Support device related to time rental service of contract parking lot

Abstract

[Problem] To support further effective use of a parking space, such as by providing a parking space suitable for the situation of a time rental user among vacant parking spaces in a time rental service for lending a contract parking lot to the time rental user. [Solution] This support device 1 related to a time rental service of a contract parking lot comprises: a parking information acquisition unit 111 for acquiring parking information for a plurality of parking lots PL; a vehicle information recognition unit 112 for acquiring a recognition result of vehicle information about a vehicle based on data obtained by imaging the vehicle; and a parking lot retrieval unit 114 for providing a retrieval result obtained by retrieving the parking lot PL available for time rental in a desired time slot by the vehicle from the plurality of parking lots. The parking lot retrieval unit 114 provides a retrieval result including the parking lot PL having a parking space PS satisfying the requirement that the time zone available for time rental includes a desired time slot and the limitation does not limit the parking of the vehicle indicated by the vehicle information.

Description

Support device for hourly parking services in contracted parking lots

[0001] The present invention relates to a support device for hourly rental services for contracted parking lots.

[0002] Parking spaces in parking lots are rented out through contractual rentals, where parking spaces are rented to contracting parties based on fixed-term contracts, etc., and through hourly rentals, where parking spaces are rented out to general users who have not previously entered into fixed-term contracts, etc., for a desired period of time. However, parking spaces rented through contractual rentals usually have vacant spaces that are not being used by contracting parties. Therefore, there is a demand for promoting the effective use of such parking spaces by renting out parking spaces rented through contractual rentals by the hour during those vacant periods.

[0003] In relation to conventional services and technologies, etc., which promote the effective use of parking spaces by renting out parking spaces that are under contract for time periods, Patent Document 1 discloses a parking system characterized by having an imaging means for capturing an image of the license plate number of a vehicle that a fixed-term contract tenant is attempting to park in the contracted parking space, an input means for inputting the license plate number of the vehicle captured by this imaging means into the server, a comparison means for comparing the license plate number input by this input means with the license plate number of the tenant's vehicle that has been pre-registered in the server, a fee calculation means for calculating a fee, etc., and if the tenant's contracted time is violated, a penalty fee is added to calculate the fee, and the system manages the fee so that a portion of the fee is returned to the tenant of the parking space.

[0004] The technology described in Patent Document 1 can provide a parking system that can actively utilize vacant parking spaces and make effective use of parking spaces in a simple and easy manner without requiring any cumbersome procedures.

[0005] Patent No. 3831349

[0006] Incidentally, parking spaces rented under contract may not be suitable for use by anyone other than the contract holder. Examples of parking spaces that are not suitable for use by anyone other than the contract holder include parking spaces with restrictions on the vehicles that can be parked. Restrictions on vehicles that can be parked include restrictions on underground parking spaces that do not allow tall vehicles (such as campers) to park, and restrictions on parking spaces in multi-story parking garages that do not allow vehicles (such as trucks) with widths and lengths that exceed the capacity of a pallet to be parked. Parking spaces with such restrictions may be suitable for use by contract holders who have signed a contract knowing the restrictions, but may not be suitable for use by anyone other than the contract holder.

[0007] The technology described in Patent Document 1 merely provides a vacant parking space simply and easily without considering whether the space is suitable for general customers (hourly parking users) who wish to rent by the hour, and without requiring any cumbersome procedures. Therefore, the technology described in Patent Document 1 has room for further improvement in terms of providing vacant parking spaces that are suitable for the circumstances of hourly parking users who wish to rent by the hour, thereby promoting more effective use of the parking spaces.

[0008] The objective of the present invention is to support more effective utilization of parking spaces in hourly parking services that rent out contracted parking spaces to hourly parking users, by providing vacant parking spaces that are suitable for the circumstances of the hourly parking users.

[0009] As a result of intensive research into solving the above-mentioned problems, the inventors have found that the above-mentioned object can be achieved by identifying the vehicle type, etc. from image data of the vehicle and providing a search result of parking spaces where parking of the vehicle type, etc. is not restricted. As a result, the inventors have completed the present invention.

[0010] The present invention provides an assistance device for hourly rental services for contracted parking lots, comprising: a parking information acquisition unit that acquires parking information for a plurality of parking lots; a vehicle information recognition unit that recognizes vehicle information of the vehicle from image data of the vehicle; and a parking lot search unit that provides search results obtained by searching the plurality of parking lots for parking lots that the vehicle can use for hourly rental during a desired time period, wherein the parking information acquisition unit acquires parking information for one or more parking spaces in the parking lot, including restrictions on the time periods during which the parking lot can be used for hourly rental and the vehicles that can be parked, and the restrictions include at least one of the vehicle model, width, height, or length of the vehicle for which parking is restricted; the vehicle information recognition unit recognizes vehicle information including at least one of the vehicle model, width, height, or length; and the parking lot search unit provides search results that include parking lots that have parking spaces that meet the requirements that the time periods during which the parking lot can be used for hourly rental include the desired time period and that the restrictions do not restrict parking of the vehicle indicated by the vehicle information.

[0011] In the present invention, a parking information acquisition unit acquires the time periods during which a parking space can be used and parking restrictions (vehicle type, vehicle width, vehicle height, or vehicle length).The present invention then uses a vehicle information recognition unit to recognize vehicle information (vehicle type, vehicle width, vehicle height, or vehicle length) indicating spaces available for a vehicle to be parked for hourly parking.By acquiring and recognizing this information, the present invention can provide a parking lot search unit with search results indicating parking lots that have parking spaces available for the vehicle during the desired time period.

[0012] This allows hourly parking users who wish to rent a vacant parking space by the hour in a contracted parking lot to determine which parking lot has a parking space suitable for the vehicle they want to park in before actually visiting the parking lot.Therefore, the hourly parking user can visit a parking lot with a parking space suitable for their circumstances and make effective use of the vacant parking space, without having to go through the extra time and effort of visiting a parking lot that is not suitable for the vehicle they want to park and cannot actually park the vehicle in.

[0013] As a result, the present invention can increase the utilization rate of parking spaces by hourly parking users and increase revenue from usage fees associated with such usage by hourly parking users. Furthermore, the present invention contributes to an increase in revenue for the contracting party who has signed a contract for the parking space in the contracted parking lot, who will receive a portion of such usage fees based on some special agreement. By contributing to an increase in the contracting party's revenue, the present invention can help the operator of the contracted parking lot use the expected increase in revenue as a bargaining chip to raise the usage fees paid by the contracting party.

[0014] In addition, the present invention can take various forms, such as centrally managing data related to multiple parking lots, making demand forecasts based on the data, and supporting the dynamic setting of usage fees; detecting inappropriate use of a parking lot based on footage of the parking lot taken by a surveillance camera or the like; indicating parking lots suitable for a vehicle's movement plan (e.g., a delivery plan) based on the movement plan; indicating parking lots with charging facilities for electric vehicles; and generating advice to a time-charging user on how to make the most of their time when their use falls within the contracted time period.

[0015] These aspects, through the effects brought about by the addition of their respective unique configurations, contribute to supporting a service in which hourly parking services at contracted parking lots provide parking spaces suitable for hourly parking users who wish to rent by the hour from among available parking spaces, thereby promoting more effective use of those parking spaces.

[0016] As described above, the present invention can help promote more effective use of parking spaces in hourly parking services that rent out contracted parking spaces to hourly parking users, by providing vacant parking spaces that are suitable for the circumstances of the hourly parking users.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration and software configuration of the system S of this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a parking lot PL (first parking lot PL1 and second parking lot PL2). FIG. 3 is an example of a parking lot database 131. FIG. 4 is an example of a user database 132. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a preferred flow of the assistance process. FIG. 6 is a flowchart continuing from the previous figure. FIG. 7 is a flowchart continuing from the previous figure. FIG. 8 is a flowchart continuing from the previous figure. FIG. 9 is a flowchart continuing from the previous figure. FIG. 10 is a flowchart continuing from the previous figure. FIG. 11 is a flowchart continuing from the previous figure.

[0018] First, although the following disclosure, diagrams, and / or claims may be described as being presented alone or in combination with one or more other aspects, the subject matter of the immediate disclosure is not intended to be so limited. That is, the immediate disclosure, diagrams, and claims are intended to encompass the various aspects described herein, each alone or in one or more combinations with each other. For example, even if the immediate disclosure describes and illustrates a first embodiment, a second embodiment, and a third embodiment in such a way that the first embodiment is described and illustrated specifically in conjunction with the second embodiment, or the second embodiment is described and illustrated only in conjunction with the third embodiment, the immediate disclosure and illustrations are not so limited and may include only the first embodiment, only the second embodiment, only the third embodiment, or one or more combinations of the first, second, and / or third embodiments, such as the first and second embodiments, the first and third embodiments, the second and third embodiments, or the first, second, and third embodiments.

