Curb Parking Spot Locks for Reserved Vehicle Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Intelligent remote control parking spot locks are ineffective for curb parking lots, failing to address the need for parking spot reservation and reducing search time and traffic congestion in urban areas.

Innovation Solution

A parking management system and spot lock that allows for remote reservation and unlocking of curb parking spots using a terminal, server, and parking spot lock components, including a geomagnetic vehicle detector and radar sensor, to ensure only reserved vehicles can access the spot.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If intelligent remote control parking spot locks are applied to curb parking lots, then parking spot reservation can be implemented, but the system cannot ensure reserved spots are available upon arrival because existing locks require remote control unlocking in proximity and cannot prevent occupancy before arrival

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparking spot reservation availabilityVSAvoidunlocking operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically unlocking the parking spot lock before the vehicle arrives at the curb parking spot. The server receives unlocking information from the terminal and sends control signals to the parking spot lock in advance, ensuring the spot is ready for immediate use upon arrival, thus resolving the contradiction between reservation reliability and operational convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of time

If geomagnetism-based detection is used to find empty parking spots, then parking spot search time is reduced, but traffic congestion persists because spots may be occupied before owners arrive, requiring reservation functionality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparking spot search timeVSAvoidparking spot availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary reservation actions through the terminal before the vehicle reaches the parking spot. The server processes reservation requests and pre-allocates parking spots, ensuring that spots identified through geomagnetic detection remain available when owners arrive, thereby eliminating both search time loss and availability reliability issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If manual operation of parking spot locks is used in curb parking lots, then system complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases because owners cannot reserve spots in advance and must search for available spots upon arrival

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparking spot turnover rateVSAvoidreservation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces a server as an intermediary between the terminal and parking spot locks. The server manages reservation information, receives unlocking requests, and controls the parking spot locks automatically. This intermediary architecture enables automated reservation and unlocking functions without requiring complex modifications to the parking spot locks themselves, thus improving productivity while maintaining manageable system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Loss of time

If parking spot reservation is implemented in curb parking lots, then search time and traffic congestion are reduced, but the system requires automated detection and control mechanisms that existing remote control locks lack

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparking spot search timeVSAvoiddetection and control automation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the terminal sends reservation and unlocking information to the server, which then controls the parking spot locks accordingly. The radar sensor detects vehicle approach and provides feedback to the control unit, which automatically triggers unlocking. This feedback loop enables automated detection and control, reducing search time and congestion while achieving the necessary automation level through coordinated system components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Enables efficient parking spot reservation, reducing search time and congestion by ensuring reserved spots are available upon arrival, and automating the reservation and payment process.

Implementation Method 1

a radar sensor configured to detect an approach of a vehicle to the parking spot lock

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Implementation Method 2

A geomagnetism-based parking spot detection technology enables a vehicle owner to quickly find an empty parking spot

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGeomagnetism: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP3605495B1Parking management method, server, parking spot lock
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 ZTE CORP
  • EP3605495B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3605495B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3605495B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Disclosed is a parking management method, including: a server (2) acquiring parking information on a destination, and sending the parking information to a terminal (1), to enable the terminal (1) to select a parking lot according to the parking information; and the server (2) performing a parking reservation based on the parking lot selected by the terminal (1); a parking spot lock (3) receiving a parking spot reservation notification sent by the server (2), and entering a reserved mode according to the parking spot reservation notification; when a vehicle arrives at a reserved parking spot, the parking spot lock (3) identifying information of the vehicle; and when the vehicle is determined to be a reservation vehicle according to the information of the vehicle, activating the parking spot lock (3), to enable the vehicle to enter a parking spot corresponding to the parking spot lock (3).