Parking lot management method and parking lot management system

Abstract

To suppress reduction of monitoring accuracy in a case where a plurality of parking frames of a parking lot is monitored by one camera.SOLUTION: A parking lot management method manages a parking lot including a plurality of parking frames monitored by one camera. The parking lot management method includes parking frame allocation processing for allocating a vacant parking frame of a highest loading priority in the plurality of parking frames to a loading vehicle which is loaded in the parking lot. The plurality of parking frames includes a first parking frame and a second parking frame which is closer to an installation position of the one camera than the first parking frame. The loading priority of the first parking frame is higher than the loading priority of the second parking frame.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique for managing a parking lot. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a technique for managing a parking lot that includes multiple parking spaces monitored by a single camera. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a parking lot camera installed in a large parking lot where multiple vehicles can be parked in each of multiple blocks. The parking lot camera captures photographic data overlooking the parking lot. The photographic data is used to determine whether each block is full or empty. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-168025 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Consider a case where a parking space in a parking lot is monitored using a camera. For example, the usage status (vacant, occupied) of the parking space is determined based on an image of the parking space captured by the camera.

[0005] In order to reduce costs, there may be a need to monitor multiple parking spaces with one camera. However, when multiple parking spaces are monitored with one camera, there is a high possibility that a part of a parking space is hidden by a vehicle parked in an adjacent parking space. In other words, the impact of occlusion on the visibility of the parking space increases. When the visibility of the parking space decreases, the monitoring accuracy of the parking space decreases. For example, when a mark provided on a vacant parking space becomes invisible to one camera due to occlusion, it may be erroneously determined that a vehicle is parked in the vacant parking space.

[0006] One object of the present disclosure is to provide a technology capable of suppressing a decrease in monitoring accuracy when multiple parking spaces in a parking lot are monitored by one camera. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The first aspect relates to a parking lot management method for managing a parking lot including a plurality of parking spaces monitored by one camera. The parking lot management method includes a parking space allocation process for allocating a vacant parking space having the highest entry priority among a plurality of parking spaces to a vehicle entering the parking lot. The plurality of parking frames include a first parking frame and a second parking frame that is closer to an installation position of the one camera than the first parking frame. The entry priority of the first parking frame is higher than the entry priority of the second parking frame.

[0008] The second aspect relates to a parking lot management system that manages a parking lot including multiple parking spaces monitored by one camera. The parking management system comprises one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to execute a parking space allocation process for allocating a vacant parking space having the highest entry priority among a plurality of parking spaces to an entering vehicle entering the parking lot. The plurality of parking frames include a first parking frame and a second parking frame that is closer to an installation position of the one camera than the first parking frame. The entry priority of the first parking frame is higher than the entry priority of the second parking frame.

[0009] The third aspect relates to a parking lot management method for managing a parking lot including a plurality of parking spaces monitored by one camera. The parking lot management method includes a process of taking out a vehicle parked in a plurality of parking spaces in accordance with the taking out priority of the plurality of parking spaces. The plurality of parking frames include a first parking frame and a second parking frame that is closer to an installation position of the one camera than the first parking frame. The exit priority of the second parking frame is higher than the exit priority of the first parking frame. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, even in a situation where a plurality of parking spaces are monitored by one camera, it is possible to suppress a decrease in monitoring accuracy. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an overview of a parking lot and a parking lot management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an example of a method for determining the utilization status (vacant, in use) of a parking space. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a case where a plurality of parking spaces are monitored by one camera. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a problem. [Diagram 5] 1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a parking frame allocation process according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a parking frame allocation process according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of entry priority order for a plurality of parking frames according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a reallocation process according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of exit priority order for a plurality of parking frames according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a parking lot management system according to an embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] 1. Overview of parking lots and parking management systems FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an overview of a parking lot 1 and a parking lot management system 100 according to the present embodiment.

[0014] The parking lot 1 includes an entrance area 2, an exit area 3, an aisle 4, and a parking space 5. The entrance area 2 is an area where a vehicle 10 (entering vehicle) entering the parking lot 1 stops. The exit area 3 is an area where a vehicle 10 (exiting vehicle) leaving the parking lot 1 stops. The aisle 4 is an area in which the vehicle 10 drives. The parking space 5 is a space where the vehicle 10 is parked. For example, the parking space 5 is separated by a dividing line.

