Method for monitoring a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for monitoring a motor vehicle (1), comprising a sensor device (3) for detecting a destructive behavior which is applied by at least one attacker to the motor vehicle (1), a warning (W) is output via a user interface (201) of a terminal (2) associated with the motor vehicle (1) in a triggered manner by the motor vehicle (1) when the destructive behavior is detected, a user (U) of the terminal (2) is notified of the detected destructive behavior by means of a warning. The method according to the invention is characterized in that one or more control commands (CO) can also be selected by the user (U) via a user interface (201) of the terminal (2) when the warning (W) is output, the respective selectable control command (CO) being associated with the action (A) of the motor vehicle (1), the actions comprise an optical and / or acoustic signal output at the motor vehicle (1) for warning at least one attacker, and an action (A) associated with the selected control command (CO) is carried out by the motor vehicle (1) in a triggered manner by the terminal (2) when the corresponding control command (CO) is selected by the user (U).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method and a system for monitoring a motor vehicle. Background Art

[0002] It is known from the prior art to monitor the state of a motor vehicle by means of a corresponding sensor device of the motor vehicle. For example, document DE 10 2016 006 037 A1 discloses a method for detecting the vehicle surroundings, wherein a vandalism applied to the vehicle is detected using a suitable sensor device and as a result, recording of image data of the surroundings is activated.

[0003] Document DE 10 2016 003 845 A1 describes a method for warning the driver of a vehicle with an open roof, wherein precipitation and vandalism are detected at the vehicle and notified to the driver by means of a warning on the driver's terminal. The roof can then be closed by means of the terminal. The closing of the roof is monitored by means of a camera of the vehicle.

[0004] Known methods for detecting vandalism at a motor vehicle notify the driver of the motor vehicle, but these methods do not provide any mechanism to stop the vandalism in a timely manner. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a method and a system for monitoring a motor vehicle which are better protected against acts of vandalism than conventional methods.

[0006] This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1 and a system according to claim 10. Further developments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0007] The method according to the present invention is used to monitor a motor vehicle, which is preferably a car, but can also be a truck. The monitored motor vehicle is preferably parked. The motor vehicle includes a sensor device for detecting sabotage, which is imposed on the motor vehicle by at least one attacker. When the sabotage is detected via the sensor device, a warning is output via a user interface of a terminal device equipped with the motor vehicle, triggered by the motor vehicle. With this warning, the user of the terminal device is notified of the detected sabotage. The user's terminal device is preferably a mobile terminal device and in particular a mobile phone. Nevertheless, the terminal device can also be any other device with a corresponding user interface, such as a laptop, a tablet computer or optionally a desktop computer.

[0008] In the method according to the present invention, when outputting a warning via the above-mentioned user interface of the terminal device, a control instruction or multiple control instructions can also be selected by the user via the user interface. In other words, the user interface is designed to, when outputting a warning, also be able to realize the corresponding selection of the control instruction by means of a suitable user interaction at the user interface. The corresponding selectable control instruction is equipped with the action of the motor vehicle, and the action includes an optical and / or acoustic signal output at the motor vehicle for warning the at least one attacker. Here and below, the term "action" should be understood in a broad sense. In particular, an action can also include multiple sub-actions, which are performed successively or optionally also performed simultaneously, wherein at least one sub-action is an optical or acoustic signal output. The optical or acoustic signal output should be understood as an output at the motor vehicle, using the output to actively generate an optical or acoustic signal, which can be perceived by the at least one attacker. When the corresponding control instruction is selected by the user via the user interface of the terminal device, the action equipped with the selected corresponding control instruction is executed by the motor vehicle triggered by the terminal device.

[0009] The method according to the invention is characterized in that, in the event of a vandalism, the motor vehicle can be remotely controlled by the user through interaction with his terminal device, so that one or more persons who commit the vandalism can be deterred by means of an optical or acoustic signal output. In this way, the user can not only recognize the vandalism in time, but also prevent the vandalism from continuing by selecting the corresponding control command.

