Method, device, computer program and computer program product for parking a vehicle

Abstract

Procedure for parking a vehicle (FZ) in which - a parking code (PC) is scanned, - depending on the scanned parking space code (PC), static data (SD) is determined, whereby the static data (SD) includes location data that is representative for a location of a parking position of the vehicle (FZ), - Time data (ZD) are determined, whereby the time data (ZD) are representative for a time of scanning the parking space code (PC), - depending on the static data (SD) and time data (ZD), a validation information (VI) is determined, - the validation information (VI) is provided to a user for a validation input (VE) of the user, - depending on the user's validation input (VE), the static data (SD) and the time data (ZD), parking information (PI) is determined, - the parking information (PI) is stored in a mobile device (MV) and / or in the vehicle (FZ).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method, a device, a computer program and a computer program product for parking a vehicle.

[0002] Many vehicles are equipped with a GPS module that allows them to be located. However, inaccurate measurements or even GPS signal gaps can occur, distorting the vehicle's location.

[0003] US Patent 2012 / 0234906A1 offers a feature-rich parking system and implements a cost-effective, low-tech presence in the parking lot. In one embodiment, a parking pole is placed next to a parking space, the pole containing a code, such as a barcode, QR code, or NFC tag, designed to be identified and processed by a mobile communication device such as a cell phone or smartphone. The processed information can then be wirelessly transmitted from the mobile communication device to a remote server, which can process the payment for the use of the desired parking space.

[0004] DE 10 2007 022 461 A1 relates to a device and a method for increasing the effectiveness of parking management and parking guidance systems (parking systems) through the use of transponders and controllers equipped with units for reading the transponders and units for sending and receiving data. The transponders are permanently installed along the driving lanes and / or in the parking spaces, while the controllers are temporarily attached to the vehicles to be parked upon entry into the parking facility. They are therefore mobile. The mobile controllers are removed when the vehicle leaves the parking facility. The mobile controllers can exchange data with each other and with stationary wireless data transmission devices using the data transmission and reception unit.While the vehicle with the mobile controller travels along the route or parks in a designated area, the stationary transponders are read and the resulting data is sent to a stationary remote data transmission unit. Data transmission can also be indirect, with the data first being sent to another mobile controller, which then forwards the data.

[0005] According to US 2014 / 0278839A1, at least one image, such as a QR code, is received, captured by the camera of a mobile computing device. This at least one image contains an identifier of a location-based good or service that is linked to the image. The location-based service could be, for example, a parking space service or an electric vehicle charging service.

[0006] The object underlying the invention is to create a method for parking a vehicle as well as a corresponding device, a computer program and a computer program product that contributes to improving the validation of parking a vehicle.

[0007] The problem is solved by the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments are characterized in the dependent claims.

[0008] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a method for parking a vehicle. In this method, a parking code is scanned. Depending on the scanned parking code, static data is determined, comprising location data representative of a specific parking position for the vehicle. Time data is also determined, representing the point in time when the parking code was scanned. Validation information is determined based on the static and time data. This validation information is provided to the user for validation input. Based on the user's validation input, the static data, and the time data, parking information is determined. This parking information is stored in a mobile device and / or in the vehicle.

[0009] The parking code, for example, is a two-dimensional code. It contains information about static data, such as a parking space on the street or a parking spot in a parking garage. The parking code allows for the determination of this static data without requiring a GPS connection. The time of scanning the parking code, for instance, represents the start or end time of the vehicle's parking.

[0010] The validation information appears, for example, as a dialog box on the user's smartphone. This validation information includes, for instance, information on validating the parking or unparking of the vehicle. The validation input includes, for example, user confirmation of the vehicle's parking.

[0011] The parking information includes details about the vehicle's location and the time the parking code was scanned. This information is stored, for example, on the user's smartphone and / or in the vehicle itself. Determining the parking information based on the parking code allows for vehicle parking confirmation without requiring a back-end or GPS connection. This method thus improves parking validation, as GPS errors cannot affect the validation.

[0012] The static data includes, for example, information about the floor number and / or parking space number of the vehicle in a parking garage. The parking information determined based on this static data therefore enables the user to locate the vehicle easily and reliably.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment according to the first aspect, it is determined whether the parking code can be scanned using vehicle sensors. If the parking code can be scanned using the vehicle sensors, it is scanned using the vehicle sensors. If the parking code cannot be scanned using the vehicle sensors, an error message is provided to the user, and, depending on user input, the parking code is scanned using sensors on a mobile device.

[0014] Vehicle sensors include, for example, camera sensors. Scanning the parking space code using these sensors allows for the convenient retrieval of static data without user intervention. This static data is then transmitted to the mobile device.

