METHOD AND DEVICE FOR OPERATING A PARKING LOT

Abstract

A method and device of a parking system includes, for example, a computer program configured for operating a parking lot, including the steps of ascertaining a route to a target position in the parking lot for autonomous travel of a vehicle in the parking lot to the target position, and blocking at least one section of the route to other vehicles before the vehicle travels through the section, so that the vehicle is able to drive autonomously through the blocked-off section of the route.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. A method for operating a parking lot, the method comprising: ascertaining, by processing circuitry, a route to a target position within the parking lot for autonomous travel of a vehicle in the parking lot to the target position; and performing, by the processing circuitry, a control to block other vehicles from at least one section of the route before the vehicle passes through the section so that the vehicle is able to drive autonomously through the blocked-off section of the route.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the blocking includes controlling at least one of (a) at least one signal generator and (b) a barrier.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising checking whether the section is free, and activating a start signal for travel of the section conditional upon that the check has revealed that the section is free.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the section is blocked to persons.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising a monitoring system monitoring the autonomous travel of the vehicle in the parking lot.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising stopping at least one of the autonomously driving vehicle and another autonomously driving vehicle in response to a detection, by the monitoring, of a problem that is relevant for the autonomous travel.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising optically recording the autonomous travel of the vehicle in the parking lot.

21. The method of claim 14, further comprising transmitting, via a communications network and to the vehicle, the route for autonomous travel in the parking lot to the target position.

22. The method of claim 14, wherein the route is ascertained on-board the vehicle and is transmitted, from the vehicle and via a communications network, to a user of the communications network.

23. A device for operating a parking lot, comprising: processing circuitry; and a communications interface; wherein the processing circuitry is configured to control, via the communications interface, an external device to block at least one section of a route of an autonomously driving vehicle to a target position within the parking lot before the vehicle travels through the section, so that the vehicle is able to drive autonomously through the blocked-off section of the route.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to ascertain the route transmit the ascertained route via the communications interface and a communications network to the vehicle for autonomous travel in the parking lot to the target position.

25. The device of claim 23, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to receive the ascertained route from a communications network via the communications interface.

26. A parking system comprising: a parking lot; and a device for operating the parking lot, the device including processing circuitry and a communications interface, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to control, via the communications interface, an external device to block at least one section of a route of an autonomously driving vehicle to a target position within the parking lot before the vehicle travels through the section, so that the vehicle is able to drive autonomously through the blocked-off section of the route.

27. A non-transitory computer readable medium on which are stored instructions that are executable by a processor and that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform a method for operating a parking lot, the method comprising: ascertaining a route to a target position within the parking lot for autonomous travel of a vehicle in the parking lot to the target position; and blocking other vehicles from at least one section of the route before the vehicle passes through the section so that the vehicle is able to drive autonomously through the blocked-off section of the route.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0060] FIG. 1 a flowchart of a method for operating a parking lot, according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] FIG. 2 a device for operating a parking lot, according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] FIG. 3 a parking system according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] FIG. 4 a parking lot according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0064] FIG. 1 shows a flowchart of a method for operating a parking lot. According to a step 101, a route to a target position within the parking lot is ascertained. The target position is a parking position or a drop-off position, for example.

[0065] In a step 103, the route is transmitted via a communications network to a vehicle for autonomous travel in the parking lot to the target position. The vehicle is preferably an AVP vehicle. Alternatively, the route can also be ascertained on-board the vehicle and be transmitted to a user of the communications network via the communications network.

[0066] In a step 105, at least one section of the route, and preferably a plurality of sections (preferably the entire route), is blocked off to additional vehicles before the vehicle travels through the section, so that the vehicle is able to drive autonomously through the blocked-off section of the route.

[0067] In a specific embodiment that is not shown, it is determined whether or not the section is free, and only if the check has revealed that the section is free will a start signal be activated for travel through the section.

[0068] FIG. 2 shows a device 201 for operating a parking lot. Device 201 includes a processor 203, which is designed to ascertain a route to a target position within the parking lot. Device 201 furthermore includes a communications interface, which is set up to transmit the route via a communications network to a vehicle for autonomous travel in the parking lot to the target position. In addition, device 201 includes a control unit 207 for controlling a blocking-off operation of at least one section of the route before the vehicle passes through the section, so that the vehicle is able to drive autonomously through the blocked-off section of the route.

[0069] Control unit 207, for example, is in operative connection with one or more signal generator(s) and/or one or more barrier(s). Thus, this specifically means that the control unit is able to control a signal generator or multiple signal generators so that the signal generators emit a red or a green signal light in response to the control. To block off the section, the signal generator emits a red signal light, and to release the section, the signal generator emits a green signal light. Thus, the control unit in particular is able to control a barrier or multiple barriers in such a way that it/they is/are opened or closed in response to the control. The barriers are closed to block the section, and the barriers are opened to unblock it.

[0070] A device which ascertains the route on its own and transmits it to the vehicle was described in FIG. 2. In a specific embodiment that is not shown, a device is provided which receives an ascertained route from a vehicle and blocks off at least one section of the route in accordance with the route received. The vehicle thus ascertains the route on its own.

