DE102023000024A1 - Procedure and system for damage detection on vehicles and subsequent damage processing - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for detecting damage in vehicles and for subsequent damage processing, as well as a system for carrying out the method.The method comprises the steps:a) recording sound signals caused by a damage event on a material of a vehicle (50a, 50b, 50c) to be monitored, by a sensor (a, b, c; 1) attached to a surface of the material, which converts the sound signals into electrical signals (= sensor signals);b) evaluating the sensor signals, whereby the occurrence of the damage event on the vehicle is detected as a result of the evaluation, and recording the time of the damage occurrence and the location (position) of the vehicle when the damage occurs;c) transmitting the data obtained in step (b) to a server of a control center (20);d) sending a notification of the damage event from the server to a workshop (30, 31, 32);e) sending a notification of the damage event from the server to an expert, and commissioning the expert with the preparation of evidence and a damage calculation;f) sending a notification about the damage event from the server to a law firm.The system comprises:- one or more vehicles, each of these vehicles having one or more sensors attached to a surface of a material;- an evaluation unit for evaluating the sensor signals and for transmitting the data generated thereby to another device;- a central processing unit which is suitable for receiving data from each of the vehicles via the aforementioned communication connection.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for detecting damage to vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, and for subsequent damage processing. The invention further relates to a system for carrying out such a method.

When motor vehicle damage occurs, various measures must be taken due to legal requirements and insurance regulations in order to create the conditions for the subsequent damage settlement (claims settlement). However, these processes are generally not well known; in addition, the parties involved in the accident are usually in an exceptional situation with high physical and psychological stress. This means that drivers of the vehicles involved in an accident often make hasty and unfavorable decisions under the influence of the accident or make statements that may later prove to be detrimental to the driver or owner of the vehicle.

The aim of the present invention was therefore to provide a method which, starting with the detection of damage, automatically initiates the subsequent damage settlement (claims settlement) and which guides the parties involved, in particular a vehicle owner (or injured party), through a sequence of individual steps in the damage settlement. The aim was also to design the damage settlement process in such a way that it is visible to the parties involved and, preferably, is also documented in a way that is tamper-proof. The aim was also to provide a system for carrying out the process.

These objects are achieved by a method for damage detection and damage processing and by a system for carrying out this method according to the independent patent claims, as well as by the embodiments specified in the dependent claims and by the embodiments specified in the following description. Further advantages, effects and possible applications emerge from the following description and the drawings.

1. a) Aufnehmen (Erfassen) von Schallsignalen, die durch ein Schadensereignis an mindestens einem zu überwachenden Material, insbesondere einer Glasscheibe, eines Fahrzeugs verursacht werden, durch mindestens einen an einer Oberfläche des zu überwachenden Materials angebrachten Sensor, der die Schallsignale in elektrische Signale wandelt (= Sensorsignale);
2. b) Auswertung der Sensorsignale, wodurch als Ergebnis der Auswertung das Eintreten des Schadensereignisses an dem Fahrzeug erkannt wird, und Erfassung des Zeitpunkts des Schadenseintritts und des Standorts (Position) des Fahrzeugs bei Schadenseintritt;
3. c) Übermittlung der in Schritt (b) erhaltenen Daten an einen Server einer Zentrale;
4. d) Senden einer Benachrichtigung über das Schadensereignis von dem Server der Zentrale an eine zuvor bestimmte Werkstatt;
5. e) Senden einer Benachrichtigung über das Schadensereignis von dem Server der Zentrale an einen zuvor bestimmten Gutachter, und Beauftragung des Gutachters mit der Erstellung einer Beweissicherung und einer Schadenkalkulation;
6. f) Senden einer Benachrichtigung über das Schadensereignis von dem Server der Zentrale an eine zuvor bestimmte Rechtsanwaltkanzlei.

The method according to the invention for damage detection and damage settlement comprises at least the following steps:

1. a) recording (capturing) sound signals caused by a damage event on at least one material to be monitored, in particular a pane of glass, of a vehicle, by at least one sensor attached to a surface of the material to be monitored, which converts the sound signals into electrical signals (= sensor signals);
2. b) Evaluation of the sensor signals, whereby the occurrence of the damage event on the vehicle is detected as a result of the evaluation, and recording the time of the damage occurrence and the location (position) of the vehicle at the time the damage occurs;
3. c) transmitting the data obtained in step (b) to a central server;
4. d) sending a notification of the damage event from the central server to a previously designated workshop;
5. e) sending a notification of the damage event from the central server to a previously designated expert and instructing the expert to prepare a preservation of evidence and a damage calculation;
6. f) Sending a notification of the damage event from the central server to a previously designated law firm.

The recording and evaluation of the sound signals generally takes place continuously, e.g. while the vehicle is in use or when it is parked.

The procedural steps following step (c) concern the settlement of damage in the true sense of the word. Step (c) and the subsequent steps are carried out automatically, i.e. computer- or software-controlled, or initiated as soon as a damage event has been detected (step (b)). Manual intervention by the driver of a vehicle affected by a damage event is generally not required (except for steps that require a declaration of intent). This has the advantage that the damage detection, the transmission of the data of the damage event to the central server, etc. can also take place if, for example, the vehicle is no longer roadworthy or if the driver has become incapacitated due to an accident.

The sound signals that are recorded in step (a) can be airborne sound (particularly in the range of audible sound), but also ultrasound and low-frequency sound) as well as infrasound. Preferably, sensors that are able to detect both airborne sound and infrasound are used in the method. The frequency range of the sound signals is 0 to 30 kHz; it includes both sound waves that propagate in air (airborne sound) and sound waves that propagate in solids, especially glass.

The method is intended in particular for detecting damage events in vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, e.g. cars, trucks and other commercial vehicles, motorcycles, trailers, vans or mobile homes. In addition, the method can also be used to detect damage to aircraft or watercraft.

To detect damage, at least one sensor suitable for converting sound signals into electrical signals is attached to a surface of a material that is to be monitored for the occurrence of damage. In the case of motor vehicles, this particularly concerns surfaces of glass panes, the body and body parts (e.g. headlights, lights, (outside) mirrors, bumpers and sunroofs). The sensor mentioned (or two or more such sensors) is particularly preferably attached to the front window (windshield) of a motor vehicle. It is preferably attached to the inside of a windshield, for example. Attachment in body cavities is also possible.

The electrical signals generated by the sensor(s) are - after conversion into digital signals - evaluated in a subsequent step (b), whereby the occurrence of the damage event to the mentioned material of the vehicle is recognized as a result of the evaluation. In addition, the evaluation can be carried out in such a way that the severity (strength, intensity) of the damage (e.g. total destruction of a windshield) and/or the type of damage event (e.g. stone chips or scratches) are also recognized.

The evaluation can be carried out by means of one or more evaluation units, as described in detail below (see sections "System for carrying out the method according to the invention" and "Sensor system"). The detection of damage occurs essentially in actual time, i.e. at the time at which the damage event occurs.

At the same time, in step (b), the time at which the damage occurred and the location (position) of the vehicle at the time the damage occurred are recorded. This data can be obtained, for example, via a navigation device or infotainment system installed in the vehicle or an on-board computer, or via GPS navigation software (app) on a mobile device belonging to the driver of the vehicle.

The data obtained during the evaluation on the detected damage event, preferably with the data regarding the time of the damage occurrence and the location (position) of the vehicle, are transmitted to a server at a central location in a subsequent step (c). If two or more of the materials of a vehicle monitored by sensors have been damaged, additional information regarding the type and number of damaged materials or vehicle parts can be transmitted in step (c) (e.g. windshield, left and/or right exterior mirror, driver's door, passenger door, tailgate).

The transmission of the data and information mentioned above to the control center (server) generally takes place via a radio connection, in particular via a mobile phone connection, for example via a smartphone carried by the driver (or vehicle owner) in the vehicle involved in the accident or a mobile phone device installed in the vehicle (transmitter and receiver unit). If no mobile phone connection can be established at the time of the damage event, for example because there is no operational smartphone in the vehicle or no mobile phone network is available, the data of the detected damage event is stored (preferably in a memory of the evaluation unit) and the transmission is carried out at a later time as soon as a mobile phone connection can be established.

In general, the process is as follows: If the software detects a damage pattern of a damage event that has occurred during the evaluation, this information is sent, for example, via WLAN, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to a smartphone belonging to the driver (or possibly a passenger) on which an app is installed. This app is preferably designed in such a way that it establishes a connection to the server as soon as a damage event has been detected during the evaluation.

This app forwards or sends the data to the central server, which then (software-controlled) initiates the implementation of the next steps in the claims settlement. The server communicates automatically, i.e. software-controlled, with the various people, companies or institutions involved in the settlement process (repair workshops, law firms, assessors/experts, towing services, etc.).

The “central office” can be, for example, a service provider that provides the method according to the invention (and a system suitable for its implementation, in particular programs and hardware, e.g. servers) and, for example, provides customers with access authorization. ations (accounts) on a contractual basis. In particular, it is intended that two or more repair workshops (also called "car dealerships") each receive such an account from the head office.

The central server mentioned above is designed with appropriate software to organize the entire settlement procedure, in particular the steps described below, as soon as the server has received the data on the damage event transmitted in step (c). During the settlement procedure, the server automatically communicates with the various people, companies and institutions involved (e.g. car dealership/repair shop; law firm; towing service).

In step (d) of the process, the central server sends a notification about the damage event to a previously determined workshop, and optionally also to the owner of the vehicle. This is preferably done via a mobile phone or internet connection. Alternatively or additionally, this notification can also be sent from the smartphone of the driver of the damaged vehicle mentioned above. These sending processes are carried out automatically.

The mentioned workshop (also called a "car dealership") has been designated in advance by the owner of the vehicle as the workshop to be notified in the event of damage (alternatively, several workshops can be specified for selection). The contact details, in particular mobile phone numbers and email addresses, of all workshops contractually authorized to use the system, as well as the contact details of the vehicle owners who are each customers of a specific workshop, have been registered in advance with the head office and stored on the mentioned server. In general, each customer is assigned to a specific car dealership.

In the next step (e), a notification about the damage event is sent from the central server to a previously determined assessor (i.e. one authorized by the vehicle owner). Together with this notification, the assessor (vehicle expert) can be commissioned to prepare a report on the damage event. This notification is preferably sent by email, SMS or similar means of communication.

If commissioned, the appraiser or expert then prepares (step (i)) a report that includes securing evidence and calculating the damage. These documents are also prepared in digital form (files; e.g. text files, graphics, photographs).

