DE102012016227A1 - Method for assisting driver of vehicle during fueling operation, involves displaying refueling process related information on display element of vehicle while vehicle approaches filling station - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves detecting (200) an imminent refueling, where the detection of the imminent refueling takes place by detecting the approach of a vehicle to a filling station. The refueling process related information is displayed (300) on a display element of the vehicle while the vehicle approaches the filling station. The determination of approaching of the vehicle to the filling station takes place, when the vehicle is located using satellite navigation, such as Wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi). Independent claims are included for the following: (1) a device for assisting a driver of a vehicle during a fueling operation; and (2) a computer program product for use in a computer readable medium for assisting a driver of a vehicle during a fueling operation.

Description

The invention relates to a method for assisting a driver of a vehicle in a refueling operation. It further relates to a device suitable for carrying out the method.

From the DE 20 2008 006 504 U1 a dispenser is known, which provides the type of fuel to be refueled, based on previously read from a transponder on the vehicle and interpreted data.

Such a pump can perform the refueling process, especially the choice of the fuel to be tanked, self-sufficient. Errors of the driver in the selection of the fuel are thus avoided and the refueling process is made comfortable for the driver.

However, such a pump is associated with high costs. Many drivers do not want the complete automation of the refueling process, but only targeted support.

There is therefore a need for a method. and a device with which a driver can be easily supported when refueling his vehicle.

According to one aspect of the invention, a method is provided for assisting a driver of a vehicle in a refueling operation, the method comprising: detecting an impending refueling operation, wherein the recognition of the impending refueling operation is effected by determining that the vehicle is approaching a refueling station becomes. Thereupon, information pertaining to the fueling operation is displayed on a display element of the vehicle as the vehicle approaches the gas station.

This method makes it possible to inform the driver of the refueling information before it has come to a standstill on a gasoline pump. When approaching a gas station, many drivers are uncertain about the side of the vehicle where the fuel cap is located or, particularly in the case of a rental car, the type of fuel to be fueled. Therefore, they may need to reset and correct once again after stopping at a gas pump, which is annoying and associated with the risk of collisions, especially during heavy-duty operation at a gas station. By displaying information relating to the refueling process while the vehicle is in motion, the driver can in particular be informed in good time of information pertaining to his holding position at the pump so that he can approach the right point from the outset.

In one embodiment of the method, the determination of the approach of the vehicle to a filling station is carried out by locating the vehicle by means of satellite navigation.

More and more vehicles today have a navigation system, so that a way to locate the vehicle anyway exists. Such navigation systems also have information about the locations of filling stations in their maps. This data can be used to determine the approach of a vehicle to a gas station, for example, when the vehicle shears off the road and turns into an entrance to a gas station. For this satellite navigation provides sufficiently accurate data.

In one embodiment, the determination of the approach of the vehicle to a filling station is effected by localizing the vehicle by means of WLAN (wireless local area network). This WLAN-based location can be particularly used in metropolitan areas with a high. Density of Wi-Fi HotSpots to the nearest meter, sometimes better than satellite navigation-based positioning.

In one embodiment, the determination of the approach of the vehicle to a filling station is effected by the vehicle communicating with an RFID transponder arranged in the region of the filling station by means of near field communication (NFC). In such a method, neither the presence of a satellite navigation system nor a WLAN receiver in the vehicle is necessary. Instead, a reader arranged in the vehicle reads the RFID (radio frequency identification) transponder in the entrance area of the filling station. In this embodiment, it may happen that the driver is the relevant information displayed a little later, because the approach to a gas station is determined only after entering the grounds. However, this is typically still so early that the driver can steer the correct petrol pump.

In one embodiment, the determination of the approach of the vehicle to a gas station is carried out by evaluating driving-related parameters. In particular, the steering angle of the vehicle, its speed or its tank level or a combination of these parameters can be used as the driving-related parameters.

