Method for determining a location for a motor vehicle for improved reception quality and motor vehicle

Abstract

Method for determining a location (36a) for a motor vehicle (10) for a possible improvement of reception quality (E) for the reception of motor vehicle-external data (M) in the motor vehicle (10), comprising the steps: - Check whether, within a specific area (34) around a section of road currently being traveled by the motor vehicle (10), a first position area (36, 36a) exists within which a better reception quality (E) is predicted than at a specific second position area (28) within the specific area (34), and - only under the at least first condition that the check shows that the first position area (36, 36a) exists, a signal is provided depending on the determined first position area (36, 36a), wherein, in the event that a need to stop the motor vehicles (10) is predicted depending on a detected traffic situation, a possible stopping area (34), which represents the determined surrounding area (34), is determined, and for various positions, one of which represents the first position area (36, 36a) and one of which represents the second position area, the respective reception quality (E) is predicted within the determined stopping area (34), wherein the one of the various positions (36, 36a) for which the best reception quality (E) was predicted is determined as the stopping position (36, 36a).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for determining a location for a motor vehicle for the purpose of potentially improving the reception quality of data from outside the vehicle. The invention also includes a motor vehicle.

[0002] Modern vehicles increasingly rely on digitally received media such as DAB, DVB, LTE, and Wi-Fi. Under certain circumstances, the reception of digital radio and / or TV signals can be interrupted, rendering the system unusable for the driver. Therefore, it would be desirable to explore ways to improve the reception quality of such digital media in a vehicle.

[0003] German patent DE 10 2009 000 465 A1 describes a method for improving the reception probability at a predetermined reception location in a single-frequency network. The reception probability can be determined for a number of points along a route stored in the navigation system or along the receiver's anticipated trajectory. However, simply knowing the reception quality along a route does not allow for its improvement. At most, the driver has the option of choosing a different route with better reception.

[0004] A similar process is described in DE 10 2013 211 980 A1. This allows the system to determine the signal strength, availability, and / or utilization of a wireless communication network for a planned route. The user can then be informed about the characteristics of the communication network along the planned route, or a route optimized for network quality can be determined. While this provides the option to select a route to a destination based on optimal signal strength, this usually involves a detour for the driver and / or a longer travel time, unless it happens to be the most efficient route in terms of distance and / or time. Therefore, the driver typically has to accept other disadvantages.

[0005] Furthermore, DE 10 2016 223 523 A1 describes a method in which information about the quality of a data network supplying the vehicle with information is determined, and location information is used to determine whether a data connection is poor at a specific location. If so, the data required at that location is pre-provided and stored in the vehicle. However, this only makes sense for a limited range of data, such as location or map data, local information, restaurants, gas stations, and so on. This is generally not possible with mobile communications or radio (DAB).

[0006] US 2005 / 0272444A1 discloses a method for directing a user to a service area, comprising the following steps: detecting when a signal strength parameter of a mobile unit falls below a predetermined threshold; acquiring position information about the mobile unit; and directing a user of the mobile unit to a service area where the signal strength has been restored, such that the signal strength parameter reaches the predetermined threshold.

[0007] DE 10 2006 045 904 A1 discloses a method for providing information about the expected reception quality of a mobile radio receiver, comprising the following steps: values ​​of one or more reception quality parameters are determined for a multitude of geographical positions; the current geographical position of the mobile radio receiver is determined; depending on the determined values ​​of one or more reception quality parameters for a multitude of geographical positions and on the determined current geographical position, information about the expected reception quality when the geographical position of the mobile radio receiver changes is displayed to a user of the mobile radio receiver.

[0008] DE 10 2009 060 358 A1 discloses a communication system for motor vehicles, wherein the communication system comprises a plurality of local communication points for providing a wireless communication link to a motor vehicle and a database of a location-referenced and time-referenced quality characteristic relating to wireless communication with motor vehicles, and wherein the communication system includes a plurality of motor vehicles, each for transmitting its position and the quality characteristic associated with its position to a server associated with the database.

[0009] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method and a motor vehicle that demonstrate a possibility for improving the reception of data external to the motor vehicle within the motor vehicle.

[0010] This problem is solved by a method and a motor vehicle with the features according to the respective independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent patent claims, the description, and the figures.

