Control device for a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, vehicle, method, computer program and / or computer-readable medium

Abstract

Control device (100) for a vehicle (200a), in particular a commercial vehicle (200b); wherein the control device (100) is designed as a digital tachograph (101); and the control device (100) comprises: a data processing device (102) for controlling the control device (100) and for recording, determining, processing and / or storing distinguishable activities (A1, A2, A3, A4) of a user (10) of the vehicle (200a), in particular a commercial vehicle (200b), and / or the vehicle (200a), in particular a commercial vehicle (200b), associated with times (t1, t2, t3); and a display device (120) for visually displaying the distinguishable activities (A1, A2, A3, A4) associated with times (t1, t2, t3); wherein the control device (100) is configured to display a graphical representation (122) of a sequence (A) of activities (A1, A2, A3, A4) via the display device (120).

Description

[0001] The disclosure relates to a control device for a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle. The disclosure also relates to a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, a method for a control device, and a computer program and / or computer-readable medium.

[0002] Control devices or tachographs are known from the state of the art.

[0003] DE 10 2013 100 929 A1 discloses a digital tachograph for a vehicle for recording vehicle-related and / or driver-related information. The digital tachograph has a housing on which a display is arranged, so that visual information can be provided and displayed to a user. Furthermore, it includes a main processor, a security processor, a storage unit, and at least one peripheral unit as additional components.

[0004] Such a control device features a display unit to clearly, unambiguously, and ergonomically show information about vehicle movements and about the driver and passengers. For example, times can be displayed numerically. These times can be recorded separately and distinctly, and thus displayed and assigned to specific activities: driving time, time for "other work," standby time, unknown time, and work break time. Each of these time periods can be assigned a pictogram, which can be displayed alongside the time to illustrate the relationship between the respective time and the associated activity of the user and / or the vehicle.

[0005] With familiar monitoring devices, the clarity and display of activities could be improved. For example, familiar devices can only display one activity at a time, along with its associated duration. This can make it difficult to effectively gain an overview of activities.

[0006] Currently deployed tachographs include displays or indicators, but due to their design and, in particular, their resolution, they can only display, for example, two lines of text and graphic symbols or pictograms. For instance, known control devices use LCD (liquid crystal display), character displays, and / or dot matrix displays with a resolution of approximately 128 by 24 pixels. With such devices, displaying a diagram, for example, is either impossible or only possible to an inadequate degree. Clearly displaying activity changes over extended periods is therefore not feasible. Reviewing past activities and / or manually adding entries is thus cumbersome. A printout is necessary for a clear presentation of such information.

[0007] For example, to be able to manually enter activities in a clear and organized manner, an external display can be used, such as a display from a user device, like a smartphone, which can be connected to the tachograph via Bluetooth using a standardized interface (also known as "Remote HMI").

[0008] Against the background of this prior art, one objective of the present disclosure is to specify a device and a method, each of which is suitable for enriching the prior art and improving at least the aforementioned aspects of the prior art. In particular, the disclosure aims to provide reliable, effective, and easily accessible information as an output from a control device and / or to enable more effective input due to improved clarity.

[0009] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims contain further developments of the disclosure.

[0010] The problem is then solved according to one aspect of the disclosure by a control device for a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle; wherein the control device is configured as a digital tachograph; and the control device comprises: a data processing device for controlling the control device and for recording, determining, processing and / or storing distinguishable and time-related activities of a user of the vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, and / or the vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle; and a display device for visually displaying the distinguishable and time-related activities; wherein the control device is configured to display a graphical representation of a sequence of activities via the display device.

[0011] The control device enables a clear, graphical representation of activities, including activity transitions, via the display. For a more concise overview, the graphical display on the display, or on the tachograph screen, can optionally show multiple activity transitions, as the control device can graphically display a sequence of activities. This can be done in conjunction with manual activity input and / or to display activities over a specific period in the past.

[0012] The control device and its graphical display allow the user to quickly and easily obtain an overview of, for example, activity changes. This eliminates the need for printing activity data and thus saves paper. Another advantage of the control device is that, during a tachograph inspection, an inspector can quickly review the user's activity changes over a specific period in the past, which can be clearly viewed through the graphical display.

[0013] Optionally, the graphical representation displays the sequence of activities simultaneously. By displaying a temporal sequence of activities simultaneously, the activities and their transitions can be presented particularly clearly. To identify a change in activity, a change in the display, such as iterating through successive displays, each showing a single activity, may therefore be unnecessary.

