DE102019203638A1 - Method for calculating a route taking into account parking facilities - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for calculating a route in the vicinity of a predetermined target position, a distribution of statistical data on parking possibilities being used to calculate the route.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for calculating a route taking into account parking possibilities in the vicinity of the destination, as well as a corresponding parking assistance system, preferably a navigation system, and a computer program.

Conventional navigation systems guide the user to the entered destination and calculate routes that lead to the shortest or fastest possible route. Upon reaching the destination, the user must then independently search for a parking space in the vicinity of the destination. There is a risk of the process or that the destination is already so far away that route guidance to the original destination must be started again.

Some navigation systems also offer the selection of parking garages or parking spaces as express intermediate destinations, or allow the user to search for such parking spaces in the vicinity of the destination. This means that after the destination entered or the destination has been reached, the navigation system only then takes over the search for a parking space. This too can lead to a long, unsuccessful search or to a parking space that is no longer in the vicinity of the destination.

There is therefore a need for a navigation system that guides the user or driver through streets in the vicinity of the destination in which there is a high probability of parking, without having to search for a parking space after the destination has been reached.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method for calculating a route, taking into account parking possibilities in the vicinity of the destination, which overcomes the disadvantages present in the prior art, improves the user experience, and both reduces and improves the effort required to find a parking space thus also saves time. It also increases the likelihood of finding parking spaces near the destination.

Another object of the present invention is to replace the cost function of the routing algorithm with another in a certain environment, for example within a radius of 2 km of a target position. For example, by calculating a route with regard to parking options in the vicinity of the target position.

These objects are achieved by a method, a parking assistance system and a computer program according to the independent patent claims. Advantageous refinements are given in the subclaims.

One aspect of the invention relates to a method for calculating a route in the vicinity of a predetermined target position, with a distribution of statistical parking data being used to calculate the route.

As a result, it is possible for a route calculation to preferentially use those streets that offer a high probability of parking possibilities even before the destination is reached. The user or driver thus knows in advance that a parking space will be found in the vicinity of the destination with the highest possible probability. This reduces the stress of looking for a parking space and both the hassle and time.

The statistical distribution preferably relates spatially to a multiplicity of streets in a target area. This increases the likelihood of parking, as the large number of streets means that more parking is available.

A probability of the parking possibilities is advantageously assigned to each street. It is therefore predetermined in which street there is what probability of parking.

For the calculation of the route, the statistical distribution valid at a point in time of a probable arrival at the destination is preferably used. The route proposal up to the vicinity of the target position is calculated using conventional calculation methods to reach the target position. In the vicinity of the target position, the conventional calculation method is replaced by a calculation based on the probability of available parking spaces. This means that when the target position is entered in a preferred navigation system, the route is calculated according to conventional calculations, for example according to the fastest or shortest route. For example, the usual cost function “minimize distance”, “minimize time” or “minimize consumption” or the like, or even a mixture of these, is used for the conventional route calculation.

Parking is only important for the user or driver in the vicinity of the target position. Therefore, only in the vicinity of the target position is the conventional calculation based on the fastest or shortest route replaced by a route calculation with a view to the probability of available parking spaces. For example, within a radius of 2 km near the destination, the conventional cost function or route calculation is performed according to the conventional one Cost function can be replaced or expanded by another route calculation or cost function.

This is preferably done through streets that are “cheap”, that is, if there is a high probability of parking in these streets at the given time of arrival. And they are “inconvenient” when there is a low probability of parking on these streets. Fixed parking places of interest (POI) such as multi-storey car parks or larger parking lots can also increase the attractiveness of a street within the cost function or route calculation.

As a result, the user or driver already knows before reaching the target position in which street there is the highest probability of parking. Thus, the journey to the destination is relaxed and stress-free, without having to worry about the parking situation.

Preferably, the probability of the parking possibilities in the target area when driving past or not parking is modified so that new parking possibilities can always be considered.

