VR Remote Valet Parking Using Real-Time Vehicle Video

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Solution Overview

Problem

Parking challenges such as inadequate information, inefficient use of parking capacity, and traffic congestion arise due to drivers' difficulties in finding parking spaces, which can lead to wasted time and increased traffic congestion.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a virtual reality remote valet parking system for autonomous vehicles, equipped with a control system including a processor, cameras, sensors, and a wireless transceiver, allows users to remotely control and maneuver vehicles using a virtual reality-based controller, enabling efficient parking by guiding the vehicle to available spaces through real-time video feeds and sensor data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If drivers manually search for parking spaces, then they can park their vehicles, but it wastes time and increases traffic congestion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime spent searching for parkingVSAvoidparking efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables autonomous vehicles to search for and park in parking spaces independently without human intervention. The vehicle uses onboard sensors, cameras, and processors to detect parking availability, navigate to suitable spaces, and execute parking maneuvers automatically, allowing the vehicle to serve its own parking needs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of driving and parking with an automated electronic control system. The control system uses sensors, cameras, and processors to detect the environment, process parking space information, and control vehicle movements, substituting human-operated mechanical control with electronic automation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If more parking spaces are provided, then parking availability improves, but it increases land use and infrastructure complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparking availabilityVSAvoidparking infrastructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback loops where sensors continuously monitor parking space availability and vehicle locations. The control system processes this real-time data and adjusts vehicle routing and parking decisions dynamically, providing feedback to optimize parking distribution and availability without requiring additional physical infrastructure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The automated parking system can serve multiple functions: it manages parking for various vehicle types, integrates with existing parking infrastructure, provides real-time information to drivers, and optimizes space utilization across different locations, making the system universally applicable to diverse parking scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If remote valet parking is implemented, then parking efficiency improves, but it requires complex control systems and communication infrastructure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparking turnover rateVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is divided into modular components: sensor modules for environmental detection, camera modules for visual recognition, processor units for decision-making, and communication modules for remote interaction. This segmentation allows each component to perform specific functions independently while working together as an integrated system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses wireless communication networks and intermediate servers as mediators between the vehicle and remote users or central management systems. These intermediaries facilitate data transmission and control commands without requiring direct complex connections, simplifying the overall system architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11584438B2Virtual reality remote valet parking
Publication Date: 2023.02.21 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC
  • US11584438B2 patent drawing
  • US11584438B2 patent drawing
  • US11584438B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Techniques and examples pertaining to virtual reality remote valet parking are described. A processor of a control system of a vehicle may establish a wireless communication with a remote controller. The processor may provide a stream of video images captured by a camera of the vehicle to the remote controller. The processor may receive a signal from the remote controller. The processor may maneuver the vehicle from one location to another according to the signal.