Management systems and parking systems

Abstract

We provide a management system and parking system that can reduce the operational burden. [Solution] The management device 21 includes a first imaging unit 22P for imaging one first passenger compartment 11P, a second imaging unit 22V for imaging one second passenger compartment group 11G, and a management unit that updates management information so as to recognize vehicle information of a vehicle 10C in the first passenger compartment 11P from the imaging results of the first imaging unit 22P and associate the vehicle information with the passenger compartment information of the first passenger compartment 11P, and recognize vehicle information of a vehicle for each second passenger compartment 11V from the imaging results of the second imaging unit 22V and associate the vehicle information with the passenger compartment information of the second passenger compartment 11V.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a management system for managing the use and operation of a parking lot, and a parking lot system equipped with the management system.

Background Art

[0002] An example of the management system described above includes one loop coil sensor and one pole camera in each vehicle compartment. The loop coil sensor detects the entry and exit of a vehicle. The pole camera acquires vehicle information in the vehicle compartment where the pole camera is installed. The management system identifies a vehicle that has left the parking lot without settlement by associating the settlement status of the vehicle compartment where the pole camera is installed with the vehicle information (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The management system described above requires the same number of loop coil sensors as the number of vehicle compartments, and also the same number of pole cameras as the number of vehicle compartments. Therefore, when a vehicle compartment layout that further increases the number of vehicle compartments is prioritized in the operation of the parking lot, the management system described above increases the operation load such as equipment installation and equipment maintenance.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The management system for solving the above problems is a management system for managing a parking lot. The parking lot comprises a first parking space, which is at least one parking space, and a second parking space group, which is a group of adjacent parking spaces. The management system comprises a first imaging unit for each of the first parking spaces, which images the first parking space; a second imaging unit for each of the second parking space group, which images the second parking space group; a storage unit that stores management information that associates parking space information for identifying a parking space with vehicle information for identifying a vehicle in that parking space; and a management unit that updates the management information so as to recognize the vehicle information of a vehicle in the first parking space from the imaging results of the first imaging unit and associate the vehicle information with the parking space information of the first parking space, and so as to recognize the vehicle information of a vehicle in each of the second parking spaces from the imaging results of the second imaging unit and so as to associate the vehicle information with the parking space information of the second parking space.

[0006] A parking system for solving the above problems is a parking system comprising a parking lot having a plurality of parking spaces and a management system for managing the use of the parking spaces. The plurality of parking spaces comprises at least one first parking space and a second parking space group which is a group of a plurality of adjacent second parking spaces. The management system comprises a first imaging unit which images one of the first parking spaces, a second imaging unit which images one of the second parking space group which stores management information which associates parking space information for identifying a parking space with vehicle information for identifying a vehicle in that parking space, and a management unit which updates the management information so as to recognize the vehicle information of a vehicle in the first parking space from the imaging results of the first imaging unit and associate the recognized vehicle information with the parking space information of the first parking space, and so as to recognize the vehicle information of a vehicle in each of the second parking spaces from the imaging results of the second imaging unit and associate the recognized vehicle information with the parking space information of the second parking space.

[0007] With each of the above configurations, one first imaging unit images one first parking space, and one second imaging unit images multiple second parking spaces at once. In this way, the vehicle information for each second parking space is recognized collectively from the imaging results of one second imaging unit, thus reducing the workload in parking lot operations.

[0008] On the other hand, there is a limit to the imaging range of a single second imaging unit. For example, if individual parking spaces are included in the layout so as to be separated from a group of parallel-parked spaces by a driveway, those individual parking spaces are unlikely to be included in the imaging range of the second imaging unit. For example, if the area of ​​a group of parallel-parked spaces is larger than the imaging range of a single second imaging unit, the parking spaces that make up the ends of the group of parallel-parked spaces are unlikely to be included in the imaging range of the second imaging unit. In this regard, in a configuration where parking spaces not included in the imaging range of the second imaging unit are imaged by the first imaging unit, the first and second imaging units can complementarily image all parking spaces in a way that minimizes the operational burden.

[0009] The above management system may further include a first detection unit installed in the first parking space to detect entry into the first parking space, and a second detection unit that detects entry into each of the second parking spaces from the imaging results of the second imaging unit. The management unit may recognize the detection of entry by the first detection unit as a vehicle being present in the first parking space, recognize the vehicle information of the first parking space using the imaging results of the first imaging unit at the time the entry is detected, and recognize the vehicle information of the second parking space and the presence of a vehicle in the second parking space using the imaging results of the second imaging unit from the time the second detection unit detects entry until a certain period of time has elapsed.

