Method for communicating problems with parking spaces and / or charging stations, computer program, computer-readable storage medium and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle, a computer program, a computer-readable storage medium and a method for communicating problems with parking spaces and / or charging stations. The method comprises the following steps: providing vacant parking spaces and / or charging stations in the surroundings of a motor vehicle (10) by means of an infotainment system (12) of the motor vehicle (10) in response to a parking space request or charging station request; navigating the motor vehicle (10) to a selected parking space or a selected charging station; providing a problem reporting function by means of the infotainment system (12) if the motor vehicle (10) is not parked at the selected parking space or charged at the selected charging station; and transmitting a problem report based on the problem reporting function from the motor vehicle (10) to other motor vehicles in the surroundings via a V2X channel.

Description

[0001] METHOD FOR COMMUNICATION OF PROBLEMS WITH PARKING SPACES AND / OR CHARGING COLUMNS, COMPUTER PROGRAM, COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM AND MOTOR VEHICLE

[0002] DESCRIPTION:

[0003] The invention relates to a method for communicating problems with parking spaces and / or charging stations. Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer program comprising instructions by which the method is carried out, a computer-readable storage medium on which the computer program is stored, and a motor vehicle configured to carry out the method.

[0004] Vehicles can obtain data on available parking spaces or charging stations from various sources. For example, this data can be processed by vehicle infotainment systems to determine the likely availability of parking spaces and / or charging stations or charging points near the vehicle and to navigate the vehicle to the corresponding location.

[0005] While this allows information about parking spaces and / or charging stations to be shared and displayed to a vehicle user, it does not provide information about problems with parking spaces and / or charging stations, such as those caused by temporary restrictions like construction work. It also means that, for example, a vehicle that is not charging might be blocking a charging station, or there might be a road closure in front of a parking space.

[0006] German patent DE 10 2016 123 669 A1 discloses a method for identifying acceptable vehicle charging stations. This involves sending a request to identify charging locations along a route. Along with the request, data can be sent identifying the vehicle's position, the route, and the desired safety rating. A response can be received from a remote server, and the results, including the user rating of the charging station, can be displayed. The desired user rating can be adjusted based on the battery's state of charge. The desired user rating can be reduced as the battery charge decreases. Furthermore, the user can set a custom user rating. The desired user rating can also be dependent on other ratings of the charging station.

[0007] German patent DE 10 2013 001 308 A1 discloses a method for providing information about a parking space. A data collection device can capture characteristic data of a parking space, describing an environmental influence that has affected a first vehicle parked there, and / or an event that has occurred at the parking space, and / or the geographical location of the parking space. This characteristic data is stored by an external information device. Later, the information device transmits this characteristic data to a navigation device, which a driver of a second vehicle uses to search for a parking space for that vehicle.

[0008] From DE 10 2022 203 521 A1, a method for performing a diagnosis during the charging process of a vehicle at a charging station is known. The method comprises monitoring the charging process on the vehicle side, monitoring user settings during the charging process, monitoring the charging process on the charging station side, analyzing the results of the monitoring, and evaluating the charging process based on the analysis. The object of the invention is to improve the provision of available parking spaces and / or charging stations.

[0009] This problem is solved by the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent patent claims, the present description, and the figures.

[0010] One aspect of the invention relates to a method for communicating problems with parking spaces and / or charging stations. The method comprises the following steps: providing available parking spaces and / or charging stations in the vicinity of a motor vehicle via the motor vehicle's infotainment system in response to a parking space or charging station request; navigating the motor vehicle to a selected parking space or charging station; providing a problem reporting function via the infotainment system if the motor vehicle is not parked in the selected parking space or charging at the selected charging station; and transmitting a problem message based on the problem reporting function from the motor vehicle to other motor vehicles in the vicinity via a V2X channel.

[0011] In other words, parking space or charging station information within the vehicle's infotainment system can provide a way for users to report problems with the respective infrastructure. Initially, available parking spaces and / or charging stations in the vehicle's vicinity can be displayed, particularly in response to a parking or charging station request. This request can be initiated, for example, by entering a request into the vehicle's infotainment system, which then displays available parking spaces and / or charging stations in the vicinity. The information about available parking spaces and / or charging stations can be sourced from at least one external data source. After selecting a parking space or charging station, the vehicle can be navigated to the selected location. This can also be done via the infotainment system.

