DE102018008177A1 - Method for detecting parking lot information - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for switching a parking space (2), wherein a parking parameter set comprising at least one geoposition is registered with a server instance (4). A client instance (10.1) in a vehicle (10 to 14) transmits a geoposition of the vehicle (10 to 14) and a vehicle parameter record to the server instance (4). The assignment of the transmitted geoposition of the vehicle (10 to 14) to a registered parking parameter parameter set is determined. In the case of an assignment to a registered parameter set, the occupancy of the assigned parking space (2) is specified or determined by a parking space (2.1 to 2.4) occupied or released by this vehicle (10 to 14). From the server instance (4), a list of parking spaces (2) suitable for parking a vehicle (10 to 14) is transmitted to the client instance (10.1) upon request.

Description

The invention relates to a method for acquiring status information for occupying at least one parking space.

From the document DE 10 2014 212 843 A1 a method for parking lot switching is known in which road users determine information about free parking and transferred to a cloud computing system. The cloud computing system includes such information in a retrievable parking card. Information about a provided parking space can be displayed visually on a display device of the road user.

The invention is based on the object to provide an improved method for parking space.

The object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

In a method for switching a parking space, at least one parking space described by a parking parameter set is registered with a server instance. The parking space parameter set comprises at least one geoposition of the parking space. The at least one geoposition may be the geoposition of a single parking space located in the parking lot. Alternatively, the parking space parameter set may include a plurality of geopositions indicating a boundary of a plurality of parking spaces in the parking lot. Such a boundary can be described, for example, as a polygon of geopositions.

In one exemplary embodiment, the parking space parameter additionally includes information about the size of the parking area, the clear height of the parking space, parking fees and / or the time-related or access restrictions for the parking space.

According to the invention, a geoposition of the vehicle and a vehicle parameter set describing the vehicle are transmitted to the server instance by a client instance in a vehicle. The vehicle parameter set includes a time stamp and / or a vehicle identification number and / or the vehicle speed and / or the wheel speeds of at least one wheel and / or the lock status of at least one door and / or an ignition lock position and / or an engine operating state and / or an engine speed and optionally further parameters from which it can be determined whether the vehicle was in motion and parked or parked and set in motion.

An indication of the vehicle area or parking area claimed by a vehicle can be contained in the vehicle parameter set and / or assigned in the server instance by comparison of the vehicle identification number.

The server instance determines whether the geoposition of the vehicle can be assigned to a registered parking parameter set. For example, the server instance determines whether the geoposition of the vehicle matches the unique geoposition of a parking-space parameter set or is within a polygon determined by a plurality of geolocations of a parking-space parameter set. If so, it is determined or indicated whether the vehicle occupies or releases a parking space on the parking space corresponding to the assignable parking parameter parameter set.

Upon request, the server instance transmits to a client instance a list of registered parking parameter sets of parking lots suitable for parking the vehicle associated with the client instance.

In one embodiment of the method, the client instance displays the list of unoccupied parking parameter sets transmitted by the server instance as well as optional information for navigation to at least one parking space parameter set assigned to this list by means of a display device.

An advantage of the method according to the invention is that the occupancy state of parking spaces can be determined both without additional parking space-side or vehicle-side technical devices and thus an exchange of free parking space is made possible without building a specific infrastructure. For example, it is advantageous over known methods that the server instance does not have to identify and / or locate a parking space released by a client instance, but only has to allocate it to a parking space. As a result, the method according to the invention also works when individual parking bags of a parking space are not marked and / or not recorded.

Another advantage is that the client instance does not need to determine the precise location and / or extent of the parking space or the parking bag in a shared parking space, but a geo position must be determined only with an accuracy that is an assignment to a registered Parking parameter set allowed. By way of example, this makes it possible to dispense with additional vehicle surroundings sensors (ultrasound sensors, cameras) in the method according to the invention. Thus, the method according to the invention can advantageously also be used in vehicles which do not have such sensors. It also provides more client instances, further improving the accuracy and reliability of parking space allocation information.

