Method and system for monitoring a rule-compliant supply with and / or consumption of an energy carrier medium

Abstract

The invention relates to a computer-implemented method and system for monitoring a rule-compliant supply with and / or consumption of an energy carrier medium (M) by a vehicle (F), having the following steps: during a supply process, supplying (S1) an energy carrier medium (M) to the vehicle (F) at a supply point (P); transmitting (S2) first information data (Data 1), relating to the energy carrier medium (M) supplied to the vehicle (F) during the supply process, from the supply point (P) to a backend system (BSYS) via a first data interface (INT1); transmitting (S3) second information data (Data 2), relating to the supply process, from the vehicle (F) to the backend system (BSYS) via a second data interface (INT2); evaluating (S4) the information data (Data 1, Data 2) received via the data interfaces (INT1, INT2) by means of a data processing unit in order to determine whether the supply process and / or the energy carrier medium (M) supplied to the vehicle (F) satisfy specified rules; and, by means of the backend system (BSYS), transmitting (S5) the evaluation result to a control device of the vehicle (F) and / or to a terminal of the vehicle driver and / or to a terminal of the vehicle owner.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] title

[0003] Method and system for monitoring compliant intake and / or compliant consumption of an energy carrier medium

[0004] The invention relates to a method and a system for monitoring the compliant intake and / or consumption of an energy carrier medium, in particular an eFuel, by a vehicle.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] Fuel produced using renewable energy is indistinguishable from conventional fuel. This also applies to electricity as an energy carrier. For the end consumer, such as an electric vehicle driver whose battery is being charged at a charging station, it is not easy to ascertain to what extent the charging current originates from a renewable and therefore environmentally friendly source.

[0007] Vehicles take on fuel or other energy carriers at filling stations or charging stations. At the time of taking on the energy carrier, the vehicle is located at the filling station or charging point. Various methods for determining a vehicle's position are known, such as those described in DE

[0008] 102018205430 A1 are described.

[0009] Disclosure of the invention

[0010] According to a first aspect, the invention provides a computer-implemented method for monitoring the compliant intake and / or consumption of an energy carrier medium by a vehicle, comprising the features specified in claim 1, and a corresponding system comprising the features specified in claim 18. The invention thus provides a computer-implemented method for monitoring the compliant intake and / or consumption of an energy carrier medium (M) by a vehicle (F), comprising the following steps:

[0011] Taking in an energy carrier medium in a taking-in process by the vehicle at a taking-in point (P);

[0012] Transmission of initial information data (Data 1) regarding the energy carrier medium recorded by the vehicle during the recording process from the recording point via an initial data interface (INT1) to a backend

[0013] System;

[0014] Transfer of second information data (Data 2) regarding the recording process from the vehicle to the backend system via a second data interface (INT2);

[0015] Evaluation of the information data (Data 1, Data 2) received via the data interfaces by a data processing unit to determine whether the recording process and / or the energy carrier medium recorded by the vehicle comply with predefined rules; and

[0016] Transfer of the evaluation result by the backend system to a control unit of the vehicle and / or to an end device of the vehicle driver and / or to an end device of the vehicle owner.

[0017] The above steps can be carried out at least partially in parallel.

[0018] The evaluation of the information data is preferably carried out by a data processing unit in the backend system or the cloud. This makes manipulation of the evaluation results significantly more difficult.

[0019] Another advantage is that the backend system has powerful computing resources available, enabling real-time processing of large data volumes. A further advantage is that no complex computing routines need to be implemented and maintained at either the recording point P or in the vehicle F.

[0020] Alternatively, the evaluation of the information data or the data comparison can also take place in a data processing unit of the vehicle and / or the filling station / charging point.

[0021] The method according to the invention does not require a data interface between the vehicle F and the recording point P. This significantly reduces the technical effort. Furthermore, it lowers the technical requirements for the participating vehicles and filling stations / charging points, so that a considerably larger proportion of vehicles and filling stations / charging points can be connected to the system according to the invention with minimal effort.

[0022] In one possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the first information data (Data 1) transmitted from the recording point (P) with regard to the energy carrier medium (M) recorded by the vehicle in the recording process includes a digital twin data set (DTM) of the energy carrier medium (M), which indicates an environmental compatibility of the energy carrier medium (M) available at the recording point (P), in particular its CO2 footprint.

[0023] The digital twin dataset (DTM) can map the entire supply chain of the energy carrier medium (M), i.e., from the production of the energy carrier medium (M) through its storage in a controlled storage facility or intermediate storage facilities, its transport using transport media, to the underground tank of a filling station, which contains the point of consumption or the fuel pump. The production of the energy carrier medium can include a mixing process when filling a controlled storage tank or the feeding of electricity into the grid at the time of consumption / charging. Additionally, the digital twin dataset (DTM) can map the supply chain all the way to the vehicle's fuel tank or battery, as information on the environmental compatibility of the energy contained therein at the time of consumption is also available here.

[0024] The transmitted and stored energy medium information can include the CO2 footprint of the energy carrier M transferred at the receiving point P, the proportion of renewable energy medium components in the transferred energy carrier, and / or the origin of the proportion of renewable energy medium components in the transferred energy carrier. This enables a reliable (in the sense of "verifiable") and accurate determination of the transmitted information regarding the climate and / or environmental friendliness of the energy carrier M transferred / sold to the intermediate or end consumer.

[0025] In one possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the energy carrier medium (M) comprises a fuel which is supplied from a fuel tank of a fuel filling station via a fuel pump to a fuel nozzle as the receiving point (P) for the fuel and fills a fuel tank of the vehicle during a refueling process.

