METHOD AND DEVICE FOR OPERATING A PARKING LOT

Abstract

A method for operating a parking lot, which has a first parking area section for parking a motor vehicle, which is adjustable in its height with the aid of a hoisting system and which is able to be shifted by the hoisting system from a first position, in which a motor vehicle is able to enter the first parking area section, to a second position, and when the first parking area section is in the second position, a second parking area section for parking a motor vehicle becomes available underneath the first parking area section. The method includes executing an automatic parking operation for a motor vehicle to be parked in the parking lot; and controlling an operation of the hoisting system as a function of execution of the automatic parking operation. In addition, a device for operating a parking lot, a parking lot, and a computer program are described.

Claims

1-18. (canceled)

19. A method for operating a parking lot, the parking lot having a first parking area section for parking a motor vehicle that is adjustable in its height with the aid of a hoisting system and is able to be shifted from a first position, in which a motor vehicle is able to enter the first parking area section, to a second position by the hoisting system, and when the first parking area section is in the second position, a second parking area section for parking a motor vehicle becomes available underneath the first parking area section, the method comprising: executing an automatic parking operation for a motor vehicle to be parked in the parking lot; and controlling an operation of the hoisting system as a function of the execution of the automatic parking operation.

20. The method as recited in claim 19, further comprising: sensing an environment of the hoisting system with the aid of an environment sensor system of the parking lot to ascertain environmental data corresponding to the sensed environment; ascertaining, on the basis of the environmental data, whether, and if so, at which distance from the hoisting system a road user is located within the sensed environment, and wherein the controlling includes that the hoisting system is operated only when the ascertained distance is greater than or equal to a predefined minimum distance.

21. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the execution of the automatic parking operation includes an automatic guidance of the motor vehicle to be parked to one of the two parking area sections in order to be parked there without a driver, and the hoisting system is controlled in such a way that the hoisting system shifts the height-adjustable parking area section to the corresponding position so that the motor vehicle is automatically driven to one of the two parking area sections without a driver.

22. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the execution of the automatic parking operation includes the automatic guidance of the motor vehicle to be parked to the first parking area section without a driver in order to park it there, and when the second parking area section is occupied by a further motor vehicle, the further motor vehicle is automatically driven out of the second parking area section without a driver in order to make the second parking area section available, and the hoisting system is controlled in such a way that the hoisting system shifts the height-adjustable first parking area section to the first position so that the motor vehicle is automatically driven to the first parking area section and is automatically parked there without a driver, and after the automatic parking of the motor vehicle in the first parking area section, the hoisting system is controlled in such a way that the hoisting system shifts the height-adjustable first parking area section to the second position so that the further motor vehicle is automatically driven to the second parking area section and parked there without a driver.

23. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein, when the motor vehicle to be parked is parked in the first parking area section, which is in the second position, and when a further motor vehicle is parked in the second parking area section, the execution of the automatic parking operation includes that the motor vehicle parked in the first parking area section is automatically unparked and is automatically guided to a target position without a driver in that the further motor vehicle is first automatically driven out of the second parking area section without a driver in order to make the second parking area section available, and the hoisting system is controlled in such a way that the hoisting system shifts the height-adjustable first parking area section to the first position so that the parked motor vehicle is automatically driven out of the first parking area section and is automatically guided to the target position without a driver, and after the motor vehicle has been automatically driven out of the first parking area section, the hoisting system is controlled in such a way that the hoisting system shifts the height-adjustable first parking area section to the second position so that the further motor vehicle is automatically driven to the second parking area section and parked there without a driver, and the further motor vehicle is automatically guided to the first parking area section without a driver after the motor vehicle has been automatically driven out.

24. The method as recited in claim 23, wherein during the shifting of the hoisting system, to one of park the motor vehicle in the first parking area section or drive it from the first parking area section, the further motor vehicle is automatically parked in a third parking area section on a temporary basis in order not to block a traffic lane extending in front of the second parking area section.

25. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein at least one of the method steps is documented.

26. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the second parking area section is adjustable in its height with the aid of the hoisting system and the second parking area section is able to be shifted from a first position, in which a motor vehicle is able to enter the second parking area section, to a second position by the hoisting system, and when the second parking area section is in the second position, at least one third parking area section for parking a motor vehicle is made available underneath the second parking area section.

27. A device for operating a parking lot that has a first parking area section for parking a motor vehicle, which is adjustable in its height with the aid of a hoisting system and is able to be shifted from a first position, in which a motor vehicle is able to enter the first parking area section, to a second position by the hoisting system, and when the first parking area section is in the second position, a second parking area section for parking a motor vehicle is made available underneath the first parking area section, the device comprising: an execution device for executing an automatic parking operation for a motor vehicle to be parked in the parking lot; and a control unit for controlling an operation of the hoisting system as a function of the execution of the automatic parking operation.

