Navigation System Parking Selection Using Time Estimates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current navigation systems do not effectively assist users in selecting suitable parking locations based on time constraints and user behavior, often leading to miscalculations in expected return times to a vehicle.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that estimate the time users will return to a vehicle by tracking time spent at points-of-interest, using feedback systems to refine these estimates over time, and selecting parking locations based on criteria such as estimated parking duration, distance, and restrictions, which are then communicated to mobile devices for user guidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If navigation systems provide basic routing information, then users can reach their destination, but users cannot effectively select suitable parking locations based on time constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparking location selection capabilityVSAvoidmiscalculation of return time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by estimating the duration users will spend at points of interest before they actually arrive. This advance estimation allows the navigation system to pre-calculate suitable parking locations and expected return times, enabling users to make informed parking decisions before reaching their destination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by collecting actual user behavior data (actual time spent at points of interest) and using it to refine and improve future estimates. This continuous feedback loop enhances the accuracy of parking duration predictions, allowing the system to better match users with appropriate parking locations over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If navigation systems provide detailed routing information, then users can follow the route, but users lack assistance in selecting parking locations considering time constraints and user behavior

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparking location selection capabilityVSAvoidparking duration estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by collecting actual user behavior data (actual time spent at points of interest) and using it to refine and improve future estimates. This continuous feedback loop enhances the accuracy of parking duration predictions, allowing the system to better match users with appropriate parking locations over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by automatically collecting user behavior data and using it to improve its own estimation algorithms without requiring manual user input. The system serves itself by learning from aggregated user patterns to enhance parking duration predictions and improve overall parking location recommendation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If the system collects and processes user behavior data, then parking duration estimates can be refined, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparking duration estimation accuracyVSAvoidfeedback system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system achieves universality by using a multi-functional feedback mechanism that serves multiple purposes: collecting user behavior data, estimating parking durations, evaluating parking location suitability, and continuously improving prediction accuracy. This single feedback infrastructure supports various navigation and parking-related functions, reducing the need for separate complex systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2972106B1Parking information based on destination
Publication Date: 2019.10.09 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP2972106B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2972106B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2972106B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In one embodiment, a mobile device includes position circuitry and routing algorithms for generating routing instructions from a current position of the mobile device to a destination. The destination is specified in a navigation request and may describe a point-of-interest (S201 ). A database associates points-of-interest individually or by category with estimated parking durations. The mobile device accesses an estimated parking duration and selects a preferred parking location based on the estimated parking duration. Considerations for selecting the preferred parking location include cost, parking restrictions, and/or distance (S207). For example, the preferred parking location may be the available parking spot that is the least expensive during the estimated parking duration and avoids no parking zones or other time constraints.