DE102019218482A1 - Central control unit of a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A central control device of a vehicle (11) comprises a processor (13) and an image recording camera (14), the images recorded by the image recording camera (14) being transmitted to the processor (13), which identifies a graphic element in the images obtained, which information for identifying an energy supply column (32) of an energy sales point (31) at which the vehicle (11) is currently located, an energy storage device (15) of the vehicle (11) if the present energy level corresponds to or is below a predetermined energy level, sends a first message (21) about the energy level to the processor (13), which sends the image recording camera (14) an activation signal so that the latter takes pictures of sections of the energy sales point (31) where a graphic element is expected to be present an energy supply column (32).

Description

OBJECT

The present invention relates to a central control device of a vehicle, which activates and deactivates an image recording camera of the vehicle in order to carry out an identification and authentication scheme of an energy sales point.

STATE OF THE ART

It is known in the prior art to use an image recording camera which is arranged in the vicinity of a petrol pump in order to enable the refueling of a vehicle parked in the vicinity of the petrol pump.

The fuel pump is activated or released for refueling the vehicle with an alphanumeric keyboard of the fuel pump and / or a portable electronic device, for example a mobile device, which is held against the fuel pump.

Both of the above-described ways of activating the fuel pump require the vehicle user to leave the vehicle interior to operate the alphanumeric keyboard and / or to search for a fuel pump identification code that must be scanned by the portable electronic device.

After the petrol pump has been identified, the user must send a message from the portable electronic device with an authorization request to a fuel server at the point of sale POS for fuel associated with the identified petrol pump.

The message with the authorization request contains data for identifying the user and data for identifying the petrol pump at which the selected fuel is to be refueled.

Based on the received message with the authorization request, the tank server carries out verification measures to determine whether the user who makes the request is authorized to refuel the vehicle; if the check is positive, the fuel tank server transmits an activation message to the identified gas pump and, in addition, the fuel tank server in turn transmits an authorization message to the portable electronic device. The authorization message received in the portable electronic device is displayed on a multimedia screen of the portable electronic device.

The above measures have at least one disadvantage, and this is that the user making the request physically has to leave the vehicle and go to the petrol pump where he wants to get fuel, he has to take the measures to select the type of fuel and the amount of fuel with which the vehicle is to be refueled by the petrol pump on the petrol pump or on the electronic device in the vicinity of the petrol pump; this measure is not advisable since the use of electronic devices near petrol pumps is prohibited for safety reasons. On the other hand, the user no longer has to carry out the first step in which he makes the request to initiate the process, but it is the vehicle that recognizes the user's intention to refuel and initiates the process automatically, thus reducing the time of the process .

There is therefore a need for an electronic device to be available which is set up to carry out an authorization request for the energy supply without the need to physically leave the vehicle and which meets the safety regulations which apply to fuel supply operations, and it also makes it possible to automatically pay for the fueling process for vehicles.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention aims to overcome one or more of the disadvantages set out above by a central control device of a vehicle, which carries out an identification and authentication scheme of an energy sales point, as defined in the claims.

The vehicle can be a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, a hybrid vehicle, a plug-in hybrid vehicle, or an electric vehicle, the central control device of the vehicle comprising a processor that is electrically connected to an image recording camera that records images of the surroundings of the vehicle.

The imaging camera can be installed on the front of the vehicle, on the central rear view mirror of the vehicle, on the windshield of the vehicle, on the front of the hood, on the front bumper of the vehicle or the like.

The image recording camera records images of the surroundings of the vehicle, the recorded images being transmitted to the processor, which is set up to capture a graphic element in the images obtained. The Image recording camera preferably records the images in the direction of travel of the vehicle.

The graphic element can be an alphanumeric code, a dot matrix, a two-dimensional bar code, a QR code or the like, which contains information for identifying a power supply column of an energy sales point, so that the processor identifies the power supply column at which the vehicle is currently located. In this way, the power supply column, in the vicinity of which the vehicle is located, is automatically identified, simultaneously with the parking process of the vehicle, so that the process is carried out more quickly.

