JP2025069009A - Parking space management server and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

To notify a driver of a vehicle who is about to park the vehicle in a large-scale parking lot, about a vehicle which is going to exit soon.SOLUTION: A parking space management server includes: a parking space database which accumulates non-availability/availability data related to a state of use of a parking space and a parking space ID which is identification data of the parking space; checkout data receiving means which receives, from a checkout machine, or the like, checkout data including completion of the use of the parking spaces and a parking space ID for identifying a parking space of which the use has been completed; available space identifying means which identifies an available space by collating the parking space ID included in the received checkout data with the parking space database; and available space data transmission means which transmits a location of the available space in the parking lot identified by the available space identifying means, to available space data output means which outputs the information so as to be browsed by a vehicle which is about to park a vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a technology that can encourage parking lot users to enter smoothly when they wish to do so in a parking lot management business.

Large parking lots, such as those that occupy a vast area of land or have a multi-level structure, tend to have many vehicles using them, resulting in complicated entry and exit procedures.
When entering a warehouse, for example, there is a scene as shown in FIG.

Figure 1(a) shows a scene in which vehicle A is driving slowly in search of a vacant parking space, and vehicle B exits the space just after it has passed. Many roads in parking lots are one-way to reduce accidents. Therefore, even if a space becomes available just after vehicle A has passed, vehicle B cannot reach the vacant space unless it is patrolling. Therefore, in such a case, the vehicle following vehicle A (not shown) usually ends up using the vacant space.

Figure 1(b) shows a case where the driver of vehicle C finds a vehicle ahead of him with a driver sitting in the driver's seat. Vehicle C expects that the driver will leave the parking lot immediately because the driver is in the driver's seat, so it stops the vehicle and waits for the driver to leave. However, the driver starts making a phone call and does not leave the parking lot for a while. Vehicle C is forced to make a difficult decision: should it wait for the driver to leave the parking lot, or give up and look for another parking space?

Figure 1(c) shows a case where a driver finds vehicle D with a person standing right next to the driver's seat. Expecting that vehicle D will leave immediately, the driver stops the vehicle and waits for it to leave, only to find that contrary to expectations, it has just entered the depot. In this case, vehicle D has just entered the depot, so it is unlikely to leave immediately, leaving the driver waiting in vain.

When we investigated prior patents that mentioned the above-mentioned problems, we found the following cases.
If a user does not arrive at the boarding location by the scheduled departure (boarding) time, the user's vehicle will continue to occupy the boarding location, which may make it difficult for the parked vehicle to leave the parking lot smoothly.
Patent Document 1 discloses an invention that solves such a problem.

Patent No. 7168042

In large parking lots, whether they are large parking lots with a large floor area or multi-level structure, confusion between vehicles entering and leaving tends to occur in locations that are relatively convenient for the parking lot as a whole. Many vehicles want to park in convenient parking spaces, so they wait near those spaces or make rounds to leave.

If it were possible to inform the driver of an entering vehicle of which parking space a vehicle about to leave is parked in, it is expected that problems like those shown in Figure 1 could be resolved in many cases.

An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for notifying a driver of a vehicle attempting to park in a large parking lot of a vehicle that will soon be leaving the parking lot.

To solve the above-mentioned problems, we provide a first invention relating to a parking space management server and a second invention relating to a computer program for controlling the parking space management server.

(First Invention)
A first invention is a parking space management server that manages a number of parking spaces in a parking lot,
A parking space database that stores a parking space ID, which is identification data of a parking space, and vacancy data relating to the usage status of the parking space;
a payment data receiving means for receiving payment data from a payment machine or the like, the payment data including a notification that the use of each parking space has ended and a space ID for identifying the space that has been ended;
a vacant parking space identification means for identifying a vacant parking space by comparing the parking space ID included in the received settlement data with the parking space database;
a vacant vehicle space data transmission means for transmitting information about where in the parking lot the vacant vehicle space identified by the vacant vehicle space identification means is located to a vacant vehicle space data output means for outputting information so that the vehicle that is trying to park can view the information;
The present invention relates to a parking space management server equipped with the above-mentioned components (see FIG. 2).