[0015] The parking lot management system 100 manages the parking lot 1. For example, the parking lot management system 100 monitors the parking lot 1 using a camera 7 installed in the parking lot 1. As another example, the parking lot management system 100 may use the camera 7 to grasp the usage status (vacant, in use) of each parking space 5. As yet another example, the parking lot management system 100 may assign an available parking space 5 to a vehicle 10 (entering vehicle) entering the parking lot 1.

[0016] The parking lot management system 100 may include a local management device provided at each parking lot 1 and a management center that manages multiple parking lots 1.

[0017] An automated valet parking (AVP) service may be provided in the parking lot 1. A case in which the automated valet parking service is provided in the parking lot 1 will be described below.

[0018] The vehicle 10 that supports automatic valet parking can automatically travel at least in the parking lot 1 without the driver's driving operation. More specifically, the vehicle 10 is equipped with a recognition sensor (e.g., a camera) for recognizing the surrounding situation. The vehicle 10 performs automatic travel in the parking lot 1 while recognizing the surrounding situation using the recognition sensor. A landmark 6 for guiding the vehicle 10 may be arranged in the parking lot 1. The vehicle 10 acquires an image of the surroundings using a camera and recognizes the landmark 6 based on the image. The vehicle 10 can estimate the position of the vehicle 10 in the parking lot 1 with high accuracy based on the recognition result of the landmark 6 (Localization). The vehicle 10 automatically travels in the parking lot 1 based on the estimated vehicle position. The vehicle 10 may be an autonomous vehicle.

[0019] The parking lot management system 100 manages automatic valet parking of vehicles 10 in a parking lot 1. The parking lot management system 100 is capable of communicating with each vehicle 10. The parking lot management system 100 is also capable of communicating with a user terminal 200 of a user of the automatic valet parking service. An example of the flow when a user uses the automatic valet parking service will be described below.

[0020] First, the user makes a reservation for automatic valet parking. For example, the user operates the user terminal 200 to input the user's ID information, the desired parking lot 1, the desired date of use, the desired time of use (scheduled entry time and scheduled departure time), etc. The user terminal 200 transmits reservation information including the input information to the parking lot management system 100. The parking lot management system 100 performs reservation processing based on the reservation information.

[0021] The entry (check-in) of the vehicle 10 into the parking lot 1 is as follows.

[0022] A vehicle 10 carrying a user arrives at and stops in the entrance area 2 of the parking lot 1. In the entrance area 2, the user gets out of the vehicle 10. The user then requests that the vehicle 10 be entered. In response to the entry request, the parking lot management system 100 authenticates the user. Once the authentication is complete, the authority to operate the vehicle 10 is transferred from the user to the parking lot management system 100. The parking lot management system 100 performs an entry process for the vehicle 10.

[0023] In the entry process, the parking lot management system 100 communicates with the vehicle 10 and starts up the vehicle 10 (power ON).

[0024] Furthermore, the parking lot management system 100 refers to the usage status of each parking space 5 and allocates an available parking space 5 to the vehicle 10. Then, the parking lot management system 100 communicates with the vehicle 10 and transmits an entry instruction to the vehicle 10. The entry instruction includes information on the allocated parking space 5 and map information of the parking lot 1. The parking lot management system 100 may specify a target route from the entry area 2 to the allocated parking space 5.

[0025] In response to the entry instruction, the vehicle 10 starts vehicle driving control. Specifically, the vehicle 10 automatically drives from the entry area 2 to the assigned parking space 5, and automatically parks in the assigned parking space 5. At this time, the vehicle 10 may drive along a target route designated by the parking lot management system 100. The parking lot management system 100 may communicate with the vehicle 10 and remotely control the automatic driving of the vehicle 10.

[0026] When parking is complete, the vehicle 10 notifies the parking lot management system 100 of the completion of parking. Alternatively, the parking lot management system 100 may detect that parking of the vehicle 10 is complete using an infrastructure sensor installed in the parking lot 1. After parking is complete, the parking lot management system 100 communicates with the vehicle 10 and stops the operation of the vehicle 10 (power OFF).

[0027] Vehicle 10 leaves parking lot 1 (checks out) as follows.

