EP1064822A1 - Method and device for operating a microphone system, especially in a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Method and device for operating a microphone system, especially in a motor vehicle

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Publication number
EP1064822A1
EP1064822A1 EP99910231A EP99910231A EP1064822A1 EP 1064822 A1 EP1064822 A1 EP 1064822A1 EP 99910231 A EP99910231 A EP 99910231A EP 99910231 A EP99910231 A EP 99910231A EP 1064822 A1 EP1064822 A1 EP 1064822A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
microphone
operating
evaluation
microphones
signals
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Granted
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EP99910231A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1064822B1 (en
Inventor
Klaus Schaaf
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Volkswagen AG
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Volkswagen AG
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Publication date
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Publication of EP1064822A1 publication Critical patent/EP1064822A1/en
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Publication of EP1064822B1 publication Critical patent/EP1064822B1/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
    • H04R3/005—Circuits for transducers, loudspeakers or microphones for combining the signals of two or more microphones

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method and a device for operating a microphone arrangement, in particular in a motor vehicle, according to the preamble of claims 1 and 6.
  • Microphones or microphone arrangements are required in motor vehicles, in particular for operating the so-called hands-free system, but moreover also in speech amplification and transmission systems and in systems for active noise suppression.
  • microphones are usually arranged in the area of the dashboard or in the area of the roof fitting or on the inside mirror.
  • simple microphones or microphone arrangements are often a problem.
  • the voice messages are overlaid by driving noises, which is problematic not only for hands-free telephone systems but also for voice-controlled input units.
  • a voice control device for components in motor vehicles in which the actuation of the control device by the voice generates a feedback with which it can be ensured whether the control device has correctly accepted the voice-controlled command.
  • a voice control device of this type also concentrates only on a conventional microphone training or microphone arrangement with regard to its microphone design.
  • a voice-controlled operating method of a similar type is known from DE 19533541 C1.
  • voice control is treated as such.
  • a very complex speech recognition process is used at which the aspects of noise reduction, echo compensation, feature extraction, syntax and semantics checking are dealt with separately. It's just about the
  • a multi-channel communication system with several microphones and several loudspeakers is known from EP 0721178 A 2.
  • the entire system is designed for at least two speaking people who are connected to each other in the transmit / receive mode.
  • the transmission means select the voice message from an overall background noise.
  • a so-called error or comparison microphone is brought very close to the speaking person via the seat belt.
  • the microphone location is also determined here. Otherwise, the design according to this document is designed for the transmission / reception operation of two or more people.
  • EP 0773531 A a frequency-selective control system for acoustic systems.
  • Prevention of overdrive is the focus here.
  • An improvement in the reception quality of the voice message is neglected.
  • a system of a similar type is also known from EP 0721179 A 2.
  • the adaptive tonal control system disclosed there for eliminating stability problems also treats the prevention of the oversteer mentioned above.
  • this cross-section from the prior art shows that one is fundamentally concerned with improving the voice signal already received.
  • an improvement in the recording quality at the location of the speech production is neglected in many cases, if not in principle.
  • the invention is therefore based on the object of further developing a method and a device of the generic type in such a way that the recording quality of the voice signal input into the system is fundamentally improved.
  • the stated object is achieved according to the invention in a method of the generic type by the characterizing features of patent claim 1.
  • the central point of the invention is the definition of a virtual, optimized microphone location. As intended, this is defined virtually where the language source is, i.e. at the location of the speaker's head.
  • This so-called spatial noise or speech source recognition can e.g. be carried out by means of transit time measurement. In the case of a multiple arrangement of microphones, this means that the speech source can be recognized in its spatial position by means of a transit time measurement during the speech process.
  • the amount and phase of the microphones are added in such a way that the useful signals are added and amplified, but the interference signals which are not correlated with the useful signal are optimally masked out. This means that all microphones have a supporting function and are included in the evaluation. It is not a question of post-processing the microphone signal, but rather an improvement of the speech signal fed into the transmission chain.
  • the principle of the invention is particularly advantageous in that a microphone which has been selected in this way or the transit time measurement on which it is based can be combined with a position determination of the head of the speaking person.
  • the head position data can be generated in this way via the speech source recognition or the so-called virtual microphone location determination, via which the security systems can be controlled in a qualified manner.
  • the head position is also determined in parallel to the normal speech mode for car telephones or voice input units, without having to provide any additional means.
  • the safety system can be controlled if necessary so that the airbag is not triggered.
  • the system is thus multifunctional overall, although there is essentially an increase in the voice quality at the point of detection. This leads to a more understandable transmission during speech operation in a car telephone system.
  • the voice commands are recognized and implemented more reliably in voice input-controlled units in the motor vehicle.
  • Figure 1 Basic structure in system overview.
  • Figure 2 embodiment of an electronic structure according to the invention.
  • FIG. 1 shows the structure of the basic elements as well as the functional connection between them. There are no detailed descriptions and only a system overview is shown.
  • a plurality of microphones 1, 2, 3 is arranged spatially distributed within the motor vehicle.
  • an arrangement with two microphones can suffice with a correspondingly favorably chosen positioning.
  • the choice of microphone locations is arbitrary and can either be permanently installed in fittings or be spatially distributed in the motor vehicle by means of further fastening elements. Basically, however, the fact remains that several microphones are required per seat. However, 3 microphones are required for exact 3-D localization. The microphone locations must span a 3-dimensional space and must not be on one level. If, on the other hand, the microphones are too far apart, the transit time or correlation measurement is not sufficiently accurate.
