DE102014217900A1 - Apparatus and method for collecting information about availability of free parking - Google Patents

Abstract

A device, a vehicle and a method for collecting information on availability of free parking spaces (1) are proposed. The method comprises the steps of: determining a current position of a vehicle, recording an open space of predetermined properties by means of an environment sensor of the vehicle, sending a data record representing the current position and the detected free area to a server, assigning the detected free space to a corresponding to the current position road section (I), and - providing information about the availability of free parking (1) in the road section (I).

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for collecting information about availability of free parking spaces. In particular, the present invention relates to improvements in the timeliness of collected data.

When looking for a parking space for vehicles is spent by drivers in densely populated and / or urban areas a lot of time, because there available parking space is very scarce. As a result of this search effort, immense energy resources are also consumed because of the correspondingly longer operation of the respective vehicles.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to assist the search for a parking space for a vehicle to find a suitable available parking space.

The above-identified object is achieved according to the invention by a method for collecting information on the availability of free parking spaces and by a device for the vehicle-based collection of information on the availability of free parking spaces. The method begins with determining a current position of a vehicle. The vehicle (ego vehicle) is set up according to the invention. The current position may e.g. satellite-based ((A) -GPS, Galileo, GLONASS etc.). In addition, an environmental sensor of the ego vehicle detects an open space of predetermined properties. The open space can be such a space around the ego vehicle, which is considered "free parking space" in question. In particular dimensions of the open space can be determined as a predetermined property in order not to evaluate open spaces below a minimum size as a potential parking space. The environmental sensor may e.g. an ultrasonic sensor and / or a radar / lidar sensor. Alternative principles of action for ambient / distance sensors can also be used. Subsequently, a data record representing the current position and the detected free space is sent to a server. Thus, the server is informed at which point the detected open space is present. Optionally, further information (eg the properties of the free area determined in the vehicle) can be integrated into the data record. In addition, the detected open space is assigned to a road section corresponding to the current position. In other words, the environment of the means of locomotion is divided into predefined areas (English "clustering") in order to be able to provide respective information about the availability of free parking spaces for sections of road of interest. This provision can take place, for example, on the server from which drivers searching for parking spaces can retrieve them. For example, upon reaching an intersection, the user may obtain information for which of the adjacent road sections the probability of available parking spaces is highest and his search preferably continues in that road section. With the invention thus a time and energy efficient parking space search can be made possible.

The dependent claims show preferred developments of the invention. The detection of the free area by means of an environment sensor of the ego vehicle can be carried out continuously, only in densely populated (city center) areas or in response to predefined events. For example. a comparison with a local (arranged in the ego vehicle) database can be made so that the current position of the ego vehicle corresponds to a road section in which parking spaces are identified. In other words, parking positions are generally allowed positions in the area around the ego vehicle. Of course, a user input can be requested, whether an automatic detection and thus participation in the inventive method is allowed or denied. In this way, vehicles not even located in a parking space can also participate in the creation of the database according to the invention. The database becomes more reliable.

Preferably, it can be evaluated in the server whether the detected free space is a designated parking space. In this way, a possibly more up-to-date information about stopping / parking bans or designated parking spaces can be created than is possible by a database stored locally in the vehicle. Open spaces, which are not to be regarded as available parking spaces, thus do not contribute to the adaptation of the probability stored for a road section.

Preferably, the information about the availability of free parking in the road section may be sent by the server via a wireless connection to users or vehicles looking for a parking space. The requesting of this information can be initiated, for example, by a user input, which marks the beginning of a parking space search. The beginning of a search for a parking space can alternatively also be determined automatically on the basis of a current driving profile (speed, head movement of the driver or the like). On the basis of preconfigured user profiles, the authorization for the access or any payment modalities, etc. may be requested. This facilitates the use of information stored on the server in the search for a parking space.

The clustering of the road sections should be chosen such that a sufficiently broad database for each road section can be determined. In addition, the road section should not be so long that a likelihood of available parking is not predominantly characterized by such free parking spaces, which are so far away from a current location of the ego vehicle that their use would require long walks or the free parking spaces in the meantime be occupied by other means of transportation. In this way, a relatively homogeneous or representative probability for a particular road section can be ensured. In road sections with a length between 50 m and 1,000 m have proven successful. In particular for urban areas, regardless of its length, the road section may be marked on both sides by an intersection (or at least an intervening road). This offers the advantage that a parking-space-seeking driver at the point where it is to be decided in which direction he wishes to continue his search for a parking space can better balance the probabilities for free parking spaces in the adjacent road sections. In addition, a user-friendly pattern results.

