Method for signalling danger points in a public space

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for signalling danger points (1) in a public space (2) by a signalling device (3) as soon as the signalling device (3) approaches the danger point (1). A position of the signalling device (3) is continuously determined by a satellite-supported position determination method. The signalling device (3) generates a signal which is acoustically and / or visually and / or tactilely perceptible for a signal addressee when the signal device (3) falls below a specified distance to the danger point (1). To ascertain danger points (1), infrastructure data (4) and location data (5) from different data sources are merged in a geographically referenced geodata set (6). All data points from the infrastructure data (4) and location data (5) are georeferenced in a common coordinates system such that a geographical coordinate is assigned to each data point in the geographically referenced data set (6). Surroundings data points of a surroundings data set (12) are continuously determined from the geodata set (6) based on the position of the signalling data device (3). The surroundings data points correspond to the geodata points which lie in specified surroundings around the position of the signalling device (3). The surroundings data points contained in the surroundings data set (12) are analysed based on specified danger criteria and danger levels are allocated to the surroundings data points. The signal is generated when the signalling device falls below a specified distance to a surroundings data point the danger level of which exceeds a specified danger level value.

Description

[0001] Procedure for signaling danger points in public spaces

[0002] The invention relates to a method for signaling danger points in public spaces by means of a signaling device as soon as the signaling device approaches the danger point, wherein a position of the signaling device is continuously determined by a satellite-supported positioning method, wherein the signaling device generates a signal that is acoustically and / or visually and / or tactilely perceptible to a signal addressee and / or causes a communication device connected to the signaling device for data transmission to output an acoustically and / or visually and / or tactilely perceptible signal when the signaling device falls below a predetermined distance from the danger point.

[0003] Such methods, also known as geo-fencing, are used, for example, to keep animals away from dangerous places. For example, the document US 8115642 B2 discloses a device and a method for geo-fencing in which animals or people are encouraged not to cross a previously defined geographical boundary by means of a stimulation collar. The device for geo-fencing described therein has a control unit, such as a telephone or a computer with an antenna. The control unit is in contact with the pet to be monitored via the stimulation collar. If the pet leaves a previously defined geographical boundary, various actions of the stimulation collar, which are also previously defined, can be triggered.To define the boundaries, a suitable zone can be manually drawn using an existing electronic map. From the drawn zone, the zone boundaries are calculated as GPS points.

[0004] WO 2017223197 A1 discloses a satellite-controlled device and method for keeping a pet within a defined geographical boundary. In a containment mode, the pet, wearing a stimulation collar, is monitored using satellite-based data, and its position is continuously determined. The boundary can be established by the pet owner walking along the zone boundary with the stimulation collar, thereby defining the zone boundary.

[0005] With the known methods, the definition of zone boundaries is complex and inflexible.

[0006] The object of the invention is therefore to improve the methods known from the prior art.

[0007] This object is achieved according to the invention in that, in order to determine the danger points, infrastructure data and location data from different data sources are continuously merged into a geographically referenced geodata set, wherein all data points from the infrastructure data and the location data are georeferenced in a common coordinate system so that each data point in the geographically referenced data set is assigned a geographical coordinate, wherein environmental data points of an environmental data set are continuously determined from the geodata set based on the position of the signaling device, wherein the environmental data points correspond to the geodata points that are located in a predetermined environment around the position of the signaling device, wherein the environmental data points contained in the environmental data set are analyzed based on predetermined hazard criteria and hazard levels are assigned to the environmental data points,and wherein the signal is generated when a predetermined distance to an environmental data point is undercut, the hazard level of which exceeds a predetermined hazard level value.,

[0008] Infrastructure data is data that does not change or changes only slowly over time, such as information on the course of rivers and streams, roads and railways, or lakes and other bodies of water. Such data can be obtained from various sources, such as OpenStreetMap for road and other infrastructure details and the databases of land registry offices for cadastral information.

[0009] Location data, on the other hand, provides information on danger spots that change relatively quickly over time. This data can, for example, be information on current traffic volumes on roads, information on special weather events and forest fires, or even the position of poison trap locations. This type of location data can, for example, be extracted from satellite images from Copernicus and EUMETSAT, taken from traffic data from Google Maps, or determined from reports on the locations of animal poison traps from animal welfare organizations. The data from the Copernicus Emergency Service includes information on droughts, floods, and fires. The Galileo Emergency Warning Service provides, in particular, information on general hazard warnings. This data can advantageously be sent directly to the signaling device via the Galileo Receiver.

[0010] Danger zones can also represent areas with elevated pollen counts or an increased risk of hay fever, for example. Location data on these can be provided, for example, via satellite images of the ground or from government agencies. The location data can also include water quality data from government agencies, data on heat warnings or fires, for example from Copernicus or national meteorological institutes or environmental agencies, such as the German Weather Service (DWD), and data on UV radiation.

[0011] The infrastructure data and location data can be retrieved automatically or created manually. This data must be transformed into a common data format and georeferenced in a uniform coordinate system. This task can also be performed manually or automatically.

