EXTERIOR SOUND SYSTEM FOR MOTOR VEHICLES AND ASSOCIATED METHOD

Abstract

EXTERIOR AUDIO SYSTEM FOR MOTOR VEHICLES AND ASSOCIATED METHOD An exterior audio system (100) for a motor vehicle, comprising: - a human-machine interface (101) for generating a control signal (Sp); - a computer (102) for generating a sound emission command (Cs) from the control signal; - a sound synthesizer (103) for receiving the sound emission command (Cs) and generating in response either an immediate danger warning signal or a courteous warning signal. The computer (102) is configured to determine a duration of activation on the human-machine interface, to compare it to a threshold (Vs), and to generate, based on the result of the comparison, a command to emit either the immediate danger warning signal or the courteous warning signal. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: EXTERIOR SOUND SYSTEM FOR MOTOR VEHICLES AND ASSOCIATED METHOD TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The technical field of the invention is that of external sound systems in a motor vehicle, and more particularly that of audible warning devices (more commonly called horns). TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Audible warning devices, or horns, are generally used in automobiles to warn other road users of the approach or presence of a vehicle, or to draw attention to an imminent danger. They have been fitted to motor vehicles since the beginning of the 20th century.

[0003] Nowadays, horns are generally electromagnetic: when the user presses a dedicated button, an electric current is sent through a coil, creating a magnetic field that vibrates a diaphragm and produces a sound. The horn button is usually located in a central area of ​​the steering wheel, in close proximity to the driver's hands.

[0004] In order to limit noise pollution, particularly in cities, the use of the horn is regulated. Hereafter, we will refer to this warning device of immediate danger as a "classic" horn. Thus, the classic horn is prohibited in built-up areas, day and night, except in cases of immediate danger. It is prohibited at night, even in rural areas, except in cases of immediate danger. Furthermore, in some countries, such as France, the excessive use of the classic horn is punishable by a fine.

[0005] In certain situations, the driver of the vehicle may wish to communicate with people in the vicinity of the vehicle, without the message to be conveyed justifying the use of the conventional horn. This might involve, for example, signaling a moderate danger, but also sometimes greeting a person outside the vehicle, expressing joy, etc.

[0006] To meet this need, it is known to equip motor vehicles with an additional device, called a soft horn. This soft horn is capable of emitting a much more discreet sound than that of a conventional horn, making it possible to communicate with one's surroundings while limiting noise pollution.

[0007] Usually, the soft horn activation button is also located on the vehicle's steering wheel. The steering wheel is then equipped with two buttons: one to activate the conventional horn, the other to activate the soft horn.

[0008] However, integrating this soft horn into the steering wheel presents practical difficulties, particularly because integrating the two horn buttons in the same area can cause confusion for the driver. The driver might accidentally create noise by activating the standard horn instead of the soft horn, or even waste precious time by activating the soft horn first instead of the standard horn.

[0009] The objective of the invention is to provide a solution to the aforementioned drawbacks. In particular, it aims to provide a solution for integrating both a conventional horn and a soft horn in the same vehicle, while limiting the risks of confusion during activation, which can exist when the two types of horns are activated by respective buttons both located on the steering wheel. Summary of the invention

[0010] This objective is achieved with an external sound system for a motor vehicle, comprising: - a human-machine interface, configured to generate an electrical control signal based on a request on said interface; - a computer, configured to generate at least one sound emission command from the electrical control signal; - a sound synthesizer comprising at least one loudspeaker, configured to receive the sound emission instruction and to generate in response at least one sound signal.

[0011] According to the invention: - the sound synthesizer is capable of emitting at least two types of sound signals, including an immediate danger warning signal having a first level of sound intensity, and a courteous warning signal having a second level of sound intensity strictly lower than the first level of sound intensity; and - the computer is configured to determine a duration of activation on the human machine interface, from the electrical control signal, to compare this duration to at least a predetermined threshold value, and to generate, depending on the result of the comparison, a command to emit the immediate danger warning signal or a command to emit the courteous warning signal.

[0012] The immediate danger warning signal corresponds to an audible signal such as that emitted by a conventional horn.

