Method and access control system for projecting a light pattern around a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for projecting a light pattern (1) around a vehicle (2) using a lighting device (3) of the vehicle (2), wherein the light pattern (1) is designed to contain a code, an optical reading device (4) detects the light pattern (1), and an arithmetic unit (5) connected to the reading device (4) identifies the code of the light pattern (1) and executes an operation according to the information described in the code. The method according to the present invention is such that a central processing unit (9) generates a code, first transmits the code to the vehicle (2) and the arithmetic unit (5), the arithmetic unit (5) is integrated or connected to an access control station (6), checks whether a code matching the code described in the light pattern (1) exists in the memory of the arithmetic unit (5), and if a matching code exists, retracts an obstacle (8) controllable by the access control station (6) that blocks the entrance of the area (7) so that the vehicle (2) can enter the area (7), and if the arithmetic unit (5) determines that no matching code exists in the memory, leaves the obstacle (8) at the entrance of the area (7) as it is.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for projecting a light pattern around a vehicle using a vehicle lighting device of the kind as defined in detail in the preamble of claim 1, and to an access control system of the kind as defined in detail in the preamble of claim 9.

Background Art

[0002] Garage door openers are generally known from the prior art, for example, from the specification of German Patent Application Publication No. 102005058144. For comfortable opening of the door, the motor for operating the garage door can be controlled by a wireless remote control. Since this wireless remote control can be carried in the vehicle, a user who wants to park in the garage does not need to get out of the vehicle to open the garage door. However, the disadvantage in this case is that it is necessary to carry the wireless remote control, which takes up space in the vehicle and slides around during driving, making an unpleasant noise. Also, if the wireless remote control is forgotten, the garage door cannot be opened. Furthermore, the wireless remote control can be stolen, which may allow a third party to enter the garage.

[0003] Also, access control systems for areas separated from the public road network, such as private parking lots, multi-story parking lots, or company premises, are known. To enter such an area, generally, it is necessary to pass through a gate or a surveillance post. To identify a vehicle whose entry into the area is permitted, a card equipped with an RFID chip can be used. The disadvantages described in relation to the wireless remote control also apply to such cards. In addition, such chip cards can be easily duplicated. Furthermore, to read the RFID chip, the vehicle has to be brought close to an appropriate reading device (reader). This makes it more difficult for a vehicle that cannot stop, for example, because a VIP is on board and stopping is dangerous, to enter the area.

[0004] Furthermore, automated toll booths are also known. In this case, as an identification function for vehicles that have already paid, the license plate of each vehicle can be stored, and at the toll booth, this license plate is detected by a camera system. When the license plate is detected, the vehicle is permitted to enter the toll road. However, a drawback of such a system is that it is particularly easy to sneak through. For example, an attacker only needs to duplicate the license plate of a permitted vehicle and attach it to their own vehicle.

[0005] From U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 0032874, a method for controlling a moving vehicle is also known. By this method, it becomes possible to control a self-driving vehicle using a mobile terminal such as a tablet computer, and the mobile terminal can be used to inform the vehicle which empty parking space it should park in. To connect the mobile terminal to the vehicle, the vehicle projects an optical pattern such as a photoelectric code around it and causes the mobile terminal to scan this optical pattern. The mobile terminal transmits the scanned information to the vehicle either wirelessly or by having the vehicle read the display of the corresponding photoelectric code this time. When the mobile terminal transmits the correct optical pattern to the vehicle, the connection between the mobile terminal and the vehicle is completed.

[0006] Furthermore, German Patent Invention No. 102020130473 describes a method and a system for projecting an image object according to distance using an HD matrix headlight.

[0007] Also, German Patent Application Publication No. 102016010373 discloses a method and a device for detecting the open state of a garage door.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] The present invention is based on the object of providing an improved method and corresponding system for vehicle access management to an area, which can be carried out particularly simply, comfortably, safely and with high reliability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] Based on the present invention, this object is achieved by a method for projecting a light pattern around a vehicle using a lighting device of the vehicle, having the features of claim 1, and by an access management system provided with the features of claim 9 which is set up therefor. Advantageous configurations and developments will become apparent from the claims which are dependent on those claims.

