Method and apparatus for searching for an object using motor vehicles, as well as motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for searching for an object (2) using motor vehicles, wherein the method comprises receiving a search signal for an object (2) of interest at a first motor vehicle (1), recognizing the search signal in the vicinity of the first motor vehicle (1), estimating a trajectory (21) of the object (2) of interest and providing the trajectory and the search signal to a second motor vehicle (3).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a device for searching for an object using motor vehicles and to a motor vehicle with such a device.

[0002] Modern motor vehicles often have one or more image capture devices that record the vehicle's surroundings. When searching for an object of interest, it may not be possible to use these recordings for data protection reasons.

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved method and an improved device for searching for an object using motor vehicles.

[0004] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0005] According to a first aspect, a method for searching an object using motor vehicles is provided.

[0006] The method comprises the steps of receiving a search indication of an object of interest on a first motor vehicle, detecting the search indication in the environment of the first motor vehicle, estimating a trajectory of the object of interest and providing the trajectory and the search indication to a second motor vehicle.

[0007] The method according to the invention serves in particular to enable a search for an object by several motor vehicles.

[0008] In a first step of the method, a search indication of an object of interest on a first motor vehicle is received.

[0009] A search clue can, in particular, include information about the object and how it can be identified. The object can be either an object, such as a motor vehicle, or a person, as will be described in more detail below. In particular, the search clue can also include characteristic features of the object or motor vehicle, such as make, model, color, etc.

[0010] The search hint is used to locate the object, in particular because it is being sought in connection with an offense such as an administrative offense or a criminal offense, for example by a law enforcement agency.

[0011] The search tip can be received, in particular, from a remote data center. The remote data center can, in particular, be a data center of a law enforcement agency and include one or more data servers. The remote data center is located at a distance from the first and second motor vehicles.

[0012] The search tip can be received directly by the remote data center of the law enforcement agency or can first be sent to a central processing unit, which is provided, for example, by the manufacturer of the first motor vehicle and / or a fleet operator, and from there to the first motor vehicle.

[0013] The central processing unit, which can also be implemented as a cloud, is separate from the remote data center and is also separated from the first and second motor vehicles. In particular, the central processing unit has different data protection regulations or data protection requirements than the remote data center.

[0014] The first motor vehicle for providing the search hint can be selected based on its location or current position. Additionally or alternatively, the first motor vehicle can be selected randomly.

[0015] Additionally or alternatively, the motor vehicle can be selected on the basis of its equipment, in particular on the basis of the presence of one or more image capture devices, as will be explained below, on the first motor vehicle.

[0016] Additionally or alternatively, the motor vehicle can also be selected based on its brand or manufacturer.

[0017] The search hint can be transmitted in particular wirelessly, for example via a communication method such as mobile radio, Bluetooth, WiFi and / or Car2X, in particular Car2Car and / or Car2Infrastructure.

[0018] In a further step, the search clue is recognized in the vicinity of the first motor vehicle.

[0019] For this purpose, external perception functions of the first motor vehicle are used in particular, such as one or more image capture devices, such as one or more camera, radar and / or lidar devices, which are designed to capture an area of ​​the surroundings or the environment of the motor vehicle in one or more images.

[0020] In particular, the image capture devices are used for other functions, such as road sign recognition, distance warning and / or collision warning.

[0021] The captured images are examined and evaluated using suitable image analysis algorithms, such as object recognition algorithms, to determine whether the object specified by the search clue has been captured.

[0022] In a further step, a trajectory of the object of interest is estimated.

[0023] In this case, a trajectory comprises a position and a direction, or a vector, of a possible movement. If the object is stationary or at rest, the trajectory can also comprise only the position, or the directional information is zero.

[0024] The position can include one or more coordinates, an address, such as a street and house number, or proximity to a point of interest. The direction includes, in particular, a compass direction and / or a direction of travel along a specific street.

[0025] The trajectory is determined or estimated based on one or more characteristics of the object, such as a direction of movement and / or an orientation of the object.

[0026] In a further step, the estimated trajectory and the search hint are provided to a second motor vehicle.

[0027] The second motor vehicle is different from the first motor vehicle. However, the second motor vehicle can, in particular, be a motor vehicle of the same brand as the first motor vehicle or of a brand associated with it. In particular, the first and second motor vehicles can both be connected to a central processing unit, in particular to the same central processing unit.

[0028] The estimated trajectory or information indicating it can be transmitted, in particular by means of the communication methods already explained, either directly from the first motor vehicle to the second motor vehicle, or via the or a central processing unit, as previously described.

[0029] The second motor vehicle can be selected in particular on the basis of its location or current position, its equipment, its make and / or randomly, as described above.

[0030] The process can then start again from the beginning on the second motor vehicle and the search clue in the vicinity of the first motor vehicle can be recognized and a trajectory of the object of interest can be estimated, and the further steps described below can also be carried out.

