Functional element for home infrastructure, method for maneuvering a motor vehicle on private property and system

Abstract

Functional element (10) for home infrastructure, comprising a functional unit for providing a home technology function, comprising a sensor connection (14a, 14b, 14c) or several sensor connections (14a, 14b, 14c), and comprising a data interface (26) which is, on the one hand, connectable or coupled to a motor vehicle (1) and, on the other hand, connectable or coupled to each sensor connection (14a, 14b, 14c) of the functional element (10), wherein the functional unit is designed as an electric charging station (12), in particular as a wallbox, which can be permanently installed in a home infrastructure.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a functional element for home infrastructure. It also relates to a method for maneuvering a motor vehicle on private property, which is preferably carried out using the functional element, to a motor vehicle, and finally to a system comprising the functional element and the motor vehicle.

[0002] German patent DE 10 2017 110 670 A1 discloses a method for supporting a parking process, for example in a private carport, in which the ground area of ​​a parking zone is detected by an external ultrasonic sensor. The information about the ground area can be sent to an internal or external vehicle device or to a mobile device.

[0003] DE 10 2012 016 867 A1 concerns the coupling of a motor vehicle with a camera mounted in a garage and the use of the information provided by the camera by a parking assistance system.

[0004] The current state of the art is not overly effective, despite the increased effort involved in mounting the ultrasonic sensor or camera.

[0005] The purpose of the invention is to help to carry out automated driving on private property, in particular automated parking maneuvers, more reliably.

[0006] The problem is solved by the functional element according to claim 1, the method according to claim 7, the motor vehicle according to claim 8 and the system according to claim 10.

[0007] The functional element according to the invention for home infrastructure comprises a functional unit for providing a home technology function (preferably provided using electricity) and may optionally also have an aesthetic function in addition to or as an alternative to the home technology function. This functional element comprises one or more sensor connections and a data interface that is, on the one hand, connectable to or coupled with a motor vehicle (preferably wirelessly, for example via radio, for which purpose the data interface has a subunit designed as a communication interface) and, on the other hand, connectable to or coupled with each sensor connection of the functional element.

[0008] These features thus combine the use of the functional element for its intended home technology function with the acquisition of measured values ​​by at least one sensor and with the transmission of signals to a motor vehicle.

[0009] The sensor connections can all be of the same type or different.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the functional element, at least one sensor is already connected to a sensor port and thus forms part of the functional element; preferably, two sensors are connected, which are particularly preferably sensors with different measuring methods. The measuring method can differ with respect to the measured quantity, but the technology used for measuring can also differ even with the same measured quantity, in order to be able to specify the measured quantity, for example, in different measurement intervals or with different measurement accuracy, which may also vary within a measurement interval.

[0011] The connected sensors can be optical sensors (cameras that are sensitive to light, infrared cameras, etc.), but they can also be ultrasonic sensors, heat sensors and the like, all individually or all together connected to sensor connections of the functional element and thus become part of the functional element.

[0012] According to a further preferred embodiment, the data interface comprises a data processing device for collecting data from each of the sensors connected to a sensor port and for defining signals to be sent to a motor vehicle coupled to the data interface depending on the (collected) data, wherein preferably the defined signals contain this data directly or as processed data and / or contain control commands.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, in the embodiment with a connected sensor, at least one sensor is designed for measuring the distance to the motor vehicle, and the signals also include, in particular, the data that are recorded by this sensor for measuring the distance.

[0014] Furthermore, the data processing unit is preferably also designed to acquire data from the functional unit and to define the signals based on this data from the functional unit. This allows the vehicle to have access to additional, potentially important information.

[0015] According to another preferred embodiment, the functional unit is designed as an electric charging station. In particular, the existing "Wallbox" from the Volkswagen Group can be extended within the scope of the invention by means of the data interface and the connections for the sensors. An advantage of this is that such a unit is permanently installed in the home infrastructure anyway and can therefore provide a fixed location for the sensors as well.

[0016] The inventive method for maneuvering a motor vehicle on private property includes the following: (preferably using the functional element described above, in all possible embodiments mentioned) at least one of the following is carried out: a) Acquisition (preferably permanent (longer-lasting) acquisition) of data on the environment of the motor vehicle while it is stationary and when the motor vehicle is initiated to start moving (autonomously provided); sending an intervention signal to the motor vehicle depending on the data, or otherwise preferably sending a release signal to the motor vehicle; b) Collecting data on the surroundings of the motor vehicle during autonomously guided parking out of private property and transmitting corresponding data to the motor vehicle; c) Collecting data on a parking space designated for the motor vehicle during its absence and transmitting corresponding data to the motor vehicle before or upon entering the private premises or parking space; d) Transmitting distance data to a (coordinate) zero point to the motor vehicle.

