DE102016014450B3 - Method for detecting a vehicle identification means of a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for detecting a vehicle identification means of a vehicle, wherein in a first step at least one detection module for detecting the vehicle identification means and / or the vehicle is put into operation, wherein the detection module at least one detection element, in particular an optical camera, and an interface module for processing the image data captured by the detection element and subsequent transmission of the processed image data to a processing element, in a further step the detection module detects a parking space occupancy and / or authorization of a parking module of the vehicle, preferably uniquely assigned, of the vehicle by means of the detection element and the interface module the processed image data is transmitted to the processing element, and in a further step, the processed image data by means of the processing element with authorization data a database permission is granted, and wherein the detection module comprises a radiation emitter which emits electromagnetic radiation in the visible or infrared range, wherein electromagnetic radiation emitted by the radiation emitter from the vehicle identification means is reflected back to the detection element, the interface module and / or the processing element classifying the vehicle identification means and / or the vehicle from the acquired image data and / or the processed image data, so that the comparison of these data with the authorization data is a classification comparison of data classes of the image data with data classes Includes authorization data.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for detecting a vehicle identification means of a vehicle, a detection module and a detection network for detecting a vehicle identification means according to the respective preambles of the claims 1 , 7 and 8.

The method described here for detecting a vehicle identification means of a vehicle comprises a first step, in which at least one detection module for detecting the vehicle communication means and / or the vehicle is put into operation, wherein the detection module at least one detection element, in particular an optical camera, and an interface module for Processing the image data captured by the detection element and then transferring the processed image data to a processing element.

In a further step, the detection module detects a parking space / parking space occupancy and / or authorization and / or occupancy duration of the parking module of the vehicle, preferably uniquely assigned parking space of the vehicle by means of the detection element, wherein the interface module transmits the processed image data to the processing element ,

In a further step, the processed image data are compared by means of the processing element with authorization data of a database and / or from the encoding of the data (image data and / or processed image data) itself (for example, E-plate) or by communication with another external device or module which may be either a detection module described herein or a third-party system, where a matching of the processing image data with at least one data set of the database is granted a parking space authorization, and wherein the detection module comprises a radiation emitter emitting electromagnetic radiation in the visible or infrared range, and wherein electromagnetic radiation emitted by the radiation emitter is reflected back from the vehicle identification means to the detection element.

However, such methods for detecting a vehicle identification means of a vehicle are already known from the prior art. For example, methods for vehicle identification and / or license plate recognition according to the publications are known DE 44 02 612 C2 . DE 200 02 052 U1 and DE 101 53 148 A1 whose disclosure content is hereby fully incorporated by reference. That is, each of the features disclosed in these references also belongs to the disclosure of this patent application.

Also known is from the US 2015/0 138 001 A1 an automated system for managing one or more parking spaces, comprising a vehicle identification detector for detecting vehicles in a parking space area, a dynamically updatable display device mounted in the parking area, and a computer subsystem that dynamically updates the display device with messages or images includes in real time to the operator of the vehicle that is parked. The system can be dynamically configured to operate either as a reserved parking system or as a paid parking system. The system has an optional billing and payment module that integrates with the information provided by the system to manage the collection and transfer of parking fees. The system has an optional event notification module for managing the automatic notification and ticketing of vehicles that are not allowed to park in the parking lot.

The US 2004/023036 A1 shows an apparatus and method for automatically monitoring and controlling entry and exit of vehicles to and from a secured facility and various areas within the facility. A variety of cameras, such as infrared-sensitive cameras, capture images of license plates and / or optically readable passive tags from vehicles driving in and around the grounds. The system will also be upgradeable to connect to electronic vehicle identification systems (EVI) as soon as all vehicles send out such information. Alternatively, the system can be configured to work with RF tags, provided that all vehicles entering the site are equipped with such devices and the appropriate sensor technology is installed as part of the site's infrastructure. One of the advantages of the system outlined in this application is the use of the license plate number or the low cost passive, optically readable tag as a unique vehicle identifier.

The US 2014/0210646 A1 shows a parking management system that facilitates driver guidance, payment, detection of violations and enforcement of regulations through high-accuracy occupancy detection, unique vehicle identification and guidance displays. The system makes it possible to find parking spaces faster, reduce traffic jams, pinpoint infringements, simplify enforcement, and increase payments and enforcement revenues To increase cities. A system for facilitating intersection management is also described, which is applicable to intersections and level crossings.

However, the already known methods have the disadvantage that they are difficult to adapt to the respective operational requirements and cost-intensive or their commissioning by necessary external components such as loops, photoelectric sensors or (distance) sensors designed consuming. One reason for this was that the sensing modules used so far are only statically mountable in front of a parking lot, heavy and not very compact.

Another reason was that the occupancy state and / or the direction of travel were determined by external devices such as photoelectric sensors, ground loops, distance sensors or other external signals and an additional necessary logic.