[0012] If it is detected that the vehicle is not parked in the selected parking space or charging at the selected charging station, the infotainment system can initiate a problem reporting function. This function could, for example, be a display on the infotainment system screen offering a selection of problems that the user can manually choose. Depending on the selected problem, a problem message can be generated. Alternatively, a problem can be detected automatically, in which case an automatic problem message can be generated. The generated problem message can then be transmitted to other vehicles in the vicinity via a V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) channel, preventing them from being mistakenly directed to unavailable parking spaces or charging stations when searching for one.

[0013] A vehicle infotainment system is a computing device, such as a vehicle computer, that has a user interface, in particular a screen, and preferably includes a navigation system for displaying and navigating to parking spaces and / or charging stations in the vicinity of the vehicle. The available parking spaces and / or charging stations can be provided to the infotainment system from external data sources, such as third-party providers that supply data on parking spaces and / or charging stations.

[0014] The problem reporting function can be activated automatically if it is detected that the vehicle is approaching the selected parking space and / or charging station, but then continues driving without parking or charging. Alternatively or additionally, the problem reporting function can also be activated manually, or it can be enabled whenever the vehicle approaches the parking space and / or charging station to within a specified distance.

[0015] The problem report, which is submitted based on the problem reporting function, particularly based on input for the problem reporting function, can include, for example, a reason or status of the problem. For instance, a charging station can be marked as defective, parking spaces can be corrected to be occupied, and / or the accessibility of the parking space and / or the charging station can be marked as inaccessible, for example, due to closures.

[0016] Transmission via the V2X channel means that data exchange takes place directly between vehicles in the vicinity, and not via a server. This allows other vehicles in the area to be informed of potential problems early on, especially vehicles that use other data sources to provide information on available parking spaces and / or charging stations. However, it may be possible to also transmit the problem message to a server.

[0017] The invention offers the advantage that problems with parking spaces and / or charging stations can be disseminated more quickly, which leads to better maintenance of data on parking spaces and / or charging stations and makes such functions more robust for users, thus creating greater added value.

[0018] The invention also includes embodiments that offer additional advantages.

[0019] One embodiment provides that the problem reporting function displays a selection of predefined problems on the infotainment system screen, which can be selected by the user. This means that predefined problems, such as a charging station being locked, occupied without the user's knowledge, and / or defective, can be displayed on the infotainment system screen for selection. From this displayed selection, the user can then choose a corresponding problem, for example, by manually entering the information via a touchscreen. The problem report, which can subsequently be transmitted to other vehicles, can be generated based on the selected problem.

[0020] Another embodiment provides that the problem message is automatically transmitted by the problem reporting function if the vehicle is not parked in the selected parking space or charging at the selected charging station. In other words, automated problem messages can be sent as an alternative or in addition to manual input, particularly if it is detected that the vehicle is approaching the selected parking space or charging station but is not parked or charging there. This embodiment offers the advantage of increased user convenience, as no additional input is required.

[0021] Another embodiment provides that the problem reporting function is activated if the vehicle is within a predefined area around the selected parking space or charging station and leaves this area without having parked at the parking space or charging station. For example, a parking space or charging station may have been occupied unnoticed since the last data collection. If the vehicle approaches a predefined area around the parking space or charging station and then leaves this area again, it can be inferred that there is a problem with the parking space or charging station. For example, the predefined area around the parking space or charging station could encompass a radius of 10 or 20 meters.Another embodiment provides that the problem reporting function is activated if a new parking space or charging station request is made within a predefined area around the selected parking space or charging station. For example, a vehicle might approach the parking space or charging station, and a user might notice a problem. The user may then request the re-provision of available parking spaces and / or charging stations in the vicinity via the infotainment system. Consequently, it can be assumed that there is a problem with the previously selected parking space or charging station, thus triggering the problem reporting function to inform other vehicles.

