EP4384403A1 - Vehicle window pane with at least one microphone, and vehicle with at least one such vehicle window pane - Google Patents

Vehicle window pane with at least one microphone, and vehicle with at least one such vehicle window pane

Info

Publication number
EP4384403A1
EP4384403A1 EP22741526.2A EP22741526A EP4384403A1 EP 4384403 A1 EP4384403 A1 EP 4384403A1 EP 22741526 A EP22741526 A EP 22741526A EP 4384403 A1 EP4384403 A1 EP 4384403A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pane
microphone
vehicle
vehicle window
interior
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.)
Pending
Application number
EP22741526.2A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Varun RAMESH KUMAR
Michele CAPPUCCILLI
Gabor Varga
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Saint Gobain Sekurit France SAS
Original Assignee
Saint Gobain Glass France SAS
Compagnie de Saint Gobain SA
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Saint Gobain Glass France SAS, Compagnie de Saint Gobain SA filed Critical Saint Gobain Glass France SAS
Publication of EP4384403A1 publication Critical patent/EP4384403A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
    • B60J1/00—Windows; Windscreens; Accessories therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
    • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
    • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
    • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10009—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the number, the constitution or treatment of glass sheets
    • B32B17/10036—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the number, the constitution or treatment of glass sheets comprising two outer glass sheets
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
    • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
    • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
    • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10165—Functional features of the laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
    • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
    • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
    • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10165—Functional features of the laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10293—Edge features, e.g. inserts or holes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
    • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
    • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
    • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10165—Functional features of the laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10339—Specific parts of the laminated safety glass or glazing being colored or tinted
    • B32B17/10348—Specific parts of the laminated safety glass or glazing being colored or tinted comprising an obscuration band
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
    • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
    • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
    • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10165—Functional features of the laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10541—Functional features of the laminated safety glass or glazing comprising a light source or a light guide
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
    • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
    • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
    • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/1055—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the resin layer, i.e. interlayer
    • B32B17/10761—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the resin layer, i.e. interlayer containing vinyl acetal
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B3/00—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shape; Layered products comprising a layer having particular features of form
    • B32B3/26—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shape; Layered products comprising a layer having particular features of form characterised by a particular shape of the outline of the cross-section of a continuous layer; characterised by a layer with cavities or internal voids ; characterised by an apertured layer
    • B32B3/266—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shape; Layered products comprising a layer having particular features of form characterised by a particular shape of the outline of the cross-section of a continuous layer; characterised by a layer with cavities or internal voids ; characterised by an apertured layer characterised by an apertured layer, the apertures going through the whole thickness of the layer, e.g. expanded metal, perforated layer, slit layer regular cells B32B3/12
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/16—Sound input; Sound output
    • G06F3/167—Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
    • H04R1/20—Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics
    • H04R1/32—Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics for obtaining desired directional characteristic only
    • H04R1/40—Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics for obtaining desired directional characteristic only by combining a number of identical transducers
    • H04R1/406—Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics for obtaining desired directional characteristic only by combining a number of identical transducers microphones
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
    • H04R1/02—Casings; Cabinets ; Supports therefor; Mountings therein
    • H04R1/04—Structural association of microphone with electric circuitry therefor
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2460/00—Details of hearing devices, i.e. of ear- or headphones covered by H04R1/10 or H04R5/033 but not provided for in any of their subgroups, or of hearing aids covered by H04R25/00 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2460/01—Hearing devices using active noise cancellation
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2499/00—Aspects covered by H04R or H04S not otherwise provided for in their subgroups
    • H04R2499/10—General applications
    • H04R2499/13—Acoustic transducers and sound field adaptation in vehicles
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R3/00—Circuits for transducers
    • H04R3/005—Circuits for transducers for combining the signals of two or more microphones

