WO2009038304A1

WO2009038304A1 - System for monitoring a breakdown of vehicle and method thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2009038304A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/005309
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dae-Kyu Yoo
Original assignee: Rass Its Corporation
Priority date: 2007-09-20
Filing date: 2008-09-09
Publication date: 2009-03-26
Also published as: KR100790310B1

Abstract

According to the present invention, there are provided a system for monitoring the breakdown of a vehicle and a method thereof in which when the impact to the vehicle, the area in the vicinity of the vehicle is photographed and stored by means of the camera, and the stored image is, in real time, transmitted to the vehicle owner through a wireless communication network, whereby it is possible to prevent the vehicle from being broken down due to persons or other vehicles at night or in outdoor parking and protect an individual property right by making the locus of responsibility.

Description

SYSTEM FOR MONITORING A BREAKDOWN OF VEHICLE

AND METHOD THEREOF

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a system for monitoring the breakdown of a vehicle and a method thereof, and more particularly, to a system for monitoring a breakdown which may occur while a vehicle is parked or stopped by means of a user terminal and a method thereof. Background Art

[2] In recent years, the common use of automobiles has rapidly increased, due to the necessity of traveling in modern worlds. Meanwhile, as the number of automobiles increases, the number of breakdowns of the automobiles, which may occur by other persons at night or outdoor parking also rapidly increases.

[3] Often, when the parked vehicle is hit by another vehicle, a vehicle owner may not be able to identify the other drive whom may have caused the minor collision, which is referred to as a hit-and-run accident and a passer-by breaks down the vehicle to run away voluntarily or involuntarily. Therefore, in this case, in general, the vehicle owner repairs the vehicle by having insurance to cover the cost or repairs the vehicle at his/ her own expense. However, the vehicle owner must be insured for loss and damage to repair the vehicle by means of the insurance. Even if the vehicle owner has insurance for loss and damage, as a result, the accident, an insurance fee generally increases thereafter.

[4] The vehicle owner suffers property damage due to the breakdown caused by other persons and suffers stress due to other persons who cannot be identified.

[5] In general, an automotive anti-theft device that sounds an alarm to the outside when the vehicle is impacted has been substituted for a vehicle breakdown monitoring device.

[6] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a vehicle anti-theft device in the related art.

[7] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle anti- theft device in the related art includes an impact detection unit 3 that detects when an impact to the vehicle occurs, a detection control unit 6 that controls the entire device, and an alarm unit 9 that sounds an alarm when any impact to the vehicle occurs.

[8] The impact detection unit 3 generates a detection signal when an impact to the exterior of the vehicle occurs or windows, and the like are broken down. The alarm unit 9 alarms that the impact is given to the vehicle to the vehicle owner or the outside by means of a head light or a siren of the vehicle. The detection control unit 6 gives an operation command to the alarm unit 9 when the detection signal is generated in the impact detection unit 3 and controls the operation of the entire vehicle anti-theft device.

[9] The above-mentioned vehicle anti-theft device can prevent the vehicle from being broken down any more by generating the alarm sound to the outside of the vehicle, but the vehicle anti-theft device cannot identify who breaks down the vehicle. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[10] The present invention is made to solve the above-mentioned problems. An object of the present invention is to prevent the breakdown of a vehicle, which may occur by a person or another vehicle and determine who is responsible when the vehicle is broken down by driving a camera to photograph an area in the vicinity of the vehicle and transmitting a photographed image to a vehicle owner's terminal when an impact is detected on the exterior of the vehicle.

[11] Further, another object of the present invention is to allow a user to remotely monitor an area in the vicinity of a vehicle by using a user's own terminal whenever the user desires to monitor. Technical Solution

[12] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a system for monitoring the breakdown of a vehicle includes an impact detection unit that is installed at a predetermined position of the vehicle and detects an impact applied from the outside; one or more camera that is installed in the vehicle to photograph an area in the vicinity of the vehicle; an image storing unit that stores an image photographed through the camera; a communication module unit that communicates a predetermined terminal, transmits a message indicating that the impact to the vehicle is detected to the predetermined terminal, and transmits image data corresponding to a signal for requesting the image data from the predetermined terminal when the signal for requesting the image data is received from the terminal; a drive unit that drives the camera when the impact to the vehicle is detected; and a control unit that controls the operation of each unit.

[13] In particular, the system for monitoring the breakdown of a vehicle further includes an alarm unit that receives the control signal from the control unit to output an alarm sound or an alarm message.

[14] The camera is a CCD (Charged Coupled Device) camera.

