Means of transportation, device, and method for the acoustic configuration of a means of transportation

Abstract

The invention relates to a device, a means of transportation (10), and a method for the acoustic configuration of a means of transportation (10). The method comprises the steps of: determining a user input for selecting an acoustic sound signal (11) and assigning said acoustic sound signal to a guided mechanical element of the means of transportation (10), determining, by sensor, an interaction of the user (12) with the mechanical element, and, in response thereto, playing the sound signal during actuation of the element.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Means of transport, device and method for the acoustic design of a means of transport

[0003] The present invention relates to a means of transportation, a device, and a method for acoustically customizing a means of transportation. In particular, the present invention relates to acoustic customization of a modern means of transportation.

[0004] In the current state of the art, means of transportation are typically designed to be less prone to generating noise. Examples include creaking, rattling, squeaking, and other inherent system noises. On the one hand, these noises can provide the user with acoustic guidance about the condition of their vehicle. On the other hand, these noises can sometimes be annoying if they occur repeatedly. However, the charm of a classic or older vehicle is sometimes seen in the fact that it is not (or no longer) perfect and therefore produces noise.

[0005] Based on the aforementioned prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an individualization of a means of transportation without additional hardware expenditure.

[0006] The above object is achieved according to the invention by a method having the features according to claim 1, a device having the features according to claim 8 and a means of transport having the features according to claim 10. The subclaims show preferred developments of the invention.

[0007] The method is used for the acoustic design of a means of transport. The means of transport can be designed as a car, van, motorcycle, truck, aircraft and / or watercraft. In a first step, a user input for selecting an acoustic sound signal is determined. This can be done using a sensor system of the means of transport. In other words, the user defines their preference for using an available acoustic sound signal. They assign this to a guided mechanical element of the means of transport. In other words, the element is a movable element that has a predefined guide (e.g. pivoting guide, sliding guide, friction guide, or similar). This can be a switch, a slide control, a flap, a lock, a door, a pedal, or similar.In a second step (after configuration), in a specific application, sensor technology (automatically) detects user interaction with the mechanical element along the guide. In other words, the user-induced movement of the mechanical element is detected and, optionally, it is determined that the user wishes to acknowledge the movement using the predefined acoustic sound signal. In response, the sound signal is played while the element is being actuated. In a sense, the acoustic sound signal accompanies the movement of the guided mechanical element as if the noise were generated by the actuation of the element. However, the sound signal is reproduced via a loudspeaker as a digitally predefined (stored) and information technology / electrically amplified signal, rather than actually being generated by the vibration of the actuated element.This allows for extensive customization of the element's acoustic appearance. This allows the user to have the acoustic activation acknowledged with a convenient lowercase character, depending on their mood and preference, and is always informed about the element's operating status.

[0008] Preferably, a movement of the element can be detected (automatically) using sensors, and the sound signal can be played for the duration of the movement, in particular until the end of the movement. In this case, movement parameters can also be determined automatically using sensors. The parameters can be categorized and / or evaluated and / or quantitatively categorized and acknowledged accordingly using a method predefined within the acoustic sound signal. For example, the volume, duration, frequency response, other characteristics, or similar, of the sound signal can be adjusted depending on the actual movement.

[0009] Preferably, a speed and / or an expected duration of the movement of the element can be determined using sensors and estimated based on the sensor data. Depending on the data from the sensor used, a variant of the acoustic sound signal can then be selected and played back. The variant of the acoustic sound signal can, for example, comprise a set of files or a parameterized function for defining the sound signal. Depending on the speed / duration, the variant of the acoustic sound signal, defined, for example, in a look-up table, is selected and played back via the loudspeaker / sound system. The interaction can, for example, be recorded using a camera. Alternatively or additionally, capacitive and / or electrical switches (contact switches) can also be used to determine the movement of the element and make it available for information technology purposes.

[0010] An interior camera, for example, can be used as a camera. Preferably, several, or optionally all, interior cameras of the vehicle can be used. A comprehensive recording of the processes within the passenger compartment of a vehicle can enable comprehensive acoustic customization of the vehicle's feedback behavior.

