Voice control for a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle (1) having a system for receiving voice commands, comprising a first microphone unit (3) in the interior of the vehicle (1) and a second microphone unit (5) on the outside of the vehicle (1), and comprising an identification unit (7) and a control unit (9), the identification unit (7) being designed to determine whether an authorized person is situated outside or inside the vehicle (1), and the control unit (9) being designed to activate a voice control on the basis of the receipt of voice commands via the second microphone unit (5) if the authorized person is determined to be present outside the vehicle (1), and, if the person is subsequently determined to be present in the interior of the vehicle (1), to deactivate the voice control via the second microphone unit (5), and to activate a voice control on the basis of the receipt of voice commands via the first microphone unit (3).

Description

[0001] VOICE CONTROL FOR A VEHICLE

[0002] The invention relates to a vehicle with a system for receiving voice commands.

[0003] Voice control systems are well known in the art. Microphones capture voice commands and forward them to processing units.

[0004] US 4,856,072 A relates to a voice-activated vehicle security system, comprising: a first microphone adapted to be mounted inside a vehicle and responsive to a voice command to generate an input signal; a second microphone adapted to be mounted outside a vehicle and responsive to the voice command to generate the input signal; voice control means connected to the first and second microphones and responsive to the input signal to generate a voice command signal; a memory device connected to the voice control means for generating a control signal in response to a match between the voice command signal and one of a plurality of stored speech recognition presets;and loudspeaker means connected to the voice control means and responsive to an output signal for producing a voice message, the voice control means being responsive to the control signal for producing the output signal;

[0005] US 2019 / 0248327 A1 further relates to a smart key adapted for use with a body control module (BCM) of an electronic control unit (ECU) for a vehicle, the BCM being configured to control electronic devices of the vehicle, the smart key comprising: a transceiver unit configured to communicate with the ECU; a control unit coupled to the transceiver unit; and a display unit coupled to the control unit; the control unit being configured to connect to the ECU via communication between the transceiver unit and the ECU to control operation of the BCM and to drive the display unit to display a state of at least one of the electronic devices controlled by the BCM.

[0006] However, these existing functions for recording voice commands in vehicles pose the risk that an unauthorized person could issue commands to the voice control system. Therefore, one object of the invention is to improve the use of voice commands in vehicles and, in particular, to make them safer.

[0007] The invention is based on the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments and refinements are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0008] A first aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle with a system for receiving voice commands, comprising a first microphone unit in the interior of the vehicle and a second microphone unit on the outside of the vehicle, as well as an identification unit and a control unit, wherein the identification unit is designed to detect whether an authorized person is in the area of ​​the vehicle and, upon detection of the presence of the authorized person in the area of ​​the vehicle, whether the authorized person is outside or in the interior of the vehicle, wherein the control unit is designed to activate a voice control by receiving voice commands by means of the second microphone unit upon detection of the presence of the authorized person outside the vehicle, and upon detection of, in particular subsequent,Presence of the person in the interior of the vehicle to deactivate the voice control by means of the second microphone unit and to activate voice control by receiving voice commands by means of the first microphone unit.

[0009] The concept of voice control is increasingly being used in modern vehicles. If a second microphone unit is installed on the exterior of the vehicle, voice commands can also be transmitted to the vehicle from people outside the vehicle. Such functions include, for example, opening the trunk lid, lighting functions, automatic driving control functions such as automatic and autonomous parking, temperature control, window opening, etc.

[0010] For this purpose, a first microphone unit and a second microphone unit are used. Each microphone unit can comprise exactly one microphone or several microphones. If a microphone unit has more than one microphone, the position of the person speaking can be determined more easily using triangulation methods. This alone can be used to determine whether the authorized person is inside the vehicle or outside the vehicle. In this case, the microphone units are part of the identification unit. An alternative solution is to determine the position of the authorized person using the identification unit itself, for example using electromagnetic waves if triangulation of the transmitter of a wireless key for the vehicle is used, for example a Bluetooth transmitter.

[0011] The identification unit determines whether a person is authorized. Typically, an authorized person is assumed if they carry a corresponding key or authorization code or trigger its transmission. The identification unit determines this and transmits the result to the control unit. The control unit then coordinates the signal acquisition from the first microphone unit or the second microphone unit and, depending on the detected position of the authorized person, activates only the first microphone unit or the second microphone unit (at least if microphone units are not used to determine the person's position themselves), or only uses the corresponding signals from the respective approved microphone unit, for example those from the second microphone unit if the presence of the authorized person is detected outside the interior of the vehicle.

