How to operate the receiver unit

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a receiver unit for a vehicle entertainment system, wherein the receiver unit comprises at least two connectors for antennas and two receiving electronics connected to the connectors and a controller electronics. The receiving electronics are configured to output entertainment signals to a main unit of the entertainment system. The controller electronics are configured to perform the following steps: first determining at least one predefined system parameter and then at least partially deactivating one of the receiving electronics based on the predefined system parameter.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an operating method of a receiver unit of a vehicle entertainment system, a receiver unit of the vehicle entertainment system and a vehicle entertainment system. Background Art

[0002] Vehicle entertainment systems are known in the prior art. These entertainment systems typically include a head unit placed in the vehicle so that the driver and / or passengers of the vehicle can access the controls of the head unit. The entertainment system also includes a receiver unit connected to the head unit, which includes a connector for an antenna or the antenna itself and a receiving electronic device, which can receive the antenna signal and convert the antenna signal into an entertainment signal, which is then transmitted to the head unit and output to the speaker and / or display. The receiver unit is usually placed near the antenna to reduce the need for coaxial cables between the antenna and the receiver unit. However, the receiver unit can also be placed near the head unit. If the receiver unit is placed close to the antenna, it is no longer possible to cool the electronics of the receiver unit using the vehicle's air conditioning system compared to a position where the receiver unit is close to the head unit and therefore close to the interior of the vehicle. During operation, when the receiver unit receives signals from the antenna and converts these signals to the entertainment system, heat is dissipated by the receiving electronics, and therefore, heat management for the receiver unit may be required. In particular, the receiver unit can be placed directly under the roof of the vehicle. Sunlight hitting the roof of the vehicle may further increase the temperature of the receiver unit, especially if the vehicle is painted in a dark color. Furthermore, receiver units known in the prior art may comprise a temperature sensor which may shut down the receiver unit or a component of the receiver unit if the temperature is above the operating temperature of the receiver unit. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide an operating method for a receiver unit for a vehicle entertainment system, which allows better energy and temperature management of the receiver unit. Another object of the present invention is to provide a receiver unit capable of carrying out such an operating method and an entertainment system having such a receiver unit.

[0004] A receiver unit for a vehicle entertainment system comprises at least two receiving electronics and a controller electronics. The receiving electronics can be connected to at least one antenna respectively. A connector assigned to one of the receiving electronics can be provided. The connectors can receive different radio frequency bands simultaneously, so the number of connectors is independent of the number of receiving electronics. The receiving electronics are each configured to output an entertainment signal to a main unit of the entertainment system. The controller electronics is configured to perform the following steps:

[0005] - determining at least one predefined system parameter;

[0006] - at least partially deactivating one of said receiving electronic components based on said predefined system parameter.

[0007] A method of operating a receiver unit for an entertainment system comprises the above steps performed by controller electronics of the receiver unit.

[0008] The basic idea of ​​the method is to selectively deactivate components of a receiver unit, in particular deactivate one of the receiving electronics or at least partially deactivate one of the receiving electronics, based on predefined system parameters, to allow for better thermal management of the receiver unit. If one of the receiving electronics is at least partially deactivated, less heat is dissipated within the receiver unit, so that the receiver unit can be kept more easily below an emergency shutdown temperature, which corresponds to a temperature at which the electronics of the receiver unit may be affected and thus require shutting down the receiver unit. Thus, the method allows shutting down components of the receiver unit before a critical emergency shutdown temperature is reached, so that components of the entertainment system can still be used.

[0009] The receiver unit may include several receiving electronics for the same entertainment service. For example, the receiver unit may include two receiving electronics which are radio tuners and are both individually connected to the radio antenna. This is useful in a moving vehicle because the signal-to-noise ratio of the two antennas may be different due to the movement and the signals of the two antennas may be combined appropriately to operate the entertainment system.

[0010] In one embodiment, the predefined system parameter is the vehicle speed, and the deactivation of the receiving electronics is performed when the vehicle speed is below a threshold speed. The vehicle speed may be particularly below the threshold speed when the vehicle speed is zero. This means that the statement that the vehicle speed is below the threshold speed also includes deactivating the receiving electronics only when the vehicle is stationary. In this case, it is no longer necessary to simultaneously receive the same entertainment signal via multiple antennas. At a given location, the antenna with the better signal-to-noise ratio can be determined, and then only this antenna and its corresponding receiving electronics can be used to receive the radio transmission. Another antenna and another receiving electronics can be turned off without the vehicle user even noticing, thereby saving energy within the receiver unit, resulting in less heat dissipation and, therefore, a slower increase in the temperature of the receiver unit. In particular for this case, a stopped vehicle is less cooled by the airflow, resulting in an increase in the temperature of the receiver unit, especially when the receiver unit is placed under the roof.

