DE102021003837A1 - Method for operating a micro vehicle and micro vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a miniature vehicle (1), an environment around the miniature vehicle (1) being scanned with at least one environment sensor (2), and sensor data generated by the environment sensor (2) being evaluated to obtain information from a computing unit (3) and depending on the sensor data and / or information, the operating behavior of the micro vehicle (1) is adapted and / or at least one piece of information is output visually and / or acoustically, and the sensor data and / or information from the micro vehicle (1) to third parties ( 4) are transferred.
The invention is characterized in that the sensor data and / or information are stored at least temporarily during a first situation in which there is no internet connection on the part of the processing unit (3) and during a second situation in which there is an internet connection on the part of the processing unit (3) present, be transferred to third parties (4).

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating a miniature vehicle according to the type defined in more detail in the preamble of claim 1 and to such a miniature vehicle.

Nowadays, to increase the comfort and / or the safety of a traveling person, various services are offered which process information from a digital copy of the real world. These include, for example, map services such as Open Street Maps or Google Maps. For example, by activating the “Street View” function, a user can see a 360 ° panorama of the real world at a corresponding point on a digital map. In this way, a user can get a first impression of an unknown area and thus, for example, more easily identify a destination visited for the first time.

Map services are also used by vehicle manufacturers to make navigation more reliable while a vehicle is in use. For reliable route guidance, it is particularly important to take into account temporary or sudden conditions such as construction sites, diversions, accidents, traffic jams or the like when planning the route. While the course of the road remains unchanged over a comparatively long period of time, such temporary or sudden situations can occur comparatively quickly and also be of short duration. Information about the sudden situation must also be transmitted to the map service correspondingly quickly so that the situation can be taken into account in the route guidance.

Furthermore, vehicles are known which detect an environment with the aid of sensors. Vehicles such as cars can use cameras, ultrasound sensors, radar sensors and / or laser scanners to capture their surroundings and generate control signals for controlling the vehicle and / or for issuing warnings from corresponding sensor data.

With increasing electromobility, even the smallest vehicles are being electrified. In addition to e-bikes and pedelecs, there are now so-called e-scooters and e-skateboards.

Such an e-scooter is, for example, from WO 2020/082089 A1 known. The e-scooter can have one or more sensors such as cameras, lidars, ultrasonic sensors, acceleration sensors, position sensors, GPS sensors or the like. Sensor signals generated by the sensors are evaluated by a computing unit. The computing unit can be integrated into the e-scooter or attached to the e-scooter via a bracket. For example, a mobile device such as a smartphone can also act as a computing unit. Sensors included in the mobile terminal can also be used to generate the sensor data. For example, a lidar of a smartphone can be used to scan the environment. Furthermore, the e-scooter is in communication with the Internet, in particular via a smartphone. Evaluated sensor signals or information derived therefrom are transmitted to a central processing unit, i.e. a cloud server. The sensor data can be evaluated on the processing unit or the cloud server, in particular using artificial intelligence. Communication between the e-scooter and the central processing unit can take place continuously, at intervals or even once, for example at the end of a trip. By evaluating the sensor signals, in particular a surface on which the e-scooter is traveling is analyzed. It is thus determined whether the e-scooter is, for example, on a roadway, the sidewalk, on a bicycle path or the like. Taking into account zones in which the use of e-scooters is permitted, the operating behavior of the e-scooter can be adjusted. For example, if the e-scooter drives on a sidewalk with a high density of people, the speed of the e-scooter is automatically reduced and limited. Warnings can also be output, for example a warning light can be activated or a noise can be output via a horn or a loudspeaker. The behavior of a person driving the e-scooter can also be assessed. For example, if the person adheres to traffic rules, in particular e-scooter usage zones, the corresponding person can be rewarded, for example. If, on the other hand, he shows rowdy behavior or does not adhere to the traffic rules, a warning can be issued to the person, for example such a warning can be sent to the appropriate person via the Internet by e-mail. The sensor data obtained with the help of the e-scooter and / or information derived from it can be used to improve safety in road traffic and to improve transport-related services. For example, permanent or temporary obstacles such as pylons, potholes, leaves, rain, spray, ice formation or the like can be detected and the driving behavior of the e-scooter can be automatically adjusted or corresponding warnings can be issued, for example via a display or acoustically. The sensor data and / or information derived therefrom can also be made available to a service provider so that the latter can be used, for example, to provide it Map material used for a service updated. For example, the service provider can receive information about a changed route due to a construction site or a potential obstacle such as a fallen tree, a pothole or the like, and pass this information on to its customers. Different e-scooter users thus form a swarm of data-collecting units.

