WO2014091118A1

WO2014091118A1 - Audio reception device, particularly for a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2014091118A1
Application number: PCT/FR2013/052948
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bernard Trouvilliez
Original assignee: Bernard Trouvilliez
Priority date: 2012-12-14
Filing date: 2013-12-04
Publication date: 2014-06-19
Also published as: FR2999866A1; FR2999866B1; EP2932604A1

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a radio reception device (1), particularly for a motor vehicle, comprising means of receiving and amplifying (2) a digital or analogue signal, means of decoding and processing (4) said signal, means of audio amplification (8) and at least an inner (9) and outer (10) speaker and such that according to the invention, said reception device (1) further comprises a microphone (11) and means of switching between at least two operating modes, including a first radio operating mode and a second voice amplification operating mode.

Description

Audio reception device, in particular for an automobile

The present invention relates to a radio reception device, particularly for automobiles.

The present invention will be particularly intended to equip special machines, such as agricultural tractors, pol ice vehicles or civil security, or construction trucks, for construction and public works.

However, although specifically intended for such applications, the radio device may also be equipped with other types of vehicles, to be equipped with voice amplification systems, commonly called "public-address" systems. ".

"Public-address" devices are systems commonly used to address a remote audience; Portable public-address systems, for example commonly found in demonstrations, are thus known, but there are also fixed public-address systems, for example in fire trucks for broadcasting messages. outside the vehicle.

These messages can be recordings, such as alert messages, or the direct broadcast of a message from a user inside the vehicle using a microphone.

For this purpose, the "public-address" devices combine both an electronic sound amplification system and a broadcasting system, these systems thus generally comprising a microphone, an audio amplifier, as well as loudspeakers.

Moreover, there are also known radio reception devices, commonly called car radios, these devices for receiving a digital or analog signal. These devices generally comprise an antenna for receiving the signal, an amplification stage of said signal, processing decoding means and finally audio amplification means of the decoded signal, as well as broadcasting means. The broadcasting means are conventionally constituted of a set of loudspeakers so as to ensure a broadcast in stereo.

In the special vehicles mentioned above, it is common practice to have both a "public-address" device, which is mentioned here and in following the request by the term voice amplification device, as well as a radio reception device.

The Applicant considers that a motor vehicle equipped with these two devices independent of each other is not an ideal solution for the user, and in particular, has various disadvantages listed below.

A first disadvantage and that these two devices require a relatively large space that is not always provided in the vehicles or that does not allow optimal positioning of the voice amplification system; for example, in the case of conventional vehicles used in particular functions such as an automobile intended for civil protection use, a location is generally provided for positioning the aircraft, but not for use for voice amplification ispositif. The latter must therefore be deported relative to the user, for example in the glove box, or even disposed on the dashboard, in a manner unsuitable.

Another disadvantage is that none of these independent devices share any common element, even though some of these elements are identical and in particular as regards the audio amplification means.

Another disadvantage, even more significant, is the fact that these two devices being separate, it is absolutely not intended that their operations can be cooperative. Thus, when the user activates the voice amplification system while the radio is on, the radio continues to operate so that the audio signal from the radio can itself be amplified by the voice amplification system. . To compensate for this, the user has to cut the radio each time before starting the voice amplification system, and re-open the radio once the voice amplification device is not more used. This constraint is particularly tedious and, in particular, when the user must additionally drive his vehicle.

