Method for sending at least one broadcast message via central unit in vehicle, central unit for sending broadcast message, and vehicle comprising central unit

Abstract

To provide a method for sending a broadcast message via a central unit in a vehicle, the central unit for sending the broadcast message, and the vehicle equipped with the central unit.SOLUTION: Wherein a broadcast message (16) is intended for a plurality of audio output units (18), wherein at least two of the audio output units (18) provide different auditory entertainment content (24) independent of a central unit (30). The invention is characterized in that each audio output unit (18) used by the method comprises at least one broadcast radio receiver and is configured to provide auditory content (32) via sound waves when the auditory content (32) is picked up via the at least one broadcast receiver, and in that the central unit (30) receives a predefined emergency signal conveying an emergency situation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for transmitting at least one broadcast message via a central unit in a vehicle, to a central unit configured to transmit broadcast messages, and to a vehicle equipped with at least one central unit. [Background technology]

[0002] In the event of an emergency, new vehicles, particularly those belonging to a vehicle class that also includes passenger cars, are equipped with an automatic emergency call system known as the eCall system, which transmits information to a rescue coordination center via the mobile network and establishes a voice connection with the rescue coordination center via the mobile network in the event of an emergency, or at least when an emergency is detected by a unit in the vehicle.

[0003] Additionally or alternatively, it may be useful to notify people in the immediate surrounding area directly so that they are aware of the emergency. The surrounding area may be distinguished, for example in the form of a reception area, by a predefinable maximum distance from the location of the emergency, in particular by a predefinable maximum distance from the central unit. By way of example, a horn signal may be output. This offers the advantage that these people can arrive at the scene of the accident more quickly than forces dispatched by the rescue coordination center and, for example, be able to provide first aid.

[0004] One method for informing people around is known from patent application WO 2007 / 024990. This document discloses a communication device in which conversations are transmitted in the form of audio data from multiple devices to other devices, the audio data are mixed, and then these mixed audio data are transmitted to the user. There is no provision for direct transmission from multiple devices to the user.

[0005] US Patent No. 5,949,949 describes a system with an intercom connected to devices by Bluetooth.

[0006] (Patent document 3) describes a communication system for communication via at least two independent wireless networks, but emergency messages are sent only to members within a predefinable group by means of an emergency button.

[0007] US Pat. No. 5,699,499 describes an emergency notification unit for a vehicle, which has a transmitting unit for transmitting positioning signals multiple times to rescue teams. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] European Patent No. 3311626B1 [Patent Document 2] Korean Patent No. 101998153B1 [Patent Document 3] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020014416A1 [Patent Document 4] German Patent Application Publication No. 102009015513A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The present invention is based on the object of providing a method and / or system for informing people in the immediate surrounding area about an emergency situation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention are explained by the dependent patent claims, the following description and the figures.

[0011] The present invention relates to a method for transmitting at least one broadcast message via a central unit in a vehicle, the broadcast message being intended for a plurality of audio output units, at least two of which provide different auditory entertainment content independent of the central unit. The auditory entertainment content is preferably transmitted to each audio output unit by a source other than the central unit, the different audio output units being able to receive the auditory entertainment content in each case from different sources. This means that not all audio output units will or must (but may) receive auditory entertainment content that is respectively output from the same source, i.e. the auditory entertainment content of the different audio output units may be different.

[0012] The auditory entertainment content may be, for example, information content, audiobooks, film scores, music, radio, and / or telephone. The audio output unit may be, for example, a headset, a loudspeaker, or headphones. At least one person associated with the audio output unit, i.e., for example, a person wearing the headset on their head, or generally a person picking up the sound waves output by the audio output unit, is called a recipient. In particular, the auditory entertainment content may be influenced by the recipient.

