Method for controlling entry restrictions at a gate-type car wash facility, device for controlling entry restrictions at a gate-type car wash facility, and gate-type car wash facility

Abstract

Vehicles that do not meet the permit conditions are restricted from entering gated car washes. [Solution] The method of controlling entry restriction in a gate-type car wash facility 10 is such that, when a target vehicle CA1 attempting to enter the car wash 20 reaches a predetermined position before passing through the entrance 26A, the information acquisition unit 60 photographs or reads a target object defined as an object to be used to lift the entry restriction, and acquires predetermined information from the target object, and if the predetermined information acquired by the information acquisition unit 60 satisfies the permission conditions, the control unit 40 controls the entry gate device 30A to an permitted state.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling entry restriction in a gate-type car wash facility, a device for controlling entry restriction in a gate-type car wash facility, and the gate-type car wash facility. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a gate-type car wash system. In this car wash system, an automatic gate is installed at the entrance and exit of the car wash, and the car wash is divided into a number of garage-like car wash rooms. A shower device and an air blowing device are installed on the ceiling of each car wash room. The automatic gate is equipped with an entrance gate, an exit gate, a full car announcement device, and a fee collection gate. The fee collection gate is installed on the entrance gate side, and a customer enters the entrance gate while remaining in the vehicle, and the entrance gate opens when the customer deposits the fee into the fee collection gate. When a vehicle leaves the car wash room after being washed, it leaves the exit gate and is detected by an entrance and exit sensor, which opens the entrance gate to admit the next customer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-172271 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the car wash system of Patent Document 1, a vehicle approaching the entrance gate can enter the car wash as long as it pays the fee, as long as the car wash is not full. This system has a problem in that even if a vehicle that the operator of the car wash wants to restrict from entering the car wash is allowed to enter the car wash freely as long as it pays the fee. This is not the only example, and there may be other situations where it is desirable to restrict the entry of vehicles that do not meet the permission conditions into a gate-type car wash.

[0005] One objective of the present disclosure is to provide a technology that can restrict vehicles that do not meet permission conditions from entering a gate-type car wash. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling entry restrictions at a gate-type car wash facility, A method for controlling entry restriction by the entrance gate device in a gate-type car wash facility comprising a car wash consisting of a plurality of car wash spaces where vehicles are washed and equipped with an entrance through which vehicles can pass, and an entrance gate device which switches between a permission state which permits the passage of vehicles at the entrance and a restriction state which prohibits the passage of vehicles, wherein when the entrance gate device is in the permission state, vehicles can enter from the entrance, and a vehicle that has entered from the entrance can move by itself to one of the car wash spaces and stop there, comprising: an acquisition step of, when a target vehicle reaches a predetermined position before passing through the entrance, photographing or reading a target object determined as an object to be used for lifting the entry restriction by an information acquisition unit, and acquiring predetermined information from the target object; a control step in which a control unit controls the entrance gate device to the permitted state when the predetermined information acquired by the information acquisition unit in the acquisition step satisfies a permission condition; Includes.

[0007] The present disclosure relates to a control device for restricting entry to a gate-type car wash facility, A gate-type car wash facility is provided with a car wash comprising a plurality of car wash spaces where vehicles are washed and equipped with an entrance through which vehicles can pass, and an entrance gate device which switches between a permission state which allows the passage of vehicles at said entrance and a restriction state which prohibits the passage of vehicles, wherein when said entrance gate device is in the permission state, vehicles can enter from said entrance, and a vehicle which has entered from said entrance can move by itself to one of said car wash spaces and stop there, said control device controls entry restriction by said entrance gate device, an information acquisition unit that, when a target vehicle reaches a predetermined position before passing through the entrance, photographs or reads a target object that is determined to be an object to be used for lifting the entry restriction, and acquires predetermined information from the target object; a control unit that controls the entrance gate device to the permitted state when the predetermined information acquired by the information acquisition unit satisfies a permission condition; Includes.

[0008] The gate-type car wash facility which is one aspect of the present disclosure includes a control device for restricting entry to the gate-type car wash facility described above. Effect of the Invention

[0009] The technology disclosed herein can restrict vehicles that do not meet the permission conditions from entering a gate-type car wash. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of a gate-type car wash facility according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the communication relationship of a gate-type car wash facility. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a license plate photographed by the photographing unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing permission conditions and type classification numbers acquired by the information acquisition unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the process of the control unit when determining whether or not a vehicle is permitted to enter. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a process of the control unit when a vehicle enters during blacklist registration according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the process of the control unit when an application of the mobile terminal according to the third embodiment is started. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the process of the control unit when a vehicle enters. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display unit of a mobile terminal according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the process of the control unit when a vehicle enters using a two-dimensional code. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the process of the control unit when an application of the mobile terminal according to the fifth embodiment is started. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a payment process of the payment unit when the vehicle exits according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the process of the control unit when a vehicle enters according to the sixth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Each of the following items (1) to (10) is an example of a control method for restricting entry to a gate-type car wash facility or a gate-type car wash facility included in the present disclosure.

[0012] [1] A method for controlling entry restriction by the entrance gate device in a gate-type car wash facility comprising a car wash consisting of a plurality of car wash spaces where vehicles are washed and equipped with an entrance through which vehicles can pass, and an entrance gate device that switches between a permission state that permits the passage of vehicles at the entrance and a restriction state that prohibits the passage of vehicles, wherein when the entrance gate device is in the permission state, vehicles can enter from the entrance, and a vehicle that has entered from the entrance can move by itself to one of the car wash spaces and stop there, comprising: an acquisition step of, when a target vehicle reaches a predetermined position before passing through the entrance, photographing or reading a target object determined as an object to be used for lifting the entry restriction by an information acquisition unit, and acquiring predetermined information from the target object; a control step in which a control unit controls the entrance gate device to the permitted state when the predetermined information acquired by the information acquisition unit in the acquisition step satisfies a permission condition; Includes A method for controlling entry restrictions at a gate-type car wash facility.

[0013] In the method for controlling entry restriction in a gate-type car wash facility described in [1] above, when a target vehicle attempting to enter the car wash reaches a predetermined position before passing through the entrance of the car wash, an information acquisition unit performs an acquisition step to photograph or read a target object determined to be used to release the entry restriction and acquire predetermined information from the target object. Then, if the predetermined information acquired by the information acquisition unit in the acquisition step satisfies the permission condition, a control step is performed to control the entry gate device to an permission state by the control unit. When the entry gate device switches to the permission state in this way, a user of the car wash can drive a vehicle through the entrance of the car wash and can enter the car wash and use the facilities in the car wash. On the other hand, if the predetermined information acquired by the information acquisition unit does not satisfy the permission condition, the entry gate device does not switch from a restricted state that prohibits the passage of vehicles at the entrance to a permission state that permits the passage of vehicles. Thus, it is possible to restrict the entry of vehicles that cannot satisfy the permission condition.

[0014] By applying the control method described above in (1), for example, for vehicles that are considered undesirable for use at a car wash, such as vehicles owned by customers with bad manners or excessively dirty commercial vehicles, it is possible to restrict the entry of undesirable vehicles into the car wash by setting the specified information so that it does not satisfy the permission conditions.

[0015] [2] a registration step of registering each piece of specific information identifying each of a plurality of users in a registration unit in a state in which the corresponding predetermined information can be identified; a payment process in which, when the information acquisition unit acquires the predetermined information in the acquisition process, a payment unit identifies the user entity corresponding to the acquired predetermined information based on the registered contents of the registration unit, and executes a payment process in which the user entity pays a usage fee for the gate-type car wash facility; Includes A method for controlling entry restrictions at a gate-type car wash facility described in [1].

[0016] The control method [2] above allows the specified information used to determine permission conditions to also be used at the time of payment, thereby improving the efficiency of information use while increasing convenience for users.

