Remote control for a parking assistance system and a parking assistance system which can be controlled by remote control

• US 9,946,255 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2014
• Issued: 04/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Inventors: Matters, Patrick, Trpinac, Marina, Bader, Bernd
• Primary Examiner(s): Mott, Genna M
• Application Number:
  US14/251,012
• Publication Number:
  US 20140222252A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,467 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/00 Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/027 Parking aids, e.g. instruction means
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/0285 Parking performed automatically
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0011 associated with a remote control arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0016 characterised by the operator's input device input arrangements for computing systems in general G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/02 Control of position or course in two dimensions

Abstract

A remote control for a parking assistance system for automated parking of a passenger motor vehicle is provided. The parking assistance system has an environment sensor system that supplies sensor information, and an obstacle detection device for detecting the presence of an obstacle based on the sensor information. In addition, the parking assistance system has a bidirectional wireless communication device that transmits obstacle detection information about the presence of an obstacle to the remote control. The remote control also has a bidirectional wireless communication device for communication with the passenger motor vehicle. In addition, the remote control has one or more parking function operating elements for controlling the parking and/or unparking. The bidirectional communication device of the remote control receives the obstacle detection information. In addition, the remote control has signaling means for signaling the presence of an obstacle to the operator of the remote control.

Claims

1. A remote control device, comprising:

one or more parking function operating elements that control a parking assistance system of a passenger motor vehicle to park and/or un-park the passenger motor vehicle;

a bidirectional wireless communication device that wirelessly communicates with the parking assistance system;

wherein, the bidirectional wireless communication device has a first radio mode and a second radio mode having a greater range than a range of the first radio mode,

wherein, in the first radio mode, the bidirectional wireless communication device is configured to receive an emitted signal emitted by the passenger motor vehicle when the remote control device is located within the range of the first radio mode, and

wherein, in the second radio mode, the bidirectional wireless communication device is configured to transmit a confirmation signal in response to receiving the emitted signal from the passenger motor vehicle, and

a display element that perceptively signifies, in response to receiving a signal from the passenger motor vehicle indicating that the confirmation signal had not been received, that the bidirectional wireless communication device is outside of an allowed range of the passenger motor vehicle and that the parking assistance system cannot be activated.

2. The remote control according to claim 1, wherein the display element includes at least one of:

a forwards display element configured to visually signal, in a predefined illumination, the presence of an obstacle in a forward direction, and

a reverse display element configured to visually signal, in the predefined illumination, the presence of an obstacle in a reverse direction.

3. The remote control according to claim 2, wherein the one or more parking function operating elements include:

a forwards operating element configured to control a forward movement of the passenger motor vehicle,

a reverse operating element configured to control a reverse movement of the passenger motor vehicle, and

a combined forwards and reverse operating element configured to control the forward and reverse movement of the passenger motor vehicle.

4. The remote control according to claim 3, wherein at least one of:

the forwards display element is arranged next to the forwards operating element,

the reverse display element is arranged next to the reverse operating element, and

at least one of the forwards display element and the reverse display element is arranged next to the combined forwards and reverse operating element.

5. The remote control according to claim 3, wherein the display element that is functionally assigned to at least one of the forwards operating element, the reverse operating element, and the combined forwards and reverse operating element,

wherein at least one of:

the forwards operating element, the reverse operating element, and the display element, forms one integrated operating and display element.

6. The remote control according to claim 5, wherein the operating element in the integrated operating and display element is backlit with light from the display element.

7. The remote control according to claim 6, wherein the integrated operating and display element has a button which is backlit by a light emitting diode (LED) which is functionally assigned to the button.

8. The remote control according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the forwards display element and the reverse display element:

is illuminated, in accordance with the predefined illumination, in a first color for signaling the presence of the obstacle in one of the forward direction or the reverse direction, and

is illuminated, in accordance with the predefined illumination, in a second color for signaling the absence of the obstacle in another one of the forward direction or the reverse direction.

9. The remote control according to claim 1, wherein the one or more parking function operating elements have an activation operating element for activating the parking assistance system.

10. The remote control according to claim 9, wherein the display element signals a status of a parking function and is functionally assigned to the activation operating element.

11. The remote control according to claim 1, wherein the display element blinks to request actuation of an associated operating element or to request release of the associated operating element.

12. The remote control according to claim 1, further comprising:

a base element, and

a parking function operating part comprising the one or more parking function operating elements,

wherein, when the parking function operating part is in a covered state, the one or more parking function operating elements of the parking function operating part are covered and cannot be operated,

wherein the parking function operating part is transitioned from the covered state into an open state of the parking function operating part by moving the parking function operating part with respect to the base element, and

wherein the one or more parking function operating elements are visible and operable when in the open state.

13. The remote control according to claim 12, wherein the parking function operating part is transitioned from the covered state into the opened state by sliding out, pulling out, or flipping out the parking function operating part.

14. The remote control according to claim 1, wherein the remote control and the parking assistance system are cooperatively configured to effectuate an automated parking of the passenger motor vehicle with respect to a head-in parking space.

15. The remote control according to claim 1, further comprising a touchscreen for implementing the one or more parking function operating elements and the display element.

16. The remote control according to claim 1, wherein the display element is a display screen.

17. A radio control vehicle key, comprising:

a base element; and

a parking function operating part comprising one or more parking function operating elements for controlling at least one of parking or un-parking of a passenger motor vehicle; and

a wireless transceiver that receives obstacle detection information,

wherein, the wireless transceiver has a first radio mode and a second radio mode having a greater range than a range of the first radio mode,

wherein, in the first radio mode, the wireless transceiver is configured to receive an emitted signal emitted by the passenger motor vehicle when the radio control vehicle key is located within the range of the first radio mode, and

wherein, in the second radio mode, the wireless transceiver is configured to transmit a confirmation signal in response to receiving the emitted signal from the passenger motor vehicle, and

when the parking function operating part is in a covered state, the one or more parking function operating elements of the parking function operating part are covered and cannot be operated, and

the parking function operating part is transitioned from the covered state into an open state of the parking function operating part by moving the parking function operating part with respect to the base element, wherein the parking function operating elements are visible and operated when in the open state

a display element that perceptively signifies, in response to receiving a signal from the passenger motor vehicle indicating that the confirmation signal had not been received, that the wireless transceiver is outside of an allowed range of the passenger motor vehicle and that the parking assistance system cannot be activated.

18. The radio control vehicle key according to claim 17, wherein the parking function operating part is transitioned from the covered state into the opened state by sliding out, pulling out, or flipping out the parking function operating part.

19. The radio control vehicle key according to claim 17, wherein the display element is a display screen.