Electronic license plate for a motor vehicle, procedure, computer program and / or computer-readable medium, motor vehicle

Abstract

Electronic license plate (70) for a motor vehicle (50), wherein the motor vehicle (50) is in operative communication with an end device (60) of a user (55) of the motor vehicle (50), wherein the license plate (70) comprises: an output device (75) for outputting license plate information (76); a communication interface (80) configured for wireless communication; a data processing device (90) for operating the license plate (70); wherein the communication interface (80) is configured to receive identification information (61) from the end device (60); and the data processing device (90) is configured to determine the license plate information (76) based on the identification information (61) and to operate the output device (75) for outputting the license plate information (76).

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electronic license plate for a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle is operatively connected to a terminal of a user of the motor vehicle. The disclosure further relates to a method for operating an electronic license plate for a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle is operatively connected to a terminal of a user of the motor vehicle, a computer program and / or computer-readable medium, and a motor vehicle comprising an electronic license plate.

[0002] Vehicle registration plates or license plates are known from the prior art. Such a license plate can be an embossed and / or printed vehicle registration number.

[0003] Furthermore, electronic license plates or electronic vehicle license plates are known from the prior art. Such electronic license plates can have an output device for outputting a license plate number as license plate information. Furthermore, such license plates can have a communication interface to transmit, for example, information about the location of the vehicle and / or payment information. Furthermore, a design adaptation of the output is possible.

[0004] US 2002 / 021210 A1 discloses an electronic license plate having a housing with a generally rectangular configuration. The housing is mountable to the vehicle's license plate bracket and is powered by a vehicle power system. The housing has a front panel with a digital display. The digital display shows relevant license plate information of the vehicle. The information relates to a license plate number, an issuance status, and an expiration date. The housing contains a memory chip for storing the relevant license plate information. The memory chip is in communication with a main computer system of a selected authority. License plate deactivation mechanisms are in communication with the memory chip, whereby removal of the housing from the vehicle deactivates the memory chip and prevents future use of the electronic license plate.Furthermore, removing the license plate will disable the vehicle. Special status indicator mechanisms are connected to the main computer system and the memory chip, allowing a theft report entered into the main computer system to indicate such a status on the digital display.

[0005] US 2019 / 0381957 A1 discloses an electronic license plate with a digital display covered with a protective glass layer, positioned within a display frame, and electronically connected to a motherboard. A wireless communication device enables control of the content of the digital display via cellular networks or other wireless communication means. One method of using the electronic license plate enables the display and updating of relevant license plate information, as well as functions for GPS tracking, toll and parking fee payment.

[0006] DE 20 2010 006 825 U1 discloses a license plate for a motor vehicle, wherein the license plate has at least one electronic display means for displaying a single- or multi-line combination of letters and / or numbers of a vehicle license plate number and further comprises at least one display control unit or is connected to or connectable to the latter. The display of the font and layout on the display means corresponds to that of a country-specific vehicle license plate. The display control unit can be housed in the vehicle electronics.

[0007] Electronic license plates, especially those from different manufacturers, can have different features, technologies and security standards.

[0008] A license plate number can be linked to the identity of a person to whom a corresponding motor vehicle is registered and / or registered, and / or by whom the motor vehicle is operated. For example, a license plate number can be linked to a social security number. This requires a manufacturer and / or provider of an electronic license plate to have access to the social security number and / or other personal data of a potential vehicle owner. Each manufacturer and / or provider may have its own approach to this, which may expose security vulnerabilities.

[0009] Against the background of this prior art, one object of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic license plate that is suitable for enriching the prior art and improving at least the above-mentioned aspects of the prior art. In particular, the object of the disclosure is to achieve a reliable and effective linking of a license plate with personal information.

[0010] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. The subclaims contain further developments of the disclosure.

[0011] According to one aspect of the disclosure, the object is achieved by an electronic license plate for a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle is operatively connected to a terminal of a user of the motor vehicle. The license plate comprises: an output device for outputting license plate information; a communication interface configured for wireless communication; a data processing device for operating the license plate; wherein the communication interface is configured to receive identification information from the terminal; and the data processing device is configured to determine the license plate information based on the identification information and to operate the output device to output the license plate information.