[0017] [3] an assignment step of assigning each identification information to each user; an issuing step of issuing a medium on which the identification information is recorded or made readable to each of the users; Including, In the acquisition step, the information acquisition unit photographs or reads the medium and acquires the identification information from the medium; In the control step, when the identification information acquired by the information acquisition unit in the acquisition step satisfies the permission condition, the control unit controls the entrance gate device to the permission state. A method for controlling entry restrictions at a gate-type car wash facility described in [1] or [2].

[0018] The control method [3] above involves issuing a medium on which identification information is recorded to the user, and using this medium to determine whether or not entry is permitted.

[0019] [4] In the acquisition step, the information acquisition unit reads an information code displayed on a display unit of the mobile terminal as the target object, and acquires the predetermined information based on information recorded in the information code. A method for controlling entry restrictions at a gate-type car wash facility described in [1] or [2].

[0020] The control method of [4] above can determine whether permission is granted or not by using the information code displayed on the display unit of the mobile terminal. Therefore, the burden on the user to carry a special medium other than the mobile terminal in order to determine permission or not is reduced or eliminated.

[0021] [5] using a registration unit that registers part or all of the license plate symbol information of each vehicle that is permitted to enter as registration information; The information acquisition unit has an image capturing unit that captures an image of the license plate of the target vehicle. The control unit controls the entrance gate device to the permitted state when symbol information of the license plate photographed by the photographing unit corresponds to the registration information registered in the registration unit. A method for controlling entry restrictions at a gate-type car wash facility described in [1] or [2].

[0022] The control method in [5] above utilizes the feature of "using the vehicle license plate to determine whether or not entry into the self-driving area of ​​the gate-type car wash is permitted," and allows entry only to license plates that match the registered symbol information. This method reduces or eliminates the burden on users of carrying special media to determine whether or not entry is permitted.

[0023] [6] A registration unit is used to register part or all of the symbol information of the license plate of each vehicle that is not permitted to enter as non-permission information, The information acquisition unit has an image capturing unit that captures an image of the license plate of the target vehicle. The control unit controls the entrance gate device to a non-permission state when symbol information of the license plate photographed by the photographing unit corresponds to the non-permission information registered in the registration unit. A method for controlling entry restrictions at a gate-type car wash facility described in [1] or [2].

[0024] The control method in [6] above utilizes the feature of "using the vehicle's license plate to determine whether or not entry into the self-driving area of ​​a gate-type car wash is permitted" and can prohibit entry of vehicles with license plates that match the registered denial information. This method reduces or eliminates the burden on users of carrying special media to determine whether or not entry is permitted.

[0025] [7] The information acquisition unit has an image capturing unit that captures an image of the license plate of the target vehicle, The control unit determines which of a plurality of predetermined classifications the type of vehicle represented by the license plate corresponds to based on the information of the license plate photographed by the photographing unit, and controls the entrance gate device to the permitted state when the type corresponds to a predetermined classification. A method for controlling entry restrictions at a gate-type car wash facility described in [1] or [2].

[0026] The control method [7] above can use the classifications distinguished by the license plate to determine whether or not a vehicle should be permitted to enter, and can limit the entry to those classified in advance.

[0027] [8] The control unit controls the entrance gate device to the permitted state when a classification number of the license plate photographed by the photographing unit corresponds to a permitted number. A method for controlling entry restrictions at a gate-type car wash facility described in [6].

[0028] The control method [8] above can use the classification number specified on the license plate to determine whether or not a vehicle should be permitted to enter, and can limit entry to vehicles with predetermined classification numbers.

[0029] [9] A detection step of detecting that the vehicle is placed at the predetermined position by a detection unit, In the acquiring step, the information acquiring unit acquires the predetermined information from the target object on condition that the detection unit detects the vehicle. A method for controlling entry restrictions at a gate-type car wash facility described in [1] or [2].

[0030] The control method [9] above can operate the information acquisition unit to acquire specified information from the target object when the vehicle reaches a specified position, so that the information acquisition unit does not need to constantly attempt to acquire specified information from the target object, enabling more efficient operation.

[0031]

[10] When the vehicle reaches the predetermined position, if the predetermined information acquired by the information acquisition unit does not satisfy a permission condition or if the predetermined information cannot be acquired, an informing step is included in which an informing unit notifies that entry into the car wash is not permitted. A method for controlling entry restrictions at a gate-type car wash facility described in [1] or [2].

[0032] The control method

[10] above can notify a user that entry to the car wash is not permitted, making it easier for the user who is not permitted to enter to take appropriate action (such as moving the vehicle away from the entrance).

[0033]

[11] A gate-type car wash facility comprising a car wash consisting of a plurality of car wash spaces where vehicles are washed and equipped with an entrance through which vehicles can pass, and an entrance gate device which switches between a permission state for permitting the passage of vehicles at the entrance and a restriction state for prohibiting the passage of vehicles, wherein when the entrance gate device is in the permission state, vehicles can enter through the entrance, and a vehicle that has entered through the entrance can move by itself to one of the car wash spaces and stop there, comprising: a control device for controlling the entry restriction by the entrance gate device; an information acquisition unit that, when a target vehicle reaches a predetermined position before passing through the entrance, photographs or reads a target object that is determined to be an object to be used for lifting the entry restriction, and acquires predetermined information from the target object; a control unit that controls the entrance gate device to the permitted state when the predetermined information acquired by the information acquisition unit satisfies a permission condition; Includes A control device for restricting entry to a gate-type car wash facility.

[0034] The control device of the above

[11] has the same effects as the control method of the above [1].

[0035]

[12] A gate-type car wash facility comprising a control device for restricting entry to the gate-type car wash facility according to claim 11.

[0036] The gate-type car wash facility described above in

[12] has the same effects as the control method described above in [1].

[0037] First Embodiment The following description relates to a gate-type car wash facility 10 according to the first embodiment. 1. Configuration of gate-type car wash facility 10 The gate-type car wash facility 10 includes a car wash 20, gate devices 30A and 30B, and a control unit 40.

[0038] The car wash 20 is arranged adjacent to, for example, roads RA and RB that intersect with each other, and has an entrance 26A for entering the car wash 20 from the road RA and an exit 26B for exiting the car wash 20 to the road RB outside the car wash 20. The car wash 20 has a plurality of car wash spaces 21 and a pre-wash area 25, which are places where the vehicle CA1 is washed. The plurality of car wash spaces 21 are arranged in a line in a predetermined direction. Adjacent car wash spaces 21 are separated by a partition wall 22. The rear side of the car wash space 21 is closed by a partition wall 23. The front side of the car wash space 21 is open, and the vehicle CA1 that has advanced on the self-propelled path from the entrance 26A can enter any of the car wash spaces 21. In FIG. 1, six car wash spaces 21 are arranged side by side, but this is not limited thereto, and any number of car wash spaces 21 can be arranged. Next to the car wash space 21 on the right end side, a toilet 24 for users is arranged.

[0039] A car wash (not shown) for washing the vehicle CA1 is provided in the car wash space 21. The car wash is a known car wash that can be operated by the user himself, such as a spray-type car wash or a no-brush type car wash, and is equipped with a coin slot, a car wash course selection switch, a nozzle for spraying water and detergent at high pressure, and the like. Note that the car wash is not limited to one in which the user washes the car himself, and an automatic car wash such as a gate-type car wash may be installed in the car wash space 21. The user washes the vehicle CA1 by selecting and operating the car wash course of the automatic car wash or by using the spray of the high-pressure washing device himself. The front side of the six car wash spaces 21 and the toilet 24 is a self-propelled path (passageway) on which the vehicle CA1 can run by itself, and is configured so that the vehicle CA1 that has passed through the entrance gate device 30A can enter an empty car wash space 21, use the pre-wash area 25 after being washed in the car wash space 21, or move toward the exit 26B through the self-propelled path.

[0040] On the opposite side of the driveway from the car wash space 21, multiple pre-wash areas 25 are provided. The pre-wash areas 25 are equipped with a tap for running water, brushes, buckets, etc., so that areas that are difficult to reach with the brushes of the car wash machine can be washed using the brushes in the pre-wash areas 25.