[0013] The courteous warning signal corresponds to an audible signal such as that emitted by a soft horn.

[0014] Thus, according to the invention, the immediate danger warning signal (classic horn) and the courteous warning signal (soft horn) can be activated via a common human-machine interface, and the selection of one or the other signal is a function of the duration of external stimulation of the human-machine interface.

[0015] It is thus possible to integrate both a classic horn and a soft horn in the same vehicle, while limiting the risks of confusion at activation, which can exist when the two types of horns are activated by respective buttons both located on the steering wheel.

[0016] While the obvious solution to the technical problem described above would have been to move the soft horn button away from the steering wheel, to avoid any confusion with the classic horn button, a more original solution is thus proposed.

[0017] Furthermore, according to the invention, both the immediate danger warning signal and the courteous warning signal are generated by a sound synthesizer, and not by electromagnetic devices as described in the introduction. This allows for easy selection of either sound signal from a single signal originating from the human-machine interface.

[0018] According to the invention, the selection of one or the other audible signal is carried out, more particularly, on the basis of the duration of the human-machine interface activation. This provides the most intuitive possible use for the driver.

[0019] In operation, the common human-machine interface generates an electrical control signal that is sent to the computer. This electrical control signal depends on whether or not the human-machine interface is activated. In particular, the amplitude of the electrical control signal does not take the same value depending on whether the human-machine interface is activated or not. This activation advantageously takes the form of pressure on a dedicated area.

[0020] At the computer level, the electrical control signal is analyzed to determine at least one duration of the external stimulus on the human-machine interface. Taking into account at least one predetermined strategy, the computer then generates a command to emit the immediate danger warning signal or a command to emit the courteous warning signal.

[0021] Different strategies are specified below, for the generation of one or the other instruction, depending on a duration of external solicitation on the human-machine interface.

[0022] Preferably, the instruction is then received by the sound synthesizer, which emits one or the other warning signal depending on whether it receives one or the other instruction.

[0023] The human-machine interface may include a support sensor, the duration of arousal on the human-machine interface corresponding to a duration of contact on said support sensor.

[0024] The duration of the stress on the human machine interface, determined in use by the computer, is then advantageously a duration of uninterrupted pressure on the pressure sensor.

[0025] According to an advantageous embodiment: - the sound synthesizer is capable of emitting at least one audible warning signal of the locking and / or unlocking of the vehicle; and - the computer is capable of receiving a signal relating to the locking and / or unlocking of the motor vehicle, and the computer is configured to generate, in response to the reception of such a signal and for the purpose of the sound synthesizer, at least one instruction to emit the audible warning signal of the locking and / or unlocking of the vehicle.

[0026] Preferably, the system according to the invention is integrated for use in an electric vehicle, and: - the sound synthesizer is also capable of emitting at least one audible warning signal for pedestrians, intended to warn pedestrians of the approach of an electric vehicle; and - the computer is capable of receiving a signal relating to the movement of the electric vehicle, and the computer is configured to generate, in response to the reception of such a signal and for the purpose of the sound synthesizer, at least one instruction to emit the audible warning signal for pedestrians.

[0027] The invention also covers a method for generating at least one sound emission command, implemented by the computer of a system according to the invention, comprising the following steps: - reception of the electrical control signal from the human-machine interface; - using the electrical control signal, followed by a current value of the duration of uninterrupted activation on the human-machine interface; - based on a comparison between a duration of use on the human-machine interface, and a threshold value, generation of the instruction to emit the immediate danger warning signal or the instruction to emit the courteous warning signal.

[0028] Advantageously, the process comprises the following steps: - as long as the current value of the solicitation time on the human-machine interface is less than said threshold value, generation of the instruction to emit the courteous warning signal; - as soon as the current value of the duration of the request on the human-machine interface exceeds said threshold value, generation of the instruction to emit the immediate danger warning signal.

[0029] Preferably, the process comprises the following steps: - when the total duration of use of the human-machine interface is less than the said threshold value, generation of the instruction to emit the courteous warning signal from the cessation of said use; - as soon as the current value of the duration of the request on the human-machine interface exceeds said threshold value, generation of the instruction to emit the immediate danger warning signal.