[0010] According to the above configurations, the vehicle information recognition process in the second compartment uses the image capture results from a certain period of time, thus improving the accuracy of vehicle information recognition in the second compartment. The vehicle presence recognition process in the second compartment also uses the image capture results from a certain period of time, thus improving the accuracy of vehicle presence recognition in the second compartment.

[0011] In the above management system, the first detection unit may detect the departure of the first parking space, and the second detection unit may detect the departure of each of the second parking spaces from the imaging results of the second imaging unit. The management unit may recognize the detection of departure by the first detection unit as an empty parking space for the first parking space, and may recognize the empty parking spaces for the second parking space using the imaging results of the second imaging unit from the time the second detection unit detects the departure until a certain period of time has elapsed.

[0012] According to the above configuration, the recognition process for empty vehicles in the second vehicle compartment uses the image results from a fixed period of time, thus improving the accuracy of empty vehicle recognition in the second vehicle compartment. Furthermore, since the image acquisition time required for the recognition of occupied vehicles and the image acquisition time required for the recognition of empty vehicles are equal, the error in usage time due to differences in these image acquisition times is suppressed.

[0013] The above management system may further include a occupancy indicator light that shows whether the parking lot is full or not. The management unit may switch the notification content of the occupancy indicator light based on the recognition of a vehicle being present and the recognition of a vehicle being vacant.

[0014] According to the above configuration, the recognition of empty and occupied vehicles in the first parking space and the recognition of empty and occupied vehicles in the second parking space are performed in mutually different ways. In this regard, the first detection unit, which is installed exclusively for one parking space, ensures sufficient accuracy in recognizing empty and occupied vehicles in the first parking space. Recognition using image results taken for a certain period of time after detection of entry or exit improves the accuracy of recognizing occupied and empty vehicles in the second parking space. As a result, empty and occupied vehicles are recognized in a format specific to each type of parking space, but the occupancy indicator light can display full and empty with sufficient accuracy.

[0015] In the above-described management system, the aforementioned fixed time is the time for the management unit to determine whether or not recognition by detection is successful. The management unit may, before the aforementioned fixed time elapses from the detection by the second detection unit, switch the notification content of the occupancy indicator light based on the assumption that recognition by detection is established. If recognition by detection is established, the notification content of the occupancy indicator light is maintained. If recognition by detection is not established, the notification content of the occupancy indicator light may be returned to its state before the elapsed time.

[0016] According to the above configuration, the management unit switches the notification content of the occupancy indicator light ahead of the elapsed time, based on the assumption that recognition is established by detection by the second detection unit. Therefore, the switching of the notification content of the occupancy indicator light is advanced by a certain amount of time.

[0017] In the above management system, the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit may be composed of multiple imaging devices. The storage unit may store device management information that associates device information for identifying the imaging device with classification information for classifying the imaging device into either the first imaging unit or the second imaging unit, and vehicle information for identifying the vehicle vehicle imaged by the imaging device. The management unit may, in recognizing the vehicle information using the imaging results from each imaging device, add at least one of the device information of the imaging device identified based on the device management information and the vehicle vehicle information associated with the device information.

[0018] The accuracy of vehicle information recognized from imaging results tends to vary depending on the relative position and size of the vehicle compartment relative to the imaging range of the imaging device. With the above configuration, device information for identifying the imaging device, or vehicle compartment information of the vehicle compartment being imaged by the imaging device, is taken into account when recognizing vehicle information. In this way, different recognition is possible for each imaging device and different recognition for each vehicle compartment, thus improving the accuracy of the recognized vehicle information.

[0019] In the above-described management system, the management unit may update the management information to associate unpaid status with the vehicle information if it is detected that the parking fee for a vehicle identified by the vehicle information has not been paid and the vehicle identified by the vehicle information has left the parking lot.

[0020] The above management system may include a notification unit that notifies each parking space of at least one of the following: the reservation status of the parking space, the usage status of the parking space, and the payment status of parking fees for the parking space.

[0021] In the above parking lot system, the first vehicle compartment may include a vehicle compartment arranged at a position different from the arrangement of the second vehicle compartment.