[0010] In a method for projecting a light pattern around a vehicle using a lighting device of the vehicle of the type mentioned at the beginning, the light pattern is designed to include a code, an optical reading device detects the light pattern, an arithmetic unit connected to the reading device identifies the code of the light pattern, and an operation is executed according to the information described in the code. Based on the present invention, a central arithmetic unit generates a code and first transmits the code to the vehicle and the arithmetic unit. The arithmetic unit is integrated or connected to an access management station, checks whether a code matching the code described by the light pattern exists in the memory of the arithmetic unit, and if a matching code exists, retracts an obstacle controllable by the access management station that blocks the entrance of the area so that the vehicle can enter the area, and if the arithmetic unit determines that no matching code exists in the memory, leaves the obstacle at the entrance of the area as it is.

[0011] By the method according to the present invention, vehicle access management to an area can be carried out particularly simply, conveniently, safely and reliably. In other words, there is no need to carry a wireless remote control, a chip card or other objects for identification, so there is no risk of losing or stealing them. Furthermore, it is also suppressed that the comfort of vehicle occupants is impaired by objects rolling around in the vehicle interior. Furthermore, the light pattern is relatively difficult to replicate compared to, for example, a number plate.

[0012] The optical reading device may be, for example, a camera. By fixing and installing this camera at the entrance of the area, the periphery of the entrance can be detected. In particular, since the optical reading device can recognize the optical pattern during the running of the vehicle, it becomes possible to manage the entrance without the need to stop the vehicle.

[0013] The obstacle blocking the entrance to the area may be, for example, a gate barrier, a telescopic hydraulic cylinder, a general-purpose gate, a garage door, etc. Therefore, the area may be a garage, for example, a private parking lot such as a private underground parking lot in a multi-family housing facility, or a company's site or a military facility. The optical reading device may be incorporated into the corresponding garage or installed in the garage area, and can recognize (detect) the optical pattern projected from the vehicle onto an upright object such as a road or a wall. The obstacle may be a virtual boundary line also called a so-called geofence. In the case of a geofence, a penalty may be imposed if the vehicle or the user of the vehicle enters the area without permission. However, by the projected optical pattern, the vehicle can convey to the entrance management station that it has permission to enter the area, whereby the vehicle's entry into the area is permitted (without penalty).

[0014] The central processing unit may be formed by, for example, a cloud server. After receiving a manual request from, for example, a vehicle user or an operator of the access control station, the central processing unit generates a code and transmits the code to the vehicle and the computing unit in a corresponding form, for example, wirelessly. To receive the code, the vehicle includes a telematics unit and a control unit suitable for managing the code and controlling the lighting device. Mobile terminals such as smartphones and tablet computers can also be connected to the vehicle, in which case the mobile terminal is communicatively connected to the central processing unit. Therefore, on the mobile terminal, a corresponding application configured to provide the functions of the method according to the present invention can be executed. The computing unit integrated or connected to the access control station can receive the code from the central processing unit via a cable, for example, via the Internet.

[0015] In particular, the code generation request to the central processing unit includes identifiers corresponding to each vehicle and each access control station. This makes it possible for each access control station to be assigned to the corresponding vehicle permitted to enter the area. The identifiers of each vehicle and the computing unit can also be determined by the central processing unit itself according to the application.

[0016] The code generated by the central processing unit is stored in the computing unit and the vehicle (control unit) for a long time and can be used every time when managing the vehicle entry into the area.

[0017] However, preferably, the central processing unit generates a new code every time before the vehicle enters the area and transmits this to the computing unit and the vehicle. Thereby, even if an attacker grasps a certain optical pattern and uses the optical pattern for projection with his own vehicle, entry is no longer permitted for that optical pattern, so that vehicle entry management can be performed particularly safely. Instead, the vehicle and the access control station use a new individual optical pattern including the corresponding code for each access control.