[0012] Activating voice control by receiving voice commands via the first microphone unit can therefore mean, on the one hand, activating the first microphone unit in the first place in order to have receivable and processable signals from the first microphone unit. On the other hand, it can also mean using the signals from the always-active first microphone unit only when the first microphone unit is active. The same applies to the second microphone unit.

[0013] Advantageously, by distinguishing between the voice inputs of authorized persons outside the interior of the vehicle and authorized persons inside the vehicle, the voice command of vehicle functions can be made considerably safer and more flexible, since by knowing the location of the respective authorized person, certain functions can be excluded from their execution, while others can be permitted, and functions can be parameterized depending on whether the authorized person giving the command is inside the vehicle or outside the vehicle.

[0014] The system's application is particularly advantageous when using a current voice control system that can be activated with a predefined keyword or the push of a button. By extending the system to include microphones on the exterior of the vehicle, the system according to the invention advantageously ensures that unauthorized voice commands cannot be transmitted via a microphone unit outside the vehicle, which are then implemented in corresponding assigned functions.

[0015] Preferably, authorized persons are also allowed to define at least one additional third zone for executing voice control. Furthermore, separate functions are preferably executed in this at least one additional third zone, preferably only in response to voice inputs made in this third zone.

[0016] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the vehicle further comprises a visual output unit, wherein the visual output unit is designed to generate a visual signal upon activation of the voice control via the second microphone unit.

[0017] The visual output unit preferably comprises lighting elements of the vehicle itself, such as the low beams, brake lights, or turn signal indicators. For example, the parking lights can be activated when voice control is activated using the second microphone unit.

[0018] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the identification unit is designed to use at least one of the following to check the authorization of the person: physical key, wireless authentication unit, biometric identification.

[0019] The means of authorization corresponds to the means that allows a person to unlock the vehicle and put it into operation.

[0020] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed to activate the voice control by receiving voice commands by means of the first microphone unit only when all recognized authorized persons are in the interior of the vehicle.

[0021] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed to deactivate voice control by means of the first microphone unit upon detecting the presence of the authorized person outside the vehicle following a detected presence of the person inside the vehicle and to activate voice control by receiving voice commands by means of the second microphone unit. According to a further advantageous embodiment, the system serves to receive voice commands and to execute vehicle functions associated with the voice commands, wherein the control unit is designed to execute a first subset of the functions only when voice control has been carried out by means of the second microphone unit and to execute a second subset of the functions only when voice control has been carried out by means of the first microphone unit.

[0022] A further functional restriction can be achieved by checking whether the vehicle is stationary. For example, some functions can be restricted to only being operated when the vehicle is stationary, such as opening the trunk lid.

[0023] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed to carry out voice control by receiving voice commands from any person present when the presence of the authorized person is detected.

[0024] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed to carry out voice control by accepting voice commands only from the authorized person when the presence of the authorized person is detected.

[0025] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed to leave a function activated by voice control outside the vehicle activated for a predetermined period of time when the presence of the authorized person in the interior of the vehicle is detected following a detected presence of the authorized person outside the vehicle.

[0026] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed to leave a function activated by voice control in the interior of the vehicle activated for a predetermined period of time when the presence of the authorized person outside the vehicle is detected following a detected presence of the authorized person in the interior of the vehicle.

[0027] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed to leave a function activated by voice control outside the vehicle activated for a predetermined period of time when the presence of the authorized person in the interior of the vehicle is detected following a detected presence of the authorized person outside the vehicle.

[0028] By keeping the last activated function activated for a specified period of time, the comfort for the authorized person can be increased, for example if ambient lighting from the vehicle's parking lights or dipped headlights in the dark ensures that the authorized person finds an illuminated environment after getting out.

[0029] Further advantages, features, and details will become apparent from the following description, which – where appropriate with reference to the drawings – describes at least one embodiment in detail. Identical, similar, and / or functionally equivalent parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0030] It shows:

[0031] Fig. 1 : A vehicle with a system for receiving voice commands according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0032] The representations in the figure are schematic and not to scale.

