METHOD AND DEVICE FOR OPERATING A VEHICLE

Abstract

A method for operating a vehicle includes the vehicle receiving a start signal for starting the vehicle via a communication network, and responding to the start signal only when one or multiple predetermined conditions are met. Additionally, a device for operating a vehicle, a parking facility management server, and a computer program can be provided for restricting a response to a start signal to only when the one or multiple predetermined conditions are met.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. A method for operating a vehicle, the method comprising: receiving, by the vehicle and via a communication network, a start signal for starting the vehicle; and the vehicle responding to the start signal by autonomously starting, wherein the responding is performed conditional upon satisfaction of at least one predetermined condition.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one predetermined condition includes that an instantaneous position of the vehicle is within a predetermined spatial area.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the predetermined spatial area is assigned to a parking process.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the predetermined spatial area includes a parking facility.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one predetermined condition includes that an instantaneous time is within a predetermined time window.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the predetermined time window corresponds to a parking duration of the vehicle in a parking facility.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein a vehicle start certificate is transmitted to a parking facility management server of a parking facility, the vehicle start certificate defining at least one of a predetermined time window and a predetermined spatial area within which the parking facility management server is able to start the vehicle using the start signal.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein, in response to the autonomous starting of the vehicle, an information signal, indicating that the vehicle has started in response to the start signal, is transmitted via the communication network to a user of the communication network.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising: the vehicle switching off autonomously when the vehicle does not receive a confirmation signal, from the user via the communication network, that the vehicle is to remain switched on.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising: the vehicle switching off in response to a receipt, transmitted via the communication network, of a termination signal of the user.

25. The method of claim 15, wherein, prior to the autonomous starting of the vehicle, an information signal is transmitted, via the communication network and to a user of the communication network, the signal indicating that the vehicle will be started in response to the start signal.

26. A device for operating a vehicle, the device comprising: a communication interface to a communication network; and a starting device, wherein, conditional upon satisfaction of at least one predetermined condition, the starting device is configured to start the vehicle autonomously in response to a start signal that is received from the communication network via the communication interface.

27. A parking facility management server for a parking facility, the server comprising: a communication interface to a communication network; and processing circuitry, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to generate, and transmit to a vehicle over the communication network and via the communication interface, a start signal for starting a vehicle.

28. 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 operating the vehicle, the method comprising: receiving, via a communication network, a start signal for starting the vehicle; and responding to the start signal by autonomously starting the vehicle, wherein the responding is performed conditional upon satisfaction of at least one predetermined condition.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] FIG. 1 is a flowchart that illustrates a method for operating a vehicle, according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 2 shows a device for operating a vehicle, according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 3 shows a parking facility management server for a parking facility, according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 4 shows a vehicle according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a method for operating a vehicle, according to an example embodiment of the present invention. According to a step 101, the vehicle receives a start signal for starting the vehicle via a communication network. This means that the start signal is a prompt to the vehicle that the vehicle is starting autonomously.

[0047] A starting within the meaning of the present invention includes in particular a starting of a drive engine or motor of the vehicle. A drive engine or motor of the vehicle is an electric motor, for example, or an internal combustion engine or a hybrid motor, i.e., a combination of an electric motor and an internal combustion engine.

[0048] In a step 103, the vehicle checks, in response to the start signal, whether one or multiple predetermined conditions are met. Only if one or multiple predetermined conditions are met does the vehicle start autonomously according to a step 105.

[0049] This means, for example, that a start signal must be present on the one hand, and one or multiple predetermined conditions must be met on the other hand, for the vehicle to start autonomously.

[0050] FIG. 2 shows a device 201 for operating a vehicle, according to an example embodiment of the present invention. Device 201 includes a communication interface 203, which is designed to receive a start signal for starting the vehicle via a communication network. Device 201 includes a starting device 205, which is designed to autonomously start the vehicle in response to the start signal when one or multiple predetermined conditions are met. The check as to whether or not the conditions are met is carried out with the aid of the starting device, for example. In particular, this is carried out with the aid of a control unit.

[0051] According to one specific embodiment, device 201 is designed to carry out the method for operating a vehicle.

