Indoor Parking Navigation via BLE Beacons and RFID
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large parking lots, vehicle owners face difficulties in finding available parking spaces and locating their parked vehicles due to insufficient signage, similar environments, and the inability to use outdoor satellite navigation indoors.
Innovation Solution
A parking management system that uses RFID technology and self-organized Bluetooth networks to determine parking space availability, associate vehicles with unique IDs, and provide navigation to both available parking spaces and parked vehicles through user devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If outdoor satellite navigation is used for parking, then navigation coverage is limited to outdoor areas, but indoor parking lot navigation becomes unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons as intermediary devices deployed throughout the indoor parking lot. These beacons act as mediators between the satellite navigation system (outdoor) and indoor parking spaces, enabling continuous navigation coverage by transitioning from satellite-based positioning to beacon-based positioning when entering indoor areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from three-dimensional satellite-based GPS navigation to a two-dimensional floor plan-based navigation system using BLE beacons. The patent projects real-time parking space availability onto a two-dimensional electronic map, allowing users to navigate indoors using 2D map guidance rather than 3D satellite coordinates.
2Loss of information
If parking spaces are not monitored, then system complexity is reduced, but real-time parking availability information is unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The parking spaces are equipped with sensors that automatically detect whether a space is occupied or vacant and transmit this information to the server without requiring manual input or complex monitoring infrastructure. Each parking space terminal independently monitors its own status and communicates with the central server, eliminating the need for centralized complex monitoring equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical monitoring systems with electronic sensor-based detection. Instead of using mechanical sensors or manual reporting, the system uses electronic sensors integrated with Bluetooth and WiFi communication to automatically detect and transmit parking space status, simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Loss of time
If users search for parking spaces manually, then no additional system infrastructure is needed, but search time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring parking space availability and pre-calculating navigation routes before users need this information. When a user enters the parking lot, the system has already identified available spaces and prepared turn-by-turn navigation instructions, eliminating the need for users to manually search and reducing wait time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements real-time feedback by continuously updating users on parking space availability and navigation progress. The system provides real-time turn-by-turn directions and updates parking space status as users approach their destination, allowing dynamic adjustment of navigation based on changing conditions within the parking lot.
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
The system effectively communicates parking space availability and vehicle locations, reducing search time for both parking and finding vehicles, enhancing user experience and efficiency within indoor parking environments.
Implementation Method 1
obtaining a first radio-frequency ID (RFID) associated with a first vehicle and a first user device
Implementation Method 2
communicating the first RFID and the first parking space ID to a storage device via a self-organized network formed by a plurality of parking space terminals
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for parking management and navigation. One method includes operations for determining an availability of a parking space having a parking space ID, obtaining a radio-frequency ID associated with a vehicle occupying the parking space, and communicating the parking space ID and the radio-frequency ID to a storage device via a self-organized network formed by multiple parking space terminals. Further, the method includes operations for providing navigation to a vacant parking space and providing navigation to a parked vehicle.