This has the advantage that expensive technology such as satellite navigation, WLAN localization or NFC can be dispensed with. Although the approach to a gas station in this embodiment can not always be determined with the same security as in a case in which the bending on a gas station site is detected directly. However, it may be sufficient for the driver to be informed of the information concerning the refueling process if there is a sufficient probability of approaching a refueling station. It can then be taken into account that possibly no refueling is planned and this information is not needed, since these falsely displayed information is only disturbing to a very small extent.

The individual possibilities of determining the approach of the vehicle to a filling station can advantageously be combined with one another. This can be achieved that the probability of not or incorrectly recognized approaches to a gas station is low. In particular, the approach to a gas station can also be detected in situations in which a positioning method does not work for a short time - for example due to signal problems - or the infrastructure for another method is not available.

In one embodiment, the information concerning the refueling operation is displayed on the side of the vehicle on which a fuel cap is located. This information helps the driver to select the correct stop position on a pump. In particular, their display while driving has the great advantage that it is provided to the driver in a timely manner so that he does not have to reset and correct his position.

Alternatively or additionally, the driver can be displayed as the refueling process information about the type of fuel to be refueled. If the driver receives this information early, d. H. still provided when approaching the pump, so the driver can select the right pump. This is particularly advantageous at gas stations where not every kind of fuel is provided at each pump.

In addition, this is advantageous in hybrid vehicles fueled with conventional fuel or their energy storage can be electrically discharged if the gas station 5 the corresponding infrastructure is available. In such vehicles, depending on the fill level of the fuel tank and the state of charge of the electrical energy storage, the driver can be informed of the approach of the appropriate fueling station.

As a display element in the vehicle for the display of the refueling information is in particular a display within the instrument cluster or in the center console or a head-up display into consideration.

In one embodiment, there is additionally an exchange of information between the vehicle and a reading device arranged in the region of the filling station, as well as an indication of the fuel to be fueled in the region of a filling station of the filling station.

This has the advantage that the fuel to be refueled can be displayed to the driver immediately at the start of the refueling operation in order to avoid refueling errors.

• – zumindest eine Ermittlungsvorrichtung ausgebildet zum Erkennen eines bevorstehenden Tankvorgangs, wobei das Erkennen des bevorstehenden Tankvorgangs dadurch erfolgt, dass ein Annähern des Fahrzeugs an eine Tankstelle festgestellt wird;
• – ein Anzeigeelement des Fahrzeugs zum Anzeigen von den Tankvorgang betreffenden Informationen, während sich das Fahrzeug der Tankstelle nähert.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for assisting a driver of a vehicle in a refueling operation, the apparatus comprising:

• At least one determining device is embodied for recognizing an imminent refueling process, wherein the recognition of the impending refueling process is effected by determining that the vehicle is approaching a refueling station;
• An indicator of the vehicle for displaying fueling information as the vehicle approaches the gas station.

The display element in the vehicle for the display of the information concerning the refueling process may in particular be designed as a display within the instrument cluster or in the center console or as a head-up display.

According to one aspect of the invention, a vehicle is provided with such a device.

To further assist the driver, the vehicle may have, for example in the area of the fuel cap, an RFID transponder which contains information about the fuel to be fueled and which can be read by a reading device in the petrol pump. The fuel to be tanked can then be displayed on the pump itself. Alternatively, the pump could unlock only the appropriate tap. To avoid problems due to faulty transponders or read errors, the dispenser has a capability to manually correct such automatic fuel selection.

• – Erkennen eines bevorstehenden Tankvorgangs, wobei das Erkennen des bevorstehenden Tankvorgangs dadurch erfolgt, dass ein Annähern des Fahrzeugs an eine Tankstelle festgestellt wird;
• – Anzeigen von den Tankvorgang betreffenden Informationen auf einem Anzeigeelement des Fahrzeugs, während sich das Fahrzeug der Tankstelle nähert.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program product which, when executed on a computing unit of a vehicle, instructs the computing unit to perform the described method, in particular also a method comprising:

• Detecting an imminent refueling operation, wherein the detection of the impending refueling operation is effected by determining that the vehicle is approaching a refueling station;
• Displaying information relating to refueling on a display element of the vehicle as the vehicle approaches the refueling station.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a computer-readable medium is specified on which such a computer program product is stored.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures.

