DE102018221724B4 - Method and system for outputting an acoustic signal from a control unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for outputting an acoustic signal for acoustically simulating the operation of a control unit (8) with a 3D sound system (14) which has a plurality of loudspeakers (20a, 20b, 20c), one loudspeaker (20a, 20b, 20c) is arranged in each case at an output position (22a, 22b, 22c) in an interior (2) of a vehicle (4), the operating part (8) at a target position (12) in the interior (2) of the vehicle (4) is arranged, in the event that the control unit (8) is operated, a plurality of loudspeakers (20a, 20b, 20c) are actuated, with each activated loudspeaker (20a, 20b, 20c) each generating an acoustic partial signal that starts is emitted from an output position (22a, 22b, 22c) of the respectively controlled loudspeaker (20a, 20b, 20c) to the target position (12), wherein several partial signals from several loudspeakers (20a, 20b, 20c) at the target position (12) of the Control panel (8) for the ak ustic signal can be combined.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a system for outputting an acoustic signal.

A sensory key as a control unit, the actuation of which can trigger a function, is arranged in a vehicle in a combination instrument. A button click is generated as a sound, for example, by means of a mechanical micro button that is integrated in the button. It is also possible to generate this key click via a loudspeaker which is arranged in the instrument cluster. However, this requires that each sensory key in the instrument cluster comprises a loudspeaker. Due to the size of the button, it is mostly small speakers that can only be used to output high-frequency sounds. Furthermore, controlling the loudspeakers with its own power amplifier, which must also be integrated into the instrument cluster, is complex. This is why it is often difficult to achieve the desired tones with loudspeakers and power amplifiers built into the control panel.

The publication DE 10 2018 100 021 A1 describes a method for providing warnings to a driver of a vehicle.

A system and a method for distributing 3D sounds in a vehicle are known from the publication EP 2 927 642 A1 known.

The publication US 2015/199955 A1 describes a system that is intended for an electrically powered vehicle, wherein the system for the electrically powered vehicle is intended to simulate sounds from a vehicle that is driven by an internal combustion engine, wherein the sounds to be simulated arise due to an operation of the internal combustion engine. This also applies, for example, to a noise that the internal combustion engine generates when a gear of the internal combustion engine is changed due to an actuation of a shift lever. In addition, the system is intended to generate haptic feedback for various gearshift levers when they are actuated, this applies not only to a gearshift lever for the gear but also to a gearshift lever for a windshield wiper or a gearshift lever for a handbrake.

With this in mind, it was a task to effectively generate a sound of a button or a button.

This object is achieved by a method and a system with the features of the independent claims. Embodiments of the method and the system emerge from the dependent patent claims.

The method according to the invention is designed for outputting an acoustic signal for acoustically simulating an operation of at least one control panel with a 3D sound system which has a plurality of loudspeakers. A loudspeaker is arranged at an output position in an interior of a vehicle. The at least one or respective control element is arranged in the interior of the vehicle at a target position, a target position being or being provided for an control element. If the respective control unit is operated or operated manually by a person, for example, several loudspeakers are activated at the same time, with each activated loudspeaker generating an acoustic partial signal which, starting from an output position of the respectively activated loudspeaker, leads to the target position and thus to the the respective control unit is broadcast and / or emitted and / or sent.

In this case, several partial signals from several loudspeakers from different output positions at the target position of the respective operating part are combined and / or superimposed in a position-specific or location-specific manner in synchronism with the acoustic signal to be output.

In an embodiment, in the event that the respective control unit is operated, a source signal is generated which is or will be assigned to the respective control unit. The source signal generated in each case is transmitted to a sound generation module, with the sound generation module being used to synchronously generate a plurality of control signals for the loudspeakers on the basis of the source signal of the respective control unit, a control signal in each case being assigned to one of the loudspeakers and being transmitted to the loudspeaker, from a respective loudspeaker on the basis of the control signal received from him in each case the acoustic partial signal is generated and is emitted and / or emitted and / or transmitted starting from its output position to the target position.

In a further embodiment, several sound signatures are or are assigned to each operating unit. Each speaker is or is assigned a sound signature among the several sound signatures for the one control panel. Furthermore, each acoustic partial signal is generated taking into account a sound signature, which is assigned to a respective loudspeaker on the one hand and to the respective control unit on the other. The sound signatures can, for example, be stored or stored in a memory of the sound generation module as sound files. If the sound generation module is controlled by the source signal of the respective control panel or for the respective control panel, this is now operated or actuated by the control panel Sound generation module identified. Furthermore, the sound signatures assigned to the identified operating part are selected and a control signal with the respective sound signature is transmitted to each loudspeaker, taking into account in each case one sound signature among the sound signatures provided for the one operating part, and the respective loudspeaker is controlled with the control signal assigned to it.

