WO2023006262A1 - Determining smoke pollution information for a route section - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (110) for determining pollution information (320) in relation to smoke pollution in a route section (201) of a route network (300). The device (110) is designed to determine pollution data (112) in relation to the smoke pollution in the route section (201) with reference to at least one vehicle (100) in or on the route section (201). Furthermore, the device (110) is designed to determine the pollution information (320) for the route section (201) on the basis of the pollution data (112).

Description

DETERMINATION OF SMOKE LOAD INFORMATION FOR A ROUTE SECTION

The invention relates to a method and a corresponding device for providing a route that is as comfortable as possible through a road network for a road user, in particular for a pedestrian.

Road users, especially pedestrians, can be adversely affected by environmental influences on a route through a network of routes, starting from a starting point to an end point. This document deals with the technical task of increasing the comfort for a road user on a route through a road network.

The object is solved by each of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described inter alia in the dependent claims. It is pointed out that additional features of a patent claim dependent on an independent patent claim without the features of the independent patent claim or only in combination with a subset of the features of the independent patent claim can form a separate invention independent of the combination of all features of the independent patent claim, which can be made the subject of an independent claim, a divisional application or a subsequent application. This applies equally to the technical teachings described in the description, which can form an invention independent of the features of the independent patent claims.

According to one aspect, a device for determining exposure information relating to smoke exposure (through cigarette, cigar and/or pipe smoke) in a route section of a path network (eg a pedestrian path network) is described. The device can be part of a vehicle-external unit, such as a server. The device is set up to use at least one vehicle that is arranged in or on the route section to determine exposure data relating to the smoke exposure in the route section. The load data for the route section can be determined on the basis of image data from a camera of the vehicle, in particular by using an image analysis algorithm. Alternatively or additionally, the load data can have been determined using data sent to the vehicle by a smoking element (such as an electronic cigarette) of a smoker in the section of road.

The load data determined from a vehicle can indicate:

• the time at which a cloud of smoke was detected by the vehicle in the route section;

• the position of the smoke cloud, in particular a stationary position (e.g. of a sitting smoker) and/or a dynamic position (e.g. of a walking smoker);

• the dimension (e.g. width, length and/or height) of the smoke plume (which may also be affected by whether or not the smoker is moving);

• the respiratory rate of the smoker causing the cloud of smoke;

• the remaining length of the smoking element (e.g. cigarette or cigar) through which the smoke cloud is caused; and or

• the probable remaining length of time that the smoke cloud will exist in the section of road.

The device is also set up to determine the load information for the route section on the basis of the load data (of the at least one vehicle). In particular, the device can be set up to receive load data relating to the smoke load in the route section from a large number of different vehicles. The

Load information for the section can then be particularly precise Way to be determined on the basis of the load data of the variety of different vehicles.

The load information for a route section can indicate

• the presence of a cloud of smoke in the route section (at a specific point in time);

• the position of the smoke plume;

• the dimension of the smoke cloud; and or

• the probable remaining length of time that the smoke cloud will exist in the section of road.

A device is thus described which can determine and provide load information in relation to the smoke load in one or more route sections of a road network in an efficient and precise manner. In this way, the comfort for a road user (in particular for a pedestrian) in the road network can be increased.

The load information can be determined and updated repeatedly (e.g. at least once per minute). Current load data from one or more vehicles can be received and evaluated.

The device can be set up to determine weather data in relation to one or more weather conditions, in particular in relation to the wind speed, the humidity and/or the temperature, in a route section. The debit information for this

The route section can then also be determined in a particularly precise manner on the basis of the weather data.

The device is preferably set up to determine load data for a large number of different route sections of the road network. Based on this, load information for the large number of different Route sections of the road network are determined. Furthermore, the load information for the multiplicity of different road sections can be stored and/or made available as attributes of the digital map of the road network. In this way, the comfort for a road user in the road network can be increased in a particularly pronounced manner.

According to a further aspect, a device for assisting a user in routing through a road network is described. The device can be part of a user device (e.g. a smartphone) of the user.

The device is set up to use a digital map in relation to the route network to determine a route through the route network to a destination (e.g. in response to a request from the user). Furthermore, the device is set up to determine, on the basis of pollution information relating to a section of the route, that there is smoke pollution in the section of the route. The load information can be determined on the basis of the digital map, with the digital map for a large number of different route sections of the route network each containing load information relating to smoke pollution in the respective route section as (map) attributes. The debit information may have been determined on the basis of the methods described in this document.

