Communication methods and motor vehicle

Abstract

Method for communicating between a motor vehicle (1) and a data terminal (7), specifically a mobile terminal of a communication partner (2), namely a person, - wherein a motor vehicle (1) is used which is provided with a display device (3) with which an identification signal can be output which can be recognized by a communication partner (2) located outside the motor vehicle (1), and - wherein the method comprises the following steps: - agreeing on at least one specific one of a plurality of identification signals which can be displayed on the display device (3) of the motor vehicle (1) and / or on a mobile terminal (7) which the communication partner (2) carries with them, wherein the agreement of the specific identification signal(s) is carried by exchanging electronic messages between the mobile terminal (7) and another data terminal which is assigned to the motor vehicle (1),is carried out fully automatically; and- displaying the specific identification signal on the display device (3) of the motor vehicle (1) and / or on the mobile terminal (7), so that the motor vehicle (1) can identify the communication partner (2) and / or the communication partner (2) can identify the motor vehicle (1).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for communicating between a motor vehicle and a person having access to a data terminal, as well as to a motor vehicle designed to carry out this communication method.

[0002] There are computer programs (apps) for mobile devices that simplify communication between taxi companies and their customers. These apps are particularly popular in China. The best-known app is called Didi, from the ride-sharing company of the same name. However, there are also similar apps from competitors such as Uber. With these apps, you can easily request a taxi. The advantage of these apps compared to conventional taxi numbers is that you can contact a variety of different taxi companies at the same time to place a call with them, allowing you to select the most appealing offer, such as the cheapest, the most child-friendly, or the most environmentally friendly. This app then assigns a call to a specific taxi company or vehicle.

[0003] Furthermore, Julia Witte: This is how the world's most modern taxi advertising works; Axel Springer SE; URL: https: / / www.welt.de / 161006005; 09.01.2017 [accessed on 23.07.2018] points out the possibility of using digital displays instead of traditional printed advertising space on taxi roofs.

[0004] The apps mentioned above have proven very effective in practice and have become extremely popular in a short time. However, once a call has been successfully placed, it is often difficult to establish the correct match between the customer and the taxi, especially in locations where many people have requested a taxi at the same time.

[0005] There is therefore a significant need to create a communication option with which a person who is outside a motor vehicle can easily and reliably locate the corresponding motor vehicle.

[0006] With current methods, certain vehicle identification details, such as the vehicle registration number, are transmitted. However, it is difficult for the customer to identify the vehicle registration number, especially if it is written in a foreign script that the customer is unfamiliar with, or if the registration number is not visible due to traffic conditions.

[0007] The invention is therefore based on the object of creating a method for communicating between a motor vehicle and a person who has access to a communication terminal, so that simple identification in road traffic is possible.

[0008] A further object of the invention is to provide a motor vehicle which is designed to carry out this method.

[0009] The above-mentioned objects are achieved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the respective subclaims.

[0010] According to the invention, a method for communicating between a motor vehicle and a data terminal, namely a mobile terminal of a communication partner, namely a person, is provided, - using a motor vehicle which is provided with a display device with which an identification signal can be output which can be recognised by a communication partner located outside the motor vehicle, and - the procedure comprising the following steps: - Agreeing on at least one specific identification signal of several identification signals that can be displayed on the display device of the motor vehicle and / or on a mobile terminal that the communication partner carries with him, wherein the agreement of the specific identification signal(s) is carried out fully automatically by exchanging electronic messages between the mobile terminal and another data terminal that is assigned to the motor vehicle; and - Displaying the specific identification signal on the display device of the motor vehicle and / or on the mobile terminal so that the motor vehicle can identify the communication partner and / or the communication partner can identify the motor vehicle.