[0019] The use of the phrase "or" herein shall mean a "non-exclusive" arrangement unless expressly specified otherwise. For example, when we say "item x is A or B," we mean either: (1) item x is either A or B, but not both; or (2) item x is both A and B. In other words, the word "or" is not used to define an "exclusive" arrangement.

[0020] Additionally, as used herein, the phrases "comprise at least one of" and "comprise at least one of the following," when used in connection with a system or element, mean that the system or element includes one or more of the elements listed after the phrase. For example, if there are three types of elements, a first element, a second element, or a third element, the phrases "comprise at least one of" and "comprise at least one of the following" are to be interpreted as any of the following structural arrangements: a device including the first element, a device including the second element, a device including the third element, a device including the first and second elements, a device including the first and third elements, a device including the second and third elements, or a device including the first, second, and third elements.

[0021] A similar interpretation is intended when the phrase "used in at least one of the following" is used herein. Furthermore, as used herein, "and / or" is used as a verbal conjunction to indicate that one or more of the listed elements or conditions are included or occur. For example, a device including a first element, a second element, and / or a third element is to be interpreted as any of the following structural arrangements: a device including the first element, a device including the second element, a device including the third element, a device including the first element and the second element, a device including the first element and the third element, a device including the second element and the third element, or a device including the first element, the second element, and the third element.

[0022] In addition, the use of the phrase "and / or" in the text means a "non-exclusive" agreement, as stipulated in the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) "Format and preparation method of standard sheets JIS Z 8301."

[0023] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0024] <System S> Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration and software configuration of the system S of this embodiment. An example of a preferred embodiment of the system S of this embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 1.

[0025] The system S of this embodiment is configured to include a support device 1 for the hourly parking service of a contracted parking lot, which provides support such as providing a parking space from available parking spaces that is suitable for the circumstances of the hourly parking user. The support device 1 is preferably configured to communicate with a terminal T via a network N.

[0026] [Parking Lot PL] The parking lot PL associated with the assistance device 1 has one or more parking spaces PS configured for parking vehicles. At least some of the one or more parking spaces PS in the parking lot PL are used by contractors based on fixed-term contracts or the like. The fixed-term contracts or the like may be, for example, monthly contracts in which parking spaces are rented to contractors for a monthly usage fee. Some of the above-mentioned parking spaces PS may be primarily used for hourly rental, rented out in given time units (e.g., 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, etc.).

[0027] The parking lot PL related to the support device 1 may be, for example, a monthly parking lot, etc. The parking lot PL related to the support device 1 may also include a monthly parking lot of an apartment building, an employee parking lot, a parking lot provided at a service area (SA) on a highway, a parking lot provided at a roadside station, a parking lot at a shopping mall, a parking lot at a convenience store, etc.

[0028] It is preferable that fixed-term contracts, etc. for parking spaces PS of parking lot PL include a special clause that allows the parking space PS to be rented by the hour to hourly users (general customers) other than the contract holder, and that a portion of the usage fee paid by the hourly user be paid to the contract holder. In order to properly manage the management operations related to the special clause, it is preferable that the usage fee for a fixed period (for example, a monthly fee) related to a contract including the special clause be a fee that is equal to the usage fee for a fixed-term contract for the use of an equivalent parking space PS that does not include the special clause, plus an amount equal to a portion of the income that the contract holder is expected to earn from the special clause.

[0029] The type of parking lot is not particularly limited. Examples of the type of parking lot include a surface parking lot, a multi-story parking lot, an underground parking lot, a mechanical parking lot, and a rooftop parking lot. To prevent the entry of vehicles not related to either the contract holder or the reserver, the parking lot PL is preferably managed by a device that manages entry and exit to the parking lot PL, such as a gate device 2 described below. To prevent inappropriate use, such as leaving the parking lot without paying the fee, the parking space PS is preferably managed by a device that restricts the movement of parked vehicles, such as a locking plate.

[0030] 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a parking lot PL (first parking lot PL1 and second parking lot PL2). In this example, the first parking lot PL1 has a first parking space PS1 and other parking spaces PS configured to accommodate standard and small vehicles (e.g., standard passenger cars or compact passenger cars), as well as charging equipment PC for electric vehicles. In this example, each parking space PS in the first parking lot PL1 is managed by a gate device 2 equipped with a fence and a camera 3.

[0031] Meanwhile, in this example, the second parking lot PL2 has a second parking space PS2 configured to accommodate standard and small vehicles, a third parking space PS3 configured to accommodate large vehicles (e.g., trucks and other standard freight vehicles, buses and other standard passenger vehicles, etc.), and other parking spaces PS. Also, in this example, the entrance and exit of the second parking lot PL2 is managed by a gate device 2 equipped with a barrier. Also, the second parking lot PL2 is managed by multiple cameras 3.

[0032] In this example, the first parking space PS1, the second parking space PS2, the third parking space PS3, and other parking spaces PS are rented out to the contractors corresponding to the respective parking spaces PS under fixed-term contracts including the special provisions described above. Through the assistance process executed by the assistance device 1 of this embodiment, these parking spaces PS are rented out by the hour during the vacant time when not in use by the contractors. Contractors and owners of each parking lot PL can then receive a portion of the revenue earned from the hourly rental. This promotes more effective use of the parking spaces PS. References in the explanation will return to FIG. 1.

[0033] [Support Device 1] The support device 1 realizes the software components shown in FIG. 1 using hardware components such as a control unit 11, a storage unit 13, and a communication unit 14. The support device 1 then executes support processing related to the hourly rental service of the contracted parking lot using the software components. The type of the support device 1 is not particularly limited. The type of the support device 1 may be, for example, various server devices, cloud servers, etc.

[0034] [Control Unit 11] The control unit 11 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and the like.

[0035] The control unit 11 cooperates with the storage unit 13 and / or the communication unit 14 as necessary. The control unit 11 then realizes the following software components of the program of this embodiment executed by the assistance device 1: a parking information acquisition unit 111, a vehicle information recognition unit 112, a parking recommendation identification unit 113, a parking lot search unit 114, a reservation unit 115, a detection unit 116, an extension acceptance unit 117, an advice generation unit 118, a payment settlement unit 119, a usage status acquisition unit 120, a recommended price generation unit 121, and the like.

[0036] [Storage Unit 13] The storage unit 13 is a device for storing data and / or files, and includes a storage unit for non-temporarily storing data using a hard disk, a semiconductor memory, a recording medium, a memory card, or the like.

[0037] The storage unit 13 stores a program executed by the microcomputer, a parking lot database 131, a user database 132, an image recognition model, etc. In order to enable the generation of advice, etc. using a large-scale language model, it is preferable that the storage unit 13 further stores a large-scale language model that has undergone predetermined pre-training.

[0038] (Parking lot database 131) Parking information, usage status, etc. are stored in the parking lot database 131. The parking information is various information related to the parking lots PL and the parking spaces PS that the parking lots PL have. The data related to the parking lot database 131 may be stored in its entirety in the memory unit 13 of the assistance device 1, or some or all of it may be stored in an external server, database, etc. related to the management of each parking lot PL.

[0039] It is preferable that there are multiple external servers or databases involved in the management of each parking lot PL so that parking lot information stored in multiple databases, etc. can be managed centrally in the support device 1. In order to centrally manage data related to various management services, it is preferable that the support device 1 can acquire and update various data related to the parking lot database 131 stored on the servers of multiple external management services (e.g., servers of parking lot operating companies) involved in the management of each parking lot PL via an API, etc.

[0040] In the following description, it is assumed that various data related to the parking lot database 131 is synchronized at appropriate times with multiple databases related to the management of each parking lot PL, but a person skilled in the art would easily conceive of various other configurations, such as a configuration in which various data is stored only in the parking lot database 131. In the following description, it is assumed that parking information is stored in association with information identifying the parking lot PL. The "information identifying the parking lot PL" is, for example, a parking lot ID unique to each parking lot PL.

[0041] The parking information includes information indicating the time periods during which each parking space PS can be rented by the hour and restrictions on vehicles that can be parked in the parking space PS. The restrictions on vehicles that can be parked include at least one of the vehicle type, vehicle width, vehicle height, and vehicle length of vehicles that can be parked.

[0042] It is also preferable that the parking information further includes various information related to hourly rental usage fees, such as, for each parking space PS, the contracted time period used by the contractor, information related to the calculation of the hourly rental fee (normal fee) for time periods other than the contracted time period, and information related to the calculation of the hourly rental fee (surcharge) for the contracted time period.