(Terminology)
"Settlement data" refers to data indicating that the parking space user has paid the parking space usage fee or completed the payment procedure.

The "adjustment machine, etc." that transmits the above-mentioned adjustment data to the adjustment data receiving means corresponds to the adjustment machine that processes the data of the paid cash and the settlement procedure (see FIG. 2). In addition, if there is a membership registration that pre-registers the account information for the payment of parking fees and the vehicle number of the vehicle using the parking space, a photographing device that captures the vehicle number of the vehicle that leaves the parking space also corresponds to the "adjustment machine, etc." ("entry/exit camera" in FIG. 3).

"Vacant parking space data output means" refers to electronic bulletin boards, digital signage, etc. installed in the parking lot.

(Action)
The parking space database stores a space ID, which is identification data for the parking space, and vacancy data relating to the space usage status. The settlement data receiving means receives from the settlement machine or the like settlement data including a notice that the parking space usage has ended and a space ID for identifying the space that has been ended. The vacant space identifying means collates the space ID included in the received settlement data with the parking space database to identify an available space.
The vacant space data transmitting means transmits information about where in the parking lot the vacant space identified by the vacant space identifying means is located to the vacant space data output means, which outputs the information so that it can be viewed by vehicles attempting to park.

The driver of the vehicle attempting to park can obtain timely data on which parking spaces are available by viewing the output to the vacant parking space data output means. As a result, the driver can use this information to find a parking space in which he or she wishes to park.

(Variation 1 of the first invention)
The first invention can be formed as follows.
That is, the parking lot has a plurality of parking spaces for each of a plurality of independent areas,
The vacant vehicle space data is limited to data that identifies the area.

(Terminology)
For example, in a building-type parking lot with a hierarchical structure of multiple floors, each floor is an area (A, B, C). If one floor is large, it may be divided into multiple areas (A-1, A-2, ...).

(Action)
The vacant vehicle space data transmission means transmits only data that specifies the area to the vacant vehicle space data output means, which outputs data so that it can be viewed by vehicles that are trying to park. Therefore, only data that specifies the area in which the vacant vehicle space is located is output to the vacant vehicle space data output means.

Since the data output of the vacant space data output means can be simplified, the structure of the vacant space data output means can be simplified, and the hardware costs can be reduced.
For drivers looking for a parking space, only data identifying the area is output, which helps drivers quickly decide whether or not to use that data.

(Variation 2 of the first invention)
The first invention can be formed as follows.
That is, the parking lot has a plurality of parking spaces in each of a plurality of independent areas,
In the case where a plurality of the vacant vehicle space data output means are provided,
The vacant vehicle space data transmitting means transmits vacant vehicle space data suitable for the location where the vacant vehicle space data output means is installed (see FIG. 13).

(Terminology)
If the parking lot is large, it is necessary to install multiple vacant parking space data output means. Then, depending on the installation location, some data will be suitable for displaying vacant parking spaces, while other data will not be suitable. For example, in a parking lot with a hierarchical structure, if a vacant parking space data output means installed in the passageway leading from the second floor to the third floor outputs vacant parking space data for the first floor area, it is meaningless and harmful because it will cause confusion for parking lot users. Therefore, the vacant parking space data suitable for the installation location of the vacant parking space data output means is selected and transmitted by the vacant parking space data transmission means.

(Second Invention)
The second aspect of the present invention relates to a computer program for controlling the parked vehicle space management server according to the first aspect of the present invention (see FIG. 2).
That is, a computer program for controlling a parking space management server that manages a number of parking spaces in a parking lot,
a parking space occupancy data accumulation step for accumulating a parking space ID, which is identification data of the parking space, and occupancy data relating to the usage status of the parking space, in a parking space database;
a settlement data receiving step of receiving from an adjustment machine or the like settlement data including information indicating that use of each parking space has ended and a space ID for identifying the space that has been ended;
a vacant parking space identification step of identifying a vacant parking space by comparing the parking space ID included in the settlement data received in the settlement data reception step with the parking space database;
a vacant vehicle space data transmission procedure for transmitting to a vacant vehicle space data output means which outputs information about where in the parking lot the vacant vehicle space identified in the vacant vehicle space identification procedure is located so that the information can be viewed by the vehicle that is trying to park;
This is a computer program to be executed by the parking space management server.

