IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,654,689
Granted Patent B2
US 12,654,689 · App. 18/938,424 · Granted Jun 16, 2026

Apparatus and method for controlling automatic parking

Inventors: Ki Ho Lee (Yongin-Si, KR); Kyung Soo Ha (Hwaseong-Si, KR); In Mook Kim (Seoul, KR)
Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company; Kia Corporation
B60W30/06G06V20/586G06V20/588B60W2420/403B60W2552/53
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,654,689
App. No.
18/938,424
Granted
Jun 16, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for controlling automatic parking. A method may include obtaining parking line recognition information from a captured image of a target parking slot, determining angular relationships between a plurality of parking lines of the target parking slot based on the parking line recognition information, estimating a gradient of the target parking slot based on the angular relationships, and controlling longitudinal driving of a vehicle based on the estimated gradient.

Claims (61)

1 . A method performed by a vehicle, the method comprising:

obtaining, from a captured image of a target parking slot, parking line recognition information;

determining, based on the parking line recognition information, angular relationships between a plurality of parking lines of the target parking slot;

estimating, based on the angular relationships, a gradient of the target parking slot; and

controlling, based on the estimated gradient, longitudinal driving of the vehicle.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the obtaining of the parking line recognition information comprises:

controlling the vehicle to stop at a predetermined location;

receiving the captured image of the target parking slot; and

obtaining, based on the captured image, the parking line recognition information, wherein the parking line recognition information indicates at least:

at least one entrance point of the target parking slot, and

the plurality of parking lines of the target parking slot.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining of the angular relationships between the plurality of parking lines of the target parking slot comprises:

obtaining a first angle, relative to an entry line connecting two entrance points of the target parking slot, of a first parking line of the plurality of parking lines;

obtaining a second angle, relative to the entry line, of a second parking line of the plurality of parking lines;

determining an average angle of the first angle and the second angle;

determining, based on the first angle and the second angle, an internal angle sum; and

determining, based on the average angle, a reference internal angle sum.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the determining of the angular relationships further comprises determining whether a difference between the reference internal angle sum and 180° is less than a threshold value.

5 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the estimating of the gradient of the target parking slot comprises determining, based on the internal angle sum being greater than the reference internal angle sum and an absolute value of a difference between the internal angle sum and the reference internal angle sum being greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value, that the target parking slot has a positive gradient.

6 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the estimating of the gradient of the target parking slot comprises determining, based on the internal angle sum being less than the reference internal angle sum and an absolute value of a difference between the internal angle sum and the reference internal angle sum being greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value, that the target parking slot has a negative gradient.

7 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the estimating of the gradient of the target parking slot comprises comparing a difference, between the internal angle sum and the reference internal angle sum, to a lookup table.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the controlling of the longitudinal driving of the vehicle comprises:

while controlling autonomous driving of the vehicle, increasing, based on the gradient of the target parking slot being positive, a target driving torque of the vehicle.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the controlling of the longitudinal driving of the vehicle comprises:

while controlling autonomous driving of the vehicle, decreasing, based on the gradient of the target parking slot being negative, a target driving torque of the vehicle.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the controlling of the longitudinal driving of the vehicle comprises:

while controlling autonomous driving of the vehicle, increasing, based on the gradient of the target parking slot being positive, a target braking pressure of the vehicle compared to when the gradient of the target parking slot is neutral.

11 . A device comprising:

at least one processor; and

a memory operatively coupled to the at least one processor,

wherein the memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to:

obtain, from a captured image of a target parking slot, parking line recognition information;

determine, based on the parking line recognition information, angular relationships between a plurality of parking lines of the target parking slot;

estimate, based on the angular relationships, a gradient of the target parking slot; and

control, based on the estimated gradient, longitudinal driving of a vehicle.

12 . The device of claim 11 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to obtain the parking line recognition information by:

controlling the vehicle to stop at a predetermined location;

receiving the captured image of the target parking slot; and

obtaining, based on the captured image, the parking line recognition information, wherein the parking line recognition information indicates at least:

at least one entrance point of the target parking slot, and

the plurality of parking lines of the target parking slot.

13 . The device of claim 11 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to determine the angular relationships by:

obtaining a first angle, relative to an entry line connecting two entrance points of the target parking slot, of a first parking line of the plurality of parking lines;

obtaining a second angle, relative to the entry line, of a second parking line of the plurality of parking lines;

determining an average angle of the first angle and the second angle;

determining, based on the first angle and the second angle, an internal angle sum; and

determining, based on the average angle, a reference internal angle sum.

14 . The device of claim 13 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to determine the angular relationships by:

further determining whether a difference between the reference internal angle sum and 180° is less than a threshold value.

15 . The device of claim 13 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to estimate the gradient of the target parking slot by:

determining, based on the internal angle sum being greater than the reference internal angle sum and an absolute value of a difference between the internal angle sum and the reference internal angle sum being greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value, that the target parking slot has a positive gradient.

16 . The device of claim 13 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to estimate the gradient of the target parking slot by:

determining, based on the internal angle sum being less than the reference internal angle sum and an absolute value of a difference between the internal angle sum and the reference internal angle sum being greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value, that the target parking slot has a negative gradient.

17 . The device of claim 13 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to estimate the gradient of the target parking slot by:

comparing a difference, between the internal angle sum and the reference internal angle sum, to a lookup table.

18 . The device of claim 11 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to control the longitudinal driving of the vehicle by:

while controlling autonomous driving of the vehicle, increasing, based on the gradient of the target parking slot being positive, a target driving torque of the vehicle.

19 . The device of claim 11 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to control the longitudinal driving of the vehicle by:

while controlling autonomous driving of the vehicle, decreasing, based on the gradient of the target parking slot being negative, a target driving torque of the vehicle.

20 . The device of claim 11 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to control the longitudinal driving of the vehicle by:

while controlling autonomous driving of the vehicle, increasing, based on the gradient of the target parking slot being positive, a target braking pressure of the vehicle compared to when the gradient of the target parking slot is neutral.

Assignments (2)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE SECOND ASSIGNEE'S NAME AND ADDRESS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 69911 FRAME 215. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE NEW ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Jun 11, 2026
From: LEE, KI HO; HA, KYUNG SOO; KIM, IN MOOK
To: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY; KIA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 075728/0055 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 17, 2025
From: LEE, KI HO; HA, KYUNG SOO; KIM, IN MOOK
To: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY; HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANYKIA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 069911/0215 →
Priority Claims (1)
KR 10-2024-0027849 · Feb 27, 2024 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250269842A1 · Aug 28, 2025
References Cited (4)
US 11654895B2 · Lee · 2023 [cited by examiner]
US 20180099661A1 · Bae · 2018 [cited by examiner]
US 20190193724A1 · Kim · 2019 [cited by examiner]
US 20210086757A1 · Sugano · 2021 [cited by examiner]