Mechanical parking facilities

Abstract

To provide a mechanical parking facility allowing a vehicle to enter by appropriately indicating intention of entry of the vehicle from the inside of the vehicle without carrying equipment such as a remote controller.SOLUTION: A mechanical parking facility is equipped with a photographing device for photographing a vehicle, an image recognition device for recognizing the license plate of the vehicle from image data photographed by the photographing device, a collation device for collating information of the license plate recognized by the image recognition device with information of the registered license plate registered in advance, a behavior recognition device that recognizes the behavior of a vehicle registered in advance as an indication of an intention to entry of the vehicle, and a control device for starting the entering operation when the collation device authenticates the vehicle as the registered vehicle from the information of the license plate and the behavior recognition device recognizes the behavior of the registered vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present application relates to a mechanical parking facility that allows appropriate entry management. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, mechanical parking facilities for parking multiple vehicles have been installed in apartment buildings, business districts, etc. Various types of mechanical parking facilities have been adopted depending on the installation conditions, etc., such as box-type circulation type, horizontal circulation type, flat reciprocating type, vertical and horizontal movement puzzle type, and elevator type. For example, in elevator-type parking facilities, multiple pallets are provided for loading vehicles, and when a vehicle enters a designated pallet, the pallet is transported to a designated storage position and stored there.

[0003] Meanwhile, with the recent advances in image processing technology, there is a technology that photographs the license plate of a vehicle when it enters a mechanical parking facility and determines from the photographed image whether the entering vehicle is a registered vehicle or not.

[0004] An example of this type of prior art is a mechanical parking device that uses an image recognition device to extract a license plate from an image captured by an imaging camera, and outputs a parking command when the license plate matches registered data (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0005] As another prior art, there is a mechanical multi-story parking system that uses an image recognition device to recognize vehicle numbers from images captured by a television camera (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-168985 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 63-151767 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, as in the prior art described above, when a parking operation is performed by recognizing a license plate with a camera, the parking operation at the mechanical parking facility is executed even if the user has no intention of parking by parking in front of the mechanical parking facility. In this case, an unnecessary call operation is performed at the mechanical parking facility, and unnecessary waiting time occurs for users who wish to call the next parking facility.

[0008] Additionally, remote controls are known as devices that users can use to indicate their intention to enter the parking lot. However, each user must carry a remote control, and if the remote control is forgotten or lost and becomes unusable, users are unable to enter the parking lot quickly. Furthermore, since users cannot express their intention to enter the parking lot without operating the remote control, it can be difficult to enter the parking lot quickly.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present application is to provide a mechanical parking facility that allows a driver to enter the facility by properly indicating his / her intention to enter the facility from inside the vehicle without having to carry a device such as a remote control. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, a mechanical parking facility according to one aspect of the present application is , enter a parking tower having an exit section, a pallet placed in the entry / exit section, and an entrance / exit door that can be opened and closed; a photographing device that photographs vehicles in a predetermined area in front of the entrance / exit door; an image recognition device that recognizes the license plate of the vehicle from image data photographed by the photographing device; a verification device that compares the information on the license plate recognized by the image recognition device with information on pre-registered registered license plates; a behavior recognition device that recognizes behavior of the vehicle that is pre-registered as an indication of an intention to enter the vehicle; and a control device that starts a warehousing operation when the verification device authenticates that the vehicle is registered from the information on the license plate and the behavior recognition device recognizes the behavior of the registered vehicle, the storing operation includes a calling operation of the pallet for storing the vehicle, and an opening operation of opening the entrance door when the pallet is placed in the storing / retrieving section, The behavior recognition device is configured to continue to monitor the behavior of the vehicle even after recognizing the behavior of the registered vehicle and starting the entry operation, and to accept cancellation of the entry operation if a predetermined cancellation signal behavior of the vehicle is recognized during the monitoring. In this specification and claims, the term "pre-registered behavior" refers to behavior by each part of the vehicle that is pre-registered as an indication of intent to enter the vehicle.

[0011] With this configuration, the image recognition device can recognize the vehicle's license plate information from image data captured by a vehicle imaging device. The verification device can then verify the license plate information with pre-registered registered license plate information. Furthermore, the behavior recognition device can recognize pre-registered vehicle behavior as an indication of the intention to bring the vehicle into storage. This allows the vehicle to be authenticated as a pre-registered vehicle and, when the vehicle's behavior of bringing the vehicle into storage is recognized, the storage operation can be initiated. This eliminates "unnecessary calling operations" and "the need to carry and operate devices not used when driving a car."

