vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle (1) comprising a motion sensor, interior lighting, an alarm system (2), and a processing unit (3), wherein the processing unit (3) is configured to control the alarm system (2) to issue an alarm when movement is detected by the motion sensor. The invention is characterized in that the motion sensor is designed as a motion detector (2.1) and is arranged in the vehicle interior (4), the interior lighting is designed as cargo area lighting (5), and the processing unit (3) is further configured to switch on the cargo area lighting (5) when movement is detected by the motion detector (2.1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle of the type defined in more detail in the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Vehicles with anti-theft alarm systems are well known. Such a vehicle has a motion detector located in the vehicle interior, which can detect movements within the vehicle. Once the vehicle doors are closed, in particular locked, the anti-theft alarm system is activated. This means that an alarm can now be issued from the vehicle as soon as movement is detected by the motion detector. For this purpose, external lighting devices such as the vehicle headlights, taillights and / or direction indicators can be activated, particularly in pulsating mode, and an audible alarm signal can be emitted; for example, the vehicle horn can be sounded. Furthermore, if a suitable communication interface is available, alarm messages can be sent externally, for example to the vehicle owner's smartphone.

[0003] It is also known to equip vehicles with interior lighting. Such interior lighting makes it easier for vehicle users to locate objects in the vehicle interior in adverse lighting conditions, such as at dusk or at night. This makes loading and unloading easier, particularly in commercial vehicles such as vans. Such cargo space lighting is typically activated by a manual input, such as the operation of a switch, which, however, involves considerable effort. In particular, such a switch can only be operated under difficult conditions or not at all when one's hands are full.

[0004] DE 10 2021 002 164 A1 discloses a method for illuminating a vehicle, in particular a mobile home or caravan. The vehicle has external motion sensors, in particular in the form of environmental sensors already present for providing driver assistance systems. These can be, for example, a camera, a lidar, or an ultrasonic sensor. The motion sensor(s) can be used to detect the approach of persons to the vehicle. Two distance zones with different distances from the vehicle are defined around the vehicle. Depending on which distance zone an approach is detected in, two different lighting modes can be activated. If movements are detected in the distance zone closer to the vehicle for a certain period of time, an alarm can be issued.The document also describes the switching on of a vehicle interior light when a camera detects that a person is getting up from a bed or performing a certain gesture.

[0005] The present invention is based on the object of providing a vehicle with an alarm system that is improved compared to the prior art, which can be used particularly safely in adverse lighting conditions and is characterized by a simple design.

[0006] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a vehicle having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments emerge from the dependent claims.

[0007] A generic vehicle, comprising a motion sensor, an interior lighting, an alarm system and a computing unit, wherein the computing unit is designed to control the alarm system to emit an alarm when movement is detected by means of the motion sensor, is further developed according to the invention in that the motion sensor is designed as a motion detector and is arranged in the vehicle interior, the interior lighting is designed as a cargo space lighting and the computing unit is further designed to switch on the cargo space lighting when movement is detected by means of the motion detector.

[0008] According to the invention, the motion detector of the alarm system, particularly in the form of an anti-theft alarm system, is used to function as a switch for the cargo area lighting. This eliminates the need for additional motion sensors if the vehicle is equipped with a corresponding alarm system that can be activated by a motion detector. Activating the cargo area lighting enables safe use of the vehicle in adverse lighting conditions. Furthermore, the user does not have to manually operate a light switch to turn on the cargo area lighting. This allows the cargo area lighting to be switched on simply by making movements, which is easy and safe even with "full hands."

[0009] It is generally known that interior lighting switches on when the vehicle doors are opened. However, after a certain period of time, the lighting switches off again to save power. This can easily happen, especially when loading or unloading the vehicle's cargo area, as the vehicle user leaves the vehicle parked for an extended period with the doors open, especially in the form of a cargo area lid. This requires the vehicle user to walk back and forth, for example, to bring cargo to the vehicle or to transport cargo away from the vehicle for storage. According to the invention, the cargo area lighting can be switched on particularly reliably and safely based on motion detection.

[0010] The motion detector is arranged in the vehicle interior, as the motion detector is originally designed to detect the theft of objects from the vehicle interior and to activate the alarm system in such a situation. However, the motion detector can advantageously be designed and arranged in the vehicle in such a way that, when a vehicle door, in particular in the form of the cargo area lid, is open, movements outside the vehicle interior, namely in an area adjacent to the open vehicle door, can also be detected. This allows the cargo area lighting to be switched on particularly early. The motion detector can remain in its usual installation position, which is determined by the alarm function, which allows for particularly simple production of the vehicle according to the invention.However, the motion detector can also be positioned differently in order to be able to detect the surrounding areas in front of an open vehicle door even more reliably while simultaneously detecting the vehicle interior.

[0011] In general, a wide variety of motion detector designs are known, all of which can be used for the implementation of the invention. They can be active motion detectors, which, for example, emit electromagnetic waves such as microwaves or Doppler radar and detect corresponding echoes. They can also be ultrasonic motion detectors. They can also be passive motion detectors, such as pyroelectric sensors.