(Terminology)
The "management server" is a computer, and is equipped with input means and output means for transmitting and receiving data with other terminals, memory means for storing data input from the input means and for providing a membership database and a reservation database, calculation means for performing calculations using the input data from the input means and the stored data stored in the memory means, and random access memory used by the calculation means during calculations.

(Variation 1 of the second invention)
The second invention can be formed as follows.
That is, the parking lot has a plurality of parking spaces for each of a plurality of independent areas,
The vacant vehicle space data is limited to data that identifies the area.

(Variation 2 of the second invention)
The second invention can be formed as follows.
That is, the parking lot has a plurality of parking spaces for each of a plurality of independent areas,
In the case where the parking lot is provided with a plurality of the vacant parking space data output means,
The vacant vehicle space data transmission procedure transmits vacant vehicle space data suitable for the location where the vacant vehicle space data output means is installed.

The computer program according to the second aspect of the present invention can also be provided by being stored in a recording medium.
Here, a "recording medium" refers to a medium that can carry a program that does not occupy space by itself, such as a flexible disk, a hard disk, a DVD-R, or a flash memory.
It is also possible to transmit the program according to the present invention from a computer storing the program or the control computer of the management server to the control computer of the management server via a communication line.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a parking space management server that can notify drivers of vehicles attempting to park in a large parking lot of vehicles that will soon be leaving the lot.
According to the second invention, it is possible to provide a control program for a parking space management server that can notify drivers of vehicles attempting to park in a large parking lot of vehicles that will soon be leaving the lot.

This is a conceptual diagram showing different patterns of stress felt by drivers of vehicles entering a parking lot. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing information processing in the main part of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing information processing in the main part of the present invention. This is a conceptual diagram showing the function of the camera that detects entry and exit. This is a conceptual diagram showing the procedure for detecting entry and exit using photographic data from an entry/exit camera. A perspective view of a large parking lot. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of the placement of entrance/exit cameras. 1 is a flowchart showing the process from entering a parking lot to parking in area A. 1 is a flowchart showing the process from entering the parking lot to parking in area B. 11 is a flowchart showing the process from entering the parking lot to parking in area C. 11 is a flowchart showing a process from the start of parking fee settlement to output to a signage after the settlement is completed. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing information processing in the main part of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing that when a plurality of signages are provided, different data is displayed on each signage.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 2 to 13). FIG. 1 will also be referenced as necessary.
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and the following description is an embodiment for interpreting the present invention. Note that in Fig. 4 and subsequent figures, a solid arrow indicates wired communication, and a two-dot dashed arrow indicates wireless communication.

(Figure 2)
2 shows the relationship between the payment machine installed in the parking lot so that the parking lot user can pay the parking fee, the parking space management server that manages the parking spaces in the parking lot, and the signage that outputs information about vacant parking spaces to the driver of the vehicle that is trying to park. Although detailed illustration is omitted, the parking space used by the parking lot user is often equipped with a device such as a flap device.

When a parking lot user uses a parking lot, they input the vehicle number of their vehicle (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "vehicle number") and settle the usage fee. The settlement machine transmits settlement data indicating that settlement has been completed, together with the vehicle space ID corresponding to this vehicle number, to the parking space management server.

In the parking space management server, the parking space ID and the settlement data sent from the settlement machine are received by the settlement data receiving means. Then, the vacant space identification means compares the parking space ID with a parking space database that stores parking space usage data, and identifies that the parking space ID for which settlement has been completed has become vacant.

