Mechanical parking lot equipment and safety check methods

Abstract

To provide a safety confirmation system enhancing safety by preventing people, pets and like from being left inside of a drive-in space.SOLUTION: A safety confirmation system SCS is applied to mechanical parking facilities provided with a drive-in space 7 and a sensor 30 installed in the drive-in space 7. The safety confirmation system SCS is provided with a touch panel type operation screen 45 operable by a user, drive-in space cameras 35A to 35D capturing the inside of the drive-in space 7, and a controller 40. The controller 40 displays real time image information captured by the drive-in space cameras 35A to 35D upon safety confirmation of the inside of the drive-in space by the user on the operational screen 45 in a condition the sensor 30 has not detected an error situation in the drive-in space as well as safety confirmation input means, and displays a user authentication scree on the operational screen 45 when the safety confirmation input means are not operated for a specific duration or more.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mechanical parking facility, and in particular to a safety confirmation system and a safety confirmation method configured to allow the user (driver) of a vehicle to operate an operation panel to confirm the safety of the vehicle entry area when the vehicle enters and leaves the facility. [Background technology]

[0002] Mechanical parking facilities (such as multi-story parking garages) attached to office buildings, apartment buildings, etc. are only used by contracted users, so each user is assigned a PIN number in advance and loaned a remote control transmitter.When each user wants to enter or exit a vehicle, they must either enter their PIN number on a control panel installed outside the entrance / exit door or on an exit reservation panel installed in the lobby of the apartment building, or they can receive authentication information (remote control signals) sent from the remote control transmitter to authenticate the user, and then call pallets, lifts, etc. to transport the vehicle and open / close the entrance / exit door.

[0003] In such mechanical parking facilities, when closing the entrance / exit door (entrance / exit gate) of the loading compartment through which parked vehicles enter and exit, the user must thoroughly check that no people, pets, etc. remain inside the loading compartment. However, because the control panel is located some distance from the entrance / exit gate, it is inconvenient for the user standing in front of the control panel to directly look inside the loading compartment to check for safety, and the entrance / exit gate is often closed without sufficient check being made.

[0004] Therefore, as in the mechanical parking facility disclosed in Patent Document 1, a camera is installed inside the boarding area, and the images captured by this camera are processed to determine people's faces, and the facial features of people who enter the boarding area are stored and identified for each person.On the condition that everyone has left the boarding area, mechanical activation such as closing the entrance and exit doors is permitted, thereby automating safety checks and eliminating the need for users to visually check.

[0005] In addition, the mechanical parking facility disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a camera installed inside the boarding compartment and sends the video image to a remotely located monitoring center, which remotely monitors the situation inside the boarding compartment and sends safety instructions to the user as remote control information to confirm safety. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-158968 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-182195 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in both the mechanical parking facilities in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the camera images are not checked by the user themselves, but by a control device or a manager located in a remote location, so it is not possible to guarantee complete safety in the event of a system malfunction such as a camera failure or a manager's mistake.

[0008] Additionally, some mechanical parking facilities have a monitor installed near the control panel that displays images of the interior of the boarding compartment taken by a camera, allowing users to check the interior of the compartment themselves. However, since users are often concentrating on operating the control panel and do not look at the monitor, this does not effectively utilize the camera images to improve safety.

[0009] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and can improve safety by preventing people, pets, etc. from remaining inside the passenger compartment. Mechanical parking facilities and safety confirmation methods The law The purpose is to provide. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means. One aspect of the present invention is a vehicle access system including: a boarding room; a sensor provided in the boarding room; and an entrance / exit door for opening and closing an entrance / exit gate of the boarding room. an operation panel operated by a user; Control means and The control means, when the loading / unloading door is open, From the control panel When user authentication information is input, user authentication is performed based on the input authentication information, and after the user authentication is successful, input of safety confirmation for the boarding compartment is performed. is input from the operation panel, and After the safety check inside the boarding room is entered, the entrance / exit door Start closing the door and If an error condition in the boarding room is detected by any of the sensors between the time when the user authentication is successful and the time when the entrance / exit door is closed, notifying the user of the error condition and then prompting the user to enter authentication information; Re-execute the above user authentication. cormorant Mechanical parking lot facilities In preparation be. One aspect of the present invention is a safety confirmation method for a mechanical parking facility that includes a boarding room, a sensor installed in the boarding room, and an entrance / exit door that opens and closes the entrance / exit gate of the boarding room, wherein a computer executes the following steps: when user authentication information is input while the entrance / exit door is open, performing user authentication based on the input authentication information; after the user authentication is successful, determining whether the user has input a safety confirmation for the boarding room; after the user has input a safety confirmation for the boarding room, closing the entrance / exit door; and if any of the sensors detects an error condition within the boarding room between the time the user authentication is successful and the time the door is closed, performing the user authentication again. One aspect of the present invention is a program for verifying the safety of mechanical parking facilities, causing a computer to execute the method for verifying the safety of mechanical parking facilities described above. One embodiment of the present invention as a reference example is a safety confirmation system for a mechanical parking facility that has a boarding room and a sensor installed in the boarding room, and is equipped with a touch panel operation screen that can be operated by the user, a boarding room camera that photographs the inside of the boarding room, and a control device, and when the user checks the safety of the inside of the boarding room, the control device displays a safety confirmation input means on the operation screen along with real-time image information captured by the boarding room camera, provided that the sensor has not detected an error condition inside the boarding room, and if the safety confirmation input means is not operated for a certain period of time or more, this is a safety confirmation system for a mechanical parking facility that displays a user authentication screen on the operation screen. One embodiment of the present invention is a mechanical parking facility equipped with the above-described safety confirmation system. One aspect of the present invention as a reference example is a safety confirmation method for a mechanical parking facility that includes a boarding room and a sensor installed in the boarding room, in which, when a user checks the safety inside the boarding room, a safety confirmation input means is displayed on a touch panel operation screen along with real-time image information captured by the boarding room camera, provided that the sensor does not detect an error condition inside the boarding room, and if the safety confirmation input means is not operated for a certain period of time or more, a user authentication screen is displayed on the operation screen. A safety confirmation system for a mechanical parking facility according to one embodiment of the present invention, as a reference example, is a system for confirming the safety inside the boarding room in a mechanical parking facility that includes a boarding room where parked vehicles enter and exit, a boarding door that opens and closes the entrance and exit gate of the boarding room, a transport machine that transports the parked vehicles, and a touch panel operation screen on which the user of the parked vehicle performs mechanical operations such as authentication operations and opening and closing and starting the boarding door.The system is equipped with the operation screen, a sensor that detects the presence of the parked vehicle and people inside the boarding room and the parking position of the parked vehicle, a boarding room camera that captures images of the interior of the boarding room, and a control device, and is characterized in that the control device displays on the operation screen real-time image information captured by the boarding room camera and a safety confirmation button that notifies the user that the safety inside the boarding room has been confirmed.

