Parking vehicle identification system and method for manufacturing the parking vehicle identification system

Abstract

Conventional technologies for unmanned parking lot management require the installation of sensors for vehicle entry and exit, which often results in complex and costly land preparation for the parking lot. This necessitates significant costs for land preparation and other high-burden construction work, regardless of the length of the operating period. [Means for Solving the Problem] We propose a parking vehicle identification device for a parking space that is installed on the relative rear of a parking space in a parking lot, comprising: foundation blocks installed at at least two substantially opposite ends on the relative rear of the parking space, without being buried in the parking lot ground; a plurality of support columns made of a hollow structure, each arranged vertically upward on the foundation blocks; and a horizontal member connected and arranged at the top of the plurality of support columns in a hollow structure such that the hollow portions of each support column are integrated, wherein an identification device for identifying a vehicle attempting to park at a predetermined position on the horizontal member is attached.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle identification system for an unattendable parking lot deployed outdoors and a method for manufacturing the same system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in parking lots operated and deployed outdoors, especially parking lots where no manager or the like is stationed, it has been widely practiced to rely on the power of technology to manage the entry and exit of parked vehicles and other related operations, instead of relying solely on manual labor. Specifically, the entry and exit of automobiles by users are detected by sensors, and the detection results are transmitted to an external management server to manage the entry and exit, for example.

[0003] In this regard, for example, Patent Document 1 can be cited. This document discloses a technology related to a parking lot management system in which entry and exit sensors are embedded near the entrance and exit of a parking lot for operation.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the technology as disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires embedding sensors for entry and exit, which tends to make the land development of the parking lot complex and high-cost. For example, even when it is desired to operate idle land as a parking lot only for a limited period, it is necessary to bear significant costs and perform land development and other high-load constructions regardless of the length of the operation period, so the economic burden on parking lot operators has been non-negligible.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, the present invention proposes a parking vehicle identification device for a parking space, which is installed on the relative rear of a parking space in a parking lot, and comprises: foundation blocks installed at at least two substantially opposite ends of the relative rear of the parking space without being buried in the parking lot ground; a plurality of hollow support columns arranged vertically upward on the foundation blocks; and a horizontal member connected by a hollow structure at the top of the plurality of support columns such that the hollow portions of each support column are integrated, and an identification device for identifying a vehicle attempting to park at a predetermined position on the horizontal member.

[0007] Furthermore, in connection with the above invention, we also propose a parking vehicle identification system in which the horizontal member is configured to be connectable to one or more support columns arranged on the relative rear side of other parking positions.

[0008] Furthermore, in relation to the above inventions, we also propose a parking vehicle identification system in which the height of the support column can be adjusted within 30 centimeters in the front and rear directions.

[0009] Furthermore, we propose inventions relating to methods for manufacturing each of the above systems. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The present invention, which primarily has the configuration described above, can reduce the economic burden of operating an unmanned parking lot. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram of a part of the parking vehicle identification system manufactured according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of inserting a stake into the support column of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Figure 1 is shown here. This figure shows a schematic of a part of the parking vehicle identification system manufactured according to the present invention. The parking vehicle identification system that constitutes the present invention consists of a plurality of base blocks 0101, 0111, support columns 0102, 0112, horizontal members 0103, 0113, and identification devices 0104, 0114. None of these are embedded in the parking ground 0100.

[0013] Each element constituting the aforementioned parking vehicle identification system is intended to be installed relative to the parking position in the parking lot. In other words, it will be installed on the far side in the direction of entry into each partitioned parking area within the parking lot (which is partitioned by dashed lines on the parking lot ground in Figure 1). To put it another way, if you are parking a car facing backward, it will be installed behind the car.

[0014] Next, foundation blocks are placed at at least two approximate points on the relative rear of the parking position as described above. These foundation blocks are for supporting the columns and horizontal members, which will be described later, and by their nature, it is desirable that they be placed with a certain amount of weight (preferably heavier than the combined weight of the columns and horizontal members) that does not impair their stability under the load of the columns and horizontal members.

