JP3382847B2 - Vehicle guidance device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention makes it possible to recognize at a glance which place is currently accessible in a place where there are a large number of places where vehicles can enter, such as a parking lot. The present invention relates to a vehicle guidance device that can promptly guide a vehicle to a place where the vehicle can enter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the widespread use of private cars and the frequent use of cars in each home,
Parking lots are being installed in many facilities where ordinary people come, such as shops, public facilities, and entertainment facilities. There are many paid parking lots in downtown areas. When parking a car in such a parking lot, in most cases, the driver enters the car through an entrance with a gate, for example, and searches for an empty place where the car is not yet parked and parks the car. Parking at. Depending on the parking lot, a vehicle guide member is arranged, and the guide member may guide the driver to an empty place. Further, in a multi-storey parking lot or a vast parking lot, an information panel indicating "empty" or "full" may be provided for each floor or each area.

[0003]

However, in a situation where a vehicle such as an automobile is selectively entered from one of a plurality of approach roads, such as a parking lot, an approachable approach is possible. There is a problem that the vehicle cannot be properly and promptly guided to the road. For example, in an unmanned parking lot, when a driver enters the parking lot, while slowly moving the vehicle, the driver visually checks the parking spaces provided on both sides of the aisle in order to find a vacant space. It will be. But this work
The parked vehicle is an obstacle and it is difficult to find a vacant place, and it takes more time than necessary. In particular, in the case of a multi-storey parking lot, even in a situation where there is a vacant place only on the top floor, the driver will slowly drive from the first floor to search for an vacant place. As a result, the following vehicle may be congested, the vehicle leaving the vehicle may not be able to leave the vehicle quickly, or the congestion may extend to a nearby road via the entrance of the parking lot. In addition, even though there is a vacant place, it is often found that the car is full and waiting for parking.

Further, even in a parking lot where vehicle guides are arranged, there is a limit to the number of vehicles that can be arranged by a limited number of vehicle guides, and there are sufficient vehicles so that the parking lot can be used efficiently. It is difficult to place an inducer. In particular,
In a large parking lot where garages are put in and out frequently and empty places occur randomly, it is not enough to guide the vehicle depending on such personnel, and as a result, similar to the unmanned parking lot mentioned above. Problem arises. Further, even in the parking lot using the information panel, the display does not correspond to each parking space, so that the driver eventually searches for an empty space by the same method as in other cases.

If it is attempted to provide an information device for notifying the presence or absence of a vacant area corresponding to a parking space, for example,
It is necessary to give an address to each parking space, provide a display device corresponding to the large number of addresses, perform wiring corresponding to each display device, and control display of a desired empty state for each of the large number of display devices. . Further, it is desired that the display device be capable of reliably displaying a desired display even in a bad environment such as a parking lot, and the system capable of flexibly coping with the increase or decrease of the parking space. That is, a large-scale system for performing complicated signal processing is required, and such a device has not been realized so far.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is that the signal processing such as control of the display device is simple, the display device can be installed at any place even in a bad environment, and the number of guiding points can be easily increased or decreased. It can be installed and maintained easily, and it can show the driver so that the location where the vehicle can enter can be easily checked visually, which allows the unmanned vehicle to be guided efficiently and properly. It is to provide a vehicle guidance device that can perform the above.

[0007]

According to the present invention, a plurality of vehicle detecting means for detecting that a vehicle is located in each area of a plurality of parking areas, and a vehicle being located in each area of the plurality of vehicle areas. A plurality of display devices for displaying whether or not to perform, a control device, a detection signal line for transmitting a detection signal from the plurality of vehicle detection means to the control device, and a parallel connection from the control device to the plurality of light emitting devices. A power supply line for supplying power to the display device, a display signal / data line connected in parallel to the plurality of light emitting devices from the control device, and a command signal line connected in parallel to the plurality of light emitting devices from the control device. And a position information selection signal line connected in series from the control device to the total number of light emitting devices, the control device having a command signal indicating a light emitting device to be operated via the command signal line, The table Address data indicating the address of the light emitting device via a signal / data line and a position selection signal designating a light emitting device corresponding to the address via the position information selection signal line are transmitted to send the address data to the corresponding light emitting device. Address setting means, a command signal indicating a light emitting device to be operated via the command signal line, and an operation mode setting for transmitting an operation mode of the light emitting device to be operated via the display signal / data line. Means and parking possibility processing means for sending a signal indicating the presence or absence of a vehicle to the corresponding light emitting device according to the detection signal from the plurality of vehicle detection means, each of the plurality of light emitting device,
A light emitting unit, storage means for storing the set address data, the set operating condition, and the set operating mode; and the address data output from the control device, the operating condition, and the operating mode. Next, the control unit that receives and stores in the storage unit and drives the light emitting unit according to the operation mode and the operation condition output from the control device, and the position selection signal transmitted through the position selection signal line are described below. A vehicle guidance system is provided having interface means for delivering to a light emitting device located on a tier. Preferably, the control device sends a command signal indicating a light emitting device to be operated via the command signal line, and a light emitting period and a light emitting duty ratio of each light emitting device via the light emitting signal / data line. It has a setting means. Further preferably, the operation mode set by the control device is (1) the plurality of light emitting devices which transmit the command signal line in a blinking pattern based on a blinking pulse transmitted on the blinking signal / data line. A synchronous blinking mode in which the plurality of light emitting devices are operated in synchronization according to a command signal to operate in a synchronized manner; and (2) a blinking pattern based on a blinking pulse transmitted through the blinking signal / data line, The plurality of light-emitting devices that transmit command signal lines are operated in synchronization, and the plurality of light-emitting devices in the light-emitting unit of each light-emitting device are driven according to a command signal that drives only a designated light-emitting device. Based on the flashing pulse transmitted through the flashing signal / data line, the flashing signal / data line is transmitted. The specified blinking pattern causes the designated light emitting device in the plurality of light emitting devices that transmit the command signal line to operate synchronously, and positions only the light emitting devices in the designated light emitting device to operate synchronously. The light emission delay time is calculated in each light emitting device according to the synchronous blinking mode and (4) the cycle and duty based on the operating conditions stored in the storage means of each light emitting device, and the blinking signal /
A delayed light emission mode in which light is emitted at a timing delayed by the light emission delay time with respect to a light emission pulse transmitted through a data line, and (5) a blinking pattern based on the blinking pulse transmitted through the blinking signal / data line, In accordance with a power saving command transmitted through the command signal line, including any one of a power saving mode in which a plurality of light emitting devices in the light emitting unit in each light emitting device is operated with a timing shift, and each of the plurality of light emitting devices. The control means drives the light emitting unit according to the operation mode and the operation condition output from the control device. More preferably, each of the light emitting devices, a monitoring means for monitoring the light emission control signal input via the common signal line, and, as a result of the monitoring, if the light emission control signal is not properly input, A light emission control signal generating unit that generates a light emission control signal with a predetermined duty at a predetermined cycle and uses it for light emission in the light emitting device and outputs the light emission control signal to the common signal line related to the light emission control signal.

