Rotatable Parking Surveillance Housing With Ultrasonic Occupancy Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Surveillance devices used in parking lot management systems face challenges with inaccurate determination of parking space occupancy due to poor camera quality in low light conditions and vulnerability to vandalism, along with inconvenient angle adjustments and limited directional monitoring capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A surveillance device with a rotatable mounting housing and connector system for adjusting camera angles, integrated ultrasonic probes for occupancy detection, and supplemental lighting, along with a multi-directional camera design allowing simultaneous monitoring of different areas, enhances accuracy and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a camera is used to monitor parking spaces, then the device can capture visual information, but the camera quality deteriorates in weak ambient light resulting in inaccurate determination of parking space state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of parking space state determinationVSAvoidambient light condition
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

An ultrasonic probe is introduced as an intermediary detection device that operates independently of ambient light conditions. The probe emits ultrasonic waves to detect occupancy status, providing accurate measurement precision regardless of illumination intensity, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and lighting conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a surveillance device is installed in a parking lot, then monitoring capability is provided, but the device becomes vulnerable to vandalism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring capabilityVSAvoidvandalism susceptibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional exposed camera mechanism with an integrated ultrasonic detection system. The ultrasonic probe operates within the housing without requiring exposed optical components, eliminating the mechanical vulnerability to vandalism while maintaining monitoring capability through acoustic wave detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed camera angle is used, then the device structure is simple, but the monitoring coverage is limited and angle adjustment is inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera angle adjustment capabilityVSAvoidmounting structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting housing is designed with rotational capability around a central axis, transforming the fixed camera angle into a dynamic, adjustable configuration. This allows the camera to rotate and monitor different directions while maintaining a relatively simple integrated mounting structure, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Improves the accuracy of parking space state determination and working efficiency by adjusting camera angles easily, providing accurate occupancy detection even in low light and enabling simultaneous multi-directional monitoring.

Implementation Method 1

a mounting housing (2) mounted with an ultrasonic probe (6) configured to detect a change of the occupation state of the parking space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic detection: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 2

a supplement light (5) configured to emit visible light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3673474B1A surveillance device
Publication Date: 2023.05.17 ZHEJIANG DAHUA TECH CO LTD
  • EP3673474B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3673474B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3673474B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A device for processing images is provided. The device comprises a support bar (1), a mounting housing (2) mounted with a camera lens (4), and a connector (3) configured to connect the support bar (1) to the mounting housing (2). The mounting housing (2) is integrally rotatable with the connector (3) with respect to the support bar (1). The mounting housing (2) may further be mounted with an ultrasonic probe (6) and a lightening device (5). The ultrasonic probe (6) is configured to monitor a predefined change, such as a change in an occupation state of a parking space, and the camera lens (4) and the lightening device (5) are controlled at least by the monitored change. When the ultrasonic probe (6) monitors that a car is leaving or entering a parking space, the camera lens (4) and the lightening device (5) may be switched on.