[0028] The user uses the user terminal 200 to request the vehicle 10 to leave the parking lot. In response to the request, the parking lot management system 100 authenticates the user and performs the leaving process for the vehicle 10.

[0029] In the leaving process, the parking lot management system 100 communicates with the vehicle 10 and starts up the vehicle 10 (power ON).

[0030] In addition, the parking lot management system 100 communicates with the vehicle 10 and transmits an exit instruction to the vehicle 10. The exit instruction includes the location of the exit area 3 and map information of the parking lot 1. The parking lot management system 100 may specify a target route from the parking space 5 to the exit area 3.

[0031] In response to the exit instruction, the vehicle 10 starts vehicle driving control. Specifically, the vehicle 10 automatically drives from the parking space 5 to the exit area 3. At this time, the vehicle 10 may drive along a target route specified by the parking lot management system 100. The parking lot management system 100 may communicate with the vehicle 10 and remotely control the automatic driving of the vehicle 10.

[0032] The vehicle 10 arrives at the leaving area 3 and stops there. The authority to operate the vehicle 10 is transferred from the parking lot management system 100 to the user. The user gets into the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 departs for the next destination.

[0033] 2. Parking space monitoring process The parking lot management system 100 according to this embodiment monitors each parking space 5 in the parking lot 1 by using a camera 7 installed in the parking lot 1. This process is hereinafter referred to as a "parking space monitoring process." For example, the parking space monitoring process is performed to grasp the usage status (vacant, in use) of each parking space 5. As another example, the parking space monitoring process may be performed to confirm whether the vehicle 10 has safely arrived at the assigned parking space 5. As yet another example, the parking space monitoring process is also useful for monitoring vandalism against the vehicle 10 parked in the parking space 5.

[0034] 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an example of a method for determining the usage status of a parking space 5. The camera 7 photographs the parking space 5 and acquires an image IMG including the parking space 5. The parking lot management system 100 communicates with the camera 7 and acquires the image IMG captured by the camera 7. Then, the parking lot management system 100 determines the usage status of the parking space 5 based on the image IMG of the parking space 5.

[0035] For example, a mark 8 is provided on each parking space 5. The mark 8 is, for example, a marker drawn on the road surface. When a vehicle 10 is parked in the parking space 5, the mark 8 provided on the parking space 5 is hidden by the vehicle 10 and cannot be seen by the camera 7. Therefore, the parking lot management system 100 can determine the usage status of the parking space 5 based on whether the mark 8 is visible from the camera 7. More specifically, the parking lot management system 100 analyzes the image IMG of the parking space 5 and determines whether the image IMG includes the mark 8. When the image IMG includes the mark 8, the parking lot management system 100 determines that the parking space 5 is vacant. On the other hand, when the image IMG does not include the mark 8, the parking lot management system 100 determines that the parking space 5 is in use.

[0036] As another example, the parking lot management system 100 may hold an image IMG of an empty parking space 5 in which no vehicle 10 is parked as a reference image. In this case, the parking lot management system 100 can determine the usage status of the parking space 5 by comparing the image IMG of the parking space 5 with the reference image.

[0037] The usage status information 150 indicates the usage status (vacant, in use) of each parking space 5 in the parking lot 1. The parking lot management system 100 updates the usage status information 150 through a parking space monitoring process. Furthermore, by referring to the usage status information 150, the parking lot management system 100 can ascertain which parking spaces 5 in the parking lot 1 are currently vacant. Typically, such usage status information 150 is used when allocating a vacant parking space 5 to a vehicle 10 (entering vehicle) entering the parking lot 1.

[0038] In order to reduce costs, there may be a need to monitor multiple parking spaces 5 with one camera 7.

[0039] FIG. 3 shows an example of a case where a plurality of parking spaces 5 are monitored by one camera 7. In the example shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of parking spaces 5A to 5E are continuously arranged in the first direction X. Each parking space 5 may be adjacent to an adjacent parking space 5. One camera 7 is arranged so as to be able to photograph all of the plurality of parking spaces 5A to 5E. For example, one camera 7 is arranged above the central parking space 5C. However, the arrangement position of one camera 7 is not limited thereto.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the problem. In the example shown in FIG. 4, one camera 7 is disposed above the central parking space 5C. A relatively tall vehicle 10 is parked in the parking space 5D. The other parking spaces 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5E are vacant. The vehicle 10 parked in the parking space 5D hides the mark 8 provided on the adjacent parking space 5E. That is, when viewed from the one camera 7, the mark 8 of the parking space 5E is in a blind spot. In this case, the image IMG obtained by the one camera 7 does not include the mark 8 of the parking space 5E. Therefore, the parking space 5E, which is actually vacant, may be erroneously determined to be "in use". That is, the accuracy of determining the utilization status of the parking space 5 may be reduced.