[0011] In an inventive method for determining the location of a motor vehicle for a possible improvement in the reception quality of data external to the motor vehicle, it is checked whether a first position range exists within a certain area surrounding a section of road currently being traveled by the motor vehicle, within which better reception quality is predicted than at a certain second position range within the same area. Only if the check confirms the existence of the first position range is a signal provided, depending on the determined first position range. This signal can, for example, specify the second position range itself, and at least one device of the motor vehicle can be controlled depending on the signal.The second position area therefore represents the determined location for the vehicle for a possible improvement in reception quality.

[0012] The invention is based on the understanding that moving the vehicle by just a few centimeters or meters can often be sufficient to improve the signal. Advantageously, it is possible to search within a specific, for example, locally limited, area surrounding a currently traveled section of road to determine if a location with predictably improved reception quality exists. Thus, the system does not search for an alternative route with improved reception quality, but instead, for example, on a given route or the currently traveled section of road, to determine if a location exists that offers improved reception quality compared to another location, such as the current location.Furthermore, the invention does not primarily focus on improving reception quality while driving, but rather while the vehicle is stationary, particularly during temporary stops, such as in stop-and-go traffic at traffic lights or in slow-moving or congested traffic in urban areas or on highways. Especially in such traffic situations, there is some flexibility in choosing the stopping position when the vehicle resumes driving and stops again, allowing the driver to easily select a position that optimizes reception quality without having to accept any drawbacks, such as detours or longer travel times.Thus, without having to deviate from, for example, a planned route or a currently traveled section of road, the probability of improving the reception quality in the vehicle for receiving data external to the vehicle can be significantly increased.

[0013] The first and second position areas can, for example, be dimensioned similarly to the dimensions of the vehicle. This allows for very localized determination of reception quality, enabling improvements over very small distances. The position areas can, in particular, represent the vehicle's own position; for instance, the second position area could represent the vehicle's current position, and the first position area could represent a target position the vehicle should assume in the future to improve reception quality.The data external to the vehicle that is received by the vehicle and whose reception quality is to be improved, at least in the event that it is not sufficiently good, preferably concerns media, in particular digitally received media, for example via standards such as DAB (digital audio broadcasting), LTE (long term evolution), WLAN (wireless local area network), FM radio or broadcasting in the long, medium and / or short wave range, GPS (global positioning system), or similar.

[0014] The signal strength of the received signal transmitting the vehicle's external data can serve as a measure of reception quality. Reception quality can vary for signals using different transmission standards, such as those mentioned above. In such cases, reception quality refers to the currently received data, i.e., the signal strength of the signal currently being received for transmitting the vehicle's external data. Predicting reception quality, especially for locations different from the current position, will be explained in detail later. To name a few possibilities, vehicle-integrated environmental sensors can be used for this purpose. These sensors provide information about larger objects near the vehicle, such as tall buildings or other large vehicles like trucks, which could interfere with reception.Another possibility would be to predict the reception quality based on data collected from other vehicles regarding reception quality for the respective positions in question.

[0015] If it is determined that a first position range exists for which better reception quality is predicted, a signal is provided depending on this determined first position range. As described, this signal can specify the first position range itself and, depending on the signal, control at least one vehicle component, such as an output device and / or a driver assistance system for autonomous vehicle movement. For example, depending on the provided signal, a vehicle output device can recommend to the driver that they move the vehicle to the first position range to improve reception quality. Such an output device could be, for example, a display or an acoustic output device, such as a loudspeaker.Such a message can, for example, inform the driver that an improvement in reception quality can be expected if he moves his vehicle one meter further forward at the traffic light, provided there is sufficient space.

[0016] It is further provided according to the invention that, if, depending on a detected traffic situation, a need to stop the motor vehicle is predicted, a possible stopping area, which represents the specific surrounding area, is determined, and for various positions, one of which represents the first position area and one of which represents the second position area, the respective reception quality is predicted within the determined stopping area, wherein the one of the various positions for which the best reception quality was predicted is determined as the stopping position.