The vacant vehicle space data identified by the vacant vehicle space identification means is transmitted to the signage by the vacant vehicle space data transmission means. The signage receives the vacant vehicle space data by the vacant vehicle space receiving means, and outputs which vehicle spaces are scheduled to become vacant by the vacant vehicle space data output means. Drivers of vehicles searching for a parking space near the signage can look at the signage and decide whether or not to move to that vehicle space.

(Figure 3)
Figure 3 shows the information processing procedures in a system in which photographic data of the vehicle number and a parking space ID that can identify the vehicle number and the parked space are obtained by an entrance/exit camera and stored in a parking space database, and payment can be completed by the parking lot user by inputting the vehicle number into a payment machine.

The entrance/exit camera transmits captured image data, including the vehicle number and the parking space ID, to the parking space management server. The difference from the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is that the data required for settlement is transmitted not only from the settlement machine but also from the entrance/exit camera.

The other steps are the same as those in Figure 2, so their explanation will be omitted. Also, details about the function of the entrance/exit camera will be explained in Figure 4.

(Figure 4)
FIG. 4 conceptually illustrates the function of the entrance/exit camera.
The entrance/exit cameras installed in many locations in the parking lot (see Figure 7) periodically capture images of the license plate numbers of vehicles that enter the camera's field of view, and perform OCR processing. The OCR processing data generated by the OCR processing is combined with a timestamp representing the time the image was captured. The combination of the OCR processing data and the timestamp is stored in the parking space database.

In a parking entry/exit camera capable of photographing a specified vehicle compartment, if the vehicle number data is the same for multiple images taken at specified intervals, it can be determined that the vehicle has entered that vehicle compartment. Also, if the vehicle number data determined to have entered the vehicle compartment has disappeared from the next image, it can be determined that the vehicle has left the vehicle compartment.

The parking fee is settled for the member user based on the entry data that indicates when the vehicle has entered the parking lot and the exit data that indicates when the vehicle has left the parking lot.

Since there are many entrance and exit cameras installed, the vehicle numbers are compared for each area. If the comparison reveals that the data overlaps with the previous area (as will be described in detail later, if the vehicle has passed through area A and reached area B, the "previous area" refers to area A) or with a past timestamp, the data is discarded (a).

When paying, the parking area is displayed on the signage to guide the customer into the parking lot, and when production completion is triggered, the area where the vehicle is scheduled to leave is displayed on the signage at the entrance to the parking lot, etc. (b).

(Figure 5)
FIG. 5 conceptually illustrates a procedure for detecting the entry and exit of a vehicle from image data captured by an entry/exit camera.

For example, suppose a vehicle with vehicle number (X) enters a parking space with ID = A (1). This state is constantly captured by a designated entrance/exit camera (2).

Note that the vehicle compartment ID (F2-03) here means that it is the third vehicle compartment on the second floor, but the number format itself has no meaning. It is sufficient as long as it is information that identifies the vehicle compartment.

The captured image data is sent to the parking space management server (AI terminal) (3). The parking space management server detects that the vehicle has entered the parking space ID (A) based on the received captured image data (4).

The parking space management server then sends image data of the vehicle that was detected entering the parking lot to a vehicle number authentication server located outside the parking lot (5). The vehicle number authentication server performs vehicle number authentication on the number portion of the image data and returns the information to the local AI terminal (6). Here, the vehicle number (X) is authenticated.

The parking space management server that receives the vehicle number authentication from the vehicle number authentication server transmits the data "Vehicle space ID = A, date and time when vehicle number (X) entered and left the parking space" to the overall management server (7). The overall management server stores the received data.

(Figure 6)
6 is a perspective view of a large, four-story parking lot. The first floor parking lot, which is at the same height as the public road, corresponds to Area A, the second floor parking lot to Area B, and the third floor parking lot to Area C. Area A and Area B are continuously connected, and Area B and Area C are also continuously connected.

(Figure 7)
FIG. 7 is a plan view showing how the entrance/exit cameras are arranged in the above-mentioned areas A, B, and C.

