CONCEPT FOR Mapping the Environment of a Motor Vehicle

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device and a method for detecting the environment of a motor vehicle. The invention further relates to a motor vehicle. The invention relates to a method for modifying a motor vehicle. The invention relates to a system for detecting the environment of a motor vehicle. The invention further relates to a computer program. State of the art

[0002] Systems for determining parking spaces at the roadside are well-known. They typically comprise two subsystems: a first subsystem located in the vehicle and a second subsystem located in a cloud infrastructure.

[0003] The subsystem located in the vehicle includes environmental sensors that scan the roadside as the vehicle drives along it. The raw sensor data is then processed by the vehicle's parking control unit. This means, for example, that the parking control unit determines occupied or free spaces, as well as their dimensions and distances to each other.

[0004] In a so-called "HeadUnit", the main control unit of the motor vehicle, or possibly in another computer, a position of the occupied or free areas is additionally determined, for example by means of a GPS sensor.

[0005] Via a communication unit of the vehicle, this data (position of the determined area and its occupancy status, i.e. free or unoccupied) is sent to the sub-system which is located in the cloud infrastructure.

[0006] The subsystem, located in the cloud infrastructure, processes this data and determines, for example, whether an open area is a driveway or not. This further processed data is then sent back to the vehicle or other vehicles, so that the information contained in this processed data can be displayed in the respective vehicle and / or made available via the internet.

[0007] The vehicle must therefore be equipped with a suitably designed parking control unit. Specifically, the vehicle must contain a positioning component, such as a GPS sensor. Furthermore, the vehicle must contain a communication component for communication with the subsystem located within the cloud infrastructure.

[0008] Furthermore, adjustments to the vehicle's internal communication system, for example to the vehicle's bus system, are usually required.

[0009] For these reasons, the first sub-system located in the motor vehicle cannot be retrofitted into an already completed motor vehicle, i.e., after its manufacture, or only with significant modifications.

[0010] Patent DE 10 2012 216 994 A1 discloses a method for parking space brokerage, wherein road users obtain information about available parking spaces and transmit the information to a cloud computing system, wherein the cloud computing system records information about the available parking spaces in a parking space map that can be retrieved.

[0011] Document DE 10 2014 101 731 A1 discloses a method for transmitting the availability of parking spaces for a parking lot.

[0012] Document US 2013 / 057686 A1 discloses a method for parking management using vehicles as mobile sensors.

[0013] Based on the state of the art, the objective technical task for a specialist is to improve a method for parking space allocation. Disclosure of the invention

[0014] The above problem is solved according to the invention in accordance with independent claims 1, 14, 16, 17 and 18.

[0015] The object underlying the invention is to provide an efficient concept for efficiently capturing the environment of a motor vehicle, which overcomes the disadvantages described above and which efficiently enables a motor vehicle to become part of a system for determining parking spaces even after its manufacture.

[0016] This problem is solved by means of the respective subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of dependent claims.

[0017] According to one aspect, a device for detecting the environment of a motor vehicle is provided, comprising: A parking control unit, a first data processing unit, one or more ultrasonic sensors as sensor units, each comprising one or more environmental sensors for detecting the environment of a motor vehicle and a communication interface for the wired transmission of the corresponding environmental sensor raw data from the respective detection, wherein the parking control unit has a communication interface configured to receive the environmental sensor raw data via a wired connection, wherein the first data processing unit has a communication module configured to receive the environmental sensor raw data from at least one communication interface of the sensor unit(s) via a wired connection, and wherein the communication module is configured to transmit the environmental sensor raw data and optionally environmental data based on the environmental sensor raw data to a second data processing unit via a wireless communication network.so that the second data processing unit can send the raw environmental sensor data and, optionally, the environmental data to a cloud server via another wireless communication network.

[0018] According to another aspect, a motor vehicle is provided which includes the device for detecting the environment of a motor vehicle.

[0019] According to another aspect, a method for detecting the environment of a motor vehicle using the device for detecting the environment of a motor vehicle is provided, comprising the following steps: Detection of the environment of a motor vehicle using the ultrasonic sensor(s) as environmental sensors, wired transmission of the corresponding environmental sensor raw data via the respective communication interface of the sensor unit(s), wired reception of the environmental sensor raw data via the first data processing unit and transmission of the environmental sensor raw data and optionally of environmental data based on the environmental sensor raw data via a wireless communication network via the first data processing unit to a second data processing unit, so that the second data processing unit can send the environmental sensor raw data and optionally the environmental data via another wireless communication network to a cloud server.

[0020] Environmental sensor raw data Environmental sensor raw data Environmental sensor raw data Environmental sensor raw data

[0021] In addition to one further aspect, a system for capturing the environment of a motor vehicle is provided, comprehensively: the device for detecting the environment of a motor vehicle and a cloud server which includes a communication interface designed to receive the environment sensor raw data and optionally the environment data via the further wireless communication network.

[0022] According to another aspect, a computer program is provided which includes program code for carrying out the procedure for capturing the environment of a motor vehicle when the computer program is executed on a computer.