In the vehicle guiding device having such a structure, a plurality of light emitting devices are provided corresponding to a plurality of places into which the vehicle enters. The plurality of light emitting devices are sequentially connected by a predetermined common signal line and a selection signal line that is sequentially connected in series, and the selection signals applied to the first stage light emitting device by the light emission control device are sequentially selected. It is configured to propagate through the signal line. Therefore,
The light-emission control device sets an address to each light-emitting device in accordance with this selection signal, so that the address corresponding to the installed state is set to each light-emitting device. When the information of the place where the vehicle can enter is input by the approachable place designating means manually or by automatic detection in the state where the address is set, the approachable place designating means determines the place where the vehicle can enter. The light-emission control device is instructed so that the light-emitting device provided corresponding to light-emission emits light in a predetermined state. The light emission control device, based on this instruction,
Using the addresses set for the plurality of light emitting devices, the light emitting devices provided at the accessible locations are caused to emit light under predetermined conditions.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION One embodiment of the vehicle guiding device of the present invention
The form will be described with reference to FIGS. First,
FIG. 1 shows a usage pattern of the vehicle guiding apparatus according to the present embodiment.
It will be described with reference to FIG. The vehicle guiding device 1 according to the present embodiment is
Installed in the parking lot and parked by the driver of the incoming vehicle
With a vehicle guidance device to inform the position of possible empty area
is there. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG.
Parking space for each parking space
Sensor 40 that detects the presence or absence of a vehicle_-1~ 40_-n, 80 _-1
~ 80_-mAnd the light emitting unit 20_-1~ 20_-n, 60_-1~ 6
0_-mTo provide. And the sensor 40_-1~ 40_-n, 80_-1
~ 80_-mWhen it detects that there is no parking vehicle,
Set the light-emitting unit to the predetermined light-emitting state
This is to notify the presence.

Next, the configuration of the vehicle guiding device 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle guiding device 1. Vehicle guidance device 1
Has light emitting units 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n , 60 _{-1 to} 60 _-m , sensors 40 _-1 to 40 _-n , 80 _-1 to 80 _-m, and a parking lot central control device 10.

Light emitting units 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n , 60 _{-1 to} 6
0- _m is the first light emitting unit row 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n and the second light emitting unit row 60 _{-1 to} 60 _-m corresponding to the rows of the parking spaces of the parking lot as shown in FIG. Composed of and.
Each light emitting unit 20 _-i (i = 1 to n), 60 _-j (j = 1
The symbols m to m) are light emitting devices in the form of tacks, which are provided on the road surface of the passage facing each parking space at a position visible to the driver of the entering vehicle. The light emitting units 20 _-i and 60 _-j of the present embodiment blink when the corresponding parking space is vacant and do not light when there is a parked vehicle.

Sensors 40 _-1 to 40 _-n , 80 _-1 to 80
Similarly to the light emitting units 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n and 60 _{-1 to} 60 _-m , _-m also corresponds to the row of parking spaces in the parking lot as shown in FIG. 1 and corresponds to the first sensor row 40. _-1 to 40 _-n and the second sensor array 80 _-1 to 80 _-m . Each sensor 4
0- _i (i = 1 to n) and 80- _j (j = 1 to m) are provided on the fence / fence or post near the end of the parking space on the side opposite to the passage of each parking space, and correspond. This is an ultrasonic sensor that detects when an obstacle of a certain size occurs in the parking space, that is, when a vehicle enters, and notifies the central control device 10 of the parking lot.