[0030] Said instruction to emit the courteous warning signal can be generated for a predetermined duration.

[0031] Said instruction to emit the courteous warning signal can be generated for a duration dependent on the total duration of use on the human-machine interface.

[0032] The instruction to emit the immediate danger warning signal can be generated until the cessation of said uninterrupted solicitation on the human-machine interface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0033] The figures are presented for illustrative purposes only and are in no way limiting of the invention. • Figure 1 schematically illustrates a sound system according to the invention; and • Figures 2A to 2C illustrate different piloting strategies according to the invention, for the emission of either an immediate danger warning signal or a courteous warning signal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a sound system 100 according to the invention intended to be installed within a motor vehicle to generate different sounds outside the vehicle, in particular an immediate danger warning signal (or conventional horn) and a courteous warning signal (or soft horn).

[0035] System 100 comprises: - a human-machine interface 101; - a calculator 102; and - a sound synthesizer 103.

[0036] Advantageously, the human-machine interface 101 is integrated for use on the vehicle's steering wheel.

[0037] The human-machine interface 101 may include at least one support sensor, configured to detect the application of a pressure force on a dedicated area called a support surface. Alternatively, the human-machine interface 101 may include several support sensors, to detect the application of a pressure force on at least one of a plurality of support surfaces.

[0038] The human-machine interface 101 is configured to generate an electrical control signal, Sp, as a function of a stimulus on said interface. Preferably, it is the amplitude of the signal Sp that varies depending on whether or not a stimulus is present on the human-machine interface 101.

[0039] The stress on the human-machine interface 101 is advantageously constituted by the application of a pressure force, in other words a support, on a support surface as mentioned above.

[0040] The details of the implementation of the human-machine interface 101 will not be described further here, as this is not the subject of the invention and a person skilled in the art can easily find in the literature all the information necessary for its implementation.

[0041] The computer 102 comprises at least one processor and at least one memory. It is configured to receive data from the human-machine interface 101, here the electrical control signal Sp, and to implement at least one algorithm from said electrical control signal Sp.

[0042] In particular, the calculator 102 is configured to: a / determine, from the electrical control signal Sp, at least one duration of activation of the human-machine interface 101; b / compare said duration of solicitation with at least one predetermined threshold value; and c / Based on the result of the comparison, generate an instruction to emit an immediate danger warning signal or an instruction to emit a courteous warning signal. Each of these two instructions forms a sound emission instruction, Cs.

[0043] Advantageously, the amplitude of the electrical control signal Sp is a function of a pressure force applied to a support surface of the human-machine interface 101, and the computer 102 uses a threshold amplitude value to classify each instantaneous value of the signal Sp into one or the other category: absence or presence of a stress on the human-machine interface 101.

[0044] Preferably, the duration of the stress considered at the computer level is a duration of uninterrupted stress. In other words, the duration during which the Sp signal only takes values ​​classified in the category "presence of stress on the human-machine interface 101".

[0045] The sound emission command is sent to the sound synthesizer 103, which generates in response at least one sound signal, Sa, depending on the type of command received.

[0046] In particular, the sound synthesizer 103 is configured to: - upon receiving an instruction to emit an immediate danger warning signal, emit an immediate danger warning signal having a first level of sound intensity; and - upon receiving an instruction to emit the courteous warning signal, emit a courteous warning signal having a second level of sound intensity strictly lower than the first level of sound intensity.

[0047] Preferably, the difference in sound intensity level between the two warning signals is greater than or equal to 10 dB.

[0048] In a manner known per se, a sound synthesizer comprises an electrical signal generator and at least one electroacoustic transducer such as a loudspeaker. The at least one loudspeaker is oriented towards the outside of the vehicle during operation.

[0049] In the invention, the electrical signal generator in the sound synthesizer 103 is configured to generate an electrical signal whose characteristics, particularly in terms of sound intensity level and frequency spectrum, are a function of the control signal Sp sent by the computer 102. The generated electrical signal is transformed into an acoustic signal, or sound signal Sa, by the electroacoustic transducer in the sound synthesizer 103.

