Parking Surface Orientation via Lane Marking and Object Comparison

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current driver assistance systems for parking vehicles face challenges in reliably determining parking spaces, especially when lane markings are unclear or obscured, and objects that limit the space are inaccurately positioned, leading to potential misalignment during semi-autonomous or autonomous parking maneuvers.

Innovation Solution

A procedure that uses sensor data from cameras, radar, lidar, or laser scanners to recognize lane markings and objects, determining the orientation and alignment of potential parking spaces by comparing the orientation of lane markings with objects, allowing for precise definition of parking spaces even when lane markings are incomplete or incorrect, and enabling semi-autonomous or fully autonomous parking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If driver assistance systems use sensors to recognize parking spaces and objects, then parking space detection capability is improved, but reliability of parking space determination deteriorates when lane markings are unclear or obscured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparking space detection capabilityVSAvoidreliability of parking space determination
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces road markings as an intermediary reference element to mediate between the sensor data and the parking space determination. By using road markings as a stable reference frame, the system can reliably determine parking spaces even when direct sensor detection of objects is ambiguous or when objects are inaccurately positioned. The road markings serve as a mediator that provides a consistent geometric reference for calculating parking space orientation and position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If driver assistance systems rely on object positioning to define parking spaces, then flexibility in detecting various parking configurations is improved, but accuracy of parking space alignment deteriorates when objects are inaccurately positioned

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in detecting various parking configurationsVSAvoidaccuracy of parking space alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the reference parameter from object-based positioning to road marking-based positioning. By using the geometric parameters of road markings (lines, angles, intersections) as the primary reference, the system achieves more accurate and consistent parking space alignment. This parameter change from object coordinates to road marking coordinates provides a more stable and precise reference frame for determining parking space orientation and position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If semi-autonomous parking systems use traditional sensor-based detection, then ease of operation is improved, but precision of parking space definition deteriorates when lane markings are incomplete or incorrect

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of semi-autonomous parking operationVSAvoidprecision of parking space definition
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary recognition and analysis of road markings before finalizing parking space definition. By pre-processing the road marking data to establish a reliable reference frame in advance, the system ensures that subsequent parking space calculations are based on accurate geometric references. This preliminary action of establishing road marking references prevents errors from propagating through the parking space definition process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3356203B1Method for determining a parking surface for parking a motor vehicle, driver assistance system, and motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.11.30 VALEO SCHALTER & SENSOREN GMBH
  • EP3356203B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3356203B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3356203B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for determining a parking surface (8) for parking a motor vehicle (1). The motor vehicle (1) is moved relative to a potential parking space (9). During the movement of the motor vehicle (1) relative to the potential parking space (9), sensor data of at least one sensor (4) of the motor vehicle (1) is used to detect a lane marking (11) and at least one object (12, 16) delimiting the potential parking space (9), and the detected lane marking (11) and the at least one object (12, 16) are used to determine the parking surface (8) within the potential parking space (9). The lane marking (11) is used to determine an orientation for the parking surface (8), an orientation of the at least one object (12, 16) is determined, and the parking surface (8) is determined on the basis of a comparison of the determined orientation for the parking surface (8) with the determined orientation of the at least one object (12, 16).