Determining a number of persons in a vehicle
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023820760
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-12-23
- Filing Date
- 2023-11-23
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-27
AI Technical Summary
Existing methods for determining the number of people in a vehicle, such as manual counting and weight-based calculations, are inaccurate due to influences from driving dynamics, which affects operational efficiency and passenger comfort in rail-bound passenger transport vehicles.
A method that records the motion state of a vehicle and varies the query frequency of weight-related parameter measurements, particularly spring load, to improve the accuracy of passenger counting, with higher frequencies at rest or constant speeds and lower frequencies during motion or changing accelerations, using sensor devices and data processing to output the calculated number for vehicle control and optimization.
This approach enhances the accuracy of passenger counting, reducing deviations and enabling efficient control of ventilation systems and even passenger distribution, while minimizing the impact of driving dynamics on weight measurements.
Smart Images
Figure 1.1
Abstract
Description
[0001] Description
[0002] Determining the number of people in a vehicle
[0003] The invention relates to a method for determining the number of persons, a vehicle, a computer program and a computer-readable medium.
[0004] Knowing the number of people in a vehicle or in predetermined sections of the vehicle, such as carriages, is of both technical and economic relevance. In this way, operating processes can be optimized and / or made more efficient based on the number of people. For example, the operation of a ventilation and / or air conditioning system in a vehicle can be controlled based on the number of people. Furthermore, the overall capacity utilization and / or distribution of people in the vehicle can be determined. This is particularly of interest in the case of rail-bound passenger transport vehicles with a number of carriages. In addition to striving to load the sections of the vehicle evenly in order to keep wear and tear on individual vehicle components to a minimum, the even distribution of the number of people serves both to improve passenger comfort and increase driving safety.In order to determine the number of people in a vehicle, for example, manual counting is carried out by drivers or optical detection devices such as light barriers or camera systems are used for this purpose. Furthermore, it is possible to calculate the number of people in a vehicle based on a determination of the vehicle’s weight. The number of people is calculated in a method already known to those skilled in the art from the difference between a determined vehicle weight and an unladen weight of the vehicle in question. This is usually done using data relating to the spring load of a vehicle’s suspension system. The weight of the vehicle can be determined simply and inexpensively using the spring load. In addition, the load in various sections of the vehicle can be easily determined in this way.However, the spring load is influenced by the vehicle's weight as well as its driving dynamics. Therefore, ferry operation has a significant impact on the accuracy of the calculated passenger load.
[0005] The object of the invention is to provide an improved method for determining the number of people in a vehicle.
[0006] This object is achieved by a method according to the features of claim 1.
[0007] Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a vehicle for carrying out the method according to the invention.
[0008] This object is achieved by a vehicle according to the features of the independent device claim.
[0009] Furthermore, the invention is based on the objects of specifying a computer program and a computer-readable medium.
[0010] These objects are achieved by a computer program according to the features of the independent claim 14 and by a computer-readable medium according to the features of the independent claim 15.
[0011] Advantageous further training is the subject of dependent subclaims.
[0012] In the method according to the invention, a state of movement of a vehicle is detected. Furthermore, measured values of a parameter are recorded according to a query frequency. This parameter relates to a weight of the vehicle. In particular, the parameter can relate to a spring load of a spring of the vehicle. The parameter preferably relates to a spring length or a spring pressure. Furthermore, the method according to the invention provides that the query frequency is varied on the basis of the detected state of movement of the vehicle. On the basis of the detected measured values, a number of people within at least part of the vehicle is calculated. This calculation is carried out in a manner already known to the person skilled in the art. Furthermore, it is provided that the calculated number of people is output. It is conceivable here that the calculated number of people is first output to a vehicle control system of the vehicle.This enables reliable and efficient control of a ventilation and air conditioning system. Furthermore, it can be made possible to display the distribution of passengers within the vehicle using a visual display. This allows passengers to be directed to less occupied sections of the vehicle. Furthermore, it is a simple way to achieve an even distribution of passengers within the vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the calculated number of people is transmitted to a landline via a mobile phone network. This makes it possible to improve operational organization. For example, depending on the utilization of a vehicle, appropriate capacities can be prepared or redistributed.