[0010] In the method according to the invention, in addition to the control commands described above, which are followed by the output of optical or acoustic signals at the motor vehicle, other types of control commands can optionally also be selected at the user interface, which do not result in the output of corresponding optical or acoustic signals at the motor vehicle. For example, a control command can be selected with which a communication link is established via the terminal to another competent authority and in particular to the police, so that the user can inform the police of the vandalism. The police can then go to the parking location of the motor vehicle and stop the vandalism there.

[0011] The user interface of the terminal device can be designed differently. The user interface preferably includes a display on which a warning and the selectable one control instruction or the selectable multiple control instructions are displayed. The selection of the control instruction is preferably achieved by touching the control instruction on the display or by operating a separate button on the terminal device. As an alternative or in addition, the user interface may also include an acoustic input and / or output device and / or a tactile input and / or output device.

[0012] In another particularly preferred embodiment, the actuation of a horn of the motor vehicle and / or the activation of one or more lights of the motor vehicle are respectively assigned to the selectable one control command (if only one control command is present) or at least one of the selectable multiple control commands. These operating actions constitute at least part of the action assigned to the corresponding selectable control command. In a preferred variant, one or more external lights of the motor vehicle are activated as lights, for example one or more headlights and / or one or more turn signals and / or one or more taillights. However, as an alternative or in addition, one or more interior lights for the interior of the motor vehicle can also be activated.

[0013] In another preferred embodiment, the recording of optical and / or acoustic signals at the motor vehicle is correspondingly assigned to the selectable one control instruction (in the case of a single control instruction) or at least one of the selectable multiple control instructions as part of the corresponding action. In other words, the corresponding control instruction also includes the recording of optical or acoustic signals at the motor vehicle in addition to the output of the optical or acoustic signal. Such a signal recording should be understood as the detection of optical or acoustic signals and their storage. Thus, the vandalism is appropriately recorded. The signal recording at the motor vehicle preferably includes detecting one or more images at the motor vehicle with the help of one or more cameras of the motor vehicle, in particular with the help of one or more external cameras for detecting the surrounding environment of the motor vehicle and / or with the help of one or more internal cameras for detecting the interior space or passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. In a particularly preferred variant, a video is shot by one or more cameras, which optionally also contains an audio recording of the vandalism.

[0014] In a preferred variant of the embodiment just described, during the recording of the optical and / or acoustic signal at the motor vehicle, information is output as an optical and / or acoustic signal output at the motor vehicle, with which the at least one attacker is informed of the recording of the optical and / or acoustic signal. This achieves a particularly good deterrent effect on the attacker.

[0015] The sensor device for detecting vandalism can be designed differently. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the sensor device includes an acceleration sensor, with which vibrations or impacts can be well detected via acceleration signals, so that vandalism can be reliably detected. In a preferred variant, a single acceleration sensor is provided, thereby saving costs. In another preferred variant, the acceleration sensor is installed in the roof of the motor vehicle. Through this central installation position, it is ensured that impacts and vibrations are detected very well at all parts of the motor vehicle in the event of vandalism. As an alternative, the acceleration sensor can also be installed at other parts in the motor vehicle, or one or more additional acceleration sensors installed at parts other than the roof of the motor vehicle can be provided. For example, an acceleration sensor can also be integrated in the hood or tail of the motor vehicle.

[0016] In another preferred embodiment, the intensity of successive vibrations and / or the time interval between successive vibrations are detected by means of a sensor device for detecting vandalism, which in this case preferably comprises an acceleration sensor as described above. In this case, vandalism is detected by the sensor device when the intensity of successive vibrations and / or the time interval between successive vibrations meets a predetermined criterion. This embodiment of the invention is based on the recognition that the mentioned magnitudes of the vibration intensity or the time interval between vibrations enable very good inferences to be drawn as to whether the force action on the motor vehicle is attributable to vandalism or possibly to other causes (e.g. force action caused by an accident).

[0017] In a preferred variant of the embodiment just described, when the minimum number of time intervals between successive vibrations within a predetermined time period differs from the average value of the time intervals between successive vibrations within the predetermined time period by more than a preset time threshold, and / or when the intensity of the minimum number of vibrations within a predetermined time period differs from the average value of the intensity of the vibrations within the predetermined time period by more than a preset vibration intensity threshold, the vandalism is detected according to a predetermined criterion. In this embodiment, the following recognition is used, that is, vandalism is associated with impacts of different intensities and a certain degree of irregularity. Optionally, further or other conditions can also be incorporated into the predetermined criteria for detecting vandalism. For example, in order to detect vandalism, it may be necessary that the intensity of all vibrations exceeds a predetermined value within a certain time period.

