Parking management systems, parking management methods, and parking management programs.

Abstract

Invention details;

Description

Parking management system, parking management method, and parking management program

[0001] The present invention relates to a parking management system, a parking management method, and a parking management program that manage pre-registered vehicles so that they are parked in parking spaces in a parking lot.

[0002] For example, in some mechanical parking lots, permission to enter the parking lot is obtained by inputting a personal identification number into a control panel installed within the parking lot (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In other cases, permission to enter the parking lot is obtained by operating a remote controller carried by the user (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses a technology in which a PIN number is assigned and registered to each specific user, and in the PIN number setting / input mode switched to by the mode switching operation unit, only those who input the PIN number can enter the parking lot.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a technology that can be remotely controlled using a remote controller owned by the user, and that compares a pre-registered reference code number unique to the parking facility with a code number transmitted from the remote controller, and allows entry into the parking facility when the code numbers match.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-60365 Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 4-24963

[0006] In the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, in order to input a personal identification number, the user must perform the cumbersome task of getting out of the vehicle and operating a control panel installed in the facility.

[0007] In Patent Document 2, remote operation is possible using a remote controller, so the user does not have to get out of the vehicle to enter the PIN, reducing the amount of cumbersome work, but it is inconvenient that the user must carry a dedicated remote controller just to park in a parking lot.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a parking management system, a parking management method, and a parking management program that can manage the parking permission of pre-registered vehicles and increase convenience for users.

[0009] The characteristic configuration of the parking management system of the present invention for solving the above problem is a parking management system equipped with a management device that manages the parking of pre-registered registered vehicles in parking spaces in a parking lot, and is operated by connecting the management device to a mobile terminal operated by an occupant of a pre-entry vehicle that is about to enter the parking space via a communication line, and the management device is equipped with a pre-entry vehicle photographing camera that photographs the pre-entry vehicle, a pre-entry vehicle identification information acquisition unit that acquires identification information of the pre-entry vehicle based on image data of the pre-entry vehicle photographed by the pre-entry vehicle photographing camera, a registered vehicle determination unit that compares the acquired identification information with a database in which registered identification information regarding the registered vehicle is recorded and determines whether the pre-entry vehicle is the registered vehicle, and a transmission unit that, if the registered vehicle determination unit determines that the pre-entry vehicle is the registered vehicle, transmits an entry permission notice to the mobile terminal, designating the pre-entry vehicle as an entry-permitted vehicle and allowing it to enter the parking space.

[0010] According to this parking management system, the determination of whether a pre-entry vehicle is a registered vehicle is performed by a registered vehicle determination unit in the management device comparing the pre-entry vehicle's identification information, acquired based on image data captured by a pre-entry vehicle camera, with a database containing registration identification information for registered vehicles. If the registered vehicle determination unit determines that the pre-entry vehicle is a registered vehicle, a parking permission notice is sent from a transmitter in the management device via a communication line to a mobile device operated by a passenger in the pre-entry vehicle, authorizing the pre-entry vehicle to enter the parking space. In this way, parking permission for pre-registered vehicles can be managed. Furthermore, to obtain permission to enter a parking space, the user does not need to enter a personal identification number, as in the past, and therefore does not need to get out of the vehicle to enter the personal identification number. Furthermore, because the permission to enter is notified to a mobile device, such as a smartphone, the user does not need to carry an additional device, such as a dedicated remote controller. This improves user convenience.

[0011] In the parking management system of the present invention, the parking space includes an entry / exit space and a storage space, and is equipped with a pallet moving mechanism that moves a vehicle transfer pallet between the entry / exit space and the storage space, and the management device preferably further comprises a receiving unit that receives an entry request transmitted from the mobile terminal, and a pallet moving mechanism control unit that, when the receiving unit receives the entry request, controls the pallet moving mechanism to move the vehicle transfer pallet to the entry / exit space.

[0012] According to this parking management system, when a receiving unit receives a parking entry request sent from a mobile device, the pallet movement mechanism control unit controls the pallet movement mechanism to move the vehicle transfer pallet to the entry / exit space. Therefore, while users of registered vehicles would previously have to operate a control panel installed in the parking lot one by one to call a vehicle transfer pallet, this cumbersome operation is no longer necessary, and the vehicle transfer pallet can be called to the entry / exit space with the simple operation of sending a parking entry request from a mobile device.

[0013] Furthermore, a characteristic configuration of the parking management system according to the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a parking management system comprising a management device that manages the parking of pre-registered registered vehicles in parking spaces in a parking lot, and is operated by connecting the management device to a mobile terminal operated by an occupant of a pre-entry vehicle that is about to enter the parking space via a communication line, and the parking space includes an entry / exit space and a storage space, and further comprises a pallet moving mechanism that moves a vehicle transfer pallet between the entry / exit space and the storage space, and the management device comprises: a pre-entry vehicle photographing camera that photographs the pre-entry vehicle; a standard vehicle determination unit that determines whether the pre-entry vehicle is a standard vehicle that can be transferred by the vehicle transfer pallet based on image data of the pre-entry vehicle photographed by the pre-entry vehicle photographing camera; a pre-entry vehicle identification information acquisition unit that acquires identification information of the pre-entry vehicle based on the image data of the pre-entry vehicle; and a registered vehicle determination unit that compares the acquired identification information with a database in which registered identification information for the registered vehicle is recorded and determines whether the pre-entry vehicle is the registered vehicle. and a transmitting unit that, when the in-standard vehicle determination unit determines that the pre-entry vehicle is an in-standard vehicle and the registered vehicle determination unit determines that the pre-entry vehicle is a registered vehicle, transmits to the mobile terminal an entry permission notice that permits the pre-entry vehicle to enter the parking space as an entry-permitted vehicle.

[0014] For example, if a vehicle is equipped with a roof carrier or if there is cargo on the vehicle bed, depending on the amount of protrusion of the roof carrier in the vehicle height direction and the amount of protrusion of the cargo in the vehicle height direction and width direction, there is a risk of problems such as interference between the roof carrier or cargo and the components of the parking facility when the vehicle placed on the vehicle transfer pallet is transferred between the loading / unloading space and the storage space using the pallet moving mechanism.With this configuration, the standard vehicle determination unit determines whether the pre-entry vehicle is a standard vehicle that can be transferred using the vehicle transfer pallet based on image data of the pre-entry vehicle, so such problems can be prevented from occurring. If the standard vehicle determination unit determines that the pre-entry vehicle is a standard vehicle that can be transferred using the vehicle transfer pallet, and if the registered vehicle determination unit determines that the pre-entry vehicle is a registered vehicle, a parking permission notice is sent from the transmission unit of the management device via a communication line to a mobile device operated by a passenger of the pre-entry vehicle, permitting the pre-entry vehicle to enter the parking space. In this way, parking permission for vehicles that are standard vehicles and have been registered in advance can be managed. Furthermore, to obtain permission to enter a parking space, the user does not need to enter a personal identification number, as in the past, and naturally does not need to get out of the vehicle to enter the personal identification number. Furthermore, because the permission to enter is notified to a mobile device such as a smartphone, there is no need to carry an extra device such as a dedicated remote controller. This improves user convenience.

[0015] In the parking management system of the present invention, it is preferable that the management device further comprises a receiving unit that receives an entry request transmitted from the mobile terminal, and a pallet moving mechanism control unit that, when the receiving unit receives the entry request, controls the pallet moving mechanism to move the vehicle transfer pallet to the entry / exit space.

[0016] According to this parking management system, when a receiving unit receives a parking entry request sent from a mobile device, the pallet movement mechanism control unit controls the pallet movement mechanism to move the vehicle transfer pallet to the entry / exit space. Therefore, while users of registered vehicles would previously have to operate a control panel installed in the parking lot one by one to call a vehicle transfer pallet, this cumbersome operation is no longer necessary, and the vehicle transfer pallet can be called to the entry / exit space with the simple operation of sending a parking entry request from a mobile device.