[0041] To generalize, it is as follows. When multiple parking spaces 5 are monitored by one camera 7, there is a high possibility that a part of a certain parking space 5 is hidden by a vehicle 10 parked in an adjacent parking space 5. That is, the impact of occlusion on the visibility of the parking space 5 becomes large. When the visibility of the parking space 5 decreases, the monitoring accuracy of the parking space 5 decreases.

[0042] Therefore, the present disclosure proposes a technique capable of suppressing a decrease in monitoring accuracy when a plurality of parking spaces 5 are monitored by one camera 7.

[0043] 3. Parking space allocation process The parking lot management system 100 allocates an available parking space 5 to a vehicle 10 (entering vehicle) entering the parking lot 1. This process is hereinafter referred to as a "parking space allocation process." According to the present embodiment, this parking space allocation process has a feature for suppressing a decrease in monitoring accuracy.

[0044] 5 and 6 are conceptual diagrams for explaining the parking frame allocation process according to the present embodiment. The arrangement of the parking frames 5A to 5E and one camera 7 is the same as that shown in FIG. 4. It is assumed that all of the parking frames 5A to 5E are vacant at first.

[0045] After that, the vehicle 10 enters the parking lot 1. The parking space 5A or the parking space 5E farthest from the camera 7 among the parking spaces 5A to 5E is assigned to the entering vehicle. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the vehicles 10-A and 10-E are parked in the parking spaces 5A and 5E, respectively. The marks 8 of the parking spaces 5A and 5E are hidden by the parked vehicles 10-A and 10-E. Therefore, the parking spaces 5A and 5E are correctly determined to be "occupied". On the other hand, the marks 8 of the parking spaces 5B, 5C, and 5D are not hidden by the parked vehicles 10-A and 10-E. That is, the marks 8 of the parking spaces 5B, 5C, and 5D are visible by one camera 7. Therefore, the parking spaces 5B, 5C, and 5D are correctly determined to be "vacant".

[0046] After that, another vehicle 10 enters the parking lot 1. The entering vehicle is assigned the parking space 5B next to the parking space 5A, or the parking space 5D next to the parking space 5E. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the vehicles 10-A, 10-B, 10-D, and 10-E are parked in the parking spaces 5A, 5B, 5D, and 5E, respectively. The marks 8 of the parking spaces 5B and 5D are hidden by the parked vehicles 10-B and 10-D. Therefore, the parking spaces 5B and 5D are correctly determined to be "in use". On the other hand, the mark 8 of the parking space 5C is not hidden by the parked vehicle 10. That is, the mark 8 of the parking space 5C is visible by one camera 7. Therefore, the parking space 5C is correctly determined to be "vacant".

[0047] In FIG. 6, the mark 8 of the parking space 5A may be in the blind spot of the vehicle 10-B parked in the adjacent parking space 5B. However, before that, the mark 8 of the parking space 5A has already been hidden by the vehicle 10-A. Therefore, even if the vehicle 10-B is newly parked in the parking space 5B, the visibility of the mark 8 of the parking space 5A does not change. The parking space 5A is correctly determined as "occupied". The same applies to the parking space 5E.

[0048] From the above viewpoint, according to the present embodiment, the order of the parking frames 5 to be assigned to the entering vehicles is set in advance. In other words, a priority order is set for the multiple parking frames 5A to 5E. The priority order at the time of entering is hereinafter referred to as "entry priority order."

[0049] FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the entry priority order of a plurality of parking spaces 5A-5E. The arrangement of the parking spaces 5A-5E and one camera 7 is the same as that shown in FIG. 4-FIG. 6 above. The entry priority order of the parking space 5A and the parking space 5E, which are the furthest from the camera 7, is the highest. The entry priority order of the parking space 5B and the parking space 5D, which are the next furthest from the camera 7, is the next highest. The entry priority order of the parking space 5C, which is the closest to the camera 7, is the lowest.