Definitions

  • Vehicle window pane with at least one microphone, and vehicle with at least one such vehicle window pane
  • the invention relates to a vehicle window pane equipped with at least one microphone.
  • the invention further relates to a vehicle equipped with one or several of such vehicle window panes.
  • the vehicles have to be equipped with microphones which can detect a spoken command, in particular spoken by the driver, and with a control unit which can interpret the command.
  • the driver can, for example, control electronic functions of the vehicle itself (for example opening the side windows, select a radio channel or the like) and/or electronic devices connected to the vehicle (for example his mobile phone).
  • Voice control technology in a vehicle suffers from a comparatively noisy environment.
  • the voice control system has to distinguish reliably between a command spoken by the driver and background noise, which can originate from outside the vehicle or from within the vehicle (for example radio music or conversations between the passengers).
  • Car manufacturers have presented vehicles with several microphones integrated into the car architecture. With several microphones distributed within the vehicle, it is possible to identify the source of a noise using a dedicated algorithm. Thus, the driver (or other passengers) can be reliably identified and spoken commands can be differentiated from background noise.
  • the object of the invention is to provide ways for an improved incorporation of microphones in a vehicle, which can effectively detect spoken commands for a voice control system and differentiate them from background noise in an improved manner.
  • the invention includes a vehicle window pane, which is intended and suitable for separating a vehicle interior from an outside environment, when it is installed in a window opening of a vehicle.
  • the vehicle window pane is equipped with at least one microphone which is incorporated within the vehicle window pane (if it is a laminated, composite pane) or which is attached to the vehicle window pane. The microphone is directed towards the vehicle interior.
  • the microphone(s) Due to the integration of the microphone(s) in the vehicle window pane, they are positioned relatively close to the heads of the passengers. The positioning of the microphone(s) is helpful for receiving a clear voice signal with minimal amount of noise. That is the major advantage of the present invention.
  • the vehicle window pane has an exterior-side surface, substantially exposed to and facing the outside environment in the installed state, and an interior-side surface, substantially exposed to and facing the vehicle inside in the installed state.
  • Typical radii of curvature are in the range from approx. 10 cm to approx. 40 m.
  • the vehicle window pane is bent (curved), having a cylindrical curvature (in one spatial direction) or spherical curvature (in two spatial directions).
  • the interior-side surface is substantially concave, while the exterior-side surface is substantially convex.
  • the microphone is a device (a transducer) that converts sound (in particular sound waves transmitted through air) into an electrical signal.
  • Different types of microphones employ different methods to convert the air pressure variations of a sound wave to an electrical signal.
  • any type of microphone can be used in the framework of the present invention, for example dynamic microphones (which use a coil of wire suspended in a magnetic field), condenser microphones (which use the vibrating diaphragm as a capacitor plate) or contact microphones (which use a crystal of piezoelectric material).
  • the microphone can comprise or be connected to typical support components, for example a preamplifier.
  • MEMS micro electro-mechanical system
  • microphones are used for the present invention, which have an advantageously small size, a high signal-to-noise ratio, a low power consumption, good sensitivity and strong vibration resistance.
  • the microphone is directed towards the vehicle interior. That means that the microphone is arranged in a way such that sounds from the vehicle interior can be detected most effectively by the microphone - its sensitive area (area designed for receiving sound) faces the vehicle interior. If the microphone is positioned between the exterior-side surface and the interior-side surface of the vehicle window pane, its sensitive area faces the interior-side surface. If the microphone is positioned closer to the interior than the interior-side surface (in particular on the interior-side surface), its sensitive area faces away from the interior-side surface.
  • a microphone has a housing around the detector, which is commonly made of plastics and/or metal (or metal alloys like steel). Part of the housing is typically provided with perforations such that sound waves can enter the housing efficiently.
  • the perforated part of the housing or more generally the part of the housing intended to receive sound waves
  • the microphone is arranged within a composite pane, said part of the housing faces the inner pane. If the microphone is attached to the interior-side surface of the vehicle window pane, said part of the housing faces away from the vehicle window pane.
  • the vehicle window pane according to the invention can comprise a single microphone or several microphones.
  • the vehicle window pane comprises a plurality of microphones, preferably at least three microphones, more preferably at least five microphones, for example from three to ten microphones or from five to eight microphones.
  • the source of a sound can by identified using an algorithm, which allows for separating a command spoken by the driver (or another passenger) from background noise.
  • a single window pane can also comprise only one microphone.
  • the vehicle window pane with at least one microphone array, preferably several microphone arrays distributed over the pane.
  • the vehicle window pane is a composite pane (alternatively often called laminated pane).
  • the composite pane comprises an outer pane and an inner pane, which are joined to one another via a thermoplastic intermediate layer.
  • inner pane refers to the pane of the composite pane facing (or intended to face) the vehicle interior.
  • outer pane refers to the pane facing (or intended to face) the outside environment.
  • the outer pane and the inner pane each have an exterior-side surface and an interior-side surface and a peripheral side edge extending therebetween.
  • "exterior-side surface” refers to that primary surface that is intended, in the installed position, to face the outside environment.
  • Interior-side surface refers to that primary surface that is intended, in the installed position, to face the vehicle interior.
  • the interior-side surface of the outer pane and the exterior-side surface of the inner pane face each other and are joined to one another by the thermoplastic intermediate layer.