[0018] The central computing device can be instructed by the vehicle user to manually generate and transmit a code. For example, while the vehicle user is stopped in front of an obstacle, the vehicle user can input an operation through the man-machine interface of the vehicle or using a mobile terminal connected to the vehicle, thereby instructing the central computing device to generate and transmit a code. The transmission of the new code / light pattern can also be coordinated with the start of the projection of the light pattern by the vehicle.

[0019] According to a further advantageous form of the method, the light pattern is executed by an optoelectronic code. The optoelectronic code is, for example, a one-dimensional bar code such as a bar code or a two-dimensional pattern such as a matrix code or a QR code (registered trademark). Such an optoelectronic code can incorporate a relatively large amount of data into a relatively small light pattern. Furthermore, the optoelectronic code is read by the optical reading device regardless of the direction and arrangement of the optical reading device with respect to the light pattern projected around. This enables particularly reliable code detection. The corresponding light pattern can also be projected onto any surface such as the ground on which the vehicle travels, or an upright obstacle such as a wall. Generally, the light pattern may be formed, for example, by a blinking pattern, particularly a Morse signal. However, this has the disadvantage that it is necessary to output the light pattern for a relatively long time to transmit a relatively large amount of information, and the time required for vehicle identification becomes long.

[0020] Furthermore, in a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, at least one vehicle headlight is used to project the light pattern. Since vehicle headlights are normally directed in the direction of travel of the vehicle, the light pattern can be projected onto the road surface in front of the vehicle. A vehicle about to enter the area is normally facing the area with its front, so projecting the light pattern in front of the vehicle is particularly suitable for the recognition of the light pattern by the optical reading device. By projecting the light pattern simultaneously with both vehicle headlights, it is possible to make the light pattern appear particularly clearly and brightly. In particular, the vehicle headlights are implemented as so-called high-resolution matrix headlights. This makes it possible to generate a wide variety of light patterns with little effort.

[0021] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the light pattern comprises wavelength components that at least partially belong to the infrared spectrum. Using infrared light for the generation of the light pattern has the advantage that people do not perceive the light pattern. In other words, projecting the light pattern does not interfere with people. Accordingly, the optical reading device is set to detect infrared light. In this case, it is possible to output the light pattern in the infrared spectrum simultaneously while operating lighting such as low beam or high beam. This saves the driver from having to worry about interrupting the low beam or high beam, or suppresses the temporary inability to recognize the surroundings due to darkness.

[0022] Furthermore, a light pattern generated mainly in the visible spectrum may not be detected by the optical reading device because it is canceled out by other light sources such as particularly bright streetlights and the sun. Since other electrical lighting such as the above-mentioned streetlights and sunlight have no or only little intensity in the infrared spectrum, the light pattern belonging to the infrared spectrum is difficult to cancel out, and thus the detection by the optical reading device can be improved.

[0023] Furthermore, according to a further advantageous embodiment based on the present invention, the light pattern is projected onto the surroundings for a period of less than 100 milliseconds, preferably less than 10 milliseconds, and particularly preferably less than 1 millisecond. This is a very short projection time frame, and in particular, a projection time that is imperceptible to humans. This also prevents people from being disturbed or obstructed by the irradiation of the light pattern. In addition, since an attacker needs to accurately record an image of the light pattern when the light pattern is irradiated, projecting the light pattern for such a short projection time makes it difficult for the attacker to duplicate the code.

[0024] Preferably, the light pattern is projected onto the surroundings several times in succession. For example, the light pattern can be projected onto the surroundings by pulses at a specific frequency. At this time, in order to enable the light pattern to be recognized by an optical reading device, the vehicle lighting device and the optical reading device must be synchronized with respect to the projection frequency and the scanning frequency (scan rate) according to the projection time. When the optical reading device is, for example, a camera, since the scanning frequency of the camera matches the projection frequency, when the vehicle projects the light pattern onto the surroundings by the lighting device, the camera always records a camera image.