[0023] The invention is based on the understanding that the above problem can be solved by providing a first data processing unit which, in addition to the parking control unit, receives the raw environmental sensor data via wired connection from the environmental sensors or ultrasonic sensors as sensor units and transmits this raw environmental sensor data, and optionally environmental data based on this raw environmental sensor data, to a second data processing unit via a wireless communication network. This allows the second data processing unit to then advantageously transmit this data to a cloud server via another wireless communication network. In other words, the raw environmental sensor data and the optional environmental data are not transmitted from the first data processing unit to the second data processing unit via a bus, but wirelessly.This means that, advantageously, no modifications need to be made to a motor vehicle bus for a communication link between the first data processing unit and the second data processing unit.

[0024] This means that even a vehicle can participate in a parking space determination system after its manufacture, simply by installing an initial data processing unit. After the modification, the vehicle, in addition to the parking control unit, has this first data processing unit, which communicates with a second data processing unit, which in turn communicates with the cloud server. This allows such a modified vehicle to efficiently participate in a parking space determination system, even though it was not capable of doing so before the modification. Before the modification, for example, suitable communication options with the cloud server were lacking. Typically, the parking control unit itself is either not capable of or not configured to communicate with the cloud server.By providing the first data processing facility, a first step is taken towards establishing a communication connection with the cloud server.

[0025] The second data processing unit then handles the communication between the first data processing unit and the cloud server. Providing such a second data processing unit can be done efficiently. For example, as described below, providing a mobile device or a main control unit is sufficient.

[0026] Drivers of motor vehicles typically already carry a mobile device, such as a mobile phone. This then handles the communication between the first data processing unit and the cloud server.

[0027] Motor vehicles typically already have a main control unit, so a suitable device is already available to communicate with the cloud server.

[0028] In particular, due to the concept according to the invention, no modifications need to be made to or in the sensor units. Therefore, the sensor units that were already installed in the vehicle during its manufacturing can continue to be used.

[0029] An existing parking control unit usually does not need to be modified.

[0030] Furthermore, due to the concept according to the invention, no changes, or at least no significant changes, need to be made to and / or in a bus of the motor vehicle, insofar as the raw environmental sensor data are transmitted or sent directly from the at least one communication interface of the sensor unit(s) to the first data processing device.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the device includes the second data processing unit, wherein the second data processing unit is configured to send the environmental sensor raw data and optionally the environmental data to the cloud server via the further wireless communication network.

[0032] According to another embodiment, the second data processing device is a mobile terminal, in particular a mobile phone.

[0033] This results, for example, in the technical advantage that a mobile device, in particular a mobile phone, of a motor vehicle driver can be used efficiently.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the second data processing device is a main control unit for a motor vehicle.

[0035] This results, for example, in the technical advantage that the main control unit can be used efficiently.

[0036] A main control unit as described above can, for example, be referred to as a head unit.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the parking control unit and the first data processing unit are connected in parallel to at least one of the respective communication interfaces of the sensor unit(s) in terms of communication technology, so that the parking control unit and the first data processing unit are each directly connected to the at least one communication interface.

[0038] This results, for example, in the technical advantage that the respective communication between the ultrasonic sensor(s) as sensor units and the parking control unit or the first data processing unit can be carried out independently of each other. The parking control unit and the first data processing unit each communicate directly with the respective ultrasonic sensor(s) as sensor unit(s).

[0039] For example, it is intended that the parking control unit and the first data processing unit are each connected, or can be connected, to the corresponding ultrasonic sensor(s) as sensor units via their own communication line, for example via their own communication cable.

[0040] For example, the respective communication line between the parking control unit and the ultrasonic sensor(s) as sensor units is part of a bus, for example part of a CAN or FlexRay bus.

[0041] For example, the respective communication line between the first data processing unit and the sensor unit(s) is not part of a bus, in particular not part of the bus of which the respective communication line between the parking control unit and the sensor unit(s) is a part.

[0042] The wording that the parking control unit and the first data processing unit are connected in parallel with at least one of the respective communication interfaces of the sensor unit(s) includes in particular the case that the parking control unit and the first data processing unit are connected in parallel with exactly one of the communication interfaces of the sensor unit(s).

[0043] The wording that the parking control unit and the first data processing unit are connected in parallel to at least one of the respective communication interfaces of the sensor unit(s) includes in particular the case that the parking control unit and the first data processing unit are connected in parallel to several, in particular all, of the respective communication interfaces of the sensor unit(s).

[0044] According to one embodiment, the first data processing device is connected to exactly one sensor unit via communication technology, in particular to several, for example all, sensor units via communication technology.

[0045] According to another embodiment, the parking control unit is indirectly connected to at least one of the respective communication interfaces via the first data processing unit, so that the raw environmental sensor data transmitted via the at least one communication interface can be passed through the first data processing unit to the parking control unit.

[0046] This results, for example, in the technical advantage that only one communication line, in particular one communication cable, is needed from the parking control unit to the first data processing unit instead of several communication lines between the parking control unit and the sensor units.

[0047] The raw environmental sensor data is therefore first transmitted from the respective communication interface to the first data processing unit, looped through it and then transmitted further to the parking control unit.

[0048] For example, it is provided that the first data processing unit is connected to at least one communication interface of the sensor unit(s) via its own communication line.

[0049] The wording that the parking control unit is indirectly connected to at least one of the respective communication interfaces via the first data processing unit includes in particular the case that the parking control unit is indirectly connected to a communication interface of exactly one sensor unit via the first data processing unit.

