Method for potentially carrying out a parking operation of a vehicle in a parking space of a parking area with several parking spaces, and communication system

Abstract

Method for potentially carrying out a parking operation of a vehicle (2) in a parking space (P1, P2, P3, P4) of a parking area (1) with several parking spaces (P1, P2, P3, P4), wherein - at least one ultra-wideband signal (4) containing information about a parking space search by the vehicle (2) is transmitted in a frequency range of an ultra-wideband communication channel by an ultra-wideband communication unit (3) of the vehicle (2) searching for a free parking space, wherein - the at least one transmitted ultra-broadband signal (4) is received by at least one further ultra-broadband communication unit (6) of at least one further vehicle (7) in the parking area (1), wherein - the at least one received ultra-broadband signal (4) is evaluated by an evaluation unit (8) of the further ultra-broadband communication unit (6) of the further vehicle (7), and - at least one ultra-wideband signal (4) is transmitted from the further vehicle (7) to the ultra-wideband communication unit (3) of the vehicle (2) searching for a free parking space, and - the vehicle (2) searching for a free parking space receives information about a possible parking process in the parking area (1) through the at least one ultra-broadband signal (4) of the at least one further vehicle (7), characterized in that - an ultra-wideband signal (14) is transmitted to a second ultra-wideband communication unit (12) of at least a second parked vehicle (13) by a first ultra-wideband communication unit (10) of a first parked vehicle (11) and / or an ultra-wideband signal (14) is transmitted to the first ultra-wideband communication unit (10) of the first parked vehicle (11) by the second ultra-wideband communication unit (12) of at least the second parked vehicle (13) and a propagation time of the transmitted ultra-wideband signal (14) is determined, wherein a distance (15) between the first and the at least second parked vehicle (11, 13) is determined on the basis of the propagation time of the transmitted ultra-wideband signal (14) determined.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for at least potentially parking a vehicle in a parking space in a parking area with multiple parking spaces. Furthermore, the invention relates to a communication system comprising a first ultra-broadband communication unit of a first vehicle and at least one second ultra-broadband communication unit of at least a second vehicle, and comprising an evaluation unit.

[0002] DE 10 2011 003 772 A1 discloses a method and a device for assisting a driver. In a method for assisting a driver of a first vehicle in locating a parking space for the first vehicle, at least one free parking space is determined by a second vehicle and the position of the at least one free parking space is transmitted to the first vehicle. A quality measure for the usability of a parking space for the first vehicle is assigned to the at least one free parking space.

[0003] DE 10 2013 209 298 A1 discloses a mobile system for a vehicle for detecting a potentially vacant parking space and a method for detecting a potentially vacant parking space. The system comprises at least one sensor for detecting a signal typical of a vacant parking space and an evaluation device for assessing whether a signal received by the sensor indicates a potentially vacant parking space.

[0004] DE 10 2016 009 921 A1 discloses a device for communication between a parked vehicle bordering a parking space and a vehicle to be parked, wherein the device is designed to allow a transmission of a vehicle-specific minimum distance from a parked vehicle to the vehicle to be parked.

[0005] DE 10 2005 010 011 A1 discloses a communication system arranged in a first vehicle. This system transmits departure information along with vehicle information from the first vehicle. This can be done, for example, using UWB technology.

[0006] US 10 239 521 B1 discloses a system comprising a neural network, which can be used to provide a parking assistance system. DE 10 2015 208 624 A1, for example, deals with the topic of autonomous parking of a vehicle.

[0007] A disadvantage of the current technology is that during a parking maneuver or when locating a parking space, environmental data is collected using ultrasonic sensors. The collected environmental data and any additional information are transmitted to vehicles or to the vehicle's driver assistance systems via conventional communication channels. These approaches also have disadvantages in terms of range, meaning that distant parking spaces are not detected. Furthermore, communication with other units is only possible to a limited extent and is therefore not very robust, thus limiting data transmission.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a method and a communication system with which a more diverse parking space search is possible through wireless communication of a vehicle with external units, so that potential parking spaces are better recognized.

[0009] This problem is solved by a method and a communication system according to the independent patent claims. Useful further developments are set out in the dependent claims.