[0043] In addition, the parking information preferably further includes facility information regarding various facilities provided in the parking lot PL or parking space PS. To enable determination of whether a parking lot or the like allows charging of electric vehicles, the facility information preferably includes charging facility information regarding the presence and specifications of electric vehicle charging facilities. To enable determination of whether fuel such as fuel gas or refueling is possible, the facility information preferably includes refueling facility information regarding the presence and type of refueling facilities. To enable determination of whether a rest area is possible, the facility information preferably includes rest facility information regarding the presence and type of rest facilities such as rest areas, toilets, beds, and restaurants. To enable determination of whether a parking lot or the like is barrier-free, the facility information preferably includes facility information for persons with disabilities regarding facilities for persons with disabilities such as disabled parking spaces, wheelchair ramps, wheelchair-accessible elevators, and handrails.

[0044] In order to be utilized for the appropriate operation of the management-related devices, it is preferable that the parking information further includes device information of devices related to the management of the parking lot PL, such as the gate device 2, the camera 3, etc. The device information includes, for example, authentication information when controlling each device, information related to the location where each device is installed, information related to the maintenance of each device, etc. It is preferable that the device information is updated by communication from each device, contact from the administrator of each device, etc.

[0045] The usage status includes the reservation status for hourly rental for each parking space PS, the parking status, the start time of hourly rental, the scheduled end time of hourly rental, the end time of hourly rental, the usage time of hourly rental, the payment status of the usage fee, vehicle information of the vehicle parked by the hourly rental user, etc. In order to be able to identify the vehicle from the license plate, the vehicle information of the vehicle preferably includes information related to the license plate of the vehicle.

[0046] 3 is an example of the parking lot database 131. This example stores parking information related to a first parking lot PL1 identified by a parking lot ID "PL001," a second parking lot PL2 identified by a parking lot ID "PL002," and other parking lots PL.

[0047] The parking information for the first parking lot PL1 includes information indicating the time period during which the first parking space PS1 owned by the parking lot can be rented by the hour, "10:00-16:00," and the restrictions on vehicles that can be parked, "compact cars or standard passenger cars, vehicle width: 2m or less, vehicle height: 2.3m or less, vehicle length: 5.4m or less."

[0048] The parking information also includes the reservation status for the first parking space PS1: "User: @Entai, reservation time: 2024 / 06 / 01 12:00-16:00, space used: PS1, number: △△-△△, start of use: 12:01, end of use: -".

[0049] In addition, the parking information includes facility information indicating that the parking lot has charging facilities for electric vehicles, such as "EV charging facilities: available." Furthermore, the parking information includes information regarding the contract time period, such as "17:00-09:00," information regarding the regular fee, such as "Regular fee: 400 yen / 1 hour," and information regarding the surcharge, such as "Surcharge: 400 yen / 0.25 hour."

[0050] The parking information for the second parking lot PL2 includes information indicating restrictions on the time periods during which parking is available for hourly rental in the second parking space PS2 of the parking lot, and on the vehicles that can be parked there. The parking information also includes information indicating restrictions on the time periods during which parking is available for hourly rental in the third parking space PS3 of the parking lot, "05:00-19:00," and on the vehicles that can be parked there, "medium-sized trucks, vehicle width: 2.4 m or less, vehicle height: 3.9 m or less, vehicle length: 8.4 m or less."

[0051] By storing this information, when the assistance device 1 is instructed to search for parking lots PL that can accommodate standard / compact passenger cars and vehicles with the recognized vehicle width, height, and length, it can provide as a search result a parking lot PL between the first parking lot PL1 and the second parking lot PL2 that meets the requirements for the desired time period. Furthermore, when the assistance device 1 is instructed to search for parking lots PL that can accommodate medium-sized trucks whose vehicle type, width, height, and length do not meet the restrictions for the first parking space PS1 or the second parking space PS2 but meet the restrictions for the third parking space PS3, it can provide as a search result the second parking lot PL2. Furthermore, when the assistance device 1 is instructed to search for parking lots PL that can accommodate electric vehicles, it can provide as a search result the first parking lot PL1. In addition, this allows the assistance device 1 to calculate estimated hourly rental fees and charges for hourly rentals for parking lots PL included in these search results.

[0052] (User database 132) The user database 132 stores various data (user information) related to users who use the parking lot PL on a contract or hourly basis. The data related to the user database 132 may be stored entirely in the storage unit 13 of the support device 1, or part or all of the data may be stored in an external server or database related to the management of the parking lot PL with which each user has a contract.

[0053] It is preferable that there are multiple external servers or databases, etc. related to the management of the parking lot PL with which each user has a contract, so that user information stored in multiple databases, etc. can be managed centrally in the support device 1. In order to centrally manage data related to various management services, it is preferable that the support device 1 can acquire and update, via an API, etc., various data related to the user database 132 stored on the servers of multiple external management services (e.g., servers of parking lot operating companies, etc.) related to the management of users of each parking lot PL.

[0054] In the following description, it is assumed that the various data related to the user database 132 is synchronized at appropriate times with multiple databases related to the management of the parking lot PL with which each user has a contract, but a person skilled in the art would easily conceive of various other cases in which the various data is stored only in the user database 132. It is preferable that the data be stored in association with information that identifies the user. The "information that identifies the user" is, for example, a user ID that is unique to each user.

[0055] The data includes at least vehicle information of the vehicle parked in the parking lot PL. The vehicle information includes vehicle specifications. The vehicle specifications are data recognized from image data of the vehicle, and include at least one of the vehicle model, vehicle width, vehicle height, and vehicle length. It is preferable that the vehicle information further includes information that identifies the vehicle, such as information related to the vehicle's license plate.

[0056] It is preferable that various data relating to the contractual rental of users (contractors) who use the parking lot PL under a contractual rental is further stored in the user database 132. Such data include, for example, information identifying the parking space PS to be used by the contractor, the contracted time period for use by the contractor, the usage fee to be paid periodically by the contractor, the payment status of the usage fee, the existence or nonexistence of the above-mentioned special agreement, and the contractual conditions relating to the above-mentioned special agreement (time period for hourly rental, usage fee for hourly rental, calculation method of amount to be distributed to the contractor from sales, etc.).

[0057] It is also preferable that various data related to hourly parking for users (hourly parking users) who use the parking lot PL on an hourly basis be stored in the user database 132. This data includes, for example, information identifying the parking space PS used by the hourly parking user, the reservation time slot reserved by the hourly parking user, the usage time, the usage fee paid by the hourly parking user (normal hourly rate, hourly surcharge, total amount, etc.), the status of extension, the payment status of the usage fee, etc.

[0058] 4 is an example of the user database 132. This example stores data related to a first user identified by a user ID "U0001," first user information related to the first user identified by the user ID "U0001," second user information related to a second user identified by a user ID "U0002," and other user information.

[0059] The first user information is information related to a contractor who has a monthly contract for the first parking space PS1 in the first parking lot PL1. The first user information includes the vehicle specifications of the vehicle that the contractor will park in the first parking space PS1, such as "Vehicle type: △△△ Company △△△△ (sedan-type electric vehicle), vehicle width: 1.73 m, vehicle height: 1.45 m, vehicle length: 4.03 m." The first user information also includes information identifying the parking space used by the contractor, such as "Parking space: PS1," the contract time period "17:00-09:00," the usage fee "△ million yen per month," the payment status "paid until month △△," the presence or absence of a special agreement and its contract terms, such as "special agreement available, 10:00-16:00, regular fee: 400 yen / hour, surcharge: 400 yen / 0.25 hour, distribution rate: 50%."

[0060] The second user information is information related to an hourly rental user who has a contract for the first parking space PS1 in the first parking lot PL1 on an hourly basis. The second user information includes the vehicle specifications of the vehicle that the hourly rental user will park in the first parking space PS1, such as "Vehicle type: △△△ Automobile △△△△ (sedan-type hybrid vehicle), vehicle width: 1.78 m, vehicle height: 1.43 m, vehicle length: 4.60 m." The second user information also includes information identifying the parking space used by the hourly rental user, such as "Parking space: PS1," the reservation time period "△△ month △△ day 12:00-16:00," the usage fee "Regular fee: 400 yen / hour, surcharge: 400 yen / hour," the extension status "Extension: 2 hours," and the payment status "Reservation amount paid, extension amount unpaid."

[0061] By storing this information, the support device 1 can rent out the first parking space PS1, which the first user has a contract for, for an hourly rate of "standard rate: 400 yen / hour" for the period "△△ month △△ day 13:00-16:00" out of the available time of "9:00-17:00". In addition, by storing this information, the support device 1 can determine that the second user is extending his / her use of the first parking space PS1, and can charge a surcharge, provide advice to the first user, etc. References in the explanation will return to FIG. 1.

[0062] (Image Recognition Model) The image recognition model is a machine learning model that acquires recognition results for vehicle information of a vehicle based on image data of the vehicle. The image recognition model is configured to output recognition results for vehicle information including at least one of the vehicle model, vehicle width, vehicle height, and vehicle length through image analysis processing using image data of the vehicle as input. The learning model for the image recognition model is not particularly limited. It is preferable that the learning model has been pre-trained using learning data that includes image data of the vehicle as an explanatory variable and includes vehicle information corresponding to the data as a target variable.

