Procedure for providing a free parking space

Abstract

Method for providing a free parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) for a vehicle (6a, 6b) searching for a parking space, wherein, if at least one other vehicle (8a, 8b, 8c) finds at least one free parking space (4a, 4b, 4c), this at least one parking-searching vehicle (8a, 8b, 8c) sends information about the at least one free parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) to its surroundings using vehicle-to-vehicle communication, wherein, if a parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) among the at least one found free parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) is suitable for at least one parking-searching vehicle (6a, 6b) in the vicinity, this suitable free parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) is indicated by this at least one parking-searching vehicle (6a, 6b) using vehicle-to-vehicle communication. parking space search vehicle (8a, 8b, 8c) is claimed, whereby at least one parking space search vehicle (8a, 8b,8c) a claim is received from the at least one vehicle (6a, 6b) searching for a parking space, wherein this vehicle (8a, 8b, 8c) uses vehicle-to-vehicle communication to send information to its surroundings that this suitable parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) is now claimed, wherein a free parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) is found first among several vehicles (8a, 8b, 8c) searching for a parking space, wherein information about the first finding of this free parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) is sent by the first vehicle (8a, 8b, 8c) searching for a parking space to its surroundings using vehicle-to-vehicle communication, wherein in the event that at least one other vehicle searching for a parking space (8a, 8b, 8c) among the several vehicles finding parking spaces (8a, 8b, 8c) this parking space (4a, 4b,4c) after the first parking space search vehicle (8a, 8b, 8c) has found it, this vehicle fails to provide at least one further parking space search vehicle (8a, 8b, 8c) with information about its finding of this already found parking space (4a, 4b, 4c).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for providing a free parking space, a parking management system and a computer program product.

[0002] It is generally possible to inform a driver looking for a parking space about available spaces. For example, in a parking garage, the number of available parking spaces can be displayed.

[0003] Document DE 10 2016 005 483 A1 describes a procedure for managing at least one parking space.

[0004] A procedure for supporting a vehicle owner is known from publication DE 10 2017 011 774 A1.

[0005] Document US 2019 / 0 197 898 A1 describes a dynamic vehicle-to-vehicle parking space finder.

[0006] German patent application DE 10 2009 021 014 A1 describes a device for transmitting information about available parking spaces and a system for providing guidance to available parking spaces. The device is installed in a vehicle and is designed to transmit information about available parking spaces to other vehicles.

[0007] A parking guidance system for vehicles is known from the publication JP 2008- 269 358 A.

[0008] Against this background, one task was to make it easier to find a parking space.

[0009] This problem is solved by a method, a parking management system, and a computer program product with the features of the independent claims. Embodiments of the method, the parking management system, and the computer program product are described in the dependent claims and the description.

[0010] The method according to the invention is designed to provide a free parking space for a vehicle searching for a parking space in and / or on a parking lot. The method involves the system automatically sending and / or broadcasting at least one piece of information and / or a message, e.g., a message containing information about the at least one free parking space (e.g., its condition and position), to all other vehicles in its vicinity via direct vehicle-to-vehicle communication. This information is then transmitted to at least one other vehicle searching for a parking space, or its processing unit is automatically transmitted to at least one other vehicle searching for a parking space, e.g., its processing unit.In this process, at least one piece of information and / or message is received from at least one vehicle searching for a parking space among all vehicles in the vicinity of the vehicle that is capable of receiving this information and / or message. If a parking space among the at least one found free parking space is suitable for at least one vehicle searching for a parking space in the vicinity, this suitable free parking space is automatically claimed and thus reserved by this vehicle or its processing unit using direct vehicle-to-vehicle communication with the vehicle that is finding the parking space, via at least one further piece of information and / or message, e.g., another message with further information.Furthermore, at least one vehicle searching for a parking space receives at least one additional message and / or information indicating a claim and thus, in effect, a reservation for this available parking space. Using direct vehicle-to-vehicle communication, this vehicle then sends at least one further message and / or information, such as a message indicating that the suitable parking space is now claimed or allocated (e.g., reserved), to this vehicle and / or to all vehicles in its vicinity. The available parking space is then found or discovered by the first vehicle among several other vehicles searching for parking. Information or a message regarding this initial discovery is then transmitted.The discovery of this single free parking space by the first vehicle searching for a parking space is automatically sent and / or broadcast to all vehicles in its vicinity using direct vehicle-to-vehicle communication. This information about the initial discovery of this single free parking space is received by at least one vehicle among all vehicles in the vicinity. If at least one other vehicle searching for a parking space finds this free space later than the first vehicle, information about its subsequent discovery of the already discovered parking space is omitted.

[0011] In this process, information about a single discovered free parking space is only provided once, namely after its initial discovery. No further notification is given after any subsequent discovery. If this free parking space is subsequently occupied by a vehicle searching for parking and later becomes available again, it is possible that, after it has become vacant again, it will be first discovered by at least one other vehicle searching for parking. In this case, that vehicle will inform all vehicles in its vicinity via direct vehicle-to-vehicle communication that the parking space is available again and / or currently available.

