Device, computer program product, signal sequence and method for assisting a user in parking his means of transport

Abstract

Method for assisting a user (1) in parking his means of transport (10) comprising the steps: - Receiving (100) a data set representing a tariff model (2) for a parking opportunity (3) by means of a data communication terminal device (4) carried by the user (1), - Determining (200) a start time of a dwell time of the means of transport (10) in the parking facility (3) by means of the data communication terminal (4) carried by the user (1), - Determine (400) the costs incurred or already incurred for parking the means of transport (10) based on the received data set and - Output (500) of a message representing the cost (11) to the user (1) using the data communication terminal (4) carried by the user (1).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device, a computer program product, a signal sequence, and a method for assisting a user in parking their vehicle. In particular, the present invention relates to a way for the user to keep track of the costs and conditions of parking in managed parking facilities.

[0002] AT 515 378 A2 discloses a method for managing parking areas in which a user sends so-called parking values ​​(means of payment) to a central database by means of a mobile computer in order to pay his parking costs.

[0003] DE 10 2012 224 149 A1 discloses a system for parking time management.

[0004] US 2010 / 0178901A1 discloses a method and arrangement in a communication device for registering a first time point in order to trigger an alarm.

[0005] Using public parking spaces can be expensive, and the associated pricing models are often complicated. Once the user / driver leaves their vehicle, they typically lose track of the costs incurred and the expiration times of the parking units. Furthermore, factors such as the closing times of parking facilities (especially parking garages, underground parking facilities, etc.) can create uncertainty about when the user must retrieve their vehicle. The present invention aims to alleviate or eliminate these disadvantages.

[0006] The aforementioned problem is solved according to the invention by a method for assisting a user in parking his means of transport according to claim 1, a device according to claim 11, a computer program product according to claim 12 and a signal sequence according to claim 13.

[0007] The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0008] The vehicle can be, for example, a car, van, truck, motorcycle, or similar. As a first step, a data set representing a tariff model or terms and conditions (hereinafter referred to as "tariff model") for the parking facility is received. This can occur even before approaching the parking facility. In particular, recurring queries for updates to the tariff model (e.g., via a user communication device) can be made. For example, the vehicle or a smartphone can receive or download the data set. The tariff model can also include costs, tariff units, and opening hours of the parking facility. Subsequently, a start time for the vehicle's stay in the parking facility is determined.The start time of the parking duration can, for example, coincide with the point at which the user enters into a contract with the parking facility operator (e.g., printing a parking ticket, entering the parking space, etc.). Typically, the time for which the user is obligated to pay the applicable rate begins at this point. Sometimes, a grace period (e.g., 10 or 15 minutes) is granted during which the parking facility can be exited free of charge. Alternatively, the time at which the driver parked and exited the vehicle can be determined by sensors. To keep the user informed about the incurred parking costs even after leaving the vehicle or parking facility, the data set can be used to determine at which times which costs are incurred or have been incurred.For this purpose, a smartphone or other user-carrying device can, for example, store the data and record the start time of the vehicle's stay in the parking facility. Using the smartphone's internal clock and knowing the tariff model, a variety of information can be determined, informing the user, for example, via a message about the incurred costs and / or the costs / units / tariff units that will accrue until the next predefined time. In other words, the user's smartphone can track the vehicle's stay in the parking facility since the start time and provide the user with information about the amount of money, the duration of stay, etc., incurred, and when the next tariff unit begins.As a result, the user remains informed about the vehicle's remaining time in the parking space even after leaving. This can be particularly relevant if the user is charging the vehicle's electrical energy storage device while parked. In this way, the user is provided with essential information to estimate / calculate the vehicle's remaining range. Ultimately, this results in a transparent parking process for the user with regard to costs, time, and other factors.

[0009] The pricing model can, for example, include an assignment between times of day and / or days of the week and the length of billing time units (tariff units). In other words, the length of such periods can be defined depending on the days of the week and times of day, for which the user is already obligated to pay a predefined amount. In particular, opening statuses can also be defined in the pricing model depending on the days of the week and times of day and made available to the user (offline or online) on their data communication device.

[0010] The start time of the parking duration can be defined by the user. To do this, the user can enter information on their data communication device. For example, upon receiving the parking ticket, the user can enter this information and upload a photo of the ticket to an application ("app") designed according to the invention. Using optical character recognition (OCR), information such as location, start time, closing times, operator contact details, etc., can be extracted and saved for later use. This eliminates the need to carry or store the parking ticket. This information can also be used for travel expense reports on a smartphone. Alternatively or additionally, the start time can be determined based on location data.

