Method for detecting damage to a motor vehicle, control unit, motor vehicle, and server device

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for detecting damage to a motor vehicle, wherein a control unit (10) activates a recording mode of the monitoring device (20) to record a series of images of the external environment (S3, S4) depending on a monitoring signal which describes a movement of a person (30) in an external environment of the motor vehicle (12), receives a force application signal (S6) which describes a force applied to the motor vehicle (12), and determines on the basis of the force application signal (S7) whether the applied force meets a predetermined damage occurrence criterion.If this is the case, the control unit (10) detects damage to the motor vehicle (12) (S8) and assigns the detected damage to at least one damage category (S11) and causes the monitoring unit (20) to store the provided recording data set together with information provided by the control unit (10) regarding the classification of the damage in a specified storage device (26). The invention also relates to a control unit (10), a motor vehicle (12) and a server device (14).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for detecting damage to a motor vehicle, in particular to a parked motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a correspondingly configured control unit, a motor vehicle with an embodiment of the control unit, and a server device with an embodiment of the control unit.

[0002] It is often difficult to determine how, or where and when, damage to a vehicle occurred. This is the case, for example, if a user has parked the vehicle and is not present at the time the damage occurs. Damage to parked vehicles is also frequently only noticed by the user much later, making it impossible for them to reconstruct when and where the damage actually took place.

[0003] Methods are currently known that allow systems to detect damage to a vehicle. For example, environmental data from the parked vehicle can be recorded using a camera. These systems detect the presence of damage, thus determining whether or not damage has occurred.

[0004] German patent DE 10 2021 125 734 A1 describes systems and procedures for identifying vehicle damage and managing incidents. The document describes a procedure comprising: determining the occurrence of a damage event for a first vehicle based on a vehicle sensor signal; determining the location on the first vehicle where damage occurred using the vehicle sensor signal; activating a camera on a side of the first vehicle that corresponds to or is adjacent to the location where the damage occurred; determining, from camera images, identifying information relating to an object captured in the camera images; and transmitting a message containing the identifying information to a receiver.

[0005] From DE 10 2022 127 628 A1, a monitoring system for unguarded vehicles is known, which includes a motor vehicle with several sensor inputs that record sensor data representing hazards, including garage fires, excessive water or flooding, rain, snow, and at least one person loitering directly near the motor vehicle.

[0006] WO 2018 / 186520 A1 describes a system for monitoring the condition of a parked motor vehicle, comprising: a monitoring device installed in the parked motor vehicle; and a server for communication with the monitoring device, wherein the monitoring device comprises at least one sensor installed in the parked motor vehicle, which is used by at least one sensor to receive information about noise or an impact occurring in relation to the parked motor vehicle, and transmits the received information to the server.

[0007] One of the problems underlying the invention is to improve the quality of damage detection on a motor vehicle.

[0008] The problem is solved by the inventive method and the inventive devices according to the dependent claims. Advantageous embodiments are given by the sub-claims.

[0009] The invention is based on the idea of ​​providing a comprehensive system for monitoring a motor vehicle, in particular for monitoring a parked vehicle. This system includes, for documenting the sequence of events leading to damage, a monitoring of the vehicle's surroundings, comprising a first function for detecting movements in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle, and a second function for recognizing relevant vehicle contact and / or vehicle damage (e.g., scratches, minor impacts, etc.). A third function for component-related localization of damage is followed by a fourth function for classifying the detected damage (e.g., a scratch as opposed to a hit or bump).A fifth function for optically recording the damage event using a camera system, preferably with limited storage capacity, can preferably be followed by a sixth function for automated documentation of the damage and a seventh function for actively and automatically informing and / or contacting involved parties (vehicle user, repair shop, or, for example, insurance company). For example, it can be determined how severe an impact was and what caused it. This makes damage detection much more specific and accurate. In other words, damage detection becomes much more specific and accurate, thus significantly improving its quality.

