DE102024207839A1 - Emergency call unit for an eCALL system with infotainment system - Google Patents

Abstract

An emergency call unit (100) for an eCall system is described, comprising: a first output interface (150) for outputting audio signals; a first input interface (110) configured to provide an emergency audio signal; and a second input interface (194) configured to provide an information audio signal (Xri, Xrf); wherein the emergency call unit (100) is configured to selectively couple either the first input interface (110) or the second input interface (194) with the first output interface (150).

Description

Field of invention

The present invention relates to an emergency call unit for an eCall system with a first and second input interface.

background

A unit for an emergency call system, now largely mandated by law in new vehicles, must enable secure audio/voice communication with vehicle occupants and emergency services reachable via a mobile network, such as the police or ambulance service. The security-verified audio output path can be simple or, redundantly to an infotainment audio input/output, costly and technically complex, featuring its own security-verified audio processing elements.

Summary

The invention describes an emergency call unit for an eCall system with a first and a second input interface according to the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.

One aspect of the invention relates to an emergency call unit for an eCall system, comprising a first output interface for outputting audio signals and a first input interface configured to provide an emergency audio signal, and a second input interface configured to provide an informational audio signal. The emergency call unit is configured to selectively couple either the first input interface or the second input interface with the first output interface.

The emergency audio signal can be a signal provided to the emergency call unit by an emergency service provider and/or provided to the emergency call unit via the emergency call unit's memory. The emergency audio signal can include an initial audio signal and/or an initial data code. For example, the initial audio signal could be an audible contact from an emergency service provider.

The optional coupling can be triggered by a detected or transmitted emergency and/or accident, so that the first input interface for an emergency and/or accident is coupled with the first output interface.

Advantageously, this emergency call unit does not require a safety-relevant mute function for an infotainment system, as information audio signals provided by an infotainment system can be decoupled from the first output interface, especially in the event of an accident and/or emergency.

This can have cost and development advantages, as it is not necessary to subject the infotainment system to safety certification in this case.

By providing information and audio signals via the second input interface, the effort and costs associated with eliminating a separate audio path for the emergency call system can be optimized. Furthermore, using and continuously monitoring the infotainment output path can offer security advantages. This emergency call unit allows for constant monitoring of the audio system's functionality, enabling rapid detection of any failure in the audio transmission path—something that would not be possible with a rarely used emergency call system.

The first output interface can be set up, particularly by means of a multi-channel amplifier, to provide the emergency audio signal in such a way that the sound-generating transducer, such as a loudspeaker, can be directly coupled to the first output interface.

In particular, the emergency call unit can be functionally and technically designed in such a way that the emergency call unit can be certified in terms of safety.

Advantageously, using high-quality speakers and microphones designed for use with the infotainment system can reduce the costs of deploying a high-quality emergency audio communication system, both for the infotainment system itself and for emergency audio communication. Furthermore, the typically present redundancy of speakers and microphones in an infotainment system can increase the reliability of emergency communication, as this redundancy makes a complete failure of the emergency audio communication system less likely.

A mute function of an infotainment system that requires safety certification can be used when employing the emergency call unit described here. This would be obsolete, as in the event of an emergency and/or accident, the infotainment system's output path would not compete with the audio output of an emergency call system. This is because the infotainment system's audio signal can be decoupled from the first output interface by the certified emergency call unit. This reduces certification efforts and costs.

Advantageously, the first input interface can be configured, in particular by means of a wireless communication module, to receive the emergency audio signal from an emergency service facility; and particularly advantageously, the information audio signal can be provided by an infotainment system and/or an information system, in particular at the second input interface.

The information system can be a driver information system if the emergency call unit is installed in the vehicle. The information audio signal can include signals from the infotainment system and/or a safety-related signal from the information system or the driver information system.

According to one aspect, it is proposed that the emergency call unit includes an emergency detection unit which is configured to detect an emergency and/or an accident, in particular by means of a signal coupling with an accelerometer; and/or a camera; and/or a bodily function sensor; and/or a microphone; and/or a manually operated trigger. The emergency detection unit may be configured to trigger the selective coupling of the first input interface or the second input interface with the first output interface. In particular, the emergency detection unit may be configured to couple the first output interface with the first input interface when the emergency detection unit detects the emergency and/or the accident, and, particularly advantageously, the emergency detection unit may provide a trigger signal for the corresponding coupling to a switch which may be configured to selectively couple the first input interface or the second input interface with the first output interface.

In particular, the emergency detection unit can be configured to detect illnesses, sudden impairment of driving ability, and other emergencies, especially those affecting the driver of a vehicle equipped with an integrated emergency call unit. For this purpose, signals from various devices can be interconnected with the emergency detection unit via a data bus.

In particular, the emergency call unit may be configured to transmit audio signals provided by a third interface, which may be coupled with at least one microphone, and/or emergency data provided by the emergency detection unit to the emergency service facility via a wireless communication module in the event of a detected emergency and/or accident, for example via a data channel of the wireless coupling between the emergency call unit and the emergency service facility.

