Parking Space Occupancy Detection Using Overhead Outline Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining parking space availability are resource-intensive and prone to recognition errors, especially when faced with non-standard vehicles or foreign objects, and do not accurately distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate occupants.
Innovation Solution
A method using environmental sensors, such as lidar, sonar, or cameras, positioned overhead to obtain an environment frame, identify layout coordinates of parking spaces, and match vehicle outline coordinates with these coordinates using a neural network to determine availability, with key points of the vehicle outline being matched against parking space boundaries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex systems with multiple sensors and devices are used to determine parking space availability, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and computing resources required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection task by dividing the parking space into multiple detection areas and using different detection strategies for different zones. The system divides the parking space into a first detection area (closer to the camera) and a second detection area (farther from the camera), applying different judgment criteria to each segment to improve overall detection accuracy while simplifying the system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional 2D image analysis to 3D spatial reasoning by calculating real-world distances from the camera and using depth information to determine object positions. This dimensional approach allows the system to accurately distinguish objects at different distances, improving parking space detection without requiring complex multi-sensor systems.
2Device complexity
If edge detection methods are used to determine parking space occupancy, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to recognition errors with non-standard vehicles and foreign objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining detection areas and judgment criteria before actual detection occurs. The system pre-establishes the first and second detection areas with specific distance thresholds and pre-configures the judgment rules (such as the 0.5m distance threshold for foreign objects), enabling accurate and efficient detection without complex real-time analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - the distance calculation based on camera position and object position - to mediate between simple image detection and accurate occupancy determination. By using distance as an intermediary parameter, the system can distinguish between vehicles and foreign objects without complex image analysis, maintaining simplicity while improving precision.
3Device complexity
If traditional outline matching methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability decreases when vehicles are positioned at angles or non-standard positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from outline shape matching to distance-based position detection. Instead of comparing vehicle outlines with parking space boundaries (which fails for angled or non-standard positioning), the system measures the distance from the camera to the detected object and compares it with pre-defined thresholds, making the detection reliable regardless of vehicle orientation or position.
Data Source
AI summary
The technical solution relates to the field of information technology, more specifically, to methods and techniques for determining the availability of parking spaces. There is a need to simplify the methods, techniques and systems for determining the availability of parking spaces in order to reduce the consumption of computing resources and at the same time ensure accurate and reliable determination of the availability of a parking space. The technical result achieved when implementing the claimed technical solution, in addition to implementing the product and/or method of its purpose, is to increase the reduction of the resources required to determine the availability of a parking space, as well as to increase the accuracy of determining the availability of a parking space while eliminating recognition errors and ensuring the ability to determine the availability of a parking space even if it is occupied by an object not intended for placement in a parking space. In some aspects, another technical result achieved is also an increase in road safety.