[0041] Among the side-by-side car wash spaces 21, the entrance 26A for the vehicle CA1 is located in front of the rightmost car wash space 21, and an entrance gate device 30A is installed. The front side of the entrance gate device 30A (right side in FIG. 1) is the predetermined position where the first vehicle CA1 entering the car wash 20 stops (the position of the vehicle CA1 in FIG. 1). The predetermined position of the target vehicle to enter the car wash before passing through the entrance 26A may be at least in front of the entrance gate device 30A (a position on the right side of the entrance gate device 30A in FIG. 1, within the area to the left of the road RA). To the side of the first vehicle CA1 (lower in FIG. 1), the second vehicle CA2 and the third vehicle CA3 are waiting in line in the waiting spaces SW2 and SW3. Fences 38 and fee signs 39 are provided around the waiting spaces SW2 and SW3, and the inside of the car wash is divided by the fences 38 and fee signs 39. After the first vehicle CA1 passes through the entrance gate device 30A, the second vehicle CA2 moves to the front of the entrance gate device 30A, and the third vehicle CA3 moves to the waiting space SW2. If the first vehicle CA1 is not permitted to enter the car wash 20, it will back up and enter the road RA to look for another car wash or the like.

[0042] A vehicle CA1 that is about to enter the car wash 20 from a road RA outside the car wash 20 passes through the entrance 26A. In the example of FIG. 1, the car wash 20 is provided with one entrance 26A, but the number of entrances 26A may be two or more. In this case, two or more entry gate devices 30A are provided corresponding to the number of entrances 26A. A vehicle CB1 that is about to move from the car wash 20 to the road RB passes through the exit 26B. In the example of FIG. 1, one exit 26B is provided, but the number of exits 26B may be two or more.

[0043] The gate devices 30A and 30B include an entrance gate device 30A provided at the entrance 26A and an exit gate device 30B provided at the exit 26B. The gate devices 30A and 30B include a gate bar 31 and a support part 32 that rotatably supports one end side of the gate bar 31. The support part 32 includes a motor, and changes the angle of the gate bar 31 between a position perpendicular to the ground and a position horizontal to the ground by driving the motor. When the gate bar 31 is in a position (angle) horizontal to the ground, a restricted state is established in which the passage of the vehicle CA1 is restricted. The restricted state is a state in which the vehicle CA1 cannot move forward by itself due to the gate bar 31 in front of the vehicle CA1 and the vehicle CA1 must stop in front of the gate bar 31. When the gate bar 31 is in a position (angle) perpendicular to the ground, a permitted state is established in which the passage of the vehicle CA1 is permitted. The permitted state is a state in which the front of the vehicle CA1 is not blocked by the gate bar 31, the vehicle CA1 can move forward on its own, and the vehicle CA1 can pass through the entrance 26A. The motor of the support part 32 is capable of switching the direction of rotation, and the permitted state and the restricted state are switched by the rotation of one end side of the gate bar 31.

[0044] The entrance gate device 30A switches between an allowed state that allows the vehicle CA1 to pass through the entrance 26A and a restricted state that prohibits the vehicle CA1 from passing. When the entrance gate device 30A is in the allowed state, the vehicle CA1 can enter from the entrance 26A, and the vehicle CA1 that entered from the entrance 26A can move to any of the car wash spaces 21 by itself and stop there. The exit gate device 30B switches between an allowed state that allows the vehicle CA1 to pass through the exit 26B and a restricted state that prohibits the vehicle CA1 from passing through. When the exit gate device 30B is in the allowed state, the vehicle CA1 can exit from the exit 26B.

[0045] The entrance 26A is provided with an entrance gate device 30A and vehicle position detection coils 35, 36 as detection units for detecting the position of the vehicle CA1. The exit 26B is provided with an exit gate device 30B and vehicle position detection coils 35, 36 as detection units for detecting the position of the vehicle CA1. The vehicle position detection coils 35, 36 are provided as a pair on either side of the gate bar 31 of the entrance gate device 30A. The vehicle position detection coil 35 on the near side detects the entry of the vehicle CA1 into the waiting position, and the vehicle position detection coil 36 on the front side in the self-propelled direction detects that the vehicle CA1 has passed the gate bar 31. The vehicle position detection coils 35, 36 are loop coils buried in the ground. The loop coils detect a change in current caused by the metallic vehicle CA1 passing through a magnetic field generated by the loop coils, and detect the passage of the vehicle CA1.

[0046] The detector is not limited to a loop coil, and various detection methods can be used as the detector, such as a known proximity sensor, a photoelectric sensor that detects interruption of an optical axis, an ultrasonic sensor, etc. For example, the detector provides an object detection signal to the control unit when an object is present at a predetermined position (e.g., a central position), and provides a non-detection signal to the management device when no object is present at the predetermined position. The object detection signal provided by the detector to the management device may be information that can identify the presence of an object, and the non-detection signal may be information that can identify the absence of an object.

[0047] 2. Communication with the control unit Figure 2 shows the communication relationships in a gate-type car wash facility. The control unit 40 is configured with control devices such as a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory, etc. The control unit 40 is configured to be able to communicate with the information acquisition unit 60, the vehicle position detection coils 35, 36 as detection units, the registration unit 61, the gate devices 30A, 30B, the operation device 46, the reading unit 63, the settlement unit 64, the notification unit 45, and the mobile terminal TS by wired or wireless communication means.

[0048] The information acquisition unit 60 acquires information about the vehicle CA1 and includes a photographing unit 43 consisting of a camera or the like. The photographing unit 43 is provided corresponding to each of the entrance gate device 30A and the exit gate device 30B, and photographs a target object OB that is determined as an object used to release the entrance restriction. The target object OB is an object used to release the entrance restriction, and in this embodiment, it is the license plate NP of the vehicle CA1 (and the vehicle CB1). Therefore, the multiple photographing units 43 are arranged at positions (positions where the range of the dashed line in FIG. 1 can be photographed) that can photograph the license plate NP of the vehicle CA1 that has stopped at a predetermined position before passing through the gate in the restricted state to enter the car wash 20, and the license plate NP of the vehicle CB1 that has stopped at a predetermined position before passing through the gate in the restricted state to leave the car wash 20. The target object OB is not limited to the vehicle license plate NP, but may be, for example, an information code CD on the display unit 51 of a smartphone or a dedicated car wash ticket. In this case, the photographing unit 43 can be provided, for example, on an operating device 46 near the parking position (predetermined position) of the vehicle CA1, and can be a reading unit 63 capable of reading the information code CD on the display unit 51 of the smartphone or the car wash ticket.

[0049] The registration unit 61 registers permission conditions related to the vehicle type classification number NP1 (vehicle type). The permission conditions are conditions for the entry restriction by the entrance gate device 30A to be in a permitted state, and in this embodiment, the permission conditions are information on the type classification number NP1 (vehicle type). For example, information on the type classification number NP1 (vehicle type) can be registered as a permission condition by a personal computer or the like connected to the administrator's server. When information on the type classification number NP1 (vehicle type) is registered in the registration unit 61 from a personal computer or the like, if a vehicle with the type classification number NP1 (vehicle type) registered in the registration unit 61 proceeds to a predetermined position of the entrance gate device 30A, the gate device 30A becomes in a permitted state (open state), whereas even if a vehicle other than the type classification number NP1 (vehicle type) registered in the registration unit 61 proceeds to a predetermined position of the entrance gate device 30A, the gate device 30A remains in a restricted state (closed state) and does not move (does not become permitted state).

[0050] The operation devices 46 include an entry-side operation device 46 provided in front of the entry gate device 30A, and an exit-side operation device 46 provided in front of the exit gate device 30B. The entry-side operation device 46 may include, for example, a reading unit 63 (scanner) capable of reading the information code CD of the portable terminal TS, a car wash ticket issuing device, etc. The exit-side operation device 46 may include, for example, a reading unit 63 (scanner) capable of reading the information code CD of the portable terminal TS, and a payment device. The payment device may enable code payment using a credit card or the portable terminal TS, etc.

