Vehicle equipment, method for operating vehicle equipment and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle equipment (10) for a motor vehicle (12) comprising an outer skin element (14) which has a display element (18) forming an outer surface (16) with several segments (20) for displaying a recognition pattern, and a control unit (22) which is configured to specify at least one property of the recognition pattern depending on a requirement. The invention further relates to a method and a motor vehicle (12).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle equipment for a motor vehicle comprising an outer skin element and a control unit according to claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating a vehicle equipment and a corresponding motor vehicle according to claims 4 and 10.

[0002] Nowadays, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, are increasingly becoming part of everyday life. Visual markers, such as QR codes, can be used to provide orientation for drones. Furthermore, QR codes and other visual markers are used in various fields, including marketing, logistics, and access control. In drone technology, these codes are primarily used for positioning. However, these QR codes are typically static and must be manually applied to a surface. A further disadvantage is that the codes are difficult to see in poor lighting conditions and cannot be dynamically adjusted.

[0003] US patent 11 685 558 B2 shows a landing pad with a flexible display that shows images or patterns and a protective layer over the display. This protective layer allows a drone to land without damaging the display. Positioning and rangefinder devices paired with the display communicate with the drone. The display can communicate wirelessly with a computer or mobile device, which, on demand, provides user functions that allow the images / patterns displayed to be dynamically changed or customized.

[0004] Furthermore, DE 10 2023 200 568 A1 discloses a method for supporting a UAV by means of a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle comprises at least a lighting device, an environment detection device and a mobile computer, and the UAV comprises an aircraft, an optical detection device and a control unit, wherein the environment detection device of the motor vehicle is used to detect terrain features and their disturbing properties in the vicinity of the motor vehicle.

[0005] Finally, US Patent 10007272B2 describes a method for docking unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). A UAV can hover in a hover position over a docking port of a UAV docking system based on position measurements. An onboard camera can detect a machine-readable code on the docking port. The drone's hover position over the docking port can be determined based on the machine-readable code and the distance measurement to the docking port. A tether can be extended from the drone toward the docking port, with the length of the tether adjustable so that a connector at one end of the tether engages a coupling device on the docking port.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle equipment for a motor vehicle, a method for operating a vehicle equipment and a corresponding motor vehicle, by which a recognition pattern can be advantageously displayed on the motor vehicle, particularly as required and thus, for example, also depending on an aircraft.

[0007] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments as well as advantages of the invention are shown in the dependent claims, the description and the drawing.

[0008] A first aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle equipment for a motor vehicle comprising an outer skin element and a control unit. The outer skin element of the vehicle equipment according to the invention has a display element forming an outer surface with several segments for displaying a recognition pattern. The control unit is configured to dynamically specify at least one property, in particular, for example, the size of the recognition pattern, depending on a requirement, such as a design requirement and / or a dependency on an aircraft property of an aircraft (in particular, a UAV), especially a drone.

[0009] The motor vehicle is, in particular, a passenger car and / or truck or passenger bus. The exterior body element is, for example, a roof section and / or a fender and / or a hood, particularly of the body of the motor vehicle. The display element is, in particular, designed as a screen and comprises, for example, several pixels, whereby a number of pixels can be grouped together to form one of the segments. Several segments, i.e., at least two segments, are provided. The display element or display device is designed such that the segments can be operated individually and thus independently of each other; for example, the recognition pattern can be displayed on only one of the segments, while the other segments are inactive.This depends, for example, on the size of at least one property that can be defined by the control unit, which in particular comprises an electronic computing device. The recognition pattern is, in particular, a QR code, which serves, for example, to position the aircraft, especially the drone, and can, for example, facilitate an approach to the vehicle. Depending on the requirements, at least one property is defined dynamically; that is, for example, the property, such as its size, can be changed depending on the distance of the drone to the vehicle.

[0010] In other words, the proposal proposes displaying a particularly dynamic recognition pattern, such as a QR code, on a vehicle surface using a segmentable display, especially an OLED display. The QR code can serve as a unique orientation code for drone approach and / or landing and can be recognized, for example, even in darkness, via a camera or a detection system on the drone.