Advantageously, the first output interface can include a first multi-channel audio amplifier to connect a variety of transducers for acoustic reproduction of the audio signals. Alternatively or additionally, the first output interface can be configured to connect a second multi-channel amplifier to connect a variety of transducers for acoustic reproduction of the audio signals. Particularly advantageously, the emergency call unit can be configured to limit the maximum power input of the first multi-channel audio amplifier and/or the second multi-channel audio amplifier, especially if connected via a control line, when or as soon as the emergency detection unit detects the emergency and/or accident.

The electrical power supply for the first multi-channel amplifier and/or the second multi-channel amplifier can additionally be provided by means of a redundant power supply, such as a backup battery.

A sound transducer can be understood as a sound-generating device. The audio signals can include informational audio signals and/or emergency audio signals.

The majority of sound transducers, such as loudspeakers, may include transducers that have a position conducive to the infotainment system and/or transducers that are placed in accordance with a safety regulation, for example in positions typically protected in the event of accidents.

In particular, the emergency call unit can be equipped with the majority of the transducers and a majority of microphones, redundant loudspeakers, transducers and microphones, which are specifically intended for the operation of the infotainment system, can be used for emergency call communication. This is especially important if the regular speakers and microphones are damaged or destroyed, for example, in an accident. Furthermore, the infotainment audio path typically allows for better audio quality and communication, including for emergency calls, due to more audio channels and higher demands on microphones and speakers.

According to one aspect, it is proposed that the emergency call unit has a third input interface for coupling to a plurality of microphones and a second output interface for providing signals from the plurality of microphones. The emergency call unit can be configured to provide the signals from the plurality of microphones to the emergency call unit, in particular to a demodulation unit of the emergency call unit and/or a signal processing module of the emergency call unit, and/or to the second output interface, particularly advantageously, to provide the signals from the plurality of microphones to the infotainment system, which is coupled to the second output interface. The plurality of microphones can also include microphones that are mandatory for the emergency call system and can be installed in positions in a vehicle that are particularly well protected.

According to one aspect, it is proposed that the third input interface has a filter module in order to improve the transmission of audio signals from the input interface to the emergency service facility by means of frequency filtering of audio signals from at least one microphone, in particular the multitude of microphones.

Advantageously, the third input interface can include a beamforming component and/or a filter component, each configured to process the respective signals from the majority of the microphones, and to provide the processed respective signals from the majority of the microphones to the emergency call unit, in particular to a demodulation device of the emergency call unit and/or a signal processing module of the emergency call unit, and/or to the second output interface, in particular optionally.

The beamforming component can be configured to use the majority of microphones to determine the position of sources of acoustic signals in order to improve the transmission of audio signals from the input interface to the emergency service facility, for example by appropriately superimposing signals from the majority of microphones, and/or to provide the respective signals from the majority of microphones superimposed as a single overall signal.

Advantageously, the third input interface can be configured to superimpose the respective signals from the majority of the microphones and/or the processed signals from the majority of the microphones of the emergency call unit, in particular a demodulation unit of the emergency call unit, and/or a signal processing module of the emergency call unit, and/or the second output interface, as a single combined signal. This allows a single microphone signal to be generated from the majority of the microphones in an emergency, enabling the transmission of as many individual microphone signals as possible to an emergency service facility.

According to one aspect, it is proposed that the emergency call unit include a modulation device and a demodulation device.

The modulation device can be configured, in particular, to modulate an original audio signal using a first data code and to provide a resulting modulated audio signal to the first output interface in order to generate a transmitted sound signal, in particular by means of at least one transducer. The demodulation device can be configured to demodulate an audio signal induced by the transmitted sound signal and generated by means of at least one microphone, which is provided at the third input interface, in order to determine a second data code in order to verify an acoustic path between one of the multiple transducers and at least one of the multiple microphones, in particular by means of the emergency call unit and/or an emergency call service device, in particular by comparing the data codes. For this purpose, a comparison module of the emergency call unit can generate a comparison result indicating that the acoustic path is functionally established if the first data code matches the second data code.

The comparison of the first data code and the second data code can be performed in such a way that it is only carried out when sufficient signal power is present in the modulated audio signal. In particular, acoustic propagation delays and transient responses of the demodulation device's signal processing can be taken into account during the comparison. A match between the first and second data codes can be detected if the first and second data codes correspond with sufficient accuracy according to a defined similarity threshold. In other words, the first and second data codes do not have to match exactly to achieve a match. to determine the similarity threshold. The similarity threshold can also refer to temporal and/or structural characteristics of the data codes.

According to one aspect, it is proposed that the modulation device be configured to modulate the original audio signal, in particular by means of a selection of the first data code; and/or a selection of a modulation method; and/or by means of a strength of the modulation; and/or by means of a size of the amplitude of the modulation, in particular compared to the amplitude of the signal; and/or by means of a frequency of the modulation, in such a way that the modulation of the original audio signal is not disturbing to a human listener.

Alternatively or additionally, the modulation device can be set up so as not to reduce the intelligibility of the modulated audio signal compared to the original audio signal.

Particularly advantageously, the modulation device can be configured such that a difference between the modulated audio signal and the original audio signal is perceptible but not disturbing, or is below an acoustic perception threshold of human hearing, wherein it is particularly technically possible to recover the second data code from the generated audio signal and/or the modulated audio signal, preferably by means of demodulation.

