SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THEFT PROTECTION FOR VEHICLE WHEELS OF A VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (10) for theft protection for vehicle wheels (16) of a vehicle (14), having a database server (12) for managing vehicle wheel identification data (ID.sub.S, ID.sub.W) identifying vehicle wheels (16) and a controller (18), wherein the controller (18) has a communication connection to the database server (12) via a communication network (N), wherein the vehicle wheels (16) of the vehicle (14) are each equipped with an electronic wheel unit (20) for transmitting vehicle wheel identification data (ID.sub.S, ID.sub.W), respectively identifying the vehicle wheel (16) in question, to the controller (18), and wherein the controller (18) is designed to transmit the vehicle wheel identification data (ID.sub.S, ID.sub.W), transmitted by the electronic wheel units (20) of the vehicle wheels (16), to the database server (12) via the communication network (N).

Claims

1. A system for theft protection for vehicle wheels of a vehicle, comprising a database server configured to manage in vehicle wheel identification data identifying vehicle wheels and a controller, wherein the controller has a communication connection to the database server via a communication network, wherein the vehicle wheels of the vehicle are each equipped with an electronic wheel unit for transmitting vehicle wheel identification data, respectively identifying the vehicle wheel in question, to the controller, and wherein the controller is configured to transmit the vehicle wheel identification data, transmitted by the electronic wheel units of the vehicle wheels, to the database server via the communication network.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to transmit vehicle identification data, identifying the vehicle, to the database server via the communication network.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller is arranged in the vehicle.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller is arranged outside the vehicle.

5. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the controller is arranged in at least one of a further vehicle, different from the vehicle, and a roadside infrastructure apparatus.

6. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the database server is configured to compare the vehicle wheel identification data with at least one of the vehicle identification data and user identification data identifying users of the system.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle wheel identification data of a respective vehicle wheel comprises one or more of: wheel rim manufacturer, wheel rim type, tire manufacturer, tire type, DOT code of the tire, identification of the electronic wheel unit.

8. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the vehicle identification data comprises one or more of: vehicle manufacturer, vehicle type, vehicle serial number.

9. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller comprises or is connected to a radio apparatus.

10. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller comprises or is connected to a position determination apparatus, and wherein the controller is configured to transmit position data to the database server via the communication network.

11. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller comprises or is connected to a storage apparatus configured to store the vehicle wheel identification data transmitted by the electronic wheel units.

12. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic wheel unit comprises a storage apparatus configured to store the respective vehicle wheel identification data.

13. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic wheel unit comprises a pressure sensor for measuring a tire pressure of a tire of the respective vehicle wheel.

14. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic wheel unit is configured to detect a potential tire theft, and wherein the electronic wheel unit is further configured to transmit a corresponding notification to the controller in response to such a detection.

15. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic wheel unit comprises a radio apparatus.

16. A method for theft protection for vehicle wheels of a vehicle, comprising: managing vehicle wheel identification data, identifying vehicle wheels, at a database server, transmitting vehicle wheel identification data, respectively identifying one of a plurality of vehicle wheels of the vehicle, to a controller by a respective electronic wheel unit on the respective vehicle wheel, transmitting the vehicle wheel identification data, transmitted by the electronic wheel units of the vehicle wheels, from the controller to the database server via a communication network.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising transmitting vehicle identification data, identifying the vehicle, from the controller to the database server via the communication network.

18. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program code which, when executed on a data processing apparatus, performs a method as claimed in claim 16.

19. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program code which, when executed on a data processing apparatus, performs a method as claimed in claim 17.

Description

[0043] The invention is described in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:

[0044] FIG. 1 shows a system for theft protection for vehicle wheels according to one exemplary embodiment,

[0045] FIG. 2 shows an illustration for illustrating data that are managed by a database server of the system from FIG. 1, and

[0046] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of an electronic wheel unit according to one exemplary embodiment.

[0047] FIG. 1 shows a system 10 for theft protection for vehicle wheels of vehicles, wherein, in FIG. 1, two of these vehicles (here: automobiles), incorporated into the system 10, are shown merely by way of example, and the following description is given just for the vehicle referenced with 14 in FIG. 1, for the sake of simplicity. The same applies for the other vehicle visible in FIG. 1 (and further vehicles, not illustrated in FIG. 1).

[0048] The system 10 contains a central database server 12 for managing vehicle wheel identification data identifying vehicle wheels and a multiplicity of vehicles that, in the embodiment that is shown, like the vehicle 14, are each equipped with at least one vehicle wheel 16 and a central controller 18 that forms a component of the vehicle electronics.

