EP2320385A1 - Method and system for unique identification of vehicles and related services - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves synchronization of positions of a vehicle, where the positions are determined by radio communication and video localization, respectively. An identification mark together with the service station, at which the vehicle is localized, is stored. Vehicle specific characteristics in stored reference data set are compared with an identification mark, where a radio frequency-tag (17) is provided at the vehicle. Services associated to the vehicle at the stored service station are activated and offered within a preset time period, during correlation of the comparison. An independent claim is also included for a system for providing the vehicle individualized services to different service stations within the delimited area.

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to an identification device for vehicles, by means of which individual services can be provided to the driver. The method used for this purpose is described by a software which provides the interfaces required for the communication and interaction of required identification methods and devices to be controlled.

State of the art

Both video-based pattern recognition and so-called Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) are techniques used today to identify certain features, but these tend to operate autonomously. The document GB 2431632 describes in this regard a method for the identification of vehicles at gas stations by means of video-based number plate recognition and a realized over this protection against incorrect refueling.

In the in GB 2431632 documented execution vehicles are detected by video cameras and identified by the license plate. In order to be able to offer these vehicles the service for protection against faulty refueling, a comparison of required data must take place via a central server. However, there must always be a suitable data connection for this. Should there be no suitable connection to a central server at a gas station or should such a connection not be technically possible, then the functionality of a system according to the current state of the art is no longer given. In addition, all the functionality as described in the cited document, for example, assuming that the data connection would break down over a large area, can no longer be guaranteed at any of the filling stations concerned. In addition, a complete loss of function occurs not only in the separation of an existing connection, but such systems can generally be used only in regions where an Internet connection can be made available at all or generally only at gas stations, which have a suitable data connection.

Applied to the misfuelling protection at gas stations, the following significant drawback inevitably arises in prior art systems: Assuming driver 1 owns a vehicle with license plate AB-XY 123 which requires diesel fuel. These two data would be stored in the cited document in a central database. Driver1 now sells his vehicle to driver2 and creates a new vehicle, which is equipped with a gasoline engine. Of course, at all times, Driver1 is free to keep the license plate of their previous diesel vehicle. In this case, Driver1 would then attach his retained AB-XY 123 license plate to his newly purchased petrol vehicle. However, this license plate is according to the solution, as in GB 2431632 is linked to diesel fuel in the central database required there. It is definitely to be assumed that driver 1 does not necessarily think when making a change of vehicle that such a change is immediately reported to an administrator of the central database. Thus, the system would have exactly the opposite effect, as actually desired. It could not be guaranteed in this case not only the misfuelling protection described, but rather a misfuelling is unavoidable because inevitably only the wrong fuel would be released at the pump.

The same could even happen with such systems as driver 1 attaches a new license plate to his new vehicle. This means that the old license plate AB-XY 123 is now available for third parties again. Assuming this license plate is now assigned by the responsible office a Fahrer2, which then attaches this to his gasoline vehicle. In that case, not only does it not have to be presumed that the latter does not comply with a possible duty of notification to the administrator of the central database, but rather that Driver2 does not even have the knowledge that this license plate is even stored in a database containing possibly the wrong fuel of a predecessor vehicle. Vehicle could be linked. Thus, even in this case, the desired misfuelling protection is again completely reversed in its function.

Scenarios of this type would be quite conceivable, if one uses as an example the figures of the Federal Motor Vehicle Authority ¹ for transfer of ownership in 2008, which are valid only for Germany, and amount to a total of 6.11 million. This would be equivalent to just under 17,000 property transfers per day.
¹ http://www.kba.de/cln_007/nn_125264/DE/Statistik/Fahrzeuge/Besitzumschreibungen/ besitzumschreibungen_node.html? _Nnn = true

Furthermore, systems are now known for use at gas stations, which try to avoid the problem of incorrect refueling via RFID. Such systems are in various patent applications, such as DE 202008006504 . EP 1864944 . DE 19933478 or WO 9735284 described. However, these devices have the disadvantage in common that a corresponding reading device would have to be retrofitted at each dispenser, or each dispensing valve, which was associated with considerable and therefore economically unreasonable Umrüstkosten.