[0011] For example, the current position of the data communication device / vehicle can be compared with a digital map that includes, for instance, paid parking locations. Alternatively or additionally, predefined sensor events and sequences of sensor events can be used to determine the start time. For example, the opening of a barrier, the detection of a parking garage entrance, or the detection of a parking garage feature (ramp / height control, etc.) can be used to determine the start time. A sequence of door operations (doors are opened, user exits, doors are closed, parking ticket is purchased, doors are opened again, parking ticket is inserted without the user entering the vehicle, doors are closed and locked, etc.) can also be interpreted to determine the start time.Furthermore, data from a front-facing camera can be used for pattern recognition (barrier / ticket dispenser, etc.) to determine the start time. Alternatively, the parking garage can wirelessly transmit the start time to the vehicle or smartphone. If the scenario does not allow for extremely precise determination of the start time, the user may be prompted to manually set the start time, if one exists. This provides the best possible support for the user in determining the start time and ensures accurate tracking of parking time and costs. In particular, for paid outdoor parking spaces, advance payment for the intended period is required.To avoid losing track of how much time remains for the user before their prepaid parking period expires, they can define the expiration time in a data communication device. For example, they can use a camera to photograph the parking ticket they just purchased. The future time is then extracted from this image as the expiration date of the prepaid parking period and stored in an application. If a clock in the data communication device indicates that the prepaid parking period is nearing its end, a notification can be displayed to the user (e.g., "Parking ticket expires in x minutes"). A smart wearable device (e.g., a smartwatch) can also be used for this purpose.The period by which the notification is issued before the actual parking period expires can be predefined by the user (for example, in a configuration menu). In particular, a dynamic advance warning time can be determined based on the distance from the parking space, calculated using location tracking or satellite reception. For example, the walking time to reach the parking space can be determined, and the notification issued accordingly earlier. For this purpose, a corresponding parking position can be stored in the data communication device at the time the start time is determined. This can be achieved either by using a location stored in the device's personal calendar for an appointment the user has scheduled, or by using recurring location tracking to determine the user's distance from the parking space.

[0012] To prevent the user's mobility from being restricted by the closing of the parking facility if they do not move their vehicle out of the parking facility in time, a notification can be issued based on the data set and on a travel time to the parking facility (determined as described above) indicating that the parking facility will soon be closed (for the night or even for an entire weekend).

[0013] A notification that no further costs will be incurred by staying in the parking facility for an extended period may also be of interest to the user and can therefore be communicated via a notification issued according to the invention. Such tariff models are also referred to as "daily maximum amount" or "daily maximum charge" and can be found in the tariff models. If the daily maximum charge or the required duration of stay in the parking facility is reached, a notification to this effect can be sent to the user via the data communication terminal.

[0014] If, for example, a maximum free parking duration is predefined in a shopping center parking lot, the corresponding time can be determined from the pricing model and the start time, and communicated to the user in good time before it expires. For instance, some shopping centers offer one or two hours of free parking (especially if goods or services are purchased within the shopping center). If the parking ticket is stamped or validated by the cashier, it can be used for free exit within the predefined free parking period. Upon entry (at the start time), the user can, as described above, indicate their intention to use the maximum free parking duration, thus triggering the issuance of a corresponding notification with sufficient advance notice.

[0015] If the user is expecting a delivery from a logistics company that has permission to leave the vehicle unattended or access it, particularly its trunk, the start time of the vehicle's expected stay in the parking area can be automatically transmitted to the logistics company. Simultaneously or at a later time, the corresponding permission to leave the vehicle unattended and access rights can be granted. Additionally, the logistics company can be provided with location information regarding the vehicle's position. This can be done, for example, by photographing the vehicle in front of a distinctive landmark (e.g., "level," "street / house number," "parking space") and sending the photo, or by interpreting the photo and sending the corresponding information to the logistics company.To prevent the logistics company from making a wasted trip to the parking facility only to find the vehicle has already left, the system can detect a planned or prepared departure by the user. This can be triggered, for example, by paying for parking, starting the engine, accessing the vehicle, leaving the parking facility, or similar actions. Once the actual or planned departure from the parking facility has been detected, this information can be automatically transmitted to the logistics company. Alternatively or additionally, the estimated or actual end time of the vehicle's stay in the parking facility can be communicated to the logistics company. Alternatively or additionally, future location information (e.g., the vehicle's home / work address) can also be transmitted to the logistics company.This way, the logistics company can be spared the need to drive to the parking area in vain.