[0013] The proposed method makes it possible to determine the number of people in a vehicle with increased accuracy. In particular, it can reduce the deviation between the number of people determined by the method and the actual number of people.
[0014] An advantageous development provides that the query frequency is selected to be higher when the vehicle is stationary than when the vehicle is moving. The number of measured values that deviate from an actual weight value of the vehicle due to movement of the vehicle can thus be easily reduced. A further advantageous development provides that a higher query frequency is selected when the vehicle is traveling at a constant speed than when the vehicle is traveling at a changing speed. This makes it possible to take into account an increased number of measured values with little variance for the purpose of calculating the number of people.
[0015] Furthermore, an advantageous development provides that in the case of a first driving speed of the vehicle a higher query frequency is selected than in the case of a second driving speed of the vehicle which is greater than the first driving speed. In this case it is conceivable that the query frequency is selected inversely proportional to the driving speed. Alternatively it is conceivable that the query frequency is selected discontinuously in predetermined steps on the basis of predetermined driving speeds. A variance of the measured values which increases with increasing driving speed, for example due to environmental influences such as wind or unevenness of a road, thus has less influence on the calculation of the number of people.
[0016] In a further advantageous development, the query frequency is varied based on a changing movement state of the vehicle. This makes it possible to minimize the number of measured values that are negatively influenced by changes in the movement state.
[0017] Furthermore, an advantageous development proposes that the query frequency be reduced in the event of a change in driving speed. The influence of acceleration and / or deceleration of the vehicle, which could distort the determination of the number of people, can be reduced or even prevented in a cost-effective manner.
[0018] Furthermore, an advantageous development is proposed in which the query frequency is selected to be higher in the case of a constant vehicle direction of travel than in the case of a changing direction of travel. This makes it possible to increase the reliability of the method.
[0019] In another advantageous development, it is provided that the query frequency is varied on the basis of an amount of an acceleration component acting transversely to the direction of travel of the vehicle. The query frequency is preferably varied on the basis of an amount of an acceleration component acting substantially perpendicularly to the direction of travel of the vehicle. The query frequency is particularly preferably varied on the basis of an amount of an acceleration component acting substantially perpendicularly, horizontally or vertically to the direction of travel of the vehicle. This makes it possible to reduce external disruptive influences, such as route-related circumstances, in a simple manner.
[0020] In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that in the case of a first magnitude of the aforementioned acceleration component, a higher query frequency is selected than in the case of a second magnitude of the acceleration component, which is greater than the magnitude of the acceleration component. It is conceivable here that the query frequency is selected inversely proportional to the magnitude of the acceleration component. Alternatively, it is conceivable that a query frequency is selected discontinuously on the basis of predetermined magnitude values of the aforementioned acceleration component. In this way, a particularly precise and flexible method for determining the number of people in a vehicle can be provided.
[0021] A further advantageous embodiment provides for the polling frequency to be reduced in the event of a changing magnitude of the acceleration component. This makes it easy to limit the influence of possible rolling or swaying movements during or after cornering. Furthermore, a further advantageous development provides for the polling frequency to be varied based on the gradient of a roadway. This makes it easy to take into account the negative influences of uphill or downhill driving on the measured values of the characteristic variable.
[0022] Another advantageous development provides for the spring length of a vehicle spring to be selected as the characteristic value. The spring referred to is understood to be an elastic device for dampening shocks during travel. Alternatively or additionally, it is proposed that the spring pressure of the vehicle spring be selected as the characteristic value. This enables reliable and cost-effective recording of measured values.
[0023] The method according to the invention can be carried out by means of the vehicle according to the invention.
[0024] The vehicle according to the invention has a sensor device of the first type. The sensor device of the first type is designed to detect a state of movement of the vehicle. The sensor device of the first type expediently has a plurality of sensors. These sensors are preferably arranged in different sections of the vehicle. A sensor of the sensor device of the first type can be, for example, a speed sensor, an engine speed sensor and / or an acceleration sensor. The acceleration sensor is preferably a multi-axis acceleration sensor by means of which accelerations can be measured in at least two dimensions.
[0025] Furthermore, the vehicle has a sensor device of a second type. This is designed to detect values of a parameter relating to a weight of the vehicle. The sensor device of a second type expediently has a plurality of sensors. These sensors of the sensor device of a second type preferably detect a spring load of springs of the vehicle. For example, a spring length or a spring pressure is detected by means of a sensor of the sensor device of a second type.
