Method and arrangement for locating an object in a motor vehicle or building using a sensor system

Abstract

Method for locating an object (1) in a predetermined target area, which comprises a building (2) and a motor vehicle (3), wherein a status of the object (1) is determined, and wherein the status contains position information in the target area about the object (1), and wherein the position information is obtained by means of a sensor device, characterized in that a user (7) of the object (1) carries out a query about the position information about the required object (1), and wherein the position information is obtained by means of a first sensor (4) of the sensor device, which is installed in the motor vehicle (3), and by means of a second sensor (5) of the sensor device, which is installed in the building (2), wherein the sensors (4, 5) of the motor vehicle (3) and of the building (2) are networked with a sensor system (10) and thus communicate with each other, and wherein information is obtained as to whether the object (1) is located in the motor vehicle (3) and, if not, where the object (1) is located outside the motor vehicle (3) in the building (2), wherein the object (1) is assigned to a category and, based on the category and the position information, a decision is made as to whether the object (1) or another object of the category is located in the motor vehicle (3), and additional information, which is a specific event or a priority of the object, is provided, wherein the additional information is linked to the category or the object (1), and a decision is made on the basis of the additional information and the position information as to whether the object (1) or another object of the category is located in the motor vehicle (3).

Description

The invention relates to a method for locating an object in a predefined target space, which comprises a building and a motor vehicle, wherein a status of the object is determined, and wherein the status contains position information in the target space about the object, and wherein the position information is obtained by means of a sensor device. Furthermore, the invention relates to an arrangement of a motor vehicle and a building with a sensor system.DE 10 2014 218 849 A1 discloses a method and system for driving-related vehicle inventory. First, at least one spatial position along a route to be traveled by a vehicle is determined. Next, automatic data-technology detection takes place, by means of at least one object detection device arranged in the vehicle, of one or more objects carried along in the vehicle. An assignment of an object target profile to each of the determined positions is then carried out, wherein each object target profile defines one or more object properties for one or more objects that can be carried along in the vehicle. Thereafter, an actual object profile is assigned to each object identified via its corresponding signal, wherein the actual object profile specifies one or more object properties of the object. Furthermore, at least one of the object target profiles or a combination of a plurality of the same with at least one of the object actual profiles or a combination of a plurality of the same is matched. If it is determined during the matching that the at least one object actual profile or the combination of a plurality thereof deviates from the at least one object target profile or the combination of a plurality thereof according to a predetermined measure, output data which characterize the determined deviation is determined and output said deviation via an interface.DE 10 2014 217 504 A1 discloses a system for locating a first signal transmitter in a near-field search space region, in particular in an interior or in the immediate environment of a vehicle. The system includes a plurality of second signal transmitters at different positions in the search space area and one or more signal receivers at different locations in the search space area for receiving physical signals originating from the first signal transmitter and at least one of the second signal transmitters. An evaluation unit is provided for evaluating the received signals. The signals of the second identify the signal transmitter that it transmits. The signal receivers are each capable of detecting at least one physical variable, in particular the reception power, of the signal received by them, which characterizes a spatial distance of the respective signal receiver from the signal transmitter transmitting the signal. The evaluation unit assigns each second signal transmitter to a spatial zone defined in the near field search range. By detecting and comparing radio situations determined on the basis of the received powers for the signals of the first and second signal transmitters, i.e. in each case a comparative radio situation for each first signal transmitter on the one hand and reference radio situations for each zone on the other hand, that zone is determined for which at least one associated reference radio situation has the greatest similarity with the comparative radio situation according to a similarity measure, to determine and output as the probable location of the first signal transmitter. A corresponding locating method is also described.DE 10 2013 215 097 A1 discloses a method for determining the presence of an object in a vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises a receptacle device which is configured to receive objects, wherein the vehicle further comprises a weighing device which is configured to determine the mass of the object or objects received in the receptacle device; wherein the method comprises the following steps: determining the mass of the object or objects received in the receptacle device; determining the object or objects present in the receptacle device using the determined mass and a database which stores their masses for objects in each case.US 2016 / 0295356 A1 discloses a method for tracking an entity. In one embodiment, multiple messages that transmit an identification of an entity are received using a wireless identification component. A geographic location of the wireless identification component is determined by a positioning component, wherein the geographic location describes a respective geographic location of the wireless identification component when each of the plurality of messages is received. A geographic position of the entity is determined based on a known spatial relationship between the positioning component and the wireless identification component.From US 5 774 876 A it is known that an object in a storage area or in a moving vehicle is monitored by applying an electronic label to the object. An