[0011] By agreeing on a specific signal from among several signals, i.e. identification signals, which can be displayed on the display device and / or on the mobile device, the motor vehicle and / or the communication partner can identify themselves. The signals are, for example, a specific color signal and / or a specific flashing rhythm and / or a specific pattern and / or a specific symbol, such as an emoji, so that they are easily recognizable by the human observer from a distance typical in road traffic. The signal can also be time-coded by changing the color and / or pattern in a predetermined sequence. This allows a multitude of different signals to be displayed using just a few colors and / or patterns. In addition, the displays can be very simple, i.e. they have no pattern or a very coarse pattern whose pixels, for example,have a diameter of at least 0.5 cm, in particular 0.75 cm, and preferably 1 cm. Such coarse patterns are clearly visible even from distances of more than 10 m, in particular more than 50 m. Furthermore, the signal can be designed in such a way that it cannot be perceived by the human observer. For example, rapid temporal modulation or the use of an infrared LED can make the signal invisible to the human eye. Using a terminal device, such as a camera, the signal can be detected and displayed on the terminal device's display.

[0012] Because the signal is one of several signals, several groups, each consisting of a motor vehicle and a communication partner, can identify each other simultaneously at essentially the same location without any misunderstandings. This makes it easy for a communication partner to locate a motor vehicle assigned to them, or vice versa, even in a busy location with many vehicles and many people at the same time, such as train stations, airports, or venues for sporting or cultural events. The invention is also helpful for events such as conferences where participants do not know each other and need to find each other.

[0013] Preferably, the motor vehicle has an internal display device in the vehicle interior, wherein, according to the method according to the invention, the signal displayed on the mobile terminal is also displayed on the internal display device. This allows a vehicle occupant, such as a driver or conductor, to identify the signal to be displayed on the mobile terminal and, by comparing the signal displayed on the internal display device with the mobile terminals located at the roadside, determine which signal belongs to the person assigned to the motor vehicle.

[0014] The specific signal can be displayed both on the vehicle's display and on the mobile device. However, it may also be expedient to specify two different signals, with one signal being displayed on the vehicle's display and the other on the mobile device.

[0015] In principle, a signal to be agreed upon can also contain a text message, in particular a name. Such a signal is preferably displayed in large font on the vehicle's display. The font should be large enough so that lowercase letters of the Latin alphabet are at least 5 cm high. For example, the name of the communication partner can be displayed on the vehicle's display so that they can easily identify which vehicle they are assigned to.

[0016] The motor vehicle preferably has a communication unit for transmitting data via a radio network.

[0017] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method for communicating between at least two communication partners is provided, wherein at least one has a communication unit for transmitting data via a radio network and a display device, and the method comprises the following steps: - agreeing on at least one specific signal of several that can be displayed on the display device, and - Displaying the specific signal on the display device so that the other communication partner can identify the communication partner having the communication unit.

[0018] The communication unit can be part of a mobile device or integrated into a vehicle. The display device is then preferably arranged on the outside of the vehicle in such a way that it can be seen by a person outside the vehicle.

[0019] The agreement on the specific signal(s) is preferably achieved by exchanging electronic messages between the data terminal and a communications unit or another data terminal assigned to the motor vehicle. The communications unit can be a component of the motor vehicle or a data terminal integrated into a motor vehicle. However, the data terminal can also be a component of an organization that operates multiple motor vehicles, such as a taxi company, transport company, or the like. If the additional data terminal is located outside the motor vehicle, a data connection preferably exists between this additional data device and a communications unit of the motor vehicle in order to be able to transmit the agreed data signal to the motor vehicle in such a way that it can be displayed on the motor vehicle's display device.

[0020] The motor vehicle can have a camera and an image processing device that analyzes images captured by the camera based on the predetermined signal displayed on the mobile device. Such a motor vehicle can automatically locate the communication partner's mobile device without the intervention of a vehicle occupant. Preferably, once this predetermined signal has been captured with an image, the location of the mobile device displaying the signal is determined based on the image, and a navigation device in the vehicle is programmed accordingly. If the motor vehicle is autonomous, the navigation device can control the motor vehicle so that it drives close to the mobile device displaying the signal and stops there.

[0021] Preferably, the arrangement of the predetermined signal(s) is carried out fully automatically. This method is preferably carried out using a computer program module. This computer program module can be linked to another computer program, for example, for arranging a taxi ride, for arranging a delivery of goods, and / or for arranging the collection of goods.

