DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to system for parking of vehicles in a parking space. In particular, the present invention relates to a system for easily and accurately parking vehicles in parking spaces. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system for parking of vehicles using a forward animated parking space display of the vehicle and the surrounding thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, the route of the vehicle movement in any parking lot is planned and designed such that all turnings can be negotiated without requiring any reversing of the vehicles. However, the parking lots are often designed with a series of columns placed and/or walls/partitions made between various parking spaces. Therefore, reversing the vehicle is necessary for properly parking/entering or exiting the parking space.

This reversing the vehicle involves a complex judgement of angles, parking bay width and aisle width to be taken by the vehicle driver. This is particularly important in angled parking of vehicles.

At present, different park-assist systems are available to facilitate the drivers in reverse parking their vehicles, however there is no system, which offers the facility having a surround view to perceive the motion in a forward direction of the vehicle even when the vehicle is being parked by reversing.

Since human mind is familiar with the forward motion of the vehicle, it is easier, safer and faster to perceive the forward motion and correctly park vehicle by reversing even in close or congested parking spaces.

DISADVANTAGES WITH THE PRIOR ART

The presently available surround view systems for reverse parking only provide real-time image and thus do not facilitate to perceive the forward motion of the vehicle for accurate maneuvering by reversing for parking in congested parking spaces.

This becomes additionally cumbersome due to a complex correlation between the angled parking, bay width and the aisle width for using the parking lots.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

A simulated infotainment display is configured in accordance with the present invention for making the vehicle parking operation much easier and more accurate. The abovementioned simulated infotainment display is configured by incorporating an animated view of the vehicle in its surrounding by using a plurality of surround view sensors (visual, RADAR etc.).

The animated view shows the mirror image of the surroundings by converting the reverse motion of the vehicle into a corresponding forward motion thereof. Because of this arrangement, a front wheel steered vehicle is displayed as a rear wheel steered vehicle while reversing it and accordingly, the predicted path is displayed on this simulated infotainment display based on the vehicle dimensions and its dynamics.

The idea underlying the present invention is to assist the driver during reverse parking by displaying the predicted movement of the vehicle along a path in the movement of the vehicle in the forward direction.

The parameters such as vehicle-wheelbase, steering-angle, track-width as well as the dimensions of the parking space etc. are considered for predicting the path this way.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Some of the objects of the present invention - satisfied by at least one embodiment of the present invention - are as follows:

An object of the present invention is to provide a much easier and more accurate animated parking assist system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an animated parking assist system particularly configured for reversing motion of the vehicles.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an animated parking assist system which displays the reversing vehicle in terms of perceived forwarding motion.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an animated parking assist system which enhances the ease and confidence of the vehicle driver for accurately and safely parking the reversing vehicle.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide an animated parking assist system, which analyzes the reversing motion by using live feed of relevant vehicle parameters vis-à-vis vehicle surroundings and the dimensions of the free parking slot.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when read with the accompanying figures of drawing, which are, however, not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an animated forward moving parking display system in an automobile, wherein the system comprises a live display of the surrounding view and rear side view of the automobile captured by means of sensors and displayed as a mirror image of the surroundings to convert the reversing motion of the automobile into a forward motion thereof to ease the driver’s perception of the surroundings, particularly in close or congested parking spaces.

Typically, the live display is displayed on the simulated infotainment display of the automobile.

Typically, the sensors comprise visual or RADAR sensors.

Typically, the sensors comprise surround view cameras and ultrasonic sensors.

Typically, the data captured by the surround view cameras and ultrasonic sensors is processed to obtain the top view of the reversing automobile superimposed in the parking space.

Typically, the captured data comprises the automobile reversing speed, acceleration, turning angle, steering-angle, track-width and the dimensions of the automobile as well as the parking space.

Typically, the system computed the reversing automobile’s live trajectory and flips the same by 1800 on the simulated infotainment display as the forwarding motion of the automobile.