[0017] Such a traffic situation could, for example, be a red light, the detection of the end of a traffic jam, or the recognition of very high and dense traffic volume. If stopping is necessary in stop-and-go traffic, at a traffic light, or at the end of a traffic jam, the distance to the vehicle immediately in front should be neither too large nor too small. However, there is typically a stopping zone between these two extremes, within which the final stopping position can be freely and flexibly chosen. Advantageously, this stopping position can be selected based on the predicted signal strength determined for different positions or areas within this stopping zone.For example, a greater distance to the vehicle ahead can initially be chosen, and only if the signal strength at the current stopping position becomes too poor can it be checked whether a better stopping position with better signal strength is located further ahead within the possible stopping area. The invention and its embodiments thus make it possible to exploit even the smallest positional tolerances to optimize signal strength.

[0018] The described method is particularly advantageous in connection with at least partially autonomous vehicles. Therefore, a further particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention is when, depending on the provided signal, the vehicle autonomously drives to the first position area and, in particular, stops within that first position area. Thus, the vehicle can autonomously select its location for temporary stopping in a variety of traffic situations, for example, at a traffic light or in slow-moving traffic, both in urban and rural areas, optimizing its reception quality. Similarly, when entering a parking garage, it is possible, for example, to check which parking level offers good or poor reception quality and then select a parking position with sufficiently high reception quality for parking the vehicle, particularly autonomously.Alternatively, such a parking position with a predetermined, sufficiently high reception quality can also be recommended to the driver by a corresponding recommendation issued by the output device.

[0019] The check to determine whether a first location area with improved reception quality exists does not necessarily have to be repeated continuously or performed permanently, but can also be triggered, for example, by one or more predetermined trigger events. For instance, in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the check is triggered when it is determined that the reception quality at the current location of the vehicle falls below a predetermined threshold. In other words, a search for a better location for the vehicle is only conducted if the reception quality at the current location is too poor or no reception is possible at all. This saves computing time, energy resources, and potentially also data traffic.This embodiment utilizes the understanding that if the vehicle is currently located at a location where the reception quality is sufficiently high, there is no need to search for a location with improved reception quality for the vehicle.

[0020] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first and / or second position areas are located on a predetermined, planned, and identical route that the vehicle still needs to travel. If the vehicle has to stop along this planned and identical route, the reception quality in the first and second position areas can, for example, first be determined or predicted, and then the first position area with the better reception quality can be selected as the stopping position. However, even in this case, it is not necessary to constantly check which position areas on the planned route are particularly favorable with regard to good reception quality; this can also be triggered by specific trigger events.For example, such a check can also be initiated only when poor reception quality is detected at the vehicle's current location. Additionally or alternatively, certain traffic situations can also serve as triggering events.

[0021] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is checked, based on environmental data acquired by means of an environmental sensor of the vehicle, whether the first position range exists within the defined environmental area. Several environmental sensors of the vehicle can also be used. Such an environmental sensor can be, for example, a camera, an ultrasonic sensor, a radar, a laser scanner, or similar. Several such sensors can also be combined with one another in any way to detect at least part of the vehicle's surroundings.Checking, based on the collected environmental data, whether the first position within a defined area likely offers better reception quality than the second is particularly advantageous because environmental data capture allows for the consideration of dynamically changing environmental parameters that can influence reception quality. An example of this would be a vehicle stopped at a traffic light at a specific stopping position, where a large building facade is located on one side of the vehicle. At this moment, there is still sufficiently good reception for the vehicle's external data because the area on the other side of the vehicle is sufficiently clear to allow for this reception.If, in this situation, a large vehicle, such as a truck, pulls up alongside the vehicle on the other side to stop, it blocks the data reception from both sides, significantly degrading the reception quality and potentially causing it to fall below the predetermined threshold. The environmental sensors can then detect that there are very large objects on both sides of the vehicle at its current position, potentially blocking the signal. Furthermore, the vehicle, based on the recorded environmental data, can determine how far these large objects extend in the direction of travel and whether, for example, it is possible to pass one of them.If this is the case, the vehicle can continue driving forward until it is no longer next to the truck and stop where the probability of better reception is significantly higher. The same applies, for example, in a traffic jam or slow-moving traffic. Even before the vehicle first stops at the end of a traffic jam or at a traffic light, the system can use its environmental sensors to determine a likely stopping position for optimal reception.