[0010] One aspect of the invention relates to a method for at least potentially parking a vehicle in a parking space of a parking area with multiple parking spaces. An ultra-broadband communication unit of the vehicle searching for a free parking space transmits at least one ultra-broadband signal containing information about the vehicle's search for a parking space in a frequency range of an ultra-broadband communication channel. The at least one transmitted ultra-broadband communication signal is received by at least one further ultra-broadband communication unit of at least one further vehicle in the parking area. The at least one received ultra-broadband signal is evaluated by an evaluation unit of the further ultra-broadband communication unit of the further vehicle.At least one ultra-wideband signal is sent from the other vehicle to the ultra-wideband communication unit of the vehicle searching for a free parking space, and the vehicle searching for a free parking space receives information about a possible parking maneuver in the parking area via the at least one ultra-wideband signal from the at least one other vehicle. The method thus makes it possible for UWB communication between the vehicle and external units, such as another vehicle, to detect parking spaces even at a great distance from the vehicle. UWB communication is particularly advantageous in parking garages where other technologies are limited by the numerous angles and shielding. In particular, this communication technology is very robust. Communications can also be conducted and maintained easily over relatively long ranges.However, the proposed invention also allows a vehicle to park and / or exit a parking space more efficiently using ultra-broadband technology, as ultra-broadband technology enables a more diverse, comprehensive, and simpler data transmission. In particular, ultra-broadband technology eliminates the need for additional sensor systems such as ultrasonic sensors, radar sensors, or distance sensors in the parking area or parking garage.

[0011] A free parking space is generally understood to mean a parking space that is currently free as well as a parking space that is currently occupied but is foreseeable or estimated to become free soon.

[0012] It is advantageous if the parking space search is carried out exclusively through UWB communication based on communication with external units. In this embodiment, no other sensor systems or information from these sensor systems are required to find a free parking space and / or to park into or out of a free parking space. This eliminates the disadvantages of these sensor systems mentioned above.

[0013] For example, ultra-broadband technology can be used to measure the distance between a transmitting unit and a receiving unit, and vice versa. This allows data to continue to be transmitted and exchanged along this path, as well as the measured distance. With other communication technologies, this is only possible with increased effort using additional sensors. As a result, the proposed method enables an improved and more efficient parking process for the vehicle in the parking space of the parking area. The parking process can be carried out more efficiently because ultra-broadband technology enables faster and more accurate data transmission. Likewise, computing time and processing time can be saved with ultra-broadband technology.

[0014] Ultra-wideband technology is fundamentally advantageous in that it enables very broadband radio transmission. This is particularly advantageous because very low radiated power allows short distances to be covered. Furthermore, compared to other transmission options, ultra-wideband technology enables very high transmission security. An ultra-wideband signal is relatively difficult to detect and locate because the spectral power density is kept below the thermal noise. This also makes it very difficult to ensure a high level of security against eavesdropping or the unwanted extension of such signals. Last but not least, ultra-wideband technology enables extremely precise positioning. In contrast to Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, for example, position determination with ultra-wideband technology is not based on measuring signal strengths, but on a time-of-flight method.This involves measuring the time of light propagation between an object and several receivers. With a bandwidth of at least 20 percent of the center frequency, or at least 500 megahertz, ultra-wideband technology also utilizes very wide frequency ranges, particularly between 3.1 gigahertz and 10.6 gigahertz.

[0015] For example, with the help of the ultra-wideband communication unit of the vehicle searching for a free parking space, at least one ultra-wideband signal or multiple ultra-wideband signals can be transmitted using the ultra-wideband communication channel. These transmitted ultra-wideband signals can be transmitted to one or more other vehicles in the area of ​​the parking space. The transmitted ultra-wideband signal can be received by one or more ultra-wideband communication units of the possible vehicles in the area of ​​the parking space, so that the vehicles in the area of ​​the parking space receive information about the vehicle's search for a parking space.In particular, with the aid of the respective evaluation unit of the further ultra-broadband communication unit of one further vehicle, information about the current parking space in the vicinity of the further vehicle can be determined and / or information about the further vehicle's upcoming parking time or about a parking space becoming available near the further vehicle can be sent via the ultra-broadband communication channel to the ultra-broadband communication unit of the vehicle searching for a parking space. With the aid of this transmitted information, the vehicle searching for a free parking space can evaluate a possible parking maneuver in the parking area and, if necessary, prepare an upcoming parking maneuver or initiate another search query if the suggested parking space is insufficient.With the help of the communication between the ultra-wideband communication unit of the vehicle searching for a free parking space and the other vehicle, additional information or data can be exchanged in addition to information.

