collection of fees, manages various tasks performed at the parking lot P, and manages the progress (schedule) of those tasks.

[0041] Usage status refers to whether each parking area (PA) is vacant or in use (under contract), and if in use, whether it is for regular use or temporary use. User management involves managing who is using (contracting) each parking area. Fee collection management involves managing the usage fees for each parking area and whether or not they have been received. Work management involves managing whether or not there are any events (work) such as construction work to be carried out on the parking area (P), and the details thereof. Schedule management involves managing who will perform what work and when.

[0042] As shown in Figure 2, the management of such a parking lot P is performed by server 1, and administrator M accesses server 1 via client terminal 2 to perform the processing of managing parking lot P. Server 1 and client terminal 2 communicate with each other via the internet or the like. Server 1 and client terminal 2 are each equipped with a processor (computer) such as a CPU, and each functional block is controlled by the processor.

[0043] Server 1 comprises a parking management system 4, a contract management system 7, and a time-based rental management system 8. The parking management system 4, the contract management system 7, and the time-based rental management system 8 manage parking lots P based on the management information 5 described later. The client terminal 2 may be configured to communicate directly with the parking management system 4, the contract management system 7, or the time-based rental management system 8 via Server 1.

[0044] Furthermore, information regarding each parking lot P (such as the contents of management information 5) can be checked at the parking lot P (on-site) using a mobile terminal Tr, etc. For example, each parking lot P displays a unique code, etc., and the administrator M, etc., can read the code, etc., with a mobile terminal Tr to retrieve the information of that parking lot P on-site. Alternatively, the administrator M can retrieve the information of the parking lot P on-site by entering the unique identification information of the parking lot P into the mobile terminal Tr.

[0045] The parking management system 4 performs various management tasks related to parking lots P managed by a specific administrator M. The parking management system 4 manages parking lots P based on management information 5, which may be generated and updated via client terminals 2, or obtained from contract management system 7 or other systems.

[0046] The contract management system 7 manages usage contracts for each parking space PA in the parking lot P. Specifically, the contract management system 7 solicits monthly contracts (fixed-term contracts) for vacant parking spaces (vacant spaces PB (see Figure 3)), accepts usage applications from users, automatically performs or assists with contract procedures, and collects and manages fees. In doing so, the contract management system 7 generates, updates, and stores management information 5.

[0047] The hourly rental management system 8 manages hourly rentals of vacant parking spaces (unused and uncontracted parking spaces). Specifically, the hourly rental management system 8 solicits temporary rentals for uncontracted parking spaces and unused time slots of contracted parking spaces, accepts applications and reservations from users, and collects and manages fees. In doing so, the hourly rental management system 8 generates, updates, and stores management information 5.

[0048] [Reassignment of plots] Next, we will explain the configuration for relocating (moving) a designated parking area (PA) using Figure 3. In the following explanation, we will use a configuration for relocating a designated parking area (PA) due to planned construction work on the parking lot (P) as an example, but the relocation of a designated parking area (PA) may also be carried out due to any other planned event that makes the designated parking area (PA) unusable.

[0049] Suppose construction is scheduled for some of the PA sections within a parking lot P1, and the use of those PA sections will be prohibited during the construction period. The PA sections that will be prohibited from use will be designated as the source PA section PP. In other words, the source PA section PP is the PA section that needs to be relocated.

[0050] If there is a monthly contract holder (user 10 (see Figure 7)) in a parking area PA (source parking area PP) where such use is prohibited, it is necessary to have user 10 use a different parking area PA during the scheduled construction period. In other words, if there is an unused parking area PA (empty parking area PB) in the same parking lot P1 or another parking lot P2, it is necessary to manage the parking area PA transfer process so that user 10 in the source parking area PP can use the empty parking area PB. The parking area transfer process involves transferring the parking area PA that user 10 will use during the period when it is unavailable from the source parking area PP to the destination parking area PN. In other words, the destination parking area PN is the parking area PA to which user 10 has been transferred from the source parking area PP, and is the parking area PA to which user 10, who was using the source parking area PP, has been transferred for use during the construction period.