It is possible that a volume of a respective acoustic partial signal usually depends on a distance between the loudspeaker from which it is generated or the output position of the loudspeaker and the respective control unit for which it is generated or the target position of the control unit is set automatically. It is possible that the respective control signal for the respective loudspeaker, from which the loudspeaker generates the acoustic partial signal, for example, is converted, is also adjusted taking into account the distance between the target position and the output position

The method can be carried out for a control panel among a number of control panels in the interior of the vehicle, with one control panel being arranged at an individual target position. Several control signals for several loudspeakers are or are individually assigned to each operating unit, each loudspeaker generating an acoustic partial signal on the basis of the respective control signal received by it, several acoustic partial signals from several loudspeakers at the respective destination of the respective operating unit to form an individual one acoustic signal for this respective control unit can be combined and / or superimposed on several control units.

Several acoustic signals can be generated synchronously or at the same time for several control units at several target positions if several control units are operated at the same time, an acoustic signal being generated for each control unit at its target position, it being possible for several acoustic signals to be position-dependent and / or to be differentiated depending on location or position-specific and / or location-specific.

The system according to the invention is designed to output an acoustic signal for acoustically simulating an operation or actuation of at least one control unit with a 3D sound system which has a plurality of speakers. A loudspeaker is arranged at an output position in an interior of a vehicle.

In addition, the at least one operating part is arranged at at least one target position in the interior of the vehicle, with one operating part being arranged at each target position. The system has a sound generation module, which can also be designed and / or designated as a component of the 3D sound system, and at least one input connection, an input connection being assigned to a control unit. If the at least one or the respective control unit is operated, this control unit is designed to control the sound generation module via the input connection assigned to it. The controlled sound generation module is designed to control a plurality of loudspeakers, each controlled loudspeaker being designed to generate a partial acoustic signal and to emit and / or emit and / or transmit starting from its output position to the at least one or respective target position. wherein a plurality of partial signals from or from a plurality of loudspeakers combine and / or overlap in a position-specific and / or location-specific manner in synchronism with the acoustic signal to be output at the target position of the respective operating part.

An embodiment of the system can be designed to generate the acoustic signal assigned to this operating unit for one operating unit among several operating units at the target position of the respective operating unit. In this case, the system comprises the sound generation module and a plurality of input connections, one input connection being assigned to a control unit. In addition, the speakers of the 3D sound system and the sound generation module are used for all control units. Each loudspeaker can be designed or designated as a directional loudspeaker. With the method, several loudspeakers generate several acoustic partial signals, all of which are focused or directed towards the target position and together there generate the acoustic signal for the control panel.

In one embodiment, the system has at least one trigger module, a trigger module being assigned to each control unit, the at least one trigger module being designed to register an operation of the respective control unit and to control the sound generation module with the source signal.

The at least one input connection, i.e. H. In each case an input connection for an operating unit is designed as a physical metallic and / or wired input line, which is designed to transport electrical source signals. The control unit is coupled via the input connection to the sound generator and thus to the 3D sound system, with the control signal communicating via the input connection that the control unit is being operated.

A sensory key as a control unit, the actuation of which can trigger the function, is arranged in the vehicle in an operating device or in an instrument cluster. The loudspeakers and possibly also the sound generation module are arranged outside of at least one operating device in which the at least one operating part is arranged, in particular outside the at least one operating part. The loudspeakers and the at least one or respective operating device are spaced apart and / or spatially separated. It is possible that an operating device has several operating parts.

The method and the system enable a click of a button, for example a button click, to be output as an acoustic signal via the 3D sound system in the vehicle, i. H. in the interior of the vehicle, which is designed as a motor vehicle or car and / or can be designated.

In the process, the 3D sound system that is present in the vehicle anyway is used to output the button click. This creates a real surround sound and a person operating the key gets the impression that the key click comes exactly from the control unit, for example from the key, on which they pressed. The 3D sound system is used, which includes several spatially distributed speakers. The control unit is networked in the vehicle via the input connection assigned to it, for example input line, and / or connected to the 3D sound system. The 3D sound system can be used to output exactly the sound as an acoustic signal that is desired by a pitch and frequency. Using the loudspeakers of the 3D sound system means that the acoustic signal generated, e.g. clicking sound, appears to come from the control panel. The control panel does not require its own loudspeaker.

