Multi-storey parking device and computer program thereof, and method for modifying a multi-storey parking device

Abstract

To provide a multistory parking device appropriately preventing erroneous loading therein.SOLUTION: A multistory parking device 1 has a first detection unit 21 capable of simultaneously detecting for multiple loading / unloading sections 10 whether or not height of a vehicle under loading operation exceeds a first restriction height H1, and a determination unit 23 capable of determining the loading / unloading section 10 where the vehicle under loading operation is positioned in the multiple loading / unloading sections 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a multi-story parking device and a computer program therefor, as well as a method for modifying a multi-story parking device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a mechanical multi-story parking system, for example, a multi-story parking system as disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been proposed.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a multi-story parking system in which a pallet for normal cars and a pallet for high-roof cars are provided so that they can be raised and lowered or circulated in the vertical direction, and a fence is provided in front of the boarding area so that the fence is raised to open the boarding area when entering or leaving the parking lot, and the fence is lowered to close the boarding area when not entering or leaving the parking lot. A restriction plate that restricts the entry of high-roof cars is provided above the boarding area so that it can be raised and lowered. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-253904 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in a conventional multi-level parking system that is configured with a multi-level system in which the height at which parking is possible varies for each storage space and does not have the restricting plate of Patent Document 1, a user may mistakenly park in the wrong pallet among multiple pallets arranged side by side. For example, a high-roof vehicle may be parked in the wrong pallet for normal vehicles that is located next to the high-roof pallet that the user has contracted.

[0006] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned conventional multi-story parking system, even if one fence is provided for each pallet, when a high-roof vehicle is to be parked, for example, the user may not be able to distinguish the maximum height of the pallet to which it is to be parked, and may mistake a pallet for a standard-sized vehicle for a high-roofed vehicle and try to park the high-roofed vehicle on the pallet for a standard-sized vehicle.

[0007] On the other hand, in conventional multi-level parking systems having a lower storage space provided underground and middle and upper storage spaces provided above ground, there are many configurations in which only pallets for standard vehicles can be stored in each of the lower and upper storage spaces. In such conventional multi-level parking systems, pallets for standard vehicles and pallets for high-roof vehicles are mixed at the entrance level (which also serves as the middle storage space) where vehicles enter and leave the parking lot. However, in the above conventional configuration, even if photoelectric tubes (projectors and receivers) that can simultaneously detect whether a vehicle entering the parking lot exceeds the height at which the vehicle can enter the parking lot for multiple entrances corresponding to each of the multiple pallets arranged on the left and right sides are arranged so that the light emitted from the projectors crosses the multiple entrances in the horizontal direction at the entrance level (middle storage space), it is not easy to identify the pallet at the position where the light is blocked.

[0008] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above points, and its purpose is to appropriately prevent erroneous entry into a mechanical multi-story parking system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the first disclosure is a mechanical multi-story parking device in which multiple entry / exit sections are arranged in parallel at a boarding level to allow vehicles to enter and exit, and this multi-story parking device is equipped with a first detection unit that can simultaneously detect whether the height of a vehicle undergoing an entry operation exceeds a first limit height for the multiple entry / exit sections, and a determination unit that can determine which entry / exit section among the multiple entry / exit sections in which the vehicle undergoing an entry operation is located.

[0010] The first disclosure is directed to a mechanical parking device that allows a vehicle to enter and exit a plurality of entry / exit sections arranged in parallel on a boarding level and park the vehicle. The first detection unit is configured to simultaneously detect whether or not the height of the vehicle during the entry operation exceeds a first limit height for the plurality of entry / exit sections arranged in parallel on the boarding level, and the determination unit is configured to determine the entry / exit section in which the vehicle during the entry operation is located among the plurality of entry / exit sections arranged in parallel on the boarding level. According to this configuration, if the first limit height is set to a height that is higher than the height at which the vehicle can enter an entry / exit section for normal vehicles and lower than the height at which the vehicle can enter an entry / exit section for high-roof vehicles, the first detection unit can appropriately detect the entry of a high-roof vehicle into any of the plurality of entry / exit sections. Then, the determination unit can determine the entry / exit section into which a vehicle (the high-roof vehicle) that has exceeded the first limit height is about to enter. That is, the first detection unit and the determination unit can easily identify, for example, the entry / exit section in which a vehicle that may have entered erroneously is located among the plurality of entry / exit sections. Therefore, in the first disclosure, erroneous storage can be appropriately prevented.

[0011] The second disclosure is the first disclosure, further comprising a second detection unit capable of simultaneously detecting the height of a vehicle undergoing an entry / exit operation for multiple entry / exit sections based on a second limit height set at a position higher than the first limit height.

[0012] In this second disclosure, by setting the second limit height to, for example, a height higher than the maximum entry height into an entry / exit section for high-roof vehicles and lower than the ceiling height of each entry / exit section, the second detection section can detect when a vehicle exceeding the maximum entry height is attempting to enter the section.

[0013] The third disclosure is the first or second disclosure, in which the multiple entry / exit sections have different entry heights depending on the storage space assigned to them among the multiple storage spaces provided in the multi-story parking device, and the first limit height is set corresponding to the entry / exit section with a relatively low entry height. Here, transportation between the entry / exit sections and the storage spaces is performed in a substantially horizontal or vertical direction.

[0014] In this third disclosure, for example, when the entrance width is the same but the possible entry height of the entry / exit section differs depending on each storage space corresponding to the entry / exit section placed at the boarding level based on the user's call operation, by setting the first limit height, for example, to be higher than the possible entry height into the entry / exit section for normal vehicles and lower than the possible entry height into the entry / exit section for high-roof vehicles, the first detection unit can properly detect when a high-roof vehicle is about to enter one of the multiple entry / exit sections.

[0015] The fourth disclosure is the third disclosure, further comprising a control unit for controlling the first detection unit and the determination unit, and the control unit selects whether or not to apply the detection result by the first detection unit to control based on the possible entry height corresponding to the storage space assigned to the entry / exit unit at the entry / exit unit where the determination unit has determined that the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is located.

[0016] In this fourth disclosure, the control unit can optimize the processing operation by selecting whether or not to apply the detection result by the first detection unit to control based on the maximum storage height corresponding to the storage space.

[0017] A fifth disclosure is any one of the first to third disclosures, further comprising a control unit for controlling the first detection unit and the determination unit. The control unit is configured to control a detection result by the first detection unit and a determination result by the determination unit in association with each other.

[0018] In this fifth disclosure, the control unit controls the detection result by the first detection unit and the judgment result by the judgment unit in association with each other, thereby making it possible to identify the entry / exit section where a vehicle that has exceeded the first limit height is located among multiple entry / exit sections.

[0019] The sixth disclosure is the fourth or fifth disclosure, further comprising an alarm unit controlled by the control unit. The control unit activates the alarm unit when the first detection unit detects that the height of the vehicle undergoing the entering operation at the entering / exiting unit exceeds a first limit height and the determination unit determines the entering / exiting unit where the vehicle undergoing the entering operation is located, and the possible entry height of the entering / exiting unit where the vehicle undergoing the entering operation is located is lower than the first limit height.

