Karaoke module for use in vehicle and vehicle having karaoke module

Abstract

The invention relates to a portable karaoke module for use in a vehicle having an audio system integrated in the vehicle, at least one microphone and a housing in which are received: at least one speaker; an electronic control unit for selectively outputting an audio signal through the speaker; a rechargeable energy store for supplying energy to the loudspeaker and the control unit, an operating unit for manually controlling the function and at least one microphone receptacle for mechanically receiving the microphone are provided on the outside of the housing, the housing is designed to be received in a module receptacle in the vehicle, and the control unit is designed to be received in a module receptacle in the vehicle. Outputting an audio signal through the speaker when the housing is not received in the module receiving portion, otherwise automatically outputting an audio signal through an audio system of the vehicle; the invention also relates to a vehicle having a portable karaoke module.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a karaoke module for use in a vehicle and to a vehicle having a karaoke module. BACKGROUND

[0002] Karaoke is a well-known entertainment activity in which people perform live singing into a microphone over an instrumental accompaniment of a well-known song. The instrumental accompaniment and the signal received by the microphone can be mixed by a karaoke module and jointly output via a loudspeaker.

[0003] Different storage solutions for additional external components are known in vehicles. Not only the storage but also the components are mostly different in shape and size. For example, karaoke microphones are provided for use in a vehicle. The karaoke microphone is coupled with the vehicle via Bluetooth and output via the vehicle loudspeaker.

[0004] Usually, the microphone does not have its own storage solution and cannot be used separately outside the vehicle.

[0005] For example, a portable karaoke device with a microphone, a music player and a control unit is known from GB 2484084 A. The karaoke device can be coupled with the audio system of a vehicle.

[0006] Furthermore, DE 3513017 A1 describes a vehicle audio system with a karaoke device, wherein the control part and the display part are arranged in the center console or dashboard of the vehicle and the other parts are arranged in a hidden space separate from the center console or dashboard.

[0007] CN 201261432 Y discloses an external karaoke device for a vehicle. The external karaoke device can be installed in different areas of the vehicle. SUMMARY

[0008] Against this background, it is an object of the invention to provide a karaoke module for use in a vehicle and a vehicle having a karaoke module, which karaoke module and vehicle can provide the above-mentioned karaoke function with low structural complexity and at a cost that is appropriate.

[0009] This object is achieved by a karaoke module having the features of claim 1 and by a vehicle having the features of claim 8. The respective dependent claims disclose other particularly advantageous design solutions of the invention.

[0010] It should be noted that features individually listed in the dependent claims can be combined with one another in any technically reasonable way (even across the boundaries of the categories, for example, in combination between a method and a device), and form other design solutions of the application. The specification, especially in conjunction with the drawings, additionally gives a detailed description of the features of the application and of the application itself.

[0011] Furthermore, it should be noted that the conjunction "and / or" used herein between and connecting two features is always to be interpreted as meaning that in a first design solution according to the subject matter of the application only the first feature can be present, in a second design solution only the second feature can be present, and in a third design solution both the first feature and the second feature can be present at the same time.

[0012] The subject matter of the application is a portable karaoke module for use in a vehicle, which has an audio system integrated in the vehicle (that is to say, at least one vehicle loudspeaker and a vehicle control unit for selectively outputting audio signals via the vehicle loudspeaker), wherein the portable karaoke module has at least one microphone and a housing, in which housing there are received: at least one loudspeaker; an electronic control unit for selectively outputting audio signals, such as, for example, songs, instrumental accompaniments and / or signals received by the microphone, via the loudspeaker (if necessary with an intermediate connection of an amplifier for amplifying the audio signals to be output); and a rechargeable energy store for supplying the loudspeaker and the control unit with energy. Furthermore, on the outside of the housing, there are provided an operating unit for manually controlling the functions of the karaoke module and at least one microphone receptacle for mechanically receiving the microphone. According to the application, the housing is designed to be received in a corresponding module receptacle in the vehicle, and the control unit is designed to output the audio signals via the loudspeaker when the housing is not received in the module receptacle of the vehicle, and otherwise to output the audio signals automatically via the audio system of the vehicle, for example the vehicle loudspeaker.

