FR3077670A1 - METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ASSISTING A VEHICLE DRIVER BY PROVIDING ACTIVE MAPPING OF A PARKING - Google Patents

Abstract

A method assists a driver to drive a first vehicle (V1), including locating means (ML), in a car park (PK) comprising a track (VA1) serving parking spaces (EP) on which are parked second vehicles (V2), comprising locating means and analysis means determining information representative of the environment around them (V2). This method comprises a step in which each second vehicle (V2) transmits its determined environment and position information, and then builds a map of the parking (PK), materializing the track (VA1) and the empty parking spaces (EP) and occupied, from the environment information and associated positions issued, and then displayed on a screen (EC) of the first vehicle (V1) at least part of this built map, located in the vicinity of the current position of the first vehicle (V1), with a materialization of this last position.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SUPPORTING A VEHICLE DRIVER, BY PROVIDING ACTIVE PARKING MAPS

The invention relates to vehicles which can circulate and maneuver on land surfaces, and more specifically the assistance of drivers to drive such vehicles in car parks.

Frequently, a driver of a vehicle, usually of the automobile type, wastes time, if not a great deal of time, searching for an empty parking space in a parking lot.

Certainly, some car parks are equipped with sensors detecting the presence of vehicles parked on associated parking spaces, and sometimes associated with indicator lights having a green color in the absence of a vehicle and a red color in the presence of a vehicle. But this solution proves to be expensive and is only useful to the driver once he has reached a lane (or driveway) giving access to parking spaces, because it is only at this time that 'he can observe the LEDs (and still generally partially). In addition, this solution does not provide an overview of the parking spaces available in a parking level. In addition, when a sensor and / or an indicator associated with a parking space for a lane is / are faulty and all the other indicators for this lane are red, the driver will go directly to the next lane that he is uninformed.

The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation.

To this end, it proposes in particular an assistance method intended to allow the assistance of a driver to drive a first vehicle, comprising communication means exchanging data by waves and location means determining its position, in a parking lot comprising at least one lane serving parking spaces on some of which are parked second vehicles, comprising location means determining their position, analysis means determining information representative of the environment around them and means of communication exchanging data by waves.

This assistance process is characterized by the fact that it includes a step in which:

- each second vehicle transmits its determined environment and position information with its means of communication, then

- we build a map of the car park, materializing the (each) lane and the empty and occupied parking spaces, from this environmental information and associated positions issued, then

- At least one screen of the first vehicle is displayed on at least part of this constructed map, located in the vicinity of the current position of the first vehicle, with a materialization of this current position of the first vehicle.

Thanks to the invention, the driver of the first vehicle now has an active, reliable card which almost immediately shows the occupied and empty parking spaces, at least near the place where he is at the moment. considered, as well as its position in relation to these parking spaces.

The assistance method according to the invention may include other characteristics which can be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

- in its stage, each second vehicle traveling in the parking lot can also transmit its determined environmental information and position with its means of communication, then we can construct the cartography of the parking lot also from this environmental information and associated positions issued;

- In a first embodiment, in its step, the environmental information and determined associated positions can be received by the communication means of the first vehicle, the parking lot map can be constructed by the first vehicle from this information environment and associated positions received, and the current position of the first vehicle can be added to the latter in the mapping;

> in its stage, when the first vehicle also includes means of analysis determining information representative of the environment around it, it can construct the cartography of the parking lot also from this determined environmental information and the position in course of the first determined and associated vehicle;

- in a second embodiment, in its step the environment information and determined associated positions can be received by means of communication exchanging data by waves and being part of a parking server, the mapping of the parking lot can be constructed by the server from this environment information and associated positions received, data defining the mapping can be sent by the communication means of the server, and the current position of the first vehicle can be added in the latter to the received mapping data;

> in its step, when the first vehicle also includes analysis means determining information representative of the environment around it, it can also transmit its determined environment and position information with its means of communication, then the server can build the map of the car park also from this environmental information and associated position issued;

- In its step, the environmental information and associated positions determined may be representative of vehicles parked on parking spaces and / or empty parking spaces and / or of vehicles traveling in the lane.

The invention also proposes a system intended to assist a driver to drive a first vehicle, comprising means of communication exchanging data by wave and location means determining its position, in a car park comprising at least one lane serving parking spaces on some of which are parked second vehicles, comprising location means determining their position, means of analysis determining information representative of the environment around them and means of communication exchanging data by means of waves.

This system is characterized by the fact that it includes:

- control means installed at least in the second vehicles and triggering the transmission of environment and position information determined with their means of communication, and

- processing means constructing a map of the parking lot, materializing the lane and the empty and occupied parking spaces, from the environment information and associated positions issued, then providing at least part of this constructed map, located in the vicinity of the current position of the first vehicle, with a view to its display on at least one screen of the first vehicle, with a materialization of this current position of the first vehicle.