[0012] In this process, the system verifies which of the at least one vehicles searching for a parking space first receives a request for a suitable parking space from the at least one vehicle finding a parking space. This request, i.e., the information or message reserving the suitable parking space, is then automatically transmitted via direct vehicle-to-vehicle communication to the at least one other vehicle searching for a parking space and / or to all vehicles in its vicinity, i.e., to all vehicles searching for parking spaces and also to all vehicles finding parking spaces.

[0013] It is possible for at least one vehicle searching for a parking space to send several messages in succession, providing information about available parking spaces. These messages are sent periodically at a predetermined frequency, with each message updating the available parking spaces and indicating which one is currently free. If an initial message indicates that a specific parking space is currently free, but is later occupied, a subsequent message will omit this information and no longer mention the occupied parking space.Furthermore, a message from the vehicle searching for a parking space will only inform the other vehicle about an available parking space if it can be detected by sensors, i.e., if it can usually be detected by sensors at all. If sensor detection of a particular parking space by the vehicle is not possible, no information about it will be sent, regardless of whether it is free or occupied.

[0014] In its implementation, the at least one piece of information transmitted and / or broadcast about the at least one available parking space includes at least one parameter that describes the position of this at least one parking space, e.g., an available parking space. This precise position or location of the at least one available parking space in the vicinity of the at least one vehicle searching for a parking space is determined using a positioning system, typically satellite-based, e.g., GPS. This at least one piece of information or parameter can also describe the characteristics of this at least one available parking space. Furthermore, it is possible that this parameter describes the area or size of the at least one available parking space.Furthermore, it is possible that this at least one parameter describes and / or includes additional information about whether the at least one available parking space is covered and / or shaded. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one parameter includes additional information about whether the at least one available parking space includes an electric vehicle charging station, so that such an electric vehicle charging station is assigned to this at least one available parking space. It is also conceivable that the at least one parameter includes information about the type of surface this available parking space is made of, i.e., whether it is, for example, tarred or gravel, whereby the surface of this at least one available parking space is described in more detail. This at least one parameter for the at least one available parking space is communicated or transmitted to its surroundings by the at least one vehicle searching for a parking space.

[0015] Taking this at least one parameter into account, it is possible that the at least one vehicle searching for a parking space will select and claim a free parking space from among the at least one free parking space, which is suitable and / or appropriate for the at least one vehicle searching for a parking space, e.g. with regard to the area.

[0016] It is possible that the at least one free parking space is searched for and found by the at least one parking space-finding vehicle under different operating conditions. It is possible that the at least one free parking space is found or discovered while the at least one parking space-finding vehicle is stationary, for example, because at least one parking space next to it, which was initially occupied, becomes free when the vehicle itself is parked in another adjacent parking space. If the at least one parking space-finding vehicle, which is initially parked and occupying a parking space, leaves that parking space, the space it initially occupied becomes free and is automatically found or discovered. It is also possible that the at least one free parking space is discovered or discovered while the at least one parking space-finding vehicle is driving.It will be found when it passes by.

[0017] In a further development, it is conceivable that a vacant parking space, once it has become available and as long as it remains vacant, is found by only one vehicle or by several vehicles searching for parking spaces. Alternatively, it is possible that several vacant parking spaces are found by only one vehicle or by several vehicles searching for parking spaces. Accordingly, it is possible that in the vicinity of the at least one vehicle finding a parking space, there is only one vehicle searching for parking spaces, or that there are several vehicles searching for parking spaces in its vicinity. A size, e.g., a radius, of the surrounding area is determined by a minimum or maximum range for direct vehicle-to-vehicle communication. Typically, for purely technical reasons, only those vehicles that receive the transmitted or broadcast information are included.Messages about at least one available parking space can be received, and this information is also available regardless of whether a vehicle is actively participating in the process or not. If a vehicle in the vicinity is not actively participating in the process, but is passively participating according to the definition because it is receiving the described information via vehicle-to-vehicle communication, it or its processing unit can ignore such information.

[0018] The procedure described above involves only those vehicles—that is, the at least one vehicle searching for a parking space and the at least one vehicle finding a parking space—that participate in the direct vehicle-to-vehicle communication provided for in the procedure. This is because only these vehicles are informed about an available parking space and its subsequent use, specifically the reservation, of that initially available space. However, it cannot be ruled out that an available parking space, reported by the at least one vehicle searching for a parking space, may be discovered and occupied by another vehicle or its driver. This other vehicle does not participate in the procedure directly, and usually not at all, as it is not integrated into the direct vehicle-to-vehicle communication provided for this purpose.Typically, information about at least one available parking space is received by all vehicles in the vicinity of the vehicle searching for a parking space that are equipped for vehicle-to-vehicle communication. Even if a vehicle searching for a parking space claims and reserves a suitable available space before other vehicles searching for parking in the vicinity, it generally has no legal right to that space. Therefore, it is possible that at least one other vehicle searching for parking may park in that space, even if it is already occupied by at least one other vehicle.

