DE102021200480B3 - Motor vehicle surveillance by drone - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a drone (10) for monitoring a motor vehicle (32) and surroundings (52) of the motor vehicle (32) and a corresponding system (31) and method. The invention comprises a drone (31) which is mounted in the cup holder (28 ) of the vehicle (32) is positioned. It is controlled by an AI and has a camera (18) that is attached below. When the drone (18) is in standby mode, the camera (18) is mechanically covered. This protects the customer's privacy. Since the drone (18) is only needed in emergencies or certain situations, one battery (14) is sufficient to power the drone (10). This is charged via the station (28) in the cup holder. This can either be charged via a direct power supply from the vehicle (32) or is charged via a strong battery (30). Alternatively, a solar cell for recharging could also be attached to the top.

Description

The invention relates to a drone for monitoring a motor vehicle and an area surrounding the motor vehicle, and a corresponding system and method.

In many everyday situations, it can happen that animals, children and/or important objects are left in the motor vehicle. Under certain circumstances, the absence is initially not noticed or only noticed too late, with a driver then having to go back to his motor vehicle in order to collect the forgotten animals, children and/or important objects. In particular, there is an increased health risk for children and/or pets if they are left unattended in the motor vehicle for a long time. For example, a long stay in high or low temperatures can result in illness or other damage to health.

In the event of an accident, information about the accident can be a decisive factor in the success of an emergency response. As a result of a serious accident, vehicle occupants may no longer be able to speak and may not be able to make defined statements about the accident. This information can be crucial in order to be prepared to arrive at the scene of an accident and to carry out a successful first aid and rescue. Known accident information increases the probability of a successful, quick and safe rescue of those involved.

The disclosure document US 2018/0 251 234 A1 relates to a vehicle configured to be coupled to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The vehicle includes a landing connection component configured to establish a connection between the UAV and the vehicle and to prevent detachment of the UAV from the vehicle. The vehicle further includes a cover configured to at least partially enclose the UAV when the UAV is connected to the landing link component, and one or more processors configured to generate one or more instructions to (1) a vary position of the cover depending on a status of the UAV and (2) control operation of the UAV. The disadvantage here is that the UAV is designed to operate outside of the vehicle. Information relating to an interior of the vehicle cannot or only insufficiently be recorded with the UAV.

The disclosure document DE 10 2015 207 979 A1 relates to a system with an unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with sensors for a land vehicle and a land vehicle which can communicate with the aerial vehicle, and a station for switching an unmanned aerial vehicle to a land vehicle. The unmanned aerial vehicle for docking with a land vehicle has one or more sensors for acquiring measurement data relating to the spatial environment of the aerial vehicle and a communication device for transmitting the acquired measurement data to the land vehicle. As operating modes, the flight device has a flight mode, in which the flight device performs a flight movement and is separated from the land vehicle, and a docking mode, in which the flight device is docked to the land vehicle. It is configured to record measurement data during the docking mode using at least one of the sensors and to transmit this or data derived from it to the land vehicle using the communication device. The land vehicle can transmit a control signal to the flight device when it is docked with the land vehicle, in order to cause the flight device to acquire measurement data by sensors while it is docked and to transmit this data or data derived therefrom to the vehicle. The invention also includes a station for switching such an unmanned aerial vehicle to a land vehicle. The disadvantage here is that the flight device is not suitable for acquiring information relating to the interior of a land vehicle.

The disclosure document DE 10 2017 000 280 A1 relates to a motor vehicle with a take-off and landing device for an unmanned aerial vehicle, in particular for a multicopter. The motor vehicle includes a take-off and landing device for an unmanned aerial vehicle, which is arranged in the vehicle interior on the passenger side. The disadvantage here is that the aircraft is designed only for improved navigation of the motor vehicle and not for monitoring the interior. Furthermore, a seat is occupied by the take-off and landing device.

The disclosure document EP 2 124 129 A2 relates to a docking station device that connects a portable electronic device to one or more electrical systems of a vehicle. The device includes a docking assembly having an interior cavity configured to hold the electronic device and a mechanical interface within the cavity configured to provide a wired or wireless connection to the electronic device. The disadvantage here is that no drone is provided and no monitoring of an interior and/or surroundings of the motor vehicle can take place.

