EP1632903A1 - Method and system for external monitoring of transportation means - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves detecting image information (2) by an onboard monitoring devices (3) e.g. camera, and transferring the information to an information-recording device (4) that is located in a transport unit. The information is transferred automatically from the device (4) to a central processor (5) and is stored in a database server (6). The automatic transfer takes place wirelessly via an air interface-transmission device (7). An independent claim is also included for a monitoring device for external monitoring a transport unit.

Description

The invention relates to a method for the external monitoring of a means of transport, in which information regarding the means of transport is detected by means of at least one on-board monitoring device, and in which this information is then transmitted and stored to an on-board, centrally located in the transport information recording device, and subsequently transmitted to at least one external central computer and stored in a database connected to the at least one central computer. The invention further relates to a monitoring system for externally monitoring a means of transport, comprising at least one on-board monitoring device for acquiring information regarding the means of transport, an information recording device for receiving and storing the information, and having at least one central computer intended for use in relation to the means of transport for receiving the information from the information recording device and for storing the information in a database connected to the central computer.

In the context of the present invention, the term "means of transport" is to be understood as meaning not only so-called public means of transport, but all means of transport, for example, aircraft, ships, buses, rail vehicles and passenger vehicles.

Such methods and corresponding monitoring systems are known, for example, for monitoring public facilities and means of transport. However, in these systems, the standardized in the law, strict data protection requirements only with great difficulties and high financial and technical effort. To monitor coaches or passenger trains, such as long-distance trains and subways, various system solutions are currently used, which are usually based on a video surveillance, in which recorded with several cameras image information and then on a in a than Recording device serving workstation integrated removable hard disk at a central point of the means of transport (for example, in railcar or bus driver) are cached. Here it has been found that, on the one hand, due to the limited storage capacity of the currently available removable hard disks and, on the other hand, due to the amount of data collected by camera surveillance, comprehensive and continuous monitoring of the means of transport is only possible if a sufficiently high number of removable hard disks is provided. Even if the replacement of the hard disks during the ongoing monitoring from a technical point of view can be regarded as unproblematic, occur after the replacement of the recorded hard drives in so far as it is from a data protection point of view in the data is extremely critical material, which is only for selected personnel may be accessible. As a result, the entire handling of the monitoring system becomes expensive and expensive.

As a rule, the known monitoring systems work consistently on the same principle, according to which first surveillance images are taken with a plurality of cameras provided in the means of transport and temporarily stored on the removable hard disk integrated in the recording device. Since, however, the evaluation and / or archiving of the monitoring images usually does not have to take place in the means of transport itself, but in a non-external, external evaluation station, it is necessary to transmit the surveillance images from the on-board recording device to the external evaluation station. This is done manually at the time, namely by replacing recorded during the ride of the transport removable disks with unrecorded removable hard drives and the recorded removable hard disks are manually passed to the evaluation station, then takes place the evaluation of the image data. However, due to data protection, only authorized personnel may exchange these plates in the on-board recorder or receive them from the off-board evaluation station. For transport companies that use such a monitoring system and want continuous monitoring of their respective means of transport, this inevitably leads to the fact that the replacement of removable disks is feasible only with a well-organized logic. On the one hand not to delay the operation of the company and on the other hand the legal data protection requirements To be fair, data protection officers of the transport company must constantly be on the move in order to receive the removable disks recorded in the individual means of transport and to deliver them to the evaluation station.

Another problem with the known from the prior art systems for monitoring of means of transport is that the recorded image data after replacing the removable hard drives in the evaluation often stored only as raw data and not archived accordingly. Thus, there is no edited data that can be accessed instantaneously via a network, for example. This is not least due to the fact that due to the complex transfer from the on-board recording device to the alien evaluation station from the time of the actual recording of the images in the transport at the time of possible evaluation in the evaluation station so much time has elapsed that the images no longer currently and therefore often not more interesting, for example, for a quick investigation of a crime. To release the available in the evaluation stations, usually only limited storage capacity, the image data are rather already erased already a short time after your receipt. For a quick elucidation of a fact, for which the image data must be evaluated as quickly as possible and prepared accordingly, the benefits of conventional surveillance systems is questionable for the reasons mentioned above.