[0051] [Parking Management System] Due to planned construction work or other events that will render a designated parking area (PA) unusable, the reassignment of the designated PA for the scheduled period is performed by referring to management information 5 stored in the parking management system 4. Since the reassignment of designated PAs must be carried out taking various circumstances into consideration, automation is difficult. In this embodiment, support for the reassignment of designated PAs is provided by automatically collecting predetermined information based on the management information 5. Specifically, the parking management system 4 displays a parking area relocation support screen 40 (see Figure 7) on the client terminal 2 operated by the administrator M based on the management information 5, and the administrator M performs the reassignment of designated PAs by operating the parking area relocation support screen 40 while taking various circumstances into consideration. Note that the parking area relocation support screen 40 is not limited to the client terminal 2, but may be displayed on any terminal that the administrator M can operate.

[0052] Next, referring to Figures 2 and 3, and using Figures 4 and 5, we will explain the parking management system 4 that performs the reassignment work for parking spaces that are scheduled to become unusable due to construction. The reassignment work is performed by the administrator M, who takes various circumstances into consideration, by referring to the parking space relocation support screen 40 displayed on the display unit 11 of the client terminal 2. The parking space relocation support screen 40 is displayed and operated by the following function blocks of the parking management system 4 or by an application installed in the parking management system 4.

[0053] As shown in Figure 4, the client terminal 2 comprises a display unit 11 and a selection unit 12. The display unit 11 is a device that displays predetermined content, such as a display or a touch panel. The selection unit 12 accepts an operation to select one of the displayed items from among those displayed on the display unit 11. The selection unit 12 may be a physical switch, but if the display unit 11 is a touch panel, at least some of the selection units 12 may be software switches displayed on the display unit 11.

[0054] Furthermore, the parking management system 4 includes an information and communication unit 15, an unavailable reception unit 17, a schedule reflection unit 18, a moving source parking space selection unit 21, an empty parking space search unit 23, a candidate display control unit 24, an information modification unit 26, and a storage unit 27.

[0055] The information and communication unit 15 communicates with at least one of the client terminal 2 and various devices inside and outside the server 1. The unavailable reception unit 17 receives information indicating scheduled construction work or other events that will make the use of the designated PA unavailable, obtained via the information and communication unit 15 or by any other means. The schedule reflection unit 18 reflects the information received by the unavailable reception unit 17 in the management information 5.

[0056] The source area selection unit 21 extracts area PAs that need to be reassigned based on the management information 5. The vacant area search unit 23 extracts vacant area PBs that are unused area PAs based on the management information 5.

[0057] The candidate display control unit 24 displays one or more candidate partitions PR (see Figure 7) on the display unit 11. Candidate partitions PR are unused partitions PA (empty partitions PB), and are candidates for reassignment from the source partition PP. The information change unit 26 is a functional block that creates and changes (updates) management information 5, for example, by replacing the user of the destination partition PN with the user 10 to be moved from the source partition PP. The storage unit 27 stores various information such as management information 5.

[0058] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the management information 5 includes parking information 31, space information 32, user information 34, scheduled information 35, and vacancy information 37.

[0059] Parking information 31 is information about each parking lot P managed by administrator M, and includes a parking ID 31i that individually identifies parking lot P. Section information 32 is information about each section PA of parking lot P managed by administrator M, and includes a section ID 32i that identifies section PA and affiliation information 32p that indicates which parking lot P section PA belongs to.

[0060] User information 34 is provided for each PA section and contains information about users who have contracted to use the PA section. Scheduled information 35 is provided for each PA section and indicates scheduled construction work or other events that will make the PA section unavailable. Availability information 37 is provided for each PA section and indicates whether the PA section is currently under contract. Note that while scheduled information 35 indicates scheduled events that will make the PA section unavailable due to construction work, it may also indicate events that will make the PA section unavailable due to any other scheduled event.