The disclosure document DE 10 2014 206 708 A1 relates to a device for monitoring a motor vehicle, by means of which media data can be transmitted together with position information to a remote recipient, as well as a method for operating such a device, the device and the method being intended to help, for example, to investigate criminal offenses and criminal offenses through increased deterrence to avoid. The disadvantage of this teaching is that a drone is only proposed for transmitting data. The publication is silent on surveillance of an interior space with a drone.

The disclosure document DE 10 2015 117 227 A1 relates to a device for a motor vehicle for holding an unmanned aircraft on the motor vehicle when the unmanned aircraft is in an inactive state, the aircraft being movable independently of the motor vehicle in an active state, the device having a housing device with a housing cover, with the An aircraft storage space for the unmanned aircraft, which is delimited from an area surrounding the motor vehicle, is formed in the housing device and the interior has a predetermined landing pad for the unmanned aircraft to land independently. The disclosure also relates to a motor vehicle. The disadvantage here is that the drone is not intended for monitoring an interior space. The aircraft stowage space is designed for maintenance and cleaning of the aircraft and preferably opens to the exterior of the motor vehicle. A monitoring of the motor vehicle interior is not possible or only possible to a limited extent.

the WO 2020/021 336 A1 describes a subsystem for an unmanned aerial vehicle that includes a vehicle-mountable lightbar. The light bar includes a perimeter and a plurality of lights configured to shine through at least a portion of the perimeter. The lightbar further defines a volume in which an unmanned aerial vehicle pad and a tether deployment and retraction mechanism are positioned. The subsystem also includes an unmanned aerial vehicle with at least one camera. A tether is operable with the tether deployment and retraction mechanism and deployable from the tether deployment and retraction mechanism to the UAV. The tether is configured to transmit power to the UAV and transmit data signals to and from the UAV during flight of the UAV.

the DE 10 2019 121 437 A1 describes embodiments in which a computerized or autonomously driving CA/AD vehicle comprises a docking platform for receiving one or more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of different types for docking with the CA/AD vehicle, each UAV at least one being tailored to a configurable specific use of the CA/AD vehicle-aligned sensor, and a UAV interface for communicating with the one or more docked UAVs, including receiving sensor data collected by the one or more UAVs. In certain embodiments, the CA/AD vehicle is configured for a specific use based at least in part on the one or more UAVs docked with the CA/AD vehicle.
The invention is now based on the object of creating an improved possibility for monitoring a motor vehicle, in particular an interior and surroundings of the motor vehicle. In particular, the monitoring should be able to be carried out automatically and better protect privacy.

• - einer Antriebseinheit mit einem Energiespeicher zum Antreiben der Drohne;
• - einer Andockvorrichtung zum Andocken an einen Drohnenhafen im Fahrzeuginnenraum;
• - einem Drohnen-Sensor zum Erfassen von Sensordaten mit Informationen zum Innenraum und/oder einer Umgebung des Kraftfahrzeugs;
• - einer Analyseeinheit, die dazu ausgebildet ist, basierend auf den Sensordaten einen Zustand des Kraftfahrzeugs zu ermitteln und Zustandsdaten mit Informationen zu dem Zustand des Kraftfahrzeugs zu generieren;
• - einer Ausgangsschnittstelle zum Übermitteln der Zustandsdaten an eine weitere Einheit, wobei die Drohne eine Steuereinheit aufweist, die dazu ausgebildet ist die Drohne im Fahrzeuginnenraum und/oder einer Umgebung des Kraftfahrzeugs autonom mittels einer Steuer-KI zu steuern.

The above task is solved by a drone for monitoring a motor vehicle and an area surrounding the motor vehicle with:

• - A drive unit with an energy store for driving the drone;
• - a docking device for docking to a drone port in the vehicle interior;
• - A drone sensor for acquiring sensor data with information about the interior and/or surroundings of the motor vehicle;
• - An analysis unit, which is designed to determine a state of the motor vehicle based on the sensor data and to generate state data with information about the state of the motor vehicle;
• - An output interface for transmitting the status data to a further unit, the drone having a control unit which is designed to autonomously control the drone in the vehicle interior and/or an environment of the motor vehicle by means of a control AI.