[0013] According to the invention, each audio output unit used comprises at least one broadcast radio receiver and is configured to provide auditory content via sound waves when the auditory content is picked up via or by the at least one broadcast receiver. When the central unit receives a predefined emergency signal indicating an emergency, it broadcasts at least one broadcast message via at least one wireless connection to each broadcast radio receiver, the broadcast message being distinguished by including the auditory content, and the broadcast message being received by all broadcast radio receivers within the reception area of ​​the central unit so that all audio output units within the reception area of ​​the central unit provide the auditory content of the broadcast message. "Reception area" is understood to mean a surrounding area in which broadcast messages broadcast by the central unit are configured to be received by broadcast radio receivers or within which wireless connections are accepted, or an area characterized by a predefinable maximum distance from the central unit, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0014] This means that when a predefined emergency signal is received by the central unit, a wireless connection is established with each broadcast radio receiver of all audio output units within the reception area, a broadcast message is broadcast from the central unit and received by all broadcast radio receivers within the reception area, and auditory content is output by each audio output unit. In particular, all audio output units provide the same auditory content. For example, the central unit and / or the audio output units may be configured to determine the country in which they are located using a global positioning system (GPS) and / or a mobile network operator (MNO), and provide auditory content in at least one language associated with each country. Preferably, the provision of auditory entertainment content is interrupted to provide the auditory content. In particular, the provision of auditory entertainment content is interrupted when the establishment of a wireless connection between the audio output unit and the central unit is completed. It may also be configured that the provision of auditory entertainment content continues after the auditory content has been provided.

[0015] The reception area can be defined, for example, by a predefinable maximum distance between the central unit and each audio output unit, i.e., all audio output units that are no more than a predefinable distance from the central unit provide the auditory content of the broadcast message in the event of an emergency. For example, this predefinable distance can be 50 m, 100 m, 250 m, 500 m, 750 m, or 1 km, i.e., the predefinable distance value indicating the maximum distance between the central unit and the audio output units can be in the range of 50 m to 1 km. Additionally or alternatively, the reception area can correspond to a pickup area, i.e., an area within which a wireless connection between the central unit and the audio output units can be established due to the range of the wireless connection. For example, the range of the wireless connection can be 0 m to 500 m or 0 m to 1000 m, and this range can be affected by interference factors such as obstacles.

[0016] This method has the advantage that people within a reception area are notified of the emergency, which means that people providing assistance can preferably arrive at the location of the emergency more quickly than if only the rescue coordination center were notified and dispatched accordingly. This allows, in particular, anyone with a driver's license, at least a basic knowledge of first aid, and / or people who are at the location and have already witnessed the emergency to more quickly describe the emergency to the rescue coordination center's dispatched troops, which means that the rescue coordination center's dispatched troops can, for example, more easily locate the emergency and / or more quickly help those at the emergency location, thereby providing assistance more quickly when an emergency occurs. In particular, if the central unit is located on the first motorcycle of the first motorcyclist, this can have the advantage that other motorcyclists in a group traveling with the first motorcyclist are notified in the event of an emergency for the first motorcyclist. This is particularly advantageous when there is no visual contact between the first motorcyclist and at least one other motorcyclist in the group, for example, because the first motorcyclist is traveling at the end of the group.

[0017] The emergency situation may be, for example, an accident, in particular an accident involving a vehicle of a vehicle class that preferably does not also include automobiles, i.e., for example, a motorcycle accident, or an accident involving a person carrying, for example, a trigger that, when activated, transmits a predefined emergency signal to a central unit. For example, the person may be a person working in the vicinity of a vehicle including a central unit to which the trigger is connected, for example, via a wireless connection. By way of example, the vicinity may be an area in which a connection between the trigger and the central unit can be maintained. For example, the person may be a forestry worker performing appropriate forestry work in the vicinity of the vehicle.

[0018] Preferably, an emergency situation is one in which at least one person suffers harm, especially to their body and / or health, for example in the form of injury.

[0019] The invention also encompasses developments that provide further advantages.

[0020] One development involves a central unit establishing a respective wireless connection via Bluetooth LE, broadcasting a broadcast message via LE Audio in the form of an LE Audio signal, and at least one broadcast receiver receiving the LE Audio signal. Here, Bluetooth LE stands for Bluetooth Low Energy, which has the advantage of not requiring a mobile network connection. This avoids the problem of having sufficient network coverage to transmit the fact that an emergency has occurred via a mobile network connection. However, this is not yet the case everywhere; in such cases, it is necessary to first travel a certain distance from the emergency location so that other people and / or a rescue coordination center can be informed of the emergency, which can waste crucial time. In contrast, many headsets and headphones now already have at least one Bluetooth LE module for receiving and broadcasting signals via Bluetooth LE. In addition, Bluetooth LE standards 5.2 and later integrate a function that allows a signal to be broadcast from a first device to other devices that are a predefinable distance from the first device but are not necessarily connected to each other device before the signal is broadcast. Therefore, the technical requirements are already met when using Bluetooth LE. The maximum distance a signal can be transmitted over Bluetooth LE may be up to 1000m.