[0031] The method according to the invention makes it possible to reliably locate an object using multiple motor vehicles. In particular, estimating and transferring the trajectory to the second motor vehicle enables a particularly accurate search.

[0032] According to a further development, the method further comprises the step of determining whether an anonymization requirement of the first motor vehicle can be met.

[0033] The step of providing the estimated trajectory and the search hint to a second motor vehicle is only carried out if the anonymization requirement cannot be met.

[0034] An anonymisation requirement is a requirement to at least partially anonymise the first motor vehicle and in particular the identity of the persons in it.

[0035] In particular, it is a requirement that no conclusions can be drawn from the recognition of the search clue and / or the estimation of the trajectory regarding an identity and / or personal data in connection with the first motor vehicle, in particular not by third parties.

[0036] Only if this anonymization requirement cannot be met, i.e. the first motor vehicle and / or its occupants cannot be anonymized or cannot be sufficiently anonymized, the estimated trajectory is provided to the second motor vehicle together with the search hint, as described above.

[0037] For example, such an anonymization requirement may not be met if the first motor vehicle is alone in a specific location, such as a remote area or a place with little traffic. In this case, login data in a radio mast, for example, could allow clear conclusions to be drawn about the first motor vehicle or the persons inside, which the invention aims to avoid.

[0038] This advanced training makes it possible to locate an object particularly anonymously and in compliance with data protection regulations. In particular, this training ensures that no data protection is violated, especially for the first vehicle and its occupants.

[0039] According to a further development, the method further comprises the step of providing the trajectory to a remote data center.

[0040] The trajectory is only made available to a remote data center if the anonymization requirement can be met.

[0041] The remote data center is the data center previously explained, which is assigned to a law enforcement agency, for example.

[0042] The trajectory, in particular with further information, can be sent via communication methods as described above, directly to the remote data center, or, also as explained above, to the central processing unit, and from there to the remote data center.

[0043] This training makes it possible for a law enforcement agency to locate the object with particular certainty.

[0044] According to a further development, the method further comprises the step of providing evidence of discovery of the object of interest.

[0045] Evidence of discovery is proof that the object has been found or recorded and recognized. This can include, in particular, one or more images and / or a video of the object, which includes, in particular, the search clue and other information.

[0046] The evidence of discovery can also be sent via communication methods as described above, directly to the remote data center, or, also as explained above, to the central processing unit and from there to the remote data center.

[0047] This further training makes it possible to verify the object or its location with particular precision.

[0048] According to a further development, the second motor vehicle is located near the trajectory.

[0049] In particular, the second motor vehicle is selected based on its position and / or its own trajectory in the vicinity of the trajectory of the object of interest, either by the first motor vehicle or by the central processing unit.

[0050] For example, the second motor vehicle has a proximity to the object and / or its estimated trajectory that is less than 5 km, less than 1 km or less than 100 m.

[0051] Alternatively or additionally, the planned trajectory of the second motor vehicle and the trajectory of the object of interest overlap at least in sections.

[0052] This advanced technology makes it possible to use a second vehicle to effectively detect the object of interest. This allows for particularly rapid and promising detection.

[0053] According to further training, the search hint is a license plate.

[0054] The search clue is, in particular, the official registration number that is assigned to or attached to an object, in this case a vehicle, and that uniquely identifies it.

[0055] The license plate number can be determined and read from the captured images using suitable image analysis algorithms.

[0056] This advanced training makes it possible to clearly identify a motor vehicle. This training is particularly reliable.

[0057] According to further training, the search clue is a description of a person.

[0058] A personal description can be abstract physical characteristics of a sought-after person, such as hair color, eye color, height, gender, ethnicity and / or clothing worn.

[0059] Alternatively or additionally, the description of the person may also include one or more images of the person being sought, for example one or more photographs and / or one or more phantom sketches.

[0060] This description of the person can then be determined and read from the captured images using suitable image analysis algorithms.

[0061] This advanced training makes it possible to identify a person with exceptional precision. This training is also particularly reliable.

[0062] According to a further development, the method further comprises the step of changing a navigation route on the second motor vehicle in response to the trajectory

[0063] Through this further development, a previously planned route of the second motor vehicle is changed so that the new route or the trajectory of the second motor vehicle and the trajectory of the object of interest have at least a partial overlap.

[0064] The navigation route can be changed both in a passive navigation system of the second motor vehicle and in an autonomous driving unit of the second motor vehicle.

[0065] In particular, the navigation route can be modified such that an intersection of the route or the trajectory of the second motor vehicle and the trajectory of the object of interest have a partial overlap in a predetermined area, in particular in an area where an anonymization requirement can likely be met. This can, in particular, be a busy road, such as a multi-lane road.

[0066] This training makes it possible to identify the object of interest particularly quickly and accurately.

[0067] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below. Shown are: For use cases or application situations that may arise during the method and which are not explicitly described here, it may be provided that, in accordance with the method, an error message and / or a request to enter user feedback is issued and / or a default setting and / or a predetermined initial state is set.

