Method for locating a person in a geographical area

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of navigation, and more particularly to methods for locating a person in a geographical area. The claimed method for locating a person in a geographical area consists of the following steps of: receiving information about the person via video cameras fixed at known locations within a geographical area; pre-transmitting the person's biometric data to a remote server; assigning to video capture results a feature confirming the location of the person at the coordinates of the means performing the video capture of the person; transmitting data containing the video capture results and the coordinate-confirming feature to the remote server; performing recognition on the received video capture results and identifying the person by matching the video capture results and the pre-received biometric data. In the event of a positive identification, information about the person's location is transmitted to the user. To receive help in locating themselves in a geographical area, the person sends a request using communication means. The technical result consists in more accurately locating a person in a geographical area.

Description

[0001] A method of human orientation on the terrain

[0002] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Technical area.

[0004] The invention relates to methods for orienting moving objects on the ground and can be used to determine the location of people on the territory, including populated areas.

[0005] In the context of this application, the following terms will be used:

[0006] - locality - a geographical area, preferably a populated area, where the user is located and which is little known or completely unknown to him (the user);

[0007] - object - a person, a group of people

[0008] - user - a person who needs help with orientation or a legal representative of a person who needs such help (for example, a parent).

[0009] Prior art.

[0010] A method of orientation on the terrain is known that uses GPS and / or GLONASS radio navigation systems, whose operation is based on determining the coordinates of an object by measuring the distance from the observation point, i.e., from the object, to the satellite (URL: https: / / www.ixbt.com / car / gps / gps.html (published on November 26, 2000). Despite some differences in the technical features and characteristics of both systems, their operating principles are similar.

[0011] A common drawback of the known method when using both systems is the risk of compromising the reliability of orientation in cases where radio jamming or spoofing systems are in operation.

[0012] A known method of navigation is based on mobile network operator signals (URL: https: / / www.ixbt.com / news / 2023 / 08 / 15 / go-wi-fi.html (published on August 15, 2023)). This method is applicable to both vehicles and pedestrians, as it only requires an Android phone and the appropriate software. The user must enter the smartphone's developer mode and remove the restriction on Wi-Fi scanning.

[0013] The disadvantages of the existing solution include its limited applicability, due to the user's requirement for a specific technical device. If such a device is unavailable, faulty, or inoperative, the user will be unable to navigate the terrain. Furthermore, like any system based on radio transmission, it can be blocked using various technical means, such as radio jamming.

[0014] The closest in essential features - the prototype of the claimed invention - is a method for orienting unmanned aerial vehicles, including receiving information using video surveillance devices, its recognition and determining the location of a moving object (URL: https: / / sfr.gov.ru / press_center / z_news~2023 / 10 / 12 / 2556957vsclidHymf09rsav 86364729 (date published: 12.10.2023)). The known solution relates to optical navigation methods and is based on two-stage orientation and the use of machine vision. In the first stage, the unmanned aerial vehicle performs a video scan of the terrain in the area of ​​​​its future operation, creating an internal map of the terrain and using the resulting images of objects on it. The aircraft can obtain additional information by reading special marks on the ground, including QR codes or AprilTag marks.In the second stage, the aircraft determines its position and evaluates the data received from the inertial navigation system.

[0015] The disadvantages of the existing solution include the fact that the terrain can change between flights: markers can disappear or be moved, objects can change, etc. This requires re-generating the terrain map each time. The main drawback of the existing solution is its limited application to objects moving above the ground, which allows them to scan the terrain and generate its internal map.

[0016] Technical challenge.

[0017] The technical objective of the present invention is to ensure independence of orientation on the ground from satellite navigation systems, without depending on the quality of the radio-electronic environment in the area (interference created by intentional and / or industrial noise).

[0018] Technical result.

[0019] The technical result of the implementation of the proposed invention is to increase the accuracy of human orientation on the ground in the presence of interference that impedes the operation of satellite navigation systems, and in conditions of the existence of risks of spoofing, which can lead to the receipt of inappropriate data on the location of objects requiring orientation.

[0020] Solution. The technical problem is solved by implementing the proposed method of orientation in the following sequence:

[0021] - transfer of biometric data of a person who may need assistance in orientation to a remote server,

[0022] - video recording of an object using stationary video cameras, the location of which is known in advance, assigning to the results of video recording a feature confirming the location of the object (person) in the coordinates of the means with which the video recording of the object was performed,

[0023] - transmission of data containing the results of video recording and a feature confirming the coordinates to a remote server; recognition of the received results of video recording and identification of the object by comparing the results of video recording and the object data transmitted earlier,

[0024] - in case of positive identification, transfer of information about the user’s location;

[0025] Preferably, in case of negative identification, automatic destruction of data transmitted on the server after video recording by this camera.

[0026] Preferably, in order to receive assistance in orientation, the user sends a corresponding request using communication tools (e.g., smartphone, tablet, personal computer, etc.).

[0027] Obviously, in this case, the load on the system will be less and, therefore, it will be able to operate more optimally, which will have a positive effect on the technical result.

[0028] Description of embodiments.

[0029] This method of determining location can be implemented upon request from the user at any time, in which case it is primarily necessary to save the object's movement routes and transmit them upon request (at the time of the request, the user may not be in the visibility zone of any of the cameras, and therefore his approximate location can be recorded based on his movement route, previously recorded by the cameras).

