Method for determining a person's location with the aid of a marker on an item of their clothing

Abstract

The invention relates to methods for locating moving objects in a geographical area and can be used for determining the location of a person, inter alia, in populated places. What is proposed is a method for determining a person's location with the aid of a marker on an item of their clothing, which includes applying a marker, receiving information from same, performing recognition, and determining the location. The information is received by means of video cameras which are fixed at known locations within a geographical area and are connected to a remote server. A photo and / or a video image and / or a description of the marker and the item of clothing are pre-transmitted to the server, wherein light sources are used as the marker and / or as a component part thereof. Video capture results are assigned a feature confirming the location of the person at the coordinates of the means performing the video capture. Data is transmitted to the server, where said data undergoes recognition and an object is identified by matching with the pre-transmitted data. In the event of a positive identification, the person's location is transmitted upon request to the user. The technical result consists in more accurately determining a person's location without the use of satellite navigation systems.

Description

[0001] A method for determining a person's location using a tag on an item of clothing

[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 a 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 in clothes with a mark;

[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 known method of orientation on the ground uses GPS and / or GLONASS radio navigation systems, which operate by 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 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 August 15, 2023)). The 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, recognizing it and determining the location of a moving object (URL: http s: / / sfr . go v . ru / pre ss center / z_ne ws ~ 2023 / 10 / 12 / 255695? vsclid=lymf09rsay86364729 (published 10 / 12 / 2023)). The known solution relates to optical navigation methods and is based on two-stage orientation and the use of machine vision. At 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 it 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 (intentionally created interference 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 to the problem.

[0021] The stated technical problem is solved by implementing a method for orienting a person on the terrain with the help of clothing items, including receiving information by video surveillance devices, recognizing it and determining the location of the person, characterized in that information about the person is received by means of video cameras, the location of which is known in advance, permanently installed on the terrain and connected to a remote server, additionally includes preliminary transmission to the remote server of a photo, and / or video image, and / or description of a tag on the item of clothing of the person who may need assistance in orientation on the terrain, assigning to the results of video recording a feature confirming the location of the person in the coordinates of the means with the help of which the video recording of the item of clothing with the tag was performed, transmitting data containing the results of video recording and a feature confirming the coordinates to the remote server,recognition of the obtained video recording results and identification of a person by comparing the video recording results and the data of the tag on the item of clothing transmitted earlier; in the case of a positive identification, transmission of information about the location of the person to the user; in order to receive assistance with orientation on the ground, the user sends a corresponding request using communication means.

[0022] Description of embodiments.

[0023] The method can be carried out in the following sequence:

[0024] - transfer to a remote server of data about a tag on an item of clothing belonging to a person who may need assistance in orientation in the area (this tag can be specially made and / or the location of this tag can also be taken into account, preferably so that the tag has a unique appearance, so that there are no so-called "false positives"; such a unique tag can be, for example, a unique QR code attached in any possible way to an item of clothing),

[0025] - 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 (a person in a piece of clothing with a tag) in the coordinates of the means by which the video recording of the object was performed,

[0026] - 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 data of the object (a person in a piece of clothing with a tag), transmitted earlier,

[0027] - In the event of a positive identification, the transfer of location information to the user. Preferably, in the event of a negative identification, the automatic destruction of data transmitted from the server after video recording by the given camera.

[0028] Preferably, in order to receive assistance in orientation, the user sends a corresponding request using communication tools (e.g., smartphone, tablet, personal computer, etc.).

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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).

[0031] At the preparatory stage, which is not formally part of the orientation process, but is necessary for its implementation, the object's data (photo and / or video tags, and / or description of the tag and / or location of the tag on an item of clothing) is transmitted to a remote server to a person who may need assistance in orienting themselves in the area (a person wearing an item of clothing with a tag).

[0032] One or more photographs of the tag itself, or of the tagged item of clothing, can be transmitted to the server, allowing for its identification with a reasonable degree of certainty. Data transfer may be carried out, among other things, based on 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 submitted by users about objects that may require orientation services forms a database, which will be referred to hereinafter as the client database.

[0033] In stage 2, the object (a person wearing a tagged item of clothing) is 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 video monitoring system, street surveillance cameras, or similar devices. The location of such devices is known in advance.

[0034] In stage 3, the video recording results are assigned a feature confirming the location of the object (person) in the coordinates of the device used to record the object. In stage 4, the data containing the video recording results and the feature confirming the coordinates are transmitted to a remote server.

