DE102015200492A1 - Method for selecting a parking position for a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for selecting a parking position (13, 14) for a vehicle (1) in which a target position (21) and a parking duration are queried in a first step. Subsequently, parking spaces (12) are determined in the vicinity of the target position (21), calculated at the end of the parking period vehicle interior temperature for each determined parking space (12) and one of the determined parking spaces (12) selected as a parking position (13, 14). Further aspects of the invention relate to a computer program and a navigation system, which are set up to carry out the method.

Description

The invention relates to a method for selecting a parking position for a vehicle, wherein a target position and an estimated parking time are queried and from a variety of possible parking spaces a parking space is selected as a parking position. Furthermore, a computer program and a navigation system are specified.

State of the art

Modern navigation systems for vehicles offer the possibility to offer the driver of the vehicle public parking near a destination entered by him. Following this, the driver can be guided through the navigation system to the selected parking space.

Out US 2006/0250278 A1 For example, a method and apparatus for selecting a suitable parking space is known. It is envisaged that a database will be kept containing parking space information such as location and availability. Upon request of the driver, a suitable parking space is selected, the request comprising, for example, an indication of a maximum desired distance of the parking space from a predetermined destination. Furthermore, it is provided that the specifications of the driver can be dependent on the weather, since in good weather, a greater distance to the target is tolerable, as in bad weather.

Out DE 10 2007 050 375 A1 For example, a method of using weather information in a vehicle is known. It is proposed to use weather data, for example, for the distance control and to adapt parameters of various other driver assistance systems. The weather data can be used, for example, to suggest the driver to the weather suitable destinations. In this case, for example, in hail or rain, a parking garage is preferred over a parking space on an open area. Furthermore, it is proposed to use the weather data for regulating the vehicle interior temperature.

A disadvantage of the prior art is that in the selection of a suitable parking space, the effects of environmental conditions on the vehicle interior temperature are not taken into account. Thus, it may happen, in particular in summer, that the vehicle interior heats up considerably due to solar radiation or in winter a strong cooling of the vehicle takes place and fog the windows of the vehicle or be covered with a layer of ice.

Disclosure of the invention

• a) Abfragen einer Zielposition und einer Parkdauer,
• b) Ermitteln von Stellplätzen in der Nähe der Zielposition,
• c) Berechnen einer am Ende der Parkdauer zu erwartenden Fahrzeuginnenraumtemperatur für jeden Stellplatz und
• d) Auswählen eines der ermittelten Stellplätze als Parkposition.

A method for selecting a parking position for a vehicle is proposed, comprising the following steps:

• a) querying a target position and a parking duration,
• b) determining parking spaces in the vicinity of the target position,
• c) calculating a vehicle interior temperature to be expected at the end of the parking period for each parking space and
• d) Selecting one of the determined parking spaces as a parking position.

The method is preferably carried out in connection with an already existing navigation system. The navigation system can be permanently assigned to a vehicle or be part of a mobile device. Mobile devices are in particular portable navigation systems or smartphones.

In the first step a) of the method, the destination of the driver as well as the probable length of stay in the form of a destination position and a parking duration are queried. This can be realized, for example, by the navigation system or the mobile device having corresponding input means. These can be realized, for example, in the form of buttons, buttons, a touchscreen or as voice input. In order to provide feedback to the driver or user of the navigation system, the navigation system may further comprise output means, for example in the form of a screen or a loudspeaker.

In the second step b) of the method parking spaces are determined in the vicinity of the target position. This can be realized, for example, in that the navigation system is assigned a database with information about possible parking spaces. This database can be stored locally in the navigation system or the mobile device. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the information about the parking spaces or the database are stored on an external storage medium allocated to the navigation system, for example an optical data carrier such as a CD-ROM, DVD or Blu-ray disc, a memory card or a USB stick. Alternatively or additionally, the information about the parking spaces or the database can also be provided on an external computer device such as a server, in particular a cloud server. In this case, the connection between the navigation system and the external computer device can be established via a data network, for example via the Internet.

When determining the parking spaces in the vicinity of the destination position, in particular a maximum distance to the destination position which can be specified, for example, can be taken into account so that only parking spaces that are less than the maximum distance from the destination position are determined. Furthermore, in the determination of the parking spaces in accordance with step b) of the method, a preselection can already be made on the basis of selection parameters. These selection parameters are selected, for example, from the size of the parking space, parking fees for the parking space, type of parking space, further comfort parameters or a combination of at least two of these selection parameters. It is meant by type of pitch, whether it is an open parking on an open space, a covered parking, a garage, underground parking or a parking garage. Comfort parameters may include information about services offered, for example.

