JPH04245599A - Parking lot controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To execute the confirmation of entering/exiting vehicles and existing vehicles without inspecting within a parking lot and to attain the manpower saving of the calling job within the parking lot and the job of security concerning a parking lot controller to control the entering/exiting vehicles to the parking lot by a computer. CONSTITUTION:The vehicle number of an entering vehicle 12 into a parking lot is image-picked-up by a television camera 11 and is stored as a video and the character information of a parking ticket number, entering time, exiting time, a parking position, etc., corresponding to the entering vehicle 12 is stored in the key label of the vehicle number and is constituted able to be retrieved properly.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a parking lot management system that comprehensively manages parking lots, and relates to a parking lot management device that allows for easy confirmation of vehicles in stock. In particular, paid parking lots with hourly contracts for public use are
Due to reasons such as 24-hour operation in cities and labor shortages, there is a strong demand for labor saving.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Parking lot management systems that comprehensively manage parking lots mainly include the following three categories of work. ■Management work: Parking ticket issuance and fee settlement ■Guidance: Guidance of vehicles to vacant parking spaces and call guidance to designated positions such as concourses ■Security: Disaster prevention and crime prevention in parking lots

[0003] In recent years, the mechanization of parking ticket issuance and fare settlement has become quite popular, but the current situation is that guidance and security are largely dependent on human labor. For example, in order to check whether there are any stolen cars parked in a parking lot or to respond to inquiries about entering and leaving the parking lot based on the vehicle number, humans have traditionally had to walk around the parking lot and check. did not become.

0004

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Therefore, with conventional parking lot management systems, when there are many parking lots, inquiries about inventory cars cannot be responded to, and checking inventory cars takes a lot of effort and time. was there. Additionally, there was a problem in that it was not possible to check which vehicles had left the parking lot after they had been parked.

[0005] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems, and makes it possible to check in and out vehicles and vehicles in stock without having to look around the parking lot, thereby saving labor in calling work and security work in the parking lot. The aim is to make it possible.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the principle of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 10 is a processing unit consisting of a CPU and memory, and 11 is a television camera (IT
V camera), 12 is a car entering the parking lot, 13 is a parking ticket issuing machine that automatically issues a parking ticket, 14 is a parking position display device that informs the parked car 12 of the parking position, 15 is a car leaving the parking lot 16 is a display, 17 is a keyboard, 18 is a scanner, 19 is a parking detection sensor that confirms the presence or absence of parking in each parking space, 20 is an entry/exit vehicle information storage means, 21 is a Input/output vehicle information display means; 22, in/out vehicle information search means; 23, in/out vehicle information update means; 24, space management means; 25, parking position guide means; 26, external storage device such as a magnetic disk device; 27 represents incoming and outgoing vehicle information to be searched.

[0007] A television camera 11 is installed at the entrance of the parking lot, and images the vehicle number of the vehicle 12 entering the parking lot. The incoming/outgoing vehicle information storage means 20 stores the vehicle number of the incoming vehicle 12 imaged by the television camera 11 at least as a record of the incoming vehicle 12.
The parking ticket number issued by the parking ticket issuing machine 13 and the parking time information are stored in the external storage device 26 as parking/leaving vehicle information 27.

The entering/exiting vehicle information search means 22 performs a process of searching the entering/exiting vehicle information 27 stored in the external storage device 26 using the parking ticket number or information regarding the parking time as a key.

The incoming/outgoing vehicle information display means 21 performs a process of displaying on the display 16 the incoming/outgoing vehicle information 27 including the image of the vehicle number searched by the incoming/outgoing vehicle information search means 22.

[0010] When there is an outgoing vehicle, the incoming/outgoing vehicle information updating means 23 searches in/out vehicle information 27 using the parking ticket number of the outgoing vehicle read by the fare adjustment machine 15 as a key, and updates the outgoing time information thereof. This process performs a process of additionally storing the information 27 on entering and leaving the garage. This makes it possible to respond to inquiries regarding the confirmation of vehicles leaving the garage and the time of departure by searching using the vehicle entering and leaving vehicle information search means 22.

