System for monitoring the state of charge of a vehicle

Abstract

System for monitoring the state of charge of a vehicle (10), in which at least one 3D camera (1) for recording the volumes of the cargo (40) being brought into the vehicle is arranged at an access point to a cargo space of the vehicle (10). wherein the vehicle and / or vehicle system has a wireless communication interface (50) for communication with a mobile handheld device (30) and the system is designed in such a way that information is transmitted to the mobile handheld device (30) regarding which 3D data is to be collected in addition to the existing data.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a system for monitoring a state of charge according to the preamble of the independent claim.

[0002] 3D camera systems such as time-of-flight camera systems and stereo camera systems, which enable three-dimensional recording of the environment, are suitable for surveillance.

[0003] Time-of-flight camera systems are intended to include, in particular, systems that determine distances directly from the time of light or derive the time of light from the phase shift of emitted and received radiation. PMD cameras with photonic mixer detectors (PMDs) are particularly suitable as time-of-flight or 3D cameras, as described in DE 197 04 496 A1, among others, and available, for example, from ifm electronic GmbH or PMD-Technologies GmbH as O3D cameras or CamBoards.

[0004] From US 2013 / 0323005 A1, a system for monitoring the loading status of a ship is known, in which several optical and in particular 3D sensors are arranged in each cargo hold of the ship to record the volume of the cargo.

[0005] US 2013 / 0342653 A1 shows a system that uses a 3D camera to monitor the interior of a cargo container. A 3D depth map is used to determine whether cargo is present in the container.

[0006] A comparable system for detecting fill levels in railway wagons is shown in AU 2013 237 637 A1. The system is designed to use a 3D camera to detect the fill level during the loading process, allowing a fill rate to be determined based on the dimensions, type, and capacity of the wagon.

[0007] The subsequently published DE 20 2015 008 797 U1 shows a refuse collection vehicle with a loading unit and a collecting unit for storing the load, wherein a 3D camera is provided to record the fill level of the load, which provides a 3D image for the operator and / or for initiating an automatic compaction process.

[0008] DE 10 2015 014 211 B3 further discloses an assistance device for loading a motor vehicle. For example, the load is detected in advance in a building using a detection device and transmitted to a door opening device of a vehicle, so that the corresponding access opening is already open during loading. The detection device can be designed, for example, as a 3D camera or 3D scanner.

[0009] The object of the invention is to further develop such systems for monitoring the charging status of a vehicle.

[0010] This object is achieved by the system and method according to the invention. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

[0011] Advantageously, a system for monitoring the loading status of a vehicle is provided, in which at least one 3D camera for detecting the volumes of the loaded goods is arranged on the vehicle at an access to a loading space.

[0012] This approach has the advantage that the volume of the goods brought in can be transmitted directly to the vehicle via the 3D camera.

[0013] It is particularly advantageous if this 3D camera is mounted on the vehicle in a pivoting manner, especially via a movable arm, so that even a stationary load can be scanned as comprehensively as possible by the pivoting 3D camera.

[0014] It is also helpful if a second 3D camera is installed on the vehicle, which can, for example, capture the load from a different perspective and thus collect redundant or additional information.

[0015] Furthermore, it is also advantageous if such a second 3D camera or even a third 3D camera monitors the interior of the cargo space so that the actual loading status can be recorded via this camera.

[0016] Preferably, the system is designed such that the data acquired by the 3D camera is made available to the vehicle or a vehicle system.

[0017] This procedure allows further relevant parameters to be determined in the vehicle system.

[0018] In particular, it is possible that the charging status and / or a still possible charging capacity of the vehicle can be determined based on the data obtained.

[0019] Advantageously, the vehicle and / or vehicle system has a wireless communication interface for communication with a mobile handset.

[0020] In this case, the system is preferably designed in such a way that a current charging state and / or a still possible charging capacity can be transmitted to the mobile handset via the communication interface.

[0021] Furthermore, the system is designed in such a way that 3D data, in particular volumes of the cargo, can be recorded via the mobile handset and transmitted to the vehicle system.

[0022] It is particularly useful if information is transmitted to the mobile handset about which 3D data still needs to be collected in addition to the existing data.

[0023] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0024] They show schematically: Fig. 1 an inventive monitoring of the charging process, Fig. 2 monitoring supplemented by a mobile handset.