The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and, for this purpose, to provide a radio reception device incorporating voice amplification means. Another object of the present invention is to provide a radio reception device, in which the passage between the radio mode and the voice amplification mode is performed automatically.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a radio device with an integrated voice amplification device, the set occupying a reduced space substantially corresponding to that of a conventional car radio.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a radio receiving device in which the radio can be broadcast using external or internal loudspeakers depending on the user's choice.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a radio reception device, in particular for an automobile, comprising:

an audio circuit comprising means for receiving and amplifying a digital or analog signal, means for decoding and processing said signal, audio amplification means and at least one inside speaker and one outside, a microphone, and

a control circuit comprising switching means between at least two modes of operation, including a first mode of operation n ement in rad io and a second model of operation in voice amplification, the switching means comprising a central unit connected to a switching control button, at least one multiplexer circuit, with inputs connected to the microphone output and the output of the audio circuit and outputs connected to the audio amplification means, a controlled relay stage, led it stage of rela is controlled being connected on the one hand to the loudspeakers i nterior and external and other pa rt by means of audio amplification,

remarkable in that the audi amplification means are common to the indoor and outdoor loudspeakers and in that the relay stage controlled allows the activation of the indoor or outdoor loudspeakers according to a command received from the central unit.

Thanks to these characteristics, it is possible to integrate in a radio reception device voice amplification means, the reception device structured radio occupying a reduced space corresponding substantially to that of a conventional car radio.

According to other optional features of the radio reception device according to the invention:

- the switching control button corresponds to the microphone speaking button;

an alert mode of operation is provided, said device comprising means for storing warning messages, a remote control for selecting an alert message, and such that said switching means allow the transmission of the alert message. to said at least one external loudspeaker;

the device comprises a microcontroller associated with a band-pass filter and at least one piezoelectric transducer making it possible to send an alert message in the form of an ultrasound signal;

- The radio and radio operation mode can be simultaneous;

the device comprises a mode of operation in telephony, said device comprising a blue-tooth module, an antenna and such that the switching means allow the passage of the radio mode to the telephony mode, as soon as the blue-tooth module is activated enabling the diffusion of the voice of a remote party on said at least one indoor speaker;

- In telephony mode, the switching means transmit the signal from the microphone during the change of state of a magnetic contact corresponding to the grip of the microphone.

The present invention will be better understood on reading hereinafter a detailed example embodiment, provided by way of non-limiting example, and with reference to the attached figure showing an embodiment of an electrical diagram of a device. radio reception according to the invention.

Referring to this Figure 1 showing an embodiment of the radio reception device 1. This device 1 comprises means for receiving and amplifying a digital or analog signal 2, with an antenna 3, decoding and signal processing means 4.

These decoding and signal processing means advantageously comprise an FM tuner and an AM tuner and a digital tuner, referenced in the attached figure. The radio reception device 1 furthermore comprises a stereophonic decoder 6 and an audio circuit 7. This audio circuit 7 makes it possible to carry out the standard functions of sound processing, and in particular the tone adjustment, the balance, the volume of the various loudspeakers, and the muting.

The radio reception device 1 furthermore comprises audio amplification means 8 making it possible to amplify the signal at the output of the audio circuit 7. These audio amplification means 8 are advantageously provided by a power amplifier comprising four inputs and connected to at least one inner 9 and outer 10 speaker.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the radio reception device 1 comprises four interior loudspeakers 9 advantageously allowing a good distribution of the sound inside the vehicle equipped with the device 1.

The audio receiver device 1 further comprises a microphone 11 and switching means. This microphone 1 1 is connected by a spiral cable to the input of a preamplifier 14, connected to a multiplexer circuit 1 5, all of these elements, namely the microphone 1 1, the spiral cable, the preamplifier 14 and the multiplexer circuit 15, forming a so-called "microphone" stage.

The switching means allow selection to the audio amplification means 8, either the signal from the "microphone" stage, or the signal from the "radio" stage.

The switching means therefore make it possible to switch the radio reception device 1 between a first radio operating mode and a second voice amplification operating mode.

For this purpose, the switching means comprise a central unit 13 and at least one analog multiplexer circuit 16, the inputs of which are connected on the one hand to the output of the microphone 11, and on the other hand to that of the audio circuit. 7, ie the "microphone" and "radio" stages described above.

The switching means further comprise a control button 1 7, this control button 1 7, connected to the central unit 1 3 is advantageously constituted by the speaking key of the microphone January 1.