In addition to the already explained fundamental problems of the known monitoring systems, the on-board monitoring systems also encounter further technical difficulties. These difficulties are due to the fact that the cameras are connected in the individual car bodies of the means of transport via wire-based data lines with the centrally located in the transport recording device. These wire-based or wired systems prove to be problematic if individual car bodies of the means of transport have to be replaced or decoupled during operation. Due to the usually only very limited storage capacity of the removable disks used on-board recording device also the image data of the cameras used for monitoring must inevitably have only a low resolution in order to minimize the memory size of the individual images as possible. Due to this low resolution as well as the frequently competing high data compression, the information content of the individual images is low, which additionally calls into question the meaning and purpose of the conventional monitoring systems.

The present invention is therefore based on the technical problem of specifying a method for the external monitoring of a means of transport of the type mentioned above and a corresponding monitoring system, by means of which at an evaluation station arranged externally by the means of transport - with respect to the time of picture taking in the means of transport - almost instantaneously Access to the information captured in the transport image information is possible.

This object is achieved in a method of the type mentioned in the present invention that the transfer of information to the at least one alien central computer is done automatically.

The technical problem underlying the present invention is further solved by a monitoring system for carrying out the above-mentioned method, which is characterized by an on-board transport control device for automatically controlling the transmission of the information from the information recording device to the at least one central computer is.

The advantages of the invention are in particular that an easy to implement and thereby very effective method for optimizing the external monitoring of a means of transport can be achieved. Due to the automatic transmission of the information to the central computer, in particular, it is no longer necessary to manually replace removable hard disks of the information recording device centrally arranged in the means of transport. As a result, a manual handling of the image data recorded during operation of the means of transport is thus eliminated. So it is conceivable, for example, that along the route of the means of transport each a non-board central computer is provided at a certain distance to another adjacent alien central computer, the closest to the transport central computer each of the centrally located in the transport, on-board information recording device the receives information to be transmitted. In this case, the respective external central computer can be configured as fixedly installed and anti-theft executed individual computer. In the case when the method according to the invention or the monitoring system according to the invention is used for monitoring, for example, passenger trains, the respective external central computer can be arranged in stations or on platforms which lie on the planned route of the means of transport. If the evaluation and / or processing of the data automatically transmitted by the means of transport does not take place at the respective central computer, It is also conceivable that the respective central computer, for example, via a DSL or ISDN line with one or more central database servers of the operating company are connected, in which or then the evaluation and / or processing of the information transmitted by the transport takes place. This makes it possible in an advantageous manner that the data recorded in the transport immediately after the automatic transmission of the on-board information recording device to the respective non-external central computer can be supplied to the centrally located database server, and available here as prepared data retrievable. Alternatively, the image data (information) transmitted by the means of transport can also be stored and / or evaluated in the respective central computer, so that this information can be accessed at any time via a network connected to the central computer. In particular, if a plurality of such central computer is provided on the scheduled route of the means of transport, the image data recorded in the means of transport are available to the database server immediately after their reception. In particular, the traffic-monitoring method according to the invention makes it possible in short time periods to load or transfer the image information stored in the on-board monitoring device to one of the plurality of central computers arranged along the route of the means of transport, so that the image information stored in FIG the on-board information recording device provided image data storage capacity after regular and short periods of time can be released again. This makes it possible to impose almost no space-constrained restrictions on the quality of the recorded image information.

With the monitoring system according to the invention, a possibility for carrying out the method described above is given. In this case, for automatic control of the transmission of the information from the on-board information recording device to the at least one external and provided on the route of the transport central computer a suitable, corresponding to the respective central computer on-board control device is provided. This control device automatically starts the transmission of the information data from the on-board information recording device to the at least one central computer as soon as the means of transport is in range of the central computer. Furthermore, the control device causes the transmitted information data to be deleted from the information recording device after transmission and / or to be overwritten by new information data of the monitoring devices provided in the means of transport.