[0025] In the following description of the preferred embodiments, like reference numerals designate like or comparable components.

[0026] Fig. Figure 1 shows an example of a situation for the use of the system according to the invention. It shows an open cargo area of ​​a vehicle or truck 10. Various objects or cargo 40 are already arranged within the cargo area. A 3D camera 1 is arranged on the door and on the roof of the cargo area, each of which monitors access to the cargo area.

[0027] An object 40 to be loaded is arranged in front of the cargo space, which, in the example shown, is captured by the two 3D cameras 1 of the vehicle 10. By capturing images from two different sides, the volume of the cargo 40 can be determined very precisely and reliably.

[0028] According to the invention, the detection of the object volume is also conceivable with only one 3D camera, but in such a case it would be advantageous to arrange the 3D camera in a pivotable manner and to move it around the object 40 to be loaded for volume or object detection.

[0029] A pivoting 3D camera also has the advantage that the detection direction can also be directed towards the interior of the cargo area, thus allowing the current loading status to be determined.

[0030] This information can be transmitted to a vehicle system, which can be used, for example, to inform the driver or to make logistical decisions in a freight forwarding company.

[0031] Fig. 2 shows an extended embodiment in which the 3D camera 1 mounted on the vehicle can be supported by a mobile handset 30, in particular a smartphone or tablet.

[0032] The mobile handset 30 preferably also has a 3D camera and can communicate with the vehicle via a communication interface 50, for example via the radio network, WLAN, Bluetooth and / or NFC.

[0033] The data transmitted by the mobile handset 30 can advantageously supplement the data acquired by the vehicle camera system 1. In particular, missing 3D data can be supplemented by combining both systems.

[0034] It is also conceivable that the system is designed in such a way that the mobile handset is informed at which positions 3D data is still required.

[0035] An application can then display these missing positions on a screen, allowing the user to scan these positions specifically.

[0036] The connection via NFC has the great advantage that complex access procedures can be avoided and the applications can therefore be designed in a user-friendly manner.

[0037] Of course, other communication channels may also be suitable depending on the application, for example, depending on the security requirements. It is also conceivable to implement communication via RFID interfaces. This list is not limiting.

[0038] Furthermore, it is conceivable to arrange the communication interface in a control element of the vehicle, for example, in a door handle and / or electronic lock. In particular, with such an arrangement, the communication channels already present in such a control element, which are connected to the on-board electronics or the vehicle system, can be shared or supplemented. If such a control element operates contactlessly, existing transmitting electrodes could also be used.

[0039] Using the mobile handheld device, the cargo can also be scanned in three dimensions during the loading process. For example, it's conceivable that all cargo items could be scanned in three dimensions before loading, and the user could receive a notification via the program indicating whether the cargo will fit in the cargo space.

[0040] After scanning the cargo, the parts list, including volume information, can then be transmitted to the vehicle via the communication interface. The distribution of goods within the cargo space can also be transmitted. If the cargo is also labeled with a barcode or RFID code, for example, the mobile device can be used to determine further information about the cargo and, if necessary, transmit it to the vehicle via the communication interface.

[0041] This system is, of course, not limited to the example shown. It can also be used to monitor, control, and specifically load cargo holds on ships, aircraft, etc.

Claims

[1] System for monitoring a loading state of a vehicle (10), in which at least one 3D camera (1) for detecting the volumes of the loaded goods (40) is arranged at an access to a loading space of the vehicle (10). wherein the vehicle and / or vehicle system has a wireless communication interface (50) for communication with a mobile handset (30) and the system is designed such that information is transmitted to the mobile handset (30) as to which 3D data still needs to be acquired in addition to the previous data. [2] System according to claim 1, wherein at least one 3D camera (1) is arranged pivotably. [3] System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a second 3D camera (1) monitors the access and / or an interior of the cargo space. [4] System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the data determined by the 3D camera (1) are made available to the vehicle (10) and / or a vehicle system. [5] System according to claim 4, wherein a charging state and / or a still possible charging capacity of the vehicle (10) is determined on the basis of the determined data. [6] System according to one of the preceding claims, which is designed such that a current charging state and / or a still possible charging capacity can be transmitted to the mobile handset (30) via the communication interface (50). [7] System according to one of the preceding claims, which is designed such that 3D data of the cargo can be recorded via the mobile handset (30) and transmitted to the vehicle system.

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