[0026] In another possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the energy carrier medium (M) has an electric current which comes from an electrical power supply network of a charging station via a charging column to a charging plug as the receiving point (P) for the electric current and charges a vehicle battery of the vehicle during a charging process.

[0027] The method according to the invention can therefore be used for different energy carrier media.

[0028] In one possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the predefined rules are stored in a database of the backend system. The rules can implement local, regional, national, or supranational regulations, in particular EU regulations. This allows for centralized and consistent maintenance of the rules. Different rules can apply to different geographical areas or countries.

[0029] In one possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the vehicle's control unit controls driving functions of the vehicle and / or vehicle functions of the vehicle depending on the evaluation result obtained from the backend system.

[0030] This allows the driver to be provided with various assistance functions during the refueling process, such as support in selecting a suitable fuel for their vehicle. This protects against misfuelling with an unsuitable fuel.

[0031] In one possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the first information data (Data 1) transmitted from the recording point (P) to the backend system via the first interface (INT1) includes an identification of the recording point (P-ID), a time span of the recording process, a quantity of the energy carrier medium (M) delivered from the recording point (P) to the vehicle (F) during the recording process, and a location of the recording point (P).

[0032] In one possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the second information data (Data 2) transmitted from the vehicle (F) to the backend system via the second data interface (INT2) regarding the recording process includes an identification of the vehicle (F-ID), a time period of the recording process, a quantity of the energy carrier medium (M) received from the vehicle (F) during the recording process, and a location of the vehicle (F) during the recording process.

[0033] In one possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the data processing unit of the backend system compares the first information data (Data 1) received from the recording point (P) via the first interface (INT1) with the second information data (Data 2) received from the vehicle (F) via the second data interface (INT2) to perform a plausibility check of an upcoming, ongoing or already completed recording process, wherein a plausibility check result forms an evaluation result that is transmitted by the backend system to a control unit of the vehicle (F) and / or to an end device of the vehicle driver and / or to an end device of the vehicle owner.

[0034] The plausibility check can refer to a single recording process or to a series of recording processes.

[0035] In one possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the second information data (Data 2) received by the data processing unit of the backend system from the vehicle (F) via the second interface (INT2) comprise vehicle parameters of the vehicle, in particular regarding the type and / or quantity of at least one energy carrier medium (M) required by the vehicle's drive system. Consumption data of the vehicle F can be used for plausibility checks.

[0036] In one possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the recording point (P) detects a start and an end of a recording process for recording an energy carrier medium (M) by a vehicle (F) and generates corresponding first timestamps (TS), which are transmitted from the recording point (P) via the first interface (INT1) to the backend system as part of the first information data (Data 1).

[0037] In one possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the vehicle (F) recognizes the beginning and end of a recording process for recording an energy carrier medium (M) by the vehicle (F) and generates corresponding second timestamps (TS), which are transmitted by the vehicle (F) via the second interface (INT2) to the backend system as part of the second information data (Data 2).

[0038] The generated first and second timestamps can be used to logically link or merge the recording point P of a filling station and the vehicle F. In a possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the consumption of an energy carrier medium (M) by the vehicle's drive system and / or the fill or charge level of an energy carrier receiving unit of the vehicle and / or driving functions of the vehicle and / or the current position of the vehicle (F) during the vehicle's journey are monitored by the vehicle's control unit and reported as third-party information data (Data 3) to the backend system.

[0039] This allows for continuous monitoring of a vehicle's energy consumption. The data can be analyzed in real time and used for plausibility checks.

[0040] In one possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the data processing unit of the backend system evaluates the third information data (Data 3) received from a vehicle (F) and, depending on the evaluated third information data and the other available information data relating to the vehicle (F), generates navigation data for approaching a suitable recording point (P), which are transmitted to the control unit of the vehicle (F).

[0041] A vehicle requiring a specific fuel can thus be directed to a suitable pickup point P.

[0042] In one possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the environmental compatibility of the energy carrier medium (M) available at the recording point (P), in particular its CO2 footprint, as specified in the digital twin data set (DTM) of the energy carrier medium (M), changes dynamically over time. This can occur with electricity as the energy carrier medium during a long charging process. With fuels as the energy carrier medium, this can occur during pipeline refueling.

[0043] In one possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the method is executed in real time. In one possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the available information data of a plurality of vehicles (F) are evaluated by the data processing unit of the backend system and at least some of the stored rules are dynamically adapted depending on the evaluation results.

[0044] In one possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the evaluation results transmitted by the backend system to a control unit of the vehicle (F) and / or to an end device of the vehicle driver and / or to an end device of the vehicle owner during several recording processes are stored in a vehicle data set, which is transmitted to one or more stakeholders, who, on the basis of the received vehicle data set, implement incentive measures and / or support measures to promote a regulation-compliant intake and / or regulation-compliant consumption of an energy carrier medium (M) by the vehicle (F).

[0045] According to a further aspect, the invention provides a vehicle (F) with an energy carrier medium intake unit, which is provided for receiving an energy carrier medium (M) from a receiving point (P) in a receiving process; with a data interface (INT2) which is provided for transmitting information data (Data 2) regarding the receiving process from the vehicle (F) to a backend system and for receiving evaluation results from the backend system, wherein the evaluation results indicate whether the receiving process and / or the energy carrier medium (M) received by the vehicle (F) thereby complies with predefined rules;and with a control unit designed to control driving functions and / or vehicle functions of the vehicle (F) depending on the evaluation results received from the backend system via the data interface (INT2), and / or with a display device for displaying the evaluation results received from the backend system to a vehicle user.

