Parking Facility ToF Sensing for Empty-Space Reference Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Time of flight measuring sensors in parking facilities may fail to detect objects, leading to potential collisions between driverlessly guided vehicles and undetected objects due to weak or absent reflection signals, unclear object presence, and partial sensor range limitations.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of time of flight measuring sensors to emit signals and check for reflections, with measures such as situating reflectors or aligning sensors to ensure reliable detection of empty sections, allowing for efficient and safe semi-automated vehicle operation by establishing a defined reference free space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If time of flight measuring sensors are used to detect objects in parking facilities, then object detection capability is provided, but false negatives occur where objects are not detected even when present
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement of empty sections to establish reference data before actual operation. By pre-characterizing the acoustic environment and storing reference reflection patterns, the system creates a baseline for comparison during runtime, enabling more reliable detection of deviations that indicate object presence
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously compares current sensor measurements against stored reference data from empty sections. When deviations exceed threshold values, the system generates warnings or stop signals, creating a closed-loop feedback mechanism that significantly improves detection reliability by leveraging historical baseline data
2Extent of automation
If driverless vehicles operate in parking facilities with time of flight sensors, then automation level increases, but collision risk increases due to undetected objects
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-measures and stores reference data for empty sections before autonomous vehicle operation begins. This preliminary characterization of the environment creates a safety baseline that enables reliable anomaly detection during automated operation, reducing collision risk while maintaining high automation levels
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback by comparing real-time sensor data against reference empty section data. When objects are detected through deviation analysis, the system provides immediate feedback via warnings or stop signals to the autonomous vehicle, preventing collisions while preserving automation benefits
3Area of stationary object
If sections are situated partially outside sensor range or are open without infrastructure elements, then coverage area increases, but measurement reliability decreases due to missing reflection bodies
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces reflectors as intermediary elements in open sections or areas with poor natural reflection. These reflectors act as mediators that bounce time of flight signals back to the sensor, enabling reliable measurement in previously problematic areas and expanding effective coverage while maintaining measurement reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different measurement strategies to different sections based on their characteristics. For open sections or areas outside normal range, reflectors are strategically placed to create local reflection points, while other sections use standard measurement protocols, optimizing both coverage and reliability for each specific area
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
Ensures reliable object detection and safe navigation within parking facilities by eliminating ambiguity about object presence and sensor range limitations, enabling efficient semi-automated vehicle operation.
Implementation Method 1
carrying out a measurement of the empty section of the parking facility, using a time of flight measuring sensor situated in a stationary manner within the parking facility, by emitting a time of flight measuring signal with the aid of the time of flight measuring sensor in the direction of the section and checking whether a reflection signal associated with the emitted time of flight measuring signal is received
Implementation Method 2
checking whether a reflection signal associated with the emitted time of flight measuring signal is received with the aid of the time of flight measuring sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A method for preparing an empty section of a parking-facility for operation of the parking-facility, including: measuring the empty section of the parking-facility, using a time-of-flight measuring-sensor situated in a stationary manner within the parking-facility, by emitting a time-of-flight measuring-signal with the time-of-flight measuring-sensor in the direction of the section and checking whether a reflection signal associated with the emitted time-of-flight measuring-signal is received with the time-of-flight measuring-sensor; if no reflection signal associated with the emitted time-of-flight measuring-signal is received with the time-of-flight measuring-sensor, implementing one or multiple measure(s) intended to cause a reflection signal associated with a time-of-flight measuring-signal emitted with the time-of-flight measuring-sensor in the direction of the empty section to be receivable with the time-of-flight measuring-sensor. Also described are a method and a device for operating a parking facility, a parking facility and a computer program.