[0063] The training data includes, for example, data associating image data of a vehicle with the vehicle model (sedan, sports utility vehicle (SUV), truck, etc.), vehicle width, vehicle height, and vehicle length. For vehicle detection, the image recognition model preferably includes a model related to image classification, exemplified by Faster Region-based Convolutional Neural Network (Faster R-CNN), You Only Look Once (YOLO), Single-Shot Detector (SSD), etc. For vehicle classification, the image recognition model preferably utilizes a deep learning architecture, exemplified by a convolutional neural network (CNN), a transformer, etc. For vehicle width, vehicle height, and vehicle length estimation, the image recognition model preferably utilizes a model suitable for estimating dimensions, exemplified by a regression model, a landmark detection model, etc.

[0064] (Large-scale language model) The large-scale language model of this embodiment is configured to generate advice on how to utilize the time until the parking space PS is released to the hourly parking user. It is preferable that the large-scale language model has been pre-trained using training data that includes the area and time period where the parking space PS is located as explanatory variables and the method of utilizing the time in the area and time period as objective variables.

[0065] As a result, based on the pre-learning, the large-scale language model can generate advice on how to utilize the time until the hourly rental user releases the parking space PS by processing the area where the parking space PS that the contractor has contracted and that the hourly rental user has not yet released, and the time period until the hourly rental user releases the parking space PS, as input.

[0066] The large-scale language model may be stored in either the storage unit 13 or an external server. A large-scale language model stored in an external server provides the support device 1 with text generated via an API or the like, for example.

[0067] [Communication Unit 14] The communication unit 14 is not particularly limited as long as it connects the support device 1 to the network N and enables communication with the terminal T, etc. An example of the communication unit 14 is a network card compatible with the Ethernet standard.

[0068] [Gate Device 2] The gate device 2 is a device that manages entry and exit to the parking lot PL or each parking space PS that the parking lot PL has. The gate device 2 is equipped with, for example, a barrier, a door, a fence, etc. that are controlled between a blocked state that prevents passage through the entrance / exit PE of the parking lot PL and a permitted state that does not prevent passage through the entrance / exit PE. The gate device 2 is configured so that it can be controlled by the support device 1 via a network N, etc. By providing the gate device 2 in the system S, vehicles belonging to persons who are neither contract holders nor reservers are prevented from entering the parking lot PL, etc.

[0069] [Camera 3] The camera 3 is a device that captures images of the parking lot PL. The camera 3 is, for example, a still camera that captures still images, a video camera that captures moving images (video), etc. The number of cameras 3 installed in the parking lot PL is selected appropriately depending on the purpose. The camera 3 is configured to provide the captured images and videos to the support device 1 via the network N, etc.

[0070] To enable nighttime imaging, the camera 3 preferably includes a camera that is compatible with nighttime imaging, such as an infrared camera, a night vision camera, etc. To capture images of the entire parking lot PL with fewer cameras than when using only cameras with standard imaging ranges (angle of view, etc.), the camera 3 preferably includes a camera with a wide imaging range, such as a wide-angle camera, an ultra-wide-angle camera, etc.

[0071] In order to monitor whether only legitimate users such as contract holders and reserving holders are using the parking lot PL, the camera 3 is preferably positioned so as to capture images of the license plates of vehicles entering and exiting the parking lot PL. In order to monitor whether each parking space PS is being used appropriately, the camera 3 is preferably positioned so as to capture images of the usage status of each parking space PS in the parking lot PL.

[0072] In order to efficiently distribute the processing of the captured data, the camera 3 is preferably configured to perform pre-processing on the captured data, exemplified by detecting moving objects in the image capture range, recognizing objects in the image capture range, etc.

[0073] [Network N] The type of the network N is not particularly limited as long as it allows the support device 1 and the terminal T to communicate with each other. The type of the network N is, for example, the Internet, a mobile phone network, a wireless LAN, or the like.

[0074] [Terminal T] The type of terminal T is not particularly limited. The terminal T may be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, a laptop computer, etc. In order to provide the assistance device 1 with data obtained by capturing an image of the vehicle, the terminal T preferably includes a camera that captures an image of the vehicle.

[0075] [Main Flowchart of Assistance Processing] Fig. 5 is a main flowchart showing an example of a preferred flow of the assistance processing executed by the assistance device 1 of this embodiment. Fig. 6 is a flowchart continuing from the previous figure. Fig. 7 is a flowchart continuing from the previous figure. Fig. 8 is a flowchart continuing from the previous figure. Fig. 9 is a flowchart continuing from the previous figure. Fig. 10 is a flowchart continuing from the previous figure. Fig. 11 is a flowchart continuing from the previous figure. Below, an example of a preferred flow of the assistance processing executed by the assistance device 1 of this embodiment will be described using Figs. 5 to 11.

[0076] First, the support device 1 executes a series of processes to search for parking lots PL where the user's vehicle can be parked on an hourly basis so that the user can reserve a parking lot PL that suits the user's circumstances. Steps S1 to S7 are an example of this process.

[0077] [Step S1: Determine whether to start a search] The control unit 11, in cooperation with the storage unit 13, communication unit 14, etc., executes a process of determining whether to start a search for a parking lot or a parking space (search start determination step). If it is determined that a search should be started, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S2. If it is not determined that a search should be started, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S8.

[0078] The procedure for determining whether to start a search is not particularly limited. For example, the procedure may be a procedure for determining whether to start a search when a request to start a search is received from terminal T.

[0079] [Step S2: Acquire parking information] The control unit 11 cooperates with the storage unit 13, the communication unit 14, etc. to execute the parking information acquisition unit 111. Then, the control unit 11 executes a process of acquiring parking information for a plurality of parking lots using the parking information acquisition unit 111 (parking information acquisition step). The control unit 11 proceeds to step S3.

[0080] The "multiple parking lots" are, for example, each parking lot PL whose effective utilization is supported by the support device 1 of this embodiment. The parking information is acquired, for example, from the parking lot database 131, an external server or database related to the management of each parking lot PL, etc. In order to centrally manage information on each parking lot PL managed by various parking lot management systems, it is preferable that the parking information acquisition unit 111 acquires at least a portion of the parking information from an external parking lot management system related to the management of each parking lot PL (for example, a server of a parking lot operating company, etc.). For example, the parking information acquisition unit 111 acquires a portion or all of the parking information through API linkage from a server managed by a company different from the administrator of the system S (for example, a server of another company's parking lot system).

[0081] The parking information acquired by the parking information acquisition unit 111 includes restrictions on the time periods during which one or more parking spaces PS in the parking lot PL can be used for hourly rental and on the vehicles that can be parked there. The "restrictions" include at least one of the vehicle type, vehicle width, vehicle height, and vehicle length of the vehicles that are restricted from parking.

[0082] [Step S3: Acquire Vehicle Information] The control unit 11 cooperates with the storage unit 13, the communication unit 14, etc. to execute the vehicle information recognition unit 112. Then, the control unit 11 executes processing to acquire, by the parking information acquisition unit 111, a recognition result of the vehicle information of the vehicle based on image data of the vehicle (vehicle information recognition step). The control unit 11 moves the processing to step S4. In the vehicle information recognition step, the vehicle information related to the recognition result acquired by the vehicle information recognition unit 112 includes at least one of the vehicle model, vehicle width, vehicle height, and vehicle length. In the vehicle information recognition step, the vehicle information recognition unit 112 acquires vehicle information in which at least a portion of the information included in the vehicle information corresponds to restrictions related to parking information.

[0083] The vehicle information recognition unit 112 receives, for example, data of an image of a vehicle transmitted from the terminal T, and acquires a recognition result of the vehicle information by processing using an image recognition model that uses the data as input. The vehicle information recognition unit 112 may acquire some or all of the vehicle information generated by processing using an image recognition model that uses the image data as input in the terminal T.

[0084] When the search conditions include a vehicle movement plan, the assistance device 1 preferably includes a series of processes for identifying recommended parking time periods and recommended parking areas related to the search for parking lots PL. Steps S4 to S5 are an example of such processes.

[0085] [Step S4: Determining Whether a Movement Plan is Included] The control unit 11 cooperates with the storage unit 13, the communication unit 14, etc. to execute the parking recommendation identification unit 113. Then, the control unit 11 executes processing to determine whether the search conditions include a movement plan using the parking recommendation identification unit 113 (movement plan determination step). If it is determined that the search conditions include a movement plan, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S5. If it is not determined that the search conditions include a movement plan, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S6.

[0086] [Step S5: Identifying Recommended Parking Time Zone and Recommended Parking Area] The control unit 11 executes a process of identifying a recommended parking time zone and a recommended parking area based on the vehicle movement plan using the parking recommendation identification unit 113 (parking recommendation identification step). The control unit 11 proceeds to step S6.

