Parking Assist Priority Reassignment for Full Lot Space Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing parking assist technologies fail to consider the parking priorities of incoming vehicles relative to already parked vehicles, leading to difficulties in providing appropriate parking spaces, especially when all spaces are occupied or when a specific space is desired but occupied.

Innovation Solution

A parking assist device that compares the parking priorities of incoming and already parked vehicles, instructing lower-priority parked vehicles to exit their spaces to make way for higher-priority vehicles, using automatic travel or driver instructions to facilitate parking in desired or vacant spaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If all parking spaces are occupied by already parked vehicles, then the parking lot appears full and no new vehicles can enter, but this prevents higher-priority incoming vehicles from securing appropriate parking spaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparking space utilization efficiencyVSAvoidability to accommodate high-priority incoming vehicles
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically reassigns parking spaces based on real-time priority assessments of incoming versus parked vehicles. When a high-priority vehicle arrives, the system can instruct lower-priority parked vehicles to exit, thereby dynamically converting occupied spaces into available spaces for priority vehicles, resolving the contradiction between full utilization and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameter of parking space assignment from static (first-come-first-served) to dynamic priority-based assignment. By evaluating vehicle priority levels and adjusting space allocation accordingly, the system enables high-priority vehicles to access spaces even when the lot appears full, while maintaining overall productivity through efficient reassignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If a user wants to park at a specific parking space but it is already occupied, then the user must give up the specific space and select another, but this reduces user satisfaction and parking efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenience in parking at desired locationVSAvoidparking space turnover efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The parking assist device acts as an intermediary between users and parking spaces. It receives user preferences, evaluates priority levels, and coordinates with parked vehicles to facilitate access to desired spaces for high-priority users, thereby improving ease of operation without significantly impacting overall productivity through automated mediation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If parked vehicles are instructed to exit to make way for incoming vehicles, then appropriate spaces become available for priority vehicles, but this requires additional vehicle movements and coordination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to provide spaces for high-priority vehiclesVSAvoidcoordination and instruction system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by having the parking assist device automatically evaluate priorities, determine necessary space reassignments, and issue exit instructions to appropriate parked vehicles. This automated self-coordination reduces the need for complex manual intervention while maintaining adaptability to priority-based parking needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3648078B1Parking assist device, parking assist method, and parking assist system
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP3648078B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3648078B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3648078B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A parking assist device includes: a comparator (130) configured to compare parking priorities of a first vehicle (21) and a second vehicle (22), the first vehicle being a vehicle to be newly parked in a parking section, the second vehicle being an automatically travelable vehicle already parked in a first parking space; a first instruction unit (140) configured to output, to the second vehicle, a signal instructing to exit the first parking space by automatic travel, when the parking priority regarding use of the first parking space of the first vehicle is higher than that of the second vehicle; and a second instruction unit (150) configured to output, to the first vehicle, a signal in instructing to park in the first parking space, when the parking priority regarding the use of the first paring space of the first vehicle is higher than that of the second vehicle.