EP1219027B1 - Method and device for operating an audio device in a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for operating a Audioeinanlage in a motor vehicle, in which traffic broadcasts per Receiving a specific identifier can be detected, and from the current one Audio playback on traffic information automatically switched and / or manually is switched and is switched back at the end of the traffic announcement, wherein during the time of the traffic announcement a level increase of the volume is effected, according to the preamble of claims 1 and 8.

Most of all intended for motor vehicles audio systems, ie car radio, have an electronic detection of traffic announcements. The General mode of the car audio systems is such that even at the current Listening to a non-radio station, or listening to music media such as cassette or CD same upon receipt of a station ID for a traffic announcement to be interrupted. In radio mode, this means that the radio is receiving such an identifier immediately switches from the currently owned station, if this no Traffic news station is, to the said traffic radio station on the current one Announcement follows. In the event that the currently set station or the current Sender was not the traffic information station, returns after the end of the Traffic announcement by a second identifier, the device automatically back to the the original station or to the original music carrier playback. Furthermore, systems are known in which by means of AM transmitters with low Range on defined frequencies valid for this section Traffic messages are sent on an endless band constantly repeat and update as needed. Since these frequencies are firmly defined, Frequently, a station button of the audio system is allocated with corresponding frequencies. Other audio systems themselves check on which frequency traffic reports be received and occupy a provided for retrieving the traffic reports Control element with it. This has the advantage that the user is not limited to the AM area to switch to the corresponding AM station button.

It is common that for the traffic announcement a level increase of the volume is done automatically. This is to ensure that the traffic information announcement clearly and
can be understood clearly and unmistakably, without having to readjust the volume accordingly. Many devices therefore have a presetting of the volume of a traffic announcement, ie the user can either limit the same or increase arbitrarily and store the said level also.

In addition, there are various for the provision of traffic announcements Procedures. Tied are the traffic announcements or the Traffic radio station to the locally or regionally valid transmitter. It should be the Traffic jams or traffic announcements are indeed current and limited to the Catchment area located in the reception area of the respective station.

Often signs are attached to the edge of the highways, which the show according to current traffic radio station with appropriate frequency. The driver can then select said frequency or, for example at RDS device to retrieve the corresponding station. This requires one appropriate setting, which must be readjusted several times if the Leaves a transmitter range and in the range of effectiveness of a vehicle new transmitter enters.

From EP 0 558 918 B 1 it is known an adjustment of the volume at switch over in the so-called EON mode. EON operation means one Mode in which any transmitter can be heard and at each current traffic announcement causes a switch to the traffic information station and then back to the originally tuned station is reached.

From DE 195 26 092 A1 it is known the volume of an audio system in Motor vehicle adapt to the background noise level.

EP 0 795 974 A 2 discloses a method and a receiver for reproducing received spoken messages, as well as a method for transmitting spoken messages. It is provided that when receiving a group of the data signal with predetermined content, the playback device is set to the playback of simultaneously received audio signals with a predetermined volume and or simultaneously received audio signals are stored. As a result, important spoken messages which can not be encoded in the TMC system can be reproduced at the receiver at an increased volume or after the playback of a recording has been switched off. It also describes a method for transmitting spoken messages and a receiver for receiving voice messages, which also correspond to the above-mentioned mode of operation. EP 0 580 157 B1 discloses a so-called vehicle-track guidance device, in other words a navigation system for motor vehicles, which is provided with an automatic volume level adjustment. In this case, the volume level is raised in the passage of a Wegzielführungsinformation to achieve a clear understanding and stand out from other background noise. From the Patent Abstract of Japan vol. 015, no. 114 (E-1047) pub.nr. 03004624, a method according to the preamble of claim 1 is also known.
All methods and devices have in common that the volume level increase is undifferentiated and thus can automatically assume a level that may be acoustically unpleasant for the driver concerned.

In this case, special consideration should be taken that different styles of music are heard even at different volumes. For example, music plays by classical music stations tend to be heard more quietly than plays by pop music stations.
A corresponding level adjustment in the known manner, however, does not consider differentiation here.

