Parking space monitoring device, vehicle and method

Abstract

The invention relates to a parking space monitoring device (2) for a vehicle (1), in which the parking space monitoring device (2) is configured to provide a parking space occupancy map (7) comprising parking space occupancy data (6) relating to parking spaces (4) in a predetermined geographic area (3). According to the invention, before the parking space monitoring device (2) is deactivated, the parking space monitoring device (2) checks whether a predefined handover criterion is met in a predefined deactivation process, and if the predefined handover criterion is not met, the parking space monitoring device (2) is deactivated; on the contrary, if a predetermined handover criterion is satisfied, activating a handover mode of the parking space monitoring device (2); when a handover mode is activated, the parking space monitoring device (2) emits a handover signal (9) into the surroundings of the vehicle at defined time intervals.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a parking space monitoring device, a vehicle including the parking space monitoring device, and a method for operating the parking space monitoring device. Background Technology

[0002] Parking guidance systems are widely used to assist drivers in finding parking spaces. In the simplest case, the number of available parking spaces is determined by counting vehicles entering and exiting. This number can be displayed on a publicly visible sign. A more advanced solution transmits information about available parking spaces to the vehicle's infotainment system. An even more advanced solution involves using a parking space monitoring system with fixed sensors or cameras to specifically identify available parking spaces. In this case, vehicles searching for available parking spaces within a predefined geographical area can be guided to the appropriate spaces. Parking space monitoring systems can be provided, for example, by parking lot operators. In this case, the parking lot's monitoring system centrally acquires information on parking space occupancy. This data can be stored by the parking space monitoring system and made available to vehicles in the surrounding environment.

[0003] The drawback of the type of parking space monitoring system described at the beginning is that the parking guidance function is limited to the parking spaces monitored by the system.

[0004] Therefore, parking spaces without such parking space monitoring systems cannot be considered.

[0005] As an alternative to centralized parking space monitoring systems, there are decentralized solutions implemented through communication between vehicles. In this approach, participating vehicles use sensors to detect whether a parking space is vacant and transmit this information to other vehicles in the geographical environment. Participating vehicles can also temporarily store and transmit information provided by other participating vehicles.

[0006] For example, in the prior art, DE10 2021 105 580 A1 discloses a method for providing available parking spaces. This disclosure describes how a vehicle finds at least one available parking space and, using vehicle-to-vehicle interconnection communication, provides information about the at least one available parking space to the vehicle searching for a parking space.

[0007] DE 10 2017 001 600 A1 discloses a method for creating an electronic map containing information about the locations of available parking spaces for vehicles.

[0008] The described decentralized scheme can take into account parking spaces not monitored by the parking space monitoring system. However, the problem with decentralized schemes lies in maintaining information about available parking spaces. Due to the lack of a central node to store this data, it must be exchanged in other ways. Known systems require that the latest information be transmitted via inter-vehicle communication during communication sessions between participating vehicles. If the communication session ends, for example when the last participating vehicle has parked or left the relevant environment, the latest information is no longer transmitted. Therefore, the participating vehicles must re-collect the latest information about available parking spaces in subsequent communication sessions. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The purpose of this invention is to provide a solution that enables the transmission of information about available parking spaces between communication sessions.

[0010] This objective is achieved through the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous improvements of the invention are illustrated by the dependent claims, the following description, and the accompanying drawings.

[0011] A first aspect of the invention relates to a parking space monitoring device for a vehicle. The parking space monitoring device is configured to provide a parking space occupancy map, wherein the parking space occupancy map includes parking space occupancy data related to parking spaces in a predetermined geographical area. The parking space monitoring device may, for example, be integrated into the vehicle's infotainment system. The parking space monitoring device may, for example, be connected to the vehicle's navigation system to assist the driver in finding available parking spaces in the predetermined geographical area. The parking space occupancy map may include a database in which various parking spaces in the predetermined geographical area are listed. The parking space occupancy map may store parking space occupancy data for at least some of the parking spaces, the parking space occupancy data indicating, for example, whether the corresponding parking space is vacant, occupied, or reserved.