  • All microphones deliver a corresponding signal, which is combined to form a signal evaluation 10. If a voice message is now given in the vehicle, it is received by all microphones. However, since these are spatially distributed, on the one hand the quality of the received signal is different, and on the other hand, with the most precise evaluation, runtime differences arise which are generated by the limited speed of sound. A runtime determination is then carried out within the signal evaluation 10, and the location of the noise or speech generation is determined from the correlation of all microphone signals. The spatial coordinates for the speech source determined in this way then permit electronic determination of the so-called virtual microphone location.
  • a further procedure can, however, also consist in the fact that basically all microphone signals are always evaluated, and the voice message can be continuously verified by means of a plausibility check by comparing the individual microphone signals.
  • the signal evaluation 10 is connected bidirectionally in terms of signal technology to a subsequent microphone location determination unit 20.
  • a reception lobe determination and a corresponding calculation can then be carried out or the selection of the current main microphone can be determined.
  • the microphone location determination unit 20 is in turn connected in terms of signal technology to a calculation unit 30, with the aid of which a determination of the position of the head is carried out from the determined data or signals.
  • the further calculation for example in a comparison with samples, can now lie here.
  • the comparison with samples can shorten the computing time considerably, because then you do not have to calculate every time from initio.
  • the so-called "out of position" positions of the head of the speaking person with regard to an airbag deployment can be recognized immediately.
  • the calculation unit 30 is subsequently connected to the signal generation for the safety systems 40 such as airbag, belt tensioners and the like .
  • the bidirectional connection SB between the signal evaluation 10 and the microphone location determination unit 20 enables the control of the microphones, which is the focus here, depending on the position of the head of the speaking person.
  • the invention If the head of the corresponding person now moves during speech operation, the invention, so to speak, tracks a virtual microphone location.
  • the speech mode starts with a positionally optimized microphone X 1 and the position changes during the speech mode, the optimum microphone location is tracked during the speech mode, for example by shifting to the microphone X 2 as a quasi-dominant microphone.
  • the virtual microphone location once determined as optimal, naturally changes when the position of the head of the speaking person changes. This is captured in the essence of the invention and solved here in an advantageously simple manner. It is a special case if the virtual microphone location coincides with one of the actual microphones. In the main, however, a collective microphone signal evaluation takes place, in which the directional characteristic is adapted to the changed position of the head by correspondingly shifting the quasi-ranking in the evaluation of the individual microphone signals.
  • FIG. 2 shows a simple basic circuit arrangement for realizing the mode of operation shown only systematically in FIG. 1.
  • the microphones 1,2,3 are each connected to an adjustable amplifier 4,5,6. These adjustable amplifiers are controlled via the evaluation device 7. Two of the adjustable amplifiers can also be coupled or correlated on the control side. Furthermore, the individual amplifier output signals are also sent to said evaluation device 7. At the same time, the amplified microphone signals are connected to an adder 8, which is connected on the output side to the device 9 for transmitting the audio signals.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)
  • Circuit For Audible Band Transducer (AREA)
  • Obtaining Desirable Characteristics In Audible-Bandwidth Transducers (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for operating a microphone system, especially in a motor vehicle, in accordance with the preamble to claims 1 and 6. To markedly improve the recording quality of the speech signal introduced into the system the invention provides for the speech sound to be detected in several different physical locations so as to track a virtual microphone location which is optimised in relation to a moving speech source. From the evaluation of variables such as operating time and/or phase and/or amplitude the individual microphone locations can be virtually weighted and the audio signals of the microphones can be added accordingly or combined in other ways.

Description

Verfahren und Einrichtung zum Betrieb einer Mikrofonanordnung, insbesondere in einem Kraftfahrzeug Method and device for operating a microphone arrangement, in particular in a motor vehicle
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren sowie eine Einrichtung zum Betrieb einer Mikrofonanordnung, insbesondere bei einem Kraftfahrzeug, gemäß Oberbegriff der Patentansprüche 1 und 6.The invention relates to a method and a device for operating a microphone arrangement, in particular in a motor vehicle, according to the preamble of claims 1 and 6.
Mikrofone bzw. Mikrofonanordnungen werden in Kraftfahrzeugen insbesondere zum Betrieb der sogenannten Freisprechanlage, darüber hinaus jedoch auch bei Sprachverstärkungs- und - Übertragungsanlagen und bei Anlagen zur aktiven Geräusch-unterdrückung benötigt.Microphones or microphone arrangements are required in motor vehicles, in particular for operating the so-called hands-free system, but moreover also in speech amplification and transmission systems and in systems for active noise suppression.
Dabei ist es wichtig, daß der Schall in unmittelbarer Kopfnähe des Fahrzeuginsassen bzw. des Fahrzeugführers aufgenommen wird, bzw. aufgenommen werden kann. Hierzu werden meistens Mikrofone in dem Bereich der Armaturentafel oder im Bereich der Dacharmatur oder am Innenspiegel angeordnet. Bei ansonsten einfachen Freisprecheinrichtungen bei Autotelefonanlagen oder aber auch bei sprachgesteuerten Eingabeschnittstellen an elektronischen Geräten stellen einfache Mikrofone oder Mikrofonanordnungen oftmals ein Problem dar. Die Sprachnachrichten werden dabei von Fahrgeräuschen überlagert, was nicht nur bei Freisprechtelefonanlagen sondern auch bei sprachgesteuerten Eingabeeinheiten problematisch wird.It is important that the sound is picked up or can be picked up in the immediate vicinity of the head of the vehicle occupant or the driver. For this purpose, microphones are usually arranged in the area of the dashboard or in the area of the roof fitting or on the inside mirror. With otherwise simple hands-free systems in car telephone systems or also with voice-controlled input interfaces on electronic devices, simple microphones or microphone arrangements are often a problem. The voice messages are overlaid by driving noises, which is problematic not only for hands-free telephone systems but also for voice-controlled input units.