[0046] According to a further aspect of the invention, a receiving point (P) provides an energy carrier medium (M) for a vehicle (F), which receives the energy carrier medium (M) from the receiving point (P) in a receiving process, wherein the receiving point (P) has a data interface (INT1) which is provided for the transmission of information data (Data 1) regarding the energy carrier medium (M) received by the vehicle (F) in the receiving process from the receiving point (P) to a backend system and for receiving evaluation results from the backend system, wherein the evaluation results indicate whether the receiving process and / or the energy carrier medium (M) received by the vehicle (F) thereby comply with specified rules.

[0047] Brief description of the drawings

[0048] Further features and advantages of the present invention are explained below with reference to the figures.

[0049] They show:

[0050] Fig. 1 is a flowchart to illustrate an embodiment of the computer-implemented method according to the invention;

[0051] Fig. 2 is a diagram to illustrate an embodiment of the system according to the invention.

[0052] As shown in the flowchart according to Fig. 1, the computer-implemented method according to the invention for monitoring a compliant intake and / or a compliant consumption of an energy carrier medium (M) by a vehicle (F) comprises several main step steps:

[0053] In a first step S1, an energy carrier medium M is taken up by the vehicle F at a pickup point P in a pickup process. This involves refueling or charging the vehicle battery of the vehicle F with electrical current.

[0054] In a second step S2, initial information data (Data 1) regarding the energy carrier medium M recorded by vehicle F during the recording process is transmitted from recording point P to a backend system BSYS via a first data interface INT1. In a third step S3, second information data (Data 2) regarding the recording process is transmitted from vehicle F to the backend system BSYS via a second data interface INT2.

[0055] The backend system BSYS thus receives information data regarding a recording process from two different units via two separate data interfaces INT1 and INT2 in parallel: on the one hand, from the recording point P of the filling station / charging station, and on the other hand, from the vehicle F.

[0056] The data interfaces INT1 and INT2 can be wired or wireless and utilize an existing communication infrastructure for data transmission, particularly mobile networks or the internet. A specific data transmission protocol is preferably employed for transmitting the information data Data1 and Data2, as well as the evaluation results, in a handshake process. The handshake data transmission protocol used is preferably suitable for real-time data transmission with low latency. Data transmission to / from the data processing unit (DVE) of the backend system is preferably cryptographically secured and can also employ challenge-response methods.

[0057] In a fourth step S4, the information data (Data 1 , Data 2) obtained via the data interfaces (INT1 , INT2) is evaluated by a data processing unit DVE to determine whether the recording process and / or the energy carrier medium M taken up by the vehicle F comply with the specified rules R.

[0058] In one possible implementation, the rules applied by the data processing unit can be stored in a database (DB) of the backend system BSYS and implement national or European environmental regulations, such as EU Regulation 2018 / 2001 and the supplementary Directives 2023 / 1184 and 2023 / 1185. These regulations contain detailed rules for determining when electricity used to produce liquid or gaseous renewable fuels of non-biogenic origin for transport can be considered fully renewable. In a fifth step (S5), the evaluation result is transmitted by the backend system BSYS to a control unit of the vehicle (F) and / or to a terminal device of the vehicle driver and / or to a terminal device of the vehicle owner.

[0059] In one possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the method is executed in real time.

[0060] An advantage of the method according to the invention is that no data exchange is required between the recording point P and the vehicle F. Consequently, it is not necessary to provide a data interface between the vehicle F and the recording point or the fuel pump / charging station of the filling station T.

[0061] In one possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the first information data (Data 1) transmitted from the recording point P via the first interface INT1 of the filling station T with regard to the energy carrier medium M received by the vehicle F during the recording process includes a digital twin data set (DTM) of the energy carrier medium M, which indicates the environmental impact of the production and transport of the energy carrier medium M available at the recording point P of the filling station T, in particular its CO2 footprint. For example, the digital twin data set (DTM) for hydrogen H2 as energy carrier medium M can indicate whether it is so-called green hydrogen, which has been produced using renewable energy sources.

[0062] The digital twin dataset (DTM) of the energy carrier medium M reflects the CO2 footprint of the respective energy carrier medium M across the entire supply chain.

[0063] When a liquid or gaseous fuel is used as the energy carrier M, the fuel is transported via a transport medium from a tank in a bonded warehouse to underground tanks at various filling stations T. The transport medium could be, for example, a tanker truck or a pipeline. From the underground tank, the energy carrier M flows via pipes to the dispensing nozzles as the delivery points P. The fuel in the bonded warehouse tank can also be a mixture of different fuel types with their corresponding CO2 equivalents. For a fuel mixture, a CO2 footprint is calculated from the CO2 equivalents of the fuel types it contains and stored in the digital twin dataset (DTM) of the mixed fuel.

[0064] In one possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the energy carrier medium M comprises a fuel which comes from a fuel tank of a fuel filling station via a fuel pump to a fuel nozzle as the receiving point P for the fuel and fills a fuel tank of the vehicle F during a refueling process as the receiving process.

[0065] A filling station T can offer various energy carrier media M, each of which is available for intake by a vehicle F via a corresponding group of filling points P at the filling station. For example, a fuel pump at filling station T comprises several fuel filling points P for different fuels or fuel mixtures.