[0019] The parking management system according to the invention is designed to provide a free parking space for a vehicle searching for a parking space in and / or on a parking facility, wherein the vehicle searches for a parking space automatically, e.g., autonomously, or wherein a parking space is searched for by its driver. The parking management system comprises several computing units, e.g., control units, each computing unit being configured to execute a computer program, typically a computer or software program, several sensors, and several communication units distributed across several vehicles. Each vehicle has one computing unit, at least one sensor, and one communication unit configured to perform vehicle-to-vehicle communication.The at least one sensor of at least one vehicle is configured to automatically and sensorily detect the surroundings of that vehicle, generally using electromagnetic waves. If the vehicle, or its sensor, detects at least one free parking space, a processing unit of that vehicle is configured to instruct its communication unit to send and / or transmit information about the free parking space to all vehicles in its vicinity via electromagnetic waves, using direct vehicle-to-vehicle communication.Furthermore, a communication unit of at least one vehicle searching for a parking space is equipped to receive at least one piece of information or a message from all vehicles in the vicinity. A processing unit of this vehicle searching for a parking space, whose communication unit has received the message about at least one available parking space, is equipped to process this information. If the processing unit of this vehicle searching for a parking space decides independently or automatically, and / or if the driver of this vehicle searching for a parking space decides that a parking space among the at least one available parking space found is suitable for the vehicle searching for a parking space in the vicinity, the following applies:If the system is suitable, with the driver entering a corresponding input into the processing unit, the respective processing unit of this parking-seeking vehicle is configured to instruct the respective communication unit of this parking-seeking vehicle to claim and reserve a suitable or available parking space for itself by using direct vehicle-to-vehicle communication with the at least one parking-seeking vehicle, and to send at least one further message or piece of information for this purpose. The respective communication unit of the parking-seeking vehicle is configured to receive a claim, e.g., a reservation, for the available suitable parking space from the respective communication unit of the at least one parking-seeking vehicle via this further information.Furthermore, the respective processing unit of this parking space-finding vehicle is designed to instruct its communication unit to send and / or broadcast additional information to all vehicles in its vicinity, using direct vehicle-to-vehicle communication, indicating that the available parking space is now occupied or allocated. The available parking space is first located or discovered by a first parking space-finding vehicle among several other vehicles. This first vehicle then automatically sends and / or broadcasts information or a message about the initial discovery of this one available parking space to all vehicles in its vicinity, using direct vehicle-to-vehicle communication.This information about the initial discovery of this one free parking space is received by at least one vehicle among all vehicles in the vicinity. However, if at least one other vehicle searching for a parking space finds this free space later than the first vehicle, information about its subsequent discovery of this already found parking space is omitted.

[0020] It is possible that an embodiment of the presented parking management system is designed or intended to carry out an embodiment of the presented method for providing a parking space. Furthermore, it is possible that the components of the parking management system with which the method can be executed—i.e., the communication units, the processing units, and the sensors—are distributed across several vehicles in a fleet and interact synergistically to provide the parking management system. Each communication unit can also be designed or designated as a car-to-car (C2C) communication unit, whereby the vehicles participating in the method communicate directly with each other via their communication units, thus without any detours.The procedure is usually carried out by and / or for vehicles that are designed and / or designated as motor vehicles.

[0021] The computer program product according to the invention, or a corresponding software program product, comprises program code that can be installed, is installed, and / or executed on a computing unit of a vehicle. Each computing unit is configured, when executing the program code of the computer program product, to perform at least one step of an embodiment of the aforementioned method according to the invention.

[0022] This computer program product, e.g., a computer program, is typically offered by a provider for download and installation on a specific computing unit. The computer program product may be designed and / or referred to as application software or an application (app). It is possible that every vehicle on whose computing unit the computer program product is installed, and which is in the vicinity of at least one vehicle searching for a parking space, automatically participates in and / or becomes involved in the described process. The computing unit of a given vehicle may also be designed and / or referred to as a data processing unit, which is configured to automatically execute the computer program product, e.g., the application software.

[0023] The process and parking management system enable optimized and decentralized parking management. Direct vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication allows a vehicle to detect and thus identify parking spaces for other vehicles searching for parking and to communicate information about available spaces to these other vehicles. This eliminates the need for time-consuming parking space searches and / or the installation of complex control systems. The communication processes between vehicles described above are essential for the successful provision and / or allocation of parking spaces. These communication processes, involving the exchange of information such as...Even with regard to demand, it is possible to find free parking spaces, communicate their availability, and usually allocate parking spaces without a management unit that might otherwise be assigned to a parking area, e.g., to determine the allocation.