The central control unit 10 of the parking lot has a sensor 40 _-1.
Based on signals from -40 _-n , 80 _-1 -80 _-m , the respective light-emitting units 20 _-1 -20 _-n , 60 _-1 -60 _-m are controlled so as to appropriately light them. It is a control unit. The parking lot central control device 10 is the first light emission control device 1
1, first vehicle sensor control device 12, second light emission control device 13, second vehicle sensor control device 14, control signal input / output interface 15, and host computer 16
Have.

The first light emission control device 11 is a control unit for controlling the light emission of each light emitting unit 20 _-i of the first light emitting unit row 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n . The first light emission control device 11 is
When the vehicle guiding device 1 is installed or a new light emitting unit 20 _-i is replaced due to repair or the like, for each light emitting unit 20 _{-i of} the first light emitting unit row 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n , Make initial settings such as address settings and operation mode settings. Then, after the vehicle guidance device 1 is operated, the light emitting unit 20 _-i of that address is selected based on the address information of the vacant parking space input from the host computer 16 via the control signal input / output interface 15. Make it blink.

The first vehicle sensor control device 12 is a control unit for controlling the operation of each sensor 40 _-i of the first sensor array 40 _-1 to 40 _-n , and the parking corresponding to each sensor 40 _-i. Acquire a signal indicating whether there is a vehicle in the space,
Output to the host computer 16 via the control signal input / output interface 15.

The second light emission control device 13 includes a second light emission unit.
Knit row 60_-1~ 60_-mEach light emitting unit 60_-jLuminescence of
Is a control unit for controlling. The second light emission control device 13
As with the first light emission control device 11, the vehicle guidance device 1 is installed.
A new light emitting unit 60 is installed or repaired._-j
The second light emitting unit row 60 when, for example, the _-1
~ 60_-mEach light emitting unit 60_-jAgainst the address
Make initial settings such as settings and operation mode settings. That
After the vehicle guidance device 1 is activated, the host computer
Through the control signal input / output interface 15
Address information for available parking spaces
Based on the light emitting unit 60 of the address_-jFlashing
Let

The second vehicle sensor control device 14 is a control unit for controlling the operation of each sensor 80 _-j of the second sensor row 80 _-1 to 80 _-m , and the parking corresponding to each sensor 80 _-j. Acquire a signal indicating whether there is a vehicle in the space,
Output to the host computer 16 via the control signal input / output interface 15.

The control signal input / output interface 15 is
First light emission control device 11 to second vehicle sensor control device 1
4 is an interface for controlling input / output of signals between the host computer 4 and the host computer 16.

The host computer 16 controls each part of the parking lot central control device 10 so that the vehicle guiding device 1 performs a desired operation as a whole. Specifically, for example,
Based on the signal indicating the presence / absence of a vehicle in each parking space, which is acquired and input by the first vehicle sensor control device 12 and the second vehicle sensor control device 14, the parking space in which the vehicle is newly stored and the vehicle A first light-emission control device that detects a parking space that has been _{unloaded and that} the light-emission states of the light-emitting units 20 _-i and 60 _-j in each area correspond to the presence or absence of a vehicle in the parking space. 11 and the second light emission control device 13, the light emission unit 2
The emission of 0- _i and 60- _j is controlled. Further, the host computer 16 is operated by, for example, a parking lot manager,
Lighting conditions and conditions related to the operation of the parking lot such as the start time and the end time of entering the vehicle are set. Therefore, the host computer 16 controls each part of the vehicle guidance device 1 based on the set conditions.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, according to the present invention,
Light emitting unit 20_-1~ 20_-n, 60 _-1~ 60_-mTo the emission of
The processing and operation of the related light emitting unit will be described. Na
The first light emitting unit row 20_-1~ 20_-nAnd the first emission
Light emitting unit having control device 11 and second light emitting unit row
60_-1~ 60_-mAnd light emission including the second light emission control device 13
Since the section is a light emitting section of two systems with the same configuration, the following explanation
In Ming, the former will be described as an example. Figure 3
One light emitting unit row 20_-1~ 20_-nAnd control it
It is a figure which shows the structure of the 1st light emission control apparatus 11 which is.

The first light emitting unit rows 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n are
The n light emitting units 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n are connected in series by a common signal line or a signal line connected in series. Each of the light emitting units 20 _-i is buried in a center line of a road, a lane marking, a roadside strip, a road edge, or the like in order to call attention at night or to make it easier to visually recognize a road shape such as a curve. It has a structure similar to that of a normal light-emitting tack used in the same. Therefore,
Even if a vehicle or a person passes through the upper part of the road, the temperature of the road surface becomes extremely high or low depending on the season and weather, or if the road surface is exposed to water, normal operation can be ensured.

The light emission control device 11 controls the n light emitting units 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n , that is, a light emission pulse that is a trigger for setting the operation mode and actually causing the light emitting units 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n to emit light. Is applied.

The light emission control device 11 and the light emission units 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n are connected to the power supply line 51, as shown in the figure.
Light emission pulse signal line 52, control pulse signal line 53
And the address setting line 54 is connected by four kinds of electric wires. The power supply line 51, the light emission pulse signal line 52, and the control pulse signal line 53 are each driven by the light emission control device 11, and each light emission unit 20 _-1 to 20 _-1 .
20- _n are wirings connected in parallel. Power line 51
Is a wiring for supplying power to the _n light emitting units 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n .