[0010] The inventive method for detecting damage to a motor vehicle is carried out by a control unit. A control unit is understood to be a device, device component, or device group configured to receive and evaluate signals, generate control signals, and transmit them to other devices or device components. For this purpose, the control unit preferably comprises a receiver module and / or a transmitter module. The control unit can, for example, be designed as a control module or control chip. The control unit can be installed in the motor vehicle, in which case the motor vehicle equipped with the control unit is monitored. Alternatively, the control unit can, for example, be a component of a server external to the motor vehicle, and the motor vehicle to be monitored can then be the one that is, for example, registered for the process.In other words, the motor vehicle that is to be monitored and on which damage is to be detected can also be referred to as a specified or predetermined motor vehicle.

[0011] Since the method according to the invention is particularly well suited for detecting damage to parked motor vehicles, the motor vehicle can preferably be a parked motor vehicle.

[0012] The control unit receives a monitoring signal from a monitoring device, which describes a movement of a person in an external environment of the motor vehicle as detected by the monitoring device.

[0013] A monitoring device is understood to be a device, device component, or device group that incorporates sensors for optically monitoring the external environment of a motor vehicle. For this purpose, the monitoring device may preferably include one or more cameras, preferably one or more video cameras. The area of ​​the external environment being monitored may preferably be predefined. In particular, the immediate external environment of the motor vehicle may be monitored, for example, the external environment within a predefined radius around the motor vehicle. Ideally, the monitoring device is a monitoring device of the motor vehicle itself, so that it monitors the external environment of the motor vehicle and not the external environment of another motor vehicle.Preferably, the monitoring device can additionally include a motion detector, so that monitoring of the outdoor environment is triggered by the motion detector of the same device.

[0014] Depending on the received monitoring signal, and only if the control unit detects movement, the control unit activates a recording mode of the monitoring device. In this mode, the monitoring device captures a series of images of the vehicle's exterior surroundings and provides this image series as a recording data set. The recording data set can preferably be temporarily stored in a buffer, for example, in a buffer of the control unit or the monitoring device.

[0015] Ideally, the activated recording mode is a second recording mode, so that the monitoring device is already active in a first recording mode when the person's movement is detected, and is recording a series of images of the person's movement in the first recording mode. When the movement is then detected in the first recording mode, this triggers the activation of the second recording mode. Preferably, the second recording mode should be one in which the monitoring device records at a higher frame rate—that is, a higher number of frames per second—than in the recording mode in which the monitoring device is recording the person's movement.In this preferred embodiment of the method with staged operating modes, the activated second recording mode is a recording mode with higher image quality, while the first recording mode is a power-saving recording mode. Furthermore, if the person causes damage to the motor vehicle, the entire sequence of events is recorded, because the monitoring of the damage process is not delayed by a warm-up phase or a technically induced reaction time of the monitoring device.

[0016] The control unit receives a force signal from a sensor device in the vehicle, describing a force applied to the vehicle. Depending on the magnitude of this force, it can detect, for example, a touch, an impact, or a collision with the vehicle, which is described by or can be derived from the force signal. A sensor device is defined as a device, a device component, or a group of devices that includes at least one appropriately configured sensor. The sensor device can be a component of the monitoring device, or vice versa.The sensor device can, for example, include one or more force sensors and / or one or more vibration sensors, which can ideally be mounted behind or on various components of the vehicle, or in detection zones of the vehicle, for example behind individual parts of the vehicle body and / or on a window. Other suitable sensors include, for example, piezoelectric sensors and tension and / or pressure sensors.

[0017] Ideally, the sensors of the sensor device can be installed in such a way that preferably the motor vehicle has 4+n sensors, preferably the sensors covering 33 or more detection zones of the motor vehicle.

[0018] Optionally, the received force application signal can describe information about the component and / or detection zone of the motor vehicle where the force, for example the impact or contact, is measured.

[0019] Based on the received force signal, the control unit determines whether the applied force meets a predefined damage criterion. This criterion specifies a minimum probability that the force will cause damage. "Damage" can then be described, for example, as a change in the component subjected to the force, such that the material, shape, composition, and / or a component of the component changes. Alternatively, the damage criterion can define "damage" as even a mere contact being recognized as such.