Apart from the application at petrol stations, such identification systems are nowadays also used for access control, e.g. used in parking garages. However, if one wishes to use such access controls over a large area, one can not avoid storing and managing the data required for identification centrally. So if, for example, 2000 parking garages distributed throughout Germany were to be equipped with such an access control system, it would have no rational relationship to store the data records of all authorized vehicles locally, let alone update them locally, in the worst case several times a day. In this case, a central database would be needed, for which in turn a data connection is obligatory.

Technical problem to be solved

It can be assumed that in particular the disadvantages of existing systems are decisive for the fact that such identification systems could not yet establish themselves on the market today. The present invention is therefore intended to solve all technical problems that lead to the disadvantages mentioned, with the system and method declared in the claims and, moreover, the convenience of using vehicle-specific facilities such as car parks, gas stations, drive-in switches and the like by the offer increase individual services / services.

Disclosure of the invention

According to the present invention, a system and a vehicle identification method to be implemented therefor are provided, which is characterized in that a software which is located on a local control computer, suitable interfaces for communication and interaction of imaging methods, RFID methods and a provides on-site plant control. For this purpose, the system is equipped with at least one camera and at least one RFID read / write unit (hereinafter referred to as reader), which in turn via physical data lines, via optical data lines and / or via electromagnetic waves, such as radio waves are connected to the control computer. Both the reader (s) and the camera (s) are located in doing so on an area to be monitored by the system, whereby sufficient attention must be paid to the reading device (e), so that such an area can be covered by the radio network.

The RF system architecture used here is characterized by the fact that this is in the form of a meshed network topology. In this case, the so-called coordinator is in the immediate vicinity of the local control computer and is in communication with this. The network subscribers (nodes) permanently installed on a site to be monitored are designed in such a way that they assume a routing function for data which is transmitted or received by the control computer. Depending on the number of nodes used, an area to be monitored can be completely detected or radio shadows can be bridged. Each of these locally installed nodes has the property both as a router in the network and as a reader for the RF modules (tags) to act. Both functions are coordinated via the local control computer, which knows the nodes permanently installed on the site.

A vehicle to be identified via the present system is characterized in that it contains an RF module (so-called tag). Such a tag can be designed to be both active and passive, whereby the arrangement on the vehicle plays a minor role and can thus be arbitrary.

In the case of an active tag, the power supply is taken over batteries or corresponding Energy Harvesting units. It makes sense to choose Energy Harvesting modules, which derive their energy from either vibration transducers or RF transducers. Depending on the design of the tag, records of different sizes can be stored on it, but at least the number plate attached to the vehicle. All other data stored on the tag represent the services to be used and are therefore referred to below as service data. Thus, for example, a card number for using cashless payment services may be stored, a type of fuel associated with the vehicle for the use of special services at petrol stations and the like. The data records on the tag are encoded using common data encryption algorithms (e.g., AES).

As soon as a day is within the catchment area of a previously described network, it can log in as a participant there. However, such a tag always represents a temporary network subscriber since it can be assumed that vehicles with a contained tag are only temporarily located on a monitored area. The function of the tag as a registered node is limited insofar that this is not as a reader can act, but only serves as a readable memory. It can be present both as Read Only Memory and as Read / Write Memory. The network used to execute the system is additionally characterized by the fact that within this network a position determination of the mentioned temporary nodes can take place via trilateration or multilateration. Both the determination of the position and the coordination for the registration as well as for the participation of such a temporary node in the existing network are also taken over by the control computer.

If a vehicle equipped in this way now drives an RF-monitored area, the tag located on the vehicle is read out by at least one reading device. The data stored on the tag are then transmitted via the mentioned nodes and connections to the control computer and stored there temporarily. Among other things, the system is characterized by the fact that a suitable local database application exists on the control computer. In this database, the data set transmitted via the reading device is initially stored as a so-called reference data record, since in the next step it serves as reference for an upcoming comparison of further data. Such a reference data record thus includes a vehicle-specific license plate and the associated service data. The system is therefore known from this point in time that a vehicle with a specific license plate is located on the monitored area and can take certain services there. A vehicle equipped with a suitable tag is therefore initially identified by the system via RFID.

