DE102015223412A1 - A method for providing an accident record, method for detecting a traffic accident in the environment of a vehicle and method for responding to a traffic accident in the environment of a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for providing an accident data record (136) which has information about a traffic accident in the environment of a vehicle (100). The method comprises a step of reading environment data (104) of the environment of the vehicle (100). The method also includes a step of generating the accident data record (136) in response to a trigger signal (126, 145) using the read environment data (104) for output to an in-vehicle memory device (280) and / or to a data transmission interface (290). of the vehicle (100).

Description

State of the art

The invention is based on a device or a method according to the preamble of the independent claims. The subject of the present invention is also a computer program.

In the event of a traffic accident, for example, a situation preceding the accident may be investigated using accurate measurements and video recordings. Furthermore, in the event of a traffic accident, statements made by any witnesses to the accident may be of great importance.

The US 2003/0212567 A1 describes a witness information service with image capture and sharing for sharing.

Disclosure of the invention

Against this background, with the approach presented here, methods, furthermore a device which uses one of these methods, and finally a corresponding computer program according to the main claims are presented. The measures listed in the dependent claims advantageous refinements and improvements of the independent claim device are possible.

According to embodiments of the present invention, in particular, a video evidence function for a vehicle as well as a detection and prediction of vehicle accidents, for example, by driver assistance systems or an automatic detection of accidents and collisions, are involved in the foreign vehicles. For example, the fact that an in-vehicle camera system sees approximately the same as the driver who drives the vehicle can be used, whereby accident-relevant image data can be saved on the basis of a triggering signal. In addition, accident data can also be collected automatically by vehicles, for example, which can be optionally equipped with driver assistance systems, for example, to detect accidents. Thus, for example, it could be predicted whether a collision between foreign vehicles could occur and whether it could also affect the ego vehicle. For example, if such a collision is likely, it may also be calculated which evasive maneuver or system response would be necessary to protect the ego vehicle.

Advantageously, according to embodiments of the present invention, an investigation or proof of an accident can be made more reliable and easier. Furthermore, a burden on testimonies can be reduced. If someone is witnessing a traffic accident, it may be mandatory to stay at the scene of the accident, to wait for the police and to record all observations, which may mean unplanned costs and time for the witness. According to embodiments of the present invention, this problem can be avoided for a witness, and the work of the police can be facilitated by using, inter alia, the built-in camera system of a vehicle. An advantage is that the witness does not have to spend time with a statement process and a duty to cooperate with the witness can be fulfilled, for example by pressing a button. Another advantage is that, for example, image data may include details that the witness did not recognize during the accident, so additional information may be provided to the police. If, for example, several vehicles had such a range of functions, many accidents could have automatic reports of the same accident or the same collision from multiple perspectives. Drivers of such uninvolved vehicles then do not need to wait for the arrival of the police to make their statement.

A method is presented for providing an accident data record which contains information about a traffic accident in the vicinity of a vehicle, the method having the following steps:
Reading environment data of the environment of the vehicle; and
Generating the accident record, in response to a trigger signal, using the eineldenen environment data for output to an in-vehicle storage device and / or to a data transmission interface of the vehicle.

This method can be implemented, for example, in software or hardware or in a mixed form of software and hardware, for example in a control device or a device. The vehicle may be a motor vehicle, in particular a road-bound motor vehicle, for example a passenger car, lorry or the like. At least one other vehicle other than the vehicle may be involved in the traffic accident. In particular, several other vehicles may be involved in the traffic accident. The environment data may include, for example, image data, radar data, ultrasound data and additionally or alternatively other types of environmental data. The memory device may be configured to store the accident record in a non-volatile manner. The data transmission interface may be configured to at least part of the Transfer accident record to a receiving device outside the vehicle. The method may be practicable using devices that are fixedly mounted in the vehicle and protected from tampering.

According to one embodiment, in the generating step, the accident record may be generated as a trigger signal in response to a user input signal. Here, the user input signal may represent a user input of an occupant of the vehicle in response to a detected traffic accident in the vicinity of the vehicle. The user input signal may be received by a user interface. The user interface may include a button, a button, or the like. Such an embodiment offers the advantage that the provision of the accident data record can be triggered safely and inexpensively simply and reliably on the basis of a reliable assessment of a traffic situation.

Also, the accident record generated in the step of generating may include image data relating to the traffic accident of at least one vehicle camera of the vehicle, position data of the vehicle, movement data of the vehicle, and additionally or alternatively time data. Such an embodiment offers the advantage that meaningful and reliable data can be delivered as a context for accident analysis.