[0017] Within the framework of this procedure, it is therefore possible, according to point a), to prevent an autonomously or semi-autonomously starting motor vehicle, or possibly also a motor vehicle under the control of the driver, from overlooking certain objects, animals, and persons. For example, such continuous monitoring of the motor vehicle's surroundings can detect that a child has rolled their ball under the vehicle's undercarriage, that a child's toy may be lying behind the vehicle, that a gardener has left tools behind the vehicle, that the surroundings of the vehicle have deteriorated due to weather conditions, etc.

[0018] According to b), a parking maneuver can be accompanied by data acquisition using at least one and preferably several sensors (as part of the functional element).

[0019] According to c), continuous monitoring can inform the motor vehicle, which parks itself at least semi-autonomously and preferably autonomously, about changes when it approaches or enters the vicinity of or the private property or the parking area, such as the aforementioned toys and garden equipment or changes caused by weather (fallen branch).

[0020] Finally, the functional element can also be used for bearing. Since the functional element for home infrastructure is preferably permanently installed on private property (attached to a wall, embedded in the ground, etc.), distance measurement using the sensors connected to the functional element via the sensor ports enables a distance measurement to the vehicle, thus allowing a kind of bearing to be carried out.

[0021] The motor vehicle according to the invention comprises a communication interface to the data interface of the functional element as described above, and it comprises a control unit for autonomous driving of the motor vehicle on private premises, in particular for carrying out a parking maneuver, wherein the control unit is designed to receive and process data received from the functional element via the communication interface.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the data processing takes place in a data processing unit of the functional element, so that the control unit on the vehicle side is also designed to receive control commands directly from the functional element and is preferably designed to also implement the control commands.

[0023] The system according to the invention combines the functional element with the motor vehicle.

[0024] For use cases or application situations that may arise during the procedure and are not explicitly described here, it may be provided that, according to the procedure, an error message and / or a request for user feedback is issued and / or a default setting and / or a predetermined initial state is set.

[0025] The invention also includes the control device for the motor vehicle. The control device can comprise a data processing device or a processor unit configured to carry out an embodiment of the method according to the invention. For this purpose, the processor unit can comprise at least one microprocessor and / or at least one microcontroller and / or at least one FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and / or at least one DSP (Digital Signal Processor). In particular, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or an NPU (Neural Processing Unit) can be used as the microprocessor. Furthermore, the processor unit can comprise program code configured to carry out the embodiment of the method according to the invention when executed by the processor unit. The program code can be stored in a data memory of the processor unit.The processor setup can be based on at least one circuit board and / or at least one SoC (System on Chip).

[0026] The invention also includes further developments of the motor vehicle according to the invention, which have features that have already been described in connection with the further developments of the functional element according to the invention or that are complementary to such features. For this reason, the corresponding further developments of the motor vehicle according to the invention are not described again here.

[0027] The motor vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car or truck, or as a passenger bus or motorcycle.

[0028] As a further solution, the invention also includes a computer-readable storage medium comprising program code which, when executed by a computer or a computer network, causes it to execute an embodiment of the method according to the invention. The storage medium can be provided at least partially as a non-volatile data storage medium (e.g., as flash memory and / or as an SSD - solid state drive) and / or at least partially as a volatile data storage medium (e.g., as RAM - random access memory). The storage medium can be located within the computer or computer network. However, the storage medium can also be operated, for example, as an app store server and / or cloud server on the internet. The computer or computer network can provide a processor circuit with, for example, at least one microprocessor.The program code can be provided as binary code and / or as assembly code and / or as source code of a programming language (e.g. C) and / or as a program script (e.g. Python).

[0029] The invention also includes combinations of the features of the described embodiments. The invention therefore also includes realizations that each exhibit a combination of the features of several of the described embodiments, provided that the embodiments have not been described as mutually exclusive.

[0030] The following are exemplary embodiments of the invention described. This is illustrated by: Fig. 1 a complete system with a functional element according to the invention for home infrastructure (“central infrastructure element”) and the communication partners thereof; Fig. 2 the situation on private property before the arrival of the motor vehicle; Fig. 3 the situation on the private premises upon arrival of the vehicle; Fig. 4. The situation on private property with a parked vehicle; and Fig. 5 A diagram showing the functional element and the motor vehicle to illustrate the process of taking bearings.

[0031] The exemplary embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In these exemplary embodiments, the described components each represent individual features of the invention, which can be considered independently of one another and each further develops the invention independently. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to include combinations of features of the embodiments other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

[0032] In the figures, identical reference symbols denote functionally equivalent elements.