The software required to run the system also includes appropriate video-based object recognition and tracking algorithms, which enable the system to evaluate imagery captured by the integrated cameras. This means that the image material is first examined for recognizable in the image area motor vehicles. If the software detects motor vehicles in the image area, this image area is then checked for license plates. The license plates detected by the software are then extracted from the existing image material and prepared for further use. Software-implemented character recognition (OCR) algorithms evaluate the numbers and / or letters contained on an extracted license plate and then save them as an interpretable character set (eg ASCII characters). In this way, the system then carries out a so-called data mating with all previously created reference data records with this character set. That is, this stored character set, which always represents a license plate, is then compared with all number plates that are within all previously created reference data sets are located. If a match is found, the system is aware from this point in time that a vehicle has not only driven the area to be monitored, but is now additionally located within a limited catchment area of a camera. The vehicle is thus initially identified via RFID as described and subsequently verified via the image recognition. A query via a central server and the associated transmission paths, such as Internet accounted for thus completely. Via this local identification and subsequent verification, a vehicle can thus be legitimized for the use of all services / services stored in the reference data record (see Fig. 9 ). The corresponding equipment, which are to control the provision of services, inevitably arise from the mentioned limited catchment area of a respective camera, or analogous to the above-mentioned position determination, which can be done both by radio, as well as within the recorded image material. For this purpose, the software includes algorithms for determining the position of a vehicle within an image section recorded via the camera. If such a camera were, for example, in front of a certain barrier, the system is able to link the signal of this camera with the corresponding barrier and to control precisely this barrier afterwards. However, should a camera capture multiple barriers, a vehicle within the captured image can be assigned to exactly the barrier in front of which the vehicle is actually located. According to the identification and the subsequent verification, the vehicle located there would then be given the legitimacy to drive on the terrain enclosed by this barrier.

In contrast to systems according to the current state of the art, the present system is characterized, among other things, by the fact that both the identification and the verification are carried out locally. Thus, verification no longer has to take place via central databases and data connections required for this purpose. Both the identification and the verification are taken over by the software installed on the control computer, which provides the method described here.

With reference to the aforementioned activation of the barrier, the system is characterized among other things by the fact that the control computer is integrated as a participant in the network of the local system control of the respective device. Such a local system control would be, for example, a barrier control in multi-storey car parks or on parking lots, dispenser controls and car wash controls at gas stations and the like. The communication with the plant control and the given possibility for controlling all participants in the plant network thus represents the execution and provision of all stored in the reference data set services / services. The Communication management between the participants is also realized via the software installed on the control computer.

In systems using state-of-the-art video recognition, ownership transcription of vehicles, as described, has the problem that the identification of such vehicles can be misinterpreted by these systems. This problem is circumvented in the solution described in this document by the applied local matching of the video transmitted data with the reference data set (RFID). This means, if a vehicle, due to a property transfer oa. receives a new number plate, this is recognized by the system independently. The following example is intended to illustrate such a case for clarity:

Driver1 sells his diesel vehicle with the number plate AB-XY 123 , with the associated day consciously or unconsciously remaining in the vehicle. However, the new owner of this vehicle, driver2, can not continue to use the previous license plate because he wishes to use driver1 for his new vehicle. Therefore, the diesel vehicle, which is now owned by driver 2, equipped with another license plate, eg ZZ-AA 987 . As a result, this license plate no longer matches the number plate (AB-XY 123 ) stored on the tag. So if driver 2 now drives an RF-monitored area with this vehicle, the number plate AB-XY 123 stored on the tag is first read out and stored on the control computer as a reference data record including the service data stored on the tag. About the subsequent image recognition, however, the currently located on the vehicle number plate ZZ-AA 987 is transmitted to the computer. Thus, the software can not identify with an existing reference data set during subsequent data matching. Although the vehicle was identified via RFID, it can not subsequently be verified by the system and therefore does not receive any authorization to use the services provided. Similarly, the system behaves in the vehicle of driver 1, to which although the old license plate (AB-XY 123 ) is mounted, but no matching RF tag is. Thus, after a successful transfer of ownership, both vehicles have no further authorization to use services provided, which makes it more difficult for the system to be misused. However, a vehicle can be re-equipped at any time with a tag whose stored license plate then again matches the number plate currently on the vehicle.