Typically, the display comprises an inset miniature display including the predicted lines of the reversing motion of the automobile on either rear side thereof as well as the neighboring vehicle or vehicles and/or the boundary or boundaries of the parking spaces and a main display including the instantaneous normal path followed by the reversing automobile, if not intervened by the system and the computed predicted path along the median reversing line based on the data captured by the sensors.

In accordance with the present invention, there is also provided a method for displaying a reversing automobile’s live trajectory by using the animated forward moving parking display system as claimed in anyone of the claims 1 to 8, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

a) Capturing live data of the reversing automobile’s motion through surround view cameras and the dimensions of the parking space through ultrasonic sensors and/or radar sensors;

b) Combining the data captured by the surround view cameras and the ultrasonic sensors and/or radar sensors;

c) Processing the images obtained from the surround view cameras to display a superimposed view of the reversing automobile by considering the dimensions thereof within the parking space by using the dynamics and dimensions of the automobile;

d) Intelligently segregating the parking space as ‘Free Space’ and ‘obstacles’ present therein;

e) Discretizing the data to be displayed to the driver on the simulated infotainment display of the automobile by animating the labelled top view of the automobile superimposed in the parking space;

f) Verifying whether the reverse gear is engaged by the driver or not; and

g) If the automobile is reversing, flipping the superimposed view of the reversing automobile in the parking space by 1800 to display the reversing automobile as a forwarding automobile on the simulated infotainment display thereof.

Typically, in case of the automobile detected in a forwarding motion, the superimposed view of the forwarding automobile within the parking space as well as the motion guidelines are displayed on the simulated infotainment display thereof depending on the automobile steering angle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The present invention will be briefly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which include:

Figure 1 shows the available view from the sensors of the simulated infotainment display system configured in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 analyses the actual motion characteristics of the vehicle.

Figure 3 is the final animated view of the system in which vehicle moves in forward direction.

Figure 4 shows the forward animated parking system configured in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 5 shows a detailed close-up view of the animated parking system as displayed in the simulated infotainment display configured in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 6 shows a block diagram of the animated parking system configured in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

In the following, different embodiments of the present invention will be described in more details with reference to the accompanying drawings without limiting the scope and ambit of the present invention in any way.

Figure 1 shows the rear view available from the sensors of the simulated infotainment display system configured in accordance with the present invention. The animated rear view includes the surrounding view S as well as the rear side R of the vehicle by using surround view sensors, which may be visual or RADAR sensors. This animated view is displayed as a mirror image of the surrounding S to convert a vehicle reversing motion A into a forward motion B of the vehicle, which is easier to the vehicle driver to perceive. Thus, a front wheel steered vehicle (reversing here within one of the surrounding parking spaces PS of width W and length L and moving along the normal path NP in direction A and turning therein for parking, is displayed in the simulated infotainment display D as a rear-wheel steered vehicle forwarding along the normal path NP in direction B and turning along the predicted path PP for parking in a parking space PS. The actual predicted path PP is displayed on the simulated infotainment display D based on the vehicle dimensions, i.e. length VL, vehicle width VW, wheelbase WB (see Fig. 2) and its dynamics e.g. reversing speed, acceleration, turning angle, radius etc. The vehicle dynamics also includes the steering angle, track width, dimensions of the parking space (width W x length L).

Figure 2 analyses the actual motion characteristics of the vehicle. The vehicle V having a wheel base WB is initially shown moving from the normal path NP towards the parking space by turning along a mean predicted path MPP. In this process, the vehicle turns about a center of turning circle CTC, which is the point of intersection of the rear wheel axis RWA and the left and right front wheel axes LFWA, RFWA. The front wheels and left wheels of the vehicle turn at difference angles. In fact, the right front wheel and left front wheel turn at different angles Ø1, Ø2 respectively with respect to the normal path NP.

Figure 3 is the final animated view of the system in the simulated infotainment display D of Figure 1, in which vehicle is shown moving in a forward direction along the mean predicted path MPP, although actually it is reversing in the parking space. This animated system can also assist in parking a vehicle having a larger dimension in a smaller parking space by accurately guiding it to be parked angularly, as shown by the angularly parked vehicle APV in this figure.