[0022] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, data received from a communication device other than the motor vehicle, in particular a central data processing device and / or another motor vehicle, is checked to determine whether the first position area exists within the defined environmental area. In other words, data on reception quality already collected from other vehicles or even from the vehicle itself can be used at different locations to determine in a given situation whether the first position area with sufficiently high reception quality is located within the defined environmental area.For this purpose, motor vehicles, including the vehicle's own, can continuously or repeatedly determine the current reception quality for external data, for example, at regular intervals or triggered by specific events, and transmit this information, along with the current position, to a central data processing unit, such as an internet server. Upon request from a specific vehicle, this central data processing unit can forward a portion of this reception quality data, for example, location-based or position-dependent, to the vehicle in question.For example, if insufficient signal strength is detected at the current vehicle position, a query can be sent to the central data processing unit to determine whether a location with better signal strength exists within a specific area around the vehicle or along the route currently being traveled. In other words, this check can also be performed by the central data processing unit, and the result, for example in the form of position coordinates, can be transmitted from the central data processing unit to the vehicle if this location with improved signal strength exists according to the signal strength data stored in the central data processing unit.

[0023] Alternatively or additionally to this Car-to-X communication, direct Car-to-Car communication can also be used to obtain information about reception quality at locations other than the current one. For example, if another road user further ahead at the traffic light currently has better reception quality, which can be transmitted directly from that road user to the vehicle, it can be expected that if the vehicle moves slightly further forward towards that other road user, the reception quality will likely improve. Similarly, the other vehicles parked in a parking garage, or rather their knowledge of the reception quality at their respective parking positions, can be used to determine which parking position or level offers the best, or at least sufficiently good, reception.

[0024] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is checked whether a driving area from the current position of the vehicle to the first position area is freely traversable, and the signal is only provided if at least one second condition is met. In other words, a position correction is only made or suggested if this would not pose a risk of collision with other road users, other objects, or impassable obstacles. Such a check of whether the driving area from the current position of the vehicle to the first position area is freely traversable can, in turn, be carried out based on environmental data acquired by an environmental sensor of the vehicle.

[0025] Conversely, it may also be possible that, for example, if poor signal strength is detected at the current position, the system first checks, using environmental data, whether a location correction is even possible – that is, whether there is a clear area in front of the vehicle. For instance, the clear area around the vehicle can be determined based on environmental data, and this clear area defines the specific surrounding area within which it is checked whether a location with better signal strength exists. If so, the vehicle can then assume this improved position or notify the driver of its presence and provide its location or directions to it.

[0026] As this example shows, the specific area within which the first location with improved reception quality is searched does not have to be fixed, but can also be adapted depending on the situation. One example would be adapting to the identified open area. Another example is when the vehicle enters a parking garage; then the specific area could be defined as the entire parking garage, including all parking levels and parking spaces. This allows for particularly flexible and effective situational adaptation for determining the location with improved reception quality.

[0027] Furthermore, the invention also relates to a motor vehicle designed to carry out a method according to the invention or one of its embodiments.

[0028] The invention also includes a control device for the motor vehicle. The control device comprises a processor unit configured to carry out an embodiment of the method according to the invention. For this purpose, the processor unit can comprise at least one microprocessor and / or at least one microcontroller. Furthermore, the processor unit can comprise program code configured to carry out the embodiment of the method according to the invention when executed by the processor unit. The program code can be stored in a data memory of the processor unit.

[0029] The advantages described for the method according to the invention and its embodiments apply equally to the motor vehicle according to the invention and to the control device according to the invention.

[0030] The invention also includes further developments of the motor vehicle according to the invention, which have features as already described in connection with the further developments of the method according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding further developments of the motor vehicle according to the invention are not described again here.

[0031] The invention also includes combinations of the features of the described embodiments.

[0032] The following are exemplary embodiments of the invention described. This is illustrated by: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a motor vehicle for determining a location for a possible improvement of reception quality according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a traffic situation at a traffic light in a top view to illustrate a method for determining a location for a possible improvement of reception quality according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3. A schematic illustration of the process for determining the location for the possible improvement of reception quality in the area. Fig. 2. Traffic situation shown in front views; and Fig. 4 a flowchart to illustrate a method for determining a location for a possible improvement of reception quality according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0033] The exemplary embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In these exemplary embodiments, the described components each represent individual features of the invention, which can be considered independently of one another and each further develops the invention independently. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to include combinations of features of the embodiments other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

[0034] In the figures, identical reference symbols denote functionally equivalent elements.