Detection modules of the type already known are therefore often designed in the form of permanently mounted columns which can optically capture the parking space in its entirety.

However, if one wanted to remove a detection module from the parking monitoring, this could only be done with great effort and appropriate mechanical disassembly of the detection module.

Also, it has not been possible to determine and / or predict directions of movement of the vehicle identification means passing by the detection module. In addition, it has not been possible to offer a fast, cost-effective system on the basis of which a classification assignment could be carried out.

Based on this, it is therefore an object of the following invention to solve the above-mentioned problems.

In order to solve this problem, in at least one embodiment, the present invention makes use, inter alia, of the idea of incorporating the detection element, the interface module, the processing element and the radiation emitter in a common housing, wherein the detection module is designed to be portable.

According to the invention, the interface module and / or the processing element classify the acquired image data and / or the processed image data, the vehicle identification means and / or the vehicle, so that the comparison of these data with the authorization data and / or an authorization code makes a classification comparison of data classes of the image data with data classes the authorization data.

The idea of generating and handling the data classes described above and below, therefore, makes possible a particularly elegant and inexpensive possibility of guaranteeing more energy-efficient operation of the entire device.

A data class (also called an object type) in object-oriented programming is an abstract model or a blueprint for a number of similar objects.

The class serves as a blueprint for the mapping of real objects into software objects and describes attributes (properties) and methods (behaviors) of the objects. In general, one could also say that a class corresponds to the data type of an object. Formally, a class does not allocate any memory at program execution time, but always only objects that have been instantiated by it.

In particular, a real object can correspond to one, preferably exactly one, specific data class.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the data classes of the image data and / or the data classes of the authorization data, which are at least partially created or managed at least partially by the interface module and / or the processing element, or are stored in the latter, correspond to a data type of one captured by the detection element or in the database stored real object, such as a vehicle registration number, a vehicle height, a vehicle width, a noise level of a vehicle, a vehicle color, vehicle type, vehicle shape and / or a vehicle class correspond.

According to the invention, a classification of the image data on the basis of motion vectors and / or changes caused by motion in / image (s) is carried out such that first of all a motion profile from the interface module and the temporal movement of the vehicle identification means and / or the vehicle / or the processing element is created relative to the detection element, wherein the movement profile of the vehicle identification means and / or the vehicle comprises Bewegungsvektoren desselbigen.

Detection and classification of objects from the optical information can therefore be based on motion vectors which are available, for example, either directly from or generated by the detection element, the processing element and / or the interface module.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the vehicle identification means and / or the vehicles are combined to form so-called data blocks or data clusters by the processing element and / or the interface module and / or by an external computer, which are then classified in their shape and / or extent.

For the purposes of the invention, a data cluster is a group of data objects with similar properties. The amount of clusters found in a data set is referred to as clustering, a method of calculating such a clumping as a cluster analysis. Non-clustered data objects are known as outliers, outliers or noise.

The core idea of a cluster is that data objects in the same cluster have "similar" properties and are different from objects that are not in the same cluster.

In the case of only one vehicle identification means and / or vehicle, this can also be assigned to one, preferably exactly one, Blop or cluster.

This may therefore be advantageous, since incorrect analyzes by disturbing external influences such as sudden exposure by, for example, the sun or internally by controls of the optical component can be excluded by the majority. The tracking of the objects also allows a statement about the direction of movement and thus also about the length of stay. This information can usefully be coupled with the license plate information (= information of the vehicle identification means) in order to obtain a clear assignment to the vehicle. The license plate information can also be used to deduce from its structure, that is the combination of letters and numbers, to the country of origin. For example, German license plates consist of one to three letters for the administrative district, followed by one to two letters and then by two to four digits. This can be advantageously exploited for statistical analysis purposes.

The structural design of the detection module can do justice to concerns of vandalism protection and ease of installation and care. In this case, preferably a small inconspicuous optics, for example, needle eyeprocessing is used, which is easily hidden in a (robust) sign, there for example a text such as "Only for electric vehicles" and there again, for example, in the letter "o".

Another variant would be to accommodate the optics in one of the lights of a traffic light, as this could be used if necessary for the illumination of the license plate. It is also conceivable a suitable attachment to the ground in the street or in a device provided for such as a threshold, to ensure the best possible view of the license plate.

The optics can also be provided to protect against weather such as sun or rain with a suitable everted nose whose edges can be rounded.

It is also conceivable that from a single vehicle identification means or a plurality, in particular grouped together, a vehicle identification means, a history of this vehicle identification means associated motion profiles in the comparison device and / or in the interface module and / or in the detection element is stored or is. If several modules are combined, a restriction or rejection of the other vehicles from the group can then also take place with limited use of a group of vehicles, that is, for example, only one vehicle from a group is simultaneously entitled to use a parking space of a group of parking spaces.