[0014] Optionally, the graphical representation includes a time series. A time series can be defined as a sequence of events over time. The graphical representation thus comprises a graph that represents a temporal sequence of activities. This allows the sequence of activities to be displayed in a particularly accessible way. Furthermore, such a time series can correspond to the familiar appearance of a graph on paper.

[0015] Optionally, the graphical representation differentiates the activities using pictograms. The pictograms thus represent the activities. A pictogram can be displayed for each activity to intuitively illustrate the activities and their sequence.

[0016] Optionally, the pictograms can be arranged row by row and / or column by column. By arranging the pictograms row by row and / or column by column, i.e., one above the other and / or side by side, the graphical representation can be particularly efficient, both simultaneously and / or as a time series.

[0017] Optionally, the display device has a resolution of at least 320 x 240 pixels. It was recognized that a display device with such a resolution (QVGA) can already be suitable for reliably providing the graphical representation in a visually perceptible manner for the user.

[0018] Optionally, the control device can be configured to display an input marker along with the graphical representation. It was found that the graphical representation of the activity sequence is particularly suitable for input, allowing users to edit and / or supplement the sequence. Furthermore, the display device can show an input marker that, within the graphical representation, can indicate a time and / or an activity for which input can be made.

[0019] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, comprising the control device described above, is provided. Optionally, the control device has one or more of the features described above as optional and / or advantageous in order to achieve a related technical effect.

[0020] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a method is provided for a control device described above, comprising: retrieving the distinguishable activities linked by time; determining a display signal for the graphical representation of a sequence of activities via the display device; and outputting the display signal to the display device. Optionally, the control device incorporates one or more of the features described above as optional and / or advantageous in order to achieve an associated technical effect. Optionally, the method is carried out in such a way as to implement one or more of the features described above as optional and / or advantageous in order to achieve an associated technical effect.

[0021] 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 includes instructions that, when executed by a data processing device, cause the device to perform the method according to the disclosure and / or steps thereof. Optionally, the computer program and / or the computer-readable medium includes instructions that, when executed by a data processing device, cause the device to perform the process steps described as advantageous or optional in order to achieve an associated technical effect.

[0022] One embodiment of each is described below with reference to the figures. Fig. 1 schematically shows a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, with a control device each according to one aspect of the disclosure; Fig. 2schematically shows an output from a control device according to the state of the art; Fig. 3 schematically shows a graphical representation according to an output of a control device according to an aspect of the disclosure; Fig. 4 schematically shows a flowchart of a procedure according to one aspect of the revelation; and Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of a computer program and / or computer-readable medium according to one aspect of the revelation.

[0023] Figure 1 Figure 1 schematically shows a vehicle 200a, in particular a commercial vehicle 200b, according to one aspect of the disclosure. The vehicle 200a, in particular the commercial vehicle 200b, is hereinafter referred to as vehicle 200a, 200b. The vehicle 200a, 200b is a land vehicle. The vehicle 200a, 200b is, for example, a towing vehicle of a multi-unit vehicle combination and / or a single-unit vehicle.

[0024] In vehicle 200a, 200b, a user 10 is schematically illustrated. User 10 is, for example, a driver of vehicle 200a, 200b, i.e., a person who drives vehicle 200a, 200b and / or is responsible for driving vehicle 200a, 200b, a passenger, an inspector and / or another person.

[0025] Vehicles 200a and 200b include a control device 100. The control device 100 is configured as a digital tachograph 101. The control device 100 is designed to record the data relating to Figure 4 to carry out the described procedure 300. For this purpose, the control device 100 has according to Figure 1 a data processing device 102 and a display device 120.

[0026] The data processing device 102 is configured to control the control device 100. For this purpose, the data processing device 102 is connected to the display device 120 via communication technology. The data processing device 102 is designed to acquire, determine, process and / or store distinguishable data with times t1, t2, t3 (see Figures 2 and 3 ) linked activities A1, A2, A3, A4 (see Figures 2 and 3 The user 10 of vehicle 200a, 200b, and / or vehicle 200a, 200b has set up a system. Activities A1, A2, A3, and A4 comprise driving time, "other work," standby time, an unknown time, and a work break. Each time t1, t2, t3 can be assigned one of the activities A1, A2, A3, or A4. Activities A1, A2, A3, and A4 thus relate to an activity of user 10 and / or the operation of vehicle 200a, 200b.

