Patent Publication Number: US-2018047289-A1

Title: Release control of a parking space

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is the national stage of International Pat. App. No. PCT/EP2016/051751 filed Jan. 28, 2016, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to DE 10 2015 204 366.5, filed in the Federal Republic of Germany on Mar. 11, 2015, the content of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a release control system for a parking space. The invention relates in particular to recognition of the occupancy of a parking space for a motor vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A parking area is provided as a parking space for a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle can encompass, in particular, a passenger car. A corresponding authorization is required in order to be able to use the parking space. This authorization can be obtained by way of a reservation system. A parking space can be associated with a specific motor vehicle, or the parking space can be rented or reserved for a predetermined time period. 
     The motor vehicle can be electrically propelled, for which purpose it encompasses an electrical drive energy reservoir. An electrical charging device can be provided in the region of the parking space in order to charge the energy reservoir. The availability of a parking space having a usable electrical charging device can be important for operation of the motor vehicle. Often a plurality of parking spaces are kept on hand for motor vehicles, only a portion of them being equipped with electrical charging devices. It is possible in this context for a motor vehicle not having an electrical drive energy reservoir to be parked in a parking space having an electrical charging device. A motor vehicle having a drive energy reservoir can also be parked in a parking space equipped with an electrical charging device even though the charging device is not used. In both cases, the charging device can no longer be available for a motor vehicle that requires charging. 
     A reservation system for a parking space having an electrical charging device can identify the availability of the parking space based on the utilization of the charging device. If charging is not occurring or if the electrical charging device is not connected to a motor vehicle, the parking space can be categorized as occupyable. 
     SUMMARY 
     The improper occupancy described above, however, is usually not recognized. An object of the present invention is therefore to furnish an improved system, an improved method, and an improved computer program product for release control of a parking space having an electrical charging device. 
     According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a system for release control of a parking space for a motor vehicle includes: an electrical charging device, mounted in the region of the parking space, for a motor vehicle having an electrical drive energy reservoir; a device for determining whether the charging system is in operation; and a processing device for releasing the parking space for use by a motor vehicle having an electrical drive energy reservoir if the charging system is not connected to a motor vehicle. In addition, a sensor is provided for determining whether a motor vehicle is present in the parking space, and the processing device is configured to release the parking space only if a motor vehicle is also not present in the parking space. 
     It is thereby possible, for example, to prevent a reservation system for the parking space from categorizing the latter as assignable to a motor vehicle having an electrical energy reservoir if a motor vehicle is present in the parking space even though it is not connected to the electrical charging device. A motor vehicle that requires charging can thereby be directed in improved fashion to a parking space which is not occupied by a motor vehicle and whose charging device is available for use. Utilization of the charging device can additionally be improved. The parking space, or an assemblage of many parking spaces at least some of which are equipped with electrical charging devices, can thereby be operated more profitably. 
     In an embodiment, for example, the sensor can be mounted in a region below or above the motor vehicle and connected to the processing device. In a further embodiment the sensor is embodied in integrated fashion with the charging device. For example, the charging device can encompass a charging pedestal on which a connecting cable for the motor vehicle is furnished. The sensor can be integrated into the charging pedestal, so that no additional is necessary in order to mount the sensor physically in the region of the parking space. Connections for energy supply and data transmission for the sensor can furthermore be kept short and can be easily laid out. 
     In a further embodiment the sensor is provided outside the charging device. As a result, the sensor can more easily be configured to monitor several parking spaces. 
     The sensor can encompass, for example, a light barrier, an ultrasonic sensor, a radar sensor, a lidar sensor, or a laser sensor. In a further embodiment the sensor can encompass an optical camera in order to determine the presence of the motor vehicle in the parking space. The optical sensor can also optionally supply additional information, for example automatic recognition of a license plate of the motor vehicle or illumination of the motor vehicle during optical imaging. A video camera can also be used, so that moving images of the motor vehicle can be acquired. Several sensors can also be used, so that the presence of the motor vehicle can be determined with improved resolution or reliability. 
     It is particularly preferred that the sensor be mounted above the motor vehicle. In a parking structure or underground garage the sensor can, as a result, be mounted in space-saving fashion and with little outlay. The sensor&#39;s recognition performance can be high. 
     The sensor can encompass a camera, the processing device being configured to store a camera image or a camera video if a motor vehicle is present in the parking space. The stored image can thus serve documentation purposes. In particular, on the basis of the image it is possible to determine whether a valid authorization existed for the parked vehicle at the time of imaging. 