[0017] In the parking management system of the present invention, it is preferable that the management device further comprises an entry / exit space photographing camera that photographs the loading status of the entry-permitted vehicle placed on the vehicle transfer pallet in the entry / exit space, and an overhang detection unit that detects whether the entry-permitted vehicle is overhanging the vehicle transfer pallet based on image data of the entry-permitted vehicle photographed by the entry / exit space photographing camera.

[0018] For example, when a pre-entry vehicle enters the vehicle transfer pallet as a permitted entry vehicle, the permitted entry vehicle may tilt diagonally in the vehicle width direction relative to the vehicle transfer pallet, resulting in the permitted entry vehicle being placed on the vehicle transfer pallet at an angle. Depending on the degree of tilt of the permitted entry vehicle, the permitted entry vehicle may protrude from the vehicle transfer pallet, and depending on the amount of protrusion, problems such as interference between the permitted entry vehicle and the components of the parking facility when transferring the permitted entry vehicle onto the vehicle transfer pallet may occur. According to this parking management system, the protrusion detection unit detects whether the permitted entry vehicle protrudes from the vehicle transfer pallet based on image data of the permitted entry vehicle captured by the entry / exit space photography camera, thereby preventing such problems from occurring.

[0019] In the parking management system of the present invention, it is preferable that the transmitting unit transmits an overhang notification to the mobile terminal when the overhang detection unit detects that the vehicle with entry permission is overhanging the vehicle transfer pallet.

[0020] According to the parking management system of this configuration, if the overhang detection unit detects that a vehicle permitted to enter is overhanging the vehicle transfer pallet, an overhang notification is sent to the mobile terminal, so that the user of the vehicle permitted to enter is aware that the vehicle permitted to enter is overhanging the vehicle transfer pallet, and can take action such as redoing the entry of the vehicle permitted to enter the vehicle transfer pallet.

[0021] In the parking management system of the present invention, it is preferable that the vehicle photographing camera, which is installed so as to be switchable between a first photographing position where it can photograph the vehicle before it enters the parking lot and a second photographing position where it can photograph the loading status of the vehicle permitted to enter placed on the vehicle transfer pallet, is configured to serve as both the vehicle photographing camera before it enters the parking lot and the entry / exit space photographing camera.

[0022] According to the parking management system of this configuration, the vehicle photographing camera, which is installed so that it can switch between the first and second photographing positions, is configured to serve both as a camera for photographing the vehicle before it enters the parking lot and as a camera for photographing the entry and exit space, thereby reducing the number of cameras installed.

[0023] In the parking management system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the registered vehicles include monthly registered vehicles registered under a monthly contract, and / or temporarily registered vehicles that have been reserved and registered by specifying at least the date on which they are to be parked.

[0024] According to the parking management system of this configuration, registered vehicles include monthly registered vehicles registered under a monthly contract and / or temporarily registered vehicles that have been reserved and registered with at least the date of parking specified, so registered vehicles can be selected from three options: monthly registered vehicles, temporarily registered vehicles, or both monthly registered vehicles and temporarily registered vehicles, thereby expanding the range of choices. In particular, when registered vehicles include both monthly registered vehicles and temporarily registered vehicles, it is possible to increase the number of parking lot users while managing to allow parking of pre-registered vehicles, and to widely develop the parking business.

[0025] In the parking management system of the present invention, the registered vehicles include monthly registered vehicles registered under a monthly contract and temporarily registered vehicles that are reserved and registered by specifying at least the date on which the vehicle is to be parked, and the system has a plurality of parking lots, and it is preferable that if a vehicle is registered as a monthly registered vehicle in one of the plurality of parking lots, it can be registered as a temporarily registered vehicle in the other parking lots.

[0026] According to the parking management system of this configuration, if a vehicle is registered as a monthly registered vehicle in one of multiple parking lots, it will be registered as a temporarily registered vehicle in the other parking lots. Therefore, by signing a monthly contract with one parking lot, a user can temporarily use other parking lots that are affiliated with that one parking lot, thereby further increasing convenience for users.

[0027] Next, a characteristic configuration of the parking management method of the present invention for solving the above problem is a parking management method for managing pre-registered registered vehicles to be parked in parking spaces in a parking lot, and includes: a pre-entry vehicle identification information acquisition process for acquiring identification information of the pre-entry vehicle based on image data of the pre-entry vehicle that is about to enter the parking space; and an entry permission notification display process for, when the pre-entry vehicle is determined to be the registered vehicle based on the acquired identification information, displaying an entry permission notification on a mobile terminal operated by a passenger of the pre-entry vehicle, which allows the pre-entry vehicle to enter the parking space as an entry-permitted vehicle.

[0028] According to this parking management method, a pre-entry vehicle identification information acquisition process is performed to acquire identification information for the pre-entry vehicle based on image data of the pre-entry vehicle. If the pre-entry vehicle is determined to be a registered vehicle based on the identification information acquired in the pre-entry vehicle identification information acquisition process, a parking permission notification display process is performed to display an entry permission notice on a mobile device operated by a passenger of the pre-entry vehicle, authorizing the pre-entry vehicle to enter the parking space as an entry-permitted vehicle. In this way, parking permission for pre-registered vehicles can be managed. Furthermore, to obtain permission to enter a parking space, the user does not need to enter a personal identification number as in the past, and naturally, the user does not need to get out of the vehicle to enter the personal identification number. Furthermore, because the entry permission is notified to a mobile device such as a smartphone, there is no need to carry an extra device such as a dedicated remote controller. This improves user convenience.

[0029] Next, the characteristic configuration of the parking management program of the present invention for solving the above problem is to have a computer that manages the parking of pre-registered registered vehicles in parking spaces in a parking lot execute the following steps: acquire specific information of the pre-entry vehicle based on image data of the pre-entry vehicle that is about to enter the parking space; compare the acquired specific information with a database in which registered specific information regarding the registered vehicle is recorded, and determine whether the pre-entry vehicle is the registered vehicle; and, if it is determined that the pre-entry vehicle is the registered vehicle, display an entry permission notice on a mobile terminal operated by a passenger in the pre-entry vehicle, designating the pre-entry vehicle as an entry-permitted vehicle and allowing it to enter the parking space.

[0030] According to the parking management program of this configuration, a computer that manages the parking of pre-registered vehicles in parking spaces in a parking lot compares identification information acquired based on image data of the pre-entry vehicle with a database containing registered identification information for the registered vehicle and executes a process to determine whether the pre-entry vehicle is a registered vehicle. If the computer determines in the above step that the pre-entry vehicle is a registered vehicle, the computer executes a process to designate the pre-entry vehicle as an entry-permitted vehicle and display a parking permission notice permitting entry into the parking space on a mobile device operated by a passenger of the pre-entry vehicle. In this way, parking permission for pre-registered vehicles can be managed. Furthermore, to obtain permission to enter a parking space, the user does not need to enter a personal identification number, as in the past, and naturally does not need to get out of the vehicle to enter the personal identification number. Furthermore, because the entry permission is notified to a mobile device such as a smartphone, there is no need to carry an extra device such as a dedicated remote controller. This improves user convenience.

[0031] Next, the characteristic configuration of the parking management system of the present invention for solving the above problem is a parking management system equipped with a management device that manages the parking of pre-registered registered vehicles in parking spaces in a parking lot, and is operated by connecting the management device to a communication terminal operated by an administrator who manages pre-entry vehicles that are to enter the parking spaces via a communication line, and the management device is equipped with a pre-entry vehicle photographing camera that photographs the pre-entry vehicle, a pre-entry vehicle identification information acquisition unit that acquires identification information of the pre-entry vehicle based on image data of the pre-entry vehicle photographed by the pre-entry vehicle photographing camera, a registered vehicle determination unit that compares the acquired identification information with a database in which registered identification information regarding the registered vehicle is recorded and determines whether the pre-entry vehicle is the registered vehicle, and a transmission unit that, when the registered vehicle determination unit determines that the pre-entry vehicle is the registered vehicle, transmits an entry permission notice to the mobile terminal, designating the pre-entry vehicle as an entry-permitted vehicle and allowing it to enter the parking space.