Entry/Exit cameras a, b, c, d, h, j, and k are positioned in the outer aisles. Entry/Exit cameras e, f, and g are positioned in the central aisle. All entry/exit cameras are operated to capture image data periodically (for example, every minute).

(Figure 8)
8 to 11 are flowcharts showing the procedure of information processing in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a case where a vehicle enters the parking lot and is able to enter area A, which is the first area.

First, a vehicle (X) enters a parking lot (S1). The driver of the vehicle (X) sees the signage (S2). Let us say that the signage displays a message saying, "Parking in Area A is recommended." The driver of the vehicle (X) then drives the vehicle toward Area A (S3).

The multiple entrance/exit cameras installed in area A capture the vehicle number of vehicle (X) (S4). The captured image data is then sent via the parking space management server to the vehicle number confirmation server, which captures the vehicle number data of vehicle (X) and temporarily stores it in the storage means (see FIG. 5).

The parking space management server searches past photographed data for the photographed vehicle number data and checks whether the past data contains any duplicate vehicle number data (S5). If duplicate vehicle number data has already been stored, the old vehicle number data is deleted from the storage means (S6). If no duplicate vehicle number data exists, the vehicle number data is stored (S7).

Whether or not vehicle (X) has been successfully parked in area A is confirmed by the parking space management server using image data acquired by multiple entrance/exit cameras installed in area A. The following is an explanation with reference to Figure 7.

For example, assume that the vehicle number data of vehicle (X) is acquired by the entrance/exit camera (h), and then acquired by the entrance/exit camera (k), and furthermore, the vehicle number data of vehicle (X) is continuously acquired by the same entrance/exit camera (k). In that case, it can be determined that vehicle (X) has been parked in a parking space in an area that can be photographed by the entrance/exit camera (k) (S8). At this point, the entrance of vehicle (X) is complete (S9). After S9, proceed to step "b".

On the other hand, if the entry of vehicle (X) cannot be confirmed by any of the entry/exit cameras in area A, proceed to step "a".

(Figure 9)
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a case where, when a vehicle enters a parking lot, the first area, area A, is full and the vehicle cannot enter the parking lot, but can enter area B.
This is the case where, after analyzing the data acquired by the entrance/exit camera installed in area A, it is determined that all parking spaces are occupied, and, after analyzing the data acquired by the entrance/exit camera installed in area B, it is determined that there is an empty parking space.

A vehicle (X) enters a parking lot (S1). The driver of the vehicle (X) sees the signage (S2). Let us say that the signage displays a message saying, "Parking in area B is recommended." The driver of the vehicle (X) then moves the vehicle toward area B (S10).

Vehicle (X) passes through Area A (S11). An entrance/exit camera installed at the boundary from Area A to Area B (for example, the ramp leading from the first floor to the second floor) photographs the vehicle number of vehicle (X) (S12).

The parking space management server checks whether the captured vehicle number data contains any duplicate vehicle number data (S13). If duplicate vehicle number data has already been stored, the old vehicle number data is deleted from the storage means (S14). If no duplicate vehicle number data exists, the vehicle number data is stored (S15).

Next, assume that the vehicle (X) passes the border from area A to area B and moves into area B (S16). Note that in FIG. 8, even if parking in area A is not possible, data processing will start from S16.

Whether or not the vehicle (X) has been successfully parked in Area B is confirmed by the parking space management server using image data acquired by multiple entrance/exit cameras installed in Area B (S17-S22). The confirmation procedure is the same as the procedure for confirming entry into Area A, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

(Figure 10)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a case where a vehicle enters a parking lot, but the first area, Area A, and the next area, Area B, are both full and the vehicle cannot enter the parking lot, but can enter Area C.

A vehicle (X) enters a parking lot (S1). The driver of the vehicle (X) sees the signage (S2). Let us say that the signage displays a message saying, "Parking in area C is recommended." The driver of the vehicle (X) then moves the vehicle toward area C (S23).