[0012] To efficiently utilize parking space monitoring equipment, it is necessary to update the parking space occupancy map. For this purpose, the parking space monitoring equipment is configured to participate in a communication session with at least one other parking space monitoring equipment. The parking space monitoring equipment is configured to receive map update data from at least one other parking space monitoring equipment during the communication session to update the parking space occupancy data in the parking space occupancy map, and / or send map update data to at least one other parking space monitoring equipment. In other words, the parking space monitoring equipment is configured to communicate with at least one other parking space monitoring equipment. The at least one other parking space monitoring equipment may, for example, be located in another vehicle parked in or within a defined range surrounding a predetermined geographical area. The parking space monitoring equipment of this other vehicle can detect parking space occupancy data in the predetermined geographical area while driving through it and store the parking space occupancy data in its parking space occupancy map.

[0013] At least some of the parking space occupancy data in the parking space occupancy map of the other vehicle may be more up-to-date than the parking space occupancy data in the parking space occupancy map of the other vehicle. The parking space monitoring device of the other vehicle can transmit its collected parking space occupancy data to the parking space monitoring device of the other vehicle using map update data. The parking space monitoring device is configured to receive map update data and update the parking space occupancy data in its parking space occupancy map using the map update data. This update can be performed using version management algorithms in the prior art to prevent the latest parking space occupancy data from being overwritten by outdated parking space occupancy data.

[0014] In addition, or alternatively, the parking space monitoring device is configured to generate map update data based on parking space occupancy data of its parking space occupancy map, and provide the map update data to the other parking space monitoring device.

[0015] Therefore, through a communication session, participating parking space monitoring devices can exchange map update data, thereby updating their respective parking space occupancy maps. This update can also involve generating a parking space occupancy map from the received map update data. This occurs, for example, when a vehicle that does not have its own parking space occupancy data enters the designated geographical area. The communication session enables the transfer of parking space occupancy data between parking space monitoring devices using map update data.

[0016] A potential problem could arise if the last vehicle in the parking space occupancy map leaves the area or has already parked, but the map update data is not transmitted to another vehicle to ensure that the other vehicle retains the parking space occupancy map. In other words, if the communication link used to transmit map update data between parking space monitoring devices is broken, the latest parking space occupancy data will be lost and will no longer be available to vehicles entering the designated geographic area.

[0017] For this reason, parking space monitoring equipment is configured to check whether preset handover criteria are met during a preset shutdown procedure before the equipment is deactivated. The shutdown procedure can be any procedure designed to disable the parking space monitoring equipment. Deactivation, for example, can mean putting the parking space monitoring equipment into standby mode or turning it off. This shutdown procedure can be initiated, for example, when the vehicle containing the parking space monitoring equipment is parked and / or locked.

[0018] The handover criteria can be selected such that they relate to the risk of disruption in the map update data transmission chain. For example, the handover criterion could be that the parking space monitoring device is the last parking space monitoring device in a predefined area.

[0019] The parking space monitoring equipment is configured to be deactivated if preset handover criteria are not met. In other words, during the deactivation process, if the handover criteria are not met, the parking space monitoring equipment will be deactivated.

[0020] The parking space monitoring equipment is configured to activate its handover mode upon meeting preset handover criteria. In other words, during the decommissioning process, the preset handover mode is activated instead of the parking space monitoring equipment being deactivated. The preset handover criteria can be selected, for example, to identify the risk of communication link interruption. In this case, measures are specified to prevent communication link interruption. For this purpose, the handover mode is activated in the parking space monitoring equipment upon meeting the preset handover criteria. The handover mode aims to ensure the transfer of map update data to another parking space monitoring device.

[0021] The parking space monitoring equipment is configured to send handover signals to the environment around the vehicle at specified time intervals when the handover mode is activated.

[0022] The parking space monitoring equipment is configured to activate the handover mode during the shutdown process if the handover criteria are met. In other words, if the handover criteria are met, the parking space monitoring equipment will continue to operate in handover mode. The parking space monitoring equipment is also configured not to activate the handover mode if the handover criteria are not met. In this case, the parking space monitoring equipment can, for example, switch to standby mode or be powered off.