The light emission pulse signal line 52 is transmitted with a light emission pulse serving as a trigger for light emission during normal operation of the light emission units 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n , and also the light emission unit 20.
_{-1 to} 20 _-n are signal lines to which data such as operating conditions is transferred when the operation is set. Control pulse signal line 53
Is a signal line for designating whether the signal transferred through the light emission pulse signal line 52 is a pulse for controlling light emission of the light emitting unit 20 _-i as described above or data such as operating conditions. In this embodiment, when the signal transferred through the control pulse signal line 53 is at H level, the signal transferred through the light emission pulse signal line 52 is data for operation setting, and the signal transferred through the control pulse signal line 53 is transferred. When the generated signal is at the L level, the signal transferred through the light emission pulse signal line 52 is the light emission pulse.

The address setting line 54 is a light emission control device.
11th to nth light emitting unit 20 _-nUntil sequentially
Signal line connected to the card. That is, first, light emission
From the control device 11 to the first light emitting unit 20_-1Against
1 address setting line 54 _-1Is wired and the next
The first light emitting unit 20_-1To the second light emitting unit
20_-2To the second address setting line 54_-2Is wiring
Has been done. Thereafter, similarly, the (i-1) th light emitting unit
20_-i-1From the i-th light emitting unit 20_-iAgainst
i-th address setting line 54_-iIs wired and the nth
Eye light emitting unit 20_-nAre sequentially connected.

When each light emitting unit 20 _-i receives a predetermined number of address setting pulses from the light emitting unit 20 _{-i-1 in the} previous stage via the address setting line 54 _-i , after the input of the pulse is completed, The same predetermined number of address setting pulses are output to the light emitting unit 20 _{-i + 1} via the address setting line 54 _{-i + 1} . As a result, the address setting pulse is sequentially propagated through the address setting lines 54 _{-1 to} 54 _-n . The setting of the address for each of the light-emitting unit 20 _-1 to 20 _-n are all of the thus sequentially propagated by the address setting pulse is applied, in the n light emitting units 20 _-1 to 20 _-n This is performed by transferring address data to one of them via the light emission pulse signal line 52. The flow of each of these signals will be described later in detail.

The structure of the light emitting unit 20 _-i (i = 1 to n) will be described in more detail. Each light emitting unit 20
_-i has a light emitting unit 21 _-i and a control unit 30 _-i . The light emitting unit 21 _-i has a plurality of LEDs, and emits light with a drive signal from the control unit 30 _{-i with} an amount of light sufficient to confirm emission even from a distant place. The control unit 30 _-i controls the light emission of the light emitting unit 21 _-i based on the control signal from the light emission control device 11.

Control unit 30_-iIs the one shown in FIG.
This is a circuit with a built-in microcomputer. Figure 4
As shown in FIG._-iIs the interface section 3
1_-i, ROM33 _-i, EEPROM34_-i, LED drive
35_-iAnd microcomputer 36_-iHave
It

The interface unit 31 _-i, each signal inputted through the emission pulse signal line 52 and the control pulse signal line 53 from the light emission controller 11, and light emission control device 11 or the front stage of the light-emitting unit _{20-i- This} is an interface that takes in a signal input from ₁ via the address setting line 54 into the control unit 30- _i . In addition, the interface unit 31 _-i is based on an instruction from the microcomputer 36 _-i , and the light emitting unit 20 in the subsequent stage
_The address setting pulse is output to _{-i + 1} via the address setting line 54 _{-i + 1} .

The ROM 33 _-i of the control unit 30 _-i is a memory in which the procedure of processing performed by the microcomputer 36 _-i is recorded.

The EEPROM 34 _-i is a light emitting unit 20.
address designating the the set the light-emitting unit 20 _-i to _-i, various modes of operation, which is a memory that stores the operating conditions. Since the EEPROM 34 _-i is a non-volatile memory, the data once set is not lost even if the power is turned off.

The LED driver 35 _-i drives the LEDs constituting the light emitting section 21 _-i so that the light emitting section 21 _-i actually emits a desired light based on the control signal from the microcomputer 36 _-i. To do.

The microcomputer 36 _-i controls the light emitting unit 20 _-i so that the light emitting unit 21 _-i actually emits a desired light based on the operation mode and the light emitting pulse set by the light emission control device 11. Control each part.

Next, the operation of the first light emission control device 11 and the light emission unit 20 _-i will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6. First, a process of the light emission control device 11 in the case of setting addresses for _n light emitting units 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n , setting operating conditions, and subsequently causing light emission will be described with reference to FIG. To do. First, when the process is started (step S10), the light emission control device 1
1 turns on the address setting line 54 _-1 between the first light emitting unit 20 _-1 and each of the light emitting units 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n.
The process of setting the address is started for (step S11). Next, the control pulse signal line 53 is turned on (step S12), and the first light emission pulse signal line 52 is
The first bit of the address information of the light emitting unit 20 _-1 is output (step S13). Then, after outputting the command pulse and the data pulse having a predetermined width, they are turned off (step S14).

The processes of steps S12 to S14 are repeated to output 8-bit data, that is, an 8-bit address for the first light emitting unit 20 _-1 (step S15). When the 8-bit address output is completed, that address output is the first one, that is, the address of the first light emitting unit 20 _-1 (step S16), so the light emission control device 11 turns off the address setting line 54 _-1. Yes (step S17).