[0033] A in Fig. The motor vehicle 1 shown is intended to be able to drive autonomously or at least semi-autonomously with the aid of its control unit 2, in particular for performing parking and / or exiting maneuvers on private property. A functional element 10 for home infrastructure is located on the private property, which can be assumed to be permanently installed in this case. It could, for example, be an electric charging station ("wallbox") for the motor vehicle 1 if it is an electric vehicle (or for another vehicle in the household). The functional element 10 comprises the actual (preferably electrical) functional unit 12 for providing a home technology function; in the present example of a "wallbox," this includes the actual charging unit with connections, etc., which will not be described in further detail here, as known designs exist.

[0034] Functional element 10 is now equipped with sensor connections 14a, 14b, and 14c for coupling with a sensor such as a camera 16, a LiDAR device 18, a radar 20, and the like. LiDAR stands for "Light Detection and Ranging." The peripheral devices 16, 18, and 20 can be considered part of functional element 10 or separate units that can be connected to the sensor connections 14a, 14b, and 14c and are connected for commissioning. Functional element 10 also has a communication interface 22 for communication with external elements. This can include, for example, charging peripherals such as a charging robot or a wireless charging unit, which includes coils, etc., installed in the floor of a garage. These charging peripherals are designated by the symbol 4. In particular, interface 22a is provided for a specific element.Functional element 10 also has further communication interfaces 24a and 24b (which can also be considered a single unit with various antenna systems), whereby communication interface 24a can support a network connection to a backend server and a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) connection to the vehicle 1, and communication interface 24b can be, for example, a UWB (Ultra-Wideband) interface or other radio interface. Communication interfaces 22, 22a and 24a, 24b can also be combined into a single communication interface.

[0035] The functional element 10 further comprises a data processing unit 26 (which can be implemented as a microprocessor or the like) to which measurement data can be supplied by all connected units, preferably at least by the sensors 16, 18, 20, and which calculates or outputs the corresponding signals to be transmitted to the motor vehicle 1. Optionally, a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor 28 or another transmitter connected to a satellite system can be installed in the functional element 10 to determine the location of the functional element 10 as precisely as possible.

[0036] Network connection 24a allows for a connection to an external backend server 3 and a connection to a communication interface 4 of the vehicle 1. A connection to the vehicle's communication interface 4 can also be established via the (UWB) communication interface 24b. In this way, the functional element 10 can communicate with the vehicle 1. Communication between the backend server and the vehicle 1 is not shown, but is also possible. Data could thus reach the vehicle 1 indirectly via the backend server 3, particularly if the vehicle 1 is not located on or near the private property.

[0037] In this context, the Fig. 2. A private property with the symbolically depicted building 100 and the parking corridor 200, i.e., the route that must be traversed from the entrance to the property to a garage 300 on the property in order to park the motor vehicle 1. The functional element 10 can now use the sensors (camera 16, LIDAR 18, radar 20) to continuously monitor the parking corridor (at very short intervals, for example, less than one second or within a few seconds, or at intervals between one second and one minute, or between one minute and ten minutes, or between ten minutes and one hour). In this way, it can be detected, for example, if a child leaves their toy on the parking corridor 200, if animals are there ("sleeping cat"), or if other objects ("fallen branch") could obstruct access for the motor vehicle 1.Motor vehicle 1 can thus be informed, either indirectly via the backend server 3 or upon arrival near the private premises via the communication interfaces 24a, 24b on the one hand and 4 on the other, whether the parking corridor 200 is immediately accessible, and autonomous parking can be prepared in this way.

[0038] Fig. Figure 3 illustrates that the functional element 10 can monitor specific parking spaces, here marked with the number 400, for example in garage 300, and next to another vehicle 1', and transmit information about whether the space is free to vehicle 1. It could be that a completely different vehicle is parked in parking space 400, or that, as mentioned above, children's toys, animals, or objects could obstruct the parking process.

[0039] Fig. Figure 4 illustrates vehicle 1, now parked in parking space 400. Functional element 10 can be equipped with the additional function (optional) to continue monitoring the parking spaces themselves and / or to detect the surrounding area. In this way, events that could hinder the subsequent removal of vehicle 1 (or vehicle 1') from its parking space can be detected. For example, a child's ball might roll under vehicle 1, or there might be animals underneath it. Due to continuous monitoring (at intervals as specified above, or even less frequent intervals compared to those mentioned before parking), functional element 10 can determine whether vehicle 1 can be immediately removed from its parking space or not.

