# US 10,373,495 B2 · Autonomous vehicle parking using vehicle user information

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- Number: US 10,373,495 B2
- Document ID: US10373495B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/401,150
- Filed: 2017-01-09
- Published: 2018-07-12
- Granted: 2019-08-06
- Earliest claimed: 2017-01-09
- Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation
- Applicants: International Business Machines Corporation
- Inventors: Itzhack Goldberg; Harry R. McGregor; Christopher B. Moore; Jose R. Mosqueda Mejia; Neil Sondhi
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10373495B2

## CPC

- G08G 1/147: {where the parking area is within an open public zone, e.g. city centre}
- B62D 15/0285: {Parking performed automatically}
- G05D 1/0011: {associated with a remote control arrangement}
- G08G 1/146: {where the parking area is a limited parking space, e.g. parking garage, restricted space}
- G08G 1/148: {Management of a network of parking areas}
- G08G: TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS (guiding railway traffic, ensuring the safety of railway traffic B61L; arrangement of road signs or traffic signals E01F9/00; radar or analogous systems, sonar systems, lidar systems specially adapted for traffic control G01S13/91, G01S15/88, G01S17/88; {radar or analogous systems, sonar systems, lidar systems specially adapted for anti-collision purposes G01S13/93, G01S15/93, G01S17/93})
- B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M)
- G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES

## Abstract

In an approach, a processor receives a notification that an autonomous vehicle is parked at a first location within a parking area, wherein the autonomous vehicle is associated with a user. A processor receives a first set of information, wherein the first set of information comprises a first expected location of the user prior to returning to the parking area. A processor determines a second location to park the autonomous vehicle based on the first set of information. A processor causes the autonomous vehicle to move to the second location.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method comprising:
receiving, by one or more processors, a notification that an autonomous vehicle is parked at a first location within a parking area, wherein the autonomous vehicle is associated with a user and a user profile;
calculating, by one or more processors, a first return time of the user to the parking area and a first return location of the user based on at least one of a first set of information from the user profile, information associated with the parking area, and information provided by an establishment that utilizes the parking area;
determining, by one or more processors, a second location to park the autonomous vehicle based on the first return time of the user, the first return location of the user, and a usage threshold of the parking area, wherein the usage threshold is based on a level of traffic entering and exiting the parking area at vehicle and user entrances and exits; and
causing, by one or more processors, the autonomous vehicle to move to the second location.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of information from the user profile includes information retrieved from at least one social media account of the user.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising:
identifying, by one or more processors, that the usage threshold of parking area has been exceeded;
determining, by one or more processors, a third location to park the autonomous vehicle that is farther away from vehicle and user entrances and exits of the parking area than the second location; and
prior to causing the autonomous vehicle to move to the second location, causing, by one or more processors, the autonomous vehicle to move to the third location.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving, by one or more processors, a second set of information from the user profile, wherein the second set of information comprises a second return location of the user;
determining, by one or more processors, a third location to park the autonomous vehicle based on the second set of information; and
causing, by one or more processors, the autonomous vehicle to move to the third location.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving, by one or more processors, a second set of information from the user profile, wherein the second set of information comprises a second return location of the user;
calculating, by one or more processors, a second return time of the user to the parking area based, at least in part, on the second set of information;
determining, by one or more processors, a second time to park the autonomous vehicle at a third location based on the second set of information;
determining, by one or more processors, the third location to park the autonomous vehicle based on the second set of information; and
causing, by one or more processors, the autonomous vehicle to move to the third location at the second time.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining, by one or more processors, that the user is going to return to the parking area after a period of time;
determining, by one or more processors, a third location to park the autonomous vehicle based on the first set of information and the period of time, wherein the third location experiences lower traffic than the second location; and
prior to causing the autonomous vehicle to move to the second location, causing, by one or more processors, the autonomous vehicle to move to the third location.

