JP6340159B2 - Vehicle type discrimination system by distance measurement sensor - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle type discrimination system using a distance measurement sensor, and more particularly to a vehicle type discrimination system using a distance measurement sensor suitable for a gate device of a mixed parking lot that parks an automobile, a motorcycle, various vehicles, bicycles, and the like in the same parking lot.

The vehicle discrimination technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 is given as a conventional technique.
Vehicle discrimination system disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a system to another determine the bicycles and motorcycles (motorcycle). When parking a motorcycle together with a bicycle in a bicycle parking lot, it is necessary to accurately discriminate between the bicycle and the motorcycle and set an appropriate fee in order to make the fee fair. The system for discriminating between a bicycle and a motorcycle disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes vehicle detection means including five sets of projector / photoelectric means as shown in FIG. 2 of Patent Document 1, and includes five sets of projector / photoelectric devices. Vehicle discriminating means for discriminating a vehicle that blocks the beam based on a detection signal related to the light blocking state of each of the five beams in the means is provided. Judgment whether the detected vehicle is a bicycle or a motorcycle is made based on the condition of the light shielding state of the five beams.
The vehicle type discriminating device described in Patent Document 2 is a device that is installed in the vicinity of a vehicle traveling path in a toll road, a toll parking lot or the like and discriminates whether a passing vehicle is a two-wheeled vehicle or a four-wheeled vehicle. The configuration of the discrimination device includes a vehicle front detection unit that detects the foremost part of the vehicle and a front wheel discrimination unit that discriminates the front wheel of the vehicle, and includes a detection operation of the vehicle front detection and a discrimination operation of the front wheel discrimination unit. It is configured to determine whether the vehicle is a two-wheeled vehicle or a four-wheeled vehicle by determining the operation order.

Japanese Patent No. 4268175 (FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5, etc.) Japanese Patent No. 4219786

The vehicle discrimination system described in Patent Document 1 is a system for discriminating between a bicycle and a motorcycle, and discriminates a vehicle based on the light shielding state and transmission state of a beam in each of five sets of projectors and photoelectric means. Is going. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 of Patent Document 1, the vehicle is discriminated by detecting the shape of a wheel or the like when the bicycle or motorcycle is viewed from the side. Since it is necessary to accurately detect the wheels and the like, there is a risk that the detection accuracy is lacking and vehicle discrimination becomes inaccurate.
Further, the vehicle type discrimination device described in Patent Document 2 determines that the vehicle is a two-wheeled vehicle when the wheel is observed first, and determines that the vehicle is a four-wheeled vehicle when the front portion of the vehicle is observed first. Configured to do. In this case, since the vehicle moving at a high speed on the vehicle travel path is determined, there is a high possibility that the vehicle determination becomes inaccurate depending on the speed.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to determine a vehicle type between a vehicle and a motorcycle, for example, in a gate device of a mixed parking lot that parks a vehicle (such as a four-wheeled vehicle) and a motorcycle in the same parking area. An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle type discrimination system using a distance measurement sensor that can be performed with high accuracy.

  The vehicle type discrimination system using the distance measurement sensor according to the present invention is configured as follows in order to achieve the above object.

The vehicle type discrimination system using the first distance measurement sensor (corresponding to claim 1)
A vehicle stop area set in front of the gate device installed in the parking lot;
A parking fee processing machine installed on the side of the vehicle stopping area;
Measures the distance related to the vehicle until it stops at the vehicle stop place near the parking fee processing machine that is placed opposite to the vehicle stop area, moves in the vehicle stop area, and is set in front of the gate device Two distance measuring sensors,
A determination means for determining a difference between vehicle types based on a difference pattern and a variation pattern of distance data to a vehicle measured by each of the two distance measurement sensors;
It is comprised by providing.

In the vehicle type discrimination system using the distance measuring sensor, the vehicle stop area provided in front of the entrance or exit of the mixed parking lot is set as a vehicle detection area, and the vehicle stop area is set for a vehicle that enters or stops in the vehicle stop area. Two ultrasonic waves arranged opposite to each other across the vehicle stop area, and the distance to the vehicle until it stops at the vehicle stop location near the parking fee processing machine set in front of the gate device. The difference in the vehicle type is determined based on the difference in distance data to the vehicle measured by each of the two distance measurement sensors and the pattern of fluctuations. Can be accurately determined. This makes it possible to charge and collect an appropriate parking fee according to the vehicle type in the mixed parking lot.