[0012] The pre-registered behavior may be any of flashing the headlights a predetermined number of times, turning on the blinker lamp in a predetermined direction a predetermined number of times, turning on the hazard lamps a predetermined number of times, operating the steering wheel a predetermined number of times, honking the horn a predetermined number of times, etc. In this configuration, the intention to enter the parking lot can be expressed by using the functions provided in the vehicle, and the parking lot can be appropriately entered without requiring any other device.

[0013] Furthermore, the control device may be configured to recognize the behavior indicating an intention to store the vehicle after authenticating that the vehicle is registered by the verification device. With this configuration, the control device recognizes the behavior indicating an intention to store the vehicle only for registered vehicles, thereby enabling efficient recognition of the behavior for storing the vehicle.

[0014] The system may further include a vehicle detection device that detects that the vehicle has entered a predetermined area to be photographed by the photographing device, and the image recognition device may be configured to recognize the license plate of the vehicle when the vehicle detection device detects that the vehicle has entered the predetermined area. With this configuration, license plate recognition begins after detecting that the vehicle has entered the predetermined area, allowing for efficient recognition processing of entering vehicles.

[0015] The vehicle may further include a display configured to display at least one of the result of the license plate recognition, the result of the license plate verification, and a message prompting the driver of the vehicle to enter the vehicle storage. With this configuration, the driver of the vehicle to enter the vehicle can check the display on the display and perform the appropriate operation for entering the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present application, it becomes possible to enter a mechanical parking facility by appropriately indicating the intention to enter from inside the vehicle without carrying a device such as a remote control. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an elevator parking facility and a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main components for managing entry into the elevator-type parking facility shown in FIG. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of entry management in the elevator parking facility shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] An embodiment of the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, an elevator-type parking facility 1 will be described as an example of a mechanical parking facility. Note that the mechanical parking facility may be a box-type circulating facility, a horizontal circulating facility, a horizontally reciprocating facility, a vertically and horizontally moving puzzle facility, or any other type, and is not limited to the elevator-type parking facility 1.

[0019] (Configuration of elevator-type parking facilities) Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an elevator-type parking facility 1 and a vehicle V according to one embodiment. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the main components for managing entry into the elevator-type parking facility 1 shown in Fig. 1. The internal configuration of the elevator-type parking facility 1 is not limited and is a known configuration of an elevator-type parking facility 1, so a description of the interior will be omitted.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the elevator-type parking facility 1 of this embodiment has an entrance door 11 provided on the first above-ground floor of a parking tower 10. The entrance door 11 is an openable / closable type, and a parked vehicle V enters or leaves the interior of the parking tower 10 through the entrance door 11. A camera 12, which serves as a photographing device for photographing the vehicle V, is provided diagonally above the entrance door 11. The camera 12 has a resolution that allows license plate information to be recognized from the captured image data. The camera 12 is provided below a eaves 13 to protect it from direct exposure to rain and sunlight.

[0021] Furthermore, the elevator-type parking facility 1 of this embodiment is provided with a microphone 14 and a display 15 on the right side of the entrance door 11. The microphone 14 is capable of collecting the sound of the horn of the vehicle V. The display 15 conveys a message to the driver of the vehicle V. The display 15 is provided in a position that is easy for the driver (user) to see. The display 15 may include a speaker that emits sound. Note that the example shown in the figure is merely an example.

[0022] Inside the parking tower 10, there is also provided a control device 20 that controls the photography by the camera 12, the sound collection by the microphone 14, the display of messages by the display 15, etc. The control device 20 has a processor, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, an I / O interface, etc.

[0023] In this embodiment, a predetermined area 30 in which the vehicle V is to be stopped is set in front of the entrance door 11. The predetermined area 30 is set at a position where the vehicle V can be easily recognized by the camera 12.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the camera 12 (photographing device), microphone 14, and display 15 are connected to a control device 20. The control device 20 has an image recognition device 21 that recognizes a license plate from image data of a captured vehicle V, and a verification device 22 that verifies the license plate information with registered information about the vehicle V. In this embodiment, the image recognition device 21 also functions as a vehicle detection device that detects that the vehicle V has stopped in a predetermined area 30. Note that the camera 12, the image recognition device 21, the verification device 22, and the behavior recognition device 23 may each be configured separately, or multiple devices may be configured as a single device. For example, the image recognition device 21 may be included in the control device 20. The behavior recognition device 23 may be included in the image recognition device 21. Furthermore, the vehicle detection device may be provided separately from the image recognition device 21. The configuration of these devices is not limited to this embodiment.