The appraiser then arranges for the report files to be sent to the headquarters server, and optionally also to the vehicle owner. This sending is also done electronically (“online”), preferably by email, SMS or similar means of communication.

In a further step, the report is sent in digital form by the expert or the head office to the previously determined law firm for legal processing of the claim (step (f); see below). Preferably, the forwarding of the report is initiated automatically by the head office server.

In a further step (f), the central server sends a notification about the damage event to a previously determined law firm (usually a specialist lawyer for traffic law); preferably, the vehicle owner is informed about the sending of this notification. The notified law firm can - after being commissioned by the vehicle owner - carry out the legal processing of the damage case.

The method can have an additional step (g) in which the server of the control center sends a notification about the damage event (20) to the owner (40, 41, 42) and/or driver of the vehicle, together with a request to visit the workshop mentioned for the purpose of inspecting and determining the extent of the damage. Optionally, a deadline can be set for this.

This request is preferably also transmitted via a mobile phone connection, e.g. displayed as an SMS on the smartphone of the vehicle owner or driver. This display can preferably be linked to the display of a route connection on a navigation device in the vehicle or on the smartphone in order to make it easier to find the way to the workshop. It can also be provided that if there are several workshops to choose from, the workshop closest to the accident site is displayed.

After the damaged vehicle has been brought to the workshop as requested, the workshop can carry out an inspection of the damage and determine the extent of the damage (step (h)). Preferably, the result of the determination of the extent of the damage is recorded by the workshop, in particular in digital form. In addition to the type and extent of the damage, the following data can also be recorded: day and time of the inspection of the vehicle damage; name of the workshop employee; license plate number of the vehicle; name of the driver/owner. This report is preferably sent in digital form to the central server so that it can be viewed by those involved in the process who have access.

1. k) Prüfung und Feststellung des Zahlungseingangs der vom Versicherungsunternehmen erstatteten Kosten, und Speicherung dieser Daten auf dem Server;
2. l) nach Wiederherstellung des Fahrzeugs: Senden einer Mitteilung an den Fahrer/Halter des Fahrzeugs und/oder an den Server.

As the claim process continues, the procedure may also include the following steps:

1. k) checking and confirming receipt of payment of the costs reimbursed by the insurance company and storing this data on the server;
2. l) after recovery of the vehicle: sending a notification to the driver/keeper of the vehicle and/or to the server.

• m) Abgabe einer Forderungsabtretungserklärung für Versicherung und Sachverständigen;
• n) Abgabe einer Erklärung zum sofortigen Reparaturbeginn.

Furthermore, the method may comprise the following further steps:

• m) Submission of a declaration of assignment of claims for the insurance company and the expert;
• n) Submitting a declaration to start repairs immediately.

These declarations are usually made (by the vehicle owner) at the beginning of the settlement procedure.
These declarations are preferably submitted in digital form and stored on the headquarters server so that they can be viewed by those involved in the procedure who are authorized to access them.

The claim settlement process can optionally include a further step in which the insurance company liable to pay, after examining the report submitted, sends the declaration of acceptance of repair costs and repair approval (to the headquarters server; as well as to the vehicle owner and to the repair shop designated by him). This is also done electronically ("online"), preferably by email, SMS or similar means of communication.

Preferably, individual, several or all steps of the process are carried out in real time and automatically, in particular program-controlled (with the exception of the necessary manual data entries, confirmations, etc.). "Automatic" means that the process of damage detection and processing, or the respective process steps, are initiated automatically, i.e. without human intervention. The process of damage detection and processing is initiated automatically when the damage event occurs (detection of a damage event in step (b)). In particular, it is intended that individual or several steps of the process are carried out program-controlled. For program-controlled implementation, a software or app designed for this purpose is installed on the server of the control center and on the mobile devices involved (smartphones, etc.).

“In real time” means that the processing of data, in particular the evaluation of sensor data, and the sending and receiving of data, information, documents, etc. takes place without delay (with the exception of delays caused by technical malfunctions or the like).

The method according to the invention is preferably carried out in such a way that one or more, preferably all of the steps or functions specified in steps (b) to (o) or (c) to (o), as well as possibly also further steps of the claims settlement, are carried out digitally (i.e. using digital technology, hardware and software) and processed using blockchain technology, whereby the documents, declarations, transactions etc. generated in the steps mentioned are stored chronologically in digital form in a blockchain data structure. This ensures that the data is highly secure against manipulation, so that it can be used as court-proof evidence if necessary. The central server and the end devices (smartphones, tablets, PCs etc.) of those involved in the process (users) are equipped with appropriate software that enables the use of blockchain technology.

On the other hand, the blockchain data records are visible to the authorized (access-rights-equipped) users of the process at any time, so that every user, in particular the owner of a damaged vehicle and the respective repair workshop, can find out about the current status of the settlement process. In particular, the aforementioned head office, the owner of the vehicle and/or the aforementioned workshop can track the current status of the claim settlement via protected access, preferably using a mobile application (app) set up for this purpose on a mobile device (e.g. smartphone, tablet).

Preferably, the actions carried out during the procedure (e.g. sending documents, submitting declarations) are logged by day, time, sender, recipient, etc. so that the procedure as a whole is transparent and traceable.

The method according to the invention thus enables an automated, secure and transparent execution of the performance process starting from the occurrence of the damage until the damaged vehicle is repaired.

• o) Absetzen eines Notrufs an eine Notrufzentrale oder Rettungsleitstelle (Rettungsdienst, Polizei, Feuerwehr), und/oder Anforderung eines Abschleppdienstes, jeweils verbunden mit Übermittlung des Standorts (Position) des Fahrzeugs bei Schadenseintritt.

According to a further embodiment of the method, it is provided that it comprises the following step (o), which is automatically triggered when damage is detected (step (b)):

• o) Making an emergency call to an emergency call center or rescue control center (ambulance service, police, fire department), and/or requesting a towing service, in each case combined with transmission of the location (position) of the vehicle in the event of damage occurring.

This step is triggered in particular if a serious damage event was detected during damage detection (steps (a) and (b)). The following criteria in particular can be used for the automatic detection of a serious damage event: energy of the impact (amplitude of the sound signal(s); type of damage (e.g. total destruction of a window, particularly the windshield); if there are several sensors installed in the vehicle: number of sensors that detect a damage event.

The emergency call is preferably made via the mobile phone network (using a device installed in the vehicle or using a mobile phone belonging to the driver or a passenger).

In the case of less serious damage cases that do not require an immediate automatic emergency call, a towing service is only requested after prior examination by the lawyer who has been informed of the damage event (step (f)). This lawyer can enable the driver of the vehicle affected by the damage event to communicate with the relevant towing service via the headquarters server.

1. (a) vorausgeht, und der auch unabhängig von den oben genannten Verfahrensschritten durchgeführt werden kann:
   • - Anbringen zumindest eines Sensors, der dafür ausgelegt ist, die durch ein Schadensereignis verursachten Schallsignale in elektrische Signale umzuwandeln, an einer Oberfläche eines Materials, insbesondere einer Glasscheibe, das/die hinsichtlich des Auftretens eines Schadensereignisses überwacht werden soll. Das Anbringen des Sensors bzw. der Sensoren erfolgt vorzugsweise durch eine Klebverbindung (z. B. doppelseitiges Klebeband oder Klebschicht).

If a vehicle is to be equipped with a sensor of the type mentioned for the first time or again, the method may comprise the following preparatory step, which follows the step

1. (a) and which may also be carried out independently of the above-mentioned procedural steps:
   • - Attaching at least one sensor, which is designed to convert the sound signals caused by a damage event into electrical signals, to a surface of a material, in particular a pane of glass, which is to be monitored for the occurrence of a damage event. The sensor or sensors are preferably attached using an adhesive bond (e.g. double-sided adhesive tape or adhesive layer).

After attaching the sensor, an activation step is preferably carried out to put the sensor into operation; this activation is preferably carried out using a smartphone app designed for this purpose (e.g. smartphone or tablet etc. of the vehicle owner or driver). It is possible to compare the data with the data of the vehicle and the vehicle owner/driver stored on the central server (see description of data collection below) before the installed sensor(s) are activated.

Activation enables the smartphone (or another suitable mobile device) to receive the data obtained during the evaluation about the detected damage event and to forward it to the control center server (see above, steps b) and c)).

The mentioned sensor, or at least one of several sensors, is preferably a sensor designed to record both airborne sound and infrasound signals.

This allows a high level of reliability in damage detection. Particularly suitable sound sensors (sensor units) are described below. In order to detect different damage events as accurately as possible, it is advantageous to use a sensor that is able to use the microphone located in it to record the sound signals generated by a damage event (i.e. airborne sound, in particular audible sound) and also the infrasound signals generated in the process.

1. (i) Erfassen, vorzugsweise mittels eines Scanners, von Daten mindestens eines Halters eines Fahrzeugs und Daten eines Fahrzeugs dieses Halters, und Speichern dieser Daten durch die Zentrale (z. B. auf einem Server); wobei diese Daten insbesondere umfassen: Fahrgestellnummer des Fahrzeugs, Fahrzeugtyp und -marke, Baujahr, Kilometerstand, amtliches Kennzeichen des Fahrzeugs, Name und Kontaktangaben des Halters, Namen und Kontaktangaben von Personen, die zum Fahren des Fahrzeugs berechtigt sind; Daten zur Identifizierung der Mobilfunkgeräte (z. B. Mobilfunk-Nr.) oder sonstigen Endgeräte der beteiligten Personen (Fahrer, Halter); Angaben zur Fahrzeug-Versicherung; Art, Anzahl und Anbringungsort der in dem Fahrzeug installierten Schall-Sensoren.
2. (ii) Anlegen mindestens eines geschützten Benutzerkontos (Account) für mindestens eine Werkstatt bei der Zentrale (z. B. auf einem Server der Zentrale);
3. (iii) Anlegen mindestens eines geschützten Benutzerkontos (Account) für mindestens einen Fahrzeug-Halter bei der Zentrale (z. B. auf einem Server der Zentrale).

Furthermore, the method according to the invention can comprise one or more of the following preparatory steps, which can be carried out independently of the above-mentioned method steps:

1. (i) Recording, preferably by means of a scanner, data of at least one owner of a vehicle and data of a vehicle of this owner, and storing this data by the central office (e.g. on a server); this data includes in particular: chassis number of the vehicle, vehicle type and make, year of manufacture, mileage, vehicle registration number, name and contact details of the owner, names and contact details of persons authorised to drive the vehicle; data for identifying the mobile devices (e.g. mobile number) or other end devices of the persons involved (driver, owner); information on the vehicle Insurance; type, number and location of the sound sensors installed in the vehicle.
2. (ii) Creating at least one protected user account (Account) for at least one workshop at the headquarters (e.g. on a server at the headquarters);
3. (iii) Creating at least one protected user account (Account) for at least one vehicle owner at the headquarters (e.g. on a server at the headquarters).

