Method for finding a vehicle, vehicle, and use thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for a first vehicle (10), to a method for a second vehicle (20), to a method for a reporting point (30) of a vehicle manufacturer, and to a vehicle that can be a first and / or a second vehicle (10, 20). The methods aim to find a first vehicle (10) again, which cannot be found and is in particular stolen, with the aid of at least one second vehicle (20) and the reporting point (30), wherein the search is carried out with the aid of UWB communication and / or BLE communication.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Methods for locating a vehicle, vehicle and its use

[0003] The invention relates to a method for a first vehicle, a method for a second vehicle, and a vehicle that can be a first and / or a second vehicle, and its use. The methods aim to locate a missing and, in particular, stolen first vehicle with the aid of at least one second vehicle and a reporting point, wherein the search is carried out using UWB communication and / or BLE communication.

[0004] Despite various anti-theft measures, including GPS tracking, many vehicles are stolen every year. Some of these vehicles cannot be recovered, for example, because the GPS module and / or the vehicle's mobile internet communication system is deactivated and / or removed. In some cases, a vehicle owner cannot find their vehicle, for example, because they have forgotten where they parked it.

[0005] Several solutions have already been proposed in the prior art, but these have disadvantages when it comes to locating a stolen vehicle. For example, DE 102022203909 A1 discloses a method and a device for detecting a stolen vehicle, in which the stolen vehicle is located using other vehicles and its position is transmitted to a central control unit. The search is based on optical identification parameters, such as the vehicle's license plate, which, however, may be removed or altered, making it impossible to locate the vehicle.

[0006] German patent DE 10301 793 A1 concerns a security system and a monitoring procedure in which smaller target objects can be monitored by a vehicle using short-range communication and located if lost. The system focuses primarily on vehicle accessories.

[0007] In DE 102017215468 A1, a method for protecting at least one object from theft is disclosed, in which a permanent radio connection is established between a vehicle and an object to be monitored, such as a roof box, in order to implement theft monitoring.

[0008] Furthermore, DE 102007030608 A1 describes a vehicle communication system in which a vehicle is first registered online. Using the assigned ID code, the vehicle can be located in various ways in the event of theft.

[0009] German patent DE 102023122321 A1 describes a procedure in which, starting from a vehicle missing vehicle report, a search query is sent out, which is forwarded via short-range communication between vehicles, and if the missing vehicle is found, the position of the finding vehicle is forwarded to the IT backend. German patent DE 102016216541 A1 describes a similar procedure.

[0010] Besides the immediately apparent weaknesses of the prior art methods, these solutions have the disadvantage that, although they may be able to establish communication with the stolen vehicle, its location often remains unclear or imprecise. The aim and purpose of the invention is therefore to propose solutions for locating a stolen vehicle that allow for the most accurate possible location determination.

[0011] The object of the invention is achieved by a method of a first vehicle, a method of a second vehicle, a vehicle and its use according to the independent claims. Further preferred embodiments of the invention result from the remaining features mentioned in the dependent claims.

[0012] The invention assumes that a first vehicle cannot be located, preferably because it has been stolen. However, it may also be untraceable because the vehicle owner has forgotten its location. The first vehicle is then to be located with the help of at least one second vehicle; therefore, the second vehicle can also be referred to as the searching vehicle. It is understood that any number of second vehicles can be used to locate a first vehicle.

[0013] To search for and locate the first vehicle, the first vehicle executes a procedure, as does the second vehicle. This procedure is initiated and supported by a reporting unit of the vehicle manufacturer. Therefore, the parties involved in the procedure will first be explained, followed by a description of their respective procedures. The first vehicle is equipped with a first communication system comprising at least one transceiver configured to send and receive UWB and / or BLE signals using at least one antenna, a first communication device for exchanging information with external data sources, and a first control unit.

[0014] The first communication system therefore comprises at least one transceiver configured for communication via UWB (Ultra Wideband) and / or Bluetooth LE (Bluetooth Low Energy, hereinafter also referred to as BLE). This transceiver is equipped with at least one antenna for transmitting and receiving UWB and / or BLE signals.

[0015] A transceiver designed and configured for communication via UWB is particularly suited for transmitting and receiving signals in very wide frequency ranges, especially in a frequency range of 3.1 to 10.6 GHz, preferably in a frequency range of 3.5 to 9 GHz, and most preferably in a frequency range of 6 GHz to 8.5 GHz. The transmit power of the UWB signals is low.

[0016] The bandwidth for UWB communication is at least 500 MHz. Due to the dispersion of UWB signals across the frequency ranges typically used for UWB communication, UWB signals interfere minimally with other radio signals. Furthermore, UWB transceivers can transmit highly localized pulses with a narrow full width at half maximum (FWHM). This is based on the wide frequency range of the pulses (AE*At > const.). Therefore, UWB signals are particularly well-suited for time-resolved propagation delay measurements and enable positioning with very high spatial resolution.

[0017] A transceiver designed or configured for communication via BLE is specifically configured for sending and receiving signals in defined frequency ranges, particularly in the ISM band at 2.4 GHz. The transmission power of the BLE signals is low and optimized for energy-efficient communication.

[0018] The bandwidth of a BLE channel is 2 MHz. By using Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS), where the system switches between 40 channels in the 2.4 GHz band, interference with other radio systems is minimized. Furthermore, BLE transceivers can transmit advertising packets (broadcasting messages) with a variable transmission interval rate.

[0019] By using Bluetooth Direction Finding (AoA / AoD), BLE can be used for positioning, with a rough distance estimate based on RSSI signal strength or a more precise angle measurement using phase analysis of the signals. Therefore, BLE is suitable for energy-efficient wireless communication and positioning with moderate accuracy.

[0020] For at least one transceiver, either UWB communication only, BLE communication only, or both can be configured. The selection is based on the desired accuracy requirements for distance or position determination. A combination of both communication methods can serve for mutual verification of the results in distance or position determination, but also to roughly locate the first vehicle over a longer distance using BLE, and then perform a more precise search using UWB. BLE can also be used for the initial connection and UWB for the actual distance or position determination.