In the subsequent step c) of the method, the vehicle interior temperature expected at the end of the parking period is calculated for the parking spaces determined in step b), and in step d) of the method, a parking space is selected as the parking position from the determined parking spaces.

After selecting the parking space as a parking position this can be used as a destination for the navigation system, so that the driver of the vehicle can be guided by the navigation system to the parking position.

In one embodiment of the method, the determined parking spaces in the vicinity of the target position are displayed to the driver together with the vehicle interior temperature expected for the respective parking space so that the driver can select a suitable parking space as parking position. The determined parking spaces can be displayed for example on a screen of the navigation system, which also displays the expected vehicle interior temperature for the respective parking space on the screen. The selection of the parking position from the determined parking spaces is then carried out by the driver using provided by the navigation system controls.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, the selection of a parking space as a parking position according to step d) of the method is carried out automatically taking into account default parameters. The default parameters are selected, for example, from a desired vehicle interior temperature, a maximum distance to the target position, the complexity or danger of the footpath to be traveled by the driver to his destination position, further comfort parameters or a combination of at least two of these default parameters.

In this case, in the default parameters for the vehicle interior temperature, in particular also a desired temperature interval can be predetermined, wherein the interval is limited by a minimum vehicle interior temperature and a maximum vehicle interior temperature. For example, the interval for the desired vehicle interior temperature is from 10 ° C to 30 ° C, preferably from 15 ° C to 25 ° C.

The assistance system selects from the parking spaces determined according to step b) the parking space which best fulfills the default parameters. If this applies to several parking spaces, an accidental parking space is selected as the parking position by the assistance system from the suitably determined parking spaces.

Preferably, the expected vehicle interior temperature is calculated according to step b) of the method taking into account the position of the sun and / or weather data. Sun altitude refers to the altitude of the sun above the horizon, which defines an angle between the sun and the vehicle. In general, a greater warming of the vehicle interior is to be expected when the position of the sun is high, that is to say a large angle to the vehicle is enclosed.

The weather data may include a plurality of weather related data of the vehicle, in particular, the weather data is selected from a prospective sunshine duration, an expected course of the outside temperature, expected rainfall, wind force, wind direction, humidity, or a combination of several of these weather data. The warming of the vehicle interior is the greater, the longer the solar irradiation time and the greater the expected outside temperature. Precipitation or wind, on the other hand, can lead to a cooling of the vehicle and thus to a reduction of the vehicle interior temperature. Furthermore, it is possible, for example, at a high relative humidity, that fog the windows of the vehicle, which can form an ice layer on the windows of the vehicle at outdoor temperatures below 0 ° C.

For example, while the position of the sun can be easily calculated from the time, date and geographical location of the parking space, sensors associated with the vehicle or a connection to a weather data provider are required to account for weather data. Such a connection to one Weather data provider can be done for example via a data network such as the Internet, the access to the Internet preferably wirelessly, for example via a cellular network, WLAN or the like.

The calculation of the vehicle interior temperature to be expected at the end of the parking period is preferably carried out in accordance with step c) taking into account spatial data. The geodata are preferably selected from geopositions and / or contour data of buildings, trees, shrubs, data of other 3D objects relevant height or a combination of at least two of these geodata. The contour data describe the shape of an object and objects of relevant height are objects whose height is suitable for influencing the light conditions and / or wind conditions at a parking space.

For example, if buildings, trees or tall bushes are near a parking space, the existence of these objects will affect the expected vehicle interior temperature. Buildings, trees or tall shrubs cast shadows, so less sunlight can usually contribute to heating the vehicle. Furthermore, these objects contribute to a windbreak, so that a parked in the vicinity of such objects vehicle is less strongly cooled by wind. Thus, it is conceivable to calculate some weather data such as local solar radiation and wind using geodata.

The geodata can be provided in the form of a database, which is assigned to the navigation system depending on the embodiment of the method, is stored on an external storage medium or is assigned to an external computer device. If the geodata or the database associated with the geodata of an external computer device, such as a server or a cloud server, access to it via a data network such as the Internet can be done, with a preferred wireless connection is used here.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, in addition to geopositions of objects, the geodata also contain 3D models of these objects, so that the shadow course for each determined parking space can be calculated taking into account the position of the sun and taken into account in the calculation of the vehicle interior temperature according to step c) of the method , In this way, it can be determined for each time whether solar radiation is to be expected at the parking space currently being considered or not.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method, the current vehicle interior temperature and / or the current outside temperature are measured and taken into account in the calculation of the expected vehicle interior temperature according to step c) of the method. In this case, the currently measured vehicle interior temperature can be used as the starting value, which is influenced by external parameters such as solar radiation and the outside temperature during the parking period.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, further parameters are taken into account in the calculation of the expected vehicle interior temperature according to step c), wherein the further parameters are selected from the color of the vehicle, the orientation of a parking space, the location of a parking space, the wind conditions, further indoor temperature-relevant Parameter or a combination of at least two of these other parameters.

