Method for locating a vehicle in a geographical area

Abstract

The invention relates to methods for locating moving objects in a geographical area. A method for locating a wheeled vehicle in a geographical area includes receiving information by means of video surveillance devices, performing recognition on said information, and determining the location of the vehicle. Information about the vehicle is obtained by means of video cameras, the locations of which are known. Subsequently, video capture results are assigned a feature confirming the location of the vehicle, and data containing the video capture results and the coordinate-confirming feature are transmitted to a remote server. Recognition is then performed on the received video capture results and the vehicle is identified. In the event of a positive identification, information about the location of the vehicle is transmitted to the user. The invention makes it possible to more accurately locate a wheeled vehicle in the case of interference impacting the operation of satellite navigation systems and in the case of a spoofing risk.

Description

[0001] Method of vehicle orientation on the terrain

[0002] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Technical area.

[0004] The invention relates to methods for orienting moving objects on the ground and can be used to determine the location of vehicles on a territory, including populated areas.

[0005] In the context of this application, the following terms will be used:

[0006] - locality - a geographical area, preferably a populated area, where the user is located and which is little known or completely unknown to him (the user);

[0007] - object - vehicle

[0008] - user - driver, passenger of a vehicle.

[0009] Prior art.

[0010] A method of orientation on the terrain is known that uses GPS and / or GLONASS radio navigation systems, whose operation is based on determining the coordinates of an object by measuring the distance from the observation point, i.e., from the object, to the satellite (URL: https: / / www.ixbt.com / car / gps / gps.html (published on November 26, 2000). Despite some differences in the technical features and characteristics of both systems, their operating principles are similar.

[0011] A common drawback of the known method when using both systems is the risk of compromising the reliability of orientation in cases where radio jamming or spoofing systems are in operation.

[0012] A known method of navigation is based on mobile network operator signals (URL: https: / / www.ixbt.com / news / 2023 / 08 / 15 / go-wi-fi.html (published on August 15, 2023)). This method is applicable to both vehicles and pedestrians, as it only requires an Android phone and the appropriate software. The user must enter the smartphone's developer mode and remove the restriction on Wi-Fi scanning.

[0013] The disadvantages of the existing solution include its limited applicability, which is due to the user's need for a specific technical device. If such a device is unavailable, faulty, or inoperative, the user will be unable to navigate the terrain.

[0014] In addition, like any system based on the transmission of information using a radio channel, it can be blocked using various technical means, for example, a radio signal blocker (“jamming”).

[0015] The closest in essential features - the prototype of the claimed invention - is a method for orienting unmanned aerial vehicles, including receiving information using video surveillance devices, its recognition and determining the location of a moving object (URL: https: / / sfr.gov.ru / press_center / z_news~2023 / 10 / 12 / 2556957ysclidHymf09rsay 86364729 (date published: 12.10.2023)). The known solution relates to optical navigation methods and is based on two-stage orientation and the use of machine vision. In the first stage, the unmanned aerial vehicle performs a video scan of the terrain in the area of ​​​​its future operation, creating an internal map of the terrain and using the resulting images of objects on it. The aircraft can obtain additional information by reading special marks on the ground, including QR codes or AprilTag marks.In the second stage, the aircraft determines its position and evaluates the data received from the inertial navigation system.

[0016] The disadvantages of the existing solution include the fact that the terrain can change between flights: markers can disappear or be moved, objects can change, etc. This requires re-generating the terrain map each time. The main drawback of the existing solution is its limited application to objects moving above the ground, which allows them to scan the terrain and generate its internal map.

[0017] Technical challenge.

[0018] The technical objective of the present invention is to ensure independence of orientation on the ground from satellite navigation systems, without depending on the quality of the radio-electronic environment in the area (interference created by intentional and / or industrial noise).

[0019] Technical result.

[0020] The technical result of the implementation of the proposed invention is to increase the accuracy of orientation of a wheeled vehicle on the ground in the presence of interference that impedes the operation of satellite navigation systems, and in conditions where there are risks of spoofing, which can lead to the receipt of inappropriate data on the location of objects requiring orientation.

[0021] The vehicle can be a car, a scooter, a bicycle, etc.

[0022] Solution to the problem.

[0023] The technical problem is solved by implementing the proposed method of orientation on the ground in the following sequence: - transferring to a remote server the data of a vehicle that may require assistance in orientation on the ground,

[0024] - video recording of an object using stationary video cameras, the location of which is known in advance, assigning to the results of video recording a feature confirming the location of the object in the coordinates of the means with which the video recording of the object was performed,

[0025] - transmission of data containing the results of video recording and a feature confirming the coordinates to a remote server; recognition of the received results of video recording and identification of the object by comparing the results of video recording and the object data transmitted earlier,

[0026] - in case of positive identification, transfer of information about the object’s location;

[0027] Preferably, in case of negative identification, automatic destruction of data transmitted on the server after video recording by this camera.

[0028] Description of embodiments.

[0029] This method of determining location can be implemented upon request from the user at any time, in which case it is primarily necessary to save the object's movement routes and transmit them upon request (at the time of the request, the user may not be in the visibility zone of any of the cameras, and therefore his approximate location can be recorded based on his movement route, previously recorded by the cameras).