• - einem Kraftfahrzeug mit einem Drohnenhafen, der bevorzugt in einen Cupholder integrierbar ist; und
• - einer Drohne nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei
• - der Drohnenhafen zur Aufnahme der Drohne ausgebildet ist,
• - ein Energiespeicher der Drohne im Drohnenhafen auffüllbar ist; und bevorzugt der Drohnen-Sensor im Drohnenhafen mechanisch abgeschirmt ist.

The above object is also achieved by a system for monitoring a motor vehicle and an area surrounding the motor vehicle with:

• - A motor vehicle with a drone port, which can preferably be integrated into a cup holder; and
• - A drone according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein
• - the drone port is trained to accommodate the drone,
• - an energy store of the drone can be refilled in the drone port; and preferably the drone sensor in the drone port is mechanically shielded.

• - Antreiben der Drohne;
• - Erfassen von Sensordaten mit Informationen zum Innenraum und/oder einer Umgebung des Kraftfahrzeugs;
• - Ermitteln eines Zustands des Kraftfahrzeugs;
• - Generieren von Zustandsdaten mit Informationen zu dem Zustand des Kraftfahrzeugs; und
• - Übermitteln der Zustandsdaten an eine weitere Einheit.

Finally, the above object is achieved by a method for monitoring a motor vehicle and an area surrounding the motor vehicle, preferably using a drone and/or a system as described above, comprising the steps:

• - Driving the drone;
• - Acquisition of sensor data with information about the interior and / or surroundings of the motor vehicle;
• - Determining a state of the motor vehicle;
• - Generating status data with information about the status of the motor vehicle; and
• - Transmission of the status data to another unit.

