Parking Sensor Light-Gathering Mesh Network
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current parking information systems, particularly those using infrared sensors, lack precision in detecting available parking spaces, making it difficult for users to find vacant spots efficiently, especially in crowded lots, and are costly to maintain.
Innovation Solution
A parking information sensing device employing a light-gathering member with a wire harness to collect reflected light from a light emitting unit and a reflecting element, coupled with a wireless mesh network for real-time status updates, allowing precise detection and display of available spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If infrared sensor is used to detect parking space status, then the system can detect whether there is a car on the parking space, but the detection sensitivity is low and precision is poor
Solution Approach 1:
A reflecting element (such as a mirror or retroreflector) is introduced as an intermediary between the light emitting unit and the light sensing unit. The reflecting element actively redirects light from the emitting unit toward the sensing unit, creating a controlled optical path that enhances detection precision and reliability compared to passive infrared sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces passive infrared detection with an active optical system using light emitting units (such as LEDs) and light sensing units. This substitution of detection mechanism provides stronger, more controllable light signals that improve both precision and sensitivity of parking space status detection.
2Loss of information
If traditional parking information system is used, then users can see the number of available parking spaces, but users cannot get precise location of available parking space immediately
Solution Approach 1:
The parking lot is divided into individual detectable zones, with each parking space or section equipped with its own sensing device. Each device independently detects and reports the status of its specific zone, providing segmented, location-specific information that enables users to quickly identify precise available parking locations rather than just overall counts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements real-time feedback by continuously monitoring parking space status and immediately transmitting this information through the wireless mesh network to display systems. This real-time feedback loop ensures users always have current, accurate location information about available parking spaces, reducing the time needed to find parking.
3Measurement precision
If more sensing devices are deployed to improve detection coverage, then detection precision improves, but system complexity and maintenance cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensing devices are merged into a unified wireless mesh network where devices communicate with each other and with central monitoring systems. This merging approach allows the system to function as an integrated whole, where the network infrastructure shared among multiple devices reduces overall system complexity and maintenance burden compared to isolated sensing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Each sensing device is designed as a universal, multi-functional unit that combines light emitting, light sensing, wireless communication, and status reporting capabilities. This universal design allows identical devices to be deployed throughout the parking lot, simplifying installation, maintenance, and replacement while maintaining high detection precision across all locations.
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
The solution provides accurate and efficient detection of occupied parking spaces, forming a wireless mesh network for easy system management and maintenance, enabling users to locate available spaces quickly and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
Light emitted from a light emitting unit and reflected by a reflecting element within a circle area πr2 whose radius is the wire harness length is all collected and is sent to a light sensing unit
Data Source
AI summary
A parking information sensing device is disclosed. Each parking space in a parking lot is disposed with a parking information sensing device, detecting whether a car on the parking space. By means of a driving control circuit, the sensing device drives a light emitting unit to emit a light and a reflecting element of the parking space is on a pathway of the light. Light is reflected by the reflecting element and then passes light sensing unit that detects the reflected light and generates a first sensing signal sent to the driving control circuit. Thus the driving control circuit judges if there is no vehicle on the parking space. On the other hand, it judges if there is a car on the parking space according to another sensing signal. The sensing device further includes a first transmitting/receiving unit that forms a wireless mesh network among parking information sensing devices.