[0012] From the geodata set compiled in this way, environmental data points of an environmental data set are determined from the geodata set on the basis of the position of the respective signaling device, which has been determined, for example, via GNSS including GPS or GALILEO. The environmental data points correspond to the geodata points that are located in a predetermined area around the position of the signaling device. In this way, the further process can be carried out on a smaller database, meaning that the process can also be carried out on less powerful hardware and the database can be saved on the less powerful hardware. According to the invention, it is therefore possible to carry out further processes directly on the signaling device, so that signaling can take place even when there is no internet connection, for example, in order to retrieve the environmental data points from a server that provides the geodata set.However, it is also possible and provided according to the invention that the amount of environmental data corresponds to the amount of geodata, so that the further process is carried out taking into account the entire amount of geodata.

[0013] Once the environmental data points have been identified, they are analyzed based on predefined hazard criteria, and hazard levels are assigned to the environmental data points. This task can be performed automatically, semi-automatically, or entirely manually. This could include applying algorithms or models to predict the spread of wildfires based on wind data, identifying high-speed zones based on road types and traffic data, or marking nature reserves as potentially hazardous zones. In addition, image recognition algorithms can be used to analyze Earth observation data. The information thus obtained is advantageously automatically categorized according to a predefined set of rules and assigned hazard levels.

[0014] The hazard criteria take into account, among other things, whether an environmental data point poses a hazard to the respective wearer of the signaling device. Furthermore, the hazard criteria can also account for dynamic changes in the situation. For example, a currently heavily trafficked road can be assigned a higher hazard level than a lightly trafficked road.

[0015] For example, the determination of risk levels can be automated as follows:

[0016] 1. A fire spread model is used to estimate the future extent of a forest fire in the surrounding area. Information about forest fires can be obtained from Copernicus and other Earth observation data providers. The forest fires, the surrounding area, and the risk areas are then marked as dangerous, and corresponding hazard levels are assigned to the respective environmental data points.

[0017] 2. High-speed zones are determined using speed limit data from OpenStreetMap and current traffic data from online traffic data providers, such as Google Maps, to identify, for example, highways and the current traffic situation. Areas with high traffic volumes or high speeds are marked as dangerous, and the corresponding surrounding data points, as well as the surrounding data points in a buffer zone, are assigned appropriate hazard levels.

[0018] 3. In a similar way to point 2, Google Maps and OpenStreetMap are used to identify industrial areas, military sites, nature reserves or similar areas that are considered dangerous.

[0019] 4. Environmental information can be obtained from Copernicus or other information providers. EUMETSAT, ESA, and Copernicus already offer air quality as an open API, which allows certain areas to be designated as hazardous or particularly healthy above a certain threshold.

[0020] 5. Areas surrounding the poison traps are classified as hazardous. Such information can be accessed, for example, via relevant open internet databases.

[0021] 6. General satellite images can be analyzed using graphic processing, with objects such as construction sites identified through image recognition. Construction sites can then be classified as hazardous.

[0022] 7. Wild animals, protected areas and forests can be automatically identified either using image recognition or APIs, for example from OpenStreetMap. They can then be classified depending on the application. As soon as the signaling device approaches an environmental data point classified as dangerous and a distance to the environmental data point is undercut whose hazard level exceeds a predefined hazard level value, the signal is triggered. In the case of an animal, for example, this could be an acoustic signal perceived by the animal or, for example, an electrical impulse. It is also possible, for example, for the signal to be visually perceptible.For example, according to the invention the signaling device can also be integrated into a school bag, wherein the signaling device automatically signals the presence of a schoolchild to road users, i.e. also to third parties in the schoolchild’s vicinity, when the schoolchild is walking along or crossing a road. Other vulnerable groups such as the blind and those with dementia can be protected in a similar way. The signal emitted by the signaling device can therefore be designed according to the invention in such a way that it can be perceived by the wearer of the signaling device or by a third party or by both. It is also possible for the signal to be generated by another device. The signal can then be, for example, a notification on a smartphone connected to the signaling device by transmitting data, for example via the internet.Such notifications can advantageously contain further information and, in particular, recommendations for action. The distance from the environmental data point at which a signal is generated can advantageously be specified individually in order to, for example, take into account the different movement speeds of different subjects, such as people or animals. The specified hazard level value can also be assigned individually. For example, an older child can be assigned a lower hazard level value than a younger child. However, it is also possible and provided according to the invention for both the distance and the hazard level value to be specified centrally.

[0023] Advantageously, the invention provides for the infrastructure data to be retrieved automatically from infrastructure databases at regular intervals. Since infrastructure data only changes at relatively short intervals, it is generally sufficient to update it at specific intervals.

[0024] Situation data can change constantly. Therefore, the invention advantageously provides for the situation data to be retrieved automatically from situation databases on a continuous or event-based basis. In some cases, an event-based determination of certain situation data may be expedient. For example, detailed weather data can be retrieved after a severe weather warning has been issued.

[0025] The various data are usually available in different data formats and cannot easily be processed together in this form. To simplify this further processing, the invention provides for the infrastructure data and the location data to be converted into a common data structure before being merged.

