Microphone device, method for operating a microphone device, and motor vehicle with a microphone device

Abstract

Microphone device (12) comprising at least one microphone (14) with a receiving diaphragm (16) for detecting ambient sound (24) from the environment of a motor vehicle (10) and with a transducer unit (18) for converting the detected ambient sound (24) into a signal corresponding to the ambient sound (24), wherein the signal is configured to generate an interior sound corresponding to the ambient sound (24) by means of a loudspeaker device for the motor vehicle (10) in an interior of the motor vehicle (10), characterized in that the receiving diaphragm (16) is designed as a motor vehicle component for a mirror, through which an outer surface of the motor vehicle (10) is provided in a predetermined installation state,which the ambient sound (24) excites to a mechanical vibration (26) corresponding to the ambient sound (24) and which transmits the mechanical vibration (26) to a signal generating element (20) of the transducer unit (18) to generate the signal, wherein the receiving membrane (16) is designed as a mirror surface of an external mirror of the motor vehicle (10).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a microphone device comprising at least one microphone with a receiving diaphragm for capturing ambient sound from the surroundings of a motor vehicle and with a transducer unit for converting the captured ambient sound into a signal corresponding to the ambient sound. This signal is configured to generate an interior sound corresponding to the ambient sound by means of a loudspeaker device in the interior of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating such a microphone device and to a motor vehicle equipped with such a microphone device.

[0002] As technology advances in the sound-absorbing properties of vehicle body components improve, it becomes increasingly difficult for vehicle occupants to perceive ambient noise inside a vehicle. This can negatively impact the occupants' driving behavior. For example, a siren, horn, or other warning signal from outside the vehicle may be difficult or even impossible for the occupants to hear.

[0003] Various methods are known in the art for reproducing ambient sound using a microphone device in the interior of a motor vehicle. For example, DE 103 18 294 A1 describes a method and a device by which a driver of a vehicle can perceive external noises more clearly. This method uses several microphones, which are not described in detail.

[0004] DE 44 16 122 A1 describes the selective transmission of ambient noises recognized as warning tones into a vehicle interior.

[0005] DE 10 2018 124 533 A1 describes the monitoring of vehicle window vibrations for voice command recognition.

[0006] From DE 10 2018 007 568 A1, a device for detecting emergency vehicles in the vicinity of another vehicle is known. A detection device is attached to the vehicle, by means of which induced structure-borne sound from the emergency vehicle can be detected at the vehicle.

[0007] DE 10 2014 109 678 A1 describes an acoustic detection system for a motor vehicle with a strain gauge mounted on a vehicle surface and a detection circuit coupled to the strain gauge. The detection circuit is designed and arranged to detect acoustic reactions in the passenger compartment of the vehicle caused by the strain gauge. This relates to noise detection in the vehicle interior.

[0008] DE 10 2015 015 130 A1 describes a method for detecting the ambient noise of a motor vehicle using at least one microphone. Depending on the detected ambient noise, an output sound perceptible to a driver of the motor vehicle is generated by means of a loudspeaker in headphones.

[0009] Finally, DE 10 2015 013 166 A1 describes how acoustic information emitted inside the vehicle regarding volume and / or pitch can be adjusted depending on the age of the driver.

[0010] The invention is based on the objective of providing a cost-effective and low-maintenance microphone device of the type described above for a motor vehicle.

[0011] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described by the dependent patent claims, the following description, and the figures.

[0012] The invention provides a microphone device. The microphone device comprises at least one microphone with a receiving surface or receiving diaphragm and with a transducer unit. The receiving diaphragm is designed to detect ambient sound from the surroundings of a motor vehicle. In other words, the receiving diaphragm is designed to be excited into mechanical vibration by a pressure wave of ambient sound. The transducer unit is designed to convert the ambient sound, thus detected as a mechanical vibration, into a signal corresponding to the ambient sound. In other words, the transducer unit is designed to convert or translate the mechanical vibration of the receiving diaphragm into an electrical signal.The signal, in turn, is designed to generate an interior sound corresponding to the ambient sound via a loudspeaker system within the vehicle. Based on this signal, the ambient sound can thus be reproduced inside the vehicle. Ambient sound includes, for example, the sound of a siren, the horn of another road user, and / or a warning shout from a pedestrian outside the vehicle.