[0087] The parking recommendation identification step preferably includes a procedure of determining a time period requiring a rest based on the travel plan, designating the time period as a recommended parking time period, and designating an area in the travel plan where a vehicle is estimated to be present during that time period as a recommended parking area. The "time period requiring a rest" is determined, for example, based on a given continuous driving time for which a rest is recommended. If the travel plan is a travel plan related to the transportation industry, the "given continuous driving time" is preferably determined based on laws and regulations related to the transportation industry or the rules of the business entity conducting the transportation industry. The "area where a vehicle is estimated to be present during that time period" is estimated, for example, based on the travel speed estimated based on the travel plan, the recommended parking time period, and a road map related to the travel plan.

[0088] By identifying the recommended parking time slot and the recommended parking area, the assistance device 1 can reserve a parking space PS in the identified recommended parking time slot and recommended parking area so that the user can take a rest at a reasonable time. This allows the parking space PS to be used effectively by the user involved in the travel plan.

[0089] [Step S6: Search for parking lot] The control unit 11 cooperates with the memory unit 13, communication unit 14, etc. to execute the parking lot search unit 114. Then, the control unit 11 executes a process of searching for a parking lot PL by the parking lot search unit 114 (parking lot search step). The control unit 11 moves the process to step S7. The "process of searching for a parking lot" related to the parking lot search step is a process of searching for a parking lot PL that can be used for hourly rental by the vehicle related to the search start determination step during the desired time period related to the step, etc., from among the multiple parking lots PL related to the assistance device 1 of this embodiment.

[0090] The search conditions for the search include, for example, one or more conditions such as the date and time of use, the area where the parking lot PL is located, the type of parking lot PL, fees, facilities, etc. In order to meet the diverse needs of users, it is preferable that multiple of these conditions can be flexibly combined.

[0091] The search for "parking lots available for hourly rental" referred to here is performed so that parking lots PL included in the search results satisfy at least the following two requirements. The first requirement is that the time periods available for hourly rental in at least one parking space PS among the parking spaces PS owned by the parking lot PL include the desired time period described above. The second requirement is that the restrictions on vehicles that can be parked in at least one parking space PS among the parking spaces PS available for hourly rental in time periods that include the desired time period described above satisfy the requirement that the restrictions do not restrict parking of the vehicle indicated by the vehicle information related to the vehicle information recognition step. In other words, the parking lot search unit 114 performs a search so that the search results include parking lots PL having parking spaces PS that satisfy the requirements that the time periods available for hourly rental include the desired time period and that the restrictions do not restrict parking of the vehicle indicated by the vehicle information.

[0092] When the parking recommendation identification step is being executed, the search for "parking lots available for hourly rental" is preferably executed so that the parking lots PL included in the search results further satisfy the third and fourth requirements described below in addition to the second requirement described above. The third requirement is that the time periods available for hourly rental include the recommended parking time periods. The fourth requirement is that the area where the parking lot PL is located falls under the recommended parking area. In other words, at this time, the parking lot search unit 114 executes the search so that the search results include parking lots PL having parking spaces PS that satisfy the following requirements: the time periods available for hourly rental include the recommended parking time periods, the area where the parking lot PL is located falls under the recommended parking area, and the restrictions do not restrict parking of the vehicle indicated by the vehicle information.

[0093] When searching for "parking spaces available for hourly rental," it is preferable to refer to information on the availability of parking spaces PL, exemplified by reservation status, etc., and exclude from the search results parking spaces PS that are unavailable due to reservations, etc. The information on the availability of parking spaces PL may be information manually entered by an administrator, etc., or may be information generated based on data provided by the gate device 2, camera, sensor, etc.

[0094] [Step S7: Providing Search Results] The control unit 11 executes a process of providing the search results related to the parking lot search step by using the parking lot search unit 114 (parking lot search result providing step). The control unit 11 proceeds to step S8. The search results are preferably a display order of the parking lots PL sorted by distance from the current location, usage fee, etc. Furthermore, in order to ensure that parking spaces are used effectively by vehicles of appropriate sizes, etc., the search results are preferably a display order of the parking lots PL sorted in descending order of the degree of compatibility between the above-mentioned restrictions and the vehicle. The "compatibility" referred to here refers to an index that reduces waste of parking spaces PS (for example, an index that indicates that, in a parking space limited to vehicles smaller than a standard passenger car, a standard passenger car is more compatible than a compact passenger car).

[0095] The parking lot search result providing step provides search results including at least information identifying the parking lot PL. In order to make the procedure from search to reservation convenient, the parking lot search result providing step preferably includes a step of providing search results including user interface elements for reserving the parking lot PL. In order to enable the user to select a parking lot PL taking into account the usage fee, the parking lot search result providing step preferably includes a step of providing search results including the usage fee.

[0096] In order to allow the user to select a parking lot based on the location of the parking lot PL, the parking lot search result providing step preferably includes a procedure for providing the search result together with a map. The map may be, for example, a map including one or more parking lots PL related to the search result, or a map including the current location and one or more parking lots PL related to the search result. The map preferably also includes a route from the current location to one parking lot PL related to the search result. The parking lot search result providing step may also provide data for displaying the map to a car navigation system or the like.

[0097] In order to allow the user to reserve one of the parking lots PL included in the search results, the support device 1 executes a series of processes related to reserving the parking lot PL. Steps S8 to S11 are an example of the processes.

[0098] [Step S8: Determining Whether a Reservation Request Has Been Received] The control unit 11 cooperates with the storage unit 13, communication unit 14, etc. to execute the reservation unit 115. Then, the control unit 11 executes a process of determining whether a reservation request has been received from a user using the reservation unit 115 (reservation request determination step). If it is determined that a reservation request has been received, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S9. If it is not determined that a reservation request has been received, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S12.

[0099] [Step S9: Acquire Parking Information] The control unit 11 executes a process of acquiring parking information for the parking lot PL related to the reservation request described above, using the parking information acquisition unit 111 (reservation request parking information acquisition step). The control unit 11 proceeds to step S10.

[0100] The parking information includes at least information relating to the determination of whether a parking space PS suitable for the circumstances of an hourly parking user can be reserved, as exemplified by restrictions on the time periods during which parking can be reserved for hourly parking and on the vehicles that can be parked, for one or more parking spaces PS owned by the parking lot PL. This "restriction" includes at least one of the vehicle type, width, height, or length of the vehicle for which parking is restricted.

[0101] [Step S10: Determining whether a reservation is possible] The control unit 11 executes a process to determine whether any of the parking spaces PS in the parking lot PL can be reserved, based on the reservation request and parking information described above, using the reservation unit 115 (reservation possibility determination step). If it is determined that the parking space PS can be reserved, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S11. If it is not determined that the parking space PS can be reserved, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S12.

[0102] In order to prevent fraudulent reservations, it is preferable that the reservation availability determination step includes a procedure for detecting abnormal reservation patterns, such as impersonation or large numbers of reservations by the same person, and not determining that a reservation is possible if such a pattern is detected.

[0103] [Step S11: Register reservation information] The control unit 11 executes a process of registering reservation information for the parking space PS in the parking lot PL that has been determined to be reservable in the reservation availability determination step (reservation step), and the control unit 11 proceeds to step S12.

[0104] The reservation step includes, for example, a procedure for registering reservation information relating to the reservation in the parking lot database 131 and the user database 132. In order to centrally manage parking lot information stored in multiple databases in the assistance device 1, it is preferable that the reservation step includes a procedure for registering the reservation information in an external server or database related to the management of the parking lot PL.

[0105] In order to cooperate with a car navigation system and enable the user to reach the parking lot PL without getting lost, the reservation step preferably includes a procedure for providing the car navigation system with information regarding the location of the reserved parking lot PL.

[0106] In order to ensure that only vehicles belonging to contractors or reserved hourly rental users can park in the parking lot PL, the support device 1 preferably executes a series of processes related to the entry of vehicles. Steps S12 to S15 are an example of such processes.

[0107] [Step S12: Determining Whether Warehouse Entry Is Desired] The control unit 11 cooperates with the storage unit 13, the communication unit 14, etc. to execute the detection unit 116. Then, the control unit 11 executes a process to determine whether warehouse entry is desired by the detection unit 116 (warehousing entry desire determination step). If it is determined that warehouse entry is desired, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S13. If it is not determined that warehouse entry is desired, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S16.

[0108] The determination procedure in the warehousing request determination step includes, for example, a procedure for determining that warehousing is desired when a time rental user or contractor who has reserved time rental requests warehousing via terminal T.

[0109] [Step S13: Obtaining Parking Information] The control unit 11 executes a process of obtaining parking information for the parking lot related to the desired parking space (request parking information obtaining step) using the parking information obtaining unit 111. The control unit 11 proceeds to step S14. The parking information includes at least the reserved time slots for one or more parking spaces PS in the parking lot PL.