[0030] During the preparatory stage, which is not formally part of the orientation process but is necessary for its implementation, data about the object that may require orientation assistance is transmitted to a remote server. This data may include, but is not limited to, the vehicle's registration number. In the case of tracking a vehicle, in addition to the registration number, the make, model, and color of the vehicle are also preferably used.

[0031] Data transfer may be carried out, among other things, on the basis of an agreement between the user and the organization providing orientation services and with the user's consent to the processing of personal data. The data transferred by users about objects that may require orientation services forms a database, which we will hereafter refer to as the client database.

[0032] In stage 2, video recording of the object is performed automatically and without prior notification to the user, using a device whose location is known in advance. Such a device could be, for example, a vehicle monitoring system camera, street surveillance cameras, or similar devices. The location of such devices is known in advance.

[0033] At stage 3, the results of video recording are assigned a feature confirming the location of the object (vehicle) in the coordinates of the means with which the video recording of the object was performed.

[0034] At the same time, there are methods that can be used to calculate a more precise location of an object using data about the distance from the object to the camera.

[0035] This distance can be calculated in various ways, for example, using the method described in patent RU 2752687. This method allows for the measurement of distances using a digital video camera using three light sources located in a horizontal plane and equidistant from each other, flashing at a given frequency.

[0036] Such calculations can be performed on remote servers.

[0037] At stage 4, data containing the results of video recording and a feature confirming the coordinates are transmitted to a remote server.

[0038] At stage 5, the obtained video recording results are recognized and the object is identified by comparing the video recording results with the previously transmitted object data. Unlike the actions of the State Traffic Inspectorate when identifying driver violations, the video recording results are primarily compared not with the entire vehicle database, but only with the data contained in the client database, created in preparatory stage 1 based on the concluded contracts for the provision of navigation services.

[0039] At step 6, the user is sent an informational message informing them of their location. This informational message can be sent to the user via any pre-agreed method and in any format, including via mobile communication channels, such as text or voice messages. This is primarily accomplished through the use of additional software on the user's device, such as a smartphone app.

[0040] This application can plot routes on a map of the area, and also provide various directions to follow, for example, to a specific point.

[0041] Primarily, to increase the level of information security, at stage 7 automatically destroy on the server the matched data transferred at stage 4.

[0042] An example of the invention. Private individual "Y," driving a vehicle with state registration plates "A-AA LLC," entered into a preliminary agreement with company "X," which owns several hundred speed cameras in city N.

[0043] City N is characterized by the presence of a large number of buildings, structures, and enterprises, which causes industrial noise, which, in turn, does not allow the use of navigation aids for orientation on the terrain.

[0044] An image and license plate number of a private individual's vehicle were transmitted to the server of company "X".

[0045] They also installed the company's application with a secure communication channel and identification system for transmitting information about the car's location on the personal smartphone of the private owner of the car (they preliminarily confirmed the car's ownership to private individual "U"),

[0046] During one of his trips, individual "Y" needed directions. He sent a request for directions through the company "X" app.

[0047] Events for his car were saved on the company's server, and the location of his car (with additional mapping) and the time of recording were sent to him in the Application.

[0048] The users did not have GPS trackers and did not use mobile apps like Yandex Maps or Google Maps, making them vulnerable to possible spoofing.

[0049] Thanks to the messages received, users were able to orient themselves in the area and then they received data about their location in real time (in the case where their car was recorded at the place of passage by cameras of the company "X"),

[0050] In addition, the X company's app allowed the user to plot a route to a given point.

[0051] In this case, the user received movement prompts (“turn right”, “turn left”).

[0052] The proposed invention enables navigation without the use of satellite navigation systems and in conditions subject to the risk of cyberattacks (spoofing). This allows us to conclude that the stated technical result has been achieved.

Claims

CLAUSES OF THE INVENTION Method of vehicle orientation on the terrain 1. A method for orienting a wheeled vehicle on the terrain, including receiving information by video surveillance devices, recognizing it and determining the location of the vehicle, characterized in that information about the wheeled vehicle is obtained by means of video cameras, the location of which is known in advance, permanently installed on the terrain and connected to a remote server, additionally includes preliminary transmission to the remote server of data of the vehicle, which will require assistance in orientation on the terrain, assigning to the results of video recording a feature confirming the location of the vehicle in the coordinates of the means with which the video recording of the wheeled vehicle was performed, transmitting data containing the results of video recording and a feature confirming the coordinates to the remote server,recognition of the obtained results of video recording and identification of the wheeled vehicle by comparing the results of video recording and the data of the wheeled vehicle transmitted earlier, in the case of a positive identification, transmission of information to the user about the location of the wheeled vehicle, while in order to receive assistance in orientation on the terrain, the user sends a corresponding request using communication means.

2. The method according to item 1, characterized in that the state registration number of the vehicle is used as the data pre-transmitted to the remote server.

3. The method according to paragraph 1, characterized in that it includes the step of, after transmitting the data about the user’s location, destroying on the server the compared data previously transmitted from the video surveillance camera.

4. The method according to the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that the information message to the user about the location of the vehicle is sent via mobile communication channels in the form of a text and / or voice message.

5. The method according to paragraph 1, characterized in that information about the location of the vehicle is sent to software installed on the user’s communication device.

6. The method according to item 5, characterized in that the software tool plots the user’s route of movement on a map of the area.

7. The method according to item 1, characterized in that when determining the location of the vehicle, information about the distance from the camera to it is used.