[0012] Additionally, a brightness sensor can be provided so that the cargo area lighting only switches on when the ambient brightness falls below a certain level. The brightness sensor can be part of the vehicle or the motion detector itself. The detection range of the motion detector can also be varied using an adjustable proximity sensitivity. The motion detector can also be designed as a so-called presence detector and / or dual detector. Presence detectors are characterized by particularly high detection quality and resolution, while dual detectors are characterized by the presence of at least two separate measuring devices or sensors.

[0013] The cargo area lighting can be automatically deactivated if no further movement is detected within a certain period of time. This period begins to count down as soon as movement is detected and can optionally be restarted each time new movement is detected.

[0014] An advantageous development of the vehicle according to the invention provides that the computing unit is configured to check a first criterion upon detection of movement and to trigger the alarm system to trigger the alarm if the first criterion is met, and alternatively, to activate the cargo area lighting if the second criterion is not met. This advantageously prevents the alarm and the cargo area lighting from being activated simultaneously. A wide variety of criteria are possible. For example, the first criterion can be a mode manually set by the user.

[0015] Preferably, the first criterion corresponds to a door locking state. The processing unit can read the door locking state, for example, via a bus system of the vehicle, such as a CAN bus. For this purpose, the processing unit can be in communication with the control unit of a vehicle subsystem.

[0016] If the vehicle doors are locked, the processing unit triggers an alarm when the motion detector detects movement. If, however, the vehicle doors are unlocked, the processing unit triggers the cargo area lighting when the motion detector detects movement. The functions for turning the alarm system on / off and the functions for turning the cargo area lighting on / off can also be split between two physically separate processing units, which then interact as a single logical processing unit.

[0017] The vehicle user can lock the vehicle doors both when they are closed and when they are open. This can be done, for example, by pressing a button on a remote key or a button displayed in an app. The vehicle user can also leave open vehicle doors unlocked.

[0018] If the vehicle doors are open and unlocked, the cargo compartment lighting can be switched on and the alarm function cannot be used. If the vehicle doors are locked and closed, the cargo compartment lighting cannot be used, but the alarm function can be switched on. If at least one vehicle door is open and the vehicle doors are locked, the cargo compartment lighting and the alarm function can be used, i.e., switched on, at the same time.

[0019] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention, the computing unit is further configured to check a second and a third criterion upon detection of a movement, and: - to trigger the alarm system to sound the alarm if the second criterion is met or to leave the alarm system switched off if the second criterion is not met; and - to switch on the load compartment lighting if the third criterion is met or to leave the load compartment lighting switched off if the third criterion is not met.

[0020] This makes it possible to turn the alarm system and cargo area lighting on and off by individually checking various criteria. The second or third criteria could also generally be based on the first criterion. This allows the vehicle user to determine how the vehicle should be operated even more individually.

[0021] A further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention further provides that the second criterion corresponds to the non-detection of a known identification feature and / or the third criterion corresponds to the detection of a known identification feature, in particular the detection of an authorized person and / or an authorized mobile device. The vehicle can be capable of identifying persons and comparing them with a list of known authorized persons. For example, a person can log in to the vehicle with a username and password or be identified using a biometric feature. For example, an iris scan can be performed, a characteristic type of movement can be recognized, facial recognition can be performed, voice analysis can be carried out, or the like.The presence of a mobile device known to the vehicle can also indirectly allow conclusions to be drawn about the presence of the authorized person. For example, it can be checked whether a known remote key, transponder, smartphone, or similar device is within radio range of the vehicle.

[0022] If movement is detected by the motion detector, the alarm system can be activated even if the presence of an authorized person cannot be confirmed. However, if the presence of an authorized person is detected, the alarm system can remain deactivated. This can be checked depending on or independently of the door locking status.

[0023] If movement is detected by the motion detector, the cargo area lighting can be switched on if the presence of an authorized person is simultaneously confirmed. The cargo area lighting can also remain off if no authorized person is present in the vicinity of the vehicle. This can also be checked depending on or independently of the door locking status.

[0024] A further advantageous embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention further provides that the computing unit is configured to switch on a lighting device external to the vehicle upon detection of movement. This can make loading and / or unloading the vehicle even easier and safer in adverse lighting conditions. For example, a vehicle user could bump into objects or obstacles lying in the vicinity of the vehicle and trip over them. However, by illuminating the surroundings, the risk of this can be reduced. All conceivable lighting devices external to the vehicle can be used for this purpose, for example the rear lights, headlights, license plate lights, or even dedicated ambient lighting devices. A lighting device arranged in the vehicle interior could also project light outwards through an open vehicle door.Activating the vehicle's external lighting can advantageously be linked to checking the first, second, and / or third criteria. Particularly advantageously, the vehicle's external lighting is activated and / or deactivated in the same way as the cargo area lighting.

[0025] The vehicle according to the invention is thus capable of advantageously operating the alarm system and the cargo area lighting according to a light control method. This light control or the light control method is also part of the invention.

[0026] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention, it is designed as a commercial vehicle, in particular as a van. The lighting control according to the invention is particularly advantageous in a commercial vehicle because, as mentioned above, a situation is frequently encountered in which the vehicle is left standing with the vehicle doors open for loading and / or unloading, so that the cargo area lighting must be switched on repeatedly.