[0011] In one embodiment, the controller unit of the receiver unit receives the vehicle speed from the vehicle control unit. The control unit of the receiver unit may therefore have an input connector for such a vehicle speed signal, in particular the controller electronics may be connected to a vehicle bus. This allows a simple, speed-based deactivation of the receiving electronics within the receiver unit and is easy to implement.

[0012] In one embodiment, the predefined system parameter is a change in the frequency spectrum measured by at least one antenna. When the change in the frequency spectrum is below a certain threshold, deactivation of the receiving electronics is performed. The antenna and the receiving electronics can be configured to measure the frequency spectrum, in particular the signal strength over the frequencies. If after a given time, in particular after ten seconds or a minute, the frequency spectrum remains unchanged or barely unchanged, it can be presumed that this will also be the case in the near future, and therefore the receiving electronics providing less signal may be switched off. The frequency spectrum does not change in particular when the vehicle is stationary, and therefore using this method allows another possibility to detect that the vehicle is stationary.

[0013] In one embodiment, the variance of the spectrum intensity variation at a predetermined frequency is used to calculate the spectrum variation, which makes the method of calculating the spectrum variation easy to implement.

[0014] In one embodiment, the change in the spectrum includes a change in the signal-to-noise ratio of the spectrum. This is also an easy-to-implement method for calculating the change in the spectrum. The above methods can be used in combination. This means that the controller electronics can be configured to both receive a speed signal from the vehicle control unit and identify that the vehicle is stationary based on the measurement of the spectrum.

[0015] In one embodiment, the predefined system parameter is temperature. The temperature of the receiver unit is measured and the measured temperature is compared to a threshold temperature, wherein when the measured temperature is above the threshold temperature, deactivation of the receiving electronics is performed. The threshold temperature may be below the emergency shutdown temperature, thus allowing temperature management steps to be initiated before the electronic device is affected. In this case, the temperature of the receiver unit may be measured using a sensor placed within the receiver unit. Therefore, the likelihood of reaching the emergency shutdown temperature may be minimized by this approach.

[0016] In one embodiment, the temperature is measured within a semiconductor structure (e.g. a diode or a transistor) of the receiving electronics. This allows for a more precise measurement. In particular, several semiconductor structures of the receiving electronics may be equipped with the possibility to measure the temperature of the semiconductor structure.

[0017] In one embodiment, the at least partially disabled receiving electronics is reactivated based on predefined system parameters. This may also be based on all three system parameters discussed above or a combination of two of these system parameters. In particular, a temperature drop below a threshold temperature may allow for the deactivation of the receiving electronics. Additionally or alternatively, the end of a vehicle stop may also allow or result in the need to reactivate the receiving electronics.

[0018] All the implementations mentioned above can be combined. In particular, the controller electronics can be configured to shut down one of the receiving electronics due to an increase in temperature, and can also be configured to shut down one of the receiving electronics due to a vehicle stop. In this case, stillness can be detected both by a change in the spectrum or by a signal from the vehicle control unit. It may also be the case that the re-enabling of the receiving electronics is based on a predefined system parameter that is different from the deactivation. For example, the stillness of the vehicle can be detected by a change in the spectrum. In this regard, any increased speed of the vehicle, in particular provided by the vehicle control unit, can be used as a signal to enable the receiving electronics again. Another possibility is that the stillness of the vehicle is determined by a signal provided by the vehicle control unit. When the vehicle is stationary, but a large vehicle such as a bus or truck is moving near the vehicle, the spectrum may also change, so it may be necessary to re-enable the receiving electronics because now another antenna can provide a better signal-to-noise ratio.

[0019] In one embodiment, at least one of the receiving electronics performs a station scan, and the partial deactivation of one of the receiving electronics comprises a deactivation of the station scan. In this case, the deactivation of the station scan may comprise a complete deactivation, or may also comprise an increased scanning interval, which means that a station scan is not performed, for example, every ten seconds, but only every sixty seconds. In particular, the station scan may be deactivated during vehicle stationary periods, since during vehicle stationary periods the spectrum does not change anymore.