[0051] The notification unit 45 is composed of speakers and the like provided near the gate devices 30A, 30B and the operating device 46. It notifies (users of) vehicles that cannot use the car wash 20 that they cannot use the car wash 20, and notifies them to move the vehicle CA1 from a predetermined position in front of the gate device 30A.

[0052] The information acquisition unit 60 acquires information about the vehicle CA1, and is composed of the photographing unit 43, the scanner of the operation device 46, and the like. In this embodiment, the type classification number NP1 of the vehicle CA1 is photographed by a camera serving as the photographing unit 43 and acquired as the predetermined information. The predetermined information is information used to determine whether or not the permission conditions for making the entrance gate device 30A a permitted state in which the vehicle CA1 can pass through are satisfied. In this embodiment, the type classification number NP1 in the upper right corner of the license plate NP is regarded as the predetermined information. The type classification number NP1 is regarded as a number given according to the vehicle type. For example, small cars and regular cars are given numbers from 1 to 799, and large cars other than small cars and regular cars are given numbers from 800 to 999. Therefore, when large cars and the like are not to be allowed to enter the car wash 20, a type classification number from 1 to 799 is registered in advance as a permission condition and stored in a memory. When the vehicle CA1 enters a predetermined position of the entrance gate device 30A and the type classification number NP1 as the predetermined information acquired when the photographing unit 43 photographs the license plate NP is in the range of 1 to 799, the vehicle is a small vehicle or the like and satisfies the permission condition, so the gate of the entrance gate device 30A is in the permitted state in which it is opened. When the type classification number NP1 as the predetermined information acquired is in the range of, for example, 800 to 999, the vehicle is a large vehicle or the like and does not satisfy the permission condition, so the gate is in the restricted state in which it is not opened. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, in this embodiment, the type classification number NP1 as the predetermined information acquired by the photographing unit 43 photographing the license plate NP is "399", so the permission condition (range of 1 to 799) is satisfied, and the gate bar 31 of the entrance gate device 30A is in the permitted state in which it is opened (raised). Since the photographing unit 43 photographs the license plate NP and acquires the predetermined information, the target object determined as the object used to release the entrance restriction in this embodiment is the license plate of the vehicle CA1.

[0053] 3. Control of the entrance gate device 30A 5 is a flow chart showing the process of the entrance gate device 30A when the vehicle CA1 enters. Normally (when the vehicle CA1 has not entered in front of the gate), in step S11, the control unit 40 controls the entrance gate device 30A to be in a restricted state in which the passage of the vehicle CA1 is restricted, and the gate bar 31 is in a closed state (lowered state). In this state, the vehicle CA1 cannot pass through the entrance 26A because of the gate bar 31, so the vehicle CA1 stops in front of the gate bar 31 and waits. Next, in step S12, the control unit 40 detects whether the vehicle CA1 has entered based on a signal from the vehicle position detection coil 35, and if the vehicle CA1 has not entered a predetermined position of the entrance 26A (No in step S12), the entrance gate device 30A maintains the restricted state in which the passage of the vehicle CA1 is restricted, and the gate bar 31 maintains the closed state.

[0054] When it is detected by the signal from the vehicle position detection coil 35 that the vehicle CA1 has reached a predetermined position in front of the entrance gate device 30A (Yes in step S12), the process proceeds to step S13, and the control unit 40 outputs a shooting start signal to the photographing unit 43. When the vehicle CA1 is detected at the predetermined position, the license plate NP of the vehicle CA1 is located within a range that can be photographed by the photographing unit 43. Therefore, when the photographing start signal is input, the photographing unit 43 photographs the license plate NP of the vehicle CA1 in the state where it is detected at the predetermined position, and outputs image information of the photographed license plate NP to the control unit 40. The photographing unit 43 may be configured to always photograph (regardless of the position of the vehicle CA1), and in this case, for example, when it is detected that the vehicle CA1 has reached a predetermined position before passing through the entrance 26A, information of the license plate NP photographed by the photographing unit 43 may be output to the control unit 40. When the image information of the license plate NP is input, the control unit 40 extracts predetermined information consisting of the type classification number NP1 in the upper right corner from the symbol information of the license plate NP in step S14, stores the type classification number NP1 (predetermined information) in memory, and proceeds to step S15. In step S15, the control unit 40 determines whether the extracted type classification number NP1 corresponds to a permission number. The permission number is stored in memory in advance. The administrator can register or change the permission number from a management computer or the like.

[0055] If the type classification number NP1 does not correspond to the permission number (No in step S15), the vehicle is of a type (large vehicle, etc.) that is not suitable for entry into the car wash 20, so the entrance gate device 30A maintains the restricted state, does not open the gate bar 31, and proceeds to step S19, where the alarm unit 45 provided near the entrance gate device 30A notifies the vehicle that it is not permitted to enter the car wash 20 and encourages the vehicle to exit onto roads RA and RB. When step S19 is completed, the process returns to step S11, and the process of waiting for the next vehicle CA1 to be detected at the specified position is repeated.

[0056] On the other hand, if the type classification number NP1 corresponds to the permission number (Yes in step S15), the vehicle CA1 is permitted to enter the car wash 20 for small cars, regular cars, etc., so in step S16, the entrance gate device 30A is controlled to the permission state, the gate bar 31 is opened, and the process proceeds to step S17. When the entrance gate device 30A switches to the permission state and the gate bar 31 is opened, the user of the vehicle CA1 drives the vehicle CA1 forward. In step S17, the control unit 40 detects whether the vehicle CA1 has passed through the gate based on signals from the vehicle position detection coils 35, 36, and repeats detection of the vehicle CA1 until the vehicle CA1 passes through the entrance gate device 30A (No in step S17), and the entrance gate device 30A maintains the permission state. When the vehicle CA1 enters the car wash 20 through the entrance gate device 30A at the entrance 26A and the signals from the vehicle position detection coils 35, 36 detect that the vehicle CA1 has passed through the entrance gate device 30A (Yes in step S17), the process proceeds to step S18, where the control unit 40 controls the entrance gate device 30A to enter a restricting state. As a result, after one vehicle CA1 has passed, the gate bar 31 is again in a closed state (lowered state), and the passage of the vehicle CA1 at the entrance 26A is restricted, so that the next vehicle CA1 waits in front of the gate bar 31.

[0057] 4.Examples of effects The method for controlling entry restriction in a gate-type car wash facility 10 includes a car wash facility 20 having a plurality of car wash spaces 21, which are places where a vehicle CA1 is washed, and an entrance 26A through which the vehicle CA1 can pass, and an entrance gate device 30A that switches between a permission state that permits the vehicle CA1 to pass at the entrance 26A and a restriction state that prohibits the vehicle CA1 from passing, and when the entrance gate device 30A is in the permission state, the vehicle CA1 can enter from the entrance 26A, and the vehicle CA1 that has entered from the entrance 26A can move to and stop at any of the car wash spaces 21 by self-propelling. This is a control method for controlling entry restriction by the entry gate device 30A in a gate-type car wash facility 10 that has been made functional, in which, when a target vehicle CA1 attempting to enter the car wash 20 reaches a predetermined position before passing through the entrance 26A, the information acquisition unit 60 photographs or reads the license plate NP (target object OB) that is defined as the object to be used to release the entry restriction, and acquires a type classification number NP1 (predetermined information) from the target object OB, and, if the predetermined information acquired by the information acquisition unit 60 satisfies the permission condition, the control unit 40 controls the entry gate device 30A to an authorized state.

