Method and system for determining a starting point between two entities - Patents.com

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for determining a starting point (M) between two entities (E1, E2), each of which is configured to determine its own location (A, B) and to communicate using a communication interface. The invention relates to a method for determining the locations (A, B) of the entities (E1, E2) in cartographic material (1), determining a route (3) between the two locations (A, B) of the entities (E1, E2) in the cartographic material (1) consisting of at least two route points (2) connected by one route section each (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6), dividing the route sections (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5) contained in the route (3) into sub-route sections (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5) in order to iteratively determine the location of a starting point (M) on the route (3). 31 , P 32 , P 33 , P 34 , P 35 ), whereby the section of the route (3) extending from the location (A, B) of a first entity (E1, E2) to the starting point (M) can be traversed in the same time and / or has the same path length as the section of the route (3) extending from the location (A, B) of a second entity (E1, E2) to the starting point (M), each one of the entities (E1, E2) being characterized in that it travels along the route (3) in a means of transportation assigned to the entity.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for detecting an entry point between two entities of the kind defined in the preamble of claim 1, and to a system for detecting an entry point. [Background technology]

[0002] Two entities, e.g. people, often want to meet at one location, e.g. to have a coffee or to take a walk. Furthermore, the daily work of a delivery service consists of delivering goods to different locations. For this purpose, the delivery service arranges for transports to take the goods from a starting point to, e.g., two different destinations.

[0003] The question then arises of where they should meet, or where to choose the start point of their delivery, so that their journey to the meeting point is roughly the same length, or so that they can reach the two destinations from their starting point equally quickly. This ensures that they arrive at the meeting point, or deliver the goods, as quickly as possible. Furthermore, it is particularly fair for both to arrive at a meeting point that is midway between their locations in time and / or location, since neither party's travel time will be longer.

[0004] In the following, an entity can be understood as, for example, a person, a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone, a laptop, a tablet computer, a wearable, or the like. The corresponding person or computing device can also be assigned to a vehicle. Any road, rail, ship, and aircraft are considered as vehicles. In that case, the computing device can also be integrated into the vehicle.

[0005] From the patent application US 2007 / 0133091 A1 a search method and a search device are known for finding a rendezvous point, which corresponds to a midpoint between two entities that meet at this rendezvous point. To determine a suitable rendezvous point located approximately halfway between the entities, points of interest (POIs) close to the midpoint are searched for and checked whether they are suitable for rendezvous. The distance between the two entities is found on a map material and this distance is divided in half to determine the midpoint. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Publication No. 1020100049859 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The present invention is based on the problem of providing an improved method and system for determining a starting point between two entities, which is used to determine in a particularly fair and accurate manner the location of the starting point between the entities in various initial situations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a method for detecting a starting point between two entities having the features of claim 1 and a corresponding system having the features of claim 10. Advantageous embodiments and developments are evident from the dependent claims.

[0009] In the method for determining a starting point between two entities, the two entities are able to determine their locations and to communicate via a communication interface. According to the invention, the locations of the entities are determined in cartographic material, a route is determined between the two locations of the entities in the cartographic material, the route being composed of at least two route points each connected by one route section, and in order to iteratively determine the location of the starting point on the route, the route sections contained in the route are subdivided into sub-route sections, so that a route section extending from the location of a first entity to the starting point can be traveled in the same time and / or has the same path length as a route section extending from the location of a second entity to the starting point, each one of the entities travelling along the route with a means of transport assigned to the entity.

[0010] Using the method according to the invention, the starting point between the entities can be determined in a particularly fair manner, with both entities travelling the same path length to reach the starting point and / or needing the same time for this, where the influence of the means of transport used by each entity on the travel time or section is taken into account. For example, if a first entity travels by car and a second entity travels by bicycle, the section travelled by the first entity may have a larger path length than the section travelled by the second entity, as cars typically travel faster than bicycles. In that case, it is possible for each means of transport to travel the section travelled by the car and the section travelled by the bicycle within the same time. In that case, the same time or path length can be understood as the same time or path length minus or plus a specified tolerance.