[0049] The vehicle wheel 16 that is illustrated, and the same applies for further vehicle wheels of the vehicle 14 and vehicle wheels of further vehicles incorporated into the system 10, is equipped with an electronic wheel unit 20 for transmitting vehicle wheel identification data, respectively identifying the vehicle wheel in question, to the controller 18 of the vehicle in question, that is to say to the controller 18 of the vehicle 14 in the embodiment that is shown, and/or to a corresponding controller of at least one vehicle different from the vehicle 14, for example to the controller of the other vehicle illustrated in FIG. 1. The electronic wheel unit 20 may furthermore transmit the vehicle wheel identification data identifying the vehicle wheel in question to at least one controller arranged in a roadside infrastructure apparatus (not illustrated). Very generally speaking, the vehicle wheel identification data may contain information about individual properties of the wheel rim and/or of the tire. Particularly preferably, the vehicle wheel identification data also contain an identification of the electronic wheel unit 20 (for example a uniquely assigned code for unambiguously identifying the electronic wheel unit 20).

[0050] The vehicle wheel 16 is formed by a wheel rim that is screwed to a wheel hub of the vehicle 14 and a tire mounted on the wheel rim, wherein the electronic wheel unit 20, in the example that is illustrated, is arranged on an inside of a running surface of the tire.

[0051] In the example that is illustrated, the electronic wheel unit 20 also constitutes a component of a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) formed in the vehicle 14, by way of which tire pressure monitoring system in particular tire pressure data indicating the tire pressure (together with an identification unambiguously identifying the electronic wheel unit 20) are thus transmitted to the controller 18, but furthermore also the mentioned vehicle wheel identification data.

[0052] The identification of the electronic wheel unit 20 is fixedly programmed into said wheel unit and allows the controller 18, in the context of the tire pressure monitoring, to assign received data D unambiguously to a particular one of the electronic wheel units, of which there are generally several installed on the vehicle. The vehicle wheel identification data, for example containing information about wheel rim manufacturer, wheel rim type, tire manufacturer and/or tire type, were programmed into the electronic wheel unit 20 during the mounting of the vehicle wheel 16, for example by workshop staff (for example through radio transmission of these data).

[0053] The controller 18 is equipped with a storage apparatus (not illustrated) in which vehicle identification data identifying the vehicle 14, for example containing information about vehicle manufacturer, vehicle type and/or vehicle serial number, are stored.

[0054] The storage apparatus (or another storage apparatus of the controller 18) is furthermore used to store the vehicle wheel identification data transmitted by the electronic wheel units.

[0055] The controller 18 is designed to transmit the vehicle wheel identification data transmitted by the electronic wheel unit 20 of the vehicle wheel 16 (and accordingly further vehicle wheel identification data relating to the further vehicle wheels of the vehicle 14) and the vehicle identification data identifying the vehicle 14 to the database server 12 via a communication network N (here: the Internet). To this end, the controller 18 has a communication connection to the database server 12 via the communication network N. As illustrated in FIG. 1, to this end, there is a communication connection CV, produced for example via a mobile radio apparatus of the vehicle 14, between the vehicle or its controller 18 and the network N, and a further communication connection CS between the network N and the database server 12.

[0056] The database server 12 manages the vehicle wheel identification data automatically transmitted in the manner described by the vehicles of the system 10 in each case in association with the vehicle identification data of the respectively associated vehicle and in association with user identification data identifying users of the system 10, for example containing information about name, address, further contact data and/or login data (for example user name and password) of the users in question.

[0057] Owners of the vehicles incorporated in the system 10 in particular come into consideration as users. Furthermore, user identification data may also be managed in the database server 12, for example by particular authorities, in particular for example the police.

[0058] FIG. 1 indicates, by way of example, a user U who is likewise able to communicate with the database server 12 via a communication connection CU to the network N.

[0059] As an alternative to communication via the illustrated communication connection CU (for example using a PC, a smartphone, etc.), the communication between the user U and the database server 12 may also take place using a human-machine interface (not illustrated) of the vehicle 14 and using the communication connection CV.

[0060] The management of the vehicle wheel identification data on the part of the database server 12 furthermore takes place in respective association with the identification of that electronic wheel unit that is installed in that vehicle wheel to which the vehicle wheel identification data relate.

