Transmission and reception method, associated devices, system and vehicle.

Abstract

A transmission method, implemented in a motor vehicle (100) comprising a sound reproduction device (150) and a passenger compartment (140), comprising a transmission step, to the sound reproduction device (150): Of each recording of a plurality of digital sound recordings, during a first period of time, in parallel, via a channel, different for each recording, belonging to a first set of digital channels of a data bus (160), and Of configuration data, during a second period of time, via at least one channel, belonging to a second set of digital channels of the data bus (160) separate from the first set of digital channels, the configuration data configuring a reproduction, in the passenger compartment, of each recording of the plurality of digital sound recordings by the sound reproduction device (150). Figure for abstract: figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Transmission and reception method, associated devices, system and vehicle.

[0001] The invention relates to the configuration of the restitution of a digital sound recording by a sound restitution device, in a motor vehicle.

[0002] It is possible to configure such a restitution by transmitting configuration data to the sound restitution device, for example via a bus of the so-called "CAN" type. However, such a bus involves a significant latency time, which would require transmitting the configuration data sufficiently in advance to take this latency time into account.

[0003] To overcome this drawback, the invention relates to a transmission method (in other words: a sending method), implemented in a motor vehicle comprising a sound reproduction device and a passenger compartment, characterized in that it comprises a step of transmission (in other words: sending), to the sound reproduction device: - Of each recording of a plurality of digital sound recordings, during a first period of time, in parallel (in other words: simultaneously or at the same time), via a channel, different for each recording, belonging to a first set of digital channels of a data bus, and - Configuration data, during a second period of time, via at least one channel, belonging to a second set of digital channels of the data bus separate from the first set of digital channels, the configuration data configuring a reproduction, in the passenger compartment, of each recording of the plurality of digital sound recordings by the sound reproduction device.

[0004] Thanks to the invention, the aforementioned latency time is reduced, since the configuration data is transmitted by the same bus as the digital sound recordings.

[0005] For example, in the transmission method, the second time period is included in the first time period, and is for example at the beginning of the first time period. Alternatively, one (for example, the second time period) precedes the other (for example, the first time period), or the two time periods are merged.

[0006] According to one embodiment, the sound reproduction device comprises an audio amplifier and loudspeakers (or a loudspeaker).

[0007] The audio amplifier may comprise a circuit, for example a microcontroller, capable of interpreting the configuration data, to send analog signals to the speakers so as to implement the reproduction, in the passenger compartment, of each recording of the plurality of digital sound recordings configured by the configuration data.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the transmission method, the configuration data defines (in other words: indicates): - A spatialization of the restitution, in the passenger compartment, of each recording of the plurality of digital sound recordings by the sound restitution device, in other words, at least one loudspeaker which emits said each recording (For example, the configuration data defines that said each recording is emitted by the loudspeaker closest to the steering wheel of the motor vehicle or to a display screen located in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, or by loudspeakers located at the rear, front, right or left of the passenger compartment (when looking towards the front of the motor vehicle) of the motor vehicle) and / or - A sound volume (in other words: a sound intensity) of the reproduction of said each recording of the plurality of digital sound recordings by the sound reproduction device.

[0009] Alternatively, the configuration data defines: - Information indicating whether said each recording of the plurality of digital sound recordings is mixable (in other words: superimposable) with another recording of the plurality of digital sound recordings, during (in other words: in) the reproduction, in the passenger compartment, of said each recording of the plurality of digital sound recordings, and / or - A priority level of said each recording of the plurality of digital sound recordings (for example, if a first recording of the plurality of digital sound recordings has a higher priority than a second recording of the plurality of digital sound recordings and the first and second recordings are not mixable, the sound playback device will only play the first sound recording).

[0010] The invention also relates to a reception method, implemented by a sound reproduction device of a motor vehicle comprising a passenger compartment, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - Reception : • Of each recording of a plurality of sound recordings digital, during a first period of time, in parallel (in other words: simultaneously or at the same time), via a channel, different for each recording, belonging to a first set of digital channels of a data bus, • Configuration data, during a second period of time, via at least one channel, belonging to a second set of digital channels of the data bus separate from the first set of digital channels, - Then, restitution, in the passenger compartment, of each recording of the plurality of digital sound recordings configured by the configuration data (cl).

[0011] For example, in the receiving method, the second time period is included in the first time period, and is for example at the beginning of the first time period. Alternatively, one (for example, the second time period) precedes the other (for example, the first time period), or the two time periods are merged.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the reception method, the configuration data of each record defines (in other words: indicates): - A spatialization of the restitution, in the passenger compartment, of each recording of the plurality of digital sound recordings by the sound restitution device, or - A sound volume of the restitution of said each recording of the plurality of digital sound recordings.