The respective control unit is usually operated and / or operated manually to perform the function. The control unit can be designed or referred to as a sensory button, button and / or switch. A mechanical sound of the control unit is simulated and / or artificially generated with the acoustic signal generated by the method. A sound of a relay can also be simulated with the acoustic signal, for example for the control unit, although such a relay is not present at all. Accordingly, it is possible for a button click to be artificially generated as a noise that is otherwise caused by a mechanical micro pushbutton of the operating part. The control unit can be designed as a lever for triggering the function, for example for actuating or operating a turn signal.

It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own without departing from the scope of the present invention.

• 1 zeigt in schematischer Darstellung eine Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Systems, mit dem eine Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens durchgeführt wird.

The invention is shown schematically in the drawing using embodiments and is described schematically and in detail with reference to the drawing.

• 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the system according to the invention, with which an embodiment of the method according to the invention is carried out.

1 shows a schematic representation of an interior 2nd a vehicle designed or to be referred to here as a motor vehicle 4th . In the interior 2nd is at least one operator panel 6 arranged, the at least one control panel 8th has, here only one control unit 6 with a control panel 8th is shown.

By manual actuation, e.g. touching the control panel 8th with one hand 10th one person inside 2nd it is possible to have a function, for example a function of the operating device 6 or another device of the vehicle, not shown here 4th to trigger. Here is the control panel 8th in the interior 2nd here at a target position 12th arranged. It is also provided that the control panel 8th triggers the function digitally when operated manually, with the control panel 8th is silent or silent and therefore does not generate any acoustic signal.

The control panel 8th can be designed or referred to as a button, as a switch, lever and / or as a button. In an embodiment, it is conceivable that the operating device 6 has a touch-sensitive display field, which can also be designed or referred to as a so-called touchscreen. In this case the control panel is 8th formed and / or shown as a marking on the touch-sensitive display field and a function of the vehicle to be triggered in each case 4th assigned.

The vehicle also points 4th a 3D sound system 14 or a three-dimensional sound system. This has a sound generation module 16 on that over a network that has at least one output connection 18th has, with several speakers 20a , 20b , 20c is connected, here only three such speakers 20a , 20b , 20c are shown. The speaker 20a , 20b , 20c are in the interior 2nd at different output positions 22a , 22b , 22c spatially and / or spatially distributed three-dimensionally, whereby for one respective speakers 20a , 20b , 20c a respective issue position 22a , 22b , 22c is provided.

The sound generation module 16 here has an amplifier and is designed to each speaker 20a , 20b , 20c individually, but also all speakers 20a , 20b , 20c to be controlled simultaneously and for a respective loudspeaker 20a , 20b , 20c generate a respective individual control signal, which via the at least one output connection 18th to the respective speaker 20a , 20b , 20c is specifically transmitted and / or transmitted. If the respective speaker 20a , 20b , 20c an electrical control signal provided for it by the sound generation module 16 received or received, it is designed to this control signal at its output position 22a , 22b , 22c convert into an acoustic partial signal and starting from its output position 22a , 22b , 22c in the interior 2nd to be broadcast in a respective intended direction of delivery. Every speaker 20a , 20b , 20c at its dispensing position 22a , 22b , 22c generates a partial acoustic signal at a point in time from which is located at a respective position in the interior 2nd gives an acoustic signal. This acoustic signal results from a superimposition and / or combination of several individual acoustic partial signals from several output directions, with a respective individual acoustic partial signal from the respective loudspeaker 20a , 20b , 20c at its dispensing position 22a , 22b , 22c is produced. The at least one parent connection 18th is explicitly designed here as a physical wired output line, via which a control signal provided by the sound generation module 16 to the respective speaker 20a , 20b , 20c is transmitted.

The embodiment of the system according to the invention 24th has at least one trigger module here 26 and at least one input connection 28 for the at least one control panel 8th on, with only one trigger module 26 and an input connection 28 for the control unit shown here 8th are shown.

The trigger module works 26 with the control panel 8th together and is in the control unit 6 , especially in the control unit 8th , arranged. It is possible that the trigger module 26 with the control panel 8th cooperates and is designed to operate the control panel 8th to detect why the trigger module 26 has a detector or a sensor and / or is designed as a detector or as a sensor.