The modulation device can be configured to model the original signal using frequency modulation and/or amplitude modulation and/or signal power modulation and/or other modulation techniques.

According to one aspect, it is proposed that the modulation device be configured to modulate the original audio signal in such a way that the second data code can be determined using the power spectrum of the modulated audio signal. Using such modulation methods, which modify the power spectrum of a demodulated audio signal, it is possible to ensure reliable demodulation and detection of the second data code, even at low modulation levels, allowing the power of the output audio signal to be determined and its intelligibility assessed.

According to one aspect, it is proposed that the emergency call unit be set up to decouple the modulation device from the demodulation device with respect to the first data code and/or the second data code, in order to be able to certify the emergency call unit as secure with respect to its functionality.

Advantageously, this allows the emergency call unit to be functionally certified from a security perspective. By decoupling the modulation unit from the demodulation unit, a consequence of the emergency call unit's architecture, the second data code to be detected can only be detected via the acoustic path. For example, the emergency call unit can be built with spatially and/or functionally separate memory or memory areas, with one of the separate memory areas being coupled to the modulation unit and another to the demodulation unit. Alternatively or additionally, the modulation unit and the demodulation unit can be provided with their own data spaces, in particular with secure operating system processes and/or secure hypervisor partitions and/or with their own computing nodes including their own data storage, so that processes assigned to the modulation unit or the demodulation unit are executed in a strictly data-separated manner from any implementing computer program.

Advantageously, the described emergency call unit can be certified for security purposes by requiring only a few components to undergo security qualification and/or by providing proof of non-interference, particularly with regard to the modulation and demodulation units. This can be achieved, for example, through existing secure operating systems/hypervisors or secure hardware infrastructure, and especially through largely separated processing cores on a "system on a chip".

The first data code may be randomly generated and/or contain characterizing information, for example from a module of the emergency call unit that generates the first data code and/or the signal-linked emergency service facility.

In particular, the demodulation unit can be configured to determine the second data code based on the generated audio signal and the original audio signal. Advantageously, the emergency call unit can be configured to transform the generated audio signal, based on a convolution operation with the impulse response of the acoustic path, in order to compensate for propagation delay effects on the acoustic path that affect the waveform of the generated signal. Audio signals act to compensate, at least partially, for demodulation.

According to one aspect, it is proposed that the emergency call unit is set up to provide the original audio signal and/or the first data code in order to compare the first data code (Ds) with the second data code (Dt) using a comparison module (135) in order to verify the acoustic path between the transducer and the microphone, especially periodically and/or externally triggered.

Advantageously, this allows the audio path of the emergency call unit, including the infotainment system, to be checked. The comparison module can be coupled with the demodulation unit, which provides the second data code, and the modulation unit, which provides the first data code. The comparison module can be configured to output the result of the comparison as an error signal, particularly at a fault interface of the emergency call unit. The comparison result can indicate that the acoustic path is functioning correctly if the first data code matches the second data code.

In particular, the emergency call unit can be configured to check an electroacoustic path between at least one of the plurality of transducers and at least one of the plurality of microphones by means of the modulated audio signal, based on an audio signal modulated with the first data code, wherein the infotainment system and/or an information system of the infotainment system is part of the electroacoustic path.

Advantageously, this allows the functionality of the audio system to be monitored, especially continuously, also by means of infotainment or control outputs or a subliminal, imperceptible noise, so that a failure of an element of the audio transmission path can usually be detected very quickly during normal operation of the infotainment system.

According to another aspect, it is proposed that the emergency call unit be configured so that the initial audio signal is based on a signal from the infotainment system in order to verify the acoustic audio path, including the infotainment system. Alternatively or additionally, the initial audio signal can be based on a signal from an information system within the infotainment system to verify the correct output of a safety-relevant audio signal from the information system. For example, safety-relevant light signals may not be perceived by a driver in certain situations and can then be supplemented with audio signals for safety reasons. To check the potential perception of such safety-relevant audio signals within the audio path, this safety-relevant audio signal can be modulated so that the first data code can be compared with the second data code using the comparison module to verify the correct output of the safety-relevant audio signal.

The comparison module can be configured to provide an error signal to the infotainment system and/or the information system if the comparison of the two data codes, especially for the safety-relevant audio signal, does not yield a match.

Advantageously, the demodulation device can be configured to provide an error signal to the infotainment system and/or the information system if the original audio signal is based on the information system signal and the first data code does not match the second data code.

According to one aspect, it is proposed that the emergency call unit includes the wireless communication module, wherein the emergency call unit is configured to optionally couple the communication module with the third input interface in order to transmit, in particular, at least one audio signal from the majority of the microphones to an emergency call service facility. Alternatively or additionally, the emergency call unit can be configured to optionally couple the communication module with the first output interface in order to provide, in particular, at least one audio signal to the emergency call service facility acoustically, specifically for the acoustic path.

The third input interface can be configured to couple an audio signal from at least one of the majority of microphones, in particular by means of a coupling with the signal processing module, which is coupled with the communication module; and/or to couple an audio signal from at least one of the majority of microphones, in particular by means of the second output interface, which can be coupled with the infotainment system.

