Barrier Control Zone Determination for Automatic Gate Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers of vehicles often face inefficiencies when manually operating movable barriers like garage doors, as they need to wait for the barrier to fully open or close, leading to wasted time and fuel, and may not be aware if the barrier has fully closed due to obstructions or mechanical issues.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that determines dynamic status zones and barrier control zones based on the vehicle's direction and communication signals with a barrier controller, allowing for automatic control of the barrier's opening and closing, ensuring timely and complete operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the driver manually operates the barrier, then the driver can control the barrier opening/closing, but the driver must wait for the barrier to fully open or close, wasting time and fuel
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines the vehicle's traveling direction and predicts whether the vehicle will stop near the barrier in advance. Based on this prediction, the barrier is automatically controlled to open or close before the vehicle arrives, eliminating the need for the driver to manually operate the barrier and wait for its completion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the vehicle's direction, position, and communication signals to dynamically adjust the barrier control decisions. This feedback mechanism ensures the barrier operates at the optimal time based on real-time vehicle status, reducing waiting time while maintaining appropriate control.
2Reliability
If the driver manually operates the barrier, then the driver can control the barrier, but the driver may not be fully aware that the barrier has fully closed before driving away, creating safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously receives feedback from the barrier controller regarding the barrier's operational status. This feedback mechanism provides real-time information about whether the barrier has fully opened or closed, ensuring reliable verification without requiring the driver to visually confirm the barrier position.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically monitors and verifies the barrier's operational status without requiring driver intervention. The barrier control system self-verify completion by monitoring communication signals and operational parameters, eliminating the need for the driver to spend time checking the barrier position manually.
3Productivity
If the system automatically controls the barrier based on vehicle direction, then waiting time is reduced, but the system complexity increases due to zone determination and communication signal monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a multi-functional approach where the same computational resources in the vehicle are used for both navigation/direction determination and barrier control zone assessment. This universal use of existing vehicle systems minimizes additional complexity while maintaining high barrier operation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts control parameters such as zone boundaries and communication signal thresholds based on vehicle direction and position. By changing these parameters adaptively rather than using fixed complex structures, the system achieves high efficiency with manageable complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for determining at least one zone associated with automatic control of a barrier that include determining a traveling direction of a vehicle with respect to the barrier. The system and method also include determining at least one dynamic status zone associated with the barrier based on the traveling direction of the vehicle. The system and method additionally include determining at least one barrier control zone associated with the barrier based on the at least one dynamic status zone.