Vehicle system

Abstract

System (10) for a vehicle (20), the system (10) comprising at least one detector (11) designed to detect an object (30) approaching the vehicle (20); a control unit (12) that reads in data from the detector (11), processes it, and provides control signals; at least one actuator (13) that executes an action by reading in the control signals, wherein, in the case in which the detector (11) detects the object (30), the control unit (12) controls the actuator (13) such that the action of the actuator (13) represents the presence of a person in the vehicle (20).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a system for a vehicle.

[0002] The following definitions, descriptions and embodiments retain their respective meaning for and apply to the entire disclosed subject matter.

[0003] As is well known, vehicle intrusion detection typically only detects a break-in after, for example, a window has been broken. Only then is a break-in considered to have occurred. Preventing theft at that point would require considerable effort.

[0004] Increased burglary rates involving parked vehicles are a problem. Current countermeasures include increased police presence and the setting of traps, as well as signs warning people not to leave items in vehicles. A burglar typically proceeds as follows during a burglary: approaching the vehicle, either by parking a vehicle themselves, for example, or approaching the target vehicle; checking whether there are any valuables inside, partially breaking a window to gain access to the trunk; and if valuables are found, breaking the window and removing the valuables.

[0005] The aim of the invention was to find out how burglaries of the type mentioned above could be prevented.

[0006] The subject matter of the independent and subordinate claims each solves this problem. Advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the definitions, the subclaims, the drawings, and the description of preferred embodiments.

[0007] According to one aspect, the invention provides a system for a vehicle. The system can be part of the vehicle's standard equipment, i.e., it can be fully implemented within the vehicle. The system can also be a retrofit device. The vehicle can be a stationary vehicle, for example, a parked vehicle, for example, a road vehicle, for example, a passenger car, a commercial vehicle, a truck, or a shuttle. The system comprises at least one detector designed to detect an object approaching the vehicle. The detection can comprise acoustic, optical, or vibratory detection. The object can be a person, for example, a potential vehicle burglar or vehicle thief. The system further comprises a control unit that reads in and processes data from the detector and provides control signals.The control unit comprises an integrated circuit programmed to process the data from the detector, for example, specific detector signals. The control unit may also comprise an internal data memory. Furthermore, the system comprises at least one actuator that performs an action by reading the control signals. The actuator may be integrated into the vehicle, for example, perform a predetermined function. The actuator may also be part of the aftermarket part. If the detector detects the object, the control unit controls the actuator in such a way that the actuator's action represents the presence of a person in the vehicle.

[0008] This action can be used to simulate the presence of a person in the vehicle. However, an approaching pedestrian or a stopped vehicle are not uncommon, which is why the action is not an alarm signal but merely intended to simulate the presence of a person. The potential presence of a person in the vehicle deters burglars, who can abort their planned break-in without having committed a crime. This is in contrast to conventional intrusion detection alarm systems, which only sound the alarm after a window has been broken, making the burglar more likely to continue the break-in. In this sense, the system disclosed here prevents vehicle windows from being broken.

[0009] In one aspect, the detector is an acoustic sensor. The acoustic sensor is, for example, a microphone or an array of microphones. The acoustic sensor detects, for example, the footsteps of a potential burglar, thief, or perpetrator, as well as braking or stopping vehicles. Alternatively, a camera system would also be conceivable, but with increased power requirements.

[0010] According to a further aspect, the control unit or the detector, for example the acoustic sensor, for example the microphone, is designed to execute or load a machine learning model. The machine learning model is trained for sound detection. For example, the machine learning model was trained on appropriately annotated data to infer approaching footsteps and / or vehicle braking noises in audio data from a microphone. The machine learning model is, for example, an artificial neural network. The control unit or the detector, for example the acoustic sensor, for example the microphone, according to one aspect comprise a digital signal processor, according to one aspect a neural decision processor, which is moderately specialized hardware for acoustic event detection using machine learning models.