Preferred developments of the invention are given with respect to the method in the dependent claims 2 to 5 and with respect to the device in the dependent claims 7 to 10.

Thus, it is preferably provided for the method that the automatic transmission of the information to one of the central computer in dependence on the position of the means of transport takes place relative to one of the central computer. In the case where a sufficient plurality of spaced-apart central computer is fixedly provided along the planned route of the means of transport, the automatic transmission of the information from the onboard information recording device to each of the closest to the transport central computer on the one hand in terms of the signal-to Noise ratio optimum signal transmission and on the other hand a position determination of the moving means of transport, by the respective central computer, which communicates with the information recording device at a certain time, simultaneously determines the position of the means of transport at this time. In this case, it is conceivable in principle that the transmission of the information starts automatically as soon as the means of transport is within reach of a suitable central computer, in particular of a central computer located closest to the means of transport. The automation of the transmission can be determined by the position of the means of transport relative to the central computer.

Particularly preferably, the transmission of the information to the off-board central computer takes place wirelessly, for example via a suitably designed air interface. In particular, the air interface between the onboard information recording device and the off-board central computer is designed to provide not only non-contact transmission but also to allow transmission of the information during transit of the vehicle. Thereby, it is possible that, along the scheduled route of the means of transport, the central computers can not be used only at those locations where the means of transport are scheduled to stop (e.g., train station), but may be located at any locations along the route.

In the transmission of the information from the on-board information recording device to the at least one alien central computer preferably takes place a time synchronization. With a continuous recording of the information by means of the on-board monitoring device as well as a regular transmission According to the information from the on-board information recording apparatus to the non-external central computers, it is possible to detect the movement or the position of the means of transport as a function of time due to the time synchronization. It would also be conceivable here for each data transmission to synchronize the on-board information recording device with the exact time, as a result of which the position of the means of transport, for example with the aid of a GPS system, can be determined at any time and almost in real time. Thus, even in an alarm case, the exact position of the means of transport is always known.

Particularly preferably, the information captured by the on-board monitoring devices, before being transmitted to the on-board information recording device, is first transmitted to at least one on-board hub device associated with the respective monitoring devices. This lifting device serves to regulate the information acquired by the individual monitoring devices. The hub device bundles the image and sound information acquired by the respective associated monitoring devices and subsequently transmits them to the information recording device. It is also conceivable that the transmission from the hub device to the information recording device takes place via a suitable air interface, for example via an interface provided with a wireless LAN transmitter / receiver system. Compared to a wire-based information transmission hereby advantageously eliminates a wired line, which can potentially be circumvented problems when connecting or disconnecting other car bodies to the means of transport.

As an advantageous development of the monitoring system according to the invention, a location determination device provided for the on-board application regarding the means of transport is provided for determining the relative position of the means of transport to one of the central computers. It is conceivable that this location-determining device is, for example, a GPS system which continuously supplies the geographic position of the means of transport to the control device provided in the monitoring system. Thus, if the geographic location of each central computer is known, the control device can continuously determine the relative position of the vehicle to one of the central computers along the scheduled distance of the vehicle. This makes it possible to initiate or control the transmission of the information recorded with the aid of the on-board monitoring device to a selected central computer located within reach of the means of transport.

It is particularly advantageous if at least one lifting device provided for the on-board use with respect to the means of transport is provided, wherein this lifting device controls the information detected by the individual monitoring devices. Thus, it is conceivable, for example, that this lifting device initially bundles the individual image and sound information recorded by the respective on-board monitoring devices accordingly, and subsequently transmits this bundled information to a wireless air interface device, by means of which the information ultimately reaches the central point arranged information recording device is transmitted. The wireless air interface device used here can be, for example, a wireless LAN transmitter / receiver system. Of course, however, other embodiments for the technical realization of the transfer of information from the individual monitoring devices to the information recording device are also conceivable here.

