WO2024017452A1 - Method to provide a personalized sound in a vehicle - Google Patents

Method to provide a personalized sound in a vehicle Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024017452A1
WO2024017452A1 PCT/EP2022/069974 EP2022069974W WO2024017452A1 WO 2024017452 A1 WO2024017452 A1 WO 2024017452A1 EP 2022069974 W EP2022069974 W EP 2022069974W WO 2024017452 A1 WO2024017452 A1 WO 2024017452A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
sound
vehicle
output
multimedia
event
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2022/069974
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jörg Drexler
John Newman
Original Assignee
Audi Ag
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Audi Ag filed Critical Audi Ag
Priority to PCT/EP2022/069974 priority Critical patent/WO2024017452A1/en
Publication of WO2024017452A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024017452A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R3/00—Circuits for transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
    • H04R3/12—Circuits for transducers, loudspeakers or microphones for distributing signals to two or more loudspeakers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2420/00—Details of connection covered by H04R, not provided for in its groups
    • H04R2420/01—Input selection or mixing for amplifiers or loudspeakers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2499/00—Aspects covered by H04R or H04S not otherwise provided for in their subgroups
    • H04R2499/10—General applications
    • H04R2499/13—Acoustic transducers and sound field adaptation in vehicles
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04S—STEREOPHONIC SYSTEMS 
    • H04S2400/00—Details of stereophonic systems covered by H04S but not provided for in its groups
    • H04S2400/13—Aspects of volume control, not necessarily automatic, in stereophonic sound systems

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method to provide a personalized sound in a vehicle. Besides, the invention relates to a vehicle to perform such a method.
  • a vehicle may comprise a multimedia output device configured to output a sound in a cabin of the vehicle.
  • the sound may be intended to alert or notify a driver of the vehicle of a current situation and/or a specific function or service of the vehicle. Besides, the sound may be intended to entertain a user of the vehicle. However, the output sound may be predetermined and therefore not personalized.
  • DE 102009 059 141 A1 discloses a method for integrating a component into an information system of a vehicle in which at least one application executable by the component is made available to a user of the vehicle by means of a human-machine interface of the information system. An input and/or output of information of the information system is carried out in a personalized manner with regard to a user of the component.
  • DE 102020207 482 A1 discloses a method to output an acoustic signal by an output device designed to be worn on the ear by a user of a vehicle.
  • the acoustic signal depends on a preset priority list.
  • EP 3 109 113 A1 discloses a peripheral sensor interface system for a vehicle which upon detecting an event such as a sudden approach of a pedestrian provides a sensor signal in response to the detection of the event and outputs an audio signal depending on the sensor signal to a driver or passenger of the vehicle. It is the object of the invention to output a personalized sound in a vehicle.
  • a first aspect of the invention relates to a method to provide a personalized sound in a vehicle.
  • the invention is at least partially based on the observation that a user of the vehicle, for example, a driver or other passenger feels particularly comfortable, if he or she can choose a sound output in the vehicle to indicate a specific function or service of the vehicle.
  • the user may first download and/or purchase a sound file from a sound providing service, for example, an application comprising a sound database that offers a variety of possible sounds for the vehicle.
  • the sound may be intended to be played by a loudspeaker in the vehicle whenever a specific event occurs. The sound is hence connected to the occurring event, for example, to notify the user about the specific event.
  • the event may be an opening or closing of a door of the vehicle.
  • outputting of the sound may occur whenever the door, in particular a specific door of the vehicle such as a left or right front or rear door, is opened or closed.
  • outputting the sound may occur whenever an external trigger is received, for example detection of rain and/or a scored goal during a sports event which is of interest to the user of the vehicle.
  • the sound is typically stored on a hard drive partition of the vehicle, which may be difficult to access. Adding new sounds may hence be particularly difficult.
  • a method should be provided which facilitates adding new sounds to the vehicle.
  • the inventive method comprises providing personalized sound data describing a sound and a sound output condition.
  • the sound may be described by a sound file such as an mp3 file.
  • the sound file may have any other format suitable for audio and/or video output.
  • the sound output condition may alternatively be referred to as trigger file.
  • the sound output condition describes which condition has to be fulfilled in the vehicle to trigger the output of the sound.
  • the sound data may alternatively be referred to as sound folder.
  • the sound data is personalized because the sound output condition presets which sound is played in which situation and hence at which condition.
  • the sound data is preferably determined by the user of the vehicle. To determine the personalized sound data, it is possible to search for and find the sound in a sound application and download and/or purchase it from the sound application.
  • the sound data is stored in a storage unit of a control device of the vehicle. It is alternatively or additionally possible that the personalized sound data is provided by an external device to the vehicle, in particular the control device.
  • the sound data may be connected to a user profile of the user meaning that it is, for example, stored in the external device and downloaded to the vehicle when the user profile is accessed in the vehicle.
  • the external device may be a server, a backend, a cloud server and/or a mobile device, for example, a smartphone and/or tablet.
  • the mobile device is in particular positioned in a cabin of the vehicle and/or at least associated with the user of the vehicle.
  • the method furthermore comprises providing event data describing an event of the vehicle.
  • the event of the vehicle may concern a function and/or service of the vehicle.
  • An example for an event described by the event data may be the opening or closing of the door.
  • the event data describe an event with relation to the vehicle and/or a user of the vehicle.
  • the event with relation to the vehicle is for example beginning of rainfall on the vehicle. This event may have an external trigger, such as a current weather situation, but is still related to the vehicle.
  • the event with relation to the user of the vehicle may relate to an interest of the user. If the user is interested in a specific sports event, the event may a goal scored during the sports event, which occurs while the user is located in the vehicle. Therefore, such an event also comprises some relation to the vehicle.
  • the event is a vehicle or at least vehicle user related event.
  • the event data may be provided by an event engine of the vehicle.
  • the event engine can alternatively be referred to as service engine or function engine of the vehicle.
  • the event data are based on actual data describing the currently occurring event.
  • the event data hence describe as well a current state of the vehicle that is defined by the event.
  • the event data may be received by the vehicle from an external device, at least if they describe the event with relation to the vehicle and/or the user.
  • the event data may be provided to the control device.
  • Another step of the method comprises verifying if the event triggers an output of the sound. This comprises comparing the provided event data to the sound output condition according to the provided personalized sound data. In other words, it is checked if any of the sound output conditions of the sound data is met by the event data. If this is the case, the event that occurred in the vehicle is a triggering event for the sound.