[0015] The reason why foundation blocks are placed in at least two locations here is that it is necessary to stably support both ends of the support column when supporting both ends of the column. Conversely, it is also possible to further improve the stability of the horizontal members by placing foundation blocks in three or more locations and installing the support column on top of those blocks.

[0016] Next, the support columns are arranged vertically upward on the foundation blocks and are characterized by having a hollow structure 0105. As mentioned above, it is assumed that they will be provided in proportion to the number of foundation blocks, so at least two support columns will be required. The hollow structure allows wiring and accessories to be inserted through the interior, and these wires, etc., pass through the hollow portion of the horizontal member of the hollow structure 0106 at one end and are connected to the identification device described later, and at the other end they are exposed to the outside from near the foundation blocks and connected to a management device (not shown).

[0017] It is desirable that the support columns be constructed with a height-adjustable structure. Specifically, this could involve a clothesline-like structure in which multiple hollow support members of different diameters are connected in an extendable manner, allowing for adjustment to an appropriate height and then fixing. For example, a configuration that allows for height adjustment within 30 centimeters forward or backward is conceivable. By changing the height of the support columns, the position of the horizontal members connected to the top of the columns, or the identification devices installed on those members, can also be adjusted. For example, by making the height of the identification devices adjustable, it becomes possible to improve the efficiency of identifying the type of parked vehicle, license plates, other characteristics, and the appearance of the driver, as well as to improve the image resolution. By allowing height adjustment of around 30 centimeters, it becomes possible to place the identification devices in a position that allows for suitable identification of information about parked vehicles, generally according to the shape and location of typical parking lots. By adopting such a configuration, it becomes possible to provide a system that can meet diverse needs.

[0018] Furthermore, if the ground or soil is soft and there is a risk of tipping over, the mechanism allows for penetration of the inside and bottom of the support column. This can be achieved by driving piles through the inside of the support column to the bottom and the ground, and then driving them into the ground from above the support column, thereby further improving stability.

[0019] FIG. 2 is shown here. This figure is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a pile is passed through the interior of a support column that constitutes the present system. At an appropriate timing, such as before connecting the support column 0202 and the horizontal member, the pile 0210 is inserted vertically downward so as to pass through the hollow structure 0205 of the support column. The corresponding portion of the foundation block 0201 at the bottom of the support column is also configured as a hollow structure, so that the pile reaches the ground. After the pile is driven to the ground, it is fixed at a plurality of appropriate positions on the support column with fasteners such as bolts. In this way, after the pile is inserted through the interior of the support column so as to penetrate to the ground, by driving the pile, the pile supports the support column, and in turn, the support column supports the entire system.

[0020] The management device is connected to the identification devices 0104 and 0114 via wiring or the like, acquires the processing content in the identification devices, and performs processing necessary for parking management on its own, or outputs information necessary for performing the required processing to an external server. The processing required for parking management includes counting and measuring parking time for parking fee calculation that is added as time elapses, and acquiring the presence or absence of unauthorized parking information (such as parking error information when a vehicle is not parked at an accurate position to avoid the counting measurement) or the content thereof.

[0021] In addition, the management device may be connected to or integrally configured with external devices such as a parking lot signboard for displaying parking status (including cases where it has the function of a panel that displays "vacant" or "full") and a parking fee settlement device. When such a configuration is adopted, various pieces of information related to parked vehicles can be provided to the outside in real time.

[0022] As described above, the hollow structure of the support posts is intended to allow wiring and the like for connecting the identification device and the management device to pass through, and it is sufficient that only the support posts for passing these wirings have the hollow structure. That is, even a structure in which only some of the plurality of support posts have a hollow structure and the other support posts do not have a hollow structure can constitute the configuration of the present invention. In any case, by adopting a structure in which wiring and the like are passed through the interior of the hollow structure, it becomes difficult for suspicious persons such as unauthorized intruders from the outside to illegally cut or steal the wiring and the like, and it is possible to reduce the risk of occurrence of management inconveniences such as unauthorized parking and theft of related devices.