[0015] For example, the parking code cannot be scanned using the vehicle's sensors if it is covered by objects such as bicycles.

[0016] The mobile device is, for example, the user's smartphone. The error information appears, for example, as a pop-up on the user's smartphone. In this case, the user scans the parking code with their smartphone. The sensor of the mobile device is, for example, a camera sensor.

[0017] Scanning the parking code using the vehicle's sensors or the sensors of the mobile device enables a reliable and time-efficient determination of the static data compared to a GPS connection.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment according to the first aspect, it is determined whether a connection to a server device is possible. If the connection to the server device is possible, the parking information is transmitted to the server device.

[0019] The parking information is transmitted to the server device, for example, to confirm that the vehicle has been parked.

[0020] If the vehicle's parking location is, for example, one with poor network coverage, the parking information will be stored in the mobile device until a connection to the server is possible. A connection to the server is possible, for example, if the user moves to a location with better network coverage and / or if the mobile device has another way to connect to the server, such as via Wi-Fi.

[0021] Transmitting parking information to the server allows other users to subsequently access it, for example, if the parked vehicle is a car-sharing vehicle. Transmitting parking information based on the available connection to the server ensures that the validation process can be performed regardless of network quality.

[0022] In a further advantageous embodiment according to the first aspect, dynamic data is determined based on the static data, wherein the dynamic data includes fee data and / or reservation data for the validation information. The validation information is then determined based on the dynamic data.

[0023] Static data is transmitted, for example, from the server device to the mobile device. Fee data includes, for example, information about the vehicle's parking costs at the parking position. Reservation data includes, for example, information about the reservation status of the vehicle's parking position. If the parking position is not reserved by another user, the user can park the vehicle there.

[0024] Determining validation information based on dynamic data allows users to query the reservation status and parking costs for their parking space. This enables users to pay parking costs cashlessly, for example, using their smartphone, eliminating the need for a parking ticket. Furthermore, a municipality can still access parking cost data on the server without having to physically check the vehicle.

[0025] In a further advantageous embodiment according to the first aspect, the parking code is a QR code.

[0026] Compared to other two-dimensional codes, the QR code, which can also be called a Quick Response code, is a robust code due to automatic error correction.

[0027] In a further advantageous embodiment according to the first aspect, the parking space code is arranged on the parking position.

[0028] The placement of the parking space code on the parking position simplifies scanning by the vehicle's sensors. For this purpose, the parking space code is, for example, painted in white on the road surface.

[0029] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a device for parking a vehicle, wherein the device is configured to carry out the method according to the first aspect. The device includes, for example, a data processing device.

[0030] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a computer program for parking a vehicle. The computer program is configured to carry out the method according to the first aspect. The device is, for example, a mobile device, e.g., a smartphone.

[0031] According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a computer program product comprising executable program code, wherein the program code, when executed by a data processing device, performs the method according to the first aspect.

[0032] The computer program product includes, in particular, a medium readable by the data processing device on which the program code is stored.

[0033] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the schematic drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a system for parking a vehicle and Fig. 2. A flowchart of a program for parking a vehicle.

[0034] Elements of the same construction or function are marked with the same reference symbols across all figures.

[0035] The flowchart of the Fig. 2 will be explained in more detail below.

[0036] The program starts in step S1, in which variables are initialized, for example. The program then continues in step S3.

[0037] In step S3, a parking code (PC) is scanned. The parking code (PC) is, for example, a QR code. If the parking code (PC) can be scanned using the vehicle's sensors, it is scanned. If the parking code (PC) cannot be scanned using the vehicle's sensors, an error message appears on a mobile device (MV), such as a user's smartphone, or on the vehicle's display unit, and the user is prompted to scan the parking code (PC) with the mobile device. The program then continues in step S5.

[0038] In step S5, static data (SD) is determined based on the scanned parking code (PC). This static data comprises location data representative of a vehicle's parking position (FZ). The parking position could be, for example, a parking space or a parking spot in a parking garage or underground parking facility. The static data (SD) is determined, for example, by the user's smartphone. No GPS connection is required to determine the static data (SD) based on the parking code (PC). The statistical data is encoded in the parking code and can be decoded by scanning. The program then continues in step S7.

[0039] In step S7, time data ZD is determined, where the time data ZD is representative of the time of scanning the parking space code PC. The time data ZD also includes, for example, additional information about the start or end time of the parking of the vehicle FZ. The program then continues in step S9.