[0012] It was recognized that personal data that can identify the user can be stored on a user's terminal device. The terminal device can therefore contain the identification information, with which the terminal device and / or the user can be identified. The terminal device can transmit the identification information to the electronic license plate. The electronic license plate can receive the identification information via the communication interface and process it via the data processing device. The motor vehicle can be operatively connected to the terminal device in that the motor vehicle's electronic license plate receives the identification information from the terminal device. The identification information can be used to determine the license plate information.The license plate information includes, for example, an alphanumeric sequence of letters and / or numbers as a license plate and can be displayed via the output device in order to provide the motor vehicle with a license plate.

[0013] This makes it possible to use the device's identification information to reliably identify the device or the device's user. This allows a correct license plate number to be reliably displayed. Communication between the electronic license plate and a manufacturer and / or service provider of the electronic license plate may be unnecessary. This can reduce security risks.

[0014] Optionally, the identification information includes a key associated with the terminal device and / or the user of the terminal device, and the data processing device is configured to compare the key. It has been recognized that a digital key can further improve the security and reliability of user identification. Such a digital key can, for example, be issued by a certification authority that has trusted access to the user's personal data and / or the user's social security number. The digital key can, for example, be a public key, and a private key can be stored in a data memory of the data processing device of the electronic license plate. The key pair can be used for comparison to reliably determine the user's identity.

[0015] Optionally, the data processing device is configured to process a plurality of identification information items attributable to different terminal devices and / or users. This makes it possible for the electronic license plate to receive various identification information items via the communication interface and process it by the data processing device in order to identify various users and / or terminal devices. This makes it possible for the motor vehicle with the electronic license plate to be made accessible to multiple users. This can be applied, for example, when the user changes motor vehicle and / or when a user of the motor vehicle changes, for example, in the case of rental vehicles and / or car sharing.

[0016] Optionally, the communication interface can be configured to communicate with an external vehicle server and receive comparison information. This allows the electronic license plate to verify the identification information in real time.

[0017] Optionally, the communication interface is configured to communicate with a motor vehicle control unit and to output a locking and / or unlocking signal for locking or unlocking a vehicle function. This makes it possible to control access to the motor vehicle using the identification information. If access to the motor vehicle is granted, the unlocking signal can be output to unlock and / or operate the motor vehicle, and corresponding license plate information can be output. Otherwise, if access to the motor vehicle is denied, outputting the unlocking signal may be dispensable and / or the locking signal may be output.

[0018] In other words, the above description can be summarized as follows, with reference to a specific embodiment that is described as non-limiting to the present disclosure: the disclosure relates to a digital key for digital license plates. Digital license plates are known from the prior art. Different manufacturers can offer such license plates with different technologies and security standards. Each manufacturer of an electronic license plate can pursue its own concept, which can have security gaps. Such a license plate can be linked to sensitive personal information such as the social security number. Therefore, to operate the license plate, the user must, for example, entrust the social security number to the license plate manufacturer.The core idea of ​​the disclosure is the linking of a valid digital key on a terminal device ("smart device") with the respective personal data, such as the social security number, of the user required to operate the license plate or motor vehicle. Furthermore, the integration of the digital license plate display into the vehicle's exterior and / or the use of the vehicle infrastructure, such as bus systems, security standards, power supply, and / or mobile phone connection, to control the electronic license plate is envisaged.

[0019] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a method for operating an electronic license plate for a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle is operatively connected to a terminal of a user of the motor vehicle, is provided, the method comprising: receiving identification information from the terminal; determining license plate information based on the identification information; and outputting the license plate information by an output device of the license plate. The method can be carried out such that one or more of the features described as optional with reference to the electronic license plate are implemented in order to achieve an associated technical effect.

[0020] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a computer program and / or a computer-readable medium is provided. The computer program and / or the computer-readable medium comprise instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method according to the disclosure and / or steps thereof.

[0021] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a motor vehicle comprising the electronic license plate described above is provided. Optionally, the electronic license plate has one or more of the optional features described above to achieve an associated technical effect.

[0022] Optionally, the motor vehicle has an outer shell and an on-board electrical system, and the electronic license plate is integrated into the outer shell and / or operable via the on-board electrical system. It was recognized that integrating the electronic license plate into the outer shell allows for physical integration of the electronic license plate into the motor vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, the electronic license plate can be operable via the on-board electrical system of the motor vehicle in order to functionally integrate the electronic license plate into the motor vehicle. The on-board electrical system can integrate the electronic license plate with regard to the supply of electrical energy and / or for the communication of information.