[0016] For example, the vehicle searching for a free parking space or the other vehicle may be a motor vehicle, an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle.

[0017] In particular, the vehicle searching for a free parking space and the other vehicle can be at least partially autonomous or, in particular, fully autonomous vehicles. In particular, the vehicle is configured with autonomy level 5.

[0018] For example, with the help of a driver assistance system, the information about the possible parking process can be evaluated so that an automatic parking process can be carried out in the parking space.

[0019] The parking area can, in particular, be a parking garage, a parking infrastructure, or a conventional parking lot. The parking garage has walls that define the parking area. In particular, these walls also define parking levels and / or individual parking areas with multiple parking spaces.

[0020] For example, at least one vehicle-external ultra-broadband communication unit can be arranged in the parking area. The at least one vehicle-external ultra-broadband communication unit can, in particular, assist the vehicle searching for a free parking space during a parking maneuver.

[0021] In particular, the vehicle searching for a free parking space and the other vehicle can be connected for communication purposes to a communication system of the parking area. At least one piece of specific information about the parking area can be provided and transmitted to the one vehicle searching for a free parking space and to the other vehicle. For example, the at least one piece of specific information comprises at least one of the following criteria: parking space occupancy of the parking area, parking space capacity of the parking area, alignment and / or orientation of parking spaces in the parking area, type or kind of parking spaces in the parking area, a basic structure of the parking area, a parking space dimension, or a map of the individual parking spaces in the parking area. These examples are not intended to be exhaustive, but rather to illustrate the diversity of specific information about the parking area.

[0022] For example, when the vehicle searching for a free parking space arrives in the parking area, at least one specific piece of information about the parking area can be automatically provided to the vehicle searching for a free parking space.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment, a pattern of parking spaces in a parking garage is provided as electronic information. A pattern can represent the number of parking spaces and / or the orientation of the parking spaces and / or the dimensions of the parking spaces. In effect, a floor plan of a parking area is thus provided electronically. This information, together with the information in the ultra-broadband signals, can be used to determine whether and, if so, where a parking space is or will become free. This electronic information on the pattern of parking spaces can be provided, for example, via a communication system, in particular of the parking area, in particular of the parking garage. It can be transmitted to the vehicle, for example, when the vehicle enters the parking area. However, it can also be transmitted to the vehicle in another way. This pattern can also be provided to at least one other vehicle.

[0024] It can also be provided that, in addition to the ultra-wideband communication unit, the vehicle has at least one sensor system, such as an ultrasound device and / or a radar device and / or a lidar device and / or a camera. In particular, the information from the sensor system can be used when the vehicle is parking in a parking space where UWB communication with other external units is not possible or practical. For example, if there are no other vehicles in the parking area.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that an electronic vehicle guidance system of the vehicle searching for a free parking space automatically carries out the parking process depending on the information. This enables a more efficient and faster parking process into the parking space. For example, a more accurate and / or precise parking process can be carried out. In particular, this allows the parking process to be carried out without the intervention of a vehicle user. This offers a particular advantage for semi-autonomous or fully autonomous vehicles. For example, the electronic vehicle guidance system can have a parking assistance system with which the parking process can be carried out independently and automatically depending on the information about the possible free parking space in the parking area.This can, for example, provide a user with a more pleasant journey with the vehicle searching for a parking space.

[0026] For example, the electronic vehicle guidance system of the vehicle searching for a free parking space can be communicatively coupled to the ultra-broadband communication unit of the vehicle searching for a free parking space, so that the transmitted information can be made available to the electronic vehicle guidance system as quickly as possible. It is also conceivable for the electronic vehicle guidance system to support a manually performed parking maneuver by a user of the vehicle searching for a free parking space. For example, the electronic vehicle guidance system can use the ultra-broadband communication unit of the vehicle searching for a free parking space to send additional information to the other vehicles in the parking area, informing them of the impending automatically performed parking maneuver.