A drive unit with an energy store allows the drone to advantageously and precisely measure the interior and surroundings of the motor vehicle. The sensor can include a camera, a microphone, a lidar and/or a radar sensor, for example. In particular, it is conceivable that the drone moves laser-controlled. A state of the motor vehicle can be determined in a technically reliable manner by an analysis unit that generates state data and can be transmitted by means of the output interface. The additional unit can be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, for example. Furthermore, it is also conceivable that a corresponding unit is installed in a motor vehicle key. With the drone, an all-round view of 360° is preferably possible. The implementation of the technology is also technically reliable, such as using lasers or camera-guided systems. In this way, the drone can rise vertically from the drone port, in particular a drone port that is designed as a cup. For example, it may be sufficient to roughly hold the position and altitude. The drone and in particular the drone port can be retrofitted to various vehicle models. Compatibility enables integration into the existing vehicle system. The drone can be connected to the infotainment system via existing Bluetooth/WLAN. Recorded images and videos can be stored, preferably temporarily, on storage systems in the vehicle, which means that the drone does not need any memory or a cloud connection. It goes without saying that a memory and/or a cloud connection can nevertheless also be provided.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the drone sensor can be mechanically shielded by the drone port, the energy store comprises a battery or an accumulator that can be charged by means of the drone port, and the drone preferably has a solar cell to charge the energy store. Since a small energy store, in particular in the form of a rechargeable battery and/or a battery, is sufficient for the drone, the system is suitable for accident situations. It is also fully usable without an active power supply. A larger rechargeable battery or a primary battery could be installed in the charging station of the drone port, which recharges the drone for a single flight of around 1 minute. Furthermore, improved protection of privacy is achieved in a technically simple manner, since the sensor, in particular the camera, is preferably completely covered while driving or when the drone is not flying.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the drone is designed to determine that a driver has left the motor vehicle and to climb out of the drone port after leaving, the drone sensor comprising a camera and the drone after climbing up The vehicle interior is captured by the camera, with the analysis unit being designed to determine objects present in the motor vehicle by comparing the captured interior with an earlier recording of the motor vehicle interior, preferably using artificial intelligence - Kl - and the output interface being designed to transmit information about the to transmit recognized objects to a terminal device of the driver. In many everyday situations, it can happen that animals, children or important objects are left in the vehicle. Either the absence is not noticed at all or it is too late, so that the driver has to go back. Thanks to the rapid recognition and notification, the driver can be warned or informed immediately after leaving the motor vehicle. In this case, the transmission can take place by means of a mobile radio network or other communication standards known in principle from the prior art. In the present case, objects are preferably to be understood as meaning control objects of the analysis unit, which in particular can also include living beings and people.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, an input interface is provided which is designed to receive sensor data from a further sensor, the analysis unit being designed to, based on the sensor data from the further sensor, determine possible damage to the motor vehicle, in particular due to a detected vibration of the motor vehicle, a detected broken glass and/or a detected noise with a volume above a predefined threshold value, the drone measuring the vehicle interior and/or surroundings of the motor vehicle in response to the possible damage to the motor vehicle using the drone sensor and the output interface thereto is designed to transmit information about the measured interior and/or the surroundings of the motor vehicle to a third party, in particular the motor vehicle user. For example, images and/or videos recorded by a drone sensor in the form of a camera can be used as evidence and to clarify the cause of the damage. An alarm system of the motor vehicle can be expanded and/or supplemented by the drone. Furthermore, the recorded information can be transmitted to the driver's and/or owner's smartphone by means of the output interface, so that the driver's attention can be drawn to a dangerous situation and he/she can assess for himself how to proceed.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, an input interface is provided which is designed to receive a control command, preferably from an emergency call center after an accident of the motor vehicle, the control command causing the drone to climb and the interior to be measured by the drone, and the Output interface is designed to transmit information about the measured interior to a control center, in particular an emergency call center. This can result in increased safety and improved rescue after an accident situation. For example, the drone can transmit information about the interior if the occupants do not respond to an emergency call after an accident. As a result, an emergency call center receives visual information about the condition of the occupants and can better organize the rescue of the occupants.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the drone is designed to climb out of the motor vehicle through an opening in the motor vehicle, in particular a window, particularly preferably a skylight, and to measure the surroundings of the motor vehicle; wherein the output interface is designed to transmit information about the measured environment to a control center, in particular an emergency call center and/or a vehicle user, and the drone particularly preferably has a light source to alert third parties, preferably following road users, to an accident or the vehicle user to an Location of the motor vehicle, preferably by an orange flashing of the bulb to indicate. Information recorded from a position of, for example, 3 - 5 m above the scene of the accident enables a holistic assessment of the severity of the accident. As a result, emergency services can be fully informed about the accident and, for example, receive information about the number of vehicles and people involved and/or whether electric vehicles and/or dangerous goods transporters are involved. For example, the following traffic can be informed of the danger spot by flashing orange. Road safety is increased. Furthermore, a vehicle user can find his parked car again more easily by means of the drone rising from the motor vehicle. Because the vehicle user sees the drone and is thus navigated to the vehicle, or the vehicle user assesses the location and the environment based on a live transmission. The comfort is increased.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the drone is designed to climb out of the motor vehicle through an opening in the motor vehicle, in particular a skylight, and to record an area in front of the motor vehicle, in particular a traffic jam in front of the motor vehicle, in the form of images capture, wherein the output interface is designed to transmit the image recordings in real time to a display device in the motor vehicle and the drone is particularly preferably mechanically connected to the motor vehicle by a leash. As a result, for example when the motor vehicle is stuck in a traffic jam, the drone can rise and transmit a live image to show the end of the traffic jam or the cause. When stationary, the drone preferably climbs out of the open window when the motor vehicle is stationary and returns to the interior after about 2 seconds. Alternatively, the drone is firmly attached to the motor vehicle by means of a leash or a thin cord, so that the drone can legally be seen as a "ground-based" camera. The images are preferably not saved for data protection reasons. The display device can in particular be a display of an instrument cluster or an infotainment system installed in the motor vehicle.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a UV lamp is provided which is designed to illuminate the interior of the motor vehicle illuminate the vehicle with UV light in order to detect soiling and/or damage to the vehicle interior using the drone sensor, with the analysis unit preferably being designed to use artificial intelligence to determine a degree of soiling and/or the detected damage based on the soiling detected To determine the degree of damage to the interior and the output interface is designed to transmit information about the degree of pollution and / or the degree of damage to a center, in particular a car-sharing center. In particular, a drone can be created for a vehicle that is used within a mobility concept, such as car sharing or ride sharing. The interior of the motor vehicle can be illuminated by the UV light after the passengers have left. Dirt and liquids light up brightly, improving the degree of soiling, preferably assessable by artificial intelligence. For example, early cleaning can be initiated and the customer billed. Furthermore, damage and negligent soiling can be automatically assigned to specific users.