[0027] The display device 120 is configured to visually display the distinguishable activities A1, A2, A3, A4, which are linked to times t1, t2, t3. The data processing device 102 is configured to determine a display signal 121 in order to generate a graphical representation 122 of a sequence A (see Figure 3 ) of activities A1, A2, A3, A4 via the display device 120. For this purpose, the display signal 121 is output from the data processing device 102 to the display device 120. The display device 120 receives the display signal 121 and presents the graphical representation 122 of sequence A visually perceptible to the user 10.

[0028] The display device 120 has a resolution of at least 320 x 240 pixels. The display device 120 can be configured for monochrome and / or color display. The resolution can be higher than 320 x 240 pixels.

[0029] Figure 2 This schematically shows an output from a control device according to the state of the art. It is... Figure 2 The system is divided into two sections (A) and (B) to allow for the manual entry of an activity A1, for example, adding an activity A1 after the user 10 has removed a card from the control device 100 and read it back in. A textual representation 128 is used, which, in addition to a pictogram P1, essentially comprises only two lines of text.

[0030] In section (A), next to a pictogram P1 representing activity A1, a description (bottom line: "Activity 1"), a date and time (each top line: "27.09. 10:55") are displayed. An input marker 125 highlights pictogram P1 to select activity A1, to edit the time t1 associated with activity A1, or to switch to another activity (not in Figure 2 to be able to switch (as shown).

[0031] Confirming the selection of activity A1 moves input marker 125 in section (B) from activity A1 to a date ("06.12") in the second line, allowing the date to be changed. A time ("09:00") in the second line can be changed in a separate step (not shown).

[0032] A time preceding or following time t1 and / or an activity preceding or following activity A1 is in Figure 2 not displayable.

[0033] Figure 3Figure 122 schematically shows a graphical representation according to an output of a control device 100 according to an aspect of the disclosure. The control device 100 according to Figure 3 is a control device 100 for a vehicle 200a, 200b. Such a control device 100 and vehicle 200a, 200b is related to Figure 1 described. Figure 3 will be with reference to Figure 1 described.

[0034] The control device 100 is configured to display the graphic representation 122 with a sequence A of activities A1, A2, A3, A4 via the display device 120. The graphic representation 122 displays the sequence A of activities A1, A2, A3, A4 simultaneously. In other words, several or all activities A1, A2, A3, A4 of the sequence A are displayed simultaneously by the display device 120.

[0035] Graphical representation 122 comprises a time series 123. Time series 123 is graphical representation 122 of the sequence A of activities A1, A2, A3, A4 as a function of time. Time is represented on a horizontally arranged (unindexed) axis. For example, a left section of graphical representation 122 represents a start time, and a right section represents an end time. Graphical representation 122 includes a withdrawal indicator 126 and an input indicator 127 for this purpose.

[0036] The withdrawal indicator 126 includes a symbol representing the removal of an identification card and a withdrawal time ("21.07. 08:08"), which represents the date and time the identification card was removed. The withdrawal indicator 126 can define the start time of the graphical representation 122.

[0037] The read indicator 127 includes a symbol representing the reading of the identification card and a read time ("03.08. 05:31"), which represents the date and time of the identification card reading. The read indicator 127 can define the end time of the graphical representation 122.

[0038] Graphical representation 122 comprises a plurality of pictograms P1, P2, P3, P4. Activities A1, A2, A3, A4 are distinguished in graphical representation 122 by means of pictograms P1, P2, P3, P4. The pictograms P1, P2, P3, P4 are arranged in rows. This allows the time series 123 to be assigned, at each of the times t1, t2, t3, to the row of pictogram P1, P2, P3, P4 corresponding to an activity A1, A2, A3. This results in a function-like graph that intuitively and thus easily illustrates the sequence A of activities A1, A2, A3, A4 as a function of time. In another embodiment (not shown) the pictograms P1, P2, P3, P4 are arranged column-wise, which also allows the times t1, t2, t3 to be arranged differently.

[0039] The control device 100 is configured to output an input marker 125 via the graphic display 122. The graphic display 122 thus includes an input marker 125. The input marker 125 represents time t1, here in the bottom row ("03.08. 05:31", where the minutes "31" are marked). Accordingly, the input marker 125 includes a marker within the time series 123 displaying time t1. The marker within the time series 123 corresponds to the value of the input marker 125 for time t1. Adding or entering an activity A1, A2, A3, or A4 can be carried out particularly efficiently using the graphic display with the input marker 125.