In addition, an air interface transmission device provided for the on-board use with respect to the means of transport is preferably provided for the wireless transmission of the information captured by the individual onboard monitoring devices to one of the external central computer. With a corresponding design of the air interface transmission device can thus be achieved in a particularly simple but efficient way, a transfer of information recorded in the transport information to the respective central computer, which in particular a transfer of information during the journey of the means of transport is possible.

In the following, a preferred embodiment of the monitoring system according to the invention, in which the monitoring method according to the invention is implemented, explained in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Überwachungssystems;

Fig. 2A

eine schematische Darstellung einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Überwachungssystems bei einer beispielhaften Anwendung in einem Personen-Reisezug; und

Fig. 2B

das Überwachungssystem der Fig. 2A in einer vergrößerten Darstellung.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment of the monitoring system according to the invention;

Fig. 2A

a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment of the monitoring system according to the invention in an exemplary application in a passenger train; and

Fig. 2B

the monitoring system of Fig. 2A in an enlarged view.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment of the monitoring system according to the invention. The monitoring system of the illustrated embodiment serves to monitor a means of transport not explicitly illustrated in FIG. In this case, the monitoring system on the means of transport side (system level I) on a total of twelve provided for the on-board regarding the transport use monitoring devices 3, which are preferably cameras, especially network cameras. These monitoring devices 3 acquire image information 2 regarding the means of transport, convert this information 2 internally, and then transmit the converted information 2 via an appropriate network protocol, such as the TCP / IP protocol, to an information recording device 4 for on-board use.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is exemplary designed for a means of transport, which is composed of three car bodies A, B, C and a railcar T. For each car body A, B, C four monitoring devices or cameras 3 are provided which are suitably positioned and aligned in the interior or exterior of the respective car body to record the events in the car body and the outside scene outside the car body. Preferably, the frame rate per camera 3 is flexibly adjustable. For example, it is possible to control the frame rate based on the motion in the image area of the respective camera 3, preferably with a maximum frame rate of 16 frames per second and in color. The cameras 3 may be installed in suitable housings to ensure vandalism-proof housing.

As shown, the data transfer of the respective cameras 3 via a network cable 12 to a correspondingly provided lifting device 8. In each of the car bodies A, B, C forms the respective hub device 8 each a distribution point and serves to the image and / or sound information of each car body provided cameras 3 to bundle.

The power supply of the cameras 3 as well as the lifting device 8 takes place in a preferred manner via a conventional, provided per car body power supply (not shown). It is possible to provide the cameras 3 via the already mentioned network cable 12 with voltage to avoid further wiring. Accordingly, it can be achieved that only one power supply is required per car body, which is such is designed that all devices per car body (hub device 8, 3 cameras) are supplied with the appropriate supply voltage.

As already mentioned, the lifting device 8 initially bundles the information captured by the cameras 3 of the respective car body. It then transmits this bundled information to an air interface device 11, 11 'provided individually for each vehicle body. This air interface device 11, 11 'is constructed, for example, from a wireless LAN transceiver system. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the air interface device 11, 11 'is composed of two wireless LAN transmitter / receiver devices. The two wireless LAN transmitter / receiver devices 11, 11 'are connected via a network cable 13 with the corresponding hub device 8 and provided for that they are respectively attached to the respective head ends of the car body.

For example, the wireless LAN transceiver device 11, 11 'is designed to transmit at a maximum transmission power of 300 mW and at a transmission rate of 108 MB / s to a counterpart (wireless LAN) provided at the head of an adjacent car body Transmitter / receiver device 11, 11 '). It is envisaged that the transmission link from a wireless LAN transceiver device 11, 11 'of a first car body to a wireless LAN transceiver device 11, 11' of an adjacent second car body is strongly bundled, for example such in that only an opening angle of maximum 45 ° is achieved. This bundling serves to make the data transfer via the air interface device 11, 11 'tap-proof. Alternatively, or in addition to this, a correspondingly encrypted transmission can be used to additionally ensure the data protection requirements. However, bundling makes listening to the transmission almost impossible.