[0013] The microphone device according to the invention is characterized in that the receiving surface or receiving diaphragm of the at least one microphone is designed as a motor vehicle component for a mirror. In other words, the receiving diaphragm is designed as a homogeneous or flat surface, in particular as an unribbed surface, i.e., a surface without ribbing or bends. Such a surface can advantageously be excited to the aforementioned mechanical vibration by ambient sound having a frequency within the frequency spectrum perceptible to the human ear. For this purpose, a surface of a mirror (side mirror or exterior mirror) is used.

[0014] The invention thus provides that the receiving diaphragm is designed as a mirror surface of a motor vehicle's exterior mirror. This offers the advantage of functionally integrating the exterior mirror surface and the receiving diaphragm of the microphone device. Furthermore, modern exterior mirrors already contain electronics for adjusting or setting the respective mirror surface, the electrically conductive elements of which can be used to transmit the signal corresponding to the ambient sound, so that the described microphone function can be integrated into an exterior mirror without any additional design effort.

[0015] The vehicle component thus provides an outer surface of the vehicle in a predetermined installation state. A predetermined installation state corresponds, in particular, to the intended installation state of the vehicle component within the vehicle. The outer surface of the vehicle provided by the vehicle component is preferably accessible to a pressure wave from ambient sound. In the predetermined installation state, the outer surface of the vehicle thus provided is excited by the ambient sound to a mechanical vibration corresponding to that sound. The outer surface of the vehicle transmits the mechanical vibration to a signal generation element of the converter unit to generate the signal. In other words, the outer surface of the vehicle is mechanically coupled to the signal generation element.

[0016] A vehicle component, which in its intended installation state forms an outer surface of the vehicle, is used as a receiving diaphragm for the microphone. The vehicle component is preferably designed as a homogeneous or flat surface, or as a non-kinked or non-ribbed surface.

[0017] The invention provides an advantageous 2-in-1 solution. A motor vehicle component, which in its intended predetermined installation state provides an outer surface of the vehicle, is also used, at least temporarily, as a receiving diaphragm for a microphone. This offers the advantage that additional microphone components can be avoided. This advantageously leads to cost savings and reduced maintenance requirements for the microphone system.

[0018] The invention also includes embodiments that offer additional advantages.

[0019] One embodiment provides that the signal-generating element of the transducer unit is designed as a piezoelectric element and is configured to be elastically deformed by the mechanical vibration of the receiving diaphragm. Elastic deformation in a piezoelectric element is known to generate an electrical voltage. The elastic deformation that the piezoelectric element undergoes by absorbing the mechanical vibration of the receiving diaphragm is designed to generate an electrical voltage corresponding to the ambient sound signal. The piezoelectric element can be implemented, for example, as a piezoelectric crystal or a piezoelectric ceramic component. This offers the advantage of a particularly lightweight microphone design, as a ferromagnetic cage, such as that required in a condenser microphone, can be omitted.

[0020] Alternatively or additionally, it is preferably provided that the signal generating element of the converter unit is designed as an arrangement of strain gauges. Such a strain gauge can, for example, advantageously be integrated as a heating wire in the rear window of a motor vehicle. If such a motor vehicle rear window is excited to mechanical vibration by ambient sound, the strain gauge integrated in the rear window deforms in a known manner. This deformation leads to electrical voltage fluctuations between individual electrically conductive elements of the strain gauge arrangement. These voltage fluctuations can, in turn, be further processed into a signal corresponding to the ambient sound.Using strain gauges as signal generation elements offers the advantage of a particularly space-saving design for the microphone unit, since the strain gauges integrated into the vehicle's rear window do not require any additional installation space. Furthermore, it is conceivable to heat the strain gauges to achieve a beneficial functional integration of the rear window heating element and the signal generation element.