[0020] In this sixth disclosure, when the first detection unit detects that the height of a vehicle undergoing entry into an entry / exit section exceeds a first limit height and the judgment unit determines which entry / exit section the vehicle undergoing entry is located in, and the maximum entry height of the entry / exit section where the vehicle undergoing entry is located is lower than the first limit height, the control unit activates the alarm unit, thereby preventing erroneous entry.

[0021] The seventh disclosure is the fourth or fifth disclosure, further comprising a prohibition unit controlled by the control unit. When the first detection unit detects that the height of the vehicle undergoing the entering operation at the entering / exiting unit exceeds a first limit height and the determination unit determines the entering / exiting unit where the vehicle undergoing the entering operation is located, and the entry height of the entering / exiting unit where the vehicle undergoing the entering operation is located is lower than the first limit height, the prohibition unit of the control unit prohibits all or part of the operation of the multi-story parking device.

[0022] In the seventh disclosure, when the control unit detects that the height of a vehicle undergoing an entering operation at an entry / exit section exceeds the first limit height, and the determination unit determines the entry / exit section in which the vehicle undergoing an entering operation is located, and the entry height of the entry / exit section in which the vehicle undergoing an entering operation is located is lower than the first limit height, the prohibition unit prohibits all or part of the operation of the multi-story parking device, thereby making it possible to prevent, for example, the operation of the multi-story parking device of transporting an entry / exit section in an erroneously entered state to a predetermined storage position.

[0023] The eighth disclosure is any one of the first to seventh disclosures, in which each loading / unloading section has a pallet on which a vehicle that has been loaded into the loading / unloading section can be placed, and an identification section disposed near the front end of the upper surface of the pallet. The determination section is configured to determine which loading / unloading section the vehicle being loaded into is located in by performing image recognition of a state in which the identification section is hidden by the vehicle being loaded into the loading / unloading section.

[0024] In this eighth disclosure, the judgment unit performs image recognition of a state in which the identification unit located near the front end of the top surface of the pallet is hidden by a vehicle undergoing an entrance operation, thereby making it possible to appropriately identify the entrance / exit section in which the vehicle undergoing an entrance operation is located.

[0025] The ninth disclosure is any one of the first to seventh disclosures, wherein the determination unit is configured to be able to photograph vehicles entering and leaving each entry / exit section. The determination unit is configured to determine the entry / exit section in which the vehicle entering the entry operation is located among the multiple entry / exit sections by identifying at least one moving object detection area in which the vehicle entering the entry operation is detected as a moving object among multiple moving object detection areas preset within the photographing range.

[0026] In this ninth disclosure, the determination unit photographs a vehicle undergoing a warehousing operation in a plurality of motion detection areas pre-set within the shooting range and identifies at least one motion detection area in which the vehicle is detected as a moving object, thereby making it possible to appropriately identify the entry / exit section in which the vehicle undergoing a warehousing operation is located.

[0027] A tenth disclosure is any one of the first to ninth disclosures, wherein the first detection unit includes a light projector and a light receiver. The light projector and the light receiver are arranged such that light emitted from the light projector crosses a plurality of loading / unloading sections in a horizontal direction.

[0028] In this tenth disclosure, a spotlight and a receiver are arranged so that the light emitted from the spotlight crosses multiple entry and exit sections horizontally, making it possible to appropriately detect, with a simple configuration, whether the height of a vehicle during an entry operation exceeds the first limit height.

[0029] An eleventh disclosure is that in any one of the first to ninth disclosures, the first detection unit is configured to simultaneously detect whether the height of a vehicle during an entry / exit operation exceeds a first height limit for multiple entry / exit sections by processing images captured by a camera.

[0030] In the eleventh disclosure, the first detection unit is configured to detect the height of the target vehicle by processing images captured by a camera, so that the vehicle undergoing the entrance operation can be appropriately identified. In addition, by appropriately processing images captured by a camera, it is possible to handle vehicles of various shapes.

[0031] A twelfth disclosure is any one of the first to eleventh disclosures, wherein the judgment unit is configured to determine the presence or absence of a vehicle in a judgment section set in a range extending from the front of the multi-story parking device to the front end of the designated entrance position in the direction in which the vehicle enters.

[0032] In the twelfth disclosure, it is possible to make a judgment excluding a vehicle that has already been stored in the storage / retrieval section and is in a designated storage position. This makes it possible to appropriately judge which storage / retrieval section a vehicle undergoing a storage / retrieval operation is about to enter.

[0033] A thirteenth disclosure relates to a computer program for causing a multi-story parking apparatus to function as the multi-story parking apparatus according to any one of the first to twelfth disclosures.

[0034] In the thirteenth disclosure, it is possible to obtain a computer program that achieves the effects shown in the first to twelfth disclosures above.

[0035] The fourteenth disclosure is a method for modifying an existing multi-story parking device, by providing a first detection unit and a judgment unit to the multi-story parking device and causing it to function as the multi-story parking device according to any one of the above first to twelfth disclosures.

[0036] In the fourteenth disclosure, an existing multi-storey parking system can be easily modified into a multi-storey parking system that provides the same operational effects as the first to twelfth disclosures above. Effect of the Invention

[0037] As described above, according to the present disclosure, erroneous storage can be appropriately prevented. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of a multi-story parking system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view that shows the multi-story parking device as viewed from the side. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a view equivalent to FIG. 2, showing a vehicle entering and leaving the storage area located in the middle storage space. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the main structure of the multi-story parking system. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing operation of the control unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating another example of the processing operation of the control unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged front view showing a part of the multi-story parking apparatus of the first modification. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged front view showing a part of the multi-story parking apparatus of the second modification. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a setting screen for the moving object detection method of the fourth modification. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a setting screen for the moving object detection method of the fourth modification. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a moving object detection area according to the moving object detection method of the fourth modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The following description of the embodiments is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application, or its uses.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 1, a mechanical multi-story parking system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a multi-row and multi-level (in the illustrated example, a three-level system with an upper level, a middle level, and a lower level) multi-level parking system 1. The multi-story parking system 1 is configured with a framework formed by a plurality of support columns 2, a front beam 3, and cross beams (not shown) as a skeleton.

[0041] In the following description, the positional relationship of each element constituting the multi-story parking device 1 will be defined based on the left-right direction when the multi-story parking device 1 is viewed from the front side. That is, the side of the support pillar 2 located on the left side of the paper in Fig. 1 will be defined as the "left side", and the side of the support pillar 2 located on the right side of the paper in Fig. 1 will be defined as the "right side". In addition, with regard to the front-rear direction of the multi-story parking device 1, the side of the drive-in area 12 described later (the left side of the paper in Fig. 2) will be defined as the "front side", and the back side of the multi-story parking device 1 (the right side of the paper in Fig. 2) will be defined as the "rear side".

[0042] (1st and 2nd storage areas) The multi-story parking device 1 is divided into a first storage area R1 located on the left side of the paper in Fig. 1, and a second storage area R2 located on the right side of the paper in Fig. 1. Each of the first and second storage areas R1, R2 is provided with storage spaces 4-6 for arranging a plurality of loading / unloading sections 10 (described later) on each level. In Figs. 1-3, the position of the ground or road surface is illustrated as "FL". In this embodiment, the loading / unloading section 10 in the middle storage space 5 located at a height corresponding to FL is the entry level where loading / unloading is performed.

