DE102014208780A1 - Method for monitoring a loading state and a loading or unloading process of a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for monitoring a loading state and a loading or unloading process of a motor vehicle by a person not located in the immediate vicinity of the motor vehicle (B). In order to allow satisfactory monitoring of the loading state and loading or unloading process for the person (B), before (V2) and after (V6) each loading operation, the loading condition is detected as an image document (D1, D3). The loading or unloading process is detected as a film document (D2) at least for a certain period of time (V4).
The created documents (D1-D3) are made available to an external computer (14) to which the person (B) has access.
It is also proposed a motor vehicle, with which the inventive method is feasible.

Description

The invention relates to a method for monitoring a loading state and a loading or unloading process of a motor vehicle by a person not in the immediate vicinity of the motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle for carrying out the method.

From the US 8 310 363 B2 It is known, with the help of sensors and cameras, to monitor the interior of a ship's container. The sensors and cameras should make it possible to detect conditions (for example temperature, humidity, etc.) and movements of goods in the container.

In the JP 622 925 44 A a motor vehicle is described, which is equipped in the hold with a camera. The camera is used to record the size of a load and to forward the data to a manipulator. With the help of the manipulator, the load should be moved to a suitable removal position.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method for monitoring a loading state and a loading or unloading operation of a motor vehicle by a person not in the immediate vicinity of the motor vehicle, which is efficient and reliable.

Furthermore, the present invention is based on the object to provide a motor vehicle which is suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention.

The above objects are achieved by the method according to claim 1 and by the motor vehicle according to claim 5.

Advantageous embodiments or developments of the invention can be taken from the respective subclaims.

• • zwecks Be- oder Entladung durch eine Person wird zunächst deren Autorisierung überprüft
• • nach erfolgter Autorisierung und vor einer Fernentriegelung des Kraftfahrzeugs wird durch wenigstens eine im Kraftfahrzeug befestigte Kamera der alte Beladezustand (also der Zustand vor dem Belade- oder Entladevorgang) als wenigstens ein Bilddokument erfasst
• • nach der Fernentriegelung und einem anschließenden Öffnen des Kraftfahrzeugs (durch die autorisierte Person) wird der Be- oder Entladevorgang zumindest für eine bestimmte oder bestimmbare Zeitdauer durch wenigstens eine im Kraftfahrzeug befestigte Kamera als wenigstens ein Filmdokument erfasst
• • nach Beendigung des Be- oder Entladevorgangs und Schließen des Kraftfahrzeugs (durch die autorisierte Person) wird das Kraftfahrzeug fernverriegelt und durch wenigstens eine im Kraftfahrzeug befestigte Kamera der neue Beladezustand (also der Zustand nach dem Belade- oder Entladevorgang) als wenigstens ein Bilddokument erfasst
• • die zum Belade- oder Entladevorgang gehörenden Dokumente werden an eine außerhalb des Kraftfahrzeugs befindliche Speicher- und/oder Recheneinheit übermittelt, auf die der Dritte Zugriff hat.

According to the invention, a method is proposed for monitoring a loading state and a loading or unloading process of a motor vehicle by a person not in the immediate vicinity of the motor vehicle. The method according to the invention comprises the following method steps:

• • For the purpose of loading or unloading by a person, their authorization is first checked
• • After authorization and prior to remote unlocking of the motor vehicle, the old loading state (ie the state before the loading or unloading process) is detected as at least one image document by at least one camera mounted in the motor vehicle
• After the remote unlocking and subsequent opening of the motor vehicle (by the authorized person), the loading or unloading process is detected by at least one camera mounted in the motor vehicle as at least one film document, at least for a specific or determinable period of time
• • after completion of the loading or unloading and closing the motor vehicle (by the authorized person) the vehicle is remotely locked and detected by at least one mounted in the motor vehicle camera, the new loading condition (ie the state after the loading or unloading) as at least one image document
• The documents belonging to the loading or unloading process are transmitted to a storage and / or computing unit located outside the motor vehicle, to which the third party has access.