Based on this example, it has to be assumed that, in the case of frequent ownership changes of a vehicle, several tags are present in such a vehicle. Since current readers can read up to 1000 tags and more, would with present system, even if several tags would be present in a vehicle, initially read out all the tags, but only granted a legitimacy for that day whose stored license plate matches the read by video recognition and thus actually on the vehicle license plate. Among other things, the system is characterized by the fact that it is able to identify tags whose data no longer correspond to the number plate currently on the vehicle. For example, the number of unsuccessful data matches can be used for this. This means that if, for example, there is no data matching three times in succession, it can be assumed that this indicates an outdated day. Thus, the control computer can cause the reader to delete this day or to overwrite it with defined data (eg current license plate). Such a process for deleting or overwriting the data on the tag may also be applied, for example, in the case where a vehicle retains ownership of the same license plate after a property transfer but uses the services provided by the system for that vehicle (eg, from the predecessor). no longer desired.

As already mentioned, at least one reader is part of the system. For larger areas to be monitored, however, several readers are used. At suitable facilities, such as in multi-storey car parks, for example, could each be a reader at the entrance or exit available. In this embodiment, the system is characterized in that the control computer can distinguish from which reader a vehicle has just been identified. This serves to enable the system to determine when a vehicle is entering or leaving a monitored area. If necessary, after verification via the cameras, legitimacy for the use of provided services can be made within this period.

If such a spatial separation of the readers is not possible during the execution of the system, so at least as many readers must be present that the entire area to be monitored is covered. In this embodiment, the system is characterized by the fact that the data transmitted by all readers can be processed in parallel by the system. This means that the transmitted data is stored in the database as a reference record, regardless of which reader has just transmitted that data.

Since today's readers continuously read nearby tags, the system recognizes that a vehicle is no longer in the area when it is no longer detected by any reader. In this embodiment of the system, however, there is a risk that a vehicle has already been identified as being on the area, However, this is located in such an unfavorable position within the area at which no radio transmission can be guaranteed (eg radio shadow). The system would thus erroneously interpret the radio transmission no longer given as leaving the vehicle from the area and, if necessary, delete the applied reference data record. Thus, this vehicle could no longer be provided services, although it is located on the area. To avoid this, the system can also be equipped with a timer. As soon as a vehicle is first detected by any reader, this timer starts and the data set transmitted by the reader is stored on the control computer for the duration of the preset timer runtime. If a vehicle is now in a radio shadow, the data are not deleted immediately, but are still accessible to the system for the duration of the timer running time. The timer duration is expediently based on the usual residence times of vehicles on the respective area. For example, it can be assumed that a refueling process usually takes no longer than ten minutes.

In contrast to the prior art, the system is also characterized by the fact that it can largely detect and correct errors in video recognition itself. Such a case would occur, for example, if heavy contamination of the license plate would lead to individual symbols, such as letters or numbers would not be recognized correctly. The software then compares to what extent an only partially recognized license plate matches a license plate of an existing reference data set. If, for example, a vehicle with the number plate AB-XY 123 leads to an area equipped with this system, its tag is first read out (RFID) and the license plate (AB-XY 123 ) stored thereon together with the stored service data in the form of a reference data record Database created. If this vehicle subsequently enters the catchment area of a video camera, the license plate located on the vehicle is detected there. If, however, the software can not recognize one or more license plate signs, for example because of the mentioned contamination, an attempt is made to reconstruct the license plate via a comparison with the existing reference data sets. That is, if, for example, in the aforementioned number plate AB- XY 123, the letter " Y " should not be recognized, so the software can only AB-X? Extract 123 from the captured footage. Subsequently, this incompletely extracted license plate is compared with all reference data sets created in the database. If, within an existing reference data record, a license plate is found whose number-letter combination, with the exception of the non-extracted character, matches all remaining characters, this license plate is used for further processing. In the present case would be so Reference record exists that contains the license plate AB-XY 123 . The partially extracted license plate AB-X? However, 123 has such a similarity with the license plate of the reference data record that the question mark, that is, the unrecognized character can be replaced by the letter "Y". The correct function of the system is thus ensured despite incomplete extraction of a license plate during video detection. The prerequisite for this is that the number plate in the reference data record and an incompletely extracted license plate are so similar that ambiguity in the replacement of characters can be ruled out.

The above-mentioned position determination by radio is used within this system, among other things, to determine whether a vehicle is currently in front of a specific service station. Such a service station may be, for example, a dispenser, a barrier or the like. Only when ultimately a vehicle is definitely in front of a certain service station and there is also recognized by the above-mentioned position determination, begins the video detection and the associated extraction of the license plate of the corresponding vehicle. This can also be done if necessary, a balance between the detected by radio position of the vehicle and the determined via video localization position of the vehicle.