Effect of the Invention

[0022] According to the management system and the parking lot system of the present disclosure, the operation load of the parking lot can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing the configuration of a parking lot system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram functionally showing the configuration of a management system. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing the data configuration of equipment management information. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing the data configuration of vehicle compartment management information. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a chart showing the timings of various processes according to detection. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a state diagram showing the state transition in a modification example of the parking lot system.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] [Parking Lot System] As shown in FIG. 1, the parking lot system includes a parking lot 10 and a management system 20. The parking lot 10 includes a plurality of vehicle compartments 11. The parking lot 10 may include at least one first vehicle compartment 11P and at least one second vehicle compartment group 11G. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of vehicle compartments 11 include four first vehicle compartments 11P and two second vehicle compartment groups 11G.

[0025] One second compartment group 11G consists of three second compartments 11V arranged in the left-right direction. Another second compartment group 11G consists of three second compartments 11V arranged in the up-down direction. Two first compartments 11P are positioned differently from the arrangement of the second compartments 11V. The other two first compartments 11P are positioned at the ends of the arrangement of the second compartments 11V.

[0026] The first parking space 11P may be sandwiched between the second group of parking spaces 11G. The first parking space 11P may be adjacent to the exit or entrance of the parking lot 10, or it may be located in a corner of the parking lot 10. The second group of parking spaces 11G may consist of two adjacent second parking spaces 11V, or it may consist of four or more adjacent second parking spaces 11V.

[0027] Furthermore, the second parking space 11V may be a parking space 11 without a charging device, while the first parking space 11P may be a parking space 11 with a charging device. The second parking space 11V is a parking space 11 for medium-sized vehicles, while the first parking space 11P may be a parking space 11 for small vehicles or light vehicles, or a parking space 11 reserved for disabled persons. The second parking space 11V is a parking space 11 for parallel parking, while the first parking space 11P may be a parking space 11 for tandem parking.

[0028] [1st compartment 11P] The first parking space 11P is a so-called lockless parking space 11, which does not have a locking plate to restrict the exit of the vehicle 10C. In the first parking space 11P, entry and exit to and from the parking space 11 are detected by the first detection unit 23P installed in the parking space 11. In the first parking space 11P, vehicle information for identifying the entered vehicle 10C is recognized in the imaging results of the first imaging unit 22P. The use and operation of the first parking space 11P by the vehicle 10C is managed using a so-called pole-type camera.

[0029] One first imaging unit 22P is installed in each first passenger compartment 11P. The first imaging unit 22P is built into a pole that extends vertically. The first imaging unit 22P includes an imaging device and a communication device. The imaging range of one first imaging unit 22P is one passenger compartment 11 in which the first imaging unit 22P is installed. One first imaging unit 22P may capture a vehicle 10C in one passenger compartment 11 as a still image or as a video.

[0030] The first notification unit 22D is installed in each first parking space 11P. The first notification unit 22D is built into the pole in which the first imaging unit 22P is also built. The first notification unit 22D is equipped with an output device and a communication device that notifies various information by display and sound. The first notification unit 22D may also notify reservation status, usage status, and payment status. Reservation status indicates whether or not the first parking space 11P is reserved. Reservation status indicates reservation details such as the vehicle number reserved for the first parking space 11P. Usage status indicates the time of entry into the first parking space 11P and the elapsed time since entry. Payment status indicates whether or not the parking fee for the first parking space 11P has been paid.

[0031] One first detection unit 23P is installed in each first parking space 11P. The first detection unit 23P detects the entry and exit of a vehicle 10C in the first parking space 11P where the first detection unit 23P is installed. The first detection unit 23P may be a magnetic sensor using a loop coil or the like, an infrared sensor built into a pole, an ultrasonic sensor built into a pole, or a radio wave sensor built into a pole.

[0032] [2nd compartment 11V] The second parking space 11V is a so-called lockless parking space 11, which does not have a locking plate to restrict vehicle 10C from exiting. In the second parking space 11V, entry and exit to parking space 11 are detected in the imaging results of the second imaging unit 22V. In the second parking space 11V, vehicle information for identifying the entered vehicle 10C is also recognized in the imaging results of the second imaging unit 22V. The use and operation of the second parking space 11V by vehicle 10C is managed using a so-called overhead camera.

[0033] A second imaging unit 22V is installed in each second group of passenger compartments 11G. The imaging range 12A of one second imaging unit 22V is all the passenger compartments 11 that make up one second group of passenger compartments 11G. One second imaging unit 22V captures one second group of passenger compartments 11G as a video.

[0034] [Management System 20] As shown in Figure 2, the management system 20 includes a first imaging unit 22P, a first notification unit 22D, a first detection unit 23P, a second imaging unit 22V, an occupancy indicator light 24, a management device 21, and a settlement device 29.