[0024] A component of the process and / or parking management system is the customized optimization of the provision and thus allocation of available parking spaces to the specific needs of participating vehicles. For example, if a vehicle seeking a parking space is electric and, in addition to the parking space itself, is looking for an electric charging station associated with that parking space and / or requires a particularly large parking space, this is taken into account by at least one parameter that more precisely describes the available parking space. This parameter can also include additional information about the intended parking duration during which the vehicle is expected to occupy the space. Furthermore, it is possible for the vehicles to find at least one suitable parking space decentrally.Determine a suitable free parking space, occupying it, taking into account the needs of the vehicles, where such needs include a proposal for a free parking space and an acceptance of such a proposal by a respective claim.

[0025] The system is designed so that a moving vehicle, for example, while driving through a parking area or along a street with parking spaces along its edges, automatically searches for available parking spaces using at least one sensor or equivalent sensor technology. It is also possible for additional parameters, such as the size of a parking space or the availability of a charging station, to be recorded and / or determined. The vehicles then communicate the information about available parking spaces to their surroundings. If multiple vehicles detect several available parking spaces, they can compile a list of suitable free or available parking spaces.Furthermore, when a vehicle approaches a parking space, typically indicating its intention to occupy it, an interest in a specific available parking space suitable for the vehicle is signaled. In this configuration, it is possible for the at least one vehicle searching for a parking space to also signal its approach to the available parking space, again using direct vehicle-to-vehicle communication, along with at least one other piece of information and / or message to the at least one vehicle finding a parking space. In this scenario, the available parking space is considered occupied by at least one other vehicle in the vicinity—i.e., another vehicle searching for, finding, and / or parking a space. It is possible that no other vehicle receives this information and thus a suggestion regarding the available parking space.

[0026] In one embodiment or scenario of the method, an initiation can be performed. This allows for the determination, based on predefined measurement criteria and thus parameters, of whether a use case exists, in which a free parking space is suitable for a vehicle searching for parking. The at least one parameter that further describes a given free parking space includes its size, the parking density of the parking facility (e.g., a parking area) in and / or on which the free parking space is located, the frequency of vehicles searching for parking, and / or the time saved.At least one parameter is determined by those vehicles searching for parking that are already in the parking area and are themselves looking for a free parking space and / or by those vehicles finding parking that drive out of a parking space and thus leave it after a parking operation.

[0027] It is possible for a vehicle to first determine the parking density of the parking facility while it is in and / or driving through it. The parking density indicates, at any given time, how many of the total available parking spaces in the facility are occupied. Depending on this determined value, the vehicle will only actively search for available parking spaces when the parking density exceeds a predefined threshold. Furthermore, the vehicle will only be notified of available parking spaces in and / or on the parking facility when the parking density exceeds this threshold, as only above such a threshold does the number of available parking spaces become low, making a conventional search for available parking spaces difficult.

[0028] The method, or rather its implementation, for providing and thus, among other things, finding available parking spaces utilizes direct vehicle-to-vehicle communication via the vehicles' communication units and existing sensors. This eliminates the need for a central unit or instance and peripheral sensors, thereby reducing costs for parking area owners. Furthermore, a suitable available parking space can be found and used quickly, reducing the number of vehicles searching for parking and optimizing the flow of searching and / or parked vehicles. By reducing the time spent searching for available parking spaces, a reduction in accidents caused by inattention is also possible.Furthermore, comfort for drivers and vehicle occupants can be increased. This also includes reducing electrical energy consumption, for example, by reducing fuel consumption, and reducing emissions. Parking can thus be improved in various parking areas, such as open parking lots at festivals, factory loading docks, park-and-ride facilities, and / or shift parking lots.

[0029] In this implementation, vehicles driving through a parking area and / or along a street can continuously search their surroundings for available parking spaces using their sensors. They can then determine further parameters and specifications for detected parking spaces, such as their size and / or the availability of charging stations. This information is subsequently communicated to all vehicles in the vicinity. If an approaching vehicle identifies a suitable parking space from among several available spaces or a list of such spaces, it is programmed to indicate its interest in that space by signaling its occupancy. The vehicle searching for a parking space is also programmed to communicate its approach to the available parking space, for example, by...The system reports back when a vehicle claims a parking space, and this free space is then considered occupied by other vehicles in the vicinity, such as parked vehicles, so that no other vehicle receives the information and thus a suggestion regarding the free parking space. In one embodiment of the method, a central unit that would otherwise provide a list of available parking spaces can be dispensed with. Such a list can be maintained at most by a single vehicle, in particular a vehicle searching for and / or finding a parking space, since the exchange of information about available parking spaces within the method is concentrated on direct vehicle-to-vehicle communication.

[0030] This procedure can be implemented, for example, during periods of heavy traffic and / or peak hours when searching for a parking space in a crowded parking area and / or on a street with heavily parked verges is uncomfortably time-consuming. This procedure can supplement and / or replace other measures, one such measure being a vehicle's ability to directly and autonomously search for a parking space. In this scenario, the vehicle uses its own sensor to locate a suitable parking space or spot as it drives through a parking area and parks itself there. Another measure involves equipping parking areas, such as parking garages, with infrastructure to monitor parking space occupancy and communicate this information to arriving vehicles.

