Patent Publication Number: US-2021179073-A1

Title: Automated activation of a remote parking feature

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a parking system. Particularly, but not exclusively, the disclosure relates to automated activation of a remote parking feature. Aspects of the invention relate to a parking system, to a vehicle, to a device, to a computer implemented method, to a computer program product and to a computer readable medium. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There is a desire to address the difficulty of parking vehicles in environments where the availability of space surrounding the vehicles is limited and/or changes with time. For example, in car parks, where the spaces available to a vehicle may be limited, a driver of a vehicle may park their vehicle, leave their vehicle, and on return, find that another vehicle or object has been positioned close to their vehicle in a way that impedes access through one of the access points to the vehicle. 
     In the event that a user of a vehicle returns to their vehicle to find that access is limited, it is known to provide remote control drive facilities in order to extract the vehicle from a parking space to another position where access to the vehicle is not impeded. However, access to vehicles in dynamic parking environments cannot reliably be predicted and a user is required to return to the vehicle, assess the situation and act, based on an assessed judgment. This is a time consuming process. 
     It is an aim of the present invention to address disadvantages associated with the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a parking system, a vehicle, a device, a computer implemented method, a computer program product and a computer readable medium, as claimed in the appended claims. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a parking system for a vehicle, the parking system comprising: a sensor; a processor; and a transmitter; wherein: the sensor is configured to determine a distance between an object and a reference point of a vehicle to which the parking system is connectable, in dependence of an output of the sensor, and when the determined distance between the object and the reference point is less than a predetermined value, the processor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a state of the vehicle to which the parking system is connectable and transmit that signal by the transmitter, the signal being receivable at a user device of a user of the parking system. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a parking system comprising: 
     a sensor; a processor; and a transmitter; wherein: the parking system is configured to determine a distance between an object and a reference point of the parking system, in dependence of an output of the sensor, and when the determined distance between the object and the reference point of the parking system is less than a predetermined value, the parking system is configured to transmit, by the transmitter, a signal receivable at a user device of a user of the parking system, the signal indicative of a state of a vehicle to which the parking system is connectable. 
     According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a parking system for a vehicle, the parking system comprising: sensing means; processing means; and transmitting means, wherein the sensing means is configured to determine a distance between an object and a reference point of a vehicle to which the parking system is connectable, and in dependence of an output of the sensing means, and when the determined distance between the object and the reference point is less than a predetermined value, the processing means is configured to generate a signal indicative of a state of the vehicle, and transmit that signal by the transmitting means so that the signal is receivable at a user of the parking system. 
     According to an aspect of the invention as described above, there is provided a parking system for a vehicle, wherein: said sensing means determines a distance between an object and a reference point of a vehicle to which the parking system is connectable; said processing means comprising an electronic processor having an electrical input for receiving output data from the sensing means, the data being indicative of a distance between an object and the reference point and wherein an electronic memory device electrically coupled to the electronic processor has instructions stored therein, said processing means being configured to access the memory device and execute the instructions stored therein such that in dependence of the output data from the sensing means, the processing means determines when the distance between an object and the reference point is less than a predetermined value and when the distance between the object and the reference point is less than a predetermined value, the processing means is configured to command a transmitting means to transmit a signal indicative of a state of the vehicle. 
     Advantageously, the parking system is configured to transmit a signal to a user device, thereby to alert a user to the need to initiate remote control drive of a vehicle to which the parking system is connectable, thereby reducing the time required to remotely move, and subsequently access, the vehicle. Beneficially, the parking system avoids the need to use subjective analysis of whether or not remote control drive/automatic relocation of the vehicle is necessary. 
     Optionally, the signal is indicative that a user cannot access the vehicle by at least at one access point of the vehicle. Beneficially, the user is efficiently alerted to which access points cannot be used. 
     Optionally, the signal is indicative that a user can access the vehicle by at least at one access point of the vehicle. Beneficially, the user is efficiently alerted to which access point can be used. 