[0022] Another embodiment provides for a problem reporting function if the battery charge level of a vehicle falls below a certain threshold and the vehicle leaves the selected charging station after a predetermined time without charging. In this case, the vehicle can be an electric vehicle and parked at a charging station for charging. If it is determined that the vehicle battery is not charging, it can be concluded that there is a defect in the charging station, particularly if the vehicle leaves the charging station again after a predetermined time, for example, after 5 or 10 minutes.

[0023] Another embodiment provides that charging stations, in the event of a detected problem, additionally transmit a problem message to vehicles via the V2X channel. In other words, not only can vehicles report problems to each other, but it can also be provided that a charging station that detects a problem, such as a defect, also transmits this information to vehicles in the vicinity via a problem message. This further improves the prevention of vehicles arriving at charging stations for the wrong reason.

[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] Another aspect of the invention relates to a computer program comprising instructions that cause an infotainment system to perform a method according to the preceding aspect. The infotainment system may include a data processing device or a processor circuit configured to perform an embodiment of the method according to the invention. For this purpose, the processor circuit may include 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) may be used as the microprocessor.Furthermore, the processor device can include program code configured to execute the embodiment of the method according to the invention when executed by the processor device. The program code can be stored in a data memory of the processor device. The processor device can, for example, be based on at least one circuit board and / or on at least one SoC (System on Chip).

[0026] According to the invention, a computer-readable storage medium is also provided on which such a computer program is stored. This means that a computer-readable storage medium is provided, 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.A 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, assembly code, source code of a programming language (e.g., C), and / or a program script (e.g., Python). Alternatively, the computer-readable storage medium can be implemented as a signal containing computer-readable data, such as a time-varying voltage signal and / or a radio signal.

[0027] Another aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising an infotainment system, wherein the infotainment system is configured to perform the method described above. 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. This offers the same advantages and possibilities for variation as the method.

[0028] The invention also includes further developments of the motor vehicle according to the invention, which have features already described in connection with the further developments of the method according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding further developments of the motor vehicle according to the invention are not described again here.

[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:

[0031] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a motor vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0032] Fig. 2 shows a schematic process diagram for a method for communicating problems with parking spaces and / or charging stations.

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

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

[0035] Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle 10 with a schematically represented infotainment system 12. The motor vehicle 10, which can also be an electrically powered vehicle, can be configured, in particular by the infotainment system 12, to communicate problems with parking spaces and / or charging stations to other motor vehicles. The infotainment system 12 can, for example, comprise a screen 14, a computing unit 16, and a communication unit 18. The screen 14 can, in particular, be configured as a touchscreen, displaying information on available parking spaces and / or available charging stations, which may originate, in particular, from external data sources. Furthermore, input can be made, for example, by touching displayed controls.The computing device 16 can be configured to execute program code, in particular logic for a procedure for communicating problems with parking spaces and / or charging stations. Furthermore, the computing device 16 can provide a navigation function that allows the vehicle 10 to be navigated to selected destinations. The communication device 18 can be configured as a radio modem, in particular for data transmission with other vehicles via a V2X channel. That is, transmission can be carried out from the vehicle 10 to other devices, in particular other vehicles, in the vicinity, or data can be received from other infrastructure devices and / or vehicles.

[0036] In one example scenario, a user of vehicle 10 might want to find an available parking space or charging station in the vicinity of the vehicle 10. A parking space or charging station request can be made via the infotainment system 12, for example, using the screen 14. Data on available parking spaces or charging stations in the vicinity of vehicle 10 can be retrieved from an external data source, such as a third-party provider, and displayed on the screen 14. The user can then select from the displayed parking spaces or charging stations, and the infotainment system 12 can navigate vehicle 10 to the location of the selected parking space or charging station.If a problem is detected upon arrival, a problem reporting function can be initiated via the infotainment system 12, generating a problem report. This function can be started and executed manually or automatically by the infotainment system 12 if it detects that the vehicle 10 is not parked in the selected parking space or charging at the selected charging station. To determine if a problem exists, the system can check whether the vehicle 10 leaves a predefined area around the selected parking space or charging station without being parked. This suggests that a problem exists and that the user of the vehicle 10 is seeking further assistance.Furthermore, a problem may occur if a new parking space or charging station request is initiated within a predefined area around the selected parking space or charging station, for example, within a 20-meter radius. This means if the system searches again for nearby parking spaces or charging stations. It can also be checked whether a vehicle 10 with a vehicle battery (not shown) has a low battery charge level, particularly below a certain threshold, and whether the vehicle 10 leaves a selected charging station after a predefined time, for example, after 5 minutes, without the vehicle battery having been recharged.

