METHOD FOR OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE WITH A PARKING ASSISTANT

Abstract

A method for operating a motor vehicle (2) with a parking assistant (4), which is operable in an in-vehicle operating mode (SM) and a remote parking operating mode (RM), with the steps: (S100) reading data (D) indicative of a parking situation of a detected parking space (6), (S200) evaluating the data (D) to determine an output signal (AS) indicative of the in-vehicle operating mode (SM) or the remote parking operating mode (RM), and (S300) outputting the output signal (AS).

Claims

1. A method for operating a motor vehicle (2) with a parking assistant (4) which can be operated in an in-vehicle operating mode (SM) and a remote parking operating mode (RM), with the steps: (S100) reading data (D) indicative of a parking situation of a detected parking space (6), (S200) evaluating the data (D) to determine an output signal (AS) indicative of the in-vehicle operating mode (SM) or the remote parking operating mode (RM), and (S300) outputting the output signal (AS).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data (D) are indicative of parking situation geometry data of the parking space (6).

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the data (D) are indicative of parking situation environmental data for an environment of the parking space (6).

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the data (D) are indicative of a parking situation representative of traffic situations in the vicinity of the parking space (6).

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data (D) are indicative of parking situation personal data of the driver and/or of passengers of the motor vehicle (2).

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data (D) are indicative of a parking situation representative of the ground of the parking space (6).

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data (D) are indicative of a parking situation representative of a number of parking movements of a parking maneuver and/or meteorological data and/or state data and/or measured values.

8. A computer program product designed to perform the method according to claim 1.

9. A parking assistant (4) for the operation of a motor vehicle (2), the parking assistant comprising: an in-vehicle operating mode (SM) and a remote parking operating mode (RM), to read data (D) indicative of a parking situation of a detected parking space (6), to evaluate the data (D) to determine an output signal (AS) indicative of the in-vehicle operating mode (SM) or the remote parking operating mode (RM) and to output the output signal (AS).

10. The parking assistant (4) according to claim 9, wherein the data (D) are indicative of parking situation geometry data of the parking space (6).

11. The parking assistant (4) according to claim 9, wherein the data (D) are indicative of parking situation environmental data for an environment of the parking space (6).

12. The parking assistant (4) according to claim 9, wherein the data (D) are indicative of a parking situation representative of traffic situations in the vicinity of the parking space (6).

13. The parking assistant (4) according to claim 9, wherein the data (D) are indicative of parking situation personal data of the driver and/or of passengers of the motor vehicle (2).

14. The parking assistant (4) according to claim 9, wherein the data (D) are indicative of a parking situation representative of the ground of the parking space (6).

15. The parking assistant (4) according to claim 9, wherein the data (D) are indicative of a parking situation representative of a number of parking movements of a parking maneuver and/or meteorological data and/or state data and/or measured values.

16. A Motor vehicle (2) with a parking assistant (4) according to claim 9.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The invention will now be explained on the basis of a drawing. In the figures:

[0022] FIG. 1 shows in a schematic representation a first scenario in which a motor vehicle with a parking assistant is to be parked in a parking space.

[0023] FIG. 2 shows in a schematic representation a second scenario in which a motor vehicle with a parking assistant is to be parked in a parking space.

[0024] FIG. 3 shows in a schematic representation a third scenario in which a motor vehicle with a parking assistant is to be parked in a parking space.

[0025] FIG. 4 shows in a schematic representation a fourth scenario in which a motor vehicle with a parking assistant is to be parked in a parking space.

[0026] FIG. 5 shows a procedure sequence in a schematic representation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] First of all, reference is made to FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0028] In the scenarios shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a motor vehicle 2 is to be controlled into a parking space 6 by a parking assistant 4. For this purpose and for the tasks and functions described below, the parking assistant 4 can have hardware and/or software components.

[0029] The parking spaces 6 in the scenarios shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 are each designed for perpendicular parking. Deviating from the present exemplary embodiment, the parking spaces 6 may also be designed for parallel parking.

[0030] In the scenario shown in FIG. 1, a parking space 6 is limited by a right-hand motor vehicle 8 and a left-hand motor vehicle 10. The parking space 6 is located on a busy road, which is currently being used by motor vehicles 12, 14.

[0031] In the scenario shown in FIG. 2, the parking space 6 is limited only by a right-hand motor vehicle 8. There is a puddle 16 in the vicinity of the parking space 6.

[0032] In the scenario shown in FIG. 3, the parking space 6 is also limited only by a right-hand motor vehicle 8. While the ground of the road is asphalt 18, the ground in the parking space 6 is lawn 20.

[0033] In the scenario shown in FIG. 4, the parking space 6 is limited by a right-hand motor vehicle 8 and a left-hand motor vehicle 10. The driver and/or passenger of the motor vehicle 2 have individual limitations on their mobility, for example due to disabilities. They therefore need a lot of space to be able to leave the motor vehicle 2 parked in the parking space 6.

