Sensorless Parking Occupancy via Mobile Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parking space reservation systems rely on fixed physical indicators and sensors, which are prone to failure, require maintenance, and are unreliable in harsh weather conditions, leading to inefficiencies and disruptions in managing and optimizing parking space availability.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing geo-location information and positioning systems of web-enabled computing devices to determine the occupancy status of parking spaces, eliminating the need for fixed indicators and sensors, and allowing for remote reservation and management of parking spaces through a web-based server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fixed physical indicators and sensors are used to manage parking spaces, then real-time occupancy detection is achieved, but system reliability deteriorates due to failure and maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the fixed physical sensors and indicators from the parking management system. Instead of using traditional detectors embedded in parking spaces, the system uses mobile computing devices with positioning systems that users already possess, eliminating the need for unreliable fixed infrastructure while maintaining occupancy detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical parking space status through digital representations in a database. Rather than physically detecting occupancy with sensors, the system maintains digital records of parking space status that are updated based on user-reported information and positioning data, providing a reliable virtual model without physical detection hardware
2Reliability
If fixed sensors and indicators are deployed for each parking space, then occupancy status is monitored, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the mobile computing device universal by using it for multiple purposes: navigation, communication, and parking space reservation. The positioning system in the mobile device serves both general location purposes and specific parking management functions, eliminating the need for dedicated fixed sensors at each parking space and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables users to self-report their arrival and departure from parking spaces using their own mobile devices. This self-service approach eliminates the need for automated detection infrastructure, as users naturally provide the occupancy information through their mobile computing devices, reducing system complexity while maintaining monitoring reliability
3Ease of operation
If traditional reservation systems with fixed indicators are used, then parking space reservation is enabled, but user convenience deteriorates due to lack of remote access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables users to perform preliminary actions of reserving and paying for parking spaces before arriving at their destination. Through the mobile application, users can complete the entire reservation process in advance, eliminating the need to physically visit parking meters or kiosks upon arrival, thus saving time and improving convenience
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a web-based server and mobile application as intermediaries between users and parking spaces. This intermediary system enables remote reservation and payment processing through wireless communication, allowing users to manage parking spaces from any location without physical presence, significantly improving ease of operation and reducing time loss
Data Source
AI summary
There is described an electronic parking infrastructure without detectors or sensors. The electronic parking infrastructure comprises geo-located parking spaces, a parking system database and a computing device which communicates over a communication network. The computing device has a computer/processor, applications can be loaded thereon, it is web-enabled and it has an on-board positioning system. The positioning system of the computing device is used in conjunction with the position of geo-located parking space to determine if a vehicle occupies the geo-located parking space.