[0061] FIG. 2 illustrates, by way of example, a dataset, stored in the database server 12, relating to the vehicle wheel 16 of the vehicle 14 shown in FIG. 1. This dataset contains an identification ID.sub.S of the electronic wheel unit 20 installed in the vehicle wheel 16, further vehicle wheel identification data ID.sub.W identifying the vehicle wheel 16 (for example wheel rim manufacturer, wheel rim type, tire manufacturer, tire type, DOT code of the tire, etc.), vehicle identification data ID.sub.V identifying the vehicle 14 (for example vehicle manufacturer, vehicle type, vehicle serial number, etc.) and user identification data ID.sub.U identifying the owner of the vehicle 14. Corresponding datasets are stored for the other vehicle wheels of the vehicle 14.

[0062] Corresponding datasets are stored in the database server 12 for further vehicle owners or vehicles and their corresponding wheel systems incorporated into the system 10.

[0063] FIG. 3 shows the structure of the electronic wheel unit 20 used in the example that is illustrated.

[0064] The electronic wheel unit 20 contains a pressure sensor 22 for providing a tire pressure signal p indicating the tire pressure and an acceleration sensor 24 for providing an acceleration signal a indicating a radial acceleration. The signals, that is to say the tire pressure signal p and the acceleration signal a, are fed to an evaluation apparatus 26 (for example to a microcontroller), which produces data D to be transmitted to the controller 18 of the vehicle 14 therefrom, which data are transmitted in the form of radio signals to the controller 18 equipped with or connected to a radio receiver (not illustrated) by way of a radio apparatus 30.

[0065] The electronic wheel unit 20 furthermore contains a storage apparatus 28, assigned to the evaluation apparatus 26, for storing software that controls the operation of the evaluation apparatus 26. The storage apparatus 28 is furthermore used to store the vehicle wheel identification data programmed in by workshop staff, for example.

[0066] During operation of the electronic wheel unit 20, the evaluation apparatus 26 may use the acceleration signal a in particular for example to determine a rotational angular velocity and/or a rotational angular position of the vehicle wheel 16. There may furthermore be determination of a length of a tire contact area, for example. Such information and/or information derived therefrom may enter, for example in digitally coded form, into the data D to be transmitted, together with results of the tire pressure measurement performed by the pressure sensor 22. Furthermore, in this way, the vehicle wheel identification data are transmitted to the controller 18 at least once, as already mentioned, and stored there.

[0067] The electronic wheel unit 20 may furthermore be designed to detect a potential tire theft by way of a sensor system that is sensitive for example to a drop in the internal tire pressure to atmospheric pressure and/or for example to dismounting of the electronic wheel unit 20, and designed to transmit a corresponding notification to the controller 18 on the basis of such a detection. The corresponding notification may take place for example by setting what is known as a flag in the vehicle wheel identification data ID.sub.W. The pressure sensor 22 may be used in particular to detect a potential tire theft, wherein a drop in the tire pressure to atmospheric pressure may be evaluated by way of the evaluation apparatus 26 as an indication of the potential tire theft.

[0068] Advantageously, by automatically transmitting the vehicle wheel identification data ID.sub.W from the vehicle 14 (and correspondingly from further vehicles) to the database server 12, vehicle wheel identification data to be managed are provided to the database server 12 without additional effort on the part of the user.

[0069] A further advantage of the system 10 is that, under some circumstances, a vehicle wheel stolen from a vehicle may be traced or determined, specifically for example if such a vehicle wheel is mounted on another vehicle, such that, as a result of the transmission of the vehicle wheel identification data that then takes place, in connection with other or incorrect vehicle identification data, it is able to be established that the vehicle wheel in question has changed vehicle.

[0070] In such a case, a corresponding notification from the database server 12 to the vehicle owner and/or at least one other predetermined individual or organization (for example the police) may take place automatically, for example.

[0071] In this connection, there may also be provision, in the database server 12, for an item of information to be stored, in each case assigned to the vehicle wheel identification data (and/or vehicle identification data) stored there, as to whether or not the vehicle wheel (or vehicle) in question has been reported as stolen. Such indications of theft may be transmitted for example by a user U to the database server 12 via the communication connection CU illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0072] Furthermore, impending mounting or dismounting or changing (to another vehicle) of a vehicle wheel may be announced to the database server 12 via the communication connection CU, for example, such that, if a potential theft is detected, the database server 12 is initially able to perform a check based on the registered announcement information before a corresponding notification to a user provided for this purpose is triggered.

[0073] The communication connection CU may furthermore be used for example by the police in order to have particular database queries processed and answered automatically by the database server 12 (for example via the same communication connection CU).

