Parking lot management device, parking lot management method, and parking lot control device using the same

Abstract

To provide a parking lot management apparatus and a parking lot management method configured to generate use schedule information of charging equipment in a parking lot so that the charging equipment installed in the parking lot can be efficiently used by as many electric vehicles as possible.SOLUTION: A use schedule information update unit 423 is configured to: specify, when a vehicle to use charging equipment enters a parking lot, scheduled exit time of the vehicle; specify a possible use start time which is the soonest possible time at the moment to use the charging equipment; specify, if the time to be obtained when a preset charging time has elapsed from the specified possible use start time is earlier than the scheduled exit time of the vehicle, the possible use start time as equipment use start time of the vehicle; specify the time to be obtained when the charging time has elapsed from the specified equipment use start time, as equipment use end time of the vehicle; and update use schedule information based on the specified information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a parking lot management device and a parking lot management method for a parking lot equipped with charging facilities.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, electric vehicles powered by battery power have become popular, and accordingly, the development of charging facilities for charging the batteries of electric vehicles has been required.

[0003] In view of this, by installing charging facilities in parking lots in condominiums and large facilities, it is possible to charge an electric vehicle while it is parked in the parking lot.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When installing charging facilities in a parking lot as described above, since there is a limit to the number of installations, rotation charging is performed in the order of entry for a plurality of electric vehicles. However, when rotation charging is performed, there is a problem that an electric vehicle with a short parking time may not be able to be charged by the time of departure.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is a parking lot management device capable of generating utilization schedule information of charging facilities in a parking lot so that as many electric vehicles as possible can efficiently use the charging facilities installed in the parking lot. , Parking Lot Management Method and Parking Lot Control Device Using the Same An object of the present invention is to provide the same.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The parking lot management device of the present invention for achieving the above object is a parking lot management device that manages a parking lot where charging facilities are installed, and includes a usage history information storage unit that stores usage history information of the parking lot for each vehicle, and a usage schedule information storage unit that stores usage schedule information of the charging facilities in which the start time and end time of using the charging facilities are set for each reserved vehicle for which the use of the charging facilities is reserved. When a vehicle to be used for the charging facilities enters the parking lot, the predicted departure time of the entered vehicle is specified based on the usage history information stored in the usage history information storage unit, and the earliest possible start time for using the charging facilities at the current time is specified based on the usage schedule information stored in the usage schedule information storage unit. If the time obtained by adding the preset charging time to the specified possible start time is before the predicted departure time of the entered vehicle, the possible start time is specified as the start time for using the facilities of the entered vehicle, the time obtained by adding the charging time to the specified start time for using the facilities is specified as the end time for using the facilities of the entered vehicle, and a usage schedule information update unit that updates the usage schedule information based on the specified information. It is characterized by comprising.

[0008] Further, in the parking lot management method of the present invention, a parking lot management device that manages a parking lot where charging facilities are installed stores usage history information of the parking lot for each vehicle and usage schedule information of the charging facilities in which the start time and end time of using the charging facilities are set for each reserved vehicle for which the use of the charging facilities is reserved. When a vehicle to be used for the charging facilities enters the parking lot, the predicted departure time of the entered vehicle is specified based on the stored usage history information, and the earliest possible start time for using the charging facilities at the current time is specified based on the stored usage schedule information. If the time obtained by adding the preset charging time to the specified possible start time is before the predicted departure time of the entered vehicle, the possible start time is specified as the start time for using the facilities of the entered vehicle, the time obtained by adding the charging time to the specified start time for using the facilities is specified as the end time for using the facilities of the entered vehicle, and the usage schedule information is updated based on the specified information. It is characterized by this.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] The present invention According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a parking lot management device, a parking lot management method, and a parking lot control device using the same that can generate utilization schedule information of charging facilities in a parking lot so that as many electric vehicles as possible can efficiently use the charging facilities installed in the parking lot 。