[0021] One development includes establishing a wireless connection between the central unit and the at least one broadcast receiver only in response to the detection of an emergency. This means that there was no wireless connection between the central unit and the at least one broadcast receiver before the detection of the emergency. The audio output units of the recipients and the audio output units of the people involved in the emergency are preferably distinguished. The people involved in the emergency may be characterized as being involved in the emergency by being located within the reception area and, for example, having suffered at least one injury, particularly an injury to the body and / or health, as a result of the emergency. Other people in the reception area who pick up the sound waves emitted by the at least one audio output unit may be referred to as recipients. Preferably, the at least one audio output unit is connected only to at least one source other than the central unit (for auditory entertainment content) before the detection of the emergency, while the at least one audio output unit of the people involved in the emergency may be connected only to at least one source other than the central unit, only to the central unit, or both. When the emergency is detected, a wireless connection is established between all audio output units in the reception area.

[0022] This procedure has the advantage that no connection, for example, any wireless connection, needs to exist between the central unit and each audio output unit before the emergency occurs, i.e., the broadcast message is sent to all audio output units within the reception area, thereby transmitting the auditory content to as many people as possible within the reception area. This increases the likelihood that the auditory content will be picked up by someone with first aid knowledge who can help those involved in the emergency until the forces dispatched by the emergency coordination center arrive at the location of the emergency.

[0023] One development involves at least one of the following events being communicated for each emergency: The accident detection system detects an accident. The vehicle and / or the mobile device, e.g., a smartphone and / or a smartwatch, can detect whether an emergency has occurred based on input data, e.g., noise and / or sensor data, as known from the prior art. Based on this, an emergency can be detected. The central unit picks up predefinable voice commands. The predefinable voice commands may depend, in particular, on the country in which the central unit is located. This means that the central unit can determine the country in which the central unit is located, for example, using GPS and / or the MNO. Depending on the determined country, the predefinable voice commands may be voice commands in at least one language associated with the respective country. Additionally or alternatively, the voice commands may be issued in a predefinable, in particular configurable, language. The fact that predefinable voice commands are picked up by the central unit is particularly advantageous when the central unit is connected to a headset or microphone. A person involved in an emergency situation, provided that they are not unconscious, can issue a predefinable voice command that is picked up by a microphone connected to the central unit. Preferably, the voice command is predefined. This may be done by a predefinable selection of possible voice commands or by a voice command individually set by the person. The absence of a predefinable signal, e.g., the absence of repeated speech of at least one predefinable word, breathing sounds, and / or the actuation of a button or switch, which must be transmitted continuously and / or at predefinable deadman time intervals to prevent the triggering of an emergency signal. The predefinable signal must be transmitted continuously or at predefinable deadman time intervals. For example, a predefinable noise must be picked up by a predefinable microphone continuously or at predefinable deadman time intervals, or a predefinable switch or button must be activated continuously or at predefinable deadman time intervals, for example, by using a deadman handle. If this does not occur or no longer occurs, this can be interpreted as an emergency. Exceedance of a predefinable distance between a signal transmitter linked to a person's location and the central unit. If a person leaves the central unit, for example, if a motorcyclist leaves his motorcycle or if a worker leaves a vehicle provided for work, this may indicate an accident involving the worker, and therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it is reasonable to assume an emergency in such cases. In particular, detection of exceedance of a predefinable distance may be combined with detection of changes in acceleration. This means that in addition to the distance, changes in acceleration of the central unit and / or the person and / or the signal transmitter are captured. For this purpose, for example, the central unit and / or the vehicle containing the central unit and / or the signal transmitter may have an acceleration sensor. This has the advantage of preventing false alarms, for example, triggered by a person leaving the central unit if the transmission of broadcast messages has not been deactivated beforehand.

[0024] These types of detection have the advantage that an emergency can be responded to automatically and / or transmission of the fact that an emergency has occurred can be easily triggered by someone involved in the emergency.

[0025] One development is that the broadcast message: Predefinable text (which may be selected, for example, by text selection or may be created individually by a person), and / or an audio signal from a microphone connected to a central unit (this connection may be, for example, a wireless connection or a cable), and / or Pre-defined tone or set of pre-defined tones This includes including.