     Optionally, the signal is a warning state of the vehicle to which the parking system is connectable. Beneficially, the warning state enables a user to take pre-emptive action, thereby saving time. 
     Optionally, the signal is indicative of the clearance of an opening that will allow the user of the parking system to enter a vehicle to which the parking system is connectable. Advantageously, the signal can be used to determine accessibility of the vehicle. 
     Optionally, the predetermined value is in dependence of one or more properties of a user of the parking system. Advantageously, the system is configurable to take account of different user requirements such as opening height of a vehicle door, or increased door opening width requirements for wheelchair access. 
     Optionally, the parking system comprises receiving means, or transmitter/receiver means such as a transceiver, configured to receive a request signal from a user of the parking system. Advantageously, the system can be controlled remotely, thereby enabling improved efficiency in parking. 
     Optionally, the parking system is configured to transmit the signal to the user of the parking system in response to receiving a request signal from the user device. Beneficially, the user can seek information as required in order to instigate processes for accessing a vehicle, whilst avoiding inefficient power consumption. 
     Optionally, the parking system is configured to transmit, by the transmitting means, the signal receivable at the user device of the user of the parking system, at a predetermined time. Beneficially, the system is configurable such that the system responds to user requirements using power only when required. 
     Optionally, the parking system is configured to periodically transmit, by the transmitting means, the signal receivable at the user device of the user of the parking system. Advantageously, a user is regularly updated as to the status of a vehicle and the parking system consumes power as required in an optimal way. 
     Optionally, the parking system is configured to transmit the signal to the user device of the user of the parking system in dependence on a power mode of the vehicle to which the parking system is connectable. Advantageously, the parking system conserves power. 
     Optionally, the parking system is configured to determine when to transmit the signal receivable at the user device of the user of the parking system in dependence on historical data of one or more request signals. Advantageously, the parking system conserves power. 
     Optionally, the one or more request signals are stored in storage means, such as a database, and the parking system is configured to update the storage means in dependence on the receipt of one or more further request signals. Beneficially, the system learns user requirements to adopt the most optimal processing efficiency. 
     Optionally, the parking system is configured to transmit the signal receivable at the user device of a user of the parking system over a secure communication channel. Optionally, the parking system is configured to determine whether a user is authorised to instigate a predetermined action. Optionally, the predetermined action is one of: remote control drive of a vehicle to which the parking system is connectable and automatic drive of a vehicle to which the parking system is connectable. Optionally, the parking system is configured to communicate with a server storing authorisation data to determine whether a user is authorised to instigate the predetermined action. Advantageously, the integrity of the system is preserved and specific actions are available to authorised personnel. 
     Optionally, the sensing means is a sensor, such as an ultrasonic sensor, radar sensor, an imaging sensor, or laser based sensor. 
     Optionally, the parking system forms part of a telematics service for remote control of a vehicle to which the parking system is connectable. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising a parking system comprising: sensing means; processing means; and transmitting means, wherein the sensing means is configured to determine a distance between an object and a reference point of the vehicle, in dependence of an output of the sensing means, and when the determined distance between the object and the reference point is less than a predetermined value, the processing means is configured to generate a signal indicative of a state of the vehicle to which the parking system is connectable, and transmit that signal by the transmitting means so that the signal is receivable at a user device of a user of the parking system. 
     Optionally, the vehicle is configured to automatically move from a first parked position to a second parked position when the distance between the object and the reference point is determined to be less than the predetermined value and when a user instigates a predetermined action. 
     Optionally, the second parked position allows sufficient clearance of one or more access points of the vehicle to be opened a required distance. 
     According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a device comprising: transmitting means; receiving means; and processing means, wherein: the device is configured to transmit a control signal to a parking system for in response to receiving a signal indicative of a state of a vehicle to which the parking system is connected, thereby to instigate a predetermined action. 
     According to a still further aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer implemented method for indicating a state of a vehicle, comprising: determining, at processing means, a distance between an object and a reference point of the vehicle, in dependence of an output of sensing means, and when the determined distance between the object and the reference point is less than a predetermined value, transmitting, by transmitting means, a signal receivable at a user device of a user of the parking system, the signal indicative of a state of the vehicle to which the parking system is connectable. 