Then, through step S18, step S
Returning to the process of 12, the address setting process for the second light emitting unit 20 _-2 is performed. That is, a command pulse is turned on to the control pulse signal line 53 (step S12), 1-bit data is set (step S13), and when a predetermined pulse width is secured, they are turned off (step S14). This process is repeated for 8 bits (step S15). Incidentally, at this time, the address setting line 54 _-2 is input to the second light-emitting unit 20 _-2
Is driven by the first light emitting unit 20 _-1 , the light emission control device 11 does not perform the process of turning on the address setting pulse.

In this way, the n light emitting units 20
_{When the} addresses are output to all of _{-1 to} 20 _-n (step S18), predetermined end data is output to notify the light emitting units 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n that the address setting process is completed. (Step S19). The output of this end data is also performed by first turning on the control pulse signal line 53 and then outputting the end data to the light emission pulse signal line 52.

After outputting the end data, next,
Using the set address of each light-emitting unit 20 _-1 to 20 _-n, and outputs each operation specified data to the light emitting unit 20 _-1 to 20 _-n. At this time, the first light emission control device 11
Based on the presence / absence of a vehicle in each parking space input from the host computer 16, the light emitting unit in the parking space where the vehicle does not exist blinks, and the light emitting unit in the parking space where the vehicle exists remains off. Specify the appropriate operation. The output of the operation designation data is also performed by turning on the control pulse signal line 53 and then outputting the end data to the light emission pulse signal line 52 as described above.

When the transfer of the operation designation data is completed, the control pulse signal line 53 is turned off,
By turning on the light emission pulse signal line 52 at a desired cycle with a predetermined duty, the light emitting units 20 _{-1 to} 20 -20
It is possible to cause _-n to emit desired light.

Next, the processing in each of the light emitting units 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n will be described with reference to FIG. First, power is supplied through the power supply line 51, so that the light emitting unit 20 _-i starts operating (step S3).
0). Then, first, it is checked whether the signal input through the control pulse signal line 53 is on or off (step S31). If the command pulse has been turned on (step S31), then the address setting line 54 _-i is checked (step S32), and if the address setting pulse has also been turned on, it means that the address has been input. The determination is made to obtain the 8-bit data input from the light emission pulse signal line 52 (step S33).

Then, 8 bits of own address data
Once you get the data, the light emitting unit 20_{-i + 1}Against
Address setting line 54_{-i + 1}Is turned on (step S3
4) Monitor the light emission pulse signal line 52 and
Waits for the transfer of data for a set amount (step S3
5). At this time, the next-stage light emitting unit 20_{-i + 1}Against
The address is set. And 8-bit data
When the transfer of light is completed (step S35), the light emitting unit
20_{-i + 1}Address setting line 54 for_{-i + 1}Turn off
Yes (step S36). Then the end data is transferred
That is, in this way, the light emitting unit 20 _-1~ 2
0_-nThe process of setting addresses for all
Wait until the address setting mode (step S37)
Exit the operation and return to normal processing.

When the command pulse is on in step S31 and the address setting pulse is off in step S32, it is determined that the transferred data is data designating the operation mode (step S3).
2). Therefore, the data indicating the operation mode input through the light emission pulse signal line 52 is received (step S38), and the operation mode is set in the light emitting unit 20 _-i based on the data (step S39).

If the command pulse is off in step S31, the light emission pulse signal line 52 is monitored to check whether the light emission pulse is on (step S40). Then, when the light emission pulse is on, a predetermined LED of the light emitting section 21 _-i is turned on to emit light according to the operation mode that has already been set (step S41).
When the light emission pulse is off, the LE of the light emitting unit 21 _-i is
D is turned off (step S42). As described above, by operating each light emitting unit 20 _-i , light emission in a desired form is performed according to the set operation mode.

Next, with reference to FIG. 7, description will be given of a signal flow when the addresses are set in the light emitting units 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n by the processing described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. To do. As shown in FIG. 7, first, from the light emission control device 11 via the first address setting line 54 ₋₁ ,
First light-emitting unit 20 _-1 address setting pulse is applied to the first light-emitting unit 20 _-1. And
When the address setting pulse is on, the command pulse on the control pulse signal line 53 is turned on and the address data is transferred through the light emission pulse signal line 52. At this time, the signals of the light emission pulse signal line 52 and the control pulse signal line 53 are all the light emission units 20 _-1 to 20 _-1.
Observed at 0- _n , the addressing pulse is the first
Since not input only the light-emitting unit 20 _-1, only the first light-emitting unit 20 _-1 to obtain the address data at this time.

In this way, 8-bit address data
When the output of the data is finished, the light emission control device 11
Light unit 20_-1Output of address setting pulse for
finish. As a result, this time, the first light emitting unit 20
_-1Is the second light emitting unit 20 _-2Against the second address
Setting line 54_-2Address setting pulse via
Add And according to this address setting pulse,
The light emission control device 11 turns on the control pulse signal line 53.
Address data on the light emission pulse signal line 52.
Let the second light emitting unit 20_-2Set the address to
It

As described above, each light emitting unit 20 _-i sequentially turns on the address setting line 54 _{-i in the subsequent} stage, whereby the address setting pulse is sequentially propagated, and the n light emitting units 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n are sequentially _transmitted. An address setting pulse is applied to any one of the above. Therefore, by setting an address using this address setting pulse, the address according to the position where the address setting line 54 is arranged is set to each light emitting unit 20 _-1 without depending on the configuration of the light emitting unit 20 _-i itself. It can be set to ~ 20 _-n .