For example, the processing means can be installed in the first vehicle. As a variant, the processing means can be installed in the first vehicle and in a server which is intended to equip the car park and which comprises means of communication exchanging data by waves.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the appended drawing, in which the single figure schematically and functionally illustrates a car park comprising lanes allowing access to sites. empty and occupied parking spaces and on one of which a first vehicle is traveling, equipped with control means and processing means of an assistance system according to the invention.

The object of the invention is in particular to propose a method of assistance, and an associated assistance system SA, intended to allow the assistance of a driver to drive a first vehicle V1 in a parking lot PK comprising at least one lane VAj serving EP parking spaces on some of which other V2 and V3 vehicles are parked.

In what follows, it is considered, by way of nonlimiting example, that vehicles V1 to V3 are of the automobile type. These are for example cars. However, the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. It concerns in fact any type of land vehicle which can circulate and maneuver on land traffic lanes and which can be parked in parking spaces (or parking).

There is schematically and functionally shown in the single figure a parking lot PK comprising two access paths VAj (j = 1 or 2) connected together by connecting paths and each serving two rows of neighboring EP parking spaces. “Neighboring parking spaces” is understood here to mean parking spaces having a common side. Note that the PK car park could include a single traffic lane serving at least one row of neighboring parking spaces or more than two traffic lanes each serving at least one row of neighboring parking spaces. Furthermore, the PK car park could include several (at least two) levels of parking spaces. In addition, a car park may not include a connecting road.

In this purely illustrative example, a first vehicle V1 is traveling on a connecting track and certain EP parking spaces are occupied by a second V2 or third V3 vehicle, while other EPV parking spaces are empty (or free).

In what follows, the term "second vehicle V2" means a vehicle parked on a parking space EP or traveling on an access path VAj and comprising location means arranged so as to determine its position, analysis means arranged to determine information representative of the environment around it (V2), MCN communication means exchanging data by waves, and MCT control means forming part of an assistance system SA according to the invention and arranged to trigger the transmission of environment and position information determined by the analysis means by the MCN communication means. It will be noted that the location means and the MCT control means may possibly be part of the same computer. But it is not compulsory.

Furthermore, the term “third vehicle V3” is understood to mean a vehicle parked on a parking space EP or traveling on an access route VAj and comprising neither MCT control means, nor locating means and / or means of analysis and / or MCN communication means, and therefore not involved in the invention.

In order for the invention to be implemented, it is necessary at least for the first vehicle V1 to include communication means MCN exchanging data by waves and locating means ML arranged so as to determine its position. It is also necessary that second vehicles V2 be parked on at least some of the EP parking spaces, which does not prevent, as illustrated, that third vehicles V3 are parked on certain other EP parking spaces.

The means of analysis of a second vehicle V2 determine information representative of the environment around the latter (V2) as a function of data acquired in this environment by acquisition means which are fixedly secured to the second vehicle V2.

This acquired data can, for example, be image data or maps representative of distances between a second vehicle V2 and at least one object located in its vicinity, or of relative speeds between a second vehicle V2 and at least one object located in its vicinity. For example, these acquisition means may include digital cameras and / or ultrasonic sensors and / or scanning lasers and / or radars or lidars.

The environmental information determined by the analysis means of a second vehicle V2 can be representative of vehicles V1, V2 or V3 parked on EP parking spaces and / or empty EPV parking spaces and / or vehicles V1, V2 or V3 traveling in a lane VAj of the car park.

The means of analysis of the second V2 vehicles can be produced in the form of software modules (or computer or even "software"), or else of a combination of electronic circuits (or "hardware") and software modules.

As mentioned above, the invention notably provides an assistance method intended to assist the driver of the first vehicle V1 to drive the latter (V1) in the PK parking lot. This process can be implemented at least partially by means of an SA assistance system according to the invention.

As illustrated, an assistance system SA, according to the invention, comprises at least MCT control means, installed at least in the second vehicles V2, and MT processing means, installed in the first vehicle V1 and / or in a server (not shown) which equips the parking lot PK and which then also comprises means of communication capable of exchanging data by way of waves, in particular with the means of communication MCN of the first V1 and second V2 vehicles.

Note that in the presence of a server comprising MT processing means, this server may possibly be part of the assistance system SA, but this is not compulsory. Furthermore, the MT processing means which equip a first V1 or second V2 vehicle can be part of a computer. Thus, in the example illustrated in the single figure, the first vehicle V1 comprises a computer CA comprising processing means MT. But it is not compulsory. Indeed, they (MT) could include a calculator. Consequently, the processing means MT can be produced in the form of software modules, or else of a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

The assistance method according to the invention comprises a step in which each second vehicle V2 transmits its determined environment and position information with its MCN communication means. This emission is triggered by the control means MCT of each second vehicle V2.