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] 〈Configuration of a Parking Lot Management System Using a Parking Lot Management Device According to an Embodiment〉 The configuration of a parking lot management system using the parking lot management device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The parking lot management system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a mechanical parking lot 10, a user terminal 20, an operation panel 30, and a parking lot management device 40.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2, the mechanical parking lot 10 includes a plurality of parking shelves (in this embodiment, 12 shelves P1 to P12) installed in the building B, and power supply facilities 11 to 13 installed near some of the plurality of shelves (in this embodiment, 3 shelves P1 to P3), respectively. A plurality of pallets 14-1 to 14-12 for loading vehicles, which are installed corresponding to each shelf P1 to P12, and chargers 15-1 to 15-12 installed on each pallet 14-1 to 14-12. Each of the chargers 15-1 to 15-12 has a power plug 15a-1 to 15a-12 that is attached to the power supply facilities 11 to 13 during charging execution. The shelves P1 to P3 near which the power supply facilities 11 to 13 are installed are charging shelves capable of performing charging processing. Each charger 15-1 to 15-12 constructs charging facilities X1 to X3 when the corresponding power plug 15a-1 to 15a-12 is attached to any of the power supply facilities 11 to 13.

[0013] In FIG. 1, vehicle a loaded on pallet 14-1 executes a charging process by charging facility X1 on shelf P1, vehicle c loaded on pallet 14-2 executes a charging process by charging facility X2 on shelf P2, vehicle b loaded on pallet 14-3 executes a charging process by charging facility X3 on shelf P3, and vehicle d loaded on pallet 14-5 is shown in a state of waiting for charging on shelf P5.

[0014] Hereinafter, when not specifying which pallet among pallets 14-1 to 14-12, it is described as pallet 14. Similarly, when not specifying which charger among chargers 15-1 to 15-12, it is described as charger 15, when not specifying which power plug among power plugs 15a-1 to 15a-12, it is described as power plug 15a, and when not specifying which charging facility among charging facilities X1 to X3, it is described as charging facility X.

[0015] Also, the mechanical parking lot 10 includes a drive device 16, a parking lot control device 17, and a charging facility management device 18. The drive device 16 moves pallets 14-1 to 14-12 between the entrance and exit of the building B (not shown) and each parking space P1 to P12. The parking lot control device 17 controls the drive device 16. The charging facility management device 18 controls the power supply state to each power supply facility 11 to 13, and acquires charging status information of an electric vehicle (hereinafter referred to as "vehicle") being charged by charging facilities X1 to X3 and transmits it to the parking lot management device 40.

[0016] Returning to FIG. 1, the user terminal 20 is composed of a mobile terminal or the like held by a user who uses the mechanical parking lot 10, and has an information input function and a display function. The operation panel 30 is composed of an entrance and exit of the mechanical parking lot 10 and a doorbell or the like in each residence of the apartment building where the mechanical parking lot 10 is installed, and has an information input function and a display function.

[0017] The parking lot management device 40 includes a storage unit 41 and a CPU 42. The storage unit 41 includes a setting information storage unit 411, a usage history information storage unit 412, and a usage schedule information storage unit 413.

[0018] The setting information storage unit 411 stores setting information including the necessity of the charging process for each vehicle that uses the mechanical parking lot 10 and its charging facility X, which is input by the user from the user terminal 20 or the operation panel 30. The usage history information storage unit 412 stores the usage history information of the mechanical parking lot 10 for each vehicle. The usage schedule information storage unit 413 stores the usage schedule information of the charging facility X for which the start time and end time of the facility usage of the charging facility X are set, regarding the reserved vehicles for which the use of the charging facility X is reserved.

[0019] The CPU 42 includes a setting information acquisition unit 421, a usage status information processing unit 422, a usage schedule information update unit 423, and an information notification unit 424.

[0020] The setting information acquisition unit 421 acquires the setting information including the necessity of the charging process for the corresponding vehicle from the user terminal 20 or the operation panel 30 and stores it in the setting information storage unit 411. The usage status information processing unit 422 acquires the usage status information for each vehicle in the mechanical parking lot 10 and stores it in the usage history information storage unit 412.

[0021] When a vehicle targeted for use of charging facility X enters the mechanical parking lot 10, the usage schedule information update unit 423 specifies the predicted departure time of the vehicle that has entered based on the usage history information stored in the usage history information storage unit 412. Also, the usage schedule information update unit 423 specifies the earliest available usage start time at which charging facility X can be used at the current time based on the usage schedule information stored in the usage schedule information storage unit 413, and determines whether the time after the preset charging time has elapsed from the specified available usage start time is before the predicted departure time of the vehicle that has entered. Then, if the time after the preset charging time has elapsed from the specified available usage start time is before the predicted departure time of the vehicle that has entered, the usage schedule information update unit 423 specifies the available usage start time as the facility usage start time of the vehicle that has entered, specifies the time when the charging time has elapsed from the specified facility usage start time as the facility usage end time of the vehicle that has entered, and updates the usage schedule information based on the specified information.