By such a method, the loading state and also a loading or unloading process of a motor vehicle can be monitored and documented very efficiently.

Therefore, a high degree of confidence in the process can be created for the person not in the immediate vicinity of the motor vehicle. This is especially important if the person has specified as the owner of the motor vehicle whose interior or at least a part of the interior as a storage or temporary storage location for logistics services and provided.

The combination of the creation of image documents on the one hand and the creation of a film document on the other hand and their temporal synchronization with the loading or unloading process is an excellent basis for a trustworthy documentation of a service not visible to the person.

According to a further development, it is provided that, during a loading or unloading process, the identity of each loading object (for example a parcel) is recorded with at least one detection device mounted in the motor vehicle and its outer state is recorded as an image document with at least one camera mounted in the motor vehicle.

The identity of a loading object can be done, for example and highly reliably, by providing each loading object with a code and the detection device is suitable for reading this code. The code may be, for example, a one-dimensional bar code. This supports the reliability of the process. But also the use Multidimensional codes, for example a point-like code (eg QR code) is conceivable.

By detecting the outer state of a load object with a camera, the person not in the immediate vicinity of the motor vehicle is also given a good opportunity to obtain at least a first impression of the delivery condition of a load object.

It may well be appropriate according to another embodiment of the method, if before and after each loading or unloading the motor vehicle whose load is determined. As a result, conclusions about the weight of a load can be made. This can certainly be helpful for reasons of plausibility regarding the regularity of a delivery.

According to another embodiment of the inventive concept, at least one vehicle-specific interior lighting is activated when the image documents are created and / or when the film document is created.

In this way, the quality of the generated documents and thus their meaningfulness can be significantly improved. In this case, it is quite conceivable to use an already existing interior lighting of the motor vehicle in order to keep the costs for a refurbishment of a motor vehicle for the method according to the invention low.

As mentioned, however, the invention also relates to a motor vehicle for carrying out the method according to the invention.

Such a motor vehicle has in the interior at least one first detection device for detecting a code (for example, a dash or a dot code) and at least one camera for producing image and film documents. Furthermore, a transmission device for transmitting the documents to an external storage and / or computing unit is present. The at least one camera can be an in-vehicle camera, which is thus permanently connected to the on-board and signal network of the motor vehicle. However, it is also conceivable that the camera releasably held in a suitable receptacle and thus indirectly with the power supply or the on-board and signal network of the motor vehicle. The same applies to the code detection device.

By such a trained motor vehicle, the identity of a load object and also its external state can be detected by simple means and in a highly reliable manner. The creation of film documents during a loading or unloading process is guaranteed.

It has proven to be advantageous if the at least one first detection device is arranged in an upper region of a loading or trunk space and the at least one camera in a lateral region.

For example, an authorized delivery person can conveniently move a package which is provided with a code under the registration device, while the camera can document the delivery state of the package from another perspective.

Preferably, the first detection device is arranged in the middle region of an upper loading edge of the cargo or luggage compartment. The at least one camera is advantageous to accommodate in a central region of a rear seat.

Alternatively or in addition to the camera in the middle region of the rear seat, it is also conceivable to arrange at least two cameras on different, lateral areas of the cargo or luggage compartment, for example. Integrated in the inner lining.

By such a lateral offset, a higher quality of the documentation can be achieved.

It has been shown that it can be quite useful if at least one further camera for monitoring the remaining interior of the motor vehicle is arranged on the headliner of the motor vehicle, preferably in the region of the passenger compartment. Such a camera can be suitably designed so that it is suitable for 360 ° detection of the environment.

In this way, during a loading or unloading process, it is also possible to detect activities or processes which are not in the directly affected area of a loading or unloading process.

It is also very useful if at least one lighting device is arranged in the interior, cargo and / or trunk, which in response to the activation of the at least one detection device for detecting a code and / or the at least one camera for the production of image and film documents can be switched on and off.

This measure can significantly improve the quality of the documents created.