[0050] The wording that the parking control unit is indirectly connected to at least one of the respective communication interfaces via the first data processing unit includes in particular the case that the parking control unit is indirectly connected to a communication interface of several, in particular all, sensor units via the first data processing unit.

[0051] In one embodiment, it is provided that the parking control unit and the first data processing unit are connected in parallel to at least one of the respective communication interfaces of the sensor unit(s) in terms of communication technology, so that the parking control unit and the first data processing unit are each directly connected to the at least one communication interface, wherein the parking control unit is indirectly connected to at least one of the respective communication interfaces by means of the first data processing unit, so that the raw environmental sensor data transmitted by means of the at least one communication interface can be looped through to the parking control unit by the first data processing unit.

[0052] This means, in particular, that both the indirect communication link and the parallel connection can be provided in a common embodiment.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the communication module comprises a first communication interface, in particular a bus communication interface, for receiving the raw environmental sensor data via wired connection, and a second communication interface, in particular a WLAN or Bluetooth communication interface, for sending the raw environmental sensor data and / or the environmental data to the second data processing device.

[0054] This results, for example, in the technical advantage that the data can be transmitted efficiently, i.e., sent and received in particular.

[0055] This means, for example, that the wireless communication network is a WLAN communication network or a Bluetooth communication network.

[0056] This means, for example, that the raw environmental sensor data is transmitted from the sensor unit(s) to the communication module of the first data processing unit via a bus communication system.

[0057] A bus communication system can also be referred to as a bus system. A bus, as used in this description, includes, for example, a CAN bus and / or a FlexRay bus.

[0058] This means, in particular, that the bus system includes, for example, a CAN bus and / or a FlexRay bus.

[0059] A bus, as described above, can in particular be referred to as a motor vehicle bus and / or a communication bus.

[0060] According to another embodiment, the additional wireless communication network includes a mobile communication network and / or a WLAN communication network.

[0061] In one embodiment, the second data processing device comprises a first communication interface, in particular a WLAN or a Bluetooth communication interface, for wirelessly receiving the environmental sensor raw data or the environmental data via the wireless communication network, and a second communication interface, in particular a mobile communication interface or WLAN communication interface, for sending the environmental sensor raw data and optionally the environmental data to the cloud server via the further communication network.

[0062] If the other communication network is a WLAN communication network, the first communication interface can be used to send the environmental data or the raw environmental sensor data, provided that it is designed as a WLAN communication interface.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the parking control unit and / or the first data processing unit and / or the second data processing unit are designed to determine, based on the raw environmental sensor data, the dimensions of a free area of ​​the environment and / or the dimensions of an area of ​​the environment occupied by a motor vehicle, and to determine environmental data corresponding to the determination of the respective dimensions.

[0064] This results in the particular technical advantage that the parking control unit, the first data processing unit, and the second data processing unit can be used efficiently. In particular, this results in the technical advantage that the cloud server can be relieved of this task.

[0065] In one embodiment, a position sensor is provided for detecting the position of the motor vehicle, wherein the first data processing unit is configured to send position data corresponding to the detection of the position to the second data processing unit, so that the second data processing unit can send the position data to the cloud server via the further wireless communication network.

[0066] This provides the particular technical advantage that the position of the detected environment can be efficiently determined and efficiently made available to the cloud server remotely from the vehicle.

[0067] According to one embodiment, a position sensor is provided for detecting the position of the motor vehicle, wherein the second data processing device is configured to send position data corresponding to the detection of the position to the cloud server via the further wireless communication network.

[0068] This provides the particular technical advantage that the position of the detected environment can be efficiently determined and efficiently made available to the cloud server remotely from the vehicle.

[0069] According to another embodiment, the position sensor is integrated into the first data processing unit or the second data processing unit.

[0070] In one embodiment, it is provided that a position sensor is integrated in the first data processing unit and in the second data processing unit.

[0071] In one embodiment, it is provided that the sensor unit(s) are each configured to encrypt the raw environmental sensor data, wherein the respective communication interface of the sensor unit(s) is configured to transmit the encrypted raw environmental sensor data via wired connection to the first data processing device.

[0072] This provides the particular technical advantage that the raw environmental sensor data can be protected against unauthorized reading.

[0073] In one embodiment, it is provided that the sensor unit(s) are each configured to encrypt the raw environmental sensor data, wherein the respective communication interface of the sensor unit(s) is configured to transmit the encrypted raw environmental sensor data to the parking control unit via a wired connection.

[0074] This provides the particular technical advantage that the raw environmental sensor data can be protected against unauthorized reading.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the communication module is designed to wirelessly receive the encrypted raw environmental sensor data.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the first data processing device is designed to decrypt the encrypted raw environmental sensor data.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the first data processing device is configured to encrypt unencrypted environmental sensor raw data and / or unencrypted environmental data.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the second data processing unit is designed to decrypt the encrypted raw environmental sensor data.

[0079] According to one embodiment, the second data processing device is designed to encrypt unencrypted environmental sensor raw data and / optionally unencrypted environmental data.

[0080] According to one embodiment, the parking control unit is designed to decrypt the encrypted raw environmental sensor data.

[0081] According to one embodiment, the parking control unit is designed to encrypt unencrypted environmental sensor raw data and optionally unencrypted environmental data.

