Method and system for continued playback of live data streams during radio interruptions during driving operations

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for the uninterrupted playback of a live data stream, wherein the live data stream is sent from a data source to a control unit of a moving motor vehicle by means of a radio transmission, wherein the control unit processes the live data stream in a continued form into a playback data stream, and the playback data stream is played back on at least one playback unit of at least one vehicle occupant, wherein at the start of the journey (11) a route (13) to reach a destination (12) is calculated, and at least one radio interruption area (14) lying on the route is determined based on a network coverage map, wherein a delay start point (17) is calculated by dividing a journey distance (56) by a term in which a delay factor is subtracted from a numerical value of one.and a resulting path is traced back from one end (16) of the radio interruption area, and upon passing through the delay start point, the live data stream is converted to the playback data stream using a delay factor. Furthermore, a system is presented on which the method can be implemented.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for the continued playback of live data streams during radio interruptions while driving, in order to bridge areas with radio interruptions without interrupting playback. Furthermore, a system on which the method can be implemented is presented.

[0002] During a journey in a motor vehicle, passengers can use a variety of digital applications that require constant contact with a central server or cloud for streaming digital content. This includes, for example, streaming media such as music and videos, or transmitting live events like a football match. However, network infrastructure is not uniform everywhere. Furthermore, data throughput depends on the number of users within a mobile network cell. In areas with insufficient network coverage, interruptions in data streams can occur.

[0003] The publication DE 11 2021 008 273 T5 discloses a method in which statements, which are supported by a claim, are made about data streams and their availability.

[0004] The publication DE 10 2022 128 164 A1 describes a method in which content of streams is modified with the support of a plaintiff.

[0005] Document DE 11 2020 002 310 T5 discusses a computer-based system that estimates the availability of data reception for an upcoming vehicle journey. For this purpose, known coverage data for the upcoming route is used.

[0006] Publication JP 2011 - 66 817 A discusses a method for playing back media content at reduced speed over a predetermined distance in the presence of radio interference along a planned route. A delay factor is calculated from the predetermined distance.

[0007] Against this background, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for the continuous playback of live data streams during driving, so that interruptions in radio communication with the data stream source do not lead to an interruption of data playback for vehicle occupants. Furthermore, a system on which the method can be implemented will be presented.

[0008] The problem underlying the invention is solved by the subject matter of claims 1 and 10.

[0009] To solve the aforementioned problem, a method for the uninterrupted playback of a live data stream is proposed, in which the live data stream is transmitted from a data source to a control unit of a moving vehicle via radio transmission. The control unit processes the live data stream into a playback data stream, which is then played back on at least one playback unit of at least one vehicle occupant. At the start of the journey, a route to reach a destination is calculated, and at least one radio interruption zone along the route is determined based on a network coverage map. Uninterrupted playback is achieved by... • a delay start point located on the route in the direction of travel before the at least one radio interruption area is calculated by dividing a distance traveled within the at least one radio interruption area by a term in which a delay factor is subtracted from a numerical value of one, and tracing a resulting distance back from an end of the radio interruption area located on the route in the direction of travel, • when passing through the delay start point until reaching at least one radio interruption zone, the live data stream is temporarily stored, • During buffering, parts of the live data stream are continued to be converted to the playback data stream at a delayed playback speed, which is formed from a product of the normal playback speed and the delay factor, and • the playback data stream is being played back.

[0010] The method according to the invention thus advantageously enables uninterrupted playback of live-streamed media content during a journey, even if a radio interference zone is crossed. The experience of being present at the live event is therefore not interrupted, and usually without any information about when playback will resume, but continues continuously, albeit at a slower rate when crossing the radio interference zone.

[0011] Determining the location of at least one radio signal interruption zone along the route, as shown on the network coverage map, and calculating the distance traveled within this zone, can be achieved, for example, using machine learning or artificial intelligence methods. It is conceivable to optimize the route at the start of the journey in such a way as to minimize the distance traveled within the radio signal interruption zone.

[0012] In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the data source is selected from the following list: central server, data cloud, radio station, television station, streaming platform.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the live data stream is formed from at least one media content from the following list: music, film, live event.

[0014] In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the at least one playback unit is selected from the following list: display, headphones, vehicle loudspeaker, digital terminal device.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the network coverage map is formed by at least one information source from the following list: mobile network operator, previous driving operation of a vehicle fleet, previous own driving operation, crowd data.

[0016] The network coverage map shows, for example, cell-specific values ​​for latency and / or data throughput and / or number of users per cell and / or utilization. Accordingly, for the purposes of the invention, a radio interruption area is not understood solely as an area without network coverage, but can also refer to predictably heavily utilized (radio) cells, such that connection interruptions are to be expected, possibly broken down by peak traffic times.

[0017] It is conceivable that the network coverage map could be created or supplemented with statistically collected historical data from self-reported journeys. "Crowd data" collected from all participants can be considered advantageously up-to-date. It is also conceivable that the data could be aggregated and analyzed in a backend / microservice.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the delay factor is determined using a value from the following list: 4 / 5, 3 / 4, 1 / 2, 1 / 3. It follows from the calculation method according to the invention that, when a delay factor of a = 1 / 2 is selected, the playback, which is perceived by the vehicle occupant at the delay playback speed, takes place over a distance that corresponds to twice the distance traveled within the at least one radio interruption zone. In general, the distance at the delay playback speed is determined by the following formula: Distance = Travel distance within the at least one radio interruption area 1−Delay factor

[0019] From this, it can also be immediately calculated that with a slightly reduced delay playback speed compared to the normal playback speed (a=1), with a delay factor of, for example, a=4 / 5, five times the distance would have to be covered within the at least one radio interruption zone. It would be important to ensure that, in the case of multiple radio interruption zones, the distances to be traveled at the delay playback speed do not overlap.