[0022] When agreeing on the predetermined signal(s), these are preferably coordinated using a central database in such a way that the same signals are not used by different parties at the same location at the same time.

[0023] A motor vehicle according to the invention has a display device which is visible from the outside and a control device which is designed to carry out one of the methods explained above.

[0024] Preferably, the motor vehicle has a radio communication device in order to be able to exchange messages with the data terminal, in particular the mobile terminal, via a radio connection in order to agree on a predetermined signal.

[0025] The motor vehicle may be an autonomously controlled motor vehicle. The motor vehicle is preferably a vehicle for moving on land. However, the motor vehicle may also be an aircraft, in particular a drone.

[0026] The method can also be carried out between several communication partners, each carrying a mobile device, without a motor vehicle being involved.

[0027] If the communication partners are close to each other, especially within sight of each other, then additional identification can take place via a radio connection by exchanging corresponding identification codes, thus preventing incorrect assignment.

[0028] The methods explained above can also be modified in such a way that the motor vehicle does not have a display device and is only displayed on the mobile device of the communication partner and not visible from the outside of the motor vehicle.

[0029] A data terminal is a device that includes a microprocessor, a display device, an input device, and a data interface, the data interface being connected to a data network for transmitting data. With such a data terminal, messages can be entered by a user and transmitted to another data terminal via a data network.

[0030] A mobile terminal is a data terminal that has an interface for transmitting data via a wireless connection (e.g., G2, G3, G4, G5, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC). The data terminal is preferably portable, such as a mobile phone, laptop, etc.

[0031] The invention is explained in more detail below by way of example with reference to the drawings. The drawings show schematically: Fig. 1 a motor vehicle according to the invention and a communication partner, Fig. 2 a motor vehicle in the form of a drone and a communication partner, Fig. 3 several communication partners, each with a mobile terminal, which are designed to carry out the method according to the invention, Fig. 4 essential elements of a control device for carrying out the method according to the invention of a motor vehicle in a block diagram, and Fig. 5 a method for communicating between a motor vehicle and a communication partner in a flowchart.

[0032] In the communication method according to the invention, a motor vehicle 1 can communicate with a person located outside the motor vehicle 1 in such a way that simple identification between the two is possible. This person, who is initially located outside the motor vehicle 1, is referred to below as communication partner 2.

[0033] The motor vehicle 1 has at least one display device 3, which is arranged on the motor vehicle 1 such that it is visible to a communication partner 2 located outside the motor vehicle 1. The display device 3 can be arranged on the outer surface of a body of the motor vehicle 1. However, it can also be arranged behind transparent components of the body, such as behind windows or transparent headlight covers. In principle, it is also possible for the display device to be integrated into the vehicle headlight.

[0034] The signal can also be invisible to a human observer, for example if it is emitted as an infrared signal or modulated at such a fast frequency that the human eye perceives it only as a continuously glowing light source. This can be achieved, for example, by appropriately controlling an LED headlight on a motor vehicle. The advantage of such a signal source is that there is no need to provide a separate signal source on the vehicle; instead, an existing one can be used. National legislators often regulate the attachment of light sources to a motor vehicle, which sometimes makes it impossible to attach an additional signal source at will. Such signals that are not visible to the human eye can be captured with a camera and converted into signals that can be perceived by humans, for example using a mobile device.The signal perceivable by a human can be a video signal and / or an audio signal.

[0035] The display device 3 is connected to a central control device 4 ( Fig. 4). The motor vehicle 1 can have a plurality of display devices 3, which are arranged in particular on different sides of the motor vehicle 1, so that the communication partner 2 can be in any position relative to the motor vehicle 1 and can see one of the display devices 3.

[0036] The central control device 4 is connected to a communication unit 5, which has an antenna 6, with which a radio connection according to a common standard (e.g. 3G, 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC) can be established, so that a data connection can be established to a data terminal 7, such as a computer or a mobile terminal that the communication partner 2 carries with him.

[0037] A mobile terminal 7 is a device that has at least one computing unit, a display device, and a communication unit for communicating via a radio connection (e.g., 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC). Typical mobile terminals 7 include mobile phones or tablets.

