METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING INFORMATION FROM MOTOR VEHICLES

Abstract

Activation of a passive occupant protection system is detected by at least one sensor. Signals indicative of the detection are sent over a communications connection to a telematic unit of the vehicle. Responsive to successful detection of the activation of the occupant protection system, the telematic unit initiates a launch of an accompanying autonomous drone from the vehicle for providing information, the drone autonomously recording aerial images of the vehicle and surroundings of the vehicle using a camera. The aerial images are transmitted to an emergency control center via a mobile communications connection to the emergency control center established by the telematic unit.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting information from a vehicle comprising: detecting activation of a passive occupant protection system by at least one sensor; sending signals indicative of the detection over a communications connection to a telematic unit of the vehicle; responsive to successful detection of the activation of the occupant protection system, initiating, by the telematic unit, a launch of an accompanying autonomous drone from the vehicle for providing information, the drone autonomously recording aerial images of the vehicle and surroundings of the vehicle using a camera; and transmitting of the aerial images to an emergency control center via a mobile communications connection to the emergency control center established by the telematic unit.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the emergency control center carries out control of the drone.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drone is actively catapulted into the air from the vehicle.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drone flies independently after reaching a minimum flying altitude and starts the recording of aerial images.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drone is launched following successful detection of an activation of at least one airbag.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the aerial images are transmitted by the telematic unit or by the drone.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drone is housed in an attachment part of the vehicle, which is fitted with a launcher.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the attachment part is equipped with a cover that opens in a few milliseconds.

9. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the attachment part of the vehicle is a roof spoiler, and the launcher is an airbag.

10. A vehicle comprising: a telematics unit configured to responsive to activation of an airbag detected by a signal received from a sensor, launch an autonomous drone from the vehicle for providing information, the drone autonomously recording aerial images of the vehicle and surroundings of the vehicle using a camera; and transmit the aerial images to an emergency control center via a mobile communications connection to the emergency control center established by the telematic unit.

11. The vehicle as claimed in claim 10, wherein the emergency control center carries out control of the drone.

12. The vehicle as claimed in claim 10, wherein the drone is actively catapulted into the air from the vehicle.

13. The vehicle as claimed in claim 10, wherein the drone flies independently after reaching a minimum flying altitude and starts the recording of aerial images.

14. The vehicle as claimed in claim 10, wherein the drone is launched following successful detection of an activation of at least one airbag.

15. The vehicle as claimed in claim 10, wherein the aerial images are transmitted by the telematic unit or by the drone.

16. The vehicle as claimed in claim 10, wherein the drone is housed in an attachment part of the vehicle, which is fitted with a launcher.

17. The vehicle as claimed in claim 16, wherein the attachment part is equipped with a cover that opens in a few milliseconds.

18. A method comprising: responsive to activation of an airbag detected by a signal received to a telematic unit, actively catapulting an autonomous drone from a roof spoiler of a vehicle for providing information, the drone autonomously recording aerial images of the vehicle and surroundings of the vehicle using a camera; and transmit the aerial images to an emergency control center via a mobile communications connection to the emergency control center established by the telematic unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 shows a schematic sketch of a passenger vehicle with a drone in a side view and

[0018] FIG. 2 shows the passenger vehicle of FIG. 1 with a launched drone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure.

[0020] In the figures, a passenger vehicle is shown that is denoted as a whole by 1. The passenger vehicle 1 comprises a telematic unit 2 in known way that monitors the activation of the airbag 4 by means of sensors 3.

[0021] The vehicle further comprises a roof spoiler 5 in the rear region, in which a drone 6 that is equipped with a camera is disposed. The drone 6 is disposed in a receptacle with a catapult 7 in the form of an airbag 8 that is controlled by the telematic unit 2.

[0022] Thus, the activation of the airbag 4 can be detected by means of the sensor 3 and the related signal can be transmitted to the telematic unit. Following successful detection of the activation of the airbag, the telematic unit initiates the launch of the accompanying autonomous drone 6 to provide information, for which purpose the airbag 8 is triggered. During the launch, the drone 6 punches through a covering film 9.

[0023] Thus, the drone 6 is jettisoned from the vehicle. Once the drone has reached a minimum flying altitude, it flies automatically, for which purpose a suitable controller is installed.

[0024] The drone 6 then autonomously records aerial images 10 of the motor vehicle and the surroundings thereof by means of the camera and transmits the aerial images to the emergency control center, for which purpose the drone 6 comprises a cell phone unit. Using the cell phone unit, the drone can also be controlled by the emergency control center to determine further information as required, which is then transmitted to the emergency control center.

[0025] While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the disclosure. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the disclosure.