Vehicle (X) passes through Area A (S24). At this time, the entrance/exit camera at the border from Area A to Area B photographs the vehicle number of vehicle (X) (S12). Furthermore, vehicle (X) passes through Area B (S25). At this time, the entrance/exit camera at the border from Area B to Area C photographs the vehicle number of vehicle (X) (S26).

The parking space management server checks whether the captured vehicle number data contains any duplicate vehicle number data (S27). If duplicate vehicle number data has already been stored, the new vehicle number data is deleted from the storage means (S28). If no duplicate vehicle number data exists, the vehicle number data is stored (S29).

When the vehicle (X) moves into Area C (S30), the parking space management server checks it using the image data acquired by multiple entry/exit cameras installed in Area C (S31-S26). The confirmation procedure is the same as the procedure for checking entry into Area A, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

If vehicle (X) is unable to park in area C, it will return to area A to search for a vacant parking space (S37).

(Figure 11)
Fig. 11 is a flow chart showing the process from the start of parking fee settlement to the output to the signage after the settlement is completed. In any of Figs. 8 to 10, once entry into the parking lot is completed, the parking fee needs to be settled when leaving the parking lot (b).

A parking lot user who has used a parking space in any of areas A to C begins settling the parking fee (S38). The information required for settlement is the information recorded on the parking ticket received when entering the parking lot, or the user's own vehicle number information.

The settlement process will be explained below. After receiving the parking ticket, the parking lot user inserts it into the settlement machine (S39). The parking ticket records the time data when the user began entering the parking lot as information necessary for settlement, so the settlement machine reads this time data. The machine then calculates the difference between this time and the current time, which is the time of exit, as the usage time of the parking space, and presents the parking fee according to this usage time to the parking lot user. The parking lot user then pays the presented parking fee.

When you enter your vehicle number into the payment machine along with inserting your parking ticket, the payment machine can determine which area and which parking space the entered vehicle number started using and when, as described below.

There are various other methods of paying parking fees besides using parking tickets. For example, a user can download a specific app to their smartphone in advance and have the app display a two-dimensional barcode. The parking fee can be deducted from the user's account or card by reading the two-dimensional barcode with a payment machine.
Conversely, the payment machine may display a two-dimensional barcode and the user's smartphone may read it. Payment methods may be any commonly used method in addition to the methods shown above, and further explanation will be omitted. Furthermore, a method using a contactless IC card or the like may be used.

A parking lot user who parks using vehicle number authentication inputs their vehicle number into the payment machine (S39). The payment machine retrieves from data stored in the parking space management server information about which area and which space the input vehicle number was used in and when (S40). The machine then calculates the usage time of the parking space as the difference between this and the current time, which is the time of departure, and presents the parking fee according to that usage time to the parking lot user. The parking lot user then pays the presented parking fee (S41).

The parking space management server can determine which space in which area the parking fee has been paid for. Therefore, data about which area has an available space can be output on the signage (S42).

(Figure 12)
12 shows the information processing procedure in a system in which a member user who has registered in advance his/her name, vehicle number (number plate information), parking fee payment method, etc., uses the parking lot and can settle the payment by taking a picture of the vehicle number with an entrance/exit camera, etc. The member user can enter and exit the parking lot with his/her vehicle without going through the payment procedure, etc.

The entrance/exit camera transmits settlement data, including the vehicle number and the parking space ID, to the parking space management server. One difference from the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3 is that the settlement data is transmitted from the entrance/exit camera instead of the settlement machine.

Another difference from the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3 is that it is equipped with a member database that stores in advance registered data by member users. This member database is used by the vacant space identification means to identify vacant spaces for which settlement processing has been completed based on settlement data including the vehicle number.

(Figure 13)
Fig. 13 conceptually shows that when multiple signages are provided, different data is displayed on each signage. Note that areas A, B, and C shown in Fig. 13 are assumed to be a parking lot with a hierarchical structure as shown in Fig. 6.

The parking space management server manages in a signage management database (not shown) where multiple signage displays are installed.
For example, as shown in the figure, signage A is installed near the entrance to area A, signage B is installed near the entrance to area B, and signage C is installed near the entrance to area C.