[0032] According to this parking management system, the determination of whether a pre-entry vehicle is a registered vehicle is performed by a registered vehicle determination unit in the management device comparing the pre-entry vehicle's identification information, acquired based on image data captured by a pre-entry vehicle camera, with a database containing registration identification information for registered vehicles. If the registered vehicle determination unit determines that the pre-entry vehicle is a registered vehicle, a parking permission notice is sent from a transmitter in the management device via a communication line to a communication terminal operated by a manager managing the pre-entry vehicles. This allows management to permit parking of pre-registered vehicles. Furthermore, obtaining permission to enter a parking space eliminates the need for a user to enter a personal identification number, as is the case with conventional systems, and naturally eliminates the need for the user to get out of the vehicle to enter the personal identification number. Furthermore, permission to enter is notified to a mobile device, such as a smartphone, eliminating the need for an additional device such as a dedicated remote controller. This improves user convenience. In particular, with this configuration of parking management system, even if, for example, the vehicle itself is registered as a registered vehicle but the application software for receiving entry permission notifications is not installed on the mobile terminal operated by the vehicle's occupant, or if the application software is installed on the mobile terminal but the occupant forgets to bring the mobile terminal with them, the entry permission notification will be sent to the communication terminal operated by the manager who manages the pre-entry vehicle, and the manager who manages the pre-entry vehicle will be able to recognize from the entry permission notification that the pre-entry vehicle should be treated as a vehicle with entry permission, and will be able to take appropriate action depending on the situation.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a parking management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the internal structure, seen from the front, of a mechanical parking lot used in the parking management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the internal structure of an entry / exit space in a mechanical parking lot used in the parking management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a diagram showing a state before entry or after exit, and (b) is a diagram showing a state after entry or before exit. FIG. 4 is a side view of the internal structure of an entry / exit space in a mechanical parking lot used in the parking management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a diagram showing a state before entry or after exit, and (b) is a diagram showing a state after entry or before exit. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a parking management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart (1) showing the parking management procedure implemented in the parking management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart (2) showing the parking management procedure implemented in the parking management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the status and position of vehicles permitted to enter relative to the allowed entry range. FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of a parking management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of parking management carried out in a parking management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a method of detecting the height and width of a pre-entry vehicle using image recognition processing. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure of parking management carried out in a parking management system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a parking management system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a parking management system in which the present invention is applied to a mechanical parking lot will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments described below or the configurations shown in the drawings.

[0035] [First Embodiment] <Overall Configuration> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a parking management system 1A according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The parking management system 1A shown in FIG. 1 includes a mechanical parking lot (multi-story parking lot) 10, a management server 50 used by a parking lot manager, and a parking lot control device 70 that controls the mechanical parking lot 10. The parking management system 1A is operated by connecting to a mobile terminal 100 operated by a passenger (driver, passenger, etc.) of a pre-entry vehicle V1 that is about to enter the mechanical parking lot 10. The management server 50 and the parking lot control device 70 are communicatively connected via a public communication line (Internet) 1. The mobile terminal 100 is communicatively connected to the management server 50 via a wireless base station 3 and the public communication line 1. The mobile terminal 100 may be owned by the passenger (i.e., a mobile terminal subscribed to by the passenger) or may be subscribed to by a party other than the passenger (e.g., a company-provided or rental device).

[0036] <Mechanical parking lot> Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram of the internal structure seen from the front side of a mechanical parking lot 10 used in the parking management system 1A according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The mechanical parking lot 10 shown in Figure 2 is an elevator-type multi-story parking facility and includes a parking tower 11 and a pallet moving mechanism 12.

[0037] <Parking Tower> The parking tower 11 has parking spaces 13 capable of accommodating multiple entry-permitted vehicles V2. The parking spaces 13 include an entry / exit space 15 for the entry and exit of the entry-permitted vehicles V2, and multiple storage spaces 16 for storing the entry-permitted vehicles V2. The entry / exit space 15 is located in the center of the width of the parking tower 11 when viewed from the front side of the ground-level portion. An elevator passage 17 is formed in the center of the parking tower 11, extending above the entry / exit space 15. Multiple vehicle storage shelves 18 are provided on both sides of the elevator passage 17 in the parking tower 11. These vehicle storage shelves 18 are arranged in tiers, one above the other, on either side of the elevator passage 17. The multiple storage spaces 16 are formed by spaces that divide the interior of the parking tower 11 into upper and lower sections by the multiple vehicle storage shelves 18. A vehicle transfer pallet 20 is placed on each vehicle storage shelf 18 for moving an entry-permitted vehicle V2 while it is placed thereon.

[0038] <Pallet moving mechanism> The pallet moving mechanism 12 moves the vehicle transfer pallet 20 between the loading / unloading space 15 and the storage space 16, and is equipped with a conveying platform 21 for transporting the vehicle transfer pallet 20 up and down along the lifting passage 17, a lift device 22 for driving the conveying platform 21 up and down, and a traverse device 23 for moving the vehicle transfer pallet 20 horizontally traversely between the conveying platform 21 and the vehicle storage shelf 18.

[0039] The lift device 22 includes a plurality of wire ropes 24, a drum 25 around which the plurality of wire ropes 24 are wound, and a drum drive device 26. One end (lower end) of each wire rope 24 is fixed to the conveyance platform 21, and the other end of each wire rope 24 is fixed to the drum 25. The drum drive device 26 drives the drum 25 to rotate, thereby unwinding each wire rope 24 from the drum 25 toward the conveyance platform 21, or winding each wire rope 24 extending toward the conveyance platform 21 onto the drum 25. This drives the conveyance platform 21 to move up and down.

[0040] The lateral movement device 23 is arranged on each of the conveying platform 21 and the vehicle storage shelf 18, and is equipped with the required lateral movement rollers (not shown) and a roller drive mechanism (not shown) that rotates and drives the lateral movement rollers.When the floor levels of the conveying platform 21 and the vehicle storage shelf 18 are the same, the lateral movement rollers are rotated and driven by the roller drive mechanism, so that an empty vehicle transfer pallet 20 or a vehicle transfer pallet 20 carrying a vehicle V2 that has been permitted to be stored can be transferred from the conveying platform 21 to the vehicle storage shelf 18, or from the vehicle storage shelf 18 to the conveying platform 21.

[0041] 3A and 3B show plan views of the internal structure of the loading / unloading space 15 in a mechanical parking lot 10 used in the parking management system 1A according to the first embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a diagram showing the state before entry or after exit, and (b) is a diagram showing the state after entry or before exit. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, an loading / unloading entrance 30 opening to the loading / unloading space 15 is provided on the front wall of the parking tower 11. As shown in FIG. 3A, an entry-permitted vehicle V2 waiting in front of the loading / unloading entrance 30 can enter the vehicle transfer pallet 20 on the conveying platform 21 moved to the loading / unloading space 15 through the loading / unloading entrance 30. Also, as shown in FIG. 3B, an entry-permitted vehicle V2 placed on the vehicle transfer pallet 20 on the conveying platform 21 moved to the loading / unloading space 15 can exit the parking tower 11 through the loading / unloading entrance 30. A turntable 31 of any configuration is installed on the floor near the loading / unloading entrance 30 on the outside of the parking tower 11. This allows the orientation of the permitted entry vehicle V2 to be easily changed when entering or leaving the parking tower 11, making entry and exit operations easier. Another example is to install a turntable 31 on the ground floor where the entry and exit space 15 of the parking tower 11 is located.

[0042] 3(a) and 3(b), an alarm device 32 is disposed on the side of the front wall of the parking tower 11. Examples of the alarm device 32 include a display that displays the warning content, an alarm buzzer that issues an alarm, an alarm lamp that lights up a warning light, and an audio speaker that issues a warning sound.