[0022] Also, when a vehicle targeted for use of charging facility X enters the mechanical parking lot 10, if the time after the charging time has elapsed from the specified available usage start time exceeds the predicted departure time of the vehicle that has entered, the usage schedule information update unit 423 holds the available usage start time as the provisional facility usage start time of the vehicle that has entered, and holds the time when the charging time has elapsed from this provisional facility usage start time as the provisional facility usage end time. Then, the usage schedule information update unit 423 selects, from among the reserved vehicles, the vehicles for which the charging time will elapse from the start of use at the available usage start time until the corresponding predicted departure time, and exchanges the facility usage start time and facility usage end time of the selected reserved vehicles with the provisional facility usage start time and provisional facility usage end time of the vehicle that has entered, and updates the usage schedule information.

[0023] <Operation of a Parking Lot Management System Using a Parking Lot Management Device According to an Embodiment> Next, the operation of the parking lot management system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the update process of the usage schedule information executed by the parking lot management device 40 during the operation of the parking lot management system 1.

[0024] In the present embodiment, each user of the parking lot management device 40 inputs setting information including the necessity of the charging process of the corresponding vehicle in advance from the user terminal 20 or the operation panel 30. Each user may input information on the desired charging time as the setting information. Here, each user may input different setting information on a weekly, monthly, weekday / holiday, or day-of-the-week basis. For example, the setting information may be input so that charging is performed only on a specific day of the week. Also, each user may input in advance the scheduled arrival time and the scheduled departure time on a day when the usage time zone of the mechanical parking lot 10 is different from the normal time. In the parking lot management device 40, the setting information acquisition unit 421 acquires the information transmitted from the user terminal 20 or the operation panel 30 and stores it in the setting information storage unit 411.

[0025] Also, in the present embodiment, the setting information storage unit 411 stores information on the charging time "4 hours" when each vehicle uses the charging facility once, which is set in advance. This charging time information may be set to different values for each vehicle, each day of the week, etc. according to the instructions of the user or the like.

[0026] During the operation of the parking lot management system 1, the usage status information processing unit 422 of the parking lot management device 40 acquires the usage status information of each vehicle in the mechanical parking lot 10 at predetermined time intervals and stores it in the usage history information storage unit 412.

[0027] Also, at the start point of the usage schedule information update process according to the present embodiment, the information on the reserved vehicles is not set in the usage schedule information in the usage schedule information storage unit 413 of the parking lot management device 40.

[0028] First, when vehicle a enters the mechanical parking lot 10 at time "18:00" (the "YES" in S1), the usage schedule information update unit 423 detects this and determines whether the vehicle a is a vehicle eligible to use the charging facility based on the necessity information of the charging process stored in the setting information storage unit 411 (S2).

[0029] Here, the usage schedule information update unit 423 determines that the vehicle a is a vehicle eligible to use the charging facility (the "YES" in S2), and based on the usage history information of the vehicle a stored in the usage history information storage unit 412 for a predetermined period (for example, two weeks) or more, specifies the predicted departure time "7:30 the next day" of the vehicle a that has entered the storage by a learning function using AI (artificial intelligence) (S3). By using the usage history information of the vehicle a for a predetermined period or more, the usage schedule information update unit 423 can specify a highly accurate predicted departure time. The usage schedule information update unit 423 stores the information on the predicted departure time specified by the learning function in the setting information storage unit 411.

[0030] Here, the usage schedule information update unit 423 may specify the predicted departure time corresponding to the current day of the week and the classification of weekdays / holidays based on the usage history information of the vehicle a stored in the setting information storage unit 411.

[0031] Also, when the information on the scheduled departure time input by the user regarding the current entry of the vehicle a is stored in the setting information storage unit 411, the usage schedule information update unit 423 may use this information as the predicted departure time. In this embodiment, the scheduled departure time "7:00 the next day" input by the user regarding the vehicle a is stored, and the usage schedule information update unit 423 uses this information as the predicted departure time in the determination process of whether the charging facility X can be used.

[0032] Next, the usage schedule information update unit 423 identifies the earliest possible usage start time at which any of the charging facilities X can be used at the current time, based on the usage schedule information stored in the usage schedule information storage unit 413. Here, since the charging facilities X1 to X3 are currently available, the usage schedule information update unit 423 identifies the current time "18:00" as the possible usage start time.