1 shows a vehicle during the performance of a method for assisting a driver of the vehicle in a refueling operation according to an embodiment of the invention;

2 shows a display element of the vehicle according to 1 ;

three shows an apparatus for assisting a driver of a vehicle in a refueling operation according to an embodiment of the invention and

4 shows a flowchart of the method for assisting a driver of a vehicle in a refueling operation according to an embodiment of the invention.

1 shows a vehicle 1 on a roadway 2 from its original, by the arrow three Marked direction has deviated to a gas station 5 to approach. This new direction is indicated by the arrow 4 characterized.

Still while the vehicle 1 the gas station 5 approaching, it is recognized that the gas station 5 is approached, and the driver of the vehicle 1 information about refueling is displayed. For example, the driver is indicated on which side of the vehicle 1 The fuel cap is located so that a corresponding pump from the outset can be approached on the right side.

Furthermore, it could be displayed which fuel is to be refueled, so that the driver can directly control the appropriate fuel dispenser.

Furthermore, the driver of a hybrid vehicle could be informed whether the gas station 5 has a power dispenser where the storage for electrical energy can be replenished, whether a replenishment of these storage makes sense and on which side is the corresponding access to the vehicle 1 located.

The information relating to the refueling process is displayed in good time before the driver has to control a dispenser, so that subsequent corrections with a reset of the vehicle 1 are not necessary.

To detect if the vehicle 1 the gas station 5 In accordance with this embodiment, satellite navigation data is used. This evaluates a in 1 Not shown computing unit, the position data P _{1 of} the vehicle 1 and P _{2 of} the gas station 5 and detects a deviation of the vehicle 1 from its original course and approach to the gas station 5 , The position data P _{2 of} the gas station 5 are stored in a memory of the arithmetic unit or are provided via a data connection while driving.

In the entrance area of the gas station 5 In the embodiment shown, they are RFID transponders 6 provided by one in the vehicle 1 located reading device can be read. This will bring the approach of the vehicle 1 to the gas station 5 recognized or additionally confirmed. If the vehicle 1 does not have a satellite navigation system or the reception is too short for the approach of the vehicle 1 to the gas station 5 can be determined by means of the position data P ₁ and P ₂ , this can be done by means of near field communication by reading the RFID transponder.

In addition, the steering angle of the vehicle 1 and a speed reduction when entering the entrance of the gas station 5 and / or a nearly empty fuel tank serve as indicators of an upcoming refueling operation.

2 schematically shows a display element of the vehicle 1 according to 1 that as a display 15 inside a combination instrument 17 is trained. On such a display 15 the information relevant to the refueling process, in particular the side on which the fuel cap is arranged, and the fuel to be refueled, are approached to the driver during the approach to the refueling station 5 displayed.

three shows a device 7 to assist a driver of the vehicle 1 in a refueling process. The device 7 includes a computing unit 8th , which is designed as a detection device for detecting an imminent refueling operation. In this case, the recognition of the upcoming refueling process takes place in that an approaching of the vehicle 1 to a gas station 5 is detected.

This is the arithmetic unit 8th via a signal line 12 with a satellite navigation system 9 of the vehicle 1 connected. Furthermore, the arithmetic unit 8th in the embodiment shown via a signal line 13 with an RFID reader 10 connected and via a signal line 14 with a level sensor 11 a fuel tank of the vehicle 1 ,

In embodiments not shown, the arithmetic unit receives 8th as input signals of a steering angle sensor, a tachometer and / or a WLAN receiver.

The arithmetic unit 8th is also via a signal line 16 with a display element 15 of the vehicle 1 connected, for example, with a display arranged in the instrument cluster. On the display element 15 be the driver when approaching the gas station 5 information about the refueling process is displayed.

4 shows a flowchart of a method for assisting a driver of the vehicle 1 in a refueling operation according to the in 1 to three shown embodiment of the invention.