Preferably, a workshop which has an account with the head office will be able to use this account to record the relevant data (step (i)) for each of its customers (vehicle owners) who wish to take advantage of the procedure and to store this data with the head office (generally in a database on the head office's server).

“Relevant data” includes in particular data for identifying the vehicle (vehicle data) and the vehicle owner (e.g. chassis number of the vehicle, vehicle type and make, year of manufacture, vehicle registration number); these are preferably recorded by scanning the official registration confirmation, for example using a smartphone or tablet. Further information, such as the name and contact details of the owner, names and contact details of persons who are authorized to drive the vehicle (driver); details of the vehicle insurance (insurance provider, motor vehicle liability, partial insurance, fully comprehensive insurance, agreed deductible, workshop commitment), as well as a lawyer appointed by the vehicle owner, can also be entered manually and stored on the central office server. The recording and storage of the above-mentioned data has the advantage that in the event of damage, this information is available via the central office for the implementation of the inventive damage settlement procedure - as described above.

This step of data collection (registration) is a preparatory step that is usually carried out when a vehicle owner wishes to participate in the method according to the invention or in the system for carrying out the method for the first time.

The data collection described above ensures that a specific vehicle (with sound sensors installed in it, etc.) is firmly and clearly assigned to the respective vehicle owner (and drivers, if applicable) and their mobile devices. Since each mobile phone user is clearly identifiable, this makes it possible for the data sent to the central server in the event of a damage event (step (c) of the process) to be assigned to the respective vehicle owner registered on the central server.

According to a further embodiment of the method, it is provided that a driver who is not authorized to use the vehicle (who has not been registered as a driver as described above and stored in the server database) is recognized at the start of the journey and the vehicle owner receives a message informing him of this third-party use.

• - Vandalismus an einem abgestellten Fahrzeug;
• - Parkschaden, verursacht durch ein anderes Fahrzeug.

The method according to the invention can also be used advantageously in cases where the damage event that occurred and was detected can be attributed to one of the following causes:

• - Vandalism of a parked vehicle;
• - Parking damage caused by another vehicle.

The evaluation of the signals (step (b)) is designed to detect damage caused by vandalism or parking damage caused by third parties.

For example, damage caused by vandalism can be detected based on its specific sound signals (e.g. the sound of a scratch being made in the vehicle's paintwork). The same applies to parking damage. In addition, data can be evaluated that results from the vehicle being turned off or parked (e.g. ignition switched off, no engine noise). In addition, signals provided by other sensors installed in the vehicle (e.g. vibration sensors, cameras) can be used to detect parking or vandalism damage.

• - Schritt (c) und die weiteren oben genannten Schritte des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens;
• - Erzeugen von Alarmsignalen durch das Fahrzeug (Hupen, Beleuchtung, Blinken)
• - Senden eines Warnhinweises an den Fahrer und/oder Halter des Fahrzeugs, vorzugsweise über Mobilfunknetz.

When parking damage or vandalism damage is detected, the process is designed to automatically perform one or more of the following steps:

• - step (c) and the other above-mentioned steps of the process according to the invention;
• - Generation of alarm signals by the vehicle (horns, lights, flashing)
• - Sending a warning to the driver and/or owner of the vehicle, preferably via mobile network.

Even if the method according to the invention has been described above as a sequence of method steps, this does not exclude the possibility of two or more of these steps being carried out simultaneously. Preferably, steps c) to g), or at least two of these steps, are carried out simultaneously.

• - eines, zwei oder vorzugsweise mehrere Fahrzeuge, wobei jedes dieser Fahrzeuge auf mindestens einer Oberfläche eines Materials, vorzugsweise einer Glasscheibe, einen oder mehrere daran angebrachte(n) Sensor(en) aufweist, wobei der/die Sensor(en) dazu ausgelegt ist/sind, die durch ein Schadensereignis verursachten Schallsignale zu erfassen und in elektrische Signale umzuwandeln (= Sensorsignale);
• - mindestens eine Auswertungseinheit in jedem der Fahrzeuge, welche dazu ausgelegt ist, die Sensorsignale auszuwerten, so dass als Ergebnis der Auswertung das Eintreten des Schadensereignisses an dem erwähnten Material eines jeweiligen Fahrzeugs erkannt wird und das Ergebnis in digitaler Form ausgegeben wird, und wobei die Auswertungseinheit ferner dazu ausgelegt ist, die bei der Auswertung erzeugten Daten an ein anderes Gerät zu übertragen, vorzugsweise mittels einer drahtlosen Datenverbindung oder eines Funknetzwerks, insbesondere mittels Bluetooth oder WLAN;
• - eine zentrale, externe Recheneinheit (Computer, Server), welche geeignet ist, über die genannte Kommunikationsverbindung Daten von jedem der Fahrzeuge zu empfangen; wobei diese Recheneinheit zusammen mit zwei oder mehreren Endgeräten, vorzugsweise mobilen Endgeräten, ein Netzwerk bildet, welches bevorzugt dazu ausgelegt ist, Daten und Transaktionen in chronologischer Reihenfolge in einer Blockchain-Datenstruktur zu speichern.

The present invention further relates to a system for carrying out the method according to the invention.
This system shall include at least the following:

• - one, two or preferably several vehicles, each of these vehicles having one or more sensors attached to at least one surface of a material, preferably a pane of glass, the sensor(s) being designed to detect the sound signals caused by a damage event and to convert them into electrical signals (= sensor signals);
• - at least one evaluation unit in each of the vehicles, which is designed to evaluate the sensor signals so that as a result of the evaluation the occurrence of the damage event on the mentioned material of a respective vehicle is recognized and the result is output in digital form, and wherein the evaluation unit is further designed to transmit the data generated during the evaluation to another device, preferably by means of a wireless data connection or a radio network, in particular by means of Bluetooth or WLAN;
• - a central, external computing unit (computer, server) which is suitable for receiving data from each of the vehicles via said communication connection; this computing unit, together with two or more terminal devices, preferably mobile terminal devices, forming a network which is preferably designed to store data and transactions in chronological order in a blockchain data structure.

The evaluation unit is preferably designed using appropriate software to evaluate the signals transmitted by the sensors and to detect the damage event.

If two or more sensors are installed in a vehicle (e.g. at different locations on the windscreen or on different windows), each sensor can be connected to a respective evaluation unit, or a common evaluation unit can be installed which is set up to receive and evaluate data from two or more sensors.

Preferably, the evaluation unit is designed to carry out an evaluation of the temporal course of infrasound signals and the temporal course of sound signals (airborne sound).

Preferably, the evaluation of the temporal progression of the sound signals is carried out on the basis of one or more of the following parameters: frequency range, frequency spectrum, gaps in the frequency spectrum, change in frequency over time, minimum/maximum amplitude, amplitude (sound energy or intensity) over time, level decrease at the end, total duration of the damage event. These functions can be implemented using suitable software or in an ASIC.

The evaluation can further comprise a further step in which the pattern of the (airborne) sound and infrasound signals of a damage event obtained by the evaluation is assigned to one of several damage pattern types, these damage pattern types comprising in particular the following: glass stone chip damage, glass breakage damage, glass cracks; hail damage to glass or sheet metal, accident damage, in particular dents, in sheet metal parts; scratches in sheet metal parts; scratches in plastic parts or in composite material parts; breakage damage in plastic parts or in composite material parts; impact or breakage damage to vehicle exterior mirrors; impact or breakage damage to lighting devices, in particular to headlights and taillights of motor vehicles.

When evaluating the signals, one or more of the following programs or methods are preferably used: audio filters, Fourier transformations, wavelet transformations, pattern recognition, statistical methods. Further details on the evaluation or the evaluation unit are described in the "Sensor system" section below.

The evaluation unit is designed to transmit the data generated during the evaluation to another device, preferably by means of a wireless data connection or a radio network, in particular by means of Bluetooth or WLAN. A "other device" can be a smartphone (in particular a smartphone carried by the driver), or an on-board diagnostic system or infotainment system of a vehicle), etc.

The end devices, preferably mobile devices (e.g. smartphone, tablet, notebook), are preferably equipped with a software application (app) that enables the verification and storage of data and transactions in the blockchain as well as access to them.

• - Unfall-Schadenserkennung in Echtzeit, auf Basis der Sensorsignale, sowie optional Anzeige des geschädigten Fahrzeugteils und/oder Art des Schadens;
• - manueller Notruf an Rettungsleitstelle;
• - Pannenmeldung an eine Werkstatt;
• - Anfertigen von Fotos des geschädigten Fahrzeugs am Unfallort aus verschiedenen Perspektiven, optional nach Aufforderung durch die Applikation;
• - Anzeigen von Hinweisen auf einzuhaltende Fristen, ggf. Alarmierung;
• - Hinweise auf einzureichende Unterlagen, ggf. mit Aufforderung und Fristsetzung;
• - Registrierung des das Fahrzeug steuernden Fahrzeugs bei einer Werkstatt oder der erwähnten Zentrale;
• - nach Anbringen eines oder mehrerer der genannten Sensoren an einem Fahrzeug: Aktivierung des Sensors/der Sensoren;
• - Erkennung fremdverursachter Parkschäden, insbesondere Parkschäden mit Unfallflucht, auf Basis der Sensorsignale, sowie optional Anzeige des geschädigten Fahrzeugteils und/oder Art des Schadens, Ort und Zeit des Schadensereignisses, sowie optischer/akustischer Alarm;
• - Erkennung von Vandalismusschäden an einem abgestellten Fahrzeug, insbesondere Vandalismusschäden mit Fluchtverhalten, auf Basis der Sensorsignale, sowie optional Anzeige des geschädigten Fahrzeugteils und/oder Art des Schadens, Ort und Zeit des Schadensereignisses, optischer/akustischer Alarm.

