Parking Lane Guidance via Environmental Data Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current driver assistance systems for parking are not reliable in identifying the most probable location of available parking spaces, especially in complex parking areas with multiple lanes and rows, leading to inefficiencies in finding a suitable parking spot.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing environmental data from sensors and a digital map to determine whether a lane is bordered on one or both sides by parking spaces, outputting signals to guide the driver into lanes with higher probabilities of finding a parking space, and enabling semi-autonomous vehicle maneuvering based on these signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If driver assistance systems use basic sensor detection to identify parking spaces, then the system can detect available parking spaces, but the reliability of identifying the most probable location of available parking spaces is insufficient in complex parking areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of identifying parking space locationVSAvoidcomplexity of parking area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the parking area into multiple driving lanes and evaluates each lane separately using environmental data. By dividing the complex parking area into manageable sections (lanes bordered on one side vs. both sides), the system can reliably identify the most probable locations of available parking spaces without being overwhelmed by the overall complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary evaluation of driving lanes before the driver commits to a path. By analyzing environmental data to determine whether lanes are bordered on one or both sides by parking spaces, the system proactively identifies the most probable locations of available parking spaces, allowing the driver to make informed decisions before entering a lane

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the system provides detailed guidance signals for each lane configuration, then the driver receives accurate parking space location information, but the system requires complex evaluation and signal output mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of finding parking spaceVSAvoidcomplexity of evaluation and signal system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different signal outputs based on local lane characteristics. Lanes bordered on both sides by parking spaces receive a first signal indicating high probability of availability, while lanes bordered on only one side receive a second signal. This localized differentiation provides clear operational guidance without requiring overly complex system-wide evaluations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having the driver search for parking spaces and then receive feedback, the system inverts the approach by proactively identifying and signaling the most probable locations of available parking spaces before the driver searches. This reversal simplifies the driver's task while maintaining systematic evaluation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP2975593B1Method for supporting a driver when parking of a motor vehicle, driver assistance system and motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.01.11 VALEO SCHALTER & SENSOREN GMBH
  • EP2975593B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2975593B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2975593B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for assisting a driver in parking a motor vehicle (1) comprising the steps of: positioning the motor vehicle (1) on a parking area (8) which has a plurality of parking space rows (9), each with a plurality of parking spaces (10) for the motor vehicle (1), and a plurality of driving lanes (11) for approaching the parking space rows (9) (S1); receiving environmental data describing the environment of at least one of the driving lanes (11) by means of a receiving device (3) of the motor vehicle (1); determining whether at least one of the driving lanes (11) is bounded on one or both sides by one of the parking space rows (9) based on the received environmental data by means of an evaluation device (5) of the motor vehicle (1) (S3); outputting a first signal if at least one of the driving lanes (11) is bounded on both sides by one of the parking space rows (9); and outputting a second signal.if at least one driving lane (11) is bordered on one side by one of the parking space rows (9).