[0025] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, during the authentication period, a sequence of at least two different light patterns is projected onto the surroundings, and when the sequence of light patterns recognized by the reading device matches the sequence of light patterns read from the memory of the arithmetic unit, the arithmetic unit permits entry into the area. The sequence of light patterns is determined by the central processing unit and transmitted to the vehicle and the arithmetic unit. The vehicle and the arithmetic unit can store a database of possible light patterns, and those light patterns are read by the vehicle and the arithmetic unit according to the sequence received from the central processing unit. This makes it possible to improve the reliability and safety of the vehicle entry management into the area. Therefore, it is no longer sufficient for an attacker to simply replicate a specific light pattern; the attacker also needs to grasp each sequence of correct light patterns. In particular, before the vehicle enters the area, a new sequence of light patterns can be determined by the central processing unit each time. This makes it even more difficult for an attacker to enter the area.

[0026] Preferably, when the distance from the vehicle to the access control station is below a predetermined value, the vehicle automatically starts projecting light patterns onto the surroundings. This enables particularly comfortable access control for the vehicle user. Therefore, the vehicle user does not need to input a manual control operation to enter the area.

[0027] The distance to the vehicle entry management station is calculated by the vehicle itself, for example, by comparing the position of the vehicle and the position of the entry management station on a digital road map. The vehicle can calculate its own position based on a global navigation satellite system such as GPS, Galileo, Beidou, GLONASS, etc. The vehicle or the entry management station may be equipped with a transponder or a corresponding receiver, whereby the approach of the vehicle to the entry management station can be detected. The vehicle may be equipped with one or more cameras for recognizing the surroundings, and the camera images generated by the one or more cameras are evaluated using an image recognition algorithm. Thereby, features specific to the entry management station are recognized, and thereby the vehicle can accurately identify which entry management station it is approaching. Next, the vehicle begins to project the light patterns necessary to obtain entry permission for each entry management station onto the surroundings.

[0028] Generally, it is also possible to input a manual control operation action so as to project a light pattern onto the surroundings. In this case, the person driving the vehicle manually selects each entry management station so that an appropriate light pattern is projected from the vehicle.

[0029] In an entry management system including a central processing unit, a vehicle, at least one entry management station, and a computing unit integrated or connected to each entry management station, based on the present invention, each component of the entry management system is set to execute the method described above. The vehicle may be any vehicle such as a passenger car, a truck (goods vehicle), a van, a bus, a construction machine, etc.

[0030] Further advantageous embodiments of the method according to the present invention are also apparent from the examples described in detail below with reference to the figures.

[0031] The only figure is a schematic top view of a vehicle whose entry from an entry management station to an area is permitted by projecting a light pattern onto the surroundings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0032]

Figure 1

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0033] Vehicle 2 is provided with a control unit 11 for controlling the lighting device 3 of vehicle 2, for example, two vehicle headlights 10 as shown in FIG. 1. By the lighting device 3, a light pattern 1 is projected around vehicle 2. For example, the light pattern 1 is projected onto the ground in front of the traveling direction of vehicle 2.

[0034] The light pattern 1 includes a code that permits vehicle 2 to enter area 7. At this time, the light pattern 1 is particularly implemented as an optoelectronic code, for example, a QR code (registered trademark) as shown in FIG. 1.

[0035] The code can be executed in an appropriate manner. For example, the QR code (registered trademark) shown in FIG. 1 can include, as shown in the figure, the identifier of the access control station 6, the identifier of vehicle 2, and the expiration date.

[0036] The light pattern 1 is recognized by an optical reading device 4, for example, a camera. This is possible even in the moving vehicle 2 as indicated by the arrow. The data generated from the optical reading device 4 is evaluated by the arithmetic unit 5. For this purpose, the arithmetic unit 5 can identify the code of the light pattern 1 and check whether the corresponding code is in the memory of the arithmetic unit 5. If there is a corresponding code, the arithmetic unit 5 controls the access control station 6 to retract the obstacle 8 so that vehicle 2 can enter area 7.