Furthermore, vehicles can be routed to a free parking lot with little effort and high chance of success. Another advantage is that statistical information on the use of parking spaces can be detected and from this an improved utilization of parking spaces is controllable.

In one embodiment of the method, a parking space is included in the transmitted list of parking parameter sets for the parking of a first vehicle suitable parking only if for a predetermined period of, for example, 20 minutes or 10 minutes or 5 minutes or 3 minutes for this parking lot has been released another vehicle whose vehicle area is at least as large as the vehicle area of the first vehicle.

It is possible for a parking space reported as released by another vehicle to be occupied without this occupancy being communicated to the server, for example by a vehicle without an assigned client instance. An advantage of this embodiment of the method is therefore that the reliability of a statement about a parking space available in a parking space is increased.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

• 1 schematisch eine Draufsicht auf einen Straßenzug und
• 2 schematisch eine Clientinstanz und eine Serverinstanz.

Showing:

• 1 schematically a plan view of a street and
• 2 schematically a client instance and a server instance.

Corresponding parts are provided in all figures with the same reference numerals.

1 schematically shows a plan view of a street 1 with a first lane 1.1 and a second lane 1.2 , At the outer edge of the second lane 1.2 is a parking lot 2 indicated by means of a parking lot traffic sign. The parking lot 2 includes as parking bags, which are identified here by lane markings, a first to fourth parking space 2.1 to 2.4 ,

Alternatively, however, it is also possible for traffic signs and / or lane markings to indicate only one area intended for parking, which is not in individual parking spaces 2.1 to 2.4 is divided. The first and the second parking space 2.1 . 2.2 are present with a parked first vehicle 10 or a parked second vehicle 11 busy.

In the third parking space 2.3 drives a third vehicle 12 to park there. A fourth vehicle 13 leaves the fourth parking space 2.4 ,

On the second lane 1.2 opposite first lane 1.1 is by means of a parking prohibition traffic sign 3 and a lane marking a parking ban. A fifth vehicle 14 stops or parks at the outer edge of the first lane 1.1 and occupies a parking space 3.1 , This pitch 3.1 but is not shown as a parking lot.

2 schematically shows the communication between a client instance 10.1 of a vehicle 10 and a server instance 4 , The client instance 10.1 can be designed as a program, which on a control unit in the vehicle 10 expires. This control unit can be designed, for example, as a Telematics Control Unit (TCU), as known from the prior art. Alternatively, the client instance 10.1 be designed as a program that runs on an on-board diagnosis dongle (OBD dongle) designated accessory for a vehicle information interface. Such OBD dongles are particularly inexpensive available.

The client instance 10.1 communicates with sensors 10.2 that trained and on the vehicle 10 are arranged so that an engine operating condition and a vehicle speed and at least one locking state of at least one vehicle door is detected. In one embodiment, by means of sensors 10.2 and / or by query not shown controllers of the vehicle 10 the ignition lock position of the vehicle 10 detects and determines whether the ignition lock is locked, the ignition is off, the accessory power is on, the ignition is on, or the starter is operating.

By means of other sensors 10.2 and / or by query not shown controllers of the vehicle 10 In addition, an operating state of the engine can be detected, for example, engine idling, engine running with speed limitation running, motor without speed limit running, engine stopped.

By evaluation of the sensors 10.2 determines the client instance 10.1 whether the vehicle is 10 located in a state where it can be parked parked. Such a condition can be recognized, for example, by turning off the engine and switching off the ignition and locking the driver's door and each wheel of the vehicle 10 stands still.

The client instance 10.1 communicates further with a geopositioning unit 10.3 , which is designed as a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit and on the vehicle 10 is arranged. In embodiments, it is also possible to use a geopositioning unit 10.3 as a differential GPS (dGPS) unit. Also other methods and devices are for determining the location of the vehicle 10 possible, for example, based on the evaluation of images of the vehicle environment.

