RFID Tag Identifier Pairing for Indoor Vehicle Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
In densely populated areas, locating parked vehicles in multi-story parking structures is time-consuming and frustrating due to similar layouts, leading to decreased revenue for parking garage owners and increased traffic congestion, as conventional methods like GPS and cameras are ineffective or costly.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented system using RFID tag and identifier pairings, where a smart ticket with an RFID tag is issued to drivers, allowing them to separate the tag from the identifier upon parking, and upon return, the identifier is used to locate the RFID tag's position via an array of strategically placed RFID readers using triangulation or signal strength correlation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS is used to locate parked vehicles, then drivers can record and access their vehicle location, but GPS signals are weak or non-existent in multi-tiered parking garages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces RFID readers as intermediary devices installed throughout the parking garage structure. These readers act as mediators between the vehicle (equipped with RFID tag) and the driver's smartphone, enabling location tracking in environments where GPS signals cannot penetrate. The RFID readers create a localized positioning network that works reliably indoors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the GPS satellite-based electromagnetic positioning system with an RFID-based near-field communication system. This substitution enables reliable vehicle location tracking in multi-tiered parking garages where GPS signals are blocked by the structure, while using the smartphone's existing RFID reader capability.
2Measurement precision
If cameras are placed at every parking space to identify vehicles, then drivers can locate their vehicles using license plate recognition, but the cost of buying and maintaining large numbers of cameras is expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the identification function from expensive camera systems and places it on inexpensive RFID tags attached to vehicles. The RFID tags contain unique identifiers that can be read by low-cost readers, eliminating the need for expensive cameras at every parking space while maintaining vehicle identification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inexpensive RFID tags instead of expensive camera systems. The RFID tags are low-cost electronic identifiers that can be attached to vehicles, replacing the need for costly infrastructure while providing reliable vehicle identification and location tracking.
3Device complexity
If drivers search for their vehicles manually in large parking structures, then no additional tracking infrastructure is needed, but the search process is time-consuming and frustrating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables drivers to self-locate their vehicles using their own smartphones. The system leverages the smartphone's existing RFID reader capability to detect RFID tags in the parking garage, allowing drivers to independently find their vehicles without requiring manual searching or additional complex infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from manual visual search to electronic detection by utilizing the smartphone's RFID reader hardware capability. This parameter change enables automatic vehicle location detection through near-field communication, dramatically reducing search time while using existing device resources.
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
This system efficiently and cost-effectively helps drivers locate their vehicles, reducing search time and frustration, thereby increasing revenue and alleviating parking congestion by providing accurate and quick vehicle location within the parking structure.
Implementation Method 1
an array of strategically placed RFID readers using triangulation or signal strength correlation
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented system and method for object tracking via identifier-tracker pairings is provided. At least one tracker-identifier pair is maintained. The tracker is associated with an entity, including a person or object. The identifier is accessed to locate the entity. The tracker associated with the identifier is identified and a location of the entity is determined based on a location of the tracker. The location of the entity is provided to the user.