DE102022214128A1 - System for setting a monitoring module, wherein the monitoring module is designed to monitor the state of a charging system and/or the environment of the charging system, and method for setting a corresponding system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for setting a monitoring module (1), wherein the monitoring module is designed to monitor the state of a charging system and/or the surroundings of the charging system, in particular a charging parking space, with integrated sensors and with a control unit, wherein the sensors comprise: at least one camera (2) and optionally at least one motion detector and/or a vibration sensor (5) and/or an optical sensor for detecting wear on an electrical charging connection for an electric vehicle, wherein the control unit is set up to pre-set a detection area depending on the sensed data of the monitoring module and/or to dynamically adapt it during operation of the monitoring module. Furthermore, the invention comprises a method for operating the system.

Description

The invention relates to a system for setting a monitoring module, wherein the monitoring module is designed to monitor the state of a charging system and/or the environment of the charging system, as well as to methods for setting a corresponding system.

State of the art

According to the latest figures from the Federal Network Agency dated October 1, 2022, a total of 70,751 charging stations are registered in operation in Germany. Of these, 59,228 are normal charging points, i.e. with a charging capacity of up to 22 kW, and 11,523 are fast charging points with a capacity of 22 kW or more._The number of charging stations available in the Federal Republic of Germany is continuously increasing.

This also increases the risk that charging stations will fall victim to vandalism. In the past, numerous charging stations for electric cars have been deliberately destroyed. Charging cables have also been either destroyed or completely stolen. Surveillance cameras installed near the charging stations offer a certain level of protection. However, not every charging station is recorded by a camera in the area.

Another problem arises in connection with the management of a charging station infrastructure. Although charging station operators can usually determine whether an electric vehicle is currently being charged, it remains unclear whether a supposedly free parking space is not actually blocked by a vehicle with a combustion engine or by other objects in the parking lot, for example due to weather-related disruptions.

End customers also sometimes find conditions at charging stations that are unacceptable to them, with regard to various quality characteristics of the charging station or charging parking space, such as the wear and tear and maintenance quality of the components, the weather conditions, etc.

In view of the problems mentioned above, it is necessary to monitor the charging systems and/or the environment of the charging systems. However, such monitoring requires a prior configuration of the sensors required for monitoring, in particular a pre-setting of the required detection range.

Furthermore, when operating and monitoring the charging systems, data security and the protection of personal data must be carried out in accordance with legal requirements (including the Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG), the state data protection laws and the European Data Protection Convention). This also includes image data that must be recorded during the optical recording of the charging system as well as the environment to be monitored and the charging parking space and saved for further evaluation.

The object of the invention is a system for setting a monitoring module, wherein the monitoring module is designed to monitor the state of a charging system and/or the surroundings of the charging system, wherein the setting of the monitoring module comprises a presetting of the sensors, in particular a presetting of the detection limits and blanking limits and/or an adjustment after commissioning of the preset sensors, in particular the detection limits and blanking limits of the charging system to be monitored and/or the surroundings. A reliable method for setting such a system for setting and monitoring the state of a charging station and/or the surroundings of the charging station, in particular a charging parking space, is also to be specified.

The system is user-friendly, particularly with regard to the pre-setting of the surveillance system and the possibility of adapting the pre-set surveillance area with detection area and exclusion areas after the surveillance system has been put into operation.

In particular, a presetting and/or adjustment can advantageously be carried out both directly on site on the charging system and remotely via a data line or a terminal device coupled to a data connection, such as a mobile device, a computer, a tablet, a television or a screen.

Description of the invention

The object is achieved by a system for setting a monitoring module, wherein the monitoring module is designed to monitor the state of a charging station and/or the surroundings of the charging station, in particular a charging parking space, with integrated sensors and with a control unit, wherein the sensors comprise: at least one camera and optionally at least one motion detector and/or a vibration sensor and/or an optical sensor for detecting wear on an electrical charging connection for an electric vehicle, wherein the control unit is designed to set a detection area depending on the sensed data of the monitoring module and/or dynamically during operation of the monitoring module.

In the sense of the present invention, a charging system is understood to mean both a single charging station with associated surroundings and charging parking space as well as a network of a large number of charging stations with all associated installations and devices required for the operation and supply of charging current to electric vehicles.