[0011] According to the safety confirmation system for mechanical parking facilities configured as described above, image information of the inside of the boarding compartment is displayed on the touch panel operation screen operated by the user, so the user can reliably see this image information and confirm the safety of the inside of the boarding compartment. Therefore, it is possible to prevent people, pets, etc. from remaining inside the boarding compartment and to increase the safety of the mechanical parking facilities.

[0012] In addition to the above configuration, it is preferable that the control device displays real-time detection information of the sensor on the operation screen together with the image information and the safety confirmation button.

[0013] This allows the user to check the sensor detection information along with the image information of the boarding room when operating the safety confirmation button. Therefore, it is possible to recognize error situations that are difficult to identify from the image information of the boarding room alone, making it easier to deal with them and further improving safety.

[0014] Furthermore, in addition to the above configuration, when the user checks the safety inside the boarding compartment, it is preferable that the control device, provided that the sensor does not detect an error condition inside the boarding compartment, display the safety check button on the operation screen together with the image information, and control the device not to proceed to the next operation stage unless the safety check button is pressed.

[0015] This means that the user cannot proceed to the next operation stage until he or she checks the image information of the boarding room displayed on the operation screen and presses the safety confirmation button, thereby ensuring that the user performs a safety check of the boarding room and further increasing safety.

[0016] In addition to the above configuration, it is preferable to install multiple boarding room cameras at different locations within the boarding room, and have the control device display multiple pieces of image information from the multiple boarding room cameras on the operation screen so that the user can check them one by one and press the safety confirmation button.

[0017] In this way, by installing multiple boarding room cameras in the boarding room and displaying the image information captured by each of these boarding room cameras on the operation screen, the user can check each image one by one before pressing the safety confirmation button, thereby eliminating blind spots in the boarding room and further improving safety.

[0018] Furthermore, in addition to the above configuration, the sensors may be installed at multiple locations inside the boarding room, and when any of these multiple sensors detects an error condition inside the boarding room, the control device may select from the multiple boarding room cameras installed inside the boarding room a boarding room camera that is capable of capturing the error condition detected by the sensor, and display the image information on the operation screen.

[0019] In this way, when any of the sensors installed at multiple locations within the boarding room detects an error condition within the boarding room, a boarding room camera capable of capturing the error condition detected by that sensor is selected, and the image information is displayed on the operation screen, thereby enabling the user operating the operation screen to reliably recognize the error condition within the boarding room, thereby increasing safety.

[0020] In addition to the above configuration, the control device may be configured to disable subsequent operations if the sensor detects an error condition in the boarding compartment while the safety confirmation button and the image information are being displayed, or after the safety confirmation button is pressed.

[0021] In this way, the sensor's detection of an error condition takes priority over the user's safety confirmation, and subsequent operations are disabled, preventing the mechanical parking facility from starting up without the error condition being confirmed and repaired, thereby further increasing safety.

[0022] Furthermore, in addition to the above configuration, an operator camera may be further provided for capturing an image of the face of the user operating the operation screen, and the image of the user may be recorded together with the date and time of operation.

[0023] In this way, by recording the face of the user operating the operation screen and the date and time of operation, it becomes easier to verify in the unlikely event of an accident or malfunction. In addition, since the user is aware that they are being photographed, this has the effect of discouraging familiar operations (such as proxy operations).

[0024] In addition to the above configuration, multiple sensors may be arranged inside the boarding room so that multiple detection lines cross near the entrance and exit gate, and the control device may determine that the user has exited the boarding room when the detection lines cross from the back to the front.

[0025] This allows the sensor to reliably detect when the user has left the boarding compartment, thereby improving safety.

[0026] Furthermore, in addition to the above configuration, the control device may be configured to display a close door button as the safety confirmation button on the operation screen along with the image information when the user performs an operation to close the loading / unloading door, and to control the loading / unloading door to close by having the user press and hold the close door button for a predetermined period of time while showing the image information.

[0027] In this way, the loading / unloading door will not close unless the close door button is pressed and held for a specified period of time (for example, one second), preventing the user from accidentally touching and pressing the close door button without checking the operation screen, ensuring that safety checks are carried out and avoiding danger.

[0028] Furthermore, in addition to the above configuration, the control device may be configured to display a door reversal button as the safety confirmation button on the operation screen along with the image information during the closing operation of the loading / unloading door, and to control the loading / unloading door to open when the user presses the door reversal button.

[0029] In this way, even if the loading / unloading door is in the process of closing, the operation screen displays an image of the inside of the boarding room along with a door reversal button, and by pressing this door reversal button, the loading / unloading door in the closing process can be reversed (reopened). Therefore, even after the user presses the door close button and the loading / unloading door begins to close, if an error condition in the boarding room is displayed on the operation screen, the user can press the door reversal button to open the loading / unloading door, thereby avoiding danger.

[0030] Furthermore, a mechanical parking facility according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized by being equipped with any one of the safety confirmation systems described above.

[0031] This mechanical parking facility allows users to operate the operation screen while reliably checking images from the boarding room camera installed inside the boarding room. This allows users to check on the operation screen for error situations such as people or pets remaining inside the boarding room or the doors of parked vehicles being open, thereby avoiding danger and increasing safety.

[0032] In addition, a safety confirmation method for a mechanical parking facility according to one embodiment of the present invention as a reference example is a method for confirming the safety of the inside of a boarding room in a mechanical parking facility equipped with a boarding room where parked vehicles enter and exit, a boarding door that opens and closes the entrance and exit gate of the boarding room, a transport machine that transports the parked vehicles, and a touch panel operation screen on which a user of the parked vehicle performs mechanical operations such as authentication operations and opening and closing the boarding door and starting the transport machine.When the user confirms the safety of the inside of the boarding room, the operation screen displays real-time image information from a boarding room camera that captures the internal situation inside the boarding room, and a safety confirmation button that notifies the user that the safety of the inside of the boarding room has been confirmed, and the user is prompted to look at the image information, confirm the safety of the inside of the boarding room, and then press the safety confirmation button.The method proceeds to the next operation stage on the condition that the user has pressed the safety confirmation button.

[0033] According to the above safety confirmation method, image information of the inside of the boarding compartment is displayed on the touch panel operation screen operated by the user, so the user can reliably see this image information and confirm the safety of the inside of the boarding compartment. Therefore, it is possible to prevent people, pets, etc. from remaining inside the boarding compartment and improve the safety of the mechanical parking facility.

[0034] In the above safety confirmation method, if a sensor installed inside the boarding room that detects an error condition within the boarding room detects an error condition within the boarding room while the safety confirmation button and the image information are being displayed, or after the safety confirmation button is pressed, subsequent operations may be disabled.