[0033] Then, since the time "22:00" when 4 hours, which is the preset charging time, has elapsed from the identified possible usage start time "18:00" is before the predicted shipping time "7:00 the next day" for vehicle a, the usage schedule information update unit 423 determines that vehicle a can use the charging facility X1 for 4 hours by the predicted shipping time ( "YES" in S4).

[0034] When the usage schedule information update unit 423 determines that vehicle a can use the charging facility X1, it identifies the possible usage start time "18:00" as the facility usage start time for vehicle a, and identifies the time "22:00" when 4 hours, which is the charging time, has elapsed from the identified facility usage start time "18:00" as the facility usage end time for vehicle a.

[0035] Then, the usage schedule information update unit 423 updates the usage schedule information in the usage schedule information storage unit 413 with the identified information. When the usage schedule information is updated, the information notification unit 424 notifies the user terminal 20 or the control panel 30 of the corresponding user of the information indicating that the charging reservation for vehicle a has been confirmed, together with the information on the confirmed facility usage time (S5).

[0036] Also, the usage schedule information update unit 423 specifies the predicted departure time "6:30" for vehicle b that entered the warehouse at time "18:30" using the usage history information. Based on this, the start time "18:30" and the end time "22:30" of the charging facility X2 are specified, and the usage schedule information is updated based on the corresponding information. Then, the information notification unit 424 notifies the user terminal 20 or the operation panel 30 of the corresponding user of the information indicating that the charging reservation for vehicle b has been confirmed, together with the information on the determined facility usage time (S1~S5).

[0037] Also, the usage schedule information update unit 423 specifies the predicted departure time "6:30 the next day" for vehicle c that entered the warehouse at time "18:40" using the usage history information. Based on this, the start time "18:40" and the end time "22:40" of the charging facility X3 are specified, and the usage schedule information is updated based on the corresponding information. Then, the information notification unit 424 notifies the user terminal 20 or the operation panel 30 of the corresponding user of the information indicating that the charging reservation for vehicle c has been confirmed, together with the information on the determined facility usage time (S1~S5).

[0038] Also, the usage schedule information update unit 423 specifies the predicted departure time "9:00 the next day" stored by the user's operation for vehicle d that entered the warehouse at time "18:50". Based on this, the start time "22:00" and the end time "2:00 the next day" of the charging facility X1 are specified, and the usage schedule information is updated based on the corresponding information. Then, the information notification unit 424 notifies the user terminal 20 or the operation panel 30 of the corresponding user of the information indicating that the charging reservation for vehicle d has been confirmed, together with the information on the determined facility usage time (S1~S5).

[0039] In addition, for vehicle e that entered the warehouse at the time of "19:00", since the usage history information is less than the predetermined period, without using the usage history information, "5:00 the next day", which is 10 hours after the preset time from the time of entry "19:00", is specified as the temporary departure prediction time. Then, based on the specified temporary departure prediction time of "5:00 the next day", the facility usage start time of charging facility X2, "22:30", and the facility usage end time of "2:30 the next day" are specified, and the usage schedule information is updated based on the corresponding information. The usage schedule information update unit 423 may set the specified facility usage end time of "2:30 the next day" as the departure prediction time of vehicle e. Then, the information notification unit 424 notifies the user terminal 20 or the operation panel 30 of the corresponding user of the information indicating that the charging reservation of vehicle e has been confirmed, together with the information on the determined facility usage time (S1 to S5).

[0040] In addition, for vehicle f that entered the warehouse at the time of "22:40", the departure prediction time of "6:30 the next day" is specified using the usage history information. Based on this, the facility usage start time of charging facility X3, "22:30", and the facility usage end time of "2:40 the next day" are specified, and the usage schedule information is updated based on the corresponding information. Then, the information notification unit 424 notifies the user terminal 20 or the operation panel 30 of the corresponding user of the information indicating that the charging reservation of vehicle f has been confirmed, together with the information on the determined facility usage time (S1 to S5).

[0041] FIG. 4(a) is a table showing information on the arrival time, charging time, scheduled departure time input by the user, and predicted departure time specified using usage history information of vehicle a, vehicle b, vehicle c, vehicle d, vehicle e, and vehicle f stored in the setting information storage unit 411 at this point in time. FIG. 4(b) is a diagram showing the time from the arrival time to the predicted departure time of each of vehicle a, vehicle b, vehicle c, vehicle d, vehicle e, and vehicle f as a solid-line band, and the facility usage time of each charging facility X (the time from the facility usage start time to the facility usage end time) as a dotted-line band. FIG. 4(c) is usage schedule information showing the facility usage time of each vehicle for each of charging facilities X1, X2, and X3 as a band.

