TWI661395B - Systems and methods for parking location management for vehicles, and related computer program products - Google Patents

Abstract

A parking position management system and method for a vehicle are applicable to an identification device and a smart phone provided in a vehicle. First, establish a connection between the smartphone and the identification device via a wireless network. At least one motion sensor of the recognition device is used to detect a motion or a gesture of the corresponding recognition device. When the detected motion or gesture indicates that the recognition device or the vehicle is stationary or falling, a positioning unit of a smart phone is used to obtain a candidate position.

Description

Vehicle parking position management system and method, and related computer programs Products

The invention relates to a parking position management system and method for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a parking position management system and method for a vehicle that can be executed by a smart phone and an identification device provided on the vehicle.

With the advent of the Internet of Things (IOT) era, devices or items around everyone can be connected to the network, and users can control and access these devices or items through the network. The rapid development of the Internet of Things mainly relies on the maturity of wireless network technology. The electronic devices can be coupled to each other through a wireless network for related applications. At the same time, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology solves the problem of long-term connection of electronic devices to wireless networks and their power consumption. For example, Beacon is a low-cost wireless Bluetooth transmitter that implements BLE technology. It can transmit Bluetooth signals through a wireless network for a long time. At present, a large number of devices and innovative applications using Beacon are being developed and used.

On the other hand, with the development of electronic technology, many automotive electronics have been developed to bring more convenient applications and wisdom to vehicles. For example, a Beacon device can be designed to replace the key of a vehicle, and users can carry the Beacon device with them. Once the vehicle detects that the Beacon device is approaching the vehicle, the user can directly press the start button under the vehicle to start the vehicle. Generally, vehicles do not have a positioning function. In other words, the position of the vehicle is unknown. In one example, when a user parks a vehicle in a parking lot, he often forgets where the vehicle is parked. In another example, a friend or family member of the rider cannot grasp the position of the vehicle when the vehicle has a specific accident. Various vehicle applications have become one of the more and more important topics in the industry.

In recent years, electronic devices such as smartphones, laptops, or wearables Portable devices such as devices are becoming more advanced and powerful. For example, a portable device may have network connectivity. Users can use the portable device to connect to the Internet anytime, anywhere to browse the Internet. Due to the convenience brought by these devices and their functions, these devices have also become one of the essentials of modern people, and these functions are frequently used in life anytime, anywhere. If the positioning function of an electronic device, such as a smart phone, can be fully utilized to manage the position of the vehicle, the aforementioned disadvantages of not being able to know the vehicle will be reduced.

In view of this, the present invention provides a parking position management system and method for vehicles, in which a smart phone and an identification device provided on the vehicle can be used to perform the parking position management operation of the vehicle.

A parking position management system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an identification device and a smart phone disposed on a vehicle. The identification device includes a first wireless network connection unit, at least one motion sensor, and a controller. The controller determines whether the motion or gesture detected by the motion sensor indicates that the recognition device or vehicle is stationary or dumped, and uses the first wireless network when the detected motion or gesture indicates that the recognition device or vehicle is stationary or dumped The connecting unit transmits a trigger signal through a wireless network. The smart phone includes a second wireless network connection unit, a positioning unit, and a processor. The processor uses the second wireless network connection unit to connect with the identification device through the wireless network, and when the triggering signal is received through the wireless network routing identification device, it uses the positioning unit to obtain a candidate position.

A method for managing a parking position of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention is applicable to an identification device and a smart phone provided in a vehicle. First, a connection between the smart phone and the identification device is established through a wireless network. Then, at least one motion sensor of the recognition device is used to detect a motion or a gesture corresponding to the recognition device. Determine whether the motion or gesture detected by the motion sensor indicates that the recognition device or vehicle is stationary or tipping. When the detected motion or gesture indicates that the recognition device or the vehicle is stationary or falling, a positioning unit of a smart phone is used to obtain a candidate position.

In some embodiments, the processor of the smartphone further determines whether the smartphone and the identification device are in a disconnected state, and when the smartphone and the identification device are in a disconnected state, the candidate positions are set to corresponding One of the vehicles parked.

In some embodiments, the processor of the smart phone further transmits the parking position of the corresponding vehicle to a network server through a wireless network, wherein the network server provides a user interface to query the parking position of the corresponding vehicle.

In some embodiments, the controller of the identification device further determines whether one of the pillars of the vehicle is erected based on the data detected by the motion sensor. When the middle pillar of the vehicle is erected, a specific signal is transmitted to the smartphone via the wireless network. In response to a specific signal, the processor of the smartphone sets the candidate position as one of the parking positions of the corresponding vehicle.