[0033] Fig. 1 shows a vehicle 1 with a system for receiving voice commands. A first microphone unit 3 with two microphones is arranged in the interior of the vehicle 1. A second microphone unit 5 with one microphone is arranged on the exterior of the vehicle 1. An identification unit 7 detects a person with a wireless vehicle key with a transmission range of fifteen meters, thus detecting the presence of an authorized person in the vicinity of the vehicle 1. Furthermore, the identification unit 7 detects that the person is outside the vehicle 1. This information is forwarded by the identification unit 7 to a control unit 9 of the vehicle 1. The control unit 9 then activates a voice control system by receiving voice commands via the second microphone unit 5.Voice commands received by the second microphone unit 5 allow a specific group of predefined functions to be carried out on the vehicle 1. This includes, for example, the automatic opening of a trunk lid of the vehicle 1. A visual output unit 11 is implemented by activating the direction change indicators of the vehicle 1, which light up in orange for a period of two seconds. Activating voice control via the second microphone unit 5 initiates this form of display. If, on the other hand, the identification unit 7 detects the presence of a person in the interior of the vehicle 1, the control unit 9 deactivates voice control via the second microphone unit 5 and activates voice control by receiving voice commands via the first microphone unit 3.From now on, voice commands are possible in the interior of the vehicle 1, allowing the control and initiation of functions of the vehicle 1 that differ at least partially from the functions that can be activated from outside the interior of the vehicle 1. For example, the control of an air conditioning system can be commanded from the interior of the vehicle 1. From the moment voice commands are possible in the interior of the vehicle 1, the processing of voice commands from persons outside the vehicle 1 via the second microphone unit 5 is deactivated in order to prevent unauthorized execution of functions on the vehicle 1.

[0034] Although the invention has been illustrated and explained in detail by means of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations may be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. It is therefore clear that a multitude of possible variations exist. It is also clear that the embodiments mentioned by way of example are truly only examples and should not be construed as limiting the scope, possible applications, or configuration of the invention in any way.Rather, the preceding description and the description of the figures enable the person skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments in concrete terms, whereby the person skilled in the art, with knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept, can make various changes, for example with regard to the function or the arrangement of individual elements mentioned in an exemplary embodiment, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanations in the description.

[0035] List of reference symbols

[0036] I Vehicle

[0037] 3 first microphone unit

[0038] 5 second microphone unit

[0039] 7 Identification unit 9 Control unit

[0040] II Output unit

Claims

Patent claims 1. A vehicle (1) with a system for receiving voice commands, comprising a first microphone unit (3) in the interior of the vehicle (1) and a second microphone unit (5) on the outside of the vehicle (1), as well as an identification unit (7) and a control unit (9), wherein the identification unit (7) is designed to detect whether an authorized person is in the area of ​​the vehicle (1) and, upon detection of the presence of the authorized person in the area of ​​the vehicle (1), whether the authorized person is outside or inside the vehicle (1), wherein the control unit (9) is designed to activate a voice control system by receiving voice commands by means of the second microphone unit (5) upon detection of the presence of the authorized person outside the vehicle (1),and upon detection of the subsequent presence of the person in the interior of the vehicle (1), to deactivate the voice control by receiving voice commands via the second microphone unit (5) and to activate a voice control by receiving voice commands via the first microphone unit (3).

2. Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a visual output unit (11), wherein the visual output unit (11) is designed to generate a visual signal upon activation of the voice control via the second microphone unit (5).

3. Vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification unit (7) is designed to use at least one of the following to check the authorization of the person: physical key, wireless authentication unit, biometric identification.

4. Vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (9) is designed to activate the voice control by receiving voice commands by means of the first microphone unit (3) only when all recognized authorized persons are in the interior of the vehicle (1).

5. Vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (9) is designed to, upon detection of the presence of the authorized person outside the vehicle (1) following a detected Presence of the person in the interior of the vehicle (1), to deactivate the voice control by means of the first microphone unit (3) and to activate voice control by receiving voice commands by means of the second microphone unit (5). Vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system serves to receive voice commands and to execute functions of the vehicle (1) associated with the voice commands, wherein the control unit (9) is designed to execute a first subset of the functions only when the voice control has been carried out by means of the second microphone unit (5) and to execute a second subset of the functions only when the voice control has been carried out by means of the first microphone unit (3).Vehicle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control unit (9) is designed to carry out voice control by accepting voice commands from any person present when the presence of the authorized person is detected. Vehicle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control unit (9) is designed to carry out voice control by accepting voice commands only from the authorized person when the presence of the authorized person is detected. Vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (9) is designed to leave a function activated by voice control outside the vehicle (1) activated for a predetermined period of time when the presence of the authorized person in the interior of the vehicle (1) is detected and following a detected presence of the authorized person outside the vehicle (1).Vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (9) is designed to leave a function activated by voice control in the interior of the vehicle (1) activated for a predetermined period of time upon detection of the presence of the authorized person outside the vehicle (1) following detection of the presence of the authorized person in the interior of the vehicle (1).

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