Valet Parking Timing Optimization via Trajectory Calculation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing valet parking systems lack optimization in initiating the automatic parking maneuver timing, leading to increased dwell times and conflicts at pick-up positions, as they do not accurately calculate the vehicle's arrival time at the pick-up location.

Innovation Solution

A parking space management system with a computing unit that calculates an optimized start time for the parking maneuver based on the predetermined pick-up time, taking into account the distance, average speed, and occupancy status of the parking space, allowing for autonomous navigation to the pick-up position, thereby minimizing user waiting time and optimizing parking space utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the automatic parking maneuver is initiated without optimized timing calculation, then the system is simple to operate, but the dwell time at pick-up positions increases and conflicts occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedwell time at pick-up positionVSAvoidtiming calculation system
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculation of the optimized start time for the parking maneuver based on the predetermined pick-up time, vehicle position, and trajectory requirements. This advance calculation ensures the vehicle arrives at the pick-up position exactly when needed, minimizing dwell time without requiring complex real-time adjustments during execution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the vehicle's position and occupancy status of parking spaces, using this feedback to calculate and adjust the optimized start time for the parking maneuver. This feedback mechanism enables precise timing control that reduces dwell time at pick-up positions while maintaining system simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If vehicles are returned to pick-up position without optimized timing, then the parking space management is simple, but conflicts with other vehicles increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle retrieval efficiencyVSAvoidvehicle conflicts at pick-up position
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system calculates the optimized start time for each vehicle's parking maneuver in advance, considering the predetermined pick-up time and trajectory requirements. This preliminary timing optimization ensures vehicles arrive at pick-up positions coordinatedly, reducing conflicts and improving retrieval efficiency without complex real-time conflict resolution mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the start time of parking maneuvers based on real-time occupancy status of parking spaces and vehicle positions. This dynamic timing calculation optimizes vehicle retrieval efficiency while preventing conflicts at pick-up positions by coordinating vehicle arrivals

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the vehicle waits at pick-up location after being made available, then the driver can be informed to collect the vehicle, but the vehicle occupancy time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle delivery processVSAvoidvehicle occupancy time at pick-up position
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculation of the optimized start time for the parking maneuver, ensuring the vehicle arrives at the pick-up position exactly at the predetermined pick-up time. This eliminates the need for vehicles to wait after being made available, reducing occupancy time while maintaining ease of operation through automated timing control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system autonomously calculates and executes the optimized parking maneuver timing without requiring driver intervention or waiting. The vehicle is automatically returned to the pick-up position at the precise moment the driver needs it, eliminating unnecessary occupancy time while keeping the delivery process simple and automated

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3063749B1Parking space management system
Publication Date: 2017.05.31 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3063749B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3063749B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3063749B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to the invention it is proposed to improve a parking space management system (10) for a valet-parking function in that the time of the initiation of the automatic process of removing a vehicle from a parking space is optimised. For this purpose it is estimated or explicitly predefined when the driver (50) of a parked vehicle (20) will be at a predefined pick-up position (35) so that the parking space management system (10) according to the invention can communicate to the vehicle (20) to be collected when said parking space management system (10) has to start the process of removal from the parking space, in order to be at the pick-up position (35) in good time. The parking space management system (10) has for this purpose a computing unit (12) which calculates an optimised starting time for the initiation of the process of removing the vehicle from the parking space as a function of a predefined pick-up time. In this context, trajectories (70) for removing the vehicle from the parking space can be taken into account as a function of the position of the allocated parking space and the pick-up position. It is therefore possible to calculate the time period which the vehicle (20) requires to travel along the trajectory (70) for the removal of the vehicle from an assigned parking space (40) to the pick-up position (35).