DE102020111224A1 - System for providing sound zones in a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (10) for providing sound zones (SZ) in a vehicle (F), the system (10) having at least one microphone (14) which is assigned to a first passenger position (Pos1) in the vehicle (F) and which is set up to pick up sound (S) at the first passenger position (Pos1) and to convert it into a first signal (S1); a processing unit (16) which is set up to process the first signal (S1) and use it therefrom generate a second signal (S2); andat least one loudspeaker (18) which is assigned to a second passenger position (Pos2) in the vehicle (F) and which is set up to convert the second signal (S2) so that a sound zone (SZ) assigned to the second passenger position (Pos2) ) is formed in such a way that the second passenger position (Pos2) can be acoustically isolated or isolated from the first passenger position (Pos1). It is provided that the system (10) is also set up to form the sound zone (SZ) assigned to the second passenger position (Pos2) while the vehicle (F) is stationary.

Description

The invention relates to a system for providing sound zones in a vehicle, the system having: at least one microphone which is assigned to a first passenger position in the vehicle and which is set up to pick up sound at the first passenger position and convert it into a first signal ; a processing unit which is configured to process the first signal and to generate a second signal therefrom; and at least one loudspeaker which is assigned to a second passenger position in the vehicle and which is set up to convert the second signal so that a sound zone assigned to the second passenger position is formed, such that the second passenger position can be acoustically isolated or isolated from the first passenger position is.

From the pamphlet EP 1 882 387 B1 a system for creating personalized sound zones with noise suppression is known.

From the pamphlet WO 2014/026165 A2 a method for attenuating a conversation between a first vehicle occupant and a second vehicle occupant is known.

From the pamphlet WO 2019/175347 A1 an apparatus and a method for arranging at least one private acoustic zone in the passenger compartment of a vehicle are known.

The concept of “shared mobility”, “car sharing” and the like is based on the organized shared use of one or more vehicles from a mobility service provider. “Shared Mobility” allows you to rent such a vehicle for a short time, even by the minute, in order to drive to a specific destination. As things stand today, however, these "shared mobility vehicles" are not used during idle times. This creates economic disadvantages. Furthermore, there is the problem that passengers who are together in a vehicle in the context of “shared mobility” disturb and / or distract one another. In addition, the privacy of the individual passengers is not adequately protected.

The object on which the invention is based is seen in the efficient use of idle times of a vehicle and in providing passengers in the vehicle with improved privacy.

This object is achieved by a system for providing sound zones in a vehicle with the features of claim 1, by a vehicle with the features of claim 13, and a method with the features of claim 14 Claims specified.

A system is therefore proposed for providing sound zones in a vehicle, the system having: at least one microphone which is assigned to a first passenger position in the vehicle and which is set up to pick up sound at the first passenger position and convert it into a first signal ; a processing unit which is configured to process the first signal and to generate a second signal therefrom; and at least one loudspeaker which is assigned to a second passenger position in the vehicle and which is configured to convert the second signal so that a sound zone assigned to the second passenger position is formed, such that the second passenger position can be acoustically isolated or isolated from the first passenger position is. It is provided that the system is also set up to form the sound zone assigned to the second passenger position while the vehicle is stationary.

The provision of sound zones in the vehicle while the vehicle is standing still enables passengers to use the vehicle as a retreat point for concentrated work, telephoning and / or the like, even during a standstill, by means of the acoustic insulation generated by the sound zones, whereby the privacy of each individual passenger is granted.

In this case, audio signals contained in the first signal can be filtered from the first signal and the second signal can be generated therefrom. By filtering audio signals, the sound emitted in the first passenger position, for example a telephone conversation, music or the like, can be removed.

As a result, when the second signal is converted by the loudspeaker assigned to the second passenger position, anti-noise can be generated which at least partially compensates for the sound emitted by the first passenger position at the second passenger position. This enables the passenger in the second passenger position to work in the first passenger position, for example, undisturbed by a telephone call, music or the like. Furthermore, the privacy of a passenger can be guaranteed in the first passenger position.

The system can furthermore have a camera which is arranged on a ceiling of the vehicle and which is configured to detect movements of passengers in the vehicle.

The camera can detect the head position of the passengers in the vehicle. For example, the orientation of a head and thus the position of the ears of a passenger can be determined.

The system can have a control unit which is set up to control the processing unit in such a way that it generates the second signal and transmits the second signal to the loudspeaker assigned to the second passenger position as a function of a head position of the passenger at the second passenger position detected by the camera . Controlling the loudspeaker as a function of the head position, such as the ears, can enable an adapted reproduction of anti-noise.