The information 2 recorded in the individual car bodies by means of the respective cameras 3 can thus be transmitted from car body to car body via the respective transmitter / receiver devices 11, 11 'and finally reaches a further transmitter / receiver device 11 provided in the railcar T of the vehicle '11'. The recording of the information 2 transmitted to the railcar T of the means of transport then takes place in an information recording device 4. This information recording device 4 has a sufficiently high recording capacity, for example, to allow the recording of a total of sixty cameras 3 in continuous operation for two days.

For controlling both the recording of the information 2 in the information recording device 4, as well as the transmission of the information 2 via the respective transceiver devices 11, 11 ', a control device 9 is provided, which is preferably in the railcar T of Transport is to be arranged. This control device 9 can be designed such that it automatically assumes the configuration of the information recording device 4 in the railcar T, as well as the configuration of the respective transceiver devices 11, 11 '.

It is conceivable for a possible manner of configuration of the respective transceiver devices 11, 11 'that all transceiver devices 11, 11', which after a certain time after the start of the configuration procedure are still in the transmission and receiving range of the transceiver device 11, 11 'of the railcar T are automatically identified as being associated with the monitoring system and configured accordingly. Additionally or alternatively, it is possible that each transceiver device 11, 11 ', which is still in the transmission range of the transceiver device 11, 11' of the railcar T longer than a certain time after the departure of the means of transport, also as belonging to the in-vehicle monitoring system.

Preferably, each carbody A, B, C is assigned its own number, which can be entered automatically or else manually into the information recording device 4 during the configuration controlled by the control device 9, in order thereby to assign the information from the respective car bodies the information recording device 4 transmitted information 2 easier. Further, the traffic side monitoring system may be configured such that all cameras 3 transmit simultaneously, and that the information signals of the cameras 3 are simultaneously recorded in the information recording device 4. In order to allow comprehensive monitoring of the means of transport, the means of transport monitoring should also allow a total of up to sixty cameras 3 to operate in parallel, with a transmission of up to 16 images per second per camera 3.

The configuration of the information recording device 4 in the railcar T itself preferably takes place either externally via a database server 6 which is arranged with the information recording device 4 via a plurality of transport-center-external central computer 5 arranged along a possible route of the transport communicates, or via a so-called memo stick, which is manually inserted into the information recording device 4 and takes over the configuration.

In addition to the above-described in-vehicle system components (system level I), the monitoring system of FIG. 1 also has system components arranged externally with respect to the means of transport (system level II). Thus, a large number of off-board central computer 5 are provided along a possible route of the means of transport. These central computers 5 serve to receive the information 2 detected by the cameras 3 from the information recording device 4 of the in-vehicle monitoring system and to forward this information 2 to a database 6 for evaluation and archiving. In this case, a central computer 5 to a neighboring further central computer 5 is spaced at a certain distance at a possible distance of the means of transport. The central computer 5, which is closest to the information recording device 4 (of the in-vehicle monitoring system implemented in the in-transit mode), receives the information from the information recording device 4. Here, the respective central computer 5 can be installed as fixed and be carried out anti-theft executed individual computer.

In order to transmit the information 2 acquired by the individual cameras 3 from the information recording device 4 to one of the central computer 5, an air interface transmission device 7 is provided. With a corresponding design of the air interface transmission device 7 can thus be achieved in a particularly simple but efficient manner, a non-contact transmission of the information recorded by the cameras 3 2 to the respective central computer 5, which in particular a transmission of the information 2 during the movement of the means of transport possible is. In a conceivable realization of the monitoring system according to the invention, each central computer 5 has a data recording computer for temporarily recording the data 2 (information) transmitted by the information recording device 4 via the air interface transmission device 7. In the air interface transmission device 7, for example, a directional radio antenna is used which is either fixed or trackable on the information recording device 4. The central computer 5 is also connected via a modem with a DSL or ISDN connection via a data network 14 to the database server 6, for example.