[0018] In addition to the method described above, the invention also relates to a system consisting of a motor vehicle and a terminal, wherein the system (ie the motor vehicle and the terminal) is configured to carry out the method according to the invention or one or more preferred variants of the method according to the invention.

[0019] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a motor vehicle which is configured to be operated as a motor vehicle in the method according to the invention or in one or more preferred variants of the method according to the invention.

[0020] The invention further relates to a terminal which is configured to operate as a terminal in the method according to the invention or in one or more preferred variants of the method according to the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Below with the help of the attached Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of the invention is described in detail. The FIGURE schematically shows a motor vehicle and a terminal, with which an embodiment of the method according to the invention is carried out. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] exist Figure 1 In the figure, a parked motor vehicle 1 is schematically reproduced in a top view from above, and only the components of the motor vehicle that are important for the present invention are explained below. Figure 1 A terminal 2 is schematically shown, which comprises a user interface in the form of a display 201 , wherein the terminal is operated by a user U.

[0023] The motor vehicle 1 comprises a sensor device 3 with an acceleration sensor. Figure 1 Schematically indicated by a square with horizontal hatching. The sensor device 3 is integrated in the roof of the motor vehicle and enables the detection of vandalism with the aid of a processor (not shown). In addition, the motor vehicle comprises four external cameras, which are denoted by reference numeral 4 and schematically indicated by white squares. One external camera is centrally located at the front of the motor vehicle, one external camera is installed in the right rearview mirror of the motor vehicle, another external camera is installed in the left rearview mirror of the motor vehicle, and a further external camera is centrally arranged in the rear of the motor vehicle. These external cameras can be used in a manner known per se to detect a 360-degree all-round view around the motor vehicle.

[0024] In addition to the exterior camera 4, the motor vehicle 1 also includes an interior camera 5 integrated into the interior of the roof, which is schematically represented by a square with vertical hatching. The interior of the motor vehicle can be photographed with this camera. In addition, the motor vehicle 1 includes corresponding exterior loudspeakers 6 centrally in the front part and centrally in the rear part, via which acoustic signals can be output to the outside. These loudspeakers are schematically represented by squares with oblique hatching. In addition, a plurality of interior loudspeakers are provided in the interior of the motor vehicle, which are not shown for the sake of clarity and are integrated, for example, in the doors leading into the interior of the motor vehicle. The number and position of the components just described (i.e. the sensor device, the exterior and interior cameras and the exterior and interior loudspeakers) are only exemplary and can be selected differently.

[0025] The motor vehicle 1 and the terminal device 2 can communicate with each other by means of a communication infrastructure known per se, as will be explained in more detail below. For this purpose, both the motor vehicle 1 and the terminal device 2 have a communication interface. In the embodiment described here, the terminal device 2 is a mobile terminal device in the form of a smartphone, whose display 201 can be operated by touching the user U shown. As an alternative, the terminal device can also be another terminal device, such as a tablet computer with a user interface, a laptop, a personal computer, etc.

[0026] The method described below is used to appropriately deter attackers who impose vandalism on parked motor vehicles 1, and is also used to record the vandalism by means of image recording. Once impacts are applied to the motor vehicle 1, these impacts are detected as vibrations by the acceleration sensor of the sensor device 3. The intensity of the impact and the time interval between successive impacts are stored here. Then, it is determined by means of suitable criteria whether these impacts can be classified as vandalism. As mentioned above, the criteria can be designed to only detect vandalism when the minimum number of time intervals between successive vibrations in a predetermined time period differs from the average value of the time intervals between successive vibrations in the predetermined time period by more than a preset time threshold, and / or, only when the intensity of the minimum number of vibrations in a predetermined time period differs from the average value of the intensity of vibrations in the predetermined time period by more than a preset vibration intensity threshold. Here, the following fact is used, that is, when vandalism occurs, there is a certain irregularity of impact or vibration with intensity changes. The criteria for detecting vandalism can also be designed differently, or further preconditions can be included. For example, the absolute intensity of the impacts may also be taken into account, wherein a damaging action is only detected if a certain proportion of the impacts, and optionally all the impacts, exceed a certain threshold.

