Device and method for issuing a warning when a child and / or pet is present in a vehicle

Abstract

A device for issuing a warning when a child and / or pet is present in a vehicle is proposed, wherein the device comprises a first monitoring unit for monitoring the interior of the vehicle and for detecting the presence of a child and / or pet in the interior of the vehicle, wherein the first monitoring unit is further configured to detect whether another person is present in the interior of the vehicle. The device further comprises a warning unit configured to issue a warning when the first monitoring unit detects that a child and / or pet is present in the vehicle and no other person is present in the interior of the vehicle.Furthermore, the device comprises a second monitoring unit for monitoring the exterior of the vehicle, wherein, if the first monitoring unit detects that there is no further person in the interior of the vehicle, the second monitoring unit is designed to detect whether there is a person in the exterior of the vehicle and, if so, to deactivate the output of the warning by the warning unit.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for issuing a warning in the presence of a child and / or pet in a vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for issuing a warning in the presence of a child and / or pet in a vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 10.

[0002] Vehicles, especially cars, can be equipped with various safety mechanisms to protect their occupants. This includes the CPD (Child Presence Detection, https: / / cdn.euroncap.com / media / 75474 / euro-ncap-cpd-test-and-assessment-protocol-v11.pdf) function, which is designed to warn the driver if a child is left behind in the vehicle. There are different warning levels. The first warning, the initial warning, is issued when the driver has gotten out, the vehicle is locked, and the child is still inside. The second warning, the escalation warning, is issued when the driver remains away from the vehicle and the child is still inside. This is intended to ensure that children left alone in the vehicle remain unharmed. This can be an important safety aspect, especially in summer due to the rapidly rising temperatures inside the vehicle.The same applies to pets, such as dogs, that are left alone in the vehicle.

[0003] However, the currently provided warning function has the disadvantage that a warning is also issued if a child remains alone in the vehicle and the driver is outside the vehicle but is at the vehicle and can therefore monitor the child in the vehicle interior.

[0004] The present invention is therefore based on the object of preventing false warnings of a warning function for the protection of children and / or pets (e.g. the CPD function) when monitoring of a child or pet in the vehicle interior by the driver or another person can also be carried out outside the vehicle.

[0005] This object is achieved by a device for issuing a warning in the presence of a child or pet in a vehicle according to patent claim 1 and a method for issuing a warning in the presence of a child or pet in a vehicle according to patent claim 10.

[0006] The device for issuing a warning when a child and / or pet is present in a vehicle comprises a first monitoring unit for monitoring the interior of the vehicle and for detecting the presence of a child and / or pet in the interior of the vehicle. Various devices can be provided in the vehicle to monitor the interior of the vehicle, such as cameras or microphones for capturing image and audio signals in the vehicle. Furthermore, temperature sensors or other sensors, such as seat occupancy sensors, can be present, which can also detect the presence of a child or pet in the vehicle.

[0007] In any case, the first monitoring unit is designed to detect whether a person present in the vehicle interior is a child and / or a pet. This can be done, for example, by comparing the detected signals with stored reference data. Furthermore, the first monitoring unit can detect whether there is another person, in particular an adult, in the vehicle interior in addition to a child and / or pet. If this is the case, it can be assumed that the child and / or pet is under the supervision of an adult and therefore no further action is necessary. A warning unit provided in the device would not issue a warning in this case, as there is no danger to the child and / or pet.

[0008] However, if the first monitoring unit detects that a child and / or pet is present in the vehicle and no other person, in particular no adult, is inside the vehicle, the warning unit can be configured to issue a warning. As defined, for example, in the CPD function, the warning can be a first initial warning when the driver has exited the vehicle, the vehicle is locked, and the child is still inside the vehicle. Alternatively, it can be a second level warning, the so-called escalation warning, where the driver remains away from the vehicle and the child is still inside the vehicle. Alternatively, the warning can be any other warning issued by the warning unit when a child and / or pet is inside the vehicle and no other person is inside the vehicle.It is also possible to provide additional sensors, such as temperature sensors, to issue different warning levels, for example when the temperature in the vehicle increases or decreases.

