Parking system

Abstract

To provide a parking system capable of being correctly parked in a vehicle compartment reserved by a user, and of promoting smooth usage of a parking lot.SOLUTION: The parking system comprises: a device operation unit 4 for unlocking a lock device 2 of a vehicle compartment 1 reserved by a user; a positional detection unit 5 for detecting a position with respect to the vehicle compartment 1 of a vehicle on which the user gets; a reservation information unit 6 for managing reservation information including a user's name, a number of the vehicle compartment 1, and reservation time that correspond to the reservation number; a vehicle compartment arrangement information unit 7 for managing vehicle compartment arrangement information including the vehicle compartment 1, and a vehicle compartment 1 placed near the vehicle compartment 1; a device control permission unit 8 for determining whether or not the reservation time overlaps, and another user parking a vehicle in the vehicle compartment 1 in the vicinity is likely to unlock the lock device 2, based on the reservation information of the reservation information unit 6 and the vehicle compartment arrangement information of the vehicle compartment arrangement information unit 7; and a display unit 9 for alerting the user not to park a vehicle in a vehicle compartment 1 of another user, based on a determination result at the device control permission unit 8.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a parking system.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, in a parking lot, since it is necessary to prevent illegal parking for each vehicle in a determined section as a parking space, conventionally, measures such as installing cones or having people conduct monitoring have been taken. However, installing cones takes time for movement, while monitoring by people requires a large amount of labor costs.

[0003] For this reason, in recent years, as shown in FIG. 4, a lock device 2 that can be erected and laid down is installed in the parking space 1. A user makes a reservation for the parking space 1 from an application on a smartphone or a reservation site on the web, and remotely operates the smartphone from the vehicle to lay down the lock device 2 to release the lock, enabling parking in the reserved parking space 1. A parking system has been developed.

[0004] Also, in order to save the trouble of remote operation with a smartphone, when the vehicle passes a certain point where the user's vehicle is located, information for identifying the user is acquired from the vehicle, the user information is linked to the reservation information, and the lock device 2 is automatically laid down to release the lock. This is also possible by combining existing technologies.

[0005] In addition, as examples showing the general technical level related to the parking system as described above, there are, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

[0007] Incidentally, as mentioned above, when the lock device 2 is lowered and unlocked remotely using a smartphone, the vehicle's location is determined using Bluetooth® technology.

[0008] However, since the locking devices 2 are installed in multiple locations in the center of adjacent parking spaces 1 with little distance between them, if multiple users simultaneously attempt to unlock the vehicle within the range of a smartphone's signal and the locking devices 2 collapse, there is a risk that the vehicle may be mistakenly parked in a different parking space 1 than the one reserved by the user.

[0009] In this case, a problem would arise where the legitimate user who originally reserved parking space 1 would be unable to park.

[0010] This invention was made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and aims to provide a parking system that allows users to park correctly in the reserved parking space and promotes the smooth use of the parking lot. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The present invention relates to a parking system in which a user unlocks a locking device and parks in a reserved parking space. Device operation unit for unlocking the lock device of the vehicle reserved by the user. and, Forecast The reservation information department manages reservation information including the user name, vehicle number, and reservation time corresponding to the reservation number. A vehicle compartment layout information unit manages vehicle compartment layout information including the aforementioned vehicle compartment and vehicle compartments located in the vicinity of the said vehicle compartment, A device control permission unit determines, based on the reservation information in the reservation information unit and the vehicle space layout information in the vehicle space layout information unit, whether or not another user parked in a nearby vehicle space with overlapping reservation times may unlock the lock device. A display unit that warns a user not to park in another user's vehicle compartment based on the judgment result of the device control permission unit. This relates to the parking system that is provided.

[0012] In the aforementioned parking system, the device control permission unit can set an interval time before and after the reservation time for parking spaces in the same lane that are adjacent to the parking space reserved by the user, in order to check whether or not there is an overlap in reservation times.

[0013] Furthermore, the device control authorization unit preferably sets a time threshold so that, if there are more than a set number of parking spaces in the same lane that have overlapping reservation times with a parking space reserved by a user, the range of reservation times is limited to those within the set time.

