Vehicle-Mounted Road Panorama Imaging for Parking Data Capture
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining static parking data, such as those used in parking space management, are inadequate as they struggle to accurately capture information about parking space positions, permitted times, and parking types, especially in urban areas with high traffic density, where existing technologies like Google Street View fall short in providing sufficient detail.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a camera mounted on a vehicle with a fastening device to record a continuous 4K UHD film at a 90° angle to the vehicle's direction of movement, allowing for high-resolution image data capture of street panorama images, which includes detailed information about parking spaces, signs, and occupancy, using a pivotable camera arm and wide-angle lens for comprehensive data acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a camera is mounted on a vehicle to record street images, then the coverage area and data collection efficiency are improved, but the measurement precision and detail quality of parking space information deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional 2D image capture to 360-degree panoramic imaging, adding a dimensional aspect to data collection. The camera system captures images in all directions around the vehicle, enabling comprehensive coverage of parking spaces, signs, and street furniture from multiple angles simultaneously, thus resolving the contradiction between coverage area and detail quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs high-resolution sensors with enhanced pixel density and advanced optical parameters (aperture, focal length) to maintain image quality despite the panoramic field of view. By optimizing these parameters, the system achieves both wide coverage and sufficient detail for recognizing parking space markings, signs, and occupancy status.
2Measurement precision
If high-resolution continuous film recording is used, then the data quality and detail of parking information are improved, but the data processing complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the continuous panoramic video stream into discrete, analyzable segments based on detected features such as parking spaces, signs, and street furniture. Each segment is processed independently using specialized algorithms, reducing the overall computational complexity compared to analyzing the entire continuous stream as a single unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary processing of the high-resolution images by detecting and marking regions of interest (parking spaces, signs, occupancy) before detailed analysis. This preliminary segmentation and classification reduce the complexity of subsequent detailed processing by focusing computational resources only on relevant areas rather than the entire image.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors like ultrasound or LIDAR are used, then the measurement precision of parking data is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical sensing systems (ultrasound, LIDAR) with an advanced optical imaging system. By using high-resolution cameras with sophisticated image processing algorithms, the system achieves comparable or superior measurement precision for detecting parking space dimensions, signage, and occupancy without the complexity and cost of multiple active sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates detailed visual copies (photographs) of parking spaces, signs, and street furniture that can be analyzed computationally. These visual copies contain sufficient information for measurement and recognition, replacing the need for direct physical measurement by ultrasound or LIDAR while maintaining data accuracy.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for acquiring data for a street panorama image, comprising a camera and a mounting device. The mounting device allows the camera to be positioned in or on the vehicle to capture image data that includes a 90° angle to the vehicle's direction of travel. Furthermore, the camera is designed to record a continuous video at a resolution of more than 1920 by 1080 pixels per frame. The invention also relates to a method for using the device according to the invention.