Next, the operation mode of the light emitting unit 20 _-i designated by such processing will be described. Although various kinds of operation modes can be considered for the light emitting unit 20 _-i , the most basic operation is the operation in the synchronous light emitting mode in which light is emitted according to the state of the light emitting pulse. In this operation mode, as shown in FIG. 8, while the light emission pulse is on, the light emitting unit 21 _-i of the light emitting unit 20 _-i emits light, and when it is off, the light emission is stopped. Therefore, light emission for an arbitrary period and light emission with an arbitrary duty in an arbitrary cycle can be performed.

Then, in the vehicle guiding device 1 of the present embodiment, the light emitting unit 20 _-i is operated in the position designation synchronous light emitting mode based on the synchronous light emitting mode. In this mode, a light emission address command is output from the light emission control device 11, a light emission unit 20 _-i that emits light is specified, and the specified light emission unit 20 _-i is synchronously emitted.
That is, as shown in FIG. 9B, first, the position of the light emitting unit, such as the light emitting unit of, is designated by the position lighting instruction command. Then, thereafter, a normal synchronous light emission is instructed by the light emission pulse. As a result, thereafter, only the light emitting units of, and emit light in synchronization with the light emission pulse.

Next, the operation of the vehicle guiding device 1 will be described collectively. First, in the initial state immediately after the vehicle guidance device 1 is installed, etc., by the method as described above,
First light emission control device 11 and second light emission control device 13
Addresses are set to the respective light emitting units 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n , 60 _{-1 to} 60 _-m . The set address is stored in the EEPROM of the control unit of each light emitting unit 20 _-i , 60 _-j . Next, following the address setting, the synchronous light emitting mode is set as the operation mode in all the light emitting units 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n , 60 _{-1 to} 60 _-m .

After the above setting, the actual operation
enter. In actual operation, the first vehicle sensor control device 12
And the second vehicle sensor control device 14 uses the first sensor
Row 40_-1~ 40_-nAnd the second sensor array 80_-1~ 80 _-m
Each sensor 40_-i, 80_-jSequentially sense each
Sensor 40_-i, 80_-jMore suitable for parking space vehicles
Detect the presence / absence status. The detected state is the control signal input.
Via the output interface 15, the host computer
It is sequentially output to the data 16.

The host computer 16, based on a signal indicating the presence / absence of a vehicle, which is sequentially input, and a signal indicating the presence / absence of a previous vehicle in each parking space stored in the host computer 16, A parking space in which the state of the presence or absence of a vehicle has changed, that is, a parking space in which a vehicle enters or leaves is detected. Then, when such a parking space is detected, the host computer 16 sets the address of the parking space and the changed result state to the first light emission control device 11 or the second light emission control device corresponding to the parking space. It outputs to 13.

In the first light emission control device 11 or the second light emission control device 13, the input address of the parking space is changed so that the address of the parking space becomes a desired lighting state corresponding to the changed state. Position light emitting unit 2
A lighting instruction or a non-lighting instruction is issued to 0- _i and 60- _j . After outputting the commands of such instructions, the first emission control device 11 and the second light emission control unit 13, emitting a light emission pulse through a first light-emitting pulse signal line 52 unit train 20 _-1 20 _- and outputs to _n and the second light-emitting unit columns 60 _-1 to 60 _-m. As a result, the light emitting unit 2 of the address for which lighting is instructed
0 _-i , 60 _-j , that is, the light emitting unit installed in front of the empty parking space blinks. Therefore, the driver who enters the parking lot to park the vehicle advances the vehicle with the blinking light emitting units 20 _-i , 60 _-j as the target, and parks the vehicle in the empty parking space.

As described above, in the vehicle guiding device 1 according to the present embodiment, when the vehicle driver enters the parking lot, it is possible to determine which of the parking spaces in the overlook range is on the same floor. It is possible to immediately grasp whether the parking space is an empty area that can be stored. Therefore, the vehicle can be quickly advanced to a position where it can be parked and parked in a short time. Further, in the entire parking lot, the vehicle can be guided unattended and appropriately, the parking waiting time can be shortened, and the parking can be efficiently performed.

Further, in the vehicle guiding device 1 of the present embodiment, since each light emitting unit is equipped with the control unit including the memory, the light emitting control unit instructs the light emitting unit to emit light and the address of the light emitting unit to emit light. It becomes possible to emit light from the light emitting unit at an arbitrary position simply by transmitting, and the light emission control becomes very easy. Further, each light emitting unit is a light emitting device in the form of a light emitting stud that is used by being embedded in a road or the like, and is resistant to vibration and impact, and can also cope with heat and flooding. Further, in terms of mounting, the light emitting units can be easily connected by electric wires. Therefore, the light emitting unit is
It can be easily installed anywhere on the wall or road.

Further, since the address of each light emitting unit is set after installation, if the light emitting unit is made detachable by a connector, the number of light emitting units can be freely increased or decreased according to expansion or reduction of the parking space. Also,
Therefore, since each light emitting unit may be the same device without any different configuration or setting, the light emitting unit can be efficiently manufactured. In addition, since the light emitting units are not distinguished, the light emitting units can be installed very easily, and the light emitting units can be easily replaced when they are broken or damaged.