[0014] Furthermore, it is preferable that the device control authorization unit sets a spatial threshold so that, when there are more than a set number of adjacent parking spaces in the same lane that have overlapping reservation times with a parking space reserved by a user, the range of adjacent parking spaces is limited to those that are less than or equal to the set number.

[0015] Furthermore, it is preferable that the device control authorization unit has a management screen that allows the interval time to be set and changed.

[0016] Furthermore, it is preferable that the device control authorization unit has a management screen that allows setting and changing a time threshold that limits the range of the reserved time.

[0017] Furthermore, it is preferable that the device control authorization unit has a management screen that allows setting and changing a spatial threshold that limits the range of the adjacent vehicle compartment.

[0018] In the aforementioned parking system, the device operation unit can be a smartphone. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the parking system of the present invention, it is possible to park correctly in the vehicle compartment reserved by the user, and an excellent effect can be obtained in promoting the smooth use of the parking lot.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] It is a control block diagram showing an embodiment of the parking system of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the parking system of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a plan view showing an example of the vehicle compartment arrangement in an embodiment of the parking system of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a schematic view showing an example of a parking system provided with a locking device.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] FIGS. 1 to 3 are embodiments of the parking system of the present invention, and in the figures, parts denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 4 represent the same objects.

[0023] In the case of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, it is characterized in that it includes a device operation unit 4, a position detection unit 5, a reservation information unit 6, a vehicle compartment arrangement information unit 7, a device control permission unit 8, and a display unit 9.

[0024] The device operation unit 4 is a terminal for unlocking the locking device 2 of the vehicle compartment 1 reserved by the user, and for example, a smartphone can be used.

[0025] The location detection unit 5 is configured to detect the position of the vehicle the user is riding in relative to the passenger compartment 1, and can use, for example, GPS (Global Positioning System). However, the location detection unit 5 is not limited to GPS; it may also be configured to use a beacon that transmits terminal-specific ID information at regular intervals, and detect when the user's smartphone enters the beacon's radio wave reception range that the user's vehicle has come near the reserved passenger compartment 1. Furthermore, the location detection unit 5 may also use a license plate recognition camera to detect the vehicle's license plate. Moreover, the location detection unit 5 may also utilize the user's smartphone's Wi-Fi access history or location information entered by the user themselves.

[0026] The aforementioned reservation information unit 6 manages reservation information including the user name, vehicle number, and reservation time corresponding to the reservation number, and stores reservation information such as that shown in [Table 1]. [Table 1]

[0027] The aforementioned parking space arrangement information unit 7 manages parking space arrangement information that includes the parking space 1 and parking spaces 1 located in the vicinity of it. For example, if the parking spaces 1 are arranged as shown in Figure 3, the parking space arrangement information shown in Table 2 is stored. Alternatively, instead of recognizing the spatial distance (proximity) of each parking space 1 using the parking space arrangement information shown in Table 2, nearby parking spaces may be determined from map data showing the layout of the parking lot. [Table 2]

[0028] The device control authorization unit 8 determines, based on the reservation information from the reservation information unit 6 and the vehicle space arrangement information from the vehicle space arrangement information unit 7, whether the reservation times overlap and whether another user parked in a nearby vehicle space 1 may unlock the lock device 2. Furthermore, the device control authorization unit 8 sets an interval time (for example, 15 minutes) before and after the reservation time for vehicle spaces 1 in the same lane 3 (see Figure 3) as nearby vehicle spaces 1 reserved by the user, and checks whether the reservation times overlap. The device control authorization unit 8 has a management screen (not shown) that allows the interval time to be set and changed. The interval time is set because users do not always enter or exit the parking lot exactly at the reserved time.

[0029] The display unit 9 warns users not to park in another user's parking space 1 based on the judgment result of the device control permission unit 8, and can use a smartphone screen or signage installed in a position where vehicles approaching parking space 1 pass. However, it may also be a speaker that emits an audio message of warning.

[0030] Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be explained.

