Method and Apparatus for Automated Parking Assistance

• US 20080258934A1
• Filed: 04/23/2007
• Published: 10/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Roland Edward Chemali
• Original Assignee: Roland Edward Chemali
• Inventors: Chemali, Roland Edward
• Granted Patent: US 7,679,527 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/932.2
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/142 external to the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/146 where the parking area is a limited parking space, e.g. parking garage, restricted space

Abstract

A method of automated parking assistance. A logic unit reads identification information from a transponder attached to a vehicle and determines the current position of the vehicle by measuring distances between the transponder and multiple stationary sensor devices. A pre-defined parking location is stored by pressing a single button. If the current position of the vehicle is not equal to the pre-defined parking location when the vehicle subsequently approaches, the logic unit determines one or more directions in which the current position of the vehicle must be adjusted to reduce the distance between the current position of the vehicle and the pre-defined parking location. A display device displays one or more guidance signals corresponding to the one or more directions in which the current position of the vehicle must be adjusted. If the current position of the vehicle is equal to the pre-defined parking location, a stop signal is displayed.

Claims

1. A parking assistant system for use in conjunction with at least one transponder attached to a vehicle, said system comprising:

two stationary sensors mounted a known distance apart for measuring a distance between said at least one transponder and each of said two stationary sensors;

triangulation means for calculating a precise location of said at least one transponder utilizing said measured distances between said at least one transponder and each of said two stationary sensors;

comparison means for comparing said calculated precise location of said at least one transponder with a preferred parking location for said vehicle;

indication means for displaying one or more guidance signals indicating a direction in which said vehicle'"'"'s position should be adjusted to arrive at said preferred parking location for said vehicle; and

park indicator means for displaying a signal indicating that said calculated precise location of said at least one transponder is substantially equal to a preferred parking location for said vehicle.

2. The parking assistance system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one transponder includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag which uniquely identifies said vehicle.

3. The parking assistance system according to claim 2, wherein each of said two stationary sensors comprises an ultrasonic source.

4. The parking assistance system according to claim 3, wherein said at least one transponder transmits a reply in response to detection of a burst of ultrasonic energy.

5. The parking assistance system according to claim 1, further including memory means for storing a preferred parking location for said vehicle.

6. The parking assistance system according to claim 5, further including selection means for storing within said memory means a current location of said vehicle designated as a preferred parking location, in response to a user input.

7. The parking assistance system according to claim 6, further including means for storing a unique identification of said vehicle in association with said preferred parking location, in response to said user input.

8. A method for precisely parking a vehicle having at least one transponder attached thereto, said method comprising:

periodically measuring a distance between said at least one transponder and two spaced apart stationary sensors;

calculating a precise location of said at least one transponder utilizing said measured distances between said at least one transponder and said two spaced apart stationary sensors;

comparing said calculated precise location with a preferred parking location for said vehicle;

displaying one or more guidance signals indicating a direction in which said vehicle'"'"'s position should be adjusted to arrive at said preferred parking location for said vehicle in response to said comparison;

displaying a stop signal when said calculated precise location is substantially equal to said preferred parking location for said vehicle.

9. The method according to claim 8, further including the step of storing a current position of said vehicle designated as a preferred parking location, in response to a user input.

10. The method according to claim 9, further including the step of storing identification information which corresponds to said at least one transponder in association with said preferred parking location.