[0009] To prevent a warning from being issued even when no other person, in particular no adult, is inside the vehicle, but a corresponding person is outside the vehicle and can thus monitor the child and / or pet inside the vehicle, the device further comprises a second monitoring unit for monitoring the outside of the vehicle. If the first monitoring unit detects that no other person is inside the vehicle, the second monitoring unit is configured to detect whether a person is outside the vehicle and, if so, to deactivate the warning unit's output of the warning.

[0010] This way, even if a child and / or pet is alone in the vehicle interior, without supervision by another (adult) person, no warning is issued, as in this case monitoring can also take place from outside the vehicle. This is the case, for example, if a child is asleep in the vehicle and an adult leaves the vehicle but is outside the vehicle (preferably with the child in view), for example to make a phone call or similar. False warnings, i.e. warnings that are issued because the child and / or pet is alone in the vehicle interior, but is still being monitored and therefore not at risk, are thus avoided.

[0011] The warning may, for example, be a light or audio signal, such as a horn or hazard lights. Depending on the escalation level—i.e., the potential danger—the warning may even involve alerting emergency services.

[0012] The respective unit, for example, a monitoring unit or warning unit, can be implemented in hardware and / or software. In a hardware implementation, the respective unit can be configured as a device or as part of a device, for example, as a computer or a microprocessor or as a control unit in a vehicle. In a software implementation, the respective unit can be configured as a computer program product, as a function, as a routine, as part of a program code, or as an executable object.

[0013] According to a further embodiment, the second monitoring unit is designed to detect whether the person is located within a predefined radius around the vehicle. The radius around the vehicle is preferably defined such that the person is within range of the vehicle and can therefore still react accordingly in the event of danger or the like. For example, the radius can be defined such that the distance from the person to the vehicle is small enough that the interior of the vehicle is visible to the person. In one embodiment, the predefined radius around the vehicle can correspond to a locking distance. The locking distance corresponds to the distance between a vehicle key and the vehicle at which the vehicle is automatically locked.

[0014] According to a further embodiment, the second monitoring unit is configured to detect a person's position continuously and / or at regular intervals. As soon as the second monitoring unit detects, during this continuous and / or regular monitoring, that the person's position is outside the predefined radius, the warning unit is configured to issue a warning. This means that if the person is initially within the predefined radius around the vehicle, no warning is issued. However, if the second monitoring unit subsequently detects that the person has moved further away from the vehicle and is therefore no longer within the predefined radius, a warning can be issued. In this way, continuous monitoring of the person outside the vehicle and thus the safety of a child and / or pet in the vehicle can be ensured.

[0015] According to a further embodiment, the second monitoring unit is designed to determine the distance of a vehicle key from the vehicle and, based on the distance of the vehicle key from the vehicle, to detect whether the person is located within the predefined radius around the vehicle. In this case, a connection between the vehicle key and the vehicle, for example a radio connection or other communication connection, can be used to detect the distance between the vehicle key, and thus indirectly the person, from the vehicle. If the position of the vehicle key is within the predefined radius around the vehicle, it can be assumed that the person is also within the predefined radius, and accordingly, no warning is issued by the warning unit.

[0016] This embodiment is particularly useful if the vehicle key is on a smart device, for example a smartphone or a smartwatch, since in this case it can be assumed that the person carries the vehicle key as a digital key in the form of the smart device.

[0017] According to a further embodiment, the second monitoring unit is designed to detect whether the person outside the vehicle has a clear field of vision with respect to the vehicle, in particular with respect to the interior of the vehicle. This embodiment can ensure that the person can see into the interior of the vehicle and thus monitor the child and / or pet. If, for example, the person is within the predefined perimeter but behind a wall or similar, and thus does not have a clear view of the interior of the vehicle or no clear field of vision with respect to the vehicle itself, the second monitoring unit can be designed to interpret this as insufficient and thus cause the warning unit to issue a warning.

[0018] According to a further embodiment, the second monitoring unit comprises at least one sensor, in particular a camera, a radar sensor, a lidar sensor, and / or another sensor, which is configured to detect a person and / or a clear field of view between the person and the vehicle. In particular, a combination of the position of a vehicle key and the actual position of a person or their clear field of view of the vehicle, in particular in the vehicle interior, can be used to determine whether a warning should be issued.