In particular, the emergency call unit can be configured to establish a signal connection with the emergency call service via the communication module in the event of a detected emergency and/or accident. The communication module can then be used to... Module is a mobile communication module for a mobile network.

The emergency call unit and/or the signal-linked emergency service equipment may be configured to generate the initial data code and/or the original audio signal, particularly to verify the acoustic path. Alternatively or additionally, the initial data code and/or the original audio signal may be transmitted from the emergency service equipment to the emergency call unit, particularly wirelessly, as described below.

In this process, a radio signal exchanged between the emergency call unit and the emergency service facility can transmit the original audio signal and the first data code separately, either technically or temporally. By transmitting the first data code separately from the original audio signal, the radio signal ensures that the first data code is transmitted, unlike with a modulated audio signal. This is because audio data compression, typically used for mobile communication, could severely distort such a modulated signal. This is especially true if the modulation includes signal components that may be irrelevant to human hearing.

Advantageously, separate transmission prevents an echo compensation and noise reduction unit, such as an EC/NR unit (echo compensation/noise reduction unit) of the emergency call unit and/or the emergency call service facility, from filtering out the directly transferred original audio signal of the emergency call service facility, thus making direct verification of the modulated audio signal and/or the generated audio signal by signals transmitted in the mobile network from the emergency call unit, for example, a vehicle, impossible.

The original audio signal can be modulated, for example, with temporal sequences of different frequencies. The first data code defines a sequence and duration of these different frequencies, which are then modulated by the modulation device, for example, using amplitude modulation. The different modulation frequencies can be low frequencies, particularly between 10 Hz and 100 Hz, and/or high frequencies, particularly between 10 kHz and 100 kHz.

The emergency call unit can be set up, for example by means of the comparison module, and/or by working together with the emergency service unit, to generate a comparison result indicating that the acoustic path is functionally established if the first data code matches the second data code.

According to one aspect, it is proposed that the emergency call unit is equipped by means of the modulation device, the demodulation device and the wireless communication module to receive the original audio signal and the first data code from the emergency call service device and to modulate the original audio signal based on the first data code, by means of the modulation device and to provide the resulting modulated audio signal to the first output interface in order to generate the emitted sound signal, in particular by means of at least one transducer.

The emergency call unit can be equipped with a demodulation device to demodulate the audio signal induced by the emitted sound signal and generated by at least one microphone, which is provided at the third input interface, in order to determine the second data code, and to provide it to the emergency call service facility by means of the communication module in order to check an electroacoustic communication loop to and from the emergency call unit by comparing the data codes, wherein in particular the electroacoustic communication loop includes an acoustic path between at least one of the transducers and at least one of the microphones of the emergency call unit.

In particular, the emergency audio signal may include the original audio signal and/or the initial data code.

This allows the emergency call center to verify an electroacoustic communication loop to and from the emergency call center, including the acoustic path between the transducer and the microphone. This is particularly important because the emergency call center generates and/or provides a code, the first data code, and wirelessly transmits this first data code to the emergency call center. The second data code, derived from the first data code and wirelessly transmitted by the emergency call center, can then be compared with the first data code to verify the electroacoustic communication loop. If the first and second data codes match, the existence of a functionally established communication loop can be inferred.

The original audio signal and/or the first data code and/or the second data code can be transferred via a data channel of the wireless connection between the emergency call unit and the emergency service facility. For example, the data channel could be a cellular network data channel.

Advantageously, proof of a functionally structured communication loop can be used to verify that communication has taken place.

In this process, a radio signal exchanged between the emergency call unit and the emergency service facility can transmit the original audio signal and the first data code separately, either technically or temporally. By transmitting the first data code separately from the original audio signal, the radio signal ensures that the first data code is transmitted, unlike with a modulated audio signal. This is because audio data compression, typically used for mobile communication, could severely distort such a modulated signal. This is especially true if the modulation includes signal components that may be irrelevant to human hearing.

Advantageously, separate transmission prevents an echo compensation and noise reduction unit, such as an EC/NR unit (echo compensation/noise reduction unit) of the emergency call unit and/or the emergency call service facility, from filtering out the directly transferred original audio signal of the emergency call service facility, thus making direct verification of the modulated audio signal and/or the generated audio signal by signals transmitted in the mobile network from the emergency call unit, for example, a vehicle, impossible.

Advantageously, the emergency call unit can have a signal processing module which is coupled to the third input interface and the communication module to transmit an audio signal from the third input interface to the emergency service facility; wherein the signal processing module is configured to remove the modulated audio signal from the audio signals provided by the input interface before the audio signals provided by the input interface are transmitted to the emergency service facility, in particular to reduce disturbing echoes and/or feedback.

In particular, the signal processing module may include a noise reduction unit.

An emergency response unit for an eCall system is proposed, comprising a generator, a communication interface, a wireless emergency response communication module, and a verification unit. The generator is configured to provide an initial data code. The communication interface is configured to provide an initial audio signal. The wireless emergency response communication module is signal-coupled to the generator and the communication interface. The emergency response communication module is configured to transmit the initial audio signal and/or the initial data code to one of the emergency call units described above. Furthermore, the emergency response communication module is configured to receive audio signals and/or a second data code from the emergency call unit.

