KR102149618B1 - System and method for managing parking lot using camera - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed are a system and a method for operating a parking lot using a camera. According to an aspect of the present invention, the system for operating a parking lot using a camera comprises: one or more camera devices installed at a position corresponding to a parking surface to photograph a license plate of a parked vehicle; a parking lot control device receiving and storing a video photographed from the camera device through wired or short-range wireless communication; and an operation server periodically receiving real-time video images from the parking lot control device through a communication network and generating or updating parking details including parking vehicle information and parking time by analyzing the real-time video images.

Description

Parking lot operation system and method using a camera {System and method for managing parking lot using camera}

The present invention relates to a system and method for operating an unmanned parking lot using a camera.

As the number of vehicles is exploding, there is a lack of parking spaces for parking vehicles. Accordingly, traffic is congested due to unauthorized vehicles parked on the roadside, and safety accidents may also occur due to illegally parked vehicles.

In the case of restaurants that have secured parking spaces, parking spaces are often wasted when there are no customers, and there is a desire to use the space as a general parking lot. However, in order to use it as a general parking lot, it is necessary to operate a manager or establish its own parking system, which incurs costs, which leads to hesitation in parking lot operation.

And, in general, customers who use a private parking lot also have to pay for parking in cash, causing inconvenience in payment.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2015-0065127 (Publication date June 12, 2015) Parking guidance system and method using a smartphone app

Accordingly, the present invention has been conceived to solve the above-described problems, and is to provide a parking lot operating system and method using a camera capable of reducing system cost by removing a circuit breaker, a vehicle number recognizer, and the like.

Other objects of the present invention will become more apparent through preferred embodiments described below.

According to an aspect of the present invention, at least one camera device for photographing a license plate of a parked vehicle by being installed at a position corresponding to the parking surface; A parking lot control device for receiving and storing the image captured by the camera device through wired or short-range wireless communication; And an operation server that periodically receives a real-time image image by the camera device from the parking lot control device through a communication network, analyzes the real-time image image, and generates or updates a parking history including parking vehicle information and parking time. A parking lot operating system using a camera is provided.

Here, the parking lot control device and the operation server may exchange data with each other using a message transmission service of a mobile communication network.

In addition, when there are a plurality of camera devices, the parking lot control device may merge and transmit real-time video images from each of the camera devices into a single image so as to be located in respective areas previously agreed with the operation server.

In addition, the parking lot control device compares the merged image with the previously merged image to check whether a change has occurred, and transmits the merged image to the operation server only when a change occurs, or merges the merged image if a change occurs. Each real-time video image that has not been changed can be transmitted, and when no change occurs, the merged image can be transmitted.

In addition, the parking lot control device compares the merged image with the previously merged image to check whether a change has occurred, and when a change occurs, merges a plurality of video images of the camera device corresponding to the corresponding region in chronological order to be inserted. It can be transmitted to the operation server.

In addition, the parking lot control device has a cost settlement function, and receives information for cost settlement from the operation server.

In addition, the parking lot control device is provided with a keypad means, and the operation server is for calculating a parking fee corresponding to the vehicle number when the vehicle number and phone number entered by the keypad means are received from the parking lot control device. Information can be messaged to the phone number.

In addition, the operation server may determine a transmission period of the real-time image image by using at least one or more of the number of parked vehicles and whether or not to perform a parking cost calculation process for each preset period, and notify the parking control device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a parking management method performed in a parking lot control device that receives and stores an image captured from one or more camera devices installed at a position corresponding to the parking surface to photograph the license plate of a parked vehicle. , Periodically transmitting a real-time image image by a camera device to an operation server through a communication network-The operation server analyzes the real-time image image to generate or update parking details including parking vehicle information and parking time -; Requesting a parking fee amount by transmitting vehicle information to the operation server when a request for calculating a parking fee is input; And a method of operating a parking lot using a camera including the step of receiving and processing information on the amount of parking cost for settlement from the operation server, and a recording medium in which a program for executing the method is recorded.

Here, the real-time image image may be generated as a message and transmitted to the operation server using a message transmission service of a mobile communication network.

In addition, when there are a plurality of camera devices, real-time video images from each of the camera devices may be merged and transmitted into one image so as to be located in respective areas previously agreed with the operation server.

In addition, the merged image is compared with the previously merged image to check whether a change has occurred, and only when a change occurs, the merged image is transmitted to the operation server, or if a change occurs, each unmerged real-time If a video image is sent and no change occurs, the merged image can be transmitted.