Further, the accident record generated in the step of generating may include vehicle identification data for uniquely identifying the vehicle, driver identification data for uniquely identifying a driver, and additionally or alternatively, witness witness data for reporting a witness of the traffic accident. In this case, at least the witness message data in the form of a message or a message signal can be output via the data transmission interface to an official receiving device. Such an embodiment offers the advantage that a secure assignment of the accident record to a vehicle or driver is made possible. In addition, a notification of the authorities in a simple and fast way.

A method is also presented for detecting a traffic accident in the vicinity of a vehicle, the method comprising the following steps:
Determining whether an environment sensor signal read by an interface to at least one surroundings detection device for detecting the surroundings of the vehicle and representing at least one detected object in the surroundings of the vehicle fulfills at least one accident criterion; and generating an accident signal representing a detected traffic accident around the vehicle when the at least one accident criterion is met.

This method can be implemented, for example, in software or hardware or in a mixed form of software and hardware, for example in a control device or a device. The method of detection may be advantageously carried out in conjunction with an embodiment of the aforementioned method of providing to respond to a traffic accident. The surroundings detection device can have at least one vehicle camera, a radar device and additionally or alternatively another type of surroundings detection device. At least one other vehicle other than the vehicle may be involved in the traffic accident. In particular, at least one other vehicle and additionally or alternatively the vehicle may be involved in the traffic accident.

According to one embodiment, in the step of determining, at least one threshold with respect to a change of a speed, a trajectory, a radar wave reflection and additionally or alternatively an optical flow of the at least one detected object in the environment of the vehicle can be used as the at least one accident criterion. In particular, when the at least one threshold value is exceeded, the accident signal can be generated by the environmental sensor signal. Such an embodiment offers the advantage that a simple and reliable detection of a traffic accident is made possible.

Also, in the step of determining, a user input signal may be used as the at least one accident criterion. Here, the user input signal may represent a user input of an occupant of the vehicle in response to a traffic accident around the vehicle. When a user input signal is received, the accident criterion can be considered satisfied. Such an embodiment offers the advantage that detection of a traffic accident can be triggered or validated by such a manual confirmation. Furthermore, such a signal can be used for example as feedback for a learning algorithm, for traffic information and for authorities.

A method is also presented for outputting data in response to a traffic accident around a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
Detecting a traffic accident around a vehicle according to an embodiment of the above-mentioned method of detecting; and
Providing an accident record according to an embodiment of the above A method of providing, wherein in the step of generating the accident record in response to the generated accident signal is generated as a trigger signal to output data.

This method can be implemented, for example, in software or hardware or in a mixed form of software and hardware, for example in a control device or a device. The method of responding may be advantageously performed in conjunction with the method of detecting and the method of providing to initiate a response to the traffic accident. Providing the accident record may represent a response to the traffic accident. Additionally or alternatively, further reactions can be initiated, such as a driver warning, an evasive maneuver, a brake with the hazard warning light on or the like.

The approach presented here also creates a device that is designed to perform the steps of a variant of a method presented here in appropriate facilities to drive or implement. Also by this embodiment of the invention in the form of a device, the object underlying the invention can be solved quickly and efficiently.

For this purpose, the device may comprise at least one computing unit for processing signals or data, at least one memory unit for storing signals or data, at least one interface to a sensor or an actuator for reading sensor signals from the sensor or for outputting data or control signals to the sensor Actuator and / or at least one communication interface for reading or outputting data embedded in a communication protocol. The arithmetic unit may be, for example, a signal processor, a microcontroller or the like, wherein the memory unit may be a flash memory, an EPROM or a magnetic memory unit. The communication interface can be designed to read or output data wirelessly and / or by line, wherein a communication interface that can read or output line-bound data, for example, electrically or optically read this data from a corresponding data transmission line or output to a corresponding data transmission line.

In the present case, a device can be understood as meaning an electrical device which processes sensor signals and outputs control and / or data signals in dependence thereon. The device may have an interface, which may be formed in hardware and / or software. In the case of a hardware-based embodiment, the interfaces can be part of a so-called system ASIC, for example, which contains a wide variety of functions of the device. However, it is also possible that the interfaces are their own integrated circuits or at least partially consist of discrete components. In a software training, the interfaces may be software modules that are present, for example, on a microcontroller in addition to other software modules.

In an advantageous embodiment, the device is used to control system behavior of vehicle systems of the vehicle. For this purpose, the device can access, for example, sensor signals such as environmental sensor signals and user input signals.