[0052] The idea according to the present invention to make an access to the vehicle not only dependent on a start signal, but also on certain conditions is in particular advantageous during an automatic valet parking process, i.e., an automatic parking process. It is provided, for example, that the conditions are selected corresponding to the specific requirements of the automatic valet parking process, so that an access to the vehicle for starting the vehicle with the aid of the start signal is only possible within the scope of the valet parking process. An access is disallowed outside the automatic parking process, which means that a start signal then no longer starts the vehicle.

[0053] According to one specific embodiment, it is provided, for example, that the access to the vehicle remains spatially limited to the parking facility and/or limited to the parking duration. As soon as the vehicle has left the parking facility and/or a parking duration has elapsed, access to the vehicle with the aid of the start signal is no longer possible.

[0054] FIG. 3 shows a parking facility management server 301 for a parking facility. The parking facility management server 301 includes a processor 303, which is designed to generate a start signal for starting a vehicle. Parking facility management server 301 furthermore includes a communication interface 305, which is designed to transmit the start signal via a communication network to a vehicle.

[0055] According to another aspect, a parking facility is provided, which includes parking facility management server 301.

[0056] FIG. 4 shows a vehicle 401. Vehicle 401 is designed to carry out a method according to the present invention for operating the vehicle. For example, vehicle 401 includes the device according to the present invention for operating a vehicle. Vehicle 401 is an autonomously driving vehicle, for example. In particular, vehicle 401 is an AVP vehicle. This means that vehicle 401 is able to autonomously drive in a parking facility and pull into and out of parking positions.

[0057] The present invention thus in particular provides the option that a parking facility management server, which can be included in a parking facility management system, for example, is able to start the vehicle using a signal initiated from outside the vehicle (the start signal), e.g., via a WLAN communication and/or via a C2X communication, without human assistance (e.g., with the aid of pushing a button in the vehicle). Such a start is required at least after a parking phase for the retrieval (return) from the parking position to the drop-off position. Furthermore, such a start can be possible or necessary in the following situations: a transfer at the drop-off spot or drop-off position if the vehicle is already switched off; and/or a re-parking during the parking process, e.g., an electric vehicle is to be re-parked from a parking space having a charging station to a parking space without such a charging station.

[0058] With the aid of the present invention, it is advantageously made possible that an access to the vehicle for the automatic parking process (automatic valet parking) can be ensured with respect to legitimacy and security (theft protection).

[0059] According to one specific embodiment, it is provided, for example, that it is only possible to start the vehicle based on the signal initiated from outside (start signal, e.g., transmitted with the aid of WLAN communication) during the time window of the parking process and/or in the spatial area of the parking process (e.g., in the parking garage or in the parking facility). Outside the time window and/or outside the spatial area, the start of the vehicle is rejected by the vehicle system, i.e., in particular the described device.

[0060] The spatial extent can be defined, for example, very precisely by the layout of the parking garage (if necessary, preferably using a delta for prevention against inaccuracies) and/or by a perimeter around a point (e.g., GPS coordinate).

[0061] The limitation with respect to time can either be a defined time window (e.g., 2 hours) or can be defined by the end of the parking process. Furthermore, it can be defined by a “continuous time window” (e.g., one year) if the driver uses the parking garage or the parking facility more frequently.

[0062] According to one specific embodiment, a “vehicle start certificate,” which includes the temporal aspect and the spatial aspect, is transmitted to the parking facility management system. This is similar to a temporally limited “WLAN booking” in a hotel.

[0063] In one further specific embodiment, it is provided that the certificate is simultaneously defined for multiple parking garages/parking facilities (e.g., by a parking garage chain).

[0064] In one further specific embodiment, it is provided that the driver/owner is informed about the signal initiated from outside (e.g., via mobile telephone) during the start of the vehicle.

[0065] In one further specific embodiment, it is provided that the driver/owner must give his/her approval (e.g., again via mobile telephone) after being informed.

[0066] In one further specific embodiment, it is provided that the driver/owner is able to terminate/refuse the starting process at any time.

[0067] In another specific embodiment, the entire data traffic (i.e., the communication via the communication network) and the certificate between the vehicle, mobile telephone, and parking facility management system are encrypted.