[0071] FIG. 3 shows a parking system 301. Parking system 301 includes a parking lot 303 as well as a device 201 from FIG. 2.

[0072] FIG. 4 shows a parking lot 401. Parking lot 401 encompasses a plurality of parking positions 403 in which vehicles can park. For instance, parking lot 401 is developed as an enclosed parking structure, for example, as a garage or as an enclosed parking structure including a garage.

[0073] Reference numeral 405 points to an AVP vehicle, i.e., a vehicle that is able to drive autonomously in a parking lot and is able to park autonomously. Reference numeral 407 points to other vehicles that are located in the parking lot. Other vehicles 407 in particular can be non-autonomously driving vehicles, i.e., normal vehicles. Other vehicles 407 in particular can also be AVP vehicles. In other words, a mixed operation of AVP and non-AVP vehicles can exist in parking lot 401.

[0074] There is usually a high risk of collision in such a mixed operation because situation may arise that are easily controllable by hand signals between persons. However, this is normally not possible between a person and an autonomously traveling vehicle, i.e., a vehicle not necessarily occupied by a driver. A control of a certain traffic situation by way of a hand signal between two autonomously driving vehicles is also not possible as a rule. Such a certain situation may particularly pertain to the right of way, for instance, i.e., a situation in which it is not always clear which vehicle has the right of way; in other words, the vehicles do not necessarily know whether or not they have the right of way.

[0075] However, the present invention provides for a blocking-off of at least one section of a route to a target position located within parking lot 401. The target position, which has been denoted here by reference numeral 413, is a parking position. A starting position for the route, which is denoted by reference numeral 411, is a drop-off position. AVP vehicle 405 has been left at drop-off position 411 by its driver.

[0076] Now, a route from drop-off position 411 to parking position 413 is determined. The determined route has been drawn in by a dashed line and provided with reference numeral 415.

[0077] If one of vehicles 405, 407 is depicted with an arrow 409, then this is meant to symbolically indicate that these vehicles are not parking but rather are part of the moving traffic, even if they have to wait due to the blocking.

[0078] A section of route 415 is symbolically marked by a curly bracket bearing reference numeral 417. To block off this section 417 of route 415, five signal generators 419, 421, 423, 425, 426 are provided, which are located at corresponding junctions of a route leading to this section 417. These signal generators emit a red signal light for the blocking, thereby signaling to other vehicles 407 that they have to wait at the junction.

[0079] A signal generator 427 is also situated in the region of drop-off position 411. This signal generator 427 emits a red signal light until section 417 is blocked off, i.e., until signal generators 419, 421, 423, 425, 426 emit a red signal light. Preferably, a predefined wait time will elapse after signal generators 419, 421, 423, 425, 426 have been switched to a red signal light before signal generator 427 is switched to a green signal light.

[0080] In a further specific embodiment, it is checked whether section 417 is free before signal generator 427 is switched to the green signal light. In other words, signal generator 427 switches to the green signal light only if section 417 is free. The check is carried out in particular with the aid of a monitoring system, which includes one or more video camera(s), for example.

[0081] Reference numerals 429 and 431 symbolically point to two traffic lanes. Reference numeral 433 points to arrows that symbolically indicate a driving direction in the two traffic lanes 429, 431.

[0082] Thus, the present invention encompasses the idea of providing a method, a device, a parking system as well as a computer program, which make it possible to avoid traffic problems, such as problems with mixed traffic or with a mixed operation. The described example embodiments of the present invention include blocking off the travel path, i.e., the route, or parts thereof, and especially blocking it off with the aid of a parking lot management, for the duration of the autonomous driving operation of the AVP vehicle in the parking lot, i.e., in particular from the drop-off point (drop-off position) to the parking position/parking bay or also vice versa. In other words, the mixed operation in the blocked-off section is prohibited or prevented during this time, in particular.

[0083] Thus, when an AVP vehicle is to drive to the target position and to park there on its own, the travel route will be blocked to other vehicles by traffic lights and/or barriers. In this instance, other vehicles are manually driven vehicles and/or other AVP vehicles. Preferably, the start signal is output to the AVP vehicle only after the route is clear.

[0084] Preferably, as little of the route as possible will be blocked. In other words, only the path that the AVP vehicle will take is blocked off, preferably also only sections. When the AVP vehicle is to drive to the third level of a parking garage, for instance, only the ground level, for example, is blocked for as long as the AVP vehicle is still located at the ground level. The first, second, and third levels will not be blocked yet and thus remain open to other vehicles.

[0085] In a further refinement stage (specific embodiment), the path is closed to people as well.

[0086] In addition, according to a specific embodiment, it is advantageous that the parking lot management system monitors the process and the travel route of the AVP vehicle and, if warranted, preferably intervenes in the event of problems, such as stops the AVP vehicle.

[0087] Moreover, according to a specific embodiment, it is advantageous that the parking lot management system visually documents the entire operation for evidentiary purposes.