     According to a yet further aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a processor, cause the processor to carry out the method for indicating a state of a vehicle, comprising: determining, at processing means, a distance between an object and a reference point of the vehicle, in dependence of an output of a sensing means, and when the determined distance between the object and the reference point is less than a predetermined value,
         transmitting, by transmitting means, a signal receivable at a user device of a user of the parking system, the signal indicative of a state of the vehicle to which the parking system is connectable.       

     According to still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer readable medium having stored thereon the computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a processor, cause the processor to carry out the method for indicating a state of a vehicle, comprising: determining, at processing means, a distance between an object and a reference point of the vehicle, in dependence of an output of sensing means, and when the determined distance between the object and the reference point is less than a predetermined value, transmitting, by transmitting means, a signal receivable at a user device of a user of the parking system, the signal indicative of a state of the vehicle to which the parking system is connectable. 
     Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic of a vehicle comprising a parking system approaching a parking space; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic of the vehicle comprising the parking system parked in the parking space; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic of the vehicle comprising the parking system with vehicles parked in adjacent parking spaces; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic of the vehicle comprising the parking system exiting the parking space; and 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic of a network  40  including the vehicle comprising the parking system. 
     
    
    
     Further aspects of the invention will be apparent from the appended description and claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a schematic  10 A of a vehicle  12  approaching a parking bay  22  of a series of adjacent parking bays  20 ,  22 ,  24 . The vehicle  12  is depicted as moving in the direction of a forward arrow  14  towards the central parking bay  22  of the three adjacent parking bays  20 ,  22 ,  24 . 
     The vehicle  12  has a parking system  80  including four sensors  18 A,  18 B,  18 C,  18 D. The parking system  80  has a processor  82 , a memory  84  and a transmitter  88 . The sensors  18 A,  18 B,  18 C,  18 D are in communication with the parking system  80  via wired connections (not shown). As described in detail below, with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 5 , the parking system  80  monitors information relating to the presence of objects near the sensors  18 A,  18 B,  18 C,  18 D of the vehicle  12  and transmits a signal to a user of the vehicle  12  in order to initiate one or more dependent actions. 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 1 , the sensors  18 A,  18 B,  18 C,  18 D are ultrasonic sensors that determine the presence of objects in the vicinity by emitting electromagnetic energy in the form of ultrasonic acoustic waveforms and processing reflections of those waveforms at the processor  82  of the parking system  80 . Each sensor  18 A,  18 B,  18 c,  18 D emits electromagnetic waves or pulses with an acoustic signature unique to the sensor and detects when those waves or pulses are reflected back from an object towards the sensor. Transmitting signatures unique to the sensor reduces the likelihood of sensor to sensor interference. It will be appreciated that other techniques are useful to mitigate against cross-channel interference. This enables the processor  82  to calculate the distance between each sensor  18 A,  18 B,  18 C,  18 D and any object that reflects the waveforms back to the sensor  18 A,  18 B,  18 C,  18 D. Information from a single sensor provides sufficient data in order to calculate an object at a distance. Information from two or more sensors can be combined in order to provide further information. 
     Whilst the sensors  18 A,  18 B,  18 C,  18 D are described as emitting and detecting ultrasonic waves, alternatively, or additionally, the sensors  18 A,  18 B,  18 C,  18 D may have separate components to emit and detect ultrasonic waves. 
     Whilst the vehicle  12  is shown to have four sensors  18 A,  18 B,  18 C,  18 D that are ultrasonic sensors, alternatively, or additionally, the sensors  18 A,  18 B,  18 C,  18 D are radar sensors, or imaging sensors, or laser-based sensors arranged to monitor or otherwise observe the area surrounding the vehicle  12 . 
     Whilst the parking system  80  is shown to have a transmitter  88 , alternatively, or additionally, the parking system  80  has a receiver  88  and/or a transceiver  88 . 