[0021] To implement combined communication using UWB and BLE, separate radio units for BLE and UWB or a multimode chip that supports both standards are provided in at least one transmitter / receiver.

[0022] To ensure that the first vehicle can be located as reliably as possible, it is advantageous if at least one transceiver is located in and / or on the vehicle; however, preferably two, three, or more of these transceivers are located in and / or on the vehicle. Each of these transceivers has a unique identifier, for example, in the form of a

[0023] A MAC address, a device ID, or a UUID (Universally Unique Identifier) ​​is used, which, through the association of at least one transmitter / receiver with the vehicle, allows conclusions to be drawn about the vehicle itself. Thus, the vehicle can be assigned as many identities as it has transmitters / receivers, or rather, it is represented by their identities. Therefore, the transmitters / receivers can also be referred to as identification objects.

[0024] Depending on the location and surroundings, and especially materials in the immediate vicinity of the first vehicle, one or more of the transceivers may not be detectable by the searching vehicle, for example, due to shielding. Therefore, a higher number of transceivers and their placement in and / or on the first vehicle can significantly improve detectability. In particular, the transceivers should be positioned so that the first vehicle can be detected from as many directions as possible.

[0025] The first communication device is intended for exchanging information with external data sources. This external data source is preferably the vehicle manufacturer's reporting system, which will be explained below. This system provides information (in addition to optional further information) about the missing status of a vehicle, preferably due to theft, and receives and, if necessary, forwards further related information. Communication with such external data sources, and preferably with the reporting system, takes place via the mobile internet and is generally known, so it will not be described in detail.

[0026] The first vehicle further comprises a first control unit, which preferably includes at least one integrated circuit, microcontroller, or ASIC, and is designed and configured, i.e., built and programmed, to perform the operations of the first vehicle's method described below. The first control unit can be centralized, decentralized, or modular. The first control unit is designed and configured to control the first communication system, in particular the at least one UWB and / or BLE transceiver, to participate in the execution of a time-of-flight-based positioning method for determining the distance, preferably the position, of at least one transceiver of the first communication system, as well as the first communication device for communication with the reporting center.

[0027] A second vehicle is equipped with a second communication system comprising at least one transceiver configured to send and receive UWB and / or BLE signals via at least one antenna, a second communication device for exchanging information with external data sources, and a second control unit. The term "second" or "secondary" indicates that it belongs to the second vehicle, just as "first" or "first" indicates the first vehicle. The same applies to the second communication device for exchanging information with external data sources as was stated for the first communication device of the first vehicle.

[0028] The second communication system of the second vehicle also has at least one transceiver configured for communication via UWB and / or BLE. This transceiver is used for sending and receiving data.

[0029] UWB signals and / or BLE signals are set up using at least one antenna.

[0030] Regarding the technical details, reference is made to the explanations concerning the transmitter-receivers of the first communication system.

[0031] The at least one transceiver in the second vehicle is used to locate the first vehicle and to determine the distance, preferably the position, of the at least one transceiver of the first communication system, as will become clear from the description of the second vehicle's method. This is made possible by appropriate control of the respective transceivers by the associated control unit. Since the transceivers of the second communication system are intended to search for and thus locate the first vehicle over as large an area as possible, a higher number and a suitable distribution in and / or on the second vehicle significantly increase the chances of success. For example, the transceivers can each be arranged in the area of ​​the vehicle's corners, so that signals can be transmitted from there in all directions.

[0032] The second control unit of the second vehicle can be constructed in the same way as the first control unit of the first vehicle. However, the second control unit is designed and configured to control the second communication system, in particular the at least one UWB and / or BLE transceiver, for carrying out a positioning procedure based on time-of-flight measurements to determine the distance, preferably the position, of the at least one transceiver of the first communication system, as well as the second communication device for communication with the reporting center.

[0033] The reporting point is intended to be a reporting point of a vehicle manufacturer and is equipped with an additional communication device for exchanging information with a vehicle owner, the first vehicle, and / or at least one second vehicle, as well as an additional control unit. Using this reporting point, a vehicle owner can report their missing, i.e., untraceable, first vehicle. Optionally, they can indicate whether the vehicle was stolen or simply misplaced. This exchange can take place, for example, via a web interface and / or an application on the vehicle owner's mobile device, both of which interact with the reporting point via the additional communication device. Communication occurs via the internet or mobile internet.

[0034] The reporting center can also use the additional communication device to exchange information with the first vehicle and / or at least one second vehicle, i.e., transmit information to and receive information from them. Depending on the specific procedures of the first vehicle and the at least one second vehicle, communication may be limited to the first vehicle, limited to at least one second vehicle, or may be limited to both, in order to increase the chances of successfully locating the first vehicle.

[0035] The reporting office is also controlled by another control unit, which primarily manages communication with the vehicle owner, the first and / or at least one second vehicle and optionally other parties involved, and processes the exchanged information for this purpose.

[0036] The first vehicle is now intended to implement the following procedure:

[0037] 51.1) a first sequence of steps comprising the following steps:

[0038] 51.1.a) Receiving information about the first vehicle not being locatable from a reporting point of the vehicle manufacturer, and 51.1.b) activating the first communication system to transmit a broadcasting signal via UWB and / or BLE, comprising an identity of the at least one transmit-receiver,

[0039] and / or

[0040] 51.2) a second sequence of steps comprising the following steps:

[0041] 51.2.a) Receipt of a broadcasting signal from a second communication system of a second vehicle via UWB and / or BLE, comprising at least one identity of at least one transceiver of the first communication system,

[0042] 51.2.b) Controlling the first communication system to send a response to the broadcasting signal,

[0043] as well as for each of the step sequences:S1.3) Controlling the first communication system to participate in a time-of-flight-based positioning procedure of the second communication system of the second vehicle using UWB signals and / or BLE signals to determine a position of the first communication system.