In the vehicle type discrimination system using the second distance measurement sensor (corresponding to claim 2 ), in the above configuration, preferably, the determination unit calculates a difference between the two distance data, and determines the vehicle type based on the data relating to the difference . It is characterized by discriminating differences .

In the vehicle type discrimination system using the third distance measurement sensor (corresponding to claim 3 ), preferably, the two distance measurement sensors are set so as to be turned on in a time division manner. . When two distance measuring sensors are installed facing each other, interference may occur, but detection of the detection signal by time-division prevents the occurrence of interference and increases the distance information from each distance measuring sensor. It can be obtained with accuracy.

In the vehicle type discrimination system using the fourth distance measurement sensor (corresponding to claim 4 ), preferably, the discrimination result of the vehicle type obtained by the judging means is transmitted to the parking fee processor, and the parking fee processor is provided. Is characterized by determining a parking fee based on the vehicle type and charging the vehicle user with the parking fee.

In the vehicle type discrimination system using the fifth distance measurement sensor (corresponding to claim 5 ), preferably, the parking fee processing machine is a ticket issuing machine or a checkout machine.

Sixth vehicle type identification system according to the distance measuring sensor (corresponding to Claim 6), in the configuration described above, preferably is characterized in that vehicles are automobiles or motorcycles.

The vehicle type identification system according to the present invention has the following effects.
About a vehicle that enters or stops in the vehicle stop area by setting a vehicle stop area for vehicle detection in the installation area of ticketing machines etc. in a parking lot where a plurality of types of vehicles such as automobiles and motorcycles can be parked The distance to the vehicle until it stops in the vehicle stop area near the parking fee processing machine set in the front position of the gate device after moving in the vehicle stop area is arranged opposite to the vehicle stop area. by measuring with two distance measuring sensors such as ultrasound, due to so as to determine the differences in the models based on a pattern of variation and the difference in the distance data until the vehicle measured by each of the two distance measuring sensors, The vehicle type determination means can determine the vehicle type based on the difference and fluctuation pattern of the distance data to the vehicle measured by the distance measurement sensor, and automatically by the gate device of the mixed parking lot Vehicle type discrimination between a car and a motorcycle can be performed with high accuracy.
In addition, by providing the vehicle type information determined by the vehicle type identification device to the parking fee processing machine such as a ticketing machine and a payment machine, and reflecting it in the parking fee processing, an appropriate parking fee is charged according to the vehicle type in the mixed parking lot. Can be collected. Thereby, operation of a mixed parking lot can be performed smoothly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is an external view which shows the whole apparatus structure of 1st Embodiment (when there are two distance measurement sensors) of the vehicle type discrimination | determination system by the distance measurement sensor which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram of the device composition concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a top view in the case of detecting a car (four-wheeled vehicle). It is a top view in the case of detecting a motorcycle. It is a timing chart for explaining time division acquisition. It is a figure explaining the data measurement by a time division acquisition, and a vehicle type determination method. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of a vehicle type determination method, and the flow of operation control of the ticketing machine based on the said vehicle type determination, and a gate operating device. It is an external view which shows the whole apparatus structure of 2nd Embodiment (when there is one distance measurement sensor) of the vehicle type discrimination | determination system by the distance measurement sensor which concerns on this invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments (examples) of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  With reference to FIGS. 1-7, 1st Embodiment of the vehicle type discrimination | determination system by the distance measurement sensor which concerns on this invention is described. In this embodiment, the vehicle type identification system is applied to the entrance (or exit) of the parking lot. This parking lot is a mixed parking lot in which automobiles (four-wheeled vehicles), motorcycles, various vehicles, bicycles, motorcycles, etc. are parked in the same parking lot. In a mixed parking lot, the parking fee varies depending on the vehicle type, and therefore the vehicle type discrimination is an important function in charging the parking fee. The vehicle type identification system according to the present embodiment is provided, for example, in a gate device at the entrance of a mixed parking lot. This vehicle type discrimination system can also be provided in the gate device at the exit of the mixed parking lot.