     Whilst the above figures are described with reference to a driver or user entering and exiting the vehicle  12  via the door  13 A, alternatively or additionally the driver or any other user may enter and exit the vehicle  12  through any of the doors  13 A,  13 B,  13 C,  13 D, as shown in  FIG. 2 . Additionally or alternatively, the user or driver may desire to access the vehicle  12 , not to an occupant compartment of the vehicle, but to a luggage compartment, for example via a tailgate, trunk or boot, or alternatively may be to access a fuel filler for a fuel tank or an electrical energy storage device via a fuel filler flap or charging port cover. Additionally or alternatively, access to a front compartment, for example an engine bay, may be desired via a vehicle hood or bonnet. 
     The determination by the parking system  80  as to whether access to the vehicle  12  is possible through one or more of the doors  13 A,  13 B,  13 C,  13 D is dependent on predetermined values stored in the memory  84  of the parking system  80 . Alternatively, or additionally, the predetermined values are variable and depend on the user of the vehicle  12 , their requirements and/or one or more characteristics of the user (e.g., height, wheel chair access, etc.). 
       FIG. 2  shows a schematic  10 B of the vehicle  12  of  FIG. 1  parked in the parking bay  22  of the series of adjacent parking bays  20 ,  22 ,  24 . There are major entry and exit points to the vehicle  12 . The entry and exit points are doors  13 A,  13 B,  13 C,  13 D, which enable one or more users, such as a driver of the vehicle  12 , to access the vehicle, for example to enter and exit the vehicle  12 . 
     In the arrangement of  FIG. 2 , a user of the vehicle  12 , such as a driver, may park the vehicle  12  in the parking bay  22 . Access to the doors  13 A,  13 B,  13 C,  13 D is not impeded by objects, as the neighbouring parking bays  20 ,  24 , are vacant. Therefore, in the example shown in  FIG. 2 , the driver may subsequently exit the vehicle  12  via the door  13 A and return at some later time. Similarly, other users of the vehicle  12  may exit the vehicle via the doors  13 B,  13 C,  13 D and return some time later. 
     In use, once parked, the parking system  80  sends information in the form of a signal message from the vehicle  12  to a user device  50  (as shown in  FIG. 5 ) of a user. The user device  50  of a user (described below with reference to  FIG. 5 ) has a processor  52 , memory  54 , transceiver  58  and a display  56 . The transceiver  58  of  FIG. 5  is shown as a single entity. Alternatively, or additionally, the transceiver  58  includes a separate transmitter and receiver. In an example, the user device  50  is a mobile device with internet access, as described with reference to  FIG. 5 . The parking system  80  is configured to detect the presence of objects in the vicinity of the sensors  18 A,  18 B,  18 C,  18 D. If there is an object that impedes the access to the vehicle  12  through one or more of the doors  13 A,  13 B,  13 C,  13 D, then the parking system  80  alerts the user of the user device  50  that is the case. The user of the user device  50  is able to react to such information by initiating an authorisation process for manoeuvring the vehicle  12  without manually driving the vehicle  12 , i.e., by remote control of the vehicle  12 . Advantageously, this avoids the need for the user of the vehicle  12  to approach the vehicle  12 , realise that access is impeded, enter an authorisation process to remotely control the vehicle  12  and extract the vehicle  12  from the parking bay  22  in order to access the vehicle  12 . Beneficially, a driver of the vehicle  12  does not have to wait as long in order to access the vehicle  12  and drive away as they can remotely instigate the necessary authorisation process to remotely drive the vehicle  12  out of the parking bay  22 . 