  • the personalized sound data for example, comprise a sound that is supposed to be played whenever the right front door of the vehicle is opened, in case the event according to the event data is an opening of the right front door of the vehicle, the verification results in detecting a trigger event for the sound. In this example, the verifying step is hence successful. If, however, an event of the vehicle is detected for which no sound output condition is provided, the verifying step is unsuccessful and hence the respective event does not trigger the output of any sound. The verification is performed by the control device.
  • a current state of the vehicle allows the output of the sound by performing a sound prioritization check.
  • the sound prioritization check is, for example, conducted by a sound prioritization engine.
  • the sound prioritization check may be an algorithm and/or at least one condition that upon execution by the control device determines, if the vehicle is in a state in which the sound can be played or not.
  • the sound prioritization check is preferably performed by the control device.
  • the sound prioritization check comprises verifying if there is currently any obstacle that could prohibit the output of the sound.
  • the emergency situation may be determined as obstacle and an alert sound should be emitted in the vehicle instead of, for example, the personalized sound.
  • the described verification step is hence negative. This means that in the current state of the vehicle it is prohibited to output the sound according to the personalized sound data.
  • Other examples for a current state in which output of the sound is prohibited are an incoming or conducted phone call and/or an output of a navigation instruction of a navigation system in the vehicle.
  • the method comprises outputting the sound according to the personalized sound data by a multimedia output device in the vehicle.
  • the multimedia output device may be a device of the vehicle, such as an vehicle output device configured to output a radio program, a music program and/or a video program within the vehicle.
  • the multimedia output device can comprise or at least operate at least one loudspeaker and/or a display within the vehicle.
  • the multimedia output device may be comprised by the mobile device that is positioned in the vehicle. It is possible that the mobile device accesses the loudspeaker of the vehicle to output the sound.
  • the method results in outputting the sound indicating the opening of the right front door.
  • the control device may operate the multimedia output device.
  • the user is able to determine any personalized sound that he or she would like to hear at a certain event in the vehicle and/or at a certain event in relation with the vehicle and/or the user to, for example, notify and inform him or her about the event.
  • this personalized sound does not interfere with any necessary acoustic information intended for the user due to the sound prioritization check.
  • Any wanted sound data can be easily stored in the vehicle so that new sounds may be added without difficulty. The method thus results in improved outputting of a personalized sound in a vehicle.
  • An embodiment comprises that the sound prioritization check comprises verifying if another sound is being output in the vehicle. If there is hence already another sound output in the vehicle, the sound according to the sound data is not played. There is thus no overlaying of multiple sounds in the vehicle. If, for example, a first sound is mapped to an opening the left front door and a second sound to an opening the right front doors and both doors are opened according to the event data, the sound takes priority that is mapped to the event that occurred first. If the left front door was opened first, the first sound is output and not the second sound. In this example, the second sound is not allowed meaning that the verification step checking if a current state of the vehicle allows the output of the sound is denied for the secondly detected event. This hence prevents dueling sounds within the vehicle.
  • the sound prioritization check comprises verifying if the vehicle is in an exceptional situation.
  • the exceptional situation may be a vehicle emergency, such as a potential accident, or another high priority event.
  • the other high priority event may be user dependent. It may be a notification on a low energy level of the vehicle, of a navigation system, of an incoming call and/or another function of the vehicle.
  • Weather the exceptional situation has a higher sound priority than the personalized sound or not is preferably preset by the user.
  • the current state of the vehicle prohibits the output of the sound. This means that if no other sound is being output and the vehicle is in no exceptional situation, the current state of the vehicle allows the output of the sound. Therefore, the sound is only output in reasonable situations.
  • a further embodiment comprises verifying if the multimedia output device is in an active state or in an inactive state.
  • the multimedia output device is for example a radio system of the vehicle.
  • the active state means that the multimedia output device is switched on and the inactive state means that it is switched off.
  • the method comprises performing a transition from a multimedia program of the currently selected multimedia channel to the sound.
  • the multimedia channel is, for example, a radio channel or radio station which is set by the multimedia output device.
  • the transition is in particular a fade-out transition.
  • the fade-out transition may take a time interval of one second, Alternatively it may take between half a second and 3 seconds or particularly 5 seconds.
  • the method comprises activating the multimedia output device. If, for example, the radio device is currently switched off, the method triggers turning and hence switching on the radio device so that all further sound output can performed by the radio device. The method hence does not require a switched on multimedia output device in order to be performed. Therefore, the method is in principle conductible independent of an initial state of the multimedia output device.
  • an embodiment comprises storing the personalized sound data in an output channel accessible to the multimedia output device.
  • the personalized sound data is stored at an output channel of the multimedia output device.
  • the multimedia output device is configured to access multiple channels and among them the multimedia channel and the output channel.
  • the respective channel may be a radio channel connected to a channel specific radio frequency or wavelength.
  • the output channel is reserved for the personalized sounds and is hence no typical radio station that provides a radio program.
  • the output channel may be described by a website link, for example, by a uniform resource locator (URL) address. In this example, the output channel may mimic a web radio station.
  • URL uniform resource locator
  • the method comprises switching the multimedia output device from the selected multimedia channel to the output channel after having performing the transition and/or after having activating the multimedia output device.
  • the first operation of the multimedia output device is changing the current multimedia channel to the output channel.
  • a source of multimedia output to be provided by the active multimedia output device is changed to the output channel.
  • the output channel is selected and hence the output of the sound can take place.
  • the chosen sound can be played because the multimedia output device is switched to the output channel.
  • an embodiment comprises resetting the multimedia output device to the selected multimedia channel after having output the sound. Once the sound is played or has been played in the vehicle, the settings of the multimedia output device are reset to the previous and hence original situation. This means that, for example, a previously selected radio station as multimedia channel is reselected.
  • the method comprises performing a transition, in particular a fad- ing-out transition, from the sound to the multimedia program of the selected multimedia channel. The transition may be analogous to the above-described transition.
  • the method comprises deactivating the multimedia output device. In other words, if the multimedia output device has been switched on originally, it is after the sound has been played within the vehicle brought into the same original state and is hence again deactivated.
  • the method comprises setting a volume of the output of the sound.
  • the volume of the output of the sound is in particular different from a current volume setting of the multimedia output device.