[0031] When a user operates the lock device from the device operation unit 4, that is, by lowering the lock device 2 to release the lock (see step S1 in Figure 2), the position detection unit 5 confirms the vehicle's position (see step S2 in Figure 2), and the location of the user's vehicle in the parking lot is determined by comparing it with the parking space layout information in the parking space layout information unit 7.

[0032] The reservation information unit 6 stores reservation information, including the user name, vehicle number, and reservation time corresponding to the reservation number, in a format such as shown in [Table 1], and the reservation information is verified (see step S3 in Figure 2).

[0033] Based on the reservation information confirmation, the device control authorization unit 8 determines, based on the reservation information from the reservation information unit 6 and the vehicle space arrangement information from the vehicle space arrangement information unit 7, whether the reservation times overlap and whether another user parked in a nearby vehicle space 1 may unlock the lock device 2 (see step S4 in Figure 2).

[0034] Based on the determination result of the device control permission unit 8, if the reservation times overlap and there is a possibility that another user parked in a nearby parking space 1 may unlock the lock device 2, the display unit 9 will issue a warning to the user not to park in the other user's parking space 1 (see step S5 in Figure 2).

[0035] More specifically, the reservation information confirmation revealed that reservation numbers R1 and R2 in [Table 1] have overlapping reservation times between 16:00 and 16:30. If user B of reservation number R2 were to leave the parking lot slightly before 16:00, and user A approached the vicinity of parking lot 31 to enter the parking lot while the lock device 2 for parking lot 32 was unlocked and folded down, there is a possibility that user A might mistakenly park in parking lot 32. To eliminate this possibility, a warning message will be displayed on user A's smartphone screen and on a display unit 9, such as a signage installed in a location where a vehicle heading towards parking lot 31 will pass. If the display unit 9 is a speaker, a warning voice message will be emitted.

[0036] Furthermore, if an interval time (for example, 15 minutes) is set before and after the reservation time from the management screen (not shown) in the device control permission unit 8, the reservation times for reservation numbers R1 and R4 in [Table 1] will overlap between 16:55 and 17:15. If user A of reservation number R1 leaves the parking lot a little after 17:00, and the lock device 2 of parking space number 31 is unlocked and lowered, user D may mistakenly park in parking space number 31 while on their way to parking space number 33 to enter the parking lot. To eliminate this possibility, a warning message will be displayed on the screen of user D's smartphone or on a display unit 9 such as a signage installed in a position where a vehicle heading to parking space number 33 will pass. If the display unit 9 is a speaker, a warning voice message will be emitted.

[0037] Incidentally, although reservation numbers R1 and R3 have overlapping reservation times, the parking space layout information (or map data showing the layout of the parking lot) stored in the parking space layout information unit 7, as shown in Figure 3 and Table 2, indicates that there is sufficient spatial distance between parking spaces 31 and 50 to prevent accidental parking errors. Therefore, even if users A and C simultaneously perform the unlock operation and the lock device 2 collapses, there is no need to worry that either user A or user C will mistakenly park in a different parking space 1 (parking space number 50 or parking space number 31) than the one they reserved. In this case, no warning is issued, and permission to control the lock device is granted (see step S6 in Figure 2).

[0038] On the other hand, suppose that reservation information such as that shown in [Table 3] is stored in the reservation information unit 6. [Table 3]

[0039] In this case, regarding the parking space 1 (parking space number 41) reserved by the user, there are more than the set number (for example, four) of parking spaces 1 (parking space numbers 42-45) in the same lane 3 whose reservation times overlap, which could lead to the conclusion that there is a possibility of parking errors occurring in all of the parking spaces 1 (parking space numbers 42-45).

[0040] Thus, when there are more than a set number of parking spaces 1 in the same lane 3 that have overlapping reservation times with a parking space 1 reserved by a user, it is effective to set a time threshold so that the range of reservation times is limited to within a set time (for example, one hour). In this case, the management screen (not shown) of the device control permission unit 8 should be able to freely set and change the time threshold that limits the range of reservation times. In this way, only parking space 1 with parking space number 42 will be subject to a warning, and parking spaces 1 with parking space numbers 43-45 will be excluded from the warning, making it less likely for users to become confused.