[0027] Preferably, the information provided to the vehicle searching for a free parking space includes a distance to a free parking space and / or a position of a parking space in the parking area, or a parking space dimension of the free parking space and / or a time at which a parking space will become available. This allows the possible parking maneuver to be prepared and carried out more precisely. In particular, this information can be transmitted to the vehicle searching for a free parking space with the information via the transmitted ultra-broadband signal. In particular, this information can be transmitted from the at least one other vehicle in the parking area to the ultra-broadband communication unit of the vehicle searching for a free parking space via the broadband communication channel.In particular, this information can be provided to the electronic vehicle guidance system of the vehicle searching for a free parking space so that the electronic vehicle guidance system can prepare and then carry out an automatic parking process in the parking space that becomes available.

[0028] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that, based on at least the ultra-broadband signal of the vehicle searching for a free parking space and / or the ultra-broadband signal of the further vehicle, a distance measurement is carried out between the ultra-broadband communication unit of the further vehicle and the ultra-broadband communication unit of the vehicle searching for a free parking space. As a result, with the aid of the electronic vehicle guidance system of the vehicle searching for a parking space, the distance and travel time from the current position of the vehicle searching for a parking space to the space that becomes available, for example, in the vicinity of the further vehicle can be determined. In particular, with the aid of the distance measurement, during autonomous travel of the vehicle searching for a parking space, the respective distance between the other vehicles in the parking area can be determined so that no collisions occur.In particular, distance measurement can be used to better locate the potentially available parking space.

[0029] It is provided that an ultra-wideband signal is transmitted from a first ultra-wideband communication unit of a first parked vehicle to the second ultra-wideband communication unit of the at least second parked vehicle and / or an ultra-wideband signal is transmitted from a second ultra-wideband communication unit of at least a second parked vehicle to the first ultra-wideband communication unit of the first parked vehicle. A propagation time of the transmitted ultra-wideband signal is determined. Based on the determined propagation time of the transmitted ultra-wideband signal, a distance between the first and the at least second parked vehicle is determined.With the help of the transmitted and received ultra-wideband signal, the distance between the first and the at least second parked vehicle can be determined, so that with the help of the determined distance, for example, a parking maneuver leaving or parking in a parking space can be carried out more precisely and at the same time more quickly. In particular, the determined distance can be sent to the ultra-wideband communication unit of the vehicle searching for a parking space using the ultra-wideband signal. For example, the vehicle searching for a parking space can use the distance to carry out a possible parking maneuver more efficiently and without collisions with the parked vehicles. This is particularly efficient because the ultra-wideband technology allows for more precise and faster data processing. This determined distance is particularly advantageous for the electronic vehicle guidance system of the vehicle searching for a parking space.Using the specific distance, the electronic vehicle guidance system can perform a parking operation automatically.

[0030] In particular, the distance can be determined using a time-of-flight method or a time-of-flight-based method of ultra-wideband technology. Specifically, the time of flight between the transmitted ultra-wideband signals is determined, and a distance measurement, or the distance, is then determined.

[0031] Preferably, depending on the determined distance between the first parked vehicle and the at least second parked vehicle, a check is carried out to determine whether a parking space between the first parked vehicle and the at least second parked vehicle is available. If so, the information about the available parking space is transmitted to the vehicle searching for a free parking space via the ultra-broadband signal from the ultra-broadband communication unit of the first and / or second parked vehicle. Based on the determined distance, the vehicle searching for a free parking space can thus be sent immediate feedback about a possible, upcoming, or currently available parking space.This allows the vehicle searching for a parking space to park in the free parking space by the user of the vehicle searching for a parking space or by the electronic vehicle guidance system of the vehicle searching for a parking space.

[0032] For example, a predefined distance or a predefined dimension of a parking space is specified for the ultra-broadband communication units of the first and second parked vehicles or for an evaluation unit of the first and / or second parked vehicles, so that the determined distance can be compared with the specified dimension of the parking space. Thus, if the distance is at least equal to or greater than the dimension of the parking space, it can be concluded that the parking space is free. This allows a faster comparison of the determined distance with regard to a possible free parking space or a non-free parking space based on the distance and the predefined parking space dimension.

[0033] For example, the determined distance can also be used to identify multiple free parking spaces between the first parked vehicle and the second parked vehicle. This allows, for example, if multiple vehicles are searching for a parking space at the same time, information about the respective free parking space can be transmitted to each of these vehicles.

