Motor vehicle theft reporting order

Abstract

Motor vehicle theft alarm arrangement (10) comprising a motor vehicle (20) and a motor vehicle key (30) for mechanically or electronically unlocking and locking a motor vehicle (20), wherein the motor vehicle (20) has several different sensors (23-26) for various motor vehicle state variables, a sensor data collector (22) and a sensor data transmitter (27) which, in the locked state of the motor vehicle (20), transmits the sensor data collected by the sensor data collector (22), wherein the motor vehicle key (30) has: a sensor data receiver (32) for receiving the sensor data transmitted by the sensor data transmitter (27), and a sensor data evaluation module (34) for evaluating the received sensor data, which outputs a theft attempt signal when the received sensor data of a sensor (23-26) detects a significant change in a motor vehicle state variable, characterized in thatthat the motor vehicle key (30) has a short-range radio module (36) which sends the sensor data to a short-range radio module (44) of a connected smartphone (40), and the smartphone (40) has an evaluation module (46) which evaluates the sensor data depending on location.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle theft alarm system consisting of a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle key for mechanically or electronically unlocking and locking a motor vehicle.

[0002] Typically, after parking their vehicle, the driver remains within 1.0-1.5 km of it. If the vehicle's sensors detect various vehicle parameters and, following evaluation by the vehicle's theft monitoring system, trigger a theft alert or alarm, the vehicle key can also be notified via radio link, thus informing the driver.

[0003] US Patent 2006 / 0176147 A1 discloses such a vehicle theft alarm system in which the vehicle key is connected via radio link to a vehicle-mounted monitoring device. However, such vehicle-mounted monitoring devices are generally set to be quite sensitive, so that the driver is also relatively frequently notified of false alarms via their vehicle key. The driver cannot determine from a distance whether it is a false alarm.

[0004] The object of the invention is therefore to create a motor vehicle theft alarm system that generates fewer false alarms.

[0005] This problem is solved according to the invention with a motor vehicle theft alarm system having the features of claim 1.

[0006] The motor vehicle theft alarm system according to the invention consists of a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle key for mechanically or electronically unlocking and locking the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle key is used to operate the vehicle's locking system and / or a motor vehicle operating switch. The motor vehicle key can be either an active or a passive key.

[0007] The vehicle is equipped with several different sensors for various vehicle parameters, such as a vibration sensor, an acceleration sensor, a fuel level sensor, and / or a position sensor. However, other types of sensors may also be present, the data from which could provide evidence of vehicle theft.

[0008] The vehicle is equipped with an electronic sensor data collector that continuously gathers data from its various sensors. This data is then transmitted from the sensor data collector to a sensor data transmitter, which, when the vehicle is locked, regularly transmits the collected sensor data wirelessly.

[0009] The vehicle key comprises a sensor data receiver and a sensor data evaluation module. The sensor data receiver receives the sensor data transmitted by the vehicle's sensor and forwards it to the sensor data evaluation module, which analyzes the received sensor data to detect a theft attempt. This analysis preferably uses different qualitative and quantitative criteria than those employed by the vehicle's anti-theft alarm system. The sensor data evaluation module preferably evaluates the received sensor data with less sensitivity than the vehicle's anti-theft alarm system to minimize false alarms. The sensor data evaluation module outputs a theft attempt signal if the received sensor data from one or more sensors represents a change in a vehicle state variable significant enough to indicate an attempted theft.

[0010] Motor vehicles are generally equipped with two alarm systems: a vehicle-side alarm system, which can be designed to be relatively sensitive, as a false alarm does not lead to any significant loss of comfort for the driver, and the key-side alarm system, which is generally less sensitive in order to avoid annoying false alarms for the driver as much as possible.

[0011] Preferably, the sensor data transmitter is designed to transmit the sensor data at regular intervals of 1.0 second or longer. An interval of, for example, 10 seconds would also be sufficient. This keeps data traffic relatively low and also minimizes the energy consumption for sending and receiving. Similarly, the sensor data receiver can be designed to be ready to receive only at regular intervals, thereby minimizing its energy consumption for receiving radio signals.

[0012] Preferably, the vehicle key has an electrical supply battery and an inductive charging module that allows the supply battery to be charged wirelessly. For example, the vehicle key can be placed in a corresponding key holder in the vehicle, which is equipped with a matching inductive charging module. The vehicle key's supply battery is therefore always charged when the vehicle key is in the key holder. This ensures convenient charging of the key's supply battery.

[0013] Preferably, the vehicle key has a short-range radio module that sends sensor data and / or, if applicable, a theft attempt signal to a corresponding short-range radio module in a connected smartphone. The vehicle key can therefore, for example, always remain in a trouser pocket, as the connected smartphone can signal a theft attempt. The two short-range radio modules can, for example, be Bluetooth radio modules.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the smartphone includes an evaluation module that assesses the sensor data based on the vehicle's location, i.e., the location of the parked vehicle. For example, if the vehicle is parked on a road frequently used by trucks, the sensor data is evaluated more leniently than if the vehicle is parked in an underground garage. This reduces or eliminates false alarms.