According to a further embodiment, said application, or another application installed on a terminal, is designed to perform one or more of the following functions:

• - Accident damage detection in real time, based on the sensor signals, as well as optional display of the damaged vehicle part and/or type of damage;
• - manual emergency call to rescue control center;
• - Reporting a breakdown to a workshop;
• - Taking photos of the damaged vehicle at the scene of the accident from different perspectives, optionally upon request by the application;
• - Display of information on deadlines to be met, alarm if necessary;
• - Information on documents to be submitted, if necessary with a request and deadline;
• - Registration of the vehicle driving the vehicle at a workshop or the mentioned centre;
• - after fitting one or more of the abovementioned sensors to a vehicle: activation of the sensor(s);
• - Detection of parking damage caused by third parties, in particular parking damage resulting from hit-and-run accidents, based on the sensor signals, as well as optional display of the damaged vehicle part and/or type of damage, location and time of the damage event, as well as optical/acoustic alarm;
• - Detection of vandalism damage to a parked vehicle, in particular vandalism damage with escape behavior, based on the sensor signals, as well as optional display of the damaged vehicle part and/or type of damage, location and time of the damage event, optical/acoustic alarm.

The following section describes a sensor unit which is particularly suitable for use as sensor(s) in the method and system according to the invention described above and is preferably used.

• - ein Gehäuse mit einer Stirnwand und einer mit dieser verbundenen, umlaufenden Seitenwand, die sich zur Befestigungsseite hin erstreckt und deren Rand im Zustand nach Befestigung auf der Oberfläche einen Abstand zu dieser Oberfläche aufweist;
• - eine im Gehäuse angeordnete und mit diesem verbundene Platine, wobei zwischen der Unterseite der Platine und der dieser gegenüber liegenden Stirnwand des Gehäuses ein Abstand vorhanden ist;
• - ein auf der Bestückungsseite der Platine angebrachtes Mikrofon mit einer Wand, welche zusammen mit der Platine einen Innenraum umschließt;
• - mindestens einen im Innenraum des Mikrofons auf der Platine angeordneten Schallwandler;
• - eine Schallöffnung, die in einem Wandbereich des Mikrofons angebracht ist, welcher der Platine gegenüberliegt und der Befestigungsseite zugewandt ist;
• - eine schalldurchlässige Verbindungsschicht, welche in dem erwähnten Bereich des Mikrofons auf dessen äußerer Oberfläche angebracht ist und die Schallöffnung überdeckt;
• - mindestens ein Befestigungsmittel zum Befestigen der Sensoreinheit auf der Materialoberfläche, insbesondere auf der Oberfläche einer Glasscheibe. Das Befestigungsmittel ist entweder am Rand der Seitenwand angebracht und erstreckt sich bis zur Befestigungsseite hin, oder das Befestigungsmittel ist auf der Bestückungsseite der Platine, jedoch außerhalb des Mikrofons und innerhalb des Gehäuses, angebracht und erstreckt sich bis zur Befestigungsseite hin.

This sensor unit has at least the following components and features:

• - a housing with an end wall and a peripheral side wall connected to the end wall, which extends towards the fastening side and the edge of which, when fastened to the surface, is at a distance from this surface;
• - a circuit board arranged in the housing and connected to it, with a gap between the underside of the circuit board and the end wall of the housing opposite it;
• - a microphone mounted on the component side of the board with a wall which together with the board encloses an interior space;
• - at least one sound transducer arranged on the circuit board inside the microphone;
• - a sound opening located in a wall area of the microphone opposite the circuit board and facing the mounting side;
• - a sound-permeable connecting layer which is applied to the outer surface of the microphone in the mentioned area and covers the sound opening;
• - at least one fastening means for fastening the sensor unit to the material surface, in particular to the surface of a glass pane. The fastening means is either attached to the edge of the side wall and extends to the fastening side, or the fastening means is attached to the component side of the circuit board, but outside the microphone and inside the housing, and extends to the fastening side.

With a view to detecting different damage events as accurately as possible, it is particularly advantageous to use a sensor unit that is able to detect the sound signals generated by a damage event (i.e. airborne sound) and also the infrasound signals generated thereby by means of the microphone arranged in the sensor unit. The special features of the sensor unit described in this section prevent the strong infrasound signals of a damage event from superimposing the airborne sound signals; at least the extent of such superimposition is reduced. As a result, this sensor unit is generally able to separate the infrasound signals and the airborne sound signals of a damage event and to detect both types of signals.

For example, glass damage is often caused by a stone being thrown against a window, which causes a clearly audible stone impact noise. This sound signal transmitted through the air can be recorded, i.e. captured, with all its properties and special characteristics using the microphone of a sensor unit as described in this section.

Due to its ability to record both the sound signals (airborne sound) generated by a damage event and the infrasound signals also generated in the process, the sensor unit described in this section can be used advantageously to detect different damage events, in particular in the method and system according to the invention for detecting damage to vehicles and for subsequent damage processing.

This sensor unit is a sensor unit for the acoustic detection of damage events on materials, in particular on vehicle glass panes. The sensor unit is intended for attachment to the surface of a material that is to be monitored for the occurrence of damage events; in particular, the sensor unit is intended for attachment to the surface of a glass pane, in particular on the windshields of motor vehicles. The side of the sensor unit that is intended for attachment to the surface of a material and that, after the sensor unit has been attached, is adjacent to the aforementioned surface of the material (i.e. rests against this surface) is referred to as the "attachment side".

The housing of the sensor unit, usually made of plastic or metal, surrounds the circuit board with the microphone on it with its front wall and its surrounding side wall. The wall area of the housing known as the "front wall" limits the sensor unit to the outside on the side opposite the fastening side. The side wall can be designed like the shell of a cylinder, for example, or with a rectangular or square contour. The housing, consisting of the front wall and surrounding side wall, is preferably made in one piece.

The housing is preferably open towards the fastening side if the fastening means - as mentioned above - is attached to the component side of the board. In this case, the edge of the side wall which extends towards the fastening side has a distance (gap) from this surface when attached to the surface. This can be achieved in particular by selecting the height of the fastening means(s) so that the mentioned distance is maintained. The distance is preferably 1 to 3 mm.

This avoids direct contact between the housing and the material surface when the sensor unit is intended to be attached to such a surface in order to detect any damage events that occur. Direct contact between the housing and the material surface could cause the housing to emit noise, which could distort the acoustic signals of a damage event.

If the fastening means is attached to the edge of the side wall according to the alternative mentioned above, the fastening means, which is located between this edge and the material surface, avoids direct contact of the housing with the material surface. In this case, the thickness (height) of the fastening means determines the distance of the edge of the side wall to the material surface. This distance is also preferably 1 to 3 mm, but can also be less.

A circuit board connected to the housing is arranged in the housing, wherein it is preferred that there is a distance between the underside of the circuit board and the end wall of the housing opposite it, whereby a cavity is formed therebetween.

Preferably, the circuit board is aligned parallel or approximately parallel to the front wall of the housing above it. The top side of the circuit board (component side), on which the microphone is arranged, is aligned towards the fastening side. In the state after the sensor unit has been attached to the surface of a material to be monitored, the circuit board is generally aligned approximately parallel to this surface.

A commercially available circuit board (printed circuit board) can be used as the circuit board. The circuit board preferably has a thickness in the range of 0.5 - 1.5 mm, in particular 0.8 - 1.2 mm.
At least one microphone is mounted on the component side of the circuit board, which has a wall (or "housing" or "capsule"; e.g. made of metal (particularly aluminum) or plastic) which, together with the circuit board, encloses an interior space. The microphone's sound transducer, or two or more such sound transducers, are located in this interior space in order to convert the alternating sound pressure oscillations caused by a damage event into electrical signals (= microphone signal).

The wall of the microphone has a wall region which is opposite the circuit board and faces the mounting side; preferably this wall region has a flat outer surface which, when mounted on the surface of a material, is parallel or substantially parallel to this surface.

The mentioned wall area has a sound opening, which serves to connect connection between the interior of the microphone and the environment of the sensor unit. Preferably, the sound opening is not arranged above the sound transducer (ie opposite it), but offset to the side (ie outside the base of the sound transducer, in plan view), so that the sound entering through the sound opening strikes the sound transducer partly directly, partly indirectly - after reflection from various surfaces in the interior of the microphone.

The sound opening is covered by a sound-permeable connecting layer which is attached to the outer surface of the microphone in the aforementioned wall area. When the sensor unit is attached to the surface of a material, this connecting layer is located between the aforementioned wall area of the microphone and the material surface, thus establishing preferably full-surface contact between the microphone and the material surface. Direct contact between the microphone (i.e. its wall) and the material surface is thus avoided.

This connecting layer enables the transmission of low-frequency vibrations in the infrasound range, which are caused by a damage event in the material to be monitored, e.g. a pane of glass, to the microphone so that these vibrations (infrasound signals) can be recorded by the microphone (i.e. its sound transducer). On the other hand, this connecting layer suppresses or reduces the background noise caused by vibrations. Such background noise would be caused by the movements of the material surface to be monitored that occur during a damage event if the microphone were to rest directly, i.e. without a connecting layer, on this material surface, e.g. a pane of glass.

The material of this connecting layer is therefore sound-permeable (i.e. permeable to airborne sound) and also enables the transmission of infrasound signals; on the other hand, this connecting layer prevents or suppresses inherent noise that could arise from the vibration-related movement of the material to be monitored, to which the sensor unit is attached.

The following materials are particularly suitable for the connecting layer: rubber, elastomers, felt, soft PVC, also in combination (laminates). Due to the use of these materials, the connecting layer is elastic, in particular pressure-elastic. The thickness of the connecting layer is preferably 0.1 to 1 mm, in particular 0.2-0.6 mm.

To attach the sensor unit according to the invention to a material surface to be monitored, in particular to the surface of a glass pane, the sensor unit has at least one fastening means. This is either attached to the edge of the side wall and extends to the fastening side, or the fastening means is attached to the component side of the circuit board, outside the microphone and inside the housing, and extends to the fastening side. As a result, the sensor unit, when it is attached to a material surface to be monitored as intended, is connected to the material surface to be monitored by the fastening means(s).

If the fastening means is attached to the component side of the board as described above, there is a free gap (air gap) between the edge of the side wall of the housing and the material surface when the sensor unit is attached to a material surface. This prevents contact between the housing and the material surface. The gap is preferably 1 to 3 mm.

The fastening means preferably extends in a ring shape over the entire circumference of the sensor unit, or two or more individual fastening means, e.g. in the form of supports or segments, can be provided. A double-sided, preferably elastic adhesive tape with a thickness of 0.3 - 3 mm, in particular 1 to 2 mm, is preferably used as the fastening means. For example, a double-sided, elastic PVC adhesive tape with a thickness of 1 - 2 mm can be used. Instead of an adhesive tape, a preferably elastic adhesive layer produced by applying an adhesive can also serve as the fastening means.