A charging station can be a free-standing charging column of a known type or mounted on a building (for example a wall) as a so-called wall box. The electrical charging connection of the charging station can be a charging cable with a plug connected to the charging station or, in the case of a charging column without a cable, a socket in the charging station.

The system according to the invention comprises at least one monitoring module.

Such a monitoring module with sensors and a suitable control unit enables the detection of problematic conditions on the charging station or in its surroundings in a detection area. The detection area can, for example, be given by the preset field of view of a camera or by a predetermined limitation within the field of view of the camera. The detection area is preset before commissioning and can also be changed dynamically during operation of the monitoring module, for example by automatically focusing on a limited area when an object is detected in the camera's field of view. The detection area can also be preset to other sensors or limited areas of other sensors on the monitoring module, for example to the presence of data from the motion detector and/or the vibration sensor and/or the optical sensor for detecting wear and/or the temperature sensor in the area of the electrical charging connection.

Such a monitoring module can comprise a fastening option on a charging station and/or have a housing that is installed on or in a charging station, and/or comprise a data interface, and/or a loudspeaker and/or a light source and/or a microphone and/or a signal lamp and/or a display and/or another indicator.

Preferably, in such a monitoring module, the charging connection for an electric vehicle is accessible through the mounted monitoring module and/or connected to the charging connection of the charging station and/or the charging connection is formed on the monitoring module.

Such a monitoring module can be retrofitted to any type of charging station or integrated into the charging station by the manufacturer during production.

The at least one camera preferably covers a surveillance area of 360°, which preferably also means that the camera is installed structurally above the charging station. Alternatively, a smaller surveillance area is also conceivable, which only covers the parking lot, for example.

The light source covers the surveillance area of the camera or is focused or focusable on predetermined areas.

The charging port for the electric vehicle is preferably accessible through the mounted monitoring module.

Alternatively, the charging port of the monitoring module can be connected to the charging port of the charging station.

A charging system with charging infrastructure can comprise a plurality of such charging stations, wherein each charging station preferably has a monitoring module.

The detection area on the monitoring module is specified directly during pre-setting, or can be specified by means of a data transfer from a terminal device, preferably a mobile device, in particular via a mobile phone app, or from an external computer system, or can also be adjusted after commissioning.

The detection space used by the control unit can be specified as a geometrically defined space, in particular as a polygon, and/or can be specified statically or dynamically by a brightness, visual, audio or thermal activation through detection of objects, and/or by a selection of detection angles in the x, y and/or z directions of the camera and/or by a selection of detection ranges of the camera.

The invention relates to a system for setting a monitoring module, wherein the monitoring module is designed to monitor the state of a charging system and/or the environment of the charging system, as well as to methods for setting a corresponding system.

A method according to the invention for setting up a system with a monitoring module, wherein the monitoring module for monitoring the state of a charging station and/or the surroundings of the charging station, in particular a charging parking space, which can be carried out by a control unit, can comprise that, depending on the sensed data of a monitoring module, a detection area is preset before commissioning and/or dynamically adapted during operation of the monitoring module.

The detection space can be specified directly on site on a monitoring module, or transmitted to the control unit by means of data transmission from a mobile device, in particular via a mobile phone app, or from an external computer system, wherein the detection space is preferably specified as a geometrically defined space, in particular as a polygon, and/or by brightness, visual, audio or thermal activation through detection of objects, and/or by a selection of detection angles in the x-y and/or z direction of the camera and/or by a selection of detection ranges of the camera.

The detection area can preferably be preset and/or adjusted by transmitting a live image of the charging parking space, the charging station and/or a detected object, and/or by acoustic or optical recording of sensed data.

Such a method may be carried out by the control unit of a monitoring module as described above and/or the sensed data may have been acquired by such a monitoring module as described above.

Description of the characters

• 1 shows a monitoring module,
• 2 shows an example parking situation,
• 3 shows possible modules of a monitoring method according to the invention.

1 shows a monitoring module 1 of a system according to the invention for setting a detection area of an area to be monitored. The monitoring module 1 is connected to a charging station 7, which is in the 1 not shown.