[0020] In one embodiment, the deactivation of the receiving electronics is performed in a predetermined sequence. The predefined sequence includes an initial reduction or shutdown of station scanning and then a shutdown of the receiving electronics. Another step may be to shut down all receiving electronics except one.

[0021] In one embodiment, the receiving electronics are equipped to process digital radio signals and / or digital video signals and / or digital television signals and / or analog radio signals and / or analog video signals and / or analog television signals and / or Internet services. Each of the above signals / services can be assigned to multiple antennas and receiving electronics within the receiver unit. For example, the receiver unit can be part of a radio tuner, including two connectors for analog radio antennas and two connectors for digital radio antennas, as well as two receiving electronics for analog radio and two receiving electronics for digital radio. In this case, the predefined sequence can include: initially turning off or reducing station scanning, then turning off the receiving electronics for analog radio signals, and then turning off all but one of the receiving electronics for digital radio signals. If the receiver unit also processes other services besides radio, such as video or television services or Internet services, the predefined sequence can also be adjusted corresponding to the signal that the vehicle user is using at the moment. In particular, if the user uses the television or video signal portion of the entertainment system, the receiving electronics for the radio signal can be turned off before the receiving electronics for the television or video signal. If the user uses the radio, the sequence may be reversed.

[0022] The vehicle entertainment system comprises a receiver unit according to the invention and further comprises a main unit capable of receiving entertainment signals from the receiving electronics and outputting the received entertainment signals to a speaker and / or a display. The problem of the invention, the technical realization of the solution and the advantages of the invention become clear with reference to exemplary embodiments, which will be described below with the aid of the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In the accompanying drawings, schematically:

[0024] Figure 1 A vehicle having an entertainment system is shown;

[0025] Figure 2 A receiver unit is shown;

[0026] Figure 3 shows the spectrum of a moving vehicle;

[0027] Figure 4 A spectrum showing a stopped vehicle;

[0028] Figure 5 a flow chart showing a method of operation of a receiver unit;

[0029] Figure 6 showing predefined system parameters and responses to the predefined system parameters;

[0030] Figure 7 Another receiver unit is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Figure 1 A cross section of a vehicle 1 with an entertainment system 10 is shown. The entertainment system 10 comprises a receiver unit 100 and a main unit 200. The entertainment system 10 also comprises an optional speaker 210 and an optional display 220. The entertainment system 10 may further comprise another receiver unit 100, although in Figure 1 Only one receiver unit 100 is shown in the figure. In other words, the entertainment system 10 may include a plurality of receiver units 100. The receiver unit 100 is located under the roof 3 of the vehicle 1. The speaker 210 and the display 220 are positioned so that the sound emitted from the speaker 210 can be heard in the interior 2 of the vehicle 1, and the display 220 can be seen from the interior 2 of the vehicle 1. The main unit 200 is located near the interior 2 of the vehicle 1, in particular near the display 220. In other embodiments not shown, the display 220 may be a part of the main unit 200. The display 220 may be a touch display, or buttons may be located in the interior 2 of the vehicle 1 to control the main unit 200. In addition, a combination of buttons and a touch display screen is also possible. Other locations of the receiver unit 100 may be the trunk 4 of the vehicle 1 or any other suitable location within the vehicle 1. If the vehicle 1 is stopped, some light falling on the roof 3 of the vehicle 1 may cause the temperature of the receiver unit 100 to increase. If the vehicle 1 is moving, the airflow around the vehicle 1 cools the roof 3, and therefore also cools the receiver unit 100.