By taking into account further parameters, the calculation of the expected vehicle interior temperature can be further improved. For example, the color of the vehicle has an influence on the warming in sunlight. A black vehicle or a dark vehicle usually heats up more than a white vehicle or a bright vehicle. Furthermore, the general location of the parking space has an influence on the expected vehicle interior temperature. For example, a parking space located on an open area is fully exposed to environmental conditions, while, for example, in the case of a parking garage, there is no direct sunlight. In the case of garages such as a single garage or an underground garage, the vehicle is almost completely protected from environmental influences, so that the vehicle interior temperature is determined almost exclusively by the temperature inside the garage.

Depending on the embodiment of the method, the expected vehicle interior temperature for each determined parking space can be calculated by the navigation system or by an external computer device. Furthermore, it is conceivable that in order to simplify the calculation in advance for each parking space or for a group of parking spaces, a table is determined with which the expected change in the vehicle interior temperature can be estimated. For example, the table may include the expected temperature change as a function of the time of day for the respective season.

If the calculation of the expected vehicle interior temperature is carried out by an external computer device, for example a server, data can be sent to the vehicle by the vehicle external computing device are included, which are taken into account in the calculation. In particular, these data may include the default parameters and the other parameters for calculating the expected vehicle interior temperature. For example, the color of the vehicle, the target position and the estimated parking duration can be transmitted.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, the vehicle collects measurement data at the end of the parking period and / or during parking and transmits it to a database operator, the measurement data being selected from the actual vehicle interior temperature, the outside temperature, the brightness, the solar radiation or a combination at least two of these measured data.

The database operator operates the external computer device, which provides databases depending on the embodiment of the method and / or performs the calculation of the expected vehicle interior temperature at the end of the parking period. The database can contain in particular a table (Look-up table), which indicates the expected temperature change for a parking space. Using the data transmitted by the vehicle, the database operator can optimize this table and / or other databases, so that the expected temperature change during the parking period of the actual temperature change is approximated.

In a further embodiment of the method, objects such as buildings, trees or shrubs in the vicinity of the vehicle are determined and information relating to these objects is transmitted to a database operator.

Modern vehicles are typically equipped with various surround detection systems, such as radar, lidar, cameras, and ultrasonic distance sensors. With these, a vehicle can recognize objects in the environment. Within the scope of the method, it is preferably provided that the vehicle, when it has reached the parking position, determines objects in the surroundings of the vehicle and transmits information relating to these objects to a database operator. The database operator usually operates an external computing device that provides a database. This database can be accessed, for example, via the Internet. The information about objects in the vicinity of the vehicle can then be stored as geoinformation in the database so that the database can supplement geopositions of, for example, objects such as buildings, trees or shrubs.

In one embodiment of the method, information about possible parking spaces is provided by a parking lot operator. It is provided that after selecting a parking space as a parking position this space is reserved for the vehicle and the vehicle is guided to the parking position. The car park operator stores information about the occupancy of the respective parking spaces, so that when determining parking spaces in accordance with step b) of the method only available, that is, free parking spaces are offered. If one of the parking spaces has been selected as a parking position in accordance with step d), then this parking space is reserved for the vehicle so that it can no longer be offered to other drivers or vehicles as a possible parking space. If the vehicle leaves the parking space at the end of the parking period, it is released again, so that it can once again be offered as a possible parking space. In a variant of this embodiment, the car park operator is also a database operator, so that this also provides data for its available parking spaces that can be used to calculate the expected vehicle interior temperature.

In further embodiments, it is conceivable that the parking lot operator also provides billing-relevant data. In this way, in the selection of a determined parking space as a parking position in addition to the expected vehicle interior temperature and the price of the parking position can be specified and taken into account at the exit. Conversely, it is conceivable that the vehicle also transmits billing-relevant data to the parking lot operator, so that after selecting the parking position, the fee for this parking position can be billed directly. In further embodiments of the method, it is also conceivable to make the fee for a parking space dependent on how often this parking space is selected as a parking position. In this case, for parking spaces that are popular, so often be selected as a parking position, higher fees are charged, as for parking spaces that are less frequently selected as a parking position.