[0031] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without leaving the scope of the present invention.

[0032] The invention is schematically illustrated with reference to embodiments in the drawing and is described schematically and in detail with reference to the drawing. Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of vehicles for which an embodiment of the inventive method is carried out with an embodiment of the inventive parking management system.

[0033] Fig.Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a parking area 2 located next to a street, which could, for example, belong to a supermarket. This parking area 2 comprises several parking spaces arranged in rows, most of which are already occupied by parked vehicles. For clarity, reference signs are assigned to only a few available parking spaces 4a, 4b, 4c. Several vehicles drive on the street next to parking area 2, but for clarity, only two of these vehicles 6a, 6b are assigned reference signs. These vehicles 6a, 6b are also referred to as vehicles searching for parking spaces 6a, 6b, approaching parking area 2, as these vehicles 6a, 6b, or their drivers, are looking for available parking spaces 4a, 4b, 4c within parking area 2. Furthermore, Figure 1 shows... Fig.1. On paths between the rows of parking spaces, further vehicles 8a, 8b, 8c, which continue to be referred to as parking-finding vehicles 8a, 8b, 8c, are located, with the following designations for better clarity in Fig. 1 only some vehicles finding parking spaces are assigned reference signs 8a, 8b, 8c.

[0034] It is provided that each vehicle 6a, 6b, 8a, 8b, 8c shall have a computing unit configured for data processing, at least one sensor for detecting the environment of the vehicle 6a, 6b, 8a, 8b, 8c, and a communication unit. The at least one sensor is typically configured to detect the environment of the respective vehicle 6a, 6b, 8a, 8b, 8c based on electromagnetic waves and / or ultrasound, with the at least one sensor based on electromagnetic waves generally being a camera, radar sensor, or lidar sensor.Each communication unit of a respective vehicle 6a, 6b, 8a, 8b, 8c is designed to carry out direct vehicle-to-vehicle communication, whereby such a communication unit of a vehicle 6a, 6b, 8a, 8b, 8c exchanges signals and thus information, e.g. data, directly and without detours with another communication unit of another vehicle 6a, 6b, 8a, 8b, 8c via electromagnetic waves.

[0035] The embodiment of the parking management system according to the invention is formed here by the entirety of all computing units, communication units, and sensors of all vehicles 6a, 6b, 8a, 8b, 8c. The following is described with reference to... Fig.In one of the more precisely described variants of the embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that a computer program with program code is installed on each computing unit of each vehicle 6a, 6b, 8a, 8b, 8c, wherein when this computer program, e.g. an application or a so-called app, is executed, at least one step of the presented embodiment of the method is carried out, e.g. checked, and thus controlled and / or regulated.

[0036] The presented embodiment of the method according to the invention for providing at least one free parking space 4a, 4b, 4c on the parking area 2 is carried out by at least one vehicle 6a, 6b searching for a parking space and at least one vehicle 8a, 8b, 8c finding a parking space. This embodiment of the method according to the invention comprises the two variants of the embodiment of the method according to the invention described in detail below.

[0037] In a first variant of this embodiment of the method, at least one vehicle 6a searching for a parking space and one vehicle 8a finding a parking space are actively carried out, while further vehicles 6b, 8b, 8c generally only participate passively in this variant of the method, since they can receive the messages or information described below via vehicle-to-vehicle communication.

[0038] Upon initiation, a sequence of messages described below is sent. The parking space-finding vehicle 8a, using at least one sensor (e.g., radar, lidar, and / or camera), precisely identifies and / or determines a free parking space 4a or a free parking space in parking area 2. Parameters regarding the size, condition, and location / position of this free parking space 4a within parking area 2 are also recorded or determined. Additional parameters considered include whether the free parking space 4a is covered and / or whether it has an electric charging point. Furthermore, information is transmitted...Message about the free parking space 4a is transmitted via vehicle-to-vehicle communication to all other vehicles 6a, 6b, 8b, 8c in the vicinity of the parking space-finding vehicle 8a near parking area 2 and on parking area 2, i.e. also to other vehicles 8b, 8c that are located on parking area 2, and thus reported.

[0039] Furthermore, all vehicles 6a, 6b, 8b, 8c in the vicinity receive this information. Among others, vehicles 6a, 6b searching for parking spaces outside parking area 2, looking for an available parking space 4a, 4b, 4c, receive status information and are notified of available parking spaces 4a, 4b, 4c throughout parking area 2. Based on the information transmitted by the parking space-finding vehicle 8a, the parking space-searching vehicle 6a and / or its driver can then decide whether a found or discovered, and therefore available, parking space 4a or a corresponding parking space is suitable or not. If the driver decides that the available parking space 4a is suitable or not, they enter this information into the processing unit via a human-machine interface. If the available parking space 4a is suitable for the parking space-searching vehicle 6a, it sends further information, i.e.,A confirmation and / or a claim, e.g., a reservation, of the available parking space 4a is sent to the parking space-finding vehicle 8a, which had previously reported parking space 4a as available. Upon receiving this information or a corresponding message, the parking space-finding vehicle 8a sends a new message to the parking space-searching vehicle 6a and / or to all other vehicles 6b, 8b, 8c, indicating that the previously reported available parking space 4a is now occupied or claimed. Thus, this variant of the implementation of the procedure, including the exchange of information or messages, is completed.