[0013] If the karaoke module is pushed into the module receptacle of the vehicle, the karaoke module automatically begins to couple with the vehicle, precisely with the vehicle control unit. At this point, the function of the loudspeaker of the karaoke module is deactivated. When arranged in the vehicle, the entire karaoke module (that is to say, including the at least one microphone) is always safely and with minimal structural complexity and space-savingly held in the vehicle. Additionally, the karaoke module is designed to have complete functionality outside the vehicle and to be used independently of the vehicle for the intended purpose.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment, the microphone receptacle has a push-push locking mechanism for receiving the microphone. That is to say, in order to remove the microphone from the microphone receptacle, the microphone has to be pushed over the locking position in the locking direction by a short distance. This short movement over the locking position in the locking direction releases the locking, whereas in the locking position the microphone is safely held in the receptacle. The push-push locking mechanism is unlocked and the microphone can be removed from the receptacle or at least partially ejected in a spring- operated manner.

[0015] In other preferred embodiments, the microphone receptacle is designed as a hollow cylinder. The height of the hollow cylinder essentially corresponds to the length of the microphone. That is to say, when the microphone is completely received in the microphone receptacle, the microphone is flush with the housing, for example the upper side. This arrangement, in addition to being particularly space-saving, also avoids the risk of injury that can arise when the microphone is at least partially exposed or protrudes from the housing when arranged in a vehicle.

[0016] Preferably, the diameter of the hollow cylinder is only slightly larger than the diameter of the microphone, so that the microphone is safely and without tilting held in the microphone receptacle.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment, the karaoke module has a detection device (for example a mechanical switch, a Hall sensor, an RFID, a near field communication (NFC) or the like) coupled to the control unit, which is designed to confirm whether the housing is received or pushed into a module receptacle of a vehicle and to send a signal to the control unit that the receipt has been confirmed. In this case, the control unit of the karaoke module can automatically start the output of the audio signal via the audio system, that is to say via the vehicle loudspeakers.

[0018] Alternatively or additionally, the vehicle can have a detection device with the same function, so that the coupling of the audio system to the portable karaoke module pushed into the module receptacle can be automatically initiated by the vehicle.

[0019] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the karaoke module has an energy transfer device coupled to the rechargeable energy store, which is designed to transfer electrical energy provided by the vehicle into the rechargeable energy store and to charge the energy store when the housing is received in the module receptacle of the vehicle. For example, the energy transfer device can be a contact-based electrical connection or a transfer device that provides wireless, for example inductive, energy transfer.

[0020] In a further preferred embodiment, a device receptacle for a mobile terminal device (e.g. a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, etc.) is provided on the outside of the housing. In addition to the secure and space-saving positioning of the mobile terminal device, the mobile terminal device can also be used to transmit audio signals (like e.g. songs, instrumental accompaniments, etc.) to the control unit of the karaoke module.

[0021] The operating unit of the karaoke module can be designed and used to control the functions of the mobile terminal device, for example in the case where the mobile terminal device is located in the device receptacle.

[0022] In other advantageous embodiments, the control unit is designed to detect whether a microphone is removed from the microphone receptacle and, in the case where a microphone is removed, to start outputting audio signals via the loudspeaker on the karaoke module and / or the audio system of the vehicle. If at least one microphone is removed from the karaoke module, a karaoke menu can be displayed automatically on a display in the vehicle, for example, through which the vehicle occupants can control the karaoke functions of the karaoke module.

[0023] Furthermore, the subject matter of the present application is a vehicle having an integrated audio system, which in turn has at least one vehicle loudspeaker and a vehicle control unit for outputting audio signals via the vehicle loudspeaker. Furthermore, the vehicle has a module receptacle which is designed to receive a portable karaoke module according to the embodiments disclosed herein. The portable karaoke module is securely positioned in the vehicle. Furthermore, when the karaoke module is pushed into the module receptacle, the coupling of the karaoke module to the vehicle audio system is automatically established.