The invention is therefore based on the object to improve a method and a device of the generic type such that the relative level adjustments of the volume more differentiated adapted to the previously and subsequently heard music playback
become.

The task is in a method of the generic type solved according to the invention by the characterizing features of claim 1.

Further advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention are in the dependent claims 2-7 specified.

With regard to a generic device is the task solved according to the invention by the characterizing features of claim 8.

Further advantageous embodiments of the device according to the invention are in dependent claims in 9 and 10 indicated.

Core of the inventive method is that the volume level during the traffic announcement depending on the modulation of the before Traffic announcement currently tuned station or the previously heard Music carrier playback is regulated.

In this case, depending on the mean AM modulation level as well as in Dependence on the mean FM-hub of the traffic news announcement tuned station or playback or in response to both become.

The procedures, which can be used either together or separately are based, the finding that classical channels a small FM hub and have a low AM modulation and therefore have a quiet effect. Popsender against it have a large FM hub and a large AM modulation level. The level adjustment should now be dependent on the average modulation of the before the traffic announcement set and after the traffic announcement again returning station or playback.

In a further advantageous embodiment, it is stated that the mean AM modulation degree and or the average FM hub is determined for each transmitter and then the average volume level on the at a traffic announcement is determined is determined.

In a further advantageous embodiment, it is indicated that the respective transmitter-specific mean FM stroke and or the average AM modulation level respectively stored stations are assigned and also stored, or also regularly renewed. The latter happens automatically. This has the advantage that the respective transmitter or station buttons and the respective valid level conditions between normal playback or normal reception and traffic reception assigned to the characteristic transmitter tuned and stored. For this, the corresponding current level values must correspond to the corresponding transmitters be assigned and stored.

This is achieved by using a corresponding transmitter by means of Station key presses the respective mean AM modulation or the middle FM hub is also retrieved, which is typical for the corresponding transmitter, and in correspondingly, a volume level influencing takes place as soon as Traffic announcements are activated.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that even with spontaneously tuned transmitters appropriate determination of mean FM stroke and / or average AM modulation takes place at the moment of a traffic announcement and at the end of it to be able to adjust or adjust the volume level accordingly.

With regard to the device according to the invention it is provided that the same so the Receiving unit an AM modulation and or an FM hub rating unit whose determined values correspond to the currently set transmitter, or the currently reproduced medium assigned stored, and that the said Unit is logically connected to the volume level control. It is intended that the traffic is adjustable via a special traffic button, and then always detected the locally strongest radio station capable transmitter. In this way does not need to manually switch between individual frequencies or stations be switched when several areas go through in a long drive become.

Further advantageous is that the volume level control logically with the Transmitter memory is interconnected to the said assigned storage of To ensure level values to the transmitters.

Furthermore, it is provided that a manual or a hierarchically superior Manual volume level intervention should be possible and thus provided. With help from this, the automatic level adjustment can be canceled and it is done a manual personal attitude. However, this can also be stored again be.

The invention carries both in accordance with the procedure as well as in setup Be aware of the fact that so-called fixed offsets in terms of leveling or lowering, as used in common facilities, only one Compromise.

In contrast, the invention essentially distinguishes several groups of transmitters, the distinction is also electronically enforceable. Sender, for example Classical stations, which are usually quietly heard, differ accordingly clearly from broadcasters, for example pops, which are usually heard aloud. However, the dynamics in the music genres are electronically detectable by the AM modulation degree and the FM hub, in the manner already described.

It is avoided that according to the traffic announcement the previously heard transmitter the Vehicle occupants, so to speak roars and an emeuter handle for volume control must be made. The overall compensation of both the level lifting during the traffic announcement as well as the level reduction on return to the original station or the original playback now takes place automatically and in a way that works for the occupants, especially for the Driver is comfortable or are.

The invention is illustrated in the drawing and described in more detail below.

The figure shows a central unit of a receiving unit 1. The receiving unit. 1 is provided with an antenna not shown here, the corresponding Broadcast signals, including the traffic station receives. The receiving unit downstream are the valuation units 10 and 20, for the determination or the Assessment of the AM modulation level or the FM hub are needed.

