DE102005039944A1 - Signal controlled operation matrix for use in vehicle, enables discrete or independent device to provide audio, video or similar signals, where switching process is triggered automatically by signals transmitted by discrete device - Google Patents

Abstract

The matrix enables a discrete or independent device to provide audio, video or similar signals, where the device is connected to a function unit that is controlled by automated sequences. A necessary switching process is triggered automatically by AN signals transmitted by the discrete or independent device with the help of a matrix-selection of an analog, digital, software or hardware base that is provided in an external, discrete device.

Description

1.) subject of the invention:

The The invention relates to a technique by which arbitrary independent and independent equipment (Vendor), the audio, video or similar Send signals (A / V) to each other through an automated procedures controlled functional unit can be linked without that it would be necessary in these devices intervene individually to control technical links to create together.

The required switching operations are triggered by the A / V signals themselves and by means of a matrix (optionally on analog, digital, software or hardware basis) in an external, independent Device linked.

SCOM stands for "signal Controlled Operation Matrix ".

2.) Known Techniques:

Known are microprocessor controlled devices. Here is the administration managed the incoming audio signals on a software basis. About input devices and display can the specifications are entered and controlled by the user, or the Control is completely automatic in the background, controlled from a software.

One example for a known integrated system is a car radio consisting of an integrated CD player, an FM tuner and a GPS navigation component (NAV).

One such device is managed in itself and already has internal priority criteria. For example, traffic announcements (TA) always dominate the CD playback and turn them off temporarily as they are assigned a higher priority has been.

in the Navigation part of the device There is also a voice output for image display. Their priority is this is slightly lower than that of the TA, and so does the CD playback during the Announcement not switched off, but only lowered in volume. The NAV voice output, but in turn may be dominated by the TA and while a traffic message temporarily off.

3.) The limits of the known Techniques:

Impossible becomes but an automated link several independent, independent of each other equipment (possibly even different manufacturers and standards) on this Way, which are put together to form a complex audio / video system should.

The Communication with other devices usually takes place via product or manufacturer-specific interfaces. Foreign devices without these can not integrated into the system.

This Case exists, for example, when a car radio in the vehicle at any further independent Audio / Video sources to be expanded, which manages automatically should be. This requires the higher-level and independent control unit SCOM.

4.) invention:

SCOM solve this Problem in an innovative way and allows for linking as well priority management independent and more independent Audio devices in a complex audio / video system.

crux The invention is a linking matrix, via which the information provided by signal detectors (S / D) in complex switching operations can be implemented.

SCOM recognizes by the presence or absence and the quantitative properties the incoming audio / video signals, which sources are active. A The matrix and priority list implemented in the SCOM then decides which Shortcuts or switching operations must be activated. This can then also by remote transmission (infrared, radio, telecommunications or Internet etc.).

By the use of frequency-selective or level-selective signal detectors (S / D) are also conceivable controls, the switching operations in dependence of the frequency spectrum or from or to a certain signal level trigger.

5.) Application example 1:

• – Das Tonsignal eines DVD- Players (DVD),
• – das Tonsignal eines Mobiltelefons (TEL),
• – und die Sprachausgabe eines portablen Navigationssystems (NAV).

Specifically, you can imagine a simple car radio as a self-contained, complex system (tuner, CD, cassette). This will now be extended with other audio sources by its output signal is fed into a mixer with SCOM function in the even more external audio sources are fed

• - The audio signal of a DVD player (DVD),
• The sound signal of a mobile telephone (TEL),
• - and the voice output of a portable navigation system (NAV).

• 1.) TA (Verkehrsfunk), TEL
• 2.) NAV
• 3.) DVD

The existing sources should now be managed according to the following priority list:

• 1.) TA (traffic information), TEL
• 2.) NAV
• 3.) DVD

One Signal detector (S / D) detects an incoming DVD audio signal and switches its channel free, so it over the speakers are audible becomes. If a TA signal arrives, this is detected by another S / D and suppressed over the Join matrix the DVD signal for this time span.

Just like that a call on the TEL is recognized by another S / D and this one on priority over that Switched on DVD signal to make phone calls undisturbed.

A Announcement from the NAV, however, gets lower priority, with in this case, the DVD signal is lowered only by, for example, 20dB is in favor of a better speech intelligibility during the NAV announcement.

Possible are also cross-links such as.

TEL repressed DVD complete, however, NAV or TA come through at a reduced level, too while telephoning not on traffic and navigation voice to be without.

6.) Application example 2:

Also conceivable are applications where by an incoming audio / video signal any switching operations triggered , whereby e.g. Actuators are activated for the DVD Play a monitor from the rest position to the viewing position to move, control lighting, turn on auxiliary amplifier, pre-programmed procedures independent Applications, etc. Many other applications are conceivable.

Also more complicated links are conceivable and can be realized by appropriate hardware configuration.

7.) Application example 3:

Automatic Input Select. This application allows for automatic input selection e.g. an amplifier, not through the amp, but is controlled by the signal sources themselves. Based on a chronological or priority principle is either the just active source audible, and as soon as it runs dry, the next one with the appropriate priority, or any active source may be different from another priority be dominated.

8.) Working principle:

The Detection of incoming audio signals is done by means of a signal detector (S / D).

This consists of a frequency-selective low frequency amplifier, followed by a peak rectifier is. The resulting smoothed DC voltage reaches a comparator, this with a preset Reference voltage compares. When exceeding a specified threshold it tilts from the LOW to the HIGH state and triggers a switching process.

One each audio channel contains Such a S / D whose switching state in a subsequent logical shortcut evaluated and prioritized can be used.

in the the simplest case switches an incoming audio signal 1, detected through an S / D, for the duration of its presence an audio signal 2 mute.

Claims (1)

A technique (SCOM = Signal Controlled Operation Matrix) that allows any stand-alone and independent device (manufacturer-wide) to deliver audio, video or similar (A / V) signals to be linked to a functional entity controlled by automated processes without interfering with the respective device control, characterized in that the required switching operations are triggered by the ON signals sent by the devices by means of a matrix selection on an analogue, digital, software or hardware basis itself, which is housed in an external stand-alone device.