[0019] Here, you can check whether the position of the vehicle key (position A) and the position of the person (position B) match and are within the predefined radius. If this is the case, no warning is issued. If the position of the vehicle key (position A) is no longer available, or the position of the person (position B) is no longer available, or if the two positions A and B do not match, or if one or the other of the positions A and B is no longer within the predefined radius, a warning is issued.

[0020] The advantage of this verification, again in this case, is that the vehicle key cannot be left behind and the person can leave. If that were possible, the warning function could be easily circumvented and would be useless.

[0021] Any type of sensor can be used that is capable of determining whether a person is outside the vehicle, in particular within the predefined radius, and / or whether the person has a clear field of vision of the vehicle, in particular the interior. This can be detected either through environmental monitoring (e.g. via cameras or other sensors) or alternatively or additionally through a connection between a smart device and the vehicle. Depending on the quality of the connection between the smart device and the vehicle or other properties of the connection (e.g. interference, runtime, etc.), it can be determined whether or not there is an obstacle between the smart device and thus the person and the vehicle. An obstacle can then in turn be used as an indicator that the person is within the predefined radius but may not have a clear field of vision of the vehicle or the vehicle interior.The person's position in relation to the vehicle can also be determined, and depending on this position, a decision can be made as to whether the person can have a clear field of vision into the vehicle interior. This can be done, for example, based on a combination of the person's current detected position by the second monitoring unit and stored information about the respective vehicle (vehicle data such as size, body, etc.). For example, if the person is located at the trunk and stored information about the vehicle indicates that there is no clear field of vision into the vehicle interior from this position, the second monitoring unit can define this as a lack of a clear field of vision and trigger the warning unit to issue a warning accordingly.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, the monitoring unit can be configured to verify the person outside the vehicle. This ensures that only an authorized person, e.g., a parent, can monitor the child and / or pet in the vehicle. Monitoring by any person who happens to be in the vicinity of the vehicle can thus be ruled out.

[0023] The monitoring unit can, for example, determine the movement trajectory of the vehicle key. This movement trajectory can then be compared with sensor data from the environment detection system (camera, radar, lidar, etc.). If a person detected by the sensor data matches the movement trajectory, the monitoring unit assumes that an authorized person (authorization can be assumed here through the vehicle key) is in the vicinity of the vehicle. If no clear result is possible, the monitoring unit can perform further verification. For this purpose, the monitoring unit can be configured to issue a request to verify the person. Such a request can be made through light projections, light signals, hazard warning lights, sounds, etc., or even (push) messages to the user's or person's smartphone.

[0024] Following this request, a person outside the vehicle can now verify their identity. The monitoring unit can perform verification using various methods, such as facial recognition, voice recognition, or even a personalized QR code. The person must hold this code up to the camera to identify themselves. A sequence of gestures, either predefined or randomly requested by the system, is also possible.

[0025] Once the monitoring unit has verified the person, the monitoring unit can be configured to track the person using outdoor sensors (e.g., lidar, parking cameras, radar, etc., as described above). Optionally, the monitoring unit can send the person confirmation of the verification, also via light signals, a message on the smartphone, etc.

[0026] As soon as the monitoring unit can no longer detect the person or a predefined time has elapsed, the person must be re-verified for security reasons. This can be done as described above.

[0027] According to a further embodiment, the warning unit is configured to issue an initial warning when the first monitoring unit detects that a child and / or pet is present in the vehicle and no other person is inside the vehicle, and is configured to deactivate the output of further warnings when the second monitoring unit detects that a person is outside the vehicle. According to this embodiment, an initial warning is thus initially issued, as defined in the CPD function, and further warnings, so-called escalation warnings, can be deactivated when a person is outside the vehicle, in particular a person who has a view of the vehicle's interior.In this way, an initial warning can be given that a child and / or pet is alone in the vehicle, but further action will be omitted because monitoring is carried out from outside the vehicle.

[0028] According to a further embodiment, the warning unit is designed to cancel the initial warning if the first monitoring unit detects that the child and / or pet has been removed from the vehicle and / or that a door of the vehicle is open or will be opened. As soon as the child and / or pet is removed from the car, no further monitoring and therefore no warning is required. In this case, the warning unit can immediately cancel further warnings. If a vehicle door is opened, it can also be assumed that the child and / or pet is possibly still alone in the interior, but with direct contact with another person via the open vehicle door, which is why no further warnings are required. In this case, too, the warning unit can therefore deactivate further warnings.

