Parking Spot Locator

Problem Statement
Difficulty finding parking spots in public places
Takes time to find a parking spot

Existing solution
Hire people to direct drivers to vacant spots Using security camera and parking attendant

Our solution
A low cost device to locate the vacant spots in a parking lot
Several cameras Personal computer Microcontrollers Image processing software

Solution Process
Camera captures images of the parking lot Microcontroller segments images into individual parking spaces by cropping out critical areas of each parking space Microcontroller processes images of the individual parking spaces to determine the status of each parking space.

Sends vacant spot ID numbers wirelessly to PC.

PC uses information to update a GUI display of the parking lot.

Product Overview
Multiple Cameras will be used to cover the entire parking lot Cameras will be installed as shown below.
20ft

Figure 1: Camera installation

Camera must be at least 20 feet high for optimal coverage and accurate results Each camera will cover at least 18 parking spaces

Results of previous Design group

A fairly accurate algorithm for analyzing parking lot images. A MatLAB based GUI display of Parking lot Information (Demo version).

Image Correlation Algorithm

Picture 1 Picture 2

Image Smoothing Image Normalization Correlation Computation Find Maximum Correlation.

Correlation value 0 corr 1

GUI display of Parking Lot

Our Design Options

Data Transmission
Vacant ID numbers vs. Captured images Burden on PC instead of microcontroller

Data Communication
Low cost wireless connection Infrared or Radio transmitters

Interfacing of the devices

Embedded microcontroller into a camera

Develop an adaptable microcontroller End User Display

A brand new GUI based program

Deliverables
A physical product consisting of a laptop, camera, microcontroller, and a parking lot. Camera will capture images over timed intervals Microcontroller will analyze images and send information to laptop wirelessly. Laptop will be able to display the filled and vacant spots.

Project Schedule
ID Task Name Start End Oct 1 2 3 Initial pre-proposal Proposal - written Proposal - oral 1-Oct 26-Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May

25-Oct

27-Nov 9-Dec

5-Dec

Research & Development

3-Nov

21-Mar

5 6

Progress report Device coding, testing, and debugging Final Presentation and Report

2-Feb 18-Jan

3-Mar 16-Apr

25-Mar

16-May

Design Team Budget

Category Software
Hardware

Items MatLab (License)

Personal Computer Camera Microcontroller Transmitter

Proposed Cost $0.00

$0.00 $110.00 $75.00 $40.00

Quantity 1
1 1 1 1 Total

Current Total $0.00

$0.00 $110.00 $75.00 $40.00 $225.00

Private Enterprise Budget

Category
Software Hardware

Items
MatLab (License) Computer PC Camera Microcontroller Transmitter

Proposed Cost
$900.00 $1500.00 $110.00 $75.00 $40 $0.00 $0.00 $50.00 $80.00

Quantity
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 460 Total

Current Total
$900.00 $1500.00 $110.00 $75.00 $40.00 $0.00 $0.00 $50.00 $36.575 $39,250.00

Testing

Lab Facilities Additional testing equipment

Miscellaneous

Phone Calls/ Postage Manufacturing labor (hours)

Sales Projections
Nine month production cost of $39,250 Projected sale of one client per month
Single camera/software package at $2,750 9 additional camera units at $1,500

Total revenue $146,250

Total profit of $107,000

Constraints and Challenges

Environmental constraints
Changes in weather conditions

Illumination of the parking lot

Interface connections
Wireless interference Vehicle sizes

Time
8 months to complete the project

Social / Environmental Analysis

Reduction in employment
The product gives more good to a greater number of people (Utilitarianism)

Reduction of air pollution in parking lots Reduction in parking related stress People find places to park quicker
Save gas Increase productivity

Questions or Comments