The system is also designed to offer a cashless payment function via secure channels as a service / service. It is known from the state of the art that each card intended for cashless payment has an individual card number. However, this card number is only for the identification of the card and is not to be confused with an individually stored for this purpose PIN number, which is known to be used to legitimize a secure transaction. In general, for a third party, who does not necessarily have bad intentions, the card number, unlike the PIN number, thus no longer usable.

One of the features of the system is that such a card number is stored as a possible service date on the tag. Thus, this card number after vehicle identification (RFID) is also stored on the control computer within the reference data set. Since the control computer, as mentioned as a participant in the network of plant control is integrated, this inevitably depends on an existing POS system of the respective institution. Should the cash register system now inform the control computer that a transaction should take place via the card, the latter then transmits the card number stored for the respective vehicle to the cash register system. The cash register system in turn transmits this card number to the PIN pad connected there, which then enables the user to enter the PIN number Card number associated PIN number prompts. The card is thus emulated by the system. This offers the advantage that a payment process for the user works as usual, but with the difference that this card no longer has to be physically present. The same principle for emulation of a card can of course also be applied to loyalty cards, in which case, depending on the form, the input of a PIN can be omitted.

Such a service provided by the system thus additionally offers an increased, because multiple security to protect against misuse of payment cards. First, the data is encrypted on the tag. An unauthorized reading of the tag is thus already prevented in the beginning. On the other hand, only the card number and no PIN number are stored there. An unauthorized reading of the tag is therefore not safety-critical. Furthermore, a legitimacy for the use of this service only if the control computer could perform a successful data matching. That is, even if a tag should remain in the vehicle when a vehicle is sold, the succeeding holder can not make a transaction based on the card number stored on the tag unless it is aware of the PIN number, which is the status quo.

Description of the pictures

Fig. 1

eine Übersicht einer Ausführungsform anhand des Systemeinsatzes an Tankstellen ist, wobei mögliche Kamerastandorte dargestellt werden,

Fig. 2

bezugnehmend auf Fig. 1 die Standorte der Netzwerkknoten und deren interne Kommunikation darstellt. Dabei werden die Kommunikationspfade der Knoten untereinander über abgesetzte Linien mit doppeltem Pfeilkopf dargestellt.

Fig. 3

einen videoüberwachten Bereich in exemplarischer Form von zwei Zapfsäulen darstellt, welche mit einem Terminal zur Kommunikation verbunden sind,

Fig. 4

eine Übersicht aller Bestandteile des Systems darstellt, die über die auf dem Steuerrechner (12) installierte Software verwaltet werden, sowie exemplarisch mögliche Teilnehmer im Verbund der Anlagensteuerung (13) beschreibt,

Fig. 5

das Verfahren zur Fahrzeugidentifikation via RFID in Form eines Ablaufdiagramms beschreibt,

Fig. 6

das Verfahren zur Fahrzeugverifikation via Videoerkennung in Form eines Ablaufdiagramms beschreibt,

Fig. 7

das Verfahren zur Bereitstellung von Diensten über das System exemplarisch anhand eines geführten Tankvorgangs zur Prävention von Fehlbetankungen in Form eines Ablaufdiagramms beschreibt,

Fig. 8

das Verfahren zur Erstellung des Referenzdatensatzes in Form eines Ablaufdiagramms beschreibt, wobei die Lebenszeit dieses Datensatzes über einen zyklischen Timer bestimmt wird,

Fig. 9

eine einfache schematische Darstellung zur prinzipiellen Funktionsweise des Systems beschreibt.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1

an overview of an embodiment on the basis of the system use at filling stations, wherein possible camera locations are displayed,

Fig. 2

Referring to Fig. 1 represents the locations of the network nodes and their internal communication. The communication paths of the nodes are represented by separate lines with double arrowheads.