[0026] A combination of at least two of the listed features, such as a predefinable tone or a predefinable series of tones followed by predefinable text or an audio signal recorded by a microphone, is particularly advantageous. This has the advantage of warning the recipient in advance that the message is urgent. The text has the advantage of being able to transmit individual information, especially information important for the troops dispatched by the rescue coordination center, such as information about underlying medical conditions, allergies, intolerances, medication intake, blood type, or possible contact information. In the case of an audio signal, the advantage arises of being able to directly transmit important information about the emergency, for example, a person can more precisely describe the location of the emergency, describe injuries, or convey information such as predefinable text. A predefinable tone or a predefinable series of tones has the advantage of directly informing people who pick up the auditory content that an emergency has occurred, for example, by a characteristic tone or a characteristic series of tones, similar to, for example, a warning, similar to, for example, a warning siren during a disaster.

[0027] A development comprises the central unit broadcasting the broadcast message once or periodically at predefinable time intervals, the central unit interrupting or terminating the broadcast of the broadcast message upon a predefinable command. The predefinable time interval is preferably configurable and / or dependent on the length of the aural content. For example, if the aural content has a length x, where x may be specified, for example, in seconds or minutes, the predefinable time interval may be a multiple of x. This has the advantage that it can be ensured that the aural content has already been completely provided by the audio output unit before the aural content is provided again from the beginning.

[0028] The predefinable command for termination or interruption may be, for example, a predefinable voice command, a predefinable noise, such as an emergency vehicle siren, or a signal transmitted via a wireless connection. By way of example, a unit dispatched by a rescue coordination center may have a disabling device that terminates or interrupts the broadcast message when the distance between the disabling device and the central unit falls below a predefinable distance. This, and / or the recognition of the predefinable noise, provides the advantage that appropriate expert personnel are on-site when the unit dispatched by the rescue coordination center arrives, i.e., no further repetition of auditory content is required to inform people about the emergency so that they can provide assistance until appropriate expert personnel arrive. Additionally or alternatively, the option to terminate or interrupt the broadcast message, particularly via a voice command, may provide an effective way of interrupting the broadcast of a broadcast message if an emergency is falsely detected.

[0029] One development includes broadcasting the broadcast message regardless of the presence of a mobile network. This means that the broadcast message can be broadcast and received by a broadcast receiver even in areas without mobile coverage (network coverage). On the one hand, this can be useful, for example, when at least one mobile network antenna tower is destroyed by at least one disaster, such as a flood, a storm, and / or a severe weather event, or by vandalism, and / or when traveling through an area with poor mobile coverage. The latter can be due to the fact that, for example, 4G and 5G can transmit more data than 2G in the same amount of time, but have smaller coverage, and therefore, if 2G is turned off in an area where mobile coverage was present, the mobile coverage is no longer available after 2G is turned off. Therefore, this advantage has greater utility and can also be due to the fact that many headsets and headphones already have Bluetooth LE functionality.

[0030] One development includes that when the emergency signal is picked up by the central unit, the central unit outputs an audible and / or tactile and / or visual trigger signal, the trigger signal being distinguished in that it can be picked up by a person within a trigger pickup area, which may be smaller than the reception area, and the broadcast message is broadcast by the central pickup unit only after a predefinable duration from the output of the trigger signal. That is, when an emergency is detected, the trigger signal is preferably output for a predefinable duration before the broadcast message is broadcast. By way of example, the predefinable duration may be a duration of at most 0 seconds, at most 2 seconds, at most 3 seconds, at most 5 seconds, or at most 10 seconds. The trigger signal may be, for example, a beep, a light signal, a vibration, and / or a voice message.

[0031] Preferably, the trigger signal is such that all people within a predefinable trigger pickup area have the possibility of perceiving it. This means, for example, that the volume and / or brightness is not below a predefinable minimum brightness and / or volume anywhere within the trigger pickup area. The trigger pickup area may, for example, be defined by a predefinable maximum distance from the central unit, i.e., the trigger pickup area in this case is an area whose distance from the central unit does not exceed a predefinable maximum distance. Preferably, if an emergency is detected when the predefinable distance is exceeded, the predefinable maximum distance of the trigger pickup area is greater than the predefinable distance for triggering the emergency and / or is less than the predefinable distance for triggering the emergency plus 10 m, in particular 8 m, preferably 5 m. The predefinable maximum distance may, for example, be 10 m, 8 m, 5 m, 3 m, 2 m, or 1 m. Generally speaking, the value of the maximum distance may be selected within the range of 0.5 m to 10 m.