[0011] According to another aspect, the actuator is a loudspeaker. The action involves playing a telephone call through the loudspeaker. The loudspeaker can be a vehicle loudspeaker or a separate loudspeaker from an aftermarket part. According to one aspect, the separate loudspeakers are attached to resonance-enhancing components of the vehicle to enhance external audibility. Playing the telephone call simulates the presence of a person in the vehicle, thus deterring a potential break-in.

[0012] According to a further aspect, the control unit determines a volume outside the vehicle when processing the detector data and controls the loudspeaker in such a way that the volume for playing the telephone call is such that the telephone call is audible outside the vehicle depending on the volume outside the vehicle. This can, for example, ensure that the noise around the vehicle is clearly audible, yet not too loud to cause noise pollution in a residential area.

[0013] According to another aspect, the actuator is an actuator of a damper of the vehicle, for example, a shock absorber. The action comprises a simulation of movements in the vehicle by means of the damper.

[0014] According to another aspect, the system includes a connection to a vehicle battery, wherein, when the system is used in the vehicle, the system draws its power from the vehicle battery via the connection. For example, the connection is a 12V port plug connected to terminal 30.

[0015] According to a further aspect, the system includes an energy storage device for supplying energy to the system, which is advantageous for retrofit components. For example, the energy storage device is an accumulator.

[0016] Detector, control unit and power supply can be integrated in one housing.

[0017] The invention is explained using the following exemplary embodiments. They show: Fig. 1 an embodiment of a system disclosed here and Fig. 2 an embodiment of a vehicle in which a system according to Fig. 1 is integrated.

[0018] In the figures, identical reference symbols denote identical or functionally similar objects. To avoid repetition, only the relevant objects are identified by reference symbols.

[0019] Fig. 1 shows the system 10 as a retrofit device. The system 10 comprises, as detector 11, at least one acoustic sensor, for example a microphone, a control unit 12, and an actuator 13, for example a loudspeaker. The microphone detects, for example, when an object 30, for example a person, approaches a parked vehicle 20 in which the system 10 is integrated. The control unit 12 then controls the loudspeaker such that it plays a telephone call that can be heard by the person outside the vehicle 20. This simulates the presence of a person inside the vehicle 20 and averts a potential break-in into the vehicle 20.

[0020] Fig. 2 shows the system 10 from Fig. 1 in a version integrated into vehicle 20. The speakers are, for example, the interior speakers of vehicle 20. Reference symbol 10 systems 11 Detector 12 Control unit 13 Actuator 20 vehicles 30 objects

Claims

[1] System (10) for a vehicle (20), the system (10) comprising at least one detector (11) designed to detect an object (30) approaching the vehicle (20); a control unit (12) that reads in data from the detector (11), processes it and provides control signals; at least one actuator (13) that carries out an action by reading in the control signals, wherein in the case in which the detector (11) detects the object (30), the control unit (12) controls the actuator (13) such that the action of the actuator (13) represents a presence of a person in the vehicle (20). [2] System (10) according to claim 1, wherein the detector (11) is at least one acoustic sensor. [3] The system (10) of claim 2, wherein the controller (12) or the detector (11) is configured to execute or load a machine learning model, the machine learning model being trained for noise detection. [4] System (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator (13) is a loudspeaker and the action comprises playing a telephone call by means of the loudspeaker. [5] System (10) according to claim 3, wherein the control unit (12) determines a volume outside the vehicle (20) when processing the data of the detector (11) and controls the loudspeaker such that a volume for playing the telephone call is such that the telephone call outside the vehicle (20) is perceptible depending on the volume outside the vehicle (20). [6] System (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator (13) is an actuator of a damper of the vehicle (20) and the action comprises a simulation of movements in the vehicle (20) by means of the damper. [7] System (10) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a connection to a battery of the vehicle (20), wherein in the case where the system (10) is used in the vehicle (20), the system (10) draws its energy from the battery of the vehicle (20) by means of the connection. [8] System (10) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising an energy storage device for supplying energy to the system (10).

Images