Fig. 3

illustrates a video-monitored area in exemplary form of two dispensers connected to a terminal for communication,

Fig. 4

represents an overview of all components of the system, which are managed by the software installed on the control computer (12), as well as examples of possible participants in the system control system (13),

Fig. 5

describes the method for vehicle identification via RFID in the form of a flowchart,

Fig. 6

describes the method for vehicle verification via video recognition in the form of a flowchart,

Fig. 7

describes the method of providing services via the system by way of example on the basis of a guided refueling process for the prevention of incorrect refueling in the form of a flowchart,

Fig. 8

describes the method for creating the reference data record in the form of a flow chart, the lifetime of this data record being determined via a cyclic timer,

Fig. 9

describes a simple schematic representation of the basic operation of the system.

Example of running the system

A system and a vehicle identification method to be implemented therefor are provided. For the purpose of illustration, this invention will be described with reference to the use at petrol stations, to which by means of the mentioned system, on the one hand, a service for preventive protection against faulty refueling and, on the other hand, a service for cashless payment can be provided. But it is also applicable to other facilities such as car parks, drive in switches and the like.

As already mentioned, a data record which contains at least the license plate currently located on the vehicle is stored on the required RF tag (17). In the case of the use of service stations described here by way of example, the data record additionally contains service data in the form of an individual card number of a cash card required for the payment process and the fuel grade (s) required by the respective vehicle.

The filling station area (1) is in turn equipped with the individual network nodes (3) of the network used there. Those nodes (3b), which act as routers or readers, are mounted on the underside of the gas station roof (5). The required network coordinator (3a) is as well as the mandatory for this system control computer (12) within the gas station building (6). The coordinator (3a) is connected to the control computer (12). About this arrangement, the entire gas station site (1) is covered by radio. An example of the mentioned arrangement as well as the communication of the individual participants in the network is Fig. 2 refer to.

If a vehicle equipped with a tag (17) now drives the filling station area (1), this is recognized by at least one of the nodes (3b) and the tag (17) is read out. Via the routing function of the individual nodes (3b), the information stored on the tag (17) about number plate, fuel grade (s) and card number is thus transmitted to the coordinator (3a). This in turn passes this information on to the control computer (12), which then stores this data in the database (15). The reference data record is thus created and the timer for this data record is started.

Should the vehicle now move away from the filling station area (1), the control computer recognizes, on the one hand, that there are no other, previously created Reference data set corresponding data to be transmitted more by the coordinator (3a). However, in order to rule out that the vehicle is currently in a radio shadow, the record is deleted only after the expiry of the timer runtime.

Normally, a driver will refuel his vehicle between entering the gas station and leaving the premises (1). To do this, he drives his vehicle in front of any petrol pump (8). Via the radio-supported position determination, the control computer (12) can first determine at which fueling station, that is to say at which dispenser (8) the vehicle is currently located. The number of the corresponding dispenser (8) is then assigned to the reference data set created for this vehicle. In this example, the vehicle would be in front of pump2. The reference data set now contains the number plate, the fuel grade (s), the fuel card number and the dispenser number (8), in this case dispenser2. As soon as this entry has been created in the reference data record, the system initiates the license plate extraction via the camera (4) in whose image area the corresponding service station is located, in this case dispenser 2.

The individual fueling stations are monitored for this purpose via which the described verification of a vehicle takes place. For this purpose, the respective camera (4) transmits the recorded image material to the control computer (12), which subsequently extracts the license plate of the vehicle and stores it in a new database entry. In addition, the control computer (12) is able to assign the individual cameras (4) to the corresponding fuel dispensers (8). For example, in this case, Camera2 monitors a dispenser 2. The database entry just created, which contains the extracted number plate, is now also assigned the number of the gas pump (8), which in this case would correspond to the dispenser 2. At gas stations, however, there is also the general possibility that just one camera (4) in each case does not monitor a particular gas pump (8). This means that a camera (4) monitors, for example, either several fueling stations or all existing fueling stations at the same time. In this case, the control computer (12) is able to perform a position determination of the vehicles within the image material, by means of which the respective vehicle is assigned to a specific dispenser (8). Thus, the control computer is also known at which dispenser (8) is a vehicle with a specific license plate straight. Both the number plate, and the number of the dispenser (8) are thus, as mentioned, subsequently stored in a new database entry.

The control computer (12) is now known before which pump (8), which vehicle is located. In addition, there are now two independent data sets for this vehicle. Namely on the one hand the reference data record (RFID) and on the other hand the data record created by video recognition. The control computer (12) then carries out a comparison of the data records created by video recognition with all existing reference data sets.