[0035] In this way, the sensor's detection of an error condition takes priority over the user's safety confirmation, and subsequent operations are disabled, preventing the mechanical parking facility from starting up without the error condition being confirmed and repaired, thereby further increasing safety. [Effects of the Invention]

[0036] According to the present invention, safety can be improved by preventing people, pets, etc. from remaining inside the boarding compartment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0037] [Figure 1] 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an example of a mechanical parking facility to which the safety confirmation system according to the present invention can be applied. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] (a) is a diagram showing the layout of each sensor in the boarding compartment, and (b) is a table showing the function of each sensor. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of a control system for a mechanical parking facility. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first authentication screen of the operation screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen that prompts the user to confirm that no one is in the boarding compartment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen that prompts the user to confirm that no one is in the boarding compartment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen that prompts the user to confirm that no one is in the boarding compartment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen that prompts the user to confirm that no one is in the boarding compartment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen that asks the user whether they wish to store the item. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen during transport of an empty pallet. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen that guides the user to store items in stock. [Figure 14]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen that provides the user with information about stop locations. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen that provides the user with information about stop locations. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen when an error condition occurs in the boarding compartment. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen when an error condition occurs in the boarding compartment. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen when an error condition occurs in the boarding compartment. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second authentication screen of the operation screen. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen that prompts the user to confirm that no one is in the boarding compartment. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen that prompts the user to confirm that no one is in the boarding compartment. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen that prompts the user to confirm that no one is in the boarding compartment. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen that prompts the user to confirm that no one is in the boarding compartment. [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen that prompts the user to confirm safety when closing the storage / retrieval door. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen that prompts the user to confirm safety when closing the storage / retrieval door. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen that prompts the user to confirm safety when closing the storage / retrieval door. [Figure 27] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen that prompts the user to confirm safety when closing the storage / retrieval door. [Figure 28] FIG. 10 shows a screen when the loading / unloading door is closed. [Figure 29] FIG. 10 shows a screen when the loading / unloading door is closed. [Figure 30] FIG. 10 shows a screen when the loading / unloading door is closed. [Figure 31] FIG. 10 shows a screen when the loading / unloading door is closed. [Figure 32] FIG. 10 shows the screen after the loading / unloading door has been closed. [Figure 33] 10 is a flowchart showing a control flow (control method) during a safety confirmation operation. [Figure 34] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the state in which the manned-in-park signal is turned ON. [Figure 35] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the state in which the manned-in-park signal is turned off. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0039] 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an elevator-type mechanical parking facility, showing an example of a mechanical parking facility to which the safety confirmation system of the present invention can be applied. Note that the safety confirmation system of the present invention can be widely applied to any mechanical parking facility that uses a conveyor to move parked vehicles into and out of multiple parking spaces, and is not limited to the elevator-type multi-story parking facility described below.

[0040] The mechanical parking facility 1 is an elevator-type tower-type multi-story parking facility that can accommodate multiple vehicles 2, and includes a parking tower 5 with an entrance / exit entrance 3 and an entrance / exit door 4. The ground floor of the parking tower 5 is a boarding room 7 where vehicles 2 enter and exit the parking lot, and a turntable 8 for changing the direction of vehicles 2 is installed on its floor. The turntable 8 is configured so that a swivel plate 10 and a swivel drive unit 11 are installed inside a concave pit 9 formed on the floor of the boarding room 7.

[0041] A vertical elevator passage 13 is formed in the center of the parking tower 5, within which a lift 14 (elevator-like transport vehicle) is provided so that it can move up and down. The lift 14 is suspended at its four corners by a plurality of wire ropes 15 that extend downward from a winch (not shown) provided at the top of the parking tower 5, for example, and can move up and down within the elevator passage 13 when the winch is activated.

[0042] Meanwhile, vehicle storage shelves 17 (parking spaces) are provided on both sides of the elevator passage 13. These vehicle storage shelves 17 are provided in multiple levels, one above the other, on either side of the elevator passage 13, and each vehicle storage shelf 17 stores one pallet 18 for loading vehicles. Note that the support pillars and other elements of the vehicle storage shelves 17 are not shown in the drawing.

[0043] A transfer mechanism (not shown) is provided on the floor of the lift 14 and the vehicle storage shelf 17, which allows an empty pallet 18 or a pallet 18 loaded with a vehicle 2 to be smoothly transferred from the lift 14 to the vehicle storage shelf 17, or from the vehicle storage shelf 17 to the lift 14, when the floor heights of the lift 14 and the vehicle storage shelf 17 are the same.

[0044] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the boarding room 7. When viewed from the outside, there is an emergency entrance 20 to the left of the entrance / exit door 4, and an entrance control light 21 equipped with blue and red lamps is provided above the entrance / exit door 4. In addition, a control panel 22 is provided, for example, on the right side as one faces the entrance / exit door 4. This control panel 22 is operated by the user (driver) of each vehicle 2 entering the mechanical parking facility 1. Reference numeral 23 denotes a three-color light that indicates the control status of the mechanical parking facility 1.

[0045] Inside the boarding room 7, there is a space in the center where a pallet 18 is placed, and on the wall in front of the loading / unloading door 4, there is a mirror 24 for the driver to check the vehicle's position, and an electronic stopping position indicator light 25 that provides guidance on "go forward," "stop," and "back up."

[0046] Furthermore, a plurality of sensors 30 are provided at various locations inside the boarding compartment 7 to detect the presence of the vehicle 2 and people, etc., inside the boarding compartment 7, the size of the vehicle 2, the parking position, etc. (All sensors are simply indicated by the reference numeral 30 in FIG. 2). The parking position indicator light 25 provides the driver of the vehicle with information on the vehicle's position based on the vehicle position data detected by each sensor 30.

[0047] Fig. 3(a) is a diagram showing the layout of the sensors 30 (301 to 320) in the boarding room 7, and Fig. 3(b) is a table showing the functions of the sensors 301 to 320. These sensors are arranged in pairs facing each other, and an infrared beam 30a is distributed between them. When this infrared beam is blocked by a vehicle 2, a person, or the like, the sensor turns ON, and the detection signal is transmitted to the control device 40 via the entry / exit monitoring control unit 57, which will be described later.

[0048] Furthermore, for example, four boarding room cameras 35A to 35D are installed to capture images of the interior conditions of the boarding room 7. These boarding room cameras 35A to 35D are attached to different wall surfaces (four sides) of the boarding room 7, with boarding room camera 35A capturing images of the front of vehicle 2 parked in the boarding room 7, boarding room camera 35B capturing images of the rear of vehicle 2, boarding room camera 35C capturing images of the left side of vehicle 2, and boarding room camera 35D capturing images of the right side of vehicle 2.

[0049] In addition, a control device 40 that controls the entire mechanical parking facility 1 is installed inside or outside the boarding room 7. The control device 40 is a device that executes a series of entry and exit operations using the lift 14, and executes entry and exit operations while exchanging information with the operation panel 22, as will be described later.

[0050] 4 is a perspective view of the control panel 22. The control panel 22 is housed in a metal housing 43 to protect it from wind and rain and to prevent tampering, and this housing 43 is provided with a lockable lid 44. When a user wants to operate the control panel 22, they unlock the lock and open the lid 44 to access the control panel 22. Note that the lid may be automatically unlocked as the user approaches, for example, using a transponder provided in a dedicated remote control carried by the user.