  • the user predetermines if he or she wants to hear the sound louder or less loud than the current multimedia program.
  • the volume is set relative to a current audio level and/or to a set and hence constant value. It is possible that the preset volume for the output of the sound by chance matches the currently set volume of the currently output multimedia program. It is possible that after having switched back to the selected multimedia channel the volume settings are as well switched back and reset to the previous and hence original volume settings for the multimedia program. To make the sound experience particularly remarkable and/or personalized, it is possible to set a specific and hence personalized volume for the output of the sound.
  • an embodiment comprises that the set volume depends on the speed of the vehicle. If the vehicle is, for example, moving fast it is possible to output the sound at a higher volume compared to a slower vehicle. Therefore, even in a situation in which a background noise within the vehicle may be relatively high, the output sound is still easily hearable due to its volume dependency on the speed of the vehicle. Therefore, the method is particularly customer friendly.
  • the volume can be adjustable to other sounds. It is also possible that a safety feature exists which upon activation allows the user to select a “do-not-play-sounds-now” -option meaning that the user can manually disable the output of the personalized sound.
  • the event data describe at least one of the following events: an opening and/or closing of a vehicle door, a locking and/or unlocking of a vehicle door, an opening and/or closing of a vehicle window, an opening and/or closing of a vehicle sun roof, an activation, deactivation and/or speed setting of a window wiper, a triggering of a window washer, an activation and/or deactivation of a defrost function of the vehicle, a buckling and/or unbuckling of a seatbelt, an opening and/or closing of a trunk and/or hood of the vehicle, a triggering of a parking assist or any other driver assistance system, an activation and/or deactivation of a joker key (the joker key may be a personalized key, in particular, located on a steering wheel of the vehicle), an activation and/or deactivation of vehicle lights (particularly high beams), a triggering of a seat heating and/or a seat massage function, a selection of a memorized
  • the external information may be an information on a sports events. For example, if the user is interested in football, a score of a game of his or her favorite football team may be sent to the vehicle and the output of that information may be introduced by a specific sound according to the personalized sound data.
  • the external information may relate to a weather situation, for example to a beginning of rainfall on the vehicle.
  • the external information is then, for example, provided by a weather information server as external device and/or determined by a rain sensor of the vehicle.
  • an external trigger may be an event that results in outputting the personalized sound in the vehicle.
  • a visual output may be displayed on a display in the vehicle.
  • the visual output corresponds to the event according to the event data.
  • the external information on sports events and/or weather may as well be shown on the display.
  • the sound output condition has an if-this-then-that-structure.
  • IFTT-structure Such a file structure is typically abbreviated as IFTT-structure.
  • the sound output condition may be defined as, for example, condition “if a specific door, for example the right rear door, opens, then play as sound a variation of a theme song of a movie, particularly a children's movie”. Therefore, a specific event can be easily connected to a specific sound by providing the sound output condition. It is thus possible to output different sounds when the driver or a child enters the vehicle due to the different doors they use.
  • the vehicle is configured to perform the method as described above.
  • the vehicle may be a motor vehicle, for example, a passenger car, a truck, a bus and/or a motorcycle.
  • Embodiments of the inventive method are considered embodiments of the inventive vehicle as well, if applicable.
  • the invention also comprises combinations of the described embodiments and embodiments that provide features which afford additional technical advantages.
  • an error message and/or a prompt for user feedback is output and/or a default settings and/or a predetermined initial state is set.
  • the invention also provides a processing unit comprising at least one processor and a data memory coupled to the at least one processor, wherein the processing unit is designed to perform an embodiment of the inventive method.
  • the at least one processor may each be based on one of a microprocessor and a microcontroller and an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit).
  • the data memory may comprise computer readable instructions that -when executed by the at least one processor- cause the at least one processor to perform the embodiment of the inventive method.
  • Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a vehicle
  • Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a method to provide a personalized sound in a vehicle.
  • Fig. 1 shows a vehicle 1 .
  • vehicle 1 there are two people, a driver 2 and a further passenger 3, which is here a child seated in a rear part of the vehicle 1.
  • the vehicle 1 comprises a multimedia output device 4 that may comprise at least one loudspeaker 5 and/or a display 6.
  • the multimedia output device 4 may furthermore comprise a control device 7.
  • the control device 7 may be a central control device 7 of the vehicle 1 and hence no component of the multimedia output device 4.
  • the vehicle 1 also comprises an event engine 8, which may be another control unit that may measure or detect an event such as a function and/or service of the vehicle 1 .
  • One of the possible events detected by the event engine 8 may be an opening of the right rear window 9 as sketched here. This means that within the vehicle 1 the driver 2 or the passenger 3 has operated or is operating a window opening unit to open the right rear window 9 of the vehicle 1 .
  • Fig. 2 shows a method to provide a personalized sound in the vehicle 1 .
  • the method comprises providing personalized sound data 10.
  • the personalized sound data 10 describe a sound itself by providing, for example, a sound file 11 and describe a sound output condition 12.
  • the sound output condition 12 may be referred to as trigger file and is, for example, formulated in an if-this-then-that-structure.
  • the personalized sound data 10 may be provided to the control device 7.
  • event data 13 is provided.
  • the event data 13 describe an event of the vehicle.
  • the event data 13 describe at least one of the following events:
  • the event data 13 may be provided by the event engine 8 for the control device 7.
  • the event engine 8 may be referred to as vehicle service engine.
  • a step S3 comprises verifying if the event triggers an output of the sound by comparing the provided event data 13 to the sound output condition 12 according to the provided personalized sound data 10.
  • a vehicle sound configuration instruction 14 may be considered which may comprise information on emergency tones within the vehicle and/or volume information on sound output within the vehicle 1 .
  • the sound itself is stored in a so-called sound folder by providing the sound data 10.
  • a sound application provided by the vehicle 1 and preferably provided by the control device 7 listens to current vehicle services by evaluating the provided event data 13 and compares the determined event to the vehicle sound configuration instructions 14.
  • the vehicle sound configuration instructions 14 may be related to the sound output condition 12 or may have input from the sound output condition 12.
  • the event is opening the right rear window 9 and for this event a specific sound, for example a specific ringtone, is provided by the personalized sound data 10.
  • a step S4 comprises verifying that the current state of the vehicle 1 allows the output of the sound by performing a sound prioritization check 15. If a service signal, meaning the event data 13, matches the sound configuration according to the sound output condition 12, this information is sent to a sound prioritization engine that is in particular a part of the control device 7, which then performs the sound prioritization check 15.
