Parking Assistance Merging Map Data With Sensor Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing driver assistance systems for parking vehicles face challenges in reliably detecting and navigating into parking spaces, especially in environments lacking recognizable features like neighboring vehicles or clear markings, due to sensor uncertainty.

Innovation Solution

A method that combines sensor information with parking area data from maps to enhance detection and navigation, allowing for the selection of a suitable parking space and planning of optimal trajectories for sensor detection, independent of surrounding conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If sensor-based detection is used to identify parking spaces, then the system can operate autonomously without map data, but detection reliability deteriorates in environments lacking recognizable features

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautonomous parking operationVSAvoidparking space detection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges map data containing parking space information with real-time sensor detection data. The computing device correlates sensor-detected objects with map data to identify and confirm parking spaces, combining the advantages of both autonomous operation and reliable feature-based detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple sensors are used to improve detection coverage, then detection reliability improves, but device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurroundings detection reliabilityVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically selects and activates sensors based on the detected environment and parking space characteristics. The computing device determines which sensors are needed for specific detection tasks, adjusting sensor usage in real-time to maintain reliability while minimizing complexity and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adjusts sensor acquisition parameters and processing parameters based on the detected environment and parking space features. By changing detection ranges, resolution, and processing intensity according to situational needs, the system optimizes the balance between detection reliability and resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If sensor acquisition parameters are increased to improve detection precision, then measurement precision improves, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparking space feature detection precisionVSAvoidsensor energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The computing device dynamically adjusts sensor acquisition parameters and data processing parameters based on the detected environment and required detection precision. By adapting parameters such as detection range, resolution, and processing intensity to match situational requirements, the system achieves high measurement precision only when necessary, thereby optimizing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3172117B1Method of operating a driver assistant for aiding a parking process and associated vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.09.26 AUDI AG
  • EP3172117B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3172117B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3172117B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a driver assistance system for supporting a parking operation of a motor vehicle, comprising the following steps: determining an actual vehicle position by means of a position-determining device of the motor vehicle, determining a certain parking region in which the motor vehicle should be parked, determining parking region information describing at least the parking region position of the certain parking region from specified map data in accordance with the actual vehicle position by means of a computing device of the motor vehicle, determining at least one piece of sensor information concerning the certain parking region by sensing the environment of the parking region position by means of at least one sensor of the motor vehicle, and outputting driver information and/or performing at least one driving intervention by means of the driver assistance system, in each case in accordance with both the parking region information and the sensor information.