In this context, a first loudspeaker in a headrest of the vehicle can be assigned to the second passenger position, and a second or further loudspeaker can be assigned to the second passenger position in a vehicle pillar and / or on a ceiling of the vehicle. Due to the different arrangements of the loudspeakers, improved acoustic isolation can be achieved when converting the second signal.

The first loudspeaker can have a first filter and the second loudspeaker can comprise a second filter, the first filter being different from the second filter. The different filters can be used, for example, for frequency division and / or for equalization and / or for time-of-flight correction of the second signal.

The system can also transmit the second signal to the first loudspeaker and / or to the second loudspeaker as a function of the head position of the passenger at the second passenger position detected by the camera. A separate control of the loudspeakers depending on the head position of the passenger, for example whether the passenger is leaning forward or lays his head back on the headrest, enables the loudspeaker to be controlled which is closest to the head or ears of the passenger is.

The system can also have pressure sensor means which are arranged in a seat of the vehicle at the first passenger position and / or in a seat of the vehicle at the second passenger position, and which are set up to apply a pressure to the seat of the first passenger position and / or a To detect pressure on the seat of the second passenger position while the vehicle is stationary. If, for example, a passenger moves into the seat of the first passenger position, a corresponding pressure can be registered by the pressure sensor means, so that use of the vehicle during the idle time is registered.

Furthermore, the control unit can activate the camera when the pressure sensor means detect a pressure on the seat of the first passenger position and / or a pressure on the seat of the second passenger position while the vehicle is stationary. This means that the camera is only operated when required, which reduces the vehicle's energy consumption when it is stationary.

The control unit can also have at least one interface with which a passenger of the vehicle can interact.

The above object is also achieved by a vehicle with a system for providing sound zones, the vehicle being a shared mobility vehicle that can be booked while the vehicle is stationary.

• Auswahl einer Passagierposition in dem Fahrzeug durch einen Benutzer;
• Prüfen ob die ausgewählte Passagierposition verfügbar ist; und
• Buchen der Passagierposition, wenn die ausgewählte Passagierposition verfügbar ist,

wobei die ausgewählte Passagierpositionen in dem Fahrzeug von weiteren in dem Fahrzeug befindlichen Passagierpositionen akustisch zumindest dann isoliert wird, wenn wenigstens eine weitere Passagierposition in dem gleichen Fahrzeug von einem weiteren Benutzer ausgewählt ist.The above object is also achieved by a method for assigning a passenger position in the above-described stationary shared mobility vehicle, the method comprising the steps:

• Selection of a passenger position in the vehicle by a user;
• Check whether the selected passenger position is available; and
• Book the passenger position if the selected passenger position is available,

wherein the selected passenger position in the vehicle is acoustically isolated from further passenger positions located in the vehicle at least when at least one further passenger position in the same vehicle is selected by a further user.

Here, a user can simply select a passenger position in the shared mobility vehicle of a mobility service provider via an app or a web portal and, if it is available, book it.

• 1a eine vereinfachte und schematische Prinzipdarstellung einer Ausführungsform eines Systems zur Bereitstellung von Schallzonen in einem Fahrzeug;
• 1b eine vereinfachte und schematische Prinzipdarstellung einer Ausführungsform des Systems;
• 2 eine vereinfachte und schematische Prinzipdarstellung einer Ausführungsform einer Verarbeitungseinheit und einer Steuereinheit des Systems;
• 3 eine vereinfachte und schematische Prinzipdarstellung einer Ausführungsform des Systems;
• 4 ein Ablaufplan einer Ausführungsform eines Verfahrens zur Vergabe einer Passagierposition in einem stehenden Shared Mobility Fahrzeug.

Further advantages and details of the invention emerge from the following description of embodiments with reference to the figures. It shows:

• 1a a simplified and schematic diagram of an embodiment of a system for providing sound zones in a vehicle;
• 1b a simplified and schematic diagram of an embodiment of the system;
• 2 a simplified and schematic diagram of an embodiment of a processing unit and a control unit of the system;
• 3 a simplified and schematic diagram of an embodiment of the system;
• 4th a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for assigning a passenger position in a stationary shared mobility vehicle.

