METHOD FOR STORING AND EVALUATING STATUS INFORMATION COLLECTED WITHIN A V2X NETWORK

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for storing and evaluating status information acquired within a V2X network, as well as to an infrastructure unit, roadside unit (RSU), or a server configured to implement the method. The invention further relates to a corresponding method for a vehicle within a V2X network, as well as to a vehicle configured to implement the method.

[0002] Today's vehicles use a multitude of sensors to collect status information relating to the current operating status of the vehicle or relevant environmental parameters. For example, driving data such as speed or steering angle can be recorded as status information relating to the vehicle. The status information can also relate to a characteristic, such as a situation, intention, or peculiarity, of a vehicle occupant or a load transported by the vehicle. In the context of connected driving, this status information is sent to other members of the V2X network, particularly to other vehicles, as so-called V2X (vehicle-to-X) or C2X (carto-X) messages.

[0003] For example, a vehicle can transmit status information that the vehicle's occupant is a doctor on his way to a patient. This informs other road users and enables them to react to this special situation, even though the vehicle is not particularly recognizable from the outside as a private car. In another application example, a driver transporting fragile cargo can use corresponding status information to alert other road users. These road users can then predict that the vehicle transmitting the status information will not exceed a certain speed or overtake, and can react in a timely manner, for example, by braking slowly but early. It could also warn about novice drivers or driving schools, for example.

[0004] The status information transmitted by the vehicles in the V2X network is also particularly important in the event of an irregular event, such as an accident. For example, the sequence of events could be reconstructed based on the status information of the vehicles involved in the accident or those observing the accident. This can be particularly helpful in clarifying which road user caused the accident. It may be relevant in this regard whether a vehicle informed other road users about a possible special characteristic, for example, that it was transporting fragile cargo.

[0005] Reconstructing the accident requires assigning status information to individual vehicles. However, this is fraught with difficulties due to the highly anonymized nature of V2X messages. For example, a vehicle typically transmits its status information along with an identifier. However, this identifier changes constantly and cannot be traced back to a specific vehicle. This prevents the creation of movement profiles for data protection reasons. If an irregular event, such as an accident, occurs, the status information cannot be assigned to individual vehicles.

[0006] One possible solution would be to always send an identifier uniquely identifying the respective vehicle along with the status information. However, this would violate data protection principles and would not be permitted in some jurisdictions for precisely this reason, as it could lead to the creation of movement profiles. Alternatively, the status information could be permanently recorded in the vehicle itself. This would at least ensure that the status information is assigned to the respective vehicle. In the event of an accident, this status information could then be read out. However, this is complex and could also allow the creation of a movement profile.

[0007] US 2021 / 304592 A1 describes a method for accident analysis, wherein an accident involving a first vehicle is first detected and event data relating to the accident is then collected from a second vehicle.

[0008] The invention is based on the object of enriching the state of the art and proposing a method for storing and evaluating status information acquired within a V2X network, which, while complying with high data protection requirements, enables the status information to be assigned to the individual vehicles at least when an irregular event occurs.

[0009] The invention solves this problem by a method according to claim 1 and by an infrastructure unit or a server according to claim 14. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims, the description, and the figures. Explanations made regarding the individual aspects of the invention apply accordingly to the other aspects of the invention.

[0010] A first aspect of the invention relates to a method for storing and evaluating status information acquired within a V2X network. According to the invention, a set of status information is assigned to at least one of the vehicles involved in the irregular event based on a comparison of the status information and the vehicle information. This allows for a data protection-compliant assignment of status information to individual vehicles involved in an irregular event; in particular, a unique identifier can be dispensed with. Rather, data assignment is only performed retrospectively when an irregular event such as an accident occurs. The continuous, precautionary storage can remain completely anonymized. This will be explained in more detail below.

[0011] In a first step of the method according to the invention, status information from a plurality of vehicles is received, in particular from a Roadside Unit (RSU), as an infrastructure unit or a server. The RSU and / or the server can have a corresponding communication unit. The status information can, as already mentioned, relate to the current operating state of the vehicle or also relevant environmental parameters. The status information can, for example, relate to at least one property of a vehicle occupant, a vehicle load, or a property of the vehicle itself, as will be explained below. In particular, vehicle data such as speed, steering angle, direction of travel, and position of the vehicle can form such status information. The status information can be recorded and sent by vehicles in the V2X network.For example, a characteristic of a vehicle's occupant might be an emergency doctor traveling to an emergency in a private car. This could generate status information "Doctor on duty" and transmit it to other vehicles, allowing them to exercise extra caution. Similarly, a vehicle could indicate that it is transporting fragile loads. This could then provide the RSU and / or server with relevant information for later assignment. Communication within the V2X network, and in particular the transmission of status information, can be implemented via Wi-Fi or Cellular V2X, for example. This is particularly efficient, especially with a direct connection between two network participants.