[0034] The parking assistant 4 is designed to detect both the parking space 6 as well as the right-hand motor vehicle 8 and/or the left-hand motor vehicle 10 and/or the puddle 16 and/or the ground in the form of asphalt 18 or lawn 20 by evaluating environmental data provided by environmental sensors such as LIDAR, RADAR or ultrasonic sensors or camera systems.

[0035] Furthermore, the parking assistant 4 may be designed to be operated in an in-vehicle operating mode SM (see FIG. 5) and a remote parking operating mode RM (see also FIG. 5).

[0036] During the in-vehicle operating mode SM, the driver remains seated in the motor vehicle 2 during parking into the parking space 6. On the other hand, during the remote parking operating mode RM, the driver gets out of the vehicle 2 beforehand and is then located outside the motor vehicle 2 during parking. In other words, the parking assistant 4 can be designed or operated as a self-steering system in the in-vehicle operating mode SM and as a remote parking assistant in the remote parking operating mode RM.

[0037] In order to give the driver or user an indication of which operating mode of the operating modes in-vehicle operating mode SM or remote parking operating mode RM is preferable in a current scenario, the parking assistant 4 is designed to read data D (see FIG. 5) indicative of a parking situation of the detected parking space 6, to evaluate the data D, to determine an output signal AS (see also FIG. 5) indicative of the in-vehicle operating mode SM or the remote parking operating mode RM and to output the output signal AS.

[0038] The output signal AS can then be output optically and/or acoustically and/or haptically, in order to inform the driver which of the operating modes is preferable in the present scenario.

[0039] In the present exemplary embodiment, the data D are indicative of parking situation geometry data of the parking space 6. The data D are representative, for example, of a motor vehicle orientation in the parking space (parallel or perpendicular parking), an offset of the motor vehicle relative to a center line of the parking space 6, a motor vehicle angle, a parking space width of the parking space 6, a distance of the motor vehicle 2 from the parking space 6 or a distance of the motor vehicle 2 from the parking space 6.

[0040] Thus, in FIG. 1 the parking space width of the parking space 6 is too small to open a driver's door of the motor vehicle 2 so far that the driver can easily get out, especially without damaging the motor vehicle 10.

[0041] Furthermore, in the present exemplary embodiment the data D are indicative of parking situation environmental data for an environment of the parking space 6. The data D are representative of an angle of motor vehicles 8, 10 which are limiting the parking space 6. In other words, it takes into account whether the vehicles 8, 10 are parked straight or skewed, thus reducing the space for parking maneuvers. Furthermore, in the present exemplary embodiment the data D are indicative of other objects or obstacles which are limiting the parking space 6, or of traffic signs, which for example only allow parking in a certain orientation (such as in a one-way street).

[0042] Furthermore, in the present exemplary embodiment the data D are indicative of a parking situation representative of traffic situations in the vicinity of the parking space 6. The data D therefore indicate that the environment of the parking space 6 is characterized by road traffic on a busy road, as shown in FIG. 1. By favoring the in-vehicle operating mode SM in this scenario, for example, a danger to the driver can be counteracted, since he now remains in the vehicle 2 and does not enter the traffic of the busy road, as would be the case if he were to use the remote parking operating mode RM, for example.

[0043] Furthermore, in the present exemplary embodiment the data D are indicative of a parking situation representative of the ground of the parking space 6. The data D thus provide information on whether, for example, a part of the parking space 6 is covered by the puddle 16 (see FIG. 2) or the ground of the parking space is asphalt 18 or lawn 20, for example (see FIG. 3).

[0044] Furthermore, in the present exemplary embodiment the data D, which are indicative of a parking situation, are personal data of the driver and/or passengers of the motor vehicle. The data D then indicate whether, for example, the driver and/or passenger of the motor vehicle 2 have individual restrictions on their mobility and therefore require a particularly large amount of space to leave the motor vehicle 2 which is parked in the parking space 6, as shown in FIG. 4. The personal data may be determined by an ID of the person, for example stored in an RFID tag, or by using values of weight sensors in vehicle seats, setting parameters of vehicle seats, seat belts, rear-view mirrors, pedals, and/or the steering wheel.

[0045] Finally, in the present exemplary embodiment the data D are indicative of a parking situation representative of a number of parking movements of a parking maneuver for parking in the parking space 6. The parking assistant 4 therefore determines the number of respective required parking movements in the in-vehicle operating mode SM and in the remote parking operating mode RM in order to park the vehicle 2 in the parking space 6. The operating mode with the smallest number of parking movements can be selected by the parking assistant 6 in the present exemplary embodiment.

[0046] In addition, reference is now made to FIG. 5 in order to explain a procedure for the operation of the parking assistant 4.