  • the sound prioritization check 15 comprises verifying if another sound is being output in the vehicle 1 and/or if the vehicle 1 is in an exceptional situation, such as an emergency situation. If the other sound is being output and/or the vehicle 1 is in the exceptional situation, the current state prohibits the output of the sound. If not, the output of the sound is allowed.
  • the sound prioritization engine checks, if no other sound is being played and if no vehicle emergencies or other high priority events are occurring. It is possible to have a prioritization order that, for example, prioritizes warnings over notifications, like an incoming phone call, over navigation information over the personalized sound over a multimedia program output (meaning played music in the vehicle).
  • a step S5 may comprise verifying if the multimedia output device 4 is in an active state or in an inactive state. If it is in the active state, a step S6 is performed that comprises performing a transition from a multimedia program of a currently selected multimedia channel of the active multimedia output device 4 to the sound according to the sound data 10, more precisely the sound file 11 . The transition is in particular a fading-out transition that is performed over the duration of one second. If the multimedia output device 4 is in the inactive state, a step S7 is performed that comprises activating the multimedia output device 4.
  • a step S8 may comprise switching the multimedia output device 4 from the selected multimedia channel to an output channel.
  • the output channel is a channel where the personalized sound data 10 is stored. The output channel is accessible by the multimedia output device 4.
  • the output channel is, for example, a particular radio station that is reserved for sound files 11 .
  • a step S9 may comprise setting a volume of the output of the sound wherein the volume of the output of the sound may in particular differ from a current volume setting of the multimedia output device 4. In particular, the volume may depend on a speed of the vehicle 1 .
  • a step S10 comprises outputting the sound according to the personalized sound data 10 by the multimedia output device 4 in the vehicle 1.
  • Step S10 only happens if the event triggers the output of the sound and the output is allowed meaning that both steps S3 and S4 had positive or successful results.
  • a step S11 the multimedia output device 4 can be reset to the selected multimedia channel after having output the sound.
  • the method comprises performing a transition from the sound to the multimedia program of the selected multimedia channel.
  • a step S13 is performed that comprises deactivating the multimedia output device 4. In other words, if currently the multimedia output device 4 is activated and a specific multimedia channel is locked including a specific volume setting a transition to the sound is performed. If the multimedia output device 4 is not turned on or switched on, it is turned on. The multimedia output device 4 is then switched to the output channel, which is reserved for the sound playback.
  • a volume is set, for example, to a standard level so that it is not too loud to distract the driver 2 of the vehicle 1 .
  • the sound file 11 is played meaning that the sound is output in the vehicle 1.
  • the output channel is reset to the multimedia channel used before meaning to the original source.
  • the original volume settings may be reactivated.
  • step S11 it is hence also possible to reset the volume to its original volume settings. If the multimedia output device 4 was switched off before, then it is again turned off. If it was on, a transition to the original program is performed. It is also possible to generate an exit signal 16 afterwards and send to the control device 7, particularly to a sound application, that comprises a status engine that then knows that the method is terminated.
  • steps S3 and/or S4 are negative and hence unsuccessful, the method is ended as indicated by reference signs 17.
  • the volume should be adjustable then the sound is being played, for example a spoken navigation instruction.
  • a safety feature meaning that the person in the vehicle 1 should be allowed to select a “Do- not-play-sounds-now”-mode.
  • Advantages are that the method is easy to implement and also easy to access because nothing is stored on a hard drive partition that is hard to modify and access.
  • the choice to play the sound over the multimedia output device 4 means that it is possible to reuse all the logic that prioritizes other sounds that are more important than those that entertain without having to rewrite a lot of code. The solution is hence quick and generalizable.

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Abstract

The invention is concerned with a method to provide a personalized sound in a vehicle (1) comprising: providing (S1) personalized sound data (10) describing a sound and a sound output condition (12); providing (S2) event data (13) describing an event of the vehicle (1) and/or with relation to the vehicle (1) and/or a user of the vehicle (1); verifying (S3) if the event triggers an output of the sound by comparing the provided event data (13) to the sound output condition (12) according to the provided personalized sound data (10); verifying (S4) that a current state of the vehicle (1) allows the output of the sound by performing a sound prioritization check (15); and if the event triggers the output of the sound and the output is allowed, outputting (S10) the sound according to the personalized sound data (10) by a multimedia output device (4) in the vehicle (1).

Description

Method to provide a personalized sound in a vehicle
DESCRIPTION:
The invention relates to a method to provide a personalized sound in a vehicle. Besides, the invention relates to a vehicle to perform such a method.
A vehicle may comprise a multimedia output device configured to output a sound in a cabin of the vehicle. The sound may be intended to alert or notify a driver of the vehicle of a current situation and/or a specific function or service of the vehicle. Besides, the sound may be intended to entertain a user of the vehicle. However, the output sound may be predetermined and therefore not personalized.
DE 102009 059 141 A1 discloses a method for integrating a component into an information system of a vehicle in which at least one application executable by the component is made available to a user of the vehicle by means of a human-machine interface of the information system. An input and/or output of information of the information system is carried out in a personalized manner with regard to a user of the component.
DE 102020207 482 A1 discloses a method to output an acoustic signal by an output device designed to be worn on the ear by a user of a vehicle. The acoustic signal depends on a preset priority list.
EP 3 109 113 A1 discloses a peripheral sensor interface system for a vehicle which upon detecting an event such as a sudden approach of a pedestrian provides a sensor signal in response to the detection of the event and outputs an audio signal depending on the sensor signal to a driver or passenger of the vehicle. It is the object of the invention to output a personalized sound in a vehicle.
The object is accomplished by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous developments with convenient and non-trivial further embodiments of the invention are specified in the following description, the dependent claims and the figures.