[0012] In a second step, the received status information is recorded in anonymized form in a storage unit. The RSU and / or the server can have such a storage unit. The recorded status information can be deleted cyclically. Accordingly, the storage unit can be designed as a ring buffer. For each vehicle, a set of status information belonging to this vehicle can be recorded. The status information is recorded anonymously. The recorded status information is therefore anonymized status information. Anonymized means that the status information does not have a unique identifier that assigns the status information to the corresponding vehicle. Preferably, the status information is already received in anonymized form, i.e., is sent by the vehicles already anonymized.Particularly preferred is the anonymous collection of status information from the respective vehicles, i.e., without assigning such an identifier. In other words, the status information is anonymized in the sense that neither the status information itself nor any other received data contains a unique vehicle ID that would allow the data to be directly assigned to the sending vehicle. In particular, this prevents movement profiles from being created and direct conclusions from being drawn about the driver's identity. A high level of data protection is thus guaranteed.

[0013] In a third step, vehicle information relating to vehicles involved in an irregular event, in particular an accident, is recorded or received. The vehicle information is in particular information relating to the irregular event, for example the accident. In the following, an irregular event is discussed in particular as an accident, but the disclosure is not limited to this. The vehicle information can include, for example, the time and / or location of the irregular event, changes in speed or direction of travel, final positions and / or direction of travel of individual vehicles involved in the irregular event. The vehicle information can be at least partially identical to the status information, thus can form a subset of the status information. Vehicle information transmitted by vehicles involved in the accident can be received.For example, a vehicle involved in the accident can report that it was involved in an accident and can send at least a subset of the status information collected shortly before the accident, for example, in the last 15 seconds before the accident, as vehicle information. Vehicle information from the vehicles involved in the accident can also be collected, for example, by the RSU itself. The RSU can therefore have corresponding sensors, such as a camera aimed at an intersection that records an accident at the intersection. The RSU can also detect an accident itself in this way. Thus, information about the accident is available.

[0014] In a fourth step, at least one set of status information is assigned to at least one of the vehicles involved in the irregular event based on a comparison of the status information and the vehicle information. Several, in particular all, available sets of status information can be assigned to a vehicle involved in the irregular event. The set of status information refers to a quantity of status information that belongs to a single vehicle or has been recorded by it. In the first step of the method, in particular, several such sets of status information are received, as mentioned above. However, since these sets are stored anonymously, they cannot be assigned to specific vehicles. As the inventors have recognized, an assignment is nevertheless possible, namely based on a comparison of the status information and the vehicle information.As a result of the comparison, the set, in particular each set, of recorded status information is assigned to a respective vehicle involved in the accident. The result of the comparison can therefore be a set of status information for each vehicle involved in the irregular event, which is assigned to the respective vehicle. In other words, through this comparison between the status information and the vehicle information, the set of status information is assigned to the respective vehicle from which the set of status information originates. This results in an indirect assignment of status information to a specific vehicle via a comparison of the vehicle information with the status information, i.e. an assignment of status information to the respective vehicle without recourse to a unique identifier, which is not present according to the invention, which would correspond to a direct assignment.For example, the status information could be transmitted with format X, header: "I am a piece of status information"; body: "Data element 1, DE2, DE3, ...., DEn". A subset of the data elements would then be sufficient to identify the relevant status information. This subset is the vehicle information, for example, with format Y, header: "I am a piece of vehicle information from vehicle A"; body: DE3, DE7, DE11, DE12. By comparing the vehicle information with the status information, a set of status information belonging to vehicle A, i.e., Statusinfo(Vehicle A), can be determined. This is explained below using examples.