[0011] By subdividing the route between the original locations of the first and second entities into at least one route section, the starting point on the route can be located particularly accurately at an actual locational and / or time intermediate point on the route. This ensures, in particular in the case of complex routes consisting of many different route sections, that the two entities have to travel the same path length and / or the time required for this to actually reach the starting point. In this case, the route sections can be formed by road sections, for example straight roads or curves, and each route section is given parameters. These parameters include, for example, the path length of the route section, the time required to travel the route section at a typical driving speed of the means of transport, the speed limit applied to the route section, etc.

[0012] As in the prior art, the location of the starting point can be determined by considering points of interest (POIs) that are near the route, e.g., the starting point can be closer to the direction of the first or second entity if there are destinations of interest there for the entity, such as a cafe, a library, a park, etc.

[0013] Subdividing a route section into sub-route sections allows for a more accurate location of the starting point on the route. Thus, during route subdivision, the starting point is unlikely to coincide with a route point or a midpoint of a route section. Subdividing a route section including a starting point into sub-route sections allows for the starting point to be located on an end point or midpoint of the sub-route section, with corresponding subdivision of the route section's path length, travel time, speed limit, and other characteristics. If the starting point does not coincide with the end point or midpoint of the sub-route section by the first iteration, i.e., is not within the intended locational and / or time midpoint tolerance between the starting points of the entities, further iterations can be used to further subdivide the sub-route section including the starting point. In that case, a starting point located at a midpoint of a route section corresponds to a starting point located at an end point of the sub-route section.

[0014] To determine the location of the entities, the entities may have any location determination device, for example a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver. The entities may transmit their location as well as other information via the communication interface. The communication may then be direct between the entities or indirectly via a third computing device. As communication technology, any proven communication technology is conceivable. For example, the communication may be wireless, in particular using mobile radio, WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, etc.

[0015] The calculation of the route and the detection of the starting point on the route are selectively performed in the central processing unit and / or in at least one of the two entities, for which the two entities transmit their respective locations to the central processing unit and / or to the respective other entity using the communication interface.

[0016] If the determined starting point is within a pre-specified tolerance, the two entities may be required to agree on the fixed location of the starting point and the size of the tolerance before commencing travel to the starting point. This ensures that the starting point is not unreasonably close to one of the entities. The tolerance can be used to compensate for the entities arriving at the starting point later than agreed upon, for example due to delays caused by traffic jams and / or deviations from a timetable.

[0017] An advantageous development of the method provides for the first and second entities to start from their respective locations and meet at a starting point. As already mentioned, the starting point can be, for example, a cafe, a library, a park, etc., where the two entities start a common activity. In this example, the starting point can also be interpreted as a meeting point or rendezvous point.

[0018] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method, at least one third entity starts from a starting point and moves to the location of the first entity along a section extending from the location of the first entity to the starting point, and at least one fourth entity starts from the starting point and moves to the location of the second entity along a section extending from the location of the second entity to the starting point.

[0019] The method according to the invention can therefore also be used to optimise the distance travelled by the transport of the delivery service or the time required for this. The delivery service can therefore send the delivery transport to a starting point, which includes a drone, in particular an autonomously controlled drone, which then flies off along the respective route to the location of the first and second entities. For this, preferably the time required for the first and second entities to travel the distance to reach is the same, which makes it possible in particular to ensure that the drones arrive at the delivery transport again at the same time after handing over the goods to be delivered. This can improve the delivery efficiency of the goods of the delivery service. In that case, it is also possible for a person to travel on the delivery transport and then travel from the starting point to the location of the first and second entities, for example by the same or a different means of transport. The delivery service can for example be a courier, a food delivery service etc. In addition to POIs such as optimal parking positions for the delivery transport, map information such as no-fly zones for unmanned drones can also be read from the map material.