According to the invention, a computer program is also proposed according to which one of the methods described herein is performed when the computer program is executed on a programmable computer device. The computer program can be, for example, a module for implementing a driver assistance system or a subsystem thereof in a vehicle or an application for driver assistance functions, which can be executed on a smartphone or tablet, for example. Furthermore, the program may be associated with an external computing device connected via a wireless connection to a smartphone or a system of a vehicle is in communication. Furthermore, it is conceivable for a system of a vehicle or a mobile device such as a smartphone to execute the computer program together with an external computer device. The computer program may be stored on a machine-readable storage medium, such as on a permanent or rewritable storage medium or in association with a computer device or on a removable CD-ROM, DVD, Blu-ray Disc or USB stick. Additionally or alternatively, the computer program may be provided for download on a computing device such as a server, for example, via a data network such as the Internet or a communication link such as a telephone line or a wireless link.

According to the invention, a navigation system is additionally provided, which is set up to carry out one of the described methods.

Advantages of the invention

The proposed method allows the driver to select a parking space in which the expected vehicle interior temperature at the end of a probable parking duration corresponds to his individual needs. It is particularly advantageous in summer to select a parking space, in which excessive heating of the vehicle interior is avoided. In winter, however, covered or sheltered parking is an advantage, so that the vehicle does not cool down so much and in particular no ice on the windows of the vehicle occurs.

Park operators also benefit from the proposed procedure. Thus, for example, they can recognize the needs of their customers based on the frequency of selecting a parking space as a parking position and accordingly offer more parking spaces with these features. Furthermore, the fees for the pitches can be adjusted. Parking spaces that meet the needs of drivers can be charged higher parking fees and, conversely, parking spaces that are seldom selected can be offered cheaper.

Brief description of the figures

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. The single figure shows a parking lot with a variety of parking spaces.

The figure illustrates the subject matter of the invention only schematically.

1 shows a parking lot 10 standing on a street 15 borders. Furthermore, adjacent to the parking lot 10 a building 18 at whose entrance 20 the target of a driver of a vehicle 1 is. The driver of the vehicle 1 uses a navigation system to get a parking space 12 for his vehicle 1 near the building 18 to find. This pitch 12 should also be selected so that the vehicle interior temperature of the vehicle 1 at the end of the parking period is within a predetermined temperature interval. As temperature interval, for example, an interval between 10 ° C and 30 ° C is specified. Will the vehicle 1 but at a parking space 12 parked at the vehicle 1 is exposed to direct sunlight during the entire parking period, then the expected vehicle interior temperature at the end of the parking period will be well above 30 ° C. In direct sunlight vehicle interior temperatures of well over 50 ° C can be achieved. Therefore, the driver of the vehicle wants 1 a parking space 12 select on which the vehicle is 1 not heated too much. This is given by the driver of the vehicle 1 the address of the input 20 of the building 18 as target position 21 and an estimated parking duration in the navigation system of the vehicle 1 one.

The navigation system then determines possible parking spaces 12 near the target position 21 , In the in 1 illustrated situation is a parking on the edge of the road 15 not allowed, leaving all possible pitches 12 In the parking lot 10 lie.

In the parking lot 10 there are trees 16 , depending on the time of day or the position of the sun a shadow 22 . 24 toss. Also the building 18 which is to the parking lot 10 adjacent, casting a shadow depending on the time of day 23 . 25 , In the presentation of the 1 is the shadow of the trees 16 and the building 18 at lunchtime with the reference numbers 22 . 23 marked and the shadow of the trees 16 and the building 18 for the late afternoon with the reference numbers 24 . 25 , As can be seen from the presentation of 1 can be seen at lunchtime through the trees 16 some of the pitches 12 partly through the trees 16 shaded. The shadow 23 of the building 18 at lunchtime reaches the parking lot 10 not, so none of the pitches 12 through the building 18 is shadowed.

In a first example, it is late morning and the driver of the vehicle 1 would like to park for two hours. At this time, only the trees grant 16 a shadow 22 for some of the pitches 12 , After entering the driver will be for the parking spaces 12 near the target position 21 the expected vehicle interior temperatures are determined at the end of the parking period. there show those places 12 that is not attached to a tree 16 adjacent, a higher expected vehicle interior temperature than the parking spaces 12 attached to a tree 16 adjoin.