[0021] According to an unclaimed embodiment, the receiving diaphragm is designed as a window pane of a vehicle window. This can be a rear window pane of the vehicle, but a window pane from any other window of the vehicle can also be used. This also results in a particularly space-saving implementation of the described microphone device.

[0022] Another embodiment provides that the microphone device includes a signal detection unit. The signal detection unit is designed to recognize a predetermined warning signal corresponding to a predetermined warning sound within the signal corresponding to the ambient sound. A predetermined warning sound could, for example, be the sound of a siren or a siren. According to the legal regulations applicable to such sirens, the frequencies of the signals generated by the sirens lie within a defined frequency range, in particular between 360 and 630 Hz.The signal detection unit can, for example, be designed as a microcontroller or a control chip that uses a filter algorithm to detect predetermined signals within a predetermined frequency range, such as the aforementioned frequency range for sirens, and to filter or isolate them from the ambient sound. A signal filtered in this way can then be amplified and played back inside the vehicle. Alternatively, such a filtered signal can also be distorted or enhanced before being played back inside the vehicle.

[0023] Alternatively or additionally, the signal detection unit can be designed to recognize or identify the respective predetermined warning sound using pattern matching, in which the ambient sound is compared with a reference sound. For example, a sound associated with a siren could be stored in a reference sound database of the signal detection unit. This allows the signal detection unit to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant ambient sound.

[0024] The invention further relates to a method for operating a microphone device described above. The method according to the invention is characterized in that, in a predetermined installation state, an outer surface of the motor vehicle is provided by the receiving diaphragm, which is designed as a motor vehicle component for a mirror. The ambient sound excites the receiving diaphragm thus provided to a mechanical vibration corresponding to the ambient sound, and the receiving diaphragm transmits the mechanical vibration to a signal generation element of the transducer unit to generate the signal.

[0025] An advantageous further development of the method according to the invention provides that the signal detection unit recognizes the predetermined warning signal corresponding to a predetermined warning sound within the signal corresponding to the ambient sound, and that a predetermined warning measure is triggered upon detection of the warning signal. In other words, the predetermined warning measure is only triggered if the warning signal is detected. If the warning signal is not detected, no warning measure is triggered. For example, a visual warning message can be displayed on a screen in the interior of the vehicle as a predetermined warning measure.

[0026] Alternatively or additionally, a haptic and / or acoustic warning can be issued to at least one vehicle occupant as a warning measure. A haptic warning could, for example, consist of a vibration of the steering wheel. An acoustic warning could, for example, be a realistic reproduction of the warning sound, such as a siren, inside the vehicle. An acoustic warning could also be a beep, a ringing sound, and / or a voice signal.

[0027] Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle with a microphone device according to the invention.

[0028] The invention also includes further developments of the inventive method and the inventive motor vehicle, which have features already described in connection with the further developments of the inventive microphone device, and vice versa. For this reason, the corresponding further developments of the inventive method and the inventive motor vehicle are not described again here.

[0029] The motor vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car or truck, or as a passenger bus.

[0030] The invention also includes combinations of the features of the described embodiments.

[0031] The following are exemplary embodiments of the invention described. This is illustrated by: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a motor vehicle with a microphone device, Fig. 2 a schematic representation of an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0032] The exemplary embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In these exemplary embodiments, the described components each represent individual features of the invention, which can be considered independently of one another and further develop the invention independently. These features can therefore be regarded as components of the invention, either individually or in combinations other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by other features of the invention already described.

[0033] In the figures, identical reference symbols denote functionally equivalent elements.

[0034] Fig. Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle 10 with a microphone device 12. The microphone device 12 comprises a microphone 14 with a receiving diaphragm 16 and a transducer unit 18 mechanically coupled to the receiving diaphragm 16. The transducer unit 18 includes a signal generating element 20. In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the microphone device 12 further comprises a signal detection unit 22. The receiving diaphragm 16 is designed as a vehicle component of the vehicle 10. The vehicle component can, for example, be realized as a mirror surface of an exterior mirror of the vehicle 10.