The device is also set up to bring about a protective measure for the user in response to the detected smoke pollution in a section of the planned route. In this case, the protective measure can include issuing a notice to the user with regard to the detected smoke exposure in the section of the route. Alternatively or additionally, the protective measure can include adapting the route, in particular in order to avoid the section of route with smoke pollution. In this way, the comfort for a road user in the road network can be increased in an efficient and reliable manner.

According to a further aspect, a (road) motor vehicle (in particular a passenger car or a truck or a bus or a motorcycle) is described, which is designed to determine load data in relation to a route section and (the device described in this document) to provide.

According to a further aspect, a method for determining exposure information relating to smoke exposure in a route section of a route network is described. The method includes the determination, based on at least one vehicle in or on the route section, of load data in relation to the smoke load in the route section. The method also includes determining the load information for the route section on the basis of the load data.

According to a further aspect, a method for assisting a user in routing through a route network is described. The method includes determining, using a digital map in relation to the road network, a route through the road network to a destination. The method further includes determining, based on pollution information relating to a link on the route, that there is smoke pollution in the link on the route. The method further includes, in response, effectuating a protection measure on the user.

According to a further aspect, a software (SW) program is described. The SW program can be set up to be executed on a processor (eg on a control unit of a vehicle or on a vehicle-external unit) and thereby to execute at least one of the methods described in this document. According to a further aspect, a storage medium is described. The storage medium can include a SW program which is set up to be executed on a processor and thereby to execute at least one of the methods described in this document.

It should be noted that the methods, devices and systems described in this document can be used both alone and in combination with other methods, devices and systems described in this document. Furthermore, any aspects of the methods, devices and systems described in this document can be combined with one another in a variety of ways. In particular, the features of the claims can be combined with one another in many different ways. Furthermore, features listed in brackets are to be understood as optional features.

The invention is described in more detail below using exemplary embodiments. show it

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary system for determining load information for a route section of a road network; FIG. 2 shows an exemplary situation for recording load data;

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary network of paths;

FIG. 4a shows a flow chart of an exemplary method for determining loading information in relation to a route section of a road network; and FIG. 4b shows a flow chart of an exemplary method for determining a route through a route network.

As explained at the outset, the present document deals with increasing the comfort of a road user on a route through a road network. In this context, FIG. 1 shows a system 150 with at least one vehicle 100 that includes one or more environment sensors 102 that are set up are to capture environmental data, ie sensor data, in relation to the environment of vehicle 100 . Exemplary environment sensors 102 are a radar sensor, a lidar sensor, a camera, an ultrasonic sensor, etc.

The vehicle 100, in particular an (evaluation) device 101 of the vehicle 100, can be set up to evaluate the environment data in order to determine load data 112 in relation to air pollution in a route section of the route network. 2 shows an exemplary situation for determining load data 112. Vehicle 100 is driving or standing on a roadway 202 next to a pedestrian walkway 201. Using an environment sensor 102 of vehicle 100, a partial area of pedestrian walkway 201 can be detected. In particular, on the basis of the environmental data from environmental sensor 102 , a person 210 who smokes can be detected on pedestrian path 201 , so that a cloud of smoke 211 is arranged in a specific partial area of pedestrian path 201 . The cloud of smoke 211 can be caused by a smoking element 215 (e.g. by a paper cigarette or by an electronic cigarette). The smoke plume 211 can be viewed as air pollution for a pedestrian on the pedestrian walkway 201 .

Load data 112 in relation to a specific route section 201 (e.g. a specific pedestrian path) of a road network can thus be determined on the basis of the environmental data of the vehicle 100 . The load data 112 may indicate

• the position of a cloud of smoke 211 in the route section 201;

• the dimensions 212, 213 of the smoke cloud 211 in the route section

201;

• the time when the smoke cloud 211 was detected; and or

• the estimated length of time that the smoke plume 211 will persist. The vehicle 100 can be set up (eg using a communication unit 103) to provide the load data 112 for a route section 201 of the road network via a (wireless) communication link 111 to a unit 110 external to the vehicle.