[0020] Only if the applied force meets the predefined damage criterion does the damage detection device identify damage to the vehicle, as well as the specific component where the damage is occurring. In other words, it not only confirms that damage exists, but also locates the damage on the vehicle. For example, the control unit can detect damage to a fender. Preferably, the control unit can derive, determine, or predict the severity of the damage, for example, based on the received force signal.

[0021] In the next step, the damage detection system assigns the detected damage to at least one of several predefined damage categories. These categories can relate to different vehicle components, different types of damage (such as scratches, dents, and paint damage), or combinations thereof. Preferably, the different damage categories can also be further subdivided into different levels of severity.

[0022] If the applied force meets the specified damage criterion, the damage detection device instructs the monitoring device to store the provided recording data set together with information provided by the control device regarding the classification of the damage in a specified storage device.

[0023] A storage device is understood to be a device, device component, or group of devices designed to store data electronically. The storage device can, for example, be a memory chip or memory card, or it can be the storage of a data cloud.

[0024] In one example, the designated storage device could be a data storage device on a server belonging to the vehicle user, the vehicle manufacturer, or a customer portal where the user can maintain damage documentation. For instance, the control unit could instruct the monitoring device to store the provided recording data set along with the information that the detected damage has been assigned to the "body damage" category. Optionally, further information could also be stored, such as the time the recording data set was captured, the time the received force-applied signal was detected, and / or, for example, the vehicle's geographical location at the time of the damage.

[0025] The inventive method involves recording the vehicle's external surroundings, for example, by video recording, before the damage occurs. This means the recording data also shows the sequence of events leading to the damage. The monitoring device is therefore not only able to film the external surroundings after or during the damage process due to a technically required wake-up phase. Unlike a photograph of the damage taken after it has occurred, documenting the sequence of events provides additional information that is crucial for assessing the damage.

[0026] The incident, such as vandalism, is therefore not yet over when the surveillance camera starts recording. A kind of "pre-trigger," which detects that something is moving within, for example, a defined vehicle radius (i.e., that something "happens"), activates and starts recording the surroundings immediately. The dependence on the final storage of the recording data in a designated storage device also allows for compliance with any data protection regulations, such as country-specific or regional regulations, according to which video recordings of individuals may only be permanently stored under certain conditions, such as vandalism. With the surveillance device as the central element, the functions of localization and classification (i.e., categorization) can be implemented efficiently.The image series can only be limited to a video sequence relevant to the course of the damage.

[0027] In particular, when distinguishing between two different recording modes, a distinction can be made between a first power-saving recording mode and a second recording mode with a high frame rate, i.e., a high resolution.

[0028] The method according to the invention enables much more specific damage detection and, consequently, much more specific damage documentation. By activating the monitoring device before the damage occurs, it is possible to deduce, for example, the force of an impact. This data can then be used for many more precise analyses.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, if the applied force does not meet the predefined damage criterion, the control unit can initiate the deletion of the recorded data. Thus, if no damage occurs according to the predefined damage criterion, the recorded data is deleted. This results in significantly greater flexibility when considering country-specific or regional data protection regulations.

[0030] Preferably, the control unit can identify the type and / or extent of damage caused by the application of force when damage is detected. The information provided for this identification can describe the identified type and / or extent of the damage. For example, the information provided, which is stored along with the recording data, can describe the type of damage as "paint damage" and, for example, as the identified extent, an estimated monetary value of the damage, the area affected by the damage, and / or the depth of the damage. This makes damage detection much more detailed and specific. Such a more specific damage assessment, in turn, facilitates more detailed damage documentation.

[0031] In a further development, the control unit can compare the force applied to the affected component with a plurality of predefined damage patterns to recognize the type and / or extent of the detected damage. The control unit can, for example, use a neural network to analyze and evaluate the damage described by the force signal. With such a neural network, which can learn with each damage detection, the range of damage patterns that can be recognized using the method according to the invention is significantly expanded.