[0082] According to one embodiment, the communication module is designed to send the encrypted environmental sensor raw data and optionally the encrypted environmental data to the second data processing unit via the wireless communication network.

[0083] According to one embodiment, the second data processing device is designed to send the encrypted environmental sensor raw data and optionally the encrypted environmental data to the cloud server via the further wireless communication network.

[0084] According to one embodiment, the sensor unit(s), the first data processing unit, the second data processing unit, and the parking control unit each comprise a processor configured to encrypt and decrypt the raw environmental sensor data, respectively.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the environmental sensor raw data are environmental sensor raw data or comprise environmental sensor raw data.

[0086] According to the invention, an environmental sensor as described is an ultrasonic sensor. Additionally, for example, one of the following environmental sensors can be provided: radar sensor, lidar sensor, magnetic sensor, laser sensor, video sensor, in particular the video sensor of a video camera, infrared sensor.

[0087] For example, if there are multiple environmental sensors, these may be designed the same way or differently.

[0088] The phrase "respectively" includes in particular the phrase "and / or".

[0089] In one embodiment, the parking control unit is designed to park and / or unpark a motor vehicle at least semi-autonomously, in particular fully autonomously.

[0090] The fact that the parking control unit is designed to park a motor vehicle at least semi-autonomously, in particular fully autonomously, means in particular that the parking control unit is designed to control lateral and / or longitudinal guidance of the motor vehicle.

[0091] In one embodiment, the parking control unit is configured to determine the distance between a motor vehicle and an object in its vicinity based on raw environmental sensor data, for example, during a parking maneuver. Preferably, the parking control unit is configured to issue a warning based on the determined distance and / or to control a warning device for issuing a warning if the determined distance is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold. For example, the warning device may include an optical, haptic, and / or acoustic signal generator. The warning device may also include a display device for showing the warning.

[0092] This can, for example, provide the technical advantage that the driver of the motor vehicle can be warned efficiently, so that a collision between the motor vehicle and the object can be avoided.

[0093] The warning device is, for example, included in the device for detecting an environment or in the motor vehicle.

[0094] In one embodiment, the parking control unit is designed to measure a free parking space in response to a user command based on the raw environmental sensor data, particularly before a parking maneuver of the motor vehicle.

[0095] The user command can come, for example, from the driver or another occupant of the vehicle. This means, in particular, that the parking control unit, upon request, measures for an available parking space based on the raw data from the environmental sensors.

[0096] The parking control unit provides a result of this measurement, for example to a display device that shows the result.

[0097] One result includes, in particular, the statement as to whether the vehicle fits into the free parking space or not.

[0098] In one embodiment, the first data processing device has an electrical connection for connecting an electrical line in order to supply the first data processing device with electrical energy from a motor vehicle battery.

[0099] This results, for example, in the technical advantage that the first data processing device can be efficiently supplied with electrical energy.

[0100] In one embodiment, it is provided that the first data processing device is electrically connected to the vehicle battery by means of an electrical line connected to the electrical connection.

[0101] According to one embodiment, the method for detecting the environment of a motor vehicle is carried out or performed by means of the device for detecting the environment of a motor vehicle.

[0102] According to one embodiment, the device is designed or configured to detect the environment of a motor vehicle and to carry out the method for detecting the environment of a motor vehicle.

[0103] According to one embodiment, the first data processing device has an electrical energy storage device for internal electrical power supply.

[0104] This results, for example, in the technical advantage that the first data processing unit can be operated autonomously.

[0105] The electrical energy storage system includes, for example, one or more batteries and / or one or more accumulators.

[0106] The technical functionalities of the method for detecting the environment of a motor vehicle result analogously from corresponding technical functionalities of the device for detecting the environment of a motor vehicle and vice versa.

[0107] According to one embodiment, the motor vehicle is designed or equipped to execute the method for detecting the environment of a motor vehicle.

[0108] According to one embodiment, the first data processing device according to the method for processing a motor vehicle is, for example, the first data processing device according to the device for capturing the environment of a motor vehicle.

[0109] The technical functionalities of the system for detecting the environment of a motor vehicle result analogously from corresponding technical functionalities of the method or device for detecting the environment of a motor vehicle and vice versa.

[0110] According to one embodiment of the method for modifying a motor vehicle, a second data processing device is installed in the vehicle. This second data processing device is, for example, a mobile device, in particular a mobile phone, or a main control unit.

[0111] The technical functionalities of the method for processing a motor vehicle result analogously from corresponding technical functionalities of the device for detecting the environment of a motor vehicle and vice versa.

[0112] In one embodiment, the communication module is only connected by wire to the respective communication interface of the sensor unit(s), whose environmental sensors are arranged laterally on the right and / or left side of the vehicle.

[0113] This results, for example, in the technical advantage that only these sensor units need to be connected to the communication module, which can reduce cabling effort.

[0114] Since occupied or free parking spaces are usually located to the left and / or right of the vehicle, it is generally sufficient that only these sensor units need to communicate with the data processing device.

[0115] Right and left refer to the main direction of travel of the motor vehicle.

[0116] In one embodiment of the method for detecting the surroundings of a motor vehicle, it comprises the following steps: Wireless reception of the environmental sensor raw data or the environmental data via the second data processing unit, sending the environmental sensor raw data and optionally the environmental data via the further wireless communication network via the second data processing unit to the cloud server.