The present invention is based on the object of specifying an improved method for operating a miniature vehicle with which information collected by the miniature vehicle can be shared with third parties in a particularly reliable manner.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method for operating a miniature vehicle having the features of claim 1. Advantageous refinements and further developments as well as a very small vehicle for carrying out the method result from the dependent claims.

In a method for operating a small vehicle of the type mentioned at the outset, the sensor data and / or information are at least temporarily stored according to the invention during a first situation in which there is no internet connection on the part of the processing unit and during a second situation in which there is an internet connection on the part of the processing unit is present, transferred to third parties.

With the aid of the method according to the invention, data exchange between the computing unit and third parties is made particularly reliable. For example, mobile communications can be used to exchange data between the e-scooter and third parties, such as a cloud server. For this purpose, however, the micro-vehicle or the computing unit must have a corresponding communication module, and the use of mobile communications typically incurs regular costs. Furthermore, when the micro vehicle is in operation, zones may be passed in which no cellular network can be contacted (dead zone). In order to share data collected with the micro vehicle, such as the sensor data and / or information derived therefrom, with third parties even in such a situation, the corresponding data is temporarily stored and passed on to third parties when there is a renewed communication connection to the Internet. In this case, the micro-vehicle and / or also the computing unit can generally have a corresponding physical data memory for at least temporarily storing the sensor data and / or information derived therefrom. The physical data memory can be, for example, a flash memory such as an SSD, an SD card, a permanently installed flash memory such as a system on a chip or the like. A mobile terminal of a person driving the vehicle, for example a smartphone, can also be used to form the computing unit or in addition to it. In general, the cell phone connection of the smartphone can also be used and, if the cell phone connection does not exist, the data collected with the small vehicle can be stored in a memory of the smartphone.

The micro-vehicle uses a lidar in particular to capture its surroundings. A lidar integrated into the mobile device of the person driving the vehicle can also be used.

In general, it is not only possible to transfer the sensor data collected with the miniature vehicle and / or information derived therefrom to third parties, but also to transfer sensor data and / or information derived therefrom from third parties back to the miniature vehicle. For example, a very small vehicle can exchange data with other small vehicles. The small vehicle can also receive data from a central processing unit such as a cloud server. For example, map material stored on the computing unit can be updated, in particular synchronized. In the following, the description is limited to the transfer of data from the micro vehicle. As mentioned, this also means receiving data from the micro vehicle from the third party mentioned.

An advantageous development of the method according to the invention provides that the sensor data and / or information are transmitted to third parties during a break in operation of the micro vehicle. During the operation of the small vehicle, situations can often arise in which data transmission is difficult or impossible, for example due to driving through a dead zone. During a break in operation, the micro vehicle typically stands still, which can simplify data transmission via the Internet. For example, there is a communication link to a fixed cellular base station. This reduces the risk of disconnections. Stationary infrastructure facilities such as a public or private WLAN hotspot can also be used to exchange data between micro-vehicles and third parties via the Internet. It is generally also possible to do without cellular communication between the smallest vehicle, i.e. the computing unit, and the Internet. For example, all of the sensor data generated with the miniature vehicle and / or information derived therefrom can also only be used during the pause in operation of the miniature vehicle via WLAN with a network connected to the Internet can be exchanged and passed on to third parties.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method, the miniature vehicle can be driven electrically, with an energy store of the miniature vehicle being charged to store electrical drive energy during the break in operation. The small vehicle can be, for example, an e-bike, pedelec, e-scooter or the like. To store electrical energy, the energy store can be designed, for example, as a rechargeable battery that is permanently integrated or removable in the miniature vehicle. Depending on how they are used, electrified vehicles have to be charged comparatively frequently. In this way, breaks in operation are carried out comparatively frequently, which can be used for reliable data transmission between the smallest vehicle or the computing unit and the third party.