[0032] In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the recording mode activated by the control unit depending on the received monitoring signal can be a recording mode in which the monitoring device and the image series of the vehicle's exterior environment are recorded at a higher frame rate than in a recording mode in which the monitoring device already detects the person's movement. The advantages of conserving, for example, battery power and saving electricity have already been discussed above. The significantly improved flexibility and responsiveness of the monitoring device due to the absence of a wake-up phase have also been mentioned above, as have the advantages of improved diagnostic accuracy in analyzing the damage and the damage process.

[0033] If the storage device is a storage device of a mobile device belonging to a user of the motor vehicle, and / or if the storage device is a storage device to which the user of the motor vehicle had access via an application program (“app”) and / or customer account, a user-friendly interface is additionally provided on which the user of the motor vehicle can view the damage documentation of their own motor vehicle.

[0034] For use cases or application situations that may arise during the procedure and are not explicitly described here, it may be provided that, according to the procedure, an error message and / or a request for user feedback is issued and / or a default setting and / or a predetermined initial state is set.

[0035] The invention also includes the control unit for the motor vehicle. The control unit can comprise a data processing device or a processor unit configured to carry out an embodiment of the method according to the invention. For this purpose, the processor unit can comprise at least one microprocessor and / or at least one microcontroller and / or at least one FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and / or at least one DSP (Digital Signal Processor). In particular, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or an NPU (Neural Processing Unit) can be used as the microprocessor. Furthermore, the processor unit can comprise program code configured to carry out the embodiment of the method according to the invention when executed by the processor unit. The program code can be stored in a data memory of the processor unit.The processor setup can be based on at least one circuit board and / or at least one SoC (System on Chip).

[0036] As a further solution, the invention also includes a computer-readable storage medium comprising program code which, when executed by a computer or a computer network, causes it to execute an embodiment of the method according to the invention. The storage medium can be provided at least partially as a non-volatile data storage medium (e.g., as flash memory and / or as an SSD - solid state drive) and / or at least partially as a volatile data storage medium (e.g., as RAM - random access memory). The storage medium can be located within the computer or computer network. However, the storage medium can also be operated, for example, as an app store server and / or cloud server on the internet. The computer or computer network can provide a processor circuit with, for example, at least one microprocessor.The program code can be provided as binary code, assembly code, source code in a programming language (e.g., C), or a program script (e.g., Python). The storage medium can be, for example, a memory card, a memory chip, or other data storage device. This results in the advantages already mentioned.

[0037] The problem stated above is solved by a motor vehicle that incorporates an embodiment of the control device according to the invention. The advantages already discussed above result. The motor vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car or truck, or as a passenger bus or motorcycle. Preferably, the motor vehicle may additionally include a sensor device and / or a monitoring device, which may, for example, comprise a camera system.

[0038] The vehicle preferably has at least four sensors for detecting force, and preferably more than four sensors. Preferably, each or some of the sensors can be arranged behind an externally visible component of the vehicle. The more sensors the vehicle has, the more accurate the damage detection.

[0039] The above-mentioned problem is solved by a server device for operation on the Internet, for example a data server, a backend and / or a data cloud, wherein the server device comprises an embodiment of the control device and / or the storage medium according to the invention.

[0040] The invention also includes further developments of the control device, the motor vehicle, and the server device according to the invention, which have features already described in connection with the further developments of the method according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding further developments of the control device, the motor vehicle, and the server device according to the invention are not described again here.

[0041] The invention also includes combinations of the features of the described embodiments. The invention therefore also includes realizations that each exhibit a combination of the features of several of the described embodiments, provided that the embodiments have not been described as mutually exclusive.

[0042] The following are exemplary embodiments of the invention described. This is illustrated by: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of one embodiment of the devices according to the invention and of the method according to the invention; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a further embodiment of the method according to the invention; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of an embodiment of the motor vehicle according to the invention in a top view of the front of the motor vehicle; Fig. 4 a schematic representation of an embodiment of the motor vehicle according to the invention in side view (left side); Fig. 5 a schematic representation of an embodiment of the motor vehicle according to the invention in a top view of the rear of the motor vehicle; Fig. 6 A schematic representation of an embodiment of the motor vehicle according to the invention in side view (right side).