[0011] In principle, all elements that perform a guided mechanical movement and can also be monitored using information technology with regard to their movement state can be considered acoustic elements. For example, a door can be checked for its movement state using a microswitch and / or an interior camera and / or an exterior camera (preferably in the mirror). For example, a camera can use image flow analysis to quantify / qualify the movement of the element. The same applies to the lock of a glove compartment. A window lifter can also be evaluated to determine whether a movement of the window is currently taking place in a guide. Alternatively or additionally, the adjustment of an interior mirror can be monitored using a camera. The pedals for the longitudinal guidance of the means of transport orClutch pedal actuation can be detected, in particular, using the sensors / transmission devices already provided for the pedals. All switches / sliders, etc., can also be monitored for their movement status using the electrically generated signals they generate. The same applies to a sunroof and / or panoramic roof of a vehicle, whose ongoing actuation can usually be detected using a motor signal (energy consumption).

[0012] Preferably, the configuration can be carried out using a screen / user interface of the vehicle. For example, the user can navigate to a configuration menu of a central display device (CID, central information display, or similar) and there make the desired assignment between elements and predefined sound signals.

[0013] Alternatively or additionally, the configuration can also be carried out using a smartphone, a smart wearable, or similar. Configuration on a computer / PC is also possible. According to a second aspect of the present invention, a device for the acoustic design of a means of transport is proposed. This can be designed as an electronic control unit, which can have functional scopes beyond those required to implement the functions according to the invention. The device comprises a data input and a data output, which can be linked, for example, to sensors and / or bus systems. In particular, the data output can transmit signals to loudspeakers of the means of transport via loudspeaker cables. The evaluation unit can have a programmable processor, microcontroller, or similar.In this way, the evaluation unit is configured to use the data input to determine a user input for selecting an acoustic sound signal and a corresponding assignment of the same to a guided mechanical element of the means of transport. This serves to configure the device according to the invention. In addition, the evaluation unit is configured to use the data input to determine, using sensors, an interaction of the user with the mechanical element along the guide. In other words, when using the device according to the invention, sensors of the means of transport are used to detect, qualify, and quantify the user's interaction. Using the data output, the evaluation unit is configured to play the sound signal during actuation of the element in response thereto.In other words, the movement of the element is accompanied by the output of the acoustic signal, thus providing acoustic feedback to the user regarding the movement state of the element. In this way, the device according to the invention is configured to implement the features, feature combinations, and the resulting advantages of the method according to the invention in a manner that is clearly evident. To avoid repetition, reference is made to the above explanations.

[0014] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a means of transportation (car, van, motorcycle, truck, aircraft, and / or watercraft) is proposed, which comprises a device according to the second aspect of the invention. This provides a possibly modern means of transportation whose elements, by means of the invention, receive a user-definable acoustic signature during their operation. The above features, feature combinations, and advantages thus also apply correspondingly to the means of transportation.

[0015] Brief description of the figures. Further details, advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. They show:

[0016] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a configuration step of a device according to the invention;

[0017] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a means of transport according to the invention with an embodiment of a device according to the invention for the acoustic design of a means of transport; and

[0018] Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating steps of an embodiment of a method according to the invention for the acoustic design of a means of transport.

[0019] Fig. 1 shows a user 12 configuring a device according to the invention via a touchscreen 13. Buttons 14 representing mechanically guided elements can be linked to a respective acoustic sound signal, which is represented by respective text fields 15. The illustrated user interface 17 can be displayed on a display of a means of transportation, on a smartphone display, on the screen of a personal computer, or on a smart device.

