Parking Facility Unoccupied Region Detection via Sensor Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for detecting unoccupied regions in parking facilities lack reliability and efficiency, particularly in environments where sensors may malfunction or have limited range, leading to incorrect detection of unoccupied areas.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing multiple environment sensors with different measurement principles and configurations to detect changes in parking facility segments by comparing measured data with reference data, ensuring accurate identification of unoccupied regions through data fusion and probability calculations, and incorporating infrastructure elements for reference measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single sensor is used to detect unoccupied regions, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of detection deteriorates due to sensor malfunction or limited range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple environment sensors (e.g., LIDAR, radar, ultrasonic sensors) into a unified detection system. Each sensor type compensates for the limitations of others, creating a more reliable detection system without requiring complex individual sensors. The fusion of data from multiple sensors resolves the contradiction by achieving high reliability through redundancy while maintaining manageable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite sensing approach by integrating different sensor technologies (LIDAR, radar, ultrasonic) into a single detection system. This composite sensor system leverages the strengths of each sensor type to overcome individual limitations, thereby improving detection reliability while keeping the overall system complexity可控 through modular integration.
2Reliability
If multiple environment sensors with different measurement principles are used, then the reliability of detection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional sensor system where different environment sensors (LIDAR, radar, ultrasonic) serve multiple detection purposes simultaneously. Each sensor type can detect unoccupied regions, obstacles, and environmental conditions, allowing the system to achieve high reliability through functional redundancy while managing complexity through unified multi-purpose detection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a central control unit that acts as an intermediary between multiple environment sensors and the detection system. This intermediary processes and fuses data from various sensor types, coordinating their operations and simplifying the overall system architecture. The control unit manages the complexity by providing a unified interface while leveraging the reliability benefits of multiple sensor types.
3Measurement precision
If reference measured data is used for comparison, then the measurement precision is improved, but the loss of time for data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-establishes reference measured data representing unoccupied regions before actual detection begins. This preliminary action allows the system to quickly compare current sensor readings against known reference states, achieving high measurement precision without extensive real-time processing. The reference data is prepared in advance, enabling rapid comparison and reducing detection time while maintaining accuracy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the reliability and efficiency of detecting unoccupied regions, preventing incorrect detections and ensuring high availability by leveraging the strengths of various sensors and accounting for environmental changes, thereby improving safety and operational efficiency in parking facilities.
Implementation Method 1
The environment sensors embodied as time-of-flight sensors can have, for example, one or several measurement planes that extend(s) substantially parallel to a roadway surface of the parking facility
Data Source
AI summary
A method for detecting an unoccupied region within a parking facility, using at least one environment sensor disposed in a stationary manner within the parking facility, is furnished, at least encompassing the following: sensing measured data of at least one segment of the parking facility by way of at least one environment sensor; comparing the measured data with reference measured data in order to recognize a change in the segment of the parking facility; and detecting the segment as an unoccupied or non-unoccupied region as a function of the recognition of a change.