[0050] To generalize, it is as follows. The multiple parking spaces 5 monitored by one camera 7 include a first parking space 5-1 and a second parking space 5-2. The first parking space 5-1 is relatively far from the installation position of the camera 7, and the second parking space 5-2 is relatively close to the installation position of the camera 7. In other words, the second parking space 5-2 is closer to the installation position of the camera 7 than the first parking space 5-1. In this case, the entrance priority of the first parking space 5-1 is higher than the entrance priority of the second parking space 5-2.

[0051] The parking lot management system 100 performs a parking space allocation process taking into consideration the entry priority of multiple parking spaces 5 monitored by one camera 7. Specifically, the parking lot management system 100 allocates an available parking space among the multiple parking spaces 5 to an entering vehicle entering the parking lot 1 according to the entry priority. In other words, the parking lot management system 100 allocates an available parking space among the multiple parking spaces 5 with the highest entry priority to the entering vehicle. For example, the parking lot management system 100 refers to the usage status information 150 to determine whether or not parking spaces 5 are available in the order of highest entry priority. Then, the parking lot management system 100 allocates an available parking space with the highest entry priority to the entering vehicle.

[0052] As a result of the parking space allocation process that takes into account the entry priority order, the influence of occlusion caused by entering vehicles is suppressed. Therefore, even in a situation where multiple parking spaces 5 are monitored by one camera 7, it is possible to suppress a decrease in monitoring accuracy. For example, the probability that a vehicle 10 parked in a certain parking space 5 hides the mark 8 of an adjacent parking space 5 is reduced. Therefore, the possibility that an actually vacant parking space 5 is erroneously determined to be "occupied" is reduced. This contributes to improving the accuracy and reliability of the parking space allocation process.

[0053] 4.Reassignment process After the vehicle 10 is parked in at least some of the multiple parking spaces 5, the vehicle 10 may be relocated as necessary. In other words, the parking lot management system 100 may newly assign another parking space 5 to the vehicle 10 parked in any of the parking spaces 5 as necessary. This process will be referred to as a "reallocation process" below.

[0054] FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the reallocation process. Here, the above-mentioned first parking frame 5-1 and second parking frame 5-2, which have different entry priorities, are considered. The entry priority of the first parking frame 5-1 is higher than the entry priority of the second parking frame 5-2. When the first vehicle 10-1 enters, the first parking frame 5-1 is assigned to the first vehicle 10-1, and the first vehicle 10-1 is parked in the first parking frame 5-1. After that, when the second vehicle 10-2 enters, the second parking frame 5-2 is assigned to the second vehicle 10-2, and the second vehicle 10-2 is parked in the second parking frame 5-2.

[0055] After that, the first vehicle 10-1 leaves the first parking frame 5-1. As a result, the first parking frame 5-1, which has a higher entry priority than the second parking frame 5-2, becomes an available parking frame. In this case, the parking management system 100 newly assigns the first parking frame 5-1 to the second vehicle 10-2 parked in the second parking frame 5-2. The second vehicle 10-2 moves from the second parking frame 5-2 to the newly assigned first parking frame 5-1.

[0056] After that, when a new vehicle enters the parking lot, the second parking frame 5-2 is assigned to the new vehicle. In other words, when the second vehicle 10-2 is parked in the second parking frame 5-2 with a low entry priority, the new vehicle is prevented from being assigned to the first parking frame 5-1 with a high entry priority.

[0057] In this way, by performing the reallocation process, it is possible to make the effect of the above-mentioned parking space allocation process last for a longer period of time.

[0058] 5. Priority-based shipping process It is also possible to apply the automatic valet parking technology to the parking lot of a rental car shop. In that case, multiple vehicles 10 to be rented to users are parked in the parking lot 1. When a user rents a vehicle 10, an unloading process is performed. At this time, the staff of the rental car shop do not move the vehicle 10 from the parking space 5 to the loading area (unloading area 3), but the designated vehicle 10 automatically drives to the loading area.