[0038] The motor vehicle 1 has a camera 8, which is arranged on the motor vehicle 1 in such a way that the surroundings can be optically scanned with the camera 8. Several cameras 8 can be provided on the motor vehicle 1, which are arranged, for example, with a forward view or a rearward view and / or a side view on the motor vehicle 1.

[0039] The central control unit 4 is connected to the display unit 3, the communication unit 5, and the camera 8, allowing data to be exchanged between these components. The images captured by the camera 8 are forwarded to the central control unit 4. The central control unit 4 is equipped with image processing software, which analyzes the received images for predetermined content.

[0040] Furthermore, the central control device 4 is connected to a navigation system 9, which is in particular a satellite navigation system. The navigation system 9 is coupled to a control device 10 for autonomously controlling the motor vehicle 1. This control device 10 has the usual sensors for this purpose, such as radar sensors, cameras, and the like, in order to be able to scan the surroundings of the motor vehicle 1 with such precision that the motor vehicle 1 can be controlled semi-autonomously or fully autonomously. This control device 10 is connected to a drive unit 11 and a steering unit 12, wherein the drive unit 11 controls the driving speed of the motor vehicle 1 and the steering unit 12 controls the direction of travel.

[0041] Furthermore, the motor vehicle 1 can have an internal display device 13, which is arranged in a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle 1 such that it can be seen by the vehicle occupants. The vehicle occupants include a driver and all other passengers in the motor vehicle 1.

[0042] The display device 3 can be a color screen on which a signal can be output by displaying a specific color, a specific pattern and / or a specific text. However, the display device 3 can also be a light strip integrated into the body of the motor vehicle 1, which can output a color signal in different colors. The color signal is preferably generated using light-emitting diodes. If the display device 3 is a color screen, then patterns are preferably displayed on the screen whose pixels have a diameter of at least 0.5 cm, or at least 0.75 cm, or at least 1 cm, or at least 1.5 cm, and in particular at least 2 cm.

[0043] However, the display device can also be integrated into a headlight of the motor vehicle 1 and encode the signal using different colors. For example, the turn signal can be configured to flash yellow or orange to indicate the direction of travel and to illuminate in a different color to emit a predetermined identification signal. If all turn signals are configured in this way, the signal is visible from all sides of the motor vehicle 1. Such a multi-color signal output can be implemented, among other things, using a multi-color LED module.

[0044] The following describes the method for communicating between the motor vehicle 1 and the communication partner 2 using Fig. 5 explained.

[0045] The process begins with step S1.

[0046] In step S2, two predetermined signals are agreed between the motor vehicle 1 and the communication partner 2: a first identification signal 14 for identifying the motor vehicle 1 and a second identification signal 15 for identifying the communication partner 2. This agreement also includes a location and time at which the motor vehicle 1 and the communication partner 2 intend to meet. The location of the mobile terminal 7 can be determined, for example, using a satellite positioning sensor of the mobile terminal 7 and agreed upon as the destination. Of course, a different location can also be selected.

[0047] If the motor vehicle 1 is part of a taxi company and the communication partner 2 wants to use a taxi as soon as possible, then the motor vehicle 1 provides an estimate of how long it will take for the motor vehicle 1 to reach the desired location where the communication partner 2 is already located or where he expects the motor vehicle 1.

[0048] This agreement of the first and second identification signals 14, 15 can be carried out by a direct message exchange via the communication unit 5 of the motor vehicle 1 and the mobile terminal 7 of the communication partner 2. However, it is expedient that the agreement of the identification signals 14, 15 does not take place directly between the motor vehicle 1 and the communication partner 2, but rather via a data server on which a central database of the currently used identification signals is maintained. Using this central database, the identification signals from many different motor vehicles 1 and many different communication partners 2 can be stored and compared, so that the same signals are not used by different parties at the same time at a specific location. This can prevent misunderstandings.

[0049] In step S3, the first identification signal 14 is displayed on the display device 3 of the motor vehicle 1 and the second identification signal 15 is displayed on the data terminal 7 of the communication partner 2.