In addition, the parking lot control device compares the merged image with the previously merged image to check whether a change has occurred, and when a change occurs, merges a plurality of video images of the camera device corresponding to the corresponding region in chronological order to be inserted. It can be transmitted to the operation server.

According to the present invention, a parking lot operator can operate a parking lot with a relatively simple device without the need for devices such as a circuit breaker, a vehicle number recognizer, and network equipment, thereby reducing system cost and operation cost.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing a parking lot operating system using a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is an exemplary view showing a form in which a camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided.
3 is a flowchart schematically showing a parking lot operation process using a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is an exemplary diagram showing a method of generating a merged image of a real-time image according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a flow chart showing a control process performed in the parking lot control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a method of generating a merged image of a real-time image according to another embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a perspective view showing a parking lot control device having a settlement function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is an exemplary view showing a message for parking details displayed on a vehicle owner terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the present invention, various modifications may be made and various embodiments may be provided, and specific embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to a specific embodiment, it is to be understood to include all changes, equivalents, or substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention.

When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it is understood that it may be directly connected or connected to the other component, but other components may exist in the middle. Should be. On the other hand, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there is no other component in the middle.

Terms such as first and second may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. These terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component. For example, terms such as a first threshold value and a second threshold value to be described later may be pre-designated as threshold values that are substantially different or some of the same values, but when expressed in the same word as the threshold value, there is a confusion. There is room, so for the convenience of classification, terms such as first and second will be added together.

The terms used in the present specification are only used to describe specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In the present specification, terms such as "comprise" or "have" are intended to designate the presence of features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, but one or more other features. It is to be understood that the presence or addition of elements or numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof, does not preclude in advance.

In addition, components of the embodiments described with reference to each drawing are not limited to the corresponding embodiments, and may be implemented to be included in other embodiments within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention. Even if the description is omitted, it is natural that a plurality of embodiments may be implemented again as a unified embodiment.

In addition, in the description with reference to the accompanying drawings, the same or related reference numerals are assigned to the same components regardless of the reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. In describing the present invention, when it is determined that a detailed description of related known technologies may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing a parking lot operating system using a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exemplary view showing a form in which a camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided.

Referring to FIG. 1, the entire system according to this embodiment includes a plurality of camera devices 10-1, ..., 10-n, hereinafter referred to as 10), a parking lot control device 20, and an operation server 30. .

Referring to FIG. 2 together, the camera device 10 is installed to correspond to the parking surface of the parking lot. In this embodiment, it is illustrated that one camera device 10 photographs two parking surfaces, but is not limited thereto, and the number of parking surfaces photographed by one camera device 10 may be one or three, and is installed. It may be different depending on the environment and camera module specifications (image quality, etc.).

In particular, in this embodiment, two parking surfaces are controlled using each camera device 10, but the immediately next parking surface is also photographed. For example, camera device #1 (10-1) is for controlling parking surfaces 210 and 220, but camera device #1 ( The video of 10-1) makes it possible to control the parking surface 230.

The parking lot control device 20 is installed in the parking lot and collects (using a wired network or short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth) and stores images by the camera devices 10.

The operation server 30 manages (create/update/delete) parking details (parking vehicle information, parking time, etc.) by receiving and analyzing an image of the image by the camera device 10 from the parking lot control device 20. .

Here, the parking lot control device 20 and the operation server 30 may use a communication network such as an Internet network, but in order to reduce the installation cost for Internet communication, SMS (Short Message Service) and MMS (Multimedia Message Service), etc., to send and receive data. This will be described in detail later.

According to this embodiment, the parking status is identified and managed by the operation server 30, and the parking lot operator only needs to install the camera device 10 and the parking control device 20, so that installation costs can be saved. In addition, the operating cost can be lowered.

Hereinafter, the process will be described in detail.

3 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a process of operating a parking lot using a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the parking lot control device 20 receives and stores an image captured from one or more camera devices installed at a position corresponding to the parking surface to photograph the license plate of the parked vehicle (S210).

In addition, an image of a real-time image (image frame image at the current point of view) by the camera device is periodically (for example, a 5-minute period) as a message (S220). That is, the real-time video image of the camera device is converted into a message and transmitted to the operation server 30 using the MMS of the mobile communication network (S230).