The information on the availability of free parking spaces in a considered road section can - as stated above - e.g. be prepared in the form of a probability. In particular, a probability vector can be created which can be used for a color coding of the road section in a dynamic road map (eg displayed on a screen of a navigation system). The more vehicles reported free areas of predetermined characteristics to the server and the more free areas have been reported, the higher the probability of free parking for the road section. In addition, the more reliable the data, the more up-to-date it is.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for vehicle-based collection of information on availability of free parking spaces is proposed. The device comprises a position detection unit, which can operate, for example, satellite-based. This does not exclude the possibility of plausibilizing or concretising the determined position on the basis of wheel sensors and / or using terrestrial wireless networks (GSM, UMTS, EDGE, LTE, LTE-A, WLAN). An environmental sensor is provided for detecting open spaces in the vicinity of the device. Examples of environmental sensors are ultrasonic sensors, optical (2D / 3D) cameras, radar sensors, lidar sensors and laser scanners. An evaluation unit makes it possible to determine predetermined properties for the free area as well as a comparison with reference values stored in a storage means. Via a wireless communication unit, the device is set up to send the free space to a server, in particular also with regard to the free area, predetermined properties and parameters. The latter can be done, for example, using terrestrial mobile networks and using the Internet. Parts of the device or all components may be located in a vehicle or even permanent components of the vehicle. For example. For example, the surroundings sensor system and / or the evaluation unit can be permanently installed in the vehicle and can also be used for other driver assistance functions. The same applies to the position determination unit and the wireless communication unit, even if individual or all components are part of a mobile user terminal (smartphone, tablet). In this way, the device according to the invention is set up to participate in a method according to the first aspect of the invention.

Optionally, the device may comprise storage means in which map material is included with road sections characterized by designated parking spaces. On the one hand, this allows an automatic implementation of the method according to the invention when entering a street section with designated parking spaces. On the other hand, an already made in the vehicle review of detected open spaces in terms of their suitability as a parking space a shipment of wireless data to a server for such open spaces, which are not eligible as a parking space. This can avoid the network load of the wireless communication infrastructure as well as any costs incurred for data transmission.

The predetermined properties of the open space can, but need not already be determined in the vehicle. In particular, a minimum length or minimum dimensions of the free surface can however preferably be determined by the device itself. Further examples of the predetermined properties are a permitted minimum parking time and / or a suitability as a parking space defined by the Highway Code, which can both be checked in the vehicle or in the device and / or on the server before the free space for adjusting the probability for free Parking is adjusted.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a vehicle is proposed with a device according to the second aspect of the invention. The vehicle can be designed as a car, as a transporter, as a truck, as a watercraft and / or aircraft. By the according to the invention suitability of the vehicle to carry out a method according to the first-mentioned aspect of the invention, the parking space search can be performed time and energy efficient.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an infrastructure device (eg, a server) is proposed, which is set up for collecting information about availability of free parking spaces. To participate in a method according to the invention, the infrastructure device is set up to receive a data record representing a current position and a detected free area from a device according to the second-named aspect of the invention or from a vehicle according to the third aspect of the invention. Based on the data set, the infrastructure facility may determine a likelihood of free parking for a road section and communicate the probability to a parking-seeking user. The features, combinations of features and the advantages of the vehicle or of the infrastructure resulting therefrom are evident in accordance with the first and second aspects of the invention so that reference is made to the above statements in order to avoid repetition.

Preferably, the infrastructure device can also be set up to allocate the free area determined by the received data record to a road section corresponding to the current position. This may be necessary in particular if the received data record does not yet contain such an assignment. The o. G. Clustering of the open space information is therefore optionally performed in the infrastructure facility. Alternatively or additionally, the infrastructure device according to the invention can check the open space for the predetermined properties qualifying the open space as a parking space. In particular, the information which may not be present in the device according to the invention can be determined on the basis of (eg via the Internet) available data and verified before the probability is adjusted on the basis of the received data set.