This arrangement is advantageous since it makes it possible to completely make transparent the passage between the mode of operation in radio and voice amplification for the user. A simple push on the microphone pickup button for switching. However, in other embodiments, the control button 7 may be independent of the microphone January 1 and arranged for example on the front of the radio reception device 1.

The switching means furthermore comprise a relay stage controlled by the central unit 13. This controlled relay stage 1 8 is arranged between the audio amplification means 8 and the internal 9 and external 10 and 10 loudspeakers. to activate them according to the command received from the central unit 13. For example, the controlled relays connect the audio amplification circuit 8 to the external loudspeakers 10 in the voice amplification mode of operation and the loudspeakers. 9 indoor speakers in the radio operating mode. In an alternative embodiment, these controlled relays 18 are made from electronic switches and for example by MOS type transistors.

In this regard, it is interesting to note that it is possible to provide, in an alternative embodiment, an additional control allowing the broadcasting on the external loudspeakers 10 of the radio signal.

However, in the preferred embodiment, the operation of the radio reception device 1 is as follows: when the radio stage is in operation, the switching means position the controlled relays 18, so that the internal loudspeakers 9 are activated. As soon as a user takes over the microphone 1 1 and presses the control button 17, the switching means only take into account the signal coming from the microphone 1 1 and the analog multiplexer 16 returns this signal to d irection of the means of am ication aud io 8; in parallel with this, the central unit 13 of the switching means controls the relays 18 so that this time only the external loudspeakers 10 are connected to the audio amplification means 8.

When the interlocutor has finished using the microphone 1 1, the switching means allow the passage again in radio mode, wherein only the input signal of the analog multiplexer 16 and from the audio circuit 7 is processed. In parallel, the controlled relays 18 change state, so that only the internal speakers 9 are connected to the audio amplification means 8. In the preferred embodiment of the present application, the radio reception device 1 further comprises a mode of operation said on alert.

This new model is particularly interesting for agricultural vehicles, since it makes it possible to send warning signals to scare off potential animals in the vicinity of the agricultural vehicle, and which could collide with it.

To do this, the reception device 1 comprises data storage means 1 9, these storage means 19 preferably comprising a SD type memory card, associated with a reading medium.

The radio reception device is also provided with a remote control 20 for selecting the warning signal to be broadcast from among the set of signals available in the storage means 19.

When the operating mode on alert is triggered, that is to say from the moment when the warning message is commanded by pressing on the remote control, the switching means control the multiplexers 1 6, as well as the controlled relays 1 8, so that the alert message is broadcast at the level of the external loudspeakers 10.

It is important to note in this regard that, in an advantageous embodiment, the alert operating mode and the radio operating mode can be simultaneous.

However, in other embodiments, it may also be envisaged that the mode of operation on alert blocks the operation in radio mode of the device 1.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the alert mode of operation comprises, in addition to broadcasting a message on the external loudspeakers 10, the sending of ultrasound signal sequences.

For this purpose, at least one piezoelectric transducer 21 is provided in the preferred embodiment of the invention. Two transducers 21 are provided for emitting ultrasound signals, particularly in the frequency band of 15 to 30 KHz.

In order to produce an optimal effect, it is expected that the signals transmitted by the piezoelectric transducers 21 are generated in a pseudo random manner and with varied amplitudes.

The control of the diffusion of the ultrasonic signals can be carried out from the remote control 20, this command being processed by a microcontroller 22 which generates an audio signal. This signal is filtered by a bandpass filter 23, advantageously with cut-off frequencies at 15 to 30 kHz.

Advantageously, it is also possible for the ultrasound signal to be broadcast by a clock according to a particular schedule.

The mode of operation on alert therefore allows to transmit according to the wish of the user, either an audible message on one or all of the external speakers 10, or the transmission of an ultrasonic message from the transducers piezoelectric 21, possibly the transmission at the same time of these two types of signals.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the radio reception device 1 also allows a telephony operation mode.