[0032] Figure 2 A receiver unit 100 is shown, which may be Figure 1 Receiver unit 100. The receiver unit 100 comprises a first connector 111, a second connector 112 and a third connector 113 for antennas. The receiver unit 100 further comprises first receiving electronics 121, second receiving electronics 122 and third receiving electronics 123. The first receiving electronics 121 is connected to the first connector 111, the second receiving electronics 122 is connected to the second connector 112 and the third receiving electronics 123 is connected to the third connector 113. All receiving electronics 121, 122, 123 are connected to controller electronics 130. The first receiving electronics 121 is connected to a first output 141, the second receiving electronics 122 is connected to a second output 142 and the third receiving electronics 123 is connected to a third output 143. Entertainment signals received by antennas connected to the connectors 111, 112, 113 may be processed by the receiving electronics 121, 122, 123 and then the entertainment signals may be output to Figure 1In another embodiment not shown, the antenna may be part of the receiver unit 100 and may be connected to the connectors 111, 112, 113 of the receiving electronics 121, 122, 123. In this case, the connectors 111, 112, 113 may include circuit paths on a circuit board of the receiver unit 100. In the embodiment shown, the connectors 111, 112, 113 may be coaxial connectors. Although Figure 2 The third connector 113, the third receiving electronics 123 and the third output 143 are shown in FIG, but these components may also be omitted. The outputs 141, 142, 143 may also be implemented as a single output of the main unit 200.

[0033] Instead of having one connector 111, 112 for each receiving electronic device 121, 122, there is one connector for each receiving electronic device 121, 122. The connector can be connected to an antenna or a group of antennas. The connectors 111, 112 can also receive different radio frequency bands at the same time, so the number of connectors 111, 112 is independent of the number of receiving electronic devices 121, 122.

[0034] The controller electronics 130 are configured to determine at least one predefined system parameter and to deactivate at least in particular one of the receiving electronics 121 , 122 , 123 based on the predefined system parameter.

[0035] In one embodiment, the predefined system parameter is the vehicle speed. When the vehicle speed is below a threshold speed, the deactivation of the receiving electronics 121, 122, 123 is performed. In one embodiment, the controller electronics 130 receives the vehicle speed from the vehicle control unit 5, such as Figure 1 To be able to do this, the receiver unit 100 comprises a parameter input 131 connected to the controller electronics 130. The parameter input 131 may also be used to receive signals from the main unit 200.

[0036] Figure 2The receiver unit 100 of the embodiment further comprises an optional temperature sensor 150 connected to the controller electronics 130. The temperature sensor 150 may be used to measure the temperature of the receiver unit 100, and in this case the controller electronics 130 is configured to at least partially deactivate one of the receiving electronics 121, 122, 123 based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 150. To this end, the measured temperature may be compared with a threshold temperature, and when the measured temperature is above the threshold temperature, deactivation of the receiving electronics 121, 122, 123 is performed. The threshold temperature may be below the emergency shutdown temperature, and thus, at least partial deactivation of the receiving electronics 121, 122, 123 may occur before the emergency shutdown temperature is reached, resulting in better temperature management, even before components of the receiver unit 100 are damaged due to high temperatures. In one embodiment, the semiconductor structure 151 of one of the receiving electronics 121, 122, 123 may be configured to measure a temperature, according to which partial deactivation of the receiving electronics 121, 122, 123 occurs. The semiconductor structure 151 may be provided with a temperature sensor, or a measurement property of the semiconductor structure 151 may be used to measure the temperature.

[0037] In one embodiment, the receiver unit 100 includes an optional station scanning unit 160. The station scanning unit 160 is connected to the controller electronics 130 and the first connector 111. The station scanning unit 160 is configured to measure the frequency spectrum received by the antenna connected to the first connector 111. The station scanning unit 160 may also be part of the first receiving electronics 121. Optionally, the station scanning unit may also include receiving electronics.

[0038] The receiver unit 100 is shown to include three receiving electronics 121, 122, 123. Of course, a greater number of receiving electronics are also suitable.

[0039] Figure 3 A first spectrum 501 and a second spectrum 502 are shown. The station scanning unit 160 measures the first spectrum 501 at an earlier time than the second spectrum 502. A first axis 511 of the spectrums 501, 502 equals frequency. A second axis 512 equals signal strength received at these frequencies. Figure 3 Also shown is a difference spectrum 503, which is the difference between the first spectrum 501 and the second spectrum 502. The difference spectrum 503 shows unstable peaks with high values, whereby the variation of the spectra 501, 502 is above a certain threshold.

