Autonomous Parking Navigation Using Digital Car Park Maps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current navigation systems lack digital maps of parking spaces, making autonomous vehicle navigation within parking lots difficult or impossible.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that transmit a digital map of a parking space and target position to a vehicle via a communication network, enabling the vehicle to autonomously navigate and park within the space, using a guidance device for independent longitudinal and transverse guidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If traditional navigation systems are used without digital maps of parking spaces, then the system structure remains simple, but autonomous navigation within parking lots becomes difficult or impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautonomous navigation capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system receives and stores digital map data of the parking space in advance before the vehicle needs to navigate. The server prepares the complete parking space map including boundaries, obstacles, and target positions beforehand, so that when the vehicle arrives, navigation can immediately begin using pre-prepared spatial information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A server acts as an intermediary between the navigation system and the vehicle. The server receives digital maps, processes them, determines target positions, and transmits this information to the vehicle's navigation system. This intermediary handles the complexity of map management and route calculation, allowing the vehicle to focus on execution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a server with database and processing capabilities is introduced to provide digital maps and target positions, then autonomous navigation is enabled, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation accuracyVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The server performs multiple functions: storing digital maps in the database, determining target positions based on vehicle and obstacle information, calculating routes, and transmitting navigation data. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be separate complex systems into a single coordinated platform.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual driver navigation decisions with automated server-based processing. The server's processor automatically determines target positions and calculates routes by processing digital map data, obstacle information, and vehicle coordinates, substituting human cognitive processes with automated computational processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the vehicle determines its own route internally, then independence from external systems is improved, but navigation efficiency may be reduced compared to server-determined routes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation independenceVSAvoidnavigation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows dynamic selection between server-determined routes and vehicle-determined routes. The server can provide pre-calculated efficient routes when available, while the vehicle retains the capability to independently determine routes when needed, creating a flexible system that adapts to different operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3212486B2Method and device for operating a vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.09.11 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3212486B2 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3212486B2 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a vehicle, - the vehicle receiving a digital map of a car park and at least one target position in said car park via a communication network, - the vehicle navigating autonomously to the target position in the car park based on the digital map, and - the vehicle parking autonomously in the target position. The invention further relates to a device for operating a vehicle, to a vehicle, to a server, and to a computer program.