Then, in this step we (the MT processing means) construct (sen) t a map of the PK parking lot, which materializes the / each lane VAj and the empty and occupied EP parking spaces, from environment and position information associated issues.

Then, in this step, at least one screen EC of the first vehicle V1 displays at least part of this constructed map, located in the vicinity of the current position of the first vehicle V1, with a materialization of this position in progress of the first vehicle V1.

Thus, the driver of the first V1 vehicle has in the parking lot

PK of an active card which materializes almost in real time the EP parking spaces occupied and the empty EPV parking spaces, at least near the place where it is at the instant considered, as well as its position relative to at these EP and EPV parking spaces. This advantageously allows the driver to know in a reliable way in which access path VAj he will find at least one empty parking space EPV to park his first vehicle V1, even before arriving at this access path VAj. In addition, this prevents the owner of the PK car park from having to install and maintain sensors and / or cameras associated with indicator lights.

The screen EC can, for example, be that of the central handset CC which is installed in or on the dashboard PB of the first vehicle V1. Alternatively, it could be part of the dashboard of the first V1 vehicle.

It will be noted that in the process step, each second vehicle V2 traveling in the PK parking lot can also transmit its determined environment and position information with its MCN communication means. In this case, we (the MT processing means) can (fri) t build the mapping of the PK parking lot also from this environmental information and associated positions issued. This option is particularly useful when many EP parking spaces are empty and / or when the number of second V2 vehicles parked is low. Indeed, a vehicle moving in a PK parking lot makes it possible to obtain information relating to all the EP parking spaces in front of which it passes.

Building the PK parking lot map can be done in at least two different ways.

In a first way, in the step of the method, the environmental information and associated positions, determined by the analysis means of the second vehicles V2, can be received by the communication means MCN of the first vehicle V1. In this case, the map of the PK parking lot is constructed by the first vehicle V1 from this environmental information and associated positions received, and the current position of the first vehicle V1 is added in the latter (V1) to the map.

This first way requires, as illustrated without limitation in the single figure, that the assistance system SA comprises processing means MT installed in the first vehicle V1 and arranged so as to construct the mapping from environmental information and associated positions (issued by the MCN communication means of the second vehicles V2). It also requires that these processing means MT be arranged so as to then provide at least part of this map constructed with a view to displaying it on at least one screen EC of the first vehicle V1, with the materialization of the current position of the first vehicle V1 (supplied by the locating means ML of the latter (V1)).

Note that when this first way is implemented and the first vehicle V1 also includes, as illustrated without limitation in the single figure, means of analysis MAN determining information representative of the environment around it (V1) , the first vehicle V1 (and more precisely its processing means MT) can (fri) t build the mapping also from this determined environmental information and the current position of the first vehicle V1 determined and associated. To do this, they (MT) carry out a fusion of the environmental information and associated positions determined and transmitted by the second vehicles V2 and environmental information determined by the analysis means MAN of the first vehicle V1 and of the position in course of the first vehicle V1 determined by the location means ML of the latter (V1) and associated.

In a second way, in the process step, the information on the environment and associated positions, determined by the analysis means MAN of the second vehicles V2, can be received by the communication means of a server (not shown) of the PK parking. In this case, the map of the PK parking lot is constructed by the server from this environmental information and associated positions received. Then, (digital) data defining this mapping are transmitted by the communication means of the server to at least the first vehicle V1, and the current position of the first vehicle (V1) is added in the latter (V1) to the data of cartography received.

This second way requires that the assistance system SA includes processing means MT installed in the server and arranged so as to construct the mapping from environment information and associated positions (issued at least by the MCN communication means of the second vehicles V2), and processing means MT installed in the first vehicle V1 and arranged so as to add the current position of the first vehicle V1 to the received mapping data, with a view to displaying this mapping on at least one EC screen of the first vehicle V1, with the materialization of the current position of the first vehicle V1.

Note that when this second way is implemented and the first vehicle V1 also includes analysis means MAN determining information representative of the environment around it (V1), the first vehicle V1 can also transmit its information d environment and position determined with its MCN communication means intended for the server. This emission is triggered by MCT control means which then comprises the first vehicle V1 and which are for example installed in the computer CA. In this case, the server builds the mapping of the PK parking lot also from this environmental information and associated position issued. To do this, the server (and more precisely its processing means MT) performs (s) a fusion of the environmental information and associated positions determined and transmitted by the second vehicles V2 and of the environmental information and associated position determined and transmitted by the first vehicle V1. Data (digital) defining this mapping is then transmitted by the communication means of the server to at least the first vehicle V1, and the current position of the first vehicle (V1) is added to the mapping data received by the processing means. MT of first vehicle V1.