In FIG. 1, a gate operating machine 11 that is a gate device, a vehicle stop area 12, and a ticket issuing machine 13 are provided at an entrance 10 </ b> A of a parking lot 10. The gate operating device 11 includes a parking lot bar 11A that can be raised and lowered, and operates the raising and lowering operation of the parking lot bar 11A by a driving device provided therein. In the gate operating machine 11, the parking lot bar 11A is normally lowered and closes the entrance 10A. The vehicle stop area 12 is a place where a vehicle that intends to enter the parking lot 10 from the entrance 10A temporarily stops, and is set at a position in front of the parking lot bar 11A. A ticket issuing machine 13 is installed, for example, on the right side of the vehicle stop area 12. The ticket issuing machine 13 has a function of issuing a parking ticket when a driver or the like on the vehicle operates a ticket issuing button or the like. At that time, according to the vehicle type identification system according to the present embodiment, the vehicle type identification device 20 determines the vehicle type of the vehicle stopped in the vehicle stop area 12 and gives the determined vehicle type information to the ticket issuing machine 13. When receiving the vehicle type information from the vehicle type discriminating device 20, the ticket issuing machine 13 issues a parking ticket corresponding to the vehicle type, or records the vehicle type information in the common parking ticket. In this embodiment, as a typical example, it is assumed that there are particularly two types of vehicles, and are automobiles (four-wheeled vehicles) or motorcycles.

  In the above example, the configuration at the entrance 10 </ b> A of the parking lot 10 has been described. Similarly, the configuration at the exit of the parking lot 10 can be substantially the same. However, in this case, the vehicle stop area 12 is provided inside the parking lot 10 and a settlement machine (not shown) is installed in the vicinity of the vehicle stop area in the exit gate device. . The ticket issuing machine 13 and the checkout machine function as a parking fee processing machine. Some parking lots have a common entrance and exit. In this case, a machine having a ticket issuing function and a settlement function is installed.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle type determination device 20 includes two sensors 21 </ b> A and 21 </ b> B and a vehicle type determination unit 22. The two sensors 21 </ b> A and 21 </ b> B are, for example, ultrasonic sensors. Each sensor surface (ultrasonic wave) is preferably positioned at both sides of the vehicle stop region 12, for example, preferably at the same or different arbitrary height positions. The light exiting surface and the light incident surface are opposed to each other. Since no reflection occurs when no vehicle is present in the vehicle stop region 12, the ultrasonic waves (transmitted waves WA1) transmitted from the sensor surfaces of the two sensors 21A and 21B return to their own sensor surfaces. Not come. On the other hand, when an automobile or the like is present in the vehicle stop region 12, the ultrasonic waves (transmitted waves WA1) transmitted from the sensor surfaces of the two sensors 21A and 21B are reflected by the body surface of the automobile and the like. The reflected wave WA2 is received by the sensor surface. Each of the two sensors 21A and 21B reflects the ultrasonic wave based on the moving time of the ultrasonic wave by detecting a return state (reflected wave WA2) due to reflection of the ultrasonic wave (transmitted wave WA1) transmitted by itself. The distance to the object can be individually measured and functions as a distance measurement sensor. The distance measurement operation (ON operation) by each of the two sensors 21A and 21B is performed in different time zones based on time division, as will be described later, and the distance to the target object in each measurement operation is determined. Calculated. The distance measurement sensor is not limited to the ultrasonic sensors 21A and 21B described above, and a sensor having the same distance measurement function such as a laser sensor can be used. The vehicle stop area 12 where the vehicle stops in order to operate the ticketing machine 13 is used as a vehicle detection area in relation to the sensors 21A and 21B installed at appropriate positions on both sides thereof.

  The vehicle type determination unit 22 receives detection signals SIG1 and SIG2 transmitted from the two sensors 21A and 21B. Each detection signal SIG1, SIG2 of the sensors 21A, 21B includes distance information. The vehicle type determination unit 22 extracts distance information (data) obtained by each of the sensors 21A and 21B based on the two detection signals SIG1 and SIG2. The vehicle type determination unit 22 determines whether the vehicle type of the target vehicle detected based on the distance data obtained from each of the two sensors 21A and 21B is an automobile or a motorcycle. The vehicle type information SIG3 obtained as a result of the determination is transmitted to the ticket issuing machine 13.