Also of advantage is a computer program product or computer program with program code which can be stored on a machine-readable carrier or storage medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk memory or an optical memory and for carrying out, implementing and / or controlling the steps of the method according to one of the embodiments described above is used, especially when the program product or program is executed on a computer or a device.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. It shows:

1 a schematic representation of a device according to an embodiment in a vehicle;

2 a schematic representation of a portion of the device 1 in the vehicle;

3 a flowchart of a method for detecting according to an embodiment;

4 a flowchart of a method for providing according to an embodiment; and

5 a flowchart of a method for reacting according to an embodiment.

In the following description of favorable embodiments of the present invention, the same or similar reference numerals are used for the elements shown in the various figures and similar acting, wherein a repeated description of these elements is omitted.

1 shows a schematic representation of a device 110 according to an embodiment in a vehicle 100 , the vehicle 100 is according to the in 1 illustrated embodiment as a motor vehicle, for example, run a passenger car. The vehicle 100 has an environment detection device 102 in the form of a vehicle camera, more specifically one in the vehicle 100 fixed video camera, for detecting an environment of the vehicle 100 on. The vehicle camera 102 or surroundings detection device 102 is designed to be an environmental sensor signal 104 or environment data 104 with information about the environment of the vehicle 100 provide. More specifically, the environmental sensor signal represents 104 or represent the environment data 104 at least one detected object in the environment of the vehicle 100 ,

In the environment of the vehicle 100 are according to the in 1 illustrated embodiment as detected objects by way of example only two foreign vehicles 150 and 160 shown involved in an accident. The foreign vehicles 150 and 160 have collided with each other.

In the vehicle 100 is also the device 110 or reaction device 110 arranged. The reaction device 110 is trained to respond to a traffic accident in the environment of the vehicle 100 to respond or a reaction to a traffic accident in the environment of the vehicle 100 initiate. The reaction device 110 is capable of signal transmission or data transmission capability with the environment detection device 102 connected. In particular, the reaction device 110 designed to be using the environmental sensor signal 104 or the environment data 104 a reaction to a traffic accident in the environment of the vehicle 100 to effect or initiate.

The reaction device 110 according to the in 1 illustrated embodiment, a recognition device 120 or device 120 for detecting a traffic accident in the environment of the vehicle 101 Providing device 130 or device 130 to provide an accident record 136 on.

The recognition device 120 has a determination device 122 and a generator 124 on. The recognition device 120 is designed to receive the environmental sensor signal 104 from the surroundings detection device 102 read. The determination device 122 is configured to determine if the environmental sensor signal 104 meets at least one accident criterion. The generating device 124 is trained to be an accident signal 126 generate a recognized traffic accident in the environment of the vehicle 100 represents if the at least one accident criterion is met. The recognition device 120 is trained to generate the generated accident signal 126 issue. According to the in 1 the embodiment shown is the recognition device 120 trained to the generated accident signal 126 among other things to the delivery device 130 issue.

The delivery device 130 has a read-in device 132 and a generator 134 on. The delivery device 130 is trained to record the accident 136 to provide information about a traffic accident in the vicinity of the vehicle 100 having. The reading device 132 is trained to the environment data 104 about the environment of the vehicle 100 from the surroundings detection device 102 read. The generating device 134 is trained to record the accident 136 in response to a trigger signal, for example the accident signal 126 , using the imported environment data 104 for output to an in-vehicle memory device and to a data transmission interface of the vehicle 100 to create. The delivery device 130 is trained to generate the generated accident record 136 spend or provide.

According to the in 1 illustrated embodiment, the vehicle 100 a user interface 140 on, for example, has a button or a button. The user interface 140 is configured to be responsive to user input of an occupant of the vehicle 100 a user input signal 145 to generate and output. The user input takes place here in particular in response to a detected traffic accident in the environment of the vehicle 100 , The user interface 140 is signal transmitting with reaction device 110 connected, according to the in 1 shown embodiment, in particular with the detection device 122 the recognition device 120 and with the generating means 134 the delivery device 130 , Here is the generating device 134 trained to record the accident 136 in response to the user input signal 145 to generate as a trigger signal. Additionally or alternatively, this is the determination device 122 trained to the user input signal 145 to use as the at least one accident criterion.

According to one embodiment, the determination device is 122 configured to be at least a threshold value with respect to a change of a speed, with respect to a change of a trajectory, with respect to a change of a radar wave reflection and / or with respect to a change of an optical flow of the at least one detected object, here for example the foreign vehicles 150 and 160 in the environment of the vehicle 100 to use as the at least one accident criterion.

