Unified Vehicle Parking HMI for Garage Access Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic parking systems for vehicles do not seamlessly integrate with remotely controlled access systems, such as garage doors, requiring separate interfaces for parking and access operations.

Innovation Solution

An onboard vehicle system that combines an automatic parking unit with a communication circuit for wireless operation of remotely controlled access systems, and a human machine interface (HMI) for unified control of both parking and access operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If separate interfaces are used for parking and access operations, then each function can be independently controlled, but the device complexity increases and ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the parking control interface and access system control interface into a single unified HMI. The HMI includes a parking button that simultaneously controls the automatic parking unit and sends wireless instructions to operate the access system (garage door, gate, or barrier). This merging eliminates the need for separate interfaces, reducing device complexity while improving ease of operation through unified control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The HMI is designed as a universal interface that performs multiple functions: it controls the automatic parking maneuver and simultaneously operates the access system. The single HMI structure with integrated buttons provides multi-functional control, allowing the user to manage both parking and access operations through one interface rather than requiring separate dedicated interfaces for each function.

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

2Loss of time

If separate control systems are used for parking and access operations, then functional independence is maintained, but the loss of time increases due to multiple operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloss of timeVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control of parking operations and access system operations into a single HMI with integrated buttons. When the parking button is actuated, it simultaneously triggers the automatic parking unit and sends wireless instructions to operate the access system. This concurrent control through a unified interface eliminates the time loss associated with sequential operations while avoiding increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The HMI is pre-configured to send wireless instructions to the access system in advance or simultaneously with the parking maneuver initiation. The button is designed to trigger both the automatic parking sequence and the access system operation (such as opening a garage door) at the appropriate time, eliminating delays that would occur if the user had to manually operate each system separately.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables users to control both automatic parking maneuvers and access system operations, such as garage door opening, through a single HMI, enhancing convenience and integration.

Implementation Method 1

the communication circuit is suited to transmit the wireless instruction by generating a sub GHz radiofrequency signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadiofrequency signal transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3401180B1Onboard automatic parking system for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 VALEO COMFORT & DRIVING ASSISTANCE
  • EP3401180B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4

AI summary

An onboard automatic parking system for a vehicle comprises: an automatic parking unit (20) suited to control a maneuver of the vehicle in or out of a park area secured by a remotely controlled access system; a communication circuit (14) suited to send a wireless instruction for operating the access system; and a human machine interface (30) suited to monitor the communication circuit (14) to send the wireless instruction upon actuation of the human machine interface (30), wherein the human machine interface (30) is also suited to command the automatic parking unit (20) that controls the maneuver subsequent to actuation of said human machine interface (30).