[0040] Figure 4Also shown are two spectra 501, 502 and a corresponding difference spectrum 503. In this case, the spectra 501, 502 are more similar, so that the difference spectrum 503 shows less unstable characteristics, and therefore, the variation of the spectrum is below a certain threshold. This can be attributed to the stationary state of the vehicle, because when the vehicle 1 is stationary, the spectra 501, 502 do not change much. Therefore, one of the receiving electronics 121, 122, 123 can be turned off. In one embodiment, the variation of the spectrum is calculated using the variance of the spectral intensity variation of a predetermined frequency. For example, the probability p of motion can be calculated using the following formula:

[0041]

[0042] In this formula, N is the number of frequencies evaluated, n is the exponent of the actual frequency, d is the average of the intensity changes, and diff n is the change in intensity at that frequency in the two spectra.

[0043] Alternatively, the standard deviation can be used and calculated according to the above formula. Another way is to calculate the probability with the following formula:

[0044]

[0045] In another embodiment, the change in the spectrum includes a change in the signal-to-noise ratio of the spectrum. The formula for the probability p can be modified accordingly.

[0046] In one embodiment, station scanning by station scanning unit 160 is also partially disabled based on predefined system parameters. This may include greater intervals between station scans or a complete shutdown of station scanning. For example, if Figure 3 or Figure 4 If the vehicle is stationary as detected by the method described in the foregoing, or if the vehicle is stationary as received by the controller electronics 130 via the parameter input 131, it is possible to perform a final station scan, since the spectrum and thus the available stations do not change during stationary periods. After this final station scan, the station scan unit 160 may be switched off until it is switched on by a signal received by the controller electronics 130 from the vehicle control unit 5 or by a signal according to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The spectrum change detects another movement of vehicle 1, assembling more Figure 3 The spectrum shown.

[0047] In one embodiment, based on predefined system parameters, at least partially disabled receiving electronics 121, 122, 123 are reactivated. For example, if the temperature decreases, for example due to partial deactivation of receiving electronics 121, 122, 123, or due to increased airflow around the vehicle 1 due to higher speeds, the partially disabled receiving electronics 121, 122, 123 can be reactivated again to improve the entertainment system 10.

[0048] In one embodiment, deactivation of the receive electronics 121 , 122 , 123 is performed in a predetermined sequence, wherein the sequence includes initially reducing or shutting down station scanning, and subsequently shutting down all but one of the receive electronics 121 , 122 , 123 .

[0049] Figure 5 A flow diagram 300 of a method of operating a receiver unit 100 of an entertainment system 10 of a vehicle 1 is shown. In a first step 310, at least one predefined system parameter is determined. In a second step 320, at least one of the receiving electronics 121, 122, 123 is at least partially deactivated according to the predefined system parameter. In an optional third step 330, the deactivated receiving electronics 121, 122, 123 are reactivated. The first step 310 may include determining a temperature in a temperature determination step 311, may include measuring a difference spectrum 503 in a difference spectrum step 312, and may also include determining a speed in a speed determination step 313. The optional reactivation may be based on all three parameters, and the deactivation may also be based on another parameter in addition to the reactivation.

[0050] For example, a vehicle approaching an intersection with a traffic light may need to stop at the intersection. This stop may be detected by the difference spectrum method according to the difference spectrum step 312 or may be detected according to the speed determination step 313. If the speed determination step 313 detects zero speed of the vehicle 1, all but one of the receiving electronics 121, 122, 123 may be switched off and the station scanning unit 160 may perform a last station scan and may also be switched off afterwards. If now a truck or bus approaches the vehicle 1 and thus changes the signal received by the antenna and the receiving electronics 121, 122, 123, the receiving electronics 121, 122, 123 may be reactivated and when the vehicle is stationary the receiving electronics 121, 122, 123 with the best signal-to-noise ratio may be selected and the other receiving electronics may be switched off again.

[0051] Subsequently, when the vehicle's motion is detected again, for example by the difference spectrum step 312 , all receiving electronics 121 , 122 , 123 and the station scanning unit 160 may be re-enabled.

[0052] Figure 6 A table 400 with predefined system parameters 410 and reactions 420 is shown. A first predefined system parameter 411 may be the speed of the vehicle. If the speed of the vehicle drops below a threshold speed, in particular when the vehicle 1 is stopped, a first reaction 421 may be performed. A last station scan may be performed by the station scan unit 160, after which the receiving electronics 121, 122, 123 with the best signal-to-noise ratio may be used and any other receiving electronics 121, 122, 123 may be turned off. If it is subsequently detected that the vehicle speed is again above the threshold speed, the receiving electronics 121, 122, 123 and the station scan unit 160 may be re-enabled.