A further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention also provides that the transmission of the sensor data and / or information from the computing unit is initiated automatically after the charging process has started. As a result, communication for exchanging data between the micro vehicle and third parties can be made even more reliable. This can reduce the risk of forgetting to synchronize the data between the small vehicle and the third party. In this way, the charging process can be recognized and a digital indicator can be output which confirms the charging of the energy storage device. If such an indicator is then present, the transmission of the sensor data and / or information derived therefrom from the miniature vehicle is started automatically.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method, data is transmitted from the computing unit by means of WIFI, Bluetooth, NFC, wired or by means of a transportable storage medium. In this way, technologies can be used for data transmission which, in contrast to mobile communications, are not associated with regular costs. For example, a charging station for charging the energy storage of a large number of small vehicles can have a corresponding WIFI access or also corresponding Bluetooth or NFC interfaces, via which the processing unit of the respective small vehicles can send the corresponding data over the Internet. The computing unit can also have an interface for connecting a corresponding cable or a transportable storage medium. For example, data can also be imported into and out of the processing unit via USB cable or USB stick. Instead of a USB stick, a CD, mini-disc, compact flash card or the like can also be used, for example.

The data is preferably transmitted from the very small vehicle via a charging cable used to charge an electrical energy store. By using the charging cable as the data transmission cable, the data to be exchanged can be transmitted even more easily. It is not necessary that an additional cable has to be connected to the processing unit or that a USB stick has to be inserted into various devices in a labor-intensive manner.

A corresponding battery can also be removed from the very small vehicle. In general, it would also be possible for the physical data memory to be integrated into the battery for at least temporary intermediate storage of the sensor data and / or information derived therefrom. The battery can then, for example, be plugged into a stationary charger for charging, with data being read out and / or transferred back to the memory integrated in the battery during the charging process via the charging station.

In a very small vehicle with a computing unit, at least one environment sensor and a communication interface, according to the invention, the computing unit, the environment sensor and the communication interface are set up to carry out a method described above. The miniature vehicle can be, for example, an e-bike, pedelec, scooter, e-scooter, skateboard, e-skateboard, go-cart, go-kart or the like. The computing unit can be permanently integrated into the micro-vehicle or, for example, in the form of a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, for example, be provided on the micro-vehicle via a mounting device. The micro vehicle includes at least one environment sensor and / or uses at least one environment sensor of the mobile terminal. The environmental sensor can be, for example, a camera or a lidar. Similarly, the small vehicle or the computing unit includes a communication interface via which data can be exchanged via the Internet. A communication interface of the mobile terminal can also be used. Data can be transmitted via cellular network, WIFI, Bluetooth, NFC, or even wired.

Further advantageous refinements of the method according to the invention for operating a miniature vehicle, as well as the miniature vehicle, also emerge from the exemplary embodiment which is described in more detail below with reference to the single figure.

• 1 eine Prinzipdarstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Kleinstfahrzeugs während einer Ladepause.

It shows:

• 1 a schematic diagram of a miniature vehicle according to the invention during a charging break.

1 shows a micro vehicle 1 , here in the form of an e-scooter. The e-scooter includes at least one environment sensor 2 , for example a camera, an ultrasonic sensor, a radar sensor, a lidar or the like. The e-scooter also includes a computing unit 3 for evaluation from the environmental sensor 2 generated sensor data. There is also a control module 8th into the arithmetic unit 3 integrated. Depending on the evaluated sensor data and / or information obtained therefrom, the control module generates 8th Control signals for controlling a motor, for example 9 , a brake 10 , Displays 11 , Horn 12th and / or speakers 13th of the e-scooter.