[0050] The sound synthesizer 103 can be of the analog type: in this case the said electrical signal is generated by electronic elements (for example a voltage-controlled oscillator followed by elements such as filters, modulators, etc.).

[0051] Alternatively, and preferably, the sound synthesizer may be of the digital type: in this case, the electrical drive signal is first digitized and then used to generate a digital signal using algorithms. This digital signal is finally converted into an electrical signal before being converted into an acoustic signal.

[0052] Thus, it is possible for the driver to control the emission of an immediate danger warning signal (classic horn) or a courteous warning signal (soft horn), simply by a longer or shorter duration of arousal of the same man-machine interface, in particular by a longer or shorter duration of pressure on the same support surface.

[0053] We then describe, with reference to figures 2A to 2C, different algorithms that can be implemented at the computer 102 level, to determine the type of setpoint to be generated according to the characteristics of the control signal Sp provided by the human-machine interface.

[0054] On each of figures 2A to 2C:

[0055] - the upper signal represents the electrical control signal Sp as a function of the time t. For clarity, the signal represented is a binary signal taking the value zero or a value of one. If necessary, such a signal is obtained after an intermediate thresholding step to set amplitudes below a predetermined threshold to zero and amplitudes above said predetermined threshold to one.

[0056] - the middle signal represents the courteous warning sound signal, Sal, in function of time t. For clarity, the signal represented is a binary signal taking a value of one or zero, depending on whether the sound signal Sal is emitted or not. In practice, however, the amplitude of the sound signal Sal can vary over time.

[0057] - the lower signal represents the audible warning signal of immediate danger, Sa2, as a function of time t. For clarity, the signal represented is a binary signal taking a value of one or zero, depending on whether the sound signal Sa2 is emitted or not. Here again, the amplitude of the sound signal Sa2 can vary as a function of time.

[0058] In each of the three variants illustrated in Figures 2A to 2C, the computer implements the following steps: - reception of the electrical control signal Sp from the human-machine interface; - using the electrical control signal Sp, followed, in real time, by a current value of an uninterrupted duration of excitation on the human-machine interface; and - based on a comparison between a duration of excitation on the human-machine interface, and a threshold value Vs of duration, generation of the instruction to emit the courteous warning signal (emission of the Sal signal) or the instruction to emit the immediate danger warning signal (emission of the Sa2 signal).

[0059] Furthermore, it is considered that: - the polite warning signal Sal is emitted as long as the instruction to emit the polite warning signal is generated; and - the immediate danger warning signal Sa2 is emitted as long as the instruction to emit the immediate danger warning signal is generated.

[0060] In the embodiment of [Fig.2A]:

[0061] - as long as the duration of uninterrupted application to the human-machine interface is less than the threshold value Vs, the instruction to emit the courteous warning signal is generated, and the Sal signal is emitted; and

[0062] - as soon as the duration of uninterrupted application on the human- interface- If the machine exceeds the threshold value Vs, the prompt to emit the immediate danger warning signal is generated, and the Sa2 signal is emitted. The emission prompt The immediate danger warning signal is generated as long as the uninterrupted demand on the human-machine interface continues.

[0063] Thus, in the case of stress caused by the application of a pressure force on a bearing surface, the pressure initially triggers the courtesy warning. A brief press on the human-machine interface triggers only the courtesy warning. When the pressure is prolonged, the immediate danger warning takes over for the entire remaining duration of the pressure.

[0064] In the embodiment of [Fig.2B]:

[0065] - as long as the duration of uninterrupted stimulation on the human-machine interface is below the threshold value Vs, no sound signal emission instruction is generated, so neither the Sal signal nor the Sa2 signal is emitted;

[0066] - when the uninterrupted solicitation ends, and if its duration has not exceeded the Once the threshold value Vs is reached, the instruction to emit the courteous warning signal for a predefined duration is generated. The Sal signal is then emitted, starting from the cessation of said solicitation and for the said predefined duration.