Then, the operation server 30 analyzes the real-time image image in the received MMS to create/delete or update/maintain parking details such as whether or not to park on the corresponding parking surface, recognize the vehicle number of the parked vehicle, and update the parking time. Do (S240, S250).

According to this embodiment, the parking lot control device 20 periodically transmits an image of a parking surface, and based on the image, the operation server 30 manages parking details for each parking surface. Accordingly, as described above, the parking lot operator only needs to install the camera device 10 and the parking lot control device 20, and the service operator operates the operation server 30 to provide services for a plurality of parking lots.

And, the operation server 30 may need to provide information on the parking details to the parking lot control device 20, if necessary, also at this time using a message service (for example, SMS) of the mobile communication network. For example, when the parking lot control device 20 directly processes the settlement (refer to FIG. 7), the operation server 30 sends information on the parking usage time and the corresponding parking fee for the vehicle in SMS Provided as (20).

As the parking lot control device 20 periodically transmits real-time video images to the operation server 30 using a message service, mobile communication costs may be incurred, and there is a need to operate the cost more efficiently.

4 is an exemplary diagram showing a method of generating a merged image of a real-time image according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a control process performed in a parking lot control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the parking lot control device 20 merges real-time image images 400-1,… 400-2 of each camera device into one when there are a plurality of camera devices to be managed (four in this embodiment). The resulting merged image 410 is generated.

And, by adjusting the image size allowed by the MMS to generate a merged image, it is transmitted to the operation server 30 as one MMS message.

When generating the merged image, the parking lot control device 20 arranges the image of each camera device in an area previously agreed with the operation server 30. That is, as shown in the drawing, the camera device #1 is placed in a predetermined area such as the upper left and #2 the upper right.

Referring to FIG. 5 showing an embodiment using the merged image, when the parking lot control device 20 generates a merged image (S510), it compares it with the merged image generated in the previous cycle (S520). The comparison of whether the two images are the same image is relatively simple, and it is a method that can be sufficiently performed even in the parking lot control device 20 with weak computing power. According to an example, the pixel values of two images may be subtracted from each other, and thus, it may be performed in a form of checking whether the values are all close to 0, and of course, the present invention is not limited thereto.

As a result of the comparison, it is determined whether or not a change of the image has occurred (S530), and when a change occurs, each original real-time image image that has not been merged is sent to the operation server 30 (S540).

In contrast, when no change occurs, only one merged image is transmitted to the operation server 30 to reduce communication fees (S550). And since there is a high probability that the parking status has not changed at this time, the next cycle is changed (increased or decreased). For example, in a 5-minute cycle, the next time increases to 6 minutes or decreases to 4 minutes.

According to another example, the cycle may be changed according to the result of the operation server 30 analyzing the image. For example, if the vehicle exits, the probability of another vehicle entering is high, so it is reduced to 4 minutes, and the vehicle enters If it is, the change may be small, so increase it to 6 minutes. For example, the operation server 30 determines the transmission period of the real-time video image by using at least one or more of the number of parked vehicles and whether or not the parking cost calculation process is performed (i.e., whether or not the vehicle is out of the vehicle) for each preset period. It can be notified to the parking lot control device 20.

Further, according to another embodiment, the merged image may be transmitted as an MMS message only when a change has occurred compared to the previous merged image, and the transmission may not be performed when there is no change.

According to another example, as a result of comparing the merged image with the previous one, the parking lot control device 20 may determine which camera device is the image by recognizing the area in which the change has occurred.

In this case, a plurality of images are merged into the region of the camera device where the change has occurred.

6 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a method of generating a merged image of a real-time image according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, for the camera device #1, which is the area where the change has occurred, not only the current real-time image image #1-4 (600-4) but also images 600-1,… 600-3 from the previous viewpoint. Together, the merged image 610 is generated. Due to this, the operation server 30 can more accurately check at what point the change (entry or exit) has occurred. For example, a real-time video image is transmitted every 5 minutes, and by providing 4 images in a 1-minute period, it is possible to check the point of change in more detail.

As described above, the parking lot control device 20 may be provided with a cost settlement function. That is, the customer who uses the parking lot is to settle the parking cost using the parking control device 20 installed in the parking lot.

7 is a perspective view showing a parking control device 20 having a settlement function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the parking control device 20 includes payment means 23 such as card payment, cash payment, discount voucher payment, a keypad 22 for inputting a vehicle number, and a display 21 for displaying parking information. Is equipped. That is, when the owner enters his/her vehicle number using the keypad 22, the vehicle owner checks the status of parking use through the display 21 and makes payment using the payment method 23.