[0058] In the gate-type car wash facility 10, when a target vehicle CA1 that is about to enter the car wash 20 reaches a predetermined position before passing through the entrance 26A of the car wash 20, the information acquisition unit 60 photographs or reads the target object OB that is determined as an object to be used to release the entrance restriction, and acquires predetermined information from the target object OB. When the predetermined information acquired by the information acquisition unit 60 satisfies the permission condition, the control unit 40 controls the entrance gate device 30A to an authorization state that permits the vehicle CA1 to pass through the entrance 26A. When the entrance gate device 30A switches to the authorization state, a user of the car wash 20 can drive the vehicle CA1 through the entrance 26A of the car wash 20, enter the car wash 20, and use the facilities of the car wash 20. On the other hand, when the predetermined information acquired by the information acquisition unit 60 does not satisfy the permission condition, the entrance gate device 30A does not switch from a restricted state that prohibits the vehicle CA1 from passing through the entrance 26A to an authorization state that permits the vehicle CA1 to pass through the entrance 26A. Therefore, for example, for vehicles CA1 that are considered undesirable for use at the car wash 20, such as a vehicle CA1 owned by a customer with bad manners or an excessively dirty commercial vehicle CA1, by setting the type classification number NP1 (predetermined information) of the vehicle type that is not desired to use the car wash 20 so that it does not satisfy the permission conditions, it is possible to restrict the entry of the undesirable vehicles CA1 into the car wash 20.

[0059] The information acquisition unit 60 has an imaging unit 43 that photographs the license plate NP of the target vehicle CA1, and the control unit 40 determines, based on the information of the license plate NP photographed by the imaging unit 43, which of a number of predetermined classifications (compact car, regular car, large vehicle, etc.) the type of vehicle CA1 represented by the license plate NP falls into, and controls the entrance gate device 30A to an permitted state if it falls into a predetermined classification (compact car and regular car). Even if information about individual vehicles CA1 is not registered in advance, entry of undesirable vehicles into the car wash 20 can be restricted based on the classification of the vehicle type.

[0060] The control unit 40 controls the entrance gate device 30A to the permitted state when the classification number of the license plate NP photographed by the photographing unit 43 corresponds to the permitted number. The entry of the vehicle CA1 into the car wash 20 can be restricted depending on the vehicle type, etc.

[0061] The vehicle position detection coils 35, 36 (detection unit) detect that the vehicle CA1 has been placed in a predetermined position, and the information acquisition unit 60 acquires predetermined information from the target object OB on the condition that the vehicle position detection coils 35, 36 have detected the vehicle CA1. When the vehicle CA1 reaches the waiting position (predetermined position) for the leading vehicle CA1 in front of the entrance gate device 30A, the predetermined information can be acquired.

[0062] <Second embodiment> The following description relates to a gate-type car wash facility 10 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the process of the control unit 40 when the vehicle CA1 enters. In the gate-type car wash facility 10 of the second embodiment, the entrance gate device 30A is not set to an permitted state for a vehicle CA1 that has been previously registered as a blacklist, and the vehicle is not allowed to enter the gate-type car wash facility 10. In the following, the same components as those in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

[0063] The registration unit 61 stores information about vehicles that are not permitted to use the car wash 20, instead of the permission conditions related to the vehicle type classification number NP1 (vehicle type) of the first embodiment. Specifically, the information of the license plate NP that can identify the vehicle CA1 is registered as non-permission information (blacklist information) by an administrator or the like. The non-permission information can be registered, for example, by a personal computer or the like connected to the administrator's server. When the non-permission information (blacklist information) is registered in the registration unit 61, when the entrance gate device 30A is in a restricted state (closed state), even if the vehicle CA1 advances to a predetermined position, the gate device 30A remains in the restricted state, the gate bar 31 does not rise, and the permission state is not entered. Note that the registration unit 61 is not limited to the above, and for example, the permission conditions related to the type classification number NP1 of the first embodiment may be registered in the registration unit 61 together with the non-permission information.

[0064] (Control of entrance gate device 30A) FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the process of the entrance gate device 30A when the vehicle CA1 enters.

[0065] Normally (when the vehicle CA1 has not entered in front of the gate), in step S21, the control unit 40 controls the entrance gate device 30A to be in a restricted state in which the passage of the vehicle CA1 is restricted, and the gate bar 31 is in a closed state (lowered state). In this state, the gate bar 31 prevents the vehicle CA1 from passing through the entrance 26A, so the vehicle CA1 stops in front of the gate bar 31 and waits. Next, in step S22, the control unit 40 detects whether the vehicle CA1 has entered based on a signal from the vehicle position detection coil 35, and if the vehicle CA1 has not entered a predetermined position at the entrance 26A (No in step S22), the entrance gate device 30A maintains the restricted state in which the passage of the vehicle CA1 is restricted, and the gate bar 31 remains closed.

[0066] When it is detected by the signal from the vehicle position detection coil 35 that the vehicle CA1 has reached a predetermined position in front of the entrance gate device 30A (Yes in step S22), the process proceeds to step S23, where the control unit 40 outputs a photographing start signal to the photographing unit 43. When the vehicle CA1 is detected at the predetermined position, the license plate NP of the vehicle CA1 is located within the photographing range of the photographing unit 43. Therefore, when the photographing start signal is input, the photographing unit 43 photographs the license plate NP of the vehicle CA1 in the state of being detected at the predetermined position, and outputs image information of the photographed license plate NP to the control unit 40. The photographing unit 43 may be configured to photograph at all times (regardless of the position of the vehicle CA1). In this case, for example, when it is detected that the vehicle CA1 has reached a predetermined position before passing through the entrance 26A, the information of the license plate NP photographed by the photographing unit 43 may be output to the control unit 40. When the image information of the license plate NP is input, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the symbol information of the license plate NP extracted from the image information of the license plate NP matches the non-permission information in step S24. The denial information is used to register in advance (as a blacklist) the vehicles CA1 of users who are not permitted to use the car wash 20, and is, for example, information on the license plate NP of the vehicle CA1, and is stored in a memory serving as the registration unit 61. The denial information may be all of the information on the license plate NP, or may be part of the information on the license plate NP.

[0067] If the symbol information of the license plate NP matches the denial information (Yes in step S24), the vehicle CA1 belongs to a user for whom entry into the car wash 20 is undesirable, so the entrance gate device 30A remains in the restricted state, does not open the gate bar 31, and proceeds to step S28, where the alarm unit 45 installed near the entrance gate device 30A notifies the user that entry into the car wash 20 is not possible and encourages the user to exit onto roads RA and RB.

[0068] On the other hand, if the symbol information of the license plate NP does not match the non-permission information (No in step S24), the vehicle CA1 is not of a user who is not desirable to enter the car wash 20, so in step S25 the entrance gate device 30A is controlled to the permitted state, the gate bar 31 is opened, and the process proceeds to step S26. When the entrance gate device 30A switches to the permitted state and the gate bar 31 is opened, the user of the vehicle CA1 drives the vehicle CA1 forward. In step S26, the control unit 40 detects whether the vehicle CA1 has passed through the gate based on signals from the vehicle position detection coils 35, 36, and repeats detection of the vehicle CA1 until the vehicle CA1 passes through the entrance gate device 30A (No in step S26), and the entrance gate device 30A maintains the permitted state. When it is detected by the signals from the vehicle position detection coils 35, 36 that the vehicle CA1 has passed through the entrance gate device 30A (Yes in step S26), the process proceeds to step S27, where the control unit 40 controls the entrance gate device 30A to enter a restrictive state. As a result, after one vehicle CA1 has passed, the gate bar 31 is again in a closed state (lowered state), and the passage of the vehicle CA1 at the entrance 26A is restricted, so that the next vehicle CA1 stops in front of the gate bar 31 and waits.

[0069] (Example of effect of embodiment 2) The information acquisition unit 60 uses a registration unit 61 that registers part or all of the symbol information of the license plate NP of each vehicle CA1 that is not permitted to enter as unauthorised information, and has a photographing unit 43 that photographs the license plate NP of the target vehicle CA1, and the control unit 40 controls the entrance gate device 30A to a unauthorised state when the symbol information of the license plate NP photographed by the photographing unit 43 corresponds to the unauthorised information registered in the registration unit 61.

