METHOD FOR CARRYING OUT AN AUTOMATIC PARKING PROCESS OF A VEHICLE

Abstract

A method (and corresponding parking facility management server, parking system, and computer program) for carrying out an automatic parking process of a vehicle includes a reservation request for a parking position of a parking facility being sent to a parking facility management server via a communication network, navigation data for an autonomous navigation to the reserved parking position corresponding to the reservation request being received by the vehicle via the communication network, and the vehicle autonomously navigating in the parking facility to the reserved parking position based on the navigation data. It is preferably provided that the vehicle autonomously pulls into the parking position, pulls out of this parking position, and travels back to a drop-off position or pick-up position, from which a driver of the vehicle may pick up the vehicle.

Claims

1-21. (canceled)

22. A method for carrying out an automatic parking process of a vehicle, the method comprising: sending, by the vehicle and via a communication network, a reservation request for a parking position of a parking facility to a parking facility management server; receiving, by the vehicle and via the communication network, navigation data for an autonomous navigation to the reserved parking position corresponding to the reservation request; and the vehicle autonomously navigating in the parking facility to the reserved parking position based on the navigation data.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising: when an anticipated arrival time of the vehicle at the parking facility is later than a parking start time included in the transmitted reservation request, transmitting a reservation modification request to the parking facility management server via the communication network in order to be able to modify the reservation.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the reservation request includes one or more of the following parking parameters: parking duration, start of parking, end of parking, size of the parking position, woman's parking position, family parking position, parking position having a charging station for electric vehicles, parking position having a monitoring function, and payment function.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the navigation data include one or more of the following data: map data from a digital map of the parking facility, route data regarding a route to be traveled in the parking facility, traffic data relating to at least one of one or more permissible maximum speeds in the parking facility and right-of-way rules that apply in the parking facility or in critical areas of the parking facility.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein a route to the parking space is ascertained, the vehicle autonomously traveling the ascertained route to the parking space.

27. The method of claim 22, further comprising, after an end of the parking process, the vehicle autonomously traveling from the parking position to a pick-up position at which a driver of the vehicle is able to pick up the vehicle.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein the vehicle is an electric vehicle, and the parking position includes a charging function for charging a vehicle battery, the method further comprising automatically starting a charging process for the electric vehicle after the vehicle has pulled into the parking position.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising, after the charging process is completed, autonomously re-parking the vehicle into a new parking position.

30. The method of claim 22, further comprising receiving information and the vehicle autonomously traveling to the parking position based on the information.

31. The method of claim 22, further comprising the vehicle at least one of autonomously pulling into the parking position and autonomously pulling out of the parking position.

32. A parking facility management server for a parking facility, the server comprising: a communication interface to a communication network; and a processor; wherein the processor is configured to: receive, via the communication interface, a reservation request for a parking position of a parking facility for a vehicle; responsive to the request, ascertain the parking position and navigation data for an autonomous navigation in the parking facility to the parking position; and transmit the navigation data to the vehicle and via the communication interface.

33. The parking facility management server of claim 32, wherein the communication interface is configured to receive a reservation modification request, including a likely arrival time of the vehicle at the parking facility, and the processor is configured to modify the reservation with respect to the anticipated arrival time depending on the reservation modification request.

34. The parking facility management server of claim 32, wherein the processor is configured to control a monitoring system for at least one of monitoring and documenting at least one of autonomous travel of the vehicle in the parking facility, a movement of the vehicle into a parking space in the parking facility, and a movement of the vehicle out of the parking space in the parking facility.

35. The parking facility management server of claim 32, wherein the processor is configured to ascertain a start signal for starting the vehicle once a parking time included in the reservation request is exceeded, and to transmit, via the communication interface and to the parked vehicle, the start signal.

36. The parking facility management server of claim 32, wherein the processor is configured to set an electronic occupancy status of the parking position to available or occupied according to an actual occupancy.

37. The parking facility management server of claim 32, wherein the processor is configured to: reserve for the vehicle a parking position that includes a charging function for charging a vehicle battery; and automatically initiate a charging process after the vehicle has pulled into the parking position.

38. A method for operating a parking facility management server, the method comprising: receiving, via a communication interface to a communication network, a reservation request for a parking position of a parking facility for a vehicle; and responsive to the reservation request: ascertaining, by processing circuitry, a parking position and navigation data for an autonomous navigation in the parking facility to the parking position; and the processor transmitting the navigation data to the vehicle via the communication interface and communication network.

39. A device for reserving a parking position of a parking facility, the device comprising: a communication interface to a communication network; and processing circuitry; wherein the processing circuitry is configured to ascertain a reservation request for a parking position of a parking facility for a vehicle and transmit the reservation request to a parking facility management server via the communication interface.