  When receiving the vehicle type information SIG3 from the vehicle type determination unit 22, the ticket issuing machine 13 issues a parking ticket reflecting the vehicle type information SIG3 (procedure P10). The driver of the vehicle takes out the parking ticket from the ticket issuing machine 13. Thereafter, the ticket issuing machine 13 transmits a signal (SIG4) instructing the gate operating device 11 to open the parking lot bar 11A, and the parking ticket is acquired by the driver or the like to the vehicle type determination unit 22. Provides information (SIG5). Further, the vehicle type determination unit 22 takes out information that the vehicle has moved from the vehicle stop area 12 based on the subsequent detection signals SIG1 and SIG2 of the two sensors 21A and 21B. 11 transmits a signal SIG6 instructing to close the parking bar 11A.

  Next, the principle and operation of the vehicle type determination in the vehicle type determination unit 22 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 3 shows a case where an automobile (four-wheeled vehicle) is detected, and FIG. 4 shows a case where a motorcycle is detected.
In FIG. 3, in the automobile 31 that is stopped in the vehicle stop area 12, the vehicle body exists between the two sensors 21 </ b> A and 21 </ b> B. The automobile 31 receives the transmission wave WA1 emitted from the sensors 21A and 21B arranged on both sides, and returns the reflected wave WA2 reflected from the side surface of the vehicle body to the sensors 21A and 21B. Each of the sensors 21A and 21B outputs information related to the distance to the reflection target part (a part of the side surface of the vehicle body of the automobile 31) based on the received reflected wave WA2.
On the other hand, in the case of the motorcycle 32, as shown in FIG. 4, when the vehicle is stopped at the front position of the ticketing machine 13, the length of the vehicle body is short, so the transmitted waves emitted from the sensors 21A and 21B. There is no vehicle body where WA1 exists. Therefore, when the motorcycle 32 is stopped, the reflected wave WA2 does not exist at that time, so that the detection signal cannot be extracted from the sensors 21A and 21B. Therefore, in the case of the motorcycle 32, attention is paid to the fact that it enters between the two sensors 21A and 21B in the movement to the stop position. The pattern of the movement locus of the approach of the motorcycle 32 is, for example, A, B, and C shown in FIG. In pattern A, it moves along the right edge of the vehicle stopping area 12, in pattern B, it moves from the left edge of the vehicle stopping area 12 and moves closer to the ticket issuing machine 13, and in pattern C, it moves in the vehicle stopping area 12. While moving in a meandering manner, it moves so as to approach the ticket issuing machine 13. In such an approach / movement state, the motorcycle 32 always receives the transmission waves WA1 from the two sensors 21A and 21B and reflects them. The detection signals SIG1 and SIG2 corresponding to the patterns A to C are output from the sensors 21A and 21B. For example, in the pattern C of the approach locus, the transmission wave WA1 is received from each of the sensors 21A and 21B, and the reflected wave WA2 is returned to each sensor, whereby the sensor 21A measures a long distance and the sensor 21B measures a short distance. Is done. A detection output pattern based on the detection signals SIG1 and SIG2 is obtained according to each of the patterns A, B, and C of the approach locus, and a detection output pattern unique to the motorcycle 32 can be obtained. In the case of the motorcycle 32, since the width of the vehicle body is narrow, the distance data obtained by the detection signals SIG1, SIG2 from the sensors 21A, 21B tend to have a relatively large difference. In this way, each of the sensors 21A and 21B outputs information related to the distance to the reflection target part (a part of the side part such as the motorcycle 32 or the rider) based on the received reflected wave WA2.
In the case of the motorcycle 32 as well, by changing the installation positions of the two sensors 21A and 21B, the distance from the motorcycle 32 can be detected at the stop position, similarly to the automobile 31. . Also in this case, since the width of the vehicle body is narrow in the case of the motorcycle 32, there is a relatively large difference between the detection signals SIG1 and SIG2 from the sensors 21A and 21B.