[0043] 4A and 4B show side views of the internal structure of the entry / exit space 15 in a mechanical parking lot 10 used in the parking management system 1A according to the first embodiment of the present invention, with (a) being a diagram showing the state before entry or after exit, and (b) being a diagram showing the state after entry or before exit. Note that in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the vehicle storage shelves 18 and the vehicle transfer pallets 20 placed thereon are omitted from the illustration. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the parking tower 11 is provided with an entry / exit door 33 for opening and closing the entry / exit entrance 30, and a door opening / closing mechanism 35 for driving the entry / exit door 33 to open and close.

[0044] <Pre-entry vehicle photographing camera, entry / exit space photographing camera> As shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b) , a bracket 36 is fixed to the parking tower 11 so as to be located slightly above the entry / exit gate 30. A vehicle photographing camera 40 is rotatably attached to the bracket 36 via a pivot shaft 37. Furthermore, a camera rotation mechanism 38 for rotating the vehicle photographing camera 40 around the pivot shaft 37 is attached to the bracket 36. The vehicle photographing camera 40 is installed in the parking tower 11 so as to be tiltable by the camera rotation mechanism 38 between a first photographing position (see Figure 4(a) ) from which the vehicle photographing camera 40 can photograph the area around the entry / exit door 33, including the pre-entry vehicle V1, outside the parking tower 11, and a second photographing position (see Figure 4(b) ) from which the vehicle photographing camera 40 can photograph the placement status of the entry-permitted vehicle V2 placed on the vehicle transfer pallet 20 in the entry / exit space 15 inside the parking tower 11.

[0045] In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the number of cameras installed is reduced by installing a vehicle photography camera 40 that serves both as a pre-entry vehicle photography camera that photographs the pre-entry vehicle V1 (see Figure 4(a)) and an entry / exit space photography camera that photographs the placement status of the entry-permitted vehicle V2 (see Figure 4(b)) placed on the vehicle transfer pallet 20 in the entry / exit space.However, the pre-entry vehicle photography camera and the entry / exit space photography camera may also be arranged separately in the parking tower 11.

[0046] <Management Server, Parking Lot Control Device> FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a parking management system 1A according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, the management server 50 and the parking lot control device 70 are both primarily configured as computers equipped with a CPU, memory, storage, I / O ports, peripheral devices, and the like. A mobile terminal 100 is connected to the management server 50 via a wireless base station 3 and a public communication line 1 (see FIG. 1 ) so as to be capable of transmitting signals. The management server 50 and the parking lot control device 70 are also connected via the public communication line 1 (see FIG. 1 ) so as to be capable of transmitting signals. The vehicle-photographing camera 40, camera rotation mechanism 38, pallet moving mechanism 12, door opening / closing mechanism 35, and alarm device 32 are each connected to the parking lot control device 70 so as to be capable of transmitting signals, for example, by wire. In the management server 50 and the parking lot control device 70, the CPU loads and executes predetermined programs stored in memory, thereby fulfilling the functions of the functional units shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 5 .

[0047] The management server 50 mainly comprises a registered vehicle determination unit 51, an overhang detection unit 52, a receiving unit 53, a transmitting unit 54, a memory unit 55, a setting unit 56, and an image processing unit 57. On the other hand, the parking lot control device 70 mainly comprises an image processing unit 71, a pre-entry vehicle identification information acquisition unit 72, an entry-permitted vehicle image data acquisition unit 73, a camera rotation mechanism control unit 74, a pallet movement mechanism control unit 75, a door opening / closing mechanism control unit 76, a receiving unit 77, a transmitting unit 78, and an alarm device activation control unit 79. The functional units of the management server 50 and the parking lot control device 70 will be explained in conjunction with the explanation of the flowcharts (FIGS. 6 and 7) showing the parking management procedures described below.

[0048] <Mobile Terminal> The mobile terminal 100 can be operated by a specific user. Here, the specific user is the passenger of the pre-entry vehicle V1 and a monthly contract holder who has signed a contract with the parking lot manager to use the parking lot on a monthly basis. Briefly explaining the contract application process, a person wishing to use the parking lot monthly opens a dedicated inquiry page on the manager's website, which is set up on the Internet, searches for the parking lot of interest, and submits an application. When submitting an application, a person wishing to use the parking lot monthly (applicant) inputs specific information about the vehicle to be parked. Here, the specific information about the vehicle to be parked includes information about the owner of the vehicle to be parked (including the user in the case of a leased vehicle, a vehicle purchased on loan, etc.; the same applies hereinafter) as well as the information displayed on the vehicle's license plate. The information displayed on the vehicle license plate may include the name of the location of the "Transport Bureau" or "Motor Vehicle Inspection and Registration Office" that has jurisdiction over the current address of the owner of the vehicle to be parked (e.g., "Osaka"); a classification number (e.g., "300") that identifies the vehicle's "type" or "use"; a letter (e.g., "Y") that identifies the vehicle's use; and a four-digit serial number (e.g., "12-34"). In addition, when applying, the applicant enters their email address, a password set by the applicant, and other information along with vehicle identification information. After the application is submitted, an examination is conducted based on the application contents. If the applicant is deemed eligible as a contract holder, an electronic contract is issued to the applicant, a contract is concluded between the applicant and the parking lot manager, the applicant is registered as a monthly contract holder, and a monthly contract holder ID is issued to the monthly contract holder. Furthermore, the vehicle designated by the monthly contract holder at the time of application is registered as a registered monthly vehicle, and specific information about the registered vehicle is recorded in a database as registered specific information.

[0049] A monthly contract holder installs dedicated parking management application software (hereinafter referred to as "app") distributed by the parking lot manager onto a mobile terminal 100. When the app installed on the mobile terminal 100 is launched, a login screen is displayed. The monthly contract holder enters their monthly contract holder ID and password into the contract holder ID and password input fields displayed on the login screen, respectively. This completes verification of the monthly contract holder's identity, and they can then use their My Page. If the check box next to "Stay logged in" is checked on the login screen, My Page will automatically be displayed on the mobile terminal screen upon launching the app.

[0050] FIG. 6 is a flowchart (1) showing the parking management procedure implemented in the parking management system 1A according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The parking management procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 will be described below with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 5. Note that in FIG. 6, the symbol "S" represents a step (the same applies to FIGS. 7, 10, and 12). At the start of the flowchart of FIG. 6, the vehicle photographing camera 40 is switched to the first photographing position shown in FIG. 4(a), which is a switching position between the first photographing position (see FIG. 4(a)) and the second photographing position (see FIG. 4(b)). At the first photographing position shown in FIG. 4(a), the vehicle photographing camera 40 can photograph the entire front side of the pre-entry vehicle V1, including the vehicle license plate, which is stopped at a temporary stop position set in front of the turntable 31. Furthermore, the entrance / exit door 33 is assumed to be closed.

[0051] 6, when a vehicle enters the parking lot (S1), the vehicle photographing camera 40 photographs the entering vehicle as a pre-entry vehicle V1 as it enters the lot and stops at a temporary stop position in front of the turntable 31 (S2: pre-entry vehicle photographing step). The vehicle photographing camera 40 transmits the photographed image data of the pre-entry vehicle V1 to the parking lot control device 70 (S3).

[0052] <S4-S7> In the parking lot control device 70, the receiving unit 77 receives image data of the pre-entry vehicle V1 transmitted from the vehicle-photography camera 40 (S4). The image processing unit 71 performs image recognition processing on the image data of the pre-entry vehicle V1 received by the receiving unit 77 to identify the identification information of the pre-entry vehicle V1 (S5). The identified identification information of the pre-entry vehicle V1 includes information displayed on the vehicle license plate, such as the place name, classification number, distinguishing characters, and serial number. The pre-entry vehicle identification information acquisition unit 72 acquires at least the serial number (vehicle number) as the pre-entry vehicle identification information (S6: pre-entry vehicle identification information acquisition step). The transmitting unit 78 transmits the acquired pre-entry vehicle identification information to the management server 50 (S7).