If there is no statistical data on the situation of the streets in the vicinity of the target position, the probability of parking is estimated. The estimation is made on the basis of parking probability data of other, surrounding streets and / or of properties of the street itself. For example, by the number of lanes, by the street class, and / or the street width and / or further / other street attributes.

If statistical data is missing, roads in the vicinity of the target position are preferably systematically traversed in a suitable form. It is avoided to drive on roads unnecessarily multiple times.

In the case of a real-time data update of the given probability of parking in a street area in the vicinity of the target position, an automatic recalculation of the route is preferably started taking this new data into account. After passing the target position, the user is guided, taking into account the current probability of the parking possibilities. The user is guided until the user has finally parked the vehicle, i.e. until the vehicle is parked.

The fact that a user or driver has found a parking space in a street but drives past instead of parking there can also be included in the calculation of the cost function or the route calculation with regard to the attractiveness of a street to park, and indeed negatively. This means that it is stored in the parking assistance system or in the navigation system that the parking facility that was not used in a street is not attractive to the user or driver. This means that the unused parking space is not taken into account in the next route calculation or is only taken into account as a possible alternative.

Various factors can play a role in driving past a parking space. For example, one reason for driving by is the experience the user has already had on that street. For example, parking in and out of a parking space is more difficult compared to other parking options on other streets. Maybe due to more traffic or the general road attributes. For example, parking is more difficult in narrow or confusing streets. Based on the user's experience with certain streets, it is also possible that certain known parking options are preferred so that others are avoided by driving past.

With known streets and parking facilities, certain routes via these streets can advantageously be favored in the parking assistance system. You can even save several streets in a favorites list and list them as you wish.

It is possible that the drive past is accidental, so that the user or driver returns to the same parking space and parks the vehicle in it. In such cases, the attractiveness of the parking facility does not have a negative impact on the calculation of the cost function. The parking assistance system or the navigation system can thus distinguish between drive-by on purpose and by accident.

The route calculation is preferably carried out taking into account parking possibilities in a parking assistance system and / or a navigation system, so that both a conventional route calculation and a route calculation according to parking possibilities can be carried out.

• - Mittel zum Erhalten von statistischen Parkmöglichkeits-Daten in einem Nahbereich einer Zielposition;
• - Mittel zur Berechnung einer Route basierend auf den statistischen Parkmöglichkeits-Daten;
• - Mittel zur Neuberechnung der Route bei gegebenenfalls auftretender Aktualisierung der statistischen Parkmöglichkeits-Daten.

Thus, a further aspect of the invention relates to the parking assistance system with a

• - Means for obtaining statistical parking data in a vicinity of a target position;
• - means for calculating a route based on the statistical parking space data;
• - Means for recalculating the route in the event that the statistical parking possibility data is updated, if necessary.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a computer program which comprises a program code for performing the route calculation, taking into account parking facilities.

The present invention advantageously ensures that the search for a parking space is already integrated into the destination approach. The route that leads to the destination automatically leads past "good" parking facilities. That is, the route with the highest probability of parking. “Good” parking spaces automatically justify a certain detour. The behavior can be conveniently configured using the weighting factors within the cost function.

If there is a deviation from the suggested route in the vicinity of the destination, the newly suggested, corrected routes are again "cheap for parking". This means that the user or driver is assisted during the entire search for a parking space in the vicinity of the destination without having to intervene manually. Instead, the parking assistance system or the navigation system always suggests new routes that lead through new, inexpensive parking areas. The navigation support (route guidance) is only ended when the vehicle is parked in the parking space reached and not already when the destination may have been passed while looking for a parking space.

If the probability of parking in the affected street area changes during the search for a parking space due to real-time data updates, “rerouting” can be triggered automatically so that the route proposed to the user or driver near the destination is automatically adapted to the new situation. For example, a car parks in the neighboring street of the target position, this information is detected by the parking assistance system and rerouting to this newly created parking facility or to the position of the newly created parking facility is started so that it can be approached and parked there. The same applies if, for example, a parking space near the destination is not available and a "rerouting" has already been started, but during this time the originally unavailable parking space is now available, so that both available parking options are suggested to the user or driver, who then decides on one can.