The monitoring module 1 consists of a housing 8, which comprises various sensors and which must have at least one device with which the monitoring module 1 can be connected to any charging station. Alternatively, the monitoring module 1 can also be installed directly in the charging stations 7, with the housing shape being adapted to the installation location.

The surveillance module 1 has a camera 2, which also contains a motion sensor. The motion sensor activates the camera 2, which also has a night vision function.

A microphone 4 is provided as an additional sensor, which covers a monitoring area of 360° around the monitoring module 1. A loudspeaker output is also provided.

To ensure better light output for the camera, a light source 3 with or without focus function is installed.

A shock sensor 5 is placed on the monitoring module, which detects when a person or an object tries to separate, knock off or strip the monitoring module from the charging station.

A plug holder 6 has an optical sensor for detecting wear on the plug socket. This plug holder is connected to the plug system of the charging station and is supplied with electricity.

Alternatively, the plug holder 6 can be a frame that is attached to the socket position of the charging station 7 and merely frames this socket.

The monitoring module is configured in such a way that it automatically detects moving objects using hardware or software-based control and aligns the light source 3 according to the position of the identified object and, when activated, transmits a photo or short video to a target system. To do this, the monitoring module must be equipped with an interface to the charging station or an independent interface to a monitoring network.

Configuration parameters for the sensor function of the monitoring module 1 include, for example, an adjustable size of the object to be detected, an adjustable volume, a function based on the time of day, and a brightness-based function.

2 shows a schematic representation of the situation at a parking space 10 with a charging station 7. The charging station 7 has a monitoring module 1 that records the parking space 10 with its camera 2. The preset detection area is shown schematically with the dashed line. The polygon 20 delimits the detection area and separates it from an exclusion area.

3 shows possible modules of a monitoring method according to the invention.

The following inputs are possible: live movement data 11, live image data 12, live vibration data 13, live noises 14. The input data is processed by a software module 15, in particular AI software, so that an object classification 16 (for example: person, tree, parking space, car) and/or an interaction detection 17 (for example: object A with B) and/or an interaction classification 18 (for example: object A with B - harmless, critical) can be created. With this output data, a rule-based link for an alarm function 19 can be carried out, whereby the alarm function can be carried out by a method according to the invention or an alarm activation according to the invention.

A control unit can be configured to, depending on the sensed data of the monitoring module in a predetermined and/or customizable detection space, and for example pre-processed as described above, 3 explains how to activate a predefined function, for example an alarm function or a message relating to maintenance and/or repair.

1. a. Helligkeits- visuelle- audio- und thermische Aktivierung durch Erkennung von Objekten im Erkennungsraum. Dabei ist der Erkennungsraum wie folgt einstellbar:
   1. i. Einstellbar von 1 -360° um die Ladestation (x/y Achse),
   2. ii. Einstellbar 1-240° Z-Achse, und/oder
   3. iii. Reichweite 1-10 Meter.
2. b. Eine einfache händische Einstellbarkeit der Sensoren vor Ort am Ladesystem mittels eines im Ladesystem fest eingebauten Einstellsystems
3. c. App zum Einstellen mittels Kopplung, insbesondere drahtloser Datenübertragung, mit dem optischen System, beispielsweise durch
   1. i. Anzeige des Livebilds und der Einstelldistanzen durch Erstellen von Flächen, die von einem oder mehreren frei definierbaren Polygonzügen begrenzt sind, wobei diese den Erkennungsraum bilden
   2. ii. Einstellmöglichkeit und Anpassungsmöglichkeit der frei definierbaren Polygonzüge über Zeichnen auf einer Bedienoberfläche eines Endgeräts mittels Finger oder Stift
   3. iii. Endgerät für die Einstellung des Erkennungsraums kann beispielsweise sein: Mobilfunkgeräte, Computer, Tablet, Fernseher.

Before the monitoring unit performs its monitoring activity, the area to be monitored, hereinafter referred to as the detection area, is set as follows:

1. a. Brightness, visual, audio and thermal activation by detecting objects in the detection area. The detection area can be set as follows:
   1. i. Adjustable from 1 -360° around the charging station (x/y axis),
   2. ii. Adjustable 1-240° Z-axis, and/or
   3. iii. Range 1-10 meters.
2. b. Simple manual adjustment of the sensors on site at the charging system using an adjustment system built into the charging system
3. c. App for setting by means of coupling, in particular wireless data transmission, with the optical system, for example by
   1. i. Display of the live image and the setting distances by creating areas that are delimited by one or more freely definable polygons, which form the detection space
   2. ii. Possibility of setting and adapting the freely definable polygons by drawing on a user interface of a terminal device using a finger or pen
   3. iii. The end device for setting the detection space can be, for example: mobile devices, computers, tablets, televisions.