Aus der DE 19608869 A 1 ist eine Sprachbedieneinrichtung für Komponenten in Kraftfahrzeugen bekannt, bei welcher die Betätigung der Bedieneinrichtung durch die Sprache eine Rückmeldung generiert, mit welcher sichergestellt werden kann, ob die Bedieneinrichtung den sprachgesteuerten Befehl richtig entgegengenommen hat. Eine Sprachbedieneinrichtung dieser Art konzentriert sich auch hinsichtlich ihrer Mikrofonausgestaltung lediglich auf eine herkömmlich Mikrofonausbildung bzw. Mikrofonanordnung.From DE 19608869 A 1 a voice control device for components in motor vehicles is known, in which the actuation of the control device by the voice generates a feedback with which it can be ensured whether the control device has correctly accepted the voice-controlled command. A voice control device of this type also concentrates only on a conventional microphone training or microphone arrangement with regard to its microphone design.
Aus der DE 19533541 C 1 ist ein sprachgesteuertes Bedienverfahren ähnlicher Art bekannt. Hierbei wird jedoch die Sprachsteuerung als solches behandelt. Um hierbei eine sichere Bedienung zu erreichen, wird ein sehr aufwendiges Spracherkennungsverfahren eingesetzt, bei welchem die Aspekte Geräuschreduktion, Echokompensation, Merkmalsextraktion, Syntax- und Semantikprüfung voneinander separat behandelt werden. Dabei geht es lediglich darum, dieA voice-controlled operating method of a similar type is known from DE 19533541 C1. However, voice control is treated as such. In order to achieve safe operation, a very complex speech recognition process is used at which the aspects of noise reduction, echo compensation, feature extraction, syntax and semantics checking are dealt with separately. It's just about the
verfügbaren Sprachsignale in einer bestmöglichen Art und Weise nachzubearbeiten. Eine Verbesserung der Sprachqualität als solches bzw. eine Verbesserung der Sprachsignalaufnahme, bleibt hierbei außer Betracht.postprocessing available speech signals in the best possible way. An improvement in the voice quality as such or an improvement in the voice signal recording is not considered here.
Aus der EP 0721178 A 2 ist ein Multikanal-Kommunikationssystem mit mehreren Mikrofonen und mehreren Lautsprechern bekannt. Die gesamte Anlage ist dabei ausgelegt für mindestens zwei sprechende Personen, die in Sende- / Empfangsbetrieb zueinander geschaltet sind. Die Übertragsmittel selektieren die Sprachnachricht aus einer Gesamtgeräuschkulisse. Bei einer Anwendung für Kraftfahrzeuge wird ein sogenanntes Fehler- oder Vergleichsmikrofon über den Sicherheitsgurt sehr nahe an die sprechende Person gebracht. Der Mikrofonort ist auch hierbei festgelegt. Im übrigen ist die Ausführung gemäß dieser Schrift auf den Sende-/ Empfangsbetrieb zweier oder mehrerer Personen ausgelegt.A multi-channel communication system with several microphones and several loudspeakers is known from EP 0721178 A 2. The entire system is designed for at least two speaking people who are connected to each other in the transmit / receive mode. The transmission means select the voice message from an overall background noise. In an application for motor vehicles, a so-called error or comparison microphone is brought very close to the speaking person via the seat belt. The microphone location is also determined here. Otherwise, the design according to this document is designed for the transmission / reception operation of two or more people.
So ist des weiteren aus der EP 0773531 A 2 ein frequenzselektives Konrollsystem für akustische Anlagen bekannt. Hierbei steht die Verhinderung der Übersteuerung im Vordergrund. Eine Verbesserung der Empfangsqualität der Sprachnachricht bleibt hierbei außer acht. Ein System ähnlicher Art ist auch aus der EP 0721179 A 2 bekannt. Das dort offenbarte adaptive tonale Kontrollsystem zur Eliminierung von Stabilitätsproblemen behandelt vordergründig ebenfalls die Verhinderung der bereits erwähnten Übersteuerung.Furthermore, a frequency-selective control system for acoustic systems is known from EP 0773531 A 2. Prevention of overdrive is the focus here. An improvement in the reception quality of the voice message is neglected. A system of a similar type is also known from EP 0721179 A 2. The adaptive tonal control system disclosed there for eliminating stability problems also treats the prevention of the oversteer mentioned above.
Grundsätzlich zeigt dieser Querschnitt aus dem Stand der Technik, daß man sich grundsätzlich mit der Verbesserung des bereits empfangenen Sprachsignales beschäftigt. Eine Verbesserung der Aufnahmequalität am Ort der Spracherzeugung wird jedoch vielfach, wenn nicht sogar grundsätzlich vernachlässigt.Basically, this cross-section from the prior art shows that one is fundamentally concerned with improving the voice signal already received. However, an improvement in the recording quality at the location of the speech production is neglected in many cases, if not in principle.