[0043] The exemplary embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In these exemplary embodiments, the described components each represent individual features of the invention, which can be considered independently of one another and each further develops the invention independently. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to include combinations of features of the embodiments other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

[0044] In the figures, identical reference symbols denote functionally equivalent elements.

[0045] The Fig. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the method according to the invention, the motor vehicle according to the invention and a server device according to the invention.

[0046] In the Fig. Figure 1 shows alternative locations of an embodiment of the control device 10 according to the invention, for example in a motor vehicle 12 or in a server device 14. In the example of the Fig. 1. The motor vehicle 12 can, for example, be configured as a passenger car. The server device 14 can, for example, be configured as a data cloud or as an internet server. The control unit 10 can preferably comprise a processor unit 16 with, for example, several microprocessors, and / or a storage unit 18, which can, for example, be configured as a memory chip or memory card.

[0047] If the control unit 10 is installed in the motor vehicle 12, the control unit 10 communicates with a monitoring device 20 of the motor vehicle 12 via a wired data communication connection 22, for example, a data bus of the motor vehicle 12. Communication with a sensor device 24 of the motor vehicle 12 can also take place via such a data bus. Data communication with a storage device 26 of the server device 14, for example, a hard drive for damage documentation, can then preferably take place via a wireless data communication connection 28, for example, via a mobile network connection, a WLAN connection, an internet connection, or other types of wireless data communication connections. If the control unit 10 is located in the server device 14, data communication can then take place via a standard wireless data communication connection (in the Fig. (1 not shown) so that control unit 10, monitoring unit 20 and sensor unit 24 communicate with each other.

[0048] Alternatively, the storage device 26 can be installed in a mobile device (in the Fig. (1 not shown) may be prescribed, or results of the method according to the invention can be stored both in a storage device 26 of the server device 14 and in a storage device 26 of a mobile device 32, for example a smartphone or laptop. The latter example is shown schematically in the Fig. 2 indicated.

[0049] The one in Fig. The situation shown in Figure 1 depicts a person 30 approaching the motor vehicle 12, which may, for example, be parked overnight in a parking lot.

[0050] The monitoring device 20 can optionally be a component of the sensor device 24 of the motor vehicle 12, the sensor device 24 can be a component of the monitoring device 20, or both can be separate components. In the example of the Fig. Figure 1 shows an example of a camera as a preferred sensor of the monitoring device 20. The camera can, for example, be mounted on the headliner of the motor vehicle 12 and be rotatable. Alternatively, the camera of the monitoring device 20 can, for example, be mounted on an exterior surface of the motor vehicle 12, or the monitoring device 20 can have multiple cameras. As an alternative to one or more cameras, the monitoring device 20 can, for example, have at least one nanoradar and / or at least one ultrasonic sensor. Optionally, the monitoring device 20 can also have combinations of different such technologies. The exemplary camera, nanoradar, and / or ultrasonic sensor can preferably be a separate component. Ideally, the monitoring device 20 preferably includes a motion detector that is linked to the exemplary camera or can be part of the exemplary camera.

[0051] The sensor device 24, whose sensors here have the function of detecting a force applied to a component of the motor vehicle 12, can for this purpose comprise at least one sensor, wherein the at least one sensor can preferably be arranged on and / or behind an externally visible component or group of components of the motor vehicle.

[0052] Preferably, the sensor device 24 can have at least four sensors, and more preferably, more than four sensors. With multiple sensors, these can preferably all be arranged behind an externally visible component of the motor vehicle 12, or some of the sensors can be arranged in this way, while other sensors are located inside the motor vehicle 12. Such sensors located further inside the vehicle can then, for example, detect damage in the interior of the motor vehicle, in the event of damage caused by a very high force that damages not only the body and the components directly underneath it. Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5 and Fig. Figure 6 shows examples of an arrangement of such sensors for detecting a force application in a further embodiment of the motor vehicle according to the invention 12.

[0053] In the example of the embodiment of the method according to the invention as in the Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the exemplary camera of the monitoring device 20 can, for example, be permanently activated, meaning it continuously records the external surroundings of the vehicle 12. Alternatively, the camera can, for example, only be switched on when the vehicle 12 is parked and / or at predetermined times.