[0032] This procedure has the advantage that persons within the trigger pickup area can be warned in advance that a broadcast message will be broadcast, thereby making it possible to respond before the broadcast message is broadcast. In particular, in combination with the option of terminating or suspending the broadcast message, preferably before the broadcast message is broadcast, i.e., even while the trigger signal is being broadcast, it is possible to respond to a false recognition of an emergency, i.e., to respond to a false detection of an emergency, preferably by terminating or suspending the broadcast message. Since this terminating or suspending the broadcast message is particularly advantageous in the case of an incorrectly identified emergency, a predefinable duration between the detection of the emergency and the broadcast of the broadcast message is useful if the broadcast message has not yet been broadcast, i.e., there is a corresponding time, and in particular it is possible to prevent the broadcast of the broadcast message.

[0033] One development includes each audio output unit comprising a memory for storing a second broadcast message when at least a portion of the first broadcast message and at least a portion of the second broadcast message are received by at least one broadcast receiver simultaneously, the start of the second broadcast message being received at a time after the start of the first broadcast message, and the stored second broadcast message being provided after the end of the first broadcast message. This means that when at least one broadcast receiver receives two broadcast messages simultaneously, the second broadcast message is stored in memory, and the auditory content of the second broadcast message is read from memory and output after the end of providing the auditory content of the first broadcast message. "Simultaneously" in this case means that the second broadcast message is received while the first broadcast message is received by the broadcast receiver and the auditory content of the first broadcast message is being provided by the audio output device. Preferably, the two broadcast messages are not provided simultaneously by the audio output device, so it is advantageous to save the second broadcast message and provide it when the auditory content of the first broadcast message has been provided. This also provides an advantageous solution when at least parts of at least two broadcast messages are received simultaneously by a broadcast receiver.

[0034] Preferably, if at least one broadcast message is received by the broadcast receiver of the audio output unit while the auditory content of another broadcast message is already being provided by this audio output unit, the at least one broadcast message that is not provided due to the provision of the other broadcast message is saved in the memory and / or said memory.

[0035] In a further aspect, the present invention comprises a central unit configured to transmit a broadcast message according to the method according to the present invention.

[0036] In a further aspect, the invention includes a vehicle equipped with a central unit. Preferably, the vehicle is a single-track vehicle, in particular a motorcycle.

[0037] The invention also comprises developments of the central unit according to the invention and of the vehicle according to the invention, which have the features already explained in connection with the development of the method according to the invention, so that the corresponding developments of the central unit according to the invention and of the motor vehicle according to the invention will not be explained again here.

[0038] For use cases or application situations that may arise in the present method and that are not explicitly described herein, error messages and / or requests for user feedback may be provided to be output in accordance with the present method, and / or default settings and / or predetermined initial states may be set.

[0039] The present invention also includes combinations of features of the described embodiments.

[0040] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described below. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0041] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 shows a schematic exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] The exemplary embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention. In the exemplary embodiments, each of the described components of the embodiments should be considered independently of one another and each independently develops the present invention and therefore constitutes individual features of the present invention that should be considered as part of the present invention individually or in combinations other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the present invention already described.

[0043] In the figures, each functionally identical element is labeled with the same reference number.

[0044] FIG. 1 shows, by way of example, a vehicle 10 involved in an emergency situation. The emergency situation may be, for example, an accident, particularly an accident involving at least one person 12 involved in the emergency situation. By way of example, the person involved in the emergency situation may suffer at least one injury to their body and / or health due to the emergency situation. This may be, in particular, an accident in which the person involved in the emergency situation 12 is at a greater distance from the vehicle 10 after the accident than before the accident. The vehicle may be, for example, a single-track motor vehicle, such as a motorcycle, car, jet ski, tricycle, or quad bike. Additionally or alternatively, the emergency situation may be an accident involving a person at work, in which case the person is at least one person involved in the emergency situation, for example, an agricultural and / or forestry worker who requires the vehicle 10 for work and / or leaves the vehicle 10 during work.

[0045] If an emergency occurs, this can be detected as an emergency in various ways. For example, an accident detection system may be present in the vehicle 10, detecting the emergency based on, for example, at least one sensor in the vehicle and / or based on at least one sensor in a mobile terminal, such as a smartphone and / or a smartwatch. Accident detection systems are known from the prior art. Additionally or alternatively, an emergency can be detected based on a predefinable voice command. For example, the voice command may be predefined or selected by a person, such that when an emergency occurs, the emergency can be detected by outputting a predefinable voice command. Additionally or alternatively, a predefinable signal, which must be output, for example, continuously or at a deadman's time interval predefinable by a person, can signal the occurrence of an emergency. This may be designed, for example, similar to a deadman's handle, so that an emergency is assumed if there is no signal.