[0053] <S8-S11> In the management server 50, the receiving unit 53 receives the pre-entry vehicle identification information transmitted from the transmitting unit 78 of the parking lot control device 70 (S8). The registered vehicle determination unit 51 compares the pre-entry vehicle identification information received by the receiving unit 53 with the registered identification information for registered vehicles stored in the database stored in the memory unit 55 to determine whether the pre-entry vehicle V1 is a registered vehicle (S9: registered vehicle determination step). If the registered vehicle determination unit 51 determines that the pre-entry vehicle V1 is a registered vehicle ("YES" in S9), the setting unit 56 sets the pre-entry vehicle V1 as an entry-permitted vehicle V2 (S10), and the transmitting unit 54 transmits a signal to the mobile terminal 100 to display an entry permission notice permitting entry into the parking space 13 (entry / exit space 15) (S11: entry permission notice transmission step).

[0054] <S12-S13> Upon receiving a signal for displaying the warehousing permission notification transmitted from the transmitter 54 of the management server 50, the mobile terminal 100 displays the contents of the warehousing permission notification on its display screen (S12). An example of the displayed contents of the warehousing permission notification is "Ready to enter. Would you like to enter?". Furthermore, following the contents of the warehousing permission notification, a selection button for "Enter warehousing" is displayed on the display screen of the mobile terminal 100. When the displayed selection button for "Enter warehousing" is tapped (S13), a warehousing request is sent from the mobile terminal 100 to the management server 50.

[0055] <S14-S15> On the other hand, if the registered vehicle determination unit 51 determines that the pre-entry vehicle V1 is not a registered vehicle ("NO" in S9), the transmission unit 54 of the management server 50 transmits an error notification signal to the mobile terminal 100, and the content of the error notification is displayed on the display screen of the mobile terminal 100 (S14: error notification step). The content of the displayed error notification may be, for example, "Not registered. Please check with the call center." Furthermore, the transmission unit 54 of the management server 50 transmits an error notification signal to the parking lot control device 70, and the alarm device activation control unit 79 activates the alarm device 32 (S15: error notification step).

[0056] 7 is a flowchart (2) showing the procedure of parking management carried out in the parking management system 1A according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Following the processing of the entry request in step S13 in the flowchart of FIG. 6, steps S61 to S80 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 are executed.

[0057] <S61 to S62> In the management server 50, when the receiving unit 53 receives an entry request from the mobile terminal 100 (S61: entry request receiving step), the transmitting unit 54 transmits the entry request to the parking lot control device 70 (S62).

[0058] <S63 to S66> In the parking lot control device 70, when the receiving unit 77 receives the entry request transmitted from the transmitting unit 54 of the management server 50 (S63), the pallet moving mechanism control unit 75 controls the pallet moving mechanism 12 to move the vehicle transfer pallet 20 corresponding to the entry-permitted vehicle V2 to the entry / exit space 15 in accordance with the received entry request (S64: pallet moving mechanism control step). That is, for example, if the vehicle transfer pallet 20 placed on the vehicle storage shelf 18 of the storage space 16 indicated by "(No. 8)" in Figure 2 is the vehicle transfer pallet 20 corresponding to the entry-permitted vehicle V2, the pallet moving mechanism control unit 75 controls the transport platform 21 and the No. The lift device 22 raises the conveyance platform 21 so that the floor levels of the vehicle storage shelf 18 of the storage space 16 of No. 8 and the vehicle storage shelf 18 are the same, and when the floor levels of the two are the same, the traversing device 23 moves the empty vehicle transfer pallet 20 from the vehicle storage shelf 18 to the conveyance platform 21, and the lift device 22 lowers the conveyance platform 21 so that the conveyance platform 21 with the vehicle transfer pallet 20 placed on it is positioned in the loading / unloading space 15. Then, the door opening / closing mechanism control unit 76 sends a signal to the door opening / closing mechanism 35 to open the loading / unloading door 33 (S65). This opens the loading / unloading door 33. When the loading / unloading door 33 is opened, the entry-permitted vehicle V2 enters the vehicle transfer pallet 20 placed on the conveyance platform 21 in the loading / unloading space 15. The camera rotation mechanism control unit 74 also transmits a camera rotation signal to the camera rotation mechanism 38 so that the vehicle photographing camera 40 is in a second photographing position (see FIG. 4B) where it can photograph the entrance / exit space 15 inside the parking tower 11 (S66: camera photographing position switching step). As a result, the vehicle photographing camera 40 is switched to the second photographing position.

[0059] <S67-S68> When the permitted entry vehicle V2 enters the vehicle transfer pallet 20 placed on the transport platform 21 in the entry / exit space 15 of the parking tower 11 and stops near the permitted entry range, the vehicle photographing camera 40 photographs the permitted entry vehicle V2 (S67). The permitted entry range refers to a range that does not extend beyond the vehicle transfer pallet 20. As long as the permitted entry vehicle V2 enters the vehicle transfer pallet 20 and stops within the permitted entry range, the pallet moving mechanism 12 can transport the permitted entry vehicle V2 without interference with the components of the parking tower 11 when the pallet moving mechanism 12 transfers the permitted entry vehicle V2 between the entry / exit space 15 and the storage space 16. The vehicle photographing camera 40 transmits the photographed image data of the permitted entry vehicle V2 to the parking lot control device 70 (S68).

[0060] <S69-S72> In the parking lot control device 70, the receiving unit 77 receives image data of the entry-permitted vehicle V2 transmitted from the vehicle photographing camera 40 (S69). The image processing unit 71 performs image recognition processing on the image data of the entry-permitted vehicle V2 received by the receiving unit 77, thereby identifying the image of the entry-permitted vehicle V2 placed on the vehicle transfer pallet 20 (S70). The entry-permitted vehicle image data acquisition unit 73 acquires image data of the entry-permitted vehicle V2 placed on the vehicle transfer pallet 20 (S71: entry-permitted vehicle image data acquisition step). The transmitting unit 78 transmits the acquired image data of the entry-permitted vehicle V2 to the management server 50 (S72).

[0061] <S73-S74> In the management server 50, the receiving unit 53 receives image data of the entry-permitted vehicle V2 transmitted from the transmitting unit 78 of the parking lot control device 70 (S73). The memory unit 55 has image data stored in advance, including data on the entry-permitted vehicle's entry range in the entry / exit space 15. The overhang detection unit 52 detects whether the entry-permitted vehicle V2 is extending beyond the entry range, in other words, whether it is extending beyond the vehicle transfer pallet 20, based on the image data of the entry-permitted vehicle and the image data including the entry-permitted vehicle's entry range read from the memory unit (S74: overhang detection step).

[0062] In other words, the overhang detection unit 52 compares the image data of the permitted entry vehicle V2 with image data including data on the possible entry range in the entry / exit space 15 read from the memory unit 55, and if there is no overlap between the image data of the permitted entry vehicle V2 and the image data of the area outside the possible entry range, it determines that the permitted entry vehicle V2 is within the possible entry range, and if there is an overlap, it determines that the permitted entry vehicle V2 is outside the possible entry range.

[0063] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the state and position of the entry-permitted vehicle relative to the entry-permitted area. The boundary of the entry-permitted area is indicated by a trapezoidal frame line DL in FIG. 8. FIG. 8(a) shows a state in which the entry-permitted vehicle V2 is within the entry-permitted area. In the state shown in FIG. 8(a), the out-of-bounds detection unit 52 determines that the entry-permitted vehicle V2 does not extend beyond the entry-permitted area. FIG. 8(b) shows a state in which the side mirror of the entry-permitted vehicle V2 extends beyond the entry-permitted area, and FIG. 8(c) shows a state in which the side of the entry-permitted vehicle V2 extends beyond the entry-permitted area. In FIGS. 8(b) and 8(c), the portion of the entry-permitted vehicle V2 that extends beyond the entry-permitted area is indicated by hatching. In the state shown in FIGS. 8(b) and 8(c), the out-of-bounds detection unit 52 determines that the entry-permitted vehicle V2 extends beyond the entry-permitted area.