[0047] After activating the parking assistant 4 by pressing a button or falling below a certain speed, the vehicle's environmental sensors measure 2, for example transversely to the direction of travel, while passing one or more parking spaces 6. If the parking space 6 is large enough, this is indicated to the driver.

[0048] In a first step S100, the parking assistant 4 reads the data D indicative of a parking situation of the detected parking space 6.

[0049] In a further step S200, the parking assistant 4 evaluates the data D to determine the output signal AS indicative of the in-vehicle operating mode SM or the remote parking operating mode RM.

[0050] The data D indicative of a parking situation—as already stated—are geometry data of the parking space 6 and/or environmental data for an environment of the parking space 6 and/or representative of traffic situations in the vicinity of the parking space 6 and/or personal data of the driver and/or passengers of the motor vehicle 2 and/or representative of the ground of the parking space 6 and/or representative of a number of parking movements of a parking maneuver for parking in the parking space 6.

[0051] The parking assistant 4 provides an output signal AS indicative of the remote parking operating mode RM when the vehicle 2 is approaching a parking garage or is in a parking garage. For determination of the position, data of a navigation system of the motor vehicle 2 can be evaluated. Parking in a multi-floor car park can be challenging due to columns, poor lighting, and tight space for example. In such a scenario, the driver can leave the motor vehicle 2 without being exposed to adverse weather conditions, for example. For this purpose, meteorological data and/or state data can be indicative of an active windscreen wiper and/or readings for an outside temperature, for example. The meteorological data representative of the location of the motor vehicle 2 can be read in from a cloud. Traffic in such an environment is usually limited and slow or subject to restrictive speed limits. This allows the driver to take advantage of the remote parking.

[0052] The parking assistant 4 also provides an output signal AS indicative of the remote parking operating mode RM when the vehicle 2 approaches a home garage or a single garage. Again, for position determination the data of a navigation system of the motor vehicle 2 can be evaluated. In such home garages the space to disembark is often limited, so it is advantageous to use the remote parking operating mode RM.

[0053] The parking assistant 4 also provides an output signal AS indicative of the remote parking operating mode RM if the driver is, for example, obstructed or heavy, as this facilitates boarding and disembarking. The parking assistant 4 can take this into account and can select the remote parking operating mode RM for all parking spaces 6, regardless of the size and width of the parking spaces 6.

[0054] The parking assistant 4 also provides an output signal AS indicative of the remote parking operating mode RM if it has been determined that an optimal end position of the vehicle 2 is with a driver's door near an object, such as the motor vehicle 10, even if there is no limiting object on the passenger side. Alternatively, the parking assistant 4 may only offer parking spaces 4 which are limited by two objects of a certain type or size, such as the motor vehicles 8, 10.

[0055] Furthermore, the parking assistant 4 provides an output signal AS indicative of the remote parking operating mode RM if the ground on the driver's side or the entire area of the entire parking space 6 has undesirable properties. For example, the ground can be muddy, wet, icy, extremely hot, or otherwise unfavorable/unpleasant for a driver and/or passenger. In this case, the information about a ground state can be collected, for example, by camera images, meteorological data in combination with geodata or other suitable means of acquisition.

[0056] The parking assistant 4, on the other hand, provides an output signal AS indicative of the in-vehicle operating mode SM if there are parking time restrictions related to the detected parking space 6.

[0057] Furthermore, the parking assistant 4 determines whether the vehicle should park 4 forwards or backwards. For this purpose, the system determines which maneuver can be carried out faster, as well as with fewer parking movements, and then proposes the optimal parking maneuver.

[0058] Furthermore, the parking assistant 4 takes into account whether there is access to a particular motor vehicle 2, a tailgate or a door, whether certain parts such as the battery, wheels, and the like of the motor vehicle 2 are accessible for maintenance work.

[0059] Finally, the parking assistant 4 may be designed to weight the data D differently in determining the output signal AS, such as the number of required parking movements on the one hand and an orientation of the motor vehicle 2 in the parking space 6 on the other hand.

[0060] In a further step S300, the parking assistant 4 outputs the output signal AS optically and/or acoustically and/or haptically.

[0061] In a departure from this exemplary embodiment, the order of the steps may also be different. In addition, several steps can be performed at the same time or simultaneously. In addition, individual steps can also be omitted.

[0062] In this way, a driver can be given advice as to which operating mode of the operating modes is preferable in a current scenario. The system can also be designed to select the operating mode fully automatically.

REFERENCE CHARACTER LIST

[0063] 2 Motor vehicle [0064] 4 Parking steering assistant [0065] 6 Parking space [0066] 8 Motor vehicle [0067] 10 Motor vehicle [0068] 12 Motor vehicle [0069] 14 Motor vehicle [0070] 16 Puddle [0071] 18 Asphalt [0072] 20 Lawns [0073] D Data [0074] RM Remote parking operating mode [0075] SM In-vehicle operating mode [0076] S100 Step [0077] S200 Step [0078] S300 Step