Evaluating a large amount of position data

Abstract

Procedure for evaluating position data with the following steps: - Providing position data acquired by means of a large number of position sensors, wherein the number of position sensors is at least large enough to ensure that the position data has a predetermined accuracy; - Evaluating the position data using an evaluation device to determine whether the entirety of the position data exhibits predetermined characteristics; and - Transmitting the evaluated position data to a human-machine interface.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for evaluating position data. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention is based on the object of creating a method for evaluating position data which can be implemented without specially provided sensors or which can be implemented cost-effectively with a large number of measuring ranges.

[0003] Accordingly, it is provided: - a method for evaluating position data comprising the following steps: providing position data acquired by a plurality of position sensors, wherein the number of position sensors is at least large enough for the position measurements to have a predetermined accuracy; evaluating the position data by means of an evaluation device to determine whether the entirety of the position data has predetermined features; and transmitting the evaluated position data to a human-machine interface.

[0004] A position sensor is, for example, a GPS sensor, an inclination sensor, a gyro sensor (e.g. from ABS / ASR / ...), vibration sensors (alarm system) and the like.

[0005] A movement pattern of the multitude of position sensors is the interaction of movements of the position sensors, for example when all position sensors whose position measurements are evaluated move uniformly.

[0006] A sensor pool comprises a large number of position sensors that can potentially be added to the multitude of position sensors whose position measurements are being evaluated. Accordingly, a sensor pool can also contain position sensors whose position measurements are temporarily not being evaluated, for example, because the position sensors are located in an unsuitable area or because the position sensors are temporarily stationary or non-stationary.

[0007] A human-machine interface (HMI) allows an operator to operate a machine, electrical, or electronic device, as well as observe and evaluate measured values. The information ("feedback") can be provided via control panels with signal lamps, display panels, or buttons, or via software via a visualization system running on a terminal, for example. The driver's area of ​​a vehicle also features numerous human-machine interfaces—from the control devices (pedals, steering wheel, gearshift and turn signal levers, etc.) to the visual feedback of the "machine" vehicle (displays for speed, range, radio program, navigation system, etc.).

[0008] In this patent application, position data with a predetermined accuracy also means that the original position data is subject to a certain (undesirable) measurement error and that the position data is improved by subsequent methods to achieve greater accuracy. For example, position data from a plurality of position sensors can be corrected to achieve improved accuracy.

[0009] The trajectory of a position sensor can, for example, be determined by the road surface on which the position sensor is moving. If the trajectory is subject to an evasive maneuver, the trajectory was influenced by the cause of the evasive maneuver. The evasive maneuver can be recognized in the trajectory as an abrupt change in direction and / or a braking maneuver.

[0010] Trajectories can include only location or a combination of location and time.

[0011] Computer program products typically comprise a sequence of instructions that, when the program is loaded, cause the hardware to perform a specific procedure leading to a specific result.

[0012] The basic idea of ​​the invention is to evaluate position data from a large number of position sensors and to draw conclusions if the totality of the position data contains characteristic features.

[0013] The number of position sensors is at least large enough that the position measurements have a predetermined accuracy.

[0014] For example, the accuracy of GPS measurements can be increased by evaluating GPS data from a large number of GPS sensors.

[0015] Evaluated position data is transmitted to a human-machine interface in order to visualize the evaluation result or predetermined characteristics in the entirety of the position data.

[0016] Advantageous embodiments and further developments emerge from the further subclaims and from the description with reference to the figures of the drawing.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least some of the position sensors are designed as GPS sensors. GPS sensors are widely used and particularly cost-effective sensors that, if a sufficiently large number of position sensors are used, exhibit sufficient accuracy.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the position sensors are designed as vehicle sensors. Accordingly, the position sensors are mounted on or in a vehicle. Numerous vehicles have position sensors to ensure corresponding functionality, for example, navigation. The invention provides for the use of this vehicle hardware for evaluation, for example, with regard to movements within the Earth's crust.

[0019] An example of temporarily stationary position sensors designed as vehicle sensors are position sensors of parked vehicles. These can be vehicles parked in a business parking lot or vehicles parked at a reasonable distance from each other in a residential area, for example.

[0020] According to a preferred development of the invention, position measurements from a plurality of at least temporarily stationary position sensors are evaluated. The minimum number of position sensors whose position measurements are evaluated is at least large enough for the position measurements to have a predetermined accuracy. It is understood that the minimum number may vary if the accuracy of the position measurements varies.

[0021] In order to detect whether a movement pattern occurs among the multitude of position measurements that exhibits characteristics typical of movement within the Earth's crust, the position measurements are monitored.

[0022] This makes it possible to detect movements in the Earth's crust using a multitude of position sensors. This makes it possible, for example, to determine the epicenter of an earthquake, for example, to organize relief efforts.