[0035] The management device 21 includes a computer system for managing the use and operation of the parking lot 10. The management device 21 includes a control unit 25, an analysis unit 26, an update unit 27, and a storage unit 28. The management device 21 is configured to communicate with a first imaging unit 22P, a first notification unit 22D, a first detection unit 23P, a second imaging unit 22V, a occupancy indicator light 24, and a payment device 29. The control unit 25, the analysis unit 26, and the update unit 27 are examples of the management unit. The analysis unit 26 is an example of the second detection unit.

[0036] The occupancy indicator lights 24 notify the outside by displaying "Full" if all compartments 11 are occupied. The occupancy indicator lights 24 also notify the outside by displaying "Vacant" if either the first compartment 11P or the second compartment 11V is vacant. The control unit 25 causes the occupancy indicator lights 24 to switch the notification content based on the recognition of whether all first compartments 11P and all second compartments 11V are vacant or occupied.

[0037] The payment device 29 provides information related to the payment of parking fees. The payment device 29 pays the parking fees. The payment device 29 may also notify the reservation status, usage status, and payment status of the parking space 11. The payment device 29 may be connected to a payment server via a network.

[0038] The control unit 25 controls various processes in the analysis unit 26, the update unit 27, and the storage unit 28 by executing programs stored in the storage unit 28. The control unit 25 receives detection of vehicle entry by the first detection unit 23P and recognizes the presence of a vehicle in the first parking space 11P where the first detection unit 23P is installed.

[0039] The analysis unit 26 includes a first classifier and a second classifier. The second classifier of the analysis unit 26 is an example of a second detection unit. The first classifier includes a trained first recognition model. The training data for constructing the first recognition model is data for recognizing the vehicle information of vehicle 10C in the first parking space 11P. The second classifier includes a trained second recognition model. The training data for constructing the second recognition model is data for detecting the entry and exit of vehicle 10C in the second parking space 11V and recognizing the vehicle information. The vehicle information is information for identifying vehicle 10C that has entered parking space 11, and is the vehicle number of vehicle 10C.

[0040] The analysis unit 26 may have mutually different second identification models for each piece of equipment information of the second imaging unit 22V. The analysis unit 26 may also have mutually different second identification models for each piece of vehicle information of the second vehicle compartment 11V. The direction in which the license plate of the vehicle 10C faces in the second vehicle compartment 11V differs for each group of second vehicle compartments 11G, and further differs for each vehicle compartment 11V within a single group of second vehicle compartments 11G. The behavior of the vehicle 10C when entering the second vehicle compartment 11V and the behavior of the vehicle 10C when leaving the second vehicle compartment 11V also differ for each group of second vehicle compartments 11G, and further differs for each vehicle compartment 11V within a single group of second vehicle compartments 11G. The analysis unit 26, which is equipped with a second identification model for each piece of equipment information and each piece of vehicle information, improves the accuracy of detection and recognition by taking into account the characteristics of each second group of vehicle compartments 11G and each second vehicle compartment 11V when detecting entry and exit from the depot and recognizing vehicle information.

[0041] When the first detection unit 23P detects entry into the first parking space 11P, the control unit 25 uses the imaging results from the first imaging unit 22P installed in the first parking space 11P to cause the analysis unit 26 to recognize vehicle information. The first classifier of the analysis unit 26 applies image processing to the imaging results received from the first imaging unit 22P to recognize the vehicle information of vehicle 10C in the first parking space 11P. When the first detection unit 23P detects entry into the first parking space 11P, the control unit 25 recognizes that the first parking space 11P is occupied.

[0042] The control unit 25 repeatedly receives imaging results from the second imaging unit 22V and causes the analysis unit 26 to repeatedly perform processing to detect vehicle entry and exit. The second identifier of the analysis unit 26 applies image processing to the imaging results received from the second imaging unit 22V to detect vehicle entry and exit in the second parking space 11V captured by the second imaging unit 22V.

[0043] The control unit 25 uses the imaging results from the time of detection of entry into the second parking space 11V until a certain time TF has elapsed to determine the frequency of entry detection in the second parking space 11V. When the frequency of entry detection by the analysis unit 26 in the second parking space 11V is above a threshold, the control unit 25 recognizes that the second parking space 11V is occupied. The control unit 25 uses the imaging results from the time of detection of entry into the second parking space 11V until a certain time TF has elapsed to allow the analysis unit 26 to recognize the vehicle information in the second parking space 11V.