[0066] Examples of fuels that can be used include eFuel, hydrogen (H2), compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), kerosene, gasoline, diesel fuel, marine diesel fuel, biodiesel, machine oil, palm oil, hydrogenated / hydrotreated vegetable oils (HVO), and / or paraffinic fuel. However, the examples listed here of fuels that can be used as energy carriers (M) are not exhaustive. Electricity can also be the energy carrier. In Germany, for example, the "Second Ordinance Amending the Ordinance on the Composition and Labeling of the Qualities of Fuels" published in the Federal Law Gazette, Part I, No. 169, on May 28, 2024, applies.

[0067] The transmitted and stored energy medium information can include, for example, the CO2 footprint of the energy carrier M transferred at the receiving point P, such as specifically a sustainability certificate, the proportion of renewable energy medium components of the transferred energy carrier M, and / or the origin of the proportion of renewable energy medium components of the transferred energy carrier M. The information issued to the respective intermediate or end consumer can thus specifically include the CO2 footprint of the transferred / sold energy carrier M, its proportion of renewable energy medium components, and / or their origin.In this way, a strong incentive is created for the respective intermediate or end consumer to accept / purchase an energy carrier medium M with a good CO2 footprint, a relatively high proportion of renewable energy medium components and / or their desirable origin (see also Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CS RD) (EU) 2022 / 2464).

[0068] In another possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the energy carrier medium M carries an electric current which is supplied from an electrical power supply network of an electric vehicle charging station T or charging point via a charging column to a charging plug as the receiving point P for the electric current and charges a vehicle battery of the vehicle F during a charging process. A charging column can have several charging plugs as receiving points P. The vehicle battery can be charged via a charging cable or inductively via coils.

[0069] The receiving point P serves to provide an energy carrier medium M to a vehicle F, which receives the selected energy carrier medium M in a single intake process from a receiving point P at the filling station or charging station. The receiving point P can be a charging plug, a fuel nozzle, or any other device suitable for transferring an energy carrier medium M into a designated receiving unit of the vehicle F.

[0070] The receiving point P itself, or the associated fuel pump or charging station, delivers data to a data processing unit at the filling station or charging point T, which has a first data interface INT1. This data interface INT1 is intended for transmitting initial information data Data 1 to the backend system BSYS. This initial information data Data contains information regarding the energy carrier medium M received by the vehicle F during the receiving process at receiving point P of the filling station or charging point T.

[0071] In one possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the first information data (Data 1) transmitted from the recording point P to the backend system via the first interface INT1 includes an identification of the recording point (P-ID), a time period of the recording process, a quantity of the energy carrier medium M delivered from the recording point P to the vehicle F during the recording process, and a location of the recording point P, for example, its geographical coordinates. Depending on the application, the first information data (Data 1) may include further relevant information regarding the recording process from the perspective of the recording point P.

[0072] The first data interface INT1 shown in Fig. 2 is further intended for receiving evaluation results from the backend system BSYS by the filling station or charging point T. These evaluation results received from the backend system BSYS indicate whether the charging process and / or the energy carrier medium M taken up by the vehicle F comply with predefined rules R regarding environmental compatibility, in particular with regard to the production, storage and / or transport of the energy carrier medium M. In one possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the predefined rules R are stored in a database DB of the backend system BSYS, as schematically shown in Fig. 2.

[0073] In another possible implementation, the operator of the filling station T or charging point and / or the owner of vehicle F can enter additional criteria via a user interface. These criteria, in addition to the legally mandated rules stored in the database DB, must also be observed during the registration process. For example, a vehicle owner or driver of vehicle F can specify in an input routine that they only wish to refuel with fuel whose CO2 footprint is below a certain threshold value entered by the vehicle owner via the user interface. Such additional restrictions can be transmitted to the data processing unit DVE of the backend system BSYS along with the information data Data 2 via the data transmission protocol. A vehicle owner can also be the owner of an entire fleet of vehicles F.

[0074] In one possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the second data information (Data 2) transmitted from the vehicle F to the backend system BSYS via the second data interface INT2 includes, with regard to the recording process, an identification of the vehicle (F-ID), a time period of the recording process, a quantity or volume of the energy carrier medium M received from the vehicle F during the recording process, and a location of the vehicle F during the recording process. Depending on the application, the second data information (Data 2) may include further relevant information regarding the recording process from the perspective of the vehicle F.

[0075] In one possible embodiment, the unique identification F-ID of the vehicle F can be read from an integrity-protected memory of the vehicle F and transmitted in a protected manner as part of the second information data Data 2 via the second interface iNT2 to the data processing unit DVE of the backend system.

[0076] Vehicle F can also be automatically identified at the filling station T or charging point in other ways. Possible vehicle identification methods include capturing the license plate using a camera or scanning a QR code. Furthermore, GPS data, GNSS data, or mobile network data (e.g., 5G Location Management Function LMF) can be evaluated to detect the current position of vehicle F. In one possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the identification of vehicle F and / or the driver can also incorporate an underlying electronic payment process.

[0077] Various position determination methods can be used to determine the relative position of vehicle F to the charging or refueling pump of service station T. These methods include, for example, GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Service), Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) based on RADAR (Radio Detection and Ranging) Imaging, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), Wi-Fi (Channel State Information (CSI) based location (CR / RSI / NA)), IMT (Internet Mobile Technology based location service, e.g., 5G Location Management Function LMF), ToF / PMD (Time of Flight and Photonic Mixer Devices), UWB (Ultrawideband) Tracking, RFID (active or passive Radio Frequency Identification Detection), IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), and USS (Ultrasonic Sensors).

