Visual Display Device Parking System Occupancy Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing on-street parking systems are inefficient due to unreliable sensors, high maintenance costs, and fixed parking rates that do not adapt to varying demand, making them difficult to manage and enforce.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle parking system that uses visual display devices associated with each parking space to display availability and reservation information, a data storage device for scheduling, and a processor to manage reservations and enforce parking rules without sensors, optimizing parking space allocation and enforcement through dynamic pricing and user notifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors are used to detect parking space occupancy, then occupancy information can be acquired, but the system becomes unreliable, expensive to install and maintain, and prone to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the occupancy detection function from physical sensors and relocates it to the visual display device itself. The display device determines occupancy status by detecting whether its own display content is visible or obscured, eliminating the need for separate sensor hardware and reducing system complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual display device performs multiple functions: it provides parking information to users and simultaneously detects occupancy status. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated sensors, reducing hardware requirements and maintenance needs while improving system reliability.
2Productivity
If fixed parking rates are used, then system management is simple, but the system is inefficient as actual parking demand varies significantly from time to time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic pricing where parking rates automatically adjust based on real-time occupancy data collected from visual display devices. The system transitions from static fixed rates to dynamic variable rates, optimizing parking space utilization by charging higher rates during high-demand periods and lower rates during low-demand periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from occupancy detection by visual display devices to automatically adjust pricing. The collected occupancy information feeds into the pricing algorithm, creating a closed-loop system that continuously optimizes rates based on actual demand conditions.
3Productivity
If human valet parking is used for reservations, then parking management can be performed, but it is costly and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated reservation system where users can book parking spaces through a computing device interface. The system automatically manages reservations, assigns spaces, and coordinates with visual display devices, eliminating the need for human valet staff while improving efficiency and reducing operational costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical human-operated valet system with an automated computing-based system. The computing device handles all reservation operations, space assignments, and communication with display devices, substituting human labor with automated electronic processes.
4Reliability
If sensors are deployed for enforcement, then parking violations can be detected, but enforcement becomes resource-intensive and difficult to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the violation detection function from dedicated enforcement sensors and integrates it into the existing visual display devices. The display devices detect violations by monitoring occupancy status and comparing it with reservation data, eliminating the need for separate enforcement hardware and simplifying implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual display devices perform multiple functions including information display, occupancy detection, and violation detection. This multi-functionality enables enforcement capabilities without adding dedicated enforcement sensors, making the system easier to implement and operate.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a vehicle parking system for storing a plurality of vehicles in a plurality of parking spaces associated with a unique parking space identifier. The system includes a plurality of visual display devices each configured to display an indicator configured to visually represent at least two states and a vehicle identifier, each visual display device of the plurality of visual display devices arranged on or adjacent a corresponding parking space of the plurality of parking spaces. The vehicle parking system also includes a data storage device with parking space data, the parking space data including a plurality of parking space identifiers each associated with a status and a schedule.