SYSTEM FOR DETECTING ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE AND COMMUNICATION

Abstract

When a parked vehicle sustains accidental damage, the system automatically communicates with the vehicle owner and optionally the perpetrator of the damage via, e.g., WLAN communications.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. A method, comprising: detecting damage to a parked motor vehicle emitting, by at least one communication module of the parked motor vehicle, an interference signal causing at least one mobile communication device within communication range of the parked motor vehicle to be switched into a reception mode and put into a search mode, thereby making the at least one mobile communication parked visible to the at least one communication module of the parked motor vehicle; acquiring, by the at least one communication module of the parked motor vehicle, at least one MAC address of the at least one mobile communication device and sending at least one MAC address to a registered mobile communication device of an owner of the parked vehicle.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising sending, by the parked motor vehicle an electronic message to one of the at least one mobile communication device determined to correspond to a perpetrator of damage to the parked motor vehicle.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the electronic message is communicated by way of WAP Push.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising automatically logging WLAN-enabled mobile communication devices within range of the parked motor vehicle into a WLAN of the parked motor vehicle.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, further comprising enabling at least the perpetrator of the damage within range of the parked motor vehicle to independently log into a WLAN server of the vehicle to leave messages.

16. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising displaying a visible message intended for the perpetrator of the damage by the parked motor vehicle.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising establishing a direct communication between the owner of the parked vehicle and the perpetrator of the damage via the WLAN of the parked motor vehicle.

18. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising automatically logging WLAN-enabled mobile communication devices within range of the parked motor vehicle into a WLAN of the parked motor vehicle.

19. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising enabling at least the perpetrator of the damage within range of the parked motor vehicle to independently log into a WLAN server of the vehicle to leave messages.

20. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising displaying a visible message intended for the perpetrator of the damage by the parked motor vehicle.

21. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising establishing a direct communication between the owner of the parked vehicle and the perpetrator of the damage via the WLAN of the parked motor vehicle.

22. A motor vehicle comprising: sensors configured to detect accidental damage; at least one communication module; and a wireless access point, connected to the sensors and the at least one communication module, configured to become activated upon detection of accidental damage by the sensors, cause the at least one communication module of the motor vehicle to emit an interference signal which switches mobile communication devices within range of the motor vehicle into a reception mode and into a search mode, determine MAC addresses of the mobile communication devices, establish a wireless connection to a registered mobile communication device of an owner of the vehicle, and communicate information to the registered mobile communication device of the owner.

23. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 21, wherein the wireless access point is further configured to establish a wireless connection to one of the at least one mobile communication device determined to correspond to a perpetrator of damage to the motor vehicle and to communicate information to the one of the at least one mobile communication device of the perpetrator.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] These and other aspects and advantages will become more apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing in which: [0026] the drawing illustrates an embodiment of a motor vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

[0028] The drawing illustrates a motor vehicle 10 having a central module 30 connected bidirectionally to four WLAN modules 31 arranged at the corners of the bodywork of the motor vehicle 10. Damage 20 has been caused on one side of the motor vehicle.

[0029] The drawing also schematically illustrates the owner 12 of the motor vehicle 10 and a mobile communication device 11 (e.g. a smartphone or a tablet computer) of the vehicle owner 12. Furthermore, the perpetrator 22 of the damage 20 and a WLAN-enabled mobile communication device 21 (e.g. a smartphone or a tablet computer) of the perpetrator 22 are depicted.

[0030] For illustrating the method, reference numerals 100, 110, 120, 130 and 140 are also in the drawing.

[0031] In 100, the damage 20 is detected by evaluation of the vibration—detected by sensors not illustrated—of the motor vehicle 10 or of the structure-borne sound signals caused by the damage event and the central module 30 and the WLAN modules 31 connected thereto are activated. The central module 30 boots an open WLAN.

[0032] In 110, an interference signal is emitted by way of the WLAN modules 31 and briefly interferes with the WLAN-enabled mobile communication device 21 of the perpetrator 22 that is situated in the environment of the motor vehicle 10, in order that device 21 goes to reception mode and is identified by the WLAN modules 31. As a result, the MAC address of the WLAN-enabled mobile communication device 21 of the perpetrator 22 is determined and is available for further evaluation. In 120, the MAC address determined is communicated to the mobile communication device 11 of the vehicle owner 12. The communication 120 can be effected via mobile radio or via the Internet, for example.

[0033] In 130, an interaction between the central module 30 and the perpetrator 22 is effected via the WLAN modules 31 and the mobile communication device 21. The interaction can, for example, be by communication of a message to the perpetrator 22, or in the perpetrator 22 logging into the WLAN of the motor vehicle 10 in order to leave a message or information. The interaction can for example also additionally include the projection of a message to the perpetrator 22 onto a window of the motor vehicle 10 via an HUD (not illustrated).

[0034] In one variant of the method, in 140, the central module 30 establishes a direct bidirectional communication connection between the mobile communication device 11 of the vehicle owner 12 and the mobile communication device 21 of the perpetrator 22, such that they can directly exchange information with one another.

[0035] A description has been provided with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof and examples, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the claims which may include the phrase “at least one of A, B and C” as an alternative expression that means one or more of A, B and C may be used, contrary to the holding in Superguide v. DIRECTV, 358 F3d 870, 69 USPQ2d 1865 (Fed. Cir. 2004).

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0036] 10 Parked vehicle

[0037] 11 Mobile communication device of the vehicle owner

[0038] 12 Vehicle owner

[0039] 20 Damage

[0040] 21 Mobile communication device of the perpetrator of the damage

[0041] 22 Perpetrator of the damage

[0042] 30 Central module

[0043] 31 WLAN module

[0044] 100 Damage detection

[0045] 110 Determining MAC address

[0046] 120 Communicating MAC address

[0047] 130 Communicating message

[0048] 140 Bidirectional communication