If the vehicle identification means is detected again by the detection element, a deviation of this newly detected motion profile from one or more previously detected motion profiles can be detected by the comparison device and / or by the interface module and / or by the detection element. This allows a statement about a possibly unauthorized driver who uses the previous car.

It can therefore be determined on the basis of the deviation of the current movement profile of the previous movement profiles, whether there is another driver in the vehicle. This may correspond to an anti-theft device. A parking space barrier can be controlled by determining this movement profile deviation, specifically. Therefore, if the motion profile deviation deviates too far from the previous motion profiles, the parking space barrier can be blocked.

The abovementioned motion profile deviation may be a deviation of the current motion profile from the motion profile generated immediately before and / or a deviation of the current motion profile from a motion profile average of previous motion profiles generated in the arithmetic mean.

If the deviation then calculated exceeds a deviation limit value or deviation limit values, then the alarm function shown above, in particular the parking space lock, is generated.

For example, a motion profile within a detection range of the detection element is acquired by the detection element during a predetermined time interval. The movement profile therefore comprises a position of the vehicle identification means within this detection range as a function of the time point corresponding to this position during the predetermined time interval. In other words, a motion profile may be formed on a plurality of location-time value pairs.

It is conceivable that the predetermined time interval (= measurement time) starts to run when the detection element notices a retraction of the vehicle identification means in its detection area. Ending, the time interval at the time when the vehicle identification means within the detection range after a predetermined time period again, no longer moves and is then parked ready. Alternatively, however, a time before or after ending for the time end of the time interval is conceivable.

Now, if this current measurement is completed and then the vehicle identification means is moved again, it can be determined on the basis of the previously calculated deviation whether when parking the authorized driver had moved the car. If this is not the case, that is, a deviation limit was detected in motion profiles during the previous parking, an alarm function, such as an audible and / or visual alarm and / or a parking space lock is triggered when moving the vehicle.

Also, the detection module can be set up and also provided for having such a form factor and / or such dimensions, so that the detection module can be hand-held without technical aids.

In particular, the detection module may have such a housing, which has side length dimensions of at most 40 cm. In other words, therefore, the acquisition module is a modular, mobile component that can either be executed as part of an overall system or independently as an independent system.

In addition, the detection module described here solves the often occurring problem that in the field of battery charging stations, the parking spaces, which are assigned to these battery charging points are occupied by accidentally passing electric and / or electric hybrid cars or unauthorized by vehicles with internal combustion engine. This is because such parking charging stations rarely occur in public places, but the demand for electric cars is steadily increasing. By means of the detection module described here, it is particularly easy to determine whether an authorized or unauthorized vehicle is parked in the parking lot.

In this context, "authorized vehicle" is such a vehicle which has a usage authorization for a specific battery charging point and / or for a specific parking space.

If it is determined by the recognition module that it is an authorized vehicle, it is conceivable that the battery charging station is enabled by the recognition module for the period of time that this vehicle remains in the parking space.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that a power supply of the detection module is maintained via a charging power line of the battery charging point. In addition, the individual battery charging stations can communicate with one another via their respective recognition module in terms of data technology. But even the single charging station can communicate with its associated detection module.

Furthermore, in at least one embodiment, the processing module of the recognition module may also be a controller of the battery charging station. It is conceivable in this context namely that in such a case, the processing module of the detection module itself unlocks the battery charging station and / or controls the charging function in terms of charging current and charging voltage.

It is also conceivable that the detection module described here is used as an access control module. In such a case, the processing module of the recognition module can control an access barrier for access control according to the adjustment processes already described above or, in the case of access roads without a barrier, record the respective authorization of the vehicles arriving or departing. Also an application of the Recognition module as a fuel terminal control or for single-seat counting in a logistics process or in the field of car-sharing for the assessment of authorized / unauthorized occupancy of parking spaces or to assess the duration or the time of occupancy is conceivable.

At parking spaces in hotels or at VIP parking spaces in garages or parking garages, the technology can be used to assign and control customer-specific authorizations. In particular, the intended use of the parking space can also be monitored within predefined markings. It can happen that some vehicles are mistakenly parked so that two parking spaces are occupied. For traffic counts or traffic surveys, such as how many vehicles move from where to where to how often, an anonymized variant, in which the plain text codes are one-to-one coded, is of particular advantage in order to take data protection into account.

In this case, the housing, preferably completely, may be formed with a metal or a plastic. For this purpose, it is conceivable that the housing consists of two separate housing halves, which are mechanically connected to each other via suitable connecting means, such as screws. However, it is also conceivable that the housing is formed with a single, in particular metallic, block. In addition, the housing may be free of a non-metallic visible light transparent cover. Namely, it has been recognized that a non-metallic cover (transparent glass or plastic) may cause unnecessary leakage at a plastic-metal interface.