[0035] In stage 5, the obtained video recording results are recognized and the object is identified by comparing the video recording results with the object's data (tag on the item of clothing) previously transmitted. 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.

[0036] 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).

[0037] At the same time, there are methods that can be used to calculate a more accurate location of an object using data about the distance from the object to the camera.

[0038] 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.

[0039] Such calculations can be performed on remote servers.

[0040] 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. This is primarily achieved through the use of additional software on the user's device, such as a smartphone app.

[0041] This application can plot travel routes on a map of the area, and also provide various directions to follow, for example, to a specific point.

[0042] Primarily, to increase the level of information security, at stage 7 automatically destroy on the server the matched data transmitted at stage 4.

[0043] To increase the range and efficiency of recognition (especially in conditions of poor, limited visibility), it is preferable to use light sources (for example, flashlights or lasers) as a mark (or as part of a mark).

[0044] Example of implementation of the invention

[0045] Individual "Y" entered into a preliminary agreement with company "X," which owns several hundred cameras with facial recognition capabilities in city N. City N is characterized by the presence of a large number of buildings, structures, and factories, which generates industrial noise, which, in turn, prevents the use of navigational aids for orientation.

[0046] Images of a tag (a unique QR code glued to the center of the back of a T-shirt) belonging to “Y” were transmitted to the server of company “X”.

[0047] To improve recognition efficiency, information about the item of clothing itself – an orange and blue T-shirt – was also entered.

[0048] 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.

[0049] During one of his trips, individual "Y" needed directions. He used the app from company "X" to submit a request and donned a tagged T-shirt.

[0050] The company's server stored events about his movements around the city and his last location relative to the camera.

[0051] His location was calculated more accurately based on the distance from the camera, and the location of his location (with the additional mapping of his route) and the time of recording were sent to him in the Application.

[0052] The users did not have GPS trackers and did not use mobile applications such as Yandex Maps or Google Maps, and were thus not vulnerable to possible spoofing.

[0053] Thanks to the messages received, users were able to orient themselves in the area, and then they received data about their location in real time.

[0054] In addition, the X company's app allowed the user to plot a route to a given point.

[0055] In this case, the user received movement prompts (“turn right”, “turn left”).

[0056] 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.

[0057] It should be noted that by using a tagged garment, another additional technical result is achieved, namely, increased protection of the user's personal data, since its localization on site occurs only after the user puts on the tagged garment (unlike, for example, the case where localization would occur based on his biometric data, the user would not be absolutely sure that localization occurs without his knowledge).

[0058] To increase range, light sources such as flashlights and lasers can be used. Tags can be attached to clothing in various locations (front, back, side, top).

[0059] The following items of clothing can be used: trousers, pants, T-shirts, shorts, coats, fur coats, etc.

[0060] In order to reduce the number of “false alarms,” tags can be attached to a specific, pre-determined location on clothing (e.g., top, front, back), etc.

[0061] In this case, the tags can be attached to clothing in any possible way (for example, glued, sewn on, etc.) and turned on in the event (for example, if the tag contains a light source) when it is necessary to determine the location (for example, the power button can be located either on the clothing or turned on remotely, for example, using a smartphone).

[0062] To increase the efficiency of the method, not only a photo and / or video image and / or description of the tag, but also a photo and / or video image and / or description of the item of clothing itself can be pre-transmitted to the server.

Claims

CLAUSES OF THE INVENTION A method for determining a person's location using a tag on an item of clothing 1. A method for determining the location of a person using a tag on an item of clothing, which method comprises applying a tag to the item of clothing, receiving information from the tag on the person’s item of clothing, recognizing it, and determining the location of the person, wherein information about the person is obtained by means of video cameras, the location of which is known in advance, permanently installed on the ground and connected to a remote server, preliminarily transmitting to the remote server a photo and / or video image and / or description of the tag on the person’s item of clothing, as well as a photo and / or video image and / or description of the item of clothing itself, wherein light sources are used as the tag and / or as part of the tag, 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 item of clothing with the tag was performed, transmitting data containing the results of video recording to the remote server,recognize the received results of video recording and identify the person by comparing the results of video recording and the data from the tag on the item of his clothing, transmitted earlier, and in the case of a positive identification, they transmit information about the location of the person to the user, and in order to receive information, the user sends a corresponding request using communication tools.

2. The method according to item 1, characterized in that a flashlight is used as a light source.

3. The method according to paragraph 1, characterized in that a laser is used as a light source.

4. The method according to item 1, characterized in that the light source on the item of clothing is switched on only when it is necessary to determine the location.