The vacant vehicle space data transmission means in the parking vehicle space management server extracts and transmits vacant vehicle space data a suitable for the location where the signage A is installed. For example, the vacant vehicle space data may be "Currently, there are no vacant vehicle spaces in area A. There are many vacant vehicle spaces in area C."
The signage A outputs the above-mentioned vacant space data a to a vehicle x that is about to enter the area A.

The vacant vehicle space data transmission means in the parking vehicle space management server also extracts and transmits to signage B vacant vehicle space data b suitable for the vicinity of the entrance to area B where signage B is installed. For example, the vacant vehicle space data is "A vacant vehicle space is available in the second block of area B."
The signage B outputs the above-mentioned vacant space data b to a vehicle y attempting to enter the area B.

The vacant vehicle space data transmission means in the parking vehicle space management server also extracts and transmits to the signage C vacant vehicle space data c suitable for the vicinity of the entrance of the area C where the signage C is installed. For example, the vacant vehicle space data may be "There are vacant vehicle spaces in the third and fourth blocks of area C."
The signage C outputs the above-mentioned vacant space data c to a vehicle z attempting to enter the area C.

Although various embodiments have been described above with reference to FIGS. 2 to 13, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

The present invention can be used in the parking lot management industry, the parking lot equipment manufacturing industry, the manufacturing industry of communication equipment for parking lot management data, the data management industry in data communication, and the development of application software for parking lot control units and parking lot management servers.

Claims (6)

A parking space management server that manages a number of parking spaces in a parking lot, comprising:
A parking space database that stores a parking space ID, which is identification data of a parking space, and vacancy data relating to the usage status of the parking space;
a payment data receiving means for receiving payment data from a payment machine or the like, the payment data including a notification that the use of each parking space has ended and a space ID for identifying the space that has been ended;
a vacant parking space identification means for identifying a vacant parking space by comparing the parking space ID included in the received settlement data with the parking space database;
a vacant vehicle space data transmission means for transmitting vacant vehicle space data output means for outputting vacant vehicle space data regarding where in the parking lot the vacant vehicle space identified by the vacant vehicle space identification means is located so that the vacant vehicle space data can be viewed by a vehicle that is trying to park;
A parking space management server equipped with the above. The parking lot has a plurality of parking spaces for each of a plurality of independent areas,
2. The parking space management server according to claim 1, wherein the vacant space data is only data for identifying the area. The parking lot has a plurality of parking spaces for each of a plurality of independent areas,
In the case where a plurality of the vacant vehicle space data output means are provided,
2. The parking space management server according to claim 1, wherein the vacant space data transmitting means transmits vacant space data suitable for a location where the vacant space data output means is installed. A computer program for controlling a parking space management server that manages a number of parking spaces in a parking lot, comprising:
a parking space occupancy data accumulation step for accumulating a parking space ID, which is identification data of the parking space, and occupancy data relating to the usage status of the parking space, in a parking space database;
a settlement data receiving step of receiving from an adjustment machine or the like settlement data including information indicating that use of each parking space has ended and a space ID for identifying the space that has been ended;
a vacant parking space identification step of identifying a vacant parking space by comparing the parking space ID included in the settlement data received in the settlement data reception step with the parking space database;
a vacant vehicle space data transmission procedure for transmitting to a vacant vehicle space data output means which outputs information about where in the parking lot the vacant vehicle space identified in the vacant vehicle space identification procedure is located so that the information can be viewed by the vehicle that is trying to park;
A computer program to be executed by the parking space management server. The parking lot has a plurality of parking spaces for each of a plurality of independent areas,
5. The computer program according to claim 4, wherein the vacant vehicle space data is only data identifying the area. The parking lot has a plurality of parking spaces for each of a plurality of independent areas,
In the case where the parking lot is provided with a plurality of the vacant parking space data output means,
5. The computer program according to claim 4, wherein the vacant vehicle space data transmission step transmits vacant vehicle space data suitable for a location where the vacant vehicle space data output means is installed.

Images