In this operating mode, the switching means make it possible to broadcast the voice of a remote party, after processing by a blue-tooth type module, on the at least one internal loudspeaker 9.

In this telephone operation mode, the audio receiver comprises a sound sensor 24, connected to a blue-tooth module 25, itself connected to a blue-tooth antenna 26.

In the telephony operation mode, when the blue-tooth module 26 is activated, the hands-free system is activated, while the radio operating mode is stopped.

Advantageously, in this mode of operation in telephony, the central unit 13 controls the inputs and outputs of the multiplex circuits 1 6 6 and the rela is com ma ned 1 8, so that the vo ix of the interlocutor to distance is broadcast on the indoor speakers 9.

In an advantageous variant of the invention, the user of the device 1 can use the microphone 1 1 to respond to his remote interlocutor. In this variant, the user does not have to press the control button 17 as intended in the voice amplification mode. Indeed, in this telephony mode, activated from the moment when the blue-tooth module 25 is activated, the grip of the microphone 1 1 changes the state of a magnetic contact, so that the central unit 13 after detection of the change of the state of the control contact to the multiplexer 1 6 taking into account the signal from the microphone 1 1. The radio device 1 as described above is therefore particularly interesting, since it makes it possible to have in a single device at the same time a radio, a voice communication / amplification system and advantageously also a system alert system and a telephone communication management system.

This device is particularly interesting, since it allows the user to move seamlessly from one function to another, without having to perform tedious operation of switching from one mode to another, and without risk no more interference between two non-compatible modes.

Of course, other features of the present invention within the scope of those skilled in the art could also be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the claims below.

By way of example, provision is furthermore made for a security mode of operation in which the radio reception device 1 comprises means of connection with the standard vehicle state bus, and such that, in this mode of necessity, the switching means generates a warning signal on the interior and / or exterior loudspeakers 9 and 10.

Claims

1. Radio reception device, in particular for an automobile, comprising:

an audio circuit comprising means for receiving and amplifying (2) a digital or analog signal, means for decoding and processing (4) said signal, audi (8) amplification means, and at least one indoor speaker (9) and an outside speaker (10), a microphone (1 1), and

a control circuit comprising switching means between at least two operating modes, including a first operating mode in radio and a second operating mode in voice amplification, the switching means comprising a central unit connected to a control button switching device, at least one multiplexer circuit, with inputs connected to the microphone output and the output of the audio circuit and the outputs connected to the audio amplification means, a controlled relay stage, led it controlled relay stage being connected on the one hand to the external and external loudspeakers and on the other by means of audio amplification,

characterized in that the audi amplification means are common to the indoor and outdoor loudspeakers and in that the relay stage controlled allows activation of the indoor or outdoor loudspeakers according to a command received from central unity.

2. radio receiving device according to claim 1, wherein the switching control button (17) corresponds to the speaking button of the microphone (1 1).

3. Radio reception device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein there is provided a mode of operation alert, said device comprising means for storing (19) alert messages, a remote control ( 20) for selecting an alert message, and such that said switching means enable transmission of the alert message to said at least one external loudspeaker (10).

4. radio receiving device according to claim 3, wherein the device comprises a microcontroller (22) associated with a bandpass filter (23) and at least one piezoelectric transducer (21) for sending a message alert in the form of an ultrasound signal.

5. The radio reception device according to either of claims 3 or 4, wherein the alert operating mode and the radio operating mode can be simultaneous.

6. Radio receiving device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises a telephony operating mode, said device comprising a blue-tooth module (25), an antenna (26) and such that the switching means make it possible to switch from the radio mode to the telephony mode, as soon as the bluetooth module is activated, enabling the voice of a remote party to be broadcast on the at least one internal loudspeaker (9).

7. receiving device according to claim 6, wherein, in telephony mode, the switching means transmit the signal from the microphone (1 1) during the change of state of a magnetic contact corresponding to the handling of the microphone (1 1).