If the fastening means is attached to the edge of the side wall as mentioned above, it preferably extends over the entire circumference of the edge of the side wall. The fastening means used may be the fastening means mentioned above.

• - das Gehäuse hat im Zustand der Befestigung der Sensoreinheit auf einer Materialoberfläche, z. B. einer Glasscheibe, keinen direkten Kontakt zu dieser Materialoberfläche, da - wie oben beschrieben - der Rand der Seitenwand des Gehäuses im Zustand nach Befestigung auf einer Materialoberfläche einen Abstand zu dieser Oberfläche aufweist.
• - Zwischen dem Mikrofon und der Materialoberfläche ist eine Verbindungsschicht angeordnet, die im Zustand der Befestigung der Sensoreinheit auf einer Materialoberfläche einen Kontakt zwischen dem Mikrofon und der Materialoberfläche herstellt.

Due to the features described above, the sensor unit is advantageously suitable for the acoustic detection of damage events on materials, in particular on glass panes. The combination of the following two features is particularly advantageous:

• - When the sensor unit is attached to a material surface, e.g. a glass pane, the housing has no direct contact with this material surface, since - as described above - the edge of the side wall of the housing in the state after attachment to a material surface has a distance to that surface.
• - A connecting layer is arranged between the microphone and the material surface, which establishes contact between the microphone and the material surface when the sensor unit is attached to a material surface.

These design features ensure that the sensor unit, when properly attached to the surface of a material to be monitored, is only in contact with the surface of the material via the fastening device(s) and the connecting layer. This enables the microphone to record the sound signals (airborne sound) and infrasound signals generated when a damage event occurs, for example when a stone hits a pane of glass, and at the same time suppresses or reduces the recording of disturbing background noise.

According to a preferred embodiment, the circuit board bulges towards the front wall of the housing (i.e. away from the fastening side) when the sensor unit is fastened to a material to be monitored. This can be achieved by dimensioning the height of the fastening means or/and the height of the side wall of the housing such that the microphone (with the connecting layer located thereon) exerts pressure on the circuit board, whereby the circuit board is elastically deformed and bulges in the direction mentioned. In particular, the circuit board can bulge into the above-mentioned cavity located between the underside of the circuit board and the front wall opposite it.

The elastic deformation of the circuit board and the resulting spring tension (compressive stress) causes the microphone with its connecting layer to be pressed against the surface of the material by means of contact pressure when the sensor unit is attached to it. This ensures a reliable connection between the sensor unit and the material surface and improves the transmission of the sound signals.

• - das Gehäuse hat im Zustand der Befestigung der Sensoreinheit auf einer Materialoberfläche, z. B. einer Glasscheibe, keinen direkten Kontakt zu dieser Materialoberfläche (wie oben erläutert).
• - Zwischen dem Mikrofon und der Materialoberfläche ist eine Verbindungsschicht angeordnet, die im Zustand der Befestigung der Sensoreinheit auf einer Materialoberfläche einen Kontakt zwischen dem Mikrofon und der Materialoberfläche herstellt.
• - das Mikrofon wird - wie oben erläutert - durch einen Anpressdruck an die Oberfläche des Materials angedrückt, wenn die Sensoreinheit an einem solchen Material befestigt ist.

The combination of the following features is therefore particularly advantageous:

• - when the sensor unit is attached to a material surface, e.g. a glass pane, the housing has no direct contact with this material surface (as explained above).
• - A connecting layer is arranged between the microphone and the material surface, which establishes contact between the microphone and the material surface when the sensor unit is attached to a material surface.
• - the microphone is pressed - as explained above - against the surface of the material by a contact pressure when the sensor unit is attached to such a material.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the sensor unit, an electronic circuit, in particular an integrated circuit, is arranged on the circuit board in the interior of the microphone and is electrically connected to the microphone, e.g. via conductor tracks in the circuit board. The electronic circuit is designed in particular to carry out one or more of the following functions: preamplifier, analog-digital converter, audio filter, noise suppression. This makes it possible, among other things, to convert the analog signal of the sound transducer into a digital signal and to amplify it. Alternatively, these functions can also be carried out by a separate circuit outside the sensor unit.

The sensor unit is preferably a miniaturized (Micro Electro Mechanical System = MEMS) component made using SMD technology. Miniaturized microphones are preferably used as microphones, in particular microphones made using SMD technology, e.g. electret microphones or MEMS microphones, the latter being particularly preferred.

According to a further preferred embodiment, a MEMS sound transducer is used as the sound transducer, wherein an integrated circuit, in particular an ASIC, is arranged on the circuit board and is electrically connected to the MEMS sound transducer. The integrated circuit or ASIC is preferably designed to carry out one or more of the following functions: preamplifier, analog-digital converter, audio filter, noise suppression.

Commercially available "MEMS microphones", comprising a circuit board with a sound transducer (MEMS transducer), ASIC and housing (wall) with a sound opening, are suitable for use in a sensor unit as described above or for constructing such a sensor unit and are preferred due to their small dimensions and high sensitivity. An example of a commercially available MEMS microphone is the MEMS SMD component from the manufacturer Adafruit Industries (New York) with the type designation "SPW2430" (dimensions: approx. 16mm x 14mm x 3mm).

A MEMS microphone is particularly preferably equipped with a sound opening that is arranged laterally offset from the sound transducer (sound pickup), so that the sound entering through the sound opening strikes the sound transducer partly directly and partly indirectly (after reflection from surfaces in the interior of the microphone). The surface of the encapsulation material ("molding", e.g. "glob top molding") with which the ASIC is encapsulated also serves as a sound-reflecting surface. The ASIC of the MEMS microphone is designed in particular to carry out one or more of the following functions: preamplifier, analog-digital converter, audio filter, noise suppression. The MEMS microphone preferably has an integrated analog-digital converter so that a digital audio signal is output. If the MEMS microphone used outputs an analog audio signal, a downstream analog-digital converter is preferably used to generate a digital audio signal.

The microphone used in the sensor unit is preferably a microphone that is designed to record sound in the frequency range from 50 Hz to 20 kHz, in particular from 50 to 15 kHz, and infrasound < 50 Hz, in particular in the range from 5 Hz to < 25 Hz. MEMS microphones are designed to record sound and infrasound in the frequency ranges mentioned. The properties of the various MEMS microphones can be found in the respective manufacturer information. The sensitivity of such MEMS microphones is usually in the range from -45 to -35 dBV, with a signal-to-noise ratio in the range from 57 to 65 dB(A).

In addition, it can be advantageous if the microphone used is designed to record ultrasonic signals (> 20 kHz). Commercially available MEMS microphones, as described above, generally also record a proportion of sound signals in the ultrasonic range. Although this proportion is comparatively small, these ultrasonic signals can be used to specifically detect different damage patterns, e.g. stone chip patterns, i.e. can be taken into account in the evaluation.

The sensor unit is usually equipped with means for supplying power or voltage to the microphone and, if necessary, an electronic circuit, as well as for forwarding the analog or digital signal generated by the sensor unit; such means are known to those skilled in the art (e.g. electrical connections, plug connections, electrical connecting cables). In order to enable uninterrupted microphone recording, the power supply of the sensor unit can comprise batteries, rechargeable batteries, solar cells, capacitors (preferably supercapacitors) or similar means known to those skilled in the art.

• Glasscheiben von (Luft-/Land-/Wasser-)Fahrzeugen, insbesondere von Kraftfahrzeugen (PKW, LKW, Busse, Schienenfahrzeuge, Seilbahnen, etc.); Vorzugsweise wird die Sensoreinheit auf der Innenseite einer Glasscheibe (z. B. eines Kraftfahrzeugs) angebracht.

The sensor unit described above can be attached to a variety of different materials in order to record damage events that occur there. Examples and preferred materials and areas of application include:

• Glass panes of (air/land/water) vehicles, in particular motor vehicles (cars, trucks, buses, rail vehicles, cable cars, etc.); the sensor unit is preferably mounted on the inside of a glass pane (e.g. of a motor vehicle).

Other materials and areas of application include: metal structures and components, particularly the bodywork and components of motor vehicles.
Structures and components made of plastics or composite materials (e.g. carbon fibre reinforced plastic), in particular the body and components of motor vehicles as well as lighting devices and exterior mirrors of motor vehicles.

• Glas-Steinschlagschäden, Glas-Bruchschäden, Glas-Risse; Unfallschäden, insbesondere Beulen, in Blechteilen; Kratzer in Blechteilen; Kratzer in Kunststoffteilen oder in Verbundwerkstoffteilen; Bruchschäden in Kunststoffteilen oder in Verbundwerkstoffteilen; Schlag- oder Bruchschäden an Fahrzeug-Außenspiegeln; Schlag- oder Bruchschäden an Beleuchtungseinrichtungen, insbesondere an Scheinwerfern und Rückleuchten. Bevorzugt ist die Verwendung zur Erfassung von Schäden an Fahrzeugen, insbesondere Kraftfahrzeugen.

In particular, the sensor unit can be used in connection with the present invention to detect the following damage events:

• Glass stone chip damage, glass breakage damage, glass cracks; accident damage, especially dents, in sheet metal parts; scratches in sheet metal parts; scratches in plastic parts or in composite parts; breakage damage in plastic parts or in composite parts; impact or breakage damage to vehicle exterior mirrors; impact or breakage damage to lighting equipment, especially headlights and taillights. It is preferably used to record damage to vehicles, especially motor vehicles.

The following section describes a sensor system for the acoustic detection of damage events on materials, in particular on glass panes of vehicles, which is particularly suitable for use in the above-described method and system according to the invention for damage detection on vehicles and for subsequent damage processing and is preferably used.

“Detection” means that the nature (or type) of the damage event that has occurred is detected, preferably also its other characteristics (e.g. the strength or intensity of the damage event). “Acoustic” means that the detection is based on sound signals (including infrasound).

For example, the following types of damage to glass panes can be distinguished: scratches (superficial only), stone chip damage, cracks or breaks, breakage, total destruction. The sensor system enables the detection and differentiation of such damage events. It can also be used to distinguish between non-damaging, noise-generating physical impacts (e.g. impact of a rubber ball on a pane of glass) and actual damage events.

• - während seiner Zeitdauer ein bestimmtes akustisches Muster erzeugt, welches für den jeweiligen Typ eines Schadensereignisses charakteristisch ist. Besonders vorteilhaft ist dabei, dass sowohl Luftschall-Signale (insbesondere im Hörschall-Bereich) als auch Infraschall-Signale eines Schadensereignisses erfasst und ausgewertet werden.