     In the event that, when the driver returns to the vehicle  12 , the access to the vehicle  12  is still not impeded at the driver&#39;s door  13 A, the driver may simply enter the vehicle  12  and leave the parking bay  22 . However,  FIG. 3  illustrates an example of a situation where a user may return to their vehicle  12  to find that access through one or more of the doors  13 A,  13 B,  13 C,  13 D is impeded, in this case, by the close proximity of other vehicles  30 ,  32  occupying neighbouring parking bays  20 ,  24  respectively.  FIG. 3  shows the vehicle  12  of  FIG. 2  in the same position as described above, with reference to  FIG. 2 , i.e., parked in the central parking bay  22  of three adjacent parking bays  20 ,  22 ,  24 .  FIG. 3  shows a schematic  10 C including a further two vehicles  30 ,  32 . There is shown a vehicle  30  parked in the left hand parking bay  20  and a vehicle  32  parked in the right hand parking bay  24 . In the example of  FIG. 3 , access to the vehicle  12  is severely limited by the objects (i.e., the vehicles  30 ,  32 ) that have been parked either side of the user&#39;s vehicle  12 . 
     In order to determine whether or not access to the vehicle  12  is possible with or without remote control drive of the vehicle  12  to extract it from its parked position, one or more of the sensors  18 A,  18 B,  18 C,  18 D takes a measurement that is processed by the processor  82  based on instructions in the memory  84  of the parking system  80 . For example, a sensor  18 A emits ultrasonic waves and detects the reflection of the emitted ultrasonic waves, enabling the processor to determine, based on the properties of the reflected wave, the distance to the object which has reflected the wave, with respect to a reference object (which may be the known position of the sensor  18 A). 
     Thus, the parking system is configured to transmit a message to a user device  50  periodically. Advantageously, since the vehicle  12  may be left for long and/or unpredictable lengths of time the parking system  80  consumes less energy as it is not required to transmit messages at a high frequency over a long period of time and the parking system  80  can revert to a sleep state from an awake state when it is not required to monitor for the presence or absences of objects in the vicinity of the vehicle  12 . 
     Beneficially, the signal is a warning state of the vehicle  12 , which alerts the user to the environmental conditions immediately near at least part of the vehicle. For example, the signal is indicative of the clearance of an opening that will allow the user of the vehicle  12  and parking system  80  to access the vehicle  12 . Advantageously, the user is alerted to the possibility of restricted access to the vehicle  12  depending on one or more predefined properties, without the need to make a subjective assessment and without needing to be in sight of the vehicle  12  at the time the signal is transmitted by the parking system  80 . Beneficially, the operation of the vehicle  12  includes one or more power modes, which are indicative of the level of power that is supplied to the vehicle  12  in order to operate the various systems included in the vehicle. Optionally, the parking system  80  is configured to transmit a signal to a user device  50  dependent on one or more power modes of the vehicle. For example, the power mode of the vehicle  12  transitions from one level to a second level and when in the second level, the parking system  80  transmits a signal to the user device  50  alerting the user as to whether or not access to the vehicle is impeded and/or if it is preferable to extract the vehicle  12  from its current position in order to facilitate access to the vehicle  12 . Beneficially, the parking system  80  alerts the user as to the accessibility to the vehicle  12  only when the vehicle is in a particular power mode. This means that power can otherwise be conserved, in order to provide an efficient alert system. Advantageously, multiple operations can be performed by different components of the vehicle  12  when in a particular power mode. This means that the parking system  80  can be operated at the same time as other components of the vehicle, thereby to reduce power consumption. 