[0026] In addition, the vehicle has a data processing device which is set up to carry out the method according to the invention on the basis of the movement state detected by means of the first type of sensor device and the values of the parameter detected by means of the second type of sensor device. The data processing device can be, for example, a computer, a microcontroller, a processor or another programmable hardware component. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the data processing device is a virtualized hardware resource of a computer cloud or a runtime environment with variable computing and / or storage capacities. The said runtime environment should be understood in the sense of computer science. For example, the runtime environment is set up to read in, write, transmit and / or manage data.
[0027] This makes it possible to determine the number of people in a vehicle with increased accuracy, cost-effectively and reliably.
[0028] In an advantageous embodiment, a rail-bound vehicle is provided as the vehicle according to the invention.
[0029] Alternatively or additionally, in a further advantageous embodiment, the vehicle is designed as a passenger transport vehicle.
[0030] Furthermore, the invention provides a computer program which, when executed, causes the data processing device of the vehicle according to the invention to carry out the method according to the invention. Furthermore, the invention provides a computer-readable medium. This has instructions which cause the data processing device of the vehicle according to the invention to carry out the method according to the invention. The computer-readable medium can be, for example, a CD-ROM, a DVD, a USB or flash memory, or a non-physical medium such as a data stream and / or a data carrier signal.
[0031] The properties, features and advantages of the invention described above, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, are explained in more detail in the following description of the embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the figures. Where appropriate, the same reference numerals are used in the figures for the same or corresponding elements of the invention. The following exemplary embodiment and described variations thereof serve to explain the invention and do not limit the invention to the combinations of features specified therein, including with regard to functional features. Furthermore, all features specified in the exemplary embodiment can be considered in isolation and combined as appropriate with the features of any claim.
[0032] It shows :
[0033] FIG 1 is a schematic illustration of an example of the method according to the invention;
[0034] FIG 2 shows an embodiment of a vehicle by means of which the method according to the invention can be carried out, as well as a special embodiment of the example of the method illustrated in FIG 1.
[0035] FIG 1 illustrates an example of a method 100 in a schematic representation. By means of the method 100, a number of people in a vehicle 10 is calculated 108 based on a weight of the vehicle 10. For the purpose of this calculation 108, a movement state of the vehicle is detected 102. Furthermore, measured values of a parameter relating to a weight of the vehicle 10 are detected 104. These measured values are detected 104 according to a query frequency which is varied 106 depending on the movement state of the vehicle 10.
[0036] In the present example of the method 100, the polling frequency is varied 106 based on the detected 102 movement state of the vehicle 10. The polling frequency is selected to be higher when the vehicle 10 is at rest than when the vehicle 10 is in motion.
[0037] On the basis of the set of measured values 104 thus recorded, a weight of the vehicle is determined. For this purpose, an arithmetic mean of the recorded measured values 104 is formed, for example. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the weight is determined by determining a median value from the set of recorded measured values 104. In addition, it is conceivable that an uppermost and / or a lowermost quartile of the recorded measured values 104 is disregarded for the purpose of determining the weight of the vehicle 10. On the basis of the determined weight of the vehicle 10 and with knowledge of the unladen weight of the vehicle 10, a number of people in the vehicle 10 is calculated 108 in a manner already known to those skilled in the art.
[0038] Furthermore, the 108 number of people calculated in the aforementioned manner is output 110 . For example, the calculated 108 values of the number of people can be output 110 to a vehicle control system or to a landside location.
[0039] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a rail-bound vehicle 10 in a schematic representation. This vehicle 10 is, in particular, the vehicle 10 already described in connection with FIG. 1. Furthermore, FIG. 2 illustrates a particular embodiment variant of the example of the method 100 described in connection with FIG. 1.
[0040] The vehicle 10 described in connection with FIG. 2 is designed, by way of example, as a rail-bound passenger transport vehicle. This vehicle has several carriages 20.
[0041] In addition, the vehicle 10 has a sensor device of the first type 12 and a further sensor device of the second type 14. The aforementioned sensor devices 12, 14 each have a plurality of sensors, which are arranged, for example, distributed in the various carriages 20 of the vehicle 10. Furthermore, the vehicle 10 has a data processing device 16, which is connected to the sensors of the aforementioned sensor devices 12, 14 for the purpose of data transmission.