[0064] <S75-S76> If the overflow detection unit 52 detects that the entry-permitted vehicle V2 is overflowing ("YES" in S74), the image processing unit 57 processes the overlapping portion of the image data of the entry-permitted vehicle V2 and the image data of the area outside the entry area, i.e., the area hatched in Figures 8(b) and 8(c), so that it projects a visible light image with a different color quality from the area inside the entry area (S75). Note that "different color quality" means that at least one of the hue, saturation, and brightness is different. Then, the transmission unit 54 transmits an overflow notification signal indicating that the entry-permitted vehicle V2 is overflowing the entry area to the mobile terminal 100 and the parking lot control device 70 (S76: overflow notification step).

[0065] <S77-S78> In the mobile terminal 100, upon receiving the overflow notification signal transmitted from the transmission unit 54 of the management server 50, the content of the overflow notification is displayed on the display screen (S77). The content of the displayed overflow notification may be, for example, "Your vehicle is overflowing. Please try entering again." Furthermore, the display screen of the mobile terminal 100 displays an image of the overflowing portion projected as a visible light image with a different color quality from the area inside the permitted entry area. In the parking lot control device 70, upon receiving the overflow notification signal transmitted from the transmission unit 54 of the management server 50 by the reception unit 77, the alarm device activation control unit 79 activates the alarm device 32 (S78).

[0066] <S79-S80> On the other hand, if the overhang detection unit 52 determines that the entry-permitted vehicle V2 does not overhang the entry-permitted area ("NO" in S74), the transmission unit 54 of the management server 50 transmits a signal notifying the mobile terminal 100 of entry completion, and the contents of the entry-completion notification are displayed on the display screen of the mobile terminal 100 (S79: entry-completion display process). The contents of the displayed entry-completion notification include, for example, "Entry is complete. Please exit the parking tower." Furthermore, the transmission unit 54 of the management server 50 transmits a signal notifying the parking lot control device 70 of entry completion, and the alarm device activation control unit 79 activates the alarm device 32, and the contents of the entry-completion notification are displayed on a display, for example (S80: entry-completion display process).

[0067] The process of releasing the entry-permitted vehicle V2 will not be described in detail using diagrams such as flowcharts, but can be briefly explained as follows. That is, when releasing the vehicle, a release request is made from the mobile terminal 100. The parking lot control device 70 checks whether the registered vehicle requested to be released is present, and if personal identification (PIN number, fingerprint authentication, facial authentication, etc.) is obtained from the mobile terminal 100, it calls the vehicle transfer pallet 20 carrying the registered vehicle requested to be released. When the entry / exit door 33 opens, the driver releases the registered vehicle on the called vehicle transfer pallet 20. At this time, the vehicle photographing camera 40 photographs the released registered vehicle. For entry / exit management, image data of the released registered vehicle is stored in the management server 50 in association with the date and time of release.

[0068] According to the first embodiment, the determination of whether the pre-entry vehicle V1 is a registered vehicle is made by the registered vehicle determination unit 51 of the management server 50 comparing the identification information of the pre-entry vehicle V1 acquired based on image data captured by the vehicle-capturing camera 40 with a database in which registration identification information for registered vehicles is recorded. If the registered vehicle determination unit 51 determines that the pre-entry vehicle V1 is a registered vehicle, a parking permission notice permitting the pre-entry vehicle V1 to enter the parking space 13 is transmitted from the transmitter 54 of the management server 50 via the public communication line 1 and the wireless base station 3 to the mobile terminal 100 operated by the passenger of the pre-entry vehicle V1. In this way, parking permission for pre-registered vehicles can be managed. Furthermore, to obtain permission to enter the parking space 13, the user does not need to enter a personal identification number as in the past, and naturally, does not need to get out of the vehicle to enter the personal identification number. Furthermore, since the permission to enter the vehicle is notified to the mobile terminal 100 such as a smartphone, there is no need to carry an extra device such as a dedicated remote controller, which improves convenience for the user.

[0069] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, when a warehousing request transmitted from the mobile terminal 100 is received by the receiving unit 53, the pallet movement mechanism control unit 75 controls the pallet movement mechanism 12 to move the vehicle transfer pallet 20 to the loading / unloading space 15. Therefore, whereas in the past, a user of a registered vehicle would have to operate an operation panel installed in the parking lot one by one when calling up the vehicle transfer pallet 20, such cumbersome operations are no longer necessary, and the vehicle transfer pallet 20 can be called up to the loading / unloading space 15 with a simple operation of transmitting a warehousing request from the mobile terminal 100.

[0070] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the overhang detection unit 52 detects whether the permitted entry vehicle V2 is overhanging the vehicle transfer pallet 20 based on the image data of the permitted entry vehicle V2 photographed by the vehicle photographing camera 40, so that it is possible to prevent problems such as interference between the components of the parking tower 11 and the permitted entry vehicle V2 when transferring the permitted entry vehicle V2 onto the vehicle transfer pallet 20.

[0071] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, when the overhang detection unit 52 detects that the permitted entry vehicle V2 is overhanging the vehicle transfer pallet 20, an overhang notification is sent to the mobile terminal 100, so that the user of the permitted entry vehicle V2 can recognize that the permitted entry vehicle V2 is overhanging the vehicle transfer pallet 20, and can take measures such as redoing the entry operation of the permitted entry vehicle V2 onto the vehicle transfer pallet 20.

[0072] [Second embodiment] Fig. 9 is a functional block diagram of a parking management system 1B according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the same or similar components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals in the figure, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. The following description will focus on the components unique to the second embodiment.

[0073] As shown in Figure 9, in the parking management system 1B of the second embodiment, a vehicle height / width information acquisition unit 80 is added to the parking lot control device 70, and a standard vehicle determination unit 60 is added to the management server 50. Other than that, it is basically the same as the first embodiment. The functional units of the vehicle height / width information acquisition unit 80 and the standard vehicle determination unit 60 will be explained together with the explanation of the flowchart in Figure 10 which shows the following parking management procedure.

[0074] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of parking management carried out in a parking management system 1B according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] 10, when a vehicle enters the parking lot (S31), the vehicle photographing camera 40 photographs the entering vehicle as a pre-entry vehicle V1 as it enters the lot and stops at a temporary stop position in front of the turntable 31 (S32: pre-entry vehicle photographing step). The vehicle photographing camera 40 transmits the photographed image data of the pre-entry vehicle V1 to the parking lot control device 70 (S33).

[0076] <S34-S35> In the parking lot control device 70, the receiving unit 77 receives the image data of the pre-entry vehicle V1 transmitted from the vehicle photographing camera 40 (S34). The image processing unit 71 performs image recognition processing on the image data of the pre-entry vehicle V1 received by the receiving unit 77, thereby detecting the height and width of the pre-entry vehicle V1 and identifying specific information of the pre-entry vehicle V1 (S35).

[0077] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a method for detecting the height and width of a pre-entry vehicle V1 using image recognition processing. FIG. 11( a) shows a state in which image data of the pre-entry vehicle V1 is subjected to processing such as binarization using an image processing algorithm to extract edges (contours). The height and width of the pre-entry vehicle V1 are measured by counting the number of pixels between the edges of the measurement object (pre-entry vehicle V1) shown in FIG. 11( a). Although not shown, because the edge position is located between a single captured pixel, that pixel is subpixelized to capture the edge point. Subpixelization enables the accurate measurement of the length of the measurement object. FIG. 11( b) shows pixel data captured by the vehicle-photography camera 40, where the image captured by the vehicle-photography camera 40 is represented by M×N pixels. For example, if the length of one pixel (picture element) is α, the length of the m×n pixel measurement object (pre-entry vehicle V1) is mα×nα, the width of the pre-entry vehicle V1 is mα, and the height is nα.