[0078] The vehicle F can have one or more drive systems. In one possible embodiment, the vehicle F can have an internal combustion engine for burning a fuel as the energy carrier M, which is drawn from a fuel tank serving as the vehicle F's fuel storage unit. Alternatively, the vehicle F can also have an electric motor as a drive system, which is supplied by a vehicle battery serving as the electrical energy storage unit. The fuel tank level or the vehicle battery's state of charge is monitored by sensors. In another possible embodiment, the vehicle F can also have an internal combustion engine as the primary drive system and an electric motor as the secondary drive system.

[0079] In one possible configuration, vehicle F includes a vehicle communication unit (VCU) and an engine control unit (ECU) for controlling at least one of the vehicle's drive systems. The VCU incorporates the second data interface, iNT2, shown in Fig. 2. In addition to the drive control, the ECU of vehicle F includes a level sensor for measuring the fill level of a fuel tank (used as an energy carrier M) or a sensor for measuring the state of charge of a vehicle battery. Besides using a level sensor, existing sensor-based and legally mandated functions such as on-board fuel consumption monitoring (OBFCM) can also be employed. During fuel collection, the tank level or the battery's state of charge can be monitored in real time.For example, if the fuel nozzle, acting as point of intake P, dispenses a specific quantity of a particular fuel to the identified vehicle F within a specific time period and reports this quantity and time period as the first information data (Data 1) to the backend system BSYS, and simultaneously the vehicle F does not report any refueling of its tank in the second information data (Data 2) to the backend system BSYS, the intake process or refueling process in question is conspicuous and can trigger a more detailed analysis of the possible causes of the detected discrepancy.

[0080] In a potential implementation, the intake process could be evaluated according to various criteria using a traffic light system and displayed to a user or other stakeholder on a display unit. For example, a planned or completed intake process could be evaluated and displayed as permissible (green light), impermissible (red light), or conspicuous (yellow light). Conspicuous or impermissible intake processes could, for example, indicate the filling of fuel into portable canisters that do not provide any secondary data (Data 2).

[0081] The second data interface INT2 shown in Fig. 2 is further intended for receiving evaluation results from the backend system BSYS by the vehicle F. These evaluation results received from the backend system BSYS indicate whether the recording process and / or the energy carrier medium M recorded by the vehicle F comply with predefined rules R regarding environmental compatibility. In one possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, a control unit of the vehicle F controls various driving functions of the vehicle F and / or vehicle functions of the vehicle F depending on the evaluation result received from the backend system BSYS via the second interface INT2.

[0082] In one possible embodiment, the control unit contained in the vehicle communication unit (VCU) can, for example, block the opening of fuel filler caps if the driver selects an energy carrier medium M unsuitable for powering the vehicle F. The selection of a specific energy carrier medium M or pickup point P from a group of energy carriers or pickup points available at the fuel pump is detected, for example, by which fuel nozzle the driver lifts from its mounting on the pump. If the driver picks up a fuel nozzle for an unsuitable fuel, the control unit of the vehicle communication unit (VCU) of the vehicle F can automatically block the opening of the fuel filler cap and inform the driver, via a display unit in the vehicle F or via a portable device of the driver, such as their mobile phone, about the reason for the blocked fuel filler cap.

[0083] In a potential implementation, the charging process occurs without manual intervention from the driver. In one possible embodiment, the fuel nozzle and / or the charging plug are automatically inserted into the vehicle F, for example with the aid of robotic arms or similar devices.

[0084] Another possible use case is that the engine control unit (ECU) of vehicle F prevents the engine or drive from starting if it has been determined that, during the recording process, fuel unsuitable for the drive of vehicle F has accidentally entered the recording tank of vehicle F.

[0085] In a possible preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the data processing unit DVE of the backend system BSYS compares the first information data (Data 1) received from a recording point P via the first interface INT1 with the second information data (Data 2) received from the vehicle F via the second data interface INT2 to perform a plausibility check. The first information data (Data 1) originating from the recording point P is compared with the second information data (Data 2) originating from the vehicle F to determine whether the data correspond, i.e., whether they reflect a recording process for recording the energy carrier medium M in the same way. For example, the time span for the recording process can be determined from both the recording point P and the vehicle F using the timestamps TS.The two time periods can be checked to see if they coincide. The quantity of energy carrier M released from the sampling point P can be compared with the quantity of energy carrier M received by the vehicle's sampling unit F. If the sampling process was correct, the two quantities will match. The first set of data, Data 1, and the second set of data, Data 2, can be evaluated for their correlation or agreement with respect to the time, location, and quantity of the sampling process. A corresponding agreement metric can be calculated in a possible implementation.

[0086] In one possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the recording point P detects a start and an end of a recording process for the recording of an energy carrier medium M by a vehicle F and generates corresponding first timestamps (TS), which are transmitted from the recording point P via the first interface INT1 to the backend system BSYS as part of the first information data (Data 1).

[0087] In one possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the vehicle F recognizes the beginning and end of a recording process for recording an energy carrier medium M by the vehicle F and generates corresponding second timestamps (TS), which are transmitted by the vehicle F via the second interface INT2 to the backend system BSYS as part of the second information data (Data 2).

[0088] The plausibility check can also be performed onboard in a processing unit of the vehicle communication unit (VCU) of vehicle F. For this purpose, the backend system BSYS transmits the initial information data (Datal) received from the recording point P via the first data interface INT1 to the vehicle communication unit (VCU) of vehicle F via the second data interface INT2.