In addition, the trigger module 26 via the input connection 28 with the sound generation module 16 connected to the 3D sound system 14, for example networked. The target position differ 12th of the control panel 8th but also a position at which the control unit 6 is arranged, spatially or locally from the dispensing positions 22a , 22b , 22c the speaker 20a , 20b , 20c , but also from a position where the sound generation module 16 is arranged. The input connection 28 is explicitly designed here as a physical wired input line via which the source signal from the trigger module 26 to the sound generation module 16 is transmitted.

In the embodiment of the method according to the invention, by operating, for example by pressing, the control panel 8th with the hand 10th , the trigger module 26 that the control panel 8th is assigned, mechanically acted upon and activated, for example, the trigger module 26 generates a source signal that the control panel 8th at the target position 12th assigned. This source signal is via the input connection 28 to the sound generation module 16 transfer. This source signal has at least one piece of information which provides information about which control panel 8th and / or which technical version of the control panel 8th at what target position 12th is being operated at a time because in the interior 2nd usually several control panels 8th are arranged, for which the embodiment of the method can be carried out, at least two such operating parts 8th can be of the same technical design and / or of different technical designs, but each control panel 8th at its own target position 12th is arranged.

In addition, each control panel 8th several sound signatures assigned, which in turn depend on the technical design of the respective control panel 8th are dependent, with each sound signature of the control panel 8th each defines a partial acoustic signal, with several partial acoustic signals at the target position 12th can be combined to the acoustic signal to be generated. With this acoustic signal is at the target position 12th manual operation and / or operation of the respective control unit 8th simulated, this acoustic signal resulting from the partial acoustic signals depending on the definition being designed as an operating sound or operating sound or operating sound and / or to be designated.

The sound generation module 16 here has an arithmetic unit, not shown, which is designed to process and / or evaluate the received source signal. Based on the source signal from a respective control panel 8th , here an assigned trigger module 26 , comes from the sound generation module 16 synchronously generates several control signals that this control panel 8th at its target position 12th assigned. Each control signal is a sound file or a sound file that is stored in a memory of the sound generation module 16 is stored, assigned, with each sound file a sound signature for the one control panel 8th and for one speaker at a time 20a , 20b , 20c having. It is for each speaker 20a , 20b , 20c generates an individual control signal, with several loudspeakers simultaneously based on the source signal 20a , 20b , 20c can be individually controlled with several control signals. This is a combination of several control signals and sound files assigned to each, which are simultaneously sent to several speakers 20a , 20b , 20c are transmitted by the sound signatures of the control panel 8th at its destination 12th dependent. Every single individual control signal and the associated sound file for one speaker each 20a , 20b , 20c is also from its issue position 22a , 22b , 22c dependent. Furthermore, an individual control signal is sent to a respective loudspeaker 20a , 20b , 20c at its issuing position 22a , 22b , 22c targeted transfer.

If or as soon as a respective speaker 20a , 20b , 20c has received and / or received a control signal intended for it, this control signal is transmitted from the loudspeaker 20a , 20b , 20c , for example from a loudspeaker membrane of the loudspeaker 20a , 20b , 20c , at its dispensing position 22a , 22b , 22c converted into the partial acoustic signal, which is in the output direction of the speaker 20a , 20b , 20c in the interior 2nd is broadcast and / or broadcast. In one embodiment, the speaker membrane of the speaker 20a , 20b , 20c set in mechanical vibrations by the electrical control signal, causing air in the interior 2nd of the vehicle 4th is vibrated, these vibrations of the air starting from the dispensing position 22a , 22b , 22c as sound in the direction of the target position 12th spread out and thus to the target position as a respective partial acoustic signal 12th are broadcast or broadcast. This acoustic partial signal is on the one hand of the sound signature and the target position 12th of the control panel 8th and on the other hand from the delivery position 22a , 22b , 22c of the speaker 20a , 20b , 20c dependent. It is possible for the respective acoustic partial signal, for example its volume or its amplitude, to be at a distance between the target position 12th of the control panel and the starting position 22a , 22b , 22b of the speaker 20a , 20b , 20b is dependent, which generates the respective acoustic partial signal.

In the embodiment of the method, several speakers are used 20a , 20b , 20c at the same time several acoustic partial signals are generated, which are at the target position 12th of the control panel 8th superimposed on an acoustic signal or superimposed on this, this acoustic signal from the sound signatures of the control panel 8th is dependent and the mechanical operation of the control panel 8th at the target position 12th acoustically simulated. A superimposition and / or combination of the individual acoustic partial signals that make up the acoustic signal at the destination 12th results, is from the sound signatures, the target position 12th for the control panel 8th and a spatial arrangement of the dispensing positions 22a , 22b , 22c in the interior 2nd dependent. This acoustic signal, which is output and / or generated in the embodiment of the method, is shown in FIG 1 through notes 30th represented or represented schematically.