Further preferred configurations of the invention result from the remaining features mentioned in the dependent claims.

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

A drone is preferably an unmanned vehicle, i.e. generally an unmanned vehicle that either operates independently or is controlled remotely. In particular, a multicopter is to be understood as a drone in the present case. This is an aircraft that uses four or more vertically downward-acting rotors or propellers arranged in one plane to generate lift and, by tilting the rotor plane, also propulsion. He is one of the helicopters and can take off and land vertically like these. Quadrocopters can fly increasingly complex maneuvers and be used for various special tasks.

Artificial intelligence, Kl, deals with methods that enable a computer to solve tasks that, when solved by humans, require intelligence.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer Drohne;
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung einer Drohne mit Drohnenhafen;
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung einer Drohne im Innenraum eines Kraftfahrzeugs;
• 4 eine weitere schematische Darstellung einer Drohne im Innenraum eines Kraftfahrzeugs;
• 5 eine schematische Darstellung einer Drohne in einer Umgebung eines Kraftfahrzeugs;
• 6 eine schematische Darstellung einer Drohne im Innenraum eines Kraftfahrzeugs aus der Vogelperspektive;
• 7a eine schematische Darstellung einer Drohne in einem Drohnenhafen in der Mittelkonsole;
• 7b eine schematische Darstellung einer Drohne außerhalb eines Drohnenhafens in der Mittelkonsole; und
• 8 schematisch die Schritte eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens.

The invention is explained below in exemplary embodiments with reference to the associated drawings. Show it:

• 1 a schematic representation of a drone;
• 2 a schematic representation of a drone with drone port;
• 3 a schematic representation of a drone in the interior of a motor vehicle;
• 4 another schematic representation of a drone in the interior of a motor vehicle;
• 5 a schematic representation of a drone in an environment of a motor vehicle;
• 6 a schematic representation of a drone in the interior of a motor vehicle from a bird's eye view;
• 7a a schematic representation of a drone in a drone port in the center console;
• 7b a schematic representation of a drone outside a drone port in the center console; and
• 8th schematically shows the steps of a method according to the invention.

1 1 schematically shows a drone 10 for monitoring a motor vehicle and an area surrounding the motor vehicle. The drone 10 has a drive unit 12 with an energy store 14 for driving the drone 10 . For example, the drive unit 12 can include electric motors with propellers in order to move the drone 10 flying and/or hovering. The drone 10 also includes a docking device 16 by means of which the drone 10 can dock in a drone port.

A drone sensor 18 of drone 10 is designed to acquire sensor data with information about the interior and/or surroundings of the motor vehicle. This sensor data can be processed by an analysis unit 20, the analysis unit 20 determining a state of the motor vehicle based on the sensor data and generating state data with information about the state of the motor vehicle. This status data can be transmitted to a further unit by means of an output interface 22, which can be wireless and includes an antenna 26, for example.

The drone 10 also includes a control unit 24 which is designed to control the drone 10 using a control AI.

2 shows schematically a drone 10 in a drone port 28. Same reference numerals refer to the same features and will not be explained again.

The drone port 28 includes a bezel 29 configured to cover and shield the drone sensor 18 when the drone 10 is in the drone port 28 . Furthermore, the drone port 28 includes a charging interface with an energy source 30 to charge the energy store 14 of the drone 10 when the drone 10 is in the drone port 28 . For example, the drone port 28 may be shaped in the manner of a cup to fit in a cup holder in the center console of an automobile. As a result, the drone 10 together with the drone port 28 can be installed in a motor vehicle in a technically simple manner. In addition, a simple retrofit solution is created.

It goes without saying that the drone 10 can take off from an extra compartment in the instrument panel, for example in the manner of a drawer for a CD player. Furthermore, the drone 10 can be charged by means of a solar cell on an upper side of the drone 10 or via the motor vehicle in which the drone port 28 is located.