  In the case of the configuration using the distance detection operation of each of the two sensors 21A and 21B, if the sensors 21A and 21B are arranged to face each other, interference may occur. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the detection operations of the two sensors 21A and 21B are alternately performed. That is, when the detection operation of the sensor 21A is ON, the detection operation of the sensor 21B is turned OFF. Conversely, when the detection operation of the sensor 21B is ON, the detection operation of the sensor 21A is OFF. Such an operation is alternately repeated at a constant cycle. Each of the two sensors 21 </ b> A and 21 </ b> B is information related to the distance to the vehicle that is stopped in the vehicle stop area 12 or moves to the stop position in the vehicle stop area 12 based on the detection operation of the distance measurement. Capture.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of an output pattern (measurement distance) based on the distance detection operation of the two sensors 21A and 21B with the passage of time, with the horizontal axis indicating time and the vertical axis indicating distance. A solid line is an output pattern of the sensor 21A, and a broken line is an output pattern of the sensor 21B. 6, (A) shows an output pattern when no vehicle is present in the vehicle stop area 12, (B) shows an output pattern when the automobile 31 is stopped in the vehicle stop area 12, and (C). Indicates an output pattern when the motorcycle 32 enters and stops in the vehicle stop region 12.

  In FIG. 6A, since neither of the sensors 21A and 21B receives the reflected wave after emitting the transmission wave WA1, a relatively large distance corresponding to the case where there is no output from each of the sensors 21A and 21B ( An output pattern P1 representing D1-A, D1-B) is shown. In FIG. 6B, each of the sensors 21A and 21B receives the reflected wave WA2 reflected by the automobile 31 after emitting the transmission wave WA1, and the distance (D2−2) to the automobile 32 measured based on the reflected wave WA2. The output pattern P2 concerning A, D2-B) is shown. In FIG. 6C, each of the sensors 21A and 21B emits a transmission wave WA1, and then receives a reflected wave WA2 reflected by the motorcycle 32 that is entering and moving. The automatic measurement is performed based on the reflected wave WA2. The output pattern P3 which concerns on the distance (D3-A, D3-B) to the two-wheeled vehicle 32 is shown. In the case of detection of the motorcycle 32, as described above, there are a plurality of patterns (A, B, C) of the trajectory of approach movement, and in any case, the output of the distance (D3-A) and the distance (D3 There is a relatively large difference between the output of -B) and an output pattern P3 of fluctuation.

  As described above, as shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, in the vehicle stop area 12, “when no vehicle is present”, “when the automobile 31 is stopped”, “when the motorcycle 32 enters / Since each output pattern P1, P2, P3 of “when stopping” is different, it becomes possible to discriminate the vehicle type of the vehicle to use the parking lot 10 based on these three output patterns P1 to P3. The three output patterns P1, P2, and P3 of “when there is no vehicle”, “when the automobile 31 is stopped”, and “when the motorcycle 32 enters and stops” are respectively stored in the vehicle type determination unit 22. In the provided memory (not shown), threshold values Th1, Th2, Th3 are prepared.

  Next, referring to FIG. 7, the flow of the vehicle type determination method executed by the vehicle type determination unit 22 based on the above-described vehicle type determination principle, and the operation of the ticket issuing machine 13 and the gate operating unit 11 based on the vehicle type determination The control flow will be described.

  The vehicle type determination unit 22 first receives the detection signal SIG1 transmitted from the sensor 21A, and obtains distance information (D1-A, D2-A, D3-A) detected and measured by the sensor 21A. (Step S11) Next, the detection signal SIG2 transmitted from the sensor 21B is input, and the distance information (any of D1-B, D2-B, D3-B) detected and measured by the sensor 21B is acquired. (Step S12). The acquired distance information from the sensor 21A and the distance information from the sensor 21B are stored in the memory (step S13). In the next determination step S14, it is determined whether or not the above steps S11 to S13 are repeated. If YES in determination step S14, steps S11 to S13 are repeated, and if NO, the process proceeds to next step S15. YES in determination step S14 is continued for a predetermined time set in advance, and distance information detected and measured by the sensor 21A and distance information detected and measured by the sensor 21B are acquired during the predetermined time. . Note that the determination step S14 is not essential, and distance information obtained by one detection / measurement can be used.