Der Erfindung liegt somit die Aufgabe zugrunde, ein Verfahren sowie eine Einrichtung der gattungsgemäßen Art dahingehend weiter zu entwickeln, daß die Aufnahmequalität des in das System eingegebenen Sprachsignales grundsätzlich verbessert wird. Die gestellte Aufgabe ist bei einem Verfahren der gattungsgemäßen Art erfindungsgemäß durch die kennzeichnenden Merkmale des Patentanspruches 1 gelöst.The invention is therefore based on the object of further developing a method and a device of the generic type in such a way that the recording quality of the voice signal input into the system is fundamentally improved. The stated object is achieved according to the invention in a method of the generic type by the characterizing features of patent claim 1.
Hinsichtlich einer Einrichtung der gattungsgemäßen Art ist die gestellte Aufgabe erfindungsgemäß durch die kennzeichnenden Merkmale des Patentanspruches 6 gelöst.With regard to a device of the generic type, the object is achieved according to the invention by the characterizing features of claim 6.
Weitere vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens sind in den Ansprüchen 2 bis 5 angegeben, und weitergehende Ausgestaltungen hinsichtlich der erfindungsgemäßen Einrichtung sind in den übrigen Patentansprüchen 7 bis 10 angegeben.Further advantageous refinements of the method according to the invention are specified in claims 2 to 5, and further refinements with regard to the device according to the invention are specified in the remaining claims 7 to 10.
Zentralpunkt bei der Erfindung sowohl in verfahrensgemäßer, als auch in einrichtungsgemäßer Hinsicht, ist die Festlegung eines virtuellen optimierten Mikrofonortes. Dieser wird bestimmungsgemäß dort virtuell festgelegt, wo die Sprach-quelle ist, d.h., am Ort des Kopfes der sprechenden Person. Diese sogenannte räumliche Geräusch- oder Sprachquellenerkennung kann z.B. mittels Laufzeitmessung vorgenommen werden. Bei einer Mehrfachanordnung von Mikrofonen führt dies dazu, daß während des Sprechvorganges mittels einer Laufzeitmessung die Sprachquelle in ihrer räumlichen Position erkannt werden kann. Die Mikrofone werden nach Betrag und Phase so aufaddiert, daß die Nutzsignale aufaddiert und verstärkt werden, die zum Nutzsignal nicht korrelierten Störsignale aber optimal ausgeblendet werden. Damit haben alle Mikrofone eine unterstützende Funktion und gehen in die Bewertung mit ein. Es handelt sich nicht um ein Nachbehandeln des Mikrofonsignales sondern um eine Verbesserung des in die Übertragungskette eingespeisten Sprachsignales.The central point of the invention, both in terms of the method and in terms of the device, is the definition of a virtual, optimized microphone location. As intended, this is defined virtually where the language source is, i.e. at the location of the speaker's head. This so-called spatial noise or speech source recognition can e.g. be carried out by means of transit time measurement. In the case of a multiple arrangement of microphones, this means that the speech source can be recognized in its spatial position by means of a transit time measurement during the speech process. The amount and phase of the microphones are added in such a way that the useful signals are added and amplified, but the interference signals which are not correlated with the useful signal are optimally masked out. This means that all microphones have a supporting function and are included in the evaluation. It is not a question of post-processing the microphone signal, but rather an improvement of the speech signal fed into the transmission chain.
Besonders vorteilhaft ist der sowohl verfahrensgemäße als auch einrichtungsgemäße Grundgedanke der Erfindung dadurch, daß ein auf diese Weise selektiviertes Mikrofon bzw. die hier zugrunde liegende Laufzeitmessung mit einer Positionsbestimmung des Kopfes der sprechenden Person kombiniert werden kann.The principle of the invention, both in terms of the method and of the device, is particularly advantageous in that a microphone which has been selected in this way or the transit time measurement on which it is based can be combined with a position determination of the head of the speaking person.
Aus der US 5366241 sind zwar Mittel zur Ermittlung der Kopfposition bekannt, die zur Airbagsteuerung dienen. Dabei wird die Kopfposition jedoch mit generierten Schallwellen ermittelt. Eine Kombination mit einem sprachbetriebenen Mikrofon ist dabei nicht erwähnt. 4From US 5366241, means for determining the head position are known which are used for airbag control. However, the head position is determined using generated sound waves. A combination with a voice-operated microphone is not mentioned. 4
In weiterer vorteilhafter Ausgestaltung können dann die so über die Sprachquel-Ienerkennung bzw. die sogenannte virtuelle Mikrofonortbestimmung Kopfpositionsdaten erzeugt werden, über welche die Sicherheitssysteme qualifiziert ansteuerbar sind. D.h., parallel zum üblichen Sprechbetrieb bei Autotelefonen oder Spracheingabeeinheiten wird zusätzlich die Kopfposition ermittelt, ohne dabei zusätzliche weitergehende Mittel zur Verfügung stellen zu müssen. D.h., befindet sich der Kopf zum Airbagsystem in einer ungünstigen Position, so kann im Bedarfsfalle das Sicherheitssystem so angesteuert werden, daß eine Airbagauslösung unterbleibt.In a further advantageous embodiment, the head position data can be generated in this way via the speech source recognition or the so-called virtual microphone location determination, via which the security systems can be controlled in a qualified manner. In other words, the head position is also determined in parallel to the normal speech mode for car telephones or voice input units, without having to provide any additional means. In other words, if the head of the airbag system is in an unfavorable position, the safety system can be controlled if necessary so that the airbag is not triggered.