3 shows schematically a system 31 comprising a drone 10, a drone port 28 and a motor vehicle 32. The drone 10 can be designed to recognize that a driver has left the motor vehicle 32. It goes without saying that the drone 10 can also receive a corresponding control command from a motor vehicle system and/or motor vehicle sensor for this purpose. For example, actuation of the central locking system can be detected. For this purpose, the drone 10 can have an input interface. Furthermore, the output interface 22 can also be expanded to include an input interface to form a communication interface and can be designed to receive data.

If the drone 10 detects that the motor vehicle 32 is leaving, the drone sensor 18 can be used to take a picture, for example in the form of images of the entire vehicle interior. By comparing earlier recordings with the current recordings, the analysis unit 20 can determine whether objects have been forgotten in the motor vehicle 32 . In the example shown, there is still a child 36 on a rear seat 34. Using an AI, the drone 10 can determine from the sensor data that the child 36 was forgotten in the motor vehicle 32. Status data or a corresponding message can be transmitted to the driver's smartphone or another additional unit by means of the output interface 22 .

4 shows schematically a system 31 with a drone 10 in the interior of a motor vehicle 32. In contrast to that in 3 In the example shown, drone 10 includes an illuminant in the form of a UV illuminant 38. Contamination 40 and/or damage 42 to the vehicle interior can be illuminated by UV illuminant 38 and thus better detected by drone sensor 18 and by means of an AI be determined by the drone 10.

The drone 10 can transmit the state of the motor vehicle 32 recorded in this way to the driver, so that the driver can make an appointment for cleaning. Furthermore, in the case of a car-sharing vehicle or a fleet vehicle that is used by several users, information about the degree of soiling and/or the degree of damage can be transmitted to a control center, in particular a car-sharing control center.

5 shows a schematic representation of a system 31 with a drone 10 in the vicinity of a motor vehicle 32. In the example shown, the drone 10 is above the motor vehicle 32. The drone 10 includes a light source 46, which is preferably designed to light up and/or to blink. Furthermore, the drone 10 is firmly connected to the motor vehicle 32 by means of a leash 44 . It goes without saying that the leash 44 is optional and an embodiment without a leash 44 is also conceivable.

The drone 10 can be operated hovering above the motor vehicle 32 and can use the drone sensor 18 to capture an area in front of the motor vehicle 32 . The recorded images can be played back in a display device 48 of the motor vehicle 32 and can thus provide a driver with information about an environment in front of the motor vehicle 32 . For example, the driver can be informed about the end of a traffic jam or the cause of the traffic jam. Comfort can be increased.

It goes without saying that the drone 10 can also climb and can measure an environment of the motor vehicle 32 when the driver is not in the motor vehicle 32 . The recorded surroundings can then be transmitted to the driver's smartphone, for example, in order to make it easier for the driver to find his parked motor vehicle 32 . In addition, the drone 10 can also hover over the motor vehicle 32 for this purpose and use the light source 46 to inform the driver about the location of their own motor vehicle 32 .

In addition, the drone 10 can hover over the motor vehicle 32 after an accident and the transmit the recorded environment to a rescue control center in order to enable the rescue services to better assess the accident situation. In addition, the rescue services can be informed about the location of the motor vehicle 32 involved in an accident by means of the light source 46 . In addition, the traffic can be informed about an accident by the light source 46 .

6 shows a schematic representation of a drone 10 in the interior of a motor vehicle 32 from a bird's eye view. In the example shown, motor vehicle 32 includes a further sensor 50.

The drone 10 is designed to capture surroundings 52 of the motor vehicle 32 . The detection preferably takes place from the interior of the motor vehicle 32 . It goes without saying that the drone 10 can also, as described above, leave the motor vehicle 32 in order to capture the surroundings 52 of the motor vehicle 32 .