[15] The camera is equipped with an infrared lamp that irradiates infrared rays in an area in the vicinity of a lens thereof. [16] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a system for monitoring the breakdown of a vehicle includes one or more camera that is installed in the vehicle to photograph an area in the vicinity of the vehicle; an image storing unit that stores an image photographed through the camera; a communication module unit that communicates a predetermined terminal and transmits image data corresponding to a signal for requesting the image data from the predetermined terminal when the signal for requesting the image data is received from the terminal; and a control unit that controls the operation of each unit.

[17] In particular, the system for monitoring the breakdown of a vehicle further includes a drive unit that drives the camera when a camera driving signal is received from the predetermined terminal.

[18] The system for monitoring the breakdown of a vehicle further includes an alarm unit that receives the control signal to output the alarm sound or the alarm message.

[19] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method of monitoring the breakdown of a vehicle includes detecting an impact to the vehicle; photographing an area in the vicinity of the vehicle by driving a camera for a predetermined time and storing photographed images when the impact to the vehicle is detected; transmitting a message indicating that the impact to the vehicle is detected to a predetermined terminal through a mobile communication network when the impact to the vehicle is detected; receiving a signal for requesting image data from the predetermined terminal through the mobile communication network; and transmitting image data corresponding to the image data request signal to the predetermined terminal through the mobile communication network when the image data request signal is received.

[20] In particular, the method of monitoring the breakdown of a vehicle further includes receiving a message output request signal from the predetermined terminal through the mobile communication network; and outputting an alarm sound or an alarm message when the alarm message output request signal is received.

[21] The image data request signal is a signal for requesting the image data in real time.

[22] The image data request signal is a signal for requesting the stored image data.

[23] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method of monitoring the breakdown of a vehicle includes photographing an area in the vicinity of the vehicle by driving a camera and storing photographed images; receiving a signal for requesting image data from a predetermined terminal through a mobile communication network; and transmitting image data corresponding to the image data request signal to the predetermined terminal through the mobile communication network when the image data request signal is received.

[24] In particular, the camera is driven by a camera driving signal received from the predetermined terminal. [25] The method of monitoring the breakdown of a vehicle further includes receiving an alarm message output request signal from the predetermined terminal through the mobile communication network; and outputting an alarm sound or an alarm message when the alarm message output request signal is received.

Advantageous Effects

[26] The present invention has the following advantages.

[27] In a case in which a vehicle is broken down in a state in which the vehicle is parked or stopped, it is possible for a vehicle owner to rapidly perform follow-on coping by photographing and storing a status of an area in the vicinity of the vehicle, and transmitting the photographed and stored image to a vehicle owner's terminal in real time.

[28] Further, since stored image data can be utilized as a certification material for the breakdown of a vehicle, which may occur when the vehicle is parked or stopped, it is possible to receive damage compensation corresponding to the vehicle damage.

[29] In addition, since a vehicle owner can monitor an area in the vicinity of his/her own vehicle by means of a user's terminal at the time when the vehicle owner wants to monitor, it is possible to chase the position of the vehicle by imaging the area in the vicinity of the vehicle, which is photographed in a case in which the vehicle is robbed. Brief Description of the Drawings

[30] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a general vehicle anti-theft device;

[31] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a system for monitoring the breakdown of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[32] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a camera adopted for a system for monitoring the breakdown of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[33] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a method of monitoring the breakdown of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention and

[34] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a method of monitoring the breakdown of a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[35] The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Herein, like reference numerals refer to like elements and like descriptions and detailed description of a known function which may miss the gist of the present invention and the configuration will be omitted. Embodiments of the present invention are provided to more completely describe the present invention for those skilled in the art. Accordingly, shapes and sizes of elements in the accompanying drawings may be enlarged for a clear description.

[36] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a system for monitoring the breakdown of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[37] The system for monitoring the breakdown of a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an impact detection unit 200, a control unit 210, a drive unit 220, a camera 230, an image storing unit 240, an alarm unit 250, and a mobile communication module unit 260.

[38] A plurality of the impact detection units 200 are installed inside of a vehicle body at the front, rear, left, and right sides. When an impact occurs from the outside, the impact detection unit 200 detects the impact and outputs an impact detection signal corresponding to the impact to the control unit 210. At this time, the impact detection unit 200 transmits the impact detection signal with a peculiar identity value of each impact detection unit 200 to the control unit 210 so as to allow the control unit 210 to identify a position where the impact detection unit 200 is installed. In general, a piezoelectric sensor may be used as the impact detection unit 200. When the piezoelectric sensor allows electricity to flow to generate a degree of vibration and impact, the piezoelectric sensor detects the vibration while electrodes which are in contact with each other are separated from each other. Besides, those skilled in the art can implement the impact detection unit 200 adopted in the present invention by using various methods which can be analogized by those skilled in the art.