[0040] In a second variant or implementation of the embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that parking space-finding vehicles 8a, 8b, 8c drive along paths between parking spaces 4a, 4b, 4c on the parking area 2 and do not search for their own free parking spaces 4a, 4b, 4c or parking gaps, but can nevertheless detect empty or free parking spaces 4a, 4b, 4c with their sensors, whereby these parking space-finding vehicles 8a, 8b, 8c determine free parking spaces 4a, 4b, 4c and further properties or parameters of free parking spaces 4a, 4b, 4c, such as an exact position and / or size of a respective free parking space 4a, 4b, 4c or the possibility of access to a charging column or charging station. Vehicles 6a and 6b searching for parking spaces receive information from vehicles 8a, 8b, and 8c finding parking spaces via vehicle-to-vehicle communication.Messages about available free parking spaces 4a, 4b, 4c in parking area 2 and parameters about the characteristics of each free parking space 4a, 4b, 4c. In this case, the first vehicle 6a searching for a parking space sends a further message or information about a specific free parking space 4a, suitable for this first vehicle 6a, to the first vehicle 8a finding a parking space, which disseminated the information about this free parking space 4a, and requests a reservation of the free parking space 4a, whereby the first vehicle 6a claiming the free parking space 4a for itself. Subsequently, the first vehicle 8a finding a parking space, which reported the free parking space 4a, sends a confirmation to the vehicle 6a searching for a parking space and optionally additional general information or a message to the other, e.g., immediately following, vehicles 6a.Vehicles 6b, 8b, and 8c located in the vicinity are informed that parking space 4a is now considered occupied.

[0041] The presented method enables decentralized parking management. This is suitable, for example, for large parking facilities without an infrastructure-based parking guidance system. The system allows vehicles already in the parking facility to monitor its parking density, taking into account how many of the total available parking spaces are free and how many are occupied. These vehicles can then search for available parking spaces, examining any discovered vacant spaces for further characteristics, typically regarding their condition. Furthermore, vehicles searching for parking spaces periodically send messages containing a list of available parking spaces. If an arriving vehicle with a parking space request is in the vicinity of the parking facility, it receives the list of available spaces and selects a suitable one.Furthermore, an arriving vehicle may indicate its interest in a specific available parking space, usually from the list. The allocation of available parking spaces is controlled and thus managed by the vehicle that has identified the space. A vehicle searching for a parking space can drive to the space reported as available and park there. While en route, it may continue to search for other available spaces and communicate with other drivers about alternative available parking options.

[0042] This system takes into account that a vehicle, based on its own location tracking (e.g., GPS information), is located within the parking facility and activates its sensors to search for parking spaces. Furthermore, the vehicle can measure the parking density—that is, the number of occupied and vacant parking spaces—as it drives through the facility. If the number of occupied spaces or the parking density exceeds a predefined threshold (e.g., 80%), the vehicle sends information about available parking spaces. This information considers how many parking spaces are occupied or vacant along a defined route. The vehicle's duration within the parking facility is also taken into account. An active search for available parking spaces is possible, for example, when the parking density exceeds the predefined threshold.In this regard, reference is made to the following Table 1, which describes exemplary roles or functions of different vehicles within the procedure. This includes functions of vehicles leaving the parking facility, functions of vehicles approaching the parking facility, and functions of vehicles searching for parking spaces. Furthermore, Table 1 describes a start process and end state associated with each function or role. Various parameters can be defined for this start and end state within the procedure, enabling the start and termination of the process, as listed, for example, in Table 1.

[0043] In this regard, it is further taken into account that no fixed role is assigned to any given vehicle, as it can both find a free parking space or search for a free parking space and can switch between the three roles or functions described above.

[0044] The procedure involves a vehicle driving through a parking facility searching for available parking spaces and analyzing the facility to determine parking density. If available parking spaces are found, the vehicle can periodically send messages at a defined frequency, for example, 0.2 Hz. These messages are sent and updated sequentially at intervals of several seconds, such as five seconds. The periodically sent messages include lists of available parking spaces and additional information about their characteristics. Based on these messages, a vehicle searching for a parking space can evaluate available spaces and determine whether a particular space is suitable for its search.This is possible through the automatic application of a dedicated algorithm or through input from the vehicle's driver. If a suitable parking space is identified for the searching vehicle, it sends a targeted message to the aforementioned passing vehicle that discovered the parking space and sent messages about it. This targeted message includes a request to drive to a specific parking space from the list. The passing vehicle that discovered the available parking space is trained to monitor and process feedback from searching vehicles regarding parking spaces. It is possible for this vehicle, which discovered the available parking space, to confirm the request of the searching vehicle, which is made possible by a corresponding targeted confirmation of the parking space request.Furthermore, the parking space will be removed from the list of available parking spaces, and no further notifications will be sent regarding this now reserved and / or occupied parking space. The vehicle searching for the parking space can now drive to the available space and park there.

