DE102006060189B4 - Device for outputting audio signals to a loudspeaker - Google Patents

Abstract

Motor vehicle with a device (10) for outputting audio signals (18, 22) to a loudspeaker (16), with
an internal unit (14) for generating audio signals (18) on the basis of externally received signals or signals read from a medium, and
a signal input (20) for receiving audio signals (22) from a navigation device (12) of the motor vehicle coupled to the signal input (20),
a detection unit (26) which detects whether audio signals (22) arrive via the signal input (20),
wherein in a predetermined mode of operation of the device (10):
a.) the detection unit (26) is activated,
b.) the internal unit (14), at least while the detection unit (26) does not detect an arrival of audio signals (22) via the signal input (20), outputs audio signals (18) to the loudspeaker (16), and
c.) if the detection unit (26) via the signal input (20) detects incoming audio signals (22), these are forwarded to the speaker (16), characterized in that the navigation device (12) has a signal output (24) for providing audio signals (22), wherein the signal output (24) of the navigation device (12) is coupled to the signal input (20) of the device (10), wherein the device (10) in the predetermined operating mode after detection via the signal input (20). incoming audio signals (22) by the detection unit (26) interrupting the output from the internal unit (14) generated audio signals (18) to the loudspeaker (16), and the detection unit (26) is adapted to a level above the Signal input (20) to determine incoming signals and to compare the detected level with a predetermined minimum level to between noise signals and via the signal input (20) arriving audio signals (22) so that no noise signals are routed to the loudspeaker (16).

Description

The invention relates to a device for outputting audio signals to a loudspeaker according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, it relates to a method for outputting audio signals from a device of a motor vehicle to a loudspeaker.

A commercially available mobile navigation device usually has an internal speaker for the output of acoustic driving recommendations. Such a loudspeaker, however, has unsatisfactory sound characteristics, especially at high ambient volumes, such as occur during a drive with loud music played or open convertible.

An on-board device for outputting audio signals, such as a car radio, a CD player or a vehicle telephone, often has a signal input for audio signals generated by another device. Such a signal input is also referred to as AUX input (auxiliary input). The device can be switched to a mode in which an audio signal provided to the signal input is forwarded to a loudspeaker and converted by the latter into a sound signal. In this way, the loudspeaker coupled to the device, which is better suited for transmitting messages inside a motor vehicle in comparison with the loudspeaker of the mobile navigation device, can be used for the output of acoustic driving recommendations of the mobile navigation device.

However, this results in the problem that the coupled to the vehicle's own device between the short driving recommendations emits a noise signal. The only way to suppress this noise signal is conventionally that the user switches the device after each driving recommendation in another mode in which a provided at the signal input noise signal is not forwarded to the speaker. Before a new acoustic driving recommendation, the user must then return the device to the previous mode. This multiple switching, however, many users find disturbing.

It is additionally known from the prior art that a mobile device coupled to an on-board device for outputting audio signals outputs a muting signal to the device via a separate line attached to the device in addition to a signal line. Upon receipt of the mute signal on the separate line, the audio signal output device is then switched to a mode in which only an audio signal provided by the mobile device to the device via the signal line is routed to a speaker coupled to the device. For example, this describes US Pat. No. 6,377,825 B1 a mobile telephone which is designed to mute the vehicle radio coupled to the mobile telephone before transmitting the message received by the mobile telephone. However, providing an on-vehicle device for outputting audio signals with an additional line for providing the mute signal increases the cost of such a device.

Further, the DE 39 03 461 A1 a combination of a car radio with other means of communication. Further disclosed DE 693 15 600 T2 a car radio with a built-in transceiver. The DE 199 46 022 A1 discloses a control device and method for determining an information output ranking of a plurality of information sources, in particular audio sources. In addition, the reveals DE 100 03 615 A1 a method and apparatus for controlling voice output in a motor vehicle. Finally, the reveals DE 20 2004 017 506 U1 a vehicle multimedia navigation device with dual audio output.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a low-cost, low-noise and accessible to a user with little effort possibility to use the speakers of an on-board device for a mobile device.

The object is achieved by a motor vehicle according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 6.

The motor vehicle according to the invention has a device for outputting audio signals, which is characterized by a detection unit which detects whether audio signals arrive via the signal input, wherein in a predetermined operating mode of the device the detection unit is activated, the internal unit, at least not during the detection unit detects an arrival of audio signals via the signal input, outputs audio signals to the loudspeaker, and if the detection unit detects incoming audio signals via the signal input, these are forwarded to the loudspeaker. During the time intervals in which the detection unit detects no arrival of audio signals via the signal input, signals that arrive via the signal input, at most in a reduced signal intensity to the speaker of the device forwarded. Preferably, the forwarding of the signals to the loudspeaker during these time intervals is omitted.