Figure 4 shows the forward animated parking system configured in accordance with the present invention. The simulated infotainment display D is provided on the instrument panel substantially disposed in front of the driver.

Figure 5 shows a detailed close-up view of the simulated infotainment display D of the forward animated parking system configured in accordance with the present invention, as shown in Figure 4. Here, the reversing V vehicle is shown inset on the LHS of the display D with predicted lines PL on either rear side thereof and neighboring vehicle NV on the front right side thereof with the vehicle being shown in forward motion as discussed above. However, in the main display (RHS), the vehicle is shown reversing along the instantaneous normal path INP which if followed as it is or without intervention according to the present invention, may hit the neighboring vehicle NV. It also shows a traffic cone TC placed on the other side of the parking space for the reversing vehicle. Therefore, the sensors of the animated parking system capture the relevant vehicle parameter, e.g. the vehicle dimensions, i.e. length VL, vehicle width VW, wheelbase WB and its dynamics (e.g. reversing speed, acceleration, turning angle, steering-angle, track-width and the dimensions of the parking space) in order to compute the predicted path PP along median line Rv and shows it on the display D in real-time. The warning message – “Please check the surrounding for safety” is also continuously displayed on the simulated infotainment display D.

Figure 6 shows a block diagram of the forward animated parking system configured in accordance with the present invention. At step 10, the relevant data such as reversing speed, acceleration, turning angle, steering-angle, track-width and the dimensions of the parking space etc. is captured by the sensors in the surround view cameras and ultrasonic sensors. At step 20, this data captured by the camera and the ultrasonic sensors is combined. At step 30, the images from all the cameras are processed for obtaining the top view of the vehicle superimposed in the parking space. At step 40, the parking space is intelligently segregated and labelled into ‘free space’ and ‘obstacles’ present therein. At step 50, the labelled top view of the vehicle superimposed in the parking space is animated to discretize the amount of data to be represented to the user. At step 60, a query is raised whether the reverse gear of the vehicle is engaged by the driver or not. If the result of the query is ‘Yes’, then at step 70, the image is flipped by 1800 to show the reversing vehicle as the vehicle having a forward motion.

For this purpose, the mirror image of the surroundings is used to convert a reversing motion of the vehicle into a corresponding forward motion thereof.

The combination of the surround view cameras and ultrasonic sensors captures a view of the surrounding and that is reversed into a mirror image with the vehicle as reference so as to display the vehicle on the Simulated Infotainment as forward moving.
Therefore, the front wheel steered reversing vehicle is displayed as the rear wheel steered forwarding vehicle by means of the simulated infotainment display D of the forward animated parking system configured in accordance with the present invention displays. However, if the result of the query is ‘No’; at step 80, the motion guidelines are projected on the display D depending on the steering angle.

TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES

The animated parking system with the simulated infotainment display configured in accordance with the present invention has the following advantages:
• Process of maneuvering the vehicle, particularly while reversing to park it within confined spaces becomes much easier and more accurate.

• Reversing motion of the vehicle is displayed as perceived forward motion of the vehicle, to which drivers are more comfortable to judge the surroundings, i.e. free space as well as obstacles present therein.

• Depending on the vehicle dimensions and reversing speed, the animated parking system accurately predicts the reversing path to be followed by the drive for correct parking.

• Path predicted by the animated parking system on the simulated infotainment display continuously takes into account of the different angles of wheels during turning over a path to be followed for parking into an empty parking slot.

The exemplary embodiments described in this specification are intended merely to provide an understanding of various manners in which this embodiment may be used and to further enable the skilled person in the relevant art to practice this invention. The description provided herein is purely by way of example and illustration.

Although, the embodiments presented in this disclosure have been described in terms of its preferred embodiments, the skilled person in the art would readily recognize that these embodiments can be applied with modifications possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention as described in this specification by making innumerable changes, variations, modifications, alterations and/or integrations in terms of materials and method used to configure, manufacture and assemble various constituents, components, subassemblies and assemblies, in terms of their size, shapes, orientations and interrelationships without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

While considerable emphasis has been placed on the specific features of the preferred embodiment described here, it will be appreciated that many additional features can be added and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention.