Reference list

2nd

inner space

4th

vehicle

6

Control unit

8th

Control panel

10th

hand

12th

Target position

14

3D sound system

16

Sound generation module

18th

Output connection

20a, 20b, 20c

speaker

22a, 22b, 22c

Issue position

24th

system

26

Trip module

28

Input connection

30th

grades

Claims (9)

Method for outputting an acoustic signal for acoustically simulating the operation of a control unit (8) with a 3D sound system (14) which has a plurality of loudspeakers (20a, 20b, 20c), one loudspeaker (20a, 20b, 20c) each on an output position (22a, 22b, 22c) is arranged in an interior (2) of a vehicle (4), the operating part (8) being arranged at a target position (12) in the interior (2) of the vehicle (4), wherein in the event that the control unit (8) is operated by one person, several loudspeakers (20a, 20b, 20c) are actuated, with each activated loudspeaker (20a, 20b, 20c) generating an acoustic partial signal that starts from an output position (22a, 22b, 22c) of the respectively controlled loudspeaker (20a, 20b, 20c) is radiated to the target position (12) and focused on the target position, with several partial signals from a plurality of loudspeakers (20a, 20b, 20c) at the target position (12) of the control unit ( 8) can be combined to the acoustic signal to be output, whereby a mechanical sound of the control unit (8) is simulated with the generated acoustic signal. Procedure according to Claim 1 , in the event that the control unit (8) is operated, a source signal is generated which is transmitted to a sound generation module (6), with the sound generation module (6) on the basis of the source signal of the control unit (8) a plurality of control signals for the loudspeakers (20a, 20b, 20c) are generated, a respective control signal being transmitted to one of the loudspeakers (20a, 20b, 20c), the respective loudspeaker (20a, 20b, 20c) being used to transmit the control signal Acoustic partial signal is generated and is emitted from its output position (22a, 22b, 22c) to the target position (12). Procedure according to Claim 1 or 2nd , in which several sound signatures are assigned to the control unit (8), each acoustic partial signal being set taking into account a sound signature which is assigned to a respective loudspeaker (20a, 20b, 20c) and the control unit (8). Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which a volume of a respective acoustic partial signal is set as a function of a distance between the loudspeaker (20a, 20b, 20b) from which it is generated and the control unit (8) for which it is generated becomes. Method according to one of the preceding claims, which is carried out for a respective control panel (8) among a plurality of control panels (8) in the interior (2), wherein each control panel (8) is arranged at a target position (12), with each control panel (8 ) a plurality of control signals for a plurality of loudspeakers (20a, 20b, 20c) are assigned, with each loudspeaker (20a, 20b, 20c) generating an acoustic partial signal on the basis of the control signal received, the acoustic partial signals at the respective destination (12) of the each control unit (8) can be combined to form an acoustic signal for this respective control unit (8). System for outputting an acoustic signal for acoustically simulating the operation of a control unit (8) with a 3D sound system (14) which has a plurality of loudspeakers (20a, 20b, 20c), one loudspeaker (20a, 20b, 20c) each an output position (22a, 22b, 22c) is arranged in an interior (2) of a vehicle (4), the operating part (8) being arranged at a target position (12) in the interior (2) of the vehicle (4), wherein the system (24) has a sound generation module (16) and an input connection (28) which is assigned to the control unit (8), and in the event that the control unit (8) is operated by a person, the control unit (8) is designed to control the sound generation module (16) via the input connection (28) assigned to it, the sound generation module (16) being designed to control a plurality of loudspeakers (20a, 20b, 20c), each controlled loudspeaker (20a, 20b, 20c) is designed to be an acoustic s to generate a partial signal and to emit it starting from its output position (22a, 22b, 22c) to the target position (12) and to focus on the target position, with several partial signals from several loudspeakers (20a, 20b, 20c) at the target position (12) of the control unit (8) combine to form the acoustic signal to be output, a mechanical sound of the control unit (8) being simulated with the generated acoustic signal. System according to Claim 6 , which has a trigger module (26), a control module (26) being assigned to the control panel (8), the trigger module (26) being designed to register an operation of the control panel (8) and to control the sound generation module (16). System according to Claim 6 or 7 , in which the input connection (28) is designed as an input line. System according to one of the Claims 6 to 8th , in which the loudspeakers (22a, 22b, 22c) are arranged outside an operating device (6) in which the operating part (8) is arranged.

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