28. The device as recited in claim 27, wherein an ascertainment device is provided, which is designed to ascertain on the basis of environmental data corresponding to an environment of the hoisting system sensed with the aid of an environment sensor system, whether, and if so, at what distance from the hoisting system a road user is located within the sensed environment, and the control unit is designed to operate the hoisting system only when the ascertained distance is greater than or equal to a predefined minimum distance.

29. The device as recited in claim 27, wherein the execution device is designed to automatically guide the motor vehicle to be parked to one of the two parking area sections without a driver in order to automatically park it in one of the two parking area sections, wherein the control unit is developed to control the hoisting system in such a way that the hoisting system shifts the height-adjustable first parking area section to the corresponding position, and wherein the execution device is designed to automatically drive the motor vehicle to one of the two parking area sections without a driver after the shift.

30. The device as recited in claim 27, wherein the execution device is designed to automatically guide the motor vehicle to be parked to the first parking area section without a driver in order to automatically park it there; and when the second parking area section is occupied by a further motor vehicle, the execution device is designed to automatically drive the further motor vehicle out of the second parking area section without a driver in order to make the second parking area section available; and the control unit is designed to control the hoisting system in such a way that the hoisting system shifts the height-adjustable first parking area section to the first position; and the execution device is designed to automatically drive the motor vehicle to the first parking area section and to automatically park it there without a driver after the first parking area section has been shifted to the first position; and after the automatic parking of the motor vehicle in the first parking area section, the control unit is designed to control the hoisting system in such a way that the hoisting system shifts the height-adjustable first parking area section to the second position; and the execution device is designed to automatically drive the further motor vehicle to the second parking area section and to automatically park it there without a driver after the first parking area section has been shifted to the second position.

31. The device as recited in claim 27, wherein when the motor vehicle to be parked is parked in the first parking area section, which is in the second position, and when a further motor vehicle is parked in the second parking area section, the execution device is designed to automatically unpark the motor vehicle parked in the first parking area section and to automatically guide it to a target position without a driver; and the execution device is designed to first automatically drive the further motor vehicle out of the second parking area section without a driver in order to make the second parking area section available; and the control unit is designed to control the hoisting system in such a way that the hoisting system shifts the height-adjustable first parking area section to the first position; and the execution device is designed to automatically drive the parked motor vehicle out of the first parking area section and to automatically guide it to the target position without a driver; and after the motor vehicle has been automatically driven out of the first parking area section, the control unit is designed to control the hoisting system in such a way that the hoisting system shifts the height-adjustable first parking area section to the second position; and the execution device is designed to automatically drive the further motor vehicle to the second parking area section and to park it there without a driver; and the execution device is designed to automatically guide the further motor vehicle to the first parking area section without a driver after the motor vehicle has been automatically driven out.

32. The device as recited in claim 30, wherein during the shifting operation of the hoisting system for one of parking the motor vehicle in the first parking area section, or driving it out of the first parking section, the execution device is designed to automatically park the further motor vehicle in a third parking area section on a temporary basis in order not to block a traffic lane extending in front of the second parking area section.

33. The device as recited in claim 27, wherein a documenting device is provided for documenting at least one of the functions of the device.

34. The device as recited in claim 27, wherein the second parking area section is designed to be adjustable in its height with the aid of the hoisting system, and the second parking area section is able to be shifted from a first position, in which a motor vehicle is able to enter the second parking area section, to a second position by the hoisting system, and when the second parking area section is in the second position, at least one third parking area section for parking a motor vehicle is available underneath the second parking area section.

35. A parking lot for motor vehicles, which includes a first parking area section for parking a motor vehicle, which is adjustable in its height with the aid of a hoisting system and is able to be shifted from a first position, in which a motor vehicle is able to enter the first parking area section, to a second position by the hoisting system, and when the first parking area section is in the second position, a second parking area section for parking a motor vehicle is available underneath the first parking area section, the parking lot including a including the device for operating the parking lot including an execution device for executing an automatic parking operation for a motor vehicle to be parked in the parking lot, and a control unit for controlling an operation of the hoisting system as a function of the execution of the automatic parking operation.

36. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium on which is stored a computer program including program code for operating a parking lot, the parking lot having a first parking area section for parking a motor vehicle that is adjustable in its height with the aid of a hoisting system and is able to be shifted from a first position, in which a motor vehicle is able to enter the first parking area section, to a second position by the hoisting system, and when the first parking area section is in the second position, a second parking area section for parking a motor vehicle becomes available underneath the first parking area section, the computer program, when executed by a processor, causing the processor to perform: executing an automatic parking operation for a motor vehicle to be parked in the parking lot; and controlling an operation of the hoisting system as a function of the execution of the automatic parking operation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0070] FIG. 1 shows a flow diagram of a method for operating a parking lot.

[0071] FIG. 2 shows a device for operating a parking lot.

[0072] FIG. 3 shows a parking lot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0073] FIG. 1 shows a flow diagram of a method for operating a parking lot. The parking lot has a first parking area section for parking a motor vehicle, which is adjustable in its height by a hoisting system and is able to be shifted from a first position, in which a motor vehicle is able to enter the first parking area section, to a second position with the aid of the hoisting system. When the first parking area section is in the second position, a second parking area section for parking a motor vehicle is opened up underneath the first parking area section.

[0074] The present method includes the following steps: [0075] Executing 101 an automatic parking operation for a motor vehicle to be parked in the parking lot, and [0076] Controlling 103 an operation of the hoisting system as a function of the execution of the automatic parking operation.

[0077] For example, the execution of the automatic parking operation includes an automatic guidance of the motor vehicle to be parked without a driver, from a drop-off position, where a driver of the motor vehicle has parked his or her vehicle for the execution of the automatic parking operation, to the first or the second parking area section. The automatic parking operation, for example, includes that the motor vehicle to be parked is parked in the first or the second parking area section. In particular, the automatic parking operation includes the automatic guidance of the motor vehicle parked in the respective first or second parking area section from the corresponding parking area section to a target position without a driver. A target position, for example, is a pick-up position, where a person is able to take possession of the motor vehicle. In other words, the motor vehicle is parked at the target position in an automatic manner without a driver.

[0078] For instance, the target position is identical with the drop-off position, or it may differ from the drop-off position.

[0079] FIG. 2 shows a device 201 for operating a parking lot. The parking lot has a first parking area section for parking a motor vehicle, which is adjustable in its height with the aid of a hoisting system. Using the hoisting system, the first parking area section is able to be shifted from a first position, in which a motor vehicle is able to enter the first parking area section, to a second position. When the first parking area section is in the second position, a second parking area section for parking a motor vehicle is exposed underneath the first parking area section.

[0080] Device 201 includes: [0081] an execution device 203 for executing an automatic parking operation for a motor vehicle to be parked in the parking lot, and [0082] a control unit 205 for controlling an operation of the hoisting system as a function of the execution of the automatic parking operation.

[0083] According to one specific embodiment, device 201 includes a communications interface, which is designed to transmit driving data and/or remote-control commands via a communications network to the motor vehicle in order to guide the motor vehicle without the presence of a driver.

[0084] According to one specific embodiment, device 201 includes a communications interface, which is designed to transmit control commands for controlling the operation of the hoisting system via a communications network to the hoisting system.

[0085] According to one specific embodiment, the first and/or the second parking area section include(s) a parking-occupancy sensor in each case. The parking-occupancy sensor in particular is designed to detect an occupancy status of the respective parking area section.

[0086] Based on the detected occupancy status, one specific embodiment provides for the execution of the automatic parking operation.

[0087] According to one specific embodiment, the parking-occupancy sensor is one of the following environmental sensors: a radar sensor, a lidar sensor, a laser sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a solenoid sensor, a video sensor or an infrared sensor.

[0088] In one specific embodiment, device 201 encompasses the hoisting system.

[0089] FIG. 3 shows a parking lot 301 for motor vehicles.

[0090] Parking lot 301 includes device 201 from FIG. 2.

[0091] In addition, parking lot 301 includes four height-adjustable first parking area sections 303, 305, 307, 309. The four height-adjustable first parking area sections 303, 305, 307, 309 are adjustable in their height with the aid of a respective hoisting system 319, i.e. from a first position to a second position or from a second position to a first position.

[0092] According to the illustration depicted in FIG. 3, four first parking area sections 303, 305, 307, 309 are shifted to the second position.

[0093] Developed underneath the four first parking area sections 303, 305, 307, 309 is a respective second parking area section 311, 313, 315, 317, which has now been opened up because the associated first parking area sections 303, 305, 307, 309 are in the second position.

[0094] The first position of the four first parking area sections 303, 305, 307, 309 describes a position in which a motor vehicle is able to enter parking area sections 303, 305, 307, 309. As a rule, this is a position at ground level.