A first aspect of the invention relates to a method to provide a personalized sound in a vehicle. The invention is at least partially based on the observation that a user of the vehicle, for example, a driver or other passenger feels particularly comfortable, if he or she can choose a sound output in the vehicle to indicate a specific function or service of the vehicle. To provide such a personalized sound, the user may first download and/or purchase a sound file from a sound providing service, for example, an application comprising a sound database that offers a variety of possible sounds for the vehicle. The sound may be intended to be played by a loudspeaker in the vehicle whenever a specific event occurs. The sound is hence connected to the occurring event, for example, to notify the user about the specific event. The event may be an opening or closing of a door of the vehicle. In this example, outputting of the sound may occur whenever the door, in particular a specific door of the vehicle such as a left or right front or rear door, is opened or closed. Alternatively or additionally, outputting the sound may occur whenever an external trigger is received, for example detection of rain and/or a scored goal during a sports event which is of interest to the user of the vehicle. The sound is typically stored on a hard drive partition of the vehicle, which may be difficult to access. Adding new sounds may hence be particularly difficult. To output a personalized sound in the vehicle, a method should be provided which facilitates adding new sounds to the vehicle.
The inventive method comprises providing personalized sound data describing a sound and a sound output condition. The sound may be described by a sound file such as an mp3 file. The sound file may have any other format suitable for audio and/or video output. The sound output condition may alternatively be referred to as trigger file. The sound output condition describes which condition has to be fulfilled in the vehicle to trigger the output of the sound. Preferably, there is an individual sound output condition for every sound, so that different events in the vehicle may trigger different sounds. The sound data may alternatively be referred to as sound folder. The sound data is personalized because the sound output condition presets which sound is played in which situation and hence at which condition. The sound data is preferably determined by the user of the vehicle. To determine the personalized sound data, it is possible to search for and find the sound in a sound application and download and/or purchase it from the sound application.
Preferably, the sound data is stored in a storage unit of a control device of the vehicle. It is alternatively or additionally possible that the personalized sound data is provided by an external device to the vehicle, in particular the control device. The sound data may be connected to a user profile of the user meaning that it is, for example, stored in the external device and downloaded to the vehicle when the user profile is accessed in the vehicle. The external device may be a server, a backend, a cloud server and/or a mobile device, for example, a smartphone and/or tablet. The mobile device is in particular positioned in a cabin of the vehicle and/or at least associated with the user of the vehicle.
The method furthermore comprises providing event data describing an event of the vehicle. The event of the vehicle may concern a function and/or service of the vehicle. An example for an event described by the event data may be the opening or closing of the door. Alternatively or additionally, the event data describe an event with relation to the vehicle and/or a user of the vehicle. The event with relation to the vehicle is for example beginning of rainfall on the vehicle. This event may have an external trigger, such as a current weather situation, but is still related to the vehicle. The event with relation to the user of the vehicle may relate to an interest of the user. If the user is interested in a specific sports event, the event may a goal scored during the sports event, which occurs while the user is located in the vehicle. Therefore, such an event also comprises some relation to the vehicle. In other words, the event is a vehicle or at least vehicle user related event. The event data may be provided by an event engine of the vehicle. The event engine can alternatively be referred to as service engine or function engine of the vehicle. The event data are based on actual data describing the currently occurring event. The event data hence describe as well a current state of the vehicle that is defined by the event. The event data may be received by the vehicle from an external device, at least if they describe the event with relation to the vehicle and/or the user. The event data may be provided to the control device.
Another step of the method comprises verifying if the event triggers an output of the sound. This comprises comparing the provided event data to the sound output condition according to the provided personalized sound data. In other words, it is checked if any of the sound output conditions of the sound data is met by the event data. If this is the case, the event that occurred in the vehicle is a triggering event for the sound. If the personalized sound data, for example, comprise a sound that is supposed to be played whenever the right front door of the vehicle is opened, in case the event according to the event data is an opening of the right front door of the vehicle, the verification results in detecting a trigger event for the sound. In this example, the verifying step is hence successful. If, however, an event of the vehicle is detected for which no sound output condition is provided, the verifying step is unsuccessful and hence the respective event does not trigger the output of any sound. The verification is performed by the control device.
In a further step of the method, it is verified that a current state of the vehicle allows the output of the sound by performing a sound prioritization check. The sound prioritization check is, for example, conducted by a sound prioritization engine. The sound prioritization check may be an algorithm and/or at least one condition that upon execution by the control device determines, if the vehicle is in a state in which the sound can be played or not. The sound prioritization check is preferably performed by the control device. The sound prioritization check comprises verifying if there is currently any obstacle that could prohibit the output of the sound. For example, if the vehicle is currently in an emergency situation due to at least one external factor influencing the vehicle, the emergency situation may be determined as obstacle and an alert sound should be emitted in the vehicle instead of, for example, the personalized sound. In such a situation, the described verification step is hence negative. This means that in the current state of the vehicle it is prohibited to output the sound according to the personalized sound data. Other examples for a current state in which output of the sound is prohibited are an incoming or conducted phone call and/or an output of a navigation instruction of a navigation system in the vehicle.
If the event triggers the output of the sound and the output is allowed, the method comprises outputting the sound according to the personalized sound data by a multimedia output device in the vehicle. The multimedia output device may be a device of the vehicle, such as an vehicle output device configured to output a radio program, a music program and/or a video program within the vehicle. The multimedia output device can comprise or at least operate at least one loudspeaker and/or a display within the vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, the multimedia output device may be comprised by the mobile device that is positioned in the vehicle. It is possible that the mobile device accesses the loudspeaker of the vehicle to output the sound. If in the above-described example the right front door is opened, a corresponding sound is provided according to the personalized sound data and the output of the sound is allowed, the method results in outputting the sound indicating the opening of the right front door. The control device may operate the multimedia output device.
In summary, the user is able to determine any personalized sound that he or she would like to hear at a certain event in the vehicle and/or at a certain event in relation with the vehicle and/or the user to, for example, notify and inform him or her about the event. However, by performing the sound prioritization check it is guaranteed that this personalized sound does not interfere with any necessary acoustic information intended for the user due to the sound prioritization check. Any wanted sound data can be easily stored in the vehicle so that new sounds may be added without difficulty. The method thus results in improved outputting of a personalized sound in a vehicle.
An embodiment comprises that the sound prioritization check comprises verifying if another sound is being output in the vehicle. If there is hence already another sound output in the vehicle, the sound according to the sound data is not played. There is thus no overlaying of multiple sounds in the vehicle. If, for example, a first sound is mapped to an opening the left front door and a second sound to an opening the right front doors and both doors are opened according to the event data, the sound takes priority that is mapped to the event that occurred first. If the left front door was opened first, the first sound is output and not the second sound. In this example, the second sound is not allowed meaning that the verification step checking if a current state of the vehicle allows the output of the sound is denied for the secondly detected event. This hence prevents dueling sounds within the vehicle.