[0023] The parking space monitoring equipment is configured to transmit handover signals to the environment surrounding the vehicle at predetermined time intervals in handover mode. The transmission of the handover signal can be achieved, for example, by means of broadcasting. The handover signal may include, for example, map update data to enable its provision to newly arriving parking space monitoring equipment, or a request to establish a communication session between the newly arriving parking space monitoring equipment and the parking space monitoring equipment, so as to transmit map update data during the communication session.

[0024] In other words, during the activation of the handover mode, a handover signal is output to the environment surrounding the vehicle. This handover signal can be received by another parking space monitoring device. This other parking space monitoring device can agree to take over the possession of the updated parking space occupancy map from the original parking space monitoring device and send a takeover signal to the original parking space monitoring device.

[0025] The advantage of this invention is that map update data can be transmitted through parking space monitoring equipment even after the vehicle has been parked.

[0026] The present invention also includes improvements that bring additional advantages.

[0027] An improved embodiment of the present invention specifies that a parking space monitoring device is configured to receive a handover signal. In other words, the parking space monitoring device is configured to receive a handover signal from another parking space monitoring device. The parking space monitoring device is configured to check whether a takeover criterion is met upon receiving the handover signal. The takeover criterion may, for example, include: the vehicle equipped with the parking space monitoring device will remain in a predetermined geographical area for a period exceeding a preset minimum time. For example, it may be stipulated that the takeover criterion is met when a vehicle enters the predetermined geographical area and searches for a parking space. In this case, it can be assumed that the vehicle is expected to remain in the predetermined geographical area for a further period. Conversely, if the vehicle leaves the predetermined geographical area, it is assumed that the vehicle will only remain briefly in the predetermined geographical area. In this case, the takeover criterion is not met. The dwell time can be predicted, for example, by the vehicle's navigation device.

[0028] The parking space monitoring equipment is configured to send a takeover signal to the parking space monitoring equipment that issued the handover signal when takeover criteria are met. The takeover signal can be sent to the parking space monitoring equipment that issued the handover signal, or it can be sent without a target address. By sending the takeover signal, the parking space monitoring equipment that received the handover signal and subsequently issued the takeover signal is informed that it will continue to maintain the parking space occupancy map for transmission to other parking space monitoring equipment.

[0029] An improved embodiment of the present invention specifies that the parking space monitoring device is configured to receive a takeover signal and, upon receiving the takeover signal, close the handover mode. For example, the parking space monitoring device can be configured to end the handover mode and switch to standby mode or power off upon receiving the takeover signal. By receiving the takeover signal, the parking space monitoring device can determine that the parking space occupancy map has been secured by another parking space monitoring device and can close the handover mode. Subsequently, the parking space monitoring device can close the handover mode and stop issuing handover signals.

[0030] An improved embodiment of the present invention specifies that the handover signal includes map update data. In other words, when the parking space monitoring device is in handover mode, even if the parking space monitoring device is not currently in a communication session with another parking space monitoring device, the parking space monitoring device continues to send map update data through the handover signal.

[0031] An improved embodiment of the invention specifies that the parking space monitoring device is configured to send map update data upon receiving a takeover signal. In other words, the map update data is not continuously sent via a handover signal. In this case, the handover signal may, for example, include only a request to take over the maintenance of the parking space occupancy map, or a request to establish a communication session with the parking space monitoring device to transmit map update data within the communication session. Once another parking space monitoring device has informed it of its takeover by sending a takeover signal to the parking space monitoring device, the map update data of the parking space monitoring device can be transmitted to that other parking space monitoring device. This reduces the size of the takeover signal that needs to be sent.

[0032] An improved embodiment of the present invention specifies that the parking space monitoring device includes an environmental detection unit configured to detect the parking space occupancy status and update the parking space occupancy data based on the detected occupancy status. In other words, the parking space monitoring device includes an environmental detection unit. The environmental detection unit is configured to detect, for example, whether the parking space is occupied or vacant. The parking space monitoring device can compare the detected parking space occupancy status with the parking space occupancy data and update the parking space occupancy data accordingly. For example, the environmental detection unit may include a camera system, a radar system, and / or a lidar system. The environmental detection unit may be configured, for example, to identify parking spaces located next to vehicles and additionally detect whether a vehicle is already present in the parking space. The detected parking space occupancy status can be added to the parking space occupancy data. The advantage of this improved embodiment is that the latest parking space occupancy status can be determined by the environmental detection unit.