     Alternatively, or additionally, the parking system  80  is configured to transmit a message to the user device  50  to inform the user that only remote control drive of the vehicle  12  is possible at a specified time of day (for example, in anticipation of the user of the vehicle  12  leaving a car park after work, or after visiting shops etc. . . ). Alternatively, or additionally, the parking system  80  is configured to transmit a message to the user device  50  to inform the user that only remote control drive of the vehicle  12  is possible in response to a user request received at the receiver  88  of the parking system  80 . Alternatively, or additionally, the parking system  80  is configured to transmit a message to the user device  50  to inform the user that only remote control drive of the vehicle  12  is possible based on historical data stored in the memory  84  of the parking system  80 . Such historical data may be based on one or more previously made requests by a user of the parking system  80 , or based on other environmental factors such as location of the vehicle  12  (e.g., if a vehicle  12  is parked in a particular car park, the parking system  80  transmits a message to the user device  50  at a certain time of day, for example, in advance of a worker leaving work). Alternatively, or additionally, the parking system  80  is configured to operate in a user selectable low power consumption mode, in which the parking system is configured to transmit the signal containing the message to the user device  50  only in response to receipt of a status request signal received from the user device  50 . In this final arrangement, the parking system  80  only transmits a signal in response to a prompt from a user. The user may send a status request signal from their device  50  to the vehicle  12 , either by SMS message or other suitable telecommunications protocol such as 4G. The user may send a status request to the vehicle using an application running on the device  50 . The application may include suitable security protocols in order to send and receive data to a specific vehicle, either directly or via a cloud hosted server. This may be particularly useful for users with irregular schedules and may be provided as a user selectable mode of operation to help the parking system  80  conserve power as much as possible. 
     Advantageously, by ensuring that the parking system  80  transmits a signal to a user device  50  under particular circumstances, the power mode of different components in the vehicle  12  are optimised so that they are not powered up when they are not required, thereby saving energy. 
     If it is determined that access to the vehicle  12  is only possible (or is preferable) by moving the vehicle  12  remotely (e.g., without manually controlling the vehicle  12  from within the vehicle  12 ), the user of the vehicle  12  initiates a process to remove the vehicle  12  from its parked location.  FIG. 4  illustrates the removal of the vehicle  12  from the parking space  22  using remote control drive. The vehicle  12  is shown to move in the direction of the backward direction arrow  16  from the parking bay  22  to a second location. At the second location, the access to the doors  13 A,  13 B,  13 C,  13 D is no longer impeded by the other vehicles  30 ,  32 , therefore, one or more users of the vehicle  12  can access the vehicle  12  and drive it away. 
     Advantageously, the process for removal of the vehicle  12  from its parking bay  22  is aided by the parking system  80  as the user is not required to be in sight of the vehicle  12  in order to commence the process necessary to move the vehicle  12  from its parking bay  22  and the user is not required to make a subjective judgment on the need to move the vehicle  12  prior to entering it, thereby avoiding potentially disadvantageous circumstances that might arise by trying to access a vehicle  12  through a door  13 A when there is insufficient space to do so. 
     Whilst the vehicle  12  is shown to be moved from the parking bay  22  in a particular manner described with reference to  FIG. 4 , alternatively, or additionally, the vehicle  12  is removed from the location at which it is parked in the manner necessary to do so (for example, by remote control drive, or by performing an automatic manoeuvre). 
     Whilst the above figures are described with reference to a driver entering and exiting the vehicle  12  via the door  13 A, alternatively or additionally the driver or any other user may enter and exit the vehicle  12  through any of the doors  13 A,  13 B,  13 C,  13 D. Additionally or alternatively, the user or driver may desire to access the vehicle  12 , not to an occupant compartment of the vehicle, but to a luggage compartment, for example via a tailgate, trunk or boot. Additionally or alternatively, the user may require to access a fuel filler for a fuel tank or an electrical energy storage device via a fuel filler flap or charging port cover. Additionally or alternatively, access to a front compartment, for example an engine bay, may be desired via a vehicle hood or bonnet. 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic of a network  40 . The network  40  includes the vehicle  12  and parking system  80 , as well as the user device  50 . Further, there is a server  70  having a processor  72 , memory  74  and interface  78  and there is a further computing device  60  having a processor  62 , a memory  64 , an interface  68  and a display  66 . The parking system  80  and/or any further systems of the vehicle  12  that are not shown (such as transmission control units) are in communication with the user device  50  via communication path  84  and with the server  70  via communication path  82 . For example, a transceiver  88  of the parking system  80  is in communication with the user&#39;s device  50  via an interface provided by the transceiver  58  via communication path  84  and the transceiver  88  of the parking system  80  is in communication with the interface  78  of the server  70  via communication path  82 . Further, the user device  50  is in communication with the server  70  via communication path  86  between the transceiver  58  of the user device  50  and the interface  78  of the server  70 . The user device  50  is also in communication with an additional computing device  60  via communication path  88  between the transceiver  58  of the user device  50  and the interface  68  of the computing device  60 . 
