Patent Description:
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.

<CIT> relates to a method and apparatus for causing an adjustment in parking position for vehicles. <CIT> relates to an apparatus and method for protecting a parked vehicle. <CIT> is seen as the closest prior art and relates to a method for preventing collisions during opening of doors of a vehicle. <CIT> relates to a drive assistance device for motor vehicles.

<CIT> relates to a self-monitoring and alert system for an intelligent vehicle. <CIT> relates to a parallel parking system. <CIT> relates to a parking support device.

It is an aim of the present invention to address disadvantages associated with the prior art.

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 as described in claim <NUM>.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, 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 an aspect of the disclosure, 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 disclosure 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.

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 as described in claim <NUM>.

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 disclosure, 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 as described in claim <NUM>.

According to a yet further aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program product as described in claim <NUM>.

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, and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination that falls within the scope of the appended claims. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination that falls within the scope of the appended claims, unless such features are incompatible.

Further aspects of the invention will be apparent from the appended description and claims.

<FIG> shows a schematic 10A of a vehicle <NUM> approaching a parking bay <NUM> of a series of adjacent parking bays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The vehicle <NUM> is depicted as moving in the direction of a forward arrow <NUM> towards the central parking bay <NUM> of the three adjacent parking bays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

The vehicle <NUM> has a parking system <NUM> including four sensors 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D. The parking system <NUM> has a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM> and a transmitter <NUM>. The sensors 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D are in communication with the parking system <NUM> via wired connections (not shown). As described in detail below, with reference to <FIG>, the parking system <NUM> monitors information relating to the presence of objects near the sensors 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D of the vehicle <NUM> and transmits a signal to a user of the vehicle <NUM> in order to initiate one or more dependent actions.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the sensors 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D 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 <NUM> of the parking system <NUM>. Each sensor 18A, 18B, 18c, 18D 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 <NUM> to calculate the distance between each sensor 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D and any object that reflects the waveforms back to the sensor 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D. 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 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D are described as emitting and detecting ultrasonic waves, alternatively, or additionally, the sensors 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D may have separate components to emit and detect ultrasonic waves.

Whilst the vehicle <NUM> is shown to have four sensors 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D that are ultrasonic sensors, alternatively, or additionally, the sensors 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D are radar sensors, or imaging sensors, or laser-based sensors arranged to monitor or otherwise observe the area surrounding the vehicle <NUM>.

Whilst the parking system <NUM> is shown to have a transmitter <NUM>, alternatively, or additionally, the parking system <NUM> has a receiver <NUM> and/or a transceiver <NUM>.

Whilst the above figures are described with reference to a driver or user entering and exiting the vehicle <NUM> via the door 13A, alternatively or additionally the driver or any other user may enter and exit the vehicle <NUM> through any of the doors 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, as shown in <FIG>. Additionally or alternatively, the user or driver may desire to access the vehicle <NUM>, 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 <NUM> as to whether access to the vehicle <NUM> is possible through one or more of the doors 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D is dependent on predetermined values stored in the memory <NUM> of the parking system <NUM>. Alternatively, or additionally, the predetermined values are variable and depend on the user of the vehicle <NUM>, their requirements and/or one or more characteristics of the user (e.g., height, wheel chair access, etc.).

<FIG> shows a schematic 10B of the vehicle <NUM> of <FIG> parked in the parking bay <NUM> of the series of adjacent parking bays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. There are major entry and exit points to the vehicle <NUM>. The entry and exit points are doors 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, which enable one or more users, such as a driver of the vehicle <NUM>, to access the vehicle, for example to enter and exit the vehicle <NUM>.

In the arrangement of <FIG>, a user of the vehicle <NUM>, such as a driver, may park the vehicle <NUM> in the parking bay <NUM>. Access to the doors 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D is not impeded by objects, as the neighbouring parking bays <NUM>, <NUM>, are vacant. Therefore, in the example shown in <FIG>, the driver may subsequently exit the vehicle <NUM> via the door 13A and return at some later time. Similarly, other users of the vehicle <NUM> may exit the vehicle via the doors 13B, 13C, 13D and return some time later.