[0051] The control panel 22 has a simple configuration that includes a touch panel type operation screen 45 that the user can use to perform authentication operations and machine operations such as opening and closing the loading / unloading door 4 and starting the lift 14, a reader 46 for reading transponder signals transmitted from portable authentication media such as IC cards and remote controls, a speaker 47 for providing audio guidance to the user on how to operate the device, and an emergency stop button 48.

[0052] A display section 45a for operation guides and the like and an input section 45b for a numeric keypad and the like are displayed on the operation screen 45. These displays are not necessarily displayed in a specific section of the operation screen 45, and the entire operation screen 45 may become the display section 45a or the input section 45b.

[0053] Furthermore, an operator camera 49 is installed inside the housing of the operation panel 22. This operator camera 49 is a camera that photographs the face of the user operating the operation screen 45, and the photographed image of the user is recorded together with the date and time of operation. If a sign is displayed near the operation panel 22 indicating that the operator is being photographed by this operator camera 49, it can be expected that tasks such as safety confirmation by the user will not become too familiar, and that misuse by outsiders will be effectively prevented.

[0054] 5 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the control system of this mechanical parking facility 1. The control device 40 is connected to the operation panel 22. The touch panel type operation screen 45 of the operation panel 22 is equipped with the display unit 45a and input unit 45b as described above, and various information input by the user from the operation screen 45 is transmitted to the control device 40, and various information sent from the control device 40 is displayed on the operation screen 45.

[0055] The control device 40 has a built-in information processing unit 51 that performs machine control, authentication control, screen display / scrolling processing, input information processing, safety confirmation processing, etc., and is also connected to a comprehensive database 52. The comprehensive database 52 stores data such as vehicle presence status, pallet shape type, vehicle storage shelf shape type, presence or absence of charging vehicles, charging status, and EV charging data for each pallet.

[0056] In addition, the control device 40 is connected to various control units such as an EV charging control unit 54, an entrance / exit door control unit 55, a conveyor control unit 56, an entrance / exit monitoring control unit 57, a camera control unit 58, an image database 59, a vehicle weight measurement / control unit 61, and a turning drive control unit 62.

[0057] The EV charging control unit 54 receives a charging command from the control device 40 to operate the charging device 65, controls charging based on the current value obtained from the charging ammeter 66, and feeds back EV charging state accumulation information to the control device 40.

[0058] The loading / unloading door control unit 55 receives an operation command from the control device 40 to open or close the loading / unloading door 4, receives a position signal of the loading / unloading door 4 from the loading / unloading door sensor 67, and feeds that information back to the control device 40.

[0059] The conveyor control unit 56 receives operational commands from the control device 40 to raise and lower the lift 14 (conveyor) and load and unload the pallet 18, and receives a position signal for the lift 14 from the conveyor position sensor 68 and feeds that information back to the control device 40.

[0060] The entry / exit monitoring control unit 57 receives operational commands from the control device 40, receives information such as the presence and location of vehicles and people in the boarding room 7 from a number of sensors 30 (301-320) installed inside the boarding room 7, and feeds this information back to the control device 40.

[0061] Upon receiving an operation command from the control device 40, the camera control unit 58 causes the multiple boarding room cameras 35A to 35D and the operator camera 49 installed inside the boarding room 7 to take images, and feeds back the image information to the control device 40. This image information is accumulated in the image database 59 for a predetermined period of time. Note that the image database 59 may be provided inside the general database 52, or on the cloud, for example.

[0062] The vehicle weight measurement / control unit 61 receives an operation command from the control device 40, measures the weight of the vehicle mounted on the lift 14 using a vehicle measuring instrument 69, and feeds back the information to the control device 40 via a vehicle weight sensor 70. This vehicle weight information is used for controlling the lift 14, etc.

[0063] The swivel drive unit control unit 62 receives an operation command from the control device 40 to operate the swivel drive unit 11 (turntable 8), receives a swivel position signal of the turntable 8 from the turntable position sensor 71, and feeds that information back to the control device 40.

[0064] The control device 40 receives feedback from the respective control units 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 61, and 62 to operate the mechanical parking facility 1, and also controls the safety confirmation system SCS according to the present invention.

[0065] The safety confirmation system SCS is a system that allows the user to check the safety inside the boarding room 7, and is composed of an operation screen 45 of the operation panel 22, sensors 30 (301 to 320) installed in the boarding room 7, four boarding room cameras 35A to 35D also installed in the boarding room 7, and a control device 40.

[0066] In this safety confirmation system SCS, when the user checks the safety inside the boarding room 7, the control device 40 displays, on the operation screen 45 of the operation panel 22, real-time image information CI of the inside of the boarding room 7 taken by the boarding room cameras 35A to 35D, real-time detection information DI (see Figures 16 to 18) of the sensors 30 (301 to 320), and a safety confirmation button (e.g., unmanned confirmation button SB1) that notifies the user that the safety inside the boarding room 7 has been confirmed, as shown in Figures 7 to 10, 16 to 18, 20 to 32, etc., and prompts the user to check the image information CI of the inside of the boarding room 7 and the detection information DI of the sensors and press the safety confirmation button.

[0067] [Inventory operation] The flow of operations for parking the vehicle 2 in the mechanical parking facility 1 configured as above will be explained.

[0068] First, the user (driver) of vehicle 2 parks vehicle 2 in front of entrance / exit gate 3, applies the parking brake, gets out of the vehicle, lets passengers and pets get out of the vehicle, and then heads to the operation panel 22. Then, the user unlocks the vehicle with a dedicated key or uses the transponder on the dedicated remote control to automatically unlock and open the lid 44 of the housing 43. At this point, the first authentication screen shown in Figure 6 is displayed on the operation screen 45 of the operation panel 22, and the hall lights in the boarding room 7 are turned on.

[0069] As described above, the operation screen 45 has a display unit 45a and an input unit 45b. In the first authentication screen shown in Fig. 6, the display unit 45a is blank, and the input unit 45b displays a numeric keypad 81 and a guide for entering a PIN number. This guide, as well as other guides (instructions, etc.) described below, are all also transmitted audibly from the speaker 47 shown in Fig. 4. When the user follows this guide and enters their own PIN number using the numeric keypad 81, the first authentication is established, and the operation screen 45 switches to the screen shown in Fig. 7. The display unit 45a of this screen displays the contract number of the authenticated user and the progress of each operation, such as calling, entering, confirming, and closing the door.

[0070] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the operation screen 45 (input unit 45b) displays a confirmation screen for the user to confirm that the inside of the boarding room 7 is definitely unoccupied before starting up the mechanical parking facility 1 (first safety confirmation operation). That is, the control device 40 displays an unoccupied confirmation button SB1 (safety confirmation button) on the operation screen 45 (input unit 45b) along with real-time image information CI of the inside of the boarding room 7 taken by the four boarding room cameras 35A to 35D installed in the boarding room 7. The images taken by the boarding room cameras 35A to 35D are respectively displayed as "front" (FIG. 7), "rear" (FIG. 8), "left side" (FIG. 9), and "right side" (FIG. 10).

