Geofenced Resource Availability Tracking Without Fixed Sensors

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for indicating resource availability in space-limited areas, such as parking lots, are costly, unreliable, and often provide outdated information, leading to inefficiencies and frustration for users.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a geofencing system that uses GPS or geolocation technology to track resource availability by monitoring geofence events, such as vehicles entering or exiting a defined area, and updating metrics in real-time to provide accurate availability information through mobile applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual counting or hardware infrastructure (cameras, sensors, gates) is used to track resource availability, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource availability information accuracyVSAvoidhardware infrastructure requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical and hardware-based tracking systems (manual counting, cameras, sensors, gates) with a software-based geofencing system that uses GPS coordinates and mobile device location data to automatically detect vehicle entry and exit events, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system leverages the mobile devices that users already possess to perform the tracking function. The geofencing capability resides in the software, and mobile devices self-report their location data, eliminating the need for dedicated tracking hardware infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If hardware infrastructure is deployed to provide real-time resource availability information, then reliability is improved, but loss of energy and operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time information availabilityVSAvoidpower consumption for system operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates power-intensive hardware infrastructure (cameras, sensors, gates, indicator lights) and replaces it with a software-based system that utilizes the existing power supply of mobile devices, dramatically reducing energy loss while maintaining real-time information availability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system leverages the multi-functionality of mobile devices that users already carry, which can serve both as communication tools and as resource tracking devices, eliminating the need for dedicated hardware infrastructure and its associated energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of information

If traditional methods are used to indicate resource availability, then information is provided, but loss of time for users searching for resources increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource availability informationVSAvoidtime to find available resources

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides resource availability information before users arrive at the location. By establishing geofences and continuously monitoring entry/exit events, the system allows users to check availability remotely and plan their visits accordingly, preventing wasted travel time to full locations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously updates resource availability information based on real-time geofence events and makes this information accessible to users through the platform, enabling dynamic adjustment of user behavior and reducing time loss from searching for available resources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20260040025A1Systems, Methods, and Apparatuses for Resource Management

Publication Date: 2026.02.05 PARKING PIN LLC

AI summary

Techniques for managing availability of a geofenced resource are described. A stored metric indicating the availability of a resource of a geofenced resource area is updated in response to a geofence event. An indication of the availability of the resource based on the stored metric is provided in response to receiving a request for resource availability information associated with the geofenced resource area.