The graphic element includes information for identifying an energy sales point so that the processor identifies the energy sales point at which the vehicle is currently located.

The energy sales point can be a system which is equipped with at least one energy supply column, and the energy supplied can be gasoline, diesel, electrical energy or the like.

The energy supply column can be one of the machines which is arranged at an energy sales point and provides the energy. A column at an energy sales point for petrol can be understood as a petrol pump and an energy sales point for electricity, a machine that supplies electricity. There are usually a large number of petrol pumps at an energy sales point.

The vehicle comprises an energy storage device of the type of an electric battery, a fuel tank or the like, the energy storage device being set up in such a way that it sends the processor a first message that contains information about the present energy level, so that when the present energy level is a predetermined energy level corresponds to or lies below this, the processor of the image recording camera sends an activation signal so that the latter takes pictures of sections of the energy sales point at which it is to be expected that a graphic element of an energy supply column is arranged. The energy level can be measured using a sensor. The image recording camera is only activated when the need for a power supply is recognized, which minimizes the traffic and processing of data and also the energy consumption of the image recording camera. If the energy level is above the specified level, no activation signal is sent.

It should be noted here that the image acquisition is automatically initiated in this way, so that a graphic element can be identified, with information in order to be able to identify an energy supply column. The process of being able to identify the energy supply column is initiated automatically.

The central control unit of the vehicle is connected to a satellite-based navigation and location module connected to the processor, and the processor is also connected to a location data storage unit in which a large number of location coordinates of energy sales points are stored.

The processor sends the first message as a function of a list of tank quantities previously entered by the user and stored in the data storage unit, which is updated regularly.

The processor identifies an energy sales point from the point in time at which a second message with a request for the location coordinates is transmitted to the satellite-based navigation and location module if the present energy level is at or below a predetermined energy level; it compares the location coordinates of the vehicle obtained with the location coordinates of the energy sales points stored in the data storage unit in order to determine the energy sales point that is closest to the current position of the vehicle and sends the activation signal to the image recording camera so that the latter takes pictures of sections of the energy sales point at the energy sales point specified by the processor. Thus, if the vehicle has an energy level that is below the predetermined level, it is determined which is the nearest energy sales point, so that the image recording camera is activated to capture the graphic element in order to identify the energy supply column. If the energy level is higher than the specified level, no signal is sent to the request.

If the stored energy level corresponds to or exceeds the predetermined energy level, the processor does not activate the image recording camera.

The designated energy sales point is the energy sales point that is the shortest distance on the route to be traveled by the vehicle from the current position of the vehicle.

The shortest distance must correspond to a preset distance threshold, or lie below this, depending on the energy level that is present in the energy storage device and which must be sufficient for the vehicle to be able to get to the specified energy sales point.

The processor receives a signal at the speed of travel of the vehicle from a speedometer of the vehicle, so that the second message is transmitted from the processor to the image recording camera if the signal at the speed of travel of the vehicle corresponds to or is below a preset threshold value for the speed. The intention to stop the vehicle is detected, which is why the intention is to drive into an energy sales point and the image recording camera is activated. If the speed is above a predefined threshold value, the second message is not transmitted.

The processor is connected to a graphical user interface, the processor sending a third message to the graphical user interface and the third message comprising the identifier of the identified power supply column. It should be noted here that the vehicle does not necessarily have to stand.

The central control device comprises a first input / output interface for telecommunications, which is electrically connected to the processor, wherein the first input / output interface for telecommunications transmits messages to a second input / output interface for telecommunications and receives them from the energy sales point. The processor sends a fourth message to a first input / output interface for telecommunications to transmit the fourth message to the second communication interface. In this way, communication is established between the vehicle and the point of sale, avoiding connecting directly to the pillar, since the pillars are sometimes not designed to transmit signals to non-point of sale electronic devices and those from to get this.