It is also conceivable that the housing is free of an optical window for detecting the vehicle identification means. Namely, the detection element incorporated in the detection module may be an infrared sensor / emitter which does not require an optical inspection window. Alternatively or additionally, however, the detection element may also be attached to the outside of the housing.

The detection element can initially provide the interface module with an image of the vehicle as part of an OCR recognition. By means of operating software can then be reduced to the few bytes (7 bytes for the example flag R-EY517) this amount of data (for example, 800x600 = 480,000 bytes for b / w), in which the license plate (= vehicle identification means) hides.

In addition, exactly one acquisition module can be assigned to exactly one parking space, thus creating a one-to-one association.

In addition, the installation site can be equipped with another camera for manipulation monitoring and integrated into the (overall) system.

The installation on or in barrier or gas station systems is possible without much effort.

The power supply of the acquisition module is possible by cable with an external power source or locally by a solar module.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the method for detecting a vehicle identification means of a vehicle described here comprises a first step, in which at least one detection module for detecting the vehicle communication means and / or the vehicle is put into operation, wherein the detection module comprises at least one detection element, in particular an optical camera, and an interface module for processing the image data captured by the detection element and then passing the processed image data to a processing element.

In a further step, the detection module detects a parking space occupancy and / or authorization of a parking module of the vehicle, preferably uniquely assigned, of the vehicle by means of the detection element, wherein the interface module transmits the processed image data to the processing element.

In a further step, the processed image data are compared by means of the processing element with authorization data of a database, wherein in a match of the processing image data with at least one data set of the database is granted a parking space authorization, and wherein the detection module comprises a radiation emitter, which electromagnetic radiation in the visible or infrared range and electromagnetic radiation emitted by the radiation emitter is reflected back from the vehicle identification means to the detection element.

According to the invention, the detection element, the interface module, the processing element and the radiation emitter are installed in a common housing, and wherein the detection module is designed to be portable.

According to the invention, a classification of the image data on the basis of motion vectors is carried out in such a way that initially a movement profile is created by the interface module and / or the processing element relative to the detection element from the temporal movement of the vehicle identification means and / or the vehicle, wherein the movement profile of the vehicle identification means and The processing element and / or the interface module, by means of an external computer, combine the vehicle identification means and / or the vehicles to form so-called data blocks or data clusters, which are then classified in their shape and / or extent.

According to at least one embodiment, a plurality of detection modules form a detection network, wherein the detection, processing and / or propagation of the image data of each detection element (slave) is controlled by at least one control device, wherein the control device forms a control network together with the detection modules.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the control device is installed integrated in one of the detection modules. This can mean that one of the detection elements, in addition to or as an alternative to its detection activity, assumes the role of the master for controlling the other detection modules of the control network.

The advantage of the master / slave architecture is that not every acquisition module has to communicate with a central office, but that only one or a few masters, which are mounted cheaply, do this. This is reflected in the reinforced concrete construction in car parks, which severely limits wireless communication.

A possible data exchange via power cable reduces the cabling effort.

Another variant controls a visible traffic light or an LED treadmill that displays light signals according to the authorization.

The mounting of the detection module to housings can be done with angle templates to detect lateral access situation and to allow a planar alignment of the camera to the outer housing. A weather protection nose with preferably rounded edges can also protect against weather influences such as sun or rain and vandalism.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the control network can be subdivided by means of at least one VLAN switch into at least two network segments (VLAN), which are only logically separated from one another, wherein each of the acquisition modules is triggered by the VLAN switch and / or the control device by each of the Network segments is controlled.

If, for example, a parking garage and its individual parking spaces are equipped for detecting the vehicle identification means with the detection modules according to the invention described above, then often hundreds of detection modules form a very large detection network. In order to be able to categorize individual acquisition modules in a particularly simple manner (according to different priorities, different operators), in one embodiment, instead of a physical network subdivision, a "virtual", that is to say VLAN, subdivision is selected. This ensures that it is possible to respond to changes in the categorization of the detection modules in such a parking garage particularly quickly and without costly conversion work.

For this purpose, the VLAN switch can be installed in at least one of the detection modules or in a separate component.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, a prioritization of the individual network segments is carried out, in particular with regard to their data exchange, by means of the VLAN switch.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, each acquisition module and / or each network segment is assigned at least one VLAN ID, wherein at least one acquisition module can be actuated via each of the VLAN IDs.

Namely, such systems are also known, based on a traditional network in which the entire control network comprises a plurality of only physically separate subnets and each subnet comprises at least one separate switch to which the terminals are connected. Suitable routers then usually communicate across subnet boundaries. Each subnet can include its own IP range and sometimes its own name services.