[0074] In summary, in the exemplary embodiment that is described, a largely automated and centralized registration of vehicle wheel identification data is performed.

[0075] The database server 12 in this case provides an updatable central database for registered users, possibly including public entities (for example the police). Since electronic TPMS wheel units typically each store an identification unambiguously identifying the wheel unit, such electronic wheel units may advantageously be used in the context of the invention since vehicle wheel identification data are furthermore stored therein, which vehicle wheel identification data, together with the identification of the wheel unit, thus form a unique dataset that is managed by the database server 12 and allows corresponding tracking and queries on the part of registered users or the police.

[0076] One significant aspect with regard to detection of a stolen object (for example a tire or an entire vehicle wheel) is the transmission of the corresponding vehicle wheel identification data and/or the identification of the electronic wheel unit from the stolen object to a central database, which is formed here of data stored in the respective controller.

[0077] This decentralized database in each vehicle is in turn used to transmit the information content thereof and corresponding information from other vehicles to the central database (database server). The database server is thus able to correlate all of the data arising in the system and manage them accordingly.

[0078] It is particularly advantageous here for each vehicle owner to be able to report his vehicle and/or its vehicle wheels as stolen following a theft. Such theft reports may take place for example via a human-machine interface of the vehicle or for example via another interface to the communication network or the database server, and lead to this information (theft indication) being stored in association with the vehicle identification data or vehicle wheel identification data in question.

[0079] Since the vehicles incorporated in the system are able to communicate with the database server via the communication network (for example the Internet), the database stored therein is able to be easily updated and/or queried. In the central database, for example, precisely one registered user (owner) and/or precisely one registered vehicle may be assigned to a particular identification of an electronic wheel unit (ID.sub.S).

[0080] If for example an assembly consisting of wheel rim, tire and electronic wheel unit has been stolen from a vehicle, then the user of the vehicle is able to inform the police about this. This user himself (if registered as a user of the system) and/or the police (if registered as a user) may then possibly indicate this theft to the database server, such that, in the management of vehicle wheel identification data performed by the database server, the vehicle wheel identification data in question (of the stolen vehicle wheels) are able to be marked in the database as reported as stolen. Furthermore, the identification of the electronic wheel units in question may be marked in the database as reported as stolen.

[0081] In this example, the two following scenarios are then in particular possible for determining a stolen vehicle wheel: [0082] In a police vehicle check involving performing a query on the database server, it is established that a vehicle wheel situated on the vehicle or an electronic wheel unit installed therein has been reported as stolen. In this case, the owner may accordingly be notified, whether by the police and/or automatically by the database server. [0083] If a stolen vehicle wheel (including electronic wheel unit) is mounted on another vehicle incorporated into the system and the corresponding vehicle wheel identification data are thus transmitted to the database server, then, in the management of the vehicle wheel identification data, the database server may establish the theft, whereupon a corresponding notification may be sent. Establishing the theft may in this case be based upon the fact that the transmitted vehicle wheel identification data (or an identification, contained therein, of the electronic wheel unit) are already registered in the database as reported as stolen. As an alternative, establishing the theft may be based for example upon the fact that the transmitted vehicle wheel identification data (or the identification of the electronic wheel unit) are not registered in the database as reported as stolen, but an association with another vehicle is registered. In this case, for example, a warning notification may be sent to the user registered as owner. As an alternative, this sending may be performed depending on whether this user has previously transmitted corresponding announcement information (relating here to changing a vehicle wheel from a first vehicle to a second vehicle) to the database server. The notification to the registered owner may possibly contain position information relating to the location of the vehicle (if position data has been transmitted to the database server by the controller of this vehicle). As an alternative or in addition, the notification sent to the user may possibly contain information about the vehicle (for example the vehicle identification data or part thereof).

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0084] 10 System [0085] 12 Database server [0086] ID.sub.S Identification [0087] ID.sub.V Vehicle identification data [0088] ID.sub.W Vehicle wheel identification data [0089] ID.sub.U User identification data [0090] 14 Vehicle [0091] 16 Vehicle wheel [0092] 18 Controller [0093] 20 Wheel unit [0094] 22 Pressure sensor [0095] p Tire pressure signal [0096] 24 Acceleration sensor [0097] a Acceleration signal [0098] 26 Evaluation apparatus [0099] 28 Storage apparatus [0100] 30 Radio apparatus [0101] D Data [0102] N Communication network [0103] CS, CV, CU Communication connection [0104] U User