[0078] <S36-S37> The vehicle height / width information acquisition unit 80 acquires the vehicle height / width information (nα, mα), and the pre-entry vehicle identification information acquisition unit 72 acquires at least the serial designation number (vehicle license plate) as the pre-entry vehicle identification information (S36: vehicle height / width information acquisition step, pre-entry vehicle identification information acquisition step). The transmission unit 78 transmits the acquired vehicle height / width information and the pre-entry vehicle identification information to the management server 50 (S37).

[0079] <S38-S42> In the management server 50, the receiving unit 53 receives the vehicle height / width information and the pre-entry vehicle identification information transmitted from the transmitting unit 78 of the parking lot control device 70 (S38). The standard vehicle determination unit 60 determines whether the pre-entry vehicle V1 is a standard vehicle that can be transferred using the vehicle transfer pallet 20 based on the vehicle height / width information received by the receiving unit 53 (S39). If the standard vehicle determination unit 60 determines that the pre-entry vehicle V1 is a standard vehicle ("YES" in S39), the process proceeds to step 40. The registered vehicle determination unit 51 compares the pre-entry vehicle identification information received by the receiving unit 53 with the registered identification information for registered vehicles recorded in the database stored in the memory unit 55, and determines whether the pre-entry vehicle V1 is a registered vehicle (S40: registered vehicle determination step). If the registered vehicle determination unit 51 determines that the pre-entry vehicle V1 is a registered vehicle ('YES' in S40), the setting unit 56 sets the pre-entry vehicle V1 as an entry-permitted vehicle V2 (S41), and the transmission unit 54 transmits a signal to the mobile terminal 100 to display an entry permission notification permitting entry into the parking space 13 (entry / exit space 15) (S42: entry permission notification display process).

[0080] <S43-S44> Upon receiving a signal for displaying the warehousing permission notification transmitted from the transmitter 54 of the management server 50, the mobile terminal 100 displays the contents of the warehousing permission notification on its display screen (S43). The displayed contents of the warehousing permission notification include, for example, "Ready to enter. Would you like to enter?" Furthermore, following the contents of the warehousing permission notification, a selection button for "Enter warehousing" is displayed on the display screen of the mobile terminal 100. When the displayed selection button for "Enter warehousing" is tapped (S44), a warehousing request is sent from the mobile terminal 100 to the management server 50.

[0081] <S45-S46> On the other hand, if the standard vehicle determination unit 60 determines that the pre-entry vehicle V1 is not a standard vehicle ("NO" in S39), the transmission unit 54 of the management server 50 sends an error notification signal to the mobile terminal 100, and the content of the error notification is displayed on the display screen of the mobile terminal 100 (S45: error display step). The content of the displayed error notification may be, for example, "This vehicle is not standard. You cannot enter it." Furthermore, the transmission unit 54 of the management server 50 sends an error notification signal to the parking lot control device 70, and the alarm device activation control unit 79 activates the alarm device 32 (S46: error display step).

[0082] <S47-S48> Furthermore, if the registered vehicle determination unit 51 determines that the pre-entry vehicle V1 is not a registered vehicle ("NO" in S40), the transmission unit 54 of the management server 50 transmits a signal notifying an error to the mobile terminal 100, and the content of the error notification is displayed on the display screen of the mobile terminal 100 (S47: error display step). The content of the displayed error notification may be, for example, "Not registered. Please check with the call center." Furthermore, the transmission unit 54 of the management server 50 transmits a signal notifying an error to the parking lot control device 70, and the alarm device activation control unit 79 activates the alarm device 32, and the content of the error notification is displayed on a display, for example (S48: error display step).

[0083] In the second embodiment, following the processing of the warehousing request in step S44 in the flowchart of FIG. 10, the processing of steps S61 to S80 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is also executed.

[0084] According to the second embodiment, it is possible to obtain basically the same effects as in the first embodiment. Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, the standard vehicle determination unit 60 determines whether the pre-entry vehicle V1 is a standard vehicle that can be transferred by the vehicle transfer pallet 20 based on the image data of the pre-entry vehicle V1. Therefore, for example, if the pre-entry vehicle V1 is equipped with a roof carrier or if cargo is placed on the bed of the pre-entry vehicle V1, it is possible to prevent problems such as interference between the components or members of the parking tower 11 and the roof carrier or cargo when transferring the cargo using the vehicle transfer pallet 20, depending on the amount of protrusion of the roof carrier in the vehicle height direction or the amount of protrusion of the cargo in the vehicle height direction and width direction.

[0085] [Third Embodiment] The third embodiment is basically the same as the second embodiment (see FIG. 9) in terms of the hardware configuration of the system. In the second embodiment, an example was given in which the specific user operating the mobile terminal 100 is a passenger in a pre-entry vehicle V1 and a monthly contract holder who has concluded a monthly contract with the parking lot manager to use the parking lot. In the third embodiment, the specific user operating the mobile terminal 100 includes a monthly contract holder who is a passenger in a pre-entry vehicle and has concluded a monthly contract with the parking lot manager to use the parking lot, and a temporary use contract holder who is a passenger in a pre-entry vehicle and has concluded a temporary use contract by specifying at least the date on which the vehicle is to be parked and registering a reservation.

[0086] The application for a monthly parking contract has been described above. Briefly, the application for a temporary parking contract involves a person wishing to use a parking lot temporarily opening a dedicated inquiry page on the administrator's website, which is set up on the Internet, and submitting an application. When submitting an application, a person wishing to use the parking lot (applicant) enters specific information about the vehicle to be parked. The specific information about the vehicle to be parked includes information about the owner of the vehicle and the information displayed on the vehicle's license plate. In addition, when submitting an application, the applicant also enters the applicant's email address, a password set by the applicant, and other information about the vehicle, along with the vehicle specific information. Unlike in the case of monthly parking, a strict screening based on the application content is omitted, and a simplified screening is performed. The applicant is notified by email that a temporary usage contract has been established. The applicant is registered as a temporary usage contract holder, and a temporary usage contract holder ID is issued to the temporary usage contract holder. Furthermore, the vehicle selected by the temporary usage contract holder at the time of application is registered as a registered temporary usage vehicle, and the specific information about the registered vehicle is recorded in a database as registered specific information. In addition, when applying for a temporary use contract, a person (applicant) wishing to use the parking lot temporarily can open a dedicated inquiry page on the administrator's homepage set up on the Internet, specify at least the date on which they wish to park, and enter at least the vehicle license plate number as specific information about the vehicle to be parked, thereby registering the applicant as a temporary use contract holder, and the vehicle that the temporary use contract holder has designated as the vehicle to be parked at the time of application is registered as a registered vehicle for temporary use, and the specific information about the registered vehicle is recorded in a database as registered specific information, thereby making temporary use possible with a simpler procedure than the above-mentioned temporary use contract application procedure. Therefore, installation of the app on mobile terminal 100 is optional.

[0087] In the third embodiment, the registered vehicles include monthly registered vehicles registered under a monthly contract and temporarily registered vehicles that are reserved and registered by specifying at least the date on which the vehicle is to be parked. The database stored in the storage unit 55 stores specific information about the monthly registered vehicles and the temporarily registered vehicles.

[0088] The temporary use contractor installs a dedicated parking management app distributed by the parking lot manager on the mobile terminal 100. When the installed app on the mobile terminal 100 is launched, a login screen is displayed. The temporary use contractor enters the temporary use contractor ID and password in the contractor ID input field and password input field displayed on the login screen, respectively. This completes the identification of the temporary use contractor, and the temporary use contractor can use My Page. If the check box next to the "Stay logged in" item is checked on the login screen, My Page will be automatically displayed on the mobile terminal screen upon launching the app thereafter.