[0110] [Step S14: Determining Whether Entry is Possible] The control unit 11 executes a process to determine whether entry is possible using the detection unit 116 (entry request determination step). If it is determined that entry is possible, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S15. If it is not determined that entry is possible, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S16.

[0111] The determination procedure in the entry request determination step includes a procedure for determining that entry is possible if the parking information contains reservation information or contract rental information for the parking space PS related to the user who wishes to enter.

[0112] [Step S15: Permission to Entry] The control unit 11 executes a process to permit entry using the detection unit 116 (entry permission step). The control unit 11 proceeds to step S16. In the entry permission step, the support device 1 controls the gate device 2, for example, so that the vehicle of the user wishing to enter the parking lot PL can pass through the gate device 2 from the outside to the inside. In a multi-story parking lot or a mechanical parking lot, it is preferable that the support device 1 controls a movement mechanism of the parking space PS so that the vehicle can enter the reserved parking space PS in the parking lot PL.

[0113] In order to support management of the parking lot PL so that it is used appropriately, the support device 1 preferably executes a series of processes related to management of the parking lot PL. Steps S16 to S20 are an example of the processes.

[0114] [Step S16: Determine whether to acquire video] The control unit 11 executes a process of determining whether to acquire data related to the video of the vehicle captured by the camera 3 using the detection unit 116 (video acquisition determination step). If it is determined that the data should be acquired, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S17. If it is not determined that the data should be acquired, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S21.

[0115] The image acquisition determination step includes a procedure for determining that the data should be acquired when various conditions for acquiring images from a surveillance camera using conventional technology are met, such as when a notification is sent from camera 3 that there has been a change within the imaging range of the parking lot PL, or when it is time for regular image acquisition.

[0116] [Step S17: Perform Image Recognition] The control unit 11 executes a process of performing image recognition on the above-mentioned "data of the image of the parking lot" by the detection unit 116 (image recognition step). The control unit 11 proceeds to step S18.

[0117] In order to determine appropriate use based on the license plate, the image recognition preferably includes at least image recognition that acquires information related to the license plate of the vehicle parked in the parking space PS. The image recognition model for this image recognition is configured to output a recognition result of the license plate through image analysis processing using image data of the vehicle's license plate as input. In this case, the image recognition model preferably has been pre-trained using training data that uses the image data of the vehicle's license plate as an explanatory variable and the recognition result of the license plate as a target variable.

[0118] Furthermore, in order to determine inappropriate use related to accidents in the parking lot PL, the image recognition preferably includes image recognition that acquires information related to accidents in the parking lot PL. The image recognition model related to the image recognition is configured to output a recognition result related to the occurrence of an accident through image analysis processing that uses image data of a vehicle as input. In this case, it is preferable that the image recognition model has been pre-trained using training data that uses image data of a vehicle as an explanatory variable and a recognition result related to the occurrence of an accident as a target variable.

[0119] [Step S18: Determining whether use is appropriate] The control unit 11 executes a process to determine whether use is appropriate, using the detection unit 116, based on the contractor information for the parking lot PL, the reservation information for hourly rental, and the results of the image recognition described above (detection step). If it is determined that use is appropriate, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S19. If it is not determined that use is appropriate, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S20. That is, in the detection step, the detection unit 116 detects inappropriate use of the parking lot PL from the contractor information for the parking lot PL, the reservation information for hourly rental, and the image data of the parking lot PL.

[0120] The determination procedure in the detection step preferably includes a procedure for determining that the parking space PS is inappropriate when the license plate of the vehicle that can use the parking space PS at the time the image is captured does not match the license plate information acquired by image recognition. Also, the determination procedure in the detection step preferably includes a procedure for determining that the parking space PS is inappropriate when the image recognition result indicates that an accident has occurred or there is a possibility that an accident has occurred.

[0121] In the detection step, the detection unit 116 preferably detects failures and abnormalities in various pieces of equipment provided in the parking lot PL. This allows the support device 1 to notify the manager of the parking lot PL of failures and abnormalities in various pieces of equipment via email, SMS, etc. This detection is realized, for example, by linking with an abnormality notification function provided in the various pieces of equipment.

[0122] [Step S19: Recording Appropriate Use] The control unit 11 executes a process of recording appropriate use by the detection unit 116 (usage recording step). The control unit 11 proceeds to step S21. The recording is performed in, for example, the parking lot database 131 or the user database 132.

[0123] [Step S20: Notifying of inappropriate use] The control unit 11 executes a process of notifying the detection result that the use is inappropriate, using the detection unit 116 (notification step). The control unit 11 moves the process to step S21. The notification is made, for example, to the terminal T used by the manager of the parking lot PL. Furthermore, the notification step preferably includes, for example, a procedure of recording the inappropriate use in the parking lot database 131 or the user database 132.

[0124] In order to cope with cases where a user of hourly rental service uses the service beyond the reserved time slot due to unavoidable circumstances, the support device 1 preferably executes a series of processes related to extending the usage time. Steps S21 to S26 are an example of such processes.

[0125] [Step S21: Determining Whether Extension Is Requested] The control unit 11 cooperates with the memory unit 13, the communication unit 14, etc. to execute the extension reception unit 117. Then, the control unit 11 executes a process to determine whether an extension of the use of the parking space PS is requested by the extension reception unit 117 (extension request determination step). If it is determined that an extension is requested, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S22. If it is not determined that an extension is requested, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S27.

[0126] The determination procedure in the extension request determination step includes, for example, a procedure for determining that an extension has been requested when a time-rental user who has entered the parking space PS on an hourly basis requests an extension via terminal T.

[0127] [Step S22: Acquire Parking Information] The control unit 11 executes a process to acquire parking information for the parking lot related to the request for extension, using the parking information acquisition unit 111 (step of acquiring parking information for requested extension). The control unit 11 proceeds to step S23. The parking information includes at least the reserved time slot and the contract time slot for one or more parking spaces in the parking lot.

[0128] [Step S23: Determining Whether a Time Period is an Overlapping Time] The control unit 11 executes a process using the extension receiving unit 117 to determine whether the time period is an overlapping time period based on the time period related to the requested extension and the contract time period included in the parking information (overlapping time period determination step). If it is determined that the time period is an overlapping time period, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S24. If it is not determined that the time period is an overlapping time period, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S26. The "overlapping time period" referred to here refers to the time period related to the requested extension that overlaps with the contract time period during which the contractor will use the parking space under the contract.

[0129] [Step S24: Generating Advice] The control unit 11 cooperates with the storage unit 13, the communication unit 14, etc. to execute the advice generation unit 118. Then, the control unit 11 executes a process to generate advice by the advice generation unit 118 about how the contractor should utilize the time until the hourly rental user releases the parking space PS (advice generation step). The control unit 11 proceeds to step S25.

[0130] In the advice generation step, it is preferable that the advice generation unit 118 generates the above-mentioned advice using a large-scale language model that has been pre-trained using training data that includes the area and time period in which the parking space PS is located as explanatory variables and a method of utilizing the time in that area and time period as a target variable.

[0131] The advice generated in the advice generation step may include, for example, advice introducing facilities where temporary parking is available in the area and time period where the parking space PS is located (for example, commercial facilities with user parking spaces, such as convenience stores). Further, the advice may include, for example, advice introducing events that are held in the area and time period where the parking space PS is located. Furthermore, the advice may include, for example, advice suggesting alternative parking lots in the area where the parking space PS is located. Advice suggesting alternative parking lots may be realized by a procedure for acquiring the availability of nearby parking lots PL, instead of using a large-scale language model.

[0132] [Step S25: Notifying the Contractor of the Usage Status of the Contract Space, etc.] The control unit 11 executes a process of notifying the contractor of the advice, the usage status of the contract space, etc., by the advice generating unit 118 (usage status notifying step). The control unit 11 proceeds to step S26.

[0133] In order to assist the contractor in parking during the above-mentioned "time until release," it is preferable that the usage status notification step includes a procedure for arranging for another parking space PS in which the contractor's vehicle can be parked instead of the contract space, which is the parking space PS to be used under the contract.

[0134] [Step S26: Registering the Extension] The control unit 11 executes a process of registering the extension described above using the extension reception unit 117 (extension registration step). The control unit 11 proceeds to step S27. The extension registration step preferably includes, for example, a procedure of registering the extension in the parking lot database 131 or the user database 132.

[0135] In order to receive appropriate compensation from the hourly rental user, the support device 1 preferably executes a series of processes related to the vehicle's release. Steps S27 to S31 are an example of such processes.

[0136] [Step S27: Determining whether exit is desired] The control unit 11 operates the settlement unit 119 in cooperation with the memory unit 13, communication unit 14, etc. Then, the control unit 11 executes a process to determine whether exit is desired by the settlement unit 119 (exit desire determination step). If it is determined that exit is desired, the control unit 11 moves the process to step S28. If it is not determined that exit is desired, the control unit 11 moves the process to step S32. The determination procedure in the exit desire determination step includes, for example, a procedure to determine that exit is desired when a time rental user who has reserved an hourly rental vehicle requests exit via terminal T.