Recognizing a traffic accident using the recognition device 120 will be explained in part in other words and in more detail below.

When identified and tracked objects, such as the foreign vehicles 150 and 160 , suddenly unite into an object difficult to classify, with a significant change in speed, then an accident is plausible. Moreover, if this is followed by a loud noise and the traffic around this place slows down temporarily. Such situations may be due to driver assistance sensors, such as cameras, radar, lidar, ultrasonic sensors, close range cameras or the like, and some additional sensors, such as. As external or internal microphones, cameras or the like, recorded and uploaded together with a geotag / time stamp, vehicle-specific parameters and an identification for other services, for example, in the cloud. On the basis of such an accident data collection a more thorough investigation can be carried out, as thus speed vectors, exact positions and even video recordings are available before, during and / or after an accident. This data can be used, for example, for a police investigation and, if questions arise, for example, the driver of the vehicle 100 due to an identification of the accident data 126 also be contacted as a witness at a later date.

For example, a collision or an accident may be detected based on the following criteria, more specifically, if multiple plausibility suggestions of the below-mentioned procedures regarding environmental data 104 correlate with each other.

Radar information can be used, in particular a radar phase transition. It is assumed that vehicles are solid objects, the radar reflections of which change regularly and not chaotically between measuring cycles. However, if typical reflections and the number of reflections from at least one object, for example from the foreign vehicles 150 and 160 , change suddenly and substantially, this can mean a significant change in the shape and surface of the at least one object. Thus, new points would be recognizable that appear in the plausible volume of the at least one tracked object with a plurality of different velocity vectors as an accident criterion.

Also video information or image data can be used. If within the volume of at least one tracked solid object, such as the foreign vehicles 150 and 160 Whereas usually a behavior of total optical flux is associated with a set of points corresponding to a physical object, different areas of optical flow appear, this means that different parts of a solid object suddenly start to behave less correlated than before, for example a foreign vehicle 150 or 160 to turn so that a collision or accident is plausible. In practice, this would mean that a fluctuation within an optical flow of at least one object 150 respectively. 160 is monitored and a sudden and significant increase can be used as a trigger or accident criterion.

A driver assistance system can trajectories of tracked objects, such as the foreign vehicles 150 and 160 , to calculate. If trajectories, road conditions and object information are reliable enough, situations that could possibly end in an accident or collision can be detected before the collision actually occurs. With a conservative estimate, the trajectory of each object could be assigned a safe braking distance, for example, assuming a default deceleration of 6 m / s ² , and then it can be monitored whether, for example, one of the other vehicles 150 and 160 dangerously close or not, whether a collision is likely or not. If such situations are detected, using the recognition device 120 altered trajectories are estimated. Here, the pulse conservation law may be used, for example, estimating vehicle masses based on a vehicle classification (bicycle / car / SUV / truck) of a driver assistance video, speed vectors using radar and / or lidar, and a roadway model using camera and / or navigation so that a cautious system response can be prepared.

Possible system reactions may include, for example, a driver warning, an evasive maneuver, if the accident, the trajectory of the vehicle 100 would trigger a video evidence data record using the provisioning device 130 or braking with the hazard warning lights on to be for the information of the subsequent traffic, whereby an override of the adaptive brake light could be triggered. Optionally, a manual confirmation by the driver by user input signal 145 to validate the event for the cloud or for others as Feedback for the learning algorithm, traffic information and authorities to serve etc.

2 shows a schematic representation of a portion of the device 110 or reaction device 1 in the vehicle 100 , More specifically, in 2 from the reaction device, the delivery device 130 shown. Further, from the vehicle 100 in 2 the surroundings detection device 102 , the user interface 140 , a video buffer 270 or a temporary storage device 270 , a storage device 280 for non-volatile storage and a data transfer interface 290 or communication unit 290 shown.

The delivery device 130 is implemented as a central processing unit. Here is the provisioning device 130 signal transmission capability or data transmission capability with the environment detection device 102 , the user interface 140 , the temporary storage device 270 , the storage device 280 and the data transmission interface 290 connected.

The delivery device 130 is trained, the environment data 104 from the surroundings detection device 102 or vehicle camera 102 read. Further, the provisioning device 130 trained to the environment data 104 as buffered video data 204 to the temporary storage device 270 issue. In addition, the provisioning device 130 trained to the user input signal 145 from the user interface 140 to receive and additionally or alternatively the accident signal 126 receive from the recognition device of the reaction device. The delivery device 130 is also designed to buffered video data 204 from the temporary storage device 270 to retrieve or receive. Further, the provisioning device 130 trained to create the generated accident record 136 for example, including buffered video data 204 to the memory device 280 and to the communication interface 290 issue.