[0061] [Parking area reassignment work] Next, we will explain the partition reassignment process using Figures 2 to 7.

[0062] First, the unavailable reception unit 17 receives information indicating that the use of a designated PA (parking area) will be unavailable due to construction or other reasons, and information indicating which designated PA will be unavailable (Step #1 in Figure 6). This information may be received via the information and communication unit 15, but it may also be received via email, paper documents, etc.

[0063] Next, the schedule reflection unit 18 modifies (updates) the management information 5 based on the received information (step #2 in Figure 6). Specifically, based on the received information, the schedule reflection unit 18 inputs the details of the construction work, the duration of the construction work, and other schedule information into the schedule information 35 corresponding to the section PA that will become unavailable. At this time, the users of the section PA into which the schedule information 35 has been entered become the users requiring relocation (movement) to the section PA. The schedule reflection unit 18 may automatically input the schedule information 35 based on the received information, or the administrator M may manually input the schedule information 35 via the schedule reflection unit 18.

[0064] In this way, with management information 5 changed according to the construction schedule (which will result in the unavailability of certain PA areas), the relocation (moving) of PA areas that will become unusable due to the construction is carried out as follows.

[0065] First, the source area selection unit 21 selects one or more source area PPs, which are area PAs that need to be reassigned (step #3 in Figure 6). As described above, the area PA into which the schedule information 35 has been entered by the schedule reflection unit 18 corresponds to the source area PP. Therefore, if the schedule information 35 is changed (reflected) by the schedule reflection unit 18, the source area selection unit 21, following the input of the schedule information 35 by the schedule reflection unit 18, selects one or more area PAs into which the schedule information 35 has been entered as the source area PP and starts the area PA reassignment work. In other words, the source area selection unit 21 selects the area PA into which the schedule information 35 has been reflected (entered) by the schedule reflection unit 18 as the source area PP. At this time, the source area selection unit 21 stores the users 10 who need to be reassigned using the selected source area PP in the storage unit 27.

[0066] Next, the empty section search unit 23 extracts empty section PBs, which are unused section PAs, by checking the empty information 37 of the management information 5 corresponding to each section PA. In other words, the empty section search unit 23 picks up section PAs that are found to be unused in the empty information 37 as empty section PBs (step #4 in Figure 6). The extracted empty section PBs are stored in the storage unit 27 as candidate section PRs.

[0067] Next, the candidate display control unit 24 displays the partition relocation support screen 40 on the display unit 11, as shown in Figure 7 (step #5 in Figure 6). The partition relocation support screen 40 is a screen for supporting the relocation work of partition PA, and in this case, the extracted empty partition PB is displayed as a candidate partition PR. In other words, the candidate display control unit 24 displays the unused partition PA (empty partition PB) on the display unit 11 as the partition relocation support screen 40, which is one or more candidate partition PRs that are candidates to be relocated from the source partition PP.

[0068] Next, Administrator M selects the destination partition PN from the candidate partition PRs displayed on the partition relocation support screen 40 (step #6 in Figure 6). In other words, Administrator M selects the partition PA to be used by the user 10 of the partition PA (source partition PP) that will become unavailable, from the candidate partition PRs displayed on the partition relocation support screen 40.

[0069] Specifically, administrator M uses the selection unit 12 to select a candidate partition PR that will become the destination partition PN from the candidate partition PRs listed on the partition relocation support screen 40 displayed on the display unit 11 of client terminal 2. In other words, the selection unit 12 accepts the operation to select the destination partition PN, which is the partition PA to be transferred, from among the displayed candidate partition PRs.

[0070] For example, as the selection unit 12, the partition transfer support screen 40 displays a pull-down menu 42 corresponding to the candidate partition PR. When a pull-down menu 42 is selected, the users 10 of the source partition PP that need to be transferred are read from the storage unit 27 and listed.

