Parking Space Allocation Using Occupancy and Dwell-Time Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parking space utilization systems are inaccurate and complex, requiring multiple detection units per row and strategic waiting areas, limiting their applicability and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a detection device to determine the occupancy status of each parking space, including information on location and length, with a control unit to calculate dwell times and display units to show these times, reducing the number of detection and display units needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a parking space is occupied, then the parking area utilization is reduced, but providing real-time occupancy information requires additional sensing and communication infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The parking system uses the mobile device's own sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, camera) and processing capabilities to detect and communicate parking occupancy. The mobile device itself serves as the sensing unit, eliminating the need for separate dedicated sensors in the parking structure. The device autonomously determines occupancy status and transmits it to the server.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device performs multiple functions: it acts as both the user interface for parking navigation and the sensing unit for detecting occupancy. The same device that provides turn-by-turn directions also captures images and determines whether a parking space is occupied, consolidating multiple functions into a single universal platform.
2Measurement precision
If manual verification of parking occupancy is required, then measurement accuracy improves, but time consumption and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual visual verification with automated image analysis using the mobile device's camera and the server's image processing capabilities. The accelerometer and gyroscope data substitute for manual observation to determine camera orientation and validate image relevance, enabling automated occupancy detection without human intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The server acts as an intermediary that receives images and sensor data from mobile devices, processes the information to determine occupancy status, and communicates results back to users. This intermediary processing layer enables accurate automated verification without requiring direct human inspection of each parking space.
3Reliability
If the mobile device is held steady for accurate image capture, then detection reliability improves, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from requiring static, steady handheld operation to dynamic operation where the mobile device moves naturally through the parking area. The accelerometer and gyroscope continuously track device motion, and the system dynamically adjusts image selection and processing based on real-time motion data, enabling accurate detection during normal walking or driving conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters from requiring steady-state conditions to accepting dynamic motion states. By using sensor fusion of accelerometer and gyroscope data with image analysis, the system adapts to varying device orientations, speeds, and movements, maintaining detection reliability across different operating conditions without requiring the user to hold the device steady.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
Installation for optimum use of parking areas for motor vehicles, having at least one access road and at least one exit road, wherein at least one parking area can be entered via the at least one access road and can be left via the at least one exit road; a third parking area which has at least two rows of parking spaces, and wherein each row of parking spaces has at least one parking space, in particular at least two parking spaces in succession; a fourth parking area which has at least two rows of parking spaces, and wherein each row of parking spaces has at least two parking spaces in succession; at least one input and output apparatus; a detection device for detecting an occupancy state of the fourth parking area; a control device which is configured to determine a parking space for an entering motor vehicle on the basis of the occupancy state of the fourth parking area, as detected by the detection device, on the basis of remaining usage times of occupied parking spaces in the fourth parking area and on the basis of an input which has been captured using the input and output apparatus and to output information relating to the parking space by means of the input and output apparatus, and wherein the parking space determined by the control device has a longer usage time than the remaining usage times of the occupied parking spaces in the respective row of parking spaces.