[0033] An improved embodiment of the invention specifies that the handover criteria include: the number of detected parking space monitoring devices is lower than a preset minimum number. In other words, the parking space monitoring devices are configured to detect the number of other active parking space monitoring devices. The condition for meeting the handover criteria is that the number of detected parking space monitoring devices is lower than the minimum number. The number of other parking space monitoring devices can be obtained, for example, from the number of participants in a communication session. The parking space monitoring devices can also be configured to issue a keep-on signal to indicate their online / participation status. The parking space monitoring devices can determine the number of other active parking space monitoring devices in a preset area by the type of keep-on signal received within a specific time period.

[0034] A second aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle equipped with parking space monitoring equipment. The vehicle may be, for example, a commercial vehicle, a passenger car, or a motorcycle.

[0035] A third aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a parking space monitoring device for vehicles. The parking space monitoring device is configured to maintain a parking space occupancy map, wherein the parking space occupancy map includes parking space occupancy data related to parking spaces in a predetermined geographical area.

[0036] The method specifies that a parking space monitoring device receives map update data for updating parking space occupancy data during a communication session with at least one other parking space monitoring device within a predetermined geographical area, and / or the parking space monitoring device sends the map update data for updating parking space occupancy data to the at least one other parking space monitoring device. In other words, during the communication session, map update data is exchanged between the parking space monitoring devices so that parking space occupancy data can be updated in the respective parking space monitoring devices.

[0037] This method specifies that before deactivating the parking space monitoring equipment, a preset deactivation process checks whether preset handover criteria are met. If the preset handover criteria are not met, the parking space monitoring equipment is deactivated. If the preset handover criteria are met, the handover mode of the parking space monitoring equipment is activated. When the handover mode is activated, handover signals are sent to the vehicle's surrounding environment at specified time intervals.

[0038] For application scenarios or situations that may arise in this method but are not explicitly described herein, it may be specified that the method outputs error reports and / or outputs requests for user feedback, and / or sets default settings and / or a predetermined initial state.

[0039] The present invention also includes a control device for a parking space monitoring device. The control device may have a data processing unit or a processor unit configured to perform embodiments of the method according to the invention. For this purpose, the processor unit may have at least one microprocessor and / or at least one microcontroller and / or at least one FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) and / or at least one DSP (Digital Signal Processor). As a microprocessor, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or NPU (Neural Processing Unit) may be used, in particular. Furthermore, the processor unit may have program code configured to perform embodiments of the method according to the invention when run by the processor unit. The program code may be stored in the data memory of the processor unit. For example, the processor unit may be based on at least one circuit board and / or at least one SoC (System-on-Chip).

[0040] The present invention also includes improvements to the vehicle and method according to the invention, which have the features already described in conjunction with the improvements to the vehicle according to the invention. For this reason, corresponding improvements to the vehicle and method according to the invention will not be described again here.

[0041] Preferably, the vehicle according to the invention is designed as an automobile, particularly as a passenger car or commercial vehicle, or as a bus or motorcycle.

[0042] As another solution, the invention also includes a computer-readable storage medium comprising program code that, when run by a computer or group of computers, causes the computer or group of computers to perform an implementation of the method according to the invention. The storage medium may be provided at least partially as non-volatile data storage (e.g., flash memory and / or SSD - solid state drive) and / or at least partially as volatile data storage (e.g., RAM - random access memory). The storage medium may be arranged within a computer or group of computers. However, the storage medium may also operate on the Internet, for example, as a so-called app store server and / or cloud server. A processor circuit having, for example, at least one microprocessor may be provided via the computer or group of computers. The program code may be provided as binary code and / or as assembly code and / or as source code in a programming language (e.g., C) and / or as a program script (e.g., Python).