[0035] The in Fig. The embodiment shown in Figure 1 can be based, by way of example, on the situation that a [unclear] not in Fig. 1. Ambient sound 24 from the surroundings of the motor vehicle 10 strikes a receiving membrane 16 designed as a mirror surface of an exterior mirror of the motor vehicle 10. The mirror surface of the exterior mirror of the motor vehicle 10 detects the ambient sound 24 and is transformed by the ambient sound 24 into a corresponding and not in Fig. The mechanical vibration 26 shown in Figure 1 is excited. The mirror surface of the exterior mirror of the motor vehicle 10 transmits the mechanical vibration 26 to the signal generating element 20 of the converter unit 18. In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the signal generating element 20 can be implemented by a piezoelectric element mechanically coupled to the mirror surface of the vehicle's exterior mirror 10. The piezoelectric element is elastically deformed by the mechanical vibration 26, thereby generating an electrical voltage 28 in the piezoelectric element corresponding to the ambient sound 24 (not in Fig. (1 shown) is generated. In the signal thus generated, which corresponds to the ambient sound 24, the signal detection unit 22 can recognize a frequency pattern of a predetermined warning signal. When the warning signal is detected, for example, a visual warning message can be displayed on a display area in the interior of the vehicle 10.

[0036] With reference to the information related to Fig. The components described in section 1 are shown. Fig.Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the method according to the invention. In a first process step S1, the receiving membrane 16 provides an outer surface of the motor vehicle 10 in a predetermined installation state. The receiving membrane 16 is designed as a motor vehicle component for a mirror. In a further process step S2, the ambient sound 24 excites the receiving membrane 16 to a mechanical vibration 26 corresponding to the ambient sound 24. In a further process step S3, the receiving membrane 16 transmits the mechanical vibration 26 to a signal generating element 20, which can be designed as a piezoelectric element.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the microphone device 12 provides a microphone 14 or external microphone 14 for transmitting warning and / or signal tones into a vehicle interior.

[0038] The invention is based on the understanding that nowadays automobiles or motor vehicles 10, especially with increasing vehicle class, are becoming ever more soundproof and thus better or more efficiently shielded against all kinds of noise from outside the vehicle 10 (i.e., from ambient noise 24). Furthermore, many vehicle occupants listen to loud music inside the vehicle, so that warning and / or signal tones from outside may not be perceived or may be difficult to perceive. This applies in particular to noises such as those emitted by sirens, for example, from police cars and / or ambulances.

[0039] The improved audibility of warning and / or signal tones enhances environmental awareness and / or supports emergency services in fulfilling their duties. Obstructing emergency services, which in serious cases can be prosecuted as a criminal offense, can be avoided through this improved audibility. Such obstruction does not require malicious intent; the vehicle's enhanced soundproofing characteristic described above is sufficient to cause it.

[0040] The invention preferably provides for the use of a special external microphone 14 for recording the ambient noise or sound 24, the recognition or detection of warning and / or signal tones in the background noise and the triggering of a predetermined warning measure (or feedback) upon identification of such a signal to the driver of the motor vehicle 10 and / or another vehicle occupant.

[0041] Condenser microphones are known in the art as external microphones 14. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides for the integration of a microphone device 12 into the exterior mirrors of a motor vehicle 10, in such a way that the mirror surface is used as a receiving diaphragm 16 and an integrated piezoelectric element is used as an electrical receiver or signal generating element 20 (functional integration).

[0042] The detection or signal recognition includes, among other things, an algorithm that can filter the acoustic patterns of warning and / or signal tones from the ambient noise or sound 24. A ring buffer is suitable for this purpose, for example. The control unit including the algorithm (i.e., the signal recognition unit 22) can be expanded with new and / or additional warning or signal tones via Function on Demand.