The client instance 10.1 also communicates with one on the vehicle 10 arranged communication unit 10.4 , which is designed as a mobile radio unit and for the transmission of data via a wireless communication link 5 between the server instance 4 and the client instance 10.1 is set up. In an embodiment variant, the communication unit 10.4 also be replaced by a mobile phone of a driver, for a connection to the client instance 10.1 is set up, for example via a communication protocol near field communication (NFC), and also for the use of the wireless communication link 5 to the server instance 4 is set up.

Furthermore, the client instance 10.1 set up for the query of vehicle identification parameters, for example for the query of a vehicle identification number (VIN). The query can be via a direct access to a memory element or indirectly by communication with a non-illustrated control unit of the vehicle 10 be furnished.

According to the invention, the client instance transmits 10.1 by means of the communication unit 10.4 a vehicle parameter set to the server instance 4 , the at least one by means of the geopositioning unit 10.3 detected vehicle position includes. Optionally, the vehicle parameter set includes the vehicle speed, the wheel speeds of all wheels, the lock status of all doors, the ignition lock position, the engine operating condition, and other parameters that can be used to determine whether the vehicle is running 10 was in motion and turned off or was turned off and set in motion.

The transmission of the vehicle parameter set may be at regular intervals, for example at intervals of two minutes, and / or at certain operating events or state changes of the vehicle 10 take place, for example, when the ignition switch position changes.

The server instance 4 includes a server program 4.1 , which is processed on a suitable arithmetic unit, and a server data memory 4.2 , The server program 4.1 can be processed on several, physically independent and distributed computing units. Also the server data store 4.2 can be provided by multiple, physically independent and distributed data stores. In particular, the server instance 4 be designed as a cloud computing system.

On the server data store 4.2 are for the server program 4.1 available parking parameter sets stored. A parking space parameter set includes at least the location information, in other words at least one geoposition, one at the server instance 4 registered parking 2 , In the present case, the location includes geopositions, which define a bounding polygon around the parking lot 2 belonging parking spaces or parking bags 2.1 to 2.4 to shape.

A parking parameter set may include other parameters, such as the size (footprint, height) of one in the parking lot 2 parkable vehicle 10 to 14 , Information about parking fees, information on temporal restrictions on use and / or access as well as further information.

A parking parameter set may be generated, changed or deleted by an explicit user input, for example by message on a user input form related to a particular location, preferably to a current geoposition of the vehicle 10 to 14 of a user.

According to the invention, a parking space parameter set can also be generated, changed or deleted by methods of machine learning. If by a certain number of client instances 10.1 successively within certain, predetermined or configurable intervals the parking and removal of a vehicle 10 to 14 reported at a matching geoposition, the server instance can 4 from this the establishment of a parking lot 2 at the given geoposition. The server instance can be derived from further parameters of the respective vehicle parameter set associated with the geoposition 4 further features of the parking lot 2 at this geoposition.

Based on the temporal pattern and the frequency of an occupancy at a certain geoposition, the server instance 4 between one occasional, possibly wrongful parking of a vehicle 14 on a parking space 3.1 , which is not assigned a parking space, and the parking of a vehicle 10 to 13 on a designated parking lot 2 differ. Likewise, the server instance 4 to the emergence of new parking lots due to a frequently reported new geoposition and to the disappearance of former parking lots due to a missing message of the respective geoposition. Methods of machine learning for evaluating such statistical information and temporal patterns are known in the art.

Additionally or alternatively, the server instance 4 match the reported geoposition with at least one geographic information system. If it is determined that the reported geoposition is located in an area with restricted public parking facilities, for example on a private area or in an area with access restrictions, no parking space parameter set will be created for this geoposition.

A comparison with a geographic information system can also be carried out by analyzing a map display and / or aerial photograph of a region around the reported geoposition. For example, it can be determined by image processing in satellite images on which sides and / or in which sections of roads vehicles typically park, with vehicles moving on a road being filtered out.