According to another embodiment of the inventive concept, the motor vehicle has an locking and unlocking device which can be selectively activated via a radio signal.

It is therefore possible to unlock only selected doors or flaps of the motor vehicle via a specific radio signal.

This can be determined in advance of a loading or unloading process or generally by the said third party as needed or generally as needed.

For example, it is conceivable that in a request for remote unlocking of a motor vehicle by a radio signal, only a tailgate or a trunk lid is unlocked, so that the access to the motor vehicle is given only limited by a delivery person.

As a result, the security of the method, in particular against access outside a specific delivery order, can be increased.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that at least in regions, a planar weight detection unit (for example, in the form of a mat) is arranged at the bottom of the cargo or luggage compartment.

In this way, it is easy and inexpensive possible to detect weight changes caused by loading and unloading. In this way, plausibility checks on the correct content of packages or the like can be performed.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be explained in more detail in the following description. Here, the same reference numerals refer to the same, comparable or functionally identical components, with corresponding or comparable properties and advantages are achieved, even if a repeated description is omitted.

It show, each schematically

1 a flow chart for the inventive method,

2 a motor vehicle, which is prepared for carrying out the method and

3 the motor vehicle according to 2 from a rear, partial perspective view.

First, on the 1 Referenced.

In this figure, the essential process steps of the method according to the invention are shown.

It is assumed below that in a higher-level process a private person B has at least partially released the interior of their motor vehicle as a delivery address for deliveries by a logistics company. Furthermore, motor vehicle and / or personal access and authorization data are in an external computer 14 filed by another service provider or by this computer 14 , based on a specific delivery order, producible.

In the case of a concrete delivery of an ordered product, the situation occurs that a delivery person Z has found the motor vehicle released by the person B (possibly with the aid of externally provided GPS position data) and then wants to store the ordered goods in the motor vehicle.

For this purpose, the delivery person Z sends a unlocking request to the external computer via a mobile terminal 14 associated with the indication of an order-related authorization identifier obtained in advance.

In a first method step V1, the correct authorization of the delivery person Z is now checked.

If the authorization is incorrect, an error message is generated and the motor vehicle is not released for loading, thus remains closed.

If, on the other hand, the authorization is successful, V2 is used by the computer in a further method step 14 generates a control signal via radio, which is received by an existing in the motor vehicle, suitable receiving device. This results in the activation of at least one existing camera in the motor vehicle, which creates at least one image document D1 from the state of charge of the cargo or luggage compartment.

In a subsequent process step V3 is from the computer 14 an unlocking signal is sent to a corresponding control unit of the motor vehicle, which leads to an at least partial unlocking of the motor vehicle.

The Zustellperson Z now has the ability to open, for example, the trunk of the motor vehicle and to begin the loading process.

Instead of a pure loading process, of course, a pure unloading or combinations thereof are conceivable.

After the vehicle has been opened, the vehicle is Detected discharging and generates at least one film document D2.

The detection of the loading / unloading process can extend over its entire period of time, so be synchronized with this. However, it may also be provided to perform the detection for a predetermined or definable period of time (for example 60 seconds).

The loading / unloading process ends with a closing of the motor vehicle by the delivery person Z, after which an automatic locking of the motor vehicle is triggered again (see method step V5).

For safety then a repeated unlocking of the vehicle by the delivery person Z with the already used authorization data is no longer possible.

After locking the motor vehicle, a vehicle-specific camera is activated again in a method step V6 and the new state of charge of the motor vehicle is detected by at least one image document D3.

Finally, a message to the owner B of the motor vehicle (for example, as an SMS) that the ordered goods deposited in the vehicle, the vehicle is closed again and the delivery is thus completed.

The created documents D1 to D3 were initially stored in a suitable memory unit of the motor vehicle and then to the external computer 14 transmitted.

Person B now has the opportunity to view documents D1 to D3 after completing the delivery and thus obtain a first impression of the orderly course of the delivery process.

With reference to the 2 and 3 Now, a motor vehicle K is explained, which is suitable for carrying out the method.