Furthermore, in order to prevent distracted driving in the parking lot due to searching for an empty parking space, the following guiding means is provided.

The parking detection sensor 19 detects the presence or absence of a vehicle in each parking space using an ultrasonic sensor or the like. The space management means 24 manages the occupancy of parking spaces based on the output of the parking detection sensor 19.

The parking position guide means 25 searches for an empty parking space for the incoming vehicle 12 from the parking space management information, and displays the parking position on the parking position display device 14. The in/out vehicle information storage means 20 stores this parking position information as part of the in/out vehicle information 27.

[0014]

[Operation] The vehicle numbers of cars entering and leaving the parking lot are captured by the television camera 11 and stored as images. Character information such as the parking ticket number, parking time, leaving time, and parking position corresponding to the vehicle entering and leaving the garage is added as a key label of the vehicle number and stored in the external storage device 26. This makes it possible to search for vehicle numbers of vehicles entering and leaving the warehouse as appropriate.

[0015]

[Example] Fig. 2 is a system configuration diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 3 is an example of displaying information on entering and exiting vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart at the time of warehousing according to an embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 5 is a flowchart at the time of leaving the warehouse according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of screen search according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of space management according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] In FIG. 2, the same symbols as in FIG.
Corresponds to those shown in . 31 is the entrance opening/closing gate, 32
33 represents an opening/closing gate at the exit, 33 represents a television camera installed at the exit, and 34 represents a vehicle leaving the parking lot.

The processing device 10 superimposes and displays images captured by television cameras 11 and 33 installed at the entrance and exit and character information processed by the computer on the same screen of the display 16, and stores them in the external storage device 26. It is a multimedia-enabled computer that can store data.

First, when a car to be parked enters the entrance, a parking ticket is issued from the parking ticket issuing machine 13. The parking ticket number, parking position, and parking time are printed on the parking ticket, and the same information as the printed content is recorded on the information storage medium on the back of the ticket, which is coated with a magnetic coating or the like. When the driver takes the parking ticket, he opens the opening/closing gate 31 and allows the parking vehicle 12 to enter the parking lot.
It is possible to receive goods in stock.

At the time of parking, the vehicle number of the parked vehicle 12 is captured by the TV camera 11, and the image captured by the TV camera 11 is captured along with information such as the parking ticket number and time of parking.
It is displayed on the display 16. Furthermore, the screen information,
It is stored in the external storage device 26.

[0020] Regarding the parking position, vacancy is managed by a parking detection sensor 19 using ultrasonic waves or the like installed in each parking space, and an empty parking space is specified based on the management information. The parking position is displayed on a parking position display device 14 installed at the entrance and notified to the entering vehicle 12. Also,
Even with a floor-embedded guidance display device (not shown),
Directs you to the space where you should park.

[0021] Furthermore, when leaving the parking lot, the parking fee is settled by the toll settlement machine 15, and based on the parking ticket number read by the toll settlement machine 15 at that time, the entering/exiting vehicle information stored in the external storage device 26 is stored. search for. Then, the searched information is displayed on the display 16 along with the video of the vehicle number captured by the television camera 33. The leaving time at that time is additionally stored as entering/leaving vehicle information.

[0022] The entering/exiting vehicle information stored in the external storage device 26 can be appropriately searched by instructions from the keyboard 17 using keys such as parking ticket number, parking time slot, parking position, etc. This in/out vehicle information is deleted for those vehicles that have left the parking lot at the end of the day's parking lot operation, and is saved for those that have not left the parking lot. Alternatively, items that have been sent out of stock may be deleted after a certain period of time has passed.