[0044] The numbering of the procedural steps serves to improve understanding. The first digit indicates the vehicle to which the procedural step belongs, the second digit a procedural step or sequence of steps, and the third letter a step within a sequence of steps. This also applies to the procedures of the second vehicle (first digit "2") and the reporting office (first digit "3").

[0045] The procedure for the second vehicle comprises the following steps or sequences of steps:

[0046] 52.1) a first sequence of steps comprising the following steps:

[0047] 52.1.a) Receipt of a broadcasting signal from a first communication system of a first vehicle via UWB and / or BLE, comprising at least one identity of at least one transceiver of the first communication system,

[0048] and / or

[0049] 52.2) a second sequence of steps comprising the following steps:

[0050] 52.2.a) Receiving information about the unavailability of a first vehicle from a reporting office of the vehicle manufacturer, comprising at least one identity of at least one transmitter / receiver of the first communication system of the first vehicle,

[0051] 52.2.b) Controlling the second communication system to transmit a broadcasting signal comprising at least one identity of the at least one transceiver of the first communication system of the first vehicle,

[0052] 52.2.c) Receipt of a response from the first communication system of the first vehicle to the broadcasting signal,

[0053] as for each of the step sequences

[0054] 52.3) Controlling the second communication system to carry out a positioning procedure based on time-of-flight measurements to determine the position of the first communication system of the first vehicle, S2.4) Controlling the second communication device to transmit the at least one identity of the at least one transmitter-receiver of the first communication system and the position of the first communication system to a reporting point of the vehicle manufacturer.

[0055] The vehicle manufacturer's reporting office implements the following unclaimed procedure:

[0056] 53.1) Receiving information about the unavailability of a first vehicle from a vehicle owner, comprising at least one identity of at least one transmitter / receiver of a first communication system of the first vehicle,

[0057] 53.2) Controlling the further communication device for transmitting the information about the unavailability of the first vehicle and the at least one identity of at least one transmitter-receiver of a first communication system to the first vehicle for initiating a method according to claim 1 by executing the first step sequence S1.1, and / or 53.3) Controlling the further communication device for transmitting the information about the unavailability of the first vehicle and the at least one identity of at least one transmitter-receiver of a first communication system to the at least one second vehicle for initiating a method by executing the second step sequence S2.2, 53.4) Receiving the at least one identity of the at least one transmitter-receiver of the first communication system and the position of the first communication system from the at least one second vehicle, 53.5) Controlling the further communication device to transmit the identity of the first communication system's transmitter and receiver and the position of the first communication system to the vehicle owner.

[0058] The procedures are explained below together to illustrate the resulting interaction between the vehicles and the reporting office.

[0059] The search for and location of the first vehicle is initiated by the vehicle owner informing the vehicle manufacturer's reporting center. The term "vehicle owner" should not be interpreted too restrictively; it can also refer to a vehicle user. The user transmits the information that their vehicle is missing via the aforementioned application or the vehicle manufacturer's website. This is the first vehicle and was manufactured or provided by the vehicle manufacturer that operates the reporting center. As step S3.1, the reporting center then receives the information about the first vehicle's missing status, triggered by the vehicle owner's report. This information also includes the identity(ies) of at least one transmitter / receiver of the first communication system of the first vehicle.

[0060] The vehicle owner's reporting unit then uses the additional control unit to activate the further communication device in order to transmit the information about the first vehicle being missing to the first vehicle and / or the second vehicle. The procedure differs for each vehicle depending on which vehicle receives the aforementioned information.

[0061] If the information about the first vehicle not being located is transmitted to the first vehicle (step S3.2), this triggers the first step sequence S1.1 in the first vehicle's process, which corresponds to the first step sequence S2.1 in the second vehicle's process. If this information is transmitted to at least one second vehicle (step S3.3), this triggers the step sequence S2.2 in the at least one second vehicle's process, which corresponds to the step sequence S1.2 in the first vehicle's process. Therefore, the search can be initiated by the reporting office itself, starting from the first vehicle, or from at least one second vehicle. Both procedures can complement each other and be initiated simultaneously.

[0062] First, the alternative procedure is described in which the reporting office transmits the information about the first vehicle not being found to the first vehicle.

[0063] As part of the first step sequence (S1.1), the first vehicle receives information from the reporting center that the first vehicle cannot be found, as step S1.1.a.

[0064] The first control unit then activates the first communication system of the first vehicle to transmit a broadcasting signal containing the identity(ies) of the first communication system's at least one transceiver. This broadcasting signal enables the second vehicle to recognize the first vehicle and can therefore also be referred to as a wake-up signal. The second vehicle, also from the same manufacturer, then receives the first vehicle's broadcasting signal via UWB and / or BLE using its second communication system as the first step in its process (S2.1.a). This second communication system contains the identity(ies) of the first communication system's at least one transceiver.Subsequently, the second control unit directs the second communication system to execute a positioning procedure based on time-of-flight measurements, with which the position of the first communication system of the first vehicle or of the at least one transmitter / receiver located there is determined.

[0065] Distance measurement using time-of-flight (ToF) is a well-known technique. In such a time-of-flight measurement, the following applies in the case of...

[0066] UWB communication essentially involves an initial signal pulse being sent from the second communication system of the second vehicle to the first communication system of the first vehicle via at least one transceiver. After a certain processing time, the first communication system sends a second UWB pulse back to the second communication system of the second vehicle. If the time-of-flight measurement originates from more than one second vehicle, this response is sent for each of these second vehicles.

[0067] Based on the time between sending the first UWB pulse and receiving the second UWB pulse t2-ti, hereinafter also referred to as the first and second measurement signals, reduced by the processing time At VThe distance d between the second communication system of the second vehicle and the first communication system of the first vehicle can be determined using the propagation speed of the UWB pulses, i.e. the speed of light, according to d=((t2-ti)-Atvß / 2c).