[0041] Furthermore, let's assume that reservation information such as that shown in [Table 4] is stored in the reservation information unit 6. [Table 4]

[0042] In this case as well, regarding the parking space 1 (parking space number 41) reserved by the user, there are more than the set number (for example, four) of parking spaces 1 (parking space numbers 42-45) in the same lane 3 whose reservation times overlap, which could lead to the conclusion that there is a possibility of parking errors occurring in all of the parking spaces 1 (parking space numbers 42-45).

[0043] Thus, when there are more than a set number of parking spaces 1 in the same lane 3 that have overlapping reservation times with a parking space 1 reserved by a user, it is effective to set a spatial threshold so that the range of adjacent parking spaces 1 is limited to a set number (for example, two) or less. In this case, the spatial threshold that limits the range of adjacent parking spaces 1 can be set and changed freely on the management screen (not shown) of the device control permission unit 8. In this way, only parking spaces 1 with numbers 42 and 43 will be subject to warnings, and parking spaces 1 with numbers 44 and 45 will be excluded from warnings, making it less likely for users to get confused.

[0044] As a result, in this embodiment, in a parking lot where multiple locking devices 2 are installed in the center of adjacent parking spaces 1 without much distance between them, even if multiple users simultaneously attempt to unlock the locks within the range of a smartphone's signal and the locking devices 2 collapse, it is possible to prevent users from mistakenly parking in a different parking space 1 than the one they reserved.

[0045] Furthermore, it eliminates the possibility that a user might mistakenly park in a parking space 1 that has been unlocked and tilted down immediately after exiting the parking space.

[0046] As a result, the problem of legitimate users being unable to park in parking space 1, which they had originally reserved, will no longer occur.

[0047] In this way, users can park correctly in the reserved parking space 1, which can promote the smooth use of the parking lot.

[0048] It should be noted that the parking system of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0049] 1 Cabin 2 Locking devices 3 lanes 4. Device control section 5 Position detection unit 6. Reservation Information Department 7 Cabin layout information department 8. Device control authorization unit 9 Display section

Claims

1. In a parking system where the user unlocks the locking device and parks in a reserved parking space, A device operating unit for unlocking the lock device of a vehicle reserved by the user, The reservation information department manages reservation information including the user name, vehicle number, and reservation time corresponding to the reservation number. A vehicle compartment layout information unit manages vehicle compartment layout information including the aforementioned vehicle compartment and vehicle compartments located in the vicinity of the said vehicle compartment, A device control permission unit determines, based on the reservation information in the reservation information unit and the vehicle space layout information in the vehicle space layout information unit, whether or not another user parked in a nearby vehicle space with overlapping reservation times may unlock the lock device. A display unit that warns a user not to park in another user's vehicle compartment based on the judgment result of the device control permission unit. A parking system equipped with [unspecified features].

2. The parking system according to claim 1, wherein the device control authorization unit sets an interval time before and after the reservation time for parking spaces in the same lane as parking spaces near the parking space reserved by the user, and checks whether or not there is an overlap in reservation times.

3. The parking system according to claim 2, wherein the device control authorization unit sets a time threshold so that if there are more than a set number of parking spaces in the same lane that are adjacent to a parking space reserved by a user and whose reservation times overlap, the range of reservation times is limited to those within the set time.

4. The parking system according to claim 2, wherein the device control authorization unit sets a spatial threshold so that, with respect to parking spaces in the same lane as parking spaces near a parking space reserved by a user, if there are more than a set number of parking spaces with overlapping reservation times, the range of adjacent parking spaces is limited to those that are less than or equal to the set number.

5. The parking system according to claim 2, wherein the device control authorization unit has a management screen that allows the interval time to be set and changed.

6. The parking system according to claim 3, wherein the device control authorization unit has a management screen that allows setting and changing a time threshold that limits the range of the reservation time.

7. The parking system according to claim 4, wherein the device control authorization unit has a management screen that allows setting and changing a spatial threshold that limits the range of the adjacent parking spaces.

8. The parking system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the device operating unit is a smartphone.

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