Advantageously, the recognition of free parking spaces according to the invention can be described as being subdivided into two sub-steps: In a first step, a recognition is made in such a way that parking spaces are present along the currently used road. The recognition of the parking spaces corresponds to a legal (irrespective of occupancy status) suitability of existing areas. In a second step, a sensor-based detection is carried out as to whether the identified parking spaces are currently free or occupied. While previous approaches from the prior art try to solve both sub-steps via sensors, the present invention proposes to make a sensor-based detection of the environment in terms of whether there is free space next to the vehicle and optionally to measure the length of this clearance. Subsequently, the information can be placed on a data bus. For example, the navigation control device of the means of locomotion receives the information from the vehicle bus. In the navigation database, the information as to whether parking spaces are available at the current location is stored, for example, as a point of interest (POI). If the navigation database of the means of locomotion contains the information that parking spaces are available in the area of the identified free space, a free parking space is recognized and possibly reported to a server.

The invention can be advantageously used in a variety of ways to assist drivers of vehicles in parking search. In one application example, a statistical model which calculates a probability for the availability of a parking space is used to color-highlight information on a current parking situation on a map. Such a model can be provided on a server and receives data from vehicles of a vehicle fleet. In particular, a distinction is made between dynamic data (fleet data plus calculated parking space probability) and static data (map information about where available parking spaces are). The fleet data used to calculate the likelihood may include information regarding detected parking and parking operations. Ideally, a corresponding calculation algorithm will have sufficient data available on how many parking spaces currently exist in a predefined area. With the invention can be advantageously generate data with which a calculation of the probability with high accuracy is possible.

Further details, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the embodiments given in the following description and the figures. Show it:

1 a plan view of a situation in which according to the present invention, information on the availability of free parking is collected;

2 a schematic overview of components of a means of locomotion and a device and a server according to the present invention for carrying out a method according to the invention;

3 a flowchart illustrating steps of an embodiment of a method according to the invention.

1 shows a map section comprising a first road section I which is crossed on both sides by a cross 12 is limited. At the crossroads 12 border further road sections II . III to the street section I , All of the aforementioned road sections have designated parking lots (or parking positions) 11 on which either as unoccupied parking 1 or as with foreign vehicles 13 occupied parking spaces are shown. In about the middle of the street section I is from the direction of travel of an ego vehicle 10 looks at the right side a tree 2 arranged, which is intended to green the street scene. A (in conjunction with 2 closer considered) environment sensor of the vehicle 10 captures the foreign vehicles 13 , the tree 2 as well as the available, designated parking spaces 1 qualified open spaces and classified the environment accordingly. After driving through the street section I sends the vehicle 10 the own position (or the traveled route section) as well as a data set or several data sets representing at least the detected open spaces, which in terms of their size as free parking 1 eligible. The information is provided by a (in conjunction with 2 shown) server, which prepares the information by a probability of free parking in the road section I represented information on the availability of parking spaces ready and available to retrieve.

2 shows a car 10 as a means of transportation with a device 9 , which via a wireless communication unit in the form of an antenna 7 is set up via wireless communication signals 8a and a radio mast 30 with a server connected to the internet 20 to communicate. Also via the antenna 7 is an electronic control unit 4 set up as an evaluation unit, timestamp and position information of a satellite 40 in the form of wireless communication signals 8b to receive and to evaluate the location of their own position. One in the front bumper of the car 10 arranged ultrasonic sensor 3 allows a distance measurement to environment objects and based on a determination of open spaces. The information determined and classified via surrounding open spaces make it possible for the server 20 To determine probabilities for available parking in predefined road sections and to the car 10 to send the information on a color-coded road map on a screen 6 displays. The road maps and thresholds for classifying detected open spaces as designated free parking lots are in a data memory 5 saved. The person skilled in the art recognizes that the components of the device 9 Usually also in a modern mobile wireless communication device (eg., A smartphone or a tablet PC, etc.) included and can be used for carrying out the method according to the invention, provided either an ultrasonic sensor 3 supplemented or replaced by an optical (2D / 3D) camera and, for example, an algorithm for image flow analysis. By the image flow analysis, for example, an open space can be detected in two-dimensional image sequences.