[0050] The identification signals 14, 15 are simply structured representations that are visible to the naked eye from distances of at least 10 m, preferably at least 100 m, and in particular at least 150 m. These identification signals 14, 15 can, for example, be full-surface representations of a specific color, with the color then being displayed across the entire display surface of the display device 3 or the data terminal 7. The identification signals 14, 15 can also be patterns with coarse pixels, as explained above.

[0051] In the present embodiment, the surroundings of the motor vehicle 1 are optically scanned with the camera 8 of the motor vehicle 1 (step S4).

[0052] The images generated during optical scanning are analyzed with the image processing software for the second identification signal 15, which identifies the communication partner 2.

[0053] If the second identification signal 15 is detected, the current location of the data terminal 7 and thus of the communication partner 2 is determined from the captured images (step S6).

[0054] This location is forwarded by the central control device 4 to the navigation system 9. In the navigation system 9, this location is used as a destination input to then control the control device 10 for autonomous control of the motor vehicle 1 in such a way that the motor vehicle 1 is driven into the vicinity of this mobile terminal 7 or into the vicinity of the communication partner 2 (step S7).

[0055] The process is terminated with step S8.

[0056] Using the method explained above, any person can request an autonomous vehicle, which then travels to that person and simply recognizes them based on the second identification signal 15 displayed on the mobile device 7. The autonomous motor vehicle 1 thus does not require a driver to reach the communication partner 2. The motor vehicle 1 can be used as a taxi. However, it can also be used for the automatic delivery or pickup of goods.

[0057] The method according to the invention is also suitable for non-autonomously driving motor vehicles. In non-autonomously driving motor vehicles, it is expedient for them to have the internal display device 13. The internal display device 13 is connected to the central control device 4. This is designed such that the second identification signal 15, which is displayed on the mobile terminal 7 of the communication partner 2, is also displayed on the internal display device 13. This allows the vehicle occupants to compare the second identification signal 15 displayed on the internal display device 13 with the second identification signal 15 displayed on the mobile terminal 7. If there is a match, the vehicle occupants recognize that this communication partner 2, who is carrying the mobile terminal 7 with which the second identification signal 15 is displayed, is assigned to the corresponding motor vehicle 1.The use of the internal display device 13 is particularly advantageous in combination with a time-varying identification signal 15, wherein the second identification signal 15 is displayed synchronously on the internal display device 13 and on the mobile terminal 7. This allows the vehicle occupants to check the changes in the identification signal 15 on the internal display device 13 and, if necessary, to assign them to the mobile terminal 7. With such a time-varying or variable identification signal, a plurality of communication pairs, each consisting of a motor vehicle 1 and a communication partner 2, can be coded simultaneously without the risk of confusion, wherein the instantaneous display of the identification signal can be designed very simply in each case.The signal can of course be displayed smaller on the internal display device 13 than on the mobile terminal 7 or on the display device 3.

[0058] The method can also be modified such that only the first identification signal 14 is displayed on the motor vehicle 1, which is communicated to the communication partner 2 in advance, for example, by telephone. The communication partner 2 recognizes the motor vehicle 1 assigned to it based on this signal and can then draw attention to itself accordingly.

[0059] Likewise, only the second identification signal 15 can be displayed on the mobile terminal 7, so that the motor vehicle 1 or the occupants therein can locate the communication partner 2.

[0060] A further possibility of the invention is that a delivery service, for example an express delivery, a courier or a pizza delivery service, can recognize the car with the help of the display device 3 and make the delivery there.

[0061] Fig. Figure 2 shows a further modification of the invention, in which the motor vehicle 1 is a drone. This drone 1 is used to deliver packages 16. However, it has a camera 8 with which the second identification signal 15 displayed on the mobile terminal 7 of the communication partner 2 can be captured. The drone 1 can thus identify the communication partner 2 in the manner explained above and transmit the package 16 to them or pick up a corresponding package from them. This simplifies the automatic delivery of packages.