The sensor system for the acoustic detection of damage events is based on the knowledge that a certain damage event - depending on the type and energy (strength) as well as the type of the damaged material

• - generates a specific acoustic pattern during its duration, which is characteristic of the respective type of damage event. It is particularly advantageous that both airborne sound signals (particularly in the audible sound range) and infrasound signals of a damage event are recorded and evaluated.

• - mindestens eine ein Mikrofon enthaltende Sensoreinheit zur Befestigung an einer Oberfläche eines zu überwachenden Materials, wobei die Sensoreinheit dazu ausgelegt ist, die von einem Schadensereignis verursachten Schallsignale (d. h. Luftschall, insbesondere im Hörschall-Bereich) und Infraschallsignale zu erfassen, und in elektrische Signale umzuwandeln;
• - mindestens eine mit dem Mikrofon leitend verbundene elektronische Schaltung, welche zur Durchführung einer oder mehrerer der folgenden Funktionen ausgelegt ist: Vorverstärker, Analog-Digital-Wandler, Audiofilter, Rauschunterdrückung; wobei die Schaltung vorzugsweise in der Sensoreinheit angeordnet ist;
• - mindestens eine Auswertungseinheit, welche mit der erwähnten Schaltung der Sensoreinheit verbunden und zur Auswertung der von der Schaltung übermittelten Signale sowie zur Erkennung des Schadensereignisses basierend auf dem Ergebnis der Auswertung ausgelegt ist.

This sensor system comprises at least the following:

• - at least one sensor unit containing a microphone for attachment to a surface of a material to be monitored, wherein the sensor unit is designed to detect the sound signals (ie airborne sound, in particular in the audible sound range) and infrasound signals caused by a damage event and to convert them into electrical signals;
• - at least one electronic circuit conductively connected to the microphone, which is designed to carry out one or more of the following functions: preamplifier, analog-digital converter, audio filter, noise suppression; wherein the circuit is preferably arranged in the sensor unit;
• - at least one evaluation unit which is connected to the aforementioned circuit of the sensor unit and is designed to evaluate the signals transmitted by the circuit and to detect the damage event based on the result of the evaluation.

Preferably, the sensor unit of the sensor system is a sensor unit as described in the previous sections, although several sensor units can also be used in combination. Due to the special properties and advantages, as explained above, this sensor unit is particularly suitable for use as a component of the sensor system.

The electronic circuit, which can perform the functions of a preamplifier, analog-digital converter, etc., can, for example, form a unit together with the microphone, as described above.

The evaluation unit is preferably a computer which, by means of appropriate software, is designed to evaluate the signals received from the sensor unit and to detect the damage event, as described in more detail below.

Microcontrollers are preferably used as the hardware of the evaluation unit. These generally contain a processor (CPU), RAM, program memory, interfaces (e.g. network, USB), input and output ports (I/O ports). The evaluation unit can also contain an analog-digital converter if the sensor unit used does not have an analog-digital converter.

• CPU: 32-Bit RP2040 Dual-Core-Prozessor mit 133 MHz Taktfrequenz;
• Arbeitsspeicher (RAM): 264 kByte SRAM;
• Programmspeicher: 2Mbyte Q-SPI-Flash;
• I/O-Ports: 26 multifunktionale Allzweck-Eingänge und
  • -Ausgänge (GPIO), 3,3V-kompatibel.

A preferred microcontroller is the “RP2040”, which is a 32-bit microcontroller from the “Raspberry Pi Foundation” (Cambridge, UK). The technical characteristics of this microcontroller are as follows:

• CPU: 32-bit RP2040 dual-core processor with 133 MHz clock frequency;
• RAM: 264 kByte SRAM;
• Program memory: 2Mbyte Q-SPI flash;
• I/O ports: 26 multifunctional general-purpose inputs and
  • -Outputs (GPIO), 3.3V compatible.

The microcontroller can also be equipped with a suitable radio module, e.g. Bluetooth or WiFi module, to enable, among other things, the sending of evaluation data via a wireless connection, for example to the smartphone of the driver of a vehicle.

The microcontroller software is preferably designed for pattern recognition of sound signals, whereby the data provided by the sensor unit mentioned is evaluated in all frequency ranges. The evaluation software can preferably be created on the basis of "Raspberry Libraries".

In particular, the evaluation unit is designed to carry out an evaluation of the temporal course of infrasound signals and the temporal course of sound signals (airborne sound).

The evaluation of the temporal progression of the signals is generally carried out continuously. In order to enable evaluation to be as uninterrupted as possible, the power supply of the evaluation unit can comprise batteries, rechargeable batteries, solar cells, capacitors (preferably supercapacitors) or similar means known to those skilled in the art.

Preferably, the data or signals provided by the sensor unit(s) are evaluated by the evaluation unit at specific intervals, with these intervals preferably being 1 second or less. The detection of sound signals by the sensor unit(s) is usually continuous.

The sensor system advantageously enables the detection of damage in real time, since the respective damage event and at the same time the type of damage are detected at the time at which the damage event takes place (in contrast to a subsequent assessment of damage).

The temporal progression of the infrasound or airborne sound signals, in particular the amplitudes or frequencies, during the duration of the respective damage event results in a characteristic pattern that can be used by the evaluation unit to identify the type of damage event. In addition, this pattern can be characterized using other parameters, as described below.

The evaluation unit of the sensor system is preferably designed to carry out the above-mentioned evaluation of the temporal course of the infrasound and airborne sound signals on the basis of one or more parameters, as already mentioned above.

Furthermore, the evaluation unit is preferably designed to use one or more of the following programs or methods when evaluating the signals and/or to detect a damage event: audio filters, Fourier transformations, wavelet transformations, pattern recognition, statistical methods. Such methods and suitable programs or software are known to those skilled in the art.

The evaluation of the signals using software is basically based on the fact that during a damage event (e.g. stone impact on a glass pane) a signal pattern is created which consists of different sound components (audible noise, infrasound, possibly ultrasound) and changes over time. It is particularly important that the infrasound signals propagate faster in the material than the audible sound component (noise) propagates in the air, so that the infrasound signals reach the microphone faster than the audible sound signals. The temporal course of the signal pattern can, for example, have an initial phase with a strong infrasound signal, followed by a phase with a strong sound signal in the audible range (e.g. impact noise), followed by a decay phase due to reverberation reflections. For the evaluation of the signals, software is therefore preferably used which works with adjustable parameters which characterize the aforementioned phases or sections. For example, these can be parameters that describe the signal strength (amplitude; minimum/maximum), the frequency range of the signals and/or the duration of the respective phase.

According to a preferred variant, the evaluation unit is designed to take various adjustable threshold values into account during pattern recognition, so that if a threshold value is exceeded, the occurrence of damage is detected or the severity of the damage can be classified. The threshold values can be determined using practical tests and thus continuously developed further in order to improve damage detection or to adapt it to special conditions.

Furthermore, it is planned that pattern recognition will be optimized using AI (artificial intelligence) methods. This means in particular that the system (i.e. the software of the evaluation unit) is constantly learning from new data from further damage events. In particular, neural networks or deep learning functions can be used for this. The use of these methods is particularly advantageous for improving pattern recognition of damage events that are particularly difficult to recognize.

Furthermore, the evaluation unit is preferably designed to store the data generated during the evaluation and/or to transmit it to another device, preferably by means of a wireless data connection or a radio network, in particular by means of Bluetooth, WiFi, WLAN or a wireless Internet connection. Examples of “other devices” include a smartphone, a computer/server, or an on-board diagnostic system or infotainment system of a vehicle. For this purpose, the transmitting unit is equipped with the respective transmitting modules; otherwise, these modules can also be provided by a separate device.

Furthermore, the evaluation unit is preferably designed to send a message, e.g. via WLAN, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to a mobile device (mobile phone, smartphone, notebook, tablet, etc.), which is preferably equipped with an app designed for this purpose. This is usually a smartphone belonging to the driver of a vehicle, which is equipped with sensor(s) and evaluation unit(s) for carrying out the method according to the invention.

In addition to information about the damage event that has occurred, the message sent can also contain the data generated by the evaluation unit. In addition, the mobile device or the app installed on it can be set up to forward this message, preferably together with the data on the damage pattern, to a server (for example, that of a service provider).

This sending of data from the mobile device to a server preferably takes place automatically, i.e. without human intervention (program-controlled). Typically, the mobile device mentioned is the mobile phone or smartphone of the driver of a vehicle in which a damage event has been detected by the evaluation unit.

According to a preferred embodiment, the evaluation unit is designed to assign the pattern of the sound and infrasound signals of a damage event obtained by the evaluation to one of several damage pattern types, as described above. The damage pattern types mentioned can be stored in the evaluation unit.

According to a further embodiment, the evaluation unit is designed to detect vandalism damage or parking damage caused by a third party to a vehicle depending on the pattern obtained for the respective damage event.

Particularly when using the sensor system in a motor vehicle, it is advantageous if the evaluation unit is designed to generate an alarm or emergency signal depending on the damage event detected, or to transmit an emergency call to a rescue control center.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the system comprises at least one camera which is suitable for continuously making video recordings and optionally storing them. In particular, it is provided that such a camera is installed in a vehicle which is equipped with a system according to the invention for the acoustic detection of damage events. The camera is preferably installed in such a way that its angle of view covers the front area of the vehicle. Such a camera can also be installed to monitor the rear area. In this way, the course of the damage can be recognized visually in addition to the acoustic detection. Since the camera is continuously in operation, it also recognizes and documents the course of the damage shortly before the occurrence of a damage event, in particular a frontal collision. These video recordings can also be taken into account in the process for processing the claim, e.g. to clarify the course of the accident or determine the cause of the accident.

Description of the drawings

The invention is illustrated by drawings ( 1 to 5 u . 6A to 6F) and explained below.

1 shows in the form of an organizational chart the use of the method according to the invention by customers (vehicle owners; (40, 41, 42)) of various repair workshops (“car dealerships”; (30, 31, 32), whereby the method is provided and maintained by a central office (service provider; (20)).

In the 1 In the example shown, three "car dealerships" (30, 31, 32) are involved in the process and have been provided with a corresponding access authorization ("account"; as explained above) by the head office (20). Each of these car dealerships is thereby authorized to allow interested customers (vehicle owners; (40, 41, 42)) to participate in the process. The cars (50a, 50b, 50c; 51a, 51b, 51c; 52a, 52b, 52c) of these customers have been equipped with sensors (a, b, c; a', b', c';a'',b'',c':) for damage detection, as described above. Sensor units according to 3 to 5 be used.

