Image-Assisted Parking Space Availability Searching and Reservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current parking management systems fail to efficiently allocate and manage on-street parking due to binary sensor inputs, lacking real-time visual data for users to preview parking space availability before reservation or arrival.
Innovation Solution
An image-assisted parking space availability searching and reservation system using an image capturing unit deployed on-site, processing real-time video data to provide users with visual information on parking space availability via mobile devices, allowing remote inspection and reservation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If binary sensor input data is used for determining parking spot availability, then the system is simple and cost-effective, but customers are unable to preview the parking space before making a reservation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines binary sensor data with video camera feeds into a unified parking management system. The image processing unit processes video data to detect vehicle presence and generates visual representations that are integrated with the binary occupancy data, providing both simplicity and visual information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates visual copies (images and videos) of the actual parking spaces and transmits them to user devices. This allows customers to preview parking spaces remotely without physically visiting them, resolving the information loss while maintaining system feasibility through digital replication.
2Loss of information
If video-based parking occupancy detection systems are used, then real-time visual data is provided, but the system complexity and cost increase compared to binary sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses video cameras to monitor parking spaces, but the image processing unit selectively processes only relevant frames when vehicle presence changes are detected. This reduces unnecessary processing while maintaining real-time visual information availability, balancing complexity and functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an image processing unit as an intermediary between the video camera and the user interface. This intermediary processes video data, extracts meaningful information about parking space occupancy, and presents it in a simplified format, reducing the complexity burden on the overall system.
3Ease of operation
If customers cannot preview parking spaces before arrival, then the system remains simple, but customer satisfaction and parking management efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows customers to preview parking spaces and surrounding areas before traveling to them. Users can view real-time images and videos of parking spaces, assess their desirability and accessibility, and make informed decisions about where to park, saving time and improving satisfaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time visual feedback about parking space availability and conditions to users through mobile devices. This feedback loop enables customers to make informed decisions about parking location selection, reducing unnecessary trips and improving overall parking management efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
An image assisted parking space availability searching and reservation method and system. An image capturing unit can be deployed onsite (e.g., parking lot, street side parking, etc.) to monitor parking spaces/spots. A parking space detection and reservation module can be configured in association with a mobile communications device to assist in the detection and selection of particular spaces. A destination street(s) can be located via a web browser installed associated with the mobile communications device. An IP address of the image-capturing unit monitoring the parking space can be obtained and a snapshot image/video of the street can be displayed. The captured video can be processed in real-time to report parking availability with respect to the street(s) and a parking space reserved.