In 1a and 1b are simplified and schematic schematic representations of an embodiment of a system 10 for the provision of sound zones SZ in a vehicle F shown. The sound zones SZ are in 1b illustrated simplified as circles. The system 10 has at least one microphone 14th on that of a first passenger position Pos1 in the vehicle F is assigned. The system 10 further comprises a processing unit 16 and at least one loudspeaker 18th that of a second passenger position Pos2 in the vehicle F is assigned. The first passenger position is here Pos1 and the second passenger position Pos2 representing in each case two (arbitrary) positions considered in the vehicle F. The system 10 can accommodate three, four or more possible passenger positions Pos3 , Pos4 in the vehicle F, as in 1b illustrated, implemented. The system can also 10 more speakers 18th and microphones 14th exhibit. For example, the system can have a loudspeaker 18th have that of the first passenger position Pos1 assigned.

The microphone 14th the first passenger position Pos1 can be arranged in a dashboard of the vehicle F. Further arrangements are possible, for example on a vehicle ceiling, on a vehicle door and / or the like. That of the second passenger position Pos2 assigned speakers 18th can for example be arranged in a headrest, as in 1a shown. In the in 1a The example shown are additional loudspeakers 18th shown, which can be arranged in a vehicle pillar and / or on the vehicle ceiling. The processing unit 16 can also be included in the dashboard, but this is not limiting.

The microphone 14th the first passenger position Pos1 takes the one in the first passenger position Pos1 emitted sound S. and converts this into a first signal S1 around. This is in 2 shown, which will be described in detail later. The sound S. which in 1a by the three circular lines at the first passenger position Pos1 is illustrated in a simplified manner, for example, a telephone conversation, music, ambient noise, and / or the like.

The processing unit 16 processes the first signal S1 and generates a second signal from it S2 , as in 2 shown. The second signal S2 is then through the loudspeaker at the second passenger position Pos2 in anti-noise AS converted and delivered to the second passenger position. This is also indicated by the three circular lines in 1a at the second passenger position Pos2 illustrated. A sound zone SZ assigned to the second passenger position, as shown in FIG 1b is shown, formed such that the second passenger position Pos2 from the first passenger position Pos1 is acoustically isolable or isolated.

It also becomes that of the second passenger position Pos2 associated sound zone SZ is formed while the vehicle F is stationary. This enables the vehicle F to be used even when it is stationary. A passenger in the second passenger position Pos2 can work, make phone calls and / or the like undisturbed by the acoustic isolation.

In the first signal S1 contained audio signals can be derived from the first signal S1 filtered and from it the second signal S2 be generated. These audio signals correspond to the one at the first passenger position Pos1 emitted sound S. , such as speech, music, or the like. The audio signals are identified using speech recognition processes and methods, in particular hidden Markov models and artificial intelligence. That from the first signal S1 generated second signal S2 can then move to that of the second passenger position Pos2 assigned loudspeaker 18th be transmitted.

By converting the second signal S2 by that of the second passenger position Pos2 assigned loudspeaker 18th can anti-noise AS generated by the from the first passenger position Pos1 emitted sound S. at least partially compensated. This becomes that of the second passenger position Pos2 assigned sound zone SZ formed and the second passenger position Pos2 acoustically from the first passenger position Pos1 isolated.

The system 10 can also have a camera 12th which is arranged on a ceiling of the vehicle F, as in FIG 1a and 1b illustrated. The camera 12th can detect the movements of the passengers in the vehicle F. The system 10 however, is not on a camera 12th restricted and can have additional cameras 12th which can be assigned to the respective passenger positions in the vehicle F. In this way, for example, each of the passengers can be recorded individually.

In one embodiment, the camera 12th detect the head positions of the passengers in the vehicle F in order to determine, for example, the orientation of the ears of the passenger.

The system can be a control unit 20th have which the processing unit controls so that they the second signal S2 generated and dependent on one by the camera 12th detected head position of the passenger at the second passenger position Pos2 the second signal S2 to that of the second passenger position Pos2 assigned loudspeaker 18th transmits. Here shows 2 a simplified and schematic representation of the principle of the processing unit 16 and the control unit 20th in functional interaction with the camera 12th , the microphone 14th , and the speaker 18th of the system 10 . As described above, the microphone picks up 14th the sound S. at the first passenger position Pos1 and converts this into the first signal S1 to which of the processing unit 16 provided. The camera 12th can use the detected movement data BD, such as the head position of the passenger at the second passenger position Pos2 , to the control unit 20th transfer. The control unit 20th can then the processing unit 16 cause the first signal S1 to process and from this the second signal S2 and, based on the detected head position, to that of the second passenger position Pos2 assigned loudspeaker 18th transferred to. In the in 2 example shown are two speakers 18th which illustrates the second signal S2 in anti-noise AS convert, which in turn is illustrated by the three lines arranged in a circle.