[0054] In a first recording mode, which can be activated, for example, when exiting the vehicle 12 or when switching off the engine of the vehicle 12, the exemplary camera of the monitoring device 20 can record the external environment, for example, at a frame rate of one image per second. The control unit 10 can activate this first recording mode in the optional procedure step S1.

[0055] In S2, the control unit 10 receives a monitoring signal from the monitoring device 20. This monitoring signal is generated, for example, by the motion detector of the monitoring device 20 and transmitted to the control unit 10. The monitoring signal can describe the movement of person 30 detected by the motion detector, or the control unit 10 can derive and recognize the movement based on several monitoring signals. For example, a radius around the vehicle 12, which is monitored by the monitoring device 20, can be defined, describing, for example, a radius in a range of two to five meters around the vehicle 12.In response to the received monitoring signal, which describes the movement within the specified radius, the control unit 10 in S3 activates a second recording mode of the monitoring device 20, in which the monitoring device 20 preferably films the external environment at a higher frame rate, for example 24 to 30 frames / second (S4) and provides a recording data set (S5) which describes a corresponding series of images (i.e., for example, a video).

[0056] To activate S3 of the second recording mode, the control unit 10 can generate a corresponding control signal and transmit it to the monitoring unit 20.

[0057] In the example of the Fig. 1. Person 30 can, for example, travel between motor vehicle 12 and another motor vehicle (in the Fig. (1 not shown) pass through. The passage may be very narrow, for example, so that person 30, while passing by with an object in their hand, strikes, for example, the passenger door of the vehicle 12. One of the sensors of the sensor device 24, which may be located, for example, behind the outer shell of the passenger door, can detect the impact and generate a force signal that can describe the impact and preferably also the position of the sensor. The control device 10 then receives the force signal (S6) from the sensor device 24. A damage criterion stored in the control device 10 can, for example, describe a minimum force value above which contact is defined as "damage". The control device 10 checks the information of the received force signal and, in the example of the Fig. 1. Determine (S7) that the condition for damage to be documented is met.

[0058] Suitable sensors, for example vibration sensors, force sensors and pressure sensors, are known to the person skilled in the art.

[0059] In the optional step S8, the control unit 10 can, for example, use a neural network to compare the information of the force application signal with already known damage patterns (S10) and determine in S8, for example, that the force applied to the passenger door is paint damage or, for example, a dent.

[0060] The type and / or extent of the damage can be determined and / or derived, for example, by evaluating the received force application signal. For example, the control unit 10 in the example of the Fig. 1. Detect a dent with a diameter of at least 3 cm on the passenger door (S8, S9). The control unit 10 can, for example, assign this detected damage to the category "body damage" or, for example, to the category "body damage and paint damage" (S11).

[0061] The control unit 10 generates a control signal and transmits it to the monitoring unit 20, which causes the monitoring unit 20 to store the recording of the damage sequence with information on the details of the damage and the category in the storage unit 26.

[0062] Preferably, it can be provided if, in the example of the Fig. 1 For example, if person 30 walks past motor vehicle 12 and only lightly brushes against motor vehicle 12 with a sleeve, and if contact with the bodywork is not defined as "damage", the control unit 10 generates a control signal and transmits it to the monitoring unit 20, which causes the deletion S12 of the recording data record.

[0063] Overall, the examples show how a comprehensive system for monitoring a parked motor vehicle (12) can be provided.

[0064] In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, which is described in the Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the control unit 10 can be a device component of the motor vehicle 12, or of the server device 14.

[0065] For the sake of clarity, the following are included in the Fig. 2 not to repeat all the characteristics of Fig. 1 shown and described. The following to Fig. The two described features are preferred alternatives to the corresponding features of the exemplary embodiment of the Fig. 1.

