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DE-102024132982-A1 - Monitoring device, system, method and computer program product for monitoring a car wash

DE102024132982A1DE 102024132982 A1DE102024132982 A1DE 102024132982A1DE-102024132982-A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a monitoring device, a system, a method, and a computer program product for monitoring a car wash, wherein at least one image recorded with a camera (8), which shows at least a section of the car wash, is received and processed, and, if the processing indicates a hazardous situation, a warning signal is sent to the car wash, wherein, based on the image, an artificial intelligence model (AI model) trained to detect vehicles in a car wash is used to determine whether at least two vehicles (1, 2) are depicted in the image, wherein, if at least two vehicles (1, 2) are depicted in the image, a distance (3) between two of the at least two vehicles (1, 2) is determined and compared with a defined threshold, and wherein a warning signal is sent to the car wash if the determined distance (3) falls below the defined threshold.

Inventors

  • Nils Siegfried
  • Maximilian Alexander Eichenauer
  • Maximilian Büttner
  • Nicola Nathanel Grimm

Assignees

  • Maximilian Büttner
  • Maximilian Alexander Eichenauer
  • Nicola Nathanel Grimm
  • Nils Siegfried

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20241112

Claims (13)

  1. Monitoring device for monitoring a car wash comprising a data interface for exchanging data with the car wash and an image processing device, whereby the data interface is configured to receive at least one image captured by a camera (8) showing at least one section of the car wash and to send at least one signal to the car wash, whereby the image processing device is configured to process the at least one received image, whereby the image processing device is configured to determine, using an artificial intelligence model (AI model) trained to detect vehicles (1, 2) in a car wash, whether at least two vehicles (1, 2) are depicted in the image, and if at least two vehicles (1, 2) are depicted in the image, to determine a distance (3) between any two of the at least two vehicles (1, 2) and to compare it with a defined threshold, and whereby the data interface is configured to send a warning signal to the car wash if the determined distance (3) exceeds the defined threshold falls below.
  2. The monitoring device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the image processing device is configured to perform distortion correction before and/or after determining the distance (3) between the at least two vehicles (1, 2), and/or that an image preprocessing device is provided which is configured to perform distortion correction before transmitting the at least one image taken with the camera (8).
  3. The monitoring device according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the image processing device is configured to describe vehicles (1, 2) depicted on the image for the purpose of determining the distance (3) by at least two coordinate points and/or by a geometric figure, in particular a quadrilateral.
  4. The monitoring device according to Claim 1 , 2 or 3 , characterized in that the data interface is set up to trigger an emergency stop, a special operating mode of the car wash and/or an optical and/or acoustic warning signal via the warning signal at the car wash.
  5. System comprising at least one camera, arranged laterally next to a conveyor device of the car wash in the direction of conveyance, and a monitoring device according to one of the Claims 1 until 4 .
  6. Method for monitoring a car wash in which at least one image recorded by a camera (8), showing at least a section of the car wash, is received and processed, and, if the processing indicates a hazardous situation, a warning signal is sent to the car wash, in which, using an artificial intelligence model (AI model) trained to detect vehicles in a car wash, it is determined whether at least two vehicles (1, 2) are depicted in the image, and if at least two vehicles (1, 2) are depicted in the image, a distance (3) between two of the at least two vehicles (1, 2) is determined and compared with a defined threshold, and in which a warning signal is sent to the car wash if the determined distance (3) falls below the defined threshold.
  7. The procedure according Claim 6 , characterized in that a distortion correction is carried out before and/or after determining the distance (3) between the at least two vehicles (1, 2).
  8. The procedure according Claim 6 or 7 , characterized in that , for the purpose of determining the distance, vehicles depicted in the image are each described by at least two coordinate points and/or by a geometric figure, in particular a quadrilateral.
  9. The procedure according Claim 6 , 7 or 8 , characterized in that the warning signal at the car wash triggers an emergency stop, a special operating mode of the car wash and/or a warning signal.
  10. A computer program product for monitoring a car wash, comprising commands which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause it to check whether at least one image captured by a camera of a car wash to be monitored has been received, wherein the image shows at least a section of the car wash; if at least one image has been received, to determine, using an artificial intelligence model (AI model) trained to detect vehicles in a car wash, whether at least two vehicles are present. witnesses (1, 2) are depicted in the image, provided that at least two vehicles (1, 2) are depicted in the image, to determine a distance (3) between two of the at least two vehicles (1, 2) and to compare it with a defined threshold value, and to send a warning signal to the car wash if the determined distance (3) falls below the defined threshold value.
  11. The computer program product according to Claim 10 , comprising commands which, when the program is executed by the computer, cause it to perform its distortion correction before and/or after determining the distance (3) between the at least two vehicles (1, 2).
  12. The computer program product according to Claim 10 or 11 , comprising commands which, when the program is executed by the computer, cause it to describe the vehicles (1, 2) depicted in the image by at least two coordinate points and/or by a geometric figure, in particular a quadrilateral, for the purpose of determining the distance (3).
  13. The computer program product according to Claim 10 , 11 or 12 , comprising commands which, when the program is executed by the computer, cause it to send a warning signal to the car wash, so that the warning signal at the car wash triggers an emergency stop, a special operating mode of the car wash and/or a warning signal.

