Method for detecting the lifting of a motor vehicle with the intent to steal the vehicle

Abstract

A method for detecting the lifting of a motor vehicle with a view to theft, said vehicle comprising an anti-intrusion alarm device coupled to a vehicle control unit, said vehicle further comprising a vehicle trajectory correction system connected, via a multiplexed vehicle network, to the control unit, said method, implemented by the control unit, when said anti-intrusion alarm device is activated (100), consisting of monitoring (200) via the multiplexed network, an input variable of the trajectory control system corresponding to the vehicle's tilt angle, and when a change in the tilt angle relative to a determined reference angle value is detected (300), and the vehicle is in a locked state (400), triggering (500) an audible alarm of the anti-intrusion alarm device. (Figure 2)

Description

Title of the invention: Method for detecting the lifting of a motor vehicle with a view to the theft of the vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates generally to detection methods implemented in anti-theft alarm systems for motor vehicles and is more particularly concerned with a method for detecting the lifting of a motor vehicle with a view to the theft of the vehicle.

[0002] An anti-theft alarm system for a motor vehicle can implement several sensors of different types, including a type of ultrasonic sensor capable of detecting an intrusion into the vehicle when the user of the vehicle has left his vehicle and its accesses (openings) are locked. The term "volumetric" is also used to designate this type of sensor, also referred to as an ultrasonic module. A module may contain one or more ultrasonic sensors.

[0003] In the event of positive detection by the ultrasonic module, i.e. in the event of detection of a presence in the passenger compartment of the vehicle and / or in the event of detection of forcing of an opening of the vehicle, while the vehicle had previously been locked by the user of the vehicle, these detections are interpreted by the anti-theft alarm system as acts of intrusion or attempted intrusion with a view to stealing the vehicle: an alarm emission module, or audible siren of the alarm system, is then triggered in the vehicle. The anti-theft alarm system then mainly implements an anti-intrusion alarm function.

[0004] In some countries, regulations relating to anti-theft alarm systems for motor vehicles require the addition of a vehicle tilt sensor in the ultrasonic module of the anti-theft alarm system so as to be able to detect an attempt to steal the vehicle by lifting the vehicle: adding an anti-lift alarm function to the anti-intrusion alarm function.

[0005] To produce a tilt sensor (or anti-lift sensor) it is known to use three ultrasonic sensors (or a single tri-axis sensor), dedicated respectively to the three axes of movement of the vehicle, considered in an orthonormal reference frame X, Y and Z of the vehicle, respectively longitudinal, lateral and vertical and whose origin is substantially located at the center of gravity of the vehicle.

[0006] A movement of the vehicle along one of these three axes X, Y and Z, defines a determined inclination of the vehicle considered in relation to these three axes X, Y and Z.

[0007] If movement is detected by the ultrasonic module and the vehicle is in a locked state, then the ultrasonic module sends a detection signal to a control box of the vehicle which in response commands the activation of a siren. alarm.

[0008] By vehicle locking state, we mean a state in which the openings giving access to the interior of the vehicle have been previously locked by the user of the vehicle, or naturally closed by default, in particular the engine hood, the doors, the trunk as well as the glazing elements of the vehicle capable of being opened then closed.

[0009] The tilt sensor integrated into the ultrasonic module therefore makes it possible to detect the tilt of the vehicle in the event of an attempt to steal the vehicle by lifting it. This module is generally installed in a ceiling console of the vehicle arranged at the edge of the windshield and substantially centered relative to the windshield of the vehicle.

[0010] It generally cooperates with a control box computer, dedicated to managing the signals received from the various sensors of the vehicle.

[0011] Adding a tilt sensor to the ultrasonic module results in a significant additional cost, especially since not all countries require its presence. This leads to diversity in the design of vehicle anti-theft alarm systems and therefore ultimately also to additional costs.

[0012] The objective of the present invention is to provide a solution to this problem by exploiting a resource already existing in the vehicle to avoid this additional cost and reduce diversity.

[0013] To this end, the invention has as its first object a method for detecting a lifting of a motor vehicle with a view to the theft of the vehicle, said vehicle comprising an anti-intrusion alarm device coupled to a control box of the vehicle, said vehicle further comprising a vehicle trajectory correction system connected, via a multiplexed network of the vehicle, to the control box, said method, implemented by the control box, when said anti-intrusion alarm device is activated, consisting of monitoring via the multiplexed network, an input variable of the trajectory correction system corresponding to the angle of inclination of the vehicle, and when a change in the angle of inclination relative to a determined reference angle value is detected, and the vehicle is in a locked state, triggering an alarm siren of the anti-intrusion alarm device.

[0014] According to one characteristic, the method consists of considering that the vehicle is in a locked state when all the openings of the vehicle have been previously locked before activation of the anti-intrusion alarm device.