[0023] Next, the horizontal bridging members are connected and arranged in a hollow structure at the upper portions of the plurality of support posts such that the hollow portions of the respective support posts are integrated. The horizontal bridging members need to be in contact with and connected to the upper portions of all of the plurality of support posts, but it is sufficient that they have a hollow structure that is integral with the hollow portions of the support posts and allows wiring and the like to pass through, and the specific form of the hollow structure can be set as appropriate.

[0024] The horizontal bridging members need to be arranged so as to connect the upper portions of two or more support posts, but it is desirable that their lengths are configured to be adjustable. That is, while a structure arranged to connect the upper portions of two support posts is taken as the basic structure, a configuration provided with a member capable of connecting a plurality of horizontal bridging members formed of the basic structure is naturally also conceivable. As in the example shown in Figure 1, it is conceivable to use a member 0109 (not specifically shown) for the connection, so as to enable the horizontal bridging members to be connected across a plurality of parking areas. By adopting this configuration, it becomes possible to flexibly respond to demands in various parking environments including constraints such as the location and site area of various parking lots.

[0025] Furthermore, the identification device is attached to a predetermined position on the horizontal member in order to identify a vehicle that is about to be parked. In addition to structures for identifying the presence or absence of a vehicle, such as a light sensor, proximity sensor, or other sensor 0107 capable of measuring whether or not a vehicle is parked within a predetermined distance, a temperature sensor, and a camera 0108 capable of capturing images of the vehicle and videos of the parking, the device may also include auxiliary components such as a clock that measures the duration of time the vehicle has been parked. By adopting a configuration that includes these, it becomes possible to provide the management device with information that is meaningful for parking management in a timely manner.

[0026] Furthermore, each structure constituting the parking vehicle identification system of the present invention can be assembled without requiring any large-scale construction work such as burial or soil improvement. The given function can be provided by placing foundation blocks of a certain weight in predetermined positions to ensure stability, and the entire system can be removed relatively easily simply by removing the foundation blocks. Therefore, it is extremely useful for businesses that want to utilize idle land as a parking lot for a relatively short period, where the disadvantages of carrying out large-scale construction are significant.

[0027] Furthermore, by appropriately combining the mechanisms described above, it is possible to manufacture a parking vehicle identification system. While it is necessary that the hollow structure, which is common to some of the mechanisms, be assembled so that wiring and other components can be inserted through it, other manufacturing methods and manufacturing sequences can be set as appropriate.

[0028] <Effects> By using the parking vehicle identification system of this embodiment, the economic burden of operating an unmanned parking lot can be reduced.

Claims

1. A parking vehicle identification system installed relative to the rear of a parking space in a parking lot, At least two approximately opposite ends of the relative rear of the aforementioned parking space, foundation blocks are installed without being buried in the parking lot ground, Multiple support columns, each consisting of a hollow structure, are arranged vertically upward on the aforementioned foundation block, It consists of a horizontal member that is connected to the upper part of the aforementioned multiple support columns in a hollow structure so that the hollow portions of each support column are integrated, A parking vehicle identification system characterized by being equipped with an identification device for identifying a vehicle that intends to park at a predetermined position on the aforementioned horizontal member.

2. The parking vehicle identification system according to claim 1, wherein the horizontal member is further configured to be connectable to one or more support columns arranged on the relative rear side of other parking positions.

3. The parking vehicle identification system according to claim 1, wherein the height of the support column can be adjusted within 30 centimeters in the front and rear directions.

4. A foundation block installation step is provided for installing foundation blocks at at least two approximately opposite ends of the relative rear of the aforementioned parking position, without burying them in the parking lot ground. A support column arrangement step is provided, in which multiple support columns, each having a hollow structure, are arranged vertically upward on the aforementioned foundation block. A horizontal member connecting step is provided for connecting and arranging horizontal members, which are made of a hollow structure, at the upper part of the aforementioned multiple support columns so that the hollow portions of each support column are integrated. An identification device attachment step for attaching an identification device for identifying a vehicle that intends to park at a predetermined position on the aforementioned horizontal member, A method for manufacturing a parking vehicle identification system installed relative to a parking position in a parking lot.

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