[0024] It is to be understood that for the definitions of the terms relating to the vehicle and the effects and advantages of the features of the vehicle, full reference can be made to the disclosure of the similar definitions, effects and advantages of the karaoke module according to the present application, and vice versa. Therefore, in order to make the description more concise, repeated explanations of features having the same meaning, their effects and advantages can be omitted, and such omissions are not to be interpreted as a limitation of any of the subject matters disclosed in the present application.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the module receptacle is arranged in the center console of the vehicle. This enables easy access to the karaoke module (e.g. for operating the operating unit on the karaoke module, removing the microphones, etc.) from different seating positions in the vehicle (e.g. driver's seat, front passenger's seat, rear seats).

[0026] In another advantageous embodiment, the module receptacle is designed as a recess, for example in the center console, which has a push-in depth which essentially corresponds to the housing height of the karaoke module. Thereby, the portable karaoke module can be completely sunk into the module receptacle and, for example, flush with the upper side of the center console. In addition to the visual aesthetic effect, a potential risk of injury by components of the karaoke module protruding into the vehicle interior is also avoided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] Further features and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the following description of non-restricting exemplary embodiments of the present application, which are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

[0028] Figure 1 a functional diagram of a portable karaoke module according to an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0029] Figure 2 a perspective view of a portable karaoke module according to another embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0030] Figure 3 a top view of an interior space region of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present application when using the karaoke module in Figure 2 according to a first possibility is shown;

[0031] Figure 4 a top view of an interior space region of a vehicle Figure 2 when using the karaoke module in Figure 3 according to a second possibility is shown; and

[0032] Figure 5 a top view of an interior space region of a vehicle Figure 2 during use of the karaoke module in Figure 4 according to a second possibility is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] In the different figures, components which are identical in their function are always provided with the same reference signs and are therefore generally only described once.

[0034] The specific embodiments described below are purely exemplary and are intended to illustrate the basic structure and flow.

[0035] Figure 1 a functional diagram of a portable karaoke module according to an embodiment of the present application is shown. The karaoke module 10 is designed to be used not only autonomously, that is to say independently of the vehicle (see Figure 3 ), but also in the vehicle (see Figure 4 and Figure 5), as will be explained in more detail below.

[0036] Figure 1 The portable karaoke module 10 shown in Figure 1 has at least one microphone 11, preferably two microphones 11, but not necessarily limited thereto, and a housing 12. In the present case, a loudspeaker 13, an electronic control unit 14 for selectively outputting audio signals via the loudspeaker 13, and a rechargeable energy accumulator 15 for supplying the loudspeaker 13 and the control unit 14 with energy are accommodated in the housing 12. On the outside of the housing 12, an operating unit 16 for manually controlling the functions of the karaoke module 10 is provided, and in the present case, two microphone receptacles 17 for mechanically receiving the microphones 11 are provided. The operating unit 16 can have a plurality of operating elements, such as, for example, pushbuttons, switches, knobs, etc.

[0037] Preferably, the microphone receptacles 17 have a push-push locking mechanism for receiving the microphones 11, but not necessarily limited thereto.

[0038] In the karaoke module 10 shown in Figure 1 , the microphone receptacles 17 are designed as hollow cylinders into which the microphones 11 can be completely sunk, so that the upper side of the microphones 11 is flush with the upper side of the housing 10 when the microphones 11 are completely received in the microphone receptacles 17.

[0039] Figure 2 A perspective view of a karaoke module 20 according to a further embodiment of the present application is shown. The karaoke module 20 differs from the karaoke module 10 shown in Figure 1 mainly in that a device receptacle 21 for a mobile terminal device 22, in the present case a smartphone, but not necessarily limited thereto, is provided at the outside of the housing 12. The mobile terminal device 22 can be coupled in a data transfer manner to the control unit 14 of the karaoke module 20, for example, to transfer songs, instrumental accompaniments, etc. to the control unit 14, which outputs the associated audio signals via the loudspeaker 13.

[0040] Additionally, a carrying handle 23 can be seen in Figure 2 mounted on the housing 12. Furthermore, the karaoke module 20 exemplarily has a fabric cover 25, but not necessarily limited thereto, which is held between an upper metal ring and a lower metal ring 24, for example, aluminum rings, and which covers the loudspeaker 13, so that the loudspeaker is not visible in Figure 2 . Furthermore, a light-emitting element 26 in the form of a single LED and a light-emitting ring 27, which essentially follows the contour of the upper side of the housing, are exemplarily arranged on the upper side of the karaoke module 20.