[0015] The second subject of the present invention is a motor vehicle comprising an anti-intrusion alarm device coupled to a vehicle control box, said vehicle further comprising a vehicle trajectory correction system connected to the control box via a multiplexed network of the vehicle; said control box command implementing the method as described above.

[0016] According to one characteristic, the anti-intrusion alarm device comprises at least one motion detector arranged inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0017] According to another characteristic, the motion detector comprises at least one ultrasonic sensor capable of providing information on the detection of an intrusion, or attempted intrusion, into the vehicle, to the control box.

[0018] According to another characteristic, the trajectory correction system shares the input variable corresponding to the angle of inclination of the vehicle with the control box, coupled to the anti-intrusion device, via the multiplexed network, to define an anti-lift alarm device.

[0019] The third subject of the present invention is a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the latter to implement the method as described above.

[0020] Other advantages and characteristics of the present invention may emerge more clearly from the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0021] [Fig-1] illustrates a schematic view of a vehicle according to the invention; and

[0022] [Fig.2] illustrates a flowchart of the main steps of a method according to the invention implemented by the vehicle according to the invention.

[0023] A VHL motor vehicle according to the invention implementing a method for detecting lifting of the VHL vehicle according to the invention is illustrated schematically in [Fig.l].

[0024] The present invention is based on the fact that lifting the VHL vehicle with a view to its flight, induces an inclination (a movement) of the VHL vehicle by a determined angle relative to a reference inclination angle considered relative to a reference position of the vehicle, considered in a reference frame, or reference frame, orthonormal X, Y and Z of the vehicle. The reference frame X, Y and Z of the vehicle, corresponds to the three axes of movement of the vehicle respectively longitudinal, lateral and vertical and whose origin is substantially located at the center of gravity of the VHL vehicle.

[0025] The present invention is also based on the fact that the VHL motor vehicle according to the invention is equipped with a VHL vehicle trajectory correction system, also called "ESP", or ESP system, an English acronym for "Electronic Stability Program" which is a function and a driving assistance system managing the trajectory of the VHL vehicle in conjunction with an anti-lock braking system (ABS: abbreviation of the English terms "Anti-lock Braking System") and other functions acting mainly on the braking and steering of the VHL vehicle. It makes it possible to reinforce the safety of the VHL vehicle and its passengers by reducing road departures and accidents.

[0026] The trajectory correction system SCT uses a certain amount of information delivered by different sensors and in particular an input variable VAR provided by a tilt sensor, not shown, relating to the angle of inclination of the VHL vehicle relative to a horizontal plane, for example when the VHL vehicle is on a road with an upward or downward slope, or on a slope.

[0027] The tilt angle information is particularly useful for the functions of maintaining the VHL vehicle on a slope for taking off the VHL vehicle (hill start) and / or for limiting the speed of the VHL vehicle on a descent.

[0028] This input variable VAR (angle of inclination) is available on a multiplexed network, or bus, of the VHL vehicle and in particular a LIN (Local InterConnect Network) bus, MUX, via its identifier on the bus: DYN_SLOPE_VALUE. The main sensors, components and equipment of the VHL vehicle are connected to each other via the MUX bus.

[0029] The VAR variable can take values ​​within a range of angle values ​​between -30° and +30° in steps of 1°.

[0030] As illustrated schematically in Fig. 1, the VHL vehicle comprises a BDC control box, generally referred to as a “BSI” box (Intelligent Servitude Box) which is an electronic device comprising one or more computers managing the signals delivered by the various sensors on board the VHL vehicle, in particular one or more sensors used as anti-intrusion sensors (ultrasonic sensors), and which in particular manages the activation of an alarm siren. The ultrasonic sensor(s) and the siren belong to an anti-intrusion alarm device DAI described below.

[0031] The BDC box receives the signals delivered by an ultrasonic module MUS. It also receives the signals from the sensors for locking the openings OUV of the vehicle VHL, in particular the sensors for opening the engine hood CCM, the doors COP, the trunk CCF, as well as the sensors for opening and closing the windows (not shown).

[0032] The incoming and outgoing information (or signals) from the BDC control box pass through the MUX bus, to which the COP, CCM and CCF sensors and the SIR alarm siren are connected.

[0033] The ultrasonic module MUS is part of the anti-intrusion alarm device DAI of the VHL vehicle. It comprises at least one ultrasonic sensor which, by volumetry, is capable of detecting movement inside the passenger compartment HAB of the VHL vehicle. It is generally arranged in a console of the ceiling light at the edge of the windshield PRB and substantially centered relative to the windshield PRB.

[0034] The MUS ultrasonic sensor is coupled to a computer of the DAI anti-intrusion alarm device housed in a ceiling console, not shown. The computer can also be moved to the BDC control box, which is also located in the HAB passenger compartment, particularly under the dashboard.