[0034] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the ultra-broadband communication unit of the vehicle searching for a free parking space transmits a parking space search request using the ultra-broadband signal to every ultra-broadband communication unit in the vicinity of the parking area. This allows information to be disseminated in the vicinity of the parking area, so that at least one vehicle that has received the parking space search request can provide a quick response or quick feedback about a possible parking space in the parking area.This allows, particularly when a vehicle searching for a free parking space arrives in the parking area, the parking space search request can be sent to every vehicle in the vicinity of the parking area, so that at least one response from a vehicle in the vicinity of the parking area is sent back to the vehicle searching for a free parking space. This allows for the fastest possible parking process in a free or soon-to-be-free parking space.

[0035] Preferably, it is provided that, when a vehicle searching for a free parking space is about to park in a potential parking space, the ultra-broadband communication unit of the vehicle searching for a free parking space sends updated information about the occupied parking space via the ultra-broadband signal to the at least one further ultra-broadband communication unit of the at least one further vehicle in the parking area. This makes it possible to inform another vehicle searching for a free parking space that the vehicle searching for a free parking space will occupy the free parking space or has just occupied it. In particular, this can ensure that no two vehicles attempt to park in the same free parking space.

[0036] As soon as the vehicle looking for a parking space has occupied or occupied the parking space with the assistance of the parking process, the information about the now occupied parking space is transmitted to at least one other vehicle in the parking area. This makes it possible to create an orderly traffic situation in the parking area. This can in particular ensure that collisions cannot occur when parking in or out of a parking space. In particular, during the impending parking process or during the parking process in progress, the vehicle looking for a free parking space can be transmitted to the other vehicle looking for a free parking space. This means that the next parking space that will become available can be communicated to the other vehicle looking for a free parking space.

[0037] In particular, the vehicle searching for a free parking space can be added to a priority list when performing a search query. For example, a vacant parking space can be assigned or offered to the vehicle with the highest priority in the priority list.

[0038] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that, using an ultra-broadband communication unit of a portable communication terminal of a user of the at least one further vehicle, information about a parking space that will become available in the future is transmitted via the ultra-broadband signal to the ultra-broadband communication unit of the vehicle searching for a free parking space. With the aid of the ultra-broadband communication unit of the user's portable communication terminal, possible free parking spaces can be detected as the user moves within the parking area and transmitted to the ultra-broadband communication unit of the vehicle searching for a free parking space. Likewise, for example, with the aid of the user's portable communication terminal, an imminent or imminent departure of the vehicle belonging to the user from a parking space can be transmitted to the vehicle searching for a parking space.This allows a vehicle searching for a free parking space to be informed that the user of a parked vehicle in the parking area is about to or is currently exiting a parking space. This allows the vehicle searching for a parking space to be provided with up-to-date information about a potentially available parking space. This allows the vehicle searching for a parking space to be provided with a possible parking maneuver in a vacant parking space more quickly.

[0039] A further aspect of the invention relates to a communication system comprising a first ultra-wideband communication unit of a first vehicle and at least one second ultra-wideband communication unit of at least a second vehicle, and comprising an evaluation unit. The communication system is configured to carry out a method according to one of the previously described aspects or one of an embodiment thereof. In particular, the method is carried out using the communication system.

[0040] The invention also includes further developments of the communication system according to the invention that have features already described in connection with the further developments of the method according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding further developments of the communication system according to the invention are not described again here.

[0041] The invention also includes combinations of the features of the described embodiments.

[0042] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is described below. The single figure shows a schematic exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0043] The exemplary embodiment explained below is a preferred embodiment of the invention. In the exemplary embodiment, the described components of the embodiment each represent individual, independently considered features of the invention, which also further develop the invention independently of one another and are thus also to be considered as components of the invention, either individually or in a combination other than that shown. Furthermore, the described embodiment can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

[0044] The figure shows a parking area 1 with several parking spaces P1, P2, P3, and P4. For example, a vehicle 2 searching for a parking space can search for a free parking space P2 in parking area 1.

[0045] Parking area 1 can, for example, be a parking garage or parking infrastructure.

[0046] The vehicle 2 searching for a free parking space can transmit at least one ultra-wideband signal 4, in particular with at least one ultra-wideband communication unit 3 which the vehicle 2 has.

[0047] A free parking space is generally understood to mean a parking space that is currently free as well as a parking space that is currently occupied but is foreseeable or estimated to become free soon.

