Parking Route Control for Auto Parking From Shifted Start Positions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing parking assistance systems cannot automatically park a vehicle at a registered parking space if the vehicle stops at a different position from where the parking space information was initially acquired.

Innovation Solution

A parking assistance apparatus with an electronic control unit that detects feature points from images and memorizes them as start and middle points, allowing the vehicle to be automatically parked by setting a target or reference moving route based on stored route information, enabling automatic parking even when the vehicle stops at a different position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the system requires the vehicle to stop at the exact position where parking space information was acquired, then the automatic parking control can be executed with simple position matching, but the system cannot accommodate vehicles stopping at different positions

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAbility to execute automatic parking when vehicle stops at different positionsVSAvoidComplexity of position recognition and route calculation system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary acquisition and storage of parking space information (boundary positions, route information) when the vehicle is manually parked at the space. This pre-stored information enables the system to later execute automatic parking even when the vehicle stops at different positions, as the reference data is already available for comparison and route reconstruction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a copy of the parking space information and route data during manual parking, storing it as reference information. This copied data allows the automatic parking control to function without requiring the vehicle to be at the exact same position, as the system can compare current position against the stored reference copy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Manufacturing precision

If the system stores detailed route information for precise automatic parking, then parking accuracy is improved, but the calculation load on the control unit increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveParking position accuracyVSAvoidCalculation load and energy consumption of control unit
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and stores only the essential route information (key positional data, boundary information) during manual parking, rather than storing complete trajectory data. This extracted minimal sufficient information maintains parking accuracy while significantly reducing the calculation load and memory requirements during automatic parking execution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system stores route information that is sufficient for accurate parking execution without capturing every detail of the manual parking trajectory. This partial information approach provides adequate precision for automatic parking while avoiding the excessive calculation burden of processing complete route data

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of operation

If the system allows automatic parking to be requested during manual parking, then user flexibility is improved, but the control logic becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUser ability to switch between manual and automatic parkingVSAvoidComplexity of control logic for handling mode transitions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows dynamic switching between manual and automatic parking modes during the parking process. The control logic can transition from manual control to automatic execution based on user input, with the ability to cancel or initiate automatic parking at appropriate moments. This dynamic flexibility is enabled by the pre-stored reference information that remains available regardless of mode

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4286254A1Parking assistance apparatus
Publication Date: 2023.12.06 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP4286254A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4286254A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP4286254A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

A parking assistance apparatus (10) sets a reference moving route, based on route information when a feature point corresponding to a registered start feature point is detected, automatically parking an own vehicle (100) at a parking space (200) is not requested, and a driver of the own vehicle (100) starts manually parking the own vehicle (100) at the parking space (200). After the driver starts manually parking the own vehicle (100) at the parking space (200), the parking assistance apparatus (10) executes an automatic parking control when automatically parking the own vehicle (100) at the parking space (200) is requested, and a positional relationship between the own vehicle (100) and the reference moving route satisfies a predetermined condition.