electronic device detects the presence of the object by communicating with the tag while the object is in storage or moving by the vehicle. The tags may also determine the location of an attached object and redirect the object if it deviates from a particular shipping schedule. A group of objects is monitored by two electronic tags, each associated with an object in the group. Each tag has circuitry for transmitting information relating to an object in the group to a second tag. Each tag also includes a memory connected to the circuit that can store the information and a controller connected to the memory and the circuit.In the disclosures just mentioned, detection of objects in vehicles is explained, but once an object is outside a vehicle, detection can no longer be performed.The object of the present invention is to locate objects in and outside vehicles in a targeted manner.This object is achieved by a method and arrangement according to the independent claims. Meaningful further developments are evident from the dependent claims.One aspect of the invention relates to a method for locating an object in a predefined target space, which comprises a building and a motor vehicle, wherein a status of the object is determined, and wherein the status contains position information in the target space about the object, and wherein the position information is obtained by means of a sensor device, and wherein a user of the object carries out a query about the position information about the required object, wherein the position information is obtained by means of a first sensor of the sensor device, which is installed in the motor vehicle, and by means of a second sensor of the sensor device, which is installed in the building, wherein the sensors of the motor vehicle and of the building are networked to a sensor system and thus communicate with one another. In this case, information is obtained as to whether the object is located in the motor vehicle and, if not, where the object is located outside the motor vehicle in the building. For example, the possibility can be granted that a user is provided with the information as to whether an object is located in the vehicle and, if not, where it is located outside the vehicle in the building.For this purpose, the objects can be equipped with an electronic marking. This electronic marking is detected and evaluated by sensors of the sensor device. For example, optical or biometric systems could also be used for recognizing objects. The evaluation supplies the position information, i.e. the position of the detected object. The sensor device uses the sensors of the vehicle and of the building and, for example, interconnects all sensors with one another. The sensors of the vehicle should preferably cover the interior and trunk of the vehicle to detect the position information about the object throughout the vehicle. If the object has not been located in the vehicle, the position information is determined by means of the sensors of the building. The sensors of the building should typically be capable of ascertaining position information in the entire building. If successful localization has also not been carried out in the building, then the user is optionally notified that the object is neither in the vehicle nor in the building.According to the invention, it is provided that the object is assigned to a category and it is decided on the basis of the category and the position information whether the object or another object of the category is located in the motor vehicle. If multiple objects are to be located, then each object being searched need not be electronically detected separately. Otherwise, each item of position information of the objects must be individually detected and evaluated. In order to remedy this, a plurality of objects are, for example, combined into one category. Here, for example, the objects (laptop, workmape and service handle) will be assigned to the category "occupation". After selection of this category, the electronic query will ascertain the position information of the objects of this category. The user is then informed, for example, whether the objects of the category have been located and whether the objects are located in the building and / or in the vehicle. As a result, the user has an overview of all objects of a specific category.According to the invention, provision is made for additional information to be provided, for the additional information to be linked to the category or to the object, and for a decision to be made on the basis of the additional information and the position information as to whether the object or another object of the category is located in the motor vehicle. The additional information is a specific event (e.g. outward flights, travel, service travel, vacation, deadlines, etc.) or the priority of the object. Using the additional information, the required objects or the required category for an imminent event are communicated to the user and the position information of the objects is determined. For example, if the user schedules a service trip, the appropriate objects (e.g., workmap, laptop) are located or the complete category (e.g., professional travel) is summarized and all objects of the category are located. Different priorities can likewise be assigned to the objects in order, for example, to first locate the important objects of the user. For example, for the user, his handy phone and wallet are more important than a umbrella. It is first checked whether the cell phone and the wallet are located in the vehicle and only then are further objects located.A further optional aspect of the invention provides that the second sensor is part of a system for electronically networking the building and the system is used for locating the object in the building. In order to locate the object in a building, the building preferably has to be equipped with an electronic home network (e.g. smart home). For example, the home network may be connected to the communication system of the vehicle to efficiently perform the location of objects. The home network is typically equipped with a series of sensors, which may be used for locating objects. This makes it possible to dispense with additional sensors in the building.Preferably, it is provided that the position information about the object is automatically transmitted to a user or the user can display the position information on a terminal by means of a query. For example, the position information is automatically transmitted to a web page or app. It is likewise conceivable for the position information to be transmitted directly to the communication system of the vehicle and for the user to be