This ensures good noise suppression without requiring the user to toggle the device between a mode in which signals are passed from the signal input to the loudspeaker and a mode in which they do not. This relieves the user of work and thus increases the user comfort of a device according to the invention. With such a detection unit, it is also no longer necessary to equip a device with a speaker and a signal input for providing audio signals by an external device with a separate line for providing a mute signal by the external device. This reduces the cost of such a device.

The device interrupts the output of audio signals generated by the internal unit to the loudspeaker in the predetermined operating mode after detection of audio signals arriving via the signal input by the detection unit. This ensures that a user perceives particularly well the information provided by the external unit or the music played by the external unit.

The detection unit is designed to determine a level of signals arriving via the signal input and to compare the determined level with a predetermined minimum level in order to distinguish between noise signals and audio signals arriving via the signal input. Likewise, the detection unit can be designed to detect a logon signal or logoff signal arriving from the external unit via the signal input as such. The detection unit then evaluates only the signals that arrive after a login signal and before a Abmeldesignat on the signal input as an audio signal. Both options ensure a reliable distinction between noise signals and audio signals. No noise signals are then forwarded to the loudspeaker.

In addition to this, the detection unit can be designed to detect a type of the coupled external unit by means of a detection signal arriving via the signal input and only to forward the audio signals arriving via the signal input to the loudspeaker if the identified type corresponds to a predefined type. For example, only generated by a navigation device audio signals are forwarded to the speaker, since they correspond to information that is important for a driver, especially during a ride. If, on the other hand, a cassette recorder or a CD player is connected to the device, forwarding its audio signals to the loudspeaker may depend on an additional input by the user. This ensures that the driver can preferably listen to the messages required by him and is not disturbed by noise not desired by him.

In addition, the device may be equipped with an actuating element for switching the device from the predetermined operating mode to another operating mode, wherein in the other operating mode the detection unit is deactivated and the forwarding of the signal input via the signal input to the loudspeaker is dependent on an actuation of the actuating element , A user of such a device is thus able to determine for himself whether the device should automatically forward the audio signals provided via the signal input to the loudspeaker. If the user does not want to hear the messages corresponding to the audio signals, he only has to make a corresponding input via the actuating element.

The device according to the invention may be a radio, a cassette recorder, a CD player, a telephone, a computer, a television or a combination device with at least two of the enumerated devices. Thus, the present invention can be used for various types of devices that are coupled to speakers.

The motor vehicle is equipped with the device. Since a driver should leave both hands on the steering wheel while driving, the equipment of his motor vehicle with the device according to the invention provides him with substantial ease when coupling a mobile device to the speaker of the device.

The motor vehicle is equipped with a navigation device with a signal output for providing audio signals, wherein the signal output of the navigation device is coupled to a signal input of the device according to the invention. Navigation devices are designed to issue short acoustic driving recommendations at irregular intervals. By coupling the signal output of the navigation device to the signal input of a device according to the invention, these driving recommendations can be sent from the speakers of the device with a good sound quality, without this being connected to the driver with intermittently emitted noise noise or with increased workload.

The method according to the invention is characterized by detecting whether the signals arriving via the signal input are audio signals or noise signals, switching or continuing to operate the device in the first or the first functional mode, if an arrival of audio signals is detected via the signal input, and if an arrival of Noise signals are detected via the signal input, switching or further operation of the device in the second or the second functional mode. Thus, the method according to the invention also offers a cost-effective possibility of using the loudspeakers of a device for transmitting the messages of an external unit with a good sound quality.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the attached 1 explained in more detail, which schematically shows a car radio with a coupled mobile navigation device.

In 1 are a vehicle radio 10 and a mobile navigation device 12 shown. The vehicle radio 10 is mounted in a dashboard, not shown, of a motor vehicle. It has a receiving unit 14 and a speaker 16 on. About an input device, not shown, the receiving unit 14 be set to a certain reception frequency. The receiving unit 14 then receives radio signals from a coupled antenna having a frequency corresponding to the set reception frequency and outputs corresponding audio signals 18 to the speaker 16 out. The speaker 16 converts the audio signals 18 the receiving unit 14 into sound signals.

The vehicle radio 10 additionally has a signal input 20 for receiving externally provided audio signals 22 on. In the example off 1 is the signal output 24 of the navigation device 12 to the signal input 20 of the vehicle radio 10 coupled. The from the navigation device 12 generated audio signals 22 , which correspond to acoustically outputable driving recommendations, can thus by the vehicle radio 10 be received.

A registration unit 26 detects when the audio signals 22 to the signal input 20 to be provided. The detection unit measures this 26 the level of the at the signal input 20 incoming signals. If the level of the signals is below a predetermined minimum level, this evaluates the detection unit 26 in that the signals are noise signals. The registration unit 26 is designed so that it does not connect the noise signals to the speaker 16 forwards. Detects the capture unit 26 however, that the level of the signals is above the predetermined minimum level, so evaluates the detection unit 26 the signals as audio signals 22 and redirects the audio signals 22 to the speaker 16 continue.

