Block-Face Objects for Real-Time Parking Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing navigation applications do not provide users with real-time parking information, leading to inefficiencies in finding available parking spaces, increased gas consumption, and traffic congestion.
Innovation Solution
A location management platform generates a data structure associating parking information with block-face objects, allowing users to receive real-time parking information, reducing the need for continuous vehicle searches and conserving processing resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If navigation applications do not provide real-time parking information, then device complexity is reduced, but user productivity deteriorates due to increased time spent searching for parking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a location management platform as an intermediary between reporting devices (cameras, sensors) and user devices (navigation apps). This platform generates block-face objects containing parking information and serves as a mediator that provides real-time parking data without requiring direct complex interactions between user devices and reporting devices, thus improving productivity while managing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The location management platform performs preliminary actions by pre-generating block-face objects with parking information before users need this data. The system proactively collects parking information from reporting devices, processes it into structured block-face objects, and makes it available in advance, reducing the time users spend searching for parking
2Loss of information
If users continuously search for parking spaces without real-time information, then information accuracy is improved by direct observation, but energy consumption increases due to prolonged vehicle operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where reporting devices continuously monitor parking space availability and feed this information back to the location management platform, which then provides updated parking information to users. This real-time feedback loop ensures information accuracy while eliminating the need for users to continuously search, thereby reducing energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The location management platform performs self-service by automatically collecting, processing, and distributing parking information without requiring user intervention. Reporting devices autonomously capture parking status, and the platform autonomously generates and distributes block-face objects, allowing users to passively receive accurate information without active searching
3Loss of information
If real-time parking information is provided through direct device-to-device communication, then information freshness is improved, but processing resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the processing functions of multiple user devices by introducing a centralized location management platform that generates block-face objects. Instead of each user device independently processing parking information from reporting devices (which would consume excessive resources), the platform consolidates this processing function, providing real-time information efficiently to multiple users simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The location management platform creates copies of parking information in the form of block-face objects that can be distributed to multiple user devices. Rather than establishing direct real-time communication channels between each reporting device and each user device (which would consume excessive processing resources), the system generates reusable information copies that maintain freshness while reducing resource consumption
Data Source
AI summary
A device can receive parking information for a set of street segments within a geographic region. The parking information can include metadata for a set of parking spaces within the set of street segments. The device can create a set of block-face objects that represent block-faces within the set of street segments. The device can generate a data structure that associates the parking information for the set of street segments with the set of block-face objects. The device can receive, from a user device, a request for parking information associated with a geographic area. The device can obtain the parking information associated with the geographic area by using location information included in the request to search the data structure. The device can provide the parking information associated with the geographic area for display on a user interface of the user device.