The representation of the individual components of the figure does not represent all usual device elements but only shows individual electronic elements, but is shown here so that functional relationships and possibly also the Recognize procedure. So are the above valuation units for the AM modulation degree and for the FM hub 10, 20 the said values in the Receiving unit 1 detected with respect to the currently set transmitter.

This means that when listening to a Popsenders or a playback of Pop music from a sound carrier, a high AM modulation level or a high FM hub is detected, and the music direction is thereby electronically identifiable.

Below are the signals of the evaluation units 10 and 20 for the AM modulation and the FM hub of the volume level control 30 supplied. Within the Volume level control will determine the detected AM modulation grade values and the FM stroke size implemented accordingly when the receiving unit 1 a Traffic announcement on one, on the appropriate station at short notice switched connection comes in. It thus takes a usual Volume level boosts the voice message accordingly well and unmistakably be detected by the occupants, in particular by the driver can. That is, the output of the volume level control 30 acts on the Loudspeaker system 40 in the motor vehicle. Between the receiving unit 1 and the Volume level control 30 is a station memory 50 is inserted, which in the Receiving unit incoming, or via the same receivable transmitter can save. Between the transmitter memory 50 and the volume level control 30 also results in the rest of a further information technology connection in it exists that according stored stations according to their characteristic Play or their characteristic music choice, so their characteristic AM modulation values and FM lift values are assigned a corresponding level boost and is stored.

However, a manual volume level engagement 60 still allows the operator to total affect the volume, as this manual intervention hierarchical is superior. Ie. the manual volume level intervention is in the device as prioritized.

So it comes next to the storage and retrievable memory selection of stations to a corresponding assignment when selecting a transmitter to the associated characteristic level control value for the volume level boost Traffic reports. Thus, an individual results in the corresponding characteristic transmitter adapted volume level boost, giving the convenience and also improves the reliability of detecting the traffic announcement.

Claims (10)

1. Method for operating an audio device in a motor vehicle, in which the audio device is switched from the current audio playback to traffic radio and is switched back again at the end of the traffic radio announcement, the volume level being raised over the time of the traffic radio announcement, and the volume level or the raise in level during the traffic radio announcements being controlled on the basis of the mean modulation of the station currently set before the traffic radio announcement or of the playback currently being heard, characterized in that the volume level or the raise in level during the traffic radio announcement is controlled on the basis of the mean AM modulation and/or the mean FM deviation of the station currently set before the traffic radio announcement or of the playback currently being heard.
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the mean AM modulation and/or the mean FM deviation is ascertained for each station, and the mean volume level is then determined or ascertained.
3. Method according to Claim 2, characterized in that the respective station-specific mean FM deviation and/or the mean AM modulation is respectively assigned to the stored station and is likewise stored.
4. Method according to Claim 3, characterized in that selecting a station by pressing a station key likewise retrieves the respective mean AM modulation or the mean FM deviation and influences the volume level accordingly.
5. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that appropriate determination of mean FM deviation and/or of mean AM modulation is also performed for spontaneously set stations in order to realign the volume level as appropriate at the time of a traffic radio announcement and at the end thereof.
6. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that traffic radio transmissions are identified from the reception of a specific identifier, and there is an automatic switch from the current audio playback to the traffic radio.
7. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that switching from the current audio playback to traffic radio is manual.
8. Device for operating an audio device in a motor vehicle, which is used to switch from the current audio playback to the traffic radio and to switch back again automatically at the end of the traffic radio announcement, with volume level control being able to be used during the time of the traffic radio announcement in order to effect a raise, and a reception unit (1) having an AM-modulation (10) and/or an FM-deviation assessment unit (20) whose ascertained values can be stored in an association with the respective station currently set or with the medium currently being played back, and said unit being connected to the volume level control (30) by means of logic, [lacuna] that a key appropriately labelled "traffic radio" is provided which, when operated, can be used for automatically selecting and storing the strongest traffic radio station in the region.
9. Device according to Claim 8, characterized in that the volume level control (30) is connected to the station memory (50) by means of logic.
10. Device according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that manual and hierarchically superordinate manual volume-level adjustment (60) is also provided.

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