[0043] The present invention also includes combinations of features of the described embodiments. Therefore, the present invention also includes implementations that each have combinations of features of a plurality of the described embodiments, provided that these implementations are not described as mutually exclusive. Attached Figure Description

[0044] Embodiments of the present invention are described below. The accompanying drawings illustrate:

[0045] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a vehicle equipped with parking space monitoring equipment is shown;

[0046] Figure 2 This illustrates the handover of map update data between two parking space monitoring devices; and

[0047] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the process for operating parking space monitoring equipment is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0048] The embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention. In the embodiments, the components described in the embodiments are individual, independent features of the present invention, and these features also independently improve the present invention. Therefore, this disclosure should also include feature combinations different from the feature combinations of the illustrated embodiments. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by other features among the features already described in the present invention.

[0049] In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals denote elements that have the same function.

[0050] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a vehicle 1 equipped with a parking space monitoring device 2 is shown.

[0051] Vehicle 1 can be located within a predetermined geographical area 3. Parking spaces 4 can exist within this predetermined geographical area 3. Parking space monitoring equipment 2 can be configured to assist the driver of vehicle 1 in finding available parking spaces 4. To determine the occupancy status of a corresponding parking space 4, parking space monitoring equipment 2 can be configured to include an environmental detection device 5. The environmental detection device 5 can include, for example, a camera device, a radar device, and / or a lidar device, and is configured to identify parking spaces 4 and determine their occupancy status. For example, the environmental detection device 5 can be configured to detect parking spaces 4 located next to vehicle 1 and determine their occupancy status. For example, the environmental detection device 5 can determine whether another vehicle 1 is in parking space 4. Based on the detection by the environmental detection device 5, parking space occupancy data 6 can be generated, which describes the occupancy status of the corresponding parking space 4. Parking space occupancy data 6 can be added to a parking space occupancy map 7, which can be stored in the parking space monitoring equipment 2 of vehicle 1. The parking space occupancy map 7 can be, for example, a database that describes the occupancy status of parking spaces 4 within a predetermined geographical area 3. To keep the parking space occupancy map 7 of the parking space monitoring device 2 up-to-date, the parking space occupancy data 6 of the parking space occupancy map 7 needs to be updated periodically. For this purpose, the parking space monitoring device 2 can be configured to establish a communication session with other parking space monitoring devices 2 within the predetermined geographical area 3, and transmit map update data 8 to these other parking space monitoring devices 2 during the communication session, so that the other parking space monitoring devices can update their parking space occupancy maps 7 containing the parking space occupancy data 6. Alternatively, other parking space monitoring devices 2 can transmit map update data 8 to the parking space monitoring device 2. The parking space monitoring device 2 can receive the map update data 8 and update the parking space occupancy data 6 of its parking space occupancy map 7. In this way, the parking space occupancy map 7 of the parking space monitoring device 2 can be updated during a communication session. By transmitting map update data 8 to a parking space monitoring device 2 of a vehicle 1 that has entered a predetermined geographical area 3, the parking space monitoring device 2 can be provided with the latest parking space occupancy map 7, thereby assisting the driver in finding an available parking space 4. The parking space monitoring device 2 can be configured to monitor the number of participants in a communication session to check whether preset handover criteria are met.

[0052] Figure 2 This illustrates the transfer of map update data 8 between two parking space monitoring devices 2.

[0053] Vehicle 1, equipped with parking space monitoring device 2, can be locked by the driver using a key. Vehicle 1 can then initiate a deactivation procedure for parking space monitoring device 2. During this deactivation process, parking space monitoring device 2 can check whether preset handover criteria are met. Whether the handover criteria are met determines whether parking space monitoring device 2 is deactivated during the deactivation process or whether it is switched to handover mode during the deactivation process.

[0054] The parking space monitoring device 2 may determine that a preset handover criterion has been met, for example, because the number of other active parking space monitoring devices 2 is below a minimum. This could be, for example, if the parking space monitoring device 2 is the last participant in the communication session. The parking space monitoring device 2 can then activate a handover mode. The handover mode is designed to ensure uninterrupted transmission of map update data 8. The parking space monitoring device 2 can be configured to send a handover signal 9 to the vehicle's surrounding environment at predetermined time intervals when the handover mode is active. The handover signal 9 can be sent to the vehicle's surrounding environment, for example, via broadcast. The handover signal 9 may include map update data 8. It can be specified that the handover mode remains active until the maintenance of the parking space occupancy map 7 is handed over to another parking space monitoring device 2. A vehicle 1 equipped with a parking space monitoring device 2 can drive into the predetermined geographical area 3. The parking space monitoring device 2 of the vehicle 1 can receive the handover signal 9. Upon receiving the handover signal 9, the parking space monitoring device 2 can check whether the takeover criterion has been met. The takeover criteria may involve standards that enable a determination of whether the parking space monitoring device 2, upon receiving the handover signal 9, can continue to maintain the parking space occupancy map 7.