[0015] Preferably, the sensor data transmitter and the sensor data receiver each support at least three different transmission frequencies. If one transmission frequency is disrupted, another is automatically selected. The transmitted data is encrypted, for example, using a symmetric encryption key.

[0016] An embodiment of the invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. The figure schematically shows a motor vehicle theft alarm system consisting of a motor vehicle, a motor vehicle key used for mechanically or electronically unlocking and locking the motor vehicle, and a smartphone.

[0017] The figure shows a motor vehicle theft reporting order. 10 depicted, which in this case consists of a motor vehicle 20 , a motor vehicle key 30 and a smartphone 40 consists.

[0018] The motor vehicle 20 has a fuel tank 21 on which a fuel tank level sensor 26 is assigned. Furthermore, the motor vehicle knows 20 Additional sensors include a vibration sensor. 23 , an accelerometer 24 and a vehicle position sensor 25up. The vibration sensor 23 and the accelerometer 24 are designed to be permanently attached to the body and register vibrations or accelerations of the chassis or body. 20' of the motor vehicle 20 The vehicle position sensor 25 For example, a GPS sensor that determines the terrestrial position of the vehicle. 20 Determined to within a few meters.

[0019] Furthermore, the motor vehicle 20 a sensor data collector 22 on, which is equipped with all sensors 23 - 26 is connected via appropriate data connections. The sensor data collector 22 constantly collects sensor data from all the aforementioned sensors. 23 - 26 The sensor data collector 22 The collected sensor data is sent to a sensor data transmitter. 27 of the motor vehicle 20transmitted, which regularly sends the sensor data via radio, for example at regular intervals of 1.0 seconds.

[0020] The vehicle key 30 features a sensor data receiver 32 to receive the data from the sensor transmitter 27 transmitted sensor data, a sensor data evaluation module 34 A short-range radio module is used to evaluate the received sensor data. 36 , for example a Bluetooth radio module, an electrical supply battery 35 , an induction charging module 38 as well as an acoustic alarm device 39 on. The sensor data receiver 32 The received sensor data is processed in the sensor data evaluation module. 34The system evaluates for potential theft attempts. Compared to a vehicle-mounted alarm system, the evaluation is relatively lenient to avoid false alarms. If the evaluation detects a theft attempt, the audible alarm is triggered. 39 activated, which then emits an acoustic alarm signal.

[0021] The sensor data transmitter 27 and the sensor data receiver 32 They establish a midrange radio connection with each other via three alternative radio frequencies, allowing data exchange over distances of up to 1.5 km.

[0022] The smartphone has a short-range radio module. 44 , an evaluation module 46 as well as a display 42 up. Via the short-range radio module 44 The smartphone receives 40 the sensor data from the short-range radio module 36 of the vehicle key 30 and transmits this to the evaluation module 46In the evaluation module 46 The driver can individually adjust the sensitivity of the sensor data evaluation. Furthermore, the evaluation module 46 designed in such a way that it evaluates the received sensor data in relation to the vehicle's location. If the evaluation module 46 If an attempted theft is detected, it will be displayed, for example, on the screen. 42 a corresponding warning message was issued. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 2006 / 0176147 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle theft reporting device (10) consisting of a motor vehicle (20) and a motor vehicle key (30) for mechanically or electronically unlocking and locking a motor vehicle (20), wherein the motor vehicle (20) has several different sensors (23 - 26) for different motor vehicle state variables, a sensor data collector (22) and a sensor data transmitter (27) which, when the motor vehicle (20) is locked, transmits the sensor data collected by the sensor data collector (22), wherein the motor vehicle key (30) has: a sensor data receiver (32) for receiving the sensor data transmitted by the sensor data transmitter (27), and a sensor data evaluation module (34) for evaluating the received sensor data, which outputs a theft attempt signal when the received sensor data of a sensor (23 - 26) detects a significant change in a motor vehicle state variable. [2] Motor vehicle theft alarm arrangement (10) according to claim 1, wherein the motor vehicle (20) has a vibration sensor (23), an acceleration sensor (24), a fuel tank level sensor (26) and / or a motor vehicle position sensor (25). [3] Motor vehicle theft alarm arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor data transmitter (27) is configured to transmit the sensor data at regular intervals of 1.0 seconds and greater. [4] Motor vehicle theft reporting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the motor vehicle key (30) has a short-range radio module (36) which sends the sensor data and / or, if applicable, the theft attempt signal to a short-range radio module (44) of a connected smartphone (40). [5] Motor vehicle theft reporting device (10) according to claim 4, wherein the smartphone (40) has an evaluation module (46) that evaluates the sensor data depending on location. [6] Motor vehicle theft alarm arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor data transmitter (27) on the one hand and the sensor data receiver (32) on the other hand each control at least three different transmission frequencies. [7] Motor vehicle theft alarm device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the motor vehicle key (30) has an electric supply battery (35) and an induction charging module (38) via which the supply battery (34) can be charged contactlessly.

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