[0071] Then, administrator M selects the candidate partition PR, which will be the destination partition PN, from the pull-down menu 42, and selects one person from the enumerated list of users requiring transport, thereby selecting the destination partition PN that the selected user requiring transport 10 will be returning to from the source partition PP.

[0072] In this way, the partition relocation support screen 40 is displayed based on the management information 5, and the administrator M can check the information of the source partition PP and candidate partition PR while looking at the partition relocation support screen 40, and after considering other circumstances, select the destination partition PN from the candidate partition PR. The partition relocation support screen 40 takes into account information about the source partition PP and candidate partition PR, and can also list multiple candidate partition PRs. Therefore, the partition relocation support screen 40 can provide information that makes it easy for administrator M to select the destination partition PN. As a result, administrator M can easily relocate partition PA simply by selecting the destination partition PN from the candidate partition PRs listed on the partition relocation support screen 40, taking various circumstances into consideration.

[0073] When the destination partition PN is selected, the management information 5 is updated (step #7 in Figure 6). Specifically, the information modification unit 26 updates the user in the user information 34 corresponding to the destination partition PN in the management information 5 to the user who needs to be moved 10, in order to replace the user of the destination partition PN with the user who needs to be moved 10 of the source partition PP. Furthermore, the information modification unit 26 rewrites the management information 5 so that the source partition PP cannot be used.

[0074] Subsequently, the passenger 10 whose designated PA section has been reassigned may be notified that the PA section has been reassigned, the destination PA section PN, etc. (Step #8 in Figure 6).

[0075] For example, the parking management system 4 further includes a notification unit 52, and the user information 34 of the management information 5 has contact information 34a for each user. When a parking space reassignment operation is performed, the notification unit 52 reads the contact information 34a of the user of the source parking space PP from the user information 34 of the management information 5 and automatically notifies the contact information 34a (user 10 who needs to be moved) of the information regarding the reassignment of the parking space PP. The information regarding the reassignment of the parking space PP includes at least information regarding the destination parking space PN, and may be combined with any information such as a notification indicating that the parking space PP has been reassigned and the period during which the reassignment will take place. If the user information 34 does not include contact information 34a, only the content of the notification may be automatically generated, and the notification may be made by the administrator M.

[0076] [Another embodiment] (1) In the above embodiment, the configuration may be such that a transfer operation is performed on the section PA into which the scheduled information 35 was entered each time the scheduled information 35 was entered. Alternatively, the section PA (source section PP) that needs to be transferred may be extracted based on the management information 5, further selected, and the transfer operation may be performed on the selected source section PP. This makes it possible to perform the transfer operation efficiently at any time, for example, by performing the transfer operation for multiple source section PPs consecutively at the same time.

[0077] For example, the parking management system 4 further comprises a source parking space extraction unit 45 and a source parking space display control unit 46. As a process for selecting a parking space PA (source parking space PP) that needs to be reassigned, first, the source parking space extraction unit 45 extracts the parking spaces PA that need to be reassigned based on the scheduled information 35 of the management information 5. Next, the source parking space display control unit 46 displays the extracted parking spaces PA on the display unit 11 as a parking space relocation support screen 40. In this state, the selection unit 12 accepts a selection operation to select one parking space PA from the listed parking spaces PA, and the source parking space selection unit 21 sets the selected parking space PA as the source parking space PP.

[0078] In this way, based on the management information 5, the partition PAs that need to be reassigned are automatically extracted and listed on the partition relocation support screen 40. The administrator M can then select the source partition PP simply by selecting from the displayed partition PAs. Therefore, the source partition PP can be easily selected, and the partition PA reassignment work can be easily carried out.

[0079] In this case, the source area extraction unit 45 may have the display unit 11 list the parking lots P that have area PAs that need to be reassigned, select a parking lot P, and then select the area PAs that need to be reassigned from among the area PAs of the selected parking lot P as the source area PP. This makes it easier to select the source area PP and makes the area PA reassignment work easier.