The fourth message includes information about an authorization request for the energy supply from the identified energy supply pillar of the energy sales point.

The fourth message also includes information about the type of energy to be supplied to the vehicle, profile data of the vehicle user, information about debiting the amount for the amount of energy supplied by the energy supply pillar to the identified energy sales point.

The user can use the graphical user interface to select or change an amount of energy with which he wants to refuel the vehicle, so that the processor includes information about the desired amount of energy in the fourth message. The amount of energy to be refueled depends on the energy level that is present in the energy storage device of the vehicle.

In addition, the user can confirm or cancel the power supply process using the operable alphanumeric keyboard of the graphical user interface.

The fourth message of the information about the authorization request for the power supply is received in the energy sales point via a second input / output interface for telecommunications, so that the energy sales point transmits a fifth message to the first input / output interface for telecommunications, with the information as to whether the requested Energy supply from the identified energy supply pillar of the energy sales point is approved or rejected.

The processor checks whether the energy sales point identified on the basis of the detected graphic element corresponds to the current location coordinates of the vehicle and the location coordinates of the energy sales point stored in the data storage unit.

The processor is electrically connected to an electronic multimedia screen, on which a large number of messages transmitted and received to the vehicle via the graphical user interface are displayed.

The electronic multimedia screen is arranged in the dashboard of the vehicle, counter to the direction of travel of the vehicle, so that if the processor correctly identifies or recognizes a graphic element of a power supply column, the processor sends a first message to the electronic multimedia screen, the information about the in the energy storage device of the vehicle contains present energy level.

The graphical user interface comprises an alphanumeric keyboard which can be operated by the user in order to change the amount of energy to be supplied to the vehicle and to display this on the graphical user interface.

The processor sends an activation signal to the imaging camera when it is present in the energy storage device Fuel level corresponds to or is below a predetermined fuel level.

The activation signal of the image recording camera can coincide with the appearance of a signal to indicate a low level on the dashboard of the vehicle in order to report to the user of the vehicle that energy needs to be filled up.

The measures relating to the energy supply process of the vehicle are started or initiated by the vehicle via the central control device located inside the vehicle, with the user in the vehicle interior.

Therefore, the user avoids the use of a portable electronic device outside of the vehicle and thus complies with the safety regulations set out in the safety regulations applicable to the energy sales points for the supply of vehicles.

The central control unit of the vehicle provides a secure scheme for the identification and authentication of the energy supply pillar for the user and also enables a secure payment to be carried out.

In addition, the central control unit of the vehicle, which carries out the scheme for identifying and authenticating the power supply column and the user, occupies the radio resources for a short time and the data traffic for the information transmitted in both directions is also low.

The central control device of the vehicle can be integrated into the payment systems of the fuel suppliers for vehicles available for portable electronic devices.

Figure list

• Die 1.- Zeigt eine Draufsicht eines Zentralsteuergeräts eines Fahrzeugs, das einen Prozessor umfasst, der elektrisch mit einer Bildaufnahmekamera verbunden ist, die Bilder von der Umgebung des Fahrzeugs aufnimmt.
• Die 2.- Zeigt in einem Flussdiagramm ein Verfahren, das von dem Zentralsteuergerät angewandt wird, und das die Bildaufnahmekamera des Fahrzeugs aktiviert oder deaktiviert, um ein Schema zur Identifizierung und Authentifizierung einer Energieverkaufsstelle durchzuführen.

A more detailed explanation can be found in the description below, which refers to the accompanying figures:

• The 1 .- Shows a top view of a central control device of a vehicle, which comprises a processor which is electrically connected to an image recording camera which takes pictures of the surroundings of the vehicle.
• The 2nd - Shows in a flowchart a method which is used by the central control device and which activates or deactivates the image recording camera of the vehicle in order to carry out a scheme for identifying and authenticating an energy sales point.