[0048] This ultra-wideband signal 4 can contain information about a parking space search by vehicle 2. The ultra-wideband signal 4 is transmitted in a frequency range of an ultra-wideband communication channel. In particular, the ultra-wideband signal 4 is transmitted into the surrounding area 5 in the parking area 1. The at least one transmitted ultra-wideband signal 4 can be received by at least one further ultra-wideband communication unit 6 of at least one further vehicle 7 in the parking area 1. The at least one received ultra-wideband signal 4 can be evaluated by an evaluation unit 8 of the further ultra-wideband communication unit 6 of the further vehicle 7. In particular, the ultra-wideband communication unit 6 of the further vehicle 7 can evaluate the received ultra-wideband signal 4 of the vehicle 2 searching for free parking spaces with regard to the search query.The further vehicle 7 can transmit at least one ultra-wideband signal 4 of the further vehicle 7 to the ultra-wideband communication unit 3 of the vehicle 2 searching for free parking spaces via the ultra-wideband communication unit 6.

[0049] In particular, the vehicle 2 searching for free parking spaces can receive information about a possible parking maneuver in parking area 1 via the at least one ultra-broadband signal 4 of the at least one other vehicle 7. In particular, the information can include an occupancy status of the parking spaces P1, P2, P3, P4 of parking area 1.

[0050] For example, the vehicle 2 searching for a free parking space can be equipped with an electronic vehicle guidance system 9. With the electronic vehicle guidance system 9 of the vehicle 2 searching for a free parking space, the parking process can be carried out automatically depending on the transmitted information. In particular, the electronic vehicle guidance system 9 can be a parking assistance system.

[0051] For example, the vehicle 2 searching for a free parking space may be at least partially autonomous, in particular fully autonomous. In particular, with the aid of the transmitted information, a fully autonomous parking maneuver can be carried out with the aid of the electronic vehicle guidance system 9 into a potentially available parking space P2.

[0052] In particular, the transmitted information can be used to provide the vehicle 2 searching for a free parking space with a distance to a free parking space P2 and / or a position of a free parking space P2 in parking area 1 and / or a parking space dimension 18 of the free parking space P2 and / or a time at which a parking space P2 becomes available. In particular, this information can be used with the aid of the electronic vehicle guidance system 9 to carry out an automatic parking maneuver into the free parking space P2. Likewise, the information can be used to provide a possible duration of a parking maneuver in a parking space P1, P2, P3 or P4 or a leaving of the other vehicle 7 from the parking space P4. Likewise, a parking space number of the parking space P1, P2, P3 or P4 can be sent with the information or, for example, certain conditions of the parking space P1, P2, P3, P4 in parking area 1 can be transmitted with the information.In particular, supporting pillars or walls or other objects in the parking space P1, P2, P3, P4 can be sent with the help of the information to the vehicle 2 searching for a free parking space.

[0053] For example, based on the at least one ultra-broadband signal 4 of the vehicle 2 searching for a free parking space and / or the ultra-broadband signal 4 of the further vehicle 7, a distance measurement can be carried out between the ultra-broadband communication unit 6 of the further vehicle 7 and the ultra-broadband communication unit 3 of the vehicle 2 searching for a free parking space. This makes it possible, in particular, to determine the distances between the individual vehicles in the parking area 7. This makes it possible, in particular, to detect and prevent collisions in a timely manner. Likewise, with the aid of the electronic vehicle guidance system 9, an improved automatic parking process into a possible parking space P1, P2, P3, P4 can be analyzed and carried out. With the aid of the distance measurement, better orientation of the vehicle 2 searching for a free parking space in the parking area 1 can be achieved.Likewise, with the help of distance measurement, objects and vehicles in the surrounding area 5 of the parking area 1 can be located more efficiently.

[0054] For example, the ultra-wideband signal 14 can be transmitted from a first ultra-wideband communication unit 10 of a first parked vehicle 11 to a second ultra-wideband communication unit 12 of at least a second parked vehicle 13. Likewise, the second ultra-wideband communication unit 12 of the second parked vehicle 13 can transmit the ultra-wideband signal 14 to the first ultra-wideband communication unit 10 of the first parked vehicle 11. This makes it possible, in particular, to determine the propagation time of the transmitted ultra-wideband signal 14. In particular, this is applied using a propagation time measurement or a propagation time method of ultra-wideband technology. Based on the determined propagation time of the transmitted ultra-wideband signal 14, a distance 15 between the first and at least the second parked vehicle 11, 13 can be determined.Using the determined distance 15, the area between the first parked vehicle 11 and the second parked vehicle 13 can be analyzed and evaluated. In particular, the propagation time of the transmitted ultra-wideband signal 14 can be determined using an evaluation unit 16 of the first parked vehicle 11 or an evaluation unit 17 of the second parked vehicle 13.