The verification unit can be configured to compare the first data code with the second data code in order to verify an electroacoustic communication loop to and from the emergency call unit by means of a result of the comparison, wherein in particular the electroacoustic communication loop includes an acoustic path between one of the majority of the transducers and one of the majority of the microphones of the emergency call unit.

In particular, checking the electroacoustic communication loop using the emergency call unit provides a better basis for decision-making by emergency call service operators, especially in cases where communication with the vehicle occupants cannot be established.

Advantageously, the emergency call unit and the corresponding modulation of the original audio signal allow verification of whether specific audio signals, intended for communication at a particular location, such as the interior of a vehicle, have actually been audibly emitted at that location. Thus, the emergency call unit provides technically reliable feedback, for example, to the emergency service facility connected to it, as to whether the acoustic path, or, as described below, the entire transmission path or electroacoustic communication loop, is functioning correctly. This eliminates the need for an operator at the emergency service facility to assess functionality, for example, by analyzing characteristic background noises, if a vehicle occupant does not respond. Therefore, the emergency call unit ensures the reliability of a functioning communication link between two locations even if the called party does not answer.

This can be particularly relevant in the event of accidents, where the technical availability of communication equipment may be impaired or defective.

In other words, the use of the emergency call unit allows an emergency service to have technical control of the entire transmission path, including the acoustic path, for example within a vehicle.

This can give the emergency service the assurance, provided a functioning transmission link is available, that acoustic instructions and information have actually been transmitted, even if, for example in critical accident situations, no communication with an occupant is possible or if they, for example in the case of use by the police, deliberately do not respond to the requests of the emergency service.

An emergency call system is proposed, comprising one of the emergency service facilities and one of the emergency call units described above. The emergency call system is configured to test an electroacoustic communication loop between the emergency service facility and the emergency call unit, and in particular, the electroacoustic communication loop includes an acoustic path between a transducer and a microphone of the emergency call unit.

According to one aspect, it is proposed that the emergency service facility be set up to interact with an eCall telematics control unit (TCU) that is coupled with an audio output of the infotainment system and/or with an audio output of the information system or with a combined system for infotainment and driver information in order to output the appropriate signals.

An emergency call system is proposed, comprising an emergency service facility as described above and an emergency call unit as described above. The emergency call system is configured to test an electroacoustic communication loop between the emergency service facility and the emergency call unit, wherein the electroacoustic communication loop specifically includes an acoustic path between a transducer and a microphone of the emergency call unit.

A vehicle is proposed which includes an emergency call unit as described above, in particular to communicate with an emergency service facility in the event of an emergency.

The described emergency call unit can also be used for other applications where safety-critical acoustic dialogues are conducted with a safety-relevant communication infrastructure. These could include, in particular, hazards/accidents in other means of transport or elevators, or other applications.

For further clarification, the invention is described with reference to embodiments illustrated in the figures. These embodiments are to be understood as examples only, and not as limitations.

Brief description of the characters

• 1 ein Blockdiagramm einer Notruf-Einheit und einer gekoppelten Notfalldienst-Einrichtung.

This shows:

• 1 A block diagram of an emergency call unit and a linked emergency service facility.

Detailed description of embodiments

In the figures, identical reference symbols denote either identical elements or elements with equivalent functions. Elements that have already been described are not necessarily described again in subsequent figures.

The 1 Figure 1 schematically shows a block diagram of an emergency call unit 100, which is set up to be wirelessly coupled with an emergency service facility 200, for example via a mobile network 400, in order to exchange network signals R, in particular when an emergency detection unit 160 detects an emergency and/or an accident.

The emergency call unit 100 can be used, for example, for an eCall system and comprises a first output interface 150 for outputting audio signals, a first input interface 110 configured to provide an emergency audio signal, and a second input interface 194 configured to provide an information audio signal. The emergency call unit 100 is configured, particularly with switch 180, to selectively connect either the first input interface 110 or the second input interface 194 to the first output interface 150. The first input interface 110 can include a wireless communication module for signal connection to the emergency service unit 200.

A third input interface 170 for audio signals from the emergency call unit 100 is configured to be coupled with a plurality of microphones 102, 112. The output interface Input 150 is configured for outputting audio signals via a multi-channel audio amplifier and is coupled to a variety of sound-generating transducers 101, 111, such as loudspeakers. Furthermore, the third input interface 170 can be configured to couple an audio signal from at least one of the majority of microphones 102, 112, in particular by means of a coupling with the signal processing module 140, which is coupled with the communication module 110, to the communication module 110. Alternatively or additionally, the third input interface 170 can be configured to couple audio signals from at least one of the majority of microphones 102, 112, in particular by means of the second output interface 192, which can be coupled with the infotainment system 300, to the infotainment system 300. The third input interface 170 can be coupled with the signal processing module 140, which can be coupled with the second output interface 192 to provide audio signals from the third input interface 170 to the infotainment system.

Furthermore, the emergency call unit 100 includes a modulation device 120, which is configured to modulate an original audio signal Xr by means of a first data code Ds and to provide a resulting modulated audio signal Xa to the output interface 150 in order to generate a sound signal for an acoustic path A between the at least one sound transducer 101, 111 and at least one of the microphones 102, 112 by means of at least one sound generating transducer 101, 111.