40. A parking system for vehicles, the parking system comprising: a parking facility including multiple parking positions and a parking facility management server, the server including a processor and a communication interface to a communication network; wherein the processor is configured to: receive, via the communication interface, a reservation request for a parking position of a parking facility for a vehicle; responsive to the request, ascertain the parking position and navigation data for an autonomous navigation in the parking facility to the parking position; and transmit the navigation data to the vehicle and via the communication interface.

41. A non-transitory computer-readable medium on which are stored instructions that are executable by a processor of a vehicle and that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform a method for carrying out an automatic parking process of a vehicle, the method comprising: sending a reservation request for a parking position of a parking facility to a parking facility management server; receiving navigation data for an autonomous navigation to the reserved parking position corresponding to the reservation request; and controlling the vehicle to autonomously navigate in the parking facility to the reserved parking position based on the navigation data.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] FIG. 1 is a flowchart that illustrates a method for carrying out an automatic parking process of a vehicle, according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 2 shows a parking facility management server for a parking facility, according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 3 is a flowchart that illustrates a method for operating a parking facility management server of FIG. 2, according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 4 shows a device for carrying out a reservation of a parking position, according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 5 is a flowchart that illustrates a method for operating the device of FIG. 4, according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] FIG. 6 shows a parking system for vehicles, according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] FIG. 1 is a flowchart that illustrates a method for carrying out an automatic parking process of a vehicle, according to an example embodiment. In a step 101, a reservation request for a parking position of a parking facility is sent or transmitted to a parking facility management server via a communication network. In a step 103, navigation data for an autonomous navigation to the reserved parking position corresponding to the reservation request is received by the vehicle via the communication network. The vehicle autonomously navigates, according to a step 105, in the parking facility to the reserved parking position based on the navigation data.

[0048] According to one specific embodiment, the parking facility management server ascertains a parking position for the vehicle in response to the reservation request and transmits corresponding navigation data to the vehicle.

[0049] FIG. 2 shows a parking facility management server 201 for a parking facility, according to an example embodiment. The parking facility management server 201 includes a communication interface 203 which is designed for receiving a reservation request for a parking position of a parking facility for a vehicle via a communication network. Parking facility management server 201 further includes a processor 205 which is designed for ascertaining a parking position and navigation data for an autonomous navigation in the parking facility to the reserved parking position depending on the reservation request, communication interface 203 being designed for transmitting the navigation data to the vehicle via the communication network.

[0050] According to one specific embodiment, the communication network includes a WLAN network and/or a mobile network.

[0051] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of that illustrates a method for operating the parking facility management server of FIG. 2, according to an example embodiment. In a step 301, communication interface 203 receives a reservation request via the communication network. Processor 205 ascertains in a step 303 a parking position and navigation data for an autonomous navigation in the parking facility to the reserved parking position depending on the reservation request. In a step 305, communication interface 203 transmits or sends the navigation data to the vehicle via the communication network.

[0052] FIG. 4 shows a device 401 for carrying out a reservation of a parking position of a parking facility, according to an example embodiment. Device 401 includes a processor 403 which is designed for ascertaining a reservation request for a parking position of a parking facility for a vehicle. Device 401 includes a communication interface 405 which is designed for transmitting the reservation request via a communication network to a parking facility management server, for example, to parking facility management server 201 of FIG. 2.

[0053] According to one specific embodiment, the device is a mobile communications device, in particular a mobile phone, in particular a smartphone.

[0054] FIG. 5 is a flowchart that illustrates a method for operating device 401 of FIG. 4, according to an example embodiment. In a step 501, processor 403 ascertains a reservation request for a parking position of a parking facility for a vehicle. Communication interface 405 transmits or sends, according to a step 503, the reservation request to the parking facility management server via the communication network.

[0055] FIG. 6 shows a parking system 601 for vehicles, according to an example embodiment. Parking system 601 includes a parking facility 603 including multiple parking positions 605. Parking system 601 includes parking facility management server 201 from FIG. 2.

[0056] In one specific embodiment, which is not depicted, parking system 601 includes device 401 from

[0057] FIG. 4 instead of or in addition to parking facility management server 201.

[0058] The present invention therefore includes, in particular, the idea of providing a technical concept, with the aid of which a parking position is reserved in a parking facility, is autonomously (i.e., in a fully automated manner or fully automatically) approached (pulled into for parking), and is subsequently made available again (pulled out of). Therefore, an automatic parking process, which is also referred to as automatic valet parking, is improved.

[0059] One exemplary sequence of an AVP process is described in the following, the individual features of which can be provided either alone or in arbitrary combination. A parking facility management system includes, in particular, the parking facility management server according to the present invention.

[0060] Before the start of the trip or at the beginning of the trip, the user reserves a parking position in a parking garage or in a parking lot, for example, via a program (integrated in the vehicle system such as a head unit and/or as an app on a mobile device (for example, a smartphone) and/or on a PC). The reservation request is therefore ascertained here.

[0061] Possible premises/determining factors during the booking may be the following, for example: time; size of the parking space (e.g., a Smart car versus a BMW 7 Series); parking space for women/families; parking space with charging station for electric vehicles; parking space with monitoring capability (e.g., via video and mobile phone app); and/or payment conditions (e.g., credit card or cash).