If the evaluation and / or processing of the information 2 transmitted by the information recording device 4 does not take place at the respective central computer 5, the data is transmitted via the data network 14 (DSL or ISDN line) to the central database server 6 of the operating company then the evaluation and / or preparation of the information 2 takes place. Alternatively, the image data 2 (information) transmitted by the information recording device 4 can also be stored and / or evaluated in the respective central computer 5, so that this information 2 can be accessed at any time via the network 14 connected to the central computer 5. In particular, if a plurality of such central computer 5 is provided on the scheduled route of the means of transport, the image data 2 recorded via the cameras 3 are available to the database server 6 immediately after they have been recorded. The monitoring system thus makes it possible to load or transfer the image information 2 stored in the information monitoring device 4 onto or to one of the multiplicity of the central computer 5 in short time intervals.

Further, by continuously recording the information 2 in the information recording apparatus 4 and transmitting the information 2 via the air interface transmission means 7 to the respective central computers 5 and finally to the database server 6, it is possible to detect any movement of the in-vehicle information recording apparatus 4 and thus determine each movement of the means of transport as a function of time. For this purpose, during the transmission of the information 2 from the on-board information recording device 4 to the corresponding central computer 5, a time synchronization takes place. This time synchronization makes it possible to detect the movement or the position of the information recording device 4 in almost real time at the database server 6 via the respective central computer 5 communicating with the information recording device 4.

Further, when the information recording device 4 or the control device 9 is equipped with a location determining device 10 such as a GPS system, and the current position data of the central computer 5 arranged at the scheduled traveling distance of the vehicle is input to the control device 9 the control device 9 determine the relative position of the information recording device 4 to one of the central computer 5 and a location-dependent transmission of the information 2 from the information recording device 4 to the on most conveniently located central computer 5 control. Furthermore, however, the exact position of the means of transport is always known even in the event of an alarm.

The transmission of the image information 2 from the information recording device 4 to a central computer 5 can take place either while driving or during a stopover in stations. During transmission via the air interface transmission device 7, the recorded image information 2 of all cameras 3 is transmitted to a central computer 5 with a strongly bundled radio link at a data rate of, for example, 1000 MB / s. This transmission starts automatically as soon as the means of transport or the information recording device 4 is within range of the central computer 5. Thereafter, the transmitted data 2 is deleted from the information recording device 4 and overwritten with new information data.

After the information 2 has been transmitted to the central computer 5, this can be temporarily stored here until the information 2 (the recording data with the associated recording time and the associated body number) is then transmitted via an ISDN or DSL network 14 to the database server 6 , Thus, it is possible that, if necessary, the image information 2 nationwide can be accessed. After a certain time, the data 2 buffered in the central computer 5 are automatically deleted again in order to fulfill the data protection criteria.

The database format is for example SQL, and the image information is stored with MPeg-1 or Motion-jpeg, of course, MPeg-4 or other formats are possible.

In the monitoring system according to FIGS. 2A and 2B, in each case one carbody A, B is equipped with four cameras 3, a lifting device 8, two air interface devices 11, 11 'with two directional beam antennas and a corresponding (not explicitly shown) power supply. The railcar T of the means of transport is equipped with an information recording device 4, a GPS system 10, an air interface device 11, 11 'with a suitable directional antenna, an air interface transmission devices 7 with a directional antenna and with a control device 9.

The central computer not shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B are each a recording computer with a suitable modem and a DSL or ISDN connection a data network and each have a 1000 MB / s air interface transmission device 7 and one or more directional radio antennas. The also not explicitly shown database server of the center, which may be a normal redundant computer, for example, is equipped with a DSL modem with firewall and a leased line to the Internet (2048 kB, flatrate).

However, the monitoring system of the present invention can also be designed so that no complete remote image transmission between the respective central computer 5 and the database server 6 is more necessary. Instead, preferably only a table of contents of the data transmission is transmitted from the respective central computer 5 to the database server 6. The table of contents may arise at each transmission between the information recording device 4 and one of the central computer 5 and displays, for example, the time, the train number, the body number, etc.