For example, the parking lot control device 20 receiving the vehicle number input transmits a message requesting information on the parking use status for the vehicle number to the operation server 30, and the operation server 30 parks accordingly. Information on the usage status is transmitted as a response message.

According to another example, the settlement may be performed in the operation server 30. To this end, the operation server 30 transmits a message having information on parking details to the vehicle owner's terminal (eg, a mobile such as a smartphone).

8 is an exemplary view showing a message for parking details displayed on a vehicle owner terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

For example, when a vehicle owner inputs a vehicle number and a phone number to the parking lot control device 20, a message as shown in the drawing is provided to the vehicle owner's terminal.

For example, the borrower can pay the parking fee online using the payment interface provided by the operation server 30 by clicking the payment button in the message.

According to another embodiment, although not shown in the drawing, the operation server 30 monitors an image photographing the entire parking lot from a separate CCTV system installed in the parking lot, and when a change is detected, the parking control device 20 It may be in the form of requesting and obtaining a video image. In other words, the parking lot control device 20 does not periodically transmit real-time video images, but only transmits it upon request from the operation server 30, and thus, communication charges due to message transmission by using CCTVs that are normally installed It is possible to reduce the cost.

Although the above has been described with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention, those of ordinary skill in the relevant technical field can variously modify the present invention within the scope not departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention described in the following claims. It will be appreciated that it can be modified and changed.

10-1,… , 10-n: camera device
20: parking lot control device
30: Operation server

Claims (14)

A plurality of camera devices installed at a position corresponding to the parking surface to photograph the license plate of the parked vehicle;
The images captured from the camera devices are received by wired or short-range wireless communication, and the images from the camera devices are merged as one merged image at a preset time period so as to be located in each predetermined area,
The merged image is compared with the previously merged image to check whether a change has occurred, and when it is confirmed that a change has occurred, a plurality of video images at a predetermined time interval by the corresponding camera device are stored in each area. Merging so that a plurality of them are inserted,
A parking lot control device that transmits the merged image using a message service of a mobile communication network; And
Upon receiving the merged image, the merged image is analyzed to generate or update parking details including parking vehicle information and parking time,
As a result of receiving the merged image, when the vehicle is unloaded, the preset time period is reduced, and when the vehicle is entered, the parking control device is notified using the message service to increase the preset time period. Parking lot operation system using a camera, including an operation server.
delete delete delete delete The method according to claim 1,
The parking lot control device has a cost settlement function, and receives information for cost settlement from the operation server, a parking lot operating system using a camera.
The method according to claim 1,
The parking lot control device is provided with a keypad means,
When the vehicle number and the phone number input by the keypad means are received from the parking lot control device, the operation server sends a message to the phone number with information for calculating the parking fee corresponding to the vehicle number, using a camera. Parking lot operation system.
The method according to claim 1,
The operation server determines the transmission period of the real-time video image using at least one of the number of parked vehicles and whether or not to perform the parking cost calculation process at each preset period, and informs the parking lot control device of the parking lot using a camera. Operating system.
In a parking lot operation method performed by a parking lot control device installed at a location corresponding to a parking surface to receive and store images taken from a plurality of camera devices for photographing license plates of a parked vehicle through wired or short-range wireless communication,
Merging the images from the camera devices as one merged image so as to be located in each of the predetermined regions at a preset time period;
Comparing the merged image with a previously merged image to check whether a change has occurred;
Merging a plurality of video images at predetermined time intervals by a corresponding camera device to the change recognition region so that each region is inserted into each region when it is confirmed that a change has occurred;
Transmitting the merged image to an operation server using a message service of a mobile communication network-When the operation server receives the merged image, it analyzes the merged image to generate a parking history including parking vehicle information and parking time, or As a result of receiving the merged image, the message service is used by the parking lot control device to reduce the preset time period when the vehicle is unloaded and increase the preset time period when the vehicle enters. Notified by -;
Requesting a parking fee amount by transmitting vehicle information to the operation server when a request for calculating a parking fee is input; And
Parking management method using a camera comprising the step of receiving and processing information on the amount of parking costs for settlement from the operation server.
delete delete delete delete A recording medium containing instructions executable by a computer, such as an application or program module executed by a computer for performing the method of claim 9.

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