Furthermore, the emergency call unit 100 includes a demodulation device 130, which is configured to demodulate a microphone signal induced by the emitted sound signal and generated by microphones 102 and 112 on acoustic path A, which can be provided at input interface 170 as a generated audio signal Ym, in order to determine a second data code Dt based on the modulation of the generated audio signal Ym. That is, the generated audio signal Ym can be modulated with the second data code Dt.

For example, the demodulation device 130 can be set up to determine the second data code Dt, based on the generated audio signal Ym and the original audio signal Xr.

The demodulation unit 130 can be coupled to the third input interface 170 to access the generated microphone signal Ym. Additionally, the demodulation unit 130 can be coupled to the communication module 110 via a switch 180 to access the original audio signal Xr provided by the emergency service unit 200. For this purpose, the switch 180 can, by means of a trigger signal T provided by the emergency detection unit 160 (which is configured to detect an emergency and/or accident), switch a signal Xrn, provided by the first input interface 110, through as signal Xr.

The emergency call unit 100 can be set up, in particular by means of a comparison module 135, and/or the emergency service facility 200 can be set up, in particular by means of a verification unit, to check the acoustic path A, in particular a functionally constructed acoustic path A, between the at least one transducer 101, 111 and the at least one microphone 102, 112, based on a comparison of the first data code Ds with the second data code Dt.

The original signal Xr and the first data code Ds can alternatively or additionally be stored in a memory area of the emergency call unit 100. By providing the original signal Xr and/or the first data code Ds, the emergency call unit 100 can be configured to check an acoustic path A between a transducer 101 and a microphone 102 of the emergency call unit 100, particularly periodically.

The comparison module 135 of the emergency call unit 100 can be coupled with the demodulation unit 130 to provide the second data code Dt. Alternatively or additionally, the comparison module 135 can be coupled with the communication module 110 to provide the first data code Ds. Alternatively or additionally, the first data code Dt can be provided to the comparison module 135 by the emergency call unit 100 itself, in particular as a stored first data code Ds and/or a generated first data code Ds.

The comparison module 135 can be coupled with a third output interface 196 to provide a result F of a comparison of the first data code Dt with the second data code Ds to the infotainment system 300 and/or the information system 310.

Alternatively or additionally, the emergency call unit 100, in particular by means of the comparison module 135, can be set up to transfer the second data code Dt and/or a result F of the comparison of the first data code Dt with the second data code Ds to the emergency service facility 200.

By means of the wireless communication module 110, which is coupled to the emergency detection unit 160 via signal, the emergency call unit 100 can be set up to communicate with the emergency service unit 200.

The communication module 110 can be coupled to the modulation unit 120 via the appropriately triggered switch 180 and configured to provide the first data code Ds and/or an original audio signal Xr from the modulation unit 120 and the original audio signal Xr to the demodulation unit 130. Because the first data code Ds is not provided to the demodulation unit 130, the demodulation unit 130 can determine the second data code Dt only via the acoustic transmission path A. This ensures reliable functionality of the emergency call unit. The communication module 110 can also be configured to receive the first data code Ds and/or the original audio signal Xr from the emergency service unit 200. The switch 180 can be coupled with the emergency detection unit 160, and upon detection of an emergency and/or an accident, the switch 180 can be triggered to couple the communication module 110 with the modulation unit 120 and the demodulation unit 130.

The emergency call unit 100 can be configured, in the event of an emergency and/or accident detected by the emergency detection unit 160, to establish a signal link between the emergency call unit 100, in particular via the wireless communication module 110, and the emergency service unit 200, so that the emergency service unit 200 can provide the initial audio signal Xr and the first data code Ds to the communication module 110. The emergency call unit 100 can also be configured to provide emergency information C, determined and/or stored by the emergency call unit 100, to the communication module 110 for transfer to the emergency service unit 200.

By means of a signal coupling of the demodulation device 130 with the emergency detection unit 160 and a signal coupling of the emergency detection unit 160 with the communication module 110, the emergency call unit 100 can be configured to provide the emergency service unit 200 with the second data code Dt, in particular together with emergency information from the emergency detection unit 160, by means of wireless coupling with the emergency service unit 200, so that the emergency service unit 200 can check an electroacoustic communication loop to and from the emergency service unit 200, in particular including the acoustic path A between the transducer 101 and the microphone 102.

The third input interface 170 can be configured to be coupled to multiple microphones and, in particular, to provide the respective signals of the multiple microphones superimposed as a single overall signal, especially in the event of a detected emergency. Additionally or alternatively, the third input interface 170 can be equipped with a beamforming module and configured to use the multiple microphones to determine the position of acoustic signal sources in order to improve the transmission of audio signals from the input interface to the emergency service unit 200 and/or to provide the respective signals of the multiple microphones superimposed as a single overall signal. Additionally or alternatively, the third input interface 170 can be equipped with a filter module and configured to perform frequency filtering of audio signals from at least one microphone in order to improve the transmission of audio signals from the input interface to the emergency service unit 200.