[0035] The SIR alarm siren of the DAI anti-intrusion alarm device is arranged under the engine hood, in the CMT engine compartment; hood which is equipped with a hood sensor or switch, also referred to as a CCM hood switch, making it possible to trigger the SIR alarm siren in the event of an attempt to force the hood open.

[0036] Advantageously, the BDC control box uses the VAR variable available on the MUX bus.

[0037] The SCT trajectory correction system housing is arranged in the CMT engine compartment under the engine hood.

[0038] The variable VAR is continuously monitored on the MUX bus by the BDC control box and when the BDC control box detects a modification of the value of the variable VAR with respect to a reference value, going beyond a determined threshold value, for example + or - several degrees, then the BDC control box deduces that an attempt at theft by lifting the VHL vehicle is in progress and commands the activation of the SIR alarm siren of the DAI anti-intrusion alarm device.

[0039] The present invention makes it possible to dispense with a “physical” anti-lift sensor, by replacing it with a “software” solution taking into account the evolution of a VAR variable giving the value of the angle of inclination of the vehicle VHL, which is a VAR input variable used by the SCT trajectory correction system. This VAR variable also serves as input data for the BDC control box.

[0040] This variable VAR, shared between the trajectory correction system SCT and the control box BDC which is coupled to the anti-intrusion device DAI, defines an anti-lift alarm device DAS.

[0041] A computer, not shown, of the BDC control box, determines, from the evolution of this variable VAR and the information provided by other sensors of the VHL vehicle in relation to at least the locking state of the openings OUV of the VHL vehicle, an attempted theft by lifting the VHL vehicle. This software solution is implemented by a processing algorithm in the computer.

[0042] A method implemented by the BDC control box, when said DAI anti-intrusion alarm device is activated is described below with reference to [Fig.2].

[0043] The method consists, when the anti-intrusion alarm device DAI is activated 100, in monitoring 200 via the multiplexed network MUX, an input variable VAR of the trajectory correction system SCT corresponding to the angle of inclination of the vehicle VHL, and when a change in the angle of inclination with respect to a determined reference angle value is detected 300, and the vehicle VHL is in a state of lock 400, to trigger 500 an SIR audible alarm of the DAI intrusion alarm device.

[0044] The method implements a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the latter to implement the steps of the method described above.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for detecting a lifting of a motor vehicle (VHL) with a view to the theft of the vehicle (VHL), said vehicle (VHL) comprising an anti-intrusion alarm device (DAI) coupled to a control box (BDC) of the vehicle (VHL), said vehicle (VHL) further comprising a trajectory correction system (SCT) of the vehicle (VHL) connected, via a multiplexed network (MUX) of the vehicle (VHL), to the control box (BDC), said method, implemented by the control box (BDC), when said anti-intrusion alarm device (DAI) is activated (100), consisting of monitoring (200) via the multiplexed network (MUX), an input variable (VAR) of the trajectory correction system (SCT) corresponding to the angle of inclination of the vehicle (VHL), and when a change in the angle of inclination (VAR) relative to a determined reference angle value is detected (300), and that the vehicle (VHL) is in a locked state (400),to trigger (500) an alarm siren (SIR) of the intrusion alarm device (IAD).,

2. Method according to the preceding claim, consisting of considering that the vehicle (VHL) is in a locked state when all the openings (OUV) of the vehicle (VHL) have been previously locked before activation of the anti-intrusion alarm device (DAI).

3. Motor vehicle (VHL) comprising an anti-intrusion alarm device (DAI) coupled to a control unit (BDC) of the vehicle (VHL), said vehicle (VHL) further comprising a trajectory correction system (SCT) of the vehicle (VHL) connected to the control unit (BDC) via a multiplexed network (MUX) of the vehicle (VHL); said control unit (BDC) implementing the method according to one of claims 1 or 2.

4. Vehicle (VHL) according to the preceding claim, in which the anti-intrusion alarm device (DAI) comprises at least one motion detector (MUS) arranged inside the passenger compartment (HAB) of the vehicle (VHL).

5. Vehicle (VHL) according to the preceding claim, in which the motion detector (MUS) comprises at least one ultrasonic sensor capable of providing information on the detection of an intrusion, or attempted intrusion, into the vehicle (VHL), to the control box (BDC).

6. Vehicle (VHL) according to one of claims 3 to 5, in which the trajectory correction system (SCT) shares the input variable (VAR) corresponding to the angle of inclination of the vehicle (VHL) with the control box (BDC), coupled to the anti-intrusion device (DAI), via the multiplexed network (MUX), to define an anti-lift alarm device (DAS).

7. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the latter to implement the method according to claim 1.

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