[0043] Following detection, the recorded signal can be played back via the vehicle's infotainment system or speakers. Alternatively, a modified signal can be played. The infotainment volume and / or fan speed can also be reduced to improve the audibility of warning and / or signal tones from outside the vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, visual warnings can be displayed in the instrument cluster and / or the head-up display (HUD).

[0044] This results in the following advantages. Firstly, the perceptibility of warning and / or signal tones is improved. Additionally, the functional integration of a microphone 14 or a microphone unit 12 into the exterior mirror (e.g., in armored and / or autonomous vehicles) is achieved. Motor vehicles 10 can be made even more densely insulated / soundproofed without compromising environmental awareness.

[0045] Overall, the examples show how the invention can provide a cost-effective and low-maintenance microphone device for a motor vehicle.

Claims

[1] Microphone device (12) comprising at least one microphone (14) with a receiving diaphragm (16) for detecting ambient sound (24) from the environment of a motor vehicle (10) and with a transducer unit (18) for converting the detected ambient sound (24) into a signal corresponding to the ambient sound (24), wherein the signal is configured to generate an interior sound corresponding to the ambient sound (24) by means of a loudspeaker device for the motor vehicle (10) in an interior of the motor vehicle (10), characterized by, that the receiving membrane (16) is designed as a motor vehicle component for a mirror, by which, in a predetermined installation state, an outer surface of the motor vehicle (10) is provided, which the ambient sound (24) excites to a mechanical vibration (26) corresponding to the ambient sound (24) and which transmits the mechanical vibration (26) to a signal generating element (20) of the converter unit (18) to generate the signal, wherein the receiving membrane (16) is designed as a mirror surface of an outer mirror of the motor vehicle (10). [2] Microphone device (12) according to claim 1, wherein the signal generating element (20) of the transducer unit (18) is designed as a piezoelectric element and / or strain gauge and is designed to be elastically deformed by the mechanical vibration (26) of the receiving diaphragm (16), wherein the elastic deformation is designed to generate an electrical voltage (28) corresponding to the ambient sound (24) in order to generate the signal corresponding to the ambient sound (24) by the piezoelectric element and / or the strain gauge. [3] Microphone device (12) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a signal detection unit (22), wherein the signal detection unit (22) is configured to detect a predetermined warning signal corresponding to a predetermined warning sound in the signal corresponding to the ambient sound (24). [4] Method for operating a microphone device (12), wherein the microphone device (12) comprises at least one microphone (14) with a receiving diaphragm (16) for detecting ambient sound (24) from the environment of a motor vehicle (10) and a transducer unit (18) for converting the detected ambient sound (24) into a signal corresponding to the ambient sound (24), wherein the signal is configured to generate an interior sound corresponding to the ambient sound (24) by means of a loudspeaker device for the motor vehicle (10) in an interior of the motor vehicle (10), characterized by, that the receiving membrane (16), designed as a motor vehicle component for a mirror, provides an outer surface of the motor vehicle (10) in a predetermined installation state, the ambient sound (24) excites the receiving membrane (16) to a mechanical vibration (26) corresponding to the ambient sound (24), and the receiving membrane (16) transmits the mechanical vibration (26) to a signal generating element (20) of the converter unit (18) to generate the signal, wherein the receiving membrane (16) is provided as a mirror surface of an outer mirror of the motor vehicle (10). [5] Method according to claim 4, in which the signal recognition unit (22) detects the predetermined warning signal corresponding to a predetermined warning sound in the signal corresponding to the ambient sound (24) and triggers a predetermined warning measure when the warning signal is detected. [6] Method according to claim 5, wherein as a predetermined warning measure an optical warning is displayed on a display area in the interior of the motor vehicle (10). [7] Method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein a haptic and / or acoustic warning is issued to at least one motor vehicle occupant as a predetermined warning measure. [8] Motor vehicle (10) with a microphone device (12) configured according to one of claims 1 to 3 and / or designed to perform a method according to one of claims 4 to 7.

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