PARALLEL PARK ASSIST

• US 20100152972A1
• Filed: 12/15/2008
• Published: 06/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Inventors: Attard, Joe Charles, Seely, Stanley Lawrence, Bochenek, Jeffrey Allen
• Application Number:
  US12/334,920
• Publication Number:
  US 20100152972A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/42
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/027 Parking aids, e.g. instruction means
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9314 Parking operations
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93274 on the side of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2015/933 for measuring the dimensions of the parking space when driving past
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/165 for passive traffic, e.g. including static obstacles, trees
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/168 Driving aids for parking, e.g. acoustic or visual feedback on parking space

Abstract

A parallel parking assist system and a method for evaluating an area for use as a parking space for a host vehicle, the parallel park assist system comprises a ultra wideband radar sensor disposed in the host vehicle, wherein the radar sensor obtains a measurement data relating to a potential parking space and transmits a data signal representing the measurement data, a processor adapted to receive the transmitted data signal from the sensor, analyze the data signal, and transmit an alert signal in response to the analysis of the data signal, and a user interface adapted to receive the alert signal and provide an alert to the driver of the host vehicle in response to the alert signal, wherein the alert signal represents the suitability of the potential parking space.

Claims

1. A method for evaluating an area for use as a parking space for a host vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a sensor disposed in the host vehicle, wherein the sensor obtains a measurement data and transmits a data signal representing the measurement data;

providing a processor disposed in the host vehicle adapted to receive the transmitted data signal from the sensor, analyze the data signal, and transmit an alert signal in response to the analysis of the data signal;

positioning the host vehicle adjacent a first parked car, wherein the sensor obtains the measurement data between the host vehicle and the first parked car;

maneuvering the host vehicle past a potential parking space at a speed below a predetermined speed threshold, wherein the sensor continues to obtain the measurement data;

evaluating the measurement data received by the sensor; and

transmitting the alert signal to a driver in response to the evaluation of the measurement data, wherein the alert signal represents the suitability of the potential parking space.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the measurement data includes a distance range and an angle between the host vehicle and other objects.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is an ultra wideband radar sensor with a predetermined resolution.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is disposed in a rear portion of the host vehicle.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a user interface in communication with the processor, wherein the user interface receives the alert signal and transmits a driver alert in response to the alert signal.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the processor includes at least one of a programmable component adapted to provide user-controlled management of at least one of the sensor and the processor and a storage device for storing information and data.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of calculating a value for a distance traveled based upon the linear distance traveled by the host vehicle while maneuvering past the potential parking space.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the evaluation of the measurement data includes at least one of calculating the dimensions of the potential parking space, applying a maneuverability factor to the calculated dimensions of the potential parking space, and determining a suitable position of the host vehicle for initiating a parallel parking maneuver.

9. A method for evaluating an area for use as a parking space for a host vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a sensor disposed in the host vehicle, wherein the sensor obtains a measurement data and transmits a data signal representing the measurement data;

providing a processor adapted to receive the transmitted data signal from the sensor analyze the data signal and transmit an alert signal in response to the analysis of the data signal;

positioning the host vehicle in a pre-determined position relative to a potential parking space, wherein the sensor obtains the measurement data between the host vehicle and at least one parked vehicle;

receiving the data signal from the sensor, wherein the data signal represents a location of the at least one parked vehicle relative to the host vehicle;

evaluating the data signal; and

transmitting the alert signal to a driver in response to the evaluation of the data signal, wherein the alert signal represents the suitability of the potential parking space.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the measurement data includes a distance range and an angle between the host vehicle and other objects.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the sensor is an ultra wideband radar sensor with a predetermined resolution.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the sensor is disposed in a rear portion of the host vehicle.

13. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of providing a user interface in communication with the processor, wherein the user interface receives the alert signal and transmits a driver alert in response to the alert signal.

14. The method according to claim 9, wherein the processor includes at least one of a programmable component adapted to provide user-controlled management of at east one of the sensor and the processor and a storage device for storing information and data.

15. The method according to claim 9, wherein the evaluation of the measurement data includes at least one of calculating the dimensions of the potential parking space, applying a maneuverability factor to the calculated dimensions of the potential parking space, and determining a suitable position of the host vehicle for initiating a parallel parking maneuver.

16. A parallel park assist system for a host vehicle comprising:

a ultra wideband radar sensor disposed in the host vehicle, wherein the radar sensor obtains a measurement data relating to a potential parking space and transmits a data signal and transmits a data signal representing the measurement data;

a processor adapted to receive the transmitted data signal from the sensor, analyze the data signal, and transmit an alert signal in response to the analysis of the data signal; and

a user interface adapted to receive the alert signal and provide an alert to the driver of the host vehicle in response to the alert signal, wherein the alert signal represents the suitability of the potential parking space.

17. The parallel park assist system, according to claim 16, wherein the radar sensor has a predetermined resolution for measuring a distance rang and angle between the host vehicle and other objects.

18. The parallel park assist system according to claim 16, wherein the sensor is disposed in a rear portion of the host vehicle.

19. The parallel park assist system according to claim 16, wherein the processor includes at least one of a programmable component adapted to provide user-controlled management of at least one of the sensor and the processor and a storage device for storing information and data.

20. The parallel park assist system according to claim 16, wherein the analysis of the data signal includes at least one of calculating the dimensions of the potential parking space, applying a maneuverability factor to the calculated dimensions of the potential parking space, and determining a suitable position of the host vehicle for initiating a parallel parking maneuver.