Method for customizing a vehicle display by the vehicle user

Abstract

A method is provided for a user to customize a virtual representation of a vehicle, comprising the following steps: capturing vehicle license plate information, wherein the license plate information includes in particular a text component and / or a design component, generating a representation of the license plate based on the captured license plate information, and integrating the generated representation of the license plate into the virtual representation of the vehicle.

Description

[0001] Modern vehicles feature a variety of displays to present a wide range of information to the driver. Besides displaying vehicle data such as speed, engine speed, or fuel level, these displays can also show other content, such as navigation or infotainment applications. This often includes a virtual representation of the actual vehicle.

[0002] One goal of the virtual representation of the vehicle is to ensure that the virtual representation closely resembles the appearance of the real vehicle. This is achieved, for example, by using data from the ordering and / or manufacturing process, so that the color of the virtual representation matches the actual vehicle color.

[0003] Methods for personalizing vehicle displays are known from the prior art, in which the driver can, for example, select background images or color schemes.

[0004] To further improve realism, there is a need to offer vehicle users the option to modify the vehicle's appearance, particularly regarding features that were unknown during the production process. The vehicle registration plate, in particular, offers potential in this regard, as it is an important identifying feature of the vehicle.

[0005] The present invention addresses this problem and enables the personalization of the virtual vehicle representation by integrating the display of an individualized license plate. To this end, it provides a method and a system according to the independent claims.

[0006] Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0007] In a first aspect, a procedure for customizing a virtual vehicle representation by a user is provided, comprising the following steps: capturing vehicle license plate information, wherein the license plate information includes in particular a text component and / or a design component, generating a representation of the license plate based on the captured license plate information, and integrating the generated representation of the license plate into the virtual representation of the vehicle.

[0008] The license plate information can be captured through text input and / or image capture.

[0009] The text component and / or the design component of the license plate information can be automatically extracted, especially from the image capture.

[0010] The license plate information can be transmitted to a server system, which generates the license plate display and transmits it to the vehicle.

[0011] The license plate information can be evaluated by a control unit of the vehicle, which can generate the display of the license plate.

[0012] The capture of license plate information and / or the generation of the license plate display can be done by a mobile device.

[0013] The mobile device can transmit the license plate number to the vehicle or a server system.

[0014] Corrections can be made to the license plate's display to achieve a perspective-correct integration into the vehicle representation.

[0015] In a second aspect, a system for carrying out the procedure is provided, comprising: an input unit for capturing the license plate information, a processing unit for generating the license plate representation and integrating it into the vehicle representation, and a display unit for displaying the vehicle with integrated license plate representation.

[0016] The inventive method for personalizing a virtual vehicle representation first comprises capturing license plate information of the vehicle. This can be done, for example, by entering the license plate number as text or by capturing a photograph of the license plate.

[0017] Text input can be done, for example, using the vehicle's input unit. Furthermore, the user can be asked for license plate information, such as a country or state, to automatically select a design for the virtual license plate displayed on the vehicle. It is also possible for the user to select a license plate design from a number of options, which can be displayed, for example, on the vehicle's display unit. In this way, for example, different license plate designs can be selected for the license plate display.

[0018] It can then be provided that the license plate information, e.g., the entered text and / or the design of the license plate, is transmitted to a server system that evaluates the license plate information and calculates a representation of the license plate for displaying the vehicle. The server system can then transmit the license plate representation to the vehicle. The vehicle's display is thus enhanced by adding the license plate representation to the data for displaying the license plate, particularly by supplementing the data for displaying the vehicle, which is primarily stored in the vehicle.

[0019] Alternatively or additionally, it may be possible for the license plate information, e.g., the entered text and / or the license plate design, to be evaluated by a control unit in the vehicle, which then calculates a representation of the license plate for display on the vehicle. This can be the case, for example, if the server system is unreachable or unavailable. The control unit can then calculate the license plate representation and supplement the vehicle display with the license plate representation, in particular by modifying the data for the vehicle display, which is primarily stored in the vehicle, and adding the data for the license plate representation.