[0055] If the takeover criteria are met, a takeover signal 10 can be sent from the parking space monitoring device 2 that meets the takeover criteria to the parking space monitoring device 2. In one variation, map update data 8 can be transmitted from the parking space monitoring device 2 to the parking space monitoring device 2 that is taking over. The parking space monitoring device 2 can close the handover mode after receiving the takeover signal.

[0056] As the handover process ends, the parking space monitoring device 2 can stop sending the handover signal 9. Now, the latest parking space occupancy map 7 is provided to the receiving parking space monitoring device 2. This allows the parking space occupancy map 7 to be provided to other parking space monitoring devices 2.

[0057] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a method for operating parking space monitoring equipment is shown.

[0058] The first step S1 of the method may include: receiving map update data 8 from the parking space monitoring device 2 of vehicle 1. Vehicle 1 equipped with the parking space monitoring device 2 can drive into a predetermined geographical area 3. The parking space monitoring device 2 can be configured to assist the driver in finding available parking spaces 4 within the predetermined geographical area 3. The parking space monitoring device 2 can update a parking space occupancy map 7, which may contain parking space occupancy data 6, via the map update data 8. The map update data 8 may, for example, be provided by the parking space monitoring device 2 of vehicle 1 located within the predetermined geographical area 3.

[0059] In step S2, the parking space monitoring device 2 can detect the parking space occupancy status of parking space 4 using the environmental detection device 5 and generate parking space occupancy data 6. Based on this, the parking space occupancy map 7 can be updated. The parking space monitoring device 2 can send the corresponding map update data 8 to other parking space monitoring devices 2 in a predetermined geographical area. During the communication session, the parking space monitoring device 2 can continuously monitor the number of other parking space monitoring devices 2.

[0060] In step S4, the deactivation procedure for parking space monitoring device 2 can be initiated. In this deactivation procedure, parking space monitoring device 2 can determine whether a preset handover criterion has been met by considering the number of other parking space monitoring devices 2. For example, parking space monitoring device 2 might be the last participant in the communication session. In this case, the handover mode of parking space monitoring device 2 can be activated instead of deactivating it.

[0061] In step S5, the parking space monitoring device 2 can start sending a handover signal 9 to the environment surrounding the vehicle.

[0062] In step S6, another vehicle 1 can drive into the predetermined geographical area. The parking space monitoring device 2 of the other vehicle 1 can receive the handover signal 9 and, in response to receiving the handover signal 9, send a takeover signal 10 to the parking space monitoring device 2.

[0063] In step S7, after receiving the takeover signal 10, the parking space monitoring device 2 can transmit the map update data 8 to the other parking space monitoring device 2 and close the handover mode. With the handover mode closed, the issuance of the handover signal 9 can also stop.

[0064] Not every parking lot is equipped with a central system for processing and storing parking space data. This situation means that in open parking lots without a centralized parking space identification and information system, it is impossible for vehicles to exchange information about available and occupied parking spaces. Therefore, a decentralized parking space management scheme was designed.

[0065] To achieve a decentralized solution without a central control system, an information management architecture is required. This architecture must clearly define who manages the information and what role each participant plays in the communication process.

[0066] In this respect, the master-slave architecture (where one vehicle has information management control) has inherent limitations: for example, if the master vehicle leaves the parking space or is turned off after parking, the collected parking information will be lost. Accordingly, either the process must be restarted or a new information master vehicle must be identified in some form. This solution is not robust enough to handle the ever-changing scenarios of parking lots, and its added value is greatly limited.

[0067] To avoid the drawbacks of a single-master architecture and thereby make the functionality more robust and available, information management should be based on a multi-master architecture.

[0068] However, multi-master architectures still carry some residual risk regarding information loss, especially when there are no other participants nearby to continue forwarding the information.