[0070] A part or all of the symbol information of the license plate NP of each vehicle CA1 that is not permitted to enter is registered as non-permission information in the registration unit 61. The control unit 40 controls the entrance gate device 30A to a restricted state when the symbol information of the license plate NP photographed by the photographing unit 43 corresponds to the non-permission information registered in the registration unit 61. For vehicles CA1 that are considered undesirable for use at the car wash 20, a manager or the like can register non-permission information in the registration unit 61 in advance, so that vehicles CA1 that are undesirable for use at the car wash 20 can be restricted from entering the car wash 20 (by registering them in advance as a blacklist).

[0071] <Third embodiment> The following description relates to a gate-type car wash facility 10 according to the third embodiment. Fig. 7 is a flow chart showing a process of registering predetermined information of the vehicle CA1 using an application or website of the mobile terminal TS Fig. 8 is a flow chart showing a process of the control unit 40 when the vehicle CA1 enters the facility.

[0072] The gate-type car wash facility 10 of the third embodiment allows entry of a vehicle CA1 having symbol information of a license plate NP registered in advance. In the following, the same components as those of the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described.

[0073] (Registration to mobile terminal TS) As shown in FIG. 7, a person who wants to use the car wash 20 installs an application for using the car wash 20 in advance on a smartphone or the like, and waits for the application to start up on the mobile terminal TS (No in step S31).

[0074] In step S31, when an application of the mobile terminal TS is started (if Yes in step S32), an input screen for registration information consisting of all or part of the symbol information of the license plate NP and user information as an optional input item is displayed on the display unit 51 of the mobile terminal TS in step S32. The symbol information of the license plate NP must be input to the extent that at least the vehicle CA1 can be identified. The user information may be the user's name, telephone number, etc. In step S33, the control unit 40 determines whether the registration information, etc. has been input appropriately, and if the registration information, etc. has been input appropriately (if Yes in step S33), the control unit 40 registers the registration information, etc. in step S34 and stores it in memory.

[0075] (Control of entrance gate device 30A) 8 is a flow chart showing the process of the entrance gate device 30A when the vehicle CA1 enters. Normally (when the vehicle CA1 has not entered in front of the gate), in step S41, the control unit 40 controls the entrance gate device 30A to be in a restricted state in which the passage of the vehicle CA1 is restricted, and the gate bar 31 is in a closed state (lowered state). In this state, the vehicle CA1 cannot pass through the entrance 26A because of the gate bar 31, so the vehicle CA1 stops in front of the gate bar 31 and waits. Next, in step S42, the control unit 40 detects whether the vehicle CA1 has entered based on a signal from the vehicle position detection coil 35, and if the vehicle CA1 has not entered a predetermined position of the entrance 26A (No in step S42), the entrance gate device 30A maintains the restricted state in which the passage of the vehicle CA1 is restricted, and the gate bar 31 maintains the closed state.

[0076] When it is detected by the signal from the vehicle position detection coil 35 that the vehicle CA1 has reached a predetermined position in front of the entrance gate device 30A (Yes in step S42), the process proceeds to step S43, and the control unit 40 outputs a photographing start signal to the photographing unit 43. When the vehicle CA1 is detected at the predetermined position, the license plate NP of the vehicle CA1 is located within the photographing range of the photographing unit 43, so when the photographing start signal is input, the photographing unit 43 photographs the license plate NP of the vehicle CA1 in the state where it is detected at the predetermined position, and outputs image information of the photographed license plate NP to the control unit 40. Note that the photographing unit 43 may be configured to photograph at all times (regardless of the position of the vehicle CA1), and in this case, for example, when it is detected that the vehicle CA1 has reached a predetermined position before passing through the entrance 26A, information of the license plate NP photographed by the photographing unit 43 may be output to the control unit 40. When the image information of the license plate NP is input, the control unit 40 determines in step S44 whether the symbol information of the license plate NP extracted from the image information of the license plate NP matches the registration information regarding the license plate NP that was previously registered in an application of the mobile terminal TS.

[0077] If the symbol information of the license plate NP does not match the registration information (No in step S44), the vehicle CA1 belongs to an unregistered user, so the entrance gate device 30A maintains the restricted state, does not open the gate bar 31, and proceeds to step S48, where an alarm unit such as the alarm unit 45 provided near the entrance gate device 30A notifies the user that entry to the car wash 20 is not possible and encourages the user to exit onto roads RA and RB. Note that, for example, it may be possible to register a new user on the spot using the operation device 46, or by an application on the mobile terminal TS.

[0078] On the other hand, if the symbol information of the license plate NP matches the registration information (Yes in step S44), the vehicle CA1 belongs to a pre-registered user, so in step S45 the entrance gate device 30A is controlled to an authorized state, the gate bar 31 is opened, and the process proceeds to step S46. When the entrance gate device 30A switches to an authorized state and the gate bar 31 is opened, the user of the vehicle CA1 drives the vehicle CA1 forward. In step S46, the control unit 40 detects whether the vehicle CA1 has passed through the gate based on signals from the vehicle position detection coils 35, 36, and repeats detection of the vehicle CA1 until the vehicle CA1 passes through the entrance gate device 30A (No in step S46), and the entrance gate device 30A maintains the authorized state. When the vehicle CA1 enters the car wash 20 through the entrance gate device 30A at the entrance 26A and the signals from the vehicle position detection coils 35, 36 detect that the vehicle CA1 has passed through the entrance gate device 30A (Yes in step S46), the process proceeds to step S27, where the control unit 40 controls the entrance gate device 30A to enter a restricted state. As a result, after one vehicle CA1 has passed, the gate bar 31 is again in a closed state (lowered state), and the passage of the vehicle CA1 at the entrance 26A is restricted, so the next vehicle CA1 stops in front of the gate bar 31 and waits.

[0079] (Example of effect of the third embodiment) Using a registration unit 61 that registers part or all of the symbol information of the license plate NP of each vehicle CA1 that is permitted to enter as registration information, the information acquisition unit 60 has a photographing unit 43 that photographs the license plate NP of the target vehicle CA1, and the control unit 40 controls the entrance gate device 30A to an permitted state when the symbol information of the license plate NP photographed by the photographing unit 43 corresponds to the registration information registered in the registration unit 61.

[0080] A user or the like registers registration information related to vehicle CA1 in advance (before entering the car wash 20). When predetermined information acquired by information acquisition unit 60 at entrance 26A of the car wash 20 corresponds to registration information registered in registration unit 61, entrance gate device 30A is controlled to an permitted state. By registering the user's registration information in advance, a desirable (user's) vehicle CA1 can be permitted to enter at entrance 26A of the car wash 20.

[0081] <Fourth embodiment> The following description relates to a gate-type car wash facility 10 according to the fourth embodiment. In the gate-type car wash facility 10 of the fourth embodiment, a user of a vehicle CA1 waiting at an entrance gate device 30A in a restricted state displays a two-dimensional code as an information code CD of a mobile terminal TS to obtain information about the vehicle CA1. In the following, the same components as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described.

[0082] (Control of entrance gate device 30A) 10 is a flowchart showing the process of the entrance gate device 30A when the vehicle CA1 enters. Normally (when the vehicle CA1 has not entered in front of the gate), in step S51, the control unit 40 controls the entrance gate device 30A to be in a restricted state in which the passage of the vehicle CA1 is restricted, and the gate bar 31 is in a closed state (lowered state). In this state, the vehicle CA1 cannot pass through the entrance 26A because of the gate bar 31, so the vehicle CA1 stops in front of the gate bar 31 and waits. Next, in step S22, the control unit 40 detects whether the vehicle CA1 has entered based on a signal from the vehicle position detection coil 35, and if the vehicle CA1 has not entered a predetermined position of the entrance 26A (No in step S52), the entrance gate device 30A maintains the restricted state in which the passage of the vehicle CA1 is restricted, and the gate bar 31 maintains the closed state.