Alternatively or additionally, data provided by a navigation system may be used to determine whether at or near the current geoposition of the vehicle 10 Parking available. In addition, information provided by authorities, for example on access restrictions resulting from measures for exhaust gas reduction, can be used.

The course of the method according to the invention when parking is exemplary when parking the third vehicle 12 on the third parking space 2.3 of the parking lot 2 explained. The third vehicle 12 at least then assigned vehicle parameter set to the server instance 4 transmitted when the ignition switch from the status "ignition switched on" in the status "ignition lock locked". The third vehicle 12 transmitted vehicle parameter set includes at least the geoposition of the third parking space 2.3 that are within the of the geopositions of the parking lot 2 formed polygon lies.

The server instance 4 recognizes it and optional on other parameters from the vehicle parameter set that the third vehicle 12 In the parking lot 2 was turned off. Optionally, the server instance 4 for the assignment of the third vehicle 12 temporal information on the occupancy of the parking lot 2 attention. For example, on an occupancy of the parking lot 2 Preferably then be inferred, if for the parking lot 2 within a predetermined time interval before transmission of the vehicle parameter set of the third vehicle 12 from another vehicle 10 . 11 . 13 . 14 a parking space 2.1 to 2.4 was released, the the parking lot 2 was assigned.

The server instance 4 check those in your server data store 4.2 stored parking parameter sets and determines the parking space parameter set, whose geopositions form a polygon, within which the third vehicle 12 transmitted geoposition lies. In this way the parking lot becomes 2 identified on which the third vehicle 12 was turned off.

If at the server instance 4 for this parking lot 2 a number of previously vacant parking spaces 2.1 to 2.4 was reported, the number is decremented. In one embodiment, the server instance performs 4 Book on the respective minimum size of the previously declared vacant spaces 2.1 to 2.4 and carries one of these pitches 2.1 to 2.4 whose area is at least as large as the vehicle area of the parked third vehicle 12 ,

matching parking parameter set and sets the occupancy state for this parking space parameter set to "occupied". After that, the parking lot 2 for requests to the server instance 4 no more than available or "free" reported.

The course of the method according to the invention when driving away is exemplary when driving away the fourth vehicle 13 from the fourth parking space 2.4 of the parking lot 2 explained. The fourth vehicle 13 at least then assigned vehicle parameter set to the server instance 4 transmitted when the ignition switch from the status "ignition lock locked" to the status "ignition switched on". The on the client instance 10.1 expiring program may provide that subsequent to an ignition lock position change a certain number of transmissions of the vehicle parameter set to the server instance 4 he follows. Alternatively, this can be done on the client instance 10.1 running program provide that in the ignition switch "ignition on" the vehicle parameter set continuously at predetermined intervals, for example, every two minutes, to the server instance 4 is transmitted.

Thus, the server instance detects 4 that the fourth vehicle 13 from the parking lot 2 has been moved and increments the number of free spaces 2.4 For this parking lot 2 in the assigned parking parameter set. In one embodiment of the method, the server instance detects 4 the vehicle area or parking area of the fourth vehicle 13 and / or the time stamp of the release of the fourth parking space 2.4 and adds this information to the parking lot 2 added to the associated list of minimum free spaces.

When requesting a parking space, the parking lot becomes available 2 then added to a result list, if at least one free space for him 2.1 to 2.4 was reported. In one embodiment, the parking lot 2 then added to the result list, if at least one free space for him 2.1 to 2.4 with one for the requesting vehicle 10 to 14 sufficient parking space was reported.

In one embodiment of the method, the validity of vacant parking spaces expires 2.1 to 2.4 after a predetermined time, for example after 3, 5, 10 or 20 minutes. After expiry of this period of validity the parking lot will be opened 2 no longer added to the results list when searching for a parking space.

It is possible for one of a vehicle 10 to 14 occupied parking space in a parking garage, not shown, or in an underground parking garage, not shown, from where no transmission of the vehicle parameter set via the wireless communication link 5 is possible. In such a situation, the first available geoposition after leaving the parking lot is reported. By additional evaluation of data of a geographic information system, the server instance 4 Assign the vacant parking space to the underground car park or parking garage and thus increase the number of parking spaces available there.