[0029] According to a further embodiment, the warning unit is configured to reactivate the initial warning and / or further warnings when no person is present outside the vehicle. This means that as soon as no person is detected outside the vehicle, the warning unit resumes its usual function and can issue both an initial warning and further escalation warnings. In this way, it can be ensured that even if no warning was initially required because a person was present outside the vehicle who could monitor the interior of the vehicle, the usual monitoring and thus warning of children and / or pets in the vehicle is resumed when this situation changes.

[0030] According to a further aspect, a method for issuing a warning when a child and / or pet is present in a vehicle is proposed. The method comprises the following steps: monitoring the interior of the vehicle, detecting the presence of a child and / or pet in the interior of the vehicle, detecting whether another person is present in the interior of the vehicle, and issuing a warning when it is detected that a child and / or pet is present in the vehicle and no other person is present in the interior of the vehicle. The method further comprises: monitoring the exterior of the vehicle, and, when it is detected that no other person is present in the interior of the vehicle, detecting whether a person is present in the exterior of the vehicle, and if so, deactivating the output of the warning.

[0031] The embodiments and features described for the proposed device apply accordingly to the proposed method.

[0032] Furthermore, a computer program product is proposed which has a program code which is designed to cause the method as explained above to be carried out on a computer.

[0033] A computer program product, such as a computer program means, can be provided or delivered, for example, as a storage medium, such as a memory card, USB stick, CD-ROM, DVD, or in the form of a downloadable file from a server in a network. This can be done, for example, in a wireless communications network by transmitting a corresponding file with the computer program product or the computer program means.

[0034] Further possible implementations of the invention also include combinations of features or embodiments described above or below with respect to the exemplary embodiments that are not explicitly mentioned. In this case, the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the invention.

[0035] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments are set forth in the description, the drawings, and the claims. In particular, the combinations of features set forth in the description and the drawings are purely exemplary, so that the features may also be present individually or in other combinations.

[0036] The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings. The exemplary embodiments and the combinations shown in the exemplary embodiments are purely exemplary and are not intended to define the scope of the invention. This scope is defined solely by the appended claims.

[0037] They show: Fig. 1: a schematic block diagram of a device for issuing a warning in the presence of a child and / or pet in a vehicle, and Fig. 2: a schematic view of a vehicle with the device of Fig. 1.

[0038] Fig. 1 shows a device 1 for issuing a warning W1, W2 in the presence of a child and / or pet in a vehicle 20, as shown in Fig. 2. The device 1 has a first monitoring unit 2. The first monitoring unit 2 is designed to monitor the interior of the vehicle 20. For this purpose, the first monitoring unit 2 can have one or more sensors. These sensors can be, for example, a camera, seat occupancy sensors, temperature sensors, microphones, etc., which are generally capable of monitoring the presence of people in the vehicle interior.

[0039] The first monitoring unit 2 can not only detect whether a person is present in the vehicle interior, but can also detect, in particular, whether the person present is a child or whether a pet is present in the vehicle interior. If the first monitoring unit 2 has detected that a child and / or pet is present in the vehicle interior and simultaneously detects that no other person, in particular no adult, is present in the vehicle interior, the first monitoring unit 2 forwards this information to the warning unit 4.

[0040] The warning unit 4 of the device 1 then issues a warning signal W1, W2. The warning signal W1, W2 can be, in particular, CPD warning levels in the CPD function, but can also be any other type of warning signal. W1 can be an initial warning, which is issued when the driver has exited, the vehicle is locked, and the child is still in the vehicle. W2 can be an escalation warning, which is issued when the driver remains away from the vehicle and the child is still in the vehicle. However, it is also possible for the warning unit 4 to issue other warnings W1, W2.

[0041] The first monitoring unit 2 does indeed monitor the vehicle interior and detect that a child and / or pet, or even several children and / or several pets, are in the vehicle without an adult being present. However, this ignores the fact that children and / or pets in the vehicle interior can also be monitored from outside the vehicle. For example, it is conceivable that a vehicle occupant wants to make a phone call while a child is sleeping in the vehicle and therefore gets out of the vehicle. Nevertheless, the vehicle occupant in question can monitor the vehicle interior with the child, so that a warning W1, W2 issued here by the warning unit 4 is superfluous.

