Bistable Reflective Display Parking Space Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current parking lot management systems are inefficient, requiring drivers to circle rows of parking spaces to find an open spot, wasting time and fuel, especially in large facilities like airports or malls where visibility is limited.

Innovation Solution

A parking space management system utilizing bistable reflective displays and detectors to communicate occupancy information, powered by photovoltaics or batteries, allowing drivers to quickly identify available spaces without needing to physically check each spot.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If drivers manually search for parking spaces by circling rows, then they can find an open spot, but it consumes excessive time and fuel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparking space finding efficiencyVSAvoidtime to find parking space

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of detectors, controllers, and displays that mediate between the parking spaces and drivers. The detectors monitor occupancy status, the controllers process this information, and the displays communicate availability to drivers, eliminating the need for manual searching and significantly reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback by having detectors monitor parking space occupancy and relay this information through controllers to displays. This real-time feedback loop allows drivers to immediately know which spaces are available without physically searching, improving productivity while reducing time consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If a parking management system is installed to show occupancy information, then drivers can quickly find available spaces, but the system requires continuous power supply

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparking space information deliveryVSAvoidpower consumption of management system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic action by implementing motion-activated displays that only consume power when a vehicle is detected nearby. The controllers receive periodic signals from detectors and activate displays only when needed, rather than continuously. This approach maintains productivity by providing information on demand while dramatically reducing overall power consumption for remote installations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates self-service characteristics by using passive reflective displays that do not require continuous power for illumination. The displays reflect ambient light to show occupancy information, and the motion-activated components only consume power when triggered by vehicle presence, allowing the system to serve itself with minimal external power input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Use of energy by stationary object

If motion-activated displays are used to reduce power consumption, then the system can operate in remote locations, but the response time may be delayed until a vehicle is detected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumption of display systemVSAvoidresponse time of occupancy information

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary action by having detectors continuously monitor parking space occupancy and pre-process this information in controllers. When a vehicle approaches, the system is already prepared with the current occupancy data and can immediately activate the appropriate displays without detection delay. This maintains low power consumption while eliminating response time delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This system reduces time and fuel consumption by providing real-time occupancy information, enabling drivers to find available spaces efficiently and saving energy, while also being suitable for remote locations without constant power access.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12190730B2Parking space management system

Publication Date: 2025.01.07 E INK CORP

AI summary

A parking space management system includes a bistable reflective display, such as an electrophoretic display, which is sunlight-readable and only requires power when the information on the display is updated. One or more detectors are configured to determine the presence of an object within a bounded space, such as a parking space, and communicate that status to the bistable reflective display, thereby causing the bistable reflective display to show the presence of an object within the bounded space to an observer. Such a system is easy to implement and will save drivers' time because they don't have to hunt for a parking spot. Such a system also reduces tailpipe emissions because it is not necessary to drive up and down multiple aisles of cars looking for an open parking spot.