[0046] Additionally or alternatively, exceeding a predefinable distance 14 between the vehicle 10 and the person 12′ associated with the vehicle may lead to the assumption of an emergency. For example, in the event of an accident, a greater distance may exist between the vehicle 10 and the person 12 involved in the emergency, who was the person 12′ associated with the vehicle before the emergency, than during normal use of the vehicle 10. The greater-than-normal distance may, for example, be more than 1 meter, particularly more than 2 meters, and particularly preferably more than 5 meters away from the vehicle 10. Preferably, the greater-than-normal distance is greater than the predefinable distance 14. The distance between the person 12′ associated with the vehicle and the vehicle 10 may be determined, for example, using a transmitter and / or a receiver carried by the person associated with the vehicle and / or by a mechanical connection, such as a cable, between the vehicle 10 and the person 12′ associated with the vehicle. Additionally, for example, an acceleration sensor may be arranged on the person 12' associated with the vehicle, and / or on the transmitter and / or receiver and / or vehicle 10, so that an emergency situation can be detected by a measurement of the distance between the vehicle 10 and the person 12' associated with the vehicle, in combination with a detected change in acceleration exceeding a predefinable value.

[0047] In the event of an emergency, a broadcast message 16 is transmitted to all audio output units 18 within a reception area 20, the reception area 20 being the area in which the audio output units 18 are located to receive the broadcast message 16. The reception area 20 may be characterized by a maximum distance 20' such that any audio output unit 18 that is less than the maximum distance 20' from the vehicle 10 is located within the reception area 20. The distance may be given using methods known from the prior art, for example using channel sounding or using a received signal strength indicator (RSSI).

[0048] The audio output units 18 can be understood to mean, for example, headsets, loudspeakers, and / or headphones. In particular, the audio output units 18 are characterized in that they are capable of emitting auditory content via sound waves. Each audio output unit 18 is configured to receive auditory entertainment content 24 from a source 22. The auditory entertainment content 24 transmitted to different audio output units 18 may be different and / or may come from different sources 22. This means that different audio output units 18 can provide different auditory entertainment content 24. In particular, different audio output units 18 receive auditory entertainment content from different sources. Each audio output unit 18 is characterized in that it comprises at least one broadcast radio receiver.

[0049] The audio output unit 18 may be assigned to at least one person 26, 28. The person 26, 28 assigned to the audio output unit 18 may pick up the sound waves emitted by the audio output unit 18, for example, by wearing a headset or headphones and / or being a predefinable maximum distance away from the loudspeaker. If the person 26, 28 assigned to the audio output unit is a person within the reception area 20, which may be different from the person 12 involved in the emergency, this person is called a recipient 26. People outside the reception area 20 and people without an audio output unit are called non-recipients 28.

[0050] When an emergency is detected, the central unit 30 located in the vehicle 10 receives a predefined emergency signal, which informs the central unit 30 of the detection of the emergency. In response to the emergency signal, the central unit 30 may broadcast a trigger signal, which is preferably audible and / or visual and / or tactile. This means, for example, that it may be a beep, the illumination of a light, the playback of a predefinable noise and / or predefinable words, and / or vibration. Preferably, the trigger signal is designed to be pickable by a person within a predefinable trigger pickup area. This means, for example, that the trigger signal has at least a predefinable volume and / or a predefinable brightness everywhere within the trigger pickup area, which is preferably smaller than the reception area 20.

[0051] Following the broadcast of the trigger signal, if a predefinable time duration, such as 0, 2, 3, 5, or 10 seconds, has elapsed, or if the trigger signal is not broadcast, a broadcast message 16 is broadcast by the central unit 30. This means that a wireless connection is established between the central unit 30 and all audio output units 18 within the reception area 20. This can be achieved in each case by a wireless connection between the central unit 30 and the broadcast radio receivers of each of the audio output units 18. In a preferred embodiment, the wireless connection is a connection via Bluetooth LE. This offers the advantage, in particular, of already providing the technical capability to transmit a signal to a large number of audio output units 18 within the reception area 20 without requiring a previous connection with the audio output units 18. Additionally or alternatively, the wireless connection via Bluetooth LE is implemented independently of a mobile network. Therefore, a preferred embodiment provides that the broadcast message 16 is transmitted regardless of the presence of a mobile network, i.e., no mobile coverage is required and / or a wireless connection is not established via a mobile network. In particular, it may be provided that a wireless connection is established between the central unit 30 and the audio output units 18 only as a result of an emergency situation. This means that before the occurrence of the emergency situation, there was no wireless connection between the central unit 30 and the respective audio output units 18, in particular all audio output units 18 in the reception area 20, preferably all audio output units 18 in the reception area 20 other than the audio output unit 18 with which at least one person 12 involved in the emergency situation is associated.