[0068] The use of time-of-flight measurement via UWB enables the use of high-resolution signal pulses and thus a spatial resolution of well below one meter.

[0069] The second control unit of the second vehicle according to the invention is thus preferably configured to control the second communication system of the second vehicle such that a first UWB pulse is sent to the first communication system of the first vehicle at time ti, and such that a time t2, at which a second UWB pulse is received by the first communication system of the first vehicle, is detected. Furthermore, the second control unit is configured to determine a distance between the second communication system of the second vehicle and the first communication system of the first vehicle based on the times ti and t2 as well as stored values ​​for the speed of light and an average processing time Atvβ.

[0070] A transceiver configured for Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication can also be used for distance measurement by determining the time of flight (ToF). In such a time-of-flight measurement, a first BLE signal packet is sent from at least one transceiver of the second communication system of the second vehicle to the first communication system of the first vehicle. After a certain processing time, the first communication system sends a second BLE signal packet back to the second communication system of the second vehicle. If the time-of-flight measurement is performed with multiple vehicles, a corresponding response is generated for each of these vehicles.

[0071] Based on the time difference between sending the first BLE signal packet and receiving the second BLE signal packet, reduced by the processing time, the distance between the second communication system of the second vehicle and the first communication system of the first vehicle can be determined analogously to the procedure using UWB, based on the propagation speed of the BLE signals.

[0072] Although the use of time-of-flight measurement via BLE is less precise than UWB due to the limited signal bandwidth, it enables cost-effective and low-energy position determination with an accuracy in the meter range.

[0073] The second control unit of the second vehicle according to the invention is thus configured alternatively or additionally to control the second communication system of the second vehicle such that a first BLE signal packet is sent to the first communication system of the first vehicle, and to detect the time at which a second BLE signal packet is received by the first communication system of the first vehicle. Furthermore, the second control unit is configured to determine the distance between the second communication system of the second vehicle and the first communication system of the first vehicle.

[0074] After the transit-time measurement is triggered by the second vehicle, the first communication system of the first vehicle receives the first measurement signal, and the first control unit activates the first communication device to participate in the transit-time measurement, specifically to process the received first measurement signal and to send the second measurement signal back to the second communication device of the second vehicle after processing the first measurement signal (step S1.3). This completes the procedure for the first vehicle in this variant.

[0075] If the first vehicle has multiple transceivers, for example, at each corner, its position can be determined more precisely using time-of-flight measurements, and its orientation can be determined based on the distribution of the transceivers. If the second vehicle has multiple transceivers, a bearing (triangulation) of the first vehicle and its relative position to the second vehicle can be determined using time-of-flight measurements. These advantages can be combined. The control system of the second vehicle should therefore be configured to process and evaluate this multitude of measurement results.

[0076] After the second vehicle has completed its runtime measurement, namely receiving the second measurement signal and evaluating it in step S2.3, the second control unit now activates the second communication device to transmit the result to the vehicle manufacturer's reporting office, i.e., the received identity(ies) of the at least one transmitter-receiver of the first communication system of the first vehicle and its position(s) (step S2.4).

[0077] The vehicle manufacturer's reporting unit receives these results from at least one other vehicle via the additional communication device (step S3.4). The further control unit then directs this information to be transmitted to the vehicle owner (step S3.5). The owner then knows where to find their vehicle and can locate and reclaim it. Alternatively or additionally, they can contact the police so that an investigation can be initiated if a theft has occurred.

[0078] Based on these explanations, it is evident that an existing infrastructure of a vehicle manufacturer, in particular the equipment of its vehicles, can be used for the procedures of the first and at least one second vehicle, and supplemented by the reporting point, or an existing information exchange platform can be adapted accordingly.

[0079] The following describes the alternative procedure in which the reporting office transmits the information about the first vehicle's unavailability to the second vehicle, i.e., when the reporting office proceeds according to step S3.3, thereby triggering step sequence S2.2 in the second vehicle's procedure. Identical steps or step sequences are only briefly summarized, and reference is made to the explanations above.

[0080] In the second vehicle's procedure, the information that the first vehicle cannot be located, including at least one identity of at least one transmitter / receiver of the first vehicle's communication system, is received by the second communication device (step S2.2.a). The second control unit then activates the second communication system to transmit a broadcast signal via BLE and / or UWB using the second communication system, which contains the at least one sought-after identity, in order to "wake up" the first vehicle (step S2.2.b).

[0081] The first vehicle receives this broadcasting signal via its first communication system (step S1.2.a of the sequence S1.2). The first control unit immediately activates the first communication system to send a response signal via BLE and / or BLE to at least one second vehicle (step S1.2.b).

[0082] The response signal is received by the second communication system of the second vehicle (step S2.2.c), and then, triggered by its second control unit, initiates the time-of-flight-based positioning procedure to determine the position of the first communication system (step S2.3 as described above), in which the first vehicle participates as part of its step 1.3, as described above. The result is transmitted to the vehicle manufacturer's reporting unit in step S2.4 of the second vehicle's procedure. This unit receives the results (step S3.4) and, triggered by its further control unit, forwards them to the vehicle owner (step S3.5).

[0083] The two procedures can be used alternatively or additionally. If the first vehicle is still reachable via a mobile network connection, but its GPS module may have been disconnected and / or removed due to theft, the first vehicle can still be prompted to report its location using this procedure, thanks to the triggering first step S1.1, and thus be located by at least one other vehicle. In other words, the first vehicle requests at least one other vehicle to locate it and determine its position. The more second vehicles that respond, the more accurate the position determination becomes. However, if the vehicle is disconnected from a mobile network connection or mobile internet access, the second alternative procedure, using the triggering step S2.2 of the second vehicle, enables it to be located.In this case, the first vehicle does not need its own GPS or similar location tracking. Instead, the procedure, or alternative procedure, is carried out by as many second vehicles as possible. In other words, the notification from the reporting center to at least one second vehicle triggers a large-scale search for the first vehicle.

[0084] Both methods can be combined to maximize the chances of successfully finding the vehicle.