[0117] In one embodiment, the motor vehicle comprises a bus. The bus can be referred to, for example, as a motor vehicle bus and / or as a communication bus.

[0118] Environmental sensor raw data refers to data that comes directly from the environmental sensors and may include, for example, environmental sensor raw data.

[0119] Environmental data refers to data that has been calculated or determined based on the surrounding environment. Environmental data includes, for example, the dimensions of an occupied or unoccupied area and / or the occupancy status of an area.

[0120] The parking control unit, or the first data processing unit, or the second data processing unit, can, for example, determine corresponding environmental data based on the raw data from the environmental sensors. The first data processing unit sends the corresponding data to the second data processing unit via the wireless communication network. The second data processing unit sends this received data, for example, directly to the cloud server and / or processes this data further itself and sends the processed data to the cloud server. This further processed data can also generally be referred to as environmental data, insofar as it is based on the raw environmental sensor data. This further processed data can subsequently also be referred to as additional environmental data.

[0121] In one embodiment, the cloud server is designed to determine, based on the raw environmental sensor data and optionally on the environmental data, the dimensions of a free area of ​​the environment and / or the dimensions of an area of ​​the environment occupied by a motor vehicle, and to determine corresponding environmental data for determining the respective dimensions.

[0122] In one embodiment, the first data processing unit is configured to process the raw environmental sensor data and send the processed raw environmental sensor data to the second data processing unit. The processed raw environmental sensor data constitutes, in particular, environmental data as defined in this description.

[0123] Processing includes, for example, compressing and / or fusing the raw environmental sensor data.

[0124] For example, the first data processing unit is intended to only process the raw environmental sensor data, i.e., not to calculate dimensions of free and / or occupied parking spaces based on this raw data, as described above. This task is handled, for example, by the second data processing unit and / or the cloud server.

[0125] In one embodiment, the raw environmental sensor data is received via the communication interface of the parking control unit using a wired connection. The parking control unit uses this environmental data to perform calculations, such as those described above and / or below, for example, to determine the dimensions of available parking spaces or parking areas.

[0126] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to preferred embodiments. Here, we will show... Fig. 1 a device for detecting the surroundings of a motor vehicle, Fig. 2 a flowchart of a method for detecting the surroundings of a motor vehicle, Fig. 3 a flowchart of a method for processing a motor vehicle and Fig. 4 a motor vehicle.

[0127] Fig. 1 shows a device 101 for detecting the surroundings of a motor vehicle.

[0128] Device 101 comprises: A parking control unit 103, a first data processing unit 105, several ultrasonic sensors as sensor units 107, each comprising an environment sensor 109 for detecting the environment of a motor vehicle and a communication interface 111 for the wired transmission of the corresponding environment sensor raw data from the respective detection, wherein the parking control unit has a communication interface 115 configured to receive the environment sensor raw data via a wired connection, wherein the first data processing unit 105 has a communication module 113 configured to receive the environment sensor raw data from at least one communication interface 111 of the sensor unit(s) 107 via a wired connection, and wherein the communication module 113 is configured to transmit the environment sensor raw data and optionally environment data based on the environment sensor raw data to a second data processing unit via a wireless communication network.so that the second data processing unit can send the raw environmental sensor data and, optionally, the environmental data to a cloud server via another wireless communication network.

[0129] In the Fig. 1 The device 101 shown is designed to loop the raw environmental sensor data through the first data processing unit 105 to the parking control unit 103.

[0130] In another embodiment, it is provided that the first data processing unit 105 and the parking control unit 103 are each connected in parallel to the sensor units 107 via communication technology.

[0131] According to one embodiment, the device 101 comprises the second data processing unit, which is configured to send the environmental sensor raw data and optionally the environmental data to the cloud server via the further wireless communication network.

[0132] According to one embodiment, a motor vehicle is provided which includes the device 101.

[0133] In one embodiment, the first data processing unit and the second data processing unit, respectively, comprise a position sensor for detecting the position of the motor vehicle. The position sensor is, for example, a GPS sensor.

[0134] The parking control unit 103, for example, includes a control device designed to control the lateral and / or longitudinal guidance of a motor vehicle.

[0135] Fig. 2 shows a flowchart of a method for detecting the surroundings of a motor vehicle using the device for detecting the surroundings of a motor vehicle, for example the device 101 of the Fig. 1 .

[0136] The process includes the following steps: Acquisition 201 of the environment of a motor vehicle by means of the environment sensor(s), wired transmission 203 of the corresponding environment sensor raw data from the acquisition by means of the respective communication interface of the sensor unit(s), wired reception 205 of the environment sensor raw data by means of the first data processing unit and sending 207 of the environment sensor raw data and / or environment data based on the environment sensor raw data via a wireless communication network by means of the first data processing unit to a second data processing unit, so that the second data processing unit can send the environment sensor raw data and optionally the environment data via another wireless communication network to a cloud server.

[0137] According to one embodiment, the second data processing unit sends the raw environmental sensor data and optionally the environmental data to the cloud server via the further wireless communication network.

[0138] In one embodiment, it is provided that the raw environmental sensor data is looped through the first data processing unit to the parking control unit.

[0139] In one embodiment, the parking control unit is provided to receive the raw environmental sensor data via a wired connection.