[0011] One advantage is that the size of the QR code can be dynamically adjusted, particularly through the multiple segments of the display element. This means that, for example, during approach, the recognition pattern or marker can initially be visualized at its maximum size and then dynamically reduced in size as the drone approaches during landing. In this way, the size of the recognition pattern can be adapted to the field of view of the landing drone or its camera.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the display element and / or at least one of the segments is designed as an OLED display, or the display element comprises at least one OLED display. In other words, organic light-emitting diodes are used to represent the recognition pattern. Each light-emitting diode can form a pixel, and several pixels can be combined to form one of the segments. Since OLED displays do not require backlighting, they can be particularly advantageous for design aspects in motor vehicles, as, for example, a particularly high-contrast recognition pattern can be generated and black can be displayed particularly effectively. Furthermore, an OLED display offers high brightness, which can, for example, improve visibility in the dark.

[0013] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the outer skin element, in its operating position on the motor vehicle, forms a roof surface of the vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, a transparent reinforcing structure of the display element forms the outer surface. In other words, the recognition pattern can be displayed, in particular, on the roof or roof surface of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a reinforcing structure, for example, bulletproof glass and / or the like, which protects the OLED display and serves as a particularly robust cover glass. Thus, the outer skin element can be used particularly advantageously as a component of the vehicle's body. This also offers the advantage that the outer skin element or the display element can be used, for example, directly for landing the drone or as a landing pad.

[0014] A second aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a vehicle equipment for a motor vehicle with an outer skin element, which has a display element forming an outer surface with several segments on which a recognition pattern is displayed, wherein at least one property of the recognition pattern is specified by a control unit depending on a requirement. This specification is carried out, in particular, dynamically and / or in real time, wherein the recognition pattern is, in particular, a QR code, for example, for a drone approach.

[0015] The method according to the invention thus offers an innovative way to facilitate drone approach and drone landing, with the outer skin element simultaneously serving as a design element.

[0016] Advantageous embodiments and further developments, as well as advantages of the first aspect of the invention, are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments and further developments, as well as advantages of the second aspect of the invention, and vice versa.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the requirement depends on a parameter characterizing an aircraft in the vicinity of the motor vehicle, such as its distance. Additionally or alternatively, the parameter is determined using a sensor, particularly one integrated into the vehicle, and / or the requirement is determined by means of communication with the aircraft. In other words, for example, a communication unit is provided through which the control unit and the aircraft, i.e., the drone, can communicate with each other, so that the drone can, for example, communicate its desired course or trajectory to the control unit, and a corresponding recognition pattern can be displayed on the vehicle's exterior via the display element.Other parameters characterizing the aircraft or its flight can include, for example, wind speed, drone size, and / or speed. A sensor, or in particular a vehicle-integrated sensor unit, can detect the drone or its approach, and the corresponding characterizing parameters can be determined. This allows the requirements for the detection pattern to be defined or determined. The advantage of this method is that it is particularly well-suited for operating the unmanned aerial vehicle.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a QR code is generated or output as the recognition pattern. In other words, the recognition pattern is a QR code that can be automatically captured in a particularly reliable manner. Using the QR code as the recognition pattern offers the advantage that QR codes have redundancies, so that incomplete capture can be compensated for in the event of poor recognition, for example, due to weather conditions such as rain.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one property of the recognition pattern is specified as a size and / or a brightness. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one property specifies a number of segments for the representation. In other words, the properties, which can particularly serve to ensure good recognizability depending on weather conditions, time of day, and / or distance, are advantageously varied. In particular, the number of segments for the representation can be influenced in combination with the size, so that, for example, not all segments need to be used for a small QR code representation. Furthermore, if the size of the recognition pattern representation does not require all segments, additional segments could be used as illumination or beacons.This offers the advantage that the method can be used particularly advantageously for an interaction between motor vehicle and drone.

[0020] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, only the segments of the display element required for the size of the recognition pattern are activated. In other words, only those segments, or a contiguous area of ​​segments, whose size is sufficient to output the required or desired size of the recognition pattern are operated. Alternatively, the recognition pattern can be advantageously output, for example, by segments that form a discontinuous area. Energy can thus be saved by not operating the unneeded segments. Additionally or alternatively, this can, for example, achieve a particularly high contrast.

[0021] In a further advantageous embodiment and invention, the vehicle equipment includes its own power supply unit or energy source and is powered by this unit. Additionally or alternatively, the vehicle equipment is powered by a vehicle battery. In other words, the vehicle equipment has its own power supply unit, which can be, in particular, a battery. However, a solar cell, especially a transparent one, would also be possible, for example, as a cover for the display element or its outer surface component. The vehicle battery could be, for example, a battery supplying the vehicle's electrical system and / or a traction battery. This offers the advantage of a particularly flexible method.

[0022] A third aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle equipped with a vehicle device according to the first aspect of the invention and / or equipped to carry out a method according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0023] The motor vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car or truck, or as a passenger bus or motorcycle.