[0043] The middle storage space 5 is located above ground, which is also the boarding level. The lower storage space 4 is located underground, directly below the middle storage space 5. The upper storage space 6 is located directly above the middle storage space 5. In the multi-story parking device 1 of this embodiment, only standard vehicles X can be stored in the lower and upper storage spaces 4, 6. Both standard vehicles X and high-roof vehicles Y can be stored in the middle storage space 5.

[0044] (Intake and delivery section) As shown in Fig. 1, the multi-story parking device 1 is equipped with multiple loading / unloading sections 10. Each loading / unloading section 10 is configured so that the height at which it can be loaded varies depending on the specific storage space to which it is assigned among the storage spaces 4 to 6. The loading / unloading section 10 assigned to the middle storage space 5 is stored in the middle level, and the vehicle can be loaded and unloaded from the middle storage space 5, which is at the boarding level.

[0045] Each loading / unloading section 10 has a pallet 11 on which vehicles can be placed after being loaded into the loading / unloading section 10. In addition, as shown in Fig. 2, an access section 12 for vehicles to enter each loading / unloading section 10 is provided on the ground or road surface located in front of the middle storage space 5.

[0046] The multi-story parking device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is configured with five pallets 11 assigned to the upper storage space 6, four pallets 11 assigned to the middle storage space 5, and five pallets 11 assigned to the lower storage space 4. In the state shown in FIG. 1, two pallets 11 for ordinary cars X are arranged side by side in the upper storage space 6 in the first storage area R1. Three pallets 11 are arranged side by side in the middle storage space 5 in the first storage area R1. Specifically, a pallet 11 for ordinary cars X assigned to the upper storage space 6 is arranged at the left end of the middle storage space 5, and two pallets 11 for high-roof cars Y assigned to the middle storage space 6 are arranged to the right of it, so that the pallets 11 for ordinary cars X and the pallets 11 for high-roof cars Y are mixed. Three pallets 11 for ordinary cars X are arranged side by side in the lower storage space 4 in the first storage area R1.

[0047] In each of the upper and lower storage spaces 4, 6 in the second storage area R2, two pallets 11 for ordinary vehicles X are arranged side by side. In the middle storage space 5 in the second storage area R2, two pallets 11 are arranged side by side. Specifically, in the middle storage space 5 in the second storage area R2 in this state, two pallets 11 for high roof vehicles Y are arranged.

[0048] In the first and second storage areas R1, R2, the loading / unloading units 10 assigned to the middle storage space 5 can be moved left and right between the adjacent storage spaces by a drive unit (not shown). Also, the loading / unloading units 10 assigned to the upper and lower storage spaces 4, 6 can be raised and lowered between the middle storage space 5, which is the boarding level, by driving a lift drive unit and a lift chain 8 (in the case of the upper level), not shown. That is, the first and second storage areas R1, R2 are integrated to allow the multiple loading / unloading units 10 to be moved between the lower and middle levels, the upper and middle levels, and the middle storage spaces 4, 5, 6.

[0049] (fence) As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the multi-story parking device 1 is equipped with two fences 9. Each fence 9 is provided to correspond to each of the first and second storage areas R1, R2. Each fence 9 is disposed above the entrance area 12. Each fence 9 is configured to be able to be opened and closed in the vertical direction by an opening / closing drive unit 7 (see Fig. 2).

[0050] As shown in Fig. 2, when the fence 9 is closed, the multiple loading and unloading sections 10 located in the middle storage space 5 (entry level) are isolated from the outside, such as roads. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 3, when the fence 9 is open, the multiple loading and unloading sections 10 located in the middle storage space 5 communicate with the outside, such as roads. In this open state, it is possible for vehicles to enter and leave the garage at each loading and unloading section 10 located in the middle storage space 5.

[0051] (Identification section) As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, an identification unit 13 is provided on the upper surface of each pallet 11. The identification unit 13 is arranged near the front end of the pallet 11. The identification unit 13 is configured so that a determination unit 23 (described later) can recognize the identification unit 13 from above the pallet 11 when there is no vehicle undergoing a warehousing operation and no vehicle is placed on the pallet 11, and when a vehicle is placed in a designated warehousing position on the pallet 11, and is configured so that when there is a vehicle undergoing a warehousing operation, the determination unit 23 (described later) cannot recognize a part or all of the vehicle from above the pallet 11 during the process of entering the vehicle.

[0052] The identification unit 13 is, for example, a character, a figure, a symbol, or a color, or a combination thereof. Specifically, the identification unit 13 may be, for example, configured by a serial number (pallet number) assigned to each pallet 11. The identification unit 13 may also be associated with the use of the pallet 11 determined for each vehicle height (pallet 11 for normal vehicles X and pallet 11 for high roof vehicles Y). The pallet number may be set so that it can be collated with the possible entry height corresponding to the loading / unloading unit 10 appearing in an image captured by the determination unit 23 described later.

[0053] (Control unit) As shown in Fig. 4, the multi-story parking device 1 includes a control unit 20. The control unit 20 is installed inside a control panel (not shown) included in the multi-story parking device 1. The control unit 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The control unit 20 is configured to, for example, read a computer program stored in a storage unit (not shown) into the RAM and execute the computer program on the CPU.

[0054] The control unit 20 is configured to control each of a first detection unit 21, a second detection unit 22, a determination unit 23, a notification unit 24, and a prohibition unit 25, which will be described later. A series of processing operations performed by the control unit 20 will be described later.

[0055] (First detection section) As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the multi-story parking device 1 includes a first detection unit 21. The first detection unit 21 is provided in each of the first and second storage areas R1 and R2. The first detection unit 21 is provided in the middle storage space 5, which is the boarding level. The first detection unit 21 provided in the first storage area R1 is configured to simultaneously detect whether or not the height of the vehicle during the entrance operation exceeds the first limit height H1 for all three entrance / exit sections 10 located in the middle storage space 5. The first detection unit 21 provided in the second storage area R2 is configured to simultaneously detect whether or not the height of the vehicle during the entrance operation exceeds the first limit height H1 for all two entrance / exit sections 10 located in the middle storage space 5. The first limit height H1 is set in correspondence with the entrance / exit section 10 (the entrance / exit section 10 for the standard vehicle X in this embodiment) that is a relatively low entrance height.

[0056] The first detection unit 21 in this embodiment is composed of a pair of phototubes P1, P2. The pair of phototubes P1, P2 are composed of, for example, a projector and a receiver. The projector and the receiver are attached to the pillars 2, 2 facing each other in the left-right direction of the multi-story parking device 1. The first detection unit 21 may be configured such that a reflective phototube having both a projector and a receiver integrated into one pillar 2 is provided only on one pillar 2, and a reflective material such as a retroreflector is provided on the opposing pillar 2.

[0057] The light projector and light receiver constituting the first detection unit 21 are arranged so that light L1 emitted from the projector horizontally crosses in front of the multiple loading / unloading units 10 located in the middle storage space 5. The first detection unit 21 is also arranged at a height where light L1 emitted from the projector is the first limit height H1 from the top surface of the pallet 11. This allows the first detection unit 21 to simultaneously detect whether the first limit height H1 is exceeded for the multiple loading / unloading units 10 located in the middle storage space 5 in the first and second storage areas R1 and R2.