[0037] At this time, the code is generated by the central processing unit 9 and distributed therefrom to the vehicle 2 and the arithmetic unit 5. In order to communicate with the central processing unit 9, the vehicle 2 is equipped with a wireless communication interface 12, such as a telematics unit. This telematics unit is connected to the control unit 11 to store the code in the control unit 11.

[0038] For example, by inputting a manual operation into the man-machine interface, the user of the vehicle 2 can cause the central processing unit 9 to generate a code. At this time, the central processing unit 9 receives the identifier of the access control station 6 or the arithmetic unit 5, as well as the identifier of the vehicle 2. Next, each vehicle 2 and each arithmetic unit 5 receive the code. Therefore, every time the vehicle 2 arrives in front of the access control station 6, a new code is generated and transmitted to the vehicle 2 and the arithmetic unit 5.

[0039] At this time, the central management of the code by the central processing unit 9 has the advantage that the user can enter the area 7 easily and comfortably even if the vehicle 2 is changed. For example, the identification of the user can be carried out in each vehicle 2, for example, by a user name and password, or via an application executed on a mobile terminal such as a smartphone. In response to this, the central processing unit 9 transmits a code suitable for each vehicle 2 used by the user. The user does not need to carry other authentication objects such as a wireless remote control, a transponder, or a key card. By using the optical pattern 1 for identifying each user or vehicle 2 by the code, it also becomes difficult for an attacker to obtain the right to enter the area 7.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0040]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Claims

1. A method for projecting a light pattern (1) around a vehicle (2) using a lighting device (3) of the vehicle (2), wherein the light pattern (1) is designed to include a code, an optical reading device (4) detects the light pattern (1), and an arithmetic unit (5) connected to the reading device (4) identifies the code in the light pattern (1) and executes an operation according to the information described in the code. In the method, a central processing unit (9) generates the code, first transmits the code to the vehicle (2) and the arithmetic unit (5), the arithmetic unit (5) is integrated or connected to an access control station (6), checks whether a code that matches the code described in the light pattern (1) exists in the memory of the arithmetic unit (5), and if a matching code exists, retracts an obstacle (8) controllable by the access control station (6) that blocks the entrance of the area (7) so that the vehicle (2) can enter the area (7); if the arithmetic unit (5) determines that there is no matching code in the memory, the obstacle (8) at the entrance of the area (7) remains as it is. A method characterized by the above.

2. The central processing unit (9) generates a new code every time before the vehicle (2) enters the area (7) and transmits this code to the arithmetic unit (5) and the vehicle (2). The method according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. The light pattern (1) is designed as an optoelectronic code. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above.

4. At least one vehicle headlight (10) is used to project the light pattern (1). The method according to claim 1 or 3, characterized by the above.

5. The light pattern (1) includes wavelength components belonging to at least partially the infrared spectrum. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the above.

6. The light pattern (1) is projected around in less than 100 milliseconds, preferably less than 10 milliseconds, particularly preferably less than 1 millisecond. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the above.

7. The light pattern (1) is projected around the periphery several times in a row. The method according to claim 6, characterized by the above.

8. During the authentication period, a sequence of at least two different optical patterns (1) is projected onto the surroundings, and when the sequence of the optical patterns (1) recognized by the reading device (4) matches the sequence of the optical patterns (1) read from the memory of the arithmetic unit (5), the arithmetic unit (5) permits entry into the area (7). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that.

9. When the distance from the vehicle (2) to the access control station (6) is less than a predetermined value, the vehicle (2) automatically starts the projection of the optical pattern (1) onto the surroundings. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that.

10. An access control system comprising a central processing unit (9), a vehicle (2), at least one access control station (6), and an arithmetic unit (5) integrated or connected to each of the access control stations (6), An apparatus for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 An access control system characterized by.

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