Hybrid Parking Space Detection with Magnetic and Vision Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle detection systems in parking management, such as in-ground magnetic sensors and camera-based systems, suffer from inaccuracies due to magnetic bouncing and environmental factors, leading to incorrect determination of vehicle presence and resulting in false ticket issuance.
Innovation Solution
A combined system using both in-ground sensors and video cameras employing machine vision, with multiple detection techniques like background subtraction and edge detection, to confirm vehicle entry and exit in parking spaces, ensuring high accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If in-ground magnetic sensors are used to detect vehicle presence, then the system can automatically detect vehicle entry and exit, but the system suffers from magnetic bouncing that causes false readings and reduces accuracy to 92-93%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines in-ground magnetic sensors with video cameras and machine vision algorithms to create a hybrid detection system. The magnetic sensor provides automated detection capability while the camera system serves as a verification mechanism to eliminate false readings caused by magnetic bouncing, thereby improving overall detection accuracy while maintaining automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the camera-based machine vision as a feedback verification mechanism. When the magnetic sensor detects a vehicle, the system captures an image and processes it to confirm the detection. This feedback loop allows the system to correct false positives caused by magnetic field fluctuations, improving measurement precision while maintaining automatic operation.
2Measurement precision
If camera-based machine vision is used to detect vehicle presence, then the system can visually confirm vehicle entry and exit, but the system becomes unreliable in night, rain, snow, and sun angle conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges camera-based machine vision with in-ground magnetic sensors to create a complementary detection system. While the camera provides visual confirmation capability, the magnetic sensor serves as an independent verification mechanism that is not affected by weather conditions like rain, snow, or lighting, thereby improving overall system reliability across different environmental conditions.
3Measurement precision
If multiple detection techniques are combined to improve accuracy, then false readings are reduced and parking revenue is maximized, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a tiered detection approach where the magnetic sensor performs initial detection and the camera performs verification only when needed. This partial application of multiple techniques (using both sensors for all detections, but potentially relying more heavily on the simpler magnetic sensor for obvious cases) improves accuracy while limiting the increase in system complexity to manageable levels.
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
The combined system significantly reduces false readings, maximizing parking revenue by accurately detecting vehicle presence and preventing erroneous ticket issuance.
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, a method of determining whether a vehicle is present in a parking space includes monitoring the parking space with a first vehicle detection technique utilizing image processing and monitoring the parking space with a second vehicle detection technique that does not utilize image processing. The parking space can be monitored with a third vehicle detection technique that is different than the first and second vehicle detection techniques. A conclusion that a vehicle has entered or left the parking space can be determined upon a agreement of the multiple techniques employed.