In use, once parked, the parking system <NUM> sends information in the form of a signal message from the vehicle <NUM> to a user device <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>) of a user. The user device <NUM> of a user (described below with reference to <FIG>) has a processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, transceiver <NUM> and a display <NUM>. The transceiver <NUM> of <FIG> is shown as a single entity. Alternatively, or additionally, the transceiver <NUM> includes a separate transmitter and receiver. In an example, the user device <NUM> is a mobile device with internet access, as described with reference to <FIG>. The parking system <NUM> is configured to detect the presence of objects in the vicinity of the sensors 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D. If there is an object that impedes the access to the vehicle <NUM> through one or more of the doors 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, then the parking system <NUM> alerts the user of the user device <NUM> that is the case. The user of the user device <NUM> is able to react to such information by initiating an authorisation process for manoeuvring the vehicle <NUM> without manually driving the vehicle <NUM>, i.e., by remote control of the vehicle <NUM>. Advantageously, this avoids the need for the user of the vehicle <NUM> to approach the vehicle <NUM>, realise that access is impeded, enter an authorisation process to remotely control the vehicle <NUM> and extract the vehicle <NUM> from the parking bay <NUM> in order to access the vehicle <NUM>. Beneficially, a driver of the vehicle <NUM> does not have to wait as long in order to access the vehicle <NUM> and drive away as they can remotely instigate the necessary authorisation process to remotely drive the vehicle <NUM> out of the parking bay <NUM>.

In the event that, when the driver returns to the vehicle <NUM>, the access to the vehicle <NUM> is still not impeded at the driver's door 13A, the driver may simply enter the vehicle <NUM> and leave the parking bay <NUM>. However, <FIG> illustrates an example of a situation where a user may return to their vehicle <NUM> to find that access through one or more of the doors 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D is impeded, in this case, by the close proximity of other vehicles <NUM>, <NUM> occupying neighbouring parking bays <NUM>, <NUM> respectively. <FIG> shows the vehicle <NUM> of <FIG> in the same position as described above, with reference to <FIG>, i.e., parked in the central parking bay <NUM> of three adjacent parking bays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. <FIG> shows a schematic 10C including a further two vehicles <NUM>, <NUM>. There is shown a vehicle <NUM> parked in the left hand parking bay <NUM> and a vehicle <NUM> parked in the right hand parking bay <NUM>. In the example of <FIG>, access to the vehicle <NUM> is severely limited by the objects (i.e., the vehicles <NUM>, <NUM>) that have been parked either side of the user's vehicle <NUM>.

In order to determine whether or not access to the vehicle <NUM> is possible with or without remote control drive of the vehicle <NUM> to extract it from its parked position, one or more of the sensors 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D takes a measurement that is processed by the processor <NUM> based on instructions in the memory <NUM> of the parking system <NUM>. For example, a sensor 18A 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 18A).

Thus, the parking system is configured to transmit a message to a user device <NUM> periodically. Advantageously, since the vehicle <NUM> may be left for long and/or unpredictable lengths of time the parking system <NUM> 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 <NUM> 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 <NUM>.

Beneficially, the signal is a warning state of the vehicle <NUM>, 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 <NUM> and parking system <NUM> to access the vehicle <NUM>. Advantageously, the user is alerted to the possibility of restricted access to the vehicle <NUM> 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 <NUM> at the time the signal is transmitted by the parking system <NUM>.

Beneficially, the operation of the vehicle <NUM> includes one or more power modes, which are indicative of the level of power that is supplied to the vehicle <NUM> in order to operate the various systems included in the vehicle. Optionally, the parking system <NUM> is configured to transmit a signal to a user device <NUM> dependent on one or more power modes of the vehicle. For example, the power mode of the vehicle <NUM> transitions from one level to a second level and when in the second level, the parking system <NUM> transmits a signal to the user device <NUM> alerting the user as to whether or not access to the vehicle is impeded and/or if it is preferable to extract the vehicle <NUM> from its current position in order to facilitate access to the vehicle <NUM>. Beneficially, the parking system <NUM> alerts the user as to the accessibility to the vehicle <NUM> 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 <NUM> when in a particular power mode. This means that the parking system <NUM> can be operated at the same time as other components of the vehicle, thereby to reduce power consumption.