[0059] Consider a situation in which multiple vehicles 10 are parked in multiple parking spaces 5 monitored by one camera 7. There may be cases in which any of the multiple vehicles 10 may be specified in the exit process. For example, when there is only one type of vehicle 10 to be rented to the user, the vehicle 10 in any parking space 5 may be specified. As another example, when a vehicle 10 of a type desired by the user is parked in each of the multiple parking spaces 5, the vehicle 10 in any parking space 5 may be specified.

[0060] From the same viewpoint as in the parking frame allocation process at the time of entrance, priorities may also be set for the plurality of parking frames 5 in the exit process. The priorities at the time of exit will be hereinafter referred to as "exit priority order".

[0061] FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the exit priority order of a plurality of parking spaces 5A-5E. The arrangement of the parking spaces 5A-5E and one camera 7 is the same as that shown in FIG. 4-FIG. 6 above. The exit priority order is the opposite of the entry priority order shown in FIG. 7. That is, the parking space 5C closest to the camera 7 has the highest exit priority order. Conversely, the parking space 5A and the parking space 5E farthest from the camera 7 have the lowest exit priority order.

[0062] To generalize, it is as follows. The multiple parking spaces 5 monitored by one camera 7 include a first parking space 5-1 and a second parking space 5-2. The first parking space 5-1 is relatively far from the installation position of the camera 7, and the second parking space 5-2 is relatively close to the installation position of the camera 7. In other words, the second parking space 5-2 is closer to the installation position of the camera 7 than the first parking space 5-1. In this case, the exit priority of the second parking space 5-2 is higher than the exit priority of the first parking space 5-1.

[0063] The parking lot management system 100 performs the exit process taking into consideration the exit priority of multiple parking spaces 5 monitored by one camera 7. Specifically, the parking lot management system 100 causes the vehicle 10 parked in multiple parking spaces 5 to exit according to the exit priority of the multiple parking spaces 5. This reduces the effect of occlusion. Therefore, even in a situation where multiple parking spaces 5 are monitored by one camera 7, it is possible to prevent a decrease in monitoring accuracy.

[0064] In addition, a combination of the above sections 3, 4 and 5 is also possible.

[0065] 6. Example of a parking management system 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a parking lot management system 100 according to this embodiment. The parking lot management system 100 includes a communication device 110, one or more processors 120 (hereinafter simply referred to as processors 120), and one or more storage devices 130 (hereinafter simply referred to as storage devices 130).

[0066] The communication device 110 communicates with a camera 7 installed in the parking lot 1. The communication device 110 also communicates with a vehicle 10 and a user terminal 200 (see FIG. 1).

[0067] The processor 120 executes various processes. For example, the processor 120 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 120 executes various processes related to the management of the parking lot 1. For example, the processor 120 communicates with the camera 7, the vehicle 10, the user terminal 200, etc. via the communication device 110. The processor 120 also executes the parking space monitoring process described above (see Section 2). Furthermore, the processor 120 executes the parking space allocation process described above (see Section 3).

[0068] The storage device 130 stores various information necessary for processing by the processor 120. Examples of the storage device 130 include a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), etc. The processor 120 reads out various information from the storage device 130 and also stores various information in the storage device 130.

[0069] The management program PROG is a computer program for managing the parking lot 1. The processor 120 executes the management program PROG to realize various functions of the parking lot management system 100 (processor 120). The management program PROG is stored in the storage device 130. The management program PROG may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium.

[0070] The storage device 130 also stores parking lot map information 140, utilization status information 150, priority order information 160, and the like.

[0071] The parking lot map information 140 is map information of the parking lot 1. The parking lot map information 140 shows the layout of the entrance area 2, exit area 3, aisles 4, parking spaces 5, landmarks 6, cameras 7, landmarks 8, etc. in the parking lot 1. The positional relationship between one camera 7 and multiple parking spaces 5 can be obtained from the parking lot map information 140.

[0072] The usage status information 150 indicates the usage status (vacant, occupied) of each parking space 5 in the parking lot 1. Typically, the usage status information 150 is used in a parking space allocation process.

[0073] The priority order information 160 indicates the entry priority order (see FIG. 7) of a plurality of parking spaces 5 monitored by one camera 7. The priority order information 160 also indicates the exit priority order (see FIG. 9) of a plurality of parking spaces 5 monitored by one camera 7.