[0025] The control device 20 also has a behavior recognition device 23 that recognizes whether the vehicle V's behavior as a parking signal obtained from the camera 12, microphone 14, etc. matches a pre-registered parking signal behavior when the vehicle V performs such behavior. Pre-registered parking signal behaviors recognized by the behavior recognition device 23 include flashing the headlights a predetermined number of times, turning on the turn signal lamps a predetermined number of times in a predetermined direction (including alternating left and right), turning on the hazard lamps a predetermined number of times, operating the steering wheel a predetermined number of times, honking the horn a predetermined number of times, etc. The parking signal behavior may be a single behavior or a combination of multiple behaviors. The display 15 is also connected to the control device 20 and displays a message to the driver.

[0026] In this embodiment, the image recognition device 21, the matching device 22, and the behavior recognition device 23 are included in the control device 20. The image recognition device 21, the matching device 22, and the behavior recognition device 23 are realized by a processor performing arithmetic processing using a volatile memory based on a program stored in a nonvolatile memory provided in the control device 20.

[0027] In this embodiment, the control device 20 includes a parking device control system 40. The license plate information recognized by the image recognition device 21 is verified by the verification device 22, and when the verification result matches the registered license plate information and the behavior recognition device 23 recognizes a parking entry signal, the parking device control system 40 starts the parking entry operation.

[0028] In this embodiment, the elevator-type parking facility 1 is equipped with the control device 20, but the functions of the control device 20 may be provided on the cloud. When the control device 20 is provided on the cloud, the elevator-type parking facility 1 is equipped with only the parking device control system 40, and the elevator-type parking facility 1 is connected to the control device 20 via a network.

[0029] (Entry management for elevator-type parking facilities) Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of entry management in the elevator-type parking facility 1 shown in Fig. 1. In this example, a predetermined area 30 is provided in front of the entrance door 11, and entry management is performed after the control device 20 recognizes that the vehicle V has stopped in the predetermined area 30. An example in which the entry signal is "passing the light" and a message is displayed on the display 15 is also described.

[0030] First, it is determined whether or not the vehicle V is parked in a predetermined area 30 (S1). When the vehicle V is parked in the predetermined area 30, the camera 12 photographs the vehicle V (S2). The control device 20 extracts license plate information from the image data photographed by the camera 12 using the image recognition device 21 (S3). If the image recognition device 21 is unable to recognize the license plate information, the display 15 or the like may be used to notify the user to correct the position of the vehicle V (further forward, further to the right, or further to the left, etc.), and the image recognition device 21 may recognize the license plate information again. The control device 20 compares the extracted license plate information with pre-registered registered license plate information using the comparison device 22 (S4). In this embodiment, the license plate information is first recognized and compared to determine whether or not the vehicle V is registered. If the license plate information is not registered, the control device 20 ends the process.

[0031] If the license plate information matches the registered license plate information, the control device 20 displays a message on the display 15 to prompt the driver to make a parking entry signal (S5). For example, the display 15 displays a message saying, "Please flash your lights twice when calling the driver." After that, the camera 12 (or the microphone 14 if the parking entry signal is a horn) captures an image of the vehicle V (S6), and the behavior recognition device 23 checks whether the driver has made a parking entry signal (S7). In this example, the checking for a parking entry signal is repeated until the driver has flashed their headlights a predetermined number of times, but if the parking entry signal cannot be confirmed, a message may be displayed to prompt the driver to make another parking entry signal.

[0032] When the control device 20 confirms the entry signal using the behavior recognition device 23, it causes the parking device control system 40 to start the entry operation of the elevator-type parking facility 1 (S8). The entry operation involves, for example, calling a pallet for entry of the vehicle V, and controlling the opening of the entrance / exit door 11 when the pallet is placed in the entry / exit section.