[0083] When it is detected by the signal from the vehicle position detection coil 35 that the vehicle CA1 has reached a predetermined position before passing through the entrance 26A (Yes in step S52), the process proceeds to step S53, where the control unit 40 outputs a photographing start signal to the photographing unit 43. When the vehicle CA1 is detected at the predetermined position, the license plate NP of the vehicle CA1 is located within the photographing range of the photographing unit 43. Therefore, when the photographing start signal is input, the photographing unit 43 photographs the license plate NP of the vehicle CA1 in the state of being detected at the predetermined position, and outputs image information of the photographed license plate NP to the control unit 40. The photographing unit 43 may be configured to photograph at all times (regardless of the position of the vehicle CA1). In this case, for example, when it is detected that the vehicle CA1 has reached a predetermined position before passing through the entrance 26A, information of the license plate NP photographed by the photographing unit 43 may be output to the control unit 40. Next, the control unit 40 detects whether or not the two-dimensional code as the information code CD has been read by the reading unit 63 of the operation device 46 in step S54. If the two-dimensional code cannot be read (No in step S54), the process of step S54 is repeated.

[0084] 9, the user of vehicle CA1 starts an application on the portable terminal TS, displays a two-dimensional code, and has the reading unit 63 of the operation device 46 read the two-dimensional code. User information and symbol information of the license plate NP of the vehicle CA1 are registered in advance in the car wash application on the portable terminal TS. When the two-dimensional code is read by the reading unit 63 (Yes in step S54), the control unit 40 proceeds to step S55 and determines whether the registered information of the two-dimensional code matches the information of the license plate NP of the vehicle CA1 photographed by the photographing unit 43.

[0085] If the symbol information of the license plate NP does not match the denial information (No in step S54), the vehicle CA1 belongs to a user for whom entry into the car wash 20 is undesirable, so the entrance gate device 30A will maintain the restricted state and will not open the gate bar 31, and will proceed to step S59, where the alarm unit 45 installed near the entrance gate device 30A will notify the user that entry into the car wash 20 is not possible and to encourage the user to exit onto roads RA and RB.

[0086] On the other hand, if the symbol information of the license plate NP matches the non-permission information (Yes in step S55), the vehicle CA1 is not that of a user who is not desirable to enter the car wash 20, so in step S56, the entrance gate device 30A is controlled to a permitted state and the gate bar 31 is opened. When the entrance gate device 30A switches to the permitted state and the gate bar 31 is opened, the user of the vehicle CA1 drives the vehicle CA1 forward. In step S57, the control unit 40 detects whether the vehicle CA1 has passed through the gate based on signals from the vehicle position detection coils 35, 36, and repeats detection of the vehicle CA1 until the vehicle CA1 passes through the entrance gate device 30A (No in step S57), and the entrance gate device 30A maintains the permitted state. When the vehicle CA1 enters the car wash 20 through the entrance gate device 30A at the entrance 26A and the signals from the vehicle position detection coils 35, 36 detect that the vehicle CA1 has passed through the entrance gate device 30A (Yes in step S57), the process proceeds to step S58, where the control unit 40 controls the entrance gate device 30A to enter a restricting state. As a result, after one vehicle CA1 has passed, the gate bar 31 is again in a closed state (lowered state), and the passage of the vehicle CA1 at the entrance 26A is restricted, so that the next vehicle CA1 waits in front of the gate bar 31.

[0087] (Example of effect of embodiment 4) The information acquisition unit 60 reads the information code displayed on the display unit 51 of the mobile terminal TS as the target object OB and acquires specified information based on the information recorded in the information code, thereby making it possible to identify, for example, a vehicle CA1 that is suitable for use at the car wash 20 without having to register the information on the license plate NP of the vehicle CA1 in advance.

[0088] <Fifth embodiment> The following description relates to a gate-type car wash facility 10 according to the fifth embodiment. In the fifth embodiment, payment information is registered in advance by an application on the mobile terminal TS, and automatic payment is possible when exiting the gate-type car wash facility 10. In the following, the same components as those in the above embodiments are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

[0089] (Registering payment information in the application) A person who wishes to use the car wash 20 installs an application for using the car wash 20 in advance on a mobile terminal TS such as a smartphone. The person performs an operation to start up the application on the mobile terminal TS and waits for the application to start up (if No in step S61).

[0090] In step S61, when the application of the mobile terminal TS is launched (if Yes in step S61), an input screen for registration information such as user information and specific information such as payment information is displayed in step S62. A person who wishes to use the car wash 20 inputs the registration information and specific information by following the instructions on the input screen. User information may be the user's name, telephone number, license plate NP symbol information, etc. Payment information may be a credit card number, bank account information, etc. In step S63, the control unit 40 determines whether registration information such as user information and specific information such as payment information have been input, and if registration information such as user information and specific information such as payment information have been input (if Yes in step S63), the control unit 40 registers the registration information and specific information in step S64.

[0091] (Control of the exit gate device 30B) 12 is a flowchart showing the process of the exit gate device 30B when the vehicle CA1 exits. Normally (when the vehicle CA1 has not entered in front of the gate), in step S71, the control unit 40 controls the exit gate device 30B to be in a restricted state in which the passage of the vehicle CA1 is restricted, and the gate bar 31 is in a closed state (lowered state). In this state, the vehicle CA1 cannot pass through the entrance 26A because of the gate bar 31, so the vehicle CA1 stops in front of the gate bar 31 and waits. Next, in step S72, the control unit 40 detects whether the vehicle CA1 has entered based on a signal from the vehicle position detection coil 35, and if the vehicle CA1 has not entered a predetermined position in front of the exit gate device 30B (No in step S72), the exit gate device 30B maintains the restricted state in which the passage of the vehicle CA1 is restricted, and the gate bar 31 is maintained in a closed state.

[0092] When it is detected by the signal from the vehicle position detection coil 35 that the vehicle CA1 has reached a predetermined position before passing through the entrance 26A (Yes in step S72), the process proceeds to step S73, where the control unit 40 outputs an image capture start signal to the photographing unit 43. When the vehicle CA1 is detected at the predetermined position, the license plate NP of the vehicle CA1 is located within the range of image capture by the photographing unit 43. Therefore, when the image capture start signal is input, the photographing unit 43 captures the license plate NP of the vehicle CA1 in the state where it is detected at the predetermined position, and outputs image information of the photographed license plate NP to the control unit 40. The photographing unit 43 may be configured to capture images at all times (regardless of the position of the vehicle CA1), and in this case, for example, when it is detected that the vehicle CA1 has reached a predetermined position in front of the exit gate device 30B, information of the license plate NP photographed by the photographing unit 43 may be output to the control unit 40.

[0093] Next, the control unit 40 identifies the vehicle CA1 based on the information of the license plate NP acquired in step S74, calculates the fee according to the usage time of the car wash 20, etc., and proceeds to step S75. In step S75, it is determined whether the vehicle CA1 detected to have reached a predetermined position in front of the exit gate device 30B is a vehicle CA1 for which payment information has been registered. If the vehicle CA1 is not a vehicle for which payment information has been registered (No in step S75), the user pays the fee through a payment machine. The fee can be paid by, for example, cash, credit card, code payment, IC card, etc. When the fee payment is completed in step S80, the process proceeds to step S77, where the exit gate device 30B is controlled to an authorized state and the gate bar 31 is opened. When the exit gate device 30B is switched to an authorized state and the gate bar 31 is opened, the user of the vehicle CA1 can drive the vehicle CA1 out of the car wash 20.