[0044] The control unit 25 uses the imaging results from the detection of departure from the second parking space 11V until a certain time TF has elapsed, to determine the detection frequency of departure from the second parking space 11V. When the detection frequency of departure by the analysis unit 26 in the second parking space 11V is above a threshold, the control unit 25 recognizes that the second parking space 11V is occupied.

[0045] The memory unit 28 stores equipment management information 41 and parking space management information 42. The update unit 27 updates the parking space management information 42 stored in the memory unit 28. The control unit 25 causes the update unit 27 to update the parking space management information 42 each time it recognizes a vehicle being present in a parking space 11, recognizes an empty parking space 11, and recognizes vehicle information by the analysis unit 26. The control unit 25 causes the update unit 27 to update the parking space management information 42 each time the payment device 29 pays the parking fee.

[0046] [Management information] As shown in Figure 3, the equipment management information 41 associates equipment information with classification information and vehicle compartment information. The equipment information is information for identifying the imaging equipment provided by the first imaging unit 22P and the imaging equipment provided by the second imaging unit 22V. In Figure 3, the equipment management information 41 includes equipment information "A" to "F" for identifying six imaging equipment.

[0047] The classification information is information for classifying imaging equipment into either the first imaging unit 22P or the second imaging unit 22V. In Figure 3, the equipment management information 41 associates the classification information "V" for classifying equipment into the second imaging unit 22V with the two pieces of equipment information "A" and "B". In addition, the equipment management information 41 associates the classification information "P" for classifying equipment into the first imaging unit 22P with the four pieces of equipment information "C" to "F".

[0048] The vehicle compartment information is information used to identify vehicle compartment 11. In Figure 3, the equipment management information 41 associates equipment information "A" and classification information "V" with the three vehicle compartment information items "1" to "3". The equipment management information 41 also associates equipment information "A" and classification information "V" with the three vehicle compartment information items "4" to "6". Furthermore, the equipment management information 41 associates equipment information "C" to "F" and classification information "P" with the four vehicle compartment information items "7" to "10" in order.

[0049] As shown in Figure 4, the vehicle storage management information 42 associates the vehicle information with the vehicle storage information, specifically the vehicle information recognized in the vehicle storage 11 identified by the vehicle storage information. The vehicle storage management information 42 associates the vehicle storage information with the time the vehicle storage 11 identified by the vehicle storage information enters the storage space. The vehicle storage management information 42 also associates the vehicle storage information with the time the vehicle storage 11 identified by the vehicle storage information exits the storage space. The time the vehicle enters the storage space is the time the vehicle is recognized as being present in the storage space by the control unit 25. The time the vehicle exits the storage space is the time the vehicle is recognized as being vacant by the control unit 25. The exit status indicates whether it is an unpaid exit (exit without payment) or a normal exit (exit after payment).

[0050] [Operation of Management System 20] Figure 5 shows the timing of various detections and recognitions in the first parking space 11P and the timing of various detections and recognitions in the second parking space 11V. For the sake of explanation, in Figure 5, the timing of parking entry detection in the first parking space 11P is synchronized with the timing of parking entry detection in the second parking space 11V.

[0051] As shown in Figure 5, when the first detection unit 23P detects entry at time T1, the management device 21 recognizes that the first parking space 11P where the first detection unit 23P is installed is occupied. The management device 21 then recognizes that all parking spaces 11 are occupied due to the occupancy of the first parking space 11P, and displays "Full" on the occupancy indicator light 24.

[0052] Furthermore, the management device 21 refers to the equipment management information 41 to identify the vehicle information of the first vehicle compartment 11P whose entry has been detected, the equipment information of the imaging device that targets the first vehicle compartment 11P for imaging, and the classification information of the imaging device. Next, the management device 21 uses the first classifier of the analysis unit 26 based on the identified classification information to recognize vehicle information in the imaging results associated with the identified equipment information. Then, the management device 21 updates the vehicle compartment management information 42 by associating the vehicle information recognized in the imaging results and the entry time, which is the time when the entry was detected, with the vehicle information of the first vehicle compartment 11P whose entry has been detected.

[0053] Next, at time T3, the parking fee is settled. Subsequently, when the first detection unit 23P detects departure at time T4, the management device 21 recognizes that the first parking space 11P, where the first detection unit 23P is installed, is vacant. The management device 21 then recognizes that there is a vacant space in parking space 11 due to the vacancy of the first parking space 11P, and displays "Vacant" on the occupancy indicator light 24. The management device 21 also updates the parking space management information 42 by associating the parking space information of the first parking space 11P, which is recognized as vacant, with the departure time, which is the time when departure was detected, and the fact that it was a normal departure.