[0040] Figure 4 schematically shows a flowchart of a 300 procedure according to one aspect of the disclosure. The 300 procedure according to Figure 4is a method 300 for a control device 100. Such a control device 100 is related to Figure 1 and 3 described. Figure 4 will be with reference to Figure 1 and 3 described.

[0041] Procedure 300 according to Figure 4 indicates: Retrieving 310 of the distinguishable activities A1, A2, A3, A4, which are linked to times t1, t2, t3. The retrieval can include reading from a memory of the control device 100 and / or from a memory accessible to the control device 100 and / or data input.

[0042] Method 300 comprises: Determining 320 a display signal 121 for the graphical representation 122 of a sequence A of activities A1, A2, A3, A4 via the display device 120.

[0043] Method 300 includes: Outputting 330 of the display signal 121 to the display device 120.

[0044] The expert recognizes that the method 300 according to Figure 4 It can also be carried out in a different order than shown. In particular, it is possible to swap, shift, and / or perform steps of procedure 300 simultaneously.

[0045] Figure 5 Figure 400 shows a schematic representation of a computer program and / or computer-readable medium 400 according to one aspect of the disclosure. The computer program and / or computer-readable medium 400 comprises instructions 401 which, when the program or instructions 401 are executed by a data processing device 102, cause the device to execute the method 300 and / or the steps of the method 300 according to Figure 401. Figure 4 to carry out.

[0046] The 401 commands can be in the form of program code in any code or language, in particular code suitable for controlling and / or monitoring control devices 100 and / or vehicles 200a, 200b. The computer program and / or computer-readable medium 400 can be or comprise any digital data storage device, such as a USB flash drive, hard drive, CD-ROM, SD card, or SSD card. The computer program need not necessarily be stored on such a computer-readable storage medium, but can also be accessed via the Internet or otherwise. Reference symbol (part of the description)

[0047] 10 users 100 Control device 101 Tachograph 102 Data processing device 120 Display device 121 Display signal 122 Graphical representation 123 Time series 124 Resolution 125 Input marker 126 Withdrawal indicator 127 Input indicator 128 Textual representation 200a Vehicle 200b Commercial vehicle 300Procedure 310Retrieve 320Determine 330Output 400 Computer program and / or computer-readable medium 401 Commands ASequence A1, A2, A3, A4Activity P1, P2, P3, P4Pictogram t1, t2, t3Time

Claims

1. Control device (100) for a vehicle (200a), in particular a commercial vehicle (200b); wherein - the control device (100) is designed as a digital tachograph (101); and - the control device (100) comprises: - a data processing device (102) for controlling the control device (100) and for recording, determining, processing and / or storing distinguishable activities (A1, A2, A3, A4) of a user (10) of the vehicle (200a), in particular a commercial vehicle (200b), and / or the vehicle (200a), in particular a commercial vehicle (200b), associated with times (t1, t2, t3); and - a display device (120) for visually displaying the distinguishable activities (A1, A2, A3, A4) associated with times (t1, t2, t3); wherein - the control device (100) is configured to display a graphical representation (122) of a sequence (A) of activities (A1, A2, A3, A4) via the display device (120).

2. Control device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the graphic representation (122) simultaneously represents the sequence (A) of activities (A1, A2, A3, A4).

3. Control device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the graphical representation (122) comprises a time series (123).

4. Control device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the graphic representation (122) distinguishes the activities (A1, A2, A3, A4) by means of pictograms (P1, P2, P3, P4).

5. Control device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pictograms (P1, P2, P3, P4) are arranged in rows and / or columns.

6. Control device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the display device (120) has a resolution (124) of at least 320 x 240 pixels.

7. Control device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (100) is configured to output an input marker (125) using the graphical representation (122).

8. Vehicle (200a), in particular commercial vehicle (200b), comprising a control device (100) according to one of the preceding claims.

9. Method (300) for a control device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the method (300) comprises: - retrieving (310) the distinguishable activities (A1, A2, A3, A4) associated with times (t1, t2, t3); - determining (320) a display signal (121) for the graphical representation (122) of a sequence (A) of the activities (A1, A2, A3, A4) via the display device (120); and - outputting (330) the display signal (121) to the display device (120).

10. Computer program and / or computer-readable medium (400), comprising instructions (401) which, when the program or instructions (401) are executed by a data processing device (102), cause the device to perform the method (400) and / or the steps of the method (400) of claim 9.

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