Autonomous Parking Assistance Holding Pattern Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In urban areas or restrictive parking environments, autonomous vehicles face challenges in locating available parking spaces, leading to inefficiencies and increased traffic congestion.
Innovation Solution
A parking assistance control unit equipped with sensors and wireless communication interfaces determines available parking spaces based on user-defined parameters, engages in a holding pattern if spaces are not immediately available, and periodically checks for availability, transmitting status updates to the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the autonomous vehicle continuously searches for parking locations in real-time, then the parking location availability is improved, but the energy consumption and time loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-determining multiple candidate parking locations within a designated parking zone before the vehicle arrives. The parking assistance control unit identifies and stores information about available parking spaces in advance, so that when the vehicle reaches the zone, parking is quickly arranged without real-time searching delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares backup parking location options in advance as a cushion against unavailability. By pre-identifying multiple candidate locations and monitoring their availability status beforehand, the system ensures that if the primary parking spot becomes occupied, alternative locations are already known and ready, preventing time loss and ensuring reliable parking arrangement.
2Productivity
If the autonomous vehicle waits in a holding pattern for parking availability, then the parking efficiency is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous monitoring, the system uses periodic action by checking parking location availability at predetermined time intervals while the vehicle is in the holding pattern. The parking assistance control unit periodically determines whether candidate parking spaces have become available, rather than continuously monitoring, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining parking efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the holding pattern duration and periodic check intervals based on real-time conditions. If parking locations become available, the vehicle is directed to park immediately. If not, the holding pattern continues with adjusted timing, optimizing the balance between parking efficiency and energy consumption by adapting to changing environmental conditions.
3Reliability
If the parking zone is expanded to include more locations, then the parking availability is improved, but the area to search increases
Solution Approach 1:
The parking zone is segmented into multiple discrete candidate parking locations that are individually identified and evaluated. Rather than treating the entire zone as a single search area, the system divides it into specific parking spots, allowing efficient monitoring and selection of available locations within the expanded zone without proportionally increasing search complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality by prioritizing certain parking locations within the zone based on specific criteria such as proximity to destination, accessibility, or user preferences. Not all locations in the expanded zone are treated equally; instead, the system focuses on evaluating and monitoring specific high-priority locations, thereby maintaining high parking availability while managing the search area effectively.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method and device parking assistance for a vehicle capable of autonomous operation. The embodiment herein operates to receive a parking zone, which is based on a destination location and a user-defined parking parameter, and includes a plurality of parking locations. When on approach to the parking zone under an autonomous vehicle operation, the parking assistance determines whether the parking zone includes at least one parking location that is physically available for parking the vehicle. When the parking zone does not, the parking assistance prompts the vehicle to engage in a holding pattern for a predetermined period of time. While in the holding pattern under the autonomous operation, the parking assistance periodically determines whether the at least one parking location becomes available. When the predetermined period of time lapses, parking status of the vehicle is transmitted to a vehicle user.