Visible Light Vehicle Identifier for Parking Lot Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large parking lots, finding a parked vehicle becomes difficult due to the complexity of the area, and existing solutions do not effectively assist drivers in locating their vehicles without extensive searching.
Innovation Solution
A light-assisted parking car identifier (LPCID) system using vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, where vehicles broadcast unique identifiers via visible light and employ a backoff algorithm to efficiently relay search requests, allowing drivers to locate their vehicles without GPS signals, using a combination of computing and wireless communication capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If vehicles broadcast unique identifiers via visible light communication, then vehicle location accuracy is improved, but communication complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional radio frequency communication with visible light communication (VLC) for vehicle-to-vehicle communication. This substitution uses optical signals instead of electromagnetic radio waves, enabling precise location determination through light-based signaling while reducing interference and improving measurement accuracy in parking lot environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a central server as an intermediary that collects, processes, and relays communication data between vehicles. The server manages the complex coordination of VLC signals, packet routing, and location tracking, thereby reducing direct communication complexity between individual vehicles while maintaining high location accuracy.
2Productivity
If search requests are relayed through multiple vehicles using backoff algorithm, then search efficiency is improved, but packet flooding risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a backoff algorithm that introduces periodic delays and randomized timing intervals in packet relay operations. Vehicles wait for predetermined time intervals before relaying search requests, which distributes packet transmission over time and prevents simultaneous flooding while maintaining systematic search coverage across the parking lot.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where vehicles report their status and packet reception information back to the central server and neighboring vehicles. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of relay behavior, allowing the system to optimize search efficiency while preventing packet flooding by adapting transmission rates based on current network conditions and vehicle density.
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
The system enables efficient vehicle location within parking lots by reducing search time and packet flooding, guiding drivers to their vehicles through V2V communication and light-based direction information, without relying on GPS signals.
Implementation Method 1
A light-assisted parking car identifier (LPCID) system using vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, where vehicles broadcast unique identifiers via visible light
Data Source
AI summary
A method for finding a parked vehicle is disclosed. A moving vehicle executing the method broadcasts packets with an identifier of the vehicle and a time stamp. Other neighboring vehicles surrounding the moving vehicle records content of the packets. The moving vehicle is then parked. A key of the parked vehicle is operable to issue a search request with the identifier to the neighboring vehicles. The neighboring vehicles allocate time frames for relaying the search request with respect to the time stamp. Upon receiving the search request, the parked vehicle replies with a search response along the neighboring vehicles to the key set.