[0089] In another embodiment, a data interface can also exist between the recording point P and the vehicle communication unit (VCU) of the vehicle F. The first information data, Data 1, is transmitted via this interface from the recording point P to the VCU, which then performs the data comparison. Alternatively, the second information data, Data 2, can also be transmitted via this data interface from the vehicle communication unit (VCU) to a data processing unit at the filling station or charging point T. This unit compares the first information data, Data 1, with the transmitted second information data, Data 2, regarding their plausibility in relation to the associated recording process of the energy carrier medium M and provides a result of the plausibility check.

[0090] The plausibility check performed by the data processing unit (DVE) of the backend system, or by the vehicle communication unit (VCU) of vehicle F, or by any other data processing unit, based on the received information data, can relate to an impending, ongoing, or already completed recording, refueling, or charging process. The plausibility check delivers a plausibility test result as an evaluation result, which is transmitted by the backend system (GSYS) to a control unit of the vehicle F in question and / or to an end device of the vehicle driver and / or to an end device of the vehicle owner.

[0091] In one possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the second information data (Data 2) received by the data processing unit DVE of the backend system BSYS from the vehicle F via the second interface INT2 comprises vehicle parameters of the vehicle F, in particular regarding the type and / or quantity of at least one energy carrier medium M required by a vehicle drive of the vehicle F. This data is preferably stored in the vehicle and can be read out by a monitoring organization (e.g. TÜV).

[0092] In one possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the consumption of an energy carrier medium M by a vehicle drive or engine of the vehicle F and / or a filling or charging state of an energy carrier receiving unit of the vehicle F and / or driving functions of the vehicle F and / or a current position of the vehicle F during the ongoing journey of the vehicle F are monitored by the control unit of the vehicle F using sensors and reported as third information data (Data 3) via a wireless interface to the backend system BSYS (Onboard Fuel Consumption Monitor OBFCM).In one possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the data processing unit DVE of the backend system BSYS evaluates the third information data (Data 3) received from a vehicle F, and, depending on the evaluated third information data and the other available information data relating to the vehicle F, generates navigation data for approaching a suitable recording point P for the vehicle F, which are transmitted to the control unit of the vehicle F via the wireless interface.

[0093] In one possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the environmental compatibility of the energy carrier medium (M) available at the recording point P, in particular its CO2 footprint, as specified in the digital twin data set (DTM) of the energy carrier medium (M), changes dynamically over time. For example, if fuel is the energy carrier medium M, the CO2 footprint can change hourly or daily. This occurs, for instance, when the underground tank is refilled and also through subsequent recertification of the Proof of Sustainability. This is due to logistical and procedural reasons in the fuel supply chain. If electricity is the energy carrier medium, the CO2 footprint can change even every second.

[0094] In one possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the available information data (Data1, Data2, Data3) of a plurality of vehicles F are evaluated by the data processing unit DVE of the backend system BSYS. At least some of the rules R or user-defined criteria stored in the database DB of the backend system BSYS can be dynamically adjusted depending on the evaluation results. This can occur, for example, due to changes in legislation or by the vehicle owner or fleet operator. For example, a fleet operator can specify a "7%" CO2 reduction per year as a company target. Automatic adjustment or optimization of rules based on a statistical evaluation of the available information data is also possible.In one possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the evaluation results transmitted by the backend system BSYS to a control unit of the vehicle F and / or to an end device of the vehicle driver and / or to an end device of the vehicle owner during several recording processes are stored in a vehicle data record assigned to the vehicle F, which is transmitted to one or more stakeholders at certain intervals. Based on the received vehicle data record of a vehicle F, the stakeholder implements incentive measures and / or support measures to promote compliant recording and / or compliant consumption of an energy carrier medium M by the vehicle F.

[0095] The vehicle data record reflects the refueling and / or consumption behavior of vehicle F over a certain period, for example, over one year. In one possible embodiment, an average annual total footprint of vehicle F is calculated from the reported fill quantities / load quantities and the associated CO2 equivalents of the absorbed energy carrier media M and reported to the data processing unit DVE of the backend system BSYS.

[0096] The backend system BSYS can have interfaces to servers of public authorities, insurance companies, or other stakeholders. Based on the available information, various stakeholders can create incentives for the compliant intake and / or consumption of energy carrier media M.

[0097] The incentive measures can include, for example, a reduction in fees charged, in particular road tolls, leasing fees, insurance premiums, or the like. The incentive measure can also consist of opening roads or traffic times to vehicles F that compliantly take on (refuel or charge) suitable energy carrier media M and consume them sparingly while driving.

[0098] In one possible embodiment, the consumption of an energy carrier medium M can be determined from the difference in fill levels or charge states transmitted to the backend system via the second interface INT2 from two consecutively visited filling stations / charging points T. The data processing unit DVE can then calculate the vehicle F's consumption per kilometer / mile from the position data or coordinates of the two consecutively visited filling stations T. Based on the vehicle data of vehicle F (type / drive / weight), it can be determined whether the vehicle was driven economically or in an environmentally friendly manner. For example, a logistics company can use such data to monitor the fuel consumption and the overall CO2 footprint of its truck fleet and can provide fuel-efficient truck drivers with appropriate compensation as an incentive.In one possible implementation, the company can provide real-time incentives to the driver, i.e., while the vehicle is in motion. This is done, for example, via a dedicated communication channel between the company headquarters and the vehicle (e.g., via radio or telephone). The driver can also be informed via this communication channel whether they are behaving correctly with regard to company guidelines and / or legal regulations.