[0037] If one of these problems is detected, either a query can be provided on screen 14 where a user can select the problem that exists, thereby generating a corresponding problem message, or an automatic problem message can be generated.

[0038] This problem message can then be sent via the communication device 18 over the V2X channel to other vehicles in the vicinity, so that they are informed of potential problems at an early stage. Figure 2 shows a schematic process diagram for communicating problems with parking spaces and / or charging stations.

[0039] In step S10, available parking spaces and / or available charging points in the vicinity of a motor vehicle 10 can be determined by an infotainment system 12 of the motor vehicle 10 in response to a parking space or charging point request and displayed to a user.

[0040] From the displayed available parking spaces and / or charging stations, a parking space or charging station can be selected and in step S12 the vehicle 10 can be navigated to the selected parking space or charging station.

[0041] In step S14, a problem reporting function can be provided or initiated by the infotainment system if the vehicle 10 is not parked in the selected parking space or charging at the selected charging station. For example, if a charging station is defective, a user can generate a message or problem report using a "Mark as defective" button. Similarly, a parking space or charging station that was reported as available can be corrected to be occupied if, for example, an unnoticed occupancy has been detected since the last data collection. In addition to manual entries, automated detections can also be carried out by the infotainment system 12 and / or based on sensor data in the vehicle 10.For example, if an electric vehicle with a low battery charge drives to a charging station selected in the navigation system and leaves the charging station area again within a short time without charging, it can be assumed that there is a problem with the charging station.

[0042] A problem message generated by the problem reporting function can ultimately be sent from vehicle 10 to other vehicles in the vicinity in step S16. This can be done directly via a V2X channel.

[0043] Overall, the examples show how communication about problems with parking spaces or charging stations can be provided.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS:

1. Procedure for communicating problems with parking spaces and / or charging stations, comprising the following steps: - Providing available parking spaces and / or charging points in the vicinity of a motor vehicle (10) by means of an infotainment system (12) of the motor vehicle (10) in response to a parking space or charging point request; - Navigating the motor vehicle (10) to a selected parking space or charging station; - Providing a problem notification function through the infotainment system (12) if the motor vehicle (10) is not parked in the selected parking space or is not being charged at the selected charging station; - Transmitting a problem message based on the problem reporting function from the motor vehicle (10) to other motor vehicles in the vicinity via a V2X channel.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the problem reporting function provides a selection of predefined problems on a screen (14) of the infotainment system (12) which can be selected by a user.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the problem message is automatically transmitted by the problem reporting function if the motor vehicle (10) is not parked at the selected parking space or is not being charged at the selected charging station.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the problem reporting function is provided if the motor vehicle (10) is in a predetermined area around the selected parking space or charging station and leaves the predetermined area without the motor vehicle (10) having been parked at the parking space or charging station.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the problem reporting function is provided if a new parking space or charging station request is made in a specified area around the selected parking space or charging station.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the problem reporting function is provided if the battery charge level of a vehicle battery of the motor vehicle (10) is below a battery charge level threshold and the motor vehicle (10) leaves the selected charging station after a predetermined time without charging the vehicle battery.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the event of a detected problem, charging stations additionally transmit a problem message to motor vehicles via the V2X channel.

8. Computer program comprising commands that cause an infotainment system (12) to perform a method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Computer-readable storage medium on which a computer program according to claim 8 is stored.

10. Motor vehicle (10) comprising an infotainment system (12) wherein the infotainment system is configured to perform a method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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