[0054] Meanwhile, the management device 21 repeatedly receives imaging results from the second imaging unit 22V and uses the second identifier of the analysis unit 26 to monitor whether or not entry or exit is detected in the imaging results. In this case, the management device 21 may use a second identification model associated with the equipment information of the second imaging unit 22V. Alternatively, the management device 21 may refer to the equipment management information 41, identify the vehicle compartment information associated with the equipment information of the second imaging unit 22V, and use a second identification model associated with that vehicle compartment information.

[0055] When the management device 21 detects an entry at time T1, it uses the imaging results from the detection to time T2, which is a certain time TF after the initial detection, to determine the frequency of entry detections. When the frequency of entry detections is above a threshold, the management device 21 recognizes that the second parking space 11V is occupied. The management device 21 then recognizes that all parking spaces 11 are occupied due to the occupancy of the second parking space 11V, and displays "Full" on the occupancy indicator light 24.

[0056] Furthermore, when the management device 21 detects entry at time T1, the management device 21 recognizes vehicle information using the imaging results from the detection up to time T2, which is a certain time TF after the detection. The management device 21 then updates the parking space management information 42 by associating the vehicle information recognized in the imaging results and the entry time, which is the time when the vehicle was recognized, with the parking space information of the second parking space 11V where entry was detected.

[0057] Next, at time T3, the parking fee is settled. Subsequently, when the management device 21 detects an exit at time T4, the management device 21 uses the imaging results from the detection to time T5, which is a certain time TF after the detection, to determine the frequency of exit detections. When the frequency of exit detections is above a threshold, the management device 21 recognizes that the second parking space 11V is vacant. The management device 21 then recognizes that all parking spaces 11 are vacant due to the vacancy of the second parking space 11V, and displays "Vacant" on the occupancy indicator light 24. The management device 21 then updates the parking space management information 42 by associating the parking space information of the second parking space 11V, which was recognized as vacant, with the exit time, which is the time when the vacancy was recognized, and the fact that it was a normal exit.

[0058] [effect] As explained above, the following effects can be obtained. (1) Vehicle information for the three second parking spaces 11V is recognized collectively from the imaging results of one second imaging unit 22V. This reduces the operational load in the operation of the parking lot 10.

[0059] (2) The first imaging unit 22P images the passenger compartments 11 that are not included in the imaging range 12A. Therefore, the first imaging unit 22P and the second imaging unit 22V can complementarily image all of the passenger compartments 11 in such a way that the operational load is minimized.

[0060] (3) Since the vehicle information recognition process in the second compartment 11V uses the imaging results of TF for a certain period of time, the accuracy of vehicle information recognition in the second compartment 11V is improved. Also, since the vehicle presence recognition process in the second compartment 11V uses the imaging results of TF for a certain period of time, the accuracy of vehicle presence recognition in the second compartment 11V is also improved.

[0061] (4) Since the recognition process for empty vehicles in the second vehicle compartment 11V uses the image results of TF for a certain period of time, the accuracy of recognition of empty vehicles in the second vehicle compartment 11V is improved. In addition, since the image acquisition time required for the recognition process for occupied vehicles and the image acquisition time required for the recognition process for empty vehicles are equal, the error in usage time due to the difference in these image acquisition times is suppressed.

[0062] (5) When a second identification model for each 22V of the second imaging unit, or a second identification model for each 11V of the second passenger compartment, is applied to the recognition of vehicle information, the accuracy of the recognized vehicle information is further improved.

[0063] The above-described embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. The management device 21 may be connected to the parking management server via a network. The parking management server may acquire equipment management information 41, vehicle information, entry time, exit time, and exit information, and update the parking space management information 42.

[0064] The management device 21 may register vehicle information for use of the parking lot 10 in advance of use of the parking lot 10. The management device 21 may be configured to allow use of the parking space 11 if it can match the pre-registered vehicle information with the vehicle information recognized by the first detection unit 23P or the analysis unit 26, or it may be configured to settle the parking fee.

[0065] The management system 20 may detect entry and exit from the first parking space 11P based on the imaging results of the first imaging unit 22P installed in the first parking space 11P. In this case, the control unit 25 may determine the detection frequency of entry into the first parking space 11P using the imaging results from the time TF elapsed after the detection of entry into the first parking space 11P, similar to the detection of entry into the second parking space 11V.