  When the repeated operation of sensor output acquisition in the determination step S14 is completed (in the case of NO), the process proceeds to the next step S15. In step S15, the distance information (D1-A, D2-A, D3-A) from the sensor 21A acquired and stored and the distance information (D1-B, D2-B) from the sensor 21B are stored. , D3-B), the above-described output pattern (any one of P1 to P3) is calculated.

  In the next determination step S16, the calculated output pattern (any one of P1 to P3) is compared with threshold values (Th1, Th2, Th3) to determine the vehicle type and the like. In the determination step S16, when the output pattern matches the threshold Th1, it is determined that “no vehicle” (output pattern = Th1: “no vehicle exists” in the vehicle stop area 12), and the output pattern matches the threshold Th2. It is sometimes determined that the vehicle is “automobile” (output pattern = Th2: “when the vehicle 31 is stopped”), and when the output pattern matches the threshold Th3, it is “motorcycle” (output pattern = Th3: “automatic”). “When the motorcycle 32 enters and stops”). Thus, the vehicle type determination in the vehicle type determination unit 22 is executed based on the determination process of determination step S16.

  If it is determined in the determination step S16 that there is no vehicle in the vehicle stop area 12, the process returns to step S11. In the case of no vehicle, thereafter, the operation control of the ticket issuing machine 13 and the gate operating machine 11 is not performed, and the operation returns to the vehicle type determination operation. If it is determined in the determination step S16 that the vehicle existing in the vehicle stop area 12 is the automobile 31, the process proceeds to step S17. If it is determined in the determination step S16 that the vehicle existing in the vehicle stop area 12 is the motorcycle 32, the process proceeds to step S18. After the vehicle type determination is performed by the vehicle type determination unit 22, as described above, the vehicle type determination unit 22 transmits information related to the vehicle type (SIG 3) to the ticket issuing machine 13. The ticket issuing machine 13 receives the information (SIG3) related to the vehicle type and starts the ticketing operation.

  In step S17, the vehicle information is reflected in the parking ticket issued by the ticket issuing machine 13. That is, when the ticket issuing machine 13 receives the vehicle type information (“the car 31”) from the vehicle type determination unit 22, it issues a parking ticket corresponding to the car, for example. Similarly, in step S18, the motorcycle information is reflected in the parking ticket issued by the ticket issuing machine 13, and the ticket issuing machine 13 receives the vehicle type information ("is a motorcycle 32") from the vehicle type determination unit 22, and for example, Issue a parking ticket according to the motorcycle. After steps S17 and S18, the process proceeds to determination step S19.

  In determination step S19, it is determined whether or not the parking ticket issued by the ticket issuing machine 13 has been acquired by a user (crew such as a driver). If it is determined as NO in the determination step S19, the determination step S19 is repeated, and if it is YES, the process proceeds to step S20. In step S20, the ticket issuing machine 13 transmits a signal SIG4 instructing the gate operating machine 11 to open the parking lot bar 11A. Next, in step S21, the ticket issuing machine 13 transmits information SIG5 notifying that the parking ticket has been acquired by the user to the vehicle type determination unit 22 of the vehicle type determination device 20.

  Thereafter, the vehicle type determination unit 22 acquires the subsequent detection signals SIG1 and SIG2 of the two sensors 21A and 21B (steps S22 and S23), and whether the vehicle (the automobile 31 or the motorcycle 32) has moved from the vehicle stop area 12. If it is determined whether or not the vehicle is present (YES in determination step S24), a signal SIG6 instructing the gate operating device 11 to close the parking lot bar 11A is transmitted. (Step S25).

In the above embodiment, the vehicle type is determined based on the comparison between the output pattern (any one of P1 to P3) and the threshold value (Th1, Th2, Th3) in determination step S16 for determining the vehicle type executed by the vehicle type determination unit 22. Although the determination is performed, the vehicle type determination method can be configured as follows, for example.
That is, the vehicle width of the vehicle is calculated from the distance information acquired from the detection signals SIG1 and SIG2 of the two sensors 21A and 21B, and the vehicle type of the vehicle is determined based on the data related to the vehicle width. The vehicle width of the vehicle is calculated by obtaining the difference between the data relating to the two vehicle widths. Thus, since the vehicle width of the automobile 31 and the motorcycle 32 is remarkably different, the vehicle type can be determined by calculating the vehicle width of the vehicle.