[0040] In step S9, dynamic data (DD) is determined based on the static data (SD). The dynamic data (DD) includes fee data and / or reservation data for the validation information (VI). The fee data includes, for example, data on the parking costs of vehicle FZ at the parking position. The reservation data includes, for example, data on the reservation status of the parking position. The dynamic data (DD) is transferred, for example, from a server device (SV) to a mobile device (MV). The program then continues in step S11.

[0041] In step S11, a validation information VI is determined based on the static data SD, the time data ZD, and the dynamic data DD. This validation information VI is then made available to the user for a validation input VE. Using this input VE, the user can confirm or reject the parking of the vehicle FZ.

[0042] If the user declines to park the vehicle FZ, the program will terminate in step S19.

[0043] When the user confirms the parking of the vehicle FZ, the program continues in step S13.

[0044] In step S13, parking information PI is determined based on the static data SD, the time data ZD, and the user's validation input VE. Parking information PI is, for example, representative of confirmed parking of the vehicle FZ in the parking position within a period defined by the time data ZD. Parking information PI is stored in the mobile device MV and / or in the vehicle FZ. The program then continues in step S15.

[0045] Step S15 determines whether a connection to the server device SV is possible. The availability of a connection to the server device SV depends on network quality. If the parking position is in an area with poor network quality, a connection to the server device SV at the parking position is not possible. If the user moves to an area with better network quality, a connection to the server device SV becomes possible. Alternatively or additionally, the mobile device MV and / or the vehicle FZ can establish a connection to the server device SV, for example, via WLAN.

[0046] If a connection to the server device SV is not possible, step S15, for example, is repeated until a connection to the server device SV is possible.

[0047] If a connection to the server device SV is possible, the program continues in step S17.

[0048] In step S17, the parking information PI is transferred to the server device SV. This transfer enables centralized management of the parking information PI.

[0049] Furthermore, it may also be possible to pay parking fees cashlessly using the mobile device MV.

[0050] The use of the parking code PC enables validation of the vehicle FZ's parking regardless of network quality and GPS signal. For example, the vehicle FZ can be parked in an underground garage with poor network coverage and no GPS signal, and the parking information PI stored in the mobile device MV will be transmitted to the server device SV when the user leaves the garage.

[0051] The parking information PI enables the user or another user to easily locate the vehicle FZ. For example, if the vehicle FZ is parked in a multi-level parking garage, the static data SD, determined based on the parking code PC, contains information such as the floor number and / or parking space number where the vehicle FZ is parked.

[0052] In step S19, the program is terminated and can be restarted in step S1 if necessary.

[0053] Step S9 is an optional step and therefore does not necessarily have to be carried out. Reference symbol list PC parking code SD Static Data ZD Time Data DD Dynamic Data VI Validation Information VE Validation Input PI Parking Information Vehicle MV Mobile Device SV Server Device S1,...‚S19 Program steps

Claims

[1] Method for parking a vehicle (FZ) in which - a parking code (PC) is scanned, - depending on the scanned parking space code (PC), static data (SD) is determined, whereby the static data (SD) includes location data that is representative for a location of a parking position of the vehicle (FZ), - Time data (ZD) are determined, whereby the time data (ZD) are representative for a time of scanning the parking space code (PC), - depending on the static data (SD) and time data (ZD), a validation information (VI) is determined, - the validation information (VI) is provided to a user for a validation input (VE) of the user, - depending on the user's validation input (VE), the static data (SD) and the time data (ZD), parking information (PI) is determined, - the parking information (PI) is stored in a mobile device (MV) and / or in the vehicle (FZ). [2] The method of claim 1, wherein - It is determined whether the parking space code (PC) can be scanned using vehicle sensors, - if the parking code (PC) can be scanned using the vehicle sensors, the parking code (PC) is scanned using the vehicle sensors, - if the parking code (PC) cannot be scanned using the vehicle sensors, an error message is provided to the user and, depending on user input, the parking code (PC) is scanned using the sensors of a mobile device (MV). [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein - determines whether a connection to a server device (SV) is possible and - if a connection to the server device (SV) is possible, the parking information (PI) is transmitted to the server device (SV). [4] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein - depending on the static data (SD), dynamic data (DD) are determined, where the dynamic data (DD) includes fee data and / or reservation data for the validation information (VI), - depending on the dynamic data (DD), the validation information (VI) is determined. [5] Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the parking code (PC) is a QR code. [6] Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the parking code (PC) is arranged at the parking position. [7] Device for parking a vehicle (FZ), wherein the device is designed to carry out the method according to claims 1 to 6. [8] Computer program for parking a vehicle (FZ), wherein the computer program is configured to perform a method according to claims 1 to 6 during its execution. [9] Computer program product comprising executable program code, wherein the program code, when executed, performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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