[0062] According to a further embodiment of the invention, a plurality of communication partners 2, each carrying a mobile terminal 7, can communicate and identify themselves using the method according to the invention. In this case, one or more identification signals are agreed between pairs or groups of communication partners 2, which are displayed on the respective mobile terminals 7. This makes it possible for pairs or groups of communication partners 2 to identify each other in larger groups of people without them ever having seen each other before. This is useful, for example, at conferences where appointments have been agreed in advance between different partners who have not yet seen each other. The method is equally useful for picking up unknown people at the airport or train station and thus making oneself recognizable from the crowd of other people.

[0063] In the embodiments explained above, it is also possible for several communication partners 2 to be assigned to a motor vehicle 1. This is useful, for example, in a shared taxi that picks up different people at one or more locations.

[0064] Furthermore, several motor vehicles 1 can be assigned to a communication partner 2 or a group of several communication partners 2 at the same time.

[0065] The methods explained above can also be modified such that, if the communication partners 2 are in proximity to each other, especially within sight of each other, additional identification can take place via a radio connection by exchanging corresponding identification codes. This allows for a mismatch to be detected and the communication partner 2 to be informed accordingly. List of reference symbols 1 motor vehicle 2 communication partners 3 Display device 4 central control device 5 Communication unit 6 Antenna 7 Data terminal 8 Camera 9 Navigation system 10 Control device for autonomous control 11 Drive unit 12 Steering unit 13 internal display device 14 first identification signal 15 second identification signal 16 packages

Claims

[1] Method for communicating between a motor vehicle (1) and a data terminal (7), namely a mobile terminal of a communication partner (2), namely a person, - wherein a motor vehicle (1) is used which is provided with a display device (3) with which an identification signal can be output which can be recognised by a communication partner (2) located outside the motor vehicle (1), and - the procedure comprising the following steps: - Agreeing on at least one specific identification signal of several identification signals that can be displayed on the display device (3) of the motor vehicle (1) and / or on a mobile terminal (7) that the communication partner (2) carries with him, wherein the agreement of the specific identification signal(s) is carried out fully automatically by exchanging electronic messages between the mobile terminal (7) and another data terminal that is assigned to the motor vehicle (1); and - Displaying the specific identification signal on the display device (3) of the motor vehicle (1) and / or on the mobile terminal (7), so that the motor vehicle (1) can identify the communication partner (2) and / or the communication partner (2) can identify the motor vehicle (1). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that the motor vehicle (1) has an internal display device (13) in the vehicle interior and that the identification signal displayed on the mobile terminal (7) is also displayed on the internal display device (13), and / or that the specific identification signal is displayed both on the display device (3) of the motor vehicle (1) and on the mobile terminal (7). [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the mobile device (7) - the specific identification signal is captured by a camera and - analyses the specific identification signal using an image processing device and - into a signal that can be displayed on the display device (3). [4] Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the specific identification signal is designed in such a way that it is not perceptible to the human observer. [5] Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the motor vehicle (1) has a camera (8) and an image processing device which analyses images captured by the camera (8) according to the predetermined identification signal displayed on the mobile terminal (7), wherein preferably, when this predetermined identification signal is captured with an image, the location of the mobile terminal (7) displaying the identification signal is determined on the basis of the image and a navigation device in the motor vehicle (1) is programmed accordingly. [6] Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that - both a first identification signal (14) for identifying the motor vehicle (1) - a second identification signal (15) is agreed for identifying the communication partner (2) and - that the first identification signal (14) is displayed on the data terminal (7) of the communication partner (2), - whereas the second identification signal (15) is displayed on the display device (3) of the motor vehicle (1). [7] Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that a specific colour, a specific flashing rhythm and / or a specific pattern is agreed upon as the identification signal and / or that the identification signal is time-coded. [8] Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that when the predetermined identification signal(s) are agreed upon, these are coordinated with a central database in such a way that the same identification signals are not used by different parties at the same location at the same time. [9] Motor vehicle (1) with - a display device (3) which is visible from the outside, and - a control device (4) which is designed to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the motor vehicle (1) has a communication unit (5) in order to be able to exchange messages with the mobile terminal (7) via a radio connection in order to agree on a predetermined identification signal. [10] Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 9, characterized by that the motor vehicle (1) is an autonomously controlled motor vehicle (1).

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