Virtual Parking Space Allocation Using Survey Vehicle Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
In scenarios where vehicles need to navigate and park in locations without parking markers, such as open fields or construction sites, determining suitable parking spaces and coordinating ingress and egress becomes challenging, leading to inefficiencies in space utilization and traffic flow.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a survey vehicle equipped with sensors like ultrasonic, lidar, and cameras to map the location, generate virtual parking spaces, and optimize space allocation based on vehicle size and type, while also determining egress/ingress paths and managing the parking lot, including communication with infrastructure and vehicles for navigation and payment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If vehicles park in unmarked locations without coordination, then vehicles can access parking spaces, but space utilization becomes inefficient and traffic flow is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary mapping and virtual parking space generation before vehicles arrive. A survey vehicle maps the location and generates virtual parking spaces with designated boundaries, so that when vehicles arrive, the parking areas are already prepared and coordinated, eliminating the need for on-site coordination while maintaining efficient space utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a survey vehicle as an intermediary that mediates between the unmarked location and the parking vehicles. The survey vehicle captures sensor data, maps the environment, generates virtual parking spaces, and provides boundary information to parking vehicles through communications, enabling coordinated parking without direct vehicle-to-vehicle coordination
2Ease of operation
If physical parking markers are installed in unmarked areas, then parking spaces are clearly defined, but the complexity and cost of infrastructure installation increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of installing physical markers, the system creates a virtual copy of the parking lot layout using sensor data and mapping algorithms. The survey vehicle generates virtual parking spaces with defined boundaries that exist digitally rather than physically, providing clear parking space identification without any physical infrastructure installation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical parking markers with an optical and computational system. Sensors capture visual and spatial data, processing systems generate virtual boundaries, and communications systems transmit boundary information to vehicles, substituting physical infrastructure with information-based infrastructure
3Productivity
If a survey vehicle maps the location and generates virtual parking spaces, then space allocation is optimized, but the system complexity and initial setup time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The survey vehicle performs multiple functions: it maps the location, generates virtual parking spaces, determines boundaries, and communicates with parking vehicles. By consolidating these functions in a single multi-functional vehicle, the system achieves optimized space allocation without requiring multiple specialized systems, thereby managing complexity
4Measurement precision
If vehicles receive detailed boundary information for virtual parking spaces, then parking accuracy improves, but communication data requirements and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The parking lot is segmented into discrete virtual parking spaces, each with defined boundaries. Instead of transmitting continuous or excessive data, the system divides the location into manageable segments (parking spaces) and provides boundary information only for the relevant segments, reducing overall data volume while maintaining precision for each individual space
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
Enables efficient virtual parking lot management in unmarked areas, optimizing space utilization, traffic flow, and providing accurate navigation to vehicles, even in the absence of physical markers, while allowing for dynamic adjustments based on event needs and vehicle requirements.
Implementation Method 1
A system utilizing a survey vehicle equipped with sensors like ultrasonic, lidar, and cameras to map the location
Implementation Method 2
A system utilizing a survey vehicle equipped with sensors like ultrasonic, lidar, and cameras to map the location
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes systems and methods for virtual parking lot space allocation. An example method may include receiving, by a processor and from a first vehicle, sensor data relating to a first location. The example method may also include generating, by the processor and based on the sensor data, a first virtual parking space of a virtual parking location within the first location.