Method for monitoring a loading area

A device for monitoring a loading area, the device comprising:

• at least one distance-measuring, depth-aware sensor for repeated, three-dimensional measurement of the loading area;
• and
• a computing or analysis unit comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium having processor-executable instructions stored thereon, wherein the processor-executable instructions, when executed by one or more processors, facilitate performance of a method comprising:
• storing as a first data set:
• three-dimensional (3D) data describing each measurement point of three-dimensional surfaces bordering the loading area, and
• 3D data describing each measurement point of any objects or load parts located in the loading area;
• assigning a time stamp to the first data set;
• carrying out at least one further subsequent three-dimensional measurement by the sensor, wherein corresponding 3D data describing measurement points of the objects or load parts from the at least one further subsequent three-dimensional measurement is stored as an associated second data set and also assigned a time stamp;
• after the subsequent measurement, comparing the 3D data of measurement points or measurement point sets of the first data set with spatially corresponding measurement points or measurement point sets of the second data set by an algorithm in the computing or analysis unit;
• calculating and indexing a confidence value and completeness of modified 3D data of the second data set using the algorithm if changes in the 3D data are identified from the comparison of the 3D data of spatially corresponding measurement points or measurement point sets of the first and second data sets;
• and
• providing a further processable signal describing the identified changes and/or
• generating 3D data from it for a visual representation of the loading area, a spatial allocation of objects or load parts in the loading area and a current loading state, for display on a monitor or a display device.

A vehicle comprising:

• a loading area, wherein the vehicle has at least one distance-measuring, depth-aware sensor for three-dimensional measurement provided in an interior of a loading compartment;
• and
• a computing or analysis unit comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium having processor-executable instructions stored thereon, wherein the processor-executable instructions, when executed by one or more processors, facilitate performance of a method comprising:
• storing as a first data set:
• three-dimensional (3D) data describing each measurement point of three-dimensional surfaces bordering the loading area, and 3D data describing each measurement point of any objects or load parts located in the loading area;
• assigning a time stamp to the first data set;
• carrying out at least one further subsequent three-dimensional measurement by the sensor, wherein corresponding 3D data describing measurement points of the objects or load parts from the at least one further subsequent three-dimensional measurement is stored as an associated second data set and also assigned a time stamp;
• after the subsequent measurement, comparing the 3D data of measurement points or measurement point sets of the first data set with spatially corresponding measurement points or measurement point sets of the second data set by an algorithm in the computing or analysis unit;
• calculating and indexing a confidence value and completeness of modified 3D data of the second data set using the algorithm if changes in the 3D data are identified from the comparison of the 3D data of spatially corresponding measurement points or measurement point sets of the first and second data sets;
• and
• providing a further processable signal describing the identified changes and/or
• generating 3D data from it for a visual representation of the loading area, a spatial allocation of objects or load parts in the loading area and a current loading state, for display on a monitor or a display device.