[0042] Next, when vehicle g arrives at the time "19:10", the usage schedule information update unit 423 specifies the predicted departure time "5:30 the next day" of vehicle g using the usage history information. Here, as shown in FIG. 5(a), according to the current usage schedule information, the earliest time when the charging facility X can be used at the current time is after "2:00 the next day" of the charging facility X1.

[0043] Since the time "6:00 the next day" when 4 hours, which is the pre-set charging time, has elapsed from the specified available usage start time "2:00 the next day" exceeds the predicted departure time "5:30 the next day" of vehicle g, the usage schedule information update unit 423 determines that vehicle g cannot use the charging facility X1 for 4 hours by the predicted departure time ( "NO" in S4).

[0044] In this case, the usage schedule information update unit 423 holds the available start time "2:00 the next day" as the provisional facility usage start time of vehicle g, and holds the time "6:00 the next day" when the charging time "4 hours" has elapsed from this provisional facility usage start time "2:00 the next day" as the provisional facility usage end time (S6). Then, the usage schedule information update unit 423 determines whether there is a vehicle among the vehicles that have been reserved but for which the charging process has not started, and for which the charging facility will become available earliest at the current time, and for which the charging time "4 hours" will elapse by the corresponding departure prediction time if the usage starts from the provisional available start time "2:00 the next day" of vehicle g (S7). Here, the usage schedule information update unit 423 determines that vehicle d is the corresponding vehicle, and selects the facility usage start time "22:00" and the facility usage end time "2:00 the next day" of vehicle d ( "YES" in S7).

[0045] Next, the usage schedule information update unit 423 swaps the facility usage time of the selected vehicle d (from the facility usage start time "22:00" to the facility usage end time "2:00 the next day") and the provisional facility usage time of the incoming vehicle (from the facility usage start time "2:00 the next day" to the provisional facility usage end time "6:00 the next day") (S8), and updates the usage schedule information stored in the usage schedule information storage unit 413.

[0046] Fig. 5(b) is the usage schedule information showing the facility usage time of each vehicle after update for each of the charging facilities X1, X2, and X3 in bands. When the usage schedule information is updated, the information notification unit 424 notifies the user terminal 20 or the operation panel 30 of the corresponding user of the information indicating that the charging reservation of vehicle g has been confirmed, together with the information on the confirmed facility usage time (S5).

[0047] Next, the usage schedule information update unit 423 identifies the predicted departure time "7:30" using the usage history information for vehicle h that was stored at the time "19:30", and based on this, identifies the start time "2:30 the next day" and the end time "6:30 the next day" of the use of charging facility X2, and updates the usage schedule information based on the corresponding information. Then, the information notification unit 424 notifies the user terminal 20 or the operation panel 30 of the corresponding user that the charging reservation for vehicle h has been confirmed, together with the information on the determined facility usage time (S1 to S5).

[0048] Figure 6(a) is a diagram showing, at this point in time, the time from the storage time to the departure time of each of vehicles a, b, c, d, e, f, g, and h as a solid-line band, and the facility usage time of each charging facility X as a dotted-line band. Figure 6(b) is the usage schedule information showing the facility usage time of each vehicle for each of charging facilities X1, X2, and X3 as a band.

[0049] Next, when vehicle i is stored at the time "21:00", the usage schedule information update unit 423 identifies the scheduled departure time "6:00 the next day" of vehicle i based on the information input by the user. Here, as shown in Figure 7(a), according to the current usage schedule information, the earliest time when the charging facility can be used at the current time is after "2:30 the next day" of charging facility X3.

[0050] Since the time "6:30 the next day" when four hours of the preset charging time has elapsed from the identified start time of availability "2:30 the next day" exceeds the predicted departure time "6:00 the next day" of vehicle i, the usage schedule information update unit 423 determines that vehicle i cannot use charging facility X3 for four hours until the predicted departure time ( "NO" in S4).