[0015] For example, the final positions and directions of travel of the vehicles involved in the accident can be available as vehicle information, either received from the vehicles involved in the accident themselves or recorded by the RSU. A set of status information can, for example, be the speed, steering angle, and direction of travel of one of the vehicles involved in the accident. Using the comparison according to the invention, it is now possible to deduce which set of status information belongs to which vehicle. Thus, the final position and direction of travel that the vehicle had shortly before the accident ideally only matches one set of status information, i.e. only a specific combination of speed, steering angle, and direction of travel. This makes it possible to deduce the course of events regarding the accident, at least as long as all or at least some of the vehicles involved in the event remain at the scene of the accident.Both the vehicle information and the status information can also include specific vehicle characteristics, such as the vehicle's length. In the event of an accident between two vehicles of different lengths, it is thus possible to determine without doubt which data set belongs to which vehicle involved in the accident. Based on the comparison between the individual sets of status information and the vehicle information, conclusions can be drawn about the vehicles involved in the event, and the accident can be reconstructed. Once the assignment has been made, the course of the accident can be evaluated, and in particular, the question of liability can be clarified. This can include, for example, whether or not a vehicle involved in the accident reported a relevant characteristic of the occupant, such as "doctor on duty," or of the load, such as fragile load, as status information.

[0016] Advantageously, the invention can be implemented without changing the standards currently in use (including implementation in vehicles). In particular, the implementation can take place entirely in RSUs and can also function for existing vehicles without having to compromise on data protection. Thus, by dispensing with the use of a unique identifier, high data protection requirements are met. According to the invention, data assignment is only carried out retrospectively when an accident / crash occurs. The continuous, precautionary storage remains completely anonymized. Despite compliance with these high data protection requirements, the invention enables the subsequent assignment of the data, i.e. the status information, to the respective vehicle, but only when an irregular event, such as an accident, occurs.In such an event, it may be justified to deviate from the high data protection requirements, for example to clarify the question of liability.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the method is carried out at least partially in an infrastructure unit, roadside unit (RSU), or a server. As already mentioned, in the first step of the method the status information can be received from an RSU. The RSU can forward the data to a server. The data can also be transmitted directly to the server. The data can be recorded accordingly in a storage unit of the RSU and / or the server. The same applies to the vehicle information received in the third step. If the third step involves capturing the vehicle information, this can be done in particular via the RSU, for example via a camera of the RSU, as mentioned. The assignment carried out in the fourth step can accordingly be carried out by a control unit of the RSU and / or the server. The method can therefore be carried out in particular outside of a vehicle.With such centralized data processing, only the RSU or the server needs to be designed accordingly, for example, it needs to have the appropriate programming and computing capacity, which is more efficient.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the status information relates to the operation of vehicles within a predetermined period prior to the irregular event and / or is received by vehicles involved in the irregular event. The status information can be received permanently, in particular the status information of all vehicles in the network. However, as mentioned, regular deletion can be provided as long as no irregular event occurs. If such an event occurs, the most recently received status information can be stored permanently to enable its evaluation. In this sense, the status information can relate to the operation of vehicles within a predetermined period prior to the irregular event.It can also be provided that the status information of vehicles involved in the irregular event is received, in particular the status information within a predetermined period of time prior to the irregular event. Thus, not all status information from the journey prior to the accident is usually relevant for the analysis of the accident. According to this design, only the status information within a predetermined period of time prior to the irregular event is used as the basis for the process. This is more efficient and also advantageous in terms of data protection, since data from further back in time is not used.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the method, status information from one or more vehicles is requested in response to the detection or receipt of vehicle information. This process step can be performed, in particular, by the RSU and / or the server. If vehicle information, and thus the information that an irregular event has occurred, is received, the status requests from other vehicles in the V2X network are queried, in particular the status information from vehicles not directly involved in the event / accident. Thus, the status information of the vehicles passing the accident, for example, can also be relevant for clarifying the accident. This status information can also be consulted when evaluating the accident.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the status information relates to a characteristic of a vehicle occupant, a vehicle load, or the vehicle itself. According to one embodiment, the status information relating to the vehicle includes driving data such as speed, steering angle, brake activation, turn signal activation, data on a selected driving mode, and / or environmental settings, as already mentioned. Thus, as already mentioned, it can be relevant for the procedure and the subsequent evaluation of the accident whether or not a vehicle involved in the accident has communicated a relevant characteristic of the occupant, such as "doctor on duty," or of the load, such as fragile load, as status information. If this has been communicated, any traffic-endangering behavior of the occupant could be assessed differently. The same may apply if a load has been marked as traffic-relevant.Driving data such as speed and steering angle can also be relevant for the assignment, as already explained. For example, possible vehicle information, such as the final position and direction of travel that the vehicle had shortly before the accident, ideally only matches one set of status information, i.e. only a specific combination of, for example, speed and steering angle. Thus, in one embodiment, the vehicle information includes the time and / or location of the irregular event, changes in speed or direction of travel, and the final positions and / or direction of travel of individual vehicles involved in the irregular event. The vehicle information itself can indicate that an irregular event has occurred. Information about the occurrence of the irregular event can also be received in a joint message with the vehicle information or independently of the vehicle information.Thus, the method according to the invention can be triggered in a simple manner.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the recorded status information is cyclically deleted unless vehicle information is received or recorded. According to this embodiment, the status information recorded in the memory unit of the RSU and / or the server is therefore only permanently stored when vehicle information is received or recorded, i.e., when an irregular event occurs. As mentioned, the memory unit can be designed as a ring buffer for this purpose, in which stored data is continuously overwritten. Should an irregular event occur, the status information can be transferred to a permanent memory, which can be part of the memory unit. After the vehicle information has been received, at least the last data cycle is retained, for example, the last 15 seconds before the accident. This saves storage space and computing capacity.In addition, it is beneficial for data protection to only store data if it is needed to evaluate the irregular event.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the set of status information is stored in a blockchain. In particular, the result of the comparison according to the invention, i.e., the assignment of the set of status information to a vehicle, can also be stored in the blockchain. This ensures that the data important for the analysis of the accident, the analysis of which can, among other things, have criminal consequences, is stored in a tamper-proof manner.