[0071] The user checks the image information CI one by one within a specified time period and, if no abnormalities are found, presses the unattended confirmation button SB1. The display on the operation screen 45 may be switched in the following order: 7 → 8 → 9 → 10 each time the unattended confirmation button SB1 is pressed. Alternatively, the user may be shown all of the images from 7 to 10 and then be prompted to press the unattended confirmation button SB1 once. Since the boarding room 7 is vacant and visibility is good, only one of the four boarding room cameras 35A-35D may capture the entire interior of the boarding room 7, allowing the user to confirm the image without switching images. In short, the key is to display real-time image information CI of the interior of the boarding room 7 and the unattended confirmation button SB1 on the operation screen 45 operated by the user, and have the user confirm this and press the unattended confirmation button SB1. During this confirmation process, the operator camera 49 records the user's face, hands, etc.

[0072] In this way, the image information CI of the inside of the boarding room 7 and the unmanned confirmation button SB1 are displayed on the operation screen 45 on the condition that none of the numerous sensors 30 (301 to 320) in the boarding room 7 has detected an error condition in the boarding room 7. An error condition here means, for example, when there is a person or an obstacle in the boarding room 7, and it would be dangerous to start the machine as it is.

[0073] When the user presses the unmanned confirmation button SB1 to confirm that the inside of the boarding room 7 is definitely unmanned and safe, the first safety confirmation operation is completed, and the display on the operation screen 45 switches to the display shown in Fig. 11. Furthermore, if the unmanned confirmation button SB1 on each screen is not pressed within a predetermined time (for example, one minute), the screen returns to the first authentication screen (see Fig. 6) shown in Fig. 6. In other words, this safety confirmation system SCS is controlled so as not to proceed to the next operation stage unless the unmanned confirmation button SB1 is pressed by the user within the predetermined time.

[0074] The next screen shown in Figure 11 asks the user if they wish to store the item, and the user can select and press either the "Yes" button YB or the "No" button NB. If the "No" button NB is pressed, the screen display returns to the first authentication screen (see Figure 6).

[0075] When the "Yes" button YB is pressed, the transportation (calling) of the empty pallet 18 begins. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the empty pallet 18 is taken out by the lift 14 from the vehicle storage shelf 17 where no vehicle 2 is stored, lowered down along the elevator passage 13, and placed on the turntable 8 (swivel plate 10). The turntable 8 then turns the pallet 18 90 degrees and directs it toward the loading / unloading entrance 3.

[0076] The display on the operation screen 45 during this time is as shown in Figure 12. The display unit 45a shows the time until the empty pallet 18 arrives at the loading room 7 in countdown form. At this time, for example, a real-time image of the inside of the loading room 7 may be displayed on the input unit 45b. This can somewhat alleviate the user's discomfort during the waiting time.

[0077] When an empty pallet 18 arrives at the boarding room 7, as shown in FIG. 13 , a message saying "Please enter" is displayed on the operation screen 45, and the loading / unloading door 4 is opened automatically. Following this, the user drives the vehicle 2 slowly into the boarding room 7 from the loading / unloading entrance 3, drives the vehicle 2 onto the empty pallet 18 placed on the turntable 8, and moves the vehicle forward. Then, when the display of the parking position indicator light 25 located at the front of the boarding room 7 changes from "go forward" to "stop," the user stops the vehicle, applies the parking brake, securely closes and locks the windows and doors, folds the door mirrors, stows the antenna, etc., then gets out of the vehicle and exits the boarding room 7.

[0078] When vehicle 2 enters the boarding room 7 from the entrance / exit gate 3 in this way, the entrance of vehicle 2 is detected by, for example, blocking of infrared beam 30a emitted by entrance / exit gate emergency stop sensor 305, vehicle confirmation sensor (cargo presence sensor) 303, etc., as shown in FIG. 3, and the display on operation screen 45 switches to one that guides the stopping position as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. The guidance displays shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 are the same as the display of stopping position indicator light 25. The display on these screens and stopping position indicator light 25 is performed when the front-to-rear position of vehicle 2 relative to pallet 18 is detected by blocking or transmitting infrared beam 30a emitted by vehicle front sensor 301, vehicle rear sensor 302, etc., as shown in FIG. 3, by the front and rear ends of vehicle 2.

[0079] If an error condition occurs (has occurred) in the vehicle 2 on the pallet 18, one of the sensors 30 (301-320) installed at multiple locations inside the boarding compartment 7 will detect the error condition inside the boarding compartment 7. At this time, the control device 40 selects from among the four boarding compartment cameras 35A-35D installed inside the boarding compartment 7 the boarding compartment camera 35A-35D that can best capture the error condition detected by the sensor 30 (301-320), and displays the image information CI on the operation screen 45. This is also the case during the first safety confirmation operation.

[0080] At the same time, the control device 40 displays the real-time detection information DI of the sensors 30 (301 to 320) together with the image information CI on the operation screen 45, as shown in FIGS.

[0081] For example, if the front of the vehicle 2 that has entered and stopped in the boarding room 7 blocks the infrared beam 30a of the vehicle front sensor 301 shown in FIG. 3, causing an error, as shown in FIG. 16, image information CI captured by the boarding room camera 35A that can capture the front of the vehicle 2 is selected and displayed on the operation screen 45, and a bar-shaped animation DI (detection information) is displayed across the front of the image of the vehicle 2. This animation DI is displayed prominently by flashing, for example. By displaying this animation DI, a user looking at the operation screen 45 can quickly recognize that the vehicle 2 is parked too far forward and correct it.

[0082] 17, image information CI captured by the boarding room camera 35D capable of capturing an image of the right side of the vehicle 2 is selected and displayed on the operation screen 45, and a bar-shaped animation DI is displayed along the right side of the image of the vehicle 2. This allows the user to quickly recognize that the right door of the vehicle 2 is open and to immediately go and close it.

[0083] Furthermore, for example, if vehicle 2 is a mid-roof or high-roof vehicle with a high overall height and the front of the vehicle body blocks infrared beam 30a of mid-roof vehicle corner cutting (front) sensor 309 or high-roof vehicle corner cutting (front) sensor 311 shown in Fig. 3, causing an error, image information CI captured by boarding room camera 35C capable of capturing the left side of vehicle 2 or boarding room camera 35D capable of capturing the right side is selected and displayed on operation screen 45, as shown in Fig. 18, and an animation DI in the shape of a diagonal bar similar to the actual corner cutting sensor is displayed at the location corresponding to the front of the vehicle body. This lets the user know that parking vehicle 2 is impossible and causes vehicle 2 to be removed from boarding room 7.