[0027] Further advantageous embodiments and developments of the vehicle according to the invention also emerge from the exemplary embodiments, which are described in more detail below with reference to the figures.

[0028] Showing: Fig. 1 A schematic plan view of a vehicle according to the invention; and Fig. 2 A flowchart of a light control method that can be carried out by the vehicle according to the invention.

[0029] Fig. Figure 1 shows a plan view of a vehicle 1 according to the invention, advantageously in a van design. In general, however, it could be any vehicle 1 having a vehicle interior 4, for example, a passenger car or a watercraft, rail vehicle, or aircraft.

[0030] The vehicle 1 has an alarm system 2, which in turn consists of a motion detector 2.1, acoustic 2.2 and / or visual output means 2.3, and a computing unit 3 for processing sensor signals generated by the motion detector 2.1 and controlling the output means 2.2, 2.3. The motion detector 2.1 is arranged within the vehicle interior 4 and is capable of detecting movements in the vehicle interior 4. The acoustic output means 2.2 can be, for example, loudspeakers, the horn of the vehicle 1, or the like. The visual output means 2.3 can be, for example, an external lighting device such as a headlight lamp of the vehicle 1, a display device, or the like.

[0031] The vehicle 1 further comprises an idealized cargo compartment lighting 5. According to the invention, the motion detector 2.1 of the alarm system 2 functions as a switch for activating the cargo compartment lighting 5. If the computing unit 3 detects movement in the vehicle interior 4 and, if the vehicle door 6 is open, possibly also outside the vehicle 1, the alarm system 2 and / or the cargo compartment lighting 5 can be activated. If the vehicle doors 6 are open, the cargo compartment lighting 5 can also shine from the vehicle interior 4.

[0032] Advantageously, either only the alarm system 2 or the cargo area lighting 5 is activated. Fig. 2 illustrates a decision tree used by the computing unit 3, or the process steps carried out.

[0033] In step 201, motion detector 2.1 transmits a sensor signal to computing unit 3 upon detecting movement in the vehicle interior 4. Computing unit 3 can execute an interior light control 3.1 and an anti-theft alarm system master 3.2. Thus, the interior light control 3.1 and the anti-theft alarm system master 3.2 can be programs executed on the same computer system. Generally, the interior light control 3.1 and the anti-theft alarm system master 3.2 could also be executed or provided on dedicated hardware devices. These two hardware devices then interact as a common logical computing unit 3.

[0034] In step 202, the interior light control 3.1 checks whether a criterion for switching on the loading compartment lighting 5 is met or not and switches the loading compartment lighting 5 on accordingly in step 203 or leaves it in the switched off state in step 204.

[0035] In step 205, the anti-theft alarm system master 3.2 checks whether a criterion for switching on the alarm system 2 is met or not and switches the alarm system 2 on accordingly in step 206 or leaves it in the switched off state in step 207.

[0036] A wide variety of criteria are possible. For example, a door locking status and / or the presence of an authorized person in the vicinity of vehicle 1 can constitute such a criterion. For example, both the interior light control 3.1 and the anti-theft alarm system master 3.2 check the door locking status in steps 202 and 205, with the interior light control 3.1 activating the cargo area lighting 5 if the door locking status is "unlocked" and the anti-theft alarm system master 3.2 activating the alarm system 2 if the door locking status is "locked."

[0037] The process ends in step 208. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This 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

[0000] DE 10 2021 002 164 A1

[0004]

Claims

[1] Vehicle (1) comprising a motion sensor, an interior lighting, an alarm system (2) and a computing unit (3), wherein the computing unit (3) is designed to control the alarm system (2) to emit an alarm when a movement is detected by means of the motion sensor, characterized by that the motion sensor is designed as a motion detector (2.1) and is arranged in the vehicle interior (4), the interior lighting is designed as a loading space lighting (5) and the computing unit (3) is further configured to switch on the loading space lighting (5) when movement is detected by means of the motion detector (2.1). [2] Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the computing unit (3) is configured to check a first criterion upon detection of a movement, and to trigger the alarm system (2) to issue the alarm if the first criterion is met and alternatively to switch on the loading space lighting (5) if the second criterion is not met. [3] Vehicle (1) according to claim 2, characterized by that the first criterion corresponds to a door locking state. [4] Vehicle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the computing unit (3) is designed to check a second and a third criterion when detecting a movement, and: - to trigger the alarm system (2) to sound the alarm if the second criterion is met or to leave the alarm system (2) switched off if the second criterion is not met; and - to switch on the load compartment lighting (5) if the third criterion is met or to leave the load compartment lighting (5) switched off if the third criterion is not met. [5] Vehicle (1) according to claim 4, characterized by that the second criterion corresponds to the non-detection of a known identification feature and / or the third criterion corresponds to the detection of a known identification feature, in particular the detection of an authorized person and / or an authorized mobile terminal. [6] Vehicle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the computing unit (3) is further configured to switch on a vehicle-external lighting device when a movement is detected. [7] Vehicle (1), characterized by a version as a commercial vehicle, especially a van.

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