[0020] Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible to capture the license plate information, specifically the text input and / or design selection, using a mobile device. The mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet, can wirelessly transmit the license plate information to the server system and / or the vehicle. The server system and / or the vehicle's control unit can then, analogous to the process described above, modify the vehicle's display to include the license plate.

[0021] Furthermore, it is also possible to take a picture of the actual license plate using a mobile device. This image can then form the basis for the license plate information. For this purpose, the image of the license plate can be analyzed using an application that, for example, extracts the text from the license plate. The application can also analyze the design of the actual license plate, in particular the appearance of the license plate itself, and, if necessary after confirmation by the user, select this design as the basis for displaying the license plate.

[0022] The application can be executed by the mobile device and / or the server system. Specifically, the mobile device can transmit the license plate image to the server system. The application extracts the license plate information and generates a representation of the license plate, as described above, which is then added to the vehicle's display.

[0023] Alternatively, the application can be run on the mobile device. The application extracts the license plate information and transmits it to the server system and / or the vehicle to generate the license plate display.

[0024] It is also possible for the mobile device to generate the license plate display itself based on the license plate information. The mobile device can then transmit the license plate display directly or indirectly to the vehicle. In particular, the mobile device can transmit the license plate display to the server system, which then transmits the license plate display to the vehicle.

[0025] Based on the captured license plate information, the license plate's appearance is generated. This appearance can include various graphic elements such as fonts, colors, or backgrounds and can be customized to the user's individual preferences.

[0026] The generated license plate representation is then integrated into the virtual representation of the vehicle. This gives the user a personalized view of their vehicle, in which, for example, the actual license plate is displayed in a customized design.

[0027] The invention is now also described with regard to the figures. They show: Fig. 1 schematically illustrates the process of the inventive method for personalizing a virtual vehicle representation, and Fig. 2 schematically the structure of a system for implementing the inventive method for personalizing a virtual vehicle representation.

[0028] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle's license plate information is captured in a first step (10), for example, through text input and / or image capture. The license plate information can therefore consist of a text component and an image or design component. The text component and / or the design component can be extracted automatically, for example, by processing the captured image. However, they can also be captured, at least partially, through user input, such as entering text for the text component and / or defining or selecting a design for the design component.

[0029] In a second step, a representation of the license plate is generated based on the captured license plate information. The license plate representation can also be generated as a three-dimensional model, a 3D model.

[0030] In a third step, the generated license plate representation is integrated into the virtual representation of the vehicle. The license plate representation can be integrated, in particular, by replacing a specific area of ​​the vehicle representation with the license plate representation. Furthermore, corrections can be made to the license plate representation, such as trapezoidal corrections or perspective corrections, to integrate the license plate representation into the vehicle representation as realistically as possible.

[0031] If the vehicle's representation is based on a 3D model of the vehicle and this model is used to generate the vehicle's display, particularly in real time on a vehicle screen, then a generated 3D model of the license plate can be integrated into the 3D model of the vehicle. After integration, the vehicle's representation, including the license plate, can be calculated (rendered) with correct perspective and displayed on the vehicle's screen.

[0032] Fig. Figure 2 shows the system according to the invention. The license plate information can be entered using an input unit, which can also be part of an input / output unit 10, e.g., a touchscreen. The vehicle's information can be displayed using a display unit, e.g., the display unit of the input / output unit 10 of the vehicle.

[0033] Preferably, a license plate information 22 is recorded that reflects a real license plate 20 of the vehicle 30. The license plate information 22 can, in particular, include at least one text component 24 and / or one design component 28.

[0034] The license plate information 22 can be captured in the vehicle 30 (arrow A) and / or with a mobile device 40 (arrow B), as described. The license plate information 22 can be captured, in particular, using a keyboard and / or an input / output unit of the mobile device 40. Alternatively or additionally, the license plate information 22 can be captured, at least partially, as image data using a camera on the mobile device 40. The mobile device 40 can run an application that evaluates image data captured by the camera. The mobile device 40 can capture the image data and transmit it to a remote server system 50 (arrow C), which runs an application that evaluates the image data captured by the camera. The mobile device 40 can capture the image data and transmit it to the vehicle 30 (arrow D), which runs an application that evaluates the image data captured by the camera.The result of the evaluation by the application is at least partially the identification information 22.