In order to communicate over network boundaries, static project-dynamic routes are therefore used in the prior art. This model of separation is clear and concise and has been used for years. However, this has the disadvantages that broadcast requests in the subnet are visible to all subscribers and must be viewed by the endpoints. In other words, so far, different terminals could only be allocated via respective subnets separate and physically separate switches are controlled. However, such a construction is particularly costly and extensive in design.

As already mentioned above, the design of each subnetwork with a separate switch and separate physical data lines is thus avoided, so that a single physical structure can be applied to the entire network, whereby this physical structure, that is to say network architecture, is based only on a logical network , in particular also mathematical, distinction, that is thought, is separated.

In this case, the abbreviation "VLAN switch" denotes such a network switch, which is set up and intended to operate a network in the form of a virtual local area network (VLAN).

In this respect, the network segments now claimed, which may each be in the form of a VLAN network, thus enables the separation of the network into a plurality of logical segments, ie, the network segments.

Unlike the physical separation through the assignment to a switch port, the devices are logically separated by a VLAN ID when disconnected by VLANs. In this case, the data stream of each station is provided with an identifier (the VLAN "tag"). This identifier determines the affiliation of a data packet to a specific VLAN. All devices with the same VLAN ID are now in a logical network.

In particular, a broadcast can be limited by the logical separation of the individual networks. Broadcasts are distributed only to members of the same VLAN and not to all controls attached to the switch.

This also contributes not only to a higher performance, but also to greater security, because the traffic is limited to fewer addressees. In addition, users or controls on a VLAN usually have no way to break out of the assigned VLAN. An access (or attack) to another computer that does not belong to its own VLAN can therefore already be prevented by the network switch. If a cross-VLAN communication is necessary, routes can be set up explicitly for this purpose.

In particular, it should be understood that the VLAN technology described herein may be one that is compliant with and / or compatible with the industry standard IEEE 802.1Q.

The IEEE 802.1Q standard is a IEEE-standard prioritization and VLAN technology that implements packet-based tagged VLANs, unlike the older, port-only VLANs. The term "tagged" derives from the English term "material tags".

Therefore, tagged VLANs are networks that use network packets that have a specific VLAN tag.

In particular, data fields for V-LAN tagging are defined in the 802.1Q standard, which can be introduced in the data area of an Ethernet packet.

In this respect, the present network may be in the form of an Ethernet communication system.

This has the advantage that usually existing, older switches can forward such packets. The inserted tag typically consists of multiple fields, for example four fields of 32 bits in length.

For the protocol ID will be 2 bytes, for the Priority field 3 Bit, for Canonical format indicator 1 Bit and used for VLAN ID 12 bits.

To uniquely identify a VLAN, each VLAN is therefore first assigned a unique number. One calls therefore this number VLAN ID. A discovery engine equipped with VLAN ID = 1 can communicate with any other device in the same VLAN, but not with a device in another VLAN, such as a VLAN ID. Eg ID = 2, 3, ....

In order to differentiate between the VLANS, an Ethernet frame is extended by 4 bytes according to the IEEE 802.1Q standard. Of these, 12 bits are provided for recording the VLAN-I D, so that (without the use of Canonical format) theoretically 4096-2 = 4094 VLANS are possible.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, prioritization of the individual network segments, in particular with regard to their data exchange, is made possible by means of the VLAN switch.

It is conceivable that the individual logical network connections according to an OPC standard, that is, for example, in the form of OPC UA connections are formed. In particular, it is conceivable that per network segment several OPC UA endpoints with different IP address, VLAN ID and prioritization in accordance with the IEEE 802.1Q standard mentioned above are available via the control device.

If a network segment, which has a unambiguous, preferably one-to-one, allocated a specific VLAN ID, has a higher priority than a logical segment of which different network segment has a correspondingly different VLAN ID, then the control device and / or the VLAN switch to be provided initially to prefer the data exchange of the higher-priority network segment, in order to allow processing of the lower-priority network segment only after removal of the tasks assigned to this higher-priority network segment. In other words, in general: assignment and configuration of the OPC UA endpoints to a specific network segment according to the VLAN ID and assignment of a priority according to the priority of the corresponding VLANs.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, each control element is assigned at least one VLAN ID, and each network segment is assigned at least one, for example exactly one, unique, preferably one-to-one, VLAN ID, whereby at least one control element can be controlled via each of the VLAN IDs.

In this context, the following scenario is generally conceivable with regard to the prioritization of the individual network segments:

It is conceivable that the network comprises several controls, for example four controls. At least these controls therefore together form a processing center with different prioritized data exchange. For this purpose, each of the control elements may comprise an OPC UA interface as described above or a corresponding OPC UA server, with each OPC UA server of a network segment offering, for example, three endpoints. These endpoints are therefore represented by three differently configured addressable VLAN IDs of the respective VLAN network.

