Blockchain Parking Spot Assignment via Smart Contracts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parking systems for transports face challenges in efficiently directing vehicles to available parking spots and automating the relocation of vehicles to more accessible spots, especially in dynamic environments like event locations where pickup times and locations may change.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing blockchain technology and smart contracts to detect vehicle parking events, update pickup locations and times, and facilitate the movement of vehicles to proximate locations based on real-time data and user device interactions, while also managing the assignment and verification of vacant parking spots among vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional parking sign systems are used to indicate available parking spots, then parking availability can be shown, but the exact location and convenience of spots cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
A blockchain-based intermediary system is introduced between parking spot indicators and vehicle occupants. The system uses smart contracts to store and manage parking spot location data, vacancy status, and accessibility information on a distributed ledger, allowing any participant to query accurate real-time parking information without complex centralized infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical parking sign systems with a digital blockchain-based information system. Instead of physical signs that provide limited static information, the system uses distributed digital ledgers and smart contracts to provide dynamic, queryable parking spot data including exact locations, vacancy status, and accessibility metrics
2Extent of automation
If manual parking spot monitoring is used, then parking availability can be tracked, but automated relocation of transports cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables autonomous vehicles to independently query blockchain-based parking spot data, evaluate spot quality metrics, and execute relocation maneuvers without human intervention. Smart contracts automatically manage the entire process from spot identification to vehicle movement coordination, eliminating manual monitoring requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous feedback loops where vehicle occupancy data, parking spot vacancy status, and accessibility metrics are constantly updated on the blockchain. This real-time feedback enables the system to dynamically optimize transport relocation decisions and parking spot assignments, reducing time loss through automated adaptive responses
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed pickup locations are used for transports, then parking management is simplified, but adaptability to dynamic event schedules is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms fixed pickup locations into dynamic, blockchain-recorded variables. Smart contracts store and update pickup location data based on real-time event schedule changes, allowing the system to adapt to varying conditions while maintaining a structured management framework through the immutable ledger
Data Source
AI summary
An example operation may include one or more of querying, by a transport, a plurality of transports within a parking area for a parking spot to be vacated, receiving, by the transport, verification to vacate the parking spots from the plurality of transports within the parking area, and determining, by the transport, locations of the parking spots to be vacated based on the verifications.