[0053] The second predefined system parameter 412 may be temperature. A second reaction 422 to a temperature above a threshold temperature but still below an emergency shutdown temperature may be to increase the interval between station scans. This increase in intervals may be performed in the manner in which station scans are normally performed, and if the temperature is above the threshold temperature, the station scan interval may be increased to occur once every ten seconds, or twenty seconds, or thirty seconds, or every minute. If this results in the temperature dropping below the threshold temperature again, no further action is taken. If the increase in the scan interval still does not result in the temperature dropping below the threshold temperature, one of the receiving electronics 121, 122, 123 may be turned off. For example, if the radio station selected by the user of the entertainment system 10 is available only as a digital radio service, this may be a particular case, and any analog radio receiving electronics are turned off because no analog reverse transmission is available anyway. If the temperature still does not drop below the threshold temperature, all receiving electronics except one receiving electronics 121, 122, 123 may be turned off, wherein this is performed in such a way that the receiving electronics with the best signal-to-noise ratio is still turned on.

[0054] The third predefined system parameter 413 may be a temperature increase above the emergency shutdown temperature. A third reaction 423 to such a temperature increase may be a complete deactivation of the receiver unit 100 .

[0055] The fourth predefined system parameter 414 may be a change in the spectrum, in particular a change in the difference spectrum 503. If the difference spectrum 503 is below a certain threshold, a fourth reaction 424 may be performed. When the difference spectrum 503 is below the threshold, the fourth reaction may also be to perform a final station scan by the station scanning unit 160, and then to shut down the station scanning unit 160, and also shut down all receiving electronics 121, 122, 123 except one, and in particular to keep the receiving electronics 121, 122, 123 with the best signal-to-noise ratio operating.

[0056] Figure 7 Another embodiment of a receiver unit 100 is shown. The receiver unit 100 comprises first receiving electronics 121, second receiving electronics 122, third receiving electronics 123, fourth receiving electronics 124, fifth receiving electronics 125, sixth receiving electronics 126, seventh receiving electronics 127 and eighth receiving electronics 128. The receiver unit 100 further comprises a first connector 111, a second connector 112, a third connector 113, a fourth connector 114, a fifth connector 115, a sixth connector 116, a seventh connector 117 and an eighth connector 118. The receiver unit 100 further comprises a first output 141, a second output 142, a third output 143, a fourth output 144, a fifth output 145, a sixth output 146, a seventh output 147 and an eighth output 148. In particular, the first receiving electronics 121 and the second receiving electronics 122 are associated with a first signal to be received. The first receiving electronics 121 and the second receiving electronics 122 may, for example, be configured to process digital radio signals. The station scanning unit 160 is connected to the first connector 111 and is thus capable of station scanning for digital radio. The third receiving electronics 123 and the fourth receiving electronics 124 can be configured to receive analog radio signals. Therefore, another station scanning unit 161 can be used to perform station scanning for analog radio services. The fifth receiving electronics 125 and the sixth receiving electronics 126 can be configured to process digital video or digital television signals and can also be configured with another station scanning unit 161 associated with the digital video or digital television signals. The seventh receiving electronics 127 and the eighth receiving electronics 128 can be configured to process Internet services. Other possibilities for services that can be processed are analog video signals and / or analog television services. Analog radio services can still be subdivided into very high frequency VHF, medium wave MW or long wave LW.

[0057] Figure 7 The seventh connector 117 and the eighth connector 118 in the receiver unit 100 are placed inside the receiver unit 100, and the seventh antenna 177 and the eighth antenna 178 are also part of the receiver unit 100. Such an arrangement is also possible for the other connectors 111, 112, 113, 114, 115 and 116. Figure 2 The temperature sensor 150 may also be arranged at Figure 7 within the receiver unit 100.

[0058] If the receiver unit 100 includes both a digital radio and an analog radio, the analog radio's receiving electronics may be disabled if the station selected by the user of the entertainment system 10 is broadcast only over the digital radio and not over the analog radio. If the signal is broadcast only over the analog radio, the digital receiving electronics may be turned off as part of the partial deactivation of the receiving electronics as described above.

[0059] Figure 7 The subsections of the receiver unit 100 are shown as each system including two receiving electronic devices. Of course, a greater number of receiving electronic devices is also applicable. In addition, it is also possible to have a signal transmission, in particular an analog radio with only one receiving electronic device.