[0023] Furthermore, it is also conceivable that the large number of position measurements could be used to identify characteristic features that indicate an impending earthquake.

[0024] According to a preferred development of the invention, it is ensured that the position sensors are located in an area that is not exposed to artificial shocks and / or vibrations. For example, it is known that subways cause vibrations that can falsely indicate an earthquake. Accordingly, it is conceivable to block areas in which artificial vibrations occur from the evaluation of position measurements from position sensors, meaning that position sensors within a blocked area are not taken into account.

[0025] According to a preferred development of the invention, the plurality of position sensors comprises position sensors of a sensor pool, wherein position sensors from the sensor pool are added to the plurality of position sensors as soon as they are at least temporarily stationary and located in a suitable area.

[0026] Accordingly, it is conceivable to define suitable areas in which a sufficient number of position sensors, in particular vehicle sensors, are often located, and to add position sensors from the sensor pool to the multitude of evaluated position sensors as soon as a respective position sensor from the sensor pool is located in the defined suitable area.

[0027] For example, if vehicle sensors are involved, it is conceivable that a large number of vehicle sensors are part of the sensor pool. For example, it is conceivable that an organization tasked with monitoring movements within the Earth's crust calls on vehicle users to register vehicle sensors, thereby adding vehicle sensors to the sensor pool. As soon as a vehicle with a vehicle sensor that is part of the sensor pool is parked in a suitable area, the position data from the position sensor is evaluated to measure movements within the Earth's crust.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is checked whether a position sensor whose position measurements are being monitored is stationary, meaning that the position sensor is not being moved across the Earth's crust by artificial or technical means. Artificial or technical means include, for example, the carrying of a position sensor by a person or the movement of an object carrying the position sensor, such as a vehicle.

[0029] According to a preferred development of the invention, the plurality of position sensors are at least temporarily moving position sensors, and the position data are evaluated in order to detect when a movement pattern of the plurality of position sensors occurs which has typical features for obstacles that are suitable for influencing a trajectory of the position sensors.

[0030] Accordingly, it is conceivable that a road is traveled by a large number of vehicles equipped with GPS sensors. If irregularities occur in a large number of trajectories traveled that cannot be explained by the route, this is an indication of a disruption, such as road damage, an obstacle (partially) on the roadway, pollution, or the like. TABLE OF CONTENTS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the schematic figures of the drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the invention.

[0032] The accompanying drawings are intended to provide a further understanding of embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, in conjunction with the description, serve to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the noted advantages will be apparent upon review of the drawings. Elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale relative to one another.

[0033] In the figures of the drawings, identical, functionally identical and acting elements, features and components are provided with the same reference symbols, unless otherwise stated. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0034] Fig.Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a method for evaluating position data comprising steps S1 to S3. In step S1, position data acquired by a plurality of position sensors is provided. The number of position data from the position sensors providing position data is at least large enough for the position measurements to have a predetermined accuracy. In step S2, the position data is evaluated by an evaluation device to determine whether the entire set of position data exhibits predetermined characteristics. In step S3, the evaluated position data is transmitted to a human-machine interface. Reference symbol S 1-S3 procedural steps

Claims

[1] Method for evaluating position data with the following steps: - Providing position data which has been detected by means of a plurality of position sensors, wherein the number of position sensors is at least large enough for the position data to have a predetermined accuracy; - evaluating the position data by means of an evaluation device in order to determine whether the entirety of the position data has predetermined characteristics; and - Transmitting the evaluated position data to a human-machine interface. [2] Method for evaluating position data according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the position sensors are designed as GPS sensors. [3] Method for evaluating position data according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least some of the position sensors are designed as vehicle sensors. [4] Method for evaluating position data according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of position sensors are at least temporarily stationary position sensors and the position data are monitored during the evaluation in order to detect when a movement pattern of the plurality of position sensors occurs which has features typical for a movement within the earth's crust. [5] Method for evaluating position data according to one of the preceding claims, wherein it is ensured that the position sensors are located in a suitable area which is not exposed to artificial shocks and / or vibrations. [6] Method for evaluating position data according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of position sensors comprise position sensors of a sensor pool, wherein position sensors from the sensor pool are added to the plurality of position sensors as soon as they are at least temporarily stationary or temporarily non-stationary and are located in a suitable area. [7] Method for evaluating position data according to one of the preceding claims, wherein it is checked whether a position sensor whose position measurements are monitored is stationary. [8] Method for evaluating position data according to one of the preceding claims 1-3, wherein the plurality of position sensors are at least temporarily moving position sensors, and the position data are evaluated in order to detect when a movement pattern of the plurality of position sensors occurs which has typical features for obstacles which are suitable for influencing a trajectory of the position sensors.

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