Parking-Lot Recognition Target Layout for Occlusion-Resistant Space Detection

Solution Overview

Problem

When monitoring multiple parking spaces with a single camera, occlusion by adjacent vehicles can lead to erroneous determination of the usage status of parking spaces, reducing the accuracy of parking lot management systems.

Innovation Solution

The arrangement of recognition targets in parking spaces, decentered from the center line towards the side of the second parking space line, ensures visibility from the camera, reducing the likelihood of occlusion and accurate determination of space usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a single camera is used to monitor multiple parking spaces, then costs are reduced, but visibility of parking spaces is decreased due to occlusion by adjacent vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of camerasVSAvoidocclusion by adjacent vehicles

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The recognition target is positioned asymmetrically within the parking space, specifically decentered toward the second parking space line rather than being centered. This asymmetric positioning ensures that the target remains visible to the camera even when vehicles are parked in adjacent spaces, as the offset position reduces the likelihood of being obscured by neighboring vehicles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Device complexity

If recognition target is positioned at center of parking space, then arrangement is simplified, but visibility is reduced due to occlusion by adjacent vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearrangement of recognition targetVSAvoidocclusion by adjacent vehicles

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The recognition target is positioned asymmetrically within the parking space, specifically decentered toward the second parking space line rather than being centered. This asymmetric positioning ensures that the target remains visible to the camera even when vehicles are parked in adjacent spaces, as the offset position reduces the likelihood of being obscured by neighboring vehicles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Device complexity

If camera position is fixed, then installation is simplified, but recognition accuracy is reduced due to occlusion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera installationVSAvoidrecognition accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The recognition target is positioned asymmetrically within the parking space, specifically decentered toward the second parking space line rather than being centered. This asymmetric positioning ensures that the target remains visible to the camera even when vehicles are parked in adjacent spaces, as the offset position reduces the likelihood of being obscured by neighboring vehicles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS12417704B2Parking lot, parking lot management system, and parking lot management method that determines a usage status of each of a plurality of parking spaces

Publication Date: 2025.09.16 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A parking lot includes: a plurality of parking spaces arranged in series in a first direction; a camera configured to take a picture of the plurality of parking spaces; and a recognition target provided in each of the plurality of parking spaces. A usage status of each parking space is determined based on a result of recognition of the recognition target by the camera. Each parking space includes a first parking space line and a second parking space line. The first parking space line is located closer to the camera than the second parking space line is in the first direction. The recognition target is arranged to be decentered from a center line between the first parking space line and the second parking space line toward a region on a side of the second parking space line.