In one embodiment of the method, the parking spaces 12 displayed along with the expected vehicle interior temperature, allowing the driver from the available parking spaces 12 a parking space as a parking position 13 can choose. In this case, the driver becomes one of the parking spaces 12 attached to one of the trees 16 adjoin, as parking position 13 choose. In another variant, by the navigation system or another assistance system from the possible parking spaces 12 automatically selected a parking space that meets the requirements of the driver. Fulfill as in the situation of 1 several parking spaces 12 the requirements are selected from these, for example according to a given order or by chance. Also in this case will be one of the pitches 12 attached to a tree 16 adjoin, as parking position 13 selected.

In a second example, it is late morning and the driver is expected to park for six hours. He wants his vehicle 1 Pick up in the late afternoon. In the late afternoon can also be the shade 25 of the building 18 some of the pitches 12 shade. They are lying by the building 18 shaded pitches 12 closer to the target position 21 , Will when choosing a parking space 12 also the distance to the target position 21 In this case, the parking position is not taken into account 13 selected, but a second parking position 14 selected. That the vehicle 1 at the second parking position 14 initially exposed to sunlight and the vehicle interior temperature is temporarily outside the required temperature interval is irrelevant, since the expected pickup time, the late afternoon, the second parking position 14 through the building 18 is shaded, so that the vehicle interior temperature is within the required temperature interval at the expected end of the parking period.

Depending on the variant of the method, the expected vehicle interior temperature can be calculated for each of the parking spaces 12 Tables are created, which indicate the expected change in the vehicle interior temperature at the respective time of day. Furthermore, it is conceivable from a 3D model of the parking lot 10 and the surroundings of the parking lot 10 as well as the position of the sun, the course of the shadows 22 . 23 . 24 . 25 to calculate. The calculated course of the shadow cast can preferably be combined with weather data, which in particular include the predicted solar irradiation. In this way, the expected vehicle interior temperature at the end of the parking period for each of the parking spaces 12 be determined for each parking period and at any time of day.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein and the aspects highlighted therein. Rather, within the scope given by the claims a variety of modifications are possible, which are within the scope of expert action.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 2006/0250278 A1 [0003]
• DE 102007050375 A1 [0004]

Claims (12)

Method for selecting a parking position ( 13 . 14 ) for a vehicle ( 1 ) comprising the steps of: a) querying a target position ( 21 ) and a parking period, b) determining parking spaces ( 12 ) near the target position ( 21 ), c) calculating a vehicle interior temperature to be expected at the end of the parking period for each determined parking space ( 12 ) and d) selecting one of the determined parking spaces ( 12 ) as parking position ( 13 . 14 ). Method according to claim 1, wherein the selection according to step d) takes place automatically taking into account default parameters, wherein the default parameters are selected from a desired vehicle interior temperature, a maximum distance to the target position, the complexity of a footpath to the target position ( 21 ), the danger of a footpath to the target position ( 21 ), other comfort parameters or a combination of at least two of these default parameters. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the expected vehicle interior temperature is calculated taking into account the position of the sun and / or weather data. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the expected vehicle interior temperature is calculated taking into account geodata, wherein the geodata are selected from geopositions of buildings ( 18 ), Trees ( 16 ), Shrubs or a combination of at least two of these geodata. Method according to claim 3 and 4, wherein the geodata contain not only the geopositions but also 3D models and, taking into account the position of the sun, the shadow profile for each determined parking space ( 12 ) is determined and taken into account in the calculation of the vehicle interior temperature according to step c). Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the current vehicle interior temperature and / or the current outside temperature measured and taken into account in the calculation of the expected vehicle interior temperature according to step c). Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that in the calculation of the expected vehicle interior temperature according to step c) further parameters are taken into account, wherein the further parameters are selected from the color of the vehicle ( 1 ), the orientation of a parking space ( 12 ), Location of the pitch ( 12 ), the wind conditions or a combination of at least two of these other parameters. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that by the vehicle ( 1 ) Measured data are collected at the end of the parking period and / or during parking and transmitted to a database operator, wherein the measurement data are selected from the actual vehicle interior temperature, the outside temperature, the brightness, the solar radiation or a combination of at least two of these measurement data. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that objects ( 16 . 18 ) in the environment of the vehicle ( 1 ) and information concerning these objects ( 16 . 18 ) to a database operator. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that after selecting a parking space ( 12 ) as parking position ( 13 . 14 ) this parking space for the vehicle ( 1 ) and the vehicle ( 1 ) to the parking position ( 13 . 14 ) to be led. A computer program executing the method of any one of claims 1 to 10 when running on a computer. Navigation system configured to carry out the method according to one of claims 1 to 10.

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