[0023] In the following, one embodiment is described with reference to the figures. Fig. 1 schematically shows an electronic license plate and a motor vehicle, each according to an aspect of the disclosure; and Fig. 2 schematically shows a flow diagram of a method according to one aspect of the disclosure.

[0024] Fig. 1 schematically shows an electronic license plate 70 and a motor vehicle 50, each according to an aspect of the disclosure. Fig. 1 a user 55, a terminal 60 and an external server 95.

[0025] The user 55 is a user of the terminal device 60 and, for example, the owner of the terminal device 60. The terminal device 60 is, for example, a smartphone, a wearable, a tablet, a portable computer and / or a key for opening, closing and / or operating the motor vehicle 50.

[0026] The user 55 has arranged for identification information 61 and a key 62 to be stored on the terminal 60 in an electronic data memory (not shown) of the terminal 60. The identification information 61 comprises personal data that can identify the user 55, and the key 62 is assigned to the identification information 61, the terminal 60, and / or the user 55 of the terminal 60.

[0027] The identification information 61 is entered by the user 55 and / or issued by an external certification authority. The key 62 is information associated with the user 55 and / or the identification information 61, which is used to verify and / or determine the non-repudiation of the identification information 61. The key 62 can be one of a key pair.

[0028] The user 55 is also a potential user or owner, renter and / or driver of the motor vehicle 50.

[0029] The motor vehicle 50 is, for example, registered and / or authorized for operation on public roads. For this purpose, the motor vehicle 50 comprises an electronic license plate 70. The electronic license plate 70 is designed to display the Fig. 2 described procedure 100. For this purpose, the electronic number plate 70 has Fig. 1 comprises an output device 75, a communication interface 80 and a data processing device 90.

[0030] The output device 75 is configured to output license plate information 76. For this purpose, the output device 75 comprises a display based on electronic paper, an LC display, and / or an OLED display. The output device 75 comprises a pixel matrix and / or a segment display. The output device 75 can be controlled by the data processing device 90 to visually display the license plate information 76. The license plate information 76 comprises an alphanumeric sequence of characters, symbols, pictograms, and / or images.

[0031] The communication interface 80 is configured for wireless communication. The communication interface 80 is configured to receive identification information 61 from the terminal device 60. For this purpose, the communication interface 80 is configured, for example, for communication via Bluetooth and / or ultra-wideband technology (UWB) and can be connected to the terminal device 60 for data transmission.

[0032] The communication interface 80 is configured to communicate with a vehicle-external server 95 and to receive comparison information 96. The vehicle-external server 95 is a server provided and / or operated by the motor vehicle manufacturer or a cloud. For the license plate 70 to communicate with the server 95, the communication interface 80 is configured to communicate via a wireless local area network (WLAN) and / or a mobile network. Via the communication interface 80, the electronic license plate 70 can transmit a request to the server 95 to verify the identification information 61 and / or the key 62. As a result of verifying the identification information 61 and / or the key 62, the server creates the comparison information 96 and transmits the comparison information 96 to the communication interface 80.

[0033] Alternatively or additionally, the electronic license plate 70 is configured to access a vehicle-side communication interface (not shown) to communicate with the terminal 60 and / or the server 95. The vehicle-side communication interface is configured, for example, for communication with the vehicle-external server 95 and / or the terminal 60. For this purpose, the communication interface is configured for communication via a wireless local area network (WLAN), a mobile network, Bluetooth, and / or UWB.

[0034] The communication interface 80 is configured to communicate with a motor vehicle control unit 53 and to output a locking and / or unlocking signal 54 for locking or unlocking a vehicle function. The vehicle function is, for example, a function for opening and / or operating the vehicle. If the user 55 is permitted access to the motor vehicle 50, the motor vehicle 50 can be unlocked. Otherwise, if the user 55 is denied access to the motor vehicle 50, the motor vehicle 50 can be locked and / or remain locked.

[0035] The data processing device 90 is configured to operate the license plate 70. The data processing device 90 is configured to determine the license plate information 76 based on the identification information 61 and to operate the output device 75 to output the license plate information 76. The data processing device 90 is configured to compare the key 62, optionally taking into account the comparison information 96. The data processing device 90 is configured to process a plurality of identification information 61 that can be assigned to different terminal devices 60 and / or users 55.

[0036] The motor vehicle 50 has an outer skin 51. The outer skin 51 comprises, for example, components of a body of the motor vehicle 50 and / or components of windows, doors, and / or flaps of the motor vehicle 50.