[0016] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a device for assisting a user in parking a means of transportation is proposed. The device can be understood, for example, as a data communication terminal (smartphone, tablet, etc.). The device comprises a data input (e.g., an antenna, a mobile communication module, etc.). An evaluation unit (e.g., a microcontroller, a nanocontroller, a programmable processor, or an electronic control unit) is configured to represent a user interface in conjunction with a data output (e.g., a screen, a speaker, a vibration module, an LED, etc.). The data input is configured to receive a data set representing a tariff model for a paid parking facility. The tariff model can, for example, also be read out using an optical camera as a data input.Subsequently, optical character recognition (OCR) can be performed to make the contained information usable. The evaluation unit is configured to determine the start time of a vehicle's stay in the parking facility using the data input. In other words, a start time relevant for the tariff model is determined and tracked over time using a clock within the evaluation unit. Thus, the evaluation unit can determine the parking costs for the vehicle based on the data set. Depending on the events that the user has predefined as being of interest, a message representing, for example, the costs or the time until the next tariff unit can be output via the data output.In other words, the user can be informed via the screen, an LED, an audible signal, or a vibration pattern that the device has detected an event categorized as relevant. In this way, the device according to the invention is designed to realize the features, combinations of features, and advantages of the method according to the invention in such a way that, to avoid repetition, reference is made to the above explanations.

[0017] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a computer program product is proposed which comprises instructions which, when executed on an evaluation unit of a device according to the second aspect of the invention, cause the evaluation unit of the device to execute the steps of a method according to the first aspect of the invention. The computer program product can, for example, be designed as a CD, DVD, Blu-ray disc, USB storage device, RAM / ROM, or the like.

[0018] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a signal sequence is proposed which represents instructions which, when executed on an evaluation unit of a device according to the second aspect of the invention, cause the evaluation unit of the device to execute the steps of a method according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0019] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a parking process of a means of transport in a parking facility by a user; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a device designed according to the invention for carrying out the method according to the invention; and Fig. 3. A flowchart illustrating the steps of an exemplary implementation of a method to assist a user in parking his means of transport.

[0020] Fig. Figure 1 shows a car 10 as a means of transport in a first level (E1) of a parking garage 3 as a parking space. A barrier 6 displays the parking garage 3's tariff model 2 on the outside of its housing and is configured to send relevant files via Bluetooth signals 7 to a smartphone 4 carried by user 1 as a data communication device. If a parking position 5 has already been predefined when the car 10 enters the parking garage 3, the Bluetooth signal 7 can also represent this parking position. At the latest when leaving the parking garage 3 on foot, user 1 defines parking space 5 as a temporary possible delivery location for a package 13, which is delivered by a van 12 of a logistics company, by entering the information into their smartphone 4.Parking space 5 will remain a possible delivery address for package 13 until user 1 communicates a suspected or actual time of leaving parking garage 3 to the logistics company.

[0021] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a smartphone 4, on whose screen a pie chart 8 represents a partially used billing unit. A pie slice 9 represents a user-defined time period by which the user is notified in advance of the next completed billing unit. A text field 14 ("ten minutes") is also shown within the area of ​​the pie slice 9. Below the pie chart 8, the total amount incurred so far 11 ("Total: €2.60") is displayed.

[0022] In other words, ten minutes after the current time, another tariff unit (one hour) will be payable at a price of €2.60.