[0045] The design of the procedure takes into account the possibility that communication between vehicles may break down during the allocation process for a parking space. This can result in a vacant parking space not being assigned. In this case, the vehicle searching for a free parking space continues its search. The passing vehicle that detects a parking space still classifies it as available and continues to transmit information accordingly.

[0046] If several vehicles seeking parking spaces are interested in the same space and notify the parking space finder, the available parking space will be allocated to the vehicle from which the parking space finder first received the request. The parking space finder will then send confirmation of the available parking space to this first vehicle. All subsequent vehicles seeking parking will not receive such confirmation. Specifically, such confirmation of an available parking space will only be sent once to the vehicle that first claimed the space from the parking space finder, thus prioritizing it over all other vehicles.

[0047] If a parking space initially reported as available is subsequently occupied, the vehicle that has discovered it will report that the space is free. A vehicle that has expressed interest in the now-occupied space will then be informed that it is occupied, and may be offered a new available parking space.

[0048] If several vehicles searching for parking report the same parking space as free, it becomes clear that responsibility for allocating that space is not clearly defined, creating the risk of the same space being allocated twice. This can be countered by having vehicles searching for parking inform each other about any available parking spaces they find, thus preventing duplicate reports. If a vehicle searching for parking is offered the same space by multiple vehicles, the vehicles can also coordinate by exchanging messages directly with each other.

[0049] Table 2 below shows different possible message formats for vehicles that can be used to inform drivers about available parking spaces and to claim them. According to the design in Table 2, two types of data frames are possible. The first data frame, "ANI," contains general message information. The second data frame, "LFP," provides a list of available parking spaces. Table 1 Designation: Departing vehicle Vehicle approaching Vehicle search Goal: Leave parking lot I would like to park in the parking lot. I would like to park in the parking lot. Status: - Drives through the parking area → On the way to the exit - Leaves an empty parking space behind - Approaching the parking lot - I would like to park in the parking lot - Already driving through the parking area →Looking for a parking space Activity imuse-case: Can communicate its own vacant parking space(s) and those of other registered vehicles. Controls parking space allocation. Select a parking space and request a parking space assignment. Park there after the space has been assigned and look for parking spaces as you drive by. Searches the parking lot for parking spaces and requests a parking space assignment after making your selection. Park there. Initiation parameters: Must be in a parking lot: a) Detect high parking density or b) Receive parking communication from others 1. Driver initiates parking space search process. 2. Requests possible from a distance of <=500 meters to parking space. 1. For search purposes, search for "vehicle leaving". 2. For inquiries, search for "vehicle approaching". End parameters Distance to parking area >100 meters Parking space found Parking space found Table 2 Data frame Contents optional format Size [Bit] ANI Data elements: - Message identification number (UniqueMSGID) text 72 - Vehicle identification number (Temporary ID) text 32 - Message timestamp (MOTY) Pay 20 - Parking facility identification number (ParkinglD) Pay 16 Overview: Key data for message and vehicle identification ≈ 140 bits LFP Data elements: - Parking space position data (Position3D) - Latitude, longitude and altitude - Position accuracy Pay 31+32+1632 - Dimensions of the parking space (optional) - Length and width x Pay 10+12 - Free data field for further information (optional) - Charging station?, parking interest / allocation, etc. x text 420 Overview: List with up to 40 entries showing available parking spaces and other information; size at maximum occupancy 1 entry: ≈ 560 bits 40 entries ≈ 22,400 bits Message size: ≈ 22,500 bits ≈ 2,800 bytes REFERENCE MARK: 2 parking areas 4a, 4b 4c Parking 6a, 6b Vehicle 8a, 8b 8c Vehicle