[0051] In this case, the usage schedule information update unit 423 holds the available start time "2:30 the next day" as the provisional facility usage start time of vehicle i, and holds the time "6:30 the next day", when the charging time "4 hours" has elapsed from this provisional facility usage start time "2:30 the next day", as the provisional facility usage end time (S6). Then, the usage schedule information update unit 423 determines whether there is a vehicle for which the charging time "4 hours" will elapse by starting the usage from the provisional available start time "2:30 the next day" of vehicle i, which is the vehicle for which the charging facility will become available earliest at the current time among the vehicles with reservations for which the charging process has not started, until the corresponding predicted departure time (S7). Here, the usage schedule information update unit 423 determines that vehicle d is the corresponding vehicle, and selects the facility usage start time "2:00 the next day" and the facility usage end time "6:00 the next day" of vehicle d ( "YES" in S7).

[0052] Next, the usage schedule information update unit 423 swaps the facility usage time of the selected vehicle d (from the facility usage start time "2:00 the next day" to the facility usage end time "6:00 the next day") and the provisional facility usage time of the incoming vehicle (from the provisional facility usage start time "2:30 the next day" to the provisional facility usage end time "6:30 the next day") (S8), and updates the usage schedule information stored in the usage schedule information storage unit 413.

[0053] FIG. 7(b) is the usage schedule information showing the facility usage time of each vehicle after the update for each of the charging facilities X1, X2, and X3. When the usage schedule information is updated, the information notification unit 424 notifies the user terminal 20 or the operation panel 30 of the corresponding user of the information indicating that the charging reservation of vehicle i has been confirmed, together with the information on the confirmed facility usage time (S5).

[0054] In the above-mentioned step S7, when the usage schedule information update unit 423 determines that among the vehicles for which charging has been reserved but the charging process has not started, there is no vehicle for which the charging time will elapse by the time of shipment even if the use starts from the time when the charging facility becomes available earliest at the current time ( "NO" in S7), it is determined whether the vehicle that has entered the warehouse has been in the warehouse for a predetermined time or more (for example, 30 minutes or more) and the charging time is less than "4 hours", and whether it is possible to use any of the charging facilities X (S9). Then, when it is determined that the vehicle that has entered the warehouse has been in the warehouse for a predetermined time or more and the charging time is less than "4 hours" and it is possible to use any of the charging facilities X ( "YES" in S9), the usage schedule information update unit 423 causes the user terminal 20 or the operation panel 30 to output information for inquiring whether to approve the use at this available time.

[0055] When the user checks the information output to the user terminal 20 or the operation panel 30 and performs an operation to approve the use at this available time in response thereto, information indicating the approval operation is transmitted to the parking lot management device 40. In the parking lot management device 40, when the usage schedule information update unit 423 acquires the information indicating the approval operation ( "YES" in S10), the usage schedule information is updated with the equipment usage time of the vehicle that has entered the warehouse as the corresponding available time. When the usage schedule information is updated, the usage schedule information update unit 423 notifies the user terminal 20 or the operation panel 30 of the corresponding user that the charging reservation of the corresponding vehicle has been determined, together with the information on the determined equipment usage time (S5).

[0056] Also, in the above-described step S10, when the usage schedule information update unit 423 determines that the vehicle that has been stored cannot use the charging facility even if it has been stored for a predetermined time or longer and less than the set charging time ("NO" in S10), it notifies the user terminal 20 or the operation panel 30 that reservations for the vehicle are not available (S11). Similarly, when the usage schedule information update unit 423 cannot obtain the approval information of the user in step S10 ("NO" in S10), it notifies the user terminal 20 or the operation panel 30 that reservations for the vehicle are not available (S11). The usage schedule information update unit 423 may hold the reservation request determined to be non-reservable as information on the vehicle waiting for cancellation.

[0057] Based on the usage schedule information and the information on the operations by the user acquired as described above, the parking lot control device 17 of the mechanical parking lot 10 controls the drive device 16 to move the pallet 14 loaded with the corresponding vehicle.

[0058] Specifically, when the user performs a pallet call operation to store a vehicle in the charging facility X, the parking lot control device 17 controls the drive device 16, causing the corresponding pallet 14 to move to the entrance / exit, and the entrance / exit door opens. When the entrance / exit door opens, the user moves the vehicle onto the pallet 14 and connects the charger 15 of the vehicle and the pallet 14 with a charging cable. Then, when the user performs a door closing operation on the entrance / exit, the entrance / exit door closes under the control of the parking lot control device 17, and the corresponding pallet 14 moves to the corresponding shelf, thereby storing the vehicle.