The emergency call unit 100 can include a signal processing module 140, which is coupled to the third input interface 170 and the communication module 110, in particular to transmit an audio signal from the third input interface 170 to the emergency service unit 200. The signal processing module 140 can be configured to remove the modulated audio signal Xa from the generated audio signals Ym provided by the input interface 170 before the audio signals provided by the third input interface 170 are transmitted as signals Yr to the emergency service unit 200, in particular to reduce disruptive echoes and/or feedback. Alternatively, the original audio signal Xr can also be used as a reference signal to eliminate it from the signal Ym, but with the disadvantage that the modulation fluctuations applied by the modulation device cannot be compensated for and may possibly lead to interference in the emergency service facility, especially in an existing hands-free device.

The emergency call unit 100 can be configured to provide the original audio signal Xr and/or the first data code Ds in order to compare the first data code Ds with the second data code Dt using the comparison module 135, in order to determine the acoustic path A between at least one of the majority of the transducers 101, 111 and at least one of the majority of the microphones 102, 112, in particular periodically and/or externally. triggered, to verify. For this purpose, the emergency call unit 100 may have a memory that provides the initial data code Ds and/or the original audio signal. Alternatively or additionally, the emergency call unit 100 may have a generator to generate the initial data code Ds and/or the original audio signal.

Based on the first data code Ds and the original audio signal Xr, the emergency call unit 100 can be configured to generate a modulated audio signal Xa, in particular by means of the modulation device 120. The modulated audio signal Xa can be converted via the first output interface 150 into a sound signal on the acoustic path A between at least one of the plurality of transducers 101, 111 and at least one of the plurality of microphones 102, 112 by means of the at least one transducer of the plurality of transducers 101, 111. The audio signal Ym, induced by the emitted sound signal and generated by at least one microphone 102, 112, can be compared with the original audio signal Xr using the demodulation device 130, as described above, in order to verify an electroacoustic path between the at least one transducer of the plurality of transducers 101, 111 and the at least one of the plurality of microphones 102, 112 by means of the modulated audio signal Xa, wherein the infotainment system 300 and/or an information system 310 of the infotainment system can be part of the electroacoustic path. For this purpose, the original audio signal Xa can be based on a signal Xri from the infotainment system 300 to verify the acoustic audio path including the infotainment system 300. Alternatively or additionally, the original audio signal Xr can be based on a signal Xrs from an information system 310 of the infotainment system 300 to verify a correct output of a safety-related signal from the information system 310.

In particular, the emergency call unit 100 can be configured by means of the comparator module 135 to provide an error signal F for the infotainment system 300 and/or the information system 310 if the original audio signal Xr is based on the signal Xrf of the information system 310 and the first data code Ds does not match the second data code Dt.

Reference symbol list

100

Emergency call unit

101

sound-generating transducer

111

sound-generating transducer

102

Microphone for the emergency call unit

112

Microphone for the emergency call unit

110

Communication module, first input interface

120

Modulation device

130

Demodulation device

135

Comparison module

140

Signal processing module

150

first output interface

160

Emergency Detection Unit

170

third input interface

180

Switch

192

second output interface

194

second input interface

196

third output interface

200

Emergency call service facility

300

Infotainment system

310

(Driver) Information System

400

wireless communication system

A

acoustic path

C

Emergency Information

The

first data code

German

second data code

F

Error signal

R

network signal

Xa

modulated output signal

XR

original audio signal, emergency audio signal

Xri, Xrf

Info audio signal

Ym

generated audio signal

Claims (15)