[0085] If no contact is established between the first vehicle and any second vehicle during the procedure described above, the subsequent steps will naturally not be carried out. In this case, the search can be restarted at a later time, preferably at appropriate intervals.

[0086] It is considered an advantageous embodiment of the unclaimed procedure of the vehicle manufacturer's reporting office if the procedure, in which the search for the first vehicle via the procedure of the second vehicle and the second step sequence provided therein (S2.2), is only triggered if a prior triggering via the procedure of the first vehicle within its first step sequence (S1.1) is not possible, i.e., could not be initiated. This occurs when the first vehicle is no longer reachable via the mobile internet or the mobile network.The reporting center cannot transmit the information about the first vehicle being unlocatable to it, nor can it establish a communication link between the second communication device and the first communication device of the first vehicle. From this, it can be concluded that this procedure will not be successful and that the search must be initiated via at least one second vehicle. Therefore, the procedure of initiating the search via the second vehicle can be used as a backup procedure if initiating the search via the first vehicle is not possible.

[0087] A further feature of the unclaimed procedure of the reporting office is that the transmission of the identity of at least one transmitter / receiver of the first communication system and the position of the first communication system is not only sent to the vehicle owner, but also directly to the police. For this purpose, the reporting office's additional control unit is configured to control the additional communication device in such a way that it transmits the received information regarding the first vehicle to a pre-defined contact point for the police.

[0088] To further improve or facilitate the location of the first vehicle, it may be provided that the first vehicle has at least one camera for recording its interior and / or its surroundings and the first control unit

[0089] o which controls at least one camera, to capture at least one image of the surroundings of the first vehicle and / or its interior, and

[0090] o controls the first communication system to transmit at least one recording to the second communication system of the second vehicle for forwarding to the reporting office of the vehicle manufacturer and / or controls the first communication device to transmit at least one recording to the reporting office of the vehicle manufacturer.

[0091] An interior photograph can help detect and potentially identify a car thief. Photographs of the surrounding area can also capture a thief and provide information about the environment, allowing for better orientation and making it easier to locate the first vehicle. Such an image can capture prominent buildings, trees, and / or other characteristic features of the surroundings, which can simplify locating the first vehicle – especially if the vehicle has undergone modifications or a repaint in the meantime, making it less easily recognizable.

[0092] Recordings can begin as soon as the first vehicle is notified, as part of the initial step of its procedure, that it is untraceable. Recordings of the interior and / or surroundings can be made once, repeatedly, and, in particular, continuously, thus providing the possibility of identifying the thief(s). If the search for the first vehicle is triggered by the second vehicle's procedure, recordings of the vehicle's interior and / or surroundings can begin as soon as the second vehicle's broadcast signal is received, indicating that the first vehicle is untraceable. Again, recordings can be made once, multiple times, or continuously. The recordings of the interior and / or surroundings should be made available to the owner so that they can, for example, provide them to the police and their insurance company.Therefore, according to this configuration of the procedure for the first vehicle, the first control unit will activate the first communication system, which will transmit at least one recording to the second communication system of the second vehicle for forwarding to the vehicle manufacturer's reporting point. This can be done within the framework of a so-called user data transmission using UWB and / or BLE with the at least one second vehicle, in which the hardware of the first and second communication systems is controlled and used by the respective control unit to exchange data other than the communication data and the data for runtime measurement or the signals required for this purpose.

[0093] If the second communication system of the second vehicle receives at least one recording from the first vehicle, its second control unit activates the second communication device, which then transmits at least one recording to the vehicle manufacturer's reporting center. After receiving the recording, the reporting center can forward it to the vehicle owner and, optionally, to the police.

[0094] Alternatively or additionally, the first control unit of the first vehicle can activate the first communication device, which will then transmit at least one image of the interior and / or the surroundings to the vehicle manufacturer's reporting center. This is possible if the first vehicle still has access to the mobile internet or cellular network. In this case as well, after receiving at least one image, the reporting center can forward it to the vehicle owner and, optionally, to the police.

[0095] The transmission of the aforementioned recordings can continue until the first vehicle is located by the vehicle owner and / or the police. This applies particularly if the vehicle itself still has access to mobile internet. If the transmission occurs to at least one second vehicle, further recordings can be transmitted with each contact to another second vehicle.

[0096] In the event that the first vehicle has a tracking device and / or a navigation system that has not been deactivated and / or removed, the first control unit can access the tracking device and / or the navigation system to transmit a current location, a history of locations, a planned destination and / or a planned route, and

[0097] o to control the first communication system, to transmit the received information to the second communication system of the second vehicle for forwarding to the reporting office of the vehicle manufacturer and / or to control the first communication device, to transmit the received information to the reporting office of the vehicle manufacturer.

[0098] Accordingly, the vehicle's tracking device can be used to determine its location, and if the vehicle continuously records its location, a history of its locations can also be compiled. This history can be defined, for example, by the receipt of the search signal from the reporting center or the second vehicle, but also retrospectively from a defined point in time, such as the last time the vehicle was parked by the owner. Modern vehicles typically record and document their location and sometimes store this information in a memory, making it readily available.

[0099] If a car thief intends to move the first vehicle and uses its navigation system, the planned destination and / or route can be accessed. This information, along with the current location and / or previous locations, can be helpful in tracking the vehicle's progress since its theft and in locating and returning it before it leaves the jurisdiction of authorities such as the police. The planned destination and / or route can then be used to initiate police intervention along the route or at the destination. Furthermore, this information allows for inferences about the modus operandi of serial offenders, potentially leading to the recovery of other stolen vehicles and the apprehension of the perpetrators themselves, for example, at a location from their history.

[0100] The information thus obtained is to be transmitted to the reporting center, which then forwards it to the vehicle owner and, optionally, to the police. To this end, the first control unit of the first vehicle activates its first communication unit to transmit this information via user data transmission using UWB and / or BLE to at least one second vehicle for forwarding to the vehicle manufacturer's reporting center. The second communication unit of the second vehicle receives this information, whereupon the second control unit of the second vehicle activates its second communication unit to transmit the information to the reporting center. After receipt by the reporting center, the next control unit there activates the next communication unit for the corresponding forwarding.