In this embodiment, in one step 100 the procedure started, for example when driving or when commissioning a navigation system.

In one step 200 it is determined whether a refueling is imminent. This is affirmative if it is recognized with sufficient probability that the vehicle is 1 the gas station 5 approaches. The criteria for such an approach are satellite navigation data, driving-related parameters such as steering angle, speed and tank level and / or the location of the gas station 5 using WLAN or near field communication.

In one step 300 In the event of an imminent refueling operation, information concerning the refueling process is displayed to the driver.

Although at least one exemplary embodiment has been shown in the foregoing description, various changes and modifications may be made. The above embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration in any way. Rather, the foregoing description provides those skilled in the art with a scheme for practicing at least one example embodiment, which may make numerous changes in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the appended claims and their legal equivalents ,

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

vehicle

2

roadway

3

arrow

4

arrow

5

Gas station

6

RFID transponder

7

contraption

8th

computer unit

9

Satellite Navigation System

10

RFID reader

11

level sensor

12

signal line

13

signal line

14

signal line

15

display element

16

signal line

17

instrument cluster

100

step

200

step

300

step

P ₁

position data

P ₂

position data

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 202008006504 U1 [0002]

Claims (15)

Method for assisting a driver of a vehicle ( 1 ) in a refueling operation, the method comprising: detecting an impending refueling operation, wherein the recognition of the impending refueling operation is effected by an approaching of the vehicle ( 1 ) to a gas station ( 5 ) is detected; Displaying information relating to refueling on a display element ( 15 ) of the vehicle ( 1 ) while the vehicle ( 1 ) the gas station ( 5 ) approaches. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the approach of the vehicle ( 1 ) to a gas station ( 5 ) takes place by the vehicle ( 1 ) is localized by means of satellite navigation. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein detecting the approach of the vehicle ( 1 ) to a gas station ( 5 ) takes place by the vehicle ( 1 ) is located by means of WLAN. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the detection of the approach of the vehicle ( 1 ) to a gas station ( 5 ) takes place by the vehicle ( 1 ) with one in the area of the filling station ( 5 ) arranged RFID transponder ( 6 ) communicates by means of near field communication. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the detection of the approach of the vehicle ( 1 ) to a gas station ( 5 ) by evaluation of driving-related parameters. Method according to claim 5, wherein as a driving-related parameter the steering angle of the vehicle ( 1 ) is used. Method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein as speed-related parameter the speed of the vehicle ( 1 ) is used. Method according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein as the vehicle-related parameter, the tank level of the vehicle ( 1 ) is used. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein as information relating to the refueling process the side of the vehicle ( 1 ) is displayed on which a fuel cap is located. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein as the refueling information relating to the type of fuel to be refueled is displayed. Method according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein in addition an exchange of information between the vehicle ( 1 ) and one in the area of the gas station ( 5 ) arranged reading device and an indication of the fuel to be fueled in the region of a pump of the gas station ( 5 ) he follows. Device for assisting a driver of a vehicle ( 1 ) in a refueling operation, the apparatus comprising: - at least one determining device ( 8th ) configured to detect an imminent refueling operation, the recognition of the imminent refueling being carried out by an approaching of the vehicle ( 1 ) to a gas station ( 5 ) is detected; A display element ( 15 ) of the vehicle ( 1 ) for displaying fueling information while the vehicle ( 1 ) the gas station ( 5 ) approaches. Vehicle ( 1 ) with a device according to claim 12. Computer program product that, when stored on a computer unit ( 8th ) of a vehicle ( 1 ) is executed, the arithmetic unit ( 8th ) to carry out a method comprising: detecting an imminent refueling operation, wherein the detection of the imminent refueling operation is effected by an approaching of the vehicle ( 1 ) to a gas station ( 5 ) is detected; Displaying information relating to refueling on a display element ( 15 ) of the vehicle ( 1 ) while the vehicle ( 1 ) the gas station ( 5 ) approaches. A computer readable medium having stored thereon a computer program product according to claim 14.

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