     The computing device  60  is in communication with the server  70  via communication path  90  between the interface  68  of the computing device  60  and the interface  78  of the server  70 . The communication paths  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88 ,  90  are wireless communication paths, for example using Wi-Fi or 4G etc. Alternatively, or additionally, the communication paths  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88 ,  90  may include at least some wired portion, e.g., including Ethernet connections and connections including the internet. 
     The network  40  of  FIG. 5  is used to enable authorisation of remote control of the vehicle  12  in response to the parking system  80  indicating to a user device  50  of a user that access to the vehicle  12  is, at least in part, impeded. A user of the user device  50  registers their details at the computing device  60 , which may be at a vehicle  12  retailer, for example. The details allowing authorisation may be transmitted and updated at the server  70  via the communication path  90  between the computing device  60  and the server  70 . Once registered, in order to authorise use of a remote feature of the vehicle  12 , the user device  50  either transmits a signal to the server  70  or to the vehicle  12 , which may be in communication with the server  70 , to provide authorisation to use a remote feature of the vehicle  12 , such as remote control drive. Remote control drive or automatic drive of the vehicle  12  is then made over a secure connection, for example a secure Wi-Fi connection, or Bluetooth connection. 
     Alternative or additional configurations of the network  40  are used to instigate remote control drive or automatic drive of the vehicle  12  in response to the parking system  80  determining that access to the vehicle  12  is at least partially impeded. 
     Whilst the server  70  is shown without a display, alternatively, or additionally, the server  70  may have a display. Further, alternatively, or additionally, the server  70  is connected to one or more external memories or databases. Alternatively, or additionally, the network  40  contains any number of computing devices. 
     Whilst the parking system  80  is shown to have a transmitter  88 , alternatively, or additionally, the parking system  80  has a receiver  88  and/or a transceiver  88 . 
     Whilst the parking system  80  is described as having wired connections to each of the sensors  18 A,  18 B,  18 C,  18 D, alternatively, or additionally, the parking system  80  is in connection with the sensors  18 A,  18 B,  18 C,  18 D using wireless connections, or any combination of wired and wireless connections. 
     Whilst the vehicle  12  is shown to have four sensors  18 A,  18 B,  18 C,  18 D, alternatively, or additionally, the vehicle  12  has any number of sensors positioned at any location on, or in, the vehicle  12 . 
     Whilst three parking bays  20 ,  22 ,  24  are shown in the above  FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 , alternatively, or additionally, there may be any number of parking bays arranged in any configuration. Whilst the parking bays  20 ,  22 ,  24  are shown as marked bays, the invention is applicable to any situation where access to a vehicle  12  is dynamically impeded. 
     Whilst the parking system  80  is used to inform a user of the vehicle  12  via their user device  50  that access to the vehicle  12  is impeded and remote control drive of the vehicle  12  is necessary in order to extract the vehicle  12  to a different location to enable access to the vehicle, alternatively, or additionally, in response to the parking system  80  informing a user of a user device  50  that the vehicle  12  cannot be accessed, an automatic park-out feature can be implemented by a user of the vehicle  12  and user device  50 , such that the user does not have to remotely control the driving of the vehicle  12  to a position that provides access to the vehicle  12 . 
     The parking system  80  is an integral part of the vehicle  12 . However, alternatively, the parking system  80  is retrofitted to a vehicle, thereby to provide the functionality described herein. 
     Advantageously, the parking system  80  provides an adaptable and energy-efficient means to transmit a signal to a user device  50 , thereby to warn a user that access to their vehicle  12  is at least partially impeded and to enable the user to commence the authorisation process necessary to remove the vehicle  12  from its location without entering the vehicle, thereby reducing the time taken to complete the process and eliminating the need for subjective determination of accessibility to a vehicle.