[0066] In summary, a detection system for monitoring the parked motor vehicle 12 can be provided, comprising a first function F1 for detecting movements, preferably in the immediate vicinity of the motor vehicle 12; a second function F2 for detecting one or more relevant vehicle contacts and / or one or more damages (for example, scratches, minor impacts); a third function F3 for component-related localization of at least one damage and / or at least one contact; a fourth function F4 for classifying the detected damage and / or the detected contact (for example, scratches as opposed to an impact / bumper); and a fifth function F5 for preferably optical recording and limited storage of the damage event by means of the monitoring device 20, preferably a camera system.a sixth function F6 for automated documentation of the damage and a seventh function F7 for active and automated information and / or contacting involved parties, preferably authorized parties and / or persons, for example the user of the motor vehicle 12, a workshop or an insurance company.;

[0067] The following are schematically indicated: a movement 34 of the person 30; an example camera 36 of the surveillance device 20; the sequence of events leading to the damage 38; the saving 40 of a recorded video; the localization S8 of the damage; and electronic damage documentation 42. Fig. 2 also shows a saved video 44, which is preferably compliant with regional data protection regulations.

[0068] The data collection system can be used as an example of the Fig. 2. The following functions are included: - the 1st function F1 (“motion detection”; S2), which is designed as a kind of “motion detector” and includes, for example, infrared sensor(s), microwave sensor(s), ultrasonic sensor(s), acoustic motion sensor(s) and / or image processing system(s) (for example, cameras including image processing algorithms); - a hardware component of the 1st function F1 can preferably be part of a camera system (preferably a stepped operating mode); - the hardware component of the first function can preferably be integrated as an independent hardware component in the motor vehicle 12 (motion detector); - If the 1st function F1 is decoupled from the 5th function F5, a significantly reduced energy requirement is needed; - The first function is used as a kind of "pre-trigger" to enable the system required to fulfill function 5 F5 to be activated (S3) or to be allowed to start up - this results in a significantly reduced energy requirement; - the 2nd function F2 (“Damage detection”; S6, S7, S8) and the 3rd function F3 (“Localization”) can preferably be realized by integrating preferably piezo and / or vibration sensors in the non-visible area of ​​the motor vehicle 12; - the number of exemplary piezo and / or vibration sensors is preferably at least 4+n; - The exemplary piezo and / or vibration sensors can preferably be glued and / or partially screwed onto defined body and / or attachment parts; - the 4th function F4 (“classification”; S8, S9, S10, S11) is preferably able to distinguish between different damage patterns through the targeted design of an algorithm in combination with machine learning; - the 5th function F5 ("Recording"), by activating the 1st function F1, for example, creates video sequences and, in the event of vehicle contact and / or damage (3rd function F3), saves the video sequence to, for example, a hardware storage device in the vehicle 12 (e.g., USB stick, SD card), thereby - initiates the 6th function F6 ("Documentation"), which documents the damage identified via the 2nd function F2 and 3rd function F3, including its location; and - via the 7th function F7 ("Information"), actively addressed to, for example, specified parties and / or persons and / or devices; - The "Touch / Damage" trigger enables compliance with any legal requirements regarding data protection; - if the “Touch / Damage” trigger is not activated, the video sequence that has already started will not be saved (or the temporary storage that may be used will be deleted (S12)); - the 7th function F7 is preferably designed such that direct contact with the user of the motor vehicle 12 via a user program ("app") is possible via the server device 14, for example a back-end of the motor vehicle manufacturer, preferably in the form of a provided video and / or an image which represents a schematically depicted motor vehicle 12 with marked damaged components / areas; - the 7th function F7 is implemented in such a way that information can be passed on to other end devices via the server device 14.

[0069] The Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5 and Fig. Figure 6 shows a schematic embodiment of the motor vehicle 12 according to detection zones and a preferred positioning of sensors 46, which can each be arranged behind the corresponding components. Preferably, a sensor 46 can be arranged at each of these 33 detection zones. In the examples of Fig. 3 to 6 can accommodate 8 sensors 46, for example 8 vibration sensors. Such a distribution of sensors 46 according to the Fig. A distribution of 3 to 6 zones is suitable for mass production and cost-effective. With this distribution, the zone assignment can be up to 93 percent accurate, for example, for scratches or impacts. It also results in a zone assignment accuracy of up to 99.6 percent (including adjacent zones).