[0058] The first limit height H1 is set, for example, to be higher than the height at which the standard vehicle X can enter the loading / unloading section 10 and lower than the height at which the high roof vehicle Y can enter the loading / unloading section 10. Specifically, when the height at which the standard vehicle X can enter the loading / unloading section 10 is, for example, 1550 mm, the first limit height H1 is set, for example, at a position 1600 mm above the top surface of the pallet 11 so as to take into consideration the swaying of the vehicle during loading / unloading and the change in vehicle height due to the loading condition, and to be lower than the ceiling height of the storage space for the standard vehicle X.

[0059] With the above settings, if the vehicle being brought into storage is a high-roof vehicle Y, the light L1 emitted from the projector is blocked by the vehicle and does not reach the receiver. As a result, the first detection unit 21 detects that the height of the vehicle (high-roof vehicle Y) exceeds the first height limit H1.

[0060] On the other hand, if the vehicle undergoing the parking operation is a standard-sized vehicle X, the light L1 emitted from the projector is not blocked by the vehicle and reaches the receiver. That is, the first detection unit 21 does not detect that the height of the vehicle (standard-sized vehicle X) exceeds the first limit height H1.

[0061] (Second detection section) As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the multi-story parking device 1 includes a second detection unit 22. The second detection unit 22 is provided in each of the first and second storage areas R1 and R2. The second detection unit 22 is provided in the middle storage space 5, which is the boarding level. The second detection unit 22 provided in the first storage area R1 is configured to simultaneously detect whether or not the height of the vehicle during the entrance operation exceeds the second limit height H2 for all three entrance / exit units 10 located in the middle storage space 5. The second detection unit 22 provided in the second storage area R2 is configured to simultaneously detect whether or not the height of the vehicle during the entrance operation exceeds the second limit height H2 for all two entrance / exit units 10 located in the middle storage space 5.

[0062] The second detection unit 22 is configured with a pair of phototubes P1, P2 (a light projector and a light receiver) similarly to the first detection unit 21. The second detection unit 22 is disposed at a height where the light L2 emitted from the light projector is the second restricted height H2 from the upper surface of the pallet 11. Note that the specific configuration of the second detection unit 22 is similar to that of the first detection unit 21, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0063] The second limit height H2 is set at a position higher than the first limit height H1. Specifically, the second limit height H2 is set, for example, higher than the height at which the high-roof vehicle Y can enter the loading / unloading section 10 and lower than the height at which each storage space 5 can actually enter (for example, the ceiling height of each loading / unloading section 10). More specifically, when the height at which the high-roof vehicle Y can enter the loading / unloading section 10 is 2000 mm, for example, the second limit height H2 is set at a position 2050 mm above the top surface of the pallet 11.

[0064] With the above settings, if the vehicle undergoing the parking operation is taller than a typical high-roof vehicle Y or has a roof carrier (not shown) attached to the roof of the vehicle (i.e., if the vehicle is over-height), the light L2 emitted from the projector is blocked by the vehicle and does not reach the receiver. As a result, the second detection unit 22 detects that the height of the vehicle exceeds the second limit height H2.

[0065] (Judgment Department) As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 4, the multi-story parking device 1 includes a determination unit 23. In the multi-story parking device 1 according to this embodiment, one determination unit 23 is provided in each of the first and second storage areas R1, R2. The determination unit 23 is provided corresponding to the middle storage space 5, which is the boarding level. The determination unit 23 is configured to determine which of the multiple entry / exit units 10 located in the middle storage space 5 is located in which a vehicle currently entering the parking area is located.

[0066] The determination unit 23 is formed of an imaging device such as a camera. In this embodiment, the determination unit 23 is attached to the lower side of the front beam 3 constituting the multi-story parking device 1.

[0067] The determination unit 23, when attached to the front beam 3, is configured to recognize the identification units 13 on each pallet 11 located in the middle storage space 5. The determination unit 23 performs image recognition of a state in which the identification unit 13 is hidden by a vehicle undergoing an entrance operation, thereby making it possible to determine which of the multiple entrance / exit units 10 the vehicle undergoing an entrance operation is located in.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the determination unit 23 is configured to determine the presence or absence of a vehicle undergoing a warehousing operation in the determination section J with respect to the approaching direction of the vehicle. In this specification, "during warehousing operation" may include a state in which the vehicle is moving and a state in which a part of the vehicle is temporarily stopped in the determination section J during the warehousing process. As shown in FIG. 2, the determination section J refers to a section set in a range from the front of the multi-story parking device 1 (for example, the rear end of the front support 2) to the front end of the designated warehousing position (for example, a position 100 mm rearward from the rear end of the front support 2). Here, the designated warehousing position refers to a range equivalent to the entire length of the vehicle. Note that the front end of the designated warehousing position may be a position where a part or all of the identification unit 13 is hidden by a vehicle (X or Y) that has already been warehousing, so that the determination unit 23 does not determine that a vehicle undergoing a warehousing operation is present, and may be located at approximately the center in the front-rear direction of the identification unit 13 in a side view, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, for example.

[0069] (Notification section and prohibition section) As shown in Fig. 4, the multi-story parking device 1 includes a notification unit 24 and a prohibition unit 25. The notification unit 24 and the prohibition unit 25 are controlled by the control unit 20. Specifically, the control unit 20 activates the notification unit 24 when the first detection unit 21 detects that the height of the vehicle undergoing entry into the entry / exit unit 10 exceeds the first limit height H1, and the determination unit 23 determines that the maximum entry height of the entry / exit unit 10 at which the vehicle undergoing entry is located is lower than the first limit height H1 (in this embodiment, the entry / exit unit 10 for standard vehicles X). In addition, when the first detection unit 21 detects that the height of the vehicle entering the entry / exit unit 10 exceeds the first limit height H1 and the judgment unit 23 judges that the maximum entry height of the entry / exit unit 10 at which the vehicle entering the parking lot is located is lower than the first limit height H1 (in this form, the entry / exit unit 10 for passenger cars X), the prohibition unit 25 prohibits all or part of the operation of the multi-story parking device 1.

[0070] Here, "prohibiting some of the operations of the multi-story parking device 1" means, for example, prohibiting the closing operation of the fence 9 by a user, while not restricting the opening and closing of the adjacent closed fence 9, reservation input, and various operations of the multi-story parking device 1 by the manager. Note that the multi-story parking device 1 is generally provided with an interlock that prevents the pallet 11 from operating unless the fence 9 is closed.

[0071] Also, as the notification unit 24, for example, an alarm device (i.e., a device capable of issuing visual and / or auditory information) provided on a driving operation panel (not shown) located near the entrance 12 can be applied. Note that the notification unit 24 is not limited to the above alarm device, and may be an external device (not shown) (for example, a mobile terminal carried by a user, an operation remote control, an in-vehicle device, etc.) that issues visual and / or auditory information.

[0072] (Processing operation by the control unit) A series of processing operations by the control unit 20 in the case of warehousing will be described below with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. In the series of processing operations illustrated in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the control unit 20 controls the detection result by the first detection unit 21 and the determination result by the determination unit 23 by associating them with each other. Note that as the series of processing operations by the control unit 20, at least one of the processing operations illustrated in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 may be applied.