Alternatively, or additionally, the parking system <NUM> is configured to transmit a message to the user device <NUM> to inform the user that only remote control drive of the vehicle <NUM> is possible at a specified time of day (for example, in anticipation of the user of the vehicle <NUM> leaving a car park after work, or after visiting shops etc.. Alternatively, or additionally, the parking system <NUM> is configured to transmit a message to the user device <NUM> to inform the user that only remote control drive of the vehicle <NUM> is possible in response to a user request received at the receiver <NUM> of the parking system <NUM>. Alternatively, or additionally, the parking system <NUM> is configured to transmit a message to the user device <NUM> to inform the user that only remote control drive of the vehicle <NUM> is possible based on historical data stored in the memory <NUM> of the parking system <NUM>. Such historical data may be based on one or more previously made requests by a user of the parking system <NUM>, or based on other environmental factors such as location of the vehicle <NUM> (e.g., if a vehicle <NUM> is parked in a particular car park, the parking system <NUM> transmits a message to the user device <NUM> at a certain time of day, for example, in advance of a worker leaving work). Alternatively, or additionally, the parking system <NUM> 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 <NUM> only in response to receipt of a status request signal received from the user device <NUM>. In this final arrangement, the parking system <NUM> only transmits a signal in response to a prompt from a user. The user may send a status request signal from their device <NUM> to the vehicle <NUM>, either by SMS message or other suitable telecommunications protocol such as <NUM>. The user may send a status request to the vehicle using an application running on the device <NUM>. 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 <NUM> conserve power as much as possible.

Advantageously, by ensuring that the parking system <NUM> transmits a signal to a user device <NUM> under particular circumstances, the power mode of different components in the vehicle <NUM> 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 <NUM> is only possible (or is preferable) by moving the vehicle <NUM> remotely (e.g., without manually controlling the vehicle <NUM> from within the vehicle <NUM>), the user of the vehicle <NUM> initiates a process to remove the vehicle <NUM> from its parked location. <FIG> illustrates the removal of the vehicle <NUM> from the parking space <NUM> using remote control drive. The vehicle <NUM> is shown to move in the direction of the backward direction arrow <NUM> from the parking bay <NUM> to a second location. At the second location, the access to the doors 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D is no longer impeded by the other vehicles <NUM>, <NUM>, therefore, one or more users of the vehicle <NUM> can access the vehicle <NUM> and drive it away.

Advantageously, the process for removal of the vehicle <NUM> from its parking bay <NUM> is aided by the parking system <NUM> as the user is not required to be in sight of the vehicle <NUM> in order to commence the process necessary to move the vehicle <NUM> from its parking bay <NUM> and the user is not required to make a subjective judgment on the need to move the vehicle <NUM> prior to entering it, thereby avoiding potentially disadvantageous circumstances that might arise by trying to access a vehicle <NUM> through a door 13A when there is insufficient space to do so.

Whilst the vehicle <NUM> is shown to be moved from the parking bay <NUM> in a particular manner described with reference to <FIG>, alternatively, or additionally, the vehicle <NUM> 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 <NUM> via the door 13A, alternatively or additionally the driver or any other user may enter and exit the vehicle <NUM> through any of the doors 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D. Additionally or alternatively, the user or driver may desire to access the vehicle <NUM>, 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> is a schematic of a network <NUM>. The network <NUM> includes the vehicle <NUM> and parking system <NUM>, as well as the user device <NUM>. Further, there is a server <NUM> having a processor <NUM>, memory <NUM> and interface <NUM> and there is a further computing device <NUM> having a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, an interface <NUM> and a display <NUM>. The parking system <NUM> and/or any further systems of the vehicle <NUM> that are not shown (such as transmission control units) are in communication with the user device <NUM> via communication path <NUM> and with the server <NUM> via communication path <NUM>. For example, a transceiver <NUM> of the parking system <NUM> is in communication with the user's device <NUM> via an interface provided by the transceiver <NUM> via communication path <NUM> and the transceiver <NUM> of the parking system <NUM> is in communication with the interface <NUM> of the server <NUM> via communication path <NUM>. Further, the user device <NUM> is in communication with the server <NUM> via communication path <NUM> between the transceiver <NUM> of the user device <NUM> and the interface <NUM> of the server <NUM>. The user device <NUM> is also in communication with an additional computing device <NUM> via communication path <NUM> between the transceiver <NUM> of the user device <NUM> and the interface <NUM> of the computing device <NUM>. The computing device <NUM> is in communication with the server <NUM> via communication path <NUM> between the interface <NUM> of the computing device <NUM> and the interface <NUM> of the server <NUM>. The communication paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are wireless communication paths, for example using Wi-Fi or <NUM> etc. Alternatively, or additionally, the communication paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may include at least some wired portion, e.g., including Ethernet connections and connections including the internet.