[39] The drive unit 220 drives the camera 230 to perform a photographing operation in accordance with a control signal received from the control unit 210. In a case in which a plurality of cameras 230 are installed, the drive unit 220 separately drives the cameras.

[40] One or more camera 230 is installed in a predetermined space (for example, an edge of a roof the vehicle as shown in FIG. 3) of the vehicle to enable omnidirectional photographing. It is preferable that a CCD (Charged Coupled Device) camera that has a small volume and high resolution is used as the camera 230 since the CCD camera has no influence on the exterior of the vehicle. However, the camera 230 is not limited thereto and all cameras that can achieve the objects of the present invention can be adopted. Meanwhile, it is preferable that the camera 230 is mounted with a lamp that irradiates infrared rays in the vicinity of a lens thereof so as to enable the photographing operation even at night.

[41] The image storing unit 240 stores images photographed by the camera 230. Image data stored in the image storing unit 240 are transmitted to a predetermined terminal (for example, a vehicle owner's terminal) by using a known mobile communication network in link with the communication module unit 260 in accordance with the control signal of the control unit 210 afterwards. Further, the image data stored in the image storing unit 240 may be utilized as a certification material for identifying a driver who breaks down the vehicle afterwards. [42] The alarm unit 250 performs a function of outputting an alarm sound or an alarm message to allow the driver or passer-by who breaks down the vehicle in accordance with the control signal received from the control unit 210. That is, when the impact detection unit 200 detects the impact to the vehicle, the control unit 210 transmits a text message or a sound message indicating that the impact to the vehicle is detected to a predetermined terminal 270 through the mobile communication module unit 260. Therefore, when a user who uses the predetermined terminal 270 verifies the text message or the sound message and selects a predetermined button, a signal for requesting output of the alarm sound or the alarm message is transmitted to the mobile communication module unit 260. When the control unit 210 receives the signal for requesting the output of the alarm sound or the alarm message through the mobile communication module unit 260, the control unit 210 allows the alarm sound or the alarm message to be output through the alarm unit 250, thereby minimizing the damage to the vehicle due to the driver who breaks down the vehicle.

[43] The mobile communication module unit 260 performs wireless communication by using the predetermined terminal 270 and known mobile communication networks (for example, FDMA, TDMA, CDMA, Wibro, WCDMA, GSM, etc.). The mobile communication module unit 260 modulates the text message or the sound message indicating that the impact to the vehicle is detected in accordance with the control signal of the control unit 210 to transmit the text message or the sound message to the predetermined terminal 270 (for example, the vehicle owner's terminal) through the mobile communication network. The text message or the sound message indicating that the impact to the vehicle is detected may be stored in a memory provided in the mobile communication module unit 260 or stored in a memory provided in the control unit 210. In a case in which the text message or the sound message is stored in the memory provided in the mobile communication module unit 260, the mobile commun ication module unit 260 extracts and modulates a text message or a sound message for each status, which is previously stored in accordance with the control signal of the control unit 220 to transmit the text message or the sound message to the predetermined terminal through the mobile communication network. A message "An external impact is detected on a vehicle at OO H, OO M, and OO S may be transmitted in the form of a text or a sound.

[44] Further, the mobile communication module unit 260 demodulates a signal received from the predetermined terminal 270 and converts the signal into a digital signal to transmit the digital signal to the control unit 210.

[45] When the an impact detection signal is input from the impact detection unit 200, the control unit 210 applies the control signal to the drive unit 220 so as to photograph a status in an area in the vicinity of the vehicle for a predetermined time (for example, approximately 30 minutes) through the camera 230. Although not shown in the figure, the control unit 210 is equipped with a timer for counting a passage time. At this time, the control unit 210 applies the control signal to the drive unit 220 so that the camera 230 installed close to a position (for example, a front side, a rear side, a left side, or a right side of the vehicle) where the vehicle is impacted by determining the position where the vehicle is impacted on the basis of a peculiar identity value for each impact detection unit 200. Referring to FIG. 3, for example, in a case in which the impact is detected at position ®, three cameras 230a, 230b, and 230c installed close to the position ® are driven to photograph an area in the vicinity of the vehicle.