[0033] In this way, according to the elevator-type parking facility 1, when the driver stops the vehicle V in the predetermined area 30, the image recognition device 21 recognizes the license plate information, and the verification device 22 verifies from the license plate information whether or not the vehicle V is a registered vehicle. If the verification device 22 verifies that the vehicle V is a registered vehicle, the display 15 prompts the driver to give an entry signal, and if the behavior recognition device 23 recognizes the behavior of the vehicle V as an indication of the driver's intention to enter the parking lot, the elevator-type parking facility 1 can automatically start the entry operation (calling the pallet corresponding to the vehicle V).

[0034] Therefore, the driver can properly indicate his / her intention to park from inside the vehicle V and park in the elevator-type parking facility 1 (mechanical parking facility) without carrying a device such as a remote control.

[0035] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which, after the vehicle V photographed by the camera 12 is "determined to be a registered vehicle," a predetermined operation is requested by the display 15 or voice, and the driver gives a "signal to enter the parking lot" in response. However, after the signal (behavior) of the vehicle V to enter the parking lot is recognized, it may also be possible to check whether the vehicle V is a "registered vehicle."

[0036] In this way, with the elevator-type parking facility 1 described above, the camera 12 is used to confirm the intention to enter the parking lot by utilizing the behavior of the vehicle V, such as flashing headlights, turning on blinkers, and honking the horn, which are inherent functions of the vehicle V, and the call operation (entering operation) of the elevator-type parking facility 1 can be performed automatically. Note that if the pre-registered entry signal cannot be recognized due to a malfunction of the vehicle V or the behavior recognition device 23, the intention to enter the parking lot may be expressed by operating a separately provided operation panel or the like.

[0037] (Other variations) In the above embodiment, normal warehousing management of the entering vehicle V has been described, but for example, the verification device 22 may verify license plate information, the behavior recognition device 23 may recognize the vehicle V's entry signal, and the image recognition device 21 may continue to confirm the presence of the vehicle V even after the entering operation has begun. If the presence of the vehicle V cannot be recognized before the entrance door 11 is opened (for example, if the vehicle V has left), the entering operation may be canceled. The presence of the vehicle V may be confirmed by a detection means such as a loop coil.

[0038] Furthermore, after starting the entry operation, rather than continuing to check the presence of the vehicle V using the image recognition device 21, the image recognition device 21 may be configured to recognize the license plate information again before opening the entrance / exit door 11, and if the license plate information cannot be recognized, the entry operation may be canceled.

[0039] In another variant, if a predetermined time elapses after the entrance door 11 is opened without detecting the entry of a vehicle V or a person, and the vehicle V recognized by the image recognition device 21 is no longer in the predetermined area 30, it may be determined that the entry is canceled, and the entrance door 11 may be closed so that the next entry / exit process can be carried out.

[0040] Furthermore, a camera 12 may be further provided inside the parking tower 10 to photograph the license plate of the vehicle V entering through the entrance door 11. Then, the license plate information of the vehicle V entering the parking tower 10 and the license plate information of the vehicle V before entering may be recognized by an image recognition device 21, and the information may be compared by a comparison device 22, and the parking operation may be continued only if the information matches.

[0041] Furthermore, instead of using the image recognition device 21 to recognize the license plate information of a vehicle V parked in a predetermined area 30 as in the above-described embodiment, the license plate information of a vehicle V approaching the parking tower 10 may be continuously read. In this case, the license plate information can be read, and if the verification device 22 successfully verifies it, a message can be displayed on the display 15 to signal the vehicle to enter the parking lot.

[0042] As another variation, instead of photographing the vehicle V with the camera 12 in front of the parking tower 10, the camera 12 may photograph the vehicle V when it enters the site where the elevator-type parking facility 1 is installed. In this case, the image recognition device 21 recognizes the license plate information when the vehicle V enters the site, and the verification device 22 verifies whether the vehicle V is registered, and the parking operation is initiated, and the pallet corresponding to the vehicle V is kept in a waiting state for entry. In this case, the camera 12 photographs the vehicle V again in front of the entrance door 11, the image recognition device 21 recognizes the license plate information, and the behavior recognition device 23 recognizes the entrance signal to open the entrance door 11, allowing the vehicle to enter the site more quickly. In this way, authentication as to whether the vehicle V is registered or not can be performed before the vehicle V stops in front of the entrance door 11, thereby shortening the waiting time for entry.