[0066] As shown in Figure 6, the management device 21 may have a trial illumination of the "full" state between the empty illumination, which displays "empty" on the occupancy indicator light 24, and the full illumination, which displays "full" on the occupancy indicator light 24. The empty illumination, full illumination, and trial illumination are all states of the management device 21. In the trial illumination of the full state, the management device 21 displays "full" on the occupancy indicator light 24 prior to the full illumination, based on the assumption that vehicle presence recognition is established by vehicle entry detection.

[0067] For example, the management device 21 monitors all parking spaces 11 to determine whether each parking space 11 is occupied, entering, leaving, or empty. The empty parking light management device 21 repeatedly recognizes that at least one parking space 11 is empty, thereby maintaining the empty parking light (recognition process S1). On the other hand, if the empty parking light management device 21 detects that only one second parking space 11V is recognized as empty during monitoring, and then detects an entry into that second parking space 11V, it transitions to a trial full parking light (transition process S12).

[0068] The management device 21, which has transitioned to the trial lighting state, determines whether a vehicle is present in the second parking space 11V based on the detection frequency of TF for a certain period of time in the second parking space 11V where entry has been detected (determination process S2). If the management device 21 determines that a vehicle is present in the second parking space 11V, it transitions from the full trial lighting state to the full lighting state (forward transition S23). On the other hand, if the management device 21 determines that a vehicle is not present in the second parking space 11V, or if it detects departure from the first parking space 11P, or if it is unable to recognize a vehicle present in at least one parking space 11, it returns from the trial lighting state to the full lighting state (reverse transition S11).

[0069] As shown in Figure 6, the management device 21 may have a trial illumination of the empty state between the full-capacity illumination and the empty-capacity illumination. The trial illumination of the empty state is a state of the management device 21. In the trial illumination of the empty state, the management device 21 displays "empty" on the full-capacity indicator light 24 prior to the empty-capacity illumination, based on the assumption that empty-capacity recognition is established by exit detection.

[0070] For example, the management device 21 monitors all parking spaces 11 to determine whether each parking space 11 is occupied, entering, leaving, or empty. The full-space lighting management device 21 repeatedly recognizes the presence of vehicles in all parking spaces 11, thereby maintaining the full-space lighting (recognition process S3). On the other hand, if the full-space lighting management device 21 detects a vehicle leaving one of the parking spaces 11 during monitoring, and the parking space 11 that was detected to have left is the second parking space 11V, it transitions to a trial illumination of the empty state (transition S34).

[0071] The management device 21, which has transitioned to the trial lighting state, determines whether the second parking space 11V is empty or not based on the detection frequency of TF for a certain period of time in the second parking space 11V where the departure was detected (determination process S4). The management device 21 then transitions from trial lighting to empty lighting when it recognizes that at least one parking space 11 is empty, such as when the recognition of an empty parking space in the second parking space 11V is established or when the recognition of an empty parking space in the first parking space 11P is established (recognition transition S41). On the other hand, if the recognition of an empty parking space in the second parking space 11V where the departure was detected is not established, and the recognition of a vehicle being occupied in all parking spaces 11 is established, the management device 21 returns to full lighting (transition S33).

[0072] The management device 21 may have at least one of the following: a test illumination for a full parking lot and a test illumination for an empty parking lot. (6) Since the control device 21 has a test illumination for full capacity prior to the full illumination, the notification of full capacity by the control device 21 is advanced by a certain amount of time TF. Since the control device 21 has a test illumination for empty capacity prior to the empty illumination, the notification of empty capacity by the control device 21 is advanced by a certain amount of time TF. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0073] TF…certain time 10…Parking 10C... Vehicle 11...Vehicle compartment 11P…1st compartment 11V…2nd compartment 11G…2nd compartment group 20…Management System 21…Management device 22D…First notification department 22P…First imaging section 22V…Second imaging unit 23P...First detection unit 24…Full sky indicator light 25...General Affairs Department 26…Analysis department 27…Update section 28...Storage section 41…Device management information 42…Vehicle room management information

Claims

1. Parking lot operation management system, The aforementioned parking lot is A first compartment which is at least one compartment, It comprises a second group of compartments, which is a group of second compartments, which are multiple compartments adjacent to each other, The aforementioned management system is One of the first passenger compartments is imaged, and the first passenger compartment is equipped with one first imaging unit, A second imaging unit is provided for each of the second group of passenger compartments, and the second group of passenger compartments is provided for imaging. A storage unit that stores management information relating vehicle information for identifying a vehicle in a vehicle compartment to vehicle compartment information for identifying the vehicle in the vehicle compartment, The system includes a management unit that updates the management information so as to recognize the vehicle information of a vehicle in the first passenger compartment from the imaging results of the first imaging unit and associate the vehicle information with the passenger compartment information of the first passenger compartment, and so as to recognize the vehicle information of a vehicle in each of the second passenger compartments from the imaging results of the second imaging unit and associate the vehicle information with the passenger compartment information of the second passenger compartment. A management system characterized by the following features.