     The processing device is preferably configured to forward the occupancy level of the parking space to a reservation system for the parking space. The occupancy level can also encompass, in addition to “vacant” and “occupied,” the status “occupied with no charging operation.” Further supported occupancy levels can encompass, for example, “reserved,” “reserved with charging,” and “reserved without charging.” A reservation system for the parking space can thereby better process an incoming reservation request. In an embodiment, additional information is also transmitted together with the occupancy level, for example a camera image or a video sequence of the parking space or an identification of the motor vehicle, which can have been generated, for example, from a camera image or video image by automatic license plate recognition. 
     According to an example embodiment, a method for release control of a parking space for a motor vehicle includes: determining that an electrical charging device available at the parking space is not connected to a motor vehicle; and releasing the parking space for utilization by a motor vehicle having an electrical drive energy reservoir, the release occurring only if an additional determination is made that a motor vehicle is not present in the parking space. 
     The method can additionally encompass steps of: scanning an identification of the motor vehicle present in the parking space; comparing the identification with an identification of a motor vehicle for which a valid reservation for using the parking space has been issued; and outputting a warning if the identifications do not match. 
     The sensors available in the region of the parking space can be used in order to determine improper occupancy of the parking space. A warning can be outputted in various configurations in the region of the parking space, and can be directed to a driver of the motor vehicle parking without authorization or can be forwarded to another system, in particular a reservation system for the parking space. The reservation system can then initiate appropriate steps to resolve the improper occupancy. These can include, for example, legal measures, towing of the motor vehicle, or increasing a parking space fee. 
     The warning can encompass the identification of the motor vehicle present in the parking space. This identification can be useful in particular in the context of the initiation of legal measures against a driver or owner of the illegally parked motor vehicle. The identification can encompass, for example, a camera image, a video sequence, or a recognized license plate of the motor vehicle. 
     According to an example embodiment, a computer program product encompasses program code means for carrying out the above-described method when the computer program product executes on a processing device or is stored on a computer-readable data medium. In particular, the computer program product can be executed on the processing device of the above-described system. 
     The invention will now be explained in more detail below with reference to the appended Figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts a reservation system for a parking space according to an example embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 2A-2D  depict occupancy sensors for a parking space according to various example embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a reservation system  100  for a parking space  105 . An electrical charging device  110  is provided at parking space  105 . Charging device  110  can encompass a connecting cable  115  in order to connect a motor vehicle  120 , which encompasses an electrical drive energy reservoir  125 , to charging device  110  so that it can be electrically charged. Motor vehicle  120  usually encompasses an electric motor to propel motor vehicle  120  using energy from electrical drive energy reservoir  125 . 
     A sensor  130 , which is configured to determine whether or not a motor vehicle  120  is present in parking space  105 , is also mounted in the region of parking space  105 . A processing device  135  is connected to charging device  110  and to sensor  130 . Processing device  135  receives information from charging device  110  as to whether charging device  110  is connected to a motor vehicle  120  having an electrical energy reservoir  125 . In an example embodiment, the connection can be identified if an operation of charging drive energy reservoir  125  from charging device  110  is occurring. In another embodiment, a check is made as to whether electrical connection  115  has been created between charging device  110  and motor vehicle  120 . As a result, the connected state can be correctly recognized even when an operation of charging drive energy reservoir  125  has already been completed. 
     From sensor  130 , processing device  135  receives a signal that indicates whether a motor vehicle  120  is present in the region of parking space  105 . Sensor  130  can be embodied in a variety of configurations, for example as a light barrier, ultrasonic sensor, radar sensor, lidar sensor, laser sensor, or camera. In an embodiment, sensor  130  is configured to scan several parking spaces  105  for occupancy by a respective motor vehicle  120 . An optical camera whose field of view encompasses several parking spaces  105  can be provided, for example, for that purpose. In this embodiment, sensor  130  is preferably mounted at some distance from parking space  105 . In other embodiments, sensor  130  can also be mounted directly in the region of parking space  105 , for example in recessed or raised fashion on the parking surface of parking space  105 , or above parking space  105  or above the space provided for motor vehicle  120 . In another embodiment, sensor  130  is disposed in the region of charging device  110  or, particularly preferably, is integrated therewith in one shared apparatus. Charging device  110  can encompass, for example, a charging pedestal or a similar control element, from which a driver of motor vehicle  120  can create the connection between motor vehicle  120  and charging device  110  by way of connecting cable  115 . In this case charging device  110  is usually mounted so that it can conveniently be operated by one person, and is therefore at a certain height above the ground. Sensor  130  can more easily detect motor vehicle  105  from such a position. Installation and connection costs for sensor  130  integrated with charging device  110  can thereby be reduced. 