[0080] For example, first, the source parking space extraction unit 45 lists the parking lots P that have parking spaces PA that need to be reassigned as a parking space relocation support screen 40 on the display unit 11. The selection unit 12 accepts an operation to select a parking lot P from the parking lots P listed on the display unit 11 (parking space relocation support screen 40) to which the parking spaces PA will be reassigned. Next, the source parking space extraction unit 45 displays one or more parking spaces PA present in the selected parking lot P as a parking space relocation support screen 40 on the display unit 11. Then, the selection unit 12 accepts an operation to select a parking space PA to perform the reassignment work from the parking spaces PA displayed on the display unit 11 (parking space relocation support screen 40). Then, the source parking space extraction unit 45 extracts the parking spaces PA selected by the selection unit 12 as the source parking space PP. At this time, the parking spaces PA displayed on the parking space relocation support screen 40 may be all parking spaces PA that the selected parking lot P has, or only the parking spaces PA that need to be reassigned may be displayed.

[0081] (2) In each of the above embodiments, the candidate section PR selected from the candidate section PR displayed on the display unit 11 may be the destination section PN. Alternatively, the selection of the destination section PN may be configured such that a parking lot P is selected, and the destination section PN is selected from the sections PA that the selected parking lot P has.

[0082] For example, first, the candidate display control unit 24 lists the parking lots P that have candidate parking lot PRs on the display unit 11 as a parking lot movement support screen 40. Next, the selection unit 12 accepts a selection operation for one of the parking lots P listed on the display unit 11 (parking lot movement support screen 40). Then, the candidate display control unit 24 lists the candidate parking lot PRs that the selected parking lot P has on the display unit 11 as a parking lot movement support screen 40. Finally, the selection unit 12 accepts a selection operation for the destination parking lot PN by selecting one of the candidate parking lot PRs listed on the display unit 11 (parking lot movement support screen 40).

[0083] (3) In each of the above embodiments, the parking space movement support screen 40 on which the parking space P or candidate parking space PR is displayed may, as shown in Figure 7, display a map 48, and the location of the parking space P including the source parking space PPm or the location of the candidate parking space PR may be displayed at the corresponding location on the map 48, and the candidate parking spaces PR may be listed together with the location of the parking space P PPm displayed on the map 48.

[0084] For example, management information 5 includes location information 31p for parking lot P, and the candidate display control unit 24 displays the locations PPm of the listed parking lot P on the map 48 of the parking space movement support screen 40 based on the location information 31p, as shown in Figure 7. In this state, when the administrator M selects one parking lot P via the selection unit 12, the candidate display control unit 24 displays a list of candidate parking spaces PR available for the selected parking lot P on the parking space movement support screen 40, and also displays a pull-down menu 42 corresponding to the candidate parking spaces PR. In addition, usage conditions 32c (see Figure 5) may be displayed in accordance with the listed candidate parking spaces PR.

[0085] Specifically, the section information 32 further includes usage conditions 32c, which are the conditions for vehicles that can be used in the section PA. Usage conditions 32c are, for example, the upper limit of the size of vehicles that can be parked in the section PA, and more specifically, conditions such as allowing large vehicles to park, restrictions such as allowing medium-sized or smaller vehicles to park, restrictions such as allowing regular-sized or smaller vehicles to park, or conditions (restrictions) that it is exclusively for light vehicles. Therefore, a section PA that has the condition (usage condition 32c) that allows large vehicles to park includes medium-sized and small vehicles, and thus allows medium-sized and small vehicles to park there.

[0086] Administrator M can select one of the candidate area PRs while considering various factors such as usage conditions 32c and geographical conditions, select the corresponding pull-down menu 42 via the selection unit 12, and then select one of the users requiring relocation 10 displayed in the pull-down menu 42, thereby selecting the destination area PN to which the user requiring relocation 10 will be transferred from the source area PP.