[0052] Following the establishment of a wireless connection between the central unit 30 and the respective audio output units 18, the broadcast message 16 is transmitted via this wireless connection. This means that auditory content 32 is transmitted to the audio output units 18 in the receiving area 20, which in turn provide the auditory content 32 at least via sound waves. This gives at least one recipient 26 the possibility to pick up the auditory content 32. The auditory content 32 may, for example, comprise predefinable text, e.g. text saved by a person, in particular a person 12′ associated with a vehicle, before the emergency, and / or an audio signal from a microphone, in particular a microphone picking up noises and / or conversations from at least one person 12 involved in the emergency, and / or a predefinable tone and / or a predefinable sequence of tones.

[0053] Preferably, the broadcast message 16 is broadcast repeatedly, especially if the auditory content 32 comprises predefinable text and / or a predefinable tone and / or a predefinable sequence of tones, meaning that the auditory content 32 is broadcast repeatedly at predefinable time intervals by the audio output units 18 in the reception area 20. As an alternative to this, the broadcast message 16 is broadcast only once, especially if a microphone recording is involved and / or if the auditory content provides noises and / or conversations of the person 12 involved in the emergency after the emergency has occurred.

[0054] It may also be provided that the central unit 30, upon a predefinable command, interrupts or terminates the broadcast of the broadcast message 16. This means that upon a predefinable command, for example a voice command or activation of a button or a touch panel, further broadcast of the broadcast message 16, which is configured to be broadcast repeatedly, is interrupted for at least a predefinable period and / or the broadcast of the broadcast message 16 is terminated, or in the case of the transmission of noise and / or voice, for example received by a microphone via the broadcast message 16, this transmission is terminated for at least a predefinable period.

[0055] If, at least at some point in time, at least portions of at least two broadcast messages 16 are received by the same audio output unit 18, i.e., if, at least at some point in time, at least one second broadcast message 16 is received by the same audio output unit 18 while at least one first broadcast message 16 has already been received, there may be at least some point in time when at least a portion of the at least one first broadcast message 16 is received by the audio output unit 18 but no portion of the at least one second broadcast message 16 has yet been received, i.e., the start of the at least one first broadcast message 16 is received by the audio output unit 18 before the start of the at least one second broadcast message 16, and it may be specified that the auditory content 32 of the at least one second broadcast message 16 is stored in the memory of the audio output unit 18 and is provided when the auditory content 32 of the at least one first broadcast message 16 has finished being provided.

[0056] It may be provided that after at least one audio output unit 18 has provided the auditory content 32 of the broadcast message 16, the presentation of the respective entertainment content 24 received from the respective source 22 continues.

[0057] Certain particularly preferred exemplary embodiments are described below.

[0058] FIG. 2 shows a central unit 30, e.g., a connected infotainment box, which can implement at least one wireless connection, preferably via Bluetooth LE Audio, to at least one audio output unit 18 and / or to different audio output units 18, e.g., different headsets. The at least one wireless connection may be of a private or public nature (broadcast). The central unit 30 may also include a further unit capable of detecting an emergency, e.g., an accident, (e.g., via an accident detection system). Upon detection of an emergency, the central unit 30 may, for example, initiate an emergency call 34 as well as send periodic or one-off broadcast messages 16 via the wireless connection. Each recipient 26, i.e., anyone whose audio output unit 18 is located within the reception area 20 of the central unit 30 and / or within the range of a wireless connection from the central unit 30, can thereby receive the manual, partially automatic, or automatic call for help. Notably, no mobile network connection is required for this purpose. One of the advantages gained is a reduction in rescue time, since at least one recipient 26 can be specifically alerted to the emergency situation and / or can more easily locate an accident scene that is difficult to see and / or impossible to see. An additional or alternative advantage is the possibility that at least one recipient 26 can provide faster assistance, for example in the form of first aid.

[0059] The central unit 30 may be integrated into a vehicle 10, for example a quad bike, a small, less complex motorized vehicle, an off-road vehicle, an agricultural vehicle, and / or a forestry vehicle (e.g. EU vehicle classes L, M, N, O, T, C). The connection between the vehicle and the central unit may be via Bluetooth LE, and / or CAN (Controller Area Network), and / or Bluetooth, and / or Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity).