[0042] In order to prevent warnings W1, W2 from being issued in such a situation, the device 1 has a second monitoring unit 6.

[0043] This second monitoring unit 6 is used to monitor the vehicle exterior and detect whether a person is present there, allowing the vehicle interior to be monitored from outside. If this is the case, the second monitoring unit 6 can forward this information to the warning unit 4, and the warning unit 4 can then deactivate the output of warnings. It is also possible for the warning unit 4 to issue a first initial warning W1, which serves to draw attention to the presence of a child and / or pet in the vehicle, but deactivates further warnings W2, which would, for example, call for assistance.

[0044] The second monitoring unit 6 can detect whether a person is outside the vehicle in different ways, as described below with reference to Fig. 2 is explained in more detail.

[0045] Fig.2 shows a vehicle 20 in which the device 1 is provided. The vehicle 20 has a vehicle interior 8, in which, for example, a child 10 is located. As already explained above, one or more other children and / or one or more pets could also be present in the vehicle interior 8 instead.

[0046] The second monitoring unit 6 detects whether a person 12 is located in the vehicle exterior 16, i.e. outside the vehicle interior 8. For this purpose, the second monitoring unit 6 can, for example, have one or more sensors 18. The sensors 18 can be one or more cameras that enable monitoring of the vehicle exterior 16. Additionally or alternatively, the second monitoring unit 6 can also detect whether a key 14 assigned to the person 12 is located in the vehicle exterior 16. The key 14 can either be an actual vehicle key or a digital key implemented on a smart device, such as a smartphone or a smartwatch.

[0047] In both cases, the second monitoring unit 6 can detect a distance of the key 14 from the vehicle 20. The second monitoring unit 6 can, for example, determine a distance of the person 12 from the vehicle 20, and in particular, determine whether the person 12 is located within a predefined radius U around the vehicle 20. This predefined radius U can, for example, define an area in which it is assumed that the person 12 has visual contact with the vehicle, in particular the vehicle interior 8.

[0048] The visual contact between the person 12 and the vehicle interior 8, as indicated by the arrow, ensures that the person 12 can monitor the vehicle interior 8 and, in particular, the child 10 present there, even from outside the vehicle 20. The second monitoring unit 6 can also detect whether a field of vision exists between the person 12 and the vehicle interior 8. This can be done, for example, by cameras or the like, or can be detected via the radio connection between the key 14 and the vehicle 20. In this way, it can be ensured that the person 12 can see the vehicle interior 8 when they are within the predefined radius.

[0049] The case in which the person 12 is located within the predefined radius U, but is, for example, standing behind a wall and therefore has no visual contact with the vehicle interior 8, can also be detected by the second monitoring unit 6. In this case, the warning unit 4 would then again issue a warning W1, W2 despite the position of the person 12 within the predefined radius U.

[0050] The monitoring unit 6 can also perform verification of the person 12 to prevent any persons outside the vehicle 20 from being detected who could monitor the vehicle interior 8 (e.g., pedestrians who are simply walking past the vehicle 20). To this end, the monitoring unit 6 can request verification from a person 12 detected outside the vehicle 20, for example, using light signals, etc. The person 12 can then verify themselves with the monitoring unit 6 using an authentication mechanism. This can be, for example, facial recognition, predefined gestures, a QR code via a mobile device such as a smartphone, etc. After verification, the monitoring unit 6 can recognize the person 12 as authorized and thus deactivate warnings via the warning unit 4.

[0051] Alternatively, the monitoring unit 6 can also compare a position of the key 14 (e.g., a movement trajectory) and the person 12, and, if these match, define the person 12 as belonging to the key 14 and thus to the vehicle 20, and thus as authorized. In this case, the person 12 is also verified, and further warnings can be deactivated.