For example, an endpoint (ie, an IP address) offers OPC UA services with a low priority (from at least 200 to a maximum of 500 ms) and is therefore assigned to a network segment (VLAN) with a lower priority. For example, typical services, such as hosts from other areas such as BDE, MES and ERP, and even more distant hosts (remote maintenance) can be made available on this logical network segment.

The second endpoint, d. H. the second IP address, provides OPC UA services with a medium priority (at least 50 to 100 ms) and is therefore assigned to a medium priority network segment. In this logical network segment, services are typically provided for the visualization devices or smart devices (tablets,...).

The third endpoint, d. H. the third IP address, provides OPC UA services with the highest priority (from at least 1 to at most 10 ms) and is therefore assigned to a high priority network segment. In this logical network segment, services are typically offered for other controllers for cross-communication.

In other words, in other words, via the unique identification of each network segment via the unique, preferably unique, assigned VLAN ID, a separate control of the component of the acquisition module based exclusively on logical separation is possible, in particular also by a single VLAN switch, without the individual ones Control networks would have to be subject to their separate activation of a physical network separation.

Nevertheless, the network described herein may include a switch (eg, a convertible switch) by means of which one can choose between a physical subdivision of the network and a VLAN subdivision as described above.

The invention further relates to a detection module for detecting a vehicle identification means. The features disclosed for the above method are also disclosed for the detection module described here, and vice versa.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the detection module for detecting a vehicle identification means of a vehicle comprises at least one detection element, in particular an optical camera, as well as an interface module for processing the image data captured by the detection element and subsequent transmission of the processed image data to a processing element.

In addition, by means of the detection module, a parking space occupancy and / or authorization of a parking module of the vehicle, preferably uniquely assigned, of the vehicle can be detected by means of the detection element and the processed image data can be transmitted to the processing element by means of the interface module, wherein the processed image data are transmitted by means of the Processing element are comparable to authorization data of a database, wherein at a match of the processing image data with at least one data set of the database is granted a parking space authorization, and wherein the detection module comprises a radiation emitter which emits electromagnetic radiation in the visible or infrared range, wherein emitted from the radiation emitter electromagnetic radiation is reflected back from the vehicle identification means to the detection element

According to the invention, the detection element, the interface module, the processing element and the radiation emitter are installed in a common housing, wherein the detection module is designed to be portable.

In this case, the detection module described here has the same advantages and optional configurations as the method described here.

The invention further relates to a detection network for detecting a vehicle identification means. The features disclosed for the above method and the detection module described above are also disclosed for the detection network described here, and vice versa.

According to at least one embodiment, the detection network comprises a plurality of detection modules of the type described above, wherein the detection modules are in data communication via a control network, and wherein the detection, processing and / or transfer of the image data of each detection element (slave) by at least one control device ( Master), wherein the controller together with the detection modules form the control network.

In this case, the detection network described here has the same advantages and optional configurations as the method described here and the detection module described here.

In the following, the method described here as well as the detection network described here will be explained in greater detail on the basis of an exemplary embodiment and the associated figures.

The 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a detection module described here with the housing open.

The 2 shows in a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a detection module described here, when it is mounted on license plate stand of a parking lot.

The 3 shows a schematic plan view of an embodiment of a detection network described here.

In the exemplary embodiments and the figures, the same or equivalent components are each provided with the same reference numerals. The illustrated elements are not to be considered as true to scale, but individual elements may be exaggerated to better understand.

In the 1 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a detection module described here 2 for detecting a vehicle identification means 1 of a vehicle 10 shown. The acquisition module 2 includes a housing 24 from two metallic half-molds, which are detachably connected to each other via snap and / or screw. The two half-forms form a cavity in which all other elements of the detection module 2 are positioned.

In addition, the detection module described here includes 2 at least one detection element 21, in particular an optical camera, and an interface module 22 for processing of the detection element 21 captured image data B1 and then passing the processed image data B2 to a processing element 25 , wherein by means of the detection module 2 a parking space occupancy and / or authorization of the parking module of the vehicle, preferably uniquely assigned to the detection module 2 10 by means of the detection element 21 detectable and by means of the interface module 22 the processed image data B2 to the processing element 25 are transmittable, and wherein the processed image data B2 by means of the processing element 25 with authorization data B3 a database 3 are comparable, wherein at a match of the processing image data B2 with at least one record 30 the database 3 parking entitlement is granted, and wherein the acquisition module 2 a radiation emitter 23 which emits electromagnetic radiation in the visible or infrared range, wherein of the radiation emitter 23 emitted electromagnetic radiation from the vehicle identification means 1 to the detection element 21 is reflected back, the detection element 21 , the interface module 22 , the processing element 25 and the radiation emitter 23 in a common housing 24 are installed, and wherein the detection module 2 is designed portable.