[0013] For example, the data bus is differential transmission, for example of the low-voltage differential transmission type. For example, the transmission is implemented with a differential voltage of 350 millivolts.

[0014] This is for example the technology called “Automotive Audio Bus” (or “A2B”) developed by the company called “Analog Devices”.

[0015] The data bus comprises, for example, 32 digital channels (in other words: logical channels).

[0016] Each channel is for example sampled on 24 bits, and at a frequency of 48 Kilohertz.

[0017] From a hardware point of view, the bus is made up, for example, of two electric wires, in a sheath.

[0018] For example, during playback, each recording of the plurality of digital sound recordings is played back simultaneously with the other recordings of the plurality of digital sound recordings. Alternatively, there may be a time offset determined by the configuration data.

[0019] The invention also relates to a computer program comprising instructions, executable by a microprocessor or a microcontroller (or a computer), for implementing the steps of the transmission or reception method according to the invention, when it is executed by the microprocessor or the microcontroller (or the computer).

[0020] The transmission method according to the invention can be implemented by an electronic device. The invention therefore relates to an electronic device capable of (in other words: configured to) implement the steps of the transmission method.

[0021] The reception method according to the invention can be implemented by a sound reproduction device. The invention therefore relates to a sound reproduction device capable of (in other words: configured to) implement the steps of the reception method.

[0022] The invention finally relates to: - A system comprising the sound reproduction device and the electronic device, and - A motor vehicle including the system.

[0023] The characteristics and advantages of the reception method, the computer program, the electronic device, the sound reproduction device, the system and the vehicle are identical or similar to those of the transmission method according to the invention, without it being necessary to repeat them here.

[0024] When the electronic device, the rendering device, the system, the amplifier, the motor vehicle, or another element is "capable of" (or "configured to") perform or implement a step or an operation, or receives an instruction or a command to implement a step or an operation, this implies, for example, that the element comprises means for performing the step or the operation. These means preferably comprise electronic means, for example a computer program, data in memory, specialized electronic circuits, wired or wireless connections, a microprocessor and / or a microcontroller.

[0025] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description which follows, comprising embodiments of the invention given as non-limiting examples and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which: • [Fig.l] represents an electronic device, a sound reproduction device, a system and a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention, • [Fig.2] represents the transmission of digital sound recordings by through a data bus during the implementation of the method [Fig.3]. • [Fig.3] represents an implementation of the method according to the invention, according to an exemplary embodiment, by the electronic device, the sound reproduction device, the system and the motor vehicle, of [Fig.l].

[0026] In [Fig.l], certain elements are, of course, seen through transparency.

[0027] Detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

[0028] [Fig.l] represents a motor vehicle 100 comprising a system consisting of a microprocessor 110 and a sound reproduction device 150 connected to the microprocessor 110 by a data bus 160. The motor vehicle 100 also comprises a screen 130 connected to the microprocessor 110.

[0029] To simplify the description, it is assumed, in this exemplary embodiment, that the data bus 160 has 3 logical channels c1, c2, c3. In practice, however, the data bus 160 can have 32 logical channels.

[0030] The sound reproduction device 150 comprises an audio amplifier 151 (or a converter of a digital signal to an analog signal) and loudspeakers 152, 153, 154, 155, 156 (alternatively or in combination, one or more electro-acoustic transducers).

[0031] With reference to Figures 3, in step S00, the microprocessor 110 transmits, via the data bus 160, to the sound reproduction device 150, more precisely via the amplifier 151, during the time period T1, as shown [Fig.2]: - A portion of a digital ml sound recording, on channel c2, - A portion of a digital sound recording gl, on the cl channel, - The confl configuration data, on channel c3

[0032] To implement step S00., the microprocessor 110 may comprise a computer program (not shown) executed by the microprocessor 110.

[0033] For example, the digital sound recording ml is the soundtrack of a film projected on the screen 130, and the digital sound recording gl is the sound of driver guidance instructions during a current journey.

[0034] For example, the configuration data confl indicates that the digital sound recording transmitted via channel c2, i.e., the digital sound recording ml, is to be output by the loudspeakers 152, 154, 155, 156 and that the digital sound recording transmitted via channel cl, i.e., the digital sound recording gl, is to be output by the loudspeaker 153.