The vehicle-external unit 110 can be set up to determine, based on the load data 112 of a large number of (possibly autonomous) vehicles 100, load information in relation to one or more different route sections 201 of the road network, and possibly in a digital map in relation to provide the road network. If necessary, the load data 112 for a specific route section 201, which were recorded by different vehicles 100, can be superimposed in order to determine particularly precise load information for the specific route section 201. The loading information for the particular stretch of road 201 may indicate

• the position of a cloud of smoke 211 in the route section 201;

• the dimensions 212, 213 of the smoke cloud 211 in the route section

201;

• the time when the smoke cloud 211 was detected; and or

• the estimated length of time that the smoke plume 211 will persist.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary network of paths 300 that includes a large number of routes 301 (eg pedestrian paths) that are at least partially linked to one another via nodes 302 . A route 301 can be subdivided into one or more route sections 201 . A digital map for the road network 300 can be provided, which shows the course and/or the position of the different routes 301 or route sections 201 and the nodes 302 . The digital map can also have load information 320 as attributes for one or more different route sections 201 (determined using the method described in this document). The digital map can be provided to a user device 120 (e.g. a smartphone or a tablet PC) in order to enable a user of the user device 120 (using navigation software) to map a route 310 through the road network 300 from a starting point 311 to an end point 312 to plan. The route 310 can be planned in such a way that the cumulative load (due to clouds of smoke 211) for the user is reduced, in particular minimized. If necessary, a route section 201 on which a cloud of smoke 211 is arranged can be avoided.

Thus, Elmfeld data from vehicles 100 can be recorded and analyzed in order to identify smoke zones in a road network 300 in real time. A user, in particular a non-smoker, can thus be provided with low-smoke or smoke-free route guidance. In particular, it can be made possible for a user to determine a smoke-free route section 201 for a route 310 in real time. For this purpose, load information 320 for different route sections 201 and/or routes 301 of a road network 300 can be determined in real time on the basis of the data surrounding vehicles 100 .

On the basis of the environmental data of a vehicle 100 (e.g. using image analysis algorithms), it can be determined, for example (as load data 112),

• the start time of a smoking process;

• the (remaining) length of a cigarette 215;

• the smoker's respiratory rate 210 (e.g., the number of breaths per unit time).

Based on this, the remaining smoking time can then be determined. Furthermore, the remaining duration of the cloud of smoke 211 (and thus the remaining duration of the associated smell of smoke) can be determined. Weather data (such as the wind speed, the air humidity and/or the temperature) in relation to the route section 201 can also be taken into account. The remaining time can then be determined in a precise manner until the air in the route section 201 is smoke-free again (ie the remaining time of the cloud of smoke 211).

The user device 120 of a user can be set up to output a warning in relation to a road section 201 burdened by a cloud of smoke 211 on the basis of the burden information 320 from the digital map. As an alternative or in addition, an alternative route can be determined and proposed in order to avoid a route section 201 that is subject to traffic.

As already explained above, the load data 112 can be determined by image analysis on the basis of the environmental data from a camera 102 of a vehicle 100 . It can be taken into account, for example, that the air breathed by a smoker

210 is typically visible, and/or to comparatively large clouds of smoke

211 leads.

The smoking element 215 of a smoker 210 can be a smart device that is designed to provide data relating to a smoking event that can be evaluated by the vehicle-external unit 110, if necessary, to generate exposure data 112 relating to the smoke exposure to be determined in a route section 201. The smoking element 215 can e.g.

provide data relating to respiratory rate, tidal volume, remaining smoking time, etc. from which exposure data 112 can be determined. The data can be sent to the vehicle-external unit 110 or to a vehicle 100 in the respective route section 201 via a (wireless) communication connection. 4a shows a flowchart of a (possibly computer-implemented) method 400 for determining exposure information 320 in relation to smoke exposure (from cigarette, cigar or pipe smoke) in a route section 201 of a route network 300. The route network 300 can be pedestrian routes, for example and/or places (e.g. in a city). The method 400 may be performed by an off-board entity 110 (such as a server).

Method 400 includes determining 401, using at least one vehicle 100 that is arranged in or on road section 201 (in particular using the environmental data from one or more environmental sensors 102 of vehicle 100), exposure data 112 in relation to the smoke exposure in the road section 201. The load data 112 can have been determined by analyzing the data surrounding the vehicle 100.

Furthermore, the method 400 includes the determination 402 of the load information 320 for the route section 201 on the basis of the load data 112. The load data 112 from a plurality of vehicles 100 are preferably evaluated in order to provide particularly precise load information 320 for the route section 201 (which is then used as an attribute in can be stored on a digital map).

4b shows a flowchart of a (possibly computer-implemented) method 410 for supporting a user in routing through a route network 300. The method 410 can be executed by a user device 120 of the user.