Das System ist damit insgesamt multifunktional, wobei im wesentlichen jedoch die Erhöhung der Sprachqualität am Erfassungsort gegeben ist. Dies führt zu einer verständlicheren Übertragung während des Sprechbetriebes bei einer Autotelefonanlage. Darüber hinaus werden bei spracheingabegesteuerten Einheiten im Kraftfahrzeug die Sprachkommandos sicherer erkannt und umgesetzt.The system is thus multifunctional overall, although there is essentially an increase in the voice quality at the point of detection. This leads to a more understandable transmission during speech operation in a car telephone system. In addition, the voice commands are recognized and implemented more reliably in voice input-controlled units in the motor vehicle.
Die Erfindung ist in der Zeichnung dargestellt und nachfolgend näher beschrieben.The invention is illustrated in the drawing and described in more detail below.
Es zeigt:It shows:
Figur 1 : Grundsätzlicher Aufbau in Systemübersicht.Figure 1: Basic structure in system overview.
Figur 2: Ausführungsbeispiel für einen erfindungsgemäßen elektronischen Aufbau.Figure 2: embodiment of an electronic structure according to the invention.
In der Figur 1 ist der Aufbau der grundsätzlichen Elemente sowie die funktionalen Verbindung derselben untereinander dargestellt. Dabei wird auf detaillierte Darstellungen verzichtet und lediglich eine Systemübersicht gezeigt.FIG. 1 shows the structure of the basic elements as well as the functional connection between them. There are no detailed descriptions and only a system overview is shown.
Eine Mehrzahl von Mikrofonen 1 , 2 , 3, ist innerhalb des Kraftfahrzeuges räumlich verteilt angeordnet. Dabei kann bei einer entsprechenden günstig gewählten Positionierung auch eine Anordnung mit zwei Mikrofonen genügen. Darüber hinaus kann es durchaus vorteilhaft sein, sogar noch mehr als drei Mikrofone anzuordnen. Die Wahl der Mikrofonorte ist dabei beliebig und können somit entweder in Armaturen fest installiert sein, oder mittels weiterer Befestigungselemente räumlich im Kraftfahrzeug verteilt sein. Grundsätzlich bleibt jedoch die Tatsache daß pro Platz mehrere Mikrofone benötigt werden. Für eine exakte 3-D-Lokalisierung werden aber 3 Mikrofone benötigt. Dabei müssen die Mikrofonorte einen 3-dimensionalen Raum aufspannen und dürfen nicht in einer Ebene liegen. Sind dagegen die Mikrofone zu weit entfernt voneinander, so ist die Laufzeit- bzw. Korrelationsmessung nicht ausreichend genau.A plurality of microphones 1, 2, 3 is arranged spatially distributed within the motor vehicle. In this case, an arrangement with two microphones can suffice with a correspondingly favorably chosen positioning. In addition, it can be advantageous to arrange even more than three microphones. The choice of microphone locations is arbitrary and can either be permanently installed in fittings or be spatially distributed in the motor vehicle by means of further fastening elements. Basically, however, the fact remains that several microphones are required per seat. However, 3 microphones are required for exact 3-D localization. The microphone locations must span a 3-dimensional space and must not be on one level. If, on the other hand, the microphones are too far apart, the transit time or correlation measurement is not sufficiently accurate.
Sämtliche Mikrofone liefern dabei ein entsprechendes Signal, welches zu einer Signaiauswertung 10 zusammengeführt wird. Wird nun im Fahrzeug eine Sprachnachricht aufgegeben, so wird diese von allen Mikrofonen empfangen. Da diese jedoch räumlich verteilt sind, ist zum einen die Qualität des empfangenen Signals unterschiedlich, und zum anderen entstehen bei genauester Auswertung Laufzeitunterschiede, die durch die begrenzte Schallgeschwindigkeit erzeugt werden. So wird innerhalb der Signalauswertung 10 dann eine Laufzeitermittlung durchgeführt, und aus der Korrelation aller Mikrofonsignale der Ort der Geräusch- bzw. Spracherzeugung bestimmt. Die so ermittelten räumlichen Koordinaten für die Sprach-quelle lassen sodann eine elektronische Ermittlung des sogenannten virtuellen Mikrofonortes zu. Mit anderen Worten heißt dies, daß die Mehrzahl der Mikrofonsignale aus den verteilt angeordneten Mikrofonen durch Korrelation aller Signale den besagten virtuellen Mikrofonort ergeben, welcher die günstigste Position zum Kopf der sprechenden Person nachbildet. Verändert sich nun die Lage des Kopfes, so wird dies wiederum von der Mehrfachanordnung der Mikrofone entsprechend registriert und mittels besagter Laufzeitmessung der virtuelle Mikrofonort durch eine Verschiebung der Wichtung der Mikrofonsignale quasi nachgeführt. Da die Bewertung auf elektronische Weise erfolgt, läuft die gesamte Verfahrensweise nahezu unverzüglich, d.h., ohne nennenswerte merkbare Zeitverzögerung, ab.All microphones deliver a corresponding signal, which is combined to form a signal evaluation 10. If a voice message is now given in the vehicle, it is received by all microphones. However, since these are spatially distributed, on the one hand the quality of the received signal is different, and on the other hand, with the most precise evaluation, runtime differences arise which are generated by the limited speed of sound. A runtime determination is then carried out within the signal evaluation 10, and the location of the noise or speech generation is determined from the correlation of all microphone signals. The spatial coordinates for the speech source determined in this way then permit electronic determination of the so-called virtual microphone location. In other words, the majority of the microphone signals from the microphones arranged in a distributed manner, by correlating all signals, result in the said virtual microphone location, which simulates the most favorable position relative to the head of the speaking person. If the position of the head changes, this is in turn registered accordingly by the multiple arrangement of the microphones and the virtual microphone location is tracked by shifting the weighting of the microphone signals by means of said runtime measurement. Since the evaluation is carried out electronically, the entire procedure takes place almost immediately, i.e. without any noticeable noticeable time delay.