Alternatively, the detection unit 26 also be designed to be on the signal input 20 recognized registration or deregistration signal as such. The registration unit 26 then evaluates the between the registration signal and the deregistration signal via the signal input 20 received signals as audio signals 22 which they connect to the speaker 16 forwards. The signals received after a deregistration signal are received by the detection unit 26 detected as noise signals. Forwarding these noise signals to the speaker 16 is then from the capture unit 26 prevented.

On the speaker 16 will be from the receiving unit 14 generated audio signals 18 and that of the capture unit 26 forwarded audio signals 22 mixed together. Previously, the intensity of at least one of the two audio signals 18 or 22 to be changed. For example, the intensity of the receiving unit 14 generated audio signals 18 decreases and / or the intensity of the detection unit 26 forwarded audio signals 22 elevated. As a result, a user of the vehicle radio 10 the audio signals 22 corresponding driving recommendations, which from the speaker 16 be emitted mono or stereo, better perceives.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the detection unit 26 be designed to capture audio signals 22 at the signal input 20 a mute signal to the receiving unit 14 issue. The mute signal causes the receiving unit 14 no audio signals for a given time interval 18 generated. The speaker 16 converts only the data from the detection unit in this time interval 26 provided audio signals 22 into sound signals. A user can handle the audio signals 22 better understand the corresponding driving recommendations.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

vehicle radio

12

navigation device

14

receiver unit

16

speaker

18 and 22

Audio signals

20

signal input

24

signal output

26

acquisition unit

Claims (6)

Motor vehicle with a device (10) for outputting audio signals (18, 22) to a loudspeaker (16), having - an internal unit (14) for generating audio signals (18) on the basis of externally received signals or signals read from a medium, and a signal input (20) for receiving audio signals (22) from a navigation device (12) of the motor vehicle coupled to the signal input (20), a detection unit (26) which detects whether audio signals (22) arrive via the signal input (20) in which, in a predetermined operating mode of the device (10): a.) the detection unit (26) is activated, b.) the internal unit (14), at least while the detection unit (26) does not receive audio signals (22) via the If the detection unit (26) detects incoming audio signals (22) via the signal input (20), these signals are forwarded to the loudspeaker (16) , characterized in that the navigation device (12) has a signal output (24) for providing audio signals (22), wherein the signal output (24) of the navigation device (12) is coupled to the signal input (20) of the device (10) the Device (10) in the predetermined operating mode, after detection by the detection unit (26) of audio signals arriving via the signal input (20) from the audio signals (18) generated by the internal unit (14) to the loudspeaker (16 ), and the detection unit (26) is designed to detect a level of signals arriving via the signal input (20) and to compare the determined level with a predetermined minimum level in order to detect between noise signals and audio signals arriving via the signal input (20). 22) so that no noise signals are relayed to the loudspeaker (16). Motor vehicle after Claim 1 in which the detection unit (26) is designed to detect a registration signal or logoff signal arriving from the navigation device (12) via the signal input (20) as such. Motor vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 2 in that the detection unit (26) is designed to detect a type of the coupled external unit (12) by means of a detection signal arriving via the signal input (20) and only if the detected type corresponds to a predetermined type which is input via the signal input (20 ) passes on incoming audio signals (22) to the loudspeaker (16). Motor vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 3 with an actuating element for switching the device (10) from the predetermined operating mode into another operating mode, wherein in the other operating mode the detection unit (26) is deactivated and the forwarding of the audio signals (22) arriving via the signal input (20) to the loudspeaker ( 16) takes place depending on an actuation of an actuating element. Motor vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the device (10) is a radio, a cassette recorder, a CD player, a telephone, a computer, a television or a combination device with at least two of the enumerated devices. A method for outputting audio signals (18, 22) from a device (10) of a motor vehicle to a loudspeaker (16), comprising: Generating audio signals (18) on the basis of externally received signals or of a medium of read signals by an internal unit (14), Receiving audio signals from a navigation device coupled to a signal input, wherein a signal output of the navigation device is coupled to the signal input of the device; Detecting whether audio signals (22) arrive via the signal input (20), by means of a detection unit (26), - Operating the device (10) in a predetermined operating mode, in which a.) the detection unit (26) is activated, b.) the internal unit (14), at least while the detection unit (26) does not detect an arrival of audio signals (22) via the signal input (20), outputs audio signals (18) to the loudspeaker (16), and c.) if the detection unit (26) detects incoming audio signals (22) via the signal input (20), these are forwarded to the loudspeaker (16), Interrupting the dispensing of the audio signals (18) generated by the internal unit (14) to the loudspeaker (16) in the predetermined operating mode after detection by the detection unit (26) of audio signals (22) arriving via the signal input (20); Determining a level of signals arriving via the signal input (20) by the detection unit (26), - Comparing the detected level with a predetermined minimum level by the detection unit (26) to distinguish between noise signals and via the signal input (20) incoming signals and to forward no noise signals to the speaker (16).

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