Alternatively or additionally the sound prioritization check comprises verifying if the vehicle is in an exceptional situation. The exceptional situation may be a vehicle emergency, such as a potential accident, or another high priority event. The other high priority event may be user dependent. It may be a notification on a low energy level of the vehicle, of a navigation system, of an incoming call and/or another function of the vehicle. Weather the exceptional situation has a higher sound priority than the personalized sound or not is preferably preset by the user. In summary, if another sound is being output and/or the vehicle is in the exceptional situation, the current state of the vehicle prohibits the output of the sound. This means that if no other sound is being output and the vehicle is in no exceptional situation, the current state of the vehicle allows the output of the sound. Therefore, the sound is only output in reasonable situations.
A further embodiment comprises verifying if the multimedia output device is in an active state or in an inactive state. The multimedia output device is for example a radio system of the vehicle. The active state means that the multimedia output device is switched on and the inactive state means that it is switched off. If the multimedia output device is in the active state, the method comprises performing a transition from a multimedia program of the currently selected multimedia channel to the sound. The multimedia channel is, for example, a radio channel or radio station which is set by the multimedia output device. The transition is in particular a fade-out transition. The fade-out transition may take a time interval of one second, Alternatively it may take between half a second and 3 seconds or particularly 5 seconds. In other words, the currently emitted multimedia program is not suddenly stopped but the transition from the current sound output to the sound according to the personalized sound data is performed. If the multimedia output device is in the inactive state, the method comprises activating the multimedia output device. If, for example, the radio device is currently switched off, the method triggers turning and hence switching on the radio device so that all further sound output can performed by the radio device. The method hence does not require a switched on multimedia output device in order to be performed. Therefore, the method is in principle conductible independent of an initial state of the multimedia output device.
Moreover, an embodiment comprises storing the personalized sound data in an output channel accessible to the multimedia output device. In other words, the personalized sound data is stored at an output channel of the multimedia output device. The multimedia output device is configured to access multiple channels and among them the multimedia channel and the output channel. The respective channel may be a radio channel connected to a channel specific radio frequency or wavelength. The output channel is reserved for the personalized sounds and is hence no typical radio station that provides a radio program. The output channel may be described by a website link, for example, by a uniform resource locator (URL) address. In this example, the output channel may mimic a web radio station.
The method comprises switching the multimedia output device from the selected multimedia channel to the output channel after having performing the transition and/or after having activating the multimedia output device. Once the transition was performed and/or the multimedia output device was activated, preferably the first operation of the multimedia output device is changing the current multimedia channel to the output channel. In other words, a source of multimedia output to be provided by the active multimedia output device is changed to the output channel. Now, the output channel is selected and hence the output of the sound can take place. In other words, the chosen sound can be played because the multimedia output device is switched to the output channel.
Moreover, an embodiment comprises resetting the multimedia output device to the selected multimedia channel after having output the sound. Once the sound is played or has been played in the vehicle, the settings of the multimedia output device are reset to the previous and hence original situation. This means that, for example, a previously selected radio station as multimedia channel is reselected. If the multimedia output device has been in the active state, the method comprises performing a transition, in particular a fad- ing-out transition, from the sound to the multimedia program of the selected multimedia channel. The transition may be analogous to the above-described transition. If the multimedia output device has been in the inactive state, the method comprises deactivating the multimedia output device. In other words, if the multimedia output device has been switched on originally, it is after the sound has been played within the vehicle brought into the same original state and is hence again deactivated.
It is possible that after having switched back to the originally selected multimedia channel and/or having switched off the multimedia output device an exit signal is generated and sent to a status engine of the control device. The vehicle then knows that the method has been fully performed and hence the sound has been output. The exit signal may describe termination the method. The method can then restart in case new event data is provided. This results in a particularly energy effective and user friendly method because the multimedia output device is brought back into its original state. According to another embodiment, the method comprises setting a volume of the output of the sound. The volume of the output of the sound is in particular different from a current volume setting of the multimedia output device. Preferably, the user predetermines if he or she wants to hear the sound louder or less loud than the current multimedia program. It is possible that the volume is set relative to a current audio level and/or to a set and hence constant value. It is possible that the preset volume for the output of the sound by chance matches the currently set volume of the currently output multimedia program. It is possible that after having switched back to the selected multimedia channel the volume settings are as well switched back and reset to the previous and hence original volume settings for the multimedia program. To make the sound experience particularly remarkable and/or personalized, it is possible to set a specific and hence personalized volume for the output of the sound.
Moreover, an embodiment comprises that the set volume depends on the speed of the vehicle. If the vehicle is, for example, moving fast it is possible to output the sound at a higher volume compared to a slower vehicle. Therefore, even in a situation in which a background noise within the vehicle may be relatively high, the output sound is still easily hearable due to its volume dependency on the speed of the vehicle. Therefore, the method is particularly customer friendly.
Alternatively or additionally the volume can be adjustable to other sounds. It is also possible that a safety feature exists which upon activation allows the user to select a “do-not-play-sounds-now” -option meaning that the user can manually disable the output of the personalized sound.
Another embodiment comprises that the event data describe at least one of the following events: an opening and/or closing of a vehicle door, a locking and/or unlocking of a vehicle door, an opening and/or closing of a vehicle window, an opening and/or closing of a vehicle sun roof, an activation, deactivation and/or speed setting of a window wiper, a triggering of a window washer, an activation and/or deactivation of a defrost function of the vehicle, a buckling and/or unbuckling of a seatbelt, an opening and/or closing of a trunk and/or hood of the vehicle, a triggering of a parking assist or any other driver assistance system, an activation and/or deactivation of a joker key (the joker key may be a personalized key, in particular, located on a steering wheel of the vehicle), an activation and/or deactivation of vehicle lights (particularly high beams), a triggering of a seat heating and/or a seat massage function, a selection of a memorized seat position and/or a triggering of an external information provided to the vehicle by the external device. The external information may be an information on a sports events. For example, if the user is interested in football, a score of a game of his or her favorite football team may be sent to the vehicle and the output of that information may be introduced by a specific sound according to the personalized sound data. Alternatively or additionally, the external information may relate to a weather situation, for example to a beginning of rainfall on the vehicle. The external information is then, for example, provided by a weather information server as external device and/or determined by a rain sensor of the vehicle. In other words, an external trigger may be an event that results in outputting the personalized sound in the vehicle. There are further event data possible which extend the listed ones. In summary there is a high variety of possible vehicle related events and hence vehicle functions or services that may cause or may be connected to a personalized sound. It is possible to differentiate between individual doors, windows and/or seats within the vehicle meaning that there can be different sounds for a right front, left front, right rear and/or left rear door, window or seat, respectively.