[0020] Another advantageous embodiment of the method provides that the location of the entities is determined in map material provided by at least two map providers and that the locations of the respective entities determined in the different map materials are compared with each other. By using map material provided by different map providers, the location of the respective entities and ultimately also the location of the starting point on the route can be determined more accurately. By comparing the map data of the different providers, position deviations or incorrectly determined locations of the entities can be checked and corrected. The map material of the different map providers can also contain different POIs and / or map information. This increases the amount of information available for carrying out the method according to the invention. This allows the method to be used more reliably.

[0021] According to another advantageous embodiment of the method, current traffic information is taken into account when calculating the route between the first entity and the second entity. If the first entity travels, for example, by car, congestion may occur on the route travelled by the first entity. This increases the time required to travel this section. If the second entity travels, for example, by public transport such as subway, tram, commuter train, city bus, etc., delays may also occur here. Information about possible traffic congestion and / or route changes is available from third-party reliable sources. These delays are advantageously taken into account when determining the starting position. For example, if such delays increase the time required to travel a section, the starting point is shifted in such a way that the two entities nevertheless arrive at the starting point at the same time plus or minus a specified tolerance threshold, or a third and a fourth entity taking off from the starting point arrive at the location of the first and second entities at the same time. This ensures that the position of the starting point is determined particularly fairly and accurately, even in real traffic situations.

[0022] Another advantageous embodiment of the method is characterized in that at least one entity uses one of the following modes of transport along the route: -On foot, -By bicycle - Electric scooter, - by public transport, in particular buses and / or trains; -In motor vehicles, especially passenger cars, freight cars and trucks, -Flying devices, or - an autonomously controlled means of transport, in particular a drone, preferably a flying drone, It is further contemplated that the

[0023] In general, it is also conceivable that an entity may change the means of transport while travelling along a route: the entity may for example travel on foot along a first route section, then switch to a bicycle and travel for example by bus along the last route section. The entity may also use for example an electric scooter, which allows the application of the method according to the invention in an even wider range of different travel situations.

[0024] For example, if both entities travel by train, bus stops located within a set radius around the location of each entity are determined on the map material for each entity, connections, including possible transfers, from each bus stop to a nearby stop of the other entity are determined, and travel times are investigated. In this case, the distance and / or time each entity has to travel, for example by walking, to the stop are also taken into account to determine the total travel time of the entities. In this case, a bus stop that can be reached by the two entities at the same time and / or that is the same distance away on the route between the entities' locations is determined as a starting point. The starting point can also be located outside the corresponding bus stop, for example a cafe near the corresponding bus stop. In this case, it is conceivable that one entity travels by train and the other entity travels only by walking.

[0025] Similarly, one of the entities may travel by bicycle and the other by foot. In that case, the average travel speed of each entity is assumed to determine the starting point. The travel speed of each entity may also be learned depending on the mode of transportation chosen by each entity. In this way, the travel behavior of a particular entity can be observed over a long period of time, from which a time- and / or route-dependent travel speed is obtained. For example, if a first entity travels a distance by subway at a certain time, it may need a longer time, e.g., during rush hour, because many people get on and off. If a second entity travels, e.g., by bicycle, it may need a shorter or longer time to travel a certain route section, e.g., if the second entity needs to travel uphill or downhill, or travels slowly, e.g., because it is full after lunch.

[0026] According to another advantageous embodiment of the method, the algorithm for determining the position of the starting point on the route comprises at least the following steps: - calculating a route between the locations of two entities; halving the calculated route in terms of the path length of the route or the time required to travel the route to determine a -1 / 2 distance; - adding the next subsequent route section to the current distance if the current distance from one of the locations is less than half the distance; - subdividing the last added route section into n sub-route sections as soon as the current distance is greater than 1 / 2 the distance; and - if the current distance minus the last added route section is less than half the distance, the step of adding the next subsequent sub-route section to the current distance is executed.