[0137] [Step S28: Obtaining Parking Information] The control unit 11 executes a process of obtaining parking information for the parking lot PL related to the desired exit from the parking lot PL using the parking information obtaining unit 111 (step of obtaining desired exit parking information). The control unit 11 proceeds to step S29. The parking information includes at least the usage time or information that can identify the usage time (such as a pair of the start time and end time of hourly rental) for one or more parking spaces PS in the parking lot PL.

[0138] [Step S29: Sending a bill] The control unit 11 executes a process of sending a bill by the settlement unit 119 (bill sending step). The control unit 11 proceeds to step S30. The bill is sent to the terminal T, etc., related to the desired exit. The billing amount is calculated based on the usage time and the fee structure related to the use of the parking space (normal fee, surcharge, etc.).

[0139] [Step S30: Determining Whether the Invoice Amount Has Been Paid] The control unit 11 executes a process to determine whether the invoice amount has been paid by the settlement unit 119 (payment determination step). If it is determined that the invoice amount has been paid, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S31. If it is not determined that the invoice amount has been paid, the control unit 11 returns the process to step S30.

[0140] The procedure for determining whether or not the amount of payment has been paid is not particularly limited. In order to complete the procedure for using the parking lot PL on the application without using a payment machine, etc., the procedure preferably includes a procedure for determining that the amount of payment has been paid when information indicating that the amount of payment has been paid is received from an external server that provides a payment service. The payment service is not particularly limited, and may be a conventionally known payment service, such as a credit card payment service or an electronic money payment service.

[0141] [Step S31: Permitting Exit] The control unit 11 executes a process to permit exit by the settlement unit 119 (exit permission step). The control unit 11 moves the process to step S32. In the exit permission step, the support device 1 controls the gate device 2, for example, so that the vehicle of the user who wishes to exit the parking lot PL can pass through the gate device 2 from inside the parking lot PL to the outside. In a multi-story parking lot or a mechanical parking lot, it is preferable that the support device 1 controls a movement mechanism of the parking space PS so that the vehicle can exit the reserved parking space PS.

[0142] In order to realize the dynamic setting of the demand forecast and the usage fee, the support device 1 may execute a series of processes related to the dynamic setting of the demand forecast and the usage fee. Steps S32 to S35 are an example of the processes.

[0143] [Step S32: Determining Whether to Perform Demand Forecasting] The control unit 11, in cooperation with the storage unit 13, communication unit 14, etc., executes a process of determining whether to perform demand forecasting, etc. for the parking lot PL (demand forecast determination step). If it is determined that demand forecasting, etc. should be performed, the control unit 11 moves the process to step S33. If it is not determined that demand forecasting, etc. should be performed, the control unit 11 returns the process to step S1 and repeats the processes from step S1 to step S35. The determination procedure in the demand forecast determination step includes, for example, a procedure of determining that demand forecasting, etc. should be performed when the manager of the parking lot PL requests demand forecasting, etc. via the terminal T.

[0144] [Step S33: Obtaining Usage Status] The control unit 11 cooperates with the storage unit 13, the communication unit 14, etc. to execute the usage status acquisition unit 120. Then, the control unit 11 executes a process to acquire the usage status of the parking lot PL by the usage status acquisition unit 120 (usage status acquisition step). The control unit 11 proceeds to step S34.

[0145] In the usage status acquisition step, the usage status acquisition unit 120 acquires the usage status, for example, from the parking lot database 131. In order to centrally manage information on each parking lot PL managed by various parking lot management systems, it is preferable that the parking information acquisition unit 111 acquires at least a part of the usage status from an external parking lot management system involved in the management of each parking lot PL.

[0146] [Step S34: Generating a recommended fee] The control unit 11 cooperates with the memory unit 13, communication unit 14, etc. to execute the recommended fee generation unit 121. The control unit 11 then executes a process to generate a recommended fee using the recommended fee generation unit 121 (recommended fee generation step). The control unit 11 proceeds to step S35. In the recommended fee generation step, the recommended fee generation unit 121 generates a recommended fee for hourly rental at the parking lot PL based on data including at least the above-mentioned usage status.

[0147] In the recommended price generation step, the recommended price generation unit 121 preferably generates the recommended price based on machine learning using learning data that includes the above-mentioned usage status as an explanatory variable and an appropriate price corresponding to the demand forecast for the usage status as a target variable. This allows the support device 1 to perform high-precision demand forecasting that cannot be achieved by simple polynomial approximation, etc., and generate recommended prices based on the forecasting.

[0148] In the recommended price generation step, the recommended price generation unit 121 preferably generates the demand forecast based on machine learning using learning data that includes at least the above-mentioned usage status as an explanatory variable and a demand forecast (past demand data, etc.) for the usage status as a target variable. This allows the support device 1 to perform highly accurate demand forecasts that cannot be achieved by simple polynomial approximation, etc., and provide them as material for management simulations.

[0149] The inputs in the recommended price generation step may further include the area where the parking lot is located, weather data (temperature, precipitation, etc.), event information (neighborhood events, holidays, etc.), traffic volume data, etc. In this case, it is preferable that the above-mentioned machine learning includes pre-learning using training data that further includes, as explanatory variables, feature quantities related to the additional inputs.

[0150] The above-mentioned demand forecasting may be realized by artificial intelligence that appropriately combines, for example, various time series models (ARIMA, Seasonal ARIMA, Prophet, etc.), various machine learning models (random forest, gradient boosting, etc.), and deep learning models (LSTM, GRU, etc.) that are suitable for the desired demand forecasting.

[0151] [Step S35: Providing a proposal including a recommended fee] The control unit 11 executes a process of providing a proposal including the recommended fee generated in the recommended fee generation step by the recommended fee generation unit 121 (recommended fee provision step). The control unit 11 returns the process to step S1 and repeats the processes from step S1 to step S35. Note that the "proposal" in the recommended fee provision step is a proposal related to the management strategy of the parking lot PL, exemplified by the recommended fee, etc.

[0152] The step of providing recommended fares preferably includes a procedure for issuing a command to display parking lot operation data, which enables the assistance device 1 to provide a parking lot operation data analysis dashboard. This procedure is implemented in the same way as analysis dashboards of conventionally known online services.

[0153] [Contract Content Confirmation Step] The support process preferably includes a contract content confirmation step in which the hourly rental user confirms and agrees to the contract content of the contract for hourly rental of the parking lot PL where the contract rental is being conducted. In order to enhance the deterrent effect against violations, the contract content confirmation step preferably includes a procedure in which the penalty provisions established for violations are displayed on the terminal T or the like, and the user agrees to the contract including said provisions. This allows the support device 1 to provide the service related to hourly rental through the above-described processing only to hourly rental users who agree to the contract. By limiting the provision of the service to hourly rental users who agree to the contract, the support device 1 can prevent trouble, etc. within the parking lot PL.

[0154] [Evaluation Step] The support process preferably includes an evaluation step of collecting evaluations and feedback on the parking lot PL from users. The evaluation step is implemented in the same manner as the procedure for collecting evaluations and feedback on a conventionally known service. The collected evaluations, etc. are utilized (aggregated, analyzed, etc.) in the same manner as evaluations and feedback collected in a conventionally known service.

[0155] [Status Providing Step] The assistance process preferably includes a status providing step of providing the status of the parking lot PL to the terminal T. The status providing step is implemented, for example, in the same manner as a conventionally known live camera distribution service. The status providing step preferably includes a procedure of providing a congestion status prediction. The congestion status prediction is implemented, for example, by a process using machine learning that uses weather data, event information, traffic volume data, etc. as input. In this case, the congestion status prediction is preferably generated based on machine learning using learning data that includes weather data, event information, traffic volume data, etc. as explanatory variables and a congestion prediction (past congestion data, etc.) as a target variable.

[0156] [Social Media Linking Step] The support process preferably includes a social media linking step for linking with social media. The evaluation step is implemented in the same manner as in conventionally known social media linking. The linked social media is utilized (for public relations, demand surveys, etc.) in the same manner as in conventionally known social media linking.

[0157] [Regarding Dynamic Usage Fees] In order to promote more effective use of parking spaces PS owned by parking lots PL, it is preferable that various steps related to usage fees, such as the parking lot search result providing step, include a procedure for dynamically generating usage fees for hourly rentals using the same procedures as the series of processes from the usage status acquisition step to the recommended fee generation step. This allows parking spaces PS owned by parking lots PL to be rented by the hour at more appropriate usage fees and used effectively. It is preferable that the dynamic usage fees be generated within given upper and lower limits so as not to deviate from a reasonable fee range.