[0055] In particular, depending on the determined distance 15 between the first parked vehicle 11 and the at least second parked vehicle 13, it can be checked whether the parking space P2 between the first parked vehicle 11 and the at least second parked vehicle 13 is free. If this is the case, the information about the free parking space P2 is transmitted to the vehicle 2 searching for a parking space via the ultra-broadband signal 4 from the ultra-broadband communication unit 10, 12 of the first and / or second parked vehicle 11, 13. This allows the information about the free parking space P2 to be transmitted to the vehicle 2 searching for a free parking space, and an automatic or manual parking process can be carried out.

[0056] For example, the determined distance 15 can be compared and evaluated with the aid of the evaluation units 16, 17 of the first parked vehicle 11 and / or the second parked vehicle 13 based on the predefined parking space dimension 18. In particular, if the distance 15 is equal to or greater than the parking space dimension 18, it can be concluded that the parking space P2 between the first parked vehicle 11 and at least the second parked vehicle 13 is free.

[0057] For example, the ultra-broadband communication unit 13 of the vehicle 2 searching for a free parking space can be used to transmit a parking space search request with the ultra-broadband signal 4 to each ultra-broadband communication unit 10, 12, 6 in the surrounding area 5 of the parking area 1. In particular, the parking space search request can be initiated with the aid of an evaluation unit 19 of the vehicle 2 searching for a parking space or, in particular, carried out by the electronic vehicle guidance system 9 or by a user of the vehicle 2 searching for a free parking space. This allows, in particular, a rapid response from one of the vehicles 11, 13, 7 in the parking area 1 to be sent to the vehicle 2 searching for a free parking space.

[0058] For example, in the event of an impending parking maneuver in a potentially free parking space P2 of the vehicle 2 searching for a free parking space, updated information about the occupied parking space P2 can be sent via the ultra-broadband signal 4 to the at least one further ultra-broadband communication unit 6 of the at least one further vehicle 7 in the parking area 1 by the ultra-broadband communication unit 3 of the vehicle 2 searching for a free parking space. In this way, for example, a next or a further vehicle searching for a free parking space in the parking area 1 can be informed that the vehicle 2 searching for a free parking space has found a free parking space and is parking in it, so that the vehicle 2 searching for a free parking space parks in the free parking space P2.As a result, in particular the vehicle 2 searching for a free parking space can inform the other vehicles 11, 13, 7 in the parking area 1 that it is no longer searching for a parking space P1, P2, P3, P4.

[0059] For example, using an ultra-broadband communication unit 20 of a portable communication terminal 21 of a user 22 of the at least one further vehicle 7, information about a parking space P4 that will become available in the future can be transmitted via the ultra-broadband signal 4 to the ultra-broadband communication unit 3 of the vehicle 2 searching for a parking space. This allows, for example, the user 22 of the further vehicle 7 to use the ultra-broadband communication unit 20 of the portable communication terminal 21 to inform the vehicle 2 searching for a free parking space that the further vehicle 7 is about to exit the parking space P4. This allows the vehicle 2 searching for a free parking space to prepare a parking maneuver into the parking space P4 so that as soon as the parking space P4 is free, a parking maneuver can be carried out.

[0060] For example, the ultra-broadband communication units 3, 10, 12, 6 and the evaluation units 8, 17, 16, 19 can be part of a communication system 23. The communication system 23 can, in particular, provide an ultra-broadband communication system that monitors and checks the entire communication between the vehicles 2, 11, 18, 7 in the parking area 1. List of reference symbols 1 parking area 2 vehicles looking for parking spaces 3, 6, 10, 12, 20 Ultra Wideband Communication Unit 4, 14 Ultra-wideband signal 5 Surroundings 7, 11, 13 vehicle 8, 16, 17, 19 Evaluation unit 9 electronic vehicle guidance system 15 distance 18 Parking space dimensions 21 portable communication terminal 22 users 23 Communication system P1 to P4 parking space