The motor vehicle K has a front passenger compartment 1 , a rear passenger compartment 2 and a cargo or trunk 3 on.

The motor vehicle K is also provided with locks 8th provided, through which the doors and also a flap for the cargo or trunk 3 individually or in total can be locked or unlocked.

The locks 8th are in a manner not shown with a control unit 10 connected. The control unit 10 is through the external computer 14 can be controlled via radio. Depending on the type of radio signal, selected interlocks 8th or all for the purpose of unlocking and / or locking be controlled.

In the cargo or trunk 3 are several cameras 4 attached, which are used for the production of image or film documents.

A first camera 4 is in a lateral area of the cargo or trunk 3 arranged, in a central region of a rear seat.

A second and a third camera 4 are also in a lateral area (in a side inner lining) of the cargo or trunk 3 arranged, namely a camera 4 on the right and a camera 4 on the left.

In a plan view of the motor vehicle K according to 2 are all cameras 4 arranged laterally offset from each other. As a result, the quality and validity of the generated image or film documents can be increased.

Offset on the side, for example, means for the right and left in the cargo or boot 3 arranged cameras 4 that the right camera 4 , viewed in a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle K, more distance to a lower loading edge 18 has as the left camera 4 ,

It can also be seen that in the middle region of an upper loading edge 17 a code entry device 5 is arranged. The code entry device 5 is arranged such that its detection area substantially down to the floor of the trunk 3 is directed.

The code entry device 5 is suitable for the detection of usual, one-dimensional barcodes (barcodes), but also for two-dimensional point codes (eg QR codes).

Will by a delivery person Z a package 13 in the cargo or trunk 3 below the upper sill 17 pushed, so is by the code detection device 5 one on an identification badge 130 applied barcode recorded.

In the cargo or trunk 3 as well as in the passenger areas 1 and 2 are lighting fixtures 6 available.

The lighting equipment 6 are with the involvement of the cameras 4 synchronized and serve for better illumination of the interior ( 1 . 2 . 3 ) of the motor vehicle K in the production of image or film documents.

It can also be seen that in the passenger compartment ( 1 . 2 ) of the motor vehicle K, in the area of the headliner, a camera 7 is appropriate. The camera 7 is suitable for all-round monitoring (360 °) of the interior.

It is additionally activated during a loading and unloading process and serves for additional monitoring of the interior of the motor vehicle K. which is not directly affected by a loading or unloading process.

For temporary storage and for later transfer of created film and image documents is a storage and transmission unit 11 available.

Finally, a navigation system 9 apparent, with the on-demand position signals (GPS data) generated and sent to the external computer 14 can be passed on. The external computer 14 On request, this position data can then be made available to a delivery person Z who wants to locate the motor vehicle K released for delivery.

Furthermore, on the floor of the cargo or boot 3 a sensor mat 12 arranged for weight detection. With the help of the sensor mat 12 can measure the smallest changes in weight during loading or unloading, stored and sent to the external computer 14 be provided as additional information.

For this purpose, the sensor mat 12 data technology in a manner not shown also with the storage and transfer unit 11 connected.

Notwithstanding the embodiment, it is conceivable that in addition to or instead of the code detection device 5 an RFID reader (RFID = radio frequency identification) is arranged. This of course requires that delivered packages 13 are also provided with a corresponding RFID identifier.

It goes without saying that each of the created documents D1 to D3 (cf. 1 ) is provided with an appropriate time stamp showing the date and exact time of document creation.

The code entry device 5 is in turn also with the storage and transfer unit 11 data-technically connected, so that the detected identification data also to the arithmetic unit 14 can be transmitted.

In 3 is also an extendable cargo compartment cover 16 located. This can after completed loading process by the delivery person Z on delivered packages 13 to be pulled. The cameras 4 and also the lighting equipment 6 are below this cargo compartment cover 16 positioned.