In the 2 is that in the 1 described acquisition module 2 at one end of the acquisition module 2 clearly assigned parking lot arranged. In particular, the acquisition module 2 detachably mounted on a parking lot marking means. The acquisition module 2 now detects if a vehicle enters its assigned parking space. After an occupancy of the parking lot by the vehicle 10 detects the detection module 2 via its detection element 21 preferably fully automatically the road license plate (= vehicle identification means 1 ) of the vehicle 10 and resembles the image data B1 thus with the database 3 from. If now no match of the image data B1 or the processed image data B2 , with those in the database 3 stored authorization data B3 results, an alarm is automatically triggered.

In addition, the interface module classifies 22 and / or the processing element 25 from the acquired image data B1 and / or the processed image data B2 the vehicle identification means 1 and / or the vehicle 10 so the comparison of this data B1 . B2 with the authorization data B3 a classification comparison of data classes of the image data B1 , B2 with data classes of authorization data B3 includes.

In particular, the data classes of the image data can be used B1 . B2 and / or the data class (s) of the authorization data B3 which at least partially in particular of the interface module 22 and / or the processing element 25 can be created or stored in a data type of one of the detection element 21 recorded or in the database 3 deposited real object, such as a vehicle registration number, a vehicle height, a vehicle width, a noise level of a vehicle, a vehicle color, vehicle type, vehicle shape and / or a vehicle class.

It is according to the invention a classification of the data B1 . B2 carried out on the basis of motion vectors such that initially from the temporal movement of the vehicle identification means 1 and / or the vehicle 10 a motion profile from the interface module 22 and / or the processing element 25 is created relative to the detection element 21, wherein the movement profile of the vehicle identification means 1 and / or the vehicle 10 Motion vectors desselbigen includes.

In the 3 an embodiment of a detection network 200 described here is shown.

That in the 3 illustrated detection network 200 includes a variety of detection modules described herein 2 that have a control network 4 in data communication with each other, wherein the detection, processing and / or transfer of the image data of each detection element 2 (Slave) is controlled by at least one control device (master), in particular the control device 40 , together with the acquisition modules 2 the control network 4 formed. In particular, one of the detection elements forms 21 The master therefore controls not only himself, but also at least one other detection element 21 (Slave), especially according to the network type.

The control network 4 is thus by means of at least one VLAN switch 5 , the part of the control network 4 can be, in at least two, only logically separated, network segments 60 . 61 (VLANs), and where each of the acquisition modules 2 depending on the control by the VLAN switch 5 and / or the controller 40 through each of the network segments 60 . 61 is controllable.

It is done by means of the VLAN switch 5 a prioritization and / or selection of the individual network segments 60 . 61 especially with regard to their data exchange, with each acquisition module 2 and / or each network segment 60 . 61 At least one VLAN IDs is assigned, wherein on each of the VLAN IDs at least one acquisition module 2 is controllable.

In particular, from the 3 recognizable that the control device 40 (Master) itself part of the collection network 200 and also an acquisition module 2 is, however, all other acquisition modules 2 only from the control device 40 be controlled and thus it with these recognition modules 2 is about slaves. Insofar takes only one recognition module 2 or a predetermined selection of recognition modules 2 (as the master) has a dual role (recognition and control of data communication within the control network 4 ) one. In addition, the control device comprises 40 a communication unit, in particular a WLAN module, by means of which the control device 40 in turn, their data to a business computer, which may be placed off-site, transmitted. Also, this communication unit can very compact completely in the housing 24 be housed.

The invention is not limited by the description with reference to the embodiments. Rather, the invention includes any novel feature as well as any combination of features, which in particular includes any combination of features in the claims, even if this feature or combination itself is not explicitly stated in the claims or in the embodiments.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Vehicle identification means

2

acquisition module

3

Database

4

Control network

5

VLAN switch

10

vehicle

21

sensing element

22

Interface Module

23

radiation emitter

24

casing

25

processing element

30

record

40

control device

60

Network segment

61

Network segment

200

Acquisition Network

B1

image data

B2

processed image data

B3

authorization data

Claims (8)