[0023] A second aspect of the invention relates to a method of a vehicle within a V2X network. The method is carried out by a vehicle of the V2X network in conjunction with the method already explained, in particular carried out by an RSU and / or a server. With regard to the following explanations of the second aspect of the invention, reference is also made to the explanations of the first aspect of the invention.

[0024] In a first step of the method, status information relating to the vehicle is recorded. For this purpose, the vehicle may be equipped with one or more sensors or input devices, for example, for entering characteristics of the driver, another passenger, or the load. Preferably, the status information is recorded in an anonymized form; in particular, no unique identifier is assigned to the status information. The status information can be at least temporarily stored in a memory unit of the vehicle.

[0025] In a second step, the recorded status information is transmitted to an RSU and / or a server of the V2X network via a first message, with the RSU or server storing the status information anonymously. The first message can prompt the RSU or server to record the status information in anonymized form. Transmission can also occur indirectly via the RSU to the server. Transmission can also occur via Wi-Fi or Cellular V2X. After the status information has been transmitted, the vehicle's cache can be emptied. In one embodiment, the status information is already transmitted in anonymized form to the RSU and / or the server. This is particularly secure in terms of data protection.

[0026] In a third step, the vehicle determines the occurrence of an irregular event involving the vehicle. The vehicle's sensors can be used for this purpose. In particular, a spontaneous change in status information, for example the speed or steering angle of the vehicle itself, can be interpreted as the occurrence of an irregular event. The vehicle's involvement can be direct, in which the vehicle itself sustains damage, for example, but also indirect, in which the vehicle observes an accident involving another vehicle in the V2X network. Thus, according to one embodiment, the vehicle information can relate to another vehicle. The vehicle records vehicle information and associates it with the irregular event, in particular the accident.For example, if the vehicle is directly involved in the accident, it can associate its final position and direction of travel shortly before the accident with the accident as vehicle information.

[0027] In a fourth step, this vehicle information is transmitted to an RSU and / or a server of the V2X network to assign a set of status information to a vehicle involved in the irregular event based on a comparison of the status information and the vehicle information. Several, in particular all, available sets of status information can each be assigned to a vehicle involved in the irregular event. The transmission can occur via a second message. The second message can prompt the RSU or the server to assign a set of status information to the vehicles involved in the irregular event based on a comparison of the status information and the vehicle information.In particular, if the vehicle itself was directly involved in the accident, the set of status information originating from it can also be assigned to the vehicle in the manner already explained above, despite the anonymized data. The transmission of the vehicle information can be carried out in the same way as the transmission of the status information already explained. According to the procedure, the vehicle records and transmits status information and, if an irregular event occurs, vehicle information that allows the set of status information belonging to the vehicle to be assigned to this vehicle despite the anonymized data.

[0028] With regard to the allocation, reference is also made to the above explanations on the first aspect.