[0073] Here, prior to the processing operations illustrated in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, when starting to enter a vehicle into the multi-story parking device 1, a user performs a call operation of the entry / exit unit 10. Specifically, for example, the user performs authentication using authentication means such as a PIN number or an IC card given in advance to the driving operation panel, and if the authentication is successful, the entry / exit unit 10 in which the user can enter (such as a specific entry / exit unit linked to the user contract or an empty entry / exit unit at a height where the contracted vehicle can enter) is transported, and when the arrangement at the boarding level is completed and entry is possible, the fence 9 is opened and the vehicle can enter. Then, the user gets into the vehicle and starts entering the entry / exit unit 10. A series of processing operations by the control unit 20 from this point onwards are as shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6.

[0074] 5, a process operation in which the control unit 20 performs a determination step by the determination unit 23 after performing a detection step by the first and second detection units 21 and 22 will be described.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 5, in step S101, the control unit 20 judges whether or not the entry is completed. For example, when the user performs an operation to close the fence 9, the control unit 20 judges that the entry is completed. Alternatively, the control unit 20 may judge that the entry is completed when it is determined by a known detection means or the like that the vehicle is stopped at the designated entry position of the entry / exit unit 10 and that there are no foreign objects other than people or vehicles at the entry level of the storage areas R1 and R2. If the entry is completed in step S101 (YES), this series of processing operations ends. On the other hand, if the entry is not completed in step S101 (NO), the process proceeds to step S102.

[0076] In step S102, the second detection unit 22 detects whether or not the height of the vehicle during the warehousing operation exceeds the second limit height H2. If the second detection unit 22 detects in step S102 that the height exceeds the second limit height H2 (YES), the process proceeds to step S107. On the other hand, if the second detection unit 22 does not detect in step S102 that the height exceeds the second limit height H2 (NO), the process proceeds to step S103.

[0077] In step S103, the first detection unit 21 detects whether the height of the vehicle during the warehousing operation exceeds the first limit height H1. If the first detection unit 21 detects in step S103 that the height exceeds the first limit height H1 (YES), the process proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, if the first detection unit 21 does not detect in step S103 that the height exceeds the first limit height H1 (NO), the process returns to step S101.

[0078] In step S104, the determination unit 23 determines whether or not the determination unit 23 has image-recognized that the recognition unit 13 on the pallet 11 is hidden by a vehicle undergoing a warehousing operation. If the determination unit 23 has image-recognized that the recognition unit 13 is hidden (YES) in step S104, the process proceeds to step S105. On the other hand, if the determination unit 23 has image-recognized that the recognition unit 13 is hidden (NO) in step S104, the process returns to step S101.

[0079] In step S105, the determination unit 23 determines which of the multiple entry / exit units 10 located in the middle storage space 5 is the vehicle currently undergoing an entry operation. Then, the process proceeds to step S106.

[0080] In step S106, the control unit 20 judges whether the entry / exit unit 10 where the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is located is for standard vehicles X. That is, it judges whether the entry height of the entry / exit unit 10 where the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is located is lower than the first limit height H1. Specifically, if the control unit 20 prestores the entry height of each entry / exit unit 10 and grasps the current position of each pallet 11, it is possible to judge whether the entry / exit unit 10 where the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is determined by the judgment unit 23 is for standard vehicles X. In addition, if the identification unit 13 is configured by, for example, a serial number assigned to each pallet 11 or is associated with the purpose (entry height) of the pallet 11 determined for each vehicle height, it is also possible to use this information to judge whether the entry / exit unit 10 where the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is for standard vehicles X. If the result of step S106 is YES, which indicates that the entry / exit unit 10 where the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is located is for standard vehicles X, the process proceeds to step S107. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S106 that the entrance / exit section 10 in which the vehicle undergoing entrance operation is located is not for standard vehicles X (No), the process returns to step S101.

[0081] In step S107, the control unit 20 activates the notification unit 24 and / or the prohibition unit 25. This completes the series of processing operations by the control unit 20 shown in FIG.

[0082] In addition, in the series of processing operations by the control unit 20 shown in Figure 5, if the user notices the erroneous entry and resolves the error state (the state in which step S107 is executed) in advance (for example, if the first detection unit 21 does not detect and / or the judgment content in the judgment unit 23 is changed), the process may be returned to the start position shown in Figure 5.

[0083] 5, the series of processing operations by control unit 20 is exemplified as proceeding to step S107 when step S102 is YES (i.e., steps S103 to S106 are skipped), but steps S103 to S106 may be executed as necessary. For example, the determination steps (steps S104 and S105) of determination unit 23 may be executed when determination unit 23 needs to distinguish between the passage of a vehicle and the passage of a person other than a vehicle (e.g., a user), or when necessary to display the corresponding entry / exit unit 10 when notifying unit 24.

[0084] Furthermore, even if the first detection unit 21 detects in step S103 shown in FIG. 5 that the first limit height H1 has been exceeded, if the judgment unit 23 in step S104 does not recognize a vehicle undergoing a parking operation at any of the entry / exit units 10 (if No), the process returns to step S101. However, this is because, for example, there is a possibility that the unit has simply detected the passage of a person, and therefore this is not regarded as an error state, and step 104 can also be omitted.

[0085] Next, with reference to FIG. 6, a processing operation will be described in which the control unit 20 performs a determination step by the determination unit 23, and then performs a detection step by the first and second detection units 21, 22 based on the determination result of the determination unit 23.

[0086] As shown in Fig. 6, in step S201 (corresponding to step S101 in Fig. 5), the control unit 20 judges whether or not the storing is completed. If the storing is completed in step S201 (YES), this series of processing operations ends. On the other hand, if the storing is not completed in step S201 (NO), the process proceeds to step S202.

[0087] In step S202 (corresponding to step S104 in FIG. 5), the determination unit 23 determines whether or not the determination unit 23 has image-recognized a state in which the recognition unit 13 on the pallet 11 is hidden by a vehicle undergoing a warehousing operation. If the determination unit 23 has image-recognized a state in which the recognition unit 13 is hidden in step S202 (YES), the process proceeds to step S203.

[0088] In step S203 (corresponding to step S105 in FIG. 5), the determination unit 23 determines which of the multiple entry / exit units 10 located in the middle storage space 5 is the vehicle currently entering the parking lot. Then, the process proceeds to step S204. On the other hand, if the result of step S202 is No, the process returns to step S201.

[0089] In step S204 (corresponding to step S102 in FIG. 5), the second detection unit 22 detects whether or not the height of the vehicle during the warehousing operation exceeds the second limit height H2. If the second detection unit 22 detects in step S204 that the height exceeds the second limit height H2 (YES), the process proceeds to step S207. On the other hand, if the second detection unit 22 does not detect in step S204 that the height exceeds the second limit height H2 (NO), the process proceeds to step S205.

[0090] In step S205 (corresponding to step S106 in FIG. 5), the control unit 20 judges whether the entry / exit unit 10 where the vehicle undergoing entry is located is for standard vehicles X. If the answer in step S106 is YES, meaning that the entry / exit unit 10 where the vehicle undergoing entry is located is for standard vehicles X, the process proceeds to step S206. On the other hand, if the answer in step S205 is NO, meaning that the entry / exit unit 10 where the vehicle undergoing entry is located is not for standard vehicles X, the process returns to step S201.

[0091] In step S206 (corresponding to S103 in FIG. 5), the first detection unit 21 detects whether the height of the vehicle being brought into storage exceeds the first limit height H1. If the first detection unit 21 detects in step S206 that the height exceeds the first limit height H1 (YES), the process proceeds to step S207. On the other hand, if the first detection unit 21 does not detect in step S206 that the height exceeds the first limit height H1 (NO), the process returns to step S201.