  In the description of the above embodiment, the vehicle type determination is performed for the automobile 31, the motorcycle 32, and “no vehicle”, but the vehicle type determination of the motorcycle 32 is also performed in the same manner for bicycles and moped motorcycles. Is done.

  According to the configuration of the first embodiment, the sensors 21A and 21B that can measure the distance such as an ultrasonic sensor are used at the entrance of the mixed parking lot where the automobile 31 and the motorcycle 32 are parked in the same parking lot 10. Thus, the vehicle type such as the automobile 31 and the motorcycle 32 can be discriminated with high accuracy, and the parking fee processing corresponding to the vehicle type can be accurately and appropriately performed.

  Next, a second embodiment of the vehicle type identification system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, one distance measurement sensor is used. The content shown in FIG. 8 corresponds to the content shown in FIG. 1, and the same elements as those shown in FIG. In the configuration shown in FIG. 8, one sensor 21A is used as a distance measuring sensor. Note that only the sensor 21B can be used as the distance measuring sensor.

  In this embodiment, the vehicle type determination unit 22 in the vehicle type determination device 20 inputs the detection signal SIG1 transmitted from one sensor 21A. The detection signal SIG1 of the sensor 21A includes distance information (distance data to the vehicle). The vehicle type determination unit 22 extracts distance information (data) obtained by the sensor 21A based on the detection signal SIG1. The vehicle type determination unit 22 determines whether the vehicle type of the target vehicle detected based on the distance data to the vehicle obtained from the sensor 21A is an automobile or a motorcycle. In this case, a threshold value is set in advance, and the vehicle type of the vehicle is determined based on the difference in the distance data with the threshold value as a reference. The vehicle type information SIG3 obtained as a result of the determination is transmitted to the ticket issuing machine 13.

  The flow of control of the operations of the ticket issuer 13 and the gate operating device 11 based on the vehicle type determination after the vehicle type determination device 20 performs the vehicle type determination is the same as the content described in the first embodiment.

  The configurations, shapes, sizes, and arrangement relationships described in the above embodiments are merely schematically shown to the extent that the present invention can be understood and implemented. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments, and can be variously modified without departing from the scope of the technical idea shown in the claims.

  The vehicle type identification system using the distance measuring sensor according to the present invention is a parking fee processing machine such as a ticketing machine installed in a vehicle detection area such as an entrance of a mixed parking lot, and accurately identifies the type of the parked vehicle. It is used to enable payment of an appropriate fee in response.

10 Parking Lot 10A Entrance 11 Gate Operator 11A Parking Lot Bar 12 Vehicle Stop Area (Vehicle Detection Area)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 Ticket issuing machine 20 Vehicle type discrimination device 21A, 21B Sensor 22 Vehicle type determination part 31 Car 32 Motorcycle WA1 Transmission wave WA2 Reflected wave

Claims (6)

A vehicle stop area set in front of the gate device installed in the parking lot;
A parking fee processing machine installed on the side of the vehicle stopping area;
According to the vehicle, which is disposed opposite to the vehicle stop area, moves in the vehicle stop area, and stops at a vehicle stop place near the parking fee processing machine set at a position in front of the gate device. Two distance measuring sensors for measuring the distance;
A determination means for determining a difference in vehicle type based on a difference pattern and a variation pattern of distance data to the vehicle measured by each of the two distance measurement sensors;
A vehicle type identification system using a distance measurement sensor. The determining means calculates a difference between two of said distance data, vehicle type identification system according to the distance measuring sensor according to claim 1, wherein the determining the difference in the vehicle type based on the data in accordance with this difference. The vehicle type discrimination system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the two distance measurement sensors are set to be turned on in a time division manner. The determination result of the vehicle type obtained by the determination means is transmitted to the parking fee processing machine, the parking fee processing machine determines the parking fee based on the vehicle type, and charges the user of the vehicle with the parking fee. The vehicle type identification system by the distance measurement sensor of any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. The said parking fee processing machine is a ticket-issuing machine or a payment machine, The vehicle type discrimination | determination system by the distance measurement sensor of any one of Claims 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned. Before Symbol vehicle vehicle type identification system according to the distance measuring sensor according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the motor vehicle or motorcycle.

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