[0035] The mobile device 40 can generate the license plate display based on the license plate information 22 and transmit it to the server system 50 (arrow C). The server system 50 can transmit the license plate display to the vehicle 20 (arrow E). The mobile device 40 can transmit the license plate information 22 to the server system 50 (arrow C). The server system 50 can generate the license plate display based on the license plate information and transmit it to the mobile device 40 and / or the vehicle 30 (arrows C and / or arrow E). If the server system 50 transmits the license plate display to the mobile device 40 (arrow C), the mobile device 40 can then transmit the license plate display to the vehicle 30.

[0036] In one embodiment, the vehicle 30 integrates the license plate representation into the vehicle representation. However, it should be understood that the integration of the license plate representation into the vehicle representation can alternatively or additionally also be performed by the mobile device 40 and / or the server system 50. The vehicle 30 is then designed such that it only receives the combined representation of the vehicle with the license plate.

[0037] Finally, vehicle 30 displays the image of vehicle 60 with the integrated display of license plate 70 by means of a display unit of vehicle 30. Additionally, the image of vehicle 60 with the integrated display of license plate 70 can also be displayed on the mobile device 40.

[0038] The application, the mobile device 40, the server system 50, and / or the vehicle 30 can also perform corrections and calculations to ensure that the license plate 70 is displayed perspectively correctly in relation to the vehicle 70. The vehicle 30 can, in particular, include a processing unit for generating the license plate visualization and integrating it into the vehicle display.

[0039] The mobile device 40, the server system 50 and / or the vehicle 30 can therefore be considered as processing units that can generate the representation of the license plate 70 and / or create the integration of the representation of the license plate 70 into the representation of the vehicle 60.

[0040] It may also be possible for the user to specify individual design preferences, particularly through the application. Arrows A, B, C, D, and E illustrate possible information flows and interactions within the system.

[0041] Integrating the license plate number 70 into the vehicle 60 display offers several advantages, such as stronger user identification with vehicle 30 through personalization. The license plate information can, of course, also include a personalized license plate and / or design chosen by the user, so that the display of license plate 70 reflects the user's desired presentation.

[0042] This allows the virtual representation of the vehicle to be individually adapted to the user's preferences. The user thus receives a personalized visualization of their vehicle, in which the license plate is integrated in a design of their choosing.

Claims

[1] Method for customizing a virtual representation of a vehicle (60) by a user, comprising the following steps: - Capturing vehicle registration information (22) of the vehicle (30), wherein the vehicle registration information (22) includes a text component (24) and / or a design component (28), - Generating a representation of the license plate (70) based on the captured license plate information (22), and - Integration of the generated representation of the license plate (70) into the virtual representation of the vehicle (60). [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the identifier information (22) is captured by a text input and / or an image capture. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the text component (24) and / or the design component (28) of the mark information (22) are automatically extracted. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the license plate information (22) is transmitted to a server system (50) which generates the representation of the license plate (70) and transmits it to the vehicle (30). [5] Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the license plate information (22) is evaluated by a control unit of the vehicle (30) to generate the representation of the license plate (70). [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the acquisition of the license plate information (22) and / or the generation of the license plate representation (70) is carried out by a mobile terminal device (40). [7] Method according to claim 6, wherein the mobile terminal (40) transmits the representation of the license plate (70) to the vehicle (30) or a server system (50). [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein corrections are made to the representation of the license plate (70) in order to achieve a perspective-correct integration into the vehicle representation (60). [9] System for carrying out the method according to any one of the preceding claims comprising: - an input unit (10) for recording the license plate information (22), - a processing unit (30, 40, 50) for generating the representation of the license plate (70) and integrating it into the representation of the vehicle (60), and - a display unit for showing the vehicle (60) with integrated display of the license plate (70).

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