[0069] Therefore, when the number of participants is small, beacon broadcasting and handover mechanisms can be supplemented to traditional multi-master architectures. For example, if there is little traffic in a parking lot, information loss may occur when all vehicles are turned off. To prevent this information loss, the algorithm used for information processing should also check how many other participants are currently involved in the function when receiving messages. If there are no other participants in the vicinity of the vehicle in question, the vehicle should persistently store the list of available parking spaces and continue broadcasting it at a higher frequency even when the vehicle is turned off.

[0070] Then, if another vehicle that has activated this function enters the area surrounding the parking space and begins parking, the original vehicle should stop its sending operation. The new vehicle, having obtained the list of available parking spaces, then detects / registers itself as the only vehicle in the surrounding environment and becomes the new information storer and sender.

[0071] Especially in scenarios with a small number of participants, it improves the robustness of decentralized information exchange mechanisms (such as for parking space management based on vehicle-to-everything (V2X)).

[0072] In general, these examples demonstrate how solutions can be provided to ensure the delivery of map update data.

Claims

1. A parking space monitoring device (2) for a vehicle (1), wherein, The parking space monitoring equipment (2) is configured to, - Provide a parking space occupancy map (7), wherein the parking space occupancy map (7) includes parking space occupancy data (6) related to parking spaces (4) in a predetermined geographical area (3); and - Participate in a communication session with at least one other parking space monitoring device (2) within the predetermined geographical area (3), and receive map update data (8) for updating parking space occupancy data (6) from at least one other parking space monitoring device (2) in the communication session, and / or send the map update data (8) for updating parking space occupancy data (6) to at least one other parking space monitoring device (2). Its features are, - The parking space monitoring device (2) is configured to check whether the preset handover criteria are met in a preset shutdown process before the parking space monitoring device (2) is deactivated. - If the preset handover criteria are not met, the parking space monitoring equipment (2) will be deactivated; - If the preset handover criteria are met, activate the handover mode of the parking space monitoring device (2); and - When the handover mode is activated, a handover signal is sent to the environment around the vehicle at specified time intervals (9).

2. The parking space monitoring device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The parking space monitoring equipment (2) is configured to, - Receive handover signal (9). - Upon receiving the handover signal (9), check whether the takeover criteria are met, and - If the takeover criteria are met, issue a takeover signal (10).

3. The parking space monitoring device (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The parking space monitoring equipment (2) is configured to, - Receive takeover signal (10) when handover mode is activated, and - The handover mode is turned off when a takeover signal (10) is received.

4. The parking space monitoring device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The handover signal (9) includes map update data (8).

5. The parking space monitoring device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The parking space monitoring device (2) is configured to send map update data (8) to the parking space monitoring device (2) when it receives the takeover signal (10).

6. The parking space monitoring device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The parking space monitoring device (2) has an environmental detection device (5) configured to detect the parking space occupancy status of the parking space (4) and add the parking space occupancy status to the parking space occupancy data (6).

7. The parking space monitoring device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The handover criteria include: the number of parking space monitoring devices (2) detected is lower than the preset minimum number.

8. A vehicle (1), the vehicle comprising a parking space monitoring device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that 。 9. A method for operating a parking space monitoring device (2) for a vehicle (1), wherein, The parking space monitoring device (2) is configured to provide a parking space occupancy map (7), wherein the parking space occupancy map (7) includes parking space occupancy data (6) related to parking spaces (4) in a predetermined geographical area (3), wherein - The parking space monitoring device (2) receives map update data (8) for updating parking space occupancy data (6) in a communication session with at least one other parking space monitoring device (2) in the predetermined geographical area (3), and / or the parking space monitoring device (2) sends the map update data for updating parking space occupancy data to at least one other parking space monitoring device (2). Its features are, Parking space monitoring equipment (2). - Before deactivating the parking space monitoring equipment (2), check whether the preset handover criteria are met in the preset deactivation process; - If the preset handover criteria are not met, the parking space monitoring equipment shall be deactivated (2); - If the preset handover criteria are met, activate the handover mode of the parking space monitoring device (2); and - When the handover mode is activated, a handover signal is sent to the environment around the vehicle at specified time intervals (9).

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