[0099] In a preferred embodiment, the backend system BSYS according to the invention has a portal that allows stakeholders to log in to the backend system BSYS via a portal user interface and to enter their vehicles F into the database DB of the backend system BSYS for monitoring the vehicles F. For example, a car rental company or a logistics company can register its vehicles F with the platform and then use the platform to monitor the compliant intake and consumption of various energy carrier media M by its vehicles F and to easily provide proof of this to authorities.

[0100] The system according to the invention can therefore be used in a variety of applications. User and vehicle end devices can be connected to the BSYS backend system via APIs (Application Programming Interfaces).

[0101] (See also https: / / de.wikipedia.org / wiki / Selbstbestimmte_identit%C3%A4t) According to a further aspect, the invention provides a vehicle F with an energy carrier medium intake unit, which is designed to receive an energy carrier medium M from an intake point P in an intake process. The vehicle F also has a data interface (INT2) which is designed to transmit information data (Data 2) regarding the intake process from the vehicle F to a backend system BSYS and to receive evaluation results from the backend system BSYS, wherein the received evaluation results indicate whether the intake process and / or the energy carrier medium (M) received by the vehicle (F) thereby comply with predefined rules R.

[0102] The method and system according to the invention is suitable for any vehicles F, i.e., in addition to road vehicles (cars, trucks) also for aircraft, watercraft or rail vehicles.

[0103] Vehicle F has a vehicle communication unit (VCU) with a control unit designed to control driving functions and / or vehicle functions (e.g., the fuel filler cap) of vehicle F, depending on the evaluation results received from the backend system BSYS via the data interface (INT2). Furthermore, vehicle F has a display unit intended to show the evaluation results received from the backend system BSYS to a vehicle user or driver.

[0104] According to a further aspect of the invention, a receiving point P provides an energy carrier medium M to a vehicle F, which receives the energy carrier medium M from the receiving point P in a receiving process. The receiving point P is connected to a first data interface INT1. The data interface INT1 serves, on the one hand, to transmit information data (Data 1) regarding the energy carrier medium M received by the vehicle F from the receiving point P to a backend system BSYS. On the other hand, the data interface INT1 serves to receive evaluation results from the backend system BSYS. The evaluation results indicate whether the receiving process and / or the energy carrier medium M received by the vehicle F during this process comply with predefined rules R. If this is the case, a refueling or charging process can, for example, be enabled.

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Computer-implemented method for monitoring the compliant intake and / or consumption of an energy carrier medium (M) by at least one vehicle (F) comprising the following steps: Taking up (S1) an energy carrier medium (M) in a taking process by the vehicle (F) at a taking point (P); Transfer (S2) of initial information data (Data 1) regarding the energy carrier medium (M) recorded by the vehicle (F) during the recording process from the recording point (P) via a first data interface (INT1) to a backend system (BSYS); Transfer (S3) of second information data (Data 2) regarding the recording process from the vehicle (F) via a second data interface (INT2) to the backend system (BSYS); Evaluation (S4) of the information data (Data 1 , Data 2) received via the data interfaces (INT1 , INT2) by a data processing unit to determine whether the recording process and / or the energy carrier medium (M) recorded by the vehicle (F) thereby comply with predefined stored rules; and Transfer (S5) the evaluation result to a control unit of the vehicle (F) and / or to an end device of the vehicle driver and / or to an end device of the vehicle owner.

2. Computer-implemented method for monitoring the compliant intake and / or consumption of an energy carrier medium (M) by a vehicle (F) according to claim 1, wherein the first information data (Data 1) transmitted from the intake point (P) regarding the energy carrier medium (M) taken up by the vehicle (F) in the intake process digital twin dataset (DTM) of the energy carrier medium (M) which indicates an environmental compatibility of the energy carrier medium (M) available at the recording point (P), in particular its CO2 footprint.

3. Computer-implemented method for monitoring the compliant intake and / or consumption of an energy carrier medium (M) by a vehicle (F) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the energy carrier medium (M) comprises a fuel which is drawn from a fuel tank of a fuel station via a fuel pump to a fuel nozzle as the intake point (P) for the fuel and fills a fuel tank of the vehicle (F) during a refueling process.

4. Computer-implemented method for monitoring the compliant intake and / or consumption of an energy carrier medium (M) by a vehicle (F) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the energy carrier medium (M) has an electric current which is supplied from an electrical power supply network of a charging station via a charging column to a charging plug or charging coil as the intake point (P) for the electric current and charges a vehicle battery of the vehicle (F) during a charging process.

5. Computer-implemented method for monitoring the compliant intake and / or consumption of an energy carrier medium (M) by a vehicle (F) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the specified rules are stored in a database (DB) of the backend system (BSYS).

6. Computer-implemented method for monitoring the compliant intake and / or consumption of an energy carrier medium (M) by a vehicle (F) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit of the vehicle (F) controls driving functions of the vehicle (F) and / or vehicle functions of the The vehicle (F) is controlled depending on the evaluation result received from the backend system (BSYS).

7. Computer-implemented method for monitoring the compliant intake and / or consumption of an energy carrier medium (M) by a vehicle (F) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first information data (Data 1) transmitted from the intake point (P) to the backend system (BSYS) via the first interface (INT1) comprises an identification of the intake point (P-ID), a time period of the intake process, a quantity of the energy carrier medium (M) delivered from the intake point (P) to the vehicle (F) during the intake process, and a location of the intake point (P).

8. Computer-implemented method for monitoring the compliant intake and / or consumption of an energy carrier medium (M) by a vehicle (F) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second information data (Data 2) transmitted by the vehicle (F) to the backend system (BSYS) via the second data interface (INT2) includes information relating to the intake process, an identification of the vehicle (F-ID), a time period of the intake process, a quantity of the energy carrier medium (M) received by the vehicle (F) during the intake process, and a location of the vehicle (F) during the intake process.

