Vehicle Tracking via Parking Marker Image Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large parking lots for automobiles are difficult to navigate, and auto dealers face challenges in identifying the exact location of vehicles within their inventory.

Innovation Solution

An automated vehicle tracking system using a computing system or server that captures image data from physical markers, such as QR codes, to determine parking spots and record vehicle locations, allowing for wireless transmission and display on user devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual tracking methods are used in large parking lots, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and measurement precision deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle location identification efficiencyVSAvoidtracking system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical tracking methods with an automated image processing system that uses cameras and computer vision algorithms to detect vehicles and their locations, thereby improving productivity while managing system complexity through automation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates digital copies of the parking lot environment through image capture and processing, allowing automated identification and tracking of vehicles without physical intervention, thus improving measurement precision and productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If automated image capture systems are deployed, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle parking spot identification accuracyVSAvoidsystem structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the parking lot into discrete detection zones with individual image capture points, allowing precise localization of vehicles through segmented imaging rather than requiring a single complex comprehensive system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces image data as an intermediary between the physical parking environment and the tracking system, using processed visual information to identify vehicle locations with high precision while separating the complexity of image processing from the physical deployment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If comprehensive vehicle tracking is implemented, then productivity increases, but loss of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle location tracking efficiencyVSAvoidsystem energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic image capture and processing cycles rather than continuous monitoring, capturing images at intervals to track vehicle movements while reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements tracking only for vehicles that are actually parked or moving within the monitored area, avoiding unnecessary energy expenditure on tracking vehicles that are not present or not relevant to the current operational context

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS20260029501A1Automated system for vehicle tracking

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 CAPITAL ONE SERVICES LLC

AI summary

Aspects described herein may allow for vehicle tracking. Systems and methods described herein may allow a vehicle to automatically detect the presence of a physical marker at a parking space. An image of the physical marker may be processed to determine the location of the vehicle, which may be stored and/or output for display.