Virtual Parking Frame Alignment for Accurate Space Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing parking assist devices struggle to accurately set parking frames between vehicles, especially when parked vehicles are positioned on the right or left in the parking frames, leading to inappropriate placement.

Innovation Solution

The configuration of virtual parking frames is aligned with the positions of parked vehicles, using ranging sensors and a parking assist ECU to calculate the width and angle of parking frames based on representative points, allowing for precise alignment and placement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the space between parked vehicles is divided into multiple spaces based on detected vehicle positions, then parking spaces can be identified, but errors occur in setting parking frames when vehicles are positioned on the right or left in parking frames

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparking frame setting accuracyVSAvoidparking frame setting reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining a virtual parking frame group with predetermined configuration (width, length, arrangement interval, and angle) before aligning it to the actual parking lot. This pre-established framework allows the system to then align the virtual frames to detected vehicle positions, ensuring accurate parking frame setting even when vehicles are positioned on the right or left in frames, thereby resolving the measurement precision and reliability contradiction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If parking frames are set based on simple space division between vehicles, then the process is simple, but parking frames cannot be appropriately set when vehicles are located on the right or left in parking frames

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparking frame setting easeVSAvoidparking frame position accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a virtual parking frame group as an intermediary between the detected vehicle positions and the final parking frame settings. This virtual framework acts as a mediator that bridges the simple space division approach with accurate parking frame positioning, allowing the system to maintain operational simplicity while achieving precise parking frame placement by aligning the pre-configured virtual frames to vehicle positions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This method ensures that parking frames are appropriately set, minimizing errors and accommodating actual vehicle positions, even when margin spaces are present, and allows for accurate determination of available parking spaces.

Implementation Method 1

a ranging sensor 10, a travel distance sensor 20, and a steering angle sensor 30

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Data Source

PatentEP3392093B1Parking support method and device
Publication Date: 2021.07.21 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3392093B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3392093B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3392093B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method is provided which comprises: acquiring recognition information about parked vehicles; setting a virtual parking frame group in which a parking frame group is virtualized, the parking frame group comprising a plurality of parking frames; aligning the virtual parking frame group with respect to the recognized parked vehicles; and determining the aligned virtual parking frame group as the parking frame group comprising the plurality of parking frames. The virtual parking frame group comprises a plurality of virtual parking frames that have the same size and are arranged side by side or parallel along a predetermined straight line.