[0041] In Figure 2The diagram also shows, in perspective view, one of the two microphones 11 that has been removed from one of the two microphone receivers 17. In this embodiment, microphone 11 exemplarily has a light-emitting element 28, which can indicate, for example, when singing should be directed at 11 via a corresponding light signal. Microphone 11 may additionally have a vibration-generating unit (not shown), which can indicate, for example, that the singing volume is too high.

[0042] Figure 3 It is shown that the use is based on the first possibility. Figure 2 The karaoke module in the image is a top view of the interior space area of ​​the vehicle 30 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Vehicle 30 has an integrated audio system with at least one vehicle speaker 31 and a vehicle control unit 32, the vehicle control unit being used to selectively output audio signals through the vehicle speaker 31. Furthermore, vehicle 30 has a module receiving section 33, designed to receive a portable karaoke module (e.g., portable karaoke module 10 or 20). In the illustrated embodiment, the module receiving section 33 is arranged in the center console 34 of vehicle 30, but is not necessarily limited to this.

[0044] Preferably, the module receiving part 33 is designed as a recess in the center console 34, into which the karaoke module 20 can be fully pushed, so that when the karaoke module 20 is fully pushed into the module receiving part 33, the upper side of the karaoke module 20 is flush with the center console 34.

[0045] The housing 12 of the portable karaoke module 20 (also in) Figure 1 The housing 12 of the karaoke module 10 shown is designed to be received in the corresponding module receiving part 33. Furthermore, the control unit 14 of the karaoke module 20 (also karaoke module 10) is designed to output audio signals via the karaoke module's own microphone 13 when the housing 12 is not received in the module receiving part 33; otherwise, it automatically outputs audio signals via the vehicle 30's audio system, that is, via the vehicle's speaker 31.

[0046] exist Figure 3 The diagram illustrates a situation where the karaoke module 20 can be used independently of the vehicle 30, that is, autonomously. The control unit 14 of the karaoke module 20 (and similarly the karaoke module 10) is designed to output audio signals through the speaker 13 on the karaoke module, because the housing 12 of the karaoke module 20 is not received in the module receiving section 33 of the vehicle 30.

[0047] Figure 4 It shows the use according to the second possibility.Figure 1 the karaoke module 20 in the Figure 3 top view of the interior space region of the vehicle 30, in which the karaoke module 20 is received in the module receptacle 33. The control unit 14 of the karaoke module 20 (likewise of the karaoke module 10) is designed to output the audio signal via the vehicle loudspeakers 31, since the housing 12 of the karaoke module 20 is received in the module receptacle 33 of the vehicle 30.

[0048] If the karaoke module 20 is pushed into the module receptacle 33, the control unit 14 can automatically establish a communication connection with the vehicle control unit 32. To this end, the karaoke module 20 can have a detection device (not shown) coupled to the control unit 14, which is designed to ascertain whether the housing 12 is received in the module receptacle 33 and to signal the receipt to the control unit 14 in order to establish the coupling of the karaoke module 20 to the vehicle 30. Alternatively or additionally, a functionally identical detection device can be present in the vehicle 30, so that the coupling of the vehicle 30 is initiated as soon as the detection device on the vehicle ascertains that the karaoke module 20 is received in the module receptacle 33.

[0049] After the coupling of the karaoke module 20 to the vehicle 30, in particular to the vehicle control unit 32, a corresponding display can take place on the display 35 of the vehicle 30, as is indicated in Figure 4 by the "karaoke" inscription.

[0050] Figure 5 A use of the karaoke module according to the second possibility during the use of the karaoke module 20 in Figure 1 is shown in Figure 4 top view of the interior space region of the vehicle 30, in which at least one of the microphones 11 has been removed from its microphone receptacle 17. The control unit 14 of the karaoke module 20 (likewise of the karaoke module 10) can be designed to detect whether a microphone 11 is removed from the microphone receptacle 17 and to start the output of the audio signal via the audio system of the vehicle 30, that is to say via the vehicle loudspeakers 31, in the case of a removed microphone. This operating readiness can be displayed on the display 35 by a corresponding message, as is indicated in Figure 5 by the "karaoke, my melody, your voice" inscription.

