Dual Sensor Parking Detection Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smart parking systems face inaccuracies in detecting vehicle presence due to magnetic bouncing from in-ground sensors and reliability issues with machine vision, especially in adverse weather conditions, leading to incorrect ticket issuance.
Innovation Solution
A dual detection system combining in-ground magnetic sensors and machine vision using cameras, where both methods must concur on vehicle presence or absence, with machine vision performing a double check on sensor data and applying hysteresis thresholds to ensure accurate state changes persist over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If in-ground magnetic sensors are used to detect vehicle presence, then the system can operate automatically without cameras, but the detection accuracy decreases to 92-93% due to magnetic bouncing from passing vehicles and weather effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two different detection methods (in-ground magnetic sensors and machine vision cameras) into a unified system. The magnetic sensor provides continuous automatic detection while the camera performs periodic verification, merging the advantages of both approaches to achieve high accuracy and reliable automatic operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera acts as an intermediary verification mechanism that checks the readings from the magnetic sensor. When the magnetic sensor detects a vehicle, the camera captures an image to confirm the detection, serving as a mediator that validates the sensor's output and eliminates false readings caused by magnetic bouncing.
2Measurement precision
If machine vision using cameras is used to detect vehicle presence, then the system can visually confirm vehicle occupancy, but reliability decreases in adverse weather conditions such as night, rain, snow, and when cameras are covered with snow or dirt
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection using the magnetic sensor before activating the camera. The magnetic sensor continuously monitors for vehicle presence and only triggers the camera when a vehicle is detected, allowing the camera to operate minimally and reducing the impact of adverse conditions on overall system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic sensor serves as an intermediary that filters and validates camera readings. When the camera detects a vehicle, the magnetic sensor's continuous monitoring data is used to confirm the detection, providing a secondary verification that overcomes the limitations of visual detection in adverse conditions.
3Measurement precision
If both in-ground magnetic sensors and machine vision cameras are combined, then detection accuracy is significantly enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two detection systems into a coordinated workflow where the magnetic sensor provides continuous monitoring and the camera provides periodic verification. This integration achieves high detection accuracy while managing complexity through systematic coordination of the two components.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera performs only partial action - it is activated only when the magnetic sensor detects a vehicle, rather than operating continuously. This reduces the complexity of coordinating the two systems while maintaining high detection accuracy, as the camera operates minimally to verify sensor readings.
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
This approach significantly enhances accuracy, reducing false readings and ensuring correct vehicle occupancy determination, thereby minimizing incorrect ticket issuance and maximizing parking revenue.
Implementation Method 1
In-ground sensors typically sense magnetic field strength. For example, the sensor is embedded in the roadway above the location where a vehicle would be parked. When a vehicle is parked over the sensor, the magnetic field increases above a pre-set threshold value
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for managing parking monitoring and enforcement. In one aspect, an in ground sensor provides a first vehicle detection technique and a video camera employing machine vision provides a second vehicle detection technique. A vehicle detection technique for a smart parking meter utilizes both of the first and second detection techniques to make a highly accurate determination of a vehicle entering a parking space and a vehicle exiting a parking space. The second detection technique can be used to perform a double check on the first technique, or vice versa.