Claims

[1] Method for potentially carrying out a parking operation of a vehicle (2) in a parking space (P1, P2, P3, P4) of a parking area (1) with several parking spaces (P1, P2, P3, P4), wherein - at least one ultra-wideband signal (4) containing information about a parking space search by the vehicle (2) is transmitted in a frequency range of an ultra-wideband communication channel by an ultra-wideband communication unit (3) of the vehicle (2) searching for a free parking space, wherein - the at least one transmitted ultra-broadband signal (4) is received by at least one further ultra-broadband communication unit (6) of at least one further vehicle (7) in the parking area (1), wherein - the at least one received ultra-broadband signal (4) is evaluated by an evaluation unit (8) of the further ultra-broadband communication unit (6) of the further vehicle (7), and - at least one ultra-wideband signal (4) is transmitted from the further vehicle (7) to the ultra-wideband communication unit (3) of the vehicle (2) searching for a free parking space, and - the vehicle (2) searching for a free parking space receives information about a possible parking process in the parking area (1) from the at least one ultra-broadband signal (4) of the at least one further vehicle (7), characterized by , that - an ultra-wideband signal (14) is transmitted to a second ultra-wideband communication unit (12) of at least a second parked vehicle (13) by a first ultra-wideband communication unit (10) of a first parked vehicle (11) and / or an ultra-wideband signal (14) is transmitted to the first ultra-wideband communication unit (10) of the first parked vehicle (11) by the second ultra-wideband communication unit (12) of at least the second parked vehicle (13) and a propagation time of the transmitted ultra-wideband signal (14) is determined, wherein a distance (15) between the first and the at least second parked vehicle (11, 13) is determined on the basis of the propagation time of the transmitted ultra-wideband signal (14) determined. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized bythat the parking process is carried out automatically by an electronic vehicle guidance system (9) of the vehicle (2) searching for a free parking space in dependence on the information. [3] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the information provided to the vehicle (2) searching for a free parking space includes a distance to a free parking space (P2) and / or a position of a free parking space (P2) in the parking area (1) and / or a parking space dimension (18) of the free parking space (P2) and / or a time of a parking space becoming available (P2). [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat on the basis of at least the ultra-broadband signal (4) of the vehicle (2) searching for a free parking space and / or the ultra-broadband signal (4) of the further vehicle (7), a distance measurement is carried out between the ultra-broadband communication unit (6) of the further vehicle (7) and the ultra-broadband communication unit (3) of the vehicle (2) searching for a free parking space. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat, depending on the determined distance (15) between the first parked vehicle (11) and the at least second parked vehicle (13), it is checked whether a parking space (P2) between the first parked vehicle (11) and the at least second parked vehicle (13) is free, and if so, the information about the free parking space (P2) is transmitted to the vehicle (2) searching for a free parking space via the ultra-broadband signal (4) from the ultra-broadband communication unit (10, 12) of the first and / or the second parked vehicle (11, 13). [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that with the ultra-broadband communication unit (3) of the vehicle (2) searching for a free parking space, a parking space search request is sent with the ultra-broadband signal (4) to each ultra-broadband communication unit (6, 10, 12, 20) in the surroundings (5) of the parking area (1). [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that, in the event of an impending parking maneuver in a potential parking space (P2) of the vehicle (2) searching for a free parking space, with the ultra-broadband communication unit (3) of the vehicle (2) searching for a free parking space, updated information about the occupied parking space (P2) is transmitted via the ultra-broadband signal (4) to the at least one further ultra-broadband communication unit (6) of the at least one further vehicle (7) in the parking area (1). [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat with an ultra-broadband communication unit (20) of a portable communication terminal (21) of a user (22) of the at least one further vehicle (7), information about a parking space (P1, P2, P3, P4) that will become available in the future is sent via the ultra-broadband signal (4) to the ultra-broadband communication unit (3) of the vehicle (2) searching for a free parking space. [9] Communication system (23), with a first ultra-broadband communication unit (3, 6, 10, 12) of a first vehicle (2, 7, 11, 13) and at least one second ultra-broadband communication unit (3, 6, 10, 12) of at least a second vehicle (2, 7, 11, 13) and with an evaluation unit (8, 16, 17, 19), wherein the communication system (23) is designed to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims.

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