3 shows steps of an embodiment of a method according to the invention for collecting information on the availability of free parking. In step 100 a current position of a vehicle is determined satellite based. In step 200 it is recognized that the vehicle is located in a street section with designated parking spaces. For this purpose, for example, a database stored in the vehicle can be used, in which map material is stored with road sections marked as having designated parking spaces. In step 300 an area of predetermined characteristics is detected by means of an environmental sensor of the vehicle. However, the predetermined characteristics need not necessarily be determined (all) within the vehicle. In step 400 For example, a record representing the current position and the detected open space is sent to a server. For example. in the server takes place in step 500 then an assignment of the detected free space to a corresponding to the current position road section. The road segment assigns the received data records to a specific probability vector. In step 600 information is provided on the availability of free parking in the road section concerned. This can be done, for example, via the Internet and preferably using wireless communication links. In step 700 The server sends information about the availability of free parking in the road section in the form of a probability vector over a wireless connection. In this way, other parking-seeking users will be able to more quickly find a stretch of road with a higher probability of available free parking. In this way, the present invention equalizes the complicated process of free parking detection. The semantics regarding available parking spaces are preferably provided by the navigation database, while the locomotion of the means of locomotion only has to answer the simple question of whether a parking space contained in the database is free or occupied, which is possible with the known environmental sensors in series vehicles using simple algorithms is. The invention provides a real-time overview of the parking situation in a city dar. About the described additional data, the quality of the previously existing statements increases dramatically and the number of vehicles required a vehicle fleet to produce statistically reliable statements decreases accordingly. In particular, the operator of a vehicle fleet can market the present invention profitably, since the search for a parking space is one of the biggest annoyances when driving in urban centers.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

free parking

2

tree

3

ultrasonic sensor

4

electronic control unit

5

data storage

6

screen

7

antenna

8a, 8b

Wireless communications signals

9

contraption

10

car

11

designated parking

12

crossing

13

foreign vehicle

20

server

30

radio mast

40

satellite

100-700

steps

I-III

road sections

Claims (12)

Method for collecting information on the availability of free parking ( 1 ) comprising the steps of: - determining ( 100 ) a current position of a vehicle ( 10 ), - To capture ( 300 ) an open space of predetermined properties by means of an environmental sensor ( 3 ) of the vehicle ( 10 ), - send ( 400 ) of a current position and the detected free space representing data set to a server ( 20 ), - Assign ( 500 ) of the detected free area to a street section corresponding to the current position ( I ), and - providing ( 600 ) of information on the availability of free parking ( 1 ) in the road section ( I ). Method according to claim 1, further comprising the step - detecting ( 200 ), in particular by means of an in-vehicle ( 10 stored database that the vehicle ( 10 ) in a road section ( I ) with designated parking spaces ( 11 ) is located. Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, further comprising - sending ( 700 ) of the information on the availability of free parking ( 1 ) in the road section ( I ) through the server ( 20 ) via a wireless connection ( 8a ). Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the road section ( I ) has a length of 50 m to 1 km and in particular on both sides by an intersection ( 12 ) is limited. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the information on the availability of free parking spaces ( 1 ) in the road section ( I ) are provided in the form of a probability. Device for collecting information on the availability of free parking ( 1 ) - a position detection unit, - an environment sensor ( 3 ), - an evaluation unit ( 4 ), and - a wireless communication unit ( 7 ), wherein the position determination unit is set up, a current position of the device ( 9 ), the environmental sensor ( 3 ) is set up to detect an open area, the evaluation unit ( 4 ) is adapted to check the free area for predetermined properties, and the wireless communication unit ( 7 ) is set up, a record representing the current position and the detected free space to a server ( 20 ) to send. Device according to claim 6, wherein the device ( 9 ) in or on a vehicle ( 10 ) arranged to participate in a method according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 5. Device according to one of the preceding claims 6 or 7 further comprising - memory means ( 5 ) comprising map material in which road sections ( I . II . III ) as designated parking spaces ( 11 ) are recorded. Method according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 5 or device according to one of the preceding claims 6 to 8, wherein the predetermined characteristics comprises - an allowed minimum parking time, and / or - a designated parking space ( 11 ), and / or - includes a minimum length. Vehicle comprising a device ( 9 ) according to one of the preceding claims 6 to 9. Infrastructure, in particular servers, for collecting information on availability of free parking spaces ( 1 ), which is set up To receive a record representing a current position and a detected open area from a device according to any one of claims 6 to 8 or a vehicle according to claim 10, to determine a probability of free parking for a road section corresponding to the position, and to a parking lot searcher To send users. Infrastructural device according to claim 11, which is set up, - the free area determined by the received data record corresponds to a road section corresponding to the current position ( I ), and / or - to test the open space for predetermined properties qualifying the free space as parking space.

Images