If no data matching takes place, this indicates that either a faulty data record has been transmitted by the readers (3b), an error has occurred in the video-based license plate recognition, or a read-out tag (17) is not actually located on the vehicle License plate matches. In the best case, however, two sets of data can be matched, which thus indicates that a vehicle has first traveled to the filling station area (1) and is now in the catchment area of a specific camera (4).

The control computer (12) then compares the respective fuel dispenser numbers of the two matched data records. In the present example, the dispenser number stored in the reference data set would correspond to the dispenser number determined and stored by video localization. Thus, it is known to the system that the identified and verified vehicle is actually at dispenser 2. The control computer (12) can now give this vehicle the legitimacy to use the services offered at pump 2. For this purpose, the control computer (12) initially actively intervenes in the system control (13) and monitors dispenser 2, by releasing only the fuel grade (s) stored in the reference data set for dispensing there. Effective protection against incorrect refueling is thus guaranteed.

Following this, the driver will enter the gas station building (6) and pay for the refueled fuel. If he chooses the way of cashless payment, he will inform the petrol station employee. This makes this payment now the POS system (16) known, which in turn forwards the information to the control computer (12). The cash register system (16) also informs the control computer (12) of the dispenser number, ie dispenser column 2. The control computer (12) now searches in the matched data records for entries with the dispenser number 2. In the corresponding reference data set, the card number is deposited as a further service date, which is then transferred from the control computer (12) back to the cash register system (16). The card number is now transmitted from the POS system (16) to the connected PIN pad (18), which continues to accept the payment process as is currently the case.

In the technical embodiment of this invention may as an optional component, a visual output of information on a dispenser (8) integrated display device (9) or via a dispenser (8) locally remote display device (9), such as be present adjacent terminal (11). Such a terminal (11) would also be integrated as a participant in the network of plant control (13) and thus would have the opportunity to communicate with the fuel dispensers (8) and all other participants of the plant control (13). Such devices can be used to guide a user step by step, for example, how to use the described system. In the event that only certain dispensers (8) are equipped at a gas station with the described system, the user can be informed via the display device (9), for example, in addition, that the dispenser (8), in which he is currently located, equipped with just this system.

If, at such a pump (8), or display device (9) also an input option, e.g. via touchscreen, this results in the possibility of user interaction with the system. This would entail the advantage that a user may instruct the system via this input device (14) to dispense fuel other than that deposited on the tag (17) as permitted via the dispenser (8). This application would be conceivable if, for example, the driver of a diesel vehicle in addition to refueling his vehicle container such. Wants to fill canisters with petrol.

If there is no input device (14), the implementation of this system provides for the implementation of a particular routine over which the system is unable to deliver legitimate types of fuel through day (17). Such a routine could, for example, be designed in such a way that the user forces the release of the corresponding fuel by lifting the respective dispensing valve (10) three times. About the mentioned connection of the control computer (12) with the system controller (13), this routine is recognized by the control computer (12), whereupon this authorizes the respective dispenser (8) to deliver a non-legitimized fuel.

In addition to the aforementioned protection against faulty refueling, further possible uses would be possible with the present invention. Since, for example, the washer system (7) is integrated in the network of the system (13), the control computer (12) can thus also access its control system. If, for example, the driver of a vehicle known to the system selects a specific washing program, this is made known to the control computer (12) and assigned to the appropriate license plate within the reference data record. This can be done either via the staff of the gas station or by the driver himself, for example, by using appropriate terminals (11), which are located on the gas station site (1). The control computer (12) is thus known which washing program belongs to which license plate. Now approaches a vehicle of the car wash (7), the License plate via a video camera attached there (4) recorded and extracted via the software. The control computer (12) then compares the read-out license plate with possibly deposited to this license plate washing programs within the associated reference data set. If no match can be found, the control computer (12) does not intervene in the flow control of the washer (7). However, if the control computer (12) determines that a specific washing program has been stored for an extracted license plate, then the control computer (12) informs the control system of the washing system (7) of the desired program, so that it can be subsequently executed.

For the use of the present system at petrol stations, this dispensers may have as an ingredient, which are equipped with only a single hose. Such dispensers are already part of the prior art. This would additionally facilitate a refueling process in that for a user, the selection of a plurality of types of fuel offered at a pump would be dispensed with from the outset.