[0092] In steps S205 and S206, since it has already been determined in step S203 whether the entrance / exit section 10 in which the vehicle undergoing entrance operation is located is for a standard vehicle X, the process may be returned to step S204 if the determination is No.

[0093] In step S207 (corresponding to step S107 in FIG. 5), the control unit 20 activates the notification unit 24 and / or the prohibition unit 25. With the above, the series of processing operations by the control unit 20 shown in FIG. 6 is completed.

[0094] [Effects of the embodiment] In the multi-story parking device 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first detection unit 21 is configured to simultaneously detect whether or not the height of the vehicle undergoing the entering operation exceeds the first limit height H1 for the multiple entry / exit sections 10, and the determination unit 23 is configured to determine the entry / exit section 10 in which the vehicle undergoing the entering operation is located in the multiple entry / exit sections 10. According to this configuration, if the first limit height H1 is set to a height that is higher than the height at which the vehicle can enter the entry / exit section 10 for the standard vehicle X and lower than the height at which the vehicle can enter the entry / exit section 10 for the high-roof vehicle Y, the first detection unit 21 can detect the entry of the high-roof vehicle Y into any of the multiple entry / exit sections 10. Then, the determination unit 23 can appropriately determine whether or not the entry / exit section 10 into which the vehicle (the high-roof vehicle Y) that has exceeded the first limit height H1 is attempting to enter is the entry / exit section 10 for the standard vehicle X. That is, the first detection unit 21 and the determination unit 23 can easily identify the entry / exit unit 10 where the vehicle is attempting to enter, among the multiple entry / exit units 10, and detect the possibility of erroneous entry. Therefore, the multi-story parking device 1 can appropriately prevent erroneous entry.

[0095] In addition, in the multi-story parking device 1, if the second limit height H2 is set to be higher than the height at which a vehicle can enter the entry / exit section 10 for a high-roof vehicle Y and lower than the ceiling height of each entry / exit section 10, the second detection unit 22 can detect when a vehicle exceeding the maximum entry height is attempting to enter.

[0096] In addition, the heights at which the multiple entry / exit sections 10 can enter differ depending on the storage spaces to which they are assigned among the multiple storage spaces 4 to 6, and the first limit height H1 is set corresponding to the entry / exit section 10 with a relatively low entry height. For this reason, for example, when the entry heights of the entry / exit sections 10 differ depending on the storage spaces corresponding to the entry / exit sections 10 arranged at the boarding level based on the call operation by the user even for the same entrance (row), if the first limit height H1 is set to be higher than the height at which the entry / exit section 10 for the standard vehicle X can enter and lower than the height at which the entry / exit section 10 for the high-roof vehicle Y can enter, the first detection section 21 can detect that the high-roof vehicle Y is about to enter any of the multiple entry / exit sections 10, and the entry of the high-roof vehicle Y into the entry / exit section 10 for the standard vehicle X can be appropriately detected based on the judgment of the judgment section 23.

[0097] Furthermore, the control unit 20 selects whether or not to apply the detection result by the first detection unit 21 to the control in the entry / exit unit 10 where the determination unit 23 has determined that the vehicle undergoing entry is located, based on the entry height corresponding to the storage space assigned to the entry / exit unit 10. Specifically, if the entry height corresponding to the storage space is, for example, a height at which a standard-sized vehicle X can be entered, the control unit 20 may apply the detection result by the first detection unit 21 to the control. On the other hand, if the entry height corresponding to the storage space is, for example, a height at which a high-roof vehicle Y can be entered, the control unit 20 may not apply the detection result by the first detection unit 21 to the control. As a result, the processing operation by the control unit 20 can be optimized.

[0098] In addition, in the multi-story parking device 1, the control unit 20 controls the detection result by the first detection unit 21 and the judgment result by the judgment unit 23 in association with each other, so that it is possible to identify the entry / exit section 10 in which a vehicle that has exceeded the first limit height H1 is located among the multiple entry / exit sections 10.

[0099] In addition, in the multi-story parking device 1, when the first detection unit 21 detects that the height of a vehicle entering the entry / exit section 10 exceeds the first limit height H1, and the judgment unit 23 determines which entry / exit section 10 the vehicle is located in, and the height at which the vehicle can enter the entry / exit section 10 is lower than the first limit height H1 (i.e., YES at step S106 shown in Figure 5 or step S205 shown in Figure 6), the control unit 20 activates the alarm unit 24, thereby preventing erroneous entry.

[0100] In addition, in the multi-story parking device 1, when the first detection unit 21 detects by the control unit 20 that the height of a vehicle entering the entry / exit section 10 exceeds the first limit height H1, and the judgment unit 23 determines which entry / exit section 10 the vehicle entering is located at, and the height at which the vehicle can enter the entry / exit section 10 is lower than the first limit height H1 (i.e., YES at step S106 shown in Figure 5 or step S205 shown in Figure 6), the prohibition unit 25 prohibits all or part of the operation of the multi-story parking device 1, thereby preventing, for example, the operation of the multi-story parking device 1 of transporting the entry / exit section 10 in an erroneously entered state to a predetermined storage position.

[0101] Furthermore, in the multi-story parking system 1 according to this embodiment, the determination unit 23 performs image recognition of the state in which the identification unit 13 located near the front end of the top surface of the pallet 11 is hidden by a vehicle undergoing entrance operation, thereby making it possible to appropriately identify the entrance / exit unit 10 in which the vehicle undergoing entrance operation is located. Furthermore, if the identification unit 13 is provided, for example, in the center in the left-right direction of the pallet, which will be hidden by the vehicle undergoing entrance operation, people walking between the pallets or near the periphery of the pallet will not be determined to be a vehicle undergoing entrance operation, making it possible to distinguish between a vehicle undergoing entrance operation and the passage of people other than vehicles (for example, users).

[0102] In addition, in the multi-story parking system 1 according to this embodiment, the first detection unit 21, which is composed of a projector and a receiver, is disposed so that the light L1 emitted from the projector horizontally crosses the multiple entry / exit units 10 located in the middle storage space 5. This makes it possible to appropriately detect, with a simple configuration, whether or not the height of the vehicle during the entry operation exceeds the first limit height H1.

[0103] The determination unit 23 is also configured to determine the presence or absence of a vehicle in the determination section J in the vehicle's approaching direction. This configuration makes it possible to make a determination excluding a vehicle that has already entered the entry / exit unit 10 and is in its designated entry position. This makes it possible to appropriately determine which entry / exit unit 10 a vehicle undergoing an entry operation is attempting to enter.

[0104] [First Modification of the Embodiment] <Determination Unit is a Pair of Phototubes> In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which a camera is used as the determination unit 23, and one determination unit 23 is provided in each of the first and second storage areas R1, R2, but this is not limited to the above. For example, as shown in Fig. 7, the determination unit 23 may be configured with a pair of phototubes P1, P2 (a light projector and a light receiver) instead of an imaging device such as a camera. Also, the determination unit 23 may be provided for each loading / unloading unit 10 located in the middle storage space 5 in each of the first and second storage areas R1, R2.

