Dual Location Verification for Automated Parking Access Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional parking management systems require significant human intervention for entry and exit operations, payment processing, and enforcement, which can be inefficient and prone to errors, especially in uncontrolled parking lots.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system that uses smart devices and beacons to automate the entry and exit processes by determining the location and status of vehicles, allowing for automated barrier control and payment transactions without the need for human intervention, utilizing entry and exit beacons to authorize vehicle access and calculate parking fees based on duration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If human intervention is used for parking management operations, then system reliability is maintained, but productivity and efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparking management efficiencyVSAvoidhuman intervention level

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service parking management where vehicles automatically present their smart devices at entry/exit beacons, the system automatically determines location and processes payments, and barriers automatically open/close without human intervention. This transforms manual parking management into an automated self-service system that maintains reliability while dramatically improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical human intervention with electronic and optical systems. Smart devices with beacons use wireless communication and optical recognition to automatically identify vehicles, determine locations, and trigger automated barrier operations. This substitution eliminates manual operations while maintaining system reliability through electronic verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If automated parking systems are implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparking management efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The smart device serves multiple functions: it acts as an identification card, location tracker, payment method, and communication interface. The beacon system simultaneously performs location determination, vehicle identification, and barrier control triggering. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, managing complexity while improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The smart device and beacons act as intermediaries between vehicles and the parking management system. Rather than requiring direct complex interactions between multiple system components, the smart device mediates by collecting vehicle information, determining location through beacon communication, and triggering appropriate responses. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Extent of automation

If smart devices and beacons are used for automated entry/exit, then extent of automation is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated access controlVSAvoidlocation determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The parking area is segmented into multiple zones with individual beacons. Instead of requiring a single precise location measurement, the system uses multiple beacon signals to determine vehicle position through triangulation. This segmentation approach maintains automated access control while reducing the precision requirements for any single measurement point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from multiple beacons to continuously track vehicle location and status. The smart device communicates with multiple beacons to confirm presence at entry/exit points, and the system provides feedback to adjust barrier operations. This feedback mechanism ensures accurate location determination without requiring extremely high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11636714B2Method and system for managing parking by dual location verification

Publication Date: 2023.04.25 REEF GLOBAL IP LLC

AI summary

A computerized system for managing a parking lot includes: a beacon in one-way, or location sensor in two-way, communication with a smart device for locating the smart device without it having to determine its own location, a vehicle sensor for sensing the presence of a vehicle, and a computer-implemented server operable to determine from the beacon's identification or receive from the location sensor the location of the smart device. The server authorizes entry or exit of the vehicle when a smart device status indicates acceptance, and the smart device and the vehicle are both at a same appropriate location. The server updates the smart device status after a payment transaction. Entry or exit may be authorized by opening a barrier, displaying an authorization message, communicating a message to the smart device, and/or not issuing a non-authorization alert. The server may receive reservations, and may communicate lot occupancy to third-party systems.