[0158] In this procedure, the recommended fee generation unit 121 generates a recommended fee for hourly rental at the parking lot PL based on data including at least the usage status. The recommended fee generation unit 121 then presents this recommended fee to the hourly rental user as a dynamic usage fee. In this case, it is preferable that the recommended fee generation unit 121 generates the recommended fee based on machine learning using learning data that includes the usage status as an explanatory variable and an appropriate fee corresponding to a demand forecast for the usage status as a target variable.

[0159] [Regarding accident response] In case an accident in the parking lot is reported in the notification step, it is preferable that the memory unit of the support device 1 stores information related to an insurance contract to ensure compensation in the event of an accident or an accident response manual.

[0160] [Regarding failure response] In order to reduce the risk of system failure, it is preferable that a periodic maintenance system and a backup system are established for the support device 1, similar to conventional known system operations. It is also preferable that a recovery procedure is established for the support device 1 in the event of a failure, similar to conventional known system operations.

[0161] [Regarding Cooperation with Automatic Parking System] In order to cooperate with a high-precision automatic parking system and assist in automatic parking of a vehicle, the assistance process preferably further includes an automatic parking cooperation step of providing automatic parking information related to automatic parking to the automatic parking system. In the automatic parking cooperation step, the assistance device 1 preferably provides automatic parking information including data for identifying a parking space assigned to the target vehicle by camera image recognition (e.g., image data and written content data of a sign provided in the parking space), data related to image data of the target vehicle captured by the camera 3 (e.g., the image data itself, the positional relationship between the recommended parking position identified by image recognition and the target vehicle, the course during the recommended parking operation, etc.), data related to a satellite positioning system, or coordinate values ​​related to surveying.

[0162] The data related to the satellite positioning system preferably includes data related to known points other than satellites, such as correction information from DGPS stations related to the Differential Global Positioning Satellite System (DGNSS), data related to positioning calculations using known points related to the Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) system, and data related to network-based RTK positioning, in order to perform positioning with high accuracy (e.g., within a few centimeters in real time) that contributes to automatic parking guidance. These data correct the positioning results of the satellite positioning system using data related to known points located on the ground rather than far above, thereby eliminating various errors caused by the long transmission distance of the positioning signal from the satellite to the vehicle. This data is useful for high-accuracy positioning that contributes to automatic parking guidance. In order to reduce the computational load on the assistance device 1 and provide more accurate positioning data, the data related to the Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) system preferably includes data obtained by having an external cloud perform positioning calculations related to signals related to GNSS, RTK, etc.

[0163] <Example of Use of the Support Device 1 of the Present Embodiment> The following is an example of use of the support device 1 of the present embodiment.

[0164] [Collaboration with various parking lot management services] For each parking lot PL that is the target of support by the support device 1, the administrator of the support device 1 collaborates with various parking lot management services (for example, services provided by parking lot operating companies via servers) that are used to manage the parking lot PL, so that information about the parking lot PL can be obtained, etc.

[0165] A contractor who uses a parking space PS based on a monthly contract or the like concludes a contract with the manager of the parking lot PL, including the above-mentioned special terms regarding the hourly rental of the parking space PS. The manager registers data related to the contract in the support device 1.

[0166] [Searching for contracted parking lots available for hourly rental] A general customer (hourly rental user) who is not a contract holder captures an image of his or her vehicle using a camera device or the like equipped on the terminal T. The captured image data is provided to the support device 1. The support device 1 acquires recognition results of vehicle information such as vehicle type, width, height, and length based on the captured image data. The general customer instructs the support device 1 via the terminal T or the like to search for contracted parking lots available for hourly rental. The support device 1 provides search results for contracted parking lots available for hourly rental based on the vehicle information and parking information. The user selects a parking lot PL included in the search results and reserves a parking space PS equipped in that parking lot PL. The user then enters the parking lot at the reserved time, pays the usage fee, and leaves.

[0167] [Extension during the contracted hours] A time-charging user who is delayed in returning due to an unforeseen accident or the like inputs an extension request. The support device 1 determines that the extended usage hours overlap with the contracted hours and charges a surcharge. The support device 1 also provides the contractor of the parking space PS whose usage hours have been extended to the contracted hours with advice on how to effectively use the time until the parking space PS becomes available, such as by providing information about alternative parking lots or introducing nearby commercial facilities with parking lots.

[0168] [Distribution to Contractor] The support device 1 calculates the distribution amount to be distributed to the contractor of the parking space PS from the revenue from hourly rental of the parking space PS based on the usage fee revenue, distribution rate, etc. stored in the memory unit 13. The distribution amount is calculated based on a special agreement, for example, that distributes 50% of the revenue from hourly rental to the contractor in exchange for the monthly fee paid by the contractor being 13,000 yen, which is 30% higher than the fee for a comparable space nearby. Similarly, the support device 1 also calculates the amount to be distributed to the manager of the support device 1 from the monthly fee and hourly rental revenue.

[0169] It should be noted that within the scope of the concept of the present invention, those skilled in the art may conceive of various modifications and alterations. Therefore, it is understood that such modifications and alterations fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, even if a person skilled in the art appropriately adds, deletes, or modifies components of the above-described embodiment, or adds, omits, or modifies the conditions of a process, such modifications are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they maintain the gist of the present invention.

[0170] S System 1 Support device 11 Control unit 111 Parking information acquisition unit 112 Vehicle information recognition unit 113 Parking recommendation identification unit 114 Parking lot search unit 115 Reservation unit 116 Detection unit 117 Extension acceptance unit 118 Advice generation unit 119 Settlement unit 120 Usage status acquisition unit 121 Recommended fee generation unit 13 Memory unit 131 Parking lot database 132 User database 14 Communication unit 2 Gate device 3 Camera N Network T Terminal PL Parking lot PL1 First parking lot PL2 Second parking lot PS Parking space PS1 First parking space PS2 Second parking space PS3 Third parking space PC Charging equipment

Claims

1. An assistance device for hourly rental services for contracted parking lots, comprising: a parking information acquisition unit that acquires parking information for a plurality of parking lots; a vehicle information recognition unit that acquires recognition results for vehicle information of the vehicle based on image data of the vehicle; and a parking lot search unit that provides search results obtained by searching the plurality of parking lots for parking lots that the vehicle can use for hourly rental during a desired time period, wherein the parking information acquisition unit acquires parking information for one or more parking spaces in the parking lot, including restrictions on time periods when the space is available for hourly rental and on vehicles that can be parked, and the restrictions include at least one of the vehicle type, width, height, or length of the vehicle for which parking is restricted; the vehicle information recognition unit acquires recognition results for vehicle information including at least one of the vehicle type, width, height, or length; and the parking lot search unit provides search results that include parking lots that have parking spaces that meet the requirements that the time periods when the space is available for hourly rental include the desired time period and the restrictions do not restrict parking of the vehicle indicated by the vehicle information.

2. The assistance device of claim 1, further comprising: a usage status acquisition unit that acquires the usage status of the parking lot; and a recommended fee generation unit that generates a recommended fee for the hourly rental fee at the parking lot based on data including at least the usage status, wherein the recommended fee generation unit generates the recommended fee based on machine learning using learning data that includes the usage status as an explanatory variable and includes an appropriate fee corresponding to a demand forecast for the usage status as a target variable.

3. The assistance device of claim 1, further comprising a detection unit that detects inappropriate use of the parking lot from contract holder information for the parking lot, reservation holder information for hourly rental, and image data of the parking lot, and provides a detection result related to the detection, wherein the detection unit performs detection based on the contract holder information including license plate information of the contract holder's vehicle, and reservation holder information including license plate information of the reservation holder's vehicle and the parking space and time period for hourly rental, and the detection unit obtains information related to the license plate of the vehicle parked in the parking space from the data by image recognition, and provides a detection result of inappropriate use if the license plate of the vehicle that can use the parking space at the time the image is taken does not match the information related to the license plate obtained by image recognition.

4. The assistance device of claim 1, further comprising a parking recommendation identification unit that identifies recommended parking time periods and recommended parking areas based on the vehicle's movement plan, and the parking lot search unit provides search results that include parking lots with parking spaces that meet the requirements that the time periods available for hourly rental include the recommended parking time periods, the area in which the parking lot is located falls within the recommended parking area, and the restrictions do not restrict parking of the vehicle indicated by the vehicle information.

5. The assistance device according to claim 1, wherein, when the vehicle type is an electric vehicle, the parking lot search unit provides search results that include parking lots having parking spaces that further satisfy the requirement of being equipped with charging facilities for the electric vehicle.

6. The assistance device of claim 1, further comprising an advice generation unit that generates advice to a contractor on how to utilize the time until the hourly rental user releases the parking space when the hourly rental user, who uses a parking space contracted by a contractor on an hourly basis, uses the parking space during a time period that overlaps with a contracted time period during which the contractor will use the parking space under contract, wherein the advice generation unit generates the advice using a large-scale language model that has been pre-trained using training data that includes the area and time period in which the parking space is located as explanatory variables and how to utilize the time in that area and time period as objective variables.

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