[0027] By dividing the route into route segments or sub-route segments and taking into account the map material provided by various map providers, the position of the starting point can be found particularly accurately at a geographically and / or temporally intermediate point between the two entities. The steps carried out by the algorithm for this purpose allow the algorithm to be executed particularly quickly and efficiently. To subdivide the route into route segments, route points are determined on the route. A route point then corresponds, for example, to a transition from a straight road to a curve or the like in the map material. In this way, the algorithm looks at each route segment and checks whether a midpoint between the first entity and the second entity has been reached. If no exact midpoint can be found on the corresponding route segment and / or route point, the corresponding route segment is subdivided into sub-route segments. This ensures that the position of the starting point is found in particular halfway between the first entity and the second entity. Correspondingly, when detecting the route, the means of transport used by each entity is taken into account.

[0028] Another advantageous embodiment of the method further contemplates that the starting point is recalculated taking into account the current location of at least one of the entities. For example, if at least one of the entities experiences a delay while traveling along the route, this will result in both entities not arriving at the starting point at the same time. Similarly, in the example of a delivery service, the goods will not arrive at the two entities at the same time and / or the drones delivering the goods will not return to the delivery vehicle at the same time. However, by monitoring the current location of each entity while traveling along the route, the location of the starting point on the route can be adaptively shifted. This ensures that the entities arrive at the starting point at the same time or that the goods arrive at the original location of the first and second entities. When the drone returns to the delivery vehicle, if it takes longer than expected to return, the delivery vehicle can also move in the direction of the drone.

[0029] Preferably, to determine the location of the starting point on the route, at least one of the following criteria is considered: -Fairness, - the amount of harmful substances produced by at least one means of transport moving along the route, in particular CO 2 amount, the amount of energy required by at least one means of transport to travel along the route, and / or - the costs incurred by at least one means of transport to travel along the route; are additionally taken into consideration.

[0030] By taking into account at least one of the above criteria, the shift of the starting point on the route can be adapted according to the customer's preferences. For example, in the first scenario, the starting point can be located on the route in such a way that the first and second entities reach the starting point in the shortest possible time. For example, the first entity travels to the starting point by passenger vehicle, while the second entity has to change transportation means several times to reach the starting point. This is associated with a lot of effort for the second entity. With consideration of fairness, the starting point on the route can be shifted in such a way that a longer time is needed for the first and second entities to reach the starting point, but the first and second entities have to overcome a similar effort to reach the starting point. For example, the starting point can then be set at a public transportation stop, based on which both the first and second entities travel to this starting point. For this, the first and second entities have to change vehicles equally frequently.

[0031] By taking into account the amount of harmful substances generated, support for the implementation of the method according to the invention can be increased among environmentally conscious people.

[0032] Thus, the amount of energy required to travel along a route, and / or the costs incurred therewith, may also be taken into consideration when locating a starting point on a route.

[0033] In particular, the customer can decide for himself to additionally take into account any one or more of the above criteria for determining the location of the starting point, thereby providing a particularly high level of comfort and satisfaction when using the method according to the invention.

[0034] According to the present invention, in a system for detecting a starting point between two entities comprising at least two entities, each of the entities being configured to determine a location of the entity and to share the location via a communication interface, the at least two entities are configured to perform the above method.

[0035] The entities are for example people or computing devices in the form of mobile terminal devices, for example smartphones, tablet computers, laptops, wearables, etc. The people and / or computing devices can move by means of transport, such as cars, freight cars, trucks, buses, rail, bicycles, on foot, etc. It is also possible to change the means of transport during the movement of the entities. At least one entity can also be integrated into a corresponding means of transport. For example, an entity may be formed by a computing device of the means of transport.

[0036] The two entities can also communicate indirectly via the central processing unit, which can determine the starting points of the two entities. To this end, the central processing unit receives the locations of the two entities and uses the method according to the present invention to determine the starting point for the drones to meet or take off.