### Claim 7

A computer program product comprising:
one or more computer readable storage media and program instructions stored on the one or more computer readable storage media, the program instructions comprising:
program instructions to receive a notification that an autonomous vehicle is parked at a first location within a parking area, wherein the autonomous vehicle is associated with a user and a user profile;
program instructions to calculate a first return time of the user to the parking area and a first return location of the user based on at least one of a first set of information from the user profile, information associated with the parking area, and information provided by an establishment that utilizes the parking area;
program instructions to determine a second location to park the autonomous vehicle based on the first return time of the user, the first return location of the user, and a usage threshold of the parking area, wherein the usage threshold is based on a level of traffic entering and exiting the parking area at vehicle and user entrances and exits; and
program instructions to cause the autonomous vehicle to move to the second location.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The computer program product of claim 7, wherein the first set of information from the user profile includes information retrieved from at least one social media account of the user.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The computer program product of claim 7, further comprising:
program instructions to identify that the usage threshold of parking area has been exceeded;
program instructions to determine a third location to park the autonomous vehicle that is farther away from vehicle and user entrances and exits of the parking area than the second location; and
prior to the program instructions to cause the autonomous vehicle to move to the second location, program instructions to cause the autonomous vehicle to move to the third location.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The computer program product of claim 7, further comprising:
program instructions to receive a second set of information from the user profile, wherein the second set of information comprises a second return location of the user;
program instructions to determine a third location to park the autonomous vehicle based on the second set of information; and
program instructions to cause the autonomous vehicle to move to the third location.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The computer program product of claim 7, further comprising:
program instructions to receive a second set of information from the user profile, wherein the second set of information comprises a second return location of the user;
program instructions to calculate a second return time of the user to the parking area based, at least in part, on the second set of information;
program instructions to determine a second time to park the autonomous vehicle at a third location based on the second set of information;
program instructions to determine the third location to park the autonomous vehicle based on the second set of information; and
program instructions to cause the autonomous vehicle to move to the third location at the second time.

### Claim 12 (depends on 7)

The computer program product of claim 7, further comprising:
program instructions to determine that the user is going to return to the parking area after a period of time;
program instructions to determine a third location to park the autonomous vehicle based on the first set of information and the period of time, wherein the third location experiences lower traffic than the second location; and
prior to the program instructions to cause the autonomous vehicle to move to the second location, program instructions to cause the autonomous vehicle to move to the third location.

### Claim 13

A computer system comprising:
one or more computer processors;
one or more computer readable storage media;
program instructions stored on the computer readable storage media for execution by at least one of the one or more processors, the program instructions comprising:
program instructions to receive a notification that an autonomous vehicle is parked at a first location within a parking area, wherein the autonomous vehicle is associated with a user and a user profile;
program instructions to calculate a first return time of the user to the parking area and a first return location of the user based on at least one of a first set of information from the user profile, information associated with the parking area, and information provided by an establishment that utilizes the parking area;
program instructions to determine a second location to park the autonomous vehicle based on the first return time of the user, the first return location of the user, and a usage threshold of the parking area, wherein the usage threshold is based on a level of traffic entering and exiting the parking area at vehicle and user entrances and exits; and
program instructions to cause the autonomous vehicle to move to the second location.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The computer system of claim 13, wherein the first set of information from the user profile includes information retrieved from at least one social media account of the user.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The computer system of claim 13, further comprising:
program instructions to identify that the usage threshold of parking area has been exceeded;
program instructions to determine a third location to park the autonomous vehicle that is farther away from vehicle and user entrances and exits of the parking area than the second location; and
prior to the program instructions to cause the autonomous vehicle to move to the second location, program instructions to cause the autonomous vehicle to move to the third location.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The computer system of claim 13, further comprising:
program instructions to receive a second set of information from the user profile, wherein the second set of information comprises a second return location of the user;
program instructions to determine a third location to park the autonomous vehicle based on the second set of information; and
program instructions to cause the autonomous vehicle to move to the third location.

### Claim 17 (depends on 13)

The computer system of claim 13, further comprising:
program instructions to receive a second set of information from the user profile, wherein the second set of information comprises a second return location of the user;
program instructions to calculate a second return time of the user to the parking area based, at least in part, on the second set of information;
program instructions to determine a second time to park the autonomous vehicle at a third location based on the second set of information;
program instructions to determine the third location to park the autonomous vehicle based on the second set of information; and
program instructions to cause the autonomous vehicle to move to the third location at the second time.