[0105] In the first modified example shown in Fig. 7, a pair of photocells P1 (23), P2 (23) are attached to the lower part of the front beam 3 and the underside (near the entrance 12) of each entry / exit section 10, respectively. The light L3 emitted from the projector extends vertically. Even in this modified example, it is possible to determine which entry / exit section 10 is located in which of the multiple entry / exit sections 10 located in the middle storage space 5, a vehicle undergoing entry is located, because the light L3 emitted from the projector is blocked by the vehicle and does not reach the receiver.

[0106] [Modification 2 of the embodiment] <<The determination unit is a phototube arranged diagonally>> In addition, in the above-mentioned modified example 1, the light L3 emitted from the projector extends in the vertical direction, but this is not limited to this. That is, as in modified example 2 shown in Fig. 8, a pair of phototubes P1 (23), P2 (23) may be arranged on a diagonal line on the front side of each loading / unloading section 10, and the light L3 emitted from the projector may be configured to extend along the diagonal line.

[0107] Even with the judgment unit 23 shown in this modified example, it is possible to determine which of the multiple entry / exit units 10 located in the middle storage space 5 is located in which a vehicle undergoing an entry operation is located, because the light L3 emitted from the spotlight is blocked by the vehicle and does not reach the receiver.

[0108] [Modification 3 of the embodiment] <<The determination unit is a photoelectric tube on the periphery of the palette>> In the above-mentioned modified examples 1 and 2, the pair of photocells P1, P2 constituting the determination unit 23 are attached to the lower part of the front beam 3 and the lower side of each loading / unloading section 10 (near the drive-in section 12), respectively, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the pair of photocells P1, P2 may be attached to the left and right peripheral parts in front of each pallet 11, respectively (not shown). Even in this modified example, it is possible to make it function as the determination unit 23.

[0109] [Fourth Modification of the Embodiment] <Determination Unit Detects Moving Object> In the above embodiment, the determination unit 23 performs image recognition to detect a state in which the identification unit 13 on the top surface of the pallet 11 is hidden by a vehicle undergoing a warehousing operation, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a determination unit 23 using a moving object detection method as shown in the following modified example 4 may be used.

[0110] The determination unit 23 of the fourth modification is configured to be able to photograph vehicles entering and leaving each of the entry / exit sections 10. The determination unit 23 is configured to identify at least one moving object detection area Md in which a vehicle undergoing an entry operation is detected as a moving object by photographing the vehicle during the entry operation in a plurality of moving object detection areas Md (see FIG. 11) that are preset within the photographing range, thereby determining the entry / exit section 10 in which the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is located among the plurality of entry / exit sections 10. With this configuration, the entry / exit section 10 in which the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is located can be appropriately identified.

[0111] Here, the determination unit 23 in the fourth modified example is, for example, a camera provided above the entrance road in front of the entry / exit section 10. The determination unit 23 is not limited to the above camera, and may be configured to capture images of vehicles entering the multiple entry / exit sections 10, such as one that captures images from the front of the entry / exit section 10 from the front side of the multi-story parking device 1 or from diagonally above the entry / exit section 10. The moving object detection area Md may be set in the determination section J in the above embodiment. The determination unit 23 may be configured with multiple cameras for each row of the entry / exit section 10, or may be configured with multiple or one camera that captures images of some or all of the rows together.

[0112] Hereinafter, an example of using the moving object detection method in the fourth modification will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0113] The setting screens SS1 and SS2 shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 are mainly used to set the moving object detection area. The setting screens SS1 and SS2 correspond to the screens of a computer (not shown) connected to the camera, for example. The setting screens SS1 and SS2 may be screens obtained by switching the mode (for example, switching to maintenance mode) of the driving operation panel (not shown) of the multi-story parking device 1.

[0114] Next, with reference to FIG. 11, the setting of the moving object detection area Md by the moving object detection method will be described. The entire area in which all the squares shown in FIG. 11 are arranged vertically and horizontally corresponds to the range in which the determination unit 23 can capture images. Each square is a unit area in which the moving object detection area Md can be set individually. In FIG. 11, the squares with dot hatching correspond to the moving object detection area Md. In this embodiment, a moving object detection area Md consisting of four squares is set in front of each entry / exit unit 10. On the other hand, the area without dot hatching is set as being outside the moving object detection area Md.

[0115] In this manner, in the fourth modification, the determination unit 23 can identify at least one moving object detection area Md in which a vehicle undergoing a warehousing operation is photographed and detected as a moving object in a plurality of moving object detection areas Md previously set in association with each of the warehousing entry / exit units 10 within the photographing range. As a result, in this modification, the warehousing entry / exit unit 10 (the warehousing entry / exit unit 10 located in the center of the paper surface of FIG. 11) in which the vehicle undergoing a warehousing operation is located can be appropriately identified among the three warehousing entry / exit units 10 shown in FIG. 11. In addition, if the moving object detection area Md is set, for example, only within the vehicle passage range, a person walking outside that range is not determined to be a vehicle undergoing a warehousing operation, so that the passage of a vehicle can be distinguished from the passage of a person other than a vehicle (for example, a user). In addition, if a vehicle is determined to be undergoing a warehousing / exit operation only when multiple moving objects are detected simultaneously in the moving object detection area Md previously set in association with the warehousing entry / exit unit 10, only objects of a certain size can be determined to be vehicles, and passage of a person other than a vehicle can be excluded.

[0116] [Fifth Modification of the Embodiment] <<The First Detection Unit is Image Processing>> In the above embodiment, the first detection unit 21 is configured to include a pair of photocells P1 and P2, but is not limited to this. For example, the first detection unit 21 may be configured to simultaneously detect whether the height of a vehicle during a warehousing operation exceeds the first limit height H1 for a plurality of loading / unloading units 10 by processing an image captured by a camera.

[0117] Specifically, a camera (not shown) is attached near the first limit height H1 of the support pillar 2 of the multi-story parking device 1 so as to capture images, for example, approximately horizontally (in the left-right direction). The camera then uses image processing to simultaneously detect whether the height of the vehicle being entered exceeds the first limit height H1 for multiple entry / exit sections 10 located in the middle storage space 5. This makes it possible to properly identify the vehicle being entered. Furthermore, by properly processing the images captured by the camera, it is possible to handle vehicles of various shapes. Furthermore, image processing may be used to distinguish between the passage of a vehicle and the passage of something other than a vehicle (for example, a user).

[0118] [Other embodiments] In the above embodiment, the identification unit 13 (such as a pallet number) provided near the front end of the top surface of the pallet 11 is used, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of the identification unit 13 (such as a pallet number), a frontage number (not shown) marked on the entrance 12 of each loading / unloading unit 10 may be used.

[0119] In the above embodiment, the first detection unit 21 provided in the first storage area R1 simultaneously detects whether or not the height of the vehicle during the storage operation exceeds the first limit height H1 for all three storage / return units 10 located in the middle storage space 5, while the first detection unit 21 provided in the second storage area R2 simultaneously detects whether or not the height of the vehicle during the storage operation exceeds the first limit height H1 for all two storage / return units 10 located in the middle storage space 5, but is not limited to this form. For example, the first and second storage areas R1 and R2 may be regarded as one storage area, and one first detection unit 21 provided in the one storage area may be configured to simultaneously detect whether or not the height of the vehicle during the storage operation exceeds the first limit height H1 for all five storage / return units 10 located in the middle storage space 5 shown in FIG. 1. For example, a pair of photocells P1, P2 constituting one first detection unit 21 may be attached to each of the support columns 2 located on the left and right sides of the paper surface of Fig. 1, and the pair of photocells P1, P2 may be configured to simultaneously detect all five loading / unloading sections 10 located in the middle storage space 5 shown in Fig. 1. The second detection unit 22 may also be configured similarly to the other embodiments of the first detection unit 21 described above.