[0084] In this way, if the sensor 30 (301 to 320) detects an error condition in the boarding room 7 while the unmanned confirmation button SB1 and image information CI are being displayed, or after the unmanned confirmation button SB1 is pressed, the control device 40 invalidates subsequent operations. Then, the control device 40 notifies the user by display on the operation screen 45 or by sound from the speaker 47 that it is necessary to check the inside of the boarding room 7.

[0085] If no error condition has occurred in the vehicle 2 on the pallet 18, the second authentication screen shown in Fig. 19 is displayed on the operation screen 45, and the numeric keypad 81 and instructions for entering a PIN number are displayed on the input unit 45b, so the user enters their own authentication number again using the numeric keypad 81. The purpose of performing the second authentication in this manner is to enhance safety by reliably preventing, for example, a situation in which a next user arrives while a user is still in the boarding room 7 and closes the loading / unloading door 4 without recognizing that the previous user is still in the boarding room 7.

[0086] When the user follows the instructions and enters his / her personal identification number using the numeric keypad 81, the second authentication is established and the operation screen 45 switches to the screen shown in Fig. 20. As shown in Figs. 20 to 23, the operation screen 45 (input section 45b) displays a confirmation screen that prompts the user to confirm again that the inside of the boarding room 7 is definitely unoccupied before closing the loading / unloading door 4 (second safety confirmation operation).

[0087] That is, similar to the first safety confirmation operation (see FIGS. 7 to 10), the control device 40 displays an unmanned confirmation button SB2 (safety confirmation button) on the operation screen 45 (input unit 45b) together with real-time image information CI of the inside of the boarding room 7 taken by the four boarding room cameras 35A to 35D installed in the boarding room 7. The images taken by the boarding room cameras 35A to 35D are respectively displayed as "front" (FIG. 20), "rear" (FIG. 21), "left side" (FIG. 22), and "right side" (FIG. 23).

[0088] The user checks this image information CI one by one, and if there are no abnormalities, presses the unmanned confirmation button SB2. The display order on the operation screen 45 may be such that the screen switches between the displays of Fig. 20 → Fig. 21 → Fig. 22 → Fig. 23 each time the unmanned confirmation button SB2 is pressed, or the user may be shown all of Fig. 20 through Fig. 23 before being prompted to press the unmanned confirmation button SB2 once. The key point is that the operation screen 45 operated by the user displays real-time image information CI of the inside of the boarding compartment 7 and the unmanned confirmation button SB2, and the user is prompted to confirm this and press the unmanned confirmation button SB2. Note that the operator camera 49 also records the user's face, hands, etc. during this confirmation process.

[0089] In this way, the image information CI of the boarding room 7 and the unmanned confirmation button SB2 are displayed on the operation screen 45 on the premise that, as with the first safety confirmation operation, none of the numerous sensors 30 (301 to 320) in the boarding room 7 has detected an error condition within the boarding room 7.

[0090] When the user presses the unmanned confirmation button SB2 to confirm that there are no objects or people other than the vehicle 2 inside the boarding room 7 and that it is safe, the second safety confirmation operation is completed and the display on the operation screen 45 switches to the display shown in Fig. 24. Furthermore, if the unmanned confirmation button SB2 on each screen is not pressed within a predetermined time (for example, one minute) or if the sensors 30 (301 to 320) detect an abnormality, the screen returns to the images shown in Figs. 16 to 18 when an error situation is detected.

[0091] In the images of Figures 24 to 27, a third safety confirmation operation is performed before closing the loading / unloading door 4. As with the first and second safety confirmation operations, a close door button SB3 (safety confirmation button) is displayed on the operation screen 45 (input unit 45b) along with real-time image information CI of the inside of the boarding room 7 taken by the four boarding room cameras 35A to 35D installed in the boarding room 7. The images taken by the boarding room cameras 35A to 35D are displayed as "front" (Figure 24), "rear" (Figure 25), "left side" (Figure 26), and "right side" (Figure 27), respectively.

[0092] The user checks this image information CI one by one, and if there are no abnormalities, presses the close door button SB3. The display order on operation screen 45 may be such that the screen switches between Figure 24 → Figure 25 → Figure 26 → Figure 27 each time the close door button SB3 is pressed, or the user may be shown Figures 24 to 27 before pressing the close door button SB3 once. During this checking operation, the operator camera 49 records the user's face, hands, etc.

[0093] When pressing the close door button SB3 to close the loading / unloading door 4, it is preferable to press and hold the close door button SB3 for a predetermined period of time (for example, one second). This prevents the user from accidentally touching and pressing the close door button SB3 without checking the operation screen 45.

[0094] When the user presses the door close button SB3 to confirm that there are no objects or people other than the vehicle 2 inside the boarding compartment 7 and that it is safe, the third safety confirmation operation is completed and the entrance / exit door 4 begins to close. Accordingly, the display on the operation screen 45 switches to the displays shown in Figures 28 to 31.

[0095] While the loading / unloading door 4 is closed, a fourth safety confirmation operation is performed, as shown in Figures 28 to 31. Here, as with the first to third safety confirmation operations, the door reversal button SB4 (safety confirmation button) is displayed along with real-time image information CI of the inside of the boarding room 7 taken by the four boarding room cameras 35A to 35D installed in the boarding room 7. The images taken by the boarding room cameras 35A to 35D are displayed as "front" (Figure 28), "rear" (Figure 29), "left side" (Figure 30), and "right side" (Figure 31), respectively.

[0096] The user checks this image information CI one by one, but if there are no particular abnormalities, there is no need to press the door reverse button SB4. If any abnormalities are found, pressing the door reverse button SB4 will reverse the loading / unloading door 4 (reopening the door). In this case, control is returned to the stage of the second safety confirmation operation shown in Figure 20. After the entry is complete, an image of the inside of the boarding compartment 7 is displayed for a while (for example, 10 seconds), as shown in Figure 32. Then, if there are no abnormalities, the entry is completed. If the next user wants to start entry during this time, they press the reservation button RB displayed in the upper right corner of the operation screen 45. This changes the display on the operation screen 45 to the first authentication screen shown in Figure 6.

[0097] If an error condition in the boarding room 7 is detected by any of the sensors 30 (301 to 320) at any point during the above-described flow of the loading operation, the loading / unloading door 4 is opened and the operation screen 45 is returned to the images in Figures 16 to 18. In this case, the user looks at the operation screen 45 to determine the content of the error condition, enters the boarding room 7 to resolve the error condition, and starts the operation again from the second safety confirmation operation shown in Figure 19.

[0098] [Issuance operation] The process for bringing vehicle 2 into the warehouse will not be explained in detail, but the user first performs the first authentication, then calls the pallet 18 carrying the vehicle 2 to be removed to the loading room 7, and when the loading / unloading door 4 opens, enters the loading room 7, gets into vehicle 2, and removes vehicle 2 from the loading room 7.