The invention is not limited to the above embodiments. These were used only for general explanation of the essence of the invention. Rather, within the scope of its scope, the invention may assume other than the embodiments or forms described above. In this case, it may in particular also have features which represent a combination of individual features of the respective claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 front passenger compartment

2

 rear passenger compartment

3

 Loading or trunk

4

 camera

5

 Code detection device

6

 lighting equipment

7

 camera

8th

 lock

9

 Navigation / GPS system

10

 Control unit for locking

11

 Storage and transmission unit for audio, photo and film documents

12

 Sensor mat for weight detection

13

 Packages

130

 identification badge

14

 external computing, storage and evaluation unit

16

 Load compartment cover

17

 upper sill

18

 lower loading edge

B

 Person not in the immediate vicinity of the motor vehicle

D1

 Image document from the old loading condition (before loading or unloading)

D2

 Film document of the loading and unloading process

D3

 Image document of the new loading condition (after loading / unloading)

K

 motor vehicle

V1-V6

 steps

Z

 Zustellperson

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

• US 8310363 B2 [0002]
• JP 62292544 A [0003]

Claims (10)

Method for monitoring a loading state and a loading or unloading process of a motor vehicle (K) by a person (B) not in the immediate vicinity of the motor vehicle (K) with the following method steps: • for the purpose of loading or unloading by a person (Z) is first their Authorization checked (V1) • after authorization and before a remote unlocking of the motor vehicle (K) by at least one camera mounted in the motor vehicle ( 4 ) after the remote unlocking (V3) and an opening of the motor vehicle (K) is the loading or unloading at least for a certain or determinable period by at least one camera mounted in the motor vehicle ( 4 ) as film document (D2) (V4) • after completion of the loading or unloading process and closing of the motor vehicle (K), the motor vehicle (K) is remotely locked (V5) and by at least one camera mounted in the motor vehicle ( 4 ) the new loading status is recorded as an image document (D3) • the documents (D1-D3) belonging to the loading or unloading process are sent to a storage and / or processing unit (O) located outside the motor vehicle (K) 14 ) to which the third party (B) has access. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that during a loading or unloading the identity of each loading object ( 13 ) with at least one detection device mounted in the motor vehicle ( 5 ) and its external state with at least one camera mounted in the motor vehicle ( 4 ) is recorded as an image document (D1, D3). A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that before and after each loading or unloading of the motor vehicle (K) whose load weight is determined. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when the image documents (D1, D3) and / or the film document (D2) are produced at least one on-vehicle illumination device ( 6 ) is activated. Motor vehicle (K) for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein this inside ( 1 . 2 . 3 ) at least one first detection device ( 5 ) for capturing a code ( 130 ) and at least one camera ( 4 ) for the production of image and film documents (D1-D3) and a transmission device ( 11 ) for transmitting the documents (D1-D3) to an external storage and / or processing unit ( 14 ). Motor vehicle (K) according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one first detection device ( 5 ) in an upper area ( 17 ) of a cargo or luggage compartment ( 3 ) and at least one camera ( 4 ) in a lateral area. Motor vehicle (K) according to claim 6, characterized in that the at least one first detection device ( 5 ) in the middle region of an upper loading edge ( 17 ) of the cargo or luggage compartment ( 3 ) and at least one camera ( 4 ) in a central region of a rear seat. Motor vehicle (K) according to one of Claims 6 and 7, characterized in that at least two cameras ( 4 ) at different, lateral areas of the cargo or luggage compartment ( 3 ) are arranged. Motor vehicle (K) according to one of the preceding claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the headliner at least one further camera ( 7 ) for monitoring the remaining interior ( 1 . 2 ) is arranged by the motor vehicle (K). Motor vehicle (K) according to one of the preceding claims 5 to 9, characterized in that in the interior, loading and / or trunk ( 1 . 2 . 3 ) at least one illumination device ( 6 ), which in dependence of the activation of the at least one detection device ( 5 ) for capturing a code ( 130 ) and / or the at least one camera ( 4 . 7 ) for the creation of image and film documents on and off.

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