[0087] This allows users to easily transfer the source parking lot PP to the destination parking lot PN by selecting the parking lot P and destination parking lot PN in order from the parking lot transfer support screen 40, and then selecting the user requiring transfer 10 from the pull-down menu 42. As a result, the transfer of parking lots PA can be easily performed.

[0088] (4) In each of the above embodiments, the parking spaces P and candidate spaces PR displayed on the space movement support screen 40 may be listed (displayed) in any order, but at least one of them may be displayed (listed) in order of a predetermined priority 54. Specifically, the parking management system 4 further includes a priority determination unit 51. The priority determination unit 51 determines the priority 54 of the parking spaces P or candidate spaces PR based on the management information 5 and stores it in the storage unit 27 in association with the parking spaces P or spaces PA (candidate spaces PR). The candidate display control unit 24 then displays the parking spaces P or candidate spaces PR in order of the highest priority 54.

[0089] Since parking spaces P or candidate spaces PR are displayed on the space relocation support screen 40 in order of priority 54, administrator M can easily select parking space P or candidate space PR and perform the space reassignment work.

[0090] Priority 54 can be determined, for example, based on the distance from the location PPm of parking lot P, which has the source parking lot PP, to the location RPm of parking lot P, which has the candidate parking lot PR.

[0091] In this case, the parking information 31 further includes location information 31p for parking lot P. Location information 31p is information indicating the location of parking lot P, such as map coordinates relative to a predetermined standard. The priority determination unit 51 calculates the straight-line distance 55 from the location PPm of parking lot P having the source parking lot PP to the location RPm of each candidate parking lot P having the respective candidate parking lot PR, based on the location information 31p, and determines the priority 54 such that the parking lot P having the candidate parking lot PR with the shorter straight-line distance 55 has a higher priority 54. The priority determination unit 51 stores the straight-line distance 55 in the storage unit 27 in association with parking lot P or candidate parking lot PR. The priority 54 is not limited to the straight-line distance 55, but may also be the Manhattan distance between parking lot P having the source parking lot PP and parking lot P having the candidate parking lot PR, or may be determined based on a distance obtained by any method.

[0092] Then, as shown in Figure 8, the parking space relocation support screen 40 lists a map 48 and parking lots P with candidate parking spaces PR arranged in order of priority 54, along with their straight-line distance 55. The map 48 displays the location PPm of the parking lot P with the source parking space PP at the center, and displays the locations RPm of the parking lots P with candidate parking spaces PR surrounding it.

[0093] Administrator M selects one parking space P from the parking space movement support screen 40, which lists the parking spaces P, via the selection unit 12, referring to the priority order 54. Once a parking space P is selected, the candidate display control unit 24 lists the candidate parking spaces PR that the selected parking space P has, as the parking space movement support screen 40. The listed candidate parking spaces PR may be arranged in a predetermined order of priority order 54.

[0094] The map 48 in Figures 7 and 8 can be configured to display parking lots P with candidate parking spaces PR that are within the display range of the map 48, and the map 48 may be configured to expand or contract its scale. The parking lots P with destination parking spaces PN that are within the display range of the expanded or contracted map 48 will then be displayed. The map 48 may also have a scrolling function, and the parking lots P with candidate parking spaces PR that are within the scrolled range will be displayed. This allows the administrator M to more easily select a parking lot P and perform the parking space PA reassignment work. The operating device for operating the zoom and scroll can be optionally provided, for example, it can be a software switch displayed on the display unit 11, which is a touch panel.

[0095] Alternatively, priority 54 can be the distance from the source parcel PP to the candidate parcel PR. In this case, location information 31p is information indicating the location of parcel PA. Also, the straight-line distance 55 is the distance from the source parcel PP to the candidate parcel PR. Then, priority 54 is determined such that candidate parcel PRs with a shorter straight-line distance 55 from the source parcel PP to the candidate parcel PR have a higher priority 54.