[0094] If the vehicle CA1 has registered payment information in step S75 (Yes in step S75), the process proceeds to step S76, where automatic payment processing is performed using a payment method such as a credit card registered in advance. When the automatic payment processing is completed, the exit gate device 30B is controlled to an authorized state in step S77, and the gate bar 31 is opened. When the exit gate device 30B switches to an authorized state and the gate bar 31 is opened, the user of the vehicle CA1 can drive the vehicle CA1 to exit the car wash 20. In step S78, the control unit 40 detects whether the vehicle CA1 has passed through the gate based on signals from the vehicle position detection coils 35, 36, and repeats detection of the vehicle CA1 until the vehicle CA1 passes through the exit gate device 30B (No in step S78), and the exit gate device 30B maintains the authorized state. When the user drives the vehicle CA1 and detects that the vehicle CA1 has passed through the exit gate device 30B by signals from the vehicle position detection coils 35, 36 (Yes in step S78), the process proceeds to step S79, where the control unit 40 controls the exit gate device 30B to enter a restrictive state. As a result, after one vehicle CA1 has passed, the gate bar 31 is again in a closed state (lowered state), and the passage of the vehicle CA1 at the exit 26B is restricted, so that the next vehicle CA1 stops in front of the gate bar 31 and waits.

[0095] (Example of effect of embodiment 5) Each piece of specific information identifying each of a plurality of users (entities) is registered in the registration unit 61 in a state in which the corresponding specified information can be identified, and when the specified information is acquired by the information acquisition unit 60, the payment unit 64 identifies the user entity (user) corresponding to the acquired specified information based on the registration contents of the registration unit 61, and executes a payment process in which the user entity (user) pays the usage fee for the gate-type car wash facility 10. For example, the user will no longer have to perform operations to settle payments at an exit gate, etc., thereby improving convenience for vehicle users.

[0096] Sixth embodiment The following description relates to a gate-type car wash facility 10 according to the sixth embodiment. In the gate-type car wash facility 10 of the sixth embodiment, a user of a vehicle CA1 waiting at the entrance gate device 30A in a restricted state has a target read to obtain the user's unique information. In the following, the same components as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described.

[0097] (Control of entrance gate device 30A) 13 is a flowchart showing the process of the entrance gate device 30A when the vehicle CA1 enters. Normally (when the vehicle CA1 has not entered in front of the gate), in step S81, the control unit 40 controls the entrance gate device 30A to be in a restricted state in which the passage of the vehicle CA1 is restricted, and the gate bar 31 is in a closed state (lowered state). In this state, the vehicle CA1 cannot pass through the entrance 26A because of the gate bar 31, so the vehicle CA1 stops in front of the gate bar 31 and waits. Next, in step S82, the control unit 40 detects whether the vehicle CA1 has entered based on a signal from the vehicle position detection coil 35, and if the vehicle CA1 has not entered a predetermined position of the entrance 26A (No in step S82), the entrance gate device 30A maintains the restricted state in which the passage of the vehicle CA1 is restricted, and the gate bar 31 maintains the closed state.

[0098] If a signal from the vehicle position detection coil 35 detects that the vehicle CA1 has reached a predetermined position before passing through the entrance 26A (Yes in step S82), the process proceeds to step S83, where it is determined whether the read object can be read. The read object is, for example, a uniquely provided medium (such as a member card). If the read object is a uniquely provided medium (such as a member card), in step S83 it is determined whether the medium was provided by the user and read by the reading device. If it is determined in step S83 that the medium (such as a member card) has been read by the reading device, it is determined in step S84 whether the object is genuine. Specifically, in step S84, it is determined whether the unique information recorded on the read medium matches the information of a previously registered authorized person (e.g., an authorized registration number).If the read unique information does not match the information of a previously registered authorized person (e.g., an authorized registration number), the vehicle CA1 belongs to a user who is not desirable for entry into the car wash 20, so the entrance gate device 30A remains in the restricted state and does not open the gate bar 31, and the process proceeds to step S86, where the alarm unit 45 provided near the entrance gate device 30A notifies the user that entry into the car wash 20 is not possible and that the user is urged to exit onto roads RA and RB.

[0099] On the other hand, if it is determined that the unique information read in step S84 matches the information of a previously registered authorized person (for example, an authorized registration number), then the vehicle CA1 is not that of a user who is undesirable from entering the car wash 20, and in step S85 the entrance gate device 30A is controlled to an authorized state and the gate bar 31 is opened. When the entrance gate device 30A switches to an authorized state and the gate bar 31 is opened, the user of the vehicle CA1 drives the vehicle CA1 forward under its own power. In step S87, the control unit 40 detects whether the vehicle CA1 has passed through the gate based on signals from the vehicle position detection coils 35, 36, and repeats detection of the vehicle CA1 until the vehicle CA1 passes through the entrance gate device 30A (if No in step S87), and the entrance gate device 30A maintains the authorized state. When the vehicle CA1 enters the car wash 20 through the entrance gate device 30A at the entrance 26A and the signals from the vehicle position detection coils 35, 36 detect that the vehicle CA1 has passed through the entrance gate device 30A (Yes in step S87), the process proceeds to step S88, where the control unit 40 controls the entrance gate device 30A to enter a restricting state. As a result, after one vehicle CA1 has passed, the gate bar 31 is again in a closed state (lowered state), and the passage of the vehicle CA1 at the entrance 26A is restricted, so that the next vehicle CA1 waits in front of the gate bar 31.

[0100] In the above example, the object to be read in step S83 was the above-mentioned medium, but the object to be read may be a part of the user (fingerprint, vein, face, iris, auricle, etc.). In this case, the biometric information of the user is read in step S83, and if the read biometric information is permitted information, proceed to Yes in step S84, and if the information is not permitted information, proceed to No in step S84.

[0101] <Other embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and in the drawings. For example, the features of the above or later described embodiments can be combined in any combination within a range that does not contradict. Furthermore, any feature of the above or later described embodiments can be omitted unless it is clearly stated as essential. Furthermore, the above described embodiments may be modified as follows.

[0102] The car wash 20 is a flat-type car wash 20, but is not limited to this and may be a multi-story car wash with car washes on multiple floors.

[0103] The fee for the car wash 20 may be determined, for example, according to the duration of use, the duration of water discharge, the amount of water discharged, etc. Also, the fee may be collected on a prepaid or postpaid basis. Alternatively, the fee for air conditioners, ventilation devices, vacuum cleaners, electric fans, circulators, blowers, etc. may be determined according to the duration of use, and the fee may be collected on a prepaid or postpaid basis.

[0104] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope indicated by the claims or within the scope equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 10: Gate-type car wash facility 20: Car wash 21: Car wash area 26A: Entrance 26B: Exit 30A: Entrance gate device 30B: Exit gate device 35,36: Vehicle position detection coil 40: Control section 43: Filming Department 45: Speaker (notification section) 46: Operating device 51: Display section 60: Information acquisition department 61: Registration Department 63: Reading unit 64: Payment Department CA1,CB1: Vehicle CD: Information Code NP: License plate NP1: Type classification number OB: Object of interest TS: Mobile terminal

Claims

[Claim 1] A gate-type car wash facility comprising a car wash consisting of a plurality of car wash spaces where vehicles are washed and equipped with an entrance through which vehicles can pass, and an entrance gate device which switches between a permission state which allows vehicles to pass through the entrance and a restriction state which prohibits the vehicles from passing through, wherein when the entrance gate device is in the permission state, vehicles can enter through the entrance, and a vehicle which has entered through the entrance can move by itself to one of the car wash spaces and stop there, a control device for controlling the entrance restriction by the entrance gate device, The gate-type car wash facility allows a user of a vehicle waiting at the entrance gate device in the restricted state to have a read target read to obtain unique information of the user, The object to be read is a member card on which unique information is recorded, an information acquisition unit that, when a target vehicle reaches a predetermined position before passing through the entrance, reads the target object that is determined to be an object used to release the entry restriction, and acquires the unique information from the target object; a control unit that controls the entrance gate device to the permitted state when the unique information read by the information acquisition unit is a permitted registration number, and maintains the restricted state when the unique information read by the information acquisition unit is not the registration number; a notification unit that notifies a person that entry is not permitted if the unique information read by the information acquisition unit is not the registration number; Equipped Gate-type car wash facility.

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