provided with the respective position information displayed, for example, on the screen of the onboard computer. A further option is to transmit the position information to the control and control unit of the home network. Here, for example, the user views the position information about the object on a screen in the home corridor. The user also has the possibility of having the position information about the sought object displayed via a smartphone app. This allows the user to display the current position information about the object at any time. The user is provided with yet another advantage by querying the position information. If the user is not sure whether a required object (e.g. a umbrella) is located in the vehicle, he carries out a query of the current position information about the required object. Thus, the user is easily notified whether the required object is present in the vehicle without searching for it.Preferably, it is provided that the position information about the object is stored continuously updated in a database and the current position information is used for locating the object. For example, the position information could be stored in real time. As a result, the locating of an object or the interrogation of the position information about the object can be carried out more efficiently and quickly. For example, if a particular object is needed several times a day or week, then the last current position information about the object is stored. This is then displayed immediately upon the user's interrogation and the user is informed about the position of the object. An advantage is also obtained in the locating of the object. For example, it is possible that when the position information is ascertained by the sensors, the region to be detected is narrowed. The sensors can thus be controlled and used more efficiently. The database preferably stores the changes in the position information and provides them to the user. The database can also be used to carry out queries for statistics. Here, the locations for objects at which the objects are most frequently located can be defined. For example, the umbrella should be located in the vehicle and not in the building basement.Preferably, it is provided that the additional information is provided manually or by an online service. The additional information can be set by the user himself, for example, and allows the user to assign certain events / deadlines from his calendar to the object or category.Here, the user has the possibility of, for example, associating specific work deadlines with the objects of the category "occupation". For example, the user specifies that the laptop and the workmap are important in the case of an imminent service trip and should be in the vehicle when the service trip begins. Furthermore, this allows the additional information to be linked, for example, to a web page for weather forecasts. Here, the location of an upcoming deadline or scheduled trip is compared to the online weather data. If it will rain at the destination, then the indication should appear that the entrainment of the umbrella would be expedient, and the current position information of the umbrella should be ascertained immediately.Preferably, it is provided that the object is marked with a predefinable information item, and the predefinable information item is linked to the additional formation. The object should be specifically marked in order to be detected by the sensor device. For this purpose, a transceiver system is used, for example. In this case, the object is typically provided with an electronic marking (e.g. RFID (radio-frequency identification)). This electronic marking is then detected and evaluated by the sensors in the building and in the vehicle. The sensor device then supplies the position information of the object. The electronic marking is preferably linked to the additional information, so that the sensor device takes the stored additional information into account in the evaluation when detecting the marked object. For example, a work bag is provided with the electronic marking and, for example, "business travel" is stored as additional information. If a user wishes the position information of the work bag, then not only the information about the position of the work bag is communicated to him, but also the indication of a possible imminent business trip. The user thereby has the possibility of obtaining a plurality of items of information simultaneously.A further aspect of the invention relates to an arrangement of a motor vehicle and a building having a sensor system, wherein the sensor system is configured with at least two sensors, wherein the motor vehicle is configured with at least one of the sensors and the building is likewise configured with at least one of the sensors, and wherein the sensors of the motor vehicle and of the building are networked together and thereby communicate with one another, wherein the sensors are configured for locating an object, wherein a query can be carried out by means of a terminal device about position information about the object required there. The sensor system can be used to provide information as to whether the object is located in the motor vehicle and, if not, where the object is located outside the motor vehicle in the building, for which purpose the object can be assigned to a category and it is decided on the basis of the category and the position information whether the object or another object of the category is located in the motor vehicle and an additional information item which is a specific event or a priority of the object can be provided, wherein the additional information item is linked to the category or the object, and it is decided on the basis of the additional information item and the position information item whether the object or another object of the category is located in the motor vehicle. For example, in order to detect objects in a vehicle or a building, sensors are required. These sensors must be designed in such a way that they locate the objects and process the information about the position of the objects further.In order to detect objects in the vehicle, at least one sensor of the vehicle system is used, this sensor must be able to locate an object. The information about the position is transmitted to the sensor system and processed. If the object is not located in the vehicle, the object is located in the building by means of at least one sensor of the building. For this purpose, the building should be equipped with an electronic home network (e.g. smart home) which contains sensors for locating objects. The sensors of the vehicle and of the building are networked with the sensor system and thus communicate with one another.It is preferably provided that the sensors of the sensor system are designed to communicate with a transceiver system of the object. The objects are equipped with an electronic marking (e.g. RFID). This electronic marking is detected and evaluated by the sensors of the sensor system. The exact identity of the object is inserted in the electronic marking. Each object is assigned a specific identity. The object is thus accurately identified and assigned by the sensor system. For example, if it is to be checked whether a parachute is located in the vehicle, then the sensor system locates the object which has the exact identity of the parachute.Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below. The following shows: FIG. 1 shows a schematic sequence of the method according to the invention; FIG. 2 shows a further schematic sequence of the method according to the invention; and FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of the method according to the invention.The exemplary embodiments explained below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In the exemplary embodiments, the described components of the embodiments each represent individual features of the invention that are to be considered independently of one another and that develop the invention in each case also independently of one another and are therefore also to be considered as part of the invention individually or in a combination other than the combination shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention that have already been described.In the figures, elements having the same function are each provided with the same reference numerals.Overall, FIG. 1 shows how an object 1 is located in a building 2 and in a vehicle 3 by the invention. A status of the object 1 is determined in this case, wherein the status contains position information about the object 1. This position information represents the position of the object 1 in the building 2 or the vehicle 3. The position information is obtained by means of a sensor device, wherein a first sensor 4 of the sensor device is installed in the vehicle 3 and a second sensor 5 of the sensor device is installed in the building 2. The building 2 is equipped with an electronic networking system (e.g., smart home, smart home). The second sensor 5 is part of the system for electronically networking the building 2. in order to be able to determine the position information of the object 1, here e.g. a umbrella, the sensors, i.e. the first sensor 4 or the second sensor 5, must be linked to one another. The environment in the vehicle 3 and in the building 2 can thus be covered over a large area with the sensors.In order that the object can be detected by the sensors, the object is equipped with a transceiver system. Here, the technology for electronically marking 6 (e.g. RFID (radio-frequency identification)) objects is applied. The first sensor 4 and the second sensor 5 acquire the position information of the object 1 by detecting the electronic mark 6 of the object 1. The detected position information of the object 1 is then automatically transmitted to a user 7. The user 7 can likewise be able to display the position information on a terminal (e.g. smartphone) 8 by means of a query. The position information about the object 1 is continuously updated and stored in a database 9.The database 9 can be used to query the respective current position information about the object 1. This makes the location of the object 1 more efficient because the position information constantly stores the change in the position of the object 1. If, for example, the umbrella is in the vehicle 4 amoon and is in the building 2 in the evening, the change in position is constantly updated and the user 7 is immediately informed of the changed position information of the umbrella.FIG. 2 shows the sequence when the user 7 searches for the object 1. In a first step S 1, it is checked whether the first sensor 4 of the sensor device installed in the vehicle 3 and the second sensor 5 of the sensor device installed in the building 2 are active. In a step S 2, the user 7 specifies from which object 1 he needs the position information. The user 7 also has the possibility of locating objects via a category. One or more objects are assigned to a specific category. For example, umbrella and rain apparel may be stored under the category "bad weather.". The user 7 then decides whether to require only the position information of the umbrella or whether to require all the items of the category "bad weather". All objects must be provided with an electronic marking 6, for example, so that the sensors can ascertain the position information.In a step S 3, it is decided on the basis of the detected position information whether the object 1 is located in the vehicle 3. It is likewise possible to determine, on the basis of the position information and the category, whether the object 1 or another object of the category is located in the vehicle 3. If the object 1 is located in the vehicle 3, the current position information about the object 1 is transmitted to the user 7. If object 1 or another object of the category is not located in vehicle 3, step S 4 is carried out. Here, it is checked by means of the second sensor 5 whether the object 1 is located in the building 2. In this case, in an advantageous step S 5, it is checked whether position information is already present in the database 9 about the object 1. In step S 6, the information from the database 9 and the information from the second sensor 5 are processed and a decision is made as to whether the object is located in the building. If yes, then in a step S 7 the user 7 is notified of the exact position information about the object 1, so that the user 7 is informed about the exact location of the object 1. If the object 1 could not be located in the building, this is communicated to the user 7 in a step S 8. In a final step S 9, it is checked whether the user 7 wishes to be informed about the position information of further objects. For example, an object 1 of a category would be located, but one or more objects of this category are still missing. Here, the process is not ended, but rather is restarted in order to detect the further objects.FIG. 3 shows the sequence of the method according to the invention, for example in the case of a planned professional meeting of the user 7. a first step S 11 involves checking whether the sensor device of the building 2 and of the vehicle is active and is available for locating an object 1. In step S 12, the user 7 has the possibility of defining the imminent event, in this case a professional