[0062] The parking facility management system (i.e., the parking facility management server) reserves the parking space or the parking position on the basis of the data/determining factors.

[0063] The trip to the parking facility then begins.

[0064] For example, according to an example embodiment, a system (integrated in the vehicle, as an app on a mobile terminal, or stored on a server (back end)) calculates the fastest/best route to the parking facility or the parking garage taking into consideration the present traffic (the vehicle preferably autonomously navigates to the parking facility). A navigation system (external to the vehicle or internal to the vehicle) therefore preferably ascertains the route to the parking facility.

[0065] According to an example embodiment, a fully automated (autonomous) function (AVP) drives the vehicle to the parking garage/parking facility. The vehicle therefore autonomously travels from a drop-off position to the parking position and autonomously pulls into this parking position, as described in the following.

[0066] In this context, the vehicle preferably utilizes driver assistance systems with respect to highly/fully automated traveling and parking systems, object detection systems, collision monitoring systems, etc.

[0067] If a delay with respect to the arrival at the parking garage is established by the system or by the driver, the reservation is modified (automatically by the system). A reservation modification request is therefore ascertained here.

[0068] In the parking garage or the parking lot, the vehicle is dropped off by the driver at a “dropping zone” (drop-off position). The driver may leave his/her vehicle after dropping it off.

[0069] The parking process then begins.

[0070] For example, according to an example embodiment, the parking facility management transmits the reserved parking space (parking position) and necessary data for the trip to the parking space/parking position to the vehicle (e.g., via WLAN). The data can include, for example, a digital map of the parking garage, the path or route to be traveled, general conditions to be observed (maximum speeds, rights of way, critical areas, etc.), etc. The vehicle travels to the parking space/parking position in a highly/fully automated manner (autonomously) without a driver, with the aid of the transmitted data. This means that the vehicle travels autonomously from the drop-off position to the parking position based on the transmitted data.

[0071] In this context, the vehicle utilizes, in particular, driver assistance systems with respect to highly/fully automated traveling and parking systems, object detection systems, collision monitoring systems, etc.

[0072] In an example, the parking facility management sets the status of the parking space to “occupied.” This means that the parking facility management server, in particular the processor, sets the status of the parking position to “occupied.”

[0073] It is preferably or optionally provided that the parking facility management monitors the traveling process and the parking process with the aid of an internal infrastructure (video sensor system, parking space occupancy sensors, etc.). This takes place, in particular, with the aid of a monitoring system.

[0074] It is preferably or optionally provided that, in the case of an electric vehicle and a reserved/booked charging parking space, the charging process starts after the maneuver into the parking position is completed. This means it is provided according to one specific embodiment that a charging process for an electric vehicle automatically starts after the vehicle has pulled into the parking position.

[0075] In an example, provided the charging process has ended before the vehicle is picked up, the vehicle is reparked by the parking facility management system into a normal parking space (process as described above). This means that the processor ascertains a start signal which is sent with the aid of the communication interface to the vehicle via the communication network, and the vehicle may therefore start. The processor further ascertains a reparking route to a new parking position, which is also sent to the vehicle with the aid of the communication interface. The vehicle can therefore be autonomously reparked. The parking position including a charging station is therefore available to other electric vehicles.

[0076] A conclusion of the parking process can then be performed.

[0077] In this regard, preferably or optionally, if the reserved parking time has been exceeded, the parking facility management system (parking facility management server) informs the driver (e.g., via a mobile terminal).

[0078] In an example, the driver requests that the vehicle be returned (e.g., via the mobile terminal or via the system at the parking garage/parking facility).

[0079] The parking facility management activates (starts) the vehicle. Here, the starting signal is therefore sent to the vehicle. Either from the server or the mobile terminal of the driver.

[0080] The parking facility management transmits the necessary data for the trip (see above) to the drop-off zone to the vehicle (e.g., via WLAN). Such data are analogous to the data which were transmitted to the vehicle as described above in conjunction with the trip from the drop-off position to the parking position.

[0081] The vehicle travels in a highly/fully automated manner (autonomously) without a driver, with the aid of the transmitted data, to the drop-off zone. This means the vehicle pulls autonomously out of the parking position and autonomously travels back to the drop-off position.

[0082] The parking facility management sets the status of the parking space or the parking position to “available.”

[0083] The driver picks up the vehicle at the drop-off position.

[0084] The entire data traffic between the vehicle, the mobile terminal, for example, mobile telephone, and the parking facility management system (parking facility management server) is preferably encrypted in this case.

[0085] In summary, the present invention efficiently provides for a parking position to be reserved, autonomously approached (autonomous trip to the parking facility, autonomous trip from the drop-off position to the parking position, and autonomously pulling into the parking position), and made available again (autonomously pulling out of the parking position, autonomously traveling from the parking position to the drop-off position).