Image-Based Parking Location Matching for GPS-Blocked Urban Areas

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Solution Overview

Problem

GPS-based location estimation is inaccurate in urban areas due to obstructions and poor connectivity, leading to unreliable location information, especially in cities with many skyscrapers or trees.

Innovation Solution

A system using cameras and computing devices to capture and process images, matching them with a library of reference background images to determine location and compliance with parking conditions, which includes a background matching module, machine learning models for object detection, and character recognition to identify license plates and signs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If GPS-based location estimation is used, then location information can be obtained, but accuracy deteriorates in urban areas with obstructions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoidreliability of location information

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces image processing technology as an intermediary method to determine location when GPS fails. The system captures images of the urban environment, extracts features from these images, and matches them with pre-stored reference images to determine location, thereby bypassing the obstruction problem that affects GPS signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the GPS satellite-based electromagnetic signal system with an image-based visual recognition system. Instead of relying on GPS satellites transmitting radio signals that can be blocked, the system uses cameras to capture visual information and processes these images to determine location, substituting a different technological approach that is not susceptible to the same obstruction problems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If image processing techniques are used for location determination, then location accuracy improves in areas with poor GPS connectivity, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing reference images and their corresponding location information in a database before the actual location determination is needed. When the system needs to determine location, it only needs to compare current captured images against this pre-prepared reference library, significantly reducing the computational complexity during real-time operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the location determination process into distinct modules: image capture, feature extraction, image matching, and location determination. This modular segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and makes the overall system more manageable and less complex, as each module performs a specific function rather than requiring a monolithic complex system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20230091062A1Systems and Methods for Image-Based Location Determination and Parking Monitoring

Publication Date: 2023.03.23 SENSEN NETWORKS GRP PTY LTD

AI summary

Embodiments relate to systems, methods and computer readable media for parking monitoring in an urban area by image processing operations. Embodiments perform parking monitoring by capturing images of an urban area, comparing captured images with reference images to determine location and parking conditions. Embodiments processes captured images to detect licence plates, vehicles or parking signs to determine compliance of vehicles with parking conditions.