[0070] By locating sensors 46 in this way, a maximum functional expansion of a parked motor vehicle 12 is achieved. A first expanded function can optionally be damage detection at the component level (classification and localization). A second expanded function can optionally be the recording of the damage event (for identifying the cause of the damage). A third expanded function can optionally be a digital expert as a profit pool (for example, for documentation / claims settlement). A fourth expanded function can optionally be active contact with, for example, a repair shop and / or dealer.

[0071] In the Fig. In addition to the sensors 46, the following detection zones are shown: the exterior mirrors 48, the hood 49, right headlight 51, left headlight 52, front right bumper 53 and front left bumper 54, front bumper 55, grille 56, right A-pillar 57 and left A-pillar 58.

[0072] Fig. 4: left front fender 59, left front door 60, side sill 61 front left, side sill 62 rear left, left rear door 63, left rear fender 64, door window 65 front left, B / C pillar 66 left, door window 67 rear left, another window 68 rear left, left D-pillar 69.

[0073] Fig. 5: Trunk 70, left taillight 71, right taillight 72, and rear bumper 74.

[0074] Fig. 6: rear D-pillar 75, right rear fender 76, right rear window 77, right rear door 78, right window 79, right rear side sill 80, front right side sill 81, right window 82, right B / C pillar 83 and right front fender 84.

[0075] Optionally, according to a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, it can be provided that the control unit 10 analyzes the recording data set and makes faces shown in the image series unrecognizable by means of image processing.

Claims

[1] Method for detecting damage to a motor vehicle (12) wherein a control device (10): - receives a monitoring signal from a monitoring device (20) (S2) which describes a movement of a person (30) in an external environment of the motor vehicle (12) detected by the monitoring device (20), - depending on the received monitoring signal and only if the control unit (10) detects a movement: activates a recording mode of the monitoring unit (20) (S3), in which the monitoring unit (20) records a series of images of the external environment of the motor vehicle (12) (S4) and provides them as a recording data set (S5), - receives a force application signal (S6) from a sensor device (24) of the motor vehicle (12), which describes a force applied to the motor vehicle (12), - based on the received force application signal (S7), it is determined whether the applied force meets a predefined damage occurrence criterion, which specifies a minimum probability with which the application of the force causes damage, - if the applied force meets the specified damage criterion: detects damage to the motor vehicle (12) (S8), as well as the component on which the damage occurs, - assigns the identified damage to at least one of several predefined damage categories (S11), - only if the applied force meets the specified damage criterion: the monitoring device (20) is caused to store the provided recording data set together with information provided by the control device (10) regarding the assignment of the damage in a specified storage device (26). [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the control device (10) causes the deletion (S12) of the recording data set if the applied force does not meet the specified damage criterion. [3] Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (10) detects (S8) a type and / or extent of the damage caused by the application of the force (S9), wherein the information provided for the assignment describes the detected type and / or extent of the damage. [4] Method according to claim 3, wherein the control device (10) for detecting (S8) the type and / or extent of the detected damage compares the applied force on the component affected by the damage with a plurality of predetermined damage patterns (S10). [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the recording mode activated by the control device (10) depending on the received monitoring signal (S3) is a recording mode in which the monitoring device (20) records the image series of the external environment of the motor vehicle (12) at a higher frame rate (S4) than in a recording mode in which the monitoring device (20) already detects the movement of the person (30). [6] Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the storage device (26) is a storage device (26) of a mobile terminal device (32) of a user of the motor vehicle (12); and / or wherein the storage device (26) is a storage device (26) to which the user of the motor vehicle (12) has access via an application program and / or customer account. [7] Control device (10) configured to perform a procedure according to any of the preceding claims. [8] Motor vehicle (12) comprising a control device (10) according to claim 7. [9] Motor vehicle (12) according to claim 8, comprising at least four sensors for detecting a force application; preferably wherein each or part of the sensors is arranged behind an externally visible component of the motor vehicle (12). [10] Server device (14) comprising a control device (10) according to claim 7.

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