[0024] Advantageous embodiments and further developments, as well as advantages of the first and second aspects of the invention, are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments and further developments, as well as advantages of the third aspect of the invention, and vice versa.

[0025] For use cases or application situations that may arise during the procedure and are not explicitly described here, it may be provided that, according to the procedure, an error message and / or a request for user feedback is issued and / or a default setting and / or a predetermined initial state is set.

[0026] The invention also includes a control device for the motor vehicle. The control device can comprise a data processing device or a processor circuit configured to perform an embodiment of the method according to the invention. For this purpose, the processor circuit can comprise at least one microprocessor and / or at least one microcontroller and / or at least one FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and / or at least one DSP (Digital Signal Processor). In particular, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or an NPU (Neural Processing Unit) can be used as the microprocessor. Furthermore, the processor circuit can comprise program code configured to perform the embodiment of the method according to the invention when executed by the processor circuit.The program code can be stored in a data memory of the processor device. The processor device can be based, for example, on at least one circuit board and / or on at least one SoC (System on Chip).

[0027] As a further solution, the invention also includes a computer-readable storage medium comprising program code which, when executed by a computer or a computer network, causes it to execute an embodiment of the method according to the invention. The storage medium can be provided at least partially as a non-volatile data storage medium (e.g., as flash memory and / or as an SSD - solid state drive) and / or at least partially as a volatile data storage medium (e.g., as RAM - random access memory). The storage medium can be located within the computer or computer network. However, the storage medium can also be operated, for example, as an app store server and / or cloud server on the internet. The computer or computer network can provide a processor circuit with, for example, at least one microprocessor.The program code can be provided as binary code, assembly code, source code in a programming language (e.g., C), or a program script (e.g., Python). Alternatively, the computer-readable storage medium can be implemented as a signal containing computer-readable data, such as a time-varying voltage signal or a radio signal.

[0028] The invention also includes combinations of the features of the described embodiments. The invention therefore also includes realizations that each exhibit a combination of the features of several of the described embodiments, provided that the embodiments have not been described as mutually exclusive.

[0029] The following are exemplary embodiments of the invention described. This is illustrated by: Fig. 1 a schematic view of a motor vehicle with a vehicle equipment comprising an outer skin element and a control unit, as well as an unmanned aerial vehicle; Fig. 2 A schematic view of a display element of the outer skin device of the vehicle equipment, which serves to orient the unmanned aerial vehicle.

[0030] The exemplary embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In these exemplary embodiments, the described components each represent individual features of the invention, which can be considered independently of one another and each further develops the invention independently. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to include combinations of features of the embodiments other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

[0031] In the figures, identical reference symbols denote functionally equivalent elements.

[0032] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a vehicle equipment 10 of a motor vehicle 12, wherein the vehicle equipment 10 comprises an outer skin element 14, which has a display element 18 forming an outer surface 16 with several segments 20 for displaying a recognition pattern. Furthermore, the vehicle equipment 10, and thus the motor vehicle 12, comprises a control unit 22, which is configured to specify at least one property of the recognition pattern depending on a requirement, for example, of an unmanned aerial vehicle, such as a drone 24, in particular dynamically.

[0033] In addition to the vehicle equipment 10 and the motor vehicle 12, a method for operating the vehicle equipment 10 is also to be presented, in which the recognition pattern is displayed by the display element 18, wherein, depending on the requirements, at least one property is specified by the control unit 22.

[0034] The recognition pattern can be, in particular, a QR code, which can be used, for example, for a charging approach or navigation and is advantageous for determining the position of the drone 24.

[0035] Fig.Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the display element 18, or rather its multiple segments 20, which are individually switchable and triangular in shape. The display element 18 can be segmented by means of the segments 20, with each segment 20 being able to operate independently. Each segment 20, and thus the display element 18, is designed as an OLED display, with each segment 20, for example, being able to represent its own separate OLED display.

[0036] The outer skin element 14, in particular the display element 18, offers design possibilities for the motor vehicle 12, for example, a graphic element can be displayed in addition to or as an alternative to the recognition pattern, and this can also be combined with the recognition pattern.

[0037] The outer skin element 14, in its operational position, is designed in particular as a roof surface 26 of the motor vehicle 12. The outer surface 16 can, for example, be formed by a transparent reinforcing structure, such as bulletproof glass, so that, for example, the roof surface 26 of the motor vehicle 12 can be used as a landing pad for the drone 24.