Method (100) for detecting a vehicle identification means (1) of a vehicle (10), wherein - in a first step at least one detection module (2) for detecting the vehicle identification means (1) and / or the vehicle (10) is put into operation, the detection module (2) - at least one detection element (21), in particular an optical camera, - as well as an interface module (22) for processing the image data (B1) acquired by the detection element (21) and subsequent transmission of the processed image data (B2) to a Processing element (25) comprises, - detected in a further step, the detection module (2) a parking space and / or authorization of a detection module (2), preferably uniquely assigned parking lot of the vehicle (10) by means of the detection element (21) and the interface module (22) transmits the processed image data (B2) to the processing element (25), - and in a further step the processed image Data (B2) by means of the processing element (25) with authorization data (B3) of a database (3) and / or from the coding of the data (B1, B2) themselves are compared, wherein in a match of the processing image data (B2) with at least one A data set (30) of the database (3) is granted a parking space authorization, and wherein the detection module (2) comprises a radiation emitter (23) which emits electromagnetic radiation in the visible or infrared range, wherein electromagnetic radiation emitted by the radiation emitter (23) from the vehicle identification means (1) is reflected back to the detection element (21), characterized in that the interface module (22) and / or the processing element (25) from the acquired image data (B1) and / or the processed image data (B2) the vehicle identification means (1) and / or classify the vehicle (10) so that the comparison of these data (B1, B2) with the authorization data (B3) is a class comprising a comparison of data classes of the image data (B1, B2) with data classes of the authorization data (B3), wherein a classification of the image data (B1, B2) on the basis of motion vectors is carried out such that initially from the temporal movement of the vehicle identification means and / or the vehicle a motion profile is generated by the interface module (22) and / or the processing element (25) relative to the detection element (21), wherein the motion profile of the vehicle identification means (1) and / or the vehicle (10) comprises motion vectors thereof, and further wherein the processing element (25) and / or the interface module (22) and / or by an external computer the vehicle identification means and / or the vehicles are combined to form so-called data blocks or data clusters, which are then classified in their shape and / or extent. Method (100) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the data classes of the image data (B1, B2) and / or the data class of the authorization data (B3), which in particular at least partially by the interface module (22) and / or the processing element (25) are created or stored in this , a data type of a detected by the detection element (21) or stored in the database (3) real object, such as a vehicle registration, a vehicle height, a vehicle width, a noise level of a vehicle, a vehicle color, vehicle type, vehicle shape and / or a vehicle class correspond. Method (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of detection modules (2) forming a detection network, wherein the detection, processing and / or transmission of the image data (B1) of each detection element (21) (slave) by at least one control device (40) (master), wherein the control means (40) forms a control network (4) together with the detection modules (2). Method (100) according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the control network (4) by means of at least one VLAN switch (5) in at least two, only logically separated from each other, network segments (60, 61) (VLAN) is divisible, and wherein each of the detection modules (2) in dependence from the control by the VLAN switch (5) and / or the control device (40) by each of the network segments (60, 61) are controllable. Method (100) according to at least one of Claims 3 to 4 , characterized in that by means of the VLAN switch (5), a prioritization of the individual network segments (60, 61) is carried out in particular with regard to their data exchange. Method (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each acquisition module (2) and / or each network segment (60, 61) is associated with at least one VLAN ID, wherein via each of the VLAN IDs at least one detection module (2) controllable is. Detection module (2) for detecting a vehicle identification means (1) of a vehicle (10), comprising - at least one detection element (21), in particular an optical camera, - and an interface module (22) for processing the image data acquired by the detection element (21) ( B1) and subsequent transfer of the processed image data (B2) to a processing element (25), wherein by means of the detection module (2) a parking space occupancy and / or authorization of the detection module (2), preferably uniquely assigned parking lot of the vehicle (10) detected by the detection element (21) and by the interface module (25) the processed image data (B2) to the processing element (25) are transmitted, and wherein the processed image data (B2) by means of the processing element (25) with authorization data (B3) a Database (3) are compared, wherein at a match of the processing image data (B2) with at least one a data set authorization (30) of the database (3) is granted a parking space authorization, and wherein the detection module (2) comprises a radiation emitter (23) which emits electromagnetic radiation in the visible or infrared range, electromagnetic radiation emitted by the radiation emitter (23) from the Vehicle identification means (1) is reflected back to the detection element (21), characterized in that the interface module (22) and / or the processing element (25) are arranged and provided for this purpose from the acquired image data (B1) and / or the processed image data ( B2) to classify the vehicle identification means (1) and / or the vehicle (10), so that the comparison of these data (B1, B2) with the authorization data (B3) is a classification comparison of data classes of the image data (B1, B2) with data classes of the authorization data ( B3), wherein a classification of the image data (B1, B2) on the basis of motion vectors such durc that a movement profile is initially generated from the temporal movement of the vehicle identification means and / or the vehicle by the interface module (22) and / or the processing element (25) relative to the detection element (21), wherein the movement profile of the vehicle identification means (1) and / or the vehicle (10) comprises motion vectors desselbigen, and further wherein - the processing element (25) and / or the interface module (22) and / or by an external computer, the vehicle identification means and / or the vehicles are summarized into so-called data blocks or data clusters which are then classified in their shape and / or extent. A detection network (200) for detecting a vehicle identification means (1) of a vehicle (10) and / or the vehicle (10), comprising - a plurality of detection modules (2) according to Claim 7 which are in data communication with one another via a control network (4), the detection, processing and / or transfer of the image data (B1, B2) of each detection element (21) (slave) being controlled by at least one control device (40) (master), wherein the control means (40) forms the control network (4) together with the detection modules (2).

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