[0099] After removing the vehicle 2, the driver dismounts from the vehicle 2 and heads to the operation panel 22, where he first performs the second authentication, and then, similar to the second safety confirmation operation during the storage operation, performs a safety check while looking at the image information CI displayed on the operation screen 45 to confirm that there is no one in the boarding room 7.

[0100] Next, the operator performs a safety check similar to the third safety check operation during the storing operation, closes the loading / unloading door 4, and while the loading / unloading door 4 is closed, performs a safety check similar to the fourth safety check operation during the storing operation, and watches the loading / unloading door 4 close until the unloading operation is complete. During this series of confirmation operations, the operator's face, hands, etc. are recorded by the operator camera 49.

[0101] FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the control flow (control method) during the first to fourth safety confirmation operations described above. After the safety confirmation control is started, in step S1, an authentication screen shown in Fig. 6 or Fig. 19 is displayed. Note that this step is omitted in the third and fourth safety confirmation operations.

[0102] Next, in step S2, it is determined whether or not the user authentication has been successful. If the user authentication has failed (S2 → NO), the process returns to step S1 again, and if the user authentication has been successful (S2 → YES), the process proceeds to step S3, where image information CI of the inside of the boarding room 7 and safety confirmation buttons SB1 to SB4 are displayed.

[0103] Next, in step S4, it is determined whether a predetermined time (for example, one minute) has elapsed. The user must press one of the safety confirmation buttons SB1 to SB4 during this predetermined time. If the predetermined time has elapsed (S4 → YES), the process returns to step S1, and if the predetermined time has not elapsed (S4 → NO), the process proceeds to step S5.

[0104] In step S5, it is determined whether or not any of the safety confirmation buttons SB1 to SB4 has been pressed. If it has been pressed (S5→YES), the process proceeds to step S6, and if it has not been pressed (S5→NO), the process returns to step S4.

[0105] In step S6, it is determined whether or not an error condition has been detected by the sensors 30 (301 to 320) in the boarding compartment 7. If an error condition has not been detected (S6 → NO), the process proceeds to step S7, where the next operation step is executed and the safety confirmation control ends. If an error condition has been detected in the boarding compartment 7 (S6 → YES), the process proceeds to step S8.

[0106] In step S8, a camera capable of capturing an error condition is selected from among the four boarding room cameras 35A to 35D installed in the boarding room 7. Next, in step S9, image information CI from the selected camera and detection information DI from the sensor are displayed on the operation screen 45 (see FIGS. 16 to 18). Then, in step S10, an instruction is given to check the inside of the boarding room 7, and then the process returns to step S3. After the user enters the boarding room 7 and checks and resolves the error condition, the user checks the image information CI displayed on the operation screen 45 and repeats the operation of pressing the safety confirmation buttons SB1 to SB4.

[0107] Incidentally, when a user enters or leaves the parking lot, a sensor is used to confirm the user's entry and exit when the user enters or leaves the parking lot. As shown in Fig. 3, the vehicle rear sensor 302 and the entrance / exit emergency stop sensor 305 are arranged inside the passenger entry room 7 so that two infrared beams 30a (detection lines) cross near the entrance / exit gate 3. The infrared beam 30a of the vehicle rear sensor 302 is on the far side, and the infrared beam 30a of the entrance / exit emergency stop sensor 305 is on the near side (outside).

[0108] Then, in the control device 40, as shown in Figure 34, the entrance / exit emergency stop sensor 305 at the front side is first shaded and turned ON, and then the vehicle rear sensor 302 at the back side is shaded and turned ON, at which point the on-site manned signal turns ON and it is determined that a user has entered the premises. Also, as shown in Figure 35, the vehicle rear sensor 302 at the back is first blocked by light and turns ON, and then the entrance / exit emergency stop sensor 305 at the front is blocked by light and turns ON, at which point the on-site manned signal turns OFF and it is determined that the user has left the premises.

[0109] As described above, the safety confirmation system SCS and safety confirmation method of this embodiment are characterized by displaying, on the screen of the touch panel type operation screen 45 operated by the user, real-time image information CI captured by the boarding room cameras 35A to 35D, together with safety confirmation buttons SB1 to SB4 that notify the user that they have confirmed the safety inside the boarding room 7.

[0110] In this way, image information CI of the inside of the boarding room 7 is displayed on the operation screen 45, so the user can reliably see this image information CI and confirm the safety inside the boarding room 7. Therefore, it is possible to prevent people, pets, etc. from remaining inside the boarding room 7, and to increase the safety of the mechanical parking facility 1.

[0111] If image information about the inside of the boarding room 7 is displayed on a monitor or the like installed separately from the operation screen 45, the image may not be clearly visible due to the reflection of sunlight, etc. Furthermore, the user must look away from the operation screen 45 to check the monitor, etc., which reduces operability. In contrast, if image information CI about the inside of the boarding room 7 is displayed on the operation screen 45 as in this embodiment, the user can clearly view the image information CI because the operation screen 45 is generally angled so as not to be affected by sunlight.

[0112] Furthermore, in this safety confirmation system SCS and safety confirmation method, real-time detection information (animation DI) from the sensors 30 (301-320) is displayed on the operation screen 45 together with the image information CI and the safety confirmation buttons SB1-SB4. This allows the user to check the sensor detection information DI along with the image information CI of the boarding compartment 7 when operating the safety confirmation buttons SB1-SB4 on the operation screen 45. Therefore, it is possible to recognize error situations that are difficult to distinguish from the image information CI alone, making it easier to deal with the error situation and further improving safety.

[0113] Furthermore, in this safety confirmation system SCS and safety confirmation method, when the user confirms the safety inside the boarding room 7 (first to fourth safety confirmation operations), provided that the sensors 30 (301 to 320) do not detect any error conditions inside the boarding room 7, safety confirmation buttons SB1 to SB4 are displayed on the operation screen 45 along with image information CI, and the system is controlled so as not to proceed to the next operation stage unless these safety confirmation buttons SB1 to SB4 are pressed.

[0114] As a result, the user cannot proceed to the next operation stage until he or she confirms the image information CI of the inside of the boarding room 7 displayed on the operation screen 45 and presses the safety confirmation buttons SB1 to SB4. This ensures that the user performs a safety check of the inside of the boarding room 7, further increasing safety.

[0115] Furthermore, in this safety confirmation system SCS, four boarding room cameras 35A to 35D are installed at four different locations within the boarding room 7, and the control device 40 displays four pieces of image information CI from these four boarding room cameras 35A to 35D on the operation screen 45, allowing the user to check them one by one and press safety confirmation buttons SB1 to SB4. This eliminates blind spots within the boarding room 7, further improving safety.

[0116] Furthermore, in this safety confirmation system SCS, a plurality of sensors 30 (301 to 320) are installed at a plurality of locations within the boarding room 7, and when any of these sensors detects an error condition within the boarding room 7, the control device 40 selects a boarding room camera that can capture the error condition from among the four boarding room cameras 35A to 35D installed within the boarding room 7, and displays the image information CI thereof on the operation screen 45. This allows the user operating the operation screen 45 to be reliably aware of the error condition within the boarding room 7, thereby enhancing safety.