[0023] Fig.Figure 3 shows a flowchart illustrating the steps of an embodiment of a method according to the invention for assisting a user in parking their vehicle. In step 100, a data set representing a tariff model for a paid parking facility is received from the user's smartphone. In step 200, a start time for the vehicle's stay in the parking facility is determined in response to user input. In step 300, the start time, along with location information (address of the parking facility and parking space of the vehicle), is communicated to a logistics company that has permission to leave a package expected by the user. In step 400, the applicable price for parking the vehicle is determined based on the data set and the time elapsed since the start time.In step 500, a message representing the total cost and the time until the start of the next billing unit is sent to the user's smartphone. In step 600, the time at which the maximum free parking period has expired is determined. In step 700, the user is notified of a pre-configured time before the end of the maximum free parking period. Since the user realizes that the notification was issued too early, in step 800 they make an entry on their smartphone to reduce the warning time until the end of the next completed billing unit. In step 900, the smartphone receives a definition of a pre-paid, predefined parking period. This is determined by scanning a validated parking ticket with the smartphone's camera.In step 1.000, a notification is issued to the user announcing the end of a prepaid, predefined parking period. In step 1.100, the system determines when the daily maximum charge for the parking space has been reached. In other words, the user has been parked for a period of time that corresponds to the daily rate. Therefore, in step 1.200, a corresponding notification is issued to the user, indicating that there is no longer any need to rush to park economically. In step 1.300, based on the data set representing the tariff model, the system determines that the parking space will soon be closed for the night and that parked vehicles will not be able to exit during this time. In step 1.At step 400, the user receives a corresponding notification, including a vibration alarm, a flashing LED, and a prominent warning tone, in addition to a text message on the smartphone screen, to alert the user to this situation. The user then proceeds directly to the parking area, which is detected by satellite-based tracking of their smartphone. The user's expected arrival time at their vehicle is automatically determined at step 1500 and transmitted to a logistics company at step 1600, along with future location information (the vehicle's home address). In other words, the user's parking authorization is not revoked, but rather repositioned. Reference symbol list 1 user 2 Tariff model 3 Parking Garage 4 Smartphones 5 parking spaces 6 barriers 7 Bluetooth signal 8 Pie chart 9 slices of cake 10 cars 11 Total amount 12 vans 13 packages 14 Text field 100 to 1,600 process steps

Claims

[1] Method for assisting a user (1) in parking his means of transport (10) comprising the steps: - Receiving (100) a data set representing a tariff model (2) for a parking opportunity (3) by means of a data communication terminal device (4) carried by the user (1), - Determining (200) a start time of a dwell time of the means of transport (10) in the parking facility (3) by means of the data communication terminal (4) carried by the user (1), - Determine (400) the costs incurred or already incurred for parking the means of transport (10) based on the received data set and - Output (500) of a message representing the cost (11) to the user (1) using the data communication terminal (4) carried by the user (1). [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the tariff model (2) provides an allocation between - Times of day and / or - weekdays and - a length of billing time units, in particular also - Opening states defined. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein determining the start time - due to user input and / or - position-based and / or - depending on a predefined sensor event scenario. [4] Method according to any of the foregoing claims further comprising - Receiving (800) a user input representing a time period (9) requested by the user (1), by which the next completed billing time unit is announced to the user (1) in advance. [5] Method according to any of the preceding claims further encompassing - Receiving (900) a definition of a prepaid predefined parking period and - Issuing (1000) a notification to the user (1) about the end of the prepaid predefined parking period. [6] Method according to any of the foregoing claims further comprising: - Determine (1300) from the data set that the parking facility will soon be closed and - Output (1400) of a corresponding message to the user (1). [7] Method according to any of the foregoing claims further comprising - Determining (1100) a time point of reaching a daily maximum sum based on the data set, and - Output (1200) of a corresponding message to the user (1). [8] Method according to any of the foregoing claims further comprising - Determining (600) a time of reaching a maximum free parking duration based on the data set, and - Output (700) a corresponding message to the user (1). [9] Method according to any of the foregoing claims further comprising - automatic notification (300) - the start time of the dwell time of the means of transport (10) in the parking facility (3) and / or - a location information regarding the parking opportunity (3) to a logistics company. [10] Method according to any of the preceding claims further comprising - Determining (1500) a departure from the parking area and - automatic notification (1600) - an end time of the dwell time of the means of transport (10) in the parking facility (3) and / or - future position information of the means of transport (10) to a logistics company. [11] Device to assist a user in parking his means of transport (10) comprising - a data input, - an evaluation unit and - a data output, all of which are arranged in a data communication terminal (4) that can be carried by the user (1), where - the data input is set up to receive a data set representing a tariff model (2) for a parking opportunity (3), - the evaluation unit is set up, - to determine, by means of the data input, a start time of a dwell time of the means of transport (10) in the parking facility (3), - to determine the costs incurred or already incurred for parking the means of transport (10) using the data set and - to output a message representing the costs to the user (1) via the data output. [12] Computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on an evaluation unit of a device (4) according to claim 11, cause the evaluation unit to execute the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10. [13] Signal sequence representing instructions which, when executed on an evaluation unit of a device (4) according to claim 11, cause the evaluation unit to execute the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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