[46] When the control unit 210 receives a camera driving signal from the predetermined terminal 270 through the mobile communication module unit 260, the control unit 210 allows the camera 230 to be driven by applying the control signal to the drive unit 220.

[47] When the impact detection signal is input from the impact detection unit 200, the control unit 210 transmits the text message or the sound message to the predetermined terminal 270 through the mobile communication module unit 260.

[48] Meanwhile, when a control signal for controlling the system for monitoring the breakdown of the vehicle according to the present invention is input from the predetermined terminal 270, the control unit 210 controls the impact detection unit 200, the drive unit 220, the image storing unit 240, the alarm unit 250, and the mobile communication module unit 260 to enable the corresponding function to be performed.

[49] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a method of monitoring the breakdown of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[50] Referring to FIG. 4, the impact detection unit 200 is installed at the front and rear and left and right sides of the vehicle body and when the impact to the vehicle occurs from the outside, that is, the vehicle is damaged by anyone, the impact detection unit 200 detects the damage and outputs a detection signal corresponding thereto to the control unit 210 (SlO). At this time, the detection signal output from the impact detection unit 200, which includes a peculiar identity value for identifying a position, is output. The control unit 210 photographs the area in the vicinity of the vehicle for a predetermined time by outputting the control signal to the drive unit 220 and activating the camera 230. The image photographed through the camera 230 is stored in the image storing unit 240 (S20). At this time, it is preferable that the control unit 210 receives the detection signal output from the impact detection unit 200 and determines the position where the vehicle is impacted on the basis of the identity value included in the detection signal to allow the camera 230 installed close to the position where the vehicle is impacted to photograph the area in the vicinity of the vehicle by activating only the camera 230 installed close to the position where the vehicle is impacted. When the impact to the vehicle is detected, the control unit 210 transmits the sound message or the text message indicating that the impact to the vehicle is detected through the predetermined terminal 270 (hereinafter, referred to as 'user terminal') through the mobile communication module unit 260 (S20). Herein, it is preferable that a process of photographing the area in the vicinity of the vehicle and a process of transmitting a message to the user terminal are carried out at the same time when the impact to the vehicle is detected. The sound message or the text message transmitted to the user terminal is output through a display device (not shown) or a speaker (not shown). When the user selects a predetermined button provided in the predetermined terminal after the user verifies the message (S40), a control signal for requesting the image data is transmitted to the mobile communication module unit 260 (S50). At this time, the control signal transmitted from the predetermined terminal may be a control signal for requesting the image data in real time or a control signal for requesting the image data stored in the image storing unit 240. Next, after the mobile communication module unit 260 receives and demodulates the control signal from the terminal to convert the control signal into the digital signal, the mobile communication module unit 260 transmits the digital signal to the control unit 210. Therefore, the control unit 210 transmits the image data to the user terminal in response to the control signal transmitted from the user terminal (S60). That is, in a case in which the image data is requested in real time, the image data is transmitted to the user terminal in real time and in a case in which the stored image data is requested, the image data stored in the image storing unit 240 is read and transmitted to the user terminal.

[51] Meanwhile, the control unit 210 receives an alarm message output request signal from the user terminal to output the alarm sound or the alarm message through the alarm unit 250. Besides, it can be easily analogized that the impact detection unit 200, the drive unit 220, and the mobile communication module unit 260 can be controlled by using wireless communication between the user terminal and the mobile communication module unit 260.

[52] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a method of monitoring the breakdown of a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[53] Referring to FIG. 5, first, the control unit 210 determines whether the camera signal for activating the camera 230 from the predetermined terminal 270 (hereinafter, referred to as 'user terminal') is received or not (SlOO). When the camera signal is received from the user terminal, the control unit 210 photographs the area in the vicinity of the vehicle for a predetermined time by outputting the control signal to the drive unit 220 and driving the camera 230. The image photographed through the camera 230 is stored in the image storing unit 240 (Sl 10).

[54] Next, the control unit 210 determines whether the control signal for requesting the image data is received from the user terminal or not (S 120). At this time, the signal transmitted from the user terminal may be the control signal for requesting the image data in real time or the control signal for requesting the image data stored in the image storing unit 240. When the signal for requesting the image data from the user terminal, the control unit 210 transmits the image data corresponding to the control signal transmitted from the user terminal (S130). That is, in a case in which the image data is requested in real time, the image data is transmitted to the user terminal in real time and in a case in which the stored image data is requested, the image data stored in the image storing unit 240 is read and is transmitted to the user terminal.