The network <NUM> of <FIG> is used to enable authorisation of remote control of the vehicle <NUM> in response to the parking system <NUM> indicating to a user device <NUM> of a user that access to the vehicle <NUM> is, at least in part, impeded. A user of the user device <NUM> registers their details at the computing device <NUM>, which may be at a vehicle <NUM> retailer, for example. The details allowing authorisation may be transmitted and updated at the server <NUM> via the communication path <NUM> between the computing device <NUM> and the server <NUM>. Once registered, in order to authorise use of a remote feature of the vehicle <NUM>, the user device <NUM> either transmits a signal to the server <NUM> or to the vehicle <NUM>, which may be in communication with the server <NUM>, to provide authorisation to use a remote feature of the vehicle <NUM>, such as remote control drive. Remote control drive or automatic drive of the vehicle <NUM> is then made over a secure connection, for example a secure Wi-Fi connection, or Bluetooth connection.

Alternative or additional configurations of the network <NUM> are used to instigate remote control drive or automatic drive of the vehicle <NUM> in response to the parking system <NUM> determining that access to the vehicle <NUM> is at least partially impeded.

Whilst the server <NUM> is shown without a display, alternatively, or additionally, the server <NUM> may have a display. Further, alternatively, or additionally, the server <NUM> is connected to one or more external memories or databases. Alternatively, or additionally, the network <NUM> contains any number of computing devices.

Whilst the parking system <NUM> is described as having wired connections to each of the sensors 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D, alternatively, or additionally, the parking system <NUM> is in connection with the sensors 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D using wireless connections, or any combination of wired and wireless connections.

Whilst the vehicle <NUM> is shown to have four sensors 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D, alternatively, or additionally, the vehicle <NUM> has any number of sensors positioned at any location on, or in, the vehicle <NUM>.

Whilst three parking bays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are shown in the above <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, alternatively, or additionally, there may be any number of parking bays arranged in any configuration. Whilst the parking bays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are shown as marked bays, the invention is applicable to any situation where access to a vehicle <NUM> is dynamically impeded.

Whilst the parking system <NUM> is used to inform a user of the vehicle <NUM> via their user device <NUM> that access to the vehicle <NUM> is impeded and remote control drive of the vehicle <NUM> is necessary in order to extract the vehicle <NUM> to a different location to enable access to the vehicle, alternatively, or additionally, in response to the parking system <NUM> informing a user of a user device <NUM> that the vehicle <NUM> cannot be accessed, an automatic park-out feature can be implemented by a user of the vehicle <NUM> and user device <NUM>, such that the user does not have to remotely control the driving of the vehicle <NUM> to a position that provides access to the vehicle <NUM>.

The parking system <NUM> is an integral part of the vehicle <NUM>. However, alternatively, the parking system <NUM> is retrofitted to a vehicle, thereby to provide the functionality described herein.

Claim 1:
A parking system (<NUM>) for indicating a state of a parked vehicle (<NUM>), the parking system comprising:
a sensor (18A, 18B, 18C, 18D);
a processor (<NUM>); and
a transmitter (<NUM>), wherein:
the sensor is configured to determine a distance between an object and a reference point of the parked 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 that a user cannot access the parked vehicle by at least one access point (13A, 13B, 13C, 13D) of the parked vehicle and transmit that signal by the transmitter, the signal being receivable at a user device (<NUM>) of a user of the parking system.