[0026] Advantageously, the invention provides for additional manual data points to be added to the environmental data set, with the manual data points being specified individually for the respective signaling device via an interface. In this way, the method can be used for geo-fencing in addition to signaling in the event of danger.

[0027] In order to further adapt the signaling to individual needs, the invention provides for individual environmental data points to be manually removed from the environmental data set and / or for the hazard level of individual environmental data points to be manually changed via an interface. According to the invention, the interface can be accessed, for example, via a smartphone or a computer.

[0028] Advantageously, the invention provides for individual environmental data points to be automatically removed from the environmental data set after a predetermined period of time. For example, poisonous locations are no longer dangerous after a few days, for example, after 60 days, and can be automatically removed.

[0029] According to the invention, further adaptation to individual needs is achieved by manually specifying the hazard level value via an interface and / or by manually specifying the specified distance via an interface.

[0030] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the predetermined distance is automatically adjusted depending on the movement speed of the signaling device. In this way, for example, if a child is running, the signal can be triggered at a greater distance from the danger point than if a child is strolling.

[0031] Advantageously, the invention provides for additional sensor data, particularly those acquired by the signaling device, to be taken into account during signaling. For example, it can advantageously be provided that a visual signal is only triggered in the dark or that a location is classified as dangerous if the ambient noise is high, such as on busy roads or near construction sites.

[0032] Further advantageous developments of the invention are explained with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. It shows:

[0033] Figure 1 is a schematic map showing various danger spots.

[0034] In the method according to the invention, danger points 1 in public spaces 2 are indicated by a signaling device 3 as soon as the signaling device 3 approaches the danger point 1. To determine the danger points 1, infrastructure data 4 and location data 5 from different data sources are continuously merged into a geographically referenced geodata set 6 and georeferenced in a common coordinate system, so that each data point in the geographically referenced data set 6 is assigned a geographical coordinate. In the drawing, various objects assigned to the infrastructure data 4, such as buildings 7, a lake 8 and roads 9, are marked with a reference symbol.The illustration also schematically shows areas to which location data 5 are assigned, such as the area 10 marked with a skull in which animal bait has been laid and the area 11 in which a field fire has been reported.

[0035] From this geodata set 6, environmental data points of an environmental data set 12 are determined based on the position of the signaling device 3. The environmental data points correspond to the geodata points that lie in a specified environment around the position of the signaling device 3. In the drawing, the specified environment is a circle with a specified radius. The environmental data points contained in the environmental data set 12 are analyzed based on specified hazard criteria, and hazard levels are assigned to the environmental data points. The signal is generated when a specified distance to an environmental data point whose hazard level exceeds a specified hazard level value is undercut. In the illustration, the shading indicates that the hazard levels of areas 10 and 11 and of the A9 motorway are classified so high that the hazard level value is exceeded.In the example, the signaling device 3 emits a signal when the signaling device 3 approaches one of these locations.

Claims

P A T E N T A N S P R Ü C H E 1. A method for signaling danger points (1) in public spaces (2) by a signaling device (3) as soon as the signaling device (3) approaches the danger point (1), wherein a position of the signaling device (3) is continuously determined by a satellite-based positioning method, wherein the signaling device (3) generates a signal that is acoustically and / or visually and / or tactilely perceptible to a signal recipient and / or causes a communication device connected to the signaling device (3) for data transmission to output an acoustically and / or visually and / or tactilely perceptible signal when the signaling device (3) falls below a predetermined distance from the danger point (1), characterized in that, to determine the danger points (1), infrastructure data (4) and location data (5) from different data sources are continuously combined in a geographically referenced geodata set (6),wherein all data points from the infrastructure data (4) and the location data (5) are georeferenced in a common coordinate system, so that each data point in the geographically referenced data set (6) is assigned a geographical coordinate, wherein continuous environmental data points of an environmental data set, (12) are determined from the geodata set (6) based on the position of the signaling device (3), wherein the environmental data points correspond to the geodata points that are in a given environment around the position of the Signaling device (3), wherein the environmental data points contained in the environmental data set (12) are analyzed on the basis of predetermined hazard criteria and hazard levels are assigned to the environmental data points, and wherein the signal is generated when a predetermined distance to an environmental data point is undershot, the hazard level of which exceeds a predetermined hazard level value.

2. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the infrastructure data (4) are automatically retrieved from infrastructure databases at regular intervals.

3. Method according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that location data (5) are retrieved automatically from location databases on a continuous or event-based basis.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the infrastructure data (4) and the location data (5) are converted into a common data structure before being merged.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that additional manual data points are added to the environmental data set (12), wherein the manual data points are specified individually for the respective signaling device (3) via an interface.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that individual environmental data points are manually removed from the environmental data set (12) and / or the hazard level of individual environmental data points is manually changed via an interface.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that individual environmental data points are automatically removed from the environmental data set (12) after a predetermined period of time.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hazard level value is specified manually via an interface.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the predetermined distance is specified manually via an interface.

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the predetermined distance is automatically adjusted depending on a movement speed of the signaling device (3).

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