The above method of the present invention may exist in a code manner. When the code is loaded and executed by the machine, the machine becomes a device for carrying out the invention.

In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of the present invention more comprehensible, the embodiments are exemplified below, and the accompanying drawings are described in detail below.

100‧‧‧Vehicle parking position management system

V‧‧‧ Vehicle

110‧‧‧Identification device

1110‧‧‧Electronic Processing Module

112‧‧‧The first wireless network connection unit

114‧‧‧Storage unit

ID‧‧‧Identification data

116‧‧‧ Motion Sensor

118‧‧‧controller

120‧‧‧ Smartphone

122‧‧‧Second network connection unit

124‧‧‧ positioning unit

126‧‧‧Processor

130‧‧‧Wireless network

S402, S404, S406, S408‧‧‧ steps

S502, S504, ..., S512‧‧‧ steps

S602, S604, ..., S612‧‧‧ steps

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a parking position management system of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an identification device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a smart phone according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a parking position management method of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a parking position management method for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a parking position management method for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a parking position management system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a parking position management system 100 for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an identification device 110 and a smart phone disposed on a vehicle V, such as a locomotive or automobile. 120. The identification device 110 and the smart phone 120 may be coupled to each other through a wireless network 130, such as a Bluetooth network and a Wi-Fi network.

FIG. 2 shows an identification device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the identification device 110 includes a first wireless network connection unit 112, a storage unit 114, at least one motion sensor 116, and a controller 118. The first wireless network connection unit 112 may have a network access capability for coupling with other electronic devices with network access capability through a wireless network, such as a Bluetooth network, a Wi-Fi network, and the like. . It is worth noting that, in some embodiments, the first wireless network connection unit 112 may be a network connection unit with a low energy consumption technology, such as Bluetooth Smart technology. There are two modes in Bluetooth Smart technology, such as peripheral mode and center mode. Among them, in the central mode, the network connection unit can receive data from the network connection units of other electronic devices, and has the ability to actively connect to other electronic devices. In the peripheral mode, the network connection unit can broadcast signals such as its own identification data. However, the network connection unit cannot actively connect to other electronic devices in the peripheral mode. In some embodiments, the first wireless network connection unit 112 is in a peripheral mode. In other words, the first wireless network connection unit 112 has a data broadcasting capability, and the first wireless network connection unit 112 can only be passively connected by other electronic devices, and cannot be actively connected to other electronic devices. The storage unit 114 may store an identification data ID of one of the corresponding identification devices 110. In some embodiments, the identification device 110 may use the first wireless network connection unit 112 to broadcast the identification data ID. With the identification data ID, other electronic devices can be connected to the identification device 110. The motion sensor 116 can be used to detect the posture and / or movement of the recognition device 110 and / or the vehicle V. For example, the motion sensor 116 may be an acceleration sensor to generate corresponding displacement and speed information when the recognition device 110 moves. In another example, the motion sensor 116 may be a gyroscope to generate a corresponding angular acceleration when the recognition device 110 moves. In another example, the motion sensor 116 may be an electronic compass for detecting the angle of the identification device 110 with respect to a geographic direction, such as the north or south pole direction. It must be noted that the aforementioned sensing unit is only an example of the present case, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Any sensing unit that can be used to detect the posture and / or movement of the identification device 110 can be applied to the present invention. As described above, the motion sensor 116 can detect the posture of the recognition device 110. It is worth noting that, in some embodiments, the gesture may represent angle information of the recognition device 110 with respect to at least one reference point. In some embodiments, the posture of the identification device 110 may be relative to a specific direction, such as the direction of gravity or geography, with an axis perpendicular to at least one plane of the identification device 110. The angle of the direction. The controller 118 can control the operation of the related software and hardware in the identification device 110, the details of which will be described later.

FIG. 3 shows a smart phone according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the smart phone 120 includes a second wireless network connection unit 122, a positioning unit 124, and a processing unit 126. The second wireless network connection unit 122 may have a network access capability for coupling to other electronic devices with network access capability through a wireless network, such as a Bluetooth network, a Wi-Fi network, and the like. . It is worth noting that, in some embodiments, the second wireless network connection unit 122 may be a network connection unit with a low energy consumption technology, such as Bluetooth Smart technology. There are two modes in Bluetooth Smart technology, such as peripheral mode and center mode. Among them, in the central mode, the network connection unit can receive data from the network connection units of other electronic devices, and has the ability to actively connect to other electronic devices. In the peripheral mode, the network connection unit can broadcast signals such as its own identification data. However, the network connection unit cannot actively connect to other electronic devices in the peripheral mode. In some embodiments, the second wireless network connection unit 122 is in a central mode. The positioning unit 124 can communicate with at least one satellite to learn the position of the corresponding smart phone 120, such as the latitude and longitude coordinates. In some embodiments, a specific location can be obtained based on the location obtained by the positioning unit 124 and a map data. The processing unit 126 can control operations of related software and hardware in the smart phone 120, and details thereof will be described later.