[0027] If a vandalism is detected by the sensor device 3 of the motor vehicle 1, a specific display is generated on the display 201 of the terminal device 2 in a manner triggered by the motor vehicle 1 according to step S1 indicated by the arrow. To achieve this, the motor vehicle sends a suitable message via the wireless communication interface. This message causes a further message to be transmitted to the terminal device 2 in the back end (not shown). This further message is received by the terminal device 2 via the wireless communication interface and triggers the generation of a corresponding display. This display includes a warning message W, which is used to inform the user U that a vandalism is currently being carried out on his vehicle 1. This display can be generated, for example, by a suitable application on the terminal device 2.

[0028] In addition to the warning W, control instructions are displayed on the display 201, for example in the form of text and / or graphical information. These control instructions are displayed on the display 201. Figure 1 In the display 201, the control instructions are generally indicated by the reference symbol CO, and the user can select one or more of these control instructions. For this purpose, each control instruction is equipped with an area for selecting the control instruction on the display 201, and the control instruction can be located in the area. The user can select the corresponding control instruction by clicking an area with his finger.

[0029] Each control instruction CO is associated with an action, where the action is Figure 1 In the figure, it is generally indicated by the reference symbol A. An action is an operation behavior that the motor vehicle can perform autonomously. When the user U selects a corresponding control instruction on the display 201, the operation behavior is performed. Multiple actions in action A include optical and / or acoustic signal output at the motor vehicle.

[0030] If a control command is selected by the user U, step S2, indicated by the arrow, is executed, with which a corresponding action is caused to be performed in the motor vehicle 1. For this purpose, the terminal 2 transmits a corresponding message to the backend already mentioned above, which in turn transmits another message to the motor vehicle 1, which triggers a corresponding action in the motor vehicle.

[0031] In the embodiment described here, one of the control instructions involves an action such that the motor vehicle starts to honk and simultaneously activates the exterior lights of the motor vehicle and optionally also the interior lights of the motor vehicle. For example, the headlights and / or taillights and / or turn signals of the motor vehicle may flash intermittently. This action is used to appropriately deter an attacker who commits a destructive act against the motor vehicle 1, because the motor vehicle attracts the attention of other people around. This usually causes the attacker to stop the destructive act and flee.

[0032] In the embodiment described here, another optional control instruction relates to the following action, so that the video is detected and stored via the external camera 4, wherein the storage of the video can be carried out locally in the motor vehicle, or the stored video can also be uploaded to a remote server immediately by the motor vehicle. Video recording is used to record the vandalism, wherein the image of the attacker may also be detected, so that the attacker can be identified. In addition to the external camera 4, the internal camera 5 can also be turned on to record the vandalism. In parallel with the video recording, as a component of the action, an automatic voice output is also generated by the motor vehicle via the external speaker 6 and optionally also via the internal speaker. The voice output is used to prompt the attacker that his vandalism is being recorded by the camera. This in turn leads to a deterrent to the attacker, so that the person is likely to stop the vandalism immediately and flee.

[0033] The above-described embodiments of the invention have a number of advantages. In particular, the following possibility is achieved, namely, the user of the motor vehicle is not only informed of the vandalism via his terminal device, but the user can also determine which actions should be performed in the motor vehicle when the corresponding vandalism occurs. These actions include the output of optical and / or acoustic signals, thereby achieving deterrence of the attacker. This deterrence usually leads to the attacker stopping the vandalism.