According to one embodiment, the generated accident record 136 on the traffic accident related image data or environment data 104 from the vehicle camera 102 of the vehicle 100 , Position data of the vehicle 100 , Movement data of the vehicle 100 and / or time data. Additionally or alternatively, the generated accident record 136 According to one embodiment, vehicle identification data for uniquely identifying the vehicle 100 Driver identification data for uniquely identifying the driver and / or witness notification data for reporting as a witness of the traffic accident.

When the driver of the vehicle 100 Witnessing an accident, he can get a button of the user interface 140 press and, for example, the last seconds or minutes of the video output of the vehicle camera 102 are combined with additional information of the vehicle (GPS position, time, vehicle speed) in the memory device 280 saved. Then, based on the accident record 136 , via the data transmission interface 290 For example, a message sent to the police that there is a witness for the accident. If the vehicle 100 For example, when later reaching a location where a high bandwidth Internet connection is available, the recorded data of the casualty record 136 for example, to be uploaded to a server of the police. The whole system from the provisioning device 130 , the environment detection device 102 , the user interface 140 , the temporary storage device 270 , the storage device 280 and the data transmission interface 290 is one in the vehicle 100 built-in solution, so that in particular can be ensured that the uploaded records of the accident record 136 are not manipulated and can be used in an investigation of the accident.

The vehicle camera 102 For example, it can also be used by driver assistance systems or driver assistance functions. The output of the vehicle camera 102 ie the environment data 104 , is determined by the provisioning device 130 received as a central processing unit that can encode video streams, handle a user interaction and is responsible for communicating with the police. The temporary storage device 270 is designed to be a predefined set of recent environment data 104 store continuously. The storage device 280 for non-volatile storage is designed to the environment data 104 or buffered video data 204 to save permanently from the time of the accident. At the man-machine interface or user interface 140 of the vehicle 100 For example, a button or button is placed that can be pressed by the driver when an accident occurs. The data transfer interface 290 For example, a low-bandwidth communication unit that can send a message to the police, such as a built-in cellular phone or the like, and a wide bandwidth unit, such as a WLAN unit, may have the video stream or record 136 upload if a high-bandwidth wireless connection is available.

As an advanced source of information can be a rear view camera of the vehicle 100 , any other type of camera signal or measurements of an on-board radar in the uploaded information or the accident record 136 included. The accident record 136 may also include a vehicle identification or driver identification. In this way, the police can identify the driver if more information is needed.

3 shows a flowchart of a method 300 for recognizing according to an embodiment. The procedure 300 to recognize is executable to detect a traffic accident in the environment of a vehicle. Here is the procedure 300 for recognizing in connection with the vehicle, the reaction device or the recognition device 1 or similar executable.

The procedure 300 to recognize has a step 310 determining, in which it is determined whether an environment sensor signal read by an interface to at least one environment detection device for detecting the surroundings of the vehicle and representing at least one detected object in the environment of the vehicle fulfills at least one accident criterion. In one step 310 determining step subsequently executable 320 of generating is used in the process 300 generates an accident signal if the at least one accident criterion is met. The accident signal represents a detected traffic accident in the environment of the vehicle.

4 shows a flowchart of a method 400 for providing according to an embodiment. The procedure 400 for providing is executable to provide an accident record having information about a traffic accident in the vicinity of a vehicle. Here is the procedure 400 for providing in connection with the vehicle, the reaction device or the supply device 1 respectively. 2 or similar executable. Also, that's the procedure 400 for providing in connection with the method of recognition 3 or a similar method.

The procedure 400 for providing has one step 410 the reading of environmental data of the environment of the vehicle. The step 410 the reading can be carried out continuously or repeated. Also, the procedure assigns 400 to provide a step 420 generating, in which the accident record is generated in response to a trigger signal using the read environment data. The accident record is intended for output to an in-vehicle memory device and to a data transmission interface of the vehicle.

The triggering signal may, according to one embodiment, exclude the crash signal generated in accordance with the method of detection 3 or a similar method, and additionally or alternatively be a user input signal.