The method 410 includes determining 411, using a digital map in relation to the road network 300, a (walking) route 310 through the road network 300 to a destination 312. Navigation software can be used for this purpose. The method 410 further includes determining 412 Based on load information 320 in relation to a section 201 on the route 310 that in the section 201 on the route 310 there is smoke pollution. The debit information 320 can be taken from the digital map.

Furthermore, the method 410 comprises, in response thereto, effecting 413 a protective measure for the user. For example, a warning can be issued and/or a change in route 310 can be effected.

The measures described in this document can increase the comfort for a road user (in particular for a pedestrian) in an efficient and reliable manner. The present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown. In particular, it should be noted that the description and the figures are only intended to illustrate the principle of the proposed methods, devices and systems by way of example.

Claims

Expectations 1) Device (110) for determining exposure information (320) relating to smoke exposure in a route section (201) of a route network (300); wherein the device (110) is set up - Using at least one vehicle (100) in or on the route section (201) to determine load data (112) in relation to the smoke load in the route section (201); and - to determine the load information (320) for the route section (201) on the basis of the load data (112). 2) Device (110) according to claim 1, wherein the load data (112) determined by a vehicle (100) indicates - A point in time at which the vehicle (100) detected a cloud of smoke (211) in the route section (201); - a position of the smoke plume (211); - a dimension (212, 213) of the smoke plume (211); - A breathing rate of a smoker (210) through which the cloud of smoke (211) is effected; - a remaining length of a smoke element (215) through which the cloud of smoke (211) is effected; and or - An expected remaining period of time for which the cloud of smoke (211) will exist in the route section (201). 3) Device (110) according to claim 1, wherein the load information (320) for the route section (201) indicates - the presence of a cloud of smoke (211) in the section of track (201); - a position of the smoke plume (211); - a dimension (212, 213) of the smoke plume (211); and or - An expected remaining period of time for which the cloud of smoke (211) will exist in the route section (201). 4) Device (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein - the load data (112) for the route section (201) were determined on the basis of image data from a camera (102) of the vehicle (100), in particular by using an image analysis algorithm; and or - the load data (112) were determined using data sent from a smoke element (215) of a smoker (210) in the route section (201) to the vehicle (100). 5) Device (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (110) is set up - determining weather data in relation to one or more weather conditions, in particular in relation to a wind speed, an air humidity and/or a temperature, in the route section (201); and - to determine the load information (320) for the route section (201) on the basis of the weather data. 6) device (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (110) is set up, - receiving pollution data (112) relating to the smoke pollution in the stretch of road (201) from a plurality of different vehicles (100); and - To determine the load information (320) for the route section (201) on the basis of the load data (112) of the multiplicity of different vehicles (100). 7) device (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (110) is set up, - to determine load data (112) for a multiplicity of different route sections (201) of the route network (300); and - Based thereon, load information (320) for the plurality of different sections (201) of the road network (300) to be determined and stored as attributes of a digital map of the road network (300) and/or made available. 8) device (120) for assisting a user in routing through a route network (300); wherein the device (120) is set up - Using a digital map in relation to the road network (300) to determine a route (310) through the road network (300) to a destination (312); - to determine on the basis of pollution information (320) in relation to a section (201) on the route (310) that there is smoke pollution in the section (201) on the route (310); and - effect a protective measure for the user in response thereto. 9) Device (120) according to claim 8, wherein the protective measure comprises - The output of a note to the user in relation to the detected smoke exposure in the section (201) on the route (310); and or - Adjusting the route (310), in particular to avoid the section (201) with the smoke pollution. 10) Device (120) according to any one of claims 8 to 9, wherein - The device (120) is set up to determine the debit information (320) on the basis of the digital map; and - The digital map for a large number of different route sections (201) of the route network (300) each load information (320) in relation to a smoke load in the respective route section (201) comprises as attributes. 11) Method (400) for determining exposure information (320) relating to smoke exposure in a route section (201) of a route network (300); the method (400) comprising - Determination (401), using at least one vehicle (100) in or on the route section (201), of load data (112) in relation to the smoke load in the route section (201); and - Determining (402) the load information (320) for the route section (201) on the basis of the load data (112). 12) a method (410) for assisting a user in routing through a route network (300); the method (410) comprising - Determine (411), based on a digital map in relation to the road network (300), a route (310) through the road network (300) to a destination (312); - determining (412), on the basis of pollution information (320) in relation to a section (201) on the route (310), that there is smoke pollution in the section (201) on the route (310); and - in response thereto, effecting (413) a protection measure for the user.