In a further embodiment, a voice recognition system and/or facial recognition can optionally be integrated into the surveillance module with the aim of recognizing known persons and identifying strangers.

The detection area can be adjusted at any time even after the presetting. This adjustment can be made at the charging station, preferably manually using appropriate adjustment devices such as switches, rotary controls, display units in the charging system, or via data transfer, for example using an app. The detection area is determined based on the live image and adjusted using freely definable polygons. The detection area includes in particular the charging parking space.

By presetting the detection area, objects outside the area can be made unrecognizable and also excluded from event detection. The area outside the detection area is called the exclusion area.

The detection space can be adjusted at any time even after the preset.

Claims (11)

System for setting a monitoring module (1), wherein the monitoring module is designed to monitor the state of a charging system and/or the surroundings of the charging system, in particular a charging parking space, with integrated sensors and with a control unit, wherein the sensors comprise: at least one camera (2) and optionally at least one motion detector and/or a vibration sensor (5) and/or an optical sensor for detecting wear on an electrical charging connection for an electric vehicle, wherein the control unit is designed to pre-set a detection area depending on the sensed data of the monitoring module and/or to dynamically adapt it during operation of the monitoring module. System according to Claim 1 , wherein the monitoring module (1) has a mounting option on a charging station (7) and/or has a housing (8) that is installed on or in a charging station (7), and/or has a light source (3) and/or a microphone (4) and/or a loudspeaker and/or a display. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the charging port (6) for an electric vehicle is accessible through the mounted monitoring module (1) and/or is connected to the charging port of the charging station (7) and/or is formed on the monitoring module (1). System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the detection space can be specified and/or adapted directly on the monitoring module, or can be specified and/or automatically adapted by means of a data transmission from a preferably mobile terminal, in particular via a mobile phone app, or from an external computer system. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the detection space can be specified and/or adapted as a geometrically defined space, in particular as a polygon, and/or by a brightness, visual, audio or thermal activation through detection of objects, and/or by a selection of detection angles in the x-, y- and/or z-direction of the camera and/or by a selection of detection ranges of the camera. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined alarm function comprises: silent alarm, for example by display on a mobile device, in an app, SMS, e-mail, on a display and/or by call, and/or by active sound and/or voice output, and/or by activation of a lighting module with or without focus function on detected objects, and/or by transmission of a live image of the charging parking space, the charging station and/or a detected object, and/or by acoustic or optical recording of sensed data. Method for operating a system according to one of the Claims 1 - 6 , for monitoring the condition of a charging station and/or the surroundings of the charging station, in particular a charging parking space, by a control unit, wherein, depending on the sensed data of a monitoring module, a detection area is preset before commissioning and/or preferably dynamically adjusted during operation of the monitoring module. Procedure according to Claim 7 , wherein the detection space is directly specified and/or adapted on a monitoring module, or is transmitted to the control unit by means of data transmission from a mobile terminal, in particular via a mobile phone app, or from an external computer system, wherein the detection space is preferably specified as a geometrically defined space, in particular as a polygon, and/or by brightness, visual, audio or thermal activation through detection of objects, and/or by a selection of detection angles in the x-, y- and/or z-direction of the camera and/or by a selection of detection ranges of the camera. Method according to one of the preceding Claims 7 until 8th , whereby an adjustment of the preset detection space on the charging station is carried out, particularly preferably manually, via appropriate adjustment devices such as switches, rotary controls, display units, or via data transmission to a mobile device, for example by means of an APP. Method according to one of the Claims 7 - 9 , where the detection space is determined based on the live image and an adjustment is made via freely definable polygons. Method according to one of the preceding Claims 7 until 10 , whereby the setting and adaptation options of the freely definable polygon lines as the limitation of the recognition area are carried out by drawing on a user interface of a terminal device using a finger or pen.

Images