FIG. 4 shows a method for managing a parking position of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, in step S402, a connection between a smart phone and an identification device is established through a wireless network. The identification device is disposed in a vehicle. It is worth noting that, in some embodiments, the identification device can broadcast its identification data through a wireless network, and the smart phone can establish a connection with the identification device through the wireless network according to the identification data of the corresponding identification device. In step S404, at least one motion sensor of the recognition device is used to detect a motion and / or a gesture of the corresponding recognition device. It is worth noting that, in some embodiments, the motion sensor may be an acceleration sensor to generate corresponding displacement and speed information when the recognition device moves. In some embodiments, the motion sensor may be a gyroscope to generate a corresponding angular acceleration when the recognition device moves. In some embodiments, the motion sensor may be an electronic compass to detect the angle of the identification device with respect to a geographic direction, such as the North Pole or South Pole direction. It must be noted that the aforementioned sensing unit is only an example of the present case, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Any sensing unit that can be used to detect the gesture and / or movement of the recognition device can be applied to the present invention. As before As mentioned above, the motion sensor can detect the posture of the recognition device. It is worth noting that, in some embodiments, the gesture may represent angle information of the recognition device with respect to at least one reference point. In some embodiments, the posture of the identification device may be represented by an angle perpendicular to at least one plane of the identification device with respect to a specific direction, such as a gravity direction or a geographic direction. It is reminded that since the recognition device is installed in the vehicle, the movement and / or posture of the vehicle will directly affect the movement and / or posture of the recognition device. In step S406, it is determined whether the motion or posture detected by the motion sensor indicates that the recognition device or the vehicle is stationary or falling. When the detected motion or gesture does not indicate that the recognition device or the vehicle is stationary or falling (No in step S406), the flow returns to step S404. When the detected motion or gesture indicates that the recognition device or the vehicle is stationary or falling (YES in step S406), in step S408, a positioning unit of a smartphone is used to obtain a candidate position. As mentioned above, the positioning unit can communicate with at least one satellite to learn the position of the corresponding smart phone, such as the latitude and longitude coordinates. In some embodiments, a specific location can be learned based on a specific location and a map data. It is worth noting that, in some embodiments, the smart phone can transmit the candidate position of the corresponding vehicle to a network server through a wireless network, wherein the network server provides a user interface to query the location of the corresponding vehicle. .

FIG. 5 shows a parking position management method for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

First, in step S502, a connection between a smart phone and an identification device is established through a wireless network. The identification device is disposed in a vehicle. Similarly, in some embodiments, the identification device may broadcast its identification data through a wireless network, and the smart phone may establish a connection with the identification device through the wireless network according to the identification data of the corresponding identification device. In step S504, at least one motion sensor of the recognition device is used to detect a motion and / or a gesture of the corresponding recognition device. Similarly, in some embodiments, the motion sensor may be an acceleration sensor to generate corresponding displacement and speed information when the recognition device moves. In some embodiments, the motion sensor may be a gyroscope to generate a corresponding angular acceleration when the recognition device moves. In some embodiments, the motion sensor may be an electronic compass to detect the angle of the identification device with respect to a geographic direction, such as the North Pole or South Pole direction. It must be noted that the aforementioned sensing unit is only an example of the present case, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Any sensing unit that can be used to detect the gesture and / or movement of the recognition device can be applied to the present invention. As mentioned earlier, the motion sensor can detect the gesture of the recognition device. It is worth noting that, in some embodiments, the posture It can represent the angle information of the identification device with respect to at least one reference point. In some embodiments, the posture of the identification device may be represented by an angle perpendicular to at least one plane of the identification device with respect to a specific direction, such as a gravity direction or a geographic direction. It is reminded that since the recognition device is installed in the vehicle, the movement and / or posture of the vehicle will directly affect the movement and / or posture of the recognition device. In step S506, it is determined whether the motion or posture detected by the motion sensor indicates that the recognition device or the vehicle is stationary or falling. When the detected motion or gesture does not indicate that the recognition device or the vehicle is stationary or falling (No in step S506), the flow returns to step S504. When the detected motion or gesture indicates that the recognition device or the vehicle is stationary or falling (YES in step S506), in step S508, a positioning unit of a smart phone is used to obtain a candidate position. Similarly, the positioning unit can communicate with at least one satellite to learn the position of the corresponding smart phone, such as latitude and longitude coordinates. Next, in step S510, it is determined whether the smart phone and the identification device are in a disconnected state. When the connection between the smart phone and the identification device is not in a disconnected state, in other words, the connection between the smart phone and the identification device is still connected (No in step S510), the flow returns to step S504. When the smart phone and the identification device are in a disconnected state (such as YES in step S510), in step S512, the candidate position is set as one of the parking positions of the corresponding vehicle. It is worth noting that, in some embodiments, the smart phone can transmit the parking position of the corresponding vehicle to a web server through a wireless network, wherein the web server provides a user interface to query the parking of the corresponding vehicle. position.