In one use, it is possible, for example, for the respective central computers 5 to be arranged at each station junction of Deutsche Bahn. All equipped with the monitoring system trains load when entering the station their data either completely or partially from the central computer 5. It does not matter from which direction the train enters the station. The central computer 5 supplements the transmitted contents with its own site number and immediately after receiving the data 2, the table of contents via ISDN to the database server 6 on. This ensures that the operator is almost simultaneously given the opportunity to access the image data via the network.

In the following, case examples will be described on the basis of which the advantages of the monitoring system will be further clarified.

Case 1

In the S-Bahn line No. 2375, the interior of the car body No. 27 was willfully damaged. The driver has discovered the damage during a patrol at the terminus. The incident must have occurred between his last and the current inspection. He reports the damage to the operations center. The operations center dials into the database server and gives in the search command the time, line no. and car body no. one. Based on this data, the database server determines on which central computer the desired information is contained and then causes the central computer to transfer only this image information to the database server. To At the end of the transmission, the data can be viewed and the evaluation for the transfer of the offender can begin.

Case 2:

In a certain car body, for example in the car body no. 279 of line 2, a fight takes place at a certain time. The train driver sees the brawl on the screen and reports this to the operations center. The operations center can then automatically receive individual live images via GRS / UMTS.

Case 3:

A person being searched for by the police has boarded a train at a certain station at a certain time. The police turns to the transport company, and sends a current photo of the person sought to the operations center of the transport company. On the basis of the data, the searched person can then be detected outside the means of transport in the means of transport.

Although the embodiment described above was based on a passenger train, it is hereby once again pointed out that the method and monitoring system according to the invention can also be used for all other means of transport, for example also for aircraft.

Claims (10)

Method for the external monitoring of a means of transport (1), comprising the following method steps: a) detecting information (2) about the means of transport (1) by means of at least one on-board monitoring device (3); b) transmitting the information (2) to an on-board, in the means of transport (1) centrally arranged information recording device (4); c) storing the information (2) in the information recording device (4); d) transmitting the information (2) to at least one external central computer (5); and e) storing the information (2) in a database (6) connected to the at least one central computer (5),
characterized in that
the transmission of the information (2) to the at least one external central computer (5) takes place automatically. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the automatic transmission of the information (2) to one of the central computer (5) in dependence on the position of the means of transport (1) relative to the one central computer (5). A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transmission of the information (2) to the central computer (5) takes place wirelessly via an air interface (7). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a time synchronization in the transmission of the information (2) from the on-board information recording device (4) and the at least one external central computer (5). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the following method step after method step a): a1) transmitting the information (2) to at least one on-board lifting device (8) for controlling the information (2) detected by the individual monitoring devices (3). Monitoring system for external monitoring of a means of transport (1), comprising at least one monitoring device (3) for on-board use of the means of transport (1) for detecting information (2) relating to the means of transport (1); an on-board information recording device (4) for receiving and storing the information (2) detected by the at least one monitoring device (3); and at least one central computer (5) intended for use with respect to the means of transport (1) for receiving the information (2) from the information recording device (4) and for storing the information (2) in a central computer (5). connected database (6);
characterized by
a control device (9) provided on-board with respect to the means of transport (1) for automatically controlling the transmission of the information (2) from the information recording device (4) to the at least one central computer (5). Monitoring system according to Claim 6, characterized by a location determination device provided on-board for use with respect to the means of transport (1) (10) for determining the relative position of the means of transport (1) to one of the central computer (5). Monitoring system according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized by at least one lifting device (8) provided on-board for use with respect to the means of transport (1) for regulating the information (2) detected by the individual monitoring devices (3). Monitoring system according to one of Claims 6 to 8, characterized by at least one air interface device (11) provided on-board the transport (1) for wireless transmission of the information (2) acquired by the individual monitoring devices (3) to the information system. Recording device (4). Monitoring system according to one of Claims 6 to 9, characterized by an air interface transmission device (7) for the wireless transmission of the information (2) detected by the individual monitoring devices (3) to the central computer (5).

Images