[0089] 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure for parking management performed in a parking management system 1C according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the procedure for parking management is the same as that in the second embodiment, except that the processing in step S40 is different from the processing in step 40 (see FIG. 10) in the second embodiment. In step S40 of the flowchart in FIG. 12, the registered vehicle determination unit 51 compares the pre-entry vehicle identification information received by the receiving unit 53 with the registration identification information for monthly registered vehicles and temporarily registered vehicles recorded in the database stored in the memory unit 55, and determines whether the pre-entry vehicle V1 is a monthly registered vehicle or a temporarily registered vehicle.

[0090] According to the third embodiment, registered vehicles include monthly registered vehicles and temporarily registered vehicles, so it is possible to increase the number of parking lot users while managing to allow parking of pre-registered vehicles, thereby enabling the parking business to be widely expanded.

[0091] [Fourth Embodiment] Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a parking management system 1D according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The parking management system 1D shown in Fig. 13 includes multiple mechanical parking lots (multi-story parking lots) 10, a management server 50 used by a parking lot manager, and a parking lot control device 70 that controls each mechanical parking lot 10. The parking management system 1D is operated by connecting to a mobile terminal 100 operated by a passenger (driver, passenger, etc.) of a pre-entry vehicle V1 that is about to enter the mechanical parking lot 10. Here, the management server 50 and the parking lot control device 70 are communicatively connected via a public communication line 1. The mobile terminal 100 is communicatively connected to the management server 50 via a wireless base station 3 and the public communication line 1.

[0092] The fourth embodiment is the same as the third embodiment except that it has a plurality of mechanical parking lots 10, and if a vehicle is registered as a monthly registered vehicle in one of the plurality of mechanical parking lots 10, it is registered as a temporarily registered vehicle in the other mechanical parking lots 10. According to the fourth embodiment, by signing a monthly contract with one of the plurality of mechanical parking lots 10, it is possible to temporarily use other mechanical parking lots 10 that are affiliated with that one mechanical parking lot 10, thereby further increasing convenience for users.

[0093] The parking management system, parking management method, and parking management program of the present invention have been described above based on several embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiments, and the configurations can be changed as appropriate within the scope of the spirit of the present invention, such as by appropriately combining the configurations described in each embodiment. Specific other embodiments are as follows.

[0094] (Another Embodiment 1) In the above embodiments, an elevator-type multi-story parking facility is used as the mechanical parking lot 10, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the mechanical parking lot 10 may be a vertical circulation (merry-go-round) parking facility, an elevator-slide parking facility, a level shuttle parking facility, a transport and storage parking facility, or the like. A merry-go-round parking facility parks vehicles on pallets attached to cages suspended at predetermined intervals by chains stretched across a pair of sprockets arranged above and below. An elevator-slide parking facility arranges parking spaces in multiple levels vertically and horizontally, transports vehicles on pallets mounted on transporting vehicles between entry / exit spaces and the side of the parking spaces, and transfers the vehicles between the transporting vehicles and the parking spaces. A level shuttle parking facility arranges parking spaces horizontally, and transports vehicles between entry / exit spaces and the side of the parking spaces using transporting vehicles equipped with pallets. The transport and storage type parking facility is a system in which multiple pallets for loading vehicles are arranged in a grid pattern and circulated horizontally.

[0095] In the first embodiment, an example is shown in which it is detected whether the entry-permitted vehicle V2 is outside the entry range based on image data of the entry-permitted vehicle and image data including data on the entry range, but this is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to detect whether the entry-permitted vehicle V2 is outside the entry range by installing a required infrared sensor so that the irradiated infrared light surrounds the entry range.

[0096] (Alternative Embodiment 3) In the second embodiment, the width and height of the pre-entry vehicle V1 are calculated based on pixel data of the captured image of the pre-entry vehicle V1, but this is not limited to this. For example, an AI camera may be used as the vehicle photographing camera 40, and the vehicle model of the pre-entry vehicle V1 may be identified by deep learning, and the width and height of the pre-entry vehicle V1 may be calculated based on the specification data for each vehicle model.

[0097] (Alternative embodiment 4) In the first and second embodiments, an example of handling registered vehicles for monthly use is shown, but this is not limited to this, and there is also a form in which registered vehicles for temporary use are handled instead of registered vehicles for monthly use.

[0098] (Another embodiment 5) In each of the above embodiments, an example has been shown in which a management device such as the management server 50 is connected to a mobile terminal 100 operated by a passenger in a pre-entry vehicle V1 via a communication line including the wireless base station 3 and the public communication line 1, but this is not limited to this. There is also an embodiment in which a management device such as the management server 50 is connected to a communication terminal operated by a manager who manages the pre-entry vehicle V1 (hereinafter referred to as an "manager-side communication terminal") via a communication line including the wireless base station 3 and the public communication line 1. The manager-side communication terminal may be a tablet computer, a PC, or the like in addition to a mobile terminal. In this alternative embodiment 5, if the registered vehicle determination unit 51 determines that the pre-entry vehicle V1 is a registered vehicle, the pre-entry vehicle V1 is determined to be an entry-permitted vehicle V2, and the transmitter 54 transmits an entry permission notification to the manager's communication terminal permitting entry into the parking space 15, and when the receiver 53 receives an entry request transmitted from the manager's communication terminal, the pallet moving mechanism control unit 75 controls the pallet moving mechanism 12 to move the vehicle transfer pallet 20 to the entry / exit space 15. Furthermore, in this alternative embodiment 5, if the in-standard vehicle determination unit 60 determines that the pre-entry vehicle V1 is an in-standard vehicle and the registered vehicle determination unit 51 determines that the pre-entry vehicle V1 is a registered vehicle, the transmitter 54 sets the pre-entry vehicle V1 as the permitted entry vehicle V2, and transmits an entry permission notice to the manager's communication terminal permitting entry into the parking space 15, and when the receiver 53 receives a warehousing request transmitted from the manager's communication terminal, the pallet moving mechanism control unit 75 controls the pallet moving mechanism 12 to move the vehicle transfer pallet 20 to the loading / unloading space 15. Furthermore, if the protrusion detection unit 52 detects that the permitted entry vehicle V2 is protruding from the vehicle transfer pallet 20, the transmitter 54 transmits an protrusion notice to the manager's communication terminal.

[0099] According to another embodiment 5, it is possible to obtain basically the same effects as those of the above embodiments. Furthermore, according to another embodiment 5, for example, even if the vehicle itself is registered as a registered vehicle but the mobile terminal 100 operated by the occupant of the vehicle does not have an app installed for receiving the warehousing permission notice, or if the app is installed on the mobile terminal 100 but the occupant forgets to bring the mobile terminal 100, the warehousing permission notice is transmitted to the communication terminal operated by the manager who manages the pre-entry vehicle V1. Therefore, the manager who manages the pre-entry vehicle V1 can recognize from the warehousing permission notice that the pre-entry vehicle V1 should be treated as the warehousing-permitted vehicle V2, and can take appropriate action depending on the situation.

[0100] The parking management system, parking management method, and parking management program of the present invention can be used, for example, to manage the parking of pre-registered vehicles under monthly contracts, or pre-registered vehicles for temporary use with at least specified parking dates, in parking spaces in a mechanical parking lot (multi-story parking garage).

[0101] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1A to 1D Parking management system 10 Mechanical parking lot 12 Pallet moving mechanism 13 Parking space 15 Entry / exit space 16 Storage space 20 Vehicle transfer pallet 40 Vehicle photographing camera (pre-entry vehicle photographing camera, entry / exit space photographing camera, management device) 51 Registered vehicle determination unit (management device) 52 Overhang detection unit (management device) 53 Receiving unit (management device) 54 Transmitting unit (management device) 60 In-standard vehicle determination unit (management device) 72 Pre-entry vehicle identification information acquisition unit (management device) 75 Pallet moving mechanism control unit (management device) 100 Mobile terminal V1 Pre-entry vehicle V2 Entry-permitted vehicle