FIG. 6 shows a method for managing a parking position of a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

First, in step S602, a connection between a smart phone and an identification device is established through a wireless network. The identification device is disposed in a vehicle. Similarly, in some embodiments, the identification device may broadcast its identification data through a wireless network, and the smart phone may establish a connection with the identification device through the wireless network according to the identification data of the corresponding identification device. In step S604, at least one motion sensor of the recognition device is used to detect a motion and / or a gesture of the corresponding recognition device. Similarly, in some embodiments, the motion sensor may be an acceleration sensor to generate corresponding displacement and speed information when the recognition device moves. In some embodiments, the motion sensor may be a gyroscope to generate a corresponding angular acceleration when the recognition device moves. In some embodiments, the motion sensor may be an electronic compass to detect the angle of the identification device with respect to a geographic direction, such as the North Pole or South Pole direction. It must be noted that the aforementioned sensing unit is only an example of the present case, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Anything that can be used to detect The sensing unit of posture and / or motion of other devices can be applied to the present invention. As mentioned earlier, the motion sensor can detect the gesture of the recognition device. It is worth noting that, in some embodiments, the gesture may represent angle information of the recognition device with respect to at least one reference point. In some embodiments, the posture of the identification device may be represented by an angle perpendicular to at least one plane of the identification device with respect to a specific direction, such as a gravity direction or a geographic direction. It is reminded that since the recognition device is installed in the vehicle, the movement and / or posture of the vehicle will directly affect the movement and / or posture of the recognition device. In step S606, it is determined whether the motion or posture detected by the motion sensor indicates that the recognition device or the vehicle is stationary or falling. When the detected motion or gesture does not indicate that the recognition device or the vehicle is stationary or falling (No in step S606), the flow returns to step S604. When the detected motion or gesture indicates that the recognition device or the vehicle is stationary or falling (YES in step S606), in step S608, a positioning unit of a smartphone is used to obtain a candidate position. Similarly, the positioning unit can communicate with at least one satellite to learn the position of the corresponding smart phone, such as latitude and longitude coordinates. Next, in step S610, it is determined whether one of the pillars of the vehicle is erected according to the data detected by the motion sensor. It is reminded that, in some embodiments, the posture of the corresponding pillar of a vehicle can be trained and recorded in advance. By comparing the data detected by the motion sensor with this state, it can be known whether the middle pillar of the vehicle is erected. When the middle pillar of the vehicle has not been erected (No in step S610), the flow returns to step S604. When the middle pillar of the vehicle is erected (YES in step S610), in step S612, the candidate position is set to one of the parking positions of the corresponding vehicle. It is worth noting that, in some embodiments, when it is determined that the pillar in the vehicle is erected, the identification device may transmit a specific signal to the smart phone through the wireless network. In response to a specific signal, the smartphone sets the candidate position as the parking position of the corresponding vehicle. Similarly, in some embodiments, the smart phone may transmit the parking position of the corresponding vehicle to a web server through a wireless network, where the web server provides a user interface to query the parking position of the corresponding vehicle.

Therefore, the parking position management system and method of the vehicle through this case can use a smart phone and an identification device provided on the vehicle to perform the parking position management operation of the vehicle, thereby increasing the diversity of vehicle management and improving the safety of the vehicle. Sex.