[0020] Fig. 2 shows a passenger car as a means of transport 10 designed according to the invention, which has a plurality of guided mechanical elements 1 to 8. A first element is a window pane that can be moved electrically within the door of the means of transport 10. When the electric window lifter is actuated, a loudspeaker 9 can be used according to the invention to emit a sound signal 11 reminiscent of the squeaking cranking of a manually operated window lifter. For this purpose, the actuation of an electric window lifter switch (not shown) can be detected by means of an interior camera 16 on an interior mirror of the means of transport or measured from a stream recording. The signals are fed to a data input 18 and evaluated by an evaluation unit 20.The evaluation unit 20 transmits the data or electrical signals to a data output 19, from which they may be routed, if necessary, to the loudspeaker 9. The door hinges can also be simulated as a noise source if the opening / closing of the door is detected by the interior camera 16. The same applies to a brake pedal 3 and an accelerator pedal 4 of the vehicle 10. A movement / rotation of the steering wheel 5 can also trigger the output of an acoustic signal 11. If a sunroof 7 is opened, closed, or extended, an acoustic signal can emulate the squeaking of a poorly oiled and / or manually operated sunroof.

[0021] Figure 3 shows steps of an embodiment of a method according to the invention for the acoustic design of a means of transport. In step 100, a configuration step is carried out, according to which a user input is determined for selecting an acoustic sound signal and for assigning the sound signal to a guided mechanical element. An interior camera and / or a contact switch / an electrical signal of the element can be used for this purpose. In step 200, an interaction of the user with the mechanical element along the guide is automatically determined using sensors. In addition, in step 300, a movement of the element is determined using sensors, and in step 400, both a speed and an expected duration of the movement of the element are determined.The expected duration of the movement element can be determined, for example, based on a previous movement and / or a typical movement of the element. For example, a door can usually be opened by a user in an identical manner, provided the spatial conditions are appropriate. In step 500, a variant of the acoustic sound signal is automatically selected depending on the expected duration or current speed of the element. In step 600, the sound signal is played immediately during the actuation of the element in order to provide the user with acceptable feedback about the movement state of the element.

[0022] List of reference symbols

[0023] Window

[0024] hinge

[0025] brake pedal

[0026] accelerator

[0027] steering wheel

[0028] Interior mirror

[0029] sunroof

[0030] door

[0031] Speaker

[0032] Means of transport

[0033] Sound signals

[0034] user

[0035] Screen

[0036] Buttons

[0037] Text fields

[0038] Interior camera

[0039] User interface

[0040] Data input Data output Evaluation unit up to 600 process steps

Claims

Patent claims 1. A method for the acoustic design of a means of transport (10) comprising the steps: - Determining (100) a user input for selecting an acoustic sound signal (11) and assigning it to a guided mechanical element (1 to 8) of the means of transport (10) - sensor-technical determination (200) of an interaction of the user (12) with the mechanical element (1 to 8) and in response thereto, - Playing (600) the sound signal while operating the element (1 to 8).

2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising - sensor-technical determination (300) of a movement of the elements (1 to 8) and playing the sound signal (11) during a duration of the movement.

3. The method according to claim 2 further comprising - Determining (400) a speed and / or an expected duration of the movement of the elements (1 to 8) and depending thereon - Selecting (500) a variant of the acoustic sound signal (11).

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the interaction is recorded by means of a camera (16).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the element (1 to 8) - a door and / or - a window regulator and / or - an interior mirror and / or - a pedal system and / or - a glove compartment closure and / or - a button for activating a parking brake and / or - a sliding roof and / or a panoramic roof of the means of transport (10).

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the determination of the user input for selecting the acoustic sound signal (11) and assigning it takes place in a configuration menu (17) of the means of transport (10).

7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the determination of the user input for selecting the acoustic sound signal (11) and assigning the same takes place in a smart device and / or smart wearable which is informationally assigned to the means of transport (10).

8. Device for the acoustic design of a means of transport (10) comprising: - a data input (18), - an evaluation unit (19) and - a data output (20) - wherein the evaluation unit (19) is configured to determine, by means of the data input (18), a user input for selecting an acoustic sound signal (11) and an assignment of the same to a guided mechanical element (1 to 8) of the means of transport (10), - to detect the interaction of the user with the mechanical element (1 to 8) using sensors and, - is arranged by means of the data output (19) to play the sound signal (11) in response thereto during the actuation of the element (1 to 8).

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, which is arranged to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 7.

10. Means of transport comprising a device according to one of the preceding claims 8 or 9.

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