In the event that the statistical data reveal that the user or driver could actually perceive a parking facility in a street and park in it, but not do so, it can be concluded that this was not possible or wanted. This information is taken into account in the further route calculation with regard to parking. These parking options are then automatically avoided compared to other parking options, so that other parking options are preferred in the route calculation.

Advantageous embodiments of the method are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the parking assistance system. The parking assistance system and the computer program have features which enable the method or an advantageous embodiment thereof to be carried out.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge from the following description of a preferred exemplary embodiment and with reference to the drawing. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the single figure can be used not only in the specified combination, but also in other combinations or on their own, without the frame to leave the invention and expand.

• 1a eine Standard-Route zum Ziel;
• 1b die Wahrscheinlichkeit an Parkmöglichkeiten entlang der Standard-Route;
• 1c eine neue Routenberechnung unter Berücksichtigung von Parkmöglichkeiten;
• 2 ein Rerouting bei Vorbeifahrt des Zieles;
• 1a zeigt zunächst eine Standard-Routenberechnung zum Ziel
  
  , die durch eine mit Pfeilen markierte Linie/Route gekennzeichnet ist.
• 1b zeigt die Standard-Routenberechnung unter Berücksichtigung von Parkmöglichkeiten entlang der Standard-Route zum Ziel. Es wird angezeigt, dass entlang der Standard-Route die Wahrscheinlichkeit von Parkmöglichkeiten gering ist oder dass keine Parkmöglichkeiten vorhanden sind. Dies ist durch mehrere Kreuzchen deutlich dargestellt. Es wird jedoch gezeigt, dass beispielsweise entlang einer anderen Straße/Route die Wahrscheinlichkeit an Parkmöglichkeiten hoch ist oder generell eine Wahrscheinlichkeit an Parkmöglichkeiten besteht. Dies ist mit mehreren kleinen Kreisen dargestellt, die gegenüber der Standard-Route liegen. Aufgrund der Wahrscheinlichkeit an Parkmöglichkeiten findet eine neue Routenberechnung entlang der Straßen statt, die eine hohe Wahrscheinlichkeit an Parkmöglichkeiten aufweisen. Somit wird die Standard-Routenberechnung durch die neue Routenberechnung ersetzt.
• 1c zeigt somit, dass die Standard-Route durch eine Route mit hoher Wahrscheinlichkeit an Parkmöglichkeiten ersetzt wurde. Die neue Route, die mit Pfeilen gekennzeichnet ist, befindet sich entlang einer Straße, die zuvor mit hoher Wahrscheinlichkeit an Parkmöglichkeiten bewertet wurde.
• 2 zeigt eine Neuberechnung der Route, wenn das Ziel verpasst wurde oder absichtlich am Ziel vorbeigefahren wurde, so dass trotzdem weitere Parkmöglichkeiten in Zielnähe berücksichtigt werden können. Der Bereich in Zielnähe kennzeichnet sich durch das deutlich sichtbar schwarzmarkierte Rechteck aus, das mit entsprechenden Pfeilen markiert ist. Innerhalb von diesem Bereich in Zielnähe wird angezeigt, welche Straßen keine Parkmöglichkeiten aufweisen, diese sind deutlich mit mehreren Kreuzchen gekennzeichnet. Es wird ebenfalls angezeigt, welche Straßen eine Wahrscheinlichkeit an Parkmöglichkeiten aufweisen, diese sind mit kleinen Kreisen gekennzeichnet. Somit erfolgt ein Rerouting in Zielnähe bei Vorbeifahrt am Ziel, so dass trotz des Vorbeifahrens und die nicht Berücksichtigung von Parkmöglichkeiten entlang der Route bis zum Ziel, die Möglichkeit des Parkens in Zielnähe besteht und sich der Fahrer/Benutzer keine Gedanken über die Parkplatzsuche machen muss. Demzufolge bleibt dem Fahrer/Benutzer das aufwendige und zeitintensive Suchen eines Parkplatzes erspart.