[0096] In this configuration, the candidate display control unit 24 lists candidate partition PRs in order of priority 54 as a partition relocation support screen 40. Administrator M selects one candidate partition PR from the partition relocation support screen 40, referring to the priority 54, via the selection unit 12. For example, if there is no need to consider any special circumstances, administrator M can select the candidate partition PR with the highest priority 54. This makes it easier for administrator M to select a candidate partition PR and perform partition PA reassignment work.

[0097] Furthermore, the priority determination unit 51 may be configured to determine the priority 54 such that candidate plot PRs have a higher priority 54 in parking lots P that have a large number of candidate plot PRs, by deriving the number of vacant plot PBs in parking lots P that have candidate plot PRs from the management information 5. For example, the priority determination unit 51 extracts vacant plot PBs from the vacancy information 37 of the management information 5 and confirms the parking lots P that have vacant plot PBs from the affiliation information 32p of the plot information 32 of the extracted vacant plot PBs. Then, the priority determination unit 51 derives the number of vacant plot PBs that are candidate plot PRs in parking lots P that have candidate plot PRs by detecting the number of vacant plot PBs for each parking lot P.

[0098] By giving a higher priority (54) to candidate parking spaces (PR) in parking lots P, which have a large number of vacant spaces (PB), when transferring multiple spaces (PA) from the same parking lot P, it is possible to set the destination space (PN) to the same parking lot P as much as possible. This makes it easier to select and transfer to a convenient parking space (PA) for users, especially when corporations or other organizations use multiple spaces (PA).

[0099] (5) In each of the above embodiments, the candidate partition PR displayed on the partition relocation support screen 40 may be a list (display) of all empty partitions PB, but only candidate partition PRs with the same conditions as the source partition PP may be displayed, or only candidate partition PRs having conditions that encompass the conditions of the source partition PP may be displayed.

[0100] In other words, based on the management information 5, the candidate display control unit 24 displays only the candidate parking spaces PR on the parking space movement support screen 40 of the display unit 11 that are available for vehicles parked in parking spaces PA (source parking space PP) that are scheduled to become unavailable. Specifically, the candidate display control unit 24 checks the usage conditions 32c of the source parking space PP from the usage conditions 32c of the parking space information 32 in the management information 5, extracts only the candidate parking spaces PR with the same or encompassing usage conditions 32c, and displays them on the parking space movement support screen 40 of the display unit 11.

[0101] The size of designated parking areas (PAs) varies, and there may be restrictions on the size of vehicles that can be parked there (Usage Condition 32c). Furthermore, due to various circumstances, the conditions for vehicles that can be parked in designated PAs may be set as Usage Condition 32c. Vehicles that do not meet Usage Condition 32c cannot be parked in designated PAs.

[0102] As described above, since the candidate section PRs are extracted from sections PAs that have usage conditions 32c that at least include the usage conditions 32c of the source section PP, the section PA reassignment work can be performed with high accuracy.

[0103] (6) In each of the above embodiments, the server 1 may be configured to include the contract management system 7 and the hourly rental management system 8 together with the parking management system 4, or it may be configured to include only the parking management system 4, or it may be configured to include either the contract management system 7 or the hourly rental management system 8 and the parking management system 4. This allows for a high degree of flexibility in configuring the server 1, including the parking management system 4, and to be efficiently constructed according to the situation.

[0104] (7) In each of the above embodiments, the management information 5 may be obtained from any system, or it may be directly input into the parking management system 4.

[0105] For example, the parking management system 4 obtains management information 5 from the contract management system 7 via the information and communication unit 15 and stores it in the storage unit 27. The contract management system 7 manages the contracts for each parking area and generates the management information 5. Therefore, by obtaining the generated management information 5 from the contract management system 7, the management information 5 can be easily obtained, and the reallocation of parking areas can be easily performed.