[0052] The device described here makes it possible to issue warnings about children and / or pets left alone in the vehicle interior only when no one can actually monitor the vehicle interior. If a person is outside the vehicle but can monitor the vehicle interior, the device proposed here does not issue a warning, thus avoiding false warnings. Reference symbol 1 device 2 first monitoring unit 4 warning unit 6 second monitoring unit 8 Vehicle interior 10 Child and / or pet 12 people 14 keys 16 Outdoor space 18 Sensor 20 vehicles U predefined radius W1 Initial warning W2 further warning 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 non-patent literature

[0000] https: / / cdn.euroncap.com / media / 75474 / euro-ncap-cpd-test-and-assessment-protocol-v11.pdf

[0002]

Claims

[1] Device (1) for issuing a warning (W1, W2) in the presence of a child and / or pet (10) in a vehicle (20), wherein the device (1) comprises a first monitoring unit (2) for monitoring the interior (8) of the vehicle (20) and for detecting the presence of a child and / or pet (10) in the interior (8) of the vehicle (20), wherein the first monitoring unit (2) is further configured to detect whether another person is present in the interior (8) of the vehicle (20), wherein the device (1) further comprises a warning unit (4) configured to issue a warning (W1, W2) when the first monitoring unit (2) detects that a child and / or pet (10) is present in the vehicle (20) and no other person is present in the interior (8) of the vehicle (20), characterized bythat the device (1) further comprises a second monitoring unit (6) for monitoring the exterior space (16) of the vehicle (20), wherein, if the first monitoring unit (2) detects that there is no further person in the interior space (8) of the vehicle (20), the second monitoring unit (6) is designed to detect whether a person (12) is in the exterior space (16) of the vehicle (20) and, if so, to deactivate the output of the warning (W1, W2) by the warning unit (4). [2] Device according to claim 1, wherein the second monitoring unit (6) is designed to detect whether the person (12) is located within a predefined radius (U) around the vehicle (20). [3] Device according to claim 2, wherein the second monitoring unit (6) is designed to detect a position of the person (12) continuously and / or at regular intervals, and wherein the warning unit (4) is designed to issue a warning (W1, W2) when the position of the person (12) is outside the predefined perimeter (U). [4] Device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the second monitoring unit (6) is designed to determine a distance of a vehicle key (14) from the vehicle (20) and, based on the distance of the vehicle key (14) from the vehicle (20), to detect whether the person (12) is located in the predefined radius (U) around the vehicle (20). [5] Device according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the second monitoring unit (6) is designed to detect whether the person (12) in the exterior space (16) of the vehicle (20) has a clear field of vision with respect to the vehicle (20), in particular with respect to the interior space (8) of the vehicle (20). [6] Device according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the second monitoring unit (6) comprises at least one sensor (18), in particular a camera, a radar sensor, a lidar sensor and / or a further sensor, which is designed to detect a person (12) and / or a free field of view between the person (12) and the vehicle (20). [7] Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the warning unit (4) is designed to output an initial warning (W1) when the first monitoring unit (2) detects that a child and / or pet (10) is present in the vehicle (20) and no other person is in the interior (8) of the vehicle (20), and to deactivate outputs of further warnings (W2) when the second monitoring unit (6) detects that a person (12) is in the exterior (16) of the vehicle (20). [8] Device according to claim 7, wherein the warning unit (4) is designed to cancel the initial warning (W1) when the first monitoring unit (2) detects that the child and / or pet (10) is removed from the vehicle (20) and / or that a door of the vehicle (20) is or will be opened. [9] Device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the warning unit (4) is designed to reactivate the initial warning (W1) and / or further warnings (W2) when no person (12) is located in the exterior space (16) of the vehicle (20). [10] Method (1) for issuing a warning (W1, W2) when a child and / or pet (10) is present in a vehicle (20), the method comprising: monitoring the interior (8) of the vehicle (20), detecting the presence of a child and / or pet (10) in the interior (8) of the vehicle (20), detecting whether another person is in the interior (8) of the vehicle (20), and issuing a warning (W1, W2) when it is detected that a child and / or pet (10) is present in the vehicle (20) and there is no other person in the interior (8) of the vehicle (20), characterized bythat the method further comprises: monitoring the exterior space (16) of the vehicle (20), and, if it is detected that there is no further person in the interior space (8) of the vehicle (20), detecting whether a person (12) is in the exterior space (16) of the vehicle (20), and if so, deactivating the output of the warning (W1, W2).

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