[0042] The sensor device of the first type 12 is designed to detect 102 a state of motion of the vehicle 10. In the present exemplary embodiment, the sensor device of the first type 12 has a plurality of acceleration sensors for this purpose. For example, an acceleration sensor is provided for each wagon 20 of the vehicle 10. It is also conceivable that a plurality of acceleration sensors can be distributed within a wagon 20. In this way, a state of motion of each wagon 20 of the vehicle 10 can be detected 102 individually. The aforementioned acceleration sensor is designed, for example, to detect accelerations in three spatial dimensions. In this way, cornering, an incline of a track, as well as acceleration and braking processes can be reliably detected.Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that measured values from driving speed sensors, rotational speed sensors or other sensors suitable for the purpose of detecting a state of movement are detected 102. Furthermore, the sensor device of the second type 14 is set up to detect values of the characteristic quantity described in connection with FIG. 1 104. In the present exemplary embodiment, the vehicle 10 has a plurality of springs 18 for the purpose of shock absorption. By way of example, each of the said springs 18 is an air spring. By means of the said air springs, chassis of the vehicle 10 are movably connected to a chassis of the vehicle 10. The said sensor device of the second type 14 in the present case has, by way of example, a plurality of distance sensors. By means of each of the said distance sensors, a spring length of the said air springs is detected.In this way, a load on each spring can be determined with minimal effort in order to determine the weight of the vehicle 10. For example, a spring length of the air springs of the vehicle 10 is recorded 104 as a characteristic variable. In this way, a total weight of the vehicle 10 as well as a weight of each individual wagon 20 can be easily determined.
[0043] Furthermore, the data processing device 16 is configured to carry out the example explained in connection with FIG. 1 as well as the particular embodiment variant of the method 100 described here.
[0044] By means of the data processing device 16, with the aid of the first type sensor device 12, a movement state is separately recorded 102 for each wagon 20 of the vehicle 10. Furthermore, the measured values of the distance sensors of the second type sensor device 14 are recorded 104 by the data processing device 16 according to a query frequency. The query frequency is varied 106 based on a respectively recorded movement state of each wagon 20 of the vehicle 10.
[0045] In addition to the variation 106 of the query frequency already described in connection with FIG 1, the special embodiment of the method 100 provides that the query frequency is reduced 106 as the driving speed increases. For this purpose, in the case of a first driving speed of the vehicle 10, a higher query frequency is selected than in the case of a second driving speed of the vehicle 10, which is greater than the first driving speed. The query frequency can be selected to be inversely proportional to the driving speed of the vehicle 10. A continuous or discontinuous variation 106 of the query frequency as a function of the driving speed is conceivable here. In this way, it is possible to considerably reduce a variance in the measured values caused by the driving dynamics of the vehicle 10.
[0046] Furthermore, the particular embodiment of the method 100 provides that the query frequency is varied 106 based on a changing movement state of the vehicle 10.
[0047] If the vehicle 10 is traveling at a constant speed, a higher polling frequency is selected than if the speed changes. If the acceleration sensors detect a changing speed, for example, due to deceleration, the polling frequency is reduced.
[0048] If, furthermore, a constant direction of travel of the vehicle 10 is detected 102 by means of the acceleration sensors of the sensor device of the first type 12 mentioned as an example, the query frequency is selected to be higher than in the case of a detected change in direction of travel. If, for example, the vehicle 10 is moving along a curved course, the example of the method 100 described in connection with FIG 2 provides that the query frequency is varied 106 on the basis of an amount of an acceleration component acting essentially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle 10 and in the horizontal direction. For example, in the case of a first amount of the aforementioned acceleration component, a higher query frequency is selected than in the case of a second amount of the acceleration component which is greater than the first amount of the acceleration component.It follows that when the vehicle 10 travels along a slightly curved curve, the query frequency is higher than when the vehicle travels along a sharply curved curve.
