Parking Space Recommendation Using Vehicle Behavior Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing parking assist systems fail to provide appropriate parking space recommendations to drivers and passengers when attribute information of the subject vehicle or driver is not registered, leading to ineffective parking space identification.

Innovation Solution

A parking assist method and apparatus that utilizes cameras, ranging devices, and image processing to detect available parking spaces and recommend suitable spaces based on vehicle behavior estimation, vehicle speed, and driver intention, displayed on a user interface, allowing for both automated and semi-automated parking operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If parking space recognition is performed without registered attribute information, then the system can operate without user input, but appropriate parking spaces cannot be recommended to drivers and passengers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem operation without user inputVSAvoidloss of parking suitability information
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by detecting and storing attribute information about the subject vehicle (size, type) and driver preferences (parking space preferences, gaze behavior patterns) before the actual parking space recommendation process. This preliminary data collection enables the system to provide personalized recommendations without requiring real-time user input during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by monitoring driver gaze behavior and vehicle attributes, then using this information to refine and personalize parking space recommendations. The gaze detection system provides continuous feedback about driver intention, which is fed back into the recommendation algorithm to improve accuracy of suitable parking space identification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple available parking spaces are detected, then more options are provided to the driver, but it becomes difficult to identify the most suitable parking space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of parking space optionsVSAvoiddifficulty in selecting appropriate parking space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by providing different levels of information presentation to different user needs. When multiple parking spaces are detected, the system highlights the most suitable option based on vehicle attributes and driver preferences, while still displaying alternative options with varying degrees of prominence. This allows the interface to adapt its information density and highlighting strategy to the specific situation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of presenting all parking spaces equally and letting the driver choose, the system inverts the approach by pre-evaluating and recommending the most suitable parking space based on analyzed data, then presenting alternatives in descending order of suitability. This reversal of the selection process reduces driver cognitive load while maintaining choice flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Measurement precision

If the system waits for registered information before providing recommendations, then recommendation accuracy improves, but the system cannot assist drivers immediately

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparking space recommendation accuracyVSAvoidtime before system becomes operational
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection and analysis of vehicle attributes and driver behavior patterns as soon as possible, even before complete registration information is available. By collecting and preliminarily processing data in advance, the system can provide initial recommendations immediately while continuing to refine accuracy as more information becomes available through ongoing gaze detection and vehicle attribute monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3686084B1Parking support method and parking support device
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3686084B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3686084B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3686084B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A parking assist method for assisting parking of a subject vehicle (V) is provided which uses a parking assist apparatus (100) comprising a controller (10) and a display (21). The controller (10) guides the subject vehicle (V) to a parking space. The parking assist method includes detecting available parking spaces (Mr) into which the subject vehicle (V) can be parked, setting a parking space suitable for parking of the subject vehicle (V) among the detected plurality of available parking spaces as a recommended available parking space in accordance with the traveling state of the subject vehicle (V), displaying the recommended available parking space on the display (21), setting the recommended available parking space displayed on the display as a target parking space for the subject vehicle (V) on the basis of an operation by a driver or passenger, and performing automated control of the subject vehicle to park the subject vehicle (V) into the target parking space. (Figure 2)