     In yet another embodiment, sensor  130  encompasses a camera. This embodiment is suitable both for integration with charging device  110  and for separate mounting of sensor  130 . The camera can furnish still or moving images of motor vehicle  120 . In an embodiment, a license plate  140  on which an official identifier of motor vehicle  120  is indicated can be scanned by way of the camera. The identifier can be recognized and forwarded to processing device  135 . In an embodiment, the recognition of license plate  140  is accomplished by processing device  135 . 
     A system  145  for release control of parking space  105  is thereby indicated. Reservation system  100  usually also encompasses additional components. These can include, in particular, a further processing device  150  and an optional database  155 . System  145  for release control can be embodied, however, in a manner integrated with reservation system  100 ; in particular, processing devices  135  and  150  can coincide. By way of interface  155 , for example, a driver of a motor vehicle  120  can apply for a reservation for parking space  105 . For that purpose, a check can be made as to whether parking space  105  is available for occupancy by a motor vehicle  120  having or not having a drive energy reservoir  125 . The occupancy status of parking space  105  can be stored in database  155 . A scan can be made for that purpose, by way of the information of sensor  130  and of charging device  110 , as to whether a motor vehicle  120  is present in parking space  105  and whether motor vehicle  120  is connected to the charging device  110 . 
     A determination can furthermore be made as to whether charging of motor vehicle  120  is currently taking place. An occupancy status of parking space  105  can accordingly encompass “vacant,” “occupied with connection,” “occupied with charging operation,” “occupied without connection,” or “occupied with connection without charging operation.” Not all the aforesaid occupancy statuses need to be distinguished from one another, however, and other occupancy statuses can also be defined. Based on the occupancy status it is then possible to check whether parking space  105  is suitable for the reservation request. A distinction can be made for that purpose, in particular, as to whether or not the reservation request also encompasses a charging request. If parking space  105  is to be released for utilization by motor vehicle  120 , a parking receipt or another type of material or non-material authorization for utilization of parking space  105  can then, for example, be issued in known fashion. A non-material authorization can encompass, for example, a code that is transmitted to the user of interface  155 . In an embodiment, the authorization for utilization of parking space  105  is associated with a specific motor vehicle  120 , so that an identification of motor vehicle  120  is to be conveyed to reservation system  100  in the context of the reservation operation. 
     Motor vehicle  120  can then be moved into parking space  105  and optionally connected to charging apparatus  110  in order to carry out a charging operation. 
     In an embodiment, sensor  130  is configured to scan an identification of motor vehicle  120  and forward it to processing device  135 . Processing device  135  can then check whether motor vehicle  120  that is, or is being, parked in parking space  105  carries an identification that is associated with an authorized motor vehicle  120 . A corresponding check of a charging authorization can also be made. If the comparison is negative, i.e., if motor vehicle  120  is not authorized to park in parking space  105  and/or to be charged from charging device  110 , processing device  135  can then output a corresponding warning. 
     That warning can be directed, for example, to processing device  150 . In another embodiment the warning can also be outputted in the region of parking space  105  by way of an output device  160  that can be encompassed by system  145  for release control. The warning can be directed in particular to a driver of motor vehicle  120  and can be outputted, for example, acoustically and/or optically. Output device  160  can also be directed, for example, to service personnel for the management of parking space  105 . In this case, output device  160  can also be provided at a location other than in the region of parking space  105 . Alternatively or additionally, a towing service and/or law enforcement officer (police) can be informed for the purpose of removal or prosecution. In a variant, when improper occupancy of parking space  105  is recognized by way of sensor  130 , an identification of motor vehicle  120  can be captured and stored, for example, by processing device  135 . Storage can occur in database  155 . Improper utilization can thereby be better documented. In a further variant, documentation can occur independently of any detection of improper occupancy of parking space  105 . 
       FIGS. 2A-2D  show different embodiments for sensor  130  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 2A  shows mounting of sensor  130  above parking space  105 . Several parking spaces  105  are depicted, each of which has a sensor  130  associated with it. 
       FIGS. 2B and 2C  show mounting of sensor  130  on the ground surface of parking space  105 , below a space that is provided for parking motor vehicle  120 . The embodiment of sensor  130  which is depicted is raised, and preferably is such that it can also be rolled over or driven over by motor vehicle  120 . Here as well, a dedicated sensor  130  is again associated with each parking space  105 . 
       FIG. 2D  shows a variant of sensor  130  shown in  FIGS. 2B and 2C , sensor  130  being recessed into the ground surface. The upper side of sensor  130  is preferably flush with the parking surface of parking space  105 . It is nonetheless preferably possible to drive or roll over sensor  130 .