Eine weitere Verfahrensweise kann jedoch auch darin bestehen, daß grundsätzlich immer alle Mikrofonsignale bewertet werden, und mittels einer Plausibilitätsprüfung durch Vergleich der einzelnen Mikrofonsignale die Sprachnachricht kontinuierlich verifiziert werden kann.A further procedure can, however, also consist in the fact that basically all microphone signals are always evaluated, and the voice message can be continuously verified by means of a plausibility check by comparing the individual microphone signals.
Unabhängig von der nun tatsächlich vorliegenden Verfahrensweise ist die Signalauswertung 10 in einer Ausgestaltung der Erfindung bidirektional signal-technisch mit einer nachfolgenden Mikrofonortbestimmungseinheit 20 verbunden. Innerhalb dieser Mikrofonortbestimmungseinheit kann dann entweder eine Empfangskeulenbestimmung und eine entsprechende Berechnung vorgenommen werden oder die Auswahl des momentanen Hauptmikrofones festgelegt werden. Dem nachfolgend ist die Mikrofonortbestimmungseinheit 20 wiederum signaltechnisch mit einer Berechnungseinheit 30 verbunden, mit deren Hilfe aus den ermittelten Daten bzw. Signalen eine Lagebestimmung des Kopfes durchführt wird. Hierbei kann nun die weitergehende Berechnung, beispielsweise in einem Vergleich mit Mustern, liegen. Der Vergleich mit Mustern kann dabei die Rechenzeit erheblich verkürzen, weil dann nicht jedes Mal ab initio gerechnet werden muß. Die sogenannten „out of Position" - Positionen des Kopfes der sprechenden Person, im Hinblick auf eine Airbag-Auslösung, können unmittelbar erkannt werden. Somit ist die Berechnungseinheit 30 nachfolgend mit der Signalerzeugung für die Sicherheitssysteme 40 wie Airbag, Gurtstraffer und dergleichen mehr, verbunden.Regardless of the procedure that is actually present, in one embodiment of the invention the signal evaluation 10 is connected bidirectionally in terms of signal technology to a subsequent microphone location determination unit 20. Within this microphone location determination unit, either a reception lobe determination and a corresponding calculation can then be carried out or the selection of the current main microphone can be determined. Following this, the microphone location determination unit 20 is in turn connected in terms of signal technology to a calculation unit 30, with the aid of which a determination of the position of the head is carried out from the determined data or signals. The further calculation, for example in a comparison with samples, can now lie here. The comparison with samples can shorten the computing time considerably, because then you do not have to calculate every time from initio. The so-called "out of position" positions of the head of the speaking person with regard to an airbag deployment can be recognized immediately. Thus, the calculation unit 30 is subsequently connected to the signal generation for the safety systems 40 such as airbag, belt tensioners and the like .
Die bidirektionale Verbindung SB zwischen der Signalauswertung 10 und der Mikrofonortbestimmungseinheit 20 ermöglicht die hierbei im Mittelpunkt stehende Ansteuerung der Mikrofone, abhängig von der Position des Kopfes der sprechenden Person.The bidirectional connection SB between the signal evaluation 10 and the microphone location determination unit 20 enables the control of the microphones, which is the focus here, depending on the position of the head of the speaking person.
Bewegt sich nun der Kopf der entsprechenden Person während des Sprechbetriebes, so findet durch die Erfindung sozusagen eine Nachführung eines virtuellen Mikrofonortes statt. D.h., beginnt der Sprechbetrieb bei einem lagemäßig optimierten Mikrofon X 1 und verändert sich die Position während des Sprechbetriebes, so findet eine Nachführung des optimalen Mikrofonortes während des Sprechbetriebes beispielsweise durch eine Verlagerung auf das Mikrofon X 2 als quasi dominantes Mikrofon statt. D.h., der einmal als optimal ermittelte virtuelle Mikrofonort verändert sich natürlich dann, wenn sich die Lage des Kopfes der sprechenden Person verändert. Dies ist im Wesen der Erfindung erfaßt und hier auf vorteilhaft einfache Weise gelöst. Es ist ein Sonderfall wenn der virtuelle Mikrofonort mit einem der tatsächlichen Mikrofone zusammenfällt. In der Hauptsache findet jedoch eine kollektive Mikrofonsignalbewertung statt, bei welcher die Richtcharakteristik durch entsprechende Verschiebung der quasi Rangordnung in der Bewertung der einzelnen Mikrofonsignale an die geänderte Lage des Kopfes angepaßt wird.If the head of the corresponding person now moves during speech operation, the invention, so to speak, tracks a virtual microphone location. In other words, if the speech mode starts with a positionally optimized microphone X 1 and the position changes during the speech mode, the optimum microphone location is tracked during the speech mode, for example by shifting to the microphone X 2 as a quasi-dominant microphone. This means that the virtual microphone location, once determined as optimal, naturally changes when the position of the head of the speaking person changes. This is captured in the essence of the invention and solved here in an advantageously simple manner. It is a special case if the virtual microphone location coincides with one of the actual microphones. In the main, however, a collective microphone signal evaluation takes place, in which the directional characteristic is adapted to the changed position of the head by correspondingly shifting the quasi-ranking in the evaluation of the individual microphone signals.