[0035] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a motor vehicle 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The motor vehicle 10 has a receiver 12 through which it receives data external to the vehicle, in this example digital media M. Such media M can, for example, represent digital radio, television, websites, etc. The received media M can then be displayed, for example, on an output device 14 of the motor vehicle, such as a radio or a display. The receiver 12 can also be part of a communication module of the motor vehicle 10, through which the motor vehicle can also exchange data with a central data processing device 16, such as an internet server. This exchanged data relates in particular to the reception quality E for the digital media M.The vehicle 10 can, for example, determine the current reception quality E, for instance based on the current signal strength, and transmit it to the central data processing unit 16. This can be done continuously by the vehicle 10, for example repeatedly at regular or irregular intervals.

[0036] Other motor vehicles 18 can also determine the respective reception quality E at their location while driving or stationary and transmit it to the central data processing unit 16 along with their current location. The central data processing unit 16 then collects and manages the data transmitted to it regarding the reception quality E.

[0037] If, for example, the vehicle 10 detects a transmission failure, it can advantageously attempt to find a location that compensates for this failure. For this purpose, the collected data on reception quality E provided by the central data processing unit 16 can be used, which the vehicle 10 can query from the central data processing unit 16. However, to determine a location with improved reception quality E, the vehicle 10 can also use environmental sensors 20, such as cameras or other sensors to detect at least part of the vehicle's surroundings, as will be explained in more detail later.

[0038] The motor vehicle 10 also has a control unit 22 for controlling this process. This unit can, for example, evaluate or calculate the reception quality E of the received digital media M, if they are received at all, and in the event of a transmission failure or at least an insufficient reception quality E, the control unit 22 can, for example, use the reception quality E data provided by the central data processing unit 16 and / or the environmental data provided by the environmental sensors 20, as well as map data that can be provided as part of a navigation system 24 and a positioning device such as a GPS receiver, to determine a location with a likely improved reception quality E and, for example, autonomously control the motor vehicle 10 to move it to this determined location.This will be described in more detail in the following example.

[0039] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic top-down view of a traffic situation with a traffic light 26, at which the vehicle 10 is currently stopped. The vehicle 10 is therefore at a current position 28. In this current situation, there is a very tall building 30 to the right of the vehicle, and to the left of the vehicle, in the direction of travel towards the traffic light 26, there is another very tall road user, for example, a truck 32. In this situation, the vehicle 10 now notices that the signal quality E is very poor, or even completely non-existent, because the signal is blocked or severely impaired by the very tall building 30 on one side and the truck 32 on the other.The vehicle 10 now checks whether, within a specific environmental area 34, based on environmental data acquired in this example by the environmental sensors 20, a position area 36 exists within which better reception quality E is predicted than at the current location 28. In this example, the specific environmental area 34, within which a better position is sought, also represents a clear area 38 that is freely accessible to the vehicle 10, meaning that there are no obstacles within it. This can also be determined based on the environmental data provided by the environmental sensors 20. However, the specific environmental area 34 can also be independent of such a clear area 38 and, for example, be significantly larger.If a position or position range 36 is determined within the defined environmental area 34 that likely exhibits improved reception quality E, it can subsequently be verified via the vehicle's environmental sensors 20 whether the journey to this position range 36 is clear for assuming the new position 36a. In the present case, this is done in... Fig. In the example shown, vehicle 10 determines, based on the surrounding data, that at position 36a, or position area 36, ​​further ahead, only building 30 is located on one side, while truck 32 is no longer present on the other side, and, in particular, no other road users 18 are of any significant height. Accordingly, vehicle 10 predicts that the signal strength E in this determined position area 36 is better than at the current position 28. Since the path to this new position 36a is also clear, vehicle 10 now moves to the new position 36a. This advantageously increases the probability that a better signal strength E is now available.

[0040] This scenario is now shown schematically in Fig. 3. The process is shown in a front view. Illustrated in Fig. 3. In particular, this scenario, that is, the traffic situation at traffic light 26, in three successive time steps t1, t2, and t3. In the first time step t1, the vehicle 10 is stopped at the red traffic light 26 as described. At this time, building 30 is located on one side, and a truck 32 is approaching from behind on the other side, although at time t1 it is not yet level with vehicle 10. Accordingly, the reception quality E of vehicle 10 is still sufficiently good.