2. A first detection unit installed in the first parking compartment to detect when the first parking compartment is entered, A second detection unit detects the entry of each of the second parking spaces from the imaging results of the second imaging unit, Furthermore, The aforementioned management department, The detection of entry into the parking area by the first detection unit is recognized as a vehicle being present in the first parking space, and the vehicle information of the first parking space is recognized using the imaging results from the first imaging unit at the time the entry into the parking area is detected. The second detection unit uses the imaging results from the second imaging unit up to a certain time after it detects entry into the parking area to recognize the vehicle information of the second parking space and the presence of a vehicle in the second parking space. The management system according to claim 1.

3. The first detection unit detects the departure of the first vehicle compartment, The second detection unit detects the departure of each of the second parking spaces from the imaging results of the second imaging unit, The aforementioned management department, The detection of departure by the first detection unit is recognized as an empty vehicle in the first parking space. The second detection unit uses the imaging results from the second imaging unit from the time it detects a vehicle leaving the parking space until a certain period of time has elapsed to recognize that the second parking space is empty. The management system according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned parking lot is further equipped with an occupancy indicator light that shows whether or not the parking lot is full, The aforementioned management department, The notification content of the occupancy indicator light is switched based on the recognition of the presence of a vehicle and the recognition of the vehicle being vacant. The management system according to claim 3.

5. The aforementioned fixed time is the time required for the control unit to determine whether the detection and recognition were successful. The aforementioned management department, Before the certain period of time elapses from the detection by the second detection unit, the notification content of the occupancy indicator light is switched based on the assumption that recognition is established by the detection. If recognition is established through such detection, the notification content of the occupancy indicator light will be maintained. If recognition is not established by the detection, the notification content of the occupancy indicator light will be reset to what it was before the elapsed time. The management system according to claim 4.

6. The first imaging unit and the second imaging unit are composed of a plurality of imaging devices. The aforementioned storage unit is The device management information for identifying the imaging device is stored, which associates classification information for classifying the imaging device into either the first imaging unit or the second imaging unit, and vehicle information for identifying the vehicle vehicle that the imaging device images. The aforementioned management department, In recognizing the vehicle information using the imaging results from each of the aforementioned imaging devices, at least one of the device information of the imaging device identified based on the device management information and the vehicle interior information associated with the device information is taken into consideration. The management system according to claim 1.

7. The aforementioned management department, If, among the vehicle information that constitutes the management information, the parking fee for a vehicle identified by the vehicle information has not been paid, and the departure of the vehicle identified by the vehicle information is detected, the management information will be updated to associate the vehicle information with non-payment. The management system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. Each of the aforementioned parking spaces is equipped with a notification unit that notifies at least one of the following: the reservation status of the parking space, the usage status of the parking space, and the payment status of parking fees for the parking space. The management system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

9. A parking lot with multiple parking spaces, A parking system comprising a management system for managing the use of the aforementioned parking spaces, The aforementioned plurality of vehicle compartments are At least one first compartment, It comprises a group of second compartments, which are a group of multiple second compartments adjacent to each other, The aforementioned management system is One of the first passenger compartments is imaged, and one of the first passenger compartments is equipped with one first imaging unit, One second imaging unit is provided for each second group of passenger compartments, and the said second group of passenger compartments is provided for imaging. A storage unit that stores management information relating vehicle information for identifying a vehicle in a vehicle compartment to vehicle compartment information for identifying the vehicle in the vehicle compartment, The system includes a management unit that updates the management information in such a way that it recognizes the vehicle information of a vehicle in the first passenger compartment from the imaging results of the first imaging unit and associates the recognized vehicle information with the passenger compartment information of the first passenger compartment, and recognizes the vehicle information of a vehicle in each of the second passenger compartments from the imaging results of the second imaging unit and associates the recognized vehicle information with the passenger compartment information of the second passenger compartment. A parking system characterized by the following features.

10. The second parking space is the parking space for parallel parking, The first passenger compartment includes a passenger compartment that is positioned in a different location from the second passenger compartment. The parking system according to claim 9.

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