Subsequently, the sequence of the method according to the invention when parking on / when driving away from a not registered in the server instance parking space example of the fifth vehicle 14 explained. The fifth vehicle 14 assigned vehicle parameter set is analogous to that on the third vehicle 12 already explained procedures when parking at the server instance 4 transfer. The server instance 4 notes that the fifth vehicle 14 reported geoposition can not be assigned to a registered parking parameter set. The reported geoposition may be temporarily registered to perform permanent registration by machine learning when vehicle parameter sets at the reported geoposition are reported with sufficient statistical frequency and optionally other conditions, such as a minimum stoppage for a particular minimum number of shutdowns, are met.

An allocation of an occupancy state when parking and driving away takes place only if a parking parameter parameter set for the reported geoposition was previously set up by a method of machine learning.

For a request from a client instance 10.1 to search for a free parking space 2 transmits the server instance 4 a list of parking parameter sets marked as "free". This list can be determined according to predetermined criteria, for example according to the distance of the parking position from the current geoposition of the requesting vehicle 10 to be sorted. This list may additionally or alternatively be filtered according to predetermined criteria, for example according to the size of the vehicle or the parking charges incurred.

Displaying the list of free parking spaces 2 as well as optional navigation to a selected free parking 2 can be done via a navigation device and / or via a head-up display that is in the vehicle 10 is arranged. Alternatively, viewing the list of free parking spaces 2 as well as optional navigation to a selected free parking 2 via a smartphone connected to an OBD dongle.

In one embodiment of the method, a vehicle parameter set of a first vehicle 10 in addition to or instead of transmitting over the wireless communication link to the server instance 4 to the communication unit of one or more other vehicles 11 to 14 be transmitted. This is an exchange of information about vacant / occupied parking 2 between vehicles 10 to 15 a vehicle manufacturer or a group of vehicle manufacturers without the aid of a server instance 4 possible.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Straßenzug

1.1, 1.2

first, second lane

2

parking spot

2.1 to 2.4

first to fourth parking space, parking bag

3

Parking restriction road signs

3.1

parking space

4

server instance

4.1

server program

4.2

Server data storage

5

wireless communication connection

10 to 14

first to fifth vehicle

10.1

client instance

10.2

sensor

10.3

Geopositionseinheit

10.4

communication unit

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102014212843 A1 [0002]

Claims (4)

Method for switching a parking space (2), wherein a parking parameter set comprising at least one geoposition is registered with a server instance (4), characterized in that - a geoposition of the vehicle (10 to 14) and a vehicle parameter set is transmitted to the server entity (4), - the assignment of the transmitted geoposition of the vehicle (10 to 14) to the at least one geoposition of a registered parking parameter parameter set is determined, - in the case of an assignment to a registered parking parameter parameter set, the increase or the reduction of the occupancy of the assigned parking space (2) by a by this vehicle (10 to 14) occupied or released parking space (2.1 to 2.4) is specified or determined and - the server instance (4) to a request a list for parking a vehicle (10 to 14) suitable parking (2) to the client instance (10.1) w ill. Method according to Claim 1 , characterized in that a parking space (2) is transmitted to the client instance (10.1) of this vehicle (10) as suitable for parking a first vehicle (10) with a first vehicle area only if, within a predetermined previous period of at least one another vehicle (11 to 14) a parking space (2.1 to 2.4) has been released for this parking lot (2), the vehicle area is at least the first vehicle area. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the parking space parameter set additionally comprises a parking space and / or a clear parking height and / or - the vehicle parameter set a VIN and / or vehicle identification number and / or a vehicle size and / or an engine operating state and / or a driving speed and / or at least one locking state of at least one vehicle door. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a parking space parameter set is registered with a geoposition at the server instance (4) if, for this geoposition, the parking of a vehicle (10 to 14) is transmitted to the server instance (4) several times within a predetermined time interval has been.

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