[0030] During the preparatory stage, which is not formally part of the orientation process but is necessary for its implementation, data about the person who may require orientation assistance is transmitted to a remote server. This data may include, but is not limited to, the person's biometric data. One or more photographs of the person may be transmitted to the server, allowing for their identification with a reasonable degree of certainty. Preferably, these photographs should be of the person's face, unobscured by, for example, a hat brim, collar, or umbrella. Data transmission may be carried out, among other things, on the basis of an agreement between the user and the organization providing orientation services and with the user's consent to the processing of personal data. The data transmitted by users about persons who may require orientation services forms a database, which will be referred to hereinafter as the client database.

[0031] In stage 2, video recording of the object is performed automatically and without prior notification to the user, using a device whose location is known in advance. Such a device could be, for example, a vehicle monitoring system camera, street surveillance cameras, or similar devices. The location of such devices is known in advance.

[0032] At stage 3, the results of video recording are assigned a feature confirming the location of the object (person) in the coordinates of the means with which the video recording of the object was performed.

[0033] At stage 4, data containing the results of video recording and a feature confirming the coordinates are transmitted to a remote server.

[0034] In stage 5, the obtained video recording results are recognized and the object is identified by comparing the video recording results with the previously transmitted object data. Preferably, the video recording results are not compared with the entire database, but only with the data contained in the client database created in preparatory stage 1 based on the concluded contracts for the provision of orientation services.

[0035] At stage 6, the user is sent an information message from which he learns his location (relative to the location of the camera that recorded him).

[0036] At the same time, there are methods that can be used to calculate a more precise location of an object using data about the distance from the object to the camera.

[0037] This distance can be calculated in various ways, for example, using the method described in patent RU 2752687. This method allows for the measurement of distances using a digital video camera using three light sources located in a horizontal plane and equidistant from each other, flashing at a given frequency.

[0038] Such calculations can be performed on remote servers. The information message can be sent to the user via any pre-agreed method and in any format, including via mobile communication channels, such as text or voice messages.

[0039] The primary use is the use of additional software on the user's subscriber device, for example, a smartphone application.

[0040] This application can plot routes on a map of the area, and also provide various directions to follow, for example, to a specific point.

[0041] Primarily, to increase the level of information security, at stage 7 automatically destroy on the server the matched data transferred at stage 4.

[0042] An example of the invention's implementation. Individual "Y" entered into a preliminary agreement with company "X," which owns several hundred cameras with facial recognition capabilities in city N.

[0043] City N is characterized by the presence of a large number of buildings, structures, and enterprises, which causes industrial noise, which, in turn, does not allow the use of navigation aids for orientation on the terrain.

[0044] An image of the face (biometric data) of “Y” was transmitted to the server of company “X”.

[0045] They also installed the company's app on the individual's personal smartphone, which featured a secure communication channel and an identification system for transmitting location information.

[0046] During one of his trips, individual "Y" needed directions. He sent a request for directions through the company "X" app.

[0047] The company's server stored events about his movements around the city and his last location relative to the camera.

[0048] His location was calculated more accurately based on his distance from the camera, and his location (with his route mapped) and the time of capture were sent to him in the Application.

[0049] The users did not have GPS trackers and did not use mobile apps like Yandex Maps or Google Maps, making them vulnerable to possible spoofing.

[0050] Thanks to the messages received, users were able to orient themselves in the area and then received data about their location in real time.

[0051] Additionally, the X app allowed the user to plot a route to a given point. In this case, the user received directions ("turn right," "turn left").

[0052] The proposed invention enables navigation without the use of satellite navigation systems and in conditions subject to the risk of cyberattacks (spoofing). This allows us to conclude that the stated technical result has been achieved.

Claims

CLAUSES OF THE INVENTION A method of human orientation on the terrain 1. A method for orienting a person in an area, including receiving information by video surveillance devices, recognizing it and determining the location of the person, characterized in that information about the person is obtained by means of video cameras, the location of which is known in advance, permanently installed in the area and connected to a remote server, additionally includes preliminary transmission to the remote server of biometric data of the person who requires assistance in orienting himself in the area, assigning to the results of video recording a feature confirming the location of the person in the coordinates of the means by which the video recording of the person was performed, transmitting data containing the results of video recording and a feature confirming the coordinates to a remote server, recognizing the received results of video recording and identifying the person by comparing the results of video recording and the biometric data obtained earlier,In the case of positive identification, information about the person’s location is transmitted to the user, and in order to receive assistance in orientation on the ground, the user sends a corresponding request using communication tools.

2. The method according to item 1, characterized in that after transmitting the data on the person’s location, the destruction of the compared data previously transmitted from the video surveillance camera is ensured on the server.

3. The method according to the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that the information message to the user about his location is sent via mobile communication channels in the form of a text and / or voice message.

4. The method according to item 1, characterized in that information about its location is sent to software installed on the user’s communication device.

5. The method according to item 4, characterized in that the software tool plots the user’s route of movement on a map of the area.

6. The method according to paragraph 1, characterized in that when determining the location of a person, information about the distance from the camera to him is used.