9. Computer-implemented method for monitoring the compliant intake and / or consumption of an energy carrier medium (M) by a vehicle (F) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the data processing unit (DVE) of the backend system (BSYS) compares the first information data (Data 1) received from the intake point (P) via the first interface (INT1) with the second information data (Data 2) received from the vehicle (F) via the second data interface (INT2) to perform a plausibility check of an impending, ongoing or already completed intake process, wherein a plausibility check result is an evaluation result forms, which is transmitted by the backend system (BSYS) to a control unit of the vehicle (F) and / or to an end device of the vehicle driver and / or to an end device of the vehicle owner.

10. Computer-implemented method for monitoring the compliant intake and / or consumption of an energy carrier medium (M) by a vehicle (F) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the second information data (Data 2) received by the data processing unit (DVE) of the backend system (BSYS) from the vehicle (F) via the second interface (INT2) comprise vehicle parameters of the vehicle, in particular with regard to a type and / or quantity of at least one energy carrier medium (M) required by a vehicle drive of the vehicle (F).

11. Computer-implemented method for monitoring the compliant intake and / or consumption of an energy carrier medium (M) by a vehicle (F) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the intake point (P) detects the start and end of an intake process for the intake of an energy carrier medium (M) by a vehicle (F) and generates corresponding first timestamps (TS), which are transmitted from the intake point (P) via the first interface (INT1) to the backend system (BSYS) as part of the first information data (Data 1), and wherein the vehicle (F) detects the start and end of an intake process for the intake of an energy carrier medium (M) by the vehicle (F) and generates corresponding second timestamps (TS), which are transmitted from the vehicle (F) via the second interface (INT2) to the backend system (BSYS) as part of the second information data (Data 2).

12. Computer-implemented method for monitoring the compliant intake and / or consumption of an energy carrier medium (M) by a vehicle (F) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the consumption of an energy carrier medium (M) by a vehicle drive of the vehicle (F) and / or the fill or charge state of an energy carrier intake unit of the vehicle (F) and / or driving functions of the vehicle (F) and / or a current position of the vehicle (F) during the ongoing journey of the vehicle (F) are monitored by the control unit of the vehicle (F) and are reported as third information data (Data 3) to the backend system (BSYS).

13. Computer-implemented method for monitoring the compliant intake and / or consumption of an energy carrier medium (M) by a vehicle (F) according to claim 12, wherein the data processing unit (DVE) of the backend system (BSYS) evaluates the third information data (Data 3) received from a vehicle (F), and, depending on the evaluated third information data and the other available information data relating to the vehicle (F), generates navigation data for approaching a suitable intake point (P), which are transmitted to the control unit of the vehicle (F).

14. Computer-implemented method for monitoring the compliant intake and / or consumption of an energy carrier medium (M) by a vehicle (F) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the environmental compatibility of the energy carrier medium (M) available at the intake point (P), in particular its CO2 footprint, as specified in the digital twin data set (DTM) of the energy carrier medium (M), changes dynamically over time.

15. Computer-implemented method for monitoring the compliant intake and / or consumption of an energy carrier medium (M) by a vehicle (F) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the method is executed in real time.

16. Computer-implemented method for monitoring the compliant intake and / or consumption of an energy carrier medium (M) by a vehicle (F) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the available information data of a plurality of vehicles (F) are processed by the data processing unit (DVE) The backend system (BSYS) is evaluated and at least some of the stored rules are dynamically adjusted depending on the evaluation results.

17. Computer-implemented method for monitoring the compliant intake and / or consumption of an energy carrier medium (M) by a vehicle (F) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the evaluation results transmitted by the backend system (BSYS) to a control unit of the vehicle (F) and / or to an end device of the vehicle driver and / or to an end device of the vehicle owner during several intake processes are stored in a vehicle data set, which is transmitted to a stakeholder who, on the basis of the received vehicle data set, implements incentive measures and / or support measures to promote the compliant intake and / or consumption of an energy carrier medium (M) by the vehicle (F).

18. System for monitoring the compliant intake and / or consumption of an energy carrier medium (M) by at least one vehicle (F), wherein the system is designed to execute the computer-implemented method according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. Vehicle (F) comprising: an energy carrier medium intake unit designed to receive an energy carrier medium (M) from an intake point (P) in an intake process; a data interface (INT2) designed to transmit information data (Data 2) regarding the intake process from the vehicle (F) to a backend system and to receive evaluation results from the backend system (BSYS), the evaluation results indicating whether the intake process and / or the energy carrier medium (M) received by the vehicle (F) comply with predefined rules; and a control unit designed to, depending on the data transmitted via the Interface (I NT2) to control the vehicle's driving functions and / or vehicle functions (F) received from the backend system (BSYS), and / or with a display device to display the evaluation results received from the backend system (BSYS) to a vehicle user.

20. Receiving point (P) for providing an energy carrier medium (M) to a vehicle (F), which receives the energy carrier medium (M) from the receiving point (P) in a receiving process, wherein the receiving point (P) is connected to a data interface (INT1) which is intended for transmitting information data (Data 1) regarding the energy carrier medium (M) received by the vehicle (F) in the receiving process from the receiving point (P) to a backend system (BSYS) and for receiving evaluation results from the backend system (BSYS), wherein the evaluation results indicate whether the receiving process and / or the energy carrier medium (M) received by the vehicle (F) in the process comply with specified rules.

Images