[0029] A third aspect of the invention relates to a computer program containing instructions which, when executed by a control unit of an RSU, cause the RSU to carry out the method according to the first aspect of the invention. The third aspect of the invention also relates to a computer program containing instructions which, when executed by a control unit of a server, cause the server to carry out the method according to the first aspect of the invention. A fourth aspect of the invention relates to a computer program containing instructions which, when executed by a control unit of a vehicle, cause the vehicle to carry out the method according to the second aspect. The computer program is therefore designed to carry out the method according to the invention.

[0030] A fifth aspect of the invention relates to an infrastructure unit, roadside unit (RSU), or a server in a V2X network. The RSU and / or the server are configured to carry out the method according to the first aspect. The RSU and / or the server comprise a communication unit for data communication within the V2X network, a storage unit for recording data, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to control the communication unit to receive status information from a plurality of vehicles, to record the received status information in the storage unit in anonymized form, to acquire or receive vehicle information on vehicles involved in an irregular event, and to assign a set of status information to at least one of the vehicles involved in the irregular event based on a comparison of the status information and the vehicle information.For further details, reference is made to the explanations relating to the other aspects of the invention, which also apply to this aspect.

[0031] A sixth aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle in a V2X network, wherein the vehicle comprises: a communication unit for data communication within the V2X network, a sensor unit for detecting status information and vehicle information, a control unit configured to control the sensor unit for detecting status information and vehicle information relating to the vehicle, to control the communication unit for transmitting the detected status information to an infrastructure unit, roadside unit, RSU, or a server of the V2X network by means of a first message, to determine an irregular event involving the vehicle, and to control the communication unit for transmitting vehicle information associated with the irregular event to an infrastructure unit, roadside unit, RSU,or to control a server of the V2X network to assign at least one set of status information to at least one vehicle involved in the irregular event based on a comparison of the status information and the vehicle information. For further details, reference is made to the explanations of the other aspects of the invention, which also apply accordingly to this aspect.

[0032] The various embodiments of the invention mentioned in this application can be advantageously combined with one another, unless otherwise stated in the individual case.

[0033] The invention is explained below in exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a traffic situation with an accident as an irregular event in a view from above; Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the communication between vehicles according to the invention and an RSU according to the invention according to the method according to the invention; Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a method according to the invention, carried out by an RSU, according to an embodiment; Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of a method according to the invention, carried out by a vehicle, according to an embodiment; Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of the elements of an RSU according to the invention that are relevant to the invention; and Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of the elements of a vehicle according to the invention that are relevant to the invention.

[0034] Unless otherwise stated, the same reference symbols refer to the same items.

[0035] Figure 1shows a traffic situation at an intersection with a first vehicle 10, a second vehicle 20, and a third vehicle 30. In this example, the first vehicle 10 left its lane while turning and collided with the third vehicle 30; the vehicles 10, 30 are therefore directly involved in an accident as an irregular event. The second vehicle 20 is not directly involved in the accident, but observed it. During their journey, the vehicles 10, 20, 30 recorded status information, in particular driving data such as speed, steering angle, brake activation, and / or turn signal activation, via on-board sensors and transmitted it to a Roadside Unit (RSU) 50 via wireless data transmission. The RSU 50, or after forwarding to a server 100, recorded the received status information in an anonymized form in a storage unit.A set of status information is thus available for each vehicle. However, since the status information is anonymized, it is not known which set of status information belongs to which vehicle. However, assigning the status information to the respective vehicles involved in the accident is necessary to clarify the accident's circumstances. This is where the invention comes in, as explained below.

[0036] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the communication between the vehicles 10, 20 and the RSU 50 according to the inventive method for storing and evaluating status information acquired within a V2X network. Figure 2 shows a server 100, an RSU 50, the first vehicle 10 and the second vehicle 20. In S100, the vehicle 10 creates initial status information and sends it to the server 100 via RSU 50 in S101, S102.

[0037] In step S200, the vehicle 20 creates second status information and sends it directly to the server 100. RSU 50 and server 100 record this status information in their storage units in a step not shown here, wherein a cyclic deletion of the data may be provided.

[0038] In S300, the vehicle 10 detects an irregular event, namely the Figure 1 apparent accident in which it is involved, and determines in S301 first vehicle information associated with the event, for example its own trajectory information before the accident, and sends this in S302, S303 via RSU 50 to the server 100. Likewise, the vehicle 20, which is also directly involved in the accident, can transmit vehicle information to the RSU 50 and / or the server 100 in a corresponding manner.