[0117] Furthermore, in this safety confirmation system SCS and safety confirmation method, if any of the sensors 30 (301 to 320) detects an error condition in the boarding room 7 while the safety confirmation buttons SB1 to SB4 or image information CI are displayed on the operation screen 45, or after the safety confirmation buttons SB1 to SB4 are pressed, subsequent operations are invalidated.

[0118] In this way, the detection of an error condition by the sensors 30 (301 to 320) takes priority over safety confirmation by the user, and subsequent operations are disabled, thereby preventing the mechanical parking facility 1 from starting up without checking and repairing the error condition, thereby further improving safety.

[0119] Furthermore, this safety confirmation system SCS uses an operator camera 49 installed near the operation screen 45 to capture an image of the face of the user operating the operation screen 45, and records the image together with the date and time of operation.

[0120] In this way, by recording the face of the user operating the operation screen 45 and the date and time of operation, it becomes easier to verify in the unlikely event of an accident, malfunction, etc. In addition, since the user is aware that they are being photographed, this has the effect of discouraging familiar operations (such as proxy operations).

[0121] It is not essential that the operator camera 49 captures the user's face all the time. For example, the operator camera 49 may capture the user's face at the timing when the user presses one of the safety confirmation buttons SB1 to SB4 on the operation screen 45.

[0122] Furthermore, in this safety confirmation system SCS, sensors 302, 305 are arranged so that multiple infrared beams 30a cross the vicinity of the entrance / exit gate 3 inside the boarding room 7, and the system determines whether a user has entered or left the boarding room 7 based on the order in which the infrared beams 30a of these sensors 302, 305 are blocked. This makes it possible to reliably detect the user's entry and exit status, thereby increasing safety.

[0123] Furthermore, in this safety confirmation system SCS, when the user performs the operation to close the loading / unloading door 4, the close door button SB3 is displayed on the operation screen 45 along with the image information CI, and the user is prompted to press and hold the close door button SB3 for a predetermined period of time (for example, one second) while viewing the image information CI, thereby closing the loading / unloading door 4.

[0124] In this way, the loading / unloading door 4 will not close unless the close door button SB3 is pressed and held down, which prevents the user from accidentally touching and pressing the close door button SB3 without checking the operation screen 45, ensuring that safety checks are carried out and avoiding danger.

[0125] In addition, in this safety confirmation system SCS, while the loading / unloading door 4 is closing, a door reversal button SB4 is displayed on the operation screen 45 along with image information CI, and when the user presses this door reversal button SB4, the loading / unloading door 4 that is currently closing opens. As a result, even after the user has pressed the door close button SB3 and the loading / unloading door 4 has started to close, if an error condition in the boarding room 7 is displayed on the operation screen 45, the user can press the door reverse button SB4 to reopen the loading / unloading door 4 and avoid danger.

[0126] Furthermore, according to the mechanical parking facility 1 equipped with the safety confirmation system SCS configured as described above, the user can operate the operation screen 45 while reliably checking the images from the four boarding room cameras 35A to 35D installed in the boarding room 7. Therefore, the user can check on the operation screen 45 if there is an error situation such as a person or pet remaining inside the boarding area 7 or the door of the parked vehicle 2 being open, thereby avoiding danger and increasing safety.

[0127] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications can be made as appropriate within the scope of the present invention, and such modified and improved embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0128] For example, the above explanation has been given using an elevator-type mechanical parking facility as an example, but the safety confirmation system of the present invention is not limited to elevator-type facilities and can be widely applied to all types of mechanical parking facility facilities, such as vertical circulation type, horizontal reciprocating type, and horizontal circulation type. [Explanation of symbols]

[0129] 1. Mechanical parking facilities 3. Entrance and exit gate 4. Storage door 7. Boarding 14 Lift (conveyor) 30 sensors 30a Infrared beam (sensor detection line) 35A~35D Boarding room camera 40 Control device 45 Operation screen 49 Operator Camera Image information of the CI boarding compartment DI sensor detection information SB1 Unmanned check button (safety check button) SB2 Unmanned confirmation button (safety confirmation button) SB3 Door close button (safety check button) SB4 Door reversal button (safety check button) SCS Safety Confirmation System

Claims

1. Boarding room and A sensor provided in the boarding compartment; An entrance / exit door for opening and closing the entrance / exit gate of the boarding room; an operation panel operated by a user; a control means; Equipped with The control means When the loading / unloading door is open and user authentication information is input from the operation panel, user authentication is performed based on the input authentication information; After the user authentication is successful, it is determined whether or not a safety confirmation input for the boarding compartment is input from the operation panel; After the safety confirmation of the boarding room is input from the operation panel, the closing of the entrance / exit door is started, If an error condition in the boarding compartment is detected by any of the sensors between the time the user authentication is successful and the time the entrance / exit door is closed, the mechanical parking facility notifies the user of the error condition, then provides guidance to the user to input authentication information, and performs the user authentication again.

2. The mechanical parking facility according to claim 1, wherein the control means provides guidance to the user to input authentication information, provided that the sensor does not detect an error condition in the boarding compartment.

3. 3. The mechanical parking facility according to claim 1, wherein the control means closes the entrance / exit door after the user inputs a command to close the door.

4. a reversal instruction means operable by a person during the closing operation of the loading / unloading door; A mechanical parking facility as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the reversal instruction means is operated by a person, the control means opens the entrance / exit door that is in the closing operation and provides guidance to the user to re-enter authentication information.

5. a reversal instruction means operable by a person during the closing operation of the loading / unloading door; A mechanical parking facility as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the reversal instruction means is operated by a person, the control means opens the entrance / exit door that is in the closing operation, provides guidance to the user to input authentication information again, and then provides guidance to the user to input the safety confirmation.

6. A boarding room camera that photographs the interior of the boarding room; a display means for displaying an image captured by the boarding room camera; A mechanical parking facility according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising:

7. 7. The mechanical parking facility according to claim 6, wherein the display means is provided on the operation panel.

8. A safety confirmation method for a mechanical parking facility including a boarding room, a sensor provided in the boarding room, and an entrance / exit door that opens and closes the entrance / exit gate of the boarding room, a step of performing user authentication based on the input authentication information when the user authentication information is input while the loading / unloading door is open; a step of determining whether or not the user has input a safety confirmation for the boarding compartment after the user authentication has been successful; a step of closing the entrance / exit door after the user inputs a safety confirmation for the inside of the entrance / exit compartment; performing the user authentication again if any of the sensors detects an error condition in the boarding compartment during the period from when the user authentication is successful to when the door is closed; A computer-implemented method for checking the safety of mechanical parking facilities.

9. A program for confirming the safety of mechanical parking facilities, for causing a computer to execute the method for confirming the safety of mechanical parking facilities according to claim 8.

Images