Die Mikrofonorte der verteilt angeordneten Mikrofone sind abhängig von der Fahrzeugkonfiguration. Grundsätzlich vorteilhaft ist somit die Anordnung von mindestens 2 Mikrofonen pro Person. Es kann auch so sein, daß eine ungradzahlige Anzahl von Mikrofonen verwendet wird, wobei dann eins oder mehrere Mikrofone mehreren Personen zugeordnet ist bzw. sind. Figur 2 zeigt eine einfache prinzipielle Schaltungsanordnung zur Realisierung der in Figur 1 lediglich systematisch dargestellten Funktionsweise.The microphone locations of the distributed microphones depend on the vehicle configuration. The arrangement of at least 2 microphones per person is therefore fundamentally advantageous. It may also be the case that an odd number of microphones is used, one or more microphones then being assigned to a plurality of people. FIG. 2 shows a simple basic circuit arrangement for realizing the mode of operation shown only systematically in FIG. 1.
Die Mikrofone 1,2,3 sind jeweils mit einem einstellbaren Verstärker 4,5,6 verbunden. Gesteuert werden diese einstellbaren Verstärker über die Bewertungseinrichtung 7. Zwei der einstellbaren Verstärker können steuerseitig auch gekoppelt bzw. korrelierend gekoppelt sein. Des weiteren werden die einzelnen Verstärkerausgangssignale ebenfalls auf die besagte Bewertungseinrichtung 7 gegeben. Parallel dazu werden die verstärkten Mikrofonsignale auf einen Addierer 8 geschaltet, der ausgangsseitig mit der Einrichtung 9 zur Übertragung der Audiosignale verschaltet ist. The microphones 1,2,3 are each connected to an adjustable amplifier 4,5,6. These adjustable amplifiers are controlled via the evaluation device 7. Two of the adjustable amplifiers can also be coupled or correlated on the control side. Furthermore, the individual amplifier output signals are also sent to said evaluation device 7. At the same time, the amplified microphone signals are connected to an adder 8, which is connected on the output side to the device 9 for transmitting the audio signals.

Claims

PAT E N TA N S P R Ü C H E PAT EN TA NSPRÜ CHE
1. Verfahren zum Betrieb einer Mikrofonanordnung, insbesondere bei einem Kraftfahrzeug, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß zur Nachführung eines virtuellen, zur Position einer beweglichen Sprachquelle optimierten Mikrofonortes, der Sprachschall an mehreren räumlich verteilten Orten erfaßt und aus der Bewertung der Variablen, wie Laufzeit und/oder Phase und/oder Amplitude, die einzelnen Mikrofonorte gewichtet werden und die Audiosignale der Mikrofone entsprechend aufaddiert oder anderweitig kombiniert werden.1. A method for operating a microphone arrangement, in particular in a motor vehicle, characterized in that for tracking a virtual microphone location optimized for the position of a movable speech source, the speech sound is recorded at several spatially distributed locations and from the evaluation of the variables, such as transit time and / or Phase and / or amplitude, the individual microphone locations are weighted and the audio signals of the microphones are added up or combined in some other way.
2. Verfahren zum Betrieb einer Mikrofonanordnung nach Anspruch 1 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Bewertung der Mikrofonsignale bzw. die virtuelle Mikrofonortbestimmung durch eine Schallaufzeitbewertung zu bzw. zwischen den einzelnen Mikrofonen erfolgt.2. The method for operating a microphone arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the evaluation of the microphone signals or the virtual microphone location is determined by a sound propagation time evaluation to or between the individual microphones.
3. Verfahren zum Betrieb einer Mikrofonanordnung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß durch simultane Bewertungen aller Mikrofonsignale die Richtcharakteristik der gesamten Mikrofonanordnung durch Verschiebung der Verstärkung oder der Phase oder der Laufzeit der einzelnen Mikrofonsignale der geänderten Lage der Sprachquelle nachgeführt wird.3. A method of operating a microphone arrangement according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the directional characteristic of the entire microphone arrangement is tracked by simultaneous evaluations of all microphone signals by shifting the gain or the phase or the running time of the individual microphone signals of the changed position of the speech source.
4. Verfahren zum Betrieb einer Mikrofonanordnung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß aus den ermittelten Variablen bzw. Parametern die Lage/Position des Kopfes/Sprachquelle ermittelt wird und diese als Entscheidungskriterium für die Auslösung von Sicherheitssystemen, wie Airbag, herangezogen wird.4. A method for operating a microphone arrangement according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the position / position of the head / language source is determined from the variables or parameters determined and this is used as a decision criterion for triggering safety systems, such as airbag becomes.