[0039] In S401, the server 100 requests additional vehicle information, for example, with a broadcast message containing information about the time and location of the accident and a request for further information. The vehicle 20 receives this message, determines that it was near the accident scene at the time of the accident, and, in step S400, creates second vehicle information, for example, based on external sensor data and other vehicles involved. In step S402, the second vehicle 20 sends this information to the server 100, for example, via a mobile network.

[0040] In step S500, server 100 compares all status information with the received vehicle information to determine which of the sets of status information now available to server 100 belongs to which of the vehicles involved in the accident. Thus, despite the anonymized storage of the data, the first set of status information originating from the first vehicle 10 is assigned to the first vehicle 10, and the second set of status information originating from the third vehicle 30 is assigned to the third vehicle 30.

[0041] The invention thus allows only anonymized status information to be assigned to the respective vehicle from which it originated, at least in the event of an irregular event such as an accident. Such assignment has previously only been possible using a unique identifier, which, however, is omitted according to the invention for data protection reasons. Thus, despite generally data protection-compliant processing of the status information, the invention allows the status information to be assigned to the respective vehicle in the event of an accident in which the clarification of the cause and liability may outweigh the protection of the data of those involved.

[0042] Figure 3shows schematically the method according to the invention for storing and evaluating status information acquired within a V2X network by means of the RSU 50 or the server 100, wherein in a first step S1001 status information of a plurality of vehicles is received by the RSU 50 or the server 100, in a second step S1002 the received status information is recorded in anonymized form in a storage unit of the RSU 50 or the server 100, in a third step S1003 vehicle information on vehicles involved in an irregular event is acquired or received by the RSU 50 or the server 100 and in a fourth step S1004 at least one set of status information is assigned to at least one vehicle involved in the irregular event by a control unit of the RSU 50 or the server 100 based on a comparison of the status information and the vehicle information.

[0043] Figure 4shows schematically the method according to the invention for one of the vehicles 10, 20, 30 within a V2X network, wherein in a first step S2001 status information relating to the vehicle 10, 20, 30 is acquired, in a second step S2002 the acquired status information is transmitted to the RSU 50 and / or the server 100 of the V2X network by means of a first message for recording in anonymized form, in step S2003 an irregular event involving the respective vehicle 10, 30 is determined, and in step S2004 vehicle information associated with the irregular event is transmitted to the RSU 50 and / or the server 100 of the V2X network for assigning a set of status information to the vehicles 10, 20, 30 involved in the irregular event based on a comparison of the status information and the vehicle information.

[0044] Figure 5shows a schematic of the RSU 50 with its elements essential for the method according to the invention. The RSU 50 comprises a communication unit 52 for data communication within the V2X network, a storage unit 54 for recording data, and a control unit 56 configured to control the communication unit 52 to receive status information from a plurality of vehicles 10, 20, 30, record the received status information in the storage unit 54 in anonymized form, acquire or receive vehicle information relating to vehicles 10, 20, 30 involved in an irregular event, and assign a set of status information to the vehicles 10, 30 involved in the irregular event based on a comparison of the status information and the vehicle information. Alternatively or additionally, the server 100 can also be configured accordingly.

[0045] Figure 6schematically shows the elements of the vehicles 10, 20, 30 that are essential for the method according to the invention. The vehicles 10, 20, 30 comprise a communication unit 102 for data communication within the V2X network, a sensor unit 104 for detecting status information and vehicle information, a control unit 106 that is configured to control the sensor unit 104 to detect status information and vehicle information concerning the vehicle 10, 20, 30, the communication unit 102 to transmit the detected status information to the RSU 50 or the server 100 by means of a first message, to determine an irregular event involving the vehicle 10, 20, 30,and to control the communication unit 102 to transmit vehicle information associated with the irregular event to the RSU 50 or the server 100 to assign a set of status information to at least one of the vehicles 10, 20, 30 involved in the irregular event based on a comparison of the status information and the vehicle information. List of reference symbols

[0046] 10First vehicle 20Second vehicle 30Third vehicle 50RSU 52Communication unit 54Storage unit 56Control unit 102Communication unit 104Sensor unit 106Control unit S101-S402Process steps S1001-S1004Process steps S2001-S2004Process steps

Claims

1. Method for storing and evaluating status information gathered within a V2X network, the method comprising the steps: • receiving (S1001) status information from a plurality of vehicles (10, 20, 30), • recording (S1002) the received status information in a storage unit (54) in an anonymized form without a unique identifier assigning the status information to the associated vehicle, • gathering or receiving (S1003) vehicle information on vehicles involved in an irregular event (10, 20, 30), • assigning (S1004) a set of status information to one of the vehicles (10, 20, 30) involved in the irregular event based on a comparison of the status information and the vehicle information.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the method is carried out at least partially in an infrastructure unit, a road side unit, RSU (50), or a server (100).