Description

SCOPE OF APPLICATION AND STATE OF THE ART The invention relates to a monitoring device, a system, a method and a computer program product for monitoring a car wash. A car wash is a facility in which the external treatment, in particular cleaning and/or maintenance, of preferably motorized vehicles, such as passenger cars, trucks, and/or buses, is carried out. Vehicles are moved through a series of cleaning and/or maintenance units, referred to as a tunnel, by means of a conveying device, in particular a conveyor belt. The transit time of each vehicle through the tunnel is constant under normal operating conditions. During each movement through the tunnel, a washing and/or maintenance program is performed for the external treatment, in particular cleaning and/or maintenance, of the vehicle. The washing and/or maintenance program can be individually configured for each vehicle moving through the tunnel. Cleaning and/or maintenance units comprising brushes, cloths, lances, spray nozzles and/or other elements for external treatment are provided on the tunnel as follows, depending on the application: stationary, movable vertically and/or horizontally within a defined area and/or as so-called portals which are moved with the vehicle over a defined distance. During normal operation, several vehicles are typically present in the car wash. These vehicles are moved through the tunnel by a conveyor system. The distance between two vehicles in succession along the conveyor system is constant as they pass through the car wash. This distance is determined, for example, by drive rollers or similar devices on the conveyor system, which are positioned behind a vehicle wheel in the direction of travel and interact with it, ensuring the vehicle follows the movement of the conveyor system. If a vehicle is moved relative to the conveyor system while moving through the tunnel, in particular by a driver applying the brakes, engaging a gear or the like, and/or by a vehicle program, collisions may occur with a vehicle positioned in front of or behind the vehicle on the conveyor system. Out of DE 10 2021 102 200 A1 A device and a method for regularly determining the instantaneous spatial position of one or more vehicles moving along a predetermined path in a car wash are known. The device comprises a plurality of measuring sensors, each with one or more scanning areas, which are connected to a contour detection device. The measuring sensors are arranged and configured such that the presence of the vehicle in the scanning area and/or the local distance of the vehicle located in the scanning area from the measuring sensor can be regularly detected. The measuring sensors and the contour detection device are configured to determine a contour footprint of the vehicle from a temporal profile of the vehicle's presence in the scanning area and/or the vehicle's local distance to one or more of the measuring sensors. This contour footprint can be stored in the contour detection device. Furthermore, at least one segment of the vehicle's contour footprint is determined from a temporal profile of the vehicle's presence in the scanning area and/or the vehicle's local distance to one or more of the measuring sensors. The vehicle's current spatial position can be reconstructed by comparing this at least one segment of the contour footprint with the actual contour footprint. The measuring sensors are, in particular, ultrasonic sensors, since these can be used according to [relevant standard/specification]. DE 10 2021 102 200 A1 have proven to be particularly suitable for use in a car wash, where, for example, there is high humidity and a high concentration of droplets. TASK AND SOLUTION The object of the invention is to create a monitoring device, a system, a method and a computer program product for monitoring a car wash, which allow for improved monitoring of a car wash. According to a first aspect, a monitoring device for monitoring a car wash is created, comprising a data interface for exchanging data with the car wash and an image processing device, wherein the data interface is configured to receive at least one image captured by a camera, showing at least one section of the car wash, and to send at least one signal to the car wash, and wherein the image processing device is configured to process the at least one received image. The image processing device is configured to process the image using an artificial intelligence model (AI model), which The system is trained to detect vehicles in a car wash and determine whether at least two vehicles are visible in the image. Furthermore, if at least two vehicles are visible, the image processing unit is configured to determine the distance between any two of these vehicles and compare it to a defined threshold. The data interface is configured to send a warning signal to the car wash if the determined distance falls below the defined threshold. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the terms "a",