[0101] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the first vehicle transmits the information regarding location(s), destinations and / or routes directly to the reporting center. For this purpose, the first control unit activates the first communication device to transmit this information to the reporting center.

[0102] As already explained with reference to the previous design, the transmission of location information can continue until the vehicle has been located by its owner and / or the police.

[0103] The procedure for the second vehicle can also be further developed through the use of at least one camera. It is stipulated that the second vehicle has at least one camera for capturing its surroundings and a second control unit.

[0104] o which controls at least one camera, to capture at least one image of the surroundings of the second vehicle, and

[0105] o controls the second communication device, which transmits at least one recording to the vehicle manufacturer's reporting office.

[0106] According to this plan, at least one camera on the second vehicle should record its surroundings as soon as it comes into contact with the first vehicle. Such recordings of the second vehicle's surroundings could potentially allow for the visual identification of the first vehicle, and possibly also of the vehicle thief. Furthermore, such recordings could reveal the condition of the first vehicle, i.e., whether it is externally intact, damaged, modified, or otherwise altered. This information could, for example, help determine whether a tow truck is necessary to recover the vehicle.

[0107] The second control unit of the second vehicle thus activates its at least one camera, preferably the one(s) pointing in the direction in which the first vehicle is located according to the position determination, in order to capture at least one image of the second vehicle's surroundings. The second control unit then activates the second communication unit of the second vehicle to transmit this at least one image to the vehicle manufacturer's reporting center.

[0108] The reporting center receives at least one recording and can forward it to the vehicle owner and optionally to the police by controlling the further communication device.

[0109] The aforementioned procedures were initially disclosed only with regard to a single, identical vehicle manufacturer. According to one implementation of the procedures, vehicles from other manufacturers can be included. For this purpose, interfaces between comparable reporting entities of other vehicle manufacturers and the one described here can be provided, enabling data exchange at the reporting entity level. Another implementation could involve registering vehicles from other manufacturers with the disclosed reporting entity, for example, via an online portal, as a result of which these vehicles, with appropriate training, can be included in the aforementioned procedures. The vehicles from other manufacturers could then act as either the first or the second vehicle.

[0110] Prior to the description of the process, the first and second vehicles were already described. A person skilled in the art can see that both vehicles are similarly designed, differing primarily in the configuration of their respective control units, which are configured and, in particular, programmed to execute the first process of the first vehicle and the second process of the second vehicle, respectively.

[0111] The inventors have therefore provided that a vehicle according to the invention is equipped with a communication system comprising at least one transmitter-receiver configured for sending and receiving UWB signals and / or BLE signals by means of at least one antenna, a communication device for exchanging information with external data sources and a control device, and can act as a first vehicle for which the first method is carried out and / or as a second vehicle for which the second method is carried out.

[0112] If the vehicle cannot be located, it is considered the first vehicle and executes the first procedure. If it is not, it can be used as the second searching vehicle and execute the second procedure. This requires that the control unit is configured to execute both the first and / or the second procedure.

[0113] Of course, the vehicle claimed can also act only as the first or only as the second vehicle and then corresponds to the first and second vehicles described above.

[0114] The vehicle may be further developed in such a way that at least one transmitter / receiver is permanently installed in a difficult-to-access position on and / or in the respective vehicle and / or is subsequently installed.

[0115] A fixed installation refers to an arrangement where the at least one transceiver cannot be easily removed, and preferably not without tools. A difficult-to-access position in and / or on the vehicle should be a position that is, for example, not visible and / or not accessible without removing other components, such as trim panels or other vehicle components. However, it must be ensured that the at least one transceiver is not shielded to such an extent that UWB and / or BLE communication is impaired or even prevented. Furthermore, the connection to the vehicle's power supply and the link to the associated control unit should also be possible at this difficult-to-access location.

[0116] Alternatively or additionally, at least one transceiver can be retrofitted. This is particularly suitable for upgrading a vehicle to convert it into a vehicle that can serve as a primary and / or secondary vehicle. With a retrofit solution, it may be advantageous to equip the at least one transceiver with its own power supply and / or to implement a wireless connection with the associated control unit.

[0117] According to a further embodiment of the vehicle, the communication system can have at least one energy storage device that is separate from the vehicle battery. This means that the communication system is powered by its own energy storage device, which is previously charged by the vehicle and is also rechargeable. Advantageously, the associated control unit is also connected to such a separate energy storage device, and preferably to the same one. This embodiment is particularly suitable for a first vehicle, as it ensures that the vehicle can still execute the process even if the vehicle battery has been disconnected to render the vehicle (essentially) undetectable.The vehicle's at least one transmitter receiver can have other uses, for example, it can be used for the manufacture of the vehicle, fleet management, monitoring a supply chain and / or locating a crashed vehicle.

[0118] In particular, if at least one transceiver is permanently installed during vehicle manufacturing, it can be used during production to identify the vehicle and to locate or track it within the manufacturing process. During vehicle use, the at least one transceiver can be used for fleet management or vehicle monitoring to track and document the vehicle's routes and locations. When monitoring a supply chain, a delivery item or items can be linked to the vehicle's identity, thus enabling the monitoring and documentation of supply chain compliance.

[0119] The at least one transceiver can also be used to locate a wrecked vehicle. The procedure can then proceed similarly to that used when a vehicle cannot be located, with the triggering event being a missing person report, for example from a relative to the reporting center, or an accident report from the vehicle itself to the reporting center, whereupon the search for the wrecked vehicle is initiated.

[0120] The proposed methods and process components make it possible to locate a first vehicle that the vehicle owner cannot find and to determine its position more accurately than is currently possible. The planned sequence of steps in the methods for the first and second vehicle allows for a response to the availability of the first vehicle.