[55] Meanwhile, the control unit 210 receives the alarm message output request signal from the user terminal to output the alarm sound or the alarm message through the alarm unit 250. Besides, it can be easily analogized that the impact detection unit 200, the drive unit 220, and the mobile communication module unit 260 can be controlled by using the wireless communication between the user terminal and the mobile communication module unit 260.

[56] According to the present invention, when the impact to the vehicle, the area in the vicinity of the vehicle is photographed and stored by means of the camera, and the stored image is, in real time, transmitted to the vehicle owner through a wireless communication network, whereby it is possible to prevent the vehicle from being broken down due to persons or other vehicles at night or in outdoor parking and protect an individual property right by making the locus of responsibility.

[57] In addition, since the vehicle owner can monitor an area in the vicinity of a his/her own vehicle by means of the user terminal at the time when the vehicle owner wants to monitor, it is possible to chase the position of the vehicle by imaging the area in the vicinity of the vehicle, which is photographed in a case the vehicle is robbed.

[58] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the present invention should not be limited to those precise embodiments and that various changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

[1] A system for monitoring the breakdown of a vehicle, comprising: an impact detection unit that is installed at a predetermined position of the vehicle and detects an impact applied from the outside; one or more camera that is installed in the vehicle to photograph an area in the vicinity of the vehicle; an image storing unit that stores an image photographed through the camera; a communication module unit that communicates a predetermined terminal, transmits a message indicating that the impact to the vehicle is detected to the predetermined terminal, and transmits image data corresponding to a signal for requesting the image data from the predetermined terminal when the signal for requesting the image data is received from the terminal; a drive unit that drives the camera when the impact to the vehicle is detected; and a control unit that controls the operation of each unit.

[2] The system for monitoring the breakdown of a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising: an alarm unit that receives the control signal from the control unit to output an alarm sound or an alarm message.

[3] The system for monitoring the breakdown of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the camera is a CCD (Charged Coupled Device) camera.

[4] The system for monitoring the breakdown of a vehicle according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the camera is equipped with an infrared lamp that irradiates infrared rays in an area in the vicinity of a lens thereof.

[5] A system for monitoring the breakdown of a vehicle, comprising: one or more camera that is installed in the vehicle to photograph an area in the vicinity of the vehicle; an image storing unit that stores an image photographed through the camera; a communication module unit that communicates a predetermined terminal and transmits image data corresponding to a signal for requesting the image data from the predetermined terminal when the signal for requesting the image data is received from the terminal; and a control unit that controls the operation of each unit.

[6] The system for monitoring the breakdown of a vehicle according to claim 5, further comprising: a drive unit that drives the camera when a camera driving signal is received from the predetermined terminal.

[7] The system for monitoring the breakdown of a vehicle according to claim 5, further comprising: an alarm unit that receives the control signal to output the alarm sound or the alarm message.

[8] A method of monitoring the breakdown of a vehicle, comprising: detecting that an impact to the vehicle is detected; photographing an area in the vicinity of the vehicle by driving a camera for a predetermined time and storing photographed images when the impact to the vehicle is detected; transmitting a message indicating that the impact to the vehicle is detected to a predetermined terminal through a mobile communication network when the impact to the vehicle is detected; receiving a signal for requesting image data from the predetermined terminal through the mobile communication network; and transmitting image data corresponding to the image data request signal to the predetermined terminal through the mobile communication network when the image data request signal is received.

[9] The method of monitoring the breakdown of a vehicle according to claim 8, further comprising: receiving a message output request signal from the predetermined terminal through the mobile communication network; and outputting an alarm sound or an alarm message when the alarm message output request signal is received.

[10] The method of monitoring the breakdown of a vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the image data request signal is a signal for requesting the image data in real time.

[11] The method of monitoring the breakdown of a vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the image data request signal is a signal for requesting the stored image data.

[12] A method of monitoring the breakdown of a vehicle, comprising: photographing an area in the vicinity of the vehicle by driving a camera and storing photographed images; receiving a signal for requesting image data from a predetermined terminal through a mobile communication network; and transmitting image data corresponding to the image data request signal to the predetermined terminal through the mobile communication network when the image data request signal is received.

[13] The method of monitoring the breakdown of a vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the camera is driven by a camera driving signal received from the pre- determined terminal.

[14] The method of monitoring the breakdown of a vehicle according to claim 12, further comprising: receiving an alarm message output request signal from the predetermined terminal through the mobile communication network; and outputting an alarm sound or an alarm message when the alarm message output request signal is received.