In this context, the system can also have a first loudspeaker 18th have that of a headrest of the second passenger position Pos2 of the vehicle F is assigned, and a second or more loudspeaker 18th that a vehicle pillar and / or on a ceiling of the vehicle F of the second passenger position Pos2 are assigned as above with reference to 1a and 1b already briefly described.

The first speaker 18th may include a first filter, and the second speaker 18th may have a second filter, the first filter being different from the second filter. The different filters can be used, for example, to correct the time of flight of the second signal S2 be used.

In one embodiment, the system 10 , depending on the one through the camera 12th detected head position of the passenger at the second passenger position Pos2 the second signal S2 to the first loudspeaker 18th or / and to the second loudspeaker 18th transfer. For example, the speaker can 18th , which is assigned to the headrest, can be controlled when the passenger lays his head on the headrest.

The system can also include pressure sensor means 24 have in a seat of the vehicle F in the first passenger position Pos1 and / or in a seat of the vehicle F in the second passenger position Pos2 are arranged, and a pressure P on the seat in the first passenger position Pos1 and / or a pressure P on the seat of the second passenger position Pos2 can detect during the idle time of the vehicle F. The pressure sensor means 24 can for example have one or more pressure sensors. In 3 a section of the vehicle F is shown, the seat at the second passenger position Pos2 illustrated. A pressure P exerted by a passenger is determined by the pressure sensor means 24 detected and a use of the second passenger position Pos2 registered. The pressure sensor means 24 can corresponding print data PD of the control unit 20th deploy as in 2 shown. The control unit 20th can then the processing unit 16 control accordingly so that the second signal S2 generated and at the second passenger position Pos2 assigned loudspeaker 18th is transmitted. By converting the second signal S2 the second passenger position is formed Pos2 assigned sound zone SZ, in 3 illustrated as a dashed circle.

The control unit 20th can also use the camera 12th activate when the pressure sensor means 24 a pressure P on the seat of the first passenger position Pos1 and / or a pressure P on the seat of the second passenger position Pos2 record while the vehicle is stationary. If, as in the in 3 shown example, a pressure P on the seat of the second passenger position Pos2 is captured, the camera can 12th activated and recorded the head movement of the passenger and the control unit 20th to be provided. This can then, depending on the head position, the loudspeaker 18th in the headrest of the second passenger position Pos2 or / and the loudspeaker 18th on the vehicle ceiling of the second passenger position Pos2 drive.

The control unit 20th can also have at least one interface 22nd exhibit, as in 2 shown, with which a passenger of the vehicle F can interact. the interface 22nd can have a multimedia interface with which further functions can be carried out, such as playing music, video, MP3-CD / DVDs, telephone functions and navigation functions, such as position determination, route planner, or the like. The multimedia interface can have a “touchpad” with which the corresponding functions can be activated. In one embodiment, a multimedia interface can be assigned to each passenger position in vehicle F, for example.

In one embodiment, a sound zone SZ can also be formed over two or more passenger positions. For example, a sound zone can be SZ for the passenger positions Pos3 , Pos4 be formed when two passengers want to talk in these passenger positions, while individual sound zones SZ are formed at the other passenger positions. Various scenarios are possible here. The system 10 can realize a variable number of sound zones SZ for different passenger positions. This can also be done while the vehicle F is in operation by the system 10 be made possible.

The vehicle F is a shared mobility vehicle F that can be booked while the vehicle is stationary. A user can, for example, book a passenger position in the otherwise unused vehicle F and use it as a retreat point for telephoning, working, etc. This enables a mobility service provider to offer corresponding fleet vehicles even when the vehicle is idle. Billing can be done in minutes.

In 4th is a flow chart of a procedure 100 for assigning a passenger position in the stationary shared mobility vehicle F with the system described above 10 shown.

In step S102 , a user can select a corresponding passenger position in the vehicle F of a mobility service provider, for example via an app or a web portal.

A central processing unit assigned to the mobility service provider can then be used in step S104 check whether the selected passenger position is available.

If this is available, it will be in step S106 posted for the user. Here, the selected passenger position in the vehicle F is acoustically isolated from further passenger positions located in the vehicle F at least when at least one further passenger position in the same vehicle F is selected by a further user.