[0121] Unless otherwise stated in individual cases, the various embodiments of the invention mentioned in this application can be advantageously combined with one another.

[0122] The invention is explained below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show:

[0123] Figure 1 shows the interaction of the processes during their initiation via the first

[0124] Vehicle, Figure 2: the interaction of the processes during their initiation via the second vehicle,

[0125] Figure 3 shows possible installation positions of the transceivers on a vehicle, and

[0126] Figure 4 shows a discovery situation.

[0127] Figures 1 and 2 below illustrate the procedural sequences as diagrams. The arrows each represent a communication step, with the corresponding procedural steps of the participant to whom the arrow leads or where it originates indicated at their respective ends.

[0128] Figure 1 shows the interaction of the procedures of the first vehicle 10, the second vehicle 20, and the reporting point 30 when triggered by the first vehicle 10. A vehicle owner 40 reports their vehicle as missing using an app. This information is transmitted to and received by the reporting point 30 of the vehicle manufacturer (step S3.1). The report also includes at least one identity of a transmitter / receiver 12 of the first vehicle 10.

[0129] Subsequently, the further control unit of the reporting point 30 controls the further communication unit to transmit the information about the unavailability of the first vehicle 10 with the at least one identity of the at least one transmitter receiver 12 to the first vehicle 10 (step S3.2).

[0130] The first vehicle 10 receives this information (step S1.1.a). Then, the first control unit of the first vehicle 10 activates its first communication system, which includes the at least one transceiver mentioned above, to send a broadcasting signal using BLE and / or UWB, which causes other vehicles – namely at least a second vehicle 20 – to search for the first vehicle 10 and determine its position (step 1.1.b).

[0131] The second vehicle 20 has a second communication system with at least one transceiver configured for communication via UWB and / or BLE, as well as a second control unit and a second communication unit. Via the second communication system, the second vehicle 20 receives the broadcasting signal, including the identity of at least one transceiver 12, from the first vehicle 10 (step S2.1.a). Subsequently, by means of a control signal from the second control unit of the second vehicle 20, a positioning procedure based on time-of-flight measurements using UWB and / or BLE is triggered (step S2.3) to determine the position of the at least one transceiver 12 and thus the position of the first vehicle 10.The first communication system of the first vehicle 10 is activated by its first control unit to participate in this process, specifically to process the received signal for time-of-flight measurement and send it back (step S1.3). The position of the first vehicle 10 thus determined and the identities of the transmitter(s) 12 are transmitted by the second vehicle 20, via its second communication unit, to the reporting center 30 of the vehicle manufacturer (step 2.4). The reporting center 30 receives this information (step S3.5), where it is forwarded by the second control unit, via the second communication unit, to the vehicle owner 40. Optionally, the information can be forwarded to the police.

[0132] Figure 2 now shows the procedure when the search is to be triggered simultaneously by at least one second vehicle 20, or when the first vehicle 10 is unreachable for the reporting station 30. The notification of the vehicle not being located proceeds as described with reference to Figure 1. The further control unit of the reporting station 30 then activates its further communication unit, which transmits the information about the vehicle not being located and the identity of at least one transmitter-receiver 12 to the second vehicle 20 (step S3.3).

[0133] The second vehicle 20 receives this information (step S2.2.a). The second control unit of the second vehicle 20 activates the second communication system to send a broadcasting signal via UWB and / or BLE to wake up the first vehicle 10 (step 2.2.b). The first vehicle 10 receives the broadcasting signal (step S1.2.a) and, using the first control unit, activates its first communication system to send a response signal to the second vehicle 20 (step S1.2.b). Upon receiving the response signal (step S2.2.c) in the second vehicle 20, the second control unit of the second vehicle 20 again triggers the time-of-flight-based positioning procedure using UWB and / or BLE (step S2.3), in which the first vehicle 10 participates as explained (step S1.3). The transmission of the results to the reporting station 30 and the vehicle owner 40 also takes place as described with reference to Figure 1.Figure 3 shows a first vehicle 10, on which possible installation positions for the at least one transceiver 12 are indicated. The number and positions are not binding, but merely suggestions. The arrangement can be made in the same way for a second vehicle 20. In particular, the vehicle can be a first vehicle 10 if it cannot be located, and used as a second vehicle 20 to search for other first vehicles.

[0134] As can be seen in Figure 3, the transceivers 12 are mounted in various locations where they are concealed by trim panels and protected against unauthorized removal. They are permanently installed in these locations. However, they can also be retrofitted to older vehicles. To ensure that the first vehicle 10 can be located even if its vehicle battery is disconnected, the transceivers and the first control unit are to be connected to an energy storage device that is separate from the vehicle battery of the first vehicle 10.

[0135] Figure 4 shows an exemplary use case with two second vehicles 20. These can optionally also come from different vehicle manufacturers than the first vehicle 10 to be searched for, if they are registered and integrated for the described procedures.

[0136] A first vehicle 10 is parked on a property. It is concealed by a hedge 54 and a warehouse 50, making it difficult to see from road 52. The property is also separated by a fence 56. Two vehicles 20 are moving in opposite directions on road 52. Regardless of how the search was initiated according to the methods disclosed herein, both vehicles 20 have established contact or communication with the first vehicle 10 and, as they pass by, perform a position determination based on time-of-flight measurements to ascertain the position of the first vehicle 10. Since both second vehicles 20 have multiple transceivers, each of them can triangulate the position of the first vehicle 10. Because two second vehicles 20 have located the first vehicle 10 and determined its position, this position can be considered confirmed.If the two second vehicles 20 pass the first vehicle 10 at different times, it can be assumed that the first vehicle 10 has been temporarily parked.

[0137] In addition, the second control units of the second vehicles 20, provided they are equipped with cameras for environmental sensing, can be instructed by their second control units to record their surroundings and thus perhaps capture a limited view of the first vehicle 10. The resulting recordings are transmitted, triggered by the second control units, via the second communication devices to the reporting station 30 and can from there be forwarded to the vehicle owner 40 and optionally to the police.