The display at the time of warehousing is, for example, information on entering and leaving the vehicle as shown in FIG. 3(a). Parking ticket number, parking location,
Along with the parking time, an image 40 of the vehicle number captured by the television camera 11 is displayed on the same screen. The time of departure is added to the display at the time of departure and after departure, as shown in (b) of FIG.

[0024] In the event that a car leaves the parking lot without paying the toll,
This can be checked using the vehicle number of the vehicle entry/exit information stored in the external storage device 26, and a separate request can be made.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, processing is performed by a single processing device 10 to simplify the explanation.
The issuance of parking tickets, payment of fees, recording of vehicle numbers, management of vacant parking spaces, etc. may be handled by separate processing devices by dividing the functions.

A flowchart at the time of warehousing is shown in FIG. 4, for example. Hereinafter, the process (a) shown in FIG.
l) Explain according to. (a) An incoming vehicle 12 is detected by an electromagnetic ring sensor installed in front of the opening/closing gate 31 at the entrance. (b) Select and allocate one empty parking space.

(c) A parking ticket is issued by the parking ticket issuing machine 13. Once ticket issuance is completed, proceed to process (f). (d) to (e) If the parking ticket issuing machine 13 breaks down, a failure message is output, a parking ticket is issued manually, and the parking ticket issuing machine 13 is repaired.

(f) When parking ticket issuance is completed, the vehicle number of the parked vehicle 12 is imaged by the television camera 11,
Import as image data. (g) The vehicle number image, parking ticket number, parking time, and parking position are stored in correspondence with each other in the storage area of the processing unit (CPU) 10, and the information is displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. indicate. (h) Entering and leaving vehicle information similar to what is displayed on the screen,
The data is stored in the external storage device 26. (i) Open the opening/closing gate 31.

(j) The passage of the incoming vehicle 12 is confirmed by an electromagnetic ring sensor installed after the opening/closing gate 31 at the entrance. (k) Guide the parking position using the parking position display device 14 or a floor-embedded guidance device. (l) After a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the parking detection sensor 19 confirms that the vehicle has been parked at the parking position, and the parking process ends.

A flowchart at the time of leaving the warehouse is shown in FIG. 5, for example. Hereinafter, the process (a) shown in FIG.
k) Explain according to. (a) An electromagnetic ring sensor installed in front of the exit opening/closing gate 31 detects the leaving vehicle 34. (b) The parking ticket is read by the fare adjustment machine 15 and the fare is settled.

(c) When the payment is completed, the process (f
). (d) - (e) If the fare adjustment machine 15 breaks down,
Outputs a failure message, performs manual fare adjustment, and repairs the fare adjustment machine 15.

(f) When the payment is completed, the vehicle number of the departing vehicle 34 is imaged by the television camera 33 and captured as image data. (g) Automatically search the screen (incoming/outgoing vehicle information) for the vehicle number corresponding to the parking ticket number read by the fare adjustment machine 15. (h) Add the leaving time to the searched information on entering and leaving the garage and display it on the screen as shown in (b) of FIG. (i) Update the incoming and outgoing vehicle information in the external storage device 26,
Store the leaving time.

(j) Open the opening/closing gate 32. (k) Passage of the leaving vehicle 34 is confirmed by an electromagnetic ring sensor installed after the exit opening/closing gate 32, and the leaving process is completed.

[0034]A flowchart of the screen search is shown in FIG. 6, for example.
As shown below. Below, the process (a) shown in FIG.
(g) Explain according to. (a) If there is a search request from the keyboard 17,
Read in/out vehicle information in the external storage device 26. (b) When the data is completed, proceed to process (g).

(c) Parking ticket number used as a search key,
Compare stocking times etc. (d) If the information is applicable, proceed to process (e); if not, return to process (a).

(e) Information on entering and leaving the garage is displayed on the display 16
displayed on the screen. (f) If the search is based on parking number specification, the process ends. If the warehousing time period is specified, such as from what time to what time, the process returns to process (a) and repeats the same process for the next applicable data.