These and other changes in the preferred embodiment of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.
Many of the fastening, connection, processes and other means and components utilized in this invention are widely known and used in the field of the invention described, and their exact nature or type is not necessary for an understanding and use of the invention by a person skilled in the art and they will not therefore be discussed in significant detail.

The numerical values given of various physical parameters, dimensions and quantities are only approximate values and it is envisaged that the values higher or lower than the numerical value assigned to the physical parameters, dimensions and quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure unless there is a statement in the specification to the contrary.

Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, shall be understood to implies including a described element, integer or method step, or group of elements, integers or method steps, however, does not imply excluding any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or method steps.

The use of the expression “a”, “at least” or “at least one” shall imply using one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as used in the embodiment of the disclosure in order to achieve one or more of the intended objects or results of the present invention.

Also, any reference herein to the terms ‘left’ or ‘right, ‘up’ or ‘down, or ‘top’ or ‘bottom’ are used as a matter of mere convenience, and are determined by standing at the rear of the machine facing in its normal direction of travel. Furthermore, the various components shown or described herein for any specific application of this invention can be widely known or used in the art by persons skilled in the art and each will likewise not therefore be discussed in significant detail. When referring to the figures, like parts are numbered the same in all of the figures. ,CLAIMS:We claim:

1. An animated forward moving parking display system in an automobile, wherein the system comprises a live display of the surrounding view and rear side view of the automobile captured by means of sensors and displayed as a mirror image of the surroundings to convert the reversing motion of the automobile into a forward motion thereof to ease the driver’s perception of the surroundings, particularly in close or congested parking spaces.

2. Parking display system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the live display is displayed on the simulated infotainment display of the automobile.

3. Parking display system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensors comprise visual or RADAR sensors.

4. Parking display system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensors comprise surround view cameras and ultrasonic sensors.

5. Parking display system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the data captured by the surround view cameras and ultrasonic sensors is processed to obtain the top view of the reversing automobile superimposed in the parking space.

6. Parking display system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the captured data comprises the automobile reversing speed, acceleration, turning angle, steering-angle, track-width and the dimensions of the automobile as well as the parking space.

7. Parking display system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the system computed the reversing automobile’s live trajectory and flips the same by 1800 on the simulated infotainment display as the forwarding motion of the automobile.

8. Parking display system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the display comprises an inset miniature display including the predicted lines of the reversing motion of the automobile on either rear side thereof as well as the neighboring vehicle or vehicles and/or the boundary or boundaries of the parking spaces and a main display including the instantaneous normal path followed by the reversing automobile, if not intervened by the system and the computed predicted path along the median reversing line based on the data captured by the sensors.
9. A method for displaying a reversing automobile’s live trajectory by using the animated forward moving parking display system as claimed in anyone of the claims 1 to 8, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

a) Capturing live data of the reversing automobile’s motion through surround view cameras and the dimensions of the parking space through ultrasonic sensors and/or radar sensors;

b) Combining the data captured by the surround view cameras and the ultrasonic sensors and/or radar sensors;

c) Processing the images obtained from the surround view cameras to display a superimposed view of the reversing automobile by considering the dimensions thereof within the parking space by using the dynamics and dimensions of the automobile;

d) Intelligently segregating the parking space as ‘Free Space’ and ‘obstacles’ present therein;

e) Discretizing the data to be displayed to the driver on the simulated infotainment display of the automobile by animating the labelled top view of the automobile superimposed in the parking space;

f) Verifying whether the reverse gear is engaged by the driver or not; and

g) If the automobile is reversing, flipping the superimposed view of the reversing automobile in the parking space by 1800 to display the reversing automobile as a forwarding automobile on the simulated infotainment display thereof.

10. Method as claimed in claim 9, wherein in case of the automobile detected in a forwarding motion, the superimposed view of the forwarding automobile within the parking space as well as the motion guidelines are displayed on the simulated infotainment display thereof depending on the automobile steering angle.

Dated: this day of 20th June 2016. SANJAY KESHARWANI
APPLICANT’S PATENT AGENT