Vehicle Camera OCR for Parking Spot Number Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The need to automate the detection and tracking of parking spot identification numbers to facilitate payment and provide users with convenient access to parking spot information, especially when the numbers are obscured or distant from the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-mounted camera system that captures images from multiple angles, processes them to identify parking spot numbers using optical character recognition, and displays this information on the vehicle's display, optionally utilizing machine learning to predict available spots and special status, and sends notifications to the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If parking spot numbers are placed distant from the vehicle or obscured, then payment facilitation is improved, but user access to parking spot information becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures an image of the parking spot number using a camera, processes it through OCR to create a digital copy of the number, and displays it on a mobile device or vehicle display. This copying mechanism allows users to access parking spot information without physically visiting the spot, resolving the contradiction between payment facilitation and information accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary component (mobile device or vehicle display system) that mediates between the parking spot number and the user. Instead of direct visual access to the physical number, users interact with a digital representation through the intermediary device, enabling convenient access to parking spot information.
2Ease of operation
If automated detection of parking spot numbers is implemented, then user convenience is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a multi-functional approach where a single camera system serves multiple purposes: capturing parking spot numbers, detecting parking spot availability through line analysis, identifying special status indicators, and providing navigation guidance. This consolidates multiple functions into one system, reducing overall complexity while maintaining user convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs OCR technology that automatically detects and processes parking spot numbers without human intervention. The machine learning model autonomously analyzes images, identifies numbers, determines availability, and provides notifications, enabling the system to serve itself and reducing the need for complex manual processing systems.
3Productivity
If machine learning models are used to predict available parking spots, then productivity is improved, but computational requirements and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing images and training the machine learning model in advance during periods when computational resources are available. The trained model is then deployed for efficient real-time predictions, reducing energy consumption during actual parking operations while maintaining high productivity in spot identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by using the machine learning model selectively for specific tasks (number detection, availability prediction, special status identification) rather than processing all image data uniformly. This targeted approach optimizes computational energy usage while maintaining high productivity in critical functions.
Data Source
AI summary
In some implementations, the device may include receiving, via an image sensor associated with a vehicle, an image of a parking area. In addition, the device may include determining that the image of the parking area includes an available parking spot; analyzing the image of the parking area to locate a number associated with the available parking spot; determining that the vehicle is entering the available parking spot; creating, in response to the vehicle entering the available parking spot, a generated image that includes the number associated with the available parking spot based on the image of the parking area; and displaying the generated image on a vehicle display in response to the vehicle occupying the available parking spot.