[0034] Reference numerals list

[0035] 1 Motor Vehicle

[0036] 2 Terminal Equipment

[0037] 201 User interface (display)

[0038] 3 Sensor devices for detecting sabotage

[0039] 4 External cameras

[0040] 5 Internal Camera

[0041] 6 External speakers

[0042] Steps S1 and S2

[0043] U User

[0044] W Warning

[0045] CO control instructions

[0046] A-Action

Claims

1. A method for monitoring a motor vehicle (1), the motor vehicle (1) comprising a sensor device (3) for detecting acts of vandalism, the acts of vandalism being inflicted on the motor vehicle (1) by at least one attacker, wherein: outputting a warning (W) via a user interface (201) of a terminal device (2) associated with the motor vehicle (1) when a destructive act is detected, triggering the motor vehicle (1), and using the warning to notify a user (U) of the terminal device (2) of the detected destructive act, It is characterized in that When outputting the warning (W), a control instruction (CO) or multiple control instructions can also be selected by a user (U) via a user interface (201) of the terminal device (2), wherein the corresponding selectable control instruction (CO) is associated with an action (A) of the motor vehicle (1), the action comprising outputting an optical and / or acoustic signal at the motor vehicle (1) for warning the at least one attacker, wherein, when the corresponding control instruction (CO) is selected by the user (U) via the terminal device (2), the action (A) associated with the selected corresponding control instruction (CO) is executed by the motor vehicle (1).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The user interface (201) comprises a display on which the warning (W) and the selectable control instruction (CO) or the selectable control instructions (CO) are displayed.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The operation of the horn of the motor vehicle (1) and / or the activation of one or more lights of the motor vehicle (1) are respectively assigned as at least part of the associated action (A) to the selectable control command (CO) or at least one of the selectable control commands (CO).

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that An optical and / or acoustic signal recording at the motor vehicle (1) is correspondingly assigned to the selectable control command (CO) or at least one of the selectable control commands (CO) as at least part of an associated action (A), the optical and / or acoustic signal recording preferably comprising detecting one or more images at the motor vehicle (1) with the aid of one or more cameras (4, 5) of the motor vehicle (1).

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that During the recording of the optical and / or acoustic signal at the motor vehicle (1), information is output as an optical and / or acoustic signal output at the motor vehicle (1), with which information the at least one attacker is informed of the recording of the optical and / or acoustic signal.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The sensor device (3) for detecting vandalism comprises an acceleration sensor and preferably a single acceleration sensor.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The acceleration sensor is installed in the roof of the motor vehicle (1).

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The intensity of successive vibrations and / or the time interval between successive vibrations are detected by means of a sensor device (3) for detecting vandalism, wherein vandalism is detected by the sensor device (3) when the intensity of successive vibrations and / or the time interval between successive vibrations meet predetermined criteria.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that When the minimum number of time intervals between successive vibrations within a predetermined time period differs from the average value of the time intervals between successive vibrations within the predetermined time period by more than a preset time threshold, and / or when the intensity of the minimum number of vibrations within a predetermined time period differs from the average value of the intensity of vibrations within the predetermined time period by more than a preset vibration intensity threshold, a destructive behavior is detected according to the predetermined criteria.

10. A system comprising a motor vehicle (1) and a terminal device (2), wherein: The motor vehicle (1) comprises a sensor device (3) for detecting a destructive act, the destructive act being inflicted on the motor vehicle (1) by at least one attacker, wherein the motor vehicle (1) and the terminal device (2) are designed to output a warning (W) via a user interface (201) of the terminal device (2) when the destructive act is detected, triggered by the motor vehicle (1), and to notify a user (U) of the terminal device (2) of the detected destructive act by means of the warning, It is characterized in that The motor vehicle (1) and the terminal device (2) are also designed so that, when outputting the warning (W), a control instruction (CO) or multiple control instructions can also be selected by a user (U) via a user interface (201) of the terminal device (2), wherein the corresponding selectable control instruction (CO) is associated with an action (A) of the motor vehicle (1), the action comprising outputting an optical and / or acoustic signal at the motor vehicle (1) for warning the at least one attacker, wherein, when the corresponding control instruction (CO) is selected by the user (U) triggered by the terminal device (2), the action (A) associated with the selected corresponding control instruction (CO) is executed by the motor vehicle (1).

11. The system according to claim 10, characterized in that The system is configured to carry out the method according to any one of claims 2 to 9 .

12. A motor vehicle, characterized in that The motor vehicle is configured to be operated as a motor vehicle (1) in a method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

13. A terminal device, characterized in that: The terminal ( 2 ) is configured to operate as a terminal ( 2 ) in a method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 .

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