[0067] - as soon as the duration of uninterrupted stimulation on the human- interface- If the machine exceeds the threshold value Vs, the instruction to emit the immediate danger warning signal is generated. The Sa2 signal is then emitted as long as the uninterrupted demand on the human-machine interface continues.

[0068] This variant avoids any immediate danger warning signal being preceded first by a courteous warning signal.

[0069] In the embodiment of [Fig.2C]:

[0070] - as long as the duration of uninterrupted stimulation on the human-machine interface is below the threshold value Vs, no sound signal emission instruction is generated, so neither the Sal signal nor the Sa2 signal is emitted;

[0071] - when the uninterrupted solicitation ends, and if its duration has not exceeded The threshold value Vs triggers the activation of the courteous warning signal for a duration proportional to the length of the uninterrupted request (for example, a duration equal to or proportional to the length of the uninterrupted request). The Sal signal is then emitted, starting from the cessation of the request and for a duration proportional to the length of the uninterrupted request.

[0072] - as soon as the duration of uninterrupted stimulation on the human- interface- If the machine exceeds the threshold value Vs, the instruction to emit the immediate danger warning signal is generated. The Sa2 signal is then emitted as long as the uninterrupted demand on the human-machine interface continues.

[0073] This variant avoids the requirement that any immediate danger warning signal be preceded by a polite warning signal. It also allows for the generation of a series of several short Sal signals, in order to gradually increase the alert level if necessary.

[0074] Advantageously, the computer 102 and the sound synthesizer 103 make it possible to generate at least one other sound signal to the outside of the vehicle.

[0075] This may be an audible warning signal for locking and / or unlocking the vehicle, which signals a remote locking and / or unlocking of the vehicle.

[0076] In this case, the control unit 102 is capable of receiving a signal relating to the locking and / or unlocking of the motor vehicle, for example from an auxiliary control unit that controls the locking and / or unlocking of the vehicle. The control unit 1020 is configured to generate, in response, a command to emit an audible warning signal indicating that the vehicle is being locked and / or unlocked. This command is received by the synthesizer 103, which generates, in response, an audible warning signal indicating that the vehicle is being locked and / or unlocked.

[0077] In addition or as an alternative, it may be a sound warning signal for pedestrians, intended to warn pedestrians of the arrival of an electric motor vehicle (also referred to as VSP, for the English term Vehicle Sound for Pedestrian).

[0078] The control unit 102 is then capable of receiving a signal relating to the movement of the electric vehicle. The control unit 1020 is configured to generate, in response, a command to emit an audible pedestrian warning signal. This command is received by the synthesizer 103, which generates the audible pedestrian warning signal in response.

[0079] These variants are particularly advantageous, in that they allow the means of emitting different sounds emitted by the vehicle and towards its external environment to be shared.

[0080] In these variants, the synthesizer 103 is advantageously of the multi-channel type, that is to say, it has several output channels for the sound signal. It is thus possible to emit several different sound signals in parallel.

[0081] In addition or alternatively, the synthesizer 103 may include several loudspeakers, distributed in different locations on the vehicle.

[0082] Advantageously, and in the variant including the emission of an audible warning signal for pedestrians, the computer 102 is capable of receiving input data relating to a vehicle environment and adapting in response the characteristics of the audible warning signal for pedestrians.

[0083] The vehicle environment is defined by at least one of the following characteristics: driving in town or country, driving at night or during the day, the presence of a pedestrian near the vehicle, the presence of another vehicle nearby, the proximity of a point of interest such as a school or hospital, the time, the date, the average level of ambient noise intensity, the position of the accelerator pedal, ongoing communication in the vehicle, etc.

[0084] Data relating to a vehicle environment may include sensor data, vehicle commands, data provided by an external vehicle, data provided to the vehicle by the cloud, etc.

[0085] The adaptation may include at least one action among a modification of a sound intensity level, a modification of a frequency spectrum, a selection of one or more output channels in a multi-channel synthesizer, an adaptation of a sound intensity level on one or more output channels in a multi-channel synthesizer, an application of filters, equalizations or other frequency spectrum modification function on one or more output channels in a multi-channel synthesizer, etc.

