Camera-Based Parking Availability Mapping Without Predefined Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional smart parking systems struggle to accurately determine parking availability when parking lines or surfaces are not predefined, leading to sensor errors and recognition issues.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilizes camera-based image processing to detect parked vehicles, convert object area information into real distance information, and generate parking availability information without relying on predefined parking divisions, incorporating a vehicle object detection unit, real distance information conversion, and parking availability information generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional smart parking systems use sensors and predefined parking lines to detect parked vehicles, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional sensor-based detection systems with a camera-based image processing system. The camera captures images of the parking area, and image processing algorithms detect parked vehicles by analyzing visual features such as vehicle shapes, colors, and positions, eliminating the need for complex sensor networks and predefined parking line infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital representation (image) of the physical parking area and processes this copy to detect vehicle positions. By working with image data rather than direct sensor measurements, the system simplifies the physical infrastructure while maintaining detection capabilities through computational analysis of visual information.
2Measurement precision
If predefined parking lines and divided surfaces are used to calculate parking availability, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of manufacture and installation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential information needed for parking detection (vehicle presence and position) from the complex infrastructure of predefined parking lines and divided surfaces. By focusing on detecting vehicle features directly from images rather than relying on pre-established spatial divisions, the system eliminates the need for physical marking and division work while maintaining accurate parking availability determination.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using predefined parking lines to define where vehicles should be and then detecting them, the system inverts the approach by detecting vehicles first through their visual features and then determining parking availability based on their detected positions and the camera's field of view, eliminating the need for pre-established parking boundaries.
3Productivity
If sensors are used to detect parked vehicles in real-time, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera-based system serves multiple functions: it captures images for vehicle detection, provides visual records of parking area conditions, and enables various types of analysis (vehicle counting, position tracking, occupancy detection) from a single device, replacing multiple specialized sensors and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining real-time monitoring capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of generating parking availability information according to the present invention includes detecting at least one already parked vehicle from an image captured by a camera; converting object area information corresponding to the detected parked vehicle into real distance information; and generating parking availability information of a parking target vehicle based on the real distance information.