(g) When the data is completed, a message indicating that there is no corresponding car or the display has ended is output, and the search process is ended.

A flowchart of space management is shown in FIG. 7, for example. Below, the process (a) shown in FIG.
- (e) will be explained according to the following. (a) Set a timer for monitoring the parking space, for example every 1 minute or every 2 minutes. (b) The parking detection sensor 19 is scanned via the scanner 18 to detect the presence or absence of parking in each parking space.

(c) The parking space management information is updated based on the input from the parking detection sensor 19. (d) If it is necessary to update the parking location of the vehicle entering/exiting information,
Process (e) is executed to update the vehicle entry/exit information. If no update is necessary, return to process (a). (e) If the incoming car 12 does not park at the guided parking position within a predetermined time, the parking position in the incoming and outgoing car information is incorrect, so the parking position is determined from the incoming and outgoing car information. Delete. After that, the process returns to process (a).

[0040]Although it is possible to automatically recognize the vehicle number by performing pattern recognition on images taken by the television camera 11, the system would be large-scale, so it is currently difficult to realize economically. . By treating vehicle numbers as images as in this embodiment and making it possible to search by parking ticket number, parking time, etc., it is possible to realize a simple and useful parking lot management system.

[0041]

[Effect of the invention] As explained above, according to the present invention,
It has the following effects. ■ It will be possible to immediately respond to inquiries from outside regarding the availability of parking. for example,
When asked, ``Is there a car with the license plate number 56-23-45 parked in Shinagawa?'', the answer is ``Yes,''
I left at 17:28. ” or “Yes, 358 on the second floor.
I'm parking in number. ” and can respond immediately. ■ An investigation using the vehicle number of a stolen vehicle as a key can be carried out without having to look around the parking lot, resulting in labor savings. ■ It is possible to check for unauthorized entry and exit, contributing to labor savings and crime prevention. ■ By linking with a parking lot reservation system, it is also possible to check whether a car is reserved or not, contributing to improved service.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of displaying incoming and outgoing vehicle information according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart at the time of warehousing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart at the time of leaving the warehouse according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of screen search according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of space management according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Processing equipment 11 TV camera 12 Incoming vehicle 13 Parking ticket issuing machine 14 Parking position display device 15　　　　　Charge settlement machine 16 Display 17 Keyboard 18 Scanner 19 Parking detection sensor 20　　　In/out vehicle information storage means 21　　　In/out vehicle information display means 22　　　In/out vehicle information search means 23　　　　In/out vehicle information update means 24 Space management means 25 Parking position guidance means 26 External storage device 27　　　　In/out vehicle information

Claims (3)

[Claims] Claim 1: A parking lot management device that uses a computer to manage vehicles entering and exiting a parking lot, including a television camera (11) installed at the entrance of the parking lot and capturing the vehicle number of a vehicle (12) entering the parking lot. ), and an in/out vehicle information storage means (20) that stores the vehicle number of the incoming vehicle (12) captured by the television camera (11) together with at least the parking ticket number and parking time information corresponding to the incoming vehicle (12). and an in/out vehicle information retrieval means (22) for searching the stored in/out vehicle information using the parking ticket number or information regarding the parking time as a key.
), and a parking lot management device (21) that displays entering and leaving vehicle information including an image of the vehicle number. [Claim 2] In the parking lot management device according to claim 1, when there is an outgoing car, the entering/outgoing car information is searched using the parking ticket number of the outgoing car as a key, and the leaving time information is used as the incoming/outgoing car information. Input/output vehicle information update means (23
) A parking lot management device. 3. The parking lot management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a parking detection sensor (19) detects the presence or absence of a vehicle in each parking space, and an output of the parking detection sensor (19). It is equipped with a space management means (24) for managing the vacancy of a parking space, and a parking position guidance means (25) for instructing the parking position of an incoming vehicle based on the management information of the parking space. The means (20) is a parking lot management device characterized in that parking position information is stored as part of incoming and outgoing vehicle information.