Show:

• 1a a standard route to the destination;
• 1b the likelihood of parking along the standard route;
• 1c a new route calculation taking into account parking facilities;
• 2 a rerouting when passing the destination;
• 1a first shows a standard route calculation to the destination
  
  , which is indicated by a line / route marked with arrows.
• 1b shows the standard route calculation taking into account parking facilities along the standard route to the destination. It is displayed that the probability of parking is low along the standard route or that there is no parking available. This is clearly shown by several crosses. However, it is shown that, for example, along another street / route the probability of parking is high or there is generally a probability of parking. This is shown with several small circles opposite the standard route. Due to the probability of parking, a new route calculation takes place along the streets that have a high probability of parking. The standard route calculation is thus replaced by the new route calculation.
• 1c shows that the standard route has been replaced by a route with a high probability of parking. The new route, which is marked with arrows, is along a road that was previously rated with a high probability of parking.
• 2 shows a recalculation of the route if the destination was missed or if the destination was intentionally driven past, so that further parking options in the vicinity of the destination can still be taken into account. The area in the vicinity of the target is marked by the clearly visible black rectangle marked with the appropriate arrows. Within this area near the destination, it is shown which streets do not have any parking spaces, these are clearly marked with several small crosses. It is also shown which streets have a probability of parking, these are marked with small circles. This means that rerouting takes place close to the destination when driving past the destination, so that despite driving past and not taking into account parking options along the route to the destination, there is the possibility of parking near the destination and the driver / user does not have to worry about looking for a parking space. As a result, the driver / user is spared the complex and time-consuming search for a parking space.

Claims (15)

Method for calculating a route in the vicinity of a predetermined target position, characterized in that a distribution of statistical data on parking possibilities is used to calculate the route. Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the statistical distribution relates spatially to a plurality of streets in a target area, each street being assigned a probability of the parking possibilities. Procedure according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the statistical distribution valid at a point in time of a probable arrival at the destination is used to calculate the route. Method according to one of the Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the route proposal is calculated up to the vicinity of the target position using conventional calculation methods to reach the target position and in the vicinity of the target position the conventional calculation method is replaced by the calculation based on the probability of available parking spaces. Method according to one of the Claims 1 to 4th , characterized in that the method is carried out in a parking assistance system and / or navigation system. Method according to one of the Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that the probability of parking in the target area is modified when driving past or not parking. Method according to one of the Claims 1 to 6th , characterized in that in the absence of statistical data on the situation of the streets in the vicinity of the target position, the probability of parking is estimated. Procedure according to Claim 7 , characterized in that the estimation takes place on the basis of parking probability data of other surrounding streets and / or of properties of the street itself, in particular the number of lanes, street class and / or width. Method according to one of the Claims 1 to 8th , characterized in that in the absence of statistical data, roads in the vicinity of the target position are systematically traversed in a suitable form. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the case of a real-time data update of the given parking probability in a street area in the vicinity of the target position, an automatic recalculation of the route is started taking into account these new data. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that after passing the target position, the user is guided taking into account the currently available probability of the parking possibilities. Procedure according to Claim 11 , characterized in that the user is guided until the vehicle is finally parked. Parking assistance system, preferably navigation system, which is suitable for a method according to one of the preceding Claims 1 to 12th execute. Parking assistance system according to Claim 13 for providing applications comprising: means for obtaining statistical parking possibility data in a vicinity of a target position; - Means for calculating a route based on the statistical parking space data; - Means for recalculating the route in the event that the statistical parking possibility data is updated, if necessary. Computer program comprising program code for performing the method according to one of the Claims 1 to 12th , wherein the computer program is executed on a computer.

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