[0059] Also, when the start time of the charging process of the stored vehicle arrives, the parking lot control device 17 controls the drive device 16, causing the corresponding pallet 14 to move to the shelf where the power supply facility is located. When the pallet 14 is stored on the shelf where the power supply facility is located, the power plug 15a of the charger 15 is connected to the power supply facility, enabling the charging state. Then, according to the instruction of the charging facility management device 18, the power supply from the power supply facility 11 to the charger 15 is started, and the charging of the vehicle is started.

[0060] When the charging process of the vehicle is completed, the parking lot control device 17 controls the driving device 16 to move the vehicle to another shelf or to let it out of the warehouse.

[0061] When moving the vehicle to be charged to the shelf with the power supply facility and when moving it from the shelf with the power supply facility after the charging process is completed, if there are incoming and outgoing processes or preparatory processes for incoming and outgoing regarding vehicles other than the vehicle to be charged in the mechanical parking lot 10, the said processes may be given priority over the charging process. Also, when it is a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes) before the start time of facility use, the pallet 14 carrying the vehicle may be moved near the corresponding shelf for the vehicle to be charged to prepare for the charging process. However, if, due to giving priority to the operations of other vehicles, it becomes a time (for example, 5 minutes) before the time required for vehicle replacement to the corresponding shelf from the start time of facility use of the said vehicle, the preparatory operation is cancelled.

[0062] The charging facility management device 18 of the mechanical parking lot 10 controls the power supply state to each power supply facility 11 - 13, and acquires the charging status information of the vehicles being charged by the charging facilities X1 - X3 and transmits it to the parking lot management device 40.

[0063] In the parking lot management device 40, the utilization status information processing unit 422 acquires the charging status information of each vehicle transmitted from the mechanical parking lot 10. When the utilization status information processing unit 422 acquires a query request for the charging status of any vehicle from the user terminal 20 or the operation panel 30 by the user's operation, it provides the charging status information of the corresponding vehicle.

[0064] According to the above embodiments, it is possible to generate the utilization schedule information of the charging facilities in the parking lot so that as many electric vehicles as possible can efficiently use the charging facilities installed in the parking lot, and based on this, execute the charging process for each vehicle.

[0065] In the above-described embodiment, when a vehicle using the charging facility X stops charging and leaves the warehouse earlier than scheduled before completing the charging process, or when it is not charged for the preset charging time, the usage status information processing unit 422 of the parking lot management device 40 may store the information of the vehicle in the usage history information storage unit 412.

[0066] By storing the information of the vehicle that has not been charged for the set charging time, when the usage schedule information update unit 423 determines that a vehicle that could not be charged for the set time entered the mechanical parking lot 10 during the previous use of the charging facility, it can generate usage schedule information so that the vehicle can preferentially use the charging facility X.

[0067] Also, in the above-described embodiment, each user may input information indicating the degree of necessity of the charging process for each day of the week when they desire the charging process, and the setting information storage unit 411 may store this information. By storing this information, the usage schedule information update unit 423 can generate usage schedule information so that vehicles with a higher degree of necessity can preferentially use the charging facility X.

[0068] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been explained, but it is possible to modify or deform the embodiments based on the above disclosure. All the components of the above embodiments and all the features described in the claims may be individually extracted and combined as long as they do not contradict each other.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0069] 1 Parking Lot Management System 10 Mechanical Parking Lot 11 - 13 Power Supply Equipment 14, 14 - 1 to 14 - 12 Pallets 15, 15 - 1 to 15 - 12 Chargers 15a, 15a - 1 to 15a - 12 Power Plugs 16 Driving Device 17 Parking Lot Control Device 18 Charging Facility Management Device 20 User terminal 30 Control panel 40 Parking lot management device 41 Memory unit 42 CPU 411 Setting information memory unit 412 Usage history information memory unit 413 Usage schedule information memory unit 421 Setting information acquisition unit 422 Usage status information processing unit 423 Usage schedule information update unit 424 Information notification unit

Claims

1. A parking lot management device for managing a parking lot where a charging facility is installed, comprising: a usage history information storage unit that stores usage history information of the parking lot for each vehicle; a usage schedule information storage unit that stores usage schedule information of the charging facility in which a facility usage start time and a facility usage end time are set for each reserved vehicle whose use of the charging facility is reserved; When a vehicle targeted for use of the charging facility enters the parking lot, a departure prediction time of the entered vehicle is specified based on the usage history information stored in the usage history information storage unit, and a usage startable time at which it is possible to start using the charging facility earliest at the current time is specified based on the usage schedule information stored in the usage schedule information storage unit. If the time after elapsing a preset charging time from the specified usage startable time is before the departure prediction time of the entered vehicle, the usage startable time is specified as the facility usage start time of the entered vehicle, the time after elapsing the charging time from the specified facility usage start time is specified as the facility usage end time of the entered vehicle, and a usage schedule information update unit that updates the usage schedule information based on the specified information. A parking lot management device characterized by comprising.

