Portable Parking Occupancy Detection Using Telescopic Mast
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parking occupancy detection systems are not portable, making them unsuitable for streets without utility poles or accessible power, and are not economical for offline data processing to infer long-term parking patterns.
Innovation Solution
A portable parking occupancy detection system using a telescopic mast with a camera, stabilization base, power generating device, and video recording unit to record and analyze parking data, correlating it with parking meter transaction data to provide real-time and historical parking information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fixed camera systems are installed on utility poles, then real-time parking occupancy detection is achieved, but portability and adaptability to different street conditions are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from fixed installations to mobile robotic platforms that can dynamically deploy to different street locations. The robotic vehicle navigates to target streets, sets up the camera system temporarily, collects parking occupancy data, and then relocates, enabling adaptability across multiple environments while maintaining detection accuracy through consistent camera-based measurement
2Reliability
If fixed infrastructure with power access is used, then reliable real-time detection is achieved, but applicability to streets without utility poles or power access is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system is self-contained with onboard power sources (battery), computing resources for video processing, and autonomous navigation capabilities. It independently deploys to streets without external infrastructure, processes video data locally or stores it for later analysis, and operates without requiring utility pole installations or street power access, thereby achieving both reliability and broad adaptability
3Adaptability or versatility
If portable solutions are implemented, then flexibility and cost-effectiveness improve, but real-time processing capability and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic vehicle serves multiple functions: it navigates autonomously to different locations, deploys and positions the camera system, processes or transfers video data, and can be relocated for subsequent deployments. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems (navigation platform, camera mount, data processing unit) into a single integrated platform, managing complexity while maximizing flexibility and cost-effectiveness
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems and processor-readable media for portable parking occupancy detection. One or more cameras can be provided on a portable mast for capturing video on parking of a street. Optional attachments to the portable mast can include stabilization base and/or a set of guy ropes for further stabilizing the mast. A power unit can be utilized for delivering power to the system. A video capturing/processing unit either captures and records the video from the camera(s) for offline processing of parking occupancy or processes the videos on-site. Optionally, a wireless communication unit for transmitting either video or processed parking occupancy data to a central location can be employed.