[0041] In the next time step t2, shown in the middle diagram, truck 32 is now level with vehicle 10 in front of traffic light 26. This has significantly worsened the signal reception quality E of vehicle 10. Vehicle 10 then determines a position with better reception slightly further ahead at the traffic light and moves forward to this position 36a, as illustrated in the third time step t3 in the lower diagram. Vehicle 10 is therefore again further ahead relative to truck 32, which has again improved the signal reception quality E.

[0042] Fig.Figure 4 shows a flowchart illustrating a method for determining a location for a possible improvement in reception quality E according to an embodiment of the invention. In a first step S10, digital media data M is initially received by the vehicle 10. In step S12, the vehicle 10 detects a signal degradation. In particular, the reception quality E falls below a predetermined threshold. The vehicle 10 then requests data regarding the reception quality E from the central data processing unit 16, which the vehicle 10 receives in step S14. In combination with map data stored in the vehicle 10, as well as position data read out in step S16, the vehicle determines a new location 36a in step S18, for which the vehicle 10 predicts the reception quality E to be better than at the current location 28.In the subsequent step S20, a driver assistance system autonomously moves the vehicle 10 to the new location 36a. This allows for a signal improvement in the vehicle in a particularly simple and advantageous way.

[0043] Overall, the examples demonstrate how the invention provides a method for vehicle location optimization, significantly increasing the likelihood of improved reception of digitally received media. The invention utilizes the understanding that moving a vehicle just a few centimeters or meters can be sufficient to achieve such signal improvement. By analyzing reception data within the vehicle or data on reception quality collected from other vehicles, a location with improved reception can be identified. This allows the vehicle to autonomously drive to this more favorable position. This greatly increases user satisfaction, as the user does not have to accept any compromises or disadvantages related to detours to benefit from improved signal quality.

Claims

[1] Method for determining a location (36a) for a motor vehicle (10) for a possible improvement of reception quality (E) for the reception of motor vehicle-external data (M) in the motor vehicle (10), comprising the steps: - Check whether, within a specific area (34) around a section of road currently being traveled by the motor vehicle (10), a first position area (36, 36a) exists within which a better reception quality (E) is predicted than at a specific second position area (28) within the specific area (34), and - only under the at least first condition that the check shows that the first position area (36, 36a) exists, a signal is provided depending on the determined first position area (36, 36a), wherein, in the event that a need to stop the motor vehicles (10) is predicted depending on a detected traffic situation, a possible stopping area (34), which represents the determined surrounding area (34), is determined, and for various positions, one of which represents the first position area (36, 36a) and one of which represents the second position area, the respective reception quality (E) is predicted within the determined stopping area (34), wherein the one of the various positions (36, 36a) for which the best reception quality (E) was predicted is determined as the stopping position (36, 36a). [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein, depending on the signal provided, the motor vehicle (10) drives autonomously into the first position area (36, 36a) and, in particular, stops in the first position area (36, 36a). [3] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the check is triggered when it is determined at the current position (28) of the motor vehicle (10) that the reception quality (E) falls below a predetermined limit. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and / or the second position area (36, 28) are located on a predetermined, planned, same route to be travelled by the motor vehicle (10). [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, depending on environmental data acquired by means of an environment sensor (20) of the motor vehicle (10), it is checked whether the first position area (36, 36a) exists within the defined environmental area (34). [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, depending on a communication device (16, 18) which is different from the motor vehicle (10), in particular a central data processing device (16) and / or another motor vehicle (18), data received is checked to see if the first position area (36, 36a) exists within the defined environmental area (34). [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein it is checked whether a driving area from the current position (28) of the motor vehicle (10) to the first position area (36, 36a) is freely passable, and the signal is provided only under at least one second condition that this is the case. [8] Method according to claim 7, the verification of whether the driving area from the current position (28) of the motor vehicle (10) to the first position area is freely traversable, depending on environmental data acquired by means of an environment sensor (20) of the motor vehicle (10). [9] Motor vehicle (10) designed to perform a method according to any of the preceding claims.

Images