5 shows a flowchart of a method 500 for outputting data responsive according to an embodiment. The procedure 500 responsive to outputting data is executable to respond to a traffic accident around a vehicle. Here's the procedure 500 for reacting in conjunction with the vehicle and the reaction device 1 respectively. 2 or a similar vehicle or a similar reaction device executable. Further, the method 500 to respond in conjunction with the method of recognition 3 or a similar method, as well as in connection with the method of providing 4 or a similar method.

The procedure 500 to spend has one step 300 Recognizing a traffic accident in the environment of a vehicle. The step indicates 300 of recognizing the steps of the method of recognition 3 or a similar process as sub-steps. The procedure 500 for issuing also has a step 400 the provision of an accident record on. The step 400 in this case, the steps of the method for providing point out to provide 4 or a similar process as sub-steps. In the step of creating is in step 400 providing the accident record in response to that in the step 300 the recognition generated accident signal generated as a trigger signal to output data.

If an exemplary embodiment comprises a "and / or" link between a first feature and a second feature, then this is to be read so that the embodiment according to one embodiment, both the first feature and the second feature and according to another embodiment either only first feature or only the second feature.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 2003/0212567 A1 [0003]

Claims (11)

Procedure ( 400 ) for providing an accident data record ( 136 ), information about a traffic accident in the vicinity of a vehicle ( 100 ), the method ( 400 ) has the following steps: reading in ( 410 ) of environmental data ( 104 ) of the environment of the vehicle ( 100 ); and generating ( 420 ) of the accident data record ( 136 ), in response to a trigger signal ( 126 ; 145 ), using the imported environment data ( 104 ) for output to an in-vehicle storage device ( 280 ) and / or to a data transmission interface ( 290 ) of the vehicle ( 100 ). Procedure ( 400 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that in step ( 420 ) of generating the accident data record ( 136 ) in response to a user input signal ( 145 ) is generated as a trigger signal, wherein the user input signal ( 145 ) a user input of an occupant of the vehicle ( 100 ) in response to a detected traffic accident in the vicinity of the vehicle ( 100 ). Procedure ( 400 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the 420 ) of the generated accident data record ( 136 ) image data related to the traffic accident ( 104 ) of at least one vehicle camera ( 102 ) of the vehicle ( 100 ), Position data of the vehicle ( 100 ), Movement data of the vehicle ( 100 ) and / or time data. Procedure ( 400 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the 420 ) of the generated accident data record ( 136 ) Vehicle identification data for uniquely identifying the vehicle ( 100 ), Driver identification data for uniquely identifying a driver and / or witness notification data for reporting a witness of the traffic accident. Procedure ( 300 ) for detecting a traffic accident in the vicinity of a vehicle ( 100 ), the process ( 300 ) comprises the following steps: 310 ), whether one of an interface to at least one environment detection device ( 102 ) for detecting the environment of the vehicle ( 100 ) read environment sensor signal ( 104 ), the at least one detected object ( 150 . 160 ) in the environment of the vehicle ( 100 ), meets at least one accident criterion; and generate ( 320 ) of an accident signal ( 126 ), which detected a traffic accident in the vicinity of the vehicle ( 100 ), if the at least one accident criterion is met. Procedure ( 300 ) according to claim 5, characterized in that in step ( 310 ) of determining at least one threshold with respect to a change in a velocity, a trajectory, a radar wave reflection and / or an optical flow of the at least one detected object ( 150 . 160 ) in the environment of the vehicle ( 100 ) is used as the at least one accident criterion. Procedure ( 300 ) according to one of claims 5 to 6, characterized in that in step ( 310 ) of determining a user input signal ( 145 ) is used as the at least one accident criterion, the user input signal ( 145 ) a user input of an occupant of the vehicle ( 100 ) in response to a traffic accident in the vicinity of the vehicle ( 100 ). Procedure ( 500 ) for outputting data in response to a traffic accident in the vicinity of a vehicle ( 100 ), the process ( 500 ) comprises the following steps: recognition ( 300 ) of a traffic accident in the vicinity of a vehicle ( 100 ) according to a method ( 300 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 4; and deploy ( 400 ) of an accident data record ( 136 ) according to a method ( 400 ) according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein in step ( 420 ) of generating the accident data record ( 136 ) in response to the generated accident signal ( 126 ) is generated as a trigger signal to output data. Contraption ( 110 ; 120 ; 130 ), which is set up to take steps of a procedure ( 300 ; 400 ; 500 ) according to one of the preceding claims in corresponding units. Computer program adapted to perform the procedure ( 300 ; 400 ; 500 ) according to one of the preceding claims. A machine-readable storage medium storing the computer program of claim 10.

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