The central office (20) provides the software and hardware required to carry out the procedure. The registered "car dealerships" (30, 31, 32) can, based on their access authorization, store the data of their customers (contact information, insurance details, etc.) as well as the vehicle data of these customers (chassis number, license plate number, etc.) in a respective memory (30a, 31a, 32a) of the central office.

2 illustrates the method and system according to the invention using an exemplary flow chart; in addition, numerous other variants for carrying out the method are possible.
The double arrows indicate that communication is generally bidirectional, ie the respective transmitter and receiver can perform both functions simultaneously or alternately. Communication is preferably carried out via mobile networks, WLAN, Bluetooth, landlines, email or SMS.

The headquarters provides the procedure and the system for its implementation, in particular a server with software for data processing and data storage using blockchain technology.

A workshop (car dealership) that wants to enable its customers (= users, vehicle owners) to participate in the process has received access authorization (“account”) from the head office. A customer/user’s vehicle is equipped with sensors for damage detection and activated via an app that is installed on the customer’s smartphone. The car dealership, which has received an account from the head office, is thus able to enable its customers to participate in the process and system by registering. This is done in a simple way by scanning the vehicle registration confirmation (part 1), which records the relevant vehicle data and owner data (including mobile phone number and email address). In addition, other data (insurance provider, type of insurance (partial/fully comprehensive), agreed deductible, workshop commitment, etc.) is entered manually. The recorded data is sent to the head office for later use in the process.

If damage occurs to a vehicle belonging to a registered customer (vehicle owner), the damage event is detected by the sensors and reported to the head office (usually via the driver's mobile phone/smartphone). The customer (vehicle owner) and the customer's workshop (car dealership) are informed of the damage to the vehicle by the head office (server). The customer is also guided to "his" car dealership for a visual inspection of the damage, for example using a navigation device.

After determining the extent of the damage in the car dealership (workshop), or independently of this, an automatically called-in appraiser (vehicle expert) will prepare a report that includes securing evidence and calculating the damage. This report is sent to the legal representative (law firm, specialist lawyer for traffic law), who has also been automatically informed by the head office about the damage to the registered vehicle owner's vehicle.

These functions or steps in the claims settlement process are digitized, preferably with AI-supported technology, and processed in a legally secure manner using blockchain technology, whereby the data, documents, etc. are stored in detail and chronologically and manipulative third-party interventions are excluded, so that they can be used as court-proof evidence if necessary.

In the event of serious damage, the method or system according to the invention also automatically triggers a rescue call to the appropriate control centers of the fire brigade (emergency number, police and rescue service), as in 2 This will immediately provide a conversation with the affected customer.

The 2 The flow chart shown also provides for a towing service to be commissioned to remove the damaged vehicle. This step can be initiated automatically by the head office according to the method according to the invention, or by the lawyer who has already been called in (see above).

Fig. 3:

The sensor unit (1) (also called “sensor”) is attached to the surface (11a) of a material (11) to be monitored (e.g. glass pane).
The housing (7) of the sensor unit consists of a front wall (7a) and a surrounding side wall (7b) connected to it. This side wall extends towards the fastening side (A); the edge (7c) of the side wall (7b) does not touch the surface (11a) of the material (11), but maintains a distance (d) from this surface so that an air gap is created. This means that the housing is open on one side, namely towards the fastening side (A).

A circuit board (6) is arranged in the housing (7) and connected to the housing, as shown in the drawing. The circuit board is aligned approximately parallel to the end wall (7a) of the housing and to the surface (11a) to which the sensor unit (1) is attached. There is a distance (e) between the underside (6a) of the circuit board (6) and the opposite end wall (7a) of the housing (7), so that a cavity is formed between them.

On the component side of the circuit board (6) (opposite the underside (6a)) a microphone (2) is mounted with a wall (2', 2'') which, together with the circuit board, encloses an interior space (3). In this interior space (3) a sound transducer (4) is arranged on the component side of the circuit board (6).

The microphone (2) has a sound opening (8) which is arranged in a wall region (2'') of the microphone (2) which is opposite the circuit board (6) and faces the fastening side (A). The wall region (2'') is essentially flat and runs approximately parallel to the surface (11a) on which the sensor unit (1) is fastened.
The sound opening (8) is not located opposite the sound transducer (4), but at a laterally offset position.

Also arranged in the wall area (2'') of the microphone (2) is a sound-permeable connecting layer (10) with a thickness (a), which is attached to the outer surface in the mentioned area and covers the sound opening (8). When the sensor unit is attached to the surface (11a), the connecting layer (10) is located between this surface and the outer surface of the wall area (2'') of the microphone and connects these two surfaces.

Fasteners (9, 9') for fastening the sensor unit (1) to the material surface (11a) are provided on the component side of the circuit board (6); these are located outside the area of the microphone (2) but inside the housing (7), and extend to the fastening side (A) or to the surface (11a) of the material (in the illustrated state of fastening the sensor unit to the surface of a material, the plane of the fastening side of the sensor unit indicated by the dashed line (A) is identical to the surface (11a) of the material). An elastic, double-sided PVC adhesive tape with a thickness of 1-2 mm can be used as the material for the fastening means(s).

As can be seen from the drawing, the height (c) of the fastening means (9, 9') is selected such that the edge (7c) of the side wall (7b) maintains the mentioned distance (d) from the surface (11a) of the material. The housing therefore has no contact with the material surface (11a).

An electronic circuit (5), e.g. an ASIC, which comprises, for example, a preamplifier and an analog-digital converter, is also arranged on the component side of the circuit board (6) and in the interior (3) of the microphone (2). The circuit is encapsulated in an encapsulation material (5a).

As can be seen from the drawing, the sensor unit, in the state of attachment to a material (11), is only connected to the surface (11a) of the material (11) via the fastening means (9, 9') and the connecting layer (10).

The arrow (12) indicates that the circuit board (6) bulges (12) towards the front wall (7a) of the housing (7) when the sensor unit is attached to the material (11), as provided according to a preferred embodiment (the bulge of the circuit board is in 3 not shown, but is only indicated by the arrow (12). This can - as in 1 shown - can be achieved by choosing the height (c) of the fastening means (9, 9') so that it is shorter than the sum of the height (b) of the microphone and the thickness (a) of the connecting layer (10).

Due to its elastic properties, the board, which is curved in the direction of the arrow (12), exerts pressure (through spring force) on the microphone and the connecting layer (10) located thereon in the direction of the material 11. This improves the contact between the microphone (2, 2'') and the connecting layer (10) to the surface (11a) of the material (11).

Fig.4:

The sensor unit (or “sensor”) (1) is attached to a material to be monitored (11). The circuit board (6) is located inside the housing, shown here as transparent, whose peripheral edge (7b) is shown by a thick line. The position of the microphone (2) on the circuit board is indicated by a dashed line, as are the positions of the sound transducer (4) and the circuit (5). Both elements are located (as in 1 ) together inside the microphone (2).
The sound opening (8) is located above the circuit (5) and laterally offset (distance (f) from the sound transducer (4). The fastening means (9, 9') are mounted opposite each other in the outer area of the circuit board (6).

Fig.5:

• Das Befestigungsmittel (9, 9') ist nicht an der Platine (6), sondern am Rand (7c) der Seitenwand (7b) des Gehäuses (7) angebracht. Der Rand (7c) kann dabei - wie in 5 dargestellt - nach innen (d. h. zum Mikrofon (2) hin gerichtet) umgebogen oder gefalzt sein. Der Rand (7c) hat keinen direkten Kontakt zur Materialoberfläche (11a), sondern ist mit dieser über das Befestigungsmittel (9, 9') verbunden. Das Befestigungsmittel, z. B. ein doppelseitiges Klebeband, erstreckt sich vorzugsweise über den gesamten Umfang des Randes (7c) (nicht dargestellt).

The sensor unit (or “sensor”) (1) shown in this drawing is a modification of the sensor unit according to 3 and differs from it as follows:

• The fastening means (9, 9') is not attached to the circuit board (6), but to the edge (7c) of the side wall (7b) of the housing (7). The edge (7c) can - as in 5 shown - bent or folded inwards (ie directed towards the microphone (2)). The edge (7c) has no direct contact with the material surface (11a), but is connected to it via the fastening means (9, 9'). The fastening means, e.g. a double-sided adhesive tape, preferably extends over the entire circumference of the edge (7c) (not shown).

If the sensor unit (1) - as in 5 shown - is attached to the surface (11a) of a material (11) to be monitored, for example a glass pane, the fastening means (9, 9') connects the housing (7) of the sensor unit to the material (11). The height of the fastening means (9, 9') in this case corresponds to the distance (d) between the material surface (11a) and the edge (7c) of the side wall (7b) of the housing (7). The housing has no direct contact with the surface (11a), but is only connected to it by the fastening means.

As in 3 the arrow (12) indicates that the circuit board (6) bulges (12) towards the front wall (7a) of the housing (7) when the sensor unit is attached to the material (11). This can be achieved by appropriate dimensioning of the side wall (7b) and the height/thickness (d) of the fastening means in relation to the height (b) of the microphone (2) and the thickness (a) of the connecting layer (10).

Examples

The 6A to 6F show the temporal course (pattern) of the infrasound signals or airborne sound signals during different damage events on a glass pane (stone chips, glass breakage).

• Ein Serienfahrzeug (PKW) wurde jeweils mit einer Frontscheibe bestückt, an welcher eine erfindungsgemäße Sensoreinheit klebend befestigt wurde, wie weiter oben beschrieben. Die Position der Anbringung der Sensoreinheit auf der Scheibe wurde bei den Versuchen variiert (z. B. links oben oder unten mittig).

The experimental setup with which the illustrated sound signals were obtained is as follows:

• A production vehicle (car) was fitted with a windshield to which a sensor unit according to the invention was adhesively attached, as described above. The position of the sensor unit on the windshield was varied during the tests (e.g. top left or bottom center).

The tests were carried out at an ambient temperature of 26 °C; the test room was open to the outside so that background noise caused by road traffic was present.

1. 1) 700 g Krafteinsatz, auf einer Fläche von 0,3 mm².
2. 2) 1200 g Krafteinsatz, auf einer Fläche von 0,3 mm².
3. 3) 1700 g Krafteinsatz, auf einer Fläche von 0,3 mm².
4. 4) 2200 g Krafteinsatz, auf einer Fläche von 0,3 mm².