Another possibility would be dispensers, which according to the current state of the art based on the information deposited on the day give an individual vehicle-specific compound fuel. This would be particularly interesting for fuels with bioethanol admixture. The corresponding mixing ratio would be deposited on the day (17), thus the system known and the respective vehicle-specific mixing ratio would be compiled on site and delivered in the appropriate mixing ratio of the pump. This would have the advantage that no additional components, e.g. Nozzles and hoses would need to be attached to the dispensers. In addition, at the filling stations could be dispensed with the use of additional storage facilities for fuels with different admixture ratios.

Furthermore, it would also be possible to use dispensers for the present system which, according to the current state of the art, are equipped with input (14) and / or output devices (9), such as screens or touchscreens, as well as optional loudspeakers. About the thus resulting possibility of a defined input and output of speech or text on the pump, an interaction between the user and the pump can take place. Such dispensers could be used within the present system in that, for example, the operation of the system is explained about it or even (personalized) advertising can be displayed during the refueling process. By integrating such dispensers, moreover, the language of a respective vehicle owner could be pre-set, with the information here being stored directly on the tag (17) can. If, for example, a foreign-language driver drives to a filling station equipped with the described system, the system would know the stored language after identification via the reading device. On the basis of the subsequent software-based assignment of the vehicle to a specific dispenser, the latter would then receive from the control computer (12) the corresponding instruction for displaying the stored language and all interaction between the user and the dispenser could take place in just that language. This is particularly advantageous in that the designation of fuel types is not uniform in all countries and it can not be assumed that a vehicle driver can distinguish the types of fuel offered at a gas station only on the basis of the specified octane number.

Should dispensers with BCD 7-segment displays currently in use be used for the present system, the communication with the control computer (12) to be realized via the system controller (13) would also provide the option of outputting selected information via this segment display.

Figure Legend

1

service station

2

Entrances and exits

3

Network nodes
3a coordinator node
3b router / reader node
3c optional router / reader node at the entrances and exits

4

camera

5

covered gas station area

6

gas station building

7

car wash

8th

gas pump

9

display unit

10

nozzle

11

optional terminal

12

tax calculator

13

system control

14

input device

15

Database

16

POS system

17

RF tag

18

PIN pad

Claims (5)

A method for providing vehicle-specific services at different service stations within a defined area, wherein the vehicles that are temporarily located within this area use at least one service at the various service stations, comprising the steps of: • Identification of vehicles by means of radio waves while staying within the demarcated area, wherein read from an RF tag on the vehicle RF tag identification, at least one vehicle-specific feature and at least one belonging to the vehicle service. • Save the RF tag identification, the vehicle-specific feature and all the services associated with the vehicle as a reference data record, wherein the reference data record is stored only for a predetermined period of time. • Locating vehicles at the service stations by means of an imaging method with simultaneous recognition of an additional identification of the respective vehicle in the captured image. • Save the additional marking together with the service station where the vehicle was located. • Compare the vehicle-specific feature in the stored reference data set with the recognized additional marking, then only all the vehicle belonging services are unlocked at the stored service station, which are offered there in accordance with and within the specified time. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle-specific feature is the license plate of the vehicle. The method of claim 1, wherein the license plate of the vehicle is read as an additional marking. The method of claim 1, wherein the radio transmission is encrypted. A system for providing vehicle-individual services at different service stations within a defined area, wherein the respective service stations are adapted to provide at least one service to vehicles temporarily residing within that area, comprising: Means adapted to identify vehicles by means of radio waves while staying within the defined area, wherein an RF tag on the vehicle reads the RF tag identification, at least one vehicle-specific feature and at least one service associated with the vehicle. • Means for storing the read RF tag identification, the vehicle-specific feature and all the services associated with the vehicle as a reference data record, wherein the reference data record is stored only for a predetermined period of time. • means for locating vehicles at the service stations by means of an imaging method with simultaneous recognition of an additional identification of the respective vehicle in the captured image. • means for storing the additional marking together with the service station where the vehicle was located. • means for comparing the vehicle-specific feature in the stored reference data set with the recognized additional marking, whereby only in accordance with and within the predetermined time then all the services belonging to the vehicle are enabled at the stored service station, which are offered there.

Images