The additional sensor 50 can be used, for example, to detect a collision when parked, an attempted break-in by a car thief 54 or another situation in which damage to the motor vehicle 32 is imminent and/or has already occurred. If such a situation is detected, the drone 10 can be activated and record data using the drone sensor 18 and store this data or transmit it directly to an appropriate location, such as a police authority, a smartphone belonging to the owner of the motor vehicle 32 or a server. As a result, the damage to motor vehicle 32 can be documented and the person who caused it, such as car thief 54, can be identified. Furthermore, a deterrent effect can be achieved by the drone 10.
The further sensor 50 can communicate with the drone 10 by means of an input interface of the latter. For example, sensor data from the additional sensor 50 or a control command can be transmitted through the input interface of the drone 10 . In particular, a vibration of the motor vehicle 32, a broken glass and/or a noise with a volume above a predefined threshold value can be detected.

In 7a a drone 10 is shown schematically in a drone port 28 in a center console of a motor vehicle 32 . For example, the drone port 28 can be integrated into a drink holder, a so-called cup holder.

In 7b is schematically the drone 10 according to FIG 7a shown hovering over the drone port 28 in a center console. Due to the position in the middle of the motor vehicle 32, a situation in the interior can be quickly and completely detected by means of the drone 10.

For example, the drone 10 can include an input interface and can be activated by means of this by a control command or the like when an accident situation has been recognized and the occupants do not react to an emergency call that has been started. In this way, a rescue center can receive information from the vehicle interior in order to be able to better coordinate an operation.

In 8th the steps of a method according to the invention for monitoring a motor vehicle 32 and surroundings 52 of motor vehicle 32, preferably by means of a drone 10 as described above and/or a system 31 as described above, are shown schematically. In a first step S1, the drone 10 is driven, which can in particular include starting and hovering or moving the drone 10. In a second step S2, sensor data is recorded with information about the interior and/or surroundings 52 of motor vehicle 32. A state of motor vehicle 32 is then determined in a third step S3 and state data with information about the state is generated in a fourth step S4 of the motor vehicle 32 generated. Finally, in a fifth step S5, the status data is transmitted to a further unit.

• - verbesserter Schutz der Privatsphäre: die Kamera ist während der Fahrt, beziehungsweise wenn die Drohne 10 nicht fliegt, vorzugsweise vollständig verdeckt;
• - im Unfallfall wird eine sofortige Aufklärung bis zur Unfallaufnahme ermöglicht, die sowohl den Fahrzeuginnenraum als auch die nähere Umgebung 52 betreffen;
• - der Bereich, der über eine erweiterte Diebstahlwarnanlage abgedeckt wird, erstreckt sich auf das Fahrzeuginnere und eine nähere Fahrzeugumgebung. Eine Reaktion auf Bewegungen wird durch das Erkennen von Geräuschen und Bildern erweitert;
• - Das System 31 ist für den Einsatz in vielen bisherigen Modellen nachrüstbar;
• - Das System 31 gibt den Insassen ein hohes Gefühl der Sicherheit;
• - die Drohne 10 in Form einer Kameradrohne bildet mit dem Kraftfahrzeug 32 vorzugsweise eine Einheit und nutzt die Intelligenz etablierter technischer Systeme und kann daher sehr kostengünstig ausgeführt werden.

The invention has been described in detail. It goes without saying that the individual features can be combined with one another not only as described in the exemplary embodiments, but also in other ways. In particular, at least one of the following embodiments can be created with the disclosed teaching:

• - improved protection of privacy: the camera is preferably completely covered while driving, or when the drone 10 is not flying;
• - In the event of an accident, immediate clarification is made possible until the accident is recorded, which affects both the vehicle interior and the immediate vicinity 52;
• - the area that is covered by an extended anti-theft alarm system extends to the vehicle interior and a closer vehicle environment. Response to movement is augmented by recognizing sounds and images;
• - The System 31 can be retrofitted for use in many previous models;
• - The system 31 gives the occupants a high sense of security;
• - The drone 10 in the form of a camera drone preferably forms a unit with the motor vehicle 32 and uses the intelligence of established technical systems and can therefore be implemented very inexpensively.