Additionally to the output of the sound, a visual output may be displayed on a display in the vehicle. The visual output corresponds to the event according to the event data. For example in case of the external information, the external information on sports events and/or weather may as well be shown on the display.
There is another embodiment that comprises that the sound output condition has an if-this-then-that-structure. Such a file structure is typically abbreviated as IFTT-structure. This means that the sound output condition may be defined as, for example, condition “if a specific door, for example the right rear door, opens, then play as sound a variation of a theme song of a movie, particularly a children's movie”. Therefore, a specific event can be easily connected to a specific sound by providing the sound output condition. It is thus possible to output different sounds when the driver or a child enters the vehicle due to the different doors they use.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle. The vehicle is configured to perform the method as described above. The vehicle may be a motor vehicle, for example, a passenger car, a truck, a bus and/or a motorcycle. Embodiments of the inventive method are considered embodiments of the inventive vehicle as well, if applicable.
The invention also comprises combinations of the described embodiments and embodiments that provide features which afford additional technical advantages.
For use cases or use situations which may arise in the method and which are not explicitly described here, it may be provided that, in accordance with the method, an error message and/or a prompt for user feedback is output and/or a default settings and/or a predetermined initial state is set.
To perform the inventive method, the invention also provides a processing unit comprising at least one processor and a data memory coupled to the at least one processor, wherein the processing unit is designed to perform an embodiment of the inventive method. The at least one processor may each be based on one of a microprocessor and a microcontroller and an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit). For performing the inventive method, the data memory may comprise computer readable instructions that -when executed by the at least one processor- cause the at least one processor to perform the embodiment of the inventive method. In the following, an exemplary implementation of the invention is described.
The figures show:
Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a vehicle; and
Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a method to provide a personalized sound in a vehicle.
The embodiment explained in the following is a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, in the embodiment, the described components of the embodiment each represent individual features of the invention which are to be considered independently of each other and which each develop the invention also independently of each other and thereby are also to be regarded as a component of the invention in individual manner or in another than the shown combination. Furthermore, the described embodiment can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.
In the figures identical reference signs indicate elements that provide the same function.
Fig. 1 shows a vehicle 1 . In the vehicle 1 , there are two people, a driver 2 and a further passenger 3, which is here a child seated in a rear part of the vehicle 1.
The vehicle 1 comprises a multimedia output device 4 that may comprise at least one loudspeaker 5 and/or a display 6. The multimedia output device 4 may furthermore comprise a control device 7. Alternatively, the control device 7 may be a central control device 7 of the vehicle 1 and hence no component of the multimedia output device 4. The vehicle 1 also comprises an event engine 8, which may be another control unit that may measure or detect an event such as a function and/or service of the vehicle 1 . One of the possible events detected by the event engine 8 may be an opening of the right rear window 9 as sketched here. This means that within the vehicle 1 the driver 2 or the passenger 3 has operated or is operating a window opening unit to open the right rear window 9 of the vehicle 1 .
Fig. 2 shows a method to provide a personalized sound in the vehicle 1 . In a step S1 , the method comprises providing personalized sound data 10. The personalized sound data 10 describe a sound itself by providing, for example, a sound file 11 and describe a sound output condition 12. The sound output condition 12 may be referred to as trigger file and is, for example, formulated in an if-this-then-that-structure. The personalized sound data 10 may be provided to the control device 7.
In a step S2, event data 13 is provided. The event data 13 describe an event of the vehicle. The event data 13 describe at least one of the following events:
- an opening and/or closing of a vehicle door;
- a locking and/or unlocking of the vehicle door;
- an opening and/or closing of a vehicle window 9;
- an opening and/or closing of a vehicle sunroof;
- an activation, deactivation and/or speed setting of a window wiper;
- a triggering of a window washer;
- an activation and/or deactivation of a defrost function;
- a buckling and/or unbuckling of a seat belt;
- an opening and/or closing of a trunk and/or hood;
- a triggering of a parking assist;
- an activation and/or deactivation of a joker key;
- an activation and/or deactivation of vehicle lights, particularly high beams;
- a triggering of a seat heating and/or a seat massage function;
- a selection of a memorized seat position; and/or
- a triggering of an external information provided to the vehicle 1 by an external device.
The event data 13 may be provided by the event engine 8 for the control device 7. Alternatively, the event engine 8 may be referred to as vehicle service engine. A step S3 comprises verifying if the event triggers an output of the sound by comparing the provided event data 13 to the sound output condition 12 according to the provided personalized sound data 10. By doing so a vehicle sound configuration instruction 14 may be considered which may comprise information on emergency tones within the vehicle and/or volume information on sound output within the vehicle 1 . In other words, the sound itself is stored in a so-called sound folder by providing the sound data 10. A sound application provided by the vehicle 1 and preferably provided by the control device 7 listens to current vehicle services by evaluating the provided event data 13 and compares the determined event to the vehicle sound configuration instructions 14. The vehicle sound configuration instructions 14 may be related to the sound output condition 12 or may have input from the sound output condition 12. In the example according to Fig. 1 , the event is opening the right rear window 9 and for this event a specific sound, for example a specific ringtone, is provided by the personalized sound data 10.
A step S4 comprises verifying that the current state of the vehicle 1 allows the output of the sound by performing a sound prioritization check 15. If a service signal, meaning the event data 13, matches the sound configuration according to the sound output condition 12, this information is sent to a sound prioritization engine that is in particular a part of the control device 7, which then performs the sound prioritization check 15.
The sound prioritization check 15 comprises verifying if another sound is being output in the vehicle 1 and/or if the vehicle 1 is in an exceptional situation, such as an emergency situation. If the other sound is being output and/or the vehicle 1 is in the exceptional situation, the current state prohibits the output of the sound. If not, the output of the sound is allowed. In other words, the sound prioritization engine checks, if no other sound is being played and if no vehicle emergencies or other high priority events are occurring. It is possible to have a prioritization order that, for example, prioritizes warnings over notifications, like an incoming phone call, over navigation information over the personalized sound over a multimedia program output (meaning played music in the vehicle).