meeting. Here, for the professional meeting, the desired object and / or category should be defined. Likewise, the time and location of the meeting may be automatically compared to weather data of an online service. With the balancing of the weather data, the user 7 is notified that it would be raining at the time of the meeting, for example, and a umbrella would be useful.A further option is to check the travel route to the meeting location with traffic data. In the next step S 13, the user 7 specifies which objects or category he actually needs for the meeting. For example, a briefcase and a laptop are required by the user 7 for the meeting. If the user does not need object 1 for the meeting, then in step S 14 the method is ended since no object 1 needs to be located.In step S 15, it is checked by means of the first sensor 4 in the vehicle 3 whether the required objects of the user 7 are located in the vehicle 3. The position information about the required objects is determined. If all the required objects of the user 7 are located in the vehicle 3, then step S 14 is immediately carried out and the method is ended. If one object 1 or more objects have not been located in the vehicle, then this is communicated to the user 7 in step S 16. In this case, the information is transmitted to a terminal 8, for example, to the user 7. In step S17, the user 7 should determine whether a further locating of the required objects is to be carried out. If this is not desired by the user 7, then step S 14 is carried out and the method is ended.In a step S 18, the locating of the objects is carried out further. However, first of all, it is checked in step S 19 whether the current position information about the objects is located in the database 9. If no suitable position information is stored in the database 9, the process proceeds to step S 18. Here, the position information of the objects is obtained with the sensor device of the building 2. In step S19, the information of the sensor device is evaluated and checked whether the sought objects have been detected in the building 2. If no positional information about the objects has been detected, then the user 7 is informed of this recognition in step S20. When locating the objects, the user 7 is automatically informed of the position of the objects in step S 21. Finally, step S 14 takes place, in which the method for locating the objects is ended.

Claims

Method for locating an object (1) in a predefined target space, which comprises a building (2) and a motor vehicle (3), wherein a status of the object (1) is determined, and wherein the status contains position information in the target space about the object (1), and wherein the position information is obtained by means of a sensor device, characterized in that a user (7) of the object (1) carries out a query about the position information about the required object (1), and wherein the position information is obtained by means of a first sensor (4) of the sensor device, which is installed in the motor vehicle (3), and by means of a second sensor (5) of the sensor device, which is installed in the building (2), wherein the sensors (4, 5) of the motor vehicle (3) and of the building (2) are networked to a sensor system (10) and thus communicate with one another, and wherein information is obtained as to whether the object (1) is located in the motor vehicle (3) and, if not, where the object (1) is located outside the motor vehicle (3) in the building (2), wherein the object (1) is assigned to a category and it is decided on the basis of the category and the position information whether the object (1) or another object of the category is located in the motor vehicle (3), and additional information which is a specific event or a priority of the object is provided, wherein the additional information is linked to the category or the object (1) and it is decided on the basis of the additional information and the position information whether the object (1) or another object of the category is located in the motor vehicle (3).Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the second sensor (5) is part of a system for electronically networking the building (2) and the system is used for locating the object (1) in the building (2).Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the position information about the object (1) is automatically transmitted to a user (7) or the user (7) can be displayed on a terminal (8) by means of a query.Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the position information about the object (1) is stored continuously updated in a database (9) and the respectively current position information is used for locating the object (1).Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the additional information is provided manually or by an online service.Method according to Claim 5, characterized in that the object (1) is identified with predefinable information, and the predefinable information is linked to the additional formation.Arrangement of a motor vehicle (3) and of a building (2) with a sensor system (10), wherein - the sensor system (10) is designed with at least two sensors, wherein - the motor vehicle (3) is designed with at least one of the sensors and the building (2) is designed with at least one of the sensors, characterized in that - the sensors of the motor vehicle (3) and of the building (2) are networked together and thereby communicate with one another, wherein - the sensors are designed for locating an object (1), wherein a query can be carried out by means of a terminal (8) about position information about the required object (1), wherein - information can be provided with the sensor system (10) as to whether the object (1) is located in the motor vehicle (3) and if not where the object (1) is located outside the motor vehicle (3) in the building (2), For which purpose the object (1) can be assigned to a category and it is decided on the basis of the category and the position information whether the object (1) or another object of the category is located in the motor vehicle (3) and additional information which is a specific event or a priority of the object can be provided, wherein the additional information is linked to the category or the object (1), and it is decided on the basis of the additional information and the position information whether the object (1) or another object of the category is located in the motor vehicle (3).Arrangement according to Claim 7, characterized in that the sensors of the sensor system (10) are designed to come into communication connection with a transceiver system (6) of the object (1).

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