[0043] It should be noted that even after the behavior of the vehicle V is recognized by the behavior recognition device 23, the behavior recognition device 23 may continue to monitor the behavior of the vehicle V, and may accept a cancellation of the parking lot entry by flashing the lights a predetermined number of times or flashing the hazard lights a predetermined number of times as a predetermined cancellation signal. In this way, the user can appropriately cancel the parking lot entry as well as express their intention to park from within the vehicle V by utilizing the functions provided in the vehicle V without having to carry a device such as a remote control, thereby significantly improving convenience.

[0044] In addition, if the number cannot be recognized (for example, an error due to backlighting from the sun, dirt on the license plate, a decorative license plate frame, etc.), this may be notified by a display 15 or the like, and authentication may be performed using a known authentication means (remote control, PIN number, IC card, biometric authentication).

[0045] In addition, when registering the license plate information of vehicle V in advance, parking fee payment information (e.g., credit card information) may be registered in association with the license plate information so that the parking fee is paid automatically.

[0046] (Summary) As described above, with the elevator-type parking facility 1 (mechanical parking facility) described above, the vehicle V can be recognized from its license plate and the intention to enter can be confirmed from the behavior of the vehicle V, so that the entering operation can be started only when the entering vehicle V is recognized. Therefore, it is possible to enter the elevator-type parking facility 1 (mechanical parking facility) by appropriately expressing the intention to enter from within the vehicle V without carrying a device such as a remote control. Therefore, the user (driver) does not need to carry a device such as a remote control or get out of the vehicle V to operate the operation panel, which improves user convenience.

[0047] It should be noted that the elevator-type parking facility 1 (mechanical parking facility) is not limited to the configuration described in the above embodiment. For example, if the parking facility is equipped with a bar gate at the entrance to the parking lot, a camera 12 can be installed at the bar gate position, and the bar gate can be opened by photographing the vehicle V, verifying the license plate, and recognizing the behavior of the entrance signal. In this case, the opening of the bar gate marks the start of the entrance operation. Furthermore, the facility can also be used in other types of parking facilities, such as a box-type circulation type, a horizontal circulation type, and a flat reciprocating type, and is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0048] Furthermore, the above-described embodiment shows one example, and various modifications are possible within the scope that does not depart from the gist of the present application, and the present application is not limited to the above-described embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1. Elevator parking facilities 10 Parking Tower 11 Entrance door 12 Camera (photographic equipment) 13 Eaves 14. Mike 15 Display 20 Control device 21 Image recognition device 22 Collation device 23 Behavior recognition device 30 designated area 40 Parking control system V vehicle

Claims

1. a parking tower having an entrance / exit section, a pallet to be placed in the entrance / exit section, and an openable / closable entrance / exit door; a photographing device for photographing vehicles in a predetermined area in front of the entrance door; an image recognition device that recognizes the license plate of the vehicle from image data captured by the imaging device; a verification device that verifies the license plate information recognized by the image recognition device with pre-registered license plate information; a behavior recognition device that recognizes a behavior of the vehicle that is registered in advance as an indication of intention to store the vehicle; a control device that starts a warehousing operation when the verification device authenticates that the vehicle is a registered vehicle based on the license plate information and the behavior recognition device recognizes the behavior of the registered vehicle, the storing operation includes a calling operation of the pallet for storing the vehicle, and an opening operation of opening the entrance door when the pallet is placed in the storing / retrieving section, The behavior recognition device is configured to continue monitoring the behavior of the vehicle even after recognizing the registered behavior of the vehicle and starting the warehousing operation, and to accept cancellation of the warehousing operation when a predetermined cancel signal behavior of the vehicle is recognized during the monitoring. Mechanical parking facilities.

2. The pre-registered behavior is any one of flashing headlights a predetermined number of times, turning on blinker lamps in a predetermined direction a predetermined number of times, turning on hazard lamps a predetermined number of times, operating the steering wheel a predetermined number of times, and honking the horn a predetermined number of times.

2. A mechanical parking facility according to claim 1.

3. The vehicle detection device further includes a vehicle detection device that detects that the vehicle has entered the predetermined area to be photographed by the photographing device, The vehicle detection device is configured to detect that the vehicle has entered the predetermined area, and the image recognition device recognizes the license plate of the vehicle.

2. A mechanical parking facility according to claim 1.

4. Further comprising a display, The display is configured to display at least one of the result of the license plate recognition, the result of the license plate verification, and a message prompting the driver to take action to indicate their intention to store the vehicle. A mechanical parking facility according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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