DESCRIPTION

In the 1 and 2nd becomes a central control unit 12 of a vehicle 11 shown that a processor 13 comprises the electrically with an image recording camera 14 is connected to the images of the surroundings of the vehicle 11 records, the image recording camera 14 at the front of the vehicle 11 installed, for example on the central rear-view mirror of the vehicle 11 , on the windshield of the vehicle 11 , on the front of the hood of the vehicle 11 or on the front shock absorber of the vehicle 11 .

The one from the imaging camera 14 Pictures taken are taken from the camera to the processor 13 which searches for a graphic element in the image obtained, the information for identifying an energy supply column 32 an energy sales point. The image recording camera 14 takes the pictures preferably in the direction of travel of the vehicle 11 on.

The processor 13 can the power supply pillar 32 identify where the vehicle is located 11 currently located.

The vehicle 11 includes an energy storage device 15 in the manner of an electric battery, a fuel tank or the like, the energy storage device 15 is set up to the processor 13 a first message 21st to send, which contains information about the current energy level, so that when the stored energy level corresponds to or is below a predetermined energy level, the processor 13 the image recording camera 14 an activation signal 22 sends, so that this takes pictures of sections of the energy sales point, at which it can be expected that the graphic element of an energy supply column is arranged. The predetermined energy level can be between 5 and 15% of the maximum capacity of the energy storage device 15 lie.

A satellite-based navigation and location module 16 , for example the GPS system, is with the processor 13 connected and also the processor 13 with a location data storage unit 17th connected in which a large number of location coordinates of energy sales points are stored and updated.

The processor 13 sends a first message 21st depending on a list of tank quantities previously entered by the user, which are in the data storage unit 17th are saved. This information can be updated.

The processor 13 identifies an energy sales point 31 from the moment a second message 23 with request of the current location coordinates of the vehicle 11 is sent to the satellite-based navigation and location module if the present energy level corresponds to or is below a predetermined energy level, it compares the location coordinates of the vehicle obtained 11 with the location coordinates of the energy sales points in the data storage unit 17th are stored to determine the point of sale of energy, the current position of the vehicle 11 is closest and sends the activation signal 22 to the imaging camera 14 , so that this takes pictures of sections of the energy sales point, starting from the energy sales point, that of the processor 13 was set.

If the present energy level corresponds to or exceeds the specified energy level, the processor transmits 13 no second message 23 with a request for the current location coordinates of the vehicle 11 to the satellite-based navigation and location module.

The processor 13 receives a signal with the speed of the vehicle 11 from a speedometer 18th of the vehicle 11 so the second message 23 from the processor 13 the image recording camera 14 is transmitted when the signal with the speed of the vehicle 11 corresponds to or is below a predefined threshold value for the speed. This threshold can be around 20 km / h.

The processor 13 is via a graphical user interface 27th electrically connected to an electronic multimedia screen so that the processor 13 a third message 24th to the graphical user interface 27th so send the third message 24th appears on the electronic multimedia screen. The third message 24th includes the identifier of the identified energy supply pillar 32 .

The image recording camera 14 can by the user of the vehicle 11 via an alphanumeric keyboard of a graphical user interface 27th be activated when in the energy storage device 15 present energy level of the vehicle 11 corresponds to or is below a specified fuel level.

The central control unit 12 includes a first input / output interface 19th for telecommunications using the processor 13 is electrically connected, the first input / output interface 19th for telecommunications messages to a second input / output interface 33 for telecommunications transmitted to and received from the energy sales point.

The processor 13 sends a fourth message 25th to a first input / output interface 19th for telecommunications to transmit the fourth message to the second communication interface.

The fourth message 25th includes information of an authorization request for the energy supply from the identified energy supply pillar 32 the energy sales point 31 and similar.