[0060] The station scanning unit 160 also includes receiving electronics internally to process the signals of the antenna connected to the first connector 111. Therefore, deactivation of the station scanning unit 160 also includes deactivation of its receiving electronics.

[0061] Therefore, the basic idea of ​​the invention is to allow the reception electronics 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128 to be switched off due to predefined system parameters. In modern vehicle entertainment systems 200, for example, digital radio tuners and analog radio tuners are combined. If the signal quality of the digital radio is insufficient, the analog radio can serve as a fallback option if the radio station offers both digital and analog services.

[0062] The method described above is suitable for all transmission bands, in particular VHF, VHF-3 (DAB), MW, LW, DVB-T or 3G, 4G or 5G transmissions.

[0063] Although the present invention has been described in more detail by way of preferred exemplary embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. Other variations may be derived from the description and claims of the present invention without departing from the scope of the protected invention.

[0064] Reference numerals list

[0065] 1 Vehicle

[0066] 2 (Vehicle's) interior

[0067] 3 Roof

[0068] 4. Suitcase

[0069] 5 Vehicle Control Unit

[0070] 10 Entertainment System

[0071] 100 Receiver Units

[0072] 111 First Connector

[0073] 112 Second connector

[0074] 113 Third connector

[0075] 114 Fourth connector

[0076] 115 Fifth Connector

[0077] 116 Sixth Connector

[0078] 117 Seventh Connector

[0079] 118 Eighth Connector

[0080] 121 First receiving electronic device

[0081] 122 second receiving electronic device

[0082] 123 Third receiving electronic device

[0083] 124 Fourth receiving electronic device

[0084] 125 Fifth receiving electronic device

[0085] 126 Sixth receiving electronic device

[0086] 127 Seventh receiving electronic device

[0087] 128 Eighth Receiving Electronic Device

[0088] 130 Controller electronics

[0089] 131 Parameter input section

[0090] 141 First output

[0091] 142 Second output

[0092] 143 Third output

[0093] 144 Fourth output

[0094] 145 Fifth Output

[0095] 146 Sixth Output

[0096] 147 Seventh Output

[0097] 148 Eighth Output

[0098] 150 Temperature Sensor

[0099] 151 Semiconductor Structure

[0100] 160 station scanning unit

[0101] 161 Another station scanning unit

[0102] 177 Seventh Antenna

[0103] 178 Eighth Antenna

[0104] 200 Main Unit

[0105] 210 (optional) speakers

[0106] 220 (optional) display

[0107] 300 Flowchart

[0108] 310 First Step

[0109] 311 Temperature determination steps

[0110] 312 Difference Spectrum Steps

[0111] 313 Speed ​​determination steps

[0112] 320 Second Step

[0113] 330 Third Step

[0114] 400 Form

[0115] 410 Predefined system parameters

[0116] 411 First predefined system parameter

[0117] 412 Second predefined system parameter

[0118] 413 Third predefined system parameter

[0119] 414 Fourth predefined system parameter

[0120] 420 reactions

[0121] 421 First Response

[0122] 422 Second Reaction

[0123] 423 Third Reaction

[0124] 424 Fourth Reaction

[0125] 501 First Spectrum

[0126] 502 Second Spectrum

[0127] 503 Difference Spectrum

[0128] 511 First Axis

[0129] 512 Second Axis

Claims

1. A method for operating a receiver unit (100) of an entertainment system (10) for a vehicle (1), comprising: A receiver unit (100) is provided, the receiver unit (100) comprising: a pair of receiving electronics for receiving digital radio signals, a pair of receiving electronics for receiving analog radio signals, a station scanning unit connected to the receiving electronics, and controller electronics, wherein the station scanning unit is configured to perform station scanning on the digital radio signals and the analog radio signals, the receiving electronics outputting entertainment signals to a main unit (200) of an entertainment system (10); determining, with the controller electronics, a predefined system parameter, the predefined system parameter being a difference spectrum determined as a difference between a plurality of frequency spectra received by at least one antenna of the vehicle, the plurality of frequency spectra being measured at different times; and deactivating at least one of the receiving electronics when the difference spectrum is below a particular threshold and the controller electronics identifies that the vehicle is stationary based on the difference spectrum being below the particular threshold.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The predefined system parameter is a vehicle speed, wherein deactivation of the receiving electronics (121, 122) is performed when the vehicle speed is below a threshold speed.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The controller electronics (130) receives the vehicle speed from the vehicle control unit (5).