[0037] Further advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention for detecting an entry point between entities will become apparent from the examples which are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of two entities meeting at a starting point on a digital road map. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a route subdivided into several route segments. [Diagram 3] 2 is a schematic diagram of a flow chart of a method according to the invention for determining a starting point between entities; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] FIG. 1 shows cartographic material 1, here in the form of a digital road map. In the example of FIG. 1, the digital road map contains a partial view of a densely populated area, such as a large city. In the large city, two entities E 1 and E 2 are at locations A and B. Two entities E 1 and E 2 Using the method according to the invention, two entities E 1 and E 2 A starting point M is determined that can be reached by the first entity E in the same time and / or by traveling the same distance. 1 is at its original location A and a second entity E 2 is at original location B. The starting point M is located midway between the two locations A and B within the tolerance range 8 shown in FIG.

[0040] Entity E 1 and E 2 is a computing device, for example in the form of a person or a mobile terminal device, for example a smartphone, a tablet computer, a laptop, a wearable, etc. Such a computing device may also be integrated into the vehicle, for example in that case the computing device may be an on-board computer, a controller of a vehicle subsystem, a telematics unit, etc.

[0041] Two entities E 1 and E 2 Each entity moves between major cities using transportation. For example, entity E 1 and E2 may be moving on foot, by bicycle, by electric scooter, by public transport, by private vehicles such as cars, freight cars, trucks, and / or by autonomous transport such as drones. In that case, it is possible to change the transport mode once or several times during the movement from the original location A, B to the starting point M. For example, an entity E in the form of a person may 1 , E 2 can travel from their place of residence to a local public transport stop by electric scooter, then travel by, for example, bus, to a stop near starting point M, from which they can walk to starting point M.

[0042] According to the present invention, the starting point M is a starting point M and an entity E 1 , E 2 Entity E in terms of the path length and / or time required to travel the section between the respective locations A and B of 1 , E 2 Entity E is located midway between locations A and B. 1 and E 2 To determine the location of the starting point M between, attention is paid to different travel speeds depending on the selected means of transportation.

[0043] To detect the starting point M, an entity E 1 and E 2 determines their respective locations A, B, and then the first entity E 1 from location A to second entity E 2 A route 3 is determined that extends to the location B of the entity E. To determine the starting point M, the route 3 is divided in half with respect to its path length and / or the time required to travel the route 3. 1 and E 2 While moving to the starting point M, these entities move along route 3. In that case, these entities move from their latest location A * and B * According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the current location A * , B *can be used to adaptively shift the starting point M. For example, 1 , E 2 If one of the entities E is stuck in a traffic jam, we set the starting point M to 1 , E 2 This means that the two entities E 1 and E 2 ensure that all arrive at the starting point M at the same time as planned.

[0044] It is also possible that one or more POIs 6 are located near the route 3, and the starting point M is located at or near one of these POIs 6. For example, the POIs 6 can be a cafe, a library, a park, etc. In other words, two entities E 1 and E 2 plans to meet up at one of POI6.

[0045] Their respective locations A and A * , B, B * In order to improve the accuracy of determining , according to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, map material 1 provided by different map providers can be used.

[0046] Based on Figure 2, we will explain in detail the procedure for dividing route 3 into 1 / 2. Route 3 is a set of many route sections P 1 , P 2 , P 3 , P 4 , P 5 , P 6 In this case, the route section P 1 , P 2 , P 3 , P 4 , P 5 , P 6 extends between two route points 2. For example, route section P 1 , P 2 , P 3 , P 4 , P 5 , P 6corresponds to a specific road section, such as a straight road section or a curve. The route points 2 are, for example, traffic lights, intersections, roundabouts, etc. The route 3 is divided into route sections P 1 , P 2 , P 3 , P 4 , P 5 , P 6 , the route 3 can be reproduced particularly realistically and the starting point M can therefore be positioned particularly accurately midway between the two locations A and B.

[0047] Since it is expected that the starting point M does not necessarily coincide with the route point 2, the route section P 1 , P 2 , P 3 , P 4 , P 5 , P 6 In the example of Figure 2, the third route section P 3 There are n sub-route intervals P 31 , P 32 , P 33 , P 34 , P 35 This subdivision is performed by dividing the starting point M into the sub-route section P 31 , P 32 , P 33 , P 34 , P 35 In the middle of, on route point 2, or on sub-route section P 31 , P 32 , P 33 , P 34 , P 35 This can be repeated until the end of each route section P 1 , P 2 , P 3 , P 4 , P 5 , P 6 Depending on the selected transportation mode, the corresponding route length or each route section P 1 , P 2 , P 3 , P 4 , P 5 , P 6 It takes time to move forward.