[0038] To carry out the procedure particularly advantageously and to provide particularly advantageous support to the drone 24, the requirement can be determined depending on at least one parameter characterizing the drone 24 in the environment of the motor vehicle 12. This parameter can be determined, for example, using a sensor 28, particularly one integrated into the vehicle. Alternatively, a sensor on the drone 24 can also be used. Furthermore, the requirement can be determined by means of communication with the drone 24, for which, for example, a communication unit (not shown), which may have a radio modem, is used.

[0039] At least one property of the recognition pattern, in particular its size and / or brightness, can be specified by the control unit 22. This at least one property, the number of segments 20 used to display the recognition pattern or the QR code, can be influenced. In particular, the size can correspond to the number of segments 20 used by activating only the segments 20 of the display element 18 required for the corresponding size of the recognition pattern.

[0040] The vehicle equipment 10 can have its own power supply unit 30, for example a battery. Alternatively or additionally, a power supply using another vehicle battery, for example a traction battery, of the motor vehicle 12 is possible.

[0041] The vehicle equipment 10, the motor vehicle 12, and the method each demonstrate a possibility for the dynamic display of the recognition pattern on a vehicle surface using a segmented display, in particular an OLED display. This recognition pattern, especially in the form of a QR code, can be used, in particular, as a unique orientation code for a drone approach and / or landing of the drone 24 and can be recognized, for example, by a drone camera of the drone 24, even in darkness or adverse weather conditions. The dynamic adaptation allows, for example, a response to the field of view of the drone camera, so that the size of the recognition pattern can be varied dynamically and / or in real time during the approach. This is the advantage of dynamic adaptation. The QR code can thus be changed in real time to display different information or instructions.Especially during the loading approach, it is possible to dynamically transition from a large marker to a small marker.

[0042] Furthermore, the vehicle equipment 10 offers particular advantages for the design or can be used as a design element. For example, the QR code can be aesthetically integrated into the vehicle design without affecting its appearance and thus the overall look of the vehicle 12. When not in use, the display element 18 can be switched off or de-energized, allowing the exterior element 14 to have the normal appearance of a body panel.

[0043] Furthermore, another advantage is recognition in darkness; in particular, using OLED technology, the QR code can be displayed very clearly and distinctly due to potentially high brightness and a particularly high contrast, so that visibility in darkness or poor lighting conditions is particularly high.

[0044] Software for generating and / or managing the QR codes, which in particular ensures that the QR codes are displayed correctly and / or are easily readable, can be executed, for example, by the control unit 22 and / or another electronic computing device of the motor vehicle 12.

[0045] The solutions presented here offer an innovative way to facilitate drone approach and / or landing while simultaneously providing an advantageous design element that can, for example, also represent appropriately appealing patterns. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 11 685 558 B2

[0003] DE 10 2023 200 568 A1

[0004] US 10 007 272 B2

[0005]

Claims

[1] Vehicle equipment (10) for a motor vehicle (12) comprising an outer skin element (14) which has a display element (18) forming an outer surface (16) with several segments (20) for displaying a recognition pattern, and a control unit (22) which is configured to specify at least one property of the recognition pattern depending on a requirement. [2] Vehicle equipment (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the display element (18) and / or at least one of the segments (20) is designed as an OLED display. [3] Vehicle equipment (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the outer skin element (14) in its position of use forms a roof surface (26) of the motor vehicle (12) and / or a transparent reinforcing structure of the display element (18) forms the outer surfaces (16). [4] Method for operating a vehicle equipment (10) for a motor vehicle (12) with an outer skin element (14) which has a display element (18) forming an outer surface (16) with several segments (20) on which a recognition pattern is displayed, and with a control unit (22) by which at least one property of the recognition pattern is specified depending on a requirement. [5] Method according to claim 4, characterized by , that the requirement depends on a parameter characterizing an aircraft in an environment of the motor vehicle (12) and / or the parameter is determined by means of a sensor (28) and / or the requirement is determined by means of communication with the aircraft. [6] Method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by that the recognition pattern is formed as QR codes. [7] Method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized by, that at least one property of the recognition pattern specifies a size and / or a brightness and / or that at least one property specifies a number of segments (20) for the representation. [8] Method according to claim 7, characterized by , that only the segments (20) of the display element (18) required for the size of the recognition pattern are activated. [9] Method according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized by , that the vehicle equipment (10) has its own power supply unit (30) and is supplied with energy by means of this unit and / or a vehicle battery of the motor vehicle (12). [10] Motor vehicle (12) with a vehicle equipment (10) according to one of claims 1, 2 or 3 and / or equipped to carry out a method according to one of claims 4 to 9.

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