If the passenger position is not available, for example because it has already been booked by another user, the central processing unit can inform the user in step S108 Propose another available passenger position in the vehicle F and / or offer a further shared mobility vehicle F that still has available passenger positions. The procedure then goes back to step S102 about, in which the user can select a passenger position.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• EP 1882387 B1 [0002]
• WO 2014/026165 A2 [0003]
• WO 2019/175347 A1 [0004]

Claims (14)

System (10) for providing sound zones (SZ) in a vehicle (F), the system (10) having at least one microphone (14) which is assigned to a first passenger position (Pos1) in the vehicle (F), and which is set up to pick up sound (S) at the first passenger position (Pos1) and convert it into a first signal (S1); a processing unit (16) which is set up to process the first signal (S1) and to generate a second signal (S2) therefrom; and at least one loudspeaker (18) which is assigned to a second passenger position (Pos2) in the vehicle (F) and which is set up to convert the second signal (S2) so that a sound zone ( SZ) is formed in such a way that the second passenger position (Pos2) can be acoustically isolated or isolated from the first passenger position (Pos1), characterized in that the system (10) is furthermore set up to generate the sound zone ( SZ) while the vehicle (F) is stationary. System (10) according to Claim 1 characterized in that it is further set up to filter audio signals contained in the first signal (S1) from the first signal (S1) and to generate the second signal (S2) therefrom. System (10) according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that by converting the second signal (S2) by the loudspeaker (18) assigned to the second passenger position (Pos2), anti-noise (AS) is generated, the sound (S) emitted from the first passenger position (Pos1) at the second Passenger position (Pos2) at least partially compensated. System (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the system (10) further comprises a camera (12) which is arranged on a ceiling of the vehicle (F) and which is set up to detect movements of passengers in the Detect vehicle (F). System (10) according to Claim 4 , characterized in that the camera (12) is set up to detect the head position of the passengers in the vehicle (F). System (10) according to Claim 4 until 5 characterized in that it has a control unit (20) which is set up to control the processing unit (16) in such a way that it generates the second signal (S2) and is dependent on a head position of the passenger detected by the camera (12) at the second passenger position (Pos2) transmits the second signal (S2) to the loudspeaker (18) assigned to the second passenger position (Pos2). System (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second passenger position (Pos2) is assigned a first loudspeaker (18) in a headrest of the vehicle (F), and a second or further loudspeaker (18) in a vehicle pillar or / and is assigned to the second passenger position (Pos2) on a ceiling of the vehicle (F). System (10) according to Claim 7 , characterized in that the first loudspeaker (18) has a first filter, and that the second loudspeaker (18) has a second filter, the first filter being different from the second filter. System (10) according to Claim 7 or 8th , characterized in that it is set up to send the second signal (S2) to the first loudspeaker (18) and / or to the second loudspeaker as a function of the head position of the passenger at the second passenger position (Pos2) detected by the camera (12) (18) to transfer. System (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises pressure sensor means (24) which are in a seat of the vehicle (F) at the first passenger position (Pos1) and / or in a seat of the vehicle (F) the second passenger position (Pos2) are arranged, and which are set up to apply a pressure (P) to the seat of the first passenger position (Pos1) and / or a pressure (P) to the seat of the second passenger position (Pos2) while the To capture vehicle (F). System (10) according to Claim 10 , characterized in that the control unit (20) is further set up to activate the camera (12) when the pressure sensor means (24) apply a pressure (P) to the seat of the first passenger position (Pos1) and / or a pressure (P) on the seat of the second passenger position (Pos2) while the vehicle (F) is stationary. System (10) according to one of the Claims 6 until 11 , characterized in that the control unit (20) furthermore has at least one interface (22) which is set up to interact with a passenger of the vehicle (F). Vehicle (F) with a system (10) for providing sound zones (SZ) according to one of the Claims 1 until 12th , wherein the vehicle (F) is a shared mobility vehicle (F) that can be booked while the vehicle (F) is stationary. Method (100) for assigning a passenger position in a stationary shared mobility vehicle (F) according to Claim 13 , the method comprising the steps of: selection (S102) of a passenger position in the vehicle (F) by a user; Checking (S104) whether the selected passenger position is available; and booking (S106) the passenger position when the selected passenger position is available, the selected passenger position in the vehicle (F) being acoustically isolated from further passenger positions in the vehicle (F) at least when at least one further passenger position in the same vehicle (F) is selected by another user.

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