The method of the present invention, or a specific form or part thereof, may exist in the form of a code. The code may be contained in physical media, such as a floppy disk, CD-ROM, hard disk, or any other machine-readable (such as computer-readable) storage medium, or is not limited to an external form of computer program product. When the code is loaded and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes With the device of the present invention. The code can also be transmitted through some transmission media, such as wires or cables, fiber optics, or any transmission type. Where the code is received, loaded, and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes used to participate in the Invented device. When implemented in a general-purpose processing unit, the code in combination with the processing unit provides a unique device that operates similar to an application-specific logic circuit.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the preferred embodiment as above, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone skilled in the art can make some modifications and retouching without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope of protection shall be determined by the scope of the attached patent application.

Claims (9)

A parking position management system for a vehicle includes: an identification device fixedly disposed on a vehicle, including: a first wireless network connection unit; and at least one motion sensor configured to detect a corresponding identification device. A motion or a gesture, wherein the motion or the gesture corresponding to the recognition device corresponds to the motion or the gesture of the vehicle; and a controller coupled to the first wireless connection unit and the motion sensor, Configure to determine whether the motion or gesture detected by the motion sensor indicates that the recognition device or the vehicle is stationary or tipping, and when the detected motion or gesture indicates that the recognition device or the vehicle is Using the first wireless network connection unit to transmit a trigger signal through a wireless network when it is stationary or toppled; and a smart phone including: a second wireless network connection unit; a positioning unit; and a processor, Coupled to the second wireless network connection unit and the positioning unit, configured to use the second wireless network connection unit to connect with the identification device through the wireless network When received by the identification means to the trigger signal transmitted through the wireless network, with which a positioning unit obtaining candidate location. According to the parking position management system for a vehicle according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the processor of the smart phone further determines that the smart phone and the identification device use the second wireless network connection unit through the wireless network station. Whether the established connection is in a disconnected state, and when the smartphone and the identification device are in the disconnected state, the candidate position is set to a parking position corresponding to the vehicle. According to the parking position management system for a vehicle according to item 2 of the patent application scope, the processor of the smart phone further transmits the parking position corresponding to the vehicle to a web server through the wireless network, where the network The server provides a user interface to query the parking position corresponding to the vehicle. According to the parking position management system for a vehicle according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the vehicle has a center pillar and the controller of the identification device judges whether the center pillar of the vehicle is based on data detected by the motion sensor. Is raised, and when the center pillar of the vehicle is raised, a specific signal is transmitted to the smart phone through the wireless network, and corresponding to the specific signal, the processor of the smart phone sends the candidate The position is set to a parking position corresponding to one of the vehicles. A parking position management method for a vehicle is applicable to an identification device and a smart phone fixedly installed in a vehicle, including the following steps: establishing a connection between the smart phone and the identification device through a wireless network; using the At least one motion sensor of the recognition device detects a motion or a gesture corresponding to the recognition device, wherein the motion or the gesture corresponding to the recognition device corresponds to the motion or the gesture of the vehicle; judging the motion sensor Whether the detected motion or gesture indicates that the recognition device or the vehicle is stationary or falling; and when the detected motion or gesture indicates that the recognition device or the vehicle is stationary or falling, using the smart phone A positioning unit obtains a candidate position. The method for managing a parking position of a vehicle according to item 5 of the patent application scope further includes the following steps: determining whether the connection established between the smart phone and the identification device through the wireless network is in a disconnected state; and when When the smart phone and the identification device are in the disconnected state, the candidate position is set as a parking position corresponding to one of the vehicles. The method for managing a parking position of a vehicle according to item 6 of the patent application scope further includes using the smart phone to transmit the parking position corresponding to the vehicle to a web server through the wireless network, where the web server provides A user interface to query the parking position corresponding to the vehicle. The parking position management method for a vehicle according to item 5 of the scope of patent application, wherein the vehicle has a center pillar and the method further includes the following steps: using the identification device to judge the vehicle based on the data detected by the motion sensor Whether the center pillar is erected; and when the center pillar of the vehicle is erected, using the smart phone to set the candidate position as one of the parking positions corresponding to the vehicle. A computer program product for loading into a machine and executing a parking position management method of a vehicle. The computer program product includes: a first code for establishing a smart phone and an identification device through a wireless network A connection; a second code for detecting an action or a gesture corresponding to the recognition device, wherein the action or the gesture corresponding to the recognition device corresponds to the action or the gesture of the vehicle; a first Three codes for determining whether the motion or the gesture detected by the motion sensor indicates that the recognition device or the vehicle is stationary or tipping; and a fourth code for detecting the motion or The gesture indicates that when the recognition device or the vehicle is stationary or falling down, a candidate position is obtained using a positioning unit of the smart phone.