2. When a vehicle targeted for use of the charging facility enters the parking lot, the usage schedule information update unit holds the usage startable time as a temporary facility usage start time of the entered vehicle if the time after elapsing the charging time from the usage startable time exceeds the departure prediction time of the entered vehicle, and holds the time after elapsing the charging time from the temporary facility usage start time as a temporary facility usage end time. Among the reserved vehicles, a vehicle whose charging time elapses from the usage startable time until the corresponding departure prediction time even if use starts is selected, and the facility usage start time and facility usage end time of the selected reserved vehicle, and the temporary facility usage start time and temporary facility usage end time of the entered vehicle are swapped to update the usage schedule information. The parking lot management device according to claim 1, characterized in that.

3. The parking lot management device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the usage schedule information update unit generates the usage schedule information using information on the charging time set for each vehicle.

4. The parking lot management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the usage schedule information update unit specifies the predicted departure time of the parked vehicle based on usage history information of the parked vehicle stored in the usage history information storage unit for a predetermined period or more.

5. The parking lot management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the usage schedule information update unit specifies the predicted departure time corresponding to the current day of the week of the parked vehicle based on the usage history information stored in the usage history information storage unit, and updates the usage schedule information based on the information of the specified predicted departure time.

6. The usage history information storage unit further stores information on vehicles for which charging processing was not executed for the set charging time during the previous use of the charging facility. The parking lot management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when the usage schedule information update unit determines, based on the information stored in the usage history information storage unit, that a vehicle that could not be charged for the set time during the previous use of the charging facility has entered the parking lot, the usage schedule information update unit generates the usage schedule information so that the vehicle can preferentially use the charging facility.

7. The parking lot management device further includes a setting information storage unit that stores setting information including at least any one of the necessity of charging processing, the degree of necessity, and the charging time for each vehicle, set in advance for each day type. The parking lot management device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the usage schedule information update unit updates the usage schedule information based on the setting information stored in the setting information storage unit.

8. The parking lot management device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the usage schedule information update unit specifies the predicted departure time of the parked vehicle by a learning function using artificial intelligence.

9. The utilization schedule information update unit outputs information for inquiring whether to approve the use of the charging facility for a time less than the charging time when the vehicle targeted for use of the charging facility enters the parking lot and the time when the charging time has elapsed from the available start time exceeds the predicted departure time of the entered vehicle, and when information indicating approval of the use is obtained in response to this, updates the utilization schedule information with the time less than the charging time as the target for use. The parking lot management device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A parking lot management device that manages a parking lot where a charging facility is installed, stores the utilization history information of the parking lot for each vehicle and the utilization schedule information of the charging facility in which the facility use start time and the facility use end time are set for each reserved vehicle for which the use of the charging facility is reserved, when the vehicle targeted for use of the charging facility enters the parking lot, specifies the predicted departure time of the entered vehicle based on the stored utilization history information, specifies the earliest available start time at which the charging facility can be used at the current time based on the stored utilization schedule information, and if the time when the charging time set in advance has elapsed from the specified available start time is before the predicted departure time of the entered vehicle, specifies the available start time as the facility use start time of the entered vehicle, specifies the time when the charging time has elapsed from the specified facility use start time as the facility use end time of the entered vehicle, and updates the utilization schedule information based on the specified information. A parking lot management method characterized by the above.

11. A parking lot control device communicably connected to the parking lot management device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the parking lot is a mechanical parking lot having a plurality of parking shelves, and a control unit that gives priority to the process of allowing other vehicles to enter and leave over the process of moving the vehicle to be charged for charging, and moves the pallet carrying the vehicle corresponding to the facility use start time to a shelf closer to the charging facility at a predetermined time before the facility use start time stored in the utilization schedule information storage unit. A parking lot control device characterized by the above.

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