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The predefined system parameter (410) is a variation of a frequency spectrum (501, 502) measured by the antenna, wherein the deactivation of the receiving electronics (121, 122) is performed when the variation of the frequency spectrum (501, 502) is below a certain threshold.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein: The variation of the frequency spectrum (501, 502) is calculated using the variance of the spectral intensity variation at a predetermined frequency.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein: The change of the spectrum (501, 502) includes a change of the signal-to-noise ratio of the spectrum (501, 502).

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The predefined system parameter (410) is a temperature, the temperature of the receiver unit (100) is measured and compared to a threshold temperature, wherein when the measured temperature is above the threshold temperature, a deactivation of the receiving electronics (121, 122) is performed.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein: The temperature is measured within a semiconductor structure (151) of the receiving electronics (121, 122).

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The disabled receiving electronics (121, 122) are re-enabled based on the predefined system parameters.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: At least one of the receiving electronics (121, 122) performs a station scan, and the partial deactivation of one of the receiving electronics (121, 122) includes deactivation of the station scan.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The deactivation of the receiving electronics (121, 122) is performed in a predetermined sequence, wherein the sequence includes initially reducing or shutting down station scanning and subsequently shutting down all but one of the receiving electronics (121, 122).

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The receiving electronics (121, 122) are configured to process digital radio signals and / or digital video signals and / or digital television signals and / or analog radio signals and / or analog video signals and / or analog television signals and / or Internet services.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The predefined system parameter is vehicle speed, and wherein the step of at least partially deactivating one of the receiving electronics is performed when the vehicle speed is below a threshold speed.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein: After recognizing that the vehicle is stationary, a last station scan is performed, wherein after this last station scan the station scan unit is switched off until another movement of the vehicle is detected by a signal received by the controller electronics from the vehicle control unit or by a change in the frequency spectrum.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The antenna and the receiving electronics are configured to measure signal strength over a spectrum and frequencies, wherein after a given time, the spectrum remains constant and the receiving electronics providing less signal are turned off.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein: After ten seconds or a minute, if the spectrum remains constant, the receiving electronics providing less signal are turned off.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein: When the movement of the vehicle is detected again by means of the difference spectrum, at least one receiving electronics component or all receiving electronics components are reactivated.

18. A receiver unit (100) for an entertainment system (10) for a vehicle (1), comprising: multiple connectors for multiple antennas; receiving electronics, including a pair of receiving electronics for receiving digital radio signals, a pair of receiving electronics for receiving analog radio signals, a station scanning unit connected to the receiving electronics, wherein the station scanning unit is configured to perform station scanning on the digital radio signals and the analog radio signals, the receiving electronics being configured to output signals to a main unit of the entertainment system, each connector being assigned to one of the receiving electronics; and A controller electronics device configured to identify that the vehicle is stationary based on the measurement of a frequency spectrum, the controller electronics device determining a predefined system parameter and at least partially deactivating one of the receiving electronics devices based on the predefined system parameter, the predefined system parameter being a difference spectrum determined as a difference between a plurality of frequency spectra received by at least one antenna, and performing at least deactivating one of the receiving electronics devices when the difference spectrum is below a certain threshold and the controller electronics device identifies that the vehicle is stationary based on the difference spectrum being below the certain threshold, wherein the plurality of frequency spectra are measured at different times.

19. The receiver unit (100) of claim 18, wherein: The receiver unit comprises an antenna (177, 178).

20. The receiver unit of claim 18, wherein: The station scanning unit is configured to measure spectrum received by the antenna, wherein a first spectrum is measured by the station scanning unit at an earlier time than a second spectrum, wherein a first axis of the spectrum is frequency and a second axis is strength of signals received at these frequencies, and wherein a difference spectrum is the difference between the first spectrum and the second spectrum.

21. An entertainment system (10) for a vehicle (1), comprising a receiver unit (100) according to any one of claims 18 to 20, and further comprising a main unit (200) capable of receiving entertainment signals from receiving electronics (121, 122) and outputting the received entertainment signals to a speaker (210) and / or a display (220).

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