[0060] The central unit 30 may comprise at least one Bluetooth LE module, in particular a Bluetooth LE module compliant with standard 5.2 or higher, which supports the optional feature LE Audio as central and / or peripheral. This means that the Bluetooth LE module is able to broadcast and / or receive LE Audio signals. This can be done regardless of the presence of a mobile network.

[0061] In an alternative application, at least one person 12' is working within an area around the central unit 30, which is distinguished in that a predefinable signal triggered by the person 12' within that area is received by the central unit 30. By way of example, the person 12' may be wearing a headset, via which the person 12' can communicate by voice command to the central unit 30 that an emergency has occurred. The transmission of this emergency can trigger the broadcast of at least one broadcast message 16, thereby enabling, for example, people 12' working within the area around the central unit 30 to call for help in the event of an emergency, e.g., in the event of an injury and / or accident. By way of example, the person 12' may be an agricultural or forestry worker.

[0062] Overall, this example shows how it is possible to provide broadcast emergency call notifications to headsets using Bluetooth LE Audio (e.g., on motorized motorcycles). [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 10 vehicles 12 People caught up in an emergency 12' Person Associated with Vehicle 14 predefinable distances 16 Broadcast Messages 18 Audio Output Unit 20 Reception Area 20' maximum distance 22 sauces 24 Auditory Entertainment Content 26 recipients 28 Non-recipients 30 Central Unit 32 Auditory Content 34 Emergency call

Claims

1. 1. A method for transmitting at least one broadcast message (16) via a central unit (30) in a vehicle (10), the broadcast message (16) being targeted to a plurality of audio output units (18), at least two of the audio output units (18) providing different auditory entertainment content (24) independent of the central unit (30); the method uses at least one broadcast radio receiver configured to provide auditory content via sound waves when the auditory content is picked up via the at least one broadcast receiver, the central unit receiving a predefined emergency signal indicating an emergency, and in response, the central unit broadcasting at least one broadcast message via at least one wireless connection to the respective broadcast radio receivers, the broadcast message being distinguished by including the auditory content, and the broadcast message being received by all broadcast radio receivers within a reception area of ​​the central unit such that all audio output units within the reception area provide the auditory content of the broadcast message.

2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the central unit (30) establishes the respective wireless connections via Bluetooth LE and broadcasts the broadcast message (16) via LE Audio in the form of an LE Audio signal, and the at least one broadcast receiver receives the LE Audio signal.

3. 3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the wireless connection between the central unit (30) and the respective broadcast receivers is established only in response to the detection of the emergency situation.

4. The following events: the incident detection system detecting an incident, and / or the central unit (30) picks up predefinable voice commands, and / or - no predefinable signal is transmitted, which must be transmitted at predefinable deadman time intervals and / or continuously to prevent the emergency signal from being triggered; and / or exceeding a predefinable distance (14) between a signal transmitter linked to the position of the person (12') and said central unit (30); The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one of the following is conveyed as said respective emergency.

5. The broadcast message (16) Predefinable text, and / or an audio signal from a microphone connected to said central unit (30), and / or A predefinable tone or a predefinable series of tones The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises:

6. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the central unit (30) broadcasts the broadcast message (16) once or periodically at predefinable time intervals, and wherein the central unit (30) interrupts or terminates the broadcast of the broadcast message (16) upon a predefinable command.

7. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the broadcast message (16) is broadcast regardless of the presence of a mobile network.

8. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the emergency signal is picked up by the central unit (30), the central unit (30) outputs an audible and / or tactile and / or visual trigger signal, the trigger signal being configured to be picked up by a person (12') within a trigger pick-up area, the trigger pick-up area being smaller than the receiving area (20), and the broadcast message (16) is broadcast by the central pick-up unit (30) only after a predefinable duration from the output of the trigger signal.

9. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein each audio output unit (18) comprises a memory for storing a second broadcast message (16) when at least a portion of a first broadcast message (16) and at least a portion of a second broadcast message (16) are received simultaneously by the at least one broadcast receiver, the start of the second broadcast message (16) being received at a time after the start of the first broadcast message (16), and the stored second broadcast message (16) being provided after the end of the first broadcast message (16).

10. A central unit (30) adapted to transmit a broadcast message (16) according to the method according to the invention as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A vehicle (10) equipped with at least one central unit (30) according to claim 10.

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