[0074] The processor 120 performs the "parking space monitoring process" described in Section 2 above. Specifically, the processor 120 acquires an image IMG captured by the camera 7 via the communication device 110. Then, the processor 120 monitors each parking space 5 based on the image IMG. For example, the processor 120 determines the usage status of each parking space 5 based on the image IMG. The processor 120 updates the usage status information 150 based on the result of the parking space monitoring process.

[0075] Furthermore, the processor 120 performs the "parking space allocation process" described in Section 3 above. More specifically, the processor 120 determines which parking spaces 5 in the parking lot 1 are currently vacant by referring to the usage status information 150. The processor 120 also obtains information on the entry priority of the multiple parking spaces 5 from the priority information 160. The processor 120 then allocates an empty parking space among the multiple parking spaces 5 to the entering vehicle according to the entry priority. In other words, the processor 120 allocates an empty parking space with the highest entry priority among the multiple parking spaces 5 to the entering vehicle.

[0076] Furthermore, the processor 120 performs the "reallocation process" described in Section 4 above. Specifically, the processor 120 performs an exit process for a vehicle 10 parked in a certain parking space 5. The relationship of entry priority between a parking space 5 newly vacated as a result of the exit process and a parking space 5 in use can be determined from the usage status information 150 and the priority information 160. The processor 120 performs a reallocation process as necessary based on the usage status information 150 and the priority information 160.

[0077] Furthermore, the processor 120 performs the "exit process" described in Section 5 above. More specifically, the processor 120 obtains information on the exit priority of the multiple parking frames 5 from the priority information 160. Then, the processor 120 causes the vehicles 10 parked in the multiple parking frames 5 to exit according to the exit priority. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1 Parking lot 5 Parking spaces 7. Camera 8. Landmarks 10 Vehicles 100 Parking Management System 110 Communication equipment 120 processors 130 Storage device 140 Parking Map Information 150 Usage Information 160 Priority Information 200 User terminals PROG Management program

Claims

1. A parking lot management method for managing a parking lot including a plurality of parking spaces monitored by a single camera, comprising: The parking lot management method includes a parking space allocation process executed by a computer, which allocates a vacant parking space having the highest entry priority among the plurality of parking spaces to an entering vehicle entering the parking lot, The plurality of parking frames include a first parking frame and a second parking frame that is closer to an installation position of the one camera than the first parking frame, The front entry garage priority of the first parking space is higher than the front entry garage priority of the second parking space, The parking space closest to the camera has the lowest entry priority. Parking lot management methods.

2. The parking lot management method according to claim 1, The method further includes a reallocation process of newly allocating another parking space to a vehicle parked in any of the plurality of parking spaces, When a first vehicle is parked in the first parking frame, a second vehicle is parked in the second parking frame, and then the first vehicle leaves the first parking frame, the reallocation process includes newly allocating the first parking frame to the second vehicle. Parking lot management methods.

3. The parking lot management method according to claim 1, Further, a parking lot exit process is included in which the vehicles parked in the plurality of parking spaces are exited according to the exit priority of the plurality of parking spaces, The exit priority of the second parking frame is higher than the exit priority of the first parking frame. Parking lot management methods.

4. A parking lot management method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The method further includes a parking space monitoring process for determining a usage status of each of the plurality of parking spaces based on an image captured by the one camera. Parking lot management methods.

5. A parking lot management system that manages a parking lot including a plurality of parking spaces monitored by one camera, one or more processors; the one or more processors are configured to execute a parking space allocation process that allocates a vacant parking space with the highest entry priority among the plurality of parking spaces to an entering vehicle entering the parking lot; The plurality of parking frames include a first parking frame and a second parking frame that is closer to an installation position of the one camera than the first parking frame, The front entry garage priority of the first parking space is higher than the front entry garage priority of the second parking space, The parking space closest to the camera has the lowest entry priority. Parking management system.

6. A parking lot management method for managing a parking lot including a plurality of parking spaces monitored by a single camera, comprising: The parking lot management method includes a process of retrieving vehicles parked in the plurality of parking spaces in accordance with the retrieval priorities of the plurality of parking spaces, the process being executed by a computer; The plurality of parking frames include a first parking frame and a second parking frame that is closer to an installation position of the one camera than the first parking frame, The exit priority of the second parking frame is higher than the exit priority of the first parking frame. Parking lot management methods.

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