5. Einrichtung zum Betrieb einer Mikrofonanordnung, insbesondere in einem Kraftfahrzeug, bei welcher über die Mikrofonanordnung Sprachsignale in eine Audio- oder Telefonanlage oder in sprachgesteuerte Eingabeeinheiten von Geräten eingebbar ist, oder im Rahmen einer aktiven Geräuschkompensation, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Mikrofonanordnung mindestens zwei räumlich verteilt angeordnete Mikrofone (1 ,2, ...) enthält, daß die Signale aller Mikrofone (1,2, ...) zu einer Signalauswertung (10) zusammenführbar sind, und daß diese Signalauswertung (10) nachfolgend mit Mitteln (20,30) logisch derart verschaltet ist, daß aus der Gesamtheit der Mikrofonsignale ein zur Schall- bzw. Sprachquelle optimales Mikrofon oder eine kollektiv ermittelbare Richtcharakteristik temporär auswählbar/ansteuerbar ist.5. Device for operating a microphone arrangement, in particular in a motor vehicle, in which speech signals into an audio or telephone system via the microphone arrangement or can be input into voice-controlled input units of devices, or as part of an active noise compensation, characterized in that the microphone arrangement contains at least two spatially distributed microphones (1, 2, ...) that the signals of all microphones (1,2,. ..) can be combined to form a signal evaluation (10), and that this signal evaluation (10) is subsequently logically interconnected by means (20, 30) in such a way that from the entirety of the microphone signals an optimal microphone or sound source for the sound or speech source Determinable directional characteristic can be temporarily selected / controlled.
6. Einrichtung zum Betrieb einer Mikrofonanordnung nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die besagten Mittel aus einer Mikrofonortbestimmungseinheit (20) und einer nachfolgenden weiteren Berechnungseinheit (30) bestehen.6. Device for operating a microphone arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that said means consist of a microphone location determination unit (20) and a subsequent further calculation unit (30).
7. Einrichtung zum Betrieb einer Mikrofonanordnung nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß innerhalb der Mikrofonortbestimmungseinheit (20) aus der simultanen Bewertung aller Mikrofonsignale eine virtuelle Mikrofonortbestimmung durchführbar ist, die der beweglichen Position der Sprachquelle nachführbar ist.7. Device for operating a microphone arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that within the microphone location determination unit (20) from the simultaneous evaluation of all microphone signals, a virtual microphone location determination can be carried out, which can be tracked the movable position of the speech source.
8. Einrichtung zum Betrieb einer Mikrofonanordnung nach einem oder mehreren der Ansprüche 5 bis 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die signaltechnische Verbindung zwischen Signalauswertung (10) und der Mikrofonortbestimmungseinheit (20) bidirektional ausgelegt ist, derart, daß über das in der Mikrofonortbestimmungseinheit (20) ermittelbare Ergebnis des virtuellen Mikrofonortes ein Rücksignal an die Signalauswertung (10) gebbar ist, um die Mikrofone (1 ,2,3) hernach gezielt anzusteuern bzw. abzurufen.8. Device for operating a microphone arrangement according to one or more of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the signaling connection between signal evaluation (10) and the microphone location determination unit (20) is designed bidirectionally, such that that in the microphone location determination unit (20) Ascertainable result of the virtual microphone location, a return signal can be given to the signal evaluation (10) in order to then selectively control or call up the microphones (1, 2, 3).
9. Einrichtung zum Betrieb einer Mikrofonanordnung nach einem oder mehreren der Ansprüche 5 bis 8, 109. Device for operating a microphone arrangement according to one or more of claims 5 to 8, 10
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Berechnungseinheit (30), in welcher aus den ermittelten Daten die jeweilige aktuelle Position der Schallquelle ermittelbar ist, eine Bewertung derart erfolgt, daß in entsprechend ungünstiger Position ein Blockiersignal auf die Sicherheitssysteme (40), wie Airbag, Gurtstraffer und dergleichen, gebbar ist.characterized in that the calculation unit (30), in which the respective current position of the sound source can be determined from the determined data, is evaluated in such a way that, in a correspondingly unfavorable position, a blocking signal on the safety systems (40), such as airbag, belt tensioners and the like , can be given.
10. Einrichtung zum Betrieb einer Mikrofonanordnung nach einem oder mehreren der Ansprüche 5 bis 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß zur bestimmungsgemäßen Bewertung der Mikrofonsignale die Mikrofone (1 ,2,3) ausgangsseitig mit jeweils einem einstellbaren Verstärker (4,5,6) verbunden sind, welche jeweils einzeln oder gekoppelt über eine Bewertungseinrichtung (7) einstellbar sind, daß die Ausgänge der Verstärker (4,5,6) mit einem mit einer Einrichtung (9) zur Übertragung der Audiosignale verbundenen Addierer (8) verschaltet sind und die jeweiligen Ausgänge der Verstärker (4,5,6) parallel auch mit der Bewertungseinrichtung (7) informationsrückkoppelnd verschaltet sind. 10. Device for operating a microphone arrangement according to one or more of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the microphones (1, 2, 3) are connected on the output side to an adjustable amplifier (4, 5, 6) for the intended evaluation of the microphone signals Each of which can be set individually or coupled via an evaluation device (7), that the outputs of the amplifiers (4, 5, 6) are connected to an adder (8) connected to a device (9) for transmitting the audio signals and the respective outputs the amplifier (4, 5, 6) are also connected in parallel to the evaluation device (7) in a feedback-feeding manner.
EP99910231A 1998-03-23 1999-02-17 Method and device for operating a microphone system, especially in a motor vehicle Expired - Lifetime EP1064822B1 (en)

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