[0049] Furthermore, in the embodiment variant of the method 100 described here, the query frequency is varied 106 on the basis of a gradient of a travel path. The query frequency is varied 106 on the basis of an amount of an acceleration component acting substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle 10 and in the vertical direction. For example, in the case of a first amount of the aforementioned acceleration component, a higher query frequency is selected than in the case of a second amount of the acceleration component, which is greater than the first amount of the acceleration component. In this way, the query frequency is simply reduced in the case of a changing amount of the acceleration component. This makes it easy to take into account the negative influences of an uphill or downhill journey on the recorded measured values 104.
[0050] Additionally, the query frequency is reduced in the event of a change in the magnitude of the acceleration component. Changes in the movement state thus have a smaller impact on the calculated 108 number of people.
[0051] Based on the measured values determined in the aforementioned manner with a variation 106 of the query frequency, the data processing device 16 first calculates 108 the weight of each wagon 20 of the vehicle 10 and, based thereon, the number of people within each wagon 20 of the vehicle 10. This calculation 108 is carried out in a manner already known to the person skilled in the art.
[0052] The data processing device 16 is further configured to output 110 the calculated number of people 108. For example, the data processing device 16 can be connected for this purpose to a vehicle control system (not shown in more detail) of the vehicle 10. This makes it possible, for example, to implement efficient control of room air conditioning on the basis of the calculated number of people 108. Furthermore, it is conceivable that in the respective carriages 20 of the vehicle 10, information relating to the capacity utilization of the plurality of carriages 20 of the vehicle 10 is output 110. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the calculated number of people 108, as illustrated by way of example in FIG. 2, is output 110 to a land side by means of a mobile radio network. In this way, for example, ferry operations can be optimized. Capacity in the form of additional carriages 20 can be made available or released depending on the number of passengers.
[0053] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by means of the preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0054] Regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular term, persons with male, female or other gender identity are included.
Claims
Patent claims 1. Method (100) in which - a movement state of a vehicle (10) is detected (102); - measured values of a parameter relating to a weight of the vehicle (10) are recorded (104) according to a query frequency; - the query frequency is varied (106) on the basis of the detected (102) movement state of the vehicle (10); - a number of persons within at least part of the vehicle (10) is calculated (108) on the basis of the recorded (104) measured values; - the number of persons calculated in the above manner (108) is displayed (110) .
2. Method (100) according to claim 1, wherein the interrogation frequency is selected to be higher in a stationary state of the vehicle (10) than in a moving state of the vehicle (10).
3. Method (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the case of a constant driving speed of the vehicle (10) a higher query frequency is selected than in the case of a changing driving speed.
4. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which in the case of a first driving speed of the vehicle (10) a higher query frequency is selected than in the case of a second driving speed of the vehicle (10) which is greater than the first driving speed.
5. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the query frequency is varied (106) on the basis of a changing movement state of the vehicle (10).
6. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which in the event of a changing driving speed the query frequency is reduced (106).
7. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which in the case of a constant direction of travel of the vehicle (10) the query frequency is selected to be higher than in the case of a changing direction of travel.
8. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the query frequency is varied (106) on the basis of an amount of an acceleration component acting transversely to the direction of travel of the vehicle (10).
9. The method (100) according to claim 8, wherein in the case of a first amount of the aforementioned acceleration component, a higher query frequency is selected than in the case of a second amount of the acceleration component which is greater than the first amount of the acceleration component.
10. Method (100) according to one of claims 8 or 9, wherein the interrogation frequency is reduced in the event of a changing amount of the acceleration component (106).
11. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the query frequency is varied on the basis of a gradient of a travel path (106).
12. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which a spring length and / or a spring pressure of a spring (18) of the vehicle (10) is selected as the characteristic variable.
13. Vehicle (10) comprising - a sensor device of the first type (12) which is designed to detect (102) a state of movement of the vehicle (10); - a sensor device of a second type (14) which is designed to detect (104) values of a characteristic variable relating to a weight of the vehicle (10); - a data processing device (16) which is configured to carry out the method (100) according to one of claims 1 to 12 on the basis of the movement state (102) detected by means of the sensor device of the first type (12) and the values (104) detected by means of the sensor device of the second type (14).
14. Computer program which, when executed, causes the data processing device (16) of the vehicle (10) according to claim 13 to carry out the method (100) according to one of claims 1 to 12.
15. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions which cause the data processing device (16) of the vehicle (10) according to claim 13 to carry out the method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.