Emergency call unit (100) for an eCall system, comprising: a first output interface (150) for outputting audio signals; a first input interface (110) configured to provide an emergency audio signal (Xr); and a second input interface (194) configured to provide an information audio signal (Xri, Xrf); wherein the emergency call unit (100) is configured to selectively couple either the first input interface (110) or the second input interface (194) with the first output interface (150). Emergency call unit (100) according to Claim 1 , wherein the first input interface (110), in particular by means of a wireless communication module, is configured to receive the emergency audio signal from an emergency service facility (200); and advantageously the info audio signal (Xri, Xrf) is provided by an infotainment system (300) and/or an information system (310), in particular at the second input interface (194). Emergency call unit (100) according to Claim 1 or 2 , comprising: an emergency detection unit (160) which is configured, in particular by means of a signal coupling with an accelerometer; and/or a camera; and/or a bodily function sensor; and/or a microphone; and/or a manually operated trigger, to detect an emergency and/or an accident; wherein the emergency detection unit (160) is configured to trigger the selective coupling of the first input interface (110) or the second input interface (194) with the first output interface (150); and wherein, in particular, the emergency detection unit (160) is configured to couple the first output interface (150) with the first input interface (110) when the emergency detection unit (160) detects the emergency and/or the accident, and, particularly advantageously, the emergency detection unit (160) provides a trigger signal to a switch (180) to establish this coupling. Emergency call unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first output interface (150) comprises a first multi-channel audio amplifier for coupling a plurality of transducers (101, 111) to the first output interface (150) for acoustic reproduction of audio signals; and/or wherein the first output interface (150) is configured to be coupled to a second multi-channel amplifier for coupling a plurality of transducers to the first output interface (150) for acoustic reproduction of the audio signals; and wherein, in particular, the emergency call unit (100) is configured to limit the maximum power input of the first multi-channel audio amplifier and/or the second multi-channel audio amplifier when the emergency detection unit (160) detects the emergency and/or the accident. Emergency call unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: a third input interface (170) for coupling with a plurality of microphones (102, 112); and a second output interface (192) for providing signals from the plurality of microphones (102, 112); wherein the emergency call unit (100) is configured to provide the signals from the plurality of microphones of the emergency call unit (100) and/or the second output interface (192), in particular to provide the signals from the plurality of microphones (102, 112) to the infotainment system (300) which is coupled to the second output interface (192). Emergency call unit (100) according to Claim 5 , wherein the third input interface (170) has a beamforming component and/or a filter component, each configured to process the respective signals of the majority of the microphones (102, 112), and to provide the processed respective signals of the majority of the microphones (102, 112) to the emergency call unit (100) and/or the second output interface (192). Emergency call unit (100) according to Claim 5 or 6 , wherein the third input interface (170) is set up to provide the respective signals of the majority of the microphones (102, 112) and/or the processed respective signals of the majority of the microphones (102, 112) to the emergency call unit (100) superimposed as a total signal. Emergency call unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: a modulation device (120) configured to modulate an original audio signal (Xr) by means of a first data code (Ds) and to provide a resulting modulated audio signal (Xa) to the first output interface (150) in order to generate, in particular by means of at least one sound transducer (101, 111), an emitted sound signal; and a demodulation device (130) configured to demodulate an audio signal induced by the emitted sound signal and generated by means of at least one microphone (102, 112), which is provided at the third input interface (170), in order to determine a second data code (Dt) in order to verify, in particular by means of the emergency call unit and/or an emergency call service device, an acoustic path (A) between one of the plurality of sound transducers (101, 111) and at least one of the plurality of microphones (102, 112), in particular by comparing the data codes. Emergency call unit (100) according to Claim 8 , which is set up to provide the original audio signal (Xr) and/or the first data code (Ds) in order to compare the first data code (Ds) with the second data code using a comparison module (135) to compare code (Dt) to check the acoustic path (A) between the transducer (101) and the microphone (102), especially periodically and/or externally triggered. Emergency call unit (100) according to Claim 8 or 9 , which is set up, based on an audio signal (Xa) modulated with the first data code, to check an electroacoustic path between at least one of the plurality of sound transducers (101, 111) and at least one of the plurality of microphones (102, 112) by means of the modulated audio signal (Xa), wherein the infotainment system (300) and/or an information system (310) of the infotainment system is part of the electroacoustic path. Emergency call unit (100) according to Claim 9 or 10 , wherein the original audio signal (Xr) is based on a signal (Xri) from the infotainment system (300) to verify the acoustic audio path including the infotainment system (300); and/or is based on a signal (Xrf) from an information system (310) of the infotainment system (300) to verify a correct output of a safety-related audio signal from the information system (310). Emergency call unit (100) according to Claim 11 , wherein the comparator module (135) of the emergency call unit (100) is configured to provide an error signal (F) to the infotainment system (300) and/or the information system (310) if the original audio signal (Xr) is based on the signal (Xrf) of the information system (310) and the first data code (Ds) does not match the second data code (Dt). Emergency call unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: the wireless communication module (110); wherein the emergency call unit is configured: to selectively couple the communication module (110) with the third input interface (170) in order to transmit, in particular, at least one audio signal from the plurality of microphones (102, 112) to an emergency call service device (200); and/or to selectively couple the communication module (110) with the first output interface (150) in order to acoustically provide, in particular for the acoustic path (A), at least the emergency audio signal to the emergency call service device (200). Emergency call unit (100) according to one of the Claims 8 until 13 , wherein the emergency call unit (100) is configured by means of the modulation device (120), the demodulation device (130) and the wireless communication module (110) to receive the original audio signal (Xr) and the first data code (Ds) from the emergency call service device (200) and to modulate the original audio signal (Xr) based on the first data code (Ds) by means of the modulation device (120) and to provide the resulting modulated audio signal (Xa) to the first output interface (150) in order to generate the emitted sound signal, in particular by means of at least one transducer (101, 111); and to demodulate the audio signal (Ym) induced by the emitted sound signal and generated by means of at least one microphone (102, 112), which is provided at the third input interface (170), by means of the demodulation device (130) in order to determine the second data code (Dt), and to provide the second data code (Dt) by means of the communication module (110) of the emergency call unit (200) in order to test an electroacoustic communication loop to and from the emergency call unit (100) by means of a comparison of the data codes (Ds, Dt) by the emergency call unit (200), wherein in particular the electroacoustic communication loop includes an acoustic path (A) between at least one of the sound transducers (101, 111) and at least one of the microphones (102, 112) of the emergency call unit (100). Emergency call unit (100) according to one of the Claims 8 until 14 , comprising a signal conditioning module (140) coupled to the third input interface (170) and the communication module (110), and in particular to the second output interface (192), to transmit an audio signal from the third input interface (170) to the emergency service device (200), and in particular to the second output interface (192); wherein the signal conditioning module (140) is configured to remove the modulated audio signal (Xa) from the audio signals (Ym) provided by the input interface (170) before the audio signals provided by the input interface (170) are transmitted to the emergency service device (200), in particular to reduce disturbing echoes and/or feedback.