[0020] In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, each word appearing in an audio signal of the playback data stream, which is played back at the specified delay playback speed, is played back by the control unit at normal speed. The time until the next word is then set by a pause. Thus, although the text is reproduced with pauses between the words, the words themselves are reproduced with normal timbre.

[0021] In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, after passing through the at least one radio interruption zone, the already transmitted live data stream is downloaded from the data source for a period of time corresponding to the duration of the passage. This already transmitted live data stream is played back at an increased playback speed until simultaneity with the current live data stream is achieved. It is conceivable, for example, to calculate the increased playback speed as the product of the normal playback speed and an inverse value of the delay factor.

[0022] In a further developed embodiment of the method according to the invention, signal sequences recognized as words are acoustically reproduced in an audio signal with the same timbre corresponding to a real-time timbre.

[0023] Furthermore, a system is claimed which comprises a motor vehicle, a control unit, a data source communicating with the motor vehicle's control unit via radio transmission, and a live data stream transmitted by the data source. The system is configured to execute a method according to the invention.

[0024] Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description and the accompanying drawing.

[0025] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without leaving the scope of the present invention. Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a route to an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0026] In Fig.Figure 1 schematically shows a route 13 for an embodiment 10 of the method according to the invention. For a motor vehicle starting at a journey start 11 with a direction of travel 19, a route 13 is selected which crosses a radio interference zone 14 with a beginning 15 and an end 16 located on the route 13 and ends at a destination 12. A delay factor of 1 / 2 is selected for a delay playback speed, so that, according to formula (1), a path with delay playback 76 corresponding to twice the journey distance 56 within the radio interference zone 14 results. According to the invention, this path with delay playback 76 is traced back from an end 16 of the radio interference zone 14 located on the route 13 in the direction of travel 19, and a corresponding delay start point 17 is formed. At least one vehicle occupant monitors a live data stream during the journey.As soon as the vehicle passes the delay start point 17, the live data stream is played back at the delay playback speed for the at least one vehicle occupant until the vehicle reaches the end 16 of the radio interruption zone 14 located on the route 13. After passing through the radio interruption zone 14, the already transmitted live data stream is downloaded from a data source for a period of time corresponding to the passage time, and this already transmitted live data stream is played back at twice the normal playback speed until simultaneity with the current live data stream is achieved at a fast-play end point 18, and the journey continues at the normal playback speed of the live data stream until the destination 12 is reached. Reference symbol list 10. Route diagram 11 Start of journey 12 Destination 13 Route 14 Radio Interruption Zone 15 Beginning of the radio interruption area on the route 16 End of radio interruption area on route 17 Delay start point 18 Fast Play End Point 19 Direction of travel 56 Distance traveled within radio interruption area 68 Route with fast play 76 Route with delayed playback

Claims

[1] Method for uninterrupted playback of a live data stream, wherein the live data stream is sent from a data source to a control unit of a moving motor vehicle by means of a radio transmission, wherein the control unit processes the live data stream in a continued execution to a playback data stream, and wherein the playback data stream is played back on at least one playback unit of at least one vehicle occupant, wherein at the start of the journey (11) a route (13) to reach a destination (12) is calculated, and at least one radio interruption area (14) lying on the route (13) is determined based on a network coverage map, wherein uninterrupted playback is achieved by • a delay start point (17) located on the route (13) in the direction of travel (19) before the at least one radio interruption area (14) is calculated by dividing a distance (56) within the at least one radio interruption area (14) by a term in which a delay factor is subtracted from a numerical value of one, and tracing a resulting distance (76) back from an end (16) of the radio interruption area (14) located on the route (13) in the direction of travel (19), • when passing through the delay start point (17) until reaching at least one radio interruption zone (14), the live data stream is temporarily stored, • During buffering, parts of the live data stream are continued to be converted to the playback data stream at a delayed playback speed, which is formed from a product of the normal playback speed and the delay factor, and • the playback data stream is being played back. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the data source is selected from the following list: central server, data cloud, radio station, television station, streaming platform. [3] Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the live data stream is formed from at least one media content from the following list: music, film, live event. [4] Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one playback unit is selected from the following list: display, headphones, vehicle loudspeaker, digital terminal. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the network coverage map is formed by at least one information source from the following list: mobile network operator, previous driving operation of a vehicle fleet, previous own driving operation, crowd data. [6] Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the delay factor is formed with a value from the following list: 4 / 5, 3 / 4, 1 / 2, 1 / 3. [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each word appearing in an audio signal of the playback data stream played at the specified delay playback speed is played back by the control unit at normal speed. [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, after passing through the at least one radio interruption zone (14) for a period of time corresponding to the passage, the already transmitted live data stream is downloaded from the data source and this already transmitted live data stream is played back at an increased playback speed until simultaneity with the current live data stream is achieved. [9] Method according to claim 8, wherein signal sequences recognized as words are acoustically reproduced in an audio signal with the same timbre corresponding to a real-time timbre. [10] System comprising a motor vehicle, a control unit, a data source in contact with the control unit of the motor vehicle by means of radio transmission, and a live data stream sent from the data source, wherein the system is configured to perform a method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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