Reference List

10

drone

12

drive unit

14

energy storage

16

docking device

18

drone sensor

20

analysis unit

22

output interface

24

control unit

26

antenna

28

drone port

29

cover

30

energy source

31

system

32

motor vehicle

34

back seat

36

child

38

UV bulbs

40

pollution

42

damage

44

rope

46

bulbs

48

display device

50

another sensor

52

vicinity

54

car thief

S1-S5

process steps

Claims (10)

Drone (10) for monitoring a motor vehicle (32) and an environment (52) of the motor vehicle (32) with: - a drive unit (12) with an energy store (14) for driving the drone (10); - A docking device (16) for docking with a drone port (28) in the vehicle interior; - A drone sensor (18) for acquiring sensor data with information about the interior and/or an environment (52) of the motor vehicle (32); - An analysis unit (20) which is designed to determine a state of the motor vehicle (32) based on the sensor data and to generate state data with information about the state of the motor vehicle (32); - an output interface (22) for transmitting the status data to a further unit, characterized in that the drone (10) has a control unit (24) which is designed to operate the drone (10) in the vehicle interior and/or in an environment (52 ) of the motor vehicle (32) to control autonomously by means of a control AI. Drone (10) after claim 1 , characterized in that the drone sensor (18) can be mechanically shielded by the drone port (28), the energy store (14) comprises a battery or an accumulator that can be charged by means of the drone port (28) in order to charge the energy store (14). Drone (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drone (10) is designed to determine that a driver has left the motor vehicle (32) and to climb out of the drone port (28) after leaving, the Drone sensor (18) comprises a camera and the drone (10) captures the vehicle interior by means of the camera after climbing, the analysis unit (20) being designed to compare the captured interior space with an earlier recording of the interior space in the motor vehicle ( 32) to determine existing objects and the output interface (22) is designed to transmit information about the detected objects to a terminal device of the driver. Drone (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an input interface which is designed to receive sensor data from a further sensor (50), the analysis unit (20) being designed to, based on the sensor data from the further sensor (50) to determine possible damage to the motor vehicle (32), in particular due to a detected vibration of the motor vehicle (32), a detected glass breakage and/or a detected noise with a volume above a predefined threshold value, the drone (10) in response to the possible damage to the motor vehicle (32) measures the vehicle interior and/or surroundings (52) of the motor vehicle (32) using the drone sensor (18) and the output interface (22) is designed to transmit information about the measured interior space and/or the surroundings (52) of the motor vehicle (32) to transmit to a third party. Drone (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an input interface which is designed to receive a control command, the control command causing the drone (10) to climb and the interior to be measured by means of the drone (10), and the output interface (22) is designed to transmit information about the measured interior to a control center. Drone (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drone (10) is designed to climb out of the motor vehicle (32) through an opening in the motor vehicle (32) and the environment (52) of the motor vehicle (32) to measure, wherein the output interface (22) is designed to transmit information about the measured environment (52) to a control center and the drone (10) has a light source (46) to alert third parties to an accident or the vehicle user to a location of the motor vehicle (32). Drone (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drone (10) is designed to climb out of the motor vehicle (32) through an opening in the motor vehicle (32) and to capture an environment (52) in front of the motor vehicle (32 ) in the form of image recordings, the output interface (22) being designed to transmit the image recordings in real time to a display device (48) in the motor vehicle (32) and the drone (10) being mechanically connected to the motor vehicle (32). . Drone (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a UV lamp (38) which is designed to illuminate the interior of the motor vehicle (32) with UV light in order to prevent dirt (40) and/or damage (42 ) of the vehicle interior using the drone sensor (18). System (31) for monitoring a motor vehicle (32) and an environment (52) of the motor vehicle (32), with: - a motor vehicle (32) with a drone port (28) and - A drone (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein - the drone port (28) is designed to accommodate the drone (28), - An energy store (14) of the drone in the drone port (28) can be refilled. Method for monitoring a motor vehicle (32) and an environment (52) of the motor vehicle (32), using a drone (10) according to one of Claims 1 until 8th and/or a system (31). claim 9 , comprising the steps of: - driving (S1) the drone (10); - Detection (S2) of sensor data with information on the interior and / or surroundings of the motor vehicle (32); - Determining (S3) a state of the motor vehicle (32); - Generating (S4) status data with information about the status of the motor vehicle (32); and - transmission (S5) of the status data to a further unit.

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