[0068] According to a further aspect, a device is provided. The device may comprise a data processing device or a processor device configured to carry out an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0069] In particular, the device is designed to carry out the steps relating to the motor vehicle and / or carried out on the motor vehicle.

[0070] For this purpose, the processor device can have at least one microprocessor and / or at least one microcontroller and / or at least one FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and / or at least one DSP (Digital Signal Processor). In particular, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphical Processing Unit) or an NPU (Neural Processing Unit) can be used as the microprocessor. Furthermore, the processor device can have program code which, when executed by the processor device, is configured to carry out the embodiment of the method according to the invention. The program code can be stored in a data memory of the processor device. The processor device can, for example, be based on at least one circuit board and / or on at least one SoC (System on Chip).

[0071] According to a further aspect, a motor vehicle is provided which comprises such a device.

[0072] The motor vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car or truck, or as a passenger bus or motorcycle.

[0073] As a further solution, the invention also encompasses a computer-readable storage medium comprising program code which, when executed by a computer or computer network, causes the computer to carry out an embodiment of the method according to the invention. The storage medium can be provided at least partially as a non-volatile data memory (e.g. as a flash memory and / or as an SSD - solid state drive) and / or at least partially as a volatile data memory (e.g. as a RAM - random access memory). The storage medium can be arranged in the computer or computer network. However, the storage medium can also be operated on the Internet, for example, as a so-called app store server and / or cloud server. The computer or computer network can provide a processor circuit with, for example, at least one microprocessor.The program code may be provided as binary code and / or as assembly code and / or as source code of a programming language (e.g. C) and / or as a program script (e.g. Python).

[0074] The invention also encompasses combinations of the features of the described embodiments. The invention therefore also encompasses implementations that each comprise a combination of the features of several of the described embodiments, unless the embodiments are described as mutually exclusive.

[0075] With regard to the embodiments of the device, the motor vehicle and the storage medium as well as the associated advantages, reference is made to the previously described embodiments of the method and the associated advantages.

[0076] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below. Shown are: Fig. 1 a schematic view of an embodiment of a method and a device for searching an object using motor vehicles.

[0077] 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 can be considered independently of one another, each of which also develops the invention independently of one another. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to encompass combinations of the features of the embodiments other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

[0078] In the figures, the same reference symbols designate elements with the same function.

[0079] Fig.Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a method and a device 100 for searching for an object using motor vehicles. The device 100 is enclosed by the motor vehicle 1 and configured to carry out the method steps described below.

[0080] The device 100 is initially configured to receive a search indication for an object 2 of interest on the first motor vehicle 1. The object 2 of interest is represented here, by way of example, as another motor vehicle, and the search indication is represented as a vehicle in the reference number 20.

[0081] The device 100 is also designed to detect the search indication in the surroundings of the first motor vehicle 1.

[0082] The device 100 is also configured to estimate a trajectory 21 of the object 2 of interest.

[0083] Furthermore, the device 100 is designed to determine whether an anonymization requirement of the first motor vehicle 1 can be met.

[0084] If the anonymization requirement cannot be met, the device 100 is designed to provide the estimated trajectory 21 and the search hint to a second motor vehicle 3.

[0085] However, if the anonymization requirement can be met, the device 100 is configured to provide the estimated trajectory 21 to a remote data center 10.

[0086] The device 100 is also configured to capture evidence of discovery of the object 2 of interest and to provide it to the remote data center 10.

[0087] The second motor vehicle 3 was selected due to its proximity to the trajectory 21 of the object 2 of interest.

[0088] Overall, the examples demonstrate how a highly anonymized search for an object of interest can be provided by a law enforcement agency using multiple motor vehicles.

Claims

[1] Method for searching an object (2) using motor vehicles, comprising: - receiving a search indication of an object (2) of interest on a first motor vehicle (1); - Recognition of the search clue in the vicinity of the first motor vehicle (1); - estimating a trajectory (21) of the object (2) of interest; and - Providing the trajectory and the search information to a second motor vehicle (3). [2] The method of claim 1, further comprising: - determining whether an anonymization requirement of the first motor vehicle (1) can be met; wherein the step of providing is only carried out if the anonymization requirement cannot be met. [3] Method according to claim 2, if the anonymisation requirement can be met: - Providing the trajectory to a remote data center (10). [4] The method of claim 3, further comprising: - Providing evidence of discovery of the object (2) of interest to the remote data center (10). [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second motor vehicle (3) is located in the vicinity of the trajectory (21). [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the search hint is an identifier (20). [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the search clue is a description of a person. [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: - changing a navigation route on the second motor vehicle (3) in response to the trajectory. [9] Device (100) for searching for an object using motor vehicles, wherein the device (100) is designed to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims. [10] Motor vehicle (1) comprising a device (100) according to claim 9.

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