[0138] It is also possible for the first control unit of the first vehicle 10 to activate its interior camera and / or surrounding camera(s) to take at least one recording that captures the surroundings and possibly also a car thief sitting in or standing next to the vehicle. These recordings can be transmitted via the first communication system to the second communication system of one or both of the second vehicles 20, from where they can be transmitted to the reporting center 30. If the first vehicle 10 still has access to the mobile internet, it can also transmit the recordings to the reporting center 30 itself using its first communication unit.

[0139] If the tracking device of the first vehicle 10 is available, its current position and previous (intermediate) locations can be transmitted directly to reporting center 30 via the first communication device and / or to the second vehicle 20 via the first communication system for forwarding to reporting center 30. All of this additional information can be made available to the vehicle owner 40 and, optionally, to the police.

[0140] If the first vehicle 10 were a wrecked vehicle, the procedures and methods disclosed here could also be used to locate this wrecked vehicle using UBW and / or BLE and to determine its position. As soon as an accident report is received from the vehicle itself or via an entry at the reporting center, the search and position determination via the first vehicle 10 and / or at least one second vehicle 20 can be triggered and executed, analogous to the case of non-location. Reference sign list

[0141] first vehicle

[0142] Transmitter / receiver

[0143] second vehicle

[0144] Reporting office of the vehicle manufacturer / vehicle owner

[0145] Building, for example warehouse

[0146] Street

[0147] Hedge

[0148] Fence

Claims

Patent claims 1. Method of a first vehicle (10) with a first communication system having at least one transceiver (12) configured to transmit and receive UWB signals and / or BLE signals by means of at least one antenna, a first communication device for exchanging information with external data sources and a first control device comprising the method: 51.1) a first sequence of steps comprising the following steps: 51.1.a) Receiving information about the first vehicle not being locatable (10) from a reporting point (30) of the vehicle manufacturer, and 51.1.b) activating the first communication system to transmit a broadcasting signal via UWB and / or BLE, comprising an identity of the at least one transmit receiver (12), and / or 51.2) a second sequence of steps comprising the following steps: 51.2.a) Receiving a broadcasting signal from a second communication system of a second vehicle (20) via UWB and / or BLE, comprising at least one identity of at least one transceiver (12) of the first communication system, 51.2.b) Controlling the first communication system to send a response to the broadcasting signal, as well as for each of the step sequences: 51.3) Controlling the first communication system to participate in a time-of-flight-based positioning procedure of the second communication system of the second vehicle (20) using UWB signals and / or BLE signals to determine a position of the first communication system.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the first vehicle (10) has at least one camera for capturing its interior and / or its surroundings, and the first control device which controls the at least one camera to capture at least one image of the surroundings of the first vehicle (10) and / or its interior, and o controls the first communication system to transmit at least one recording to the second communication system of the second vehicle (20) for forwarding to the reporting point (30) of the vehicle manufacturer and / or controls the first communication device to transmit at least one recording to the reporting point (30) of the vehicle manufacturer.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first vehicle (10) has a tracking device and / or a navigation system and the first control unit o the tracking device and / or the navigation system to transmit a current location, a history of locations, a planned destination and / or a planned route, and o controls the first communication system to transmit the received information to the second communication system of the second vehicle (20) for forwarding to the reporting point (30) of the vehicle manufacturer and / or controls the first communication device to transmit the received information to the reporting point (30) of the vehicle manufacturer.

4. Method of a second vehicle (20) with a second communication system comprising at least one transceiver configured for transmitting and receiving UWB signals and / or BLE signals by means of at least one antenna, a second communication device for exchanging information with external data sources and a second control device comprising the method: 52.1) a first sequence of steps comprising the following steps: 52.1.a) Receipt of a broadcasting signal from a first communication system of a first vehicle (10) via UWB and / or BLE, comprising at least one identity of at least one transceiver (12) of the first communication system, and / or 52.2) a second sequence of steps comprising the following steps: 52.2.a) Receiving information about the unavailability of a first vehicle (10) from a reporting point (30) of the vehicle manufacturer, comprising at least one identity of at least one transmitter-receiver (12) of the first communication system of the first vehicle (10), 52.2.b) Controlling the second communication system to transmit a broadcasting signal comprising at least one identity of the at least one transceiver (12) of the first communication system of the first vehicle (10), 52.2.c) Receipt of a response from the first communication system of the first vehicle (10) to the broadcasting signal, as for each of the step sequences 52.3) Controlling the second communication system to perform a time-of-flight-based positioning procedure to determine the position of the first communication system of the first vehicle (10), 52.4) Controlling the second communication device to transmit the at least one identity of the at least one transceiver (12) of the first communication system and the position of the first communication system to a reporting point (30) of the vehicle manufacturer.

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the second vehicle (20) has at least one camera for detecting its surroundings and the second control unit o which controls at least one camera to capture at least one image of the surroundings of the second vehicle (20), and o which controls the second communication device to transmit at least one image to the reporting point (30) of the vehicle manufacturer.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that vehicles from other manufacturers are included.

7. Vehicle with a communication system comprising at least one transceiver (12) configured for transmitting and receiving UWB signals and / or BLE signals by means of at least one antenna, a communication device for exchanging information with external data sources, and a control device, wherein the vehicle acts as a first vehicle (10) and is configured to perform a method according to one of claims 1 to 3 or 6, and / or o the vehicle acts as a second vehicle (20) and is equipped to carry out a method according to one of claims 4, 5 or 6.

8. Vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one transmitter receiver (12) is permanently installed in a difficult-to-access position on and / or in the respective vehicle and / or is subsequently installed.

9. Vehicle according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the communication system has at least one energy storage device that is different from a vehicle battery.

10. Use of a vehicle according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the at least one transceiver (12) is used for the manufacture of the vehicle, fleet management, monitoring a supply chain and / or locating a crashed vehicle.

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