For example, the lidar can be used to detect dangers lying in a route of the e-scooter, such as people, animals scurrying through the route, potholes, stones or the like and, for example, the speed of the micro-vehicle 1 by adjusting a motor output and / or applying the brake 10 be reduced. Corresponding warnings can also be shown on the display 11 displayed and / or acoustic warnings via the horn 12th and / or the speakers 13th are issued. For example, through the loudspeaker 13th an ultrasound signal can also be emitted so that people are not disturbed by this acoustic signal, but animals are in front of the approaching miniature vehicle 1 be warned.

The e-scooter also includes a clamping device (not shown) for receiving a mobile device 14th like a smartphone. For example, on the mobile device 14th an application (app) can be executed to access the functions of the e-scooter. For example, the e-scooter can be unlocked for use and / or the mobile device 14th as a display 11 be used.

The e-scooter can be driven electrically and includes at least one energy store 5 in the form of a battery. The battery is via a charging interface 15th can be supplied with electrical energy. A corresponding charging cable is required for this 6th a charging station 16 into the charging interface 15th plugged in.

Data collected with the e-scooter, i.e. sensor data and / or information derived from it, are transmitted via a communication interface 7.1 , 7.2 , 7.3 , 7.4 over the internet 17th with third parties 4th divided. At the communication interface 7.1 it is, for example, an in the arithmetic unit 3 integrated radio module. At the communication interface 7.2 it is, for example, a connection interface for wired data transmission of the computing unit 3 . At the communication interface 7.3 it is the mobile device 14th . For example, data can be sent via the mobile device 14th sent via cellular network, WIFI, NFC, or the like. In the same way, data can also be transmitted wirelessly to the communication interface 7.1 be transmitted. At the communication interface 7.4 it is the charging interface 15th . For example, data to be exchanged can also be used while the energy storage device is charging 5 via the charging cable 6th be transmitted. The charging station is accordingly 16 over a network to the Internet 17th tied together. With the third 4th it is, for example, a service provider such as a vehicle manufacturer, a social network, a manufacturer of navigation devices or the like. The e-scooter or the computing unit can use the communication paths shown 3 accordingly also from the third party 4th Receive data.

The sensor data can be, for example, a scanning cloud from a lidar. The information obtained therefrom can be, for example, a direction and distance specification as well as a hazard classification. For example, a person driving the e-scooter can use the display 11 indicated that there is a pothole in the road ahead 30 meters to the right in the direction of travel. The information derived from the sensor data can also be, for example, information about the existence of a temporary construction site and / or a diversion.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was 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.

Patent literature cited

• WO 2020/082089 A1 [0006]

Claims (7)

Method for operating a micro vehicle (1), an environment around the micro vehicle (1) being scanned with at least one environment sensor (2), sensor data generated by the environment sensor (2) being evaluated by a computing unit (3) to obtain information and depending on the sensor data and / or information is adapted to the operating behavior of the micro vehicle (1) and / or at least one piece of information is output visually and / or acoustically, and the sensor data and / or information from the micro vehicle (1) is transmitted to third parties (4) , characterized in that the sensor data and / or information are stored at least temporarily during a first situation in which there is no internet connection on the part of the processing unit (3) and during a second situation in which there is an internet connection on the part of the processing unit (3), transferred to third parties (4). Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the sensor data and / or information are transmitted to third parties (4) during a break in operation of the micro vehicle (1). Procedure according to Claim 2 , characterized in that the miniature vehicle (1) can be driven electrically and an energy store (5) of the miniature vehicle (1) is charged to store electrical drive energy during the break in operation. Procedure according to Claim 3 , characterized in that the transmission of the sensor data and / or information from the computing unit (3) is initiated automatically after the charging process has started. Method according to one of the Claims 1 until 4th , characterized in that data is transmitted from the computing unit (3) by means of WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, wired or by means of a transportable storage medium. Procedure according to Claim 5 , characterized in that the data is transmitted from the micro vehicle (1) via a charging cable (6) used to charge an electrical energy store (5). Small vehicle (1) with a computing unit (3), at least one environment sensor (2) and a communication interface (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4), characterized in that the computing unit (3), the at least one environment sensor (2) and the communication interface (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4) to carry out a method according to one of the Claims 1 until 6th are set up.

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