[0048] In this case, the starting point M located between the locations A and B of the entities E1 and E2 is included in the route section P 1 , P 2 , P 3 , P 4 , P 5 , P 6 , or sub-route section P 31 , P 32 , P 33 , P 34 , P 35 This starting point is understood to be "middle" if it is within a specified tolerance of 8. The figures are not to scale.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the delivery vehicle 7 shown in FIG. 3 travels to a starting point M and is then picked up by another entity E, e.g. a drone. 3 , E 4 from delivery vehicle 7 to entity E 1 and E 2 For example, the drone can fly to the locations A and B of the first and second entities E. 1 and E 2 The goods can be, for example, parcels or food ingredients.

[0050] 3 shows a flow chart 300 of the method according to the invention. In an optional method step 301, two entities E 1 , E 2 can specify whether additional criteria should be taken into account to determine the starting point M. Additional criteria can be, for example, fairness, the fact that at least one mode of transport travels along the route 3, and in particular CO 2 the amount of harmful substances in the form of, the amount of energy required by at least one means of transport to move along route 3, and / or the costs incurred thereby.

[0051] In method step 302, two entities E 1 and E 2are arranged to meet at a starting point M. In method step 303, each entity E 1 and E 2 determines their original locations A, B and transfers them in method step 304. In the example of Fig. 3, the respective locations A, B are transmitted to a central processing unit 5, for example a cloud server or a back-end of a service provider. A starting point M is then determined by the central processing unit 5. For this purpose, algorithm 4 is executed on the central processing unit 5. Algorithm 4 comprises six operating steps 401, 402, 403, 404, 405 and 406. In operating step 401, two entities E 1 and E 2 In operation 402, route 3 is halved in terms of its path length and / or the time required to travel route 3. In operation 403, route segment P 2 , P 3 , P 4 , P 5 Finally, in operation 404, if the distance thus extended is greater than half the distance, the last added route section P 3 is subtracted from the distance, and this route section P 3 There are n sub-route intervals P 31 , P 32 , P 33 , P 34 , P 35 In the example of Figure 2, there are five sub-route sections P 31 , P 32 , P 33 , P 34 , P 35 In operation step 405, the sub-route section P is divided into two sub-route sections P until the distance is equal to or greater than half the distance. 31 , P 32 , P 33 , P 34 , P 35 is added to the distance. The starting point M is finally found in operation 406. This is then 1 and E 2so that they can begin moving towards the starting point M.

[0052] It is also possible to transmit the location of the starting point M and / or other information related thereto to the delivery vehicle 7. The delivery vehicle 7 is here the third, fourth, fifth and sixth entities E 3 , E 4 , E 5 , E 6 These then include other entities in the form of, for example, goods, dishes, or the like, divided into two entities E 1 and E 2 The third and fourth entities E may be individuals or autonomous drones, for example drones capable of flying, that deliver the 3 , E 4 When the delivery vehicle 7 takes off from the delivery vehicle 7, if the delivery vehicle 7 is at the starting point M, the third and fourth entities E 3 and E 4 Let E be the first and second entities E 1 and E 2 and preferably also be able to reach the delivery vehicle 7 at the same time and return to the delivery vehicle 7 again at the same time. This allows the delivery service to deliver goods to customers in a particularly effective and efficient manner.

[0053] In general, there are two entities E 1 and E 2 It is also possible for entities E to transmit their locations A and B to each other, thus omitting the data transmission to the central processing unit 5. For example, the algorithm 4 1 and E 2 Accordingly, the entity E 1 and E 2 One of the entities passes the determined starting point M to the other entity E 1 and E 2 Return it to.