[0140] Fig. 3 Figure 3 shows a flowchart of a method for processing a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle comprises a parking control unit and one or more sensor units, each comprising one or more environmental sensors for detecting the environment of a motor vehicle and a communication interface for the wired transmission of the corresponding environmental sensor raw data via a bus, in particular a CAN bus, of the motor vehicle, wherein the parking control unit has a bus communication interface for receiving the environmental sensor raw data via the bus via a wired connection, wherein a first data processing device 301 is installed in the motor vehicle, which has a communication module, wherein the communication module is configured to receive the environmental sensor raw data via a wired connection, for example via the bus, wherein the communication module is configuredto send the raw environmental sensor data and, optionally, environmental data based on the raw environmental sensor data to a second data processing unit via a wireless communication network.

[0141] Fig. 4 shows a motor vehicle 401.

[0142] The motor vehicle 401 comprises a device 403 for detecting the surroundings of a motor vehicle.

[0143] The device 403 comprises a sensor unit 405, which includes an environment sensor for detecting the environment of the motor vehicle 401 and a communication interface for the wired transmission of the corresponding environment sensor raw data from the detection to a first data processing unit 407 and to a parking control unit 409.

[0144] For the sake of clarity, the communication interface and the environmental sensor of sensor unit 405 are not shown.

[0145] The device 403 comprises the first data processing unit 407 and the parking control unit 409, which is configured, for example, to park a motor vehicle, in particular the motor vehicle 401, at least semi-autonomously, in particular fully autonomously.

[0146] The first data processing unit 407 comprises a communication module. The communication module is configured to receive the raw environmental sensor data via a wired connection. The communication module is further configured to transmit the raw environmental sensor data, and optionally environmental data based on the raw environmental sensor data, via a wireless communication network to a second data processing unit 411, so that the second data processing unit 411 can transmit the raw environmental sensor data, and optionally the environmental data and / or, based on the raw environmental sensor data, further environmental data, via another wireless communication network to a cloud server 413.

[0147] For the sake of clarity, the communication module of the first data processing unit 407 is not shown.

[0148] The environmental sensor of the sensor unit 405 detects the surroundings of the motor vehicle 401 and transmits corresponding raw environmental sensor data via the communication interface to the first data processing unit 407 and to the parking control unit 409. This transmission is carried out via a wired connection, for example via a bus of the motor vehicle 401.

[0149] The parking control unit 409, for example, determines dimensions of a free area in the environment and / or dimensions of an area of ​​the environment occupied by a motor vehicle based on the raw environmental sensor data and determines corresponding environmental data for determining the respective dimensions.

[0150] The parking control unit 409 is indirectly connected to the sensor unit 405 via the first data processing unit 407. The raw environmental sensor data is thus routed through the first data processing unit 407 to the parking control unit 409.

[0151] The first data processing unit 407, for example, determines dimensions of a free area of ​​the environment and / or dimensions of an area of ​​the environment occupied by a motor vehicle based on the raw environmental sensor data and determines environmental data corresponding to the determination of the respective dimensions.

[0152] The first data processing unit 407 transmits this data to the second data processing unit 411 via a wireless communication network. The second data processing unit 411 is, for example, encompassed by the device 403. The second data processing unit 411 is, for example, encompassed by the motor vehicle 401. The second data processing unit 411 is, in particular, arranged within the motor vehicle.

[0153] The second data processing device 411 is, for example, a mobile terminal, such as a mobile phone, belonging to a driver or a passenger of the motor vehicle 401.

[0154] The second data processing unit 411 is, for example, a main control unit of the motor vehicle 401.

[0155] The second data processing unit 411 includes, for example, a first communication interface, such as a WLAN or Bluetooth communication interface, for receiving the environmental sensor raw data and optionally the environmental data from the first data processing unit 407 via the wireless communication network.

[0156] The second data processing unit 411 includes, for example, a second communication interface, such as a mobile communication interface, for sending the environmental sensor raw data and optionally the environmental data and / or further environmental data to the cloud server 413.

[0157] The communication module of the first data processing unit 407 includes, for example, a first communication interface, such as a bus communication interface, for wired reception of the environmental sensor raw data.

[0158] The communication module of the first data processing unit 407 includes, for example, a second communication interface, such as a WLAN communication interface or a Bluetooth communication interface, for wirelessly transmitting the environmental sensor raw data or the environmental data to the second data processing unit 411.

[0159] The cloud server 413 includes a communication interface 415, which is configured to receive the environmental sensor raw data, the environmental data, and the further environmental data via the further wireless communication network from the second data processing unit 411.

[0160] The communication between the first data processing unit 407 and the second data processing unit 409 is indicated by a double arrow with the reference sign 417.

[0161] The communication between the second data processing unit 411 and the cloud server 413 is indicated by a double arrow with the reference sign 419.

[0162] The cloud server 413, for example, is trained to determine free or occupied parking spaces in the vicinity of the motor vehicle 401 based on the received data, as well as their positions, for example their GPS positions.

[0163] This information, in particular the positions of free and occupied parking spaces, is transmitted, for example, to vehicle 401 via the extended wireless communication network. This information is then transmitted to other vehicles (not shown) via the same wireless communication network, enabling them to know the location of occupied and free (i.e., unoccupied) parking spaces.

[0164] Thus, the Fig. 4 also a system 421 for detecting the surroundings of a motor vehicle.