The fourth message 25th also includes information about the type of vehicle 11 energy to be supplied, profile data of the user of the vehicle 11 , Information about the amount of the energy supply pillar identified 32 the amount of energy supplied to the energy sales point.

The user can operate the alphanumeric keyboard of the graphical user interface 27th select or change the amount of energy with which he drives the vehicle 11 want to refuel so the processor 13 in the fourth message includes information about the desired amount of energy. The amount of energy to be tanked depends on that in the energy storage device 15 of the vehicle 11 available energy level.

The user can also control the power supply process using the graphical user interface 27th Confirm OR Cancel.

The interaction of the user with the graphical user interface 27th can alternatively and / or additionally be carried out by gestures, voice, additional buttons and the like.

The energy sales point receives the fourth message 25th via the second input / output interface for telecommunications and sends a fifth message 26 , with the information whether the requested energy supply from the identified energy supply pillar 32 is approved or rejected.

The fifth message 26 is the central control unit via the second input / output interface for telecommunications of the energy sales point 12 that transmitted the fifth message 26 via the first input / output interface 19th for telecommunications.

The fifth message 26 is displayed on the electronic multimedia screen, where it is also indicated whether the supply process has been approved, whereupon the user enters the vehicle interior 11 leaves and the process of powering the vehicle 11 from the identified power supply pillar 32 from.

When refueling the energy from the identified power supply pillar 32 is not approved, and the power column is out of order, the fifth message 26 the identifier of another energy supply pillar 32 included as that of the identified power supply pillar 32 which is operational to supply the energy from the other energy supply pillar.

The electronic multimedia screen is in the dashboard of the vehicle 11 arranged against the direction of travel of the vehicle so that when the processor 13 The processor properly identifies or recognizes a graphical element of a power supply column 13 sends the first message to an electronic multimedia screen, the information about the in the energy storage device 15 of the vehicle 11 contains the present energy level.

The graphical user interface 27th includes an alphanumeric keyboard that can be operated by the user to type the vehicle 11 Change the amount of energy to be supplied and this on the graphical user interface 27th display.

The processor 13 sends an activation signal 22 to the imaging camera 14 if the in the energy storage device 15 The present fuel level corresponds to or is below a predetermined fuel level.

The activation signal 22 the image recording camera 14 can coincide with the appearance of a signal to indicate a low level on the dashboard of the vehicle 11 coincide to the user of the vehicle 11 to report that energy needs to be filled up.

Alternatively, the vehicle can 11 be connected to a portable electronic device in which it receives important information about the user's bank data, the type of fuel of the vehicle 11 , a list of previous processes to recharge your batteries, etc.

The measures related to the vehicle's power supply process 11 be from the vehicle to the inside of the vehicle 11 located central control unit 12 started or initiated.

The electronic multimedia screen displays a variety of messages from the vehicle 11 via the graphical user interface 27th have been transmitted and received by it, such as the first message with information.

Therefore, the user avoids using a portable electronic device outside the vehicle 11 , and thus fulfills the safety regulations, which are laid down in the safety regulations, at the energy sales points for the supply of vehicles 11 are applicable.

Reference symbol list

11

vehicle

12

Control unit

13

processor

14

Image camera

15

Energy storage device

16

Satellite-based navigation and location module

17th

Storage unit for the location data

18th

Speedometer

19th

First input / output interface for telecommunications

21st

First message

22

Activation signal

23

Second message

24th

Third message

25th

Fourth message

26

Fifth message

27th

Graphical user interface

31

Energy sales point

32

Energy supply pillar

33

Second input / output interface for telecommunications

Claims (15)