[0106] Furthermore, the parking management system 4 may be configured to allow new input of management information 5. Specifically, the parking management system 4 further includes a space input unit 57. The space input unit 57 accepts operations to add unused parking spaces (PA) to the management information 5. More specifically, the space input unit 57 is provided on the client terminal 2, and the parking management system 4 can acquire the management information 5 entered by the client terminal 2 via the space input unit 57 through the information communication unit 15 and store it in the storage unit 27.

[0107] In the case of parking lots P (section PA) managed by administrator M, management information 5 is entered (generated) in the contract management system 7 in accordance with the contract, and administrator M can obtain it and use it for the reassignment of section PA. However, for parking lots P (section PA) managed by others, it is generally difficult for administrator M to obtain management information 5 and therefore cannot use it for the reassignment of section PA.

[0108] By providing a section input unit 57 and configuring the system to allow new input of management information 5, the administrator M can input management information 5 and add sections PA of parking lot P that are not managed by the administrator M to the candidate section PR. As a result, it becomes possible to select a destination section PN from a larger number of candidate section PRs, and a more convenient destination section PN can be selected for the user 10 who needs to move. Consequently, the task of reassigning sections PA can be easily performed while selecting a more appropriate destination section PN.

[0109] (8) In each of the above embodiments, the management information 5 is not limited to the configuration divided into the information described above, but may be databased in any configuration as long as it includes the content of the above information. In other words, the content of one piece of information may be included in the other piece of information, or conversely, one piece of information may be further subdivided.

[0110] (9) In each of the above embodiments, the parking management system 4 and the client terminal 2 are not limited to being composed of functional blocks as shown in Figure 1, but may be composed of any functional blocks. For example, each functional block of the parking management system 4 and the client terminal 2 may be further subdivided, or conversely, some or all of each functional block may be combined. Also, the functions of the parking management system 4 and the client terminal 2 are not limited to the above functional blocks, but may be realized by any functional block executing. Also, some or all of the functions of the parking management system 4 and the client terminal 2 may be composed of software. The program related to the software is stored in any storage device such as the storage unit 27 and executed by a processor (computer) such as a CPU provided in the parking management system 4 and the client terminal 2, or by a separately provided processor (computer). For example, some or all of the processing of the program may be executed by a processor mounted in a device provided separately from the parking management system 4 and the client terminal 2. [Industrial applicability]

[0111] This invention can be applied to the process of rearranging parking spaces in a parking lot. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 2 Client terminals 4. Parking Management System 5 Management information 10 Users who require transportation 11 Display section 12 Selection Section 21. Selection of source area 23. Empty Section Search Unit 24 Candidate display control unit 26 Information Change Section 27 Memory section 31 Parking Information 31i Parking ID 31p Location information 32 Lot Information 32c Terms of Use 32i Lot ID 32p Affiliation Information 34 User information 34a Contact Information 35 Schedule Information 37. Air Information 40 Section Movement Support Screen 45 Source area extraction unit 46. ​​Movement Source Area Display Control Unit 48 Map 51 Priority Determination Section 52 Notification Department 54 Priority 55 straight-line distance Parking PA section PB vacant space PN destination area PP source area PR candidate plots

Claims

[Claim 1] A parking management system for managing parking lots with designated spaces, Display unit and A selection unit that accepts an operation to select one of the displayed items from among the displayed items on the display unit, A storage unit that stores management information including a section ID that identifies the section and affiliation information that indicates which parking lot the section belongs to, scheduled information that includes information that the section is scheduled to be unavailable, empty information that indicates whether the section is under contract or not, user information that is information about the contracted user, and parking information that includes a parking ID that individually identifies the parking lot, A source area selection unit that selects the source area which is the area that needs to be reassigned, An empty partition search unit extracts empty partitions, which are unused partitions, based on the management information. The system includes a candidate display control unit that causes the display unit to display one or more candidate partitions that are candidates to be transferred from the original partition to the unused partition, The selection unit is a parking management system that accepts an operation to select a destination plot, which is the plot to be moved to, from among the displayed candidate plots.

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