[0165] System 421 includes the device 403 and the cloud server 413.

[0166] The provision of a Cloud Server 413 offers the particular technical advantage of its ability to perform calculations efficiently. Specifically, it can efficiently receive a large number of raw environmental sensor data, environmental data, and other environmental data from numerous vehicles, process and evaluate this data accordingly, and transmit the results of this processing and evaluation (for example, the positions of available and occupied parking spaces) to the numerous vehicles via the extended wireless communication network.

[0167] According to one embodiment, the second data processing device 411 is configured to display the information from the cloud server 413 that is transmitted via the further wireless communication network.

[0168] The second data processing unit 411 includes, for example, a screen for displaying this information.

[0169] The invention therefore particularly encompasses the concept of installing an additional hardware component, the first data processing unit, in a motor vehicle, which can receive the raw environmental sensor data via a wired connection and transmit this raw environmental sensor data, or environmental data based on this raw environmental sensor data, wirelessly via a wireless communication network to a second data processing unit. This results, for example, in the technical advantage that no significant changes or modifications to a motor vehicle's bus system are necessary.

[0170] This means that the additional hardware component, which is installed in the vehicle after modification, has two functionalities: wireless communication in addition to wired communication.

[0171] For the purposes of description, the terms "wireless" and / or "wireless" can be used synonymously.

[0172] This means that the newly installed hardware component has a communication module which is designed to communicate wirelessly via a wireless communication network, in particular to wirelessly transmit the raw environmental sensor data or the environmental data to a second data processing device.

[0173] Thus, the environmental sensor raw data, which may include, for example, environmental sensor raw data, or the environmental data, can be transferred to the second data processing device, which is, for example, a mobile device.

[0174] For example, the data is transmitted in encrypted form.

[0175] For example, a position sensor is used to detect the vehicle's position, so that a position can be assigned to the raw environmental sensor data, or vice versa. This means that the vehicle's position, i.e., the corresponding position data, is linked to the environmental data, or rather, the raw environmental sensor data.

[0176] For example, the first data processing unit and the second data processing unit each include a position sensor, so that the data processing unit and the further data processing unit, respectively, can detect or determine a position of the motor vehicle at the time of detection of the motor vehicle's surroundings.

[0177] According to one embodiment, the first data processing unit, the second data processing unit, and the parking control unit, respectively, are configured to determine the dimensions of an open area and / or an area occupied by a vehicle, based on the raw environmental sensor data and / or the environmental data, respectively. They then determine corresponding environmental data, in this case, further environmental data. The dimensions, together with the corresponding positions of the open areas and / or occupied areas, are then transmitted, for example, by the second data processing unit via the wireless communication network to the cloud server.

[0178] According to one embodiment, it is provided that, in addition to or instead of the aforementioned determination of the dimensions of the open spaces or the occupied areas by means of the first data processing device or by means of the parking control unit or by means of the second data processing device, the corresponding calculations are carried out by means of the cloud server.

[0179] According to one embodiment, the cloud server is configured to calculate further data based on the received data (e.g., raw environmental sensor data, environmental data, and other environmental data), for example, whether an open area is a driveway. For instance, the cloud server determines whether a parking lot is completely full or whether there are still free spaces within a parking lot.

[0180] Preferably, the data determined or calculated by the cloud server is sent via the further wireless communication network to the second data processing unit or to further motor vehicles so that the second data processing unit or data processing units of the further motor vehicles can display this information.

[0181] In one embodiment, the second data processing unit is a "head unit," i.e., a main control unit. According to this embodiment, the main control unit includes a wireless communication interface. This means that the wireless communication interface can communicate wirelessly. For example, the communication interface of the main control unit can communicate wirelessly via Bluetooth or WLAN.

[0182] This means that, according to this embodiment, the data is sent wirelessly from the additional hardware component to the main control unit and then wirelessly from there to the cloud server via the further wireless communication network.

[0183] Typically, a motor vehicle already includes a main control unit, which, for example, contains an infotainment system. This main control unit usually already has a communication interface for wireless communication. In existing vehicles, such a communication interface allows the main control unit to communicate with a vehicle occupant's mobile phone, for example, to play music stored on the phone through the infotainment system.

[0184] Therefore, no hardware modifications to the main control unit are necessary. A software update is sufficient. This is generally a simple process and incurs no additional hardware costs.

[0185] The concept according to the invention has the particular advantage that existing motor vehicles, i.e., already completed motor vehicles, can also be retrofitted into a system for determining available or movable parking spaces at the roadside. According to the invention, this is achieved by means of the device or by installing an additional hardware component, in particular in addition to the parking control unit.

[0186] In particular, no significant modifications need to be made to or inside the bus or motor vehicle.

[0187] In particular, if the first data processing unit already includes a position sensor, no additional position detection components need to be installed in the vehicle.

[0188] In particular, no changes need to be made to the main control unit, apart from the software update, if communication with the cloud server is to be carried out via the main control unit and not via a mobile phone.

[0189] In particular, no changes need to be made to the parking control unit.

[0190] In particular, no changes need to be made to the sensor units.