The present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various suitable modifications can be made. For example, in vehicle guidance device 1 of the present embodiment, one light emitting unit is provided for each parking space, but one light emitting unit may be provided for each of a plurality of parking spaces. In the parking lot configured as shown in FIG. 1, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, one light emitting unit 20 _-i is provided for every two facing parking spaces, and one of the corresponding parking spaces is empty. In this case, this light emitting unit may be turned on. The object of the present invention is sufficiently achieved if the vehicle can be quickly guided to such a range that the vacant space where parking is possible becomes clear at a glance, and a light emitting unit is provided for each of a plurality of adjacent parking spaces. Even if it is provided, no problem will occur. Then, since the number of light emitting units to be installed can be reduced for the same number of parking spaces, the vehicle guiding device of the present invention can be installed at a lower cost.

Further, in the vehicle guiding system 1 of the present embodiment, the sensors 40 _-i , 80 are provided in the junior section of each parking space.
_-j is provided to detect whether or not the vehicle is parked. However, the gist of the present invention resides in that the light emitting units 20 _-i and 60 _-j provided corresponding to the parking spaces clearly indicate the vacant parking spaces, and the structure for detecting the presence or absence of the parking is essential. is not. Therefore, for example, a parking lot manager is arranged in a management room or the like overlooking the entire parking lot, and this manager manages the parking lot central control device 1
It is also possible to directly operate the host computer 16 of No. 0 to input the information of the vacant parking space and thereby to make the light emitting units 20 _-i and 60 _-j emit light. Such a vehicle guidance device is also within the scope of the present invention.

Further, although the vehicle guidance device of the present embodiment uses the normal power supplied to the commercial power source as the power source, since it is a device installed outdoors, a power source such as a solar cell is used. It is preferable and such a configuration may be adopted. In addition, when a solar cell is used, it is preferable to operate with a small amount of electric power because there is a limit to the electric power that can be used and because the solar cell and the battery included therein are desired to be downsized. Therefore, the vehicle guidance device 1 may be provided with an operation mode of a power saving mode so that the solar cell operates in the power saving mode.

The light emitting section 21 _-i of the light emitting unit 20 _-i is usually composed of a plurality of LEDs as shown in FIG.
Is housed. Therefore, when the operation in the power saving mode is designated, as shown in FIG. 11B, even if a continuous ON-state signal is input as the light emission pulse,
Light emission is performed by sequentially switching a plurality of LEDs. That is, the upper left LED 22 _-i and the upper right LED 24
_-The upper LED of _i simultaneously emits light for a predetermined period, and the lower left LED
The lower LED of 23 _-i and the lower right LED 25 _-i are lit while the upper LED is not lit. At this time, it is necessary to control the light emission of each LED so that the lighting periods of the LEDs to be switched do not overlap.

By controlling the light emission of each LED in this way,
The power consumption and the peak current are each halved compared to the normal lighting, and the light emitting section can be operated with a small current. Therefore, this mode is particularly effective when using a solar cell. By performing such an operation, the light amount is actually slightly reduced, but there is not much difference visually. Also, by making the blinking cycle faster, flicker etc. is not felt on the visual characteristics,
There is no problem in practical use.

The light emitting unit may be installed at any place other than the road surface as long as it can be visually recognized by the entering driver. In addition, all the light emitting units of the vehicle guiding device described above are devices that emit monochromatic light.
The present invention is not limited to this, and may be a device that emits light of any color. Further, in the above-described vehicle guiding device, the light emitting body provided in the light emitting unit of the light emitting unit is the LED, but any other light emitting body may be used. For example, a flash tube or a normal light bulb may be used. Further, in the vehicle guiding device 1 according to the present embodiment, the sensors 40 _-i and 80 _-j are ultrasonic type, but infrared type, loop coil type, optical sensor type, vehicle weight and contact, etc. Any type of sensor such as a mechanical type for detecting may be used.

Further, in the present embodiment, the present invention has been described by exemplifying the device for guiding the vehicle to the empty parking space in the parking lot, but the vehicle guiding device of the present invention is
It can be applied to other arbitrary uses. For example, it can be applied as a device that guides a vehicle to a gate that has no or few waiting vehicles among a plurality of gates provided at entrances or exits of toll roads or toll parking lots. In addition, the present invention can be applied to a case where a vehicle is guided to any one of the routes at an arbitrary place where the vehicle selectively enters from a plurality of routes.

[0063]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The signal processing such as control of the display device is easy, the display device can be installed in any place even in a bad environment, and it is possible to easily respond to the increase or decrease of the number of guiding points, and the installation and maintenance are ready. It is possible to provide a vehicle guidance device that can show the driver where the vehicle can enter easily so that the vehicle can be guided efficiently and appropriately without a person. it can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a usage pattern of a vehicle guiding device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle guiding device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a first light emission control device and a first light emission unit row of the vehicle guiding device shown in FIG.

4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit of the light emitting unit shown in FIG.

5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the first light emission control device shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of a control unit of the light emitting unit shown in FIG.

7 is a diagram showing a signal flow when an address is set in each light emitting unit in the first light emitting control device and the first light emitting unit row shown in FIG.

8 is a diagram for explaining an operation of the light emitting unit shown in FIG. 3 in a synchronous light emission mode.