[0051] In the use case of the karaoke module 20 shown in Figure 3 the control unit 14 can be designed to detect whether a microphone 11 is removed from the microphone receptacle 17 and to start the output of the audio signal via the loudspeakers 13 on the karaoke module in the case of a removed microphone.

[0052] The karaoke module 20 can have an energy transfer device (not shown) coupled to the rechargeable accumulator 15, which is designed to transfer electrical energy provided by the vehicle 30 into the rechargeable accumulator 15 and to charge the accumulator when the housing 12 is received in the module receptacle 33 of the vehicle 30.

[0053] List of reference signs:

[0054] 10 portable karaoke module

[0055] 11 microphone

[0056] 12 housing

[0057] 13 loudspeaker

[0058] 14 control unit

[0059] 15 rechargeable accumulator

[0060] 16 operating unit

[0061] 17 microphone receptacle

[0062] 20 portable karaoke module

[0063] 21 device receptacle

[0064] 22 mobile terminal device

[0065] 23 handle

[0066] 24 metal ring

[0067] 25 fabric cover

[0068] 26 light-emitting element

[0069] 27 light-emitting ring

[0070] 28 light-emitting element

[0071] 30 vehicle

[0072] 31 audio system: vehicle loudspeaker

[0073] 33 audio system: vehicle control unit

[0074] 33 module receptacle

[0075] 34 center console

[0076] 35 display

Claims

1. A portable karaoke module (10, 20) for use in a vehicle (30), the vehicle having an audio system (31, 32) integrated into the vehicle, wherein, The portable karaoke module (10, 20) has at least one microphone (11) and a housing (12), in which are housed: at least one speaker (13); and an electronic control unit (14) for selectively outputting audio signals through the speaker (13). And a rechargeable energy storage device (15) for supplying energy to the speaker (13) and the control unit (14), wherein, on the outside of the housing (12), an operating unit (16) for manually controlling the function and at least one microphone receiving part (17) for mechanically receiving the microphone (11) are provided, wherein the housing (12) is designed to be received in a corresponding module receiving part (33) in the vehicle (30), and the control unit (14) is designed to output an audio signal through the speaker (13) when the housing (12) is not received in the module receiving part (33), and otherwise automatically output an audio signal through the audio system (31, 32) of the vehicle (30).

2. The karaoke module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The microphone receiving part (17) has a push-lock mechanism for receiving the microphone (11).

3. The karaoke module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The microphone receiving part (17) is designed as a hollow cylinder, the height of which is equivalent to the length of the microphone (11).

4. The karaoke module according to any one of the preceding claims, the karaoke module having a detection device connected to the control unit (14), the detection device being designed to confirm whether the housing (12) is received in the module receiving part (33) of the vehicle (30) and to send a confirmation signal to the control unit (14).

5. The karaoke module according to any one of the preceding claims, the karaoke module having an energy transmission device connected to a rechargeable energy storage device (15), the energy transmission device being designed to transmit electrical energy provided by the vehicle (30) to the rechargeable energy storage device (15) and charge the energy storage device when the housing (12) is received in the module receiving part (33) of the vehicle (30).

6. The karaoke module according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, A device receiving part (21) for a mobile terminal device (22) is provided on the outside of the housing (12).

7. The karaoke module according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The control unit (14) is designed to detect whether the microphone (11) has been removed from the microphone receiver (17) and, if the microphone has been removed, to start outputting audio signals through the speaker (13) and / or the audio system (31, 32) of the vehicle (30).

8. A vehicle (30) having an integrated audio system (31, 32) having at least one vehicle speaker (31) and a vehicle control unit (32) for selectively outputting audio signals through the vehicle speaker (31), the vehicle also having a module receiving section (33) designed to receive a portable karaoke module (10, 20) according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. The vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that, The module receiving section (33) is located in the central control panel (34).

10. The vehicle according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The module receiving part (33) is designed as a recess, the insertion depth of which is equivalent to the height of the housing (12) of the karaoke module (10, 20).

Images