Claims

1. A method for a processor to determine a starting point (M) between two entities (E １ , E ２ ), wherein the entities (E １ , E ２ ) are each configured to determine the location (A, B) of the entity and communicate using a communication interface, in the method The processor detects the entity (E １ , E ２ ) in the map material (1), and １ , E ２ ) between the two locations (A, B) of the １ , P ２ , P ３ , P ４ , P ５ , P ６ ) and iteratively determining the position of the starting point (M) on the route (3), the route section (P) included in the route (3) is determined. １ , P ２ , P ３ , P ４ , P ５ , P ６ ) into the sub-route section (P ３１ , P ３２ , P ３３ , P ３４ , P ３５ ), thereby dividing the first entity (E １ , E ２ A section of the route (3) extending from the location (A, B) of the second entity (E) to the starting point (M) is １ , E ２ ) can be traveled in the same time and / or have the same path length as the section of the route (3) extending from the location (A, B) of one entity (E １ , E ２ ) travels along said route (3) in a means of transportation assigned to said entity; At least one third entity (E ３ ) starting from the starting point (M) to the first entity (E １ The first entity (E) along the section extending from the location (A) of the １ ) to said location (A) of at least one fourth entity (E ４ ) starting from the starting point (M) to the second entity (E ２ The second entity (E) along the section extending from the location (B) of the ２ ) to said location (B).

2. The first entity (E １ ) and the second entity (E ２ 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first entity and the second entity start from respective locations (A, B) and meet at the starting point (M).

3. The entity (E １ , E ２ The locations (A, B) of the entities (E) are determined in map documents (1) provided by at least two map providers, and the locations (A, B) of the entities (E) are determined in the different map documents (1). １ , E ２ 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the locations (A, B) of the first and second inputs (A, B) are compared with each other.

4. The first entity (E １ ) and the second entity (E ２ 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that current traffic information is taken into account when calculating the route (3) between the vehicle and the vehicle destination.

5. At least one entity (E １ , E ２ , E ３ , E ４ ) along said route (3) by one of the following means of transportation: - On foot, - By bicycle - Electric scooter, - public transport, in particular buses and / or trains, in motor vehicles, in particular cars, freight cars and / or trucks, or - an autonomously controlled vehicle, in particular a drone, preferably a flying drone, 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: moving.

6. To determine the starting point (M), each of the entities (E １ , E ２ , E ３ , E ４ ) is assumed, and the average travel speed of each of the entities (E １ , E ２ , E ３ , E ４ 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the assumed average movement speed of the vehicle is learned.

7. The algorithm (4) for determining the position of said starting point (M) on said route (3) comprises at least the following steps: - The two entities (E １ , E ２ calculating the route (3) between the locations (A, B) of halving the route (3) calculated in terms of the path length of said route (3) or the time required to travel said route (3) to determine a distance of -1 / 2; If the current distance, which is the distance of the route section (P 1 ) from one of the locations (A, B), is less than the half distance, the next subsequent route section (P ２ , P ３ , P ４ , P ５ ) to the current distance; - As soon as the current distance becomes greater than half the distance, the last additional route section (P ３ ) into n sub-route sections (P ３１ , P ３２ , P ３３ , P ３４ , P ３５ ) - the last additional route section (P ３ If the current distance minus the distance (P ３２ , P ３３ ) to the current distance; 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

8. The starting point (M) is the current location (A) of at least one of the entities. ＊ , B ＊ 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the calculation is carried out taking into account:

9. To determine the location of said starting point (M) on said route (3), at least one of the following criteria is considered: the amount of harmful substances, in particular CO, caused by the movement of at least one means of transport along said route (3); ２ amount, the amount of energy required by at least one means of transport to travel along said route (3), and / or the costs incurred by at least one means of transport to travel along said route (3); 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that:

10. Two entities (E １ , E ２ A system for determining a starting point (M) between at least two entities (E １ , E ２ , E ３ , E ４ ), and said entity (E １ , E ２ ) each configured to determine a location of said entity and to share said location via a communication interface, At least the two entities (E １ , E ２ 13. A system comprising: a processor configured to execute the method of claim 1.

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