9 is a diagram for explaining an operation of the light emitting unit shown in FIG. 3 in a position designation synchronous light emission mode.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another configuration example and usage pattern of the vehicle guiding device of the present invention.

11 is a diagram for explaining an operation of the light emitting unit shown in FIG. 3 in a power saving mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Vehicle guidance device 10 ... Central control device for parking lot 11 ... First light emission control device 12 ... First vehicle sensor control device 13 ... Second light emission control device 14 ... Second vehicle sensor control device 15 ... Control signal input / output interface 16 ... Host computer 20,60 ... Light emitting unit 21 ... Light emitting part 22 ... Upper left LED 23 ... Lower left LED 24 ... upper right LED 25 ... Lower right LED 30 ... Control unit 31 ... Interface part 33 ... ROM 34 ... EEPROM 35 ... LED driver 36 ... Microcomputer 40, 80 ... Sensor 51 ... Power line 52 ... Emission pulse signal line 53 ... Control pulse signal line 54 ... Address setting line

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Mitsuhiko Watanabe 8 Higashida-cho, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa NOK Easy and G Optoe Electronics Corp. (72) Hachiro Kasano, Isohara-cho, Kitaibaraki-shi, Ibaraki Aida 831-2 Japan Mektron Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-4-363800 (JP, A) JP-A-9-88019 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB) Name) G08G 1/14 E01F 9/06

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of vehicle detection means (40/80) for detecting that a vehicle is located in each of a plurality of parking areas, and whether or not a vehicle is located in each of the plurality of vehicle areas. A plurality of display devices (20/60) for displaying, a control device (10), a detection signal line for transmitting a detection signal from the plurality of vehicle detection means to the control device, and a plurality of light emission from the control device A power supply line for supplying power to the device in parallel, a display signal / data line connected in parallel from the control device to the plurality of light emitting devices, and a command connected in parallel from the control device to the plurality of light emitting devices A signal line and a position information selection signal line connected in a chain from the control device to the total number of light emitting devices, wherein the control device is a command indicating a light emitting device to be operated via the command signal line. signal , The address data indicating the address of the light emitting device via the display signal / data line and the position selection signal designating the light emitting device corresponding to the address via the position information selection signal line, and the corresponding light emitting device Address setting means for setting address data, a command signal indicating a light emitting device to be operated via the command signal line, and an operation mode of the light emitting device to be operated via the display signal / data line. Operation mode setting means, and a parking availability processing means for sending a signal indicating the presence or absence of a vehicle to the corresponding light emitting device according to the detection signals from the plurality of vehicle detecting means, each of the plurality of light emitting devices A light emitting unit (23, 25), storage means for storing the set address data, the set operating condition, and the set operating mode (3
4), the address data, the operating condition, and the operating mode output from the control device are received and stored in the storage unit, and the light emitting unit is output according to the operating mode and the operating condition output from the control device. Control means for driving (3
3, 36), and interface means (31, 36) for sending the position selection signal sent via the position selection signal line to the light emitting device located at the next stage. 2. The control device sends out a command signal indicating a light emitting device to be operated via the command signal line, and a light emitting period and a light emitting duty ratio in each light emitting device via the light emitting signal / data line. The vehicle guidance device according to claim 1, further comprising operating condition setting means. 3. The operation mode set by the control device is a blinking pattern based on a blinking pulse transmitted on the blinking signal / data line, and synchronizes the plurality of light emitting devices transmitting the command signal line. The command signal line is transmitted by a synchronous blinking mode in which the plurality of light emitting devices are operated in synchronization in response to a command signal to be operated, and a blinking pattern based on a blinking pulse transmitted in the blinking signal / data line. The plurality of light emitting devices are operated in synchronization, and the plurality of light emitting devices in the plurality of light emitting devices are driven in response to a command signal for driving only a specified light emitting device among the plurality of light emitting devices in the light emitting unit in each light emitting device. The designated indicator synchronized light emission mode that operates only the designated light emitter in synchronization, and the blink pattern based on the blink pulse transmitted through the blink signal / data line. A position designation synchronous blinking mode in which a designated light emitting device in the plurality of light emitting devices which transmit the command signal line is operated in synchronization, and only a light emitting device in the designated light emitting device is operated in synchronization. The light emission delay time is calculated in each light emitting device based on the cycle and the duty based on the operating condition stored in the storage means of each light emitting device, and the light emission delay is performed with respect to the light emitting pulse transmitted through the blinking signal / data line. Each of the light emitting devices has a delayed light emission mode in which light is emitted at a timing delayed by a time and a blinking pattern based on a blinking pulse transmitted through the blinking signal / data line, according to a power saving command transmitted through the command signal line. And a power saving mode for operating a plurality of light emitters in the light emitting section of the plurality of light emitting units at different timings, each controlling means of each of the plurality of light emitting devices. , To drive the light emitting portion in accordance with the operation mode and operating conditions outputted from the control device, the vehicle guidance device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein. 4. Each of the light-emitting devices includes a monitoring unit that monitors the light-emission control signal input via the common signal line, and if the light-emission control signal is not properly input as a result of the monitoring. A light emission control signal generating unit that generates a light emission control signal with a predetermined duty at a predetermined predetermined period, uses the light emission control signal for light emission in the light emitting device, and outputs the light emission control signal to the common signal line related to the light emission control signal. Claim 1
The vehicle guidance device according to any one of to 3.