Claims

1. Apparatus (101, 403) for capturing an environment of a motor vehicle (401), comprising: - a parking control unit (103, 409), - a first data processing device (105, 407), - one or more sensor units (107, 405) each comprising one or more ultrasonic sensors as environmental sensors (109) for capturing an environment of a motor vehicle (401) and a communication interface (111) for transmitting environmental sensor raw data corresponding to the respective capture in a wired manner, - wherein the parking control unit (103, 409) has a communication interface (115) which is designed to receive the environmental sensor raw data in a wired manner, - wherein the first data processing device (105, 407) has a communication module (113) which is designed to receive the environmental sensor raw data from at least one communication interface (111) of the sensor unit(s) (107, 405) in a wired manner, - wherein the communication module (113) is designed to transmit the environmental sensor raw data to a second data processing device (411) via a wireless communication network, with the result that the second data processing device (411) can transmit the environmental sensor raw data to a cloud server (413) via a further wireless communication network.

2. Apparatus (101, 403) according to Claim 1, comprising the second data processing device (411), wherein the second data processing device (411) is designed to transmit the environmental sensor raw data to the cloud server (413) via the further wireless communication network.

3. Apparatus (101, 403) according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the second data processing device (411) is a mobile terminal, in particular a mobile telephone.

4. Apparatus (101, 403) according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the second data processing device (411) is a main control unit for a motor vehicle (401).

5. Apparatus (101, 403) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the parking control unit (103, 409) and the first data processing device (105, 407) are connected in parallel with at least one of the respective communication interfaces (111) of the sensor unit(s) (107, 405) using communication technology, with the result that the parking control unit (103, 409) and the first data processing device (105, 407) are each directly connected to the at least one communication interface (111).

6. Apparatus (101, 403) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the parking control unit (103, 409) is indirectly connected to at least one of the respective communication interfaces (111) by means of the first data processing device (105, 407) using communication technology, with the result that the environmental sensor raw data transmitted by means of the at least one communication interface (111) can be looped through to the parking control unit (103, 409) by way of the first data processing device (105, 407).

7. Apparatus (101, 403) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication module (113) comprises a first communication interface, in particular a bus communication interface, for receiving the environmental sensor raw data in a wired manner and a second communication interface, in particular a WLAN or a Bluetooth communication interface, for transmitting the environmental sensor raw data to the second data processing device (411).

8. Apparatus (101, 403) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the parking control unit (103, 409) and / or the first data processing device (105, 407) and / or the second data processing device (411) is / are designed to determine dimensions of an open area of the environment and / or dimensions of an area of the environment occupied by a motor vehicle (401) on the basis of the environmental sensor raw data and to determine environmental data corresponding to the determination of the respective dimensions.

9. Apparatus (101, 403) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a position sensor for capturing a position of the motor vehicle (401) is provided, wherein the first data processing device (105, 407) is designed to transmit position data corresponding to the capture of the position to the further data processing device (411), with the result that the second data processing device (411) can transmit the position data to the cloud server (413) via the further wireless communication network.

10. Apparatus (101, 403) according to Claim 9, wherein the position sensor is integrated in the first data processing device (105, 407) or in the second data processing device (411).

11. Apparatus (101, 403) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor unit(s) (107, 405) is / are each designed to encrypt the environmental sensor raw data, wherein the respective communication interface (111) of the sensor unit(s) (107, 405) is designed to transmit the encrypted environmental sensor raw data in a wired manner.

12. Apparatus (101, 403) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first data processing device (105, 407) has an electrical connection for connecting an electrical line in order to be able to supply the first data processing device (105, 407) with electrical energy from a motor vehicle battery.

13. Apparatus (101, 403) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first data processing device (105, 407) has an electrical energy store for internal electrical energy supply.

14. Motor vehicle (401) comprising the apparatus (101, 403) according to one of the preceding claims.

15. Motor vehicle (401) according to Claim 14, wherein the communication module (113) is connected only to the respective communication interface (111) of the sensor unit(s) (107, 405) in a wired manner, the environmental sensors (109) of which are arranged on the right and / or left side of the motor vehicle (401).

16. Method for capturing an environment of a motor vehicle (401) using the apparatus (101, 403) according to one of Claims 1 to 13, comprising the following steps of: - capturing (201) an environment of a motor vehicle (401) by means of the ultrasonic sensor(s) as environmental sensor(s) (109), - transmitting (203) environmental sensor raw data corresponding to the capture in a wired manner by means of the respective communication interface (111) of the sensor unit(s) (107, 405), - receiving (205) the environmental sensor raw data in a wired manner by means of a communication interface (115) of a parking control unit (103, 409) and a communication module (113) of a first data processing device (105, 107), and - transmitting (207) the environmental sensor raw data to a second data processing device (411) via a wireless communication network by means of the first data processing device (105, 107), with the result that the second data processing device (411) can transmit the environmental sensor raw data to a cloud server (413) via a further wireless communication network.

17. System (421) for capturing an environment of a motor vehicle (401), comprising: - the apparatus (101, 403) according to one of Claims 1 to 13 and - a cloud server (413) comprising a communication interface (415) which is designed to receive the environmental sensor raw data via the further wireless communication network, wherein the cloud server (413) is designed to determine dimensions of an open area of the environment and / or dimensions of an area of the environment occupied by a motor vehicle (401) on the basis of the environmental sensor raw data and to determine environmental data corresponding to the determination of the respective dimensions.

18. Computer program comprising program code for carrying out the method according to Claim 16 when the computer program is executed on a computer.