[0120] In the above embodiment and its modified examples 1 to 5, the first detection unit 21, the second detection unit 22, the determination unit 23, the control unit 20, the notification unit 24, and the prohibition unit 25 have been described as being included in the elements that constitute the multi-story parking apparatus 1. However, for example, the first detection unit 21, the second detection unit 22, the determination unit 23, the control unit 20, the notification unit 24, and the prohibition unit 25 shown in Fig. 4 may be configured as one control unit. And, the control unit may be provided in an existing multi-story parking apparatus in order to remodel the existing multi-story parking apparatus.

[0121] Alternatively, a judgment unit including at least the first detection unit 21 and the judgment unit 23 may be configured, and the judgment unit may be provided in an existing multi-story parking device. Furthermore, for example, a configuration similar to the identification unit 13 described in the above embodiment may be provided on the upper surface of a pallet installed in an existing multi-story parking device. By improving an existing multi-story parking device in this way, at least the main action and effect described in the above embodiment (i.e., the action and effect that the first detection unit 21 and the judgment unit 23 make it easy to identify the entry / exit unit 10 in which a vehicle is located during the entry operation among multiple entry / exit units 10) can be obtained. As a result, even an improved existing multi-story parking device can appropriately prevent erroneous entry.

[0122] Furthermore, the processing operation by the control unit 20 described in the above embodiment may be controlled by a computer program. The computer program may be incorporated into a computer installed in, for example, an existing multi-story parking device. The computer controls the devices (phototubes, cameras, etc.) installed in the existing multi-story parking device according to the computer program, making it possible to obtain the same effects as those of the above embodiment in the existing multi-story parking device.

[0123] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. [Industrial Applicability]

[0124] The present disclosure has industrial applicability as a mechanical multi-story parking system in which multiple entry and exit sections are arranged in parallel. [Explanation of symbols]

[0125] 1: Multi-storey parking system 4: Lower storage space 5: Middle storage space 6: Upper storage space 9. Fence 10: Entry and exit section 11: Palette 12: Entrance section 13: Identification section 20: Control unit 21: First detection unit 22: Second detection unit 23: Judgment section 24: Notification Department 25: Prohibited part R1: First storage area R2: Second storage area H1: First limit height H2: Second limit height J: Judgment interval

Claims

1. A mechanical multi-story parking device in which a plurality of entry / exit sections are arranged in parallel at an entrance level to allow vehicles to enter and exit the parking lot, A first detection unit capable of simultaneously detecting whether or not the height of a vehicle during a warehousing operation exceeds a first limit height for the plurality of entry / exit sections; a determination unit capable of determining an entry / exit section in which the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is located among the plurality of entry / exit sections, Each of the loading and unloading sections is A pallet on which vehicles stored in each of the loading / unloading sections can be placed; an identification portion disposed on an upper surface of the pallet near a front end thereof; A multi-story parking device, wherein the determination unit is configured to determine which entry / exit section in which the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is located by performing image recognition on the state in which the identification unit is hidden by the vehicle undergoing the entry operation.

2. A mechanical multi-story parking system in which a plurality of entry / exit sections are arranged in parallel at an entrance level to allow vehicles to enter and exit the parking system, A first detection unit capable of simultaneously detecting whether or not the height of a vehicle during a warehousing operation exceeds a first limit height for the plurality of entry / exit sections; a determination unit capable of determining an entry / exit section in which the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is located among the plurality of entry / exit sections, The determination unit is configured to be able to photograph vehicles entering and leaving each of the entrance and exit sections, A multi-story parking device, wherein the determination unit is configured to determine which entry / exit section in which the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is located by identifying at least one of a plurality of motion detection areas that are preset within a shooting range and in which the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is detected as a moving object.

3. In the multi-story parking device according to claim 1 or 2, The first detection unit includes a light projector and a light receiver, A multi-story parking device, wherein the light-projector and the light-receiver are arranged so that the light emitted from the light-projector crosses the multiple entrance and exit sections in a horizontal direction.

4. A mechanical multi-story parking system in which a plurality of entry / exit sections are arranged in parallel at an entrance level to allow vehicles to enter and exit the parking system, A first detection unit capable of simultaneously detecting whether or not the height of a vehicle during a warehousing operation exceeds a first limit height for the plurality of entry / exit sections; a determination unit capable of determining an entry / exit section in which the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is located among the plurality of entry / exit sections, A multi-story parking device, wherein the first detection unit is configured to simultaneously detect whether the height of the vehicle during the entrance / exit operation exceeds the first limit height for the multiple entry / exit sections by image processing using camera photography.

5. In the multi-story parking device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A multi-story parking device further comprising a second detection unit capable of simultaneously detecting the height of the vehicle undergoing the entering / exiting operation for the multiple entry / exit sections based on a second limit height set at a position higher than the first limit height.

6. The multi-story parking device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The plurality of entry / exit sections have different entry heights according to the storage spaces allocated to them among the plurality of storage spaces provided in the multi-story parking device, A multi-story parking device, wherein the first limit height is set corresponding to the entry / exit section at a relatively low entry height.

7. The multi-story parking system according to claim 6, A control unit for controlling the first detection unit and the determination unit, The control unit selects whether or not to apply the detection result by the first detection unit to control at the entry / exit unit where the determination unit has determined that the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is located, based on the entry height corresponding to the storage space assigned to the entry / exit unit.

8. In the multi-story parking device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A control unit for controlling the first detection unit and the determination unit, A multi-story parking device, wherein the control unit is configured to control the detection result by the first detection unit and the judgment result by the judgment unit in association with each other.

9. The multi-story parking system according to claim 7 or 8, Further comprising an alarm unit controlled by the control unit, The control unit activates the alarm unit when the first detection unit detects that the height of a vehicle undergoing entry into the entry / exit section exceeds the first limit height and the determination unit determines the entry / exit section in which the vehicle undergoing entry is located, and when the entry height of the entry / exit section in which the vehicle undergoing entry is located is lower than the first limit height.

10. The multi-story parking system according to claim 7 or 8, Further comprising a prohibition unit controlled by the control unit, The control unit of the multi-story parking device is a multi-story parking device in which, when the first detection unit detects that the height of a vehicle undergoing entry into the entry / exit unit exceeds the first limit height and the determination unit determines the entry / exit unit in which the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is located, and when the entry height of the entry / exit unit in which the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is located is lower than the first limit height, the prohibition unit prohibits all or part of the operation of the multi-story parking device.

11. A multi-story parking device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, A multi-story parking device, wherein the determination unit is configured to determine the presence or absence of a vehicle in a determination section set in a range extending from the front of the multi-story parking device to the front end of the designated entry position in the direction in which the vehicle enters.

12. A computer program for causing a multi-story parking device to function as the multi-story parking device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A method for modifying a multi-story parking device, comprising providing the first detection unit and the judgment unit to an existing multi-story parking device and causing it to function as the multi-story parking device described in any one of claims 1 to 11.

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