It will also be noted that the possible analysis means MAN of the first vehicle V1 are similar to those equipping the second vehicles V2. Consequently, they determine information representative of the environment around the first vehicle V1 as a function of data acquired in this environment by MAQ acquisition means which are fixedly attached to the first vehicle V1. This acquired data can, for example, be image data or maps representative of distances between the first vehicle V1 and at least one object located in its vicinity, or of relative speeds between the first vehicle V1 and at least one object located in its vicinity. For example, these MAQ acquisition means may include digital cameras and / or ultrasonic sensors and / or scanning lasers and / or radars or lidars.

The environmental information determined by the analysis means MAN of the first vehicle V1 may be representative of vehicles V1, V2 or V3 parked on EP parking spaces and / or empty EPV parking spaces and / or V1 vehicles , V2 or V3 traveling in a lane VAj of the car park.

In the example illustrated without limitation in the single figure, the analysis means MAN of the first vehicle V1 are installed in the computer CA which already includes the control means MCT and processing means MT of the first vehicle V1. But it is not compulsory. Indeed, these MAN analysis means could be part of another computer of the first vehicle V1 or else include another computer. Consequently, these MAN analysis means can be produced in the form of software modules, or else of a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

Claims (10)

1. Method for assisting a driver to drive a first vehicle (V1), comprising communication means (MCN) exchanging data by waves and location means (ML) determining its position, in a parking lot (PK) comprising at least one lane (VAj) serving parking spaces (EP) on some of which are parked second vehicles (V2), comprising location means determining their position, analysis means determining information representative of the environment around them (V2) and communication means (MCN) exchanging data by waves, characterized in that it comprises a step in which each second vehicle (V2) transmits its determined environment and position information with its means of communication (MCN), then a map of said car park (PK) is constructed, materializing said lane (VAj) and said empty and occupied parking spaces (EP) s, on the basis of said environment information and associated positions sent, then at least one screen (EC) of said first vehicle (V1) is displayed at least part of said constructed map, located in the vicinity of the current position of said first vehicle (V1), with materialization of this position in progress of said first vehicle (V1). 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in said step each second vehicle (V2) circulating in said parking lot (PK) also transmits its determined environment and position information with its means of communication (MCN), then one builds said parking map (PK) also from this environment information and associated positions issued. 3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in said step i) said determined environment information and associated positions are received by said communication means (MCN) of said first vehicle (V1), ii) said mapping of parking lot (PK) is constructed by said first vehicle (V1) from this environmental information and associated positions received, and iii) said current position of the first vehicle (V1) is added in the latter (V1) to said mapping . 4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that in said step, when said first vehicle (V1) also comprises analysis means (MAN) determining information representative of the environment around it (V1), it builds said mapping of the parking lot (PK) also from its determined environmental information and from said current position of the first vehicle (V1) determined and associated. 5. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in said step i) said determined environment information and associated positions are received by means of communication exchanging data by waves and forming part of a server said parking lot (PK), ii) said parking lot map (PK) is constructed by said server from this environment information and associated positions received, iii) data defining said cartography are transmitted by said server communication means, and iv) said current position of said first vehicle (V1) is added in the latter (V1) to said received mapping data. 6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that in said step, when said first vehicle (V1) also comprises analysis means (MAN) determining information representative of the environment around it (V1), it ( V1) also transmits its determined environment and position information with its communication means (MCN), then said server constructs said parking map (PK) also from this environment and associated position information transmitted. 7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that in said step said environment information and determined associated positions are representative of vehicles parked on parking spaces (EP) and / or parking spaces (EP) empty and / or vehicles traveling in said lane (VAj). 8. System (SA) for assisting a driver to drive a first vehicle (V1), comprising communication means (MCN) exchanging data by waves and location means (ML) determining his position, in a parking lot (PK) comprising at least one lane (VAj) serving parking spaces (EP) on some of which are parked second vehicles (V2), comprising location means determining their position, means of analysis determining information representative of the environment around them (V2) and communication means (MCN) exchanging data by waves, characterized in that it comprises i) control means (MCT) installed at least in said second vehicles (V2) and triggering the transmission of said determined environment and position information with their communication means (MCN), and ii) processing means (MT) constructing a mapping of said car park (PK), materializing said lane (VAj) and said empty and occupied parking spaces (EP), from said environment information and associated positions issued, then providing at least part of said constructed map, located in the vicinity of the current position of said first vehicle (V1), with a view to its display on at least one screen (EC) of said first vehicle (V1), with a materialization of this current position of said first vehicle (V1). 9. System according to claim 8, characterized in that said processing means (MT) are installed in said first vehicle (V1). 10. System according to claim 8, characterized in that said processing means (MT) are installed in said first vehicle (V1) and in a server intended to equip said parking lot (PK) and comprising means of communication exchanging data by wave path.