Central control device of a vehicle (11), the central control device (12) comprising a processor (13) and an image recording camera (14) electrically connected to the processor (13), characterized in that the image recording camera (14) images of the surroundings of the vehicle ( 11) records that the captured images are transmitted to the processor (13), which is set up to capture a graphic element in the received images, the graphic element comprising information for identifying an energy supply column (32) of an energy sales point (31), so that the processor (13) the Identifies the power supply column (32) in which the vehicle (11) is currently located. Central control unit after Claim 1 wherein an energy storage device (15) of the vehicle (11) is designed to send a first message (21) about the energy level when the present energy level corresponds to or is below a predetermined energy level, the processor (13) then an activation signal (22) sends to the image recording camera (14) so that it takes pictures from the energy sales point (31). Central control device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a satellite-based navigation and location module (16), which is connected to the processor (13), the processor (13) in turn being connected to a storage unit (17) for location data, which a plurality of Location coordinates of energy sales points (31), wherein the processor (13) is designed to identify an energy sales point (31) and wherein the processor (13) is designed to: To transmit a second message (23) with a request for the location coordinates of the vehicle (11) to the satellite-based navigation and location module (16) if the present energy level corresponds to or is below a predetermined energy level, • compare the location coordinates of the vehicle (11) obtained with the stored location coordinates of the energy sales points (31) in order to determine the energy sales point (31) which is closest to the current position of the vehicle (11), and • Send the activation signal to the image recording camera (14) so that it takes pictures of sections of the energy sales point (31), based on the determined energy sales point (31). Central control unit after Claim 3 , the energy sales point (31) being determined as a function of the distance from the current position of the vehicle (11) corresponding to or being below a predetermined threshold value for the distance. Central control device according to one of the Claims 3 or 4th wherein the processor (13) receives a signal at the speed of travel of the vehicle (11) from a speedometer (18), the second message (23) being sent when the signal at the speed of travel of the vehicle (11) is at a predetermined threshold for the speed is or less. Central control device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the processor (13) is connected to a graphical user interface (27), the processor (13) sends a third message (24) to the graphical user interface (27), and wherein the third message (24 ) comprises the identifier of the identified energy supply column (32). Central control unit after Claim 6 The image recording camera (14) can be activated by the user of the vehicle (11) via the graphical user interface (27). Central control unit after Claim 6 , wherein the central control device (12) comprises a first input / output interface (19) for telecommunications, which is electrically connected to the processor (13), the first input / output interface (19) for telecommunications messages to a second input / Output interface (33) for telecommunications is transmitted to and received by the energy sales point (31), the processor (13) sending a fourth message to the first input / output interface (31) for telecommunications and the first input / output interface (31) for telecommunications the fourth message (25) is transmitted to the second input / output interface (33) for telecommunications. Central control unit after Claim 8 , wherein the fourth message (25) further comprises information of an authorization request for the energy supply from the identified energy supply column (32) of the energy sales point (31). Central control device according to one of the Claims 6 to 9 , wherein the fourth message (25) further comprises information about an amount of energy to be refueled in the vehicle (11) based on the energy level present in the energy storage device (15) of the vehicle (11). Central control unit after Claim 10 , wherein the fourth message (25) also includes information about the type of energy to be supplied, profile data of the user of the vehicle (11), and information about the amount for the amount of energy supplied by the identified energy supply column (32) to the energy sales point (31) strain. Central control unit after Claim 9 , wherein the energy sales point (31) receives the fourth message (25) via a second input / output interface (33), the energy sales point (31) being designed to transmit a fifth message (19) to the first input / output interface (19) for telecommunications 26) with the information of whether the requested energy supply from the identified energy supply column (32) is approved or rejected. Central control unit after Claim 6 , with the graphic element continuing information with the Identification of an energy sales point (31), the processor (13) identifying the energy sales point (31) in which the vehicle (11) is currently located. Central control unit after Claim 13 The processor (13) checks whether the energy sales point (31) identified on the basis of the detected graphic element matches the current location data of the vehicle (11) and the location coordinates of the energy sales point (31), which is stored in the data storage unit (17). Central control unit after Claim 1 , wherein the image recording camera (14) records the images in the direction of travel of the vehicle (11).

Images