[0037] The electronic license plate 70 is integrated into the outer skin 51. In another embodiment (not shown), the electronic license plate 70 is a separate component from the motor vehicle 50 or the outer skin 51 and can be mounted on the outer skin 51 of the motor vehicle 50.

[0038] The motor vehicle 50 according to Fig. 1 has an on-board electrical system 52. The on-board electrical system 52 comprises a fieldbus or a BUS system and / or a CAN bus and / or an electrical power supply. The electronic license plate 70 can be connected, for example, to the vehicle-side communication interface via the on-board electrical system 52. The electronic license plate 70 can be operated via the on-board electrical system 52. The electronic license plate 70 can be supplied with electrical power via the on-board electrical system 52.

[0039] The motor vehicle 50 is operatively connected to the terminal device 60 of the user 55. The operative connection can consist solely in the intention of the user 55 and / or potential user 55 to use the motor vehicle 50, whereby the identification information 61 is transmitted from the terminal device 60 to the electronic license plate 70 of the motor vehicle 50.

[0040] Fig. 2 schematically shows a flow diagram of a method 100 according to one aspect of the disclosure. The method 100 according to Fig. 2 is a method 100 for operating an electronic license plate 70 for a motor vehicle 50, wherein the motor vehicle 50 is operatively connected to a terminal 60 of a user 55 of the motor vehicle 50. Such a motor vehicle 50 is described with reference to Fig. 1 described. Fig. 2, the reference to Fig. 1 described.

[0041] The procedure 100 according to Fig.2 comprises: receiving 110 an identification information 61 from the terminal 60.

[0042] The method 100 comprises: determining 120 a license plate information 76 based on the identification information 61.

[0043] The method 100 comprises: outputting 130 the license plate information 76 by an output device 76 of the license plate 70. Reference symbol (part of the description) 50 motor vehicles 51 Outer skin 52 On-board network 53 Motor vehicle control unit 54 Lock and / or unlock signal 55 users 60 devices 61 Identification information 62 keys 70 electronic license plate 75 Dispensing device 76 License plate information 80 Communication interface 90 Data processing device 95 servers 96 Comparison information 100 procedures 110 Receive 120 Determine 130 Issues QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] US 2002 / 021210 A1

[0004] US 2019 / 0381957 A1

[0005] DE 20 2010 006 825 U1

[0006]

Claims

[1] Electronic license plate (70) for a motor vehicle (50), wherein the motor vehicle (50) is in operative connection with a terminal (60) of a user (55) of the motor vehicle (50), wherein the license plate (70) comprises: - an output device (75) for outputting identification information (76); - a communication interface (80) configured for wireless communication; - a data processing device (90) for operating the license plate (70); wherein - the communication interface (80) is configured to receive identification information (61) from the terminal (60); and - the data processing device (90) is configured to determine the license plate information (76) based on the identification information (61) and to operate the output device (75) to output the license plate information (76). [2] Electronic license plate (70) according to claim 1, wherein the identification information (61) comprises a key (62) associated with the terminal (60) and / or the user (55) of the terminal (60), and the data processing device (90) is configured to compare the key (62). [3] Electronic license plate (70) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the data processing device (90) is configured to process a plurality of identification information (61) assignable to different terminals (60) and / or users (55). [4] Electronic license plate (70) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication interface (80) is configured to communicate with a vehicle-external server (95) and to receive comparison information (96). [5] Electronic license plate (70) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication interface (80) is configured to communicate with a motor vehicle control unit (53) and to output a locking and / or unlocking signal (54) for locking or unlocking a vehicle function. [6] Method (100) for operating an electronic license plate (70) for a motor vehicle (50), wherein the motor vehicle (50) is operatively connected to a terminal (60) of a user (55) of the motor vehicle (50), the method (100) comprising: - receiving (110) identification information (61) from the terminal (60); - determining (120) a characteristic information (76) based on the identification information (61); and - Outputting (130) the license plate information (76) by an output device (76) of the license plate (70). [7] Computer program and / or computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when the program or instructions are executed by a data processing device (90), cause the device (90) to carry out the method (100) and / or the steps of the method (100) according to claim 6. [8] Motor vehicle (50) comprising the electronic license plate (70) according to one of claims 1 to 5. [9] Motor vehicle (50) according to claim 8, wherein the motor vehicle (50) has an outer skin (51) and an on-board network (52), and the electronic license plate (70) is integrated into the outer skin (51) and / or operable via the on-board network (52).

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