[0035] Alternatively or in combination, the configuration data confl indicates that the digital sound recording transmitted via channel c2, i.e., the digital sound recording ml, is to be output with a sound volume level of 40 (equivalent to 50 decibels), and that the digital sound recording transmitted by through the cl channel, i.e. the digital sound recording gl, must be emitted with a sound volume level of 20 (equivalent to 46 decibels).

[0036] Alternatively or in combination, the configuration data conf 1 indicates that the digital sound recording transmitted via the channel c2, i.e. the digital sound recording ml, may be mixable with the digital sound recording transmitted via the channel cl, i.e. the digital sound recording gl.

[0037] For example, assume that data buses c1, c2, and c3 are sampled at 24 bits at a frequency of 48 kilohertz.

[0038] The configuration data confl can be coded on 24 bits. That is, for each channel cl and c2: - 5 bits to define the speakers through which the recording should be emitted transmitted through the channel, - 1 bit to indicate whether the sound is mixable, and - 6 bits to indicate the sound volume.

[0039] In this case, tl lasts 20.2 microseconds. However, the configuration data can be transmitted over a longer period if, for example, more information is required. Other channels can also be used to transmit the configuration data confl.

[0040] In step S10, the audio amplifier 151 receives the digital sound recordings ml and gl, as well as the configuration data via the channels cl, c2 and c3 respectively.

[0041] In step S20, the audio amplifier 151 sends analog signals to the loudspeakers 152, 153, 154, 155, 156 so as to implement, in the passenger compartment 140, a restitution of the sound recordings ml and gl in accordance with the configuration data.

[0042] To implement steps S10 and S20, the audio amplifier 151 may comprise a microcontroller and a computer program (not shown) executed by the microcontroller.

[0043] For example, the configuration data confl may remain valid, for example for the time period t2, until new configuration data is transmitted. Alternatively, the configuration data confl may be transmitted continuously over time.

[0044] [Fig.2], to facilitate reading, the digital sound recordings ml and gl are represented by simple straight lines, but of course, the data transmitted by the channels cl and c2 evolve over time.

Claims

Claims

1. Transmission method, implemented in a motor vehicle (100) comprising a sound reproduction device (150) and a passenger compartment (140), characterized in that it comprises a transmission step (S00), to the sound reproduction device (150): - Of each recording of a plurality of digital sound recordings (ml, gl), during a first time period (Tl, T2), in parallel, via a channel (cl, c2), different for each recording, belonging to a first set of digital channels of a data bus (160), and - Of configuration data (confl), during a second time period (T2), via at least one channel (c3), belonging to a second set of digital channels of the data bus (160) separate from the first set of digital channels, the configuration data (confl) configuring a reproduction, in the passenger compartment,of each recording of the plurality of digital sound recordings (ml, gl) by the sound reproduction device (150).,

2. Transmission method according to the preceding claim in which the configuration data (confl) define: - A spatialization of the restitution, in the passenger compartment, of each recording of the plurality of digital sound recordings (ml, gl) by the sound restitution device (150), or - A sound volume of the restitution of said each recording of the plurality of digital sound recordings (ml, gl) by the sound restitution device (150).

3. Computer program comprising instructions, executable by a microprocessor or a microcontroller, for implementing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, when executed by the microprocessor or the microcontroller.

4. Electronic device (110) capable of implementing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 2.

5. Reception method, implemented by a sound reproduction device (150) of a motor vehicle (100) comprising a passenger compartment (140), characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - Reception (S 10): • Of each recording of a plurality of digital sound recordings (ml, gl), during a first period of time (Tl, T2), in parallel, via a channel (cl, c2), different for each recording, belonging to a first set of digital channels of a data bus (160), and • Of configuration data (confl), during a second period of time (T2), via at least one channel (c3), belonging to a second set of digital channels of the data bus (160) separate from the first set of digital channels, - Then, restitution (S20), in the passenger compartment (140), of each recording of the plurality of digital sound recordings (ml,gl) configured by configuration data (confl).,

6. Reception method according to the preceding claim in which the configuration data (confl) define: - A spatialization of the restitution, in the passenger compartment, of each recording of the plurality of digital sound recordings (ml, gl) by the sound restitution device (150), or - A sound volume of the restitution of said each recording of the plurality of digital sound recordings (ml, gl) by the sound restitution device (150).

7. Computer program comprising instructions, executable by a microprocessor or a microcontroller, for implementing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 5 to 6, when executed by the microprocessor or the microcontroller.

8. Sound reproduction device (150) capable of implementing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 5 to 6.

9. System comprising the sound reproduction device (150) according to the preceding claim and the electronic device (110) according to claim 4.

10. Motor vehicle (100) comprising the system according to the preceding claim.

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