[0040] The functional element 10, knowing its own coordinates (shown here as P0), can transmit information to the vehicle 1 via radio direction finding, for example using UWB radio via the communication interface 24b. This information enables the vehicle 1's control unit 2 to determine its position. The vehicle 1 can thus receive the information that it is located at point P (x, y, z). In this way, the autonomously parking or unparking vehicle 1 can very precisely find its way within the parking corridor and preferably to reach parking space 400.

[0041] The position data P0 can be permanently stored in a memory of the functional element (which is not shown in the figures), which can be done during assembly, or alternatively, the above-mentioned optional GPS position detection sensor 28 can be included.

[0042] The motor vehicle 1 shown here with the control unit 2 can receive data, mediated by the functional element 10, which is generated by the sensors 16, 18 and / or 20 and collected in the data processing unit 26. This applies regardless of whether the sensors 16, 18 and / or 20 are intended as part of the functional element 10 or as external units. Alternatively, the data processing unit 26 is designed to receive and process such data from the sensors and, if applicable, from other elements, such as the functional unit 12 and, if applicable, the charging peripherals 14, etc.In this variant, the data processing unit can directly transmit control signals (via communication interfaces 24a and / or 24b) to the vehicle 1 (to the control unit 2 via communication interface 4 of the vehicle 1), which can interfere with the otherwise intended autonomous driving on the private property. For example, if an object is detected in parking corridor 2, in the case of... Fig. 2. a stop of the motor vehicle 1 in parking corridor 200 in front of an obstacle, in the case of the Fig. 3. A stop may be ordered immediately in front of the garage with parking space 400, or in the case of the Fig. 4. In fact, starting off can even be prevented (blocked).

[0043] Overall, the examples show how a central infrastructure element for security concepts for automated parking functions on private property can be provided. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2017 110 670 A1

[0002] DE 10 2012 016 867 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Functional element (10) for home infrastructure, comprising a functional unit for providing a home technology function, comprising a sensor connection (14a, 14b, 14c) or multiple sensor connections (14a, 14b, 14c), and comprising a data interface (26) which is, on the one hand, connectable or coupled to a motor vehicle (1) and, on the other hand, connectable or coupled to each sensor connection (14a, 14b, 14c) of the functional element (10). [2] Functional element (10) according to claim 1, comprising at least one sensor (16, 18, 20) at a sensor connection (14a, 14b, 14c) and preferably two sensors (16, 18, 20) with different measuring methods at a respective sensor connection (14a, 14b, 14c). [3] Functional element (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the data interface comprises a data processing device (26) for collecting data from each sensor (16, 18, 20) connected to a sensor port (14a, 14b, 14c) and for defining signals to be sent to a motor vehicle (1) coupled to the data interface (26) depending on the data collected, wherein the signals to be sent preferably contain the data collected or derived from the data collected and / or control commands. [4] Functional element (10) according to claim 3 in reference to claim 2, comprising a sensor on a sensor connection (14a, 14b, 14c) for measuring the distance to the motor vehicle (1) wherein the data interface (26) is designed to transmit the data for measuring the distance to the motor vehicle (1). [5] Functional element (10) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the data processing device (26) is also designed to acquire data from the functional unit and to define the signals also depending on this data from the functional unit. [6] Functional element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional unit is designed as an electrical charging station (12). [7] Method for maneuvering a motor vehicle (1) on private property (100, 200, 300, 400) wherein, preferably using the functional element (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, at least one of the following is carried out: a) Acquiring data on the environment of the motor vehicle (1) while it is stationary and when the motor vehicle is started to move (1); sending an intervention signal to the motor vehicle (1) depending on the data, or preferably a release signal to the motor vehicle (1); b) Collecting data on the surroundings of the motor vehicle (1) during autonomously guided parking out of the private premises (100, 200, 300, 400) and transmitting corresponding data to the motor vehicle (1); c) Collecting data on a parking space (300, 400) provided for the motor vehicle (1) during its absence and transmitting corresponding data to the motor vehicle (1) before or upon entering the private premises (100, 200, 300, 400) or the parking space (300, 400); d) Transmitting distance data to a zero point to the motor vehicle (1). [8] Motor vehicle (1) with a communication interface (4) to the data interface (26) of a functional element according to one of claims 1-6, and a control unit (2) for autonomous driving of the motor vehicle (1) on private property (100, 200, 300, 400) which is designed to receive and process data received from the functional element via the communication interface (4). [9] Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 8, in which the control unit (2) is also designed to receive control commands directly from the functional element and to implement the control commands. [10] System comprising the functional element according to one of claims 1-6 and the motor vehicle (1) according to claim 9, wherein the functional element is designed to transmit control commands to the motor vehicle (1) and the motor vehicle (1) is designed to implement the control commands.

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