[0095] Motor vehicles 323, 325, 327, 329 are parked in the four first parking area sections 303, 305, 307, 309.

[0096] Motor vehicles 321, 331, 333 are parked in second parking area sections 311, 315, 317.

[0097] In other words, second parking area section 313 is not occupied.

[0098] Within the framework of an automatic parking operation, for instance, a person would like to take possession of motor vehicle 323, which is parked in first parking area section 303. For example, this person requests his motor vehicle 323 from a parking lot management system of parking lot 301 via a communications system. The parking lot management system then coordinates and/or controls a respective return of motor vehicle 323 with the aid of device 201, so that the user is able to resume control of his motor vehicle 323. For example, motor vehicle 323 is guided from first parking area section 303 to a pickup position without a driver, where the person is able to take possession of motor vehicle 323 again.

[0099] For this purpose, motor vehicle 321, which is parked in second parking area section 311 located underneath first parking area section 303, is first unparked and, for example, is automatically guided to second parking area section 313 without a driver and parked there. This unparking operation thus opens up second parking area section 311 so that hoisting system 319 is able to shift first parking area section 303 to the first position, which then advantageously allows motor vehicle 323 to leave first parking area section 303.

[0100] Once motor vehicle 323 has been unparked and is en route to its pickup position, it is provided, for instance, that motor vehicle 321, which had been parked in second parking area section 313 in the interim, is guided back to second parking area section 311, or that motor vehicle 321 remains parked in second parking area section 313.

[0101] If second parking area section 313 is also occupied, one specific embodiment provides that motor vehicle 321 parks in a traffic lane in front of the parking area sections and waits there until the unparking operation of motor vehicle 323 has come to an end; once the unparking operation has been completed, motor vehicle 321 may then drive back to parking area section 311 or it may drive to parking area section 303.

[0102] According to one specific embodiment, a check takes place as to whether a first and/or a second parking area section is/are available or occupied.

[0103] According to one specific embodiment, an actuation of the hoisting system is provided in order to shift the first height-adjustable parking area section in the appropriate manner.

[0104] In one further specific embodiment, a check of the hoisting system is provided with the goal of determining the current position of the hoisting system, i.e., whether the first parking area section is in the first or in the second position.

[0105] According to one specific embodiment, an actuation of maneuvering operations for the parking or unparking of one of multiple motor vehicles is provided, in particular within the framework of the automatic parking operation.

[0106] According to one specific embodiment, all steps are monitored or checked and, for example, are recorded for safety-related reasons.

[0107] The aforementioned steps are carried out with the aid of the parking lot management system, for instance.

[0108] According to one specific embodiment, a method step or multiple method steps or all method steps and, in particular, a movement of the hoisting system, in particular driving operations of the motor vehicles, is/are carried out only if no road user, in particular no persons, is/are present in the immediate environment of the hoisting system. In other words, it is checked whether a predefined minimum distance is maintained between the road user and the hoisting system. This is able to be done especially with the aid of infrastructure monitors, e.g., with the aid of an environment sensor system, and may be controlled by the parking lot management system, in particular.

[0109] According to one specific embodiment, the entire operation is additionally documented for safety-related reasons and especially for liability purposes.

[0110] Among other things, the present invention therefore provides an efficient technical solution that advantageously combines the two system approaches of automated valet parking and multi-parking in order to eliminate possible shortcomings of the respective system approaches, or to at least compensate for such shortcomings. Automated valet parking stands for an automated parking operation and may be abbreviated to AVP. Multi-parking represents the presence of a hoisting system and a first and a second parking area section, as previously described, so that two motor vehicles are able to park on top of one another in a predefined parking area.

[0111] For this purpose, a remote control of the hoisting system is carried out, in particular, and/or the hoisting system is designed for such a remote control. For example, the hoisting system includes a communications interface that is able to receive remote-control commands via a communications network.

[0112] According to one specific embodiment, the communications network includes the Internet.

[0113] In particular an automatic detection is provided in order to ascertain whether a parking area section, e.g., the first or the second parking area section, is occupied or unoccupied, which is accomplished with the aid of parking-occupancy sensors, for instance. 1

[0114] In one specific embodiment, an automatic detection as to whether the first parking area section is in the first or the second position is provided, in particular, i.e. whether the hoisting system is located at the bottom (first position) or at the top (second position), or is in motion.

[0115] According to one specific embodiment, maneuvering functions are carried out, which are able to be triggered by a parking-lot infrastructure, for example.

[0116] According to one specific embodiment, heights or widths of the first or the second parking area sections are taken into account. This may be accomplished on the basis of a digitized parking lot map, for instance.