A step S5 may comprise verifying if the multimedia output device 4 is in an active state or in an inactive state. If it is in the active state, a step S6 is performed that comprises performing a transition from a multimedia program of a currently selected multimedia channel of the active multimedia output device 4 to the sound according to the sound data 10, more precisely the sound file 11 . The transition is in particular a fading-out transition that is performed over the duration of one second. If the multimedia output device 4 is in the inactive state, a step S7 is performed that comprises activating the multimedia output device 4. A step S8 may comprise switching the multimedia output device 4 from the selected multimedia channel to an output channel. The output channel is a channel where the personalized sound data 10 is stored. The output channel is accessible by the multimedia output device 4. The output channel is, for example, a particular radio station that is reserved for sound files 11 . A step S9 may comprise setting a volume of the output of the sound wherein the volume of the output of the sound may in particular differ from a current volume setting of the multimedia output device 4. In particular, the volume may depend on a speed of the vehicle 1 .
A step S10 comprises outputting the sound according to the personalized sound data 10 by the multimedia output device 4 in the vehicle 1. Step S10 only happens if the event triggers the output of the sound and the output is allowed meaning that both steps S3 and S4 had positive or successful results.
In a step S11 the multimedia output device 4 can be reset to the selected multimedia channel after having output the sound. If the multimedia output device 4 has been in the active state before, in a step S12 the method comprises performing a transition from the sound to the multimedia program of the selected multimedia channel. If the multimedia output device 4 has been in the inactive state before, a step S13 is performed that comprises deactivating the multimedia output device 4. In other words, if currently the multimedia output device 4 is activated and a specific multimedia channel is locked including a specific volume setting a transition to the sound is performed. If the multimedia output device 4 is not turned on or switched on, it is turned on. The multimedia output device 4 is then switched to the output channel, which is reserved for the sound playback. Afterwards, a volume is set, for example, to a standard level so that it is not too loud to distract the driver 2 of the vehicle 1 . Then the sound file 11 is played meaning that the sound is output in the vehicle 1. Afterwards the output channel is reset to the multimedia channel used before meaning to the original source. In this context also the original volume settings may be reactivated. In step S11 it is hence also possible to reset the volume to its original volume settings. If the multimedia output device 4 was switched off before, then it is again turned off. If it was on, a transition to the original program is performed. It is also possible to generate an exit signal 16 afterwards and send to the control device 7, particularly to a sound application, that comprises a status engine that then knows that the method is terminated.
If steps S3 and/or S4 are negative and hence unsuccessful, the method is ended as indicated by reference signs 17.
The volume should be adjustable then the sound is being played, for example a spoken navigation instruction. There should exist a safety feature meaning that the person in the vehicle 1 should be allowed to select a “Do- not-play-sounds-now”-mode. Advantages are that the method is easy to implement and also easy to access because nothing is stored on a hard drive partition that is hard to modify and access. The choice to play the sound over the multimedia output device 4 means that it is possible to reuse all the logic that prioritizes other sounds that are more important than those that entertain without having to rewrite a lot of code. The solution is hence quick and generalizable.
In summary, a method for personalization of vehicle actions via sounds was described.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1 . Method to provide a personalized sound in a vehicle (1 ) comprising: providing (S1 ) personalized sound data (10) describing a sound and a sound output condition (12); providing (S2) event data (13) describing an event of the vehicle (1 ), and/or an event with relation to the vehicle (1 ) and/or a user of the vehicle (1 ); verifying (S3) if the event triggers an output of the sound by comparing the provided event data (13) to the sound output condition (12) according to the provided personalized sound data (10); verifying (S4) that a current state of the vehicle (1 ) allows the output of the sound by performing a sound prioritization check (15); if the event triggers the output of the sound and the output is allowed, outputting (S10) the sound according to the personalized sound data (10) by a multimedia output device (4) in the vehicle (1 ).
2. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the sound prioritization check (15) comprises verifying if another sound is being output in the vehicle (1 ) and/or if the vehicle (1 ) is in an exceptional situation, wherein if the other sound is being output and/or the vehicle (1 ) is in the exceptional situation, the current state of the vehicle (1 ) prohibits the output of the sound.
3. Method according to claim 2, comprising verifying (S5) if the multimedia output device (4) is in an active state or in an inactive state, wherein if it is in the active state, the method comprises performing a transition (S6), in particular a fade-out transition, from a multimedia program of a currently selected multimedia channel to the sound, and if it is in the inactive state, the method comprises activating (S7) the multimedia output device (4).
4. Method according to claim 3, comprising storing the personalized sound data (10) in an output channel accessible to the multimedia output device (4) and switching (S8) the multimedia output device (4) from the selected multimedia channel to the output channel after having performing the transition or after having activating the multimedia output device (4). Method according to claim 3 and 4, comprising resetting (S11 ) the multimedia output device (4) to the selected multimedia channel after having output the sound, and if the multimedia output device (4) has been in the active state, the method comprises performing a transition (S12), in particular a fad- ing-out transition, from the sound to the multimedia program of the selected multimedia channel, and if it has been in the inactive state, the method comprises deactivating (S13) the multimedia output device (4). Method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising setting (S9) a volume of the output of the sound, wherein the volume of the output of the sound in particular differs from a current volume setting of the multimedia output device (4). Method according to claim 6, wherein the set volume depends on a speed of the vehicle (1 ). Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the event data (13) describe at least one of the following events: an opening and/or closing of a vehicle door; a locking and/or unlocking of the vehicle door; an opening and/or closing of a vehicle window (9); an opening and/or closing of a vehicle sunroof; an activation, deactivation and/or speed setting of a window wiper; a triggering of a window washer; an activation and/or deactivation of a defrost function; a buckling and/or unbuckling of a seat belt; an opening and/or closing of a trunk and/or hood; a triggering of a parking assist; an activation and/or deactivation of a joker key; an activation and/or deactivation of vehicle lights, particularly high beams; a triggering of a seat heating and/or a seat massage function; a selection of a memorized seat position; and/or a triggering of an external information provided to the vehicle (1) by an external device. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sound output condition (12) has an if-this-then-that-structure. Vehicle (1 ) configured to perform a method according to any of the pre- ceding claims.
PCT/EP2022/069974 2022-07-18 2022-07-18 Method to provide a personalized sound in a vehicle WO2024017452A1 (en)

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