[0086] The adaptation is a function, for example, of a plurality of predefined scenarios pre-recorded in a memory of the computer, linking characteristics of the external environment with characteristics of the sound signal to be emitted.

[0087] It is therefore possible to adapt the sound signal emitted by the vehicle according to a context, so that the noise nuisance is minimized while offering an optimal degree of safety.

Claims

Demands

1. A motor vehicle exterior sound system (100) comprising: - a human-machine interface (101), configured to generate an electrical control signal (Sp) as a function of a request on said interface; - a computer (102), configured to generate at least one sound emission command (Cs) from the electrical control signal; - a sound synthesizer (103) comprising at least one loudspeaker, configured to receive the sound emission command (Cs) and to generate in response at least one sound signal (Sa); characterized in that: - the sound synthesizer (103) is capable of emitting at least two types of sound signals (Sal, Sa2), including an immediate danger warning signal (Sa2) having a first sound intensity level, and a courteous warning signal (Sal) having a second sound intensity level strictly lower than the first sound intensity level;and - the computer (102) is configured to determine a duration of activation on the human-machine interface, from the electrical control signal (Sp), to compare this duration to at least one predetermined threshold value (Vs), and to generate, depending on the result of the comparison, a command to emit the immediate danger warning signal or a command to emit the courteous warning signal.

2. System (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the human-machine interface (101) includes a support sensor, the duration of arousal on the human-machine interface corresponding to a duration of contact on said support sensor.

3. System (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that the duration of stress on the human machine interface, determined in use by the computer (102), is a duration of uninterrupted pressure on the pressure sensor.

4. System (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: - the sound synthesizer (103) is capable of emitting at least one audible warning signal of the locking and / or unlocking of the vehicle; and - the computer (102) is capable of receiving a signal relating to the locking and / or unlocking of the motor vehicle, and the computer (102) is configured to generate, in response to the reception of such a signal and intended for the sound synthesizer (103), at least one instruction to emit the audible warning signal of the locking and / or unlocking of the vehicle.

5. System (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, integrated for use in an electric vehicle, and characterized in that: - the sound synthesizer (103) is capable of emitting in addition at least one audible pedestrian warning signal, intended to warn pedestrians of the approach of an electric vehicle; and - the computer (102) is capable of receiving a signal relating to a movement of the electric vehicle, and the computer (102) is configured to generate, in response to the reception of such a signal and for the purpose of the sound synthesizer, at least one instruction to emit the audible pedestrian warning signal.

6. A method for generating at least one sound emission command (Cs), implemented by the computer (102) of a system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising the following steps: - receiving the electrical control signal (Sp) from the human-machine interface (101); - using the electrical control signal (Sp), followed by a current value of the duration of uninterrupted activation on the human-machine interface; - based on a comparison between a duration of activation on the human-machine interface, and a threshold value (Vs), generating the emission command for the immediate danger warning signal or the emission command for the courteous warning signal.

7. Method according to claim 6, comprising the following steps: - as long as the current value of the solicitation time on the human-machine interface is less than said threshold value (Vs), generation of the instruction to emit the courteous warning signal; - as soon as the current value of the duration of the request on the human-machine interface exceeds said threshold value (Vs), generation of the instruction to emit the immediate danger warning signal.

8. Method according to claim 6, comprising the following steps: - when a total duration of stimulation on the human-machine interface is less than said threshold value (Vs), generation of the instruction to emit the courteous warning signal from the cessation of said stimulation; - as soon as the current value of the duration of stimulation on the human-machine interface exceeds said threshold value (Vs), generation of the instruction to emit the immediate danger warning signal.

9. Method according to claim 8, wherein said instruction to emit the courteous warning signal is generated for a predetermined duration.

10. Method according to claim 8, wherein said instruction to emit the courteous warning signal is generated for a duration that is a function of the total duration of solicitation on the human-machine interface.

11. A method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the instruction to emit the immediate danger warning signal is generated until the cessation of said uninterrupted solicitation on the human-machine interface.

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