Nach jedem Versuchsdurchlauf wurde die Scheibe aus dem Fahrzeug herausgetrennt und durch eine neue Scheibe ersetzt, welche mit einer neuen Sensoreinheit bestückt wurde (Klebverbindung).To simulate damage events (e.g. stone impact), a metal pin was used that strikes a point on the respective window with adjustable impact force. In this way, 96 impacts were generated on a windshield, with the conditions varied as follows:

1. 1) 700 g force applied to an area of 0.3 mm ² .
2. 2) 1200 g force applied on an area of 0.3 mm ² .
3. 3) 1700 g force applied on an area of 0.3 mm ² .
4. 4) 2200 g force applied on an area of 0.3 mm ² .

After each test run, the window was removed from the vehicle and replaced with a new window, which was equipped with a new sensor unit (adhesive connection).

The sound signals generated during the experiments were recorded using audio recording software (“Audacity”; free software). 6A to 6F show screenshots of the sound signal patterns recorded with this software.

From the temporal progression of the recorded signals (from left to right) it is clear that when the damage event occurs, a very strong infrasound signal is generated ("infrasound phase"). These infrasound ranges are characterized by a strong overmodulation of the signal and usually have only a few zero crossings on the X-axis. The signals in the airborne sound range are usually not overmodulated (because they have lower energy or lower volume) and are characterized by a large number of zero crossings.

This infrasound phase transitions seamlessly into a characteristic signal pattern in the audible sound range (“beat pattern phase”). Finally, a “fade-out” occurs due to reverberation reflections. Infrasound and (air) sound signals can overlap, and in this case the (air) sound signals can also be recognized by their signal curve (“fast” vibrations, superimposed sine curves).

List of reference symbols

1

Sensor unit

2

microphone

2'

Microphone wall

2''

Wall area

3

Interior of the microphone

4

Transducer

5

el. circuit

5a

Encapsulation material

6

circuit board

6a

Bottom of the board

7

Housing

7a

Front wall of the housing

7b

Side wall of the housing

7c

Edge of the side wall

8th

Sound opening

9

Fasteners

9'

Fasteners

10

Connection layer

11

Material (material to be monitored)

11a

Surface of the material

12

Direction of the curvature of the board

A

Mounting side; level

a

Thickness of the bonding layer

b

Height of microphone

c

Height of fasteners

d

Distance from edge (7c) to surface (11a)

e

Distance between bottom (6a) and front wall (7a)

e

lateral distance between sound opening (8) and sound transducer (4)

20

Headquarters

30, 31, 32

Workshops/Car dealerships

30a, 31a, 32a

Resources provided by the head office for the workshops/car dealerships

40, 41, 42

Customers (vehicle owners) of workshops/car dealerships

50a, 50b, 50c

Vehicles of vehicle owners

a, b, c

Sensors

Claims (20)

Method for damage detection and damage processing, comprising at least the following steps: a) Recording (= detecting) sound signals caused by a damage event on at least one material to be monitored, in particular a pane of glass, of a vehicle (50a, 50b, 50c), by at least one sensor (a, b, c; 1) attached to a surface of the material to be monitored, which converts the sound signals into electrical signals (= sensor signals); b) Evaluation of the sensor signals, whereby as a result of the evaluation the occurrence of the damage event on the vehicle (50a, 50b, 50c) is detected, and recording the time of the damage occurrence and the location (position) of the vehicle when the damage occurs; c) Transmission of the data obtained in step (b) to a server of a control center (20); d) Sending a notification about the damage event from the central server (20) to a previously determined workshop (30, 31, 32); e) Sending a notification about the damage event from the central server (20) to a previously determined expert, and instructing the expert to prepare a preservation of evidence and a damage calculation; f) Sending a notification about the damage event from the central server (20) to a previously determined law firm. Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises the following further step: g) sending a notification of the damage event from the server of the control center (20) to the owner (40, 41, 42) and/or driver of the vehicle, together with a request to visit the said workshop for the purpose of inspection and determination of the extent of the damage. Procedure according to Claim 2 , characterized in that it comprises the following further step following step (g): h) determining the extent of the damage in the workshop and optionally preparing a report in digital form. Method according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that it comprises the following further step following step (e): i) preparation of a preservation of evidence and a damage calculation (= report) in digital form by the expert, and sending of the report to the central server. Method according to one of the Claims 1 until 4 , characterized in that it further comprises at least one of the following steps: j) sending the report in digital form, by the expert or the head office, to the previously designated law firm for legal processing of the claim; k) checking and confirming receipt of payment of the costs reimbursed by the insurance company and storing this data in the head office server; l) after the vehicle has been recovered: sending a notification to the head office server and/or to the driver/owner of the vehicle Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the following further steps: m) Submission of a declaration of assignment of claims for the insurance company and the expert; n) Submission of a declaration for the immediate start of repairs. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more, preferably all of the steps or functions specified in steps (b) to (n) are carried out digitally and processed by means of blockchain technology, wherein the documents, declarations or other information generated in said steps are stored chronologically in digital form in a blockchain data structure. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head office, the owner of the vehicle and/or the said workshop can each track the current status of the damage settlement via a protected access, preferably by means of a smartphone app set up for this purpose. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the following additional step, which takes place automatically when damage occurs (step (b)): o) making an emergency call to an emergency call center or rescue control center, and/or requesting a towing service, in each case combined with transmission of the location (position) of the vehicle when damage occurs. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that individual, several or all of the said method steps are carried out automatically, in particular program-controlled, preferably in real time. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the following additional step (p), which precedes step (a): - attaching at least one sensor, which is designed to convert the sound signals caused by a damage event into electrical signals, to a surface of a material of said vehicle, in particular to a glass pane, wherein the attachment of the sensor is preferably carried out by an adhesive connection. Procedure according to Claim 10 , characterized in that after attaching the sensor, an activation step is carried out for its commissioning, preferably by means of a smartphone app designed for this purpose by the vehicle owner. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor, or at least one of several sensors, is designed to record both airborne sound and infrasound signals. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises at least one of the following steps: - capturing, preferably by means of a scanner, data of at least one owner of a vehicle and data of a vehicle of this owner, and storing this data on the said server of the control center (20); wherein this data in particular comprises: chassis number of the vehicle, vehicle type and make, year of manufacture, mileage, official registration number of the vehicle, name and contact details of the owner, names and contact details of persons authorized to drive the vehicle; data for identifying the mobile devices of the persons involved (driver, owner); information on vehicle insurance; type, number and location of the sensors installed in the vehicle; - creating at least one protected user account for at least one workshop on a server of the control center; - creating at least one protected user account for at least one vehicle owner on a server of the control center. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the damage event that occurred and was detected can be traced back to one of the following causes: - vandalism to a parked vehicle; - parking damage caused by another vehicle; wherein the evaluation of the signals in step (b) is designed to detect damage caused by vandalism or parking damage caused by a third party. System for carrying out a procedure according to one of the Claims 1 until 15 , comprising: - one, two or preferably several vehicles (50a, 50b, 50c), each of these vehicles having on at least one surface of a material, preferably a pane of glass, one or more sensors (a, b, c; 1) attached thereto, the sensor(s) being designed to detect the sound signals caused by a damage event and convert them into electrical signals (= sensor signals); - at least one evaluation unit in each vehicle, which is designed to evaluate the sensor signals so that as a result of the evaluation the occurrence of the damage event on the mentioned material of a respective vehicle is recognized and the result is stored in digital form from is given, and wherein the evaluation unit is further designed to transmit the data generated during the evaluation to another device, preferably by means of a wireless data connection or a radio network, in particular by means of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or WLAN; - a central, external computing unit which is suitable for receiving data from each of the vehicles via said communication connection; wherein this computing unit forms a network together with two or more terminals, preferably mobile terminals. System according to Claim 16 , characterized in that the central, external computing unit (server) and the end devices are designed to store data and transactions in chronological order in a blockchain data structure. Terminal, preferably mobile terminal, for use in a system according to Claim 17 , whereby the end device is equipped with an application (= app) that enables the verification, sending, receiving and storage of data and transactions in the blockchain as well as access to this data. Terminal device according to Claim 18 that the end device, preferably a smartphone, is set up by the application mentioned or by another application installed on the device to carry out one or more of the following functions: - accident damage detection in real time, based on the sensor signals, and optionally display of the damaged vehicle part and/or type of damage; - manual emergency call to the rescue control center; - breakdown report to a workshop; - taking photos of the damaged vehicle at the scene of the accident from different perspectives, optionally upon request by the application; - displaying information on deadlines to be met, if necessary alarm; - information on documents to be submitted, if necessary with a request and deadline; - registration of the vehicle driving the vehicle at a workshop or the control center mentioned; - after attaching one or more of the sensors mentioned to a vehicle: activation of the sensor(s); - Detection of parking damage caused by third parties, in particular parking damage resulting from a hit-and-run accident, based on the sensor signals, as well as optional display of the damaged vehicle part and/or type of damage, location and time of the damage, as well as optical/acoustic alarm; - Detection of vandalism damage to a parked vehicle, in particular vandalism damage resulting from a hit-and-run accident, based on the sensor signals, as well as optional display of the damaged vehicle part and/or type of damage, location and time of the damage, optical/acoustic alarm. Method or system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a sensor unit is used as the sensor (a, b, c), which has the following features: - a housing (7) with an end wall (7a) and a peripheral side wall (7b) connected to the latter, which extends towards the fastening side (A) and whose edge (7c) in the state after fastening to the surface (11a) has a distance (d) from this surface; wherein the "fastening side (A) is that side of the sensor unit (1) which, in the state after fastening on the surface (11a), is adjacent to the latter; - a circuit board (6) arranged in the housing (7) and connected thereto; - a microphone (2) mounted on the component side of the circuit board (6) with a wall (2', 2'') which, together with the circuit board, encloses an interior space (3); - at least one sound transducer (4) arranged on the circuit board (6) in the interior space (3) of the microphone (2); - a sound opening (8) mounted in a wall region (2'') of the microphone (2) which is opposite the circuit board (6) and faces the fastening side (A); - a sound-permeable connecting layer (10) which is mounted in the mentioned region (2'') of the microphone (2) on its outer surface and covers the sound opening (8); - at least one fastening means (9, 9') for fastening the Sensor unit (1) on the material surface (11a), in particular on the surface of a glass pane, wherein the fastening means is either attached to the edge (7c) of the side wall (7b) and extends to the fastening side (A), or is attached to the component side of the circuit board (6), outside the microphone (2) and inside the housing (7) and extends to the fastening side (A).

Images