3. Method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the status information relates to the operation of vehicles (10, 20, 30) within a predetermined period of time before the irregular event and / or is received from vehicles (10, 20, 30) involved in the irregular event.

4. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein in response to gathering or receiving the vehicle information, status information is requested from one or more vehicles (20).

5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the status information relates to a property of an occupant of the vehicle, a property of a load of the vehicle or a property of the vehicle (10, 20, 30).

6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the status information relating to the vehicle (10, 20, 30) comprises driving data such as speed, steering angle, brake activation, indicator activation, data on a selected driving mode and / or environmental settings.

7. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle information comprises the time and / or location of the irregular event, changes in speed or direction of travel, end positions and / or direction of travel of individual vehicles (10, 20, 30) involved in the irregular event.

8. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the recorded status information is cyclically deleted provided that no vehicle information is received or gathered.

9. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the set of status information is stored in a blockchain.

10. Method for a vehicle within a V2X network in which the method is carried out according to claims 1-9, the method comprising the steps: • gathering (S2001) status information relating to the vehicle (10, 20, 30), • transmitting (S2002) the gathered status information to an infrastructure unit, a road side unit, RSU (50), or a server (100) of the V2X network by means of a first message in order to record in an anonymized form without a unique identifier assigning the status information to the associated vehicle, • detecting (S2003) an irregular event involving the vehicle (10, 20, 30), and • transmitting (S2004) vehicle information associated with the irregular event to an infrastructure unit, a road side unit, RSU (50), or a server (100) of the V2X network in order to assign a set of status information to a vehicle (10, 20, 30) involved in the irregular event based on a comparison of the status information and the vehicle information.

11. Method according to claim 10, wherein the status information is transmitted to the RSU (50) or to the server (100) in an anonymized form.

12. Method according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the vehicle information relates to another vehicle (10, 30).

13. Computer program containing instructions which, when carried out by a control unit (56) of an infrastructure unit, of a road side unit, RSU (50), or of a server (100), cause the latter to carry out the method according to any of claims 1 to 9, or containing instructions which, when carried out by a control unit (106) of a vehicle (10, 20, 30), cause the latter to carry out the method according to claim 10, claim 11 or claim 12.

14. Infrastructure unit, road side unit, RSU (50), or server (100) in a V2X network, comprising: • a communication unit (52) for data communication within the V2X network, • a storage unit (54) for recording data, • a control unit (56) which is configured to: ∘ control the communication unit (52) in order to receive status information from a plurality of vehicles (10, 20, 30), ∘ record the received status information in the storage unit (54) in an anonymized form without a unique identifier assigning the status information to the associated vehicle, ∘ gather or receive vehicle information on vehicles (10, 20, 30) involved in an irregular event, and ∘ assign a set of status information to at least one of the vehicles (10, 20, 30) involved in the irregular event based on a comparison of the status information and the vehicle information.

15. Vehicle (10, 20, 30) in a V2X network comprising an infrastructure unit, road side unit, RSU (50), or server (100) according to claim 14, comprising: • a communication unit (102) for data communication within the V2X network, • a sensor unit (104) for gathering status information and vehicle information, • a control unit (106) which is configured to: ∘ control the sensor unit (104) in order to gather status information relating to the vehicle (10, 20, 30) and vehicle information, ∘ control the communication unit (102) in order to transmit the gathered status information to an infrastructure unit, a Road Side Unit, RSU (50), and / or a server (100) of the V2X network by means of a first message, ∘ detect an irregular event involving the vehicle (10, 20, 30), and ∘ control the communication unit (102) in order to transmit vehicle information associated with the irregular event to the RSU (50) and / or to the server (100) of the V2X network in order to assign a set of status information to at least one of the vehicles (10, 20, 30) involved in the irregular event based on a comparison of the status information and the vehicle information.