Claims

[1] Method for providing a free parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) for a vehicle (6a, 6b) searching for a parking space, wherein, if at least one other vehicle (8a, 8b, 8c) finds at least one free parking space (4a, 4b, 4c), this at least one vehicle (8a, 8b, 8c) searching for a parking space sends information about the at least one free parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) to its surroundings using vehicle-to-vehicle communication, wherein, if a parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) among the at least one found free parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) is suitable for at least one vehicle (6a, 6b) searching for a parking space in the surroundings, this suitable free parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) is indicated by this at least one vehicle (6a, 6b) searching for a parking space using vehicle-to-vehicle communication at the at least one parking space vehicle (8a, 8b, 8c) is required, whereby at least one parking space vehicle (8a,8b, 8c) a claim is received from the at least one vehicle (6a, 6b) searching for a parking space, wherein this at least one vehicle (8a, 8b, 8c) finding a parking space sends information to its surroundings using vehicle-to-vehicle communication that this suitable parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) is now claimed, wherein a free parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) is first found among several vehicles (8a, 8b, 8c) searching for a parking space by a first vehicle (8a, 8b, 8c), wherein information about the first finding of this free parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) is sent to its surroundings by the first vehicle (8a, 8b, 8c) searching for a parking space using vehicle-to-vehicle communication, wherein in the event that at least one further parking space finding vehicle (8a, 8b, 8c) among the several parking space finding vehicles (8a, 8b, 8c) this parking space (4a, 4b,4c) after the first parking space search vehicle (8a, 8b, 8c) has found it, this vehicle fails to provide at least one further parking space search vehicle (8a, 8b, 8c) with information about its finding of this already found parking space (4a, 4b, 4c). [2] Method according to claim 1, in which it is checked from which parking space-seeking vehicle (6a, 6b) among the at least one parking space-seeking vehicle (6a, 6b) the at least one parking space-finding vehicle (8a, 8b, 8c) first received the claim for the suitable parking space (4a, 4b, 4c), wherein from this parking space-finding vehicle (8a, 8b, 8c), which first received the claim for the suitable parking space (4a, 4b, 4c), the information that this suitable parking space is now claimed is sent to its surroundings using vehicle-to-vehicle communication. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the information transmitted about the at least one free parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) comprises at least one parameter describing this at least one free parking space (4a, 4b, 4c), wherein this parameter includes at least one position of the at least one free parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) in the surroundings, and / or wherein the at least one parameter further includes additional information about an area of ​​the at least one free parking space (4a, 4b, 4c), additional information about whether the at least one free parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) is covered and / or shaded, and / or additional information about whether the at least one free parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) includes an electric charging station, wherein the at least one parameter is communicated. [4] Method according to claim 3, wherein a free parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) under the at least one free parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) is claimed by the at least one parking space-seeking vehicle (6a, 6b) taking into account the at least one parameter. [5] Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one free parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) is found by the at least one parking space-finding vehicle (8a, 8b, 8c) while stationary, when leaving a now free parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) or while driving. [6] Parking management system for providing a free parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) for a vehicle (6a, 6b) searching for a parking space, wherein the parking management system comprises several computing units, several sensors and several communication units distributed among several vehicles (6a, 6b, 8a, 8b, 8c), wherein at least one sensor of at least one vehicle (8a, 8b, 8c) is configured to detect the environment of that at least one vehicle (8a, 8b, 8c), wherein, in the event that at least one free parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) is detected by the at least one vehicle (8a, 8b, 8c), a computing unit of that at least one parking space-finding vehicle (8a, 8b, 8c) is configured to cause a communication unit of the at least one parking space-finding vehicle (8a, 8b, 8c) to transmit information about the at least one free parking space (4a, 4b, 4c). 4b, 4c) to send into its surroundings using vehicle-to-vehicle communication,wherein a communication unit of at least one parking space-seeking vehicle (6a, 6b) in the vicinity is configured to receive this information, wherein a processing unit of this parking space-seeking vehicle (6a, 6b) is configured to process this information, wherein in the event that this processing unit independently and / or based on an input from a driver of the parking space-seeking vehicle (6a, 6b) decides that a parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) among the at least one found free parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) is suitable for the at least one parking space-seeking vehicle (6a, 6b) in the vicinity, the processing unit of this at least one parking space-seeking vehicle (6a, 6b) is configured to cause the communication unit of this at least one parking space-seeking vehicle (6a, 6b) to assign this suitable free parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) to this at least one parking space-seeking vehicle (6a, 6b).6b) to claim a parking space using vehicle-to-vehicle communication with the at least one parking space-finding vehicle (8a, 8b, 8c), wherein the communication unit of this at least one parking space-finding vehicle (8a, 8b, 8c) is configured to receive a claim for the available suitable parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) from the at least one parking space-searching vehicle (6a, 6b), wherein the processing unit of this at least one parking space-finding vehicle (8a, 8b, 8c) is configured to cause the communication unit of this at least one parking space-finding vehicle (8a, 8b, 8c) to send information to its surroundings using vehicle-to-vehicle communication that this suitable parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) is now claimed, wherein a free parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) is located under the at least one free parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) by a first vehicle to find a parking space (8a, 8b,8c) is first found among several vehicles (8a, 8b, 8c) searching for a parking space, wherein information about the initial finding of this free parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) is sent by the first vehicle (8a, 8b, 8c) searching for a parking space to its surroundings using vehicle-to-vehicle communication, wherein in the event that at least one other vehicle (8a, 8b, 8c) searching for a parking space finds this parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) later than the first vehicle (8a, 8b, 8c), this at least one other vehicle (8a, 8b, 8c) searching for a parking space finds this parking space (4a, 4b, 4c) fails to send information about its finding of this already found parking space (4a, 4b, 4c). [7] Computer program product comprising program code executable on a computing unit of a vehicle (6a, 6b, 8a, 8b, 8c), wherein the computing unit is assigned to the parking management system according to claim 6 and is configured to perform at least one step of a method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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