  • the exterior-side surface of the outer pane is the exterior-side surface of the vehicle window pane, while the interior-side surface of the inner pane is the interior-side surface of the vehicle window pane.
  • the (at least one) microphone is arranged between the outer pane and the inner pane. In other words, it is integrated into the thermoplastic intermediate layer.
  • the microphone is secured within the composite pane and protected from mechanical or chemical damage.
  • the microphone is attached to the exterior-side surface of the inner pane, because then it has the smallest distance to the vehicle interior and therefore can detect sounds from the interior particularly efficiently.
  • the microphone can, for example, be attached thereto by a layer of adhesive or simply secured there by the pressure exerted into it through the intermediate layer within the laminated structure.
  • the microphone could be arranged between two thermoplastic layers which are part of the intermediate layer.
  • the inner pane has a through-hole, extending from the exterior-side surface to the interior-side surface, thus forming a breakthrough through the inner pane or a small cut-out within the inner pane.
  • the microphone is arranged above the through-hole. That means the microphone is arranged between the through-hole of the inner pane and the opposing part of the outer pane, and is directed towards the through-hole, such that it can efficiently detect sound traveling from the vehicle interior through the through-hole.
  • the microphone is attached to the exterior-side surface of the inner pane and there covers the through-hole. By the through-hole, the detection efficiency of the microphone is increased, because sound from the vehicle interior is not damped or muted by the inner pane.
  • Through- holes can be produced in the inner pane, for example, by laser drilling or mechanical drilling.
  • the inner pane does not have a through-hole, but the microphone is completely separated from the vehicle interior by the uninterrupted inner pane.
  • the microphone is arranged within the composite pane and directed towards the inner glass pane and the vehicle interior, such that it can detect sound waves transmitted by the inner pane (in particular through vibrations). In this configuration, the production of the composite pane is more easy (because creating a through-hole in the inner pane is omitted) and the microphone is more securely protected within the laminate.
  • the (at least one) microphone is attached to the interior-side surface of the inner pane.
  • the microphone can, for example, be attached to said surface by a layer of adhesive.
  • the composite pane can be produced by methods known per se.
  • the inner pane, the intermediate layer and the outer pane are stacked above each other.
  • the stack is then laminated to form the composite pane, for example by autoclave methods, vacuum bag methods, vacuum ring methods, calender methods, vacuum laminators, or combinations thereof.
  • the bonding of the outer pane and the inner pane is customarily done under the influence of heat, vacuum, and/or pressure. If the microphones (and optionally LEDs) shall be integrated within the composite pane, they (as well as their electrical connection) are arranged within the stack before lamination. If, on the other hand, the microphones (and optionally LEDs) shall be arranged on the interior-side surface of the inner pane, they are fixed (for example glued) there preferably after lamination.
  • the vehicle window pane is a monolithic pane. That means the vehicle window pane is a single pane, preferably a single glass pane, most preferably a (thermally or chemically) strengthened glass pane.
  • the monolithic pane has with an exterior-side surface and an interior-side surface. The microphone is attached to said interior-side surface, for example by a layer of adhesive.
  • the vehicle window pane is equipped with at least one Light- Emitting Diode (LED), preferably at least one LED for every microphone.
  • the LED can be arranged directly on the respective microphone. Alternatively, the LED can be arranged near the microphone, in close proximity such that an operator will relate the LED to the respective microphone.
  • the distance between the LED and the microphone is less than 5 cm, more preferably less than 3 cm, even more preferably less than 1 cm.
  • the LED is intended and suitable for signalling (that means emitting light) when the microphone is active (that means receives a sound signal which is interpreted as user input).
  • the vehicle window pane has an opaque region and the at least one microphone is arranged in this the opaque region.
  • the opaque region is preferably arranged in a peripheral region of the vehicle window pane, more preferably in a circumferential peripheral region, which surrounds a central transparent viewing region, as it is common for vehicle window panes.
  • the opaque region can be realised by a so-called “black print” or “covering print”, typically formed from an enamel containing glass frits and a black or dark pigment, printed (usually by screen-printing) and burnt into at least one of the surfaces of the vehicle window pane. If the vehicle window pane is a composite pane, the black print can be arranged on at least one of the surfaces of the outer pane and/or the inner pane, preferably at least on the interior-side surface of the inner pane.
  • the opaque region can be realised by an opaque intermediate layer material, for example at least one layer or tinted thermoplastic material used for the intermediate layer.
  • the black print is preferably arranged on its interior-side surface. In the opaque region, the microphone can be hidden in a way, making it less visible for an observer and thus improving the aesthetic quality of the pane.
  • the vehicle window pane itself is equipped with the control unit, which is electrically connected to the at least one microphone.
  • the control unit preferably is attached to the interior-side surface of the vehicle window pane, that is the interior-side surface of the inner pane, if the vehicle window pane is a composite pane, or to the interior-side surface of the single pane, if the vehicle window pane is a monolithic pane.
  • the control unit can, for example, be fixed on the respective surface by a layer of adhesive.
  • the control unit preferably is connected to the vehicles electrical system, which supplies it with electricity. If the vehicle window pane is equipped with LEDs (in order to provide a user feedback in which microphones are active at a certain time), those LEDs are preferably connected to and controlled by the same control unit.
  • the microphones (and LEDs, if present) are typically connected to the control unit via electrical conductors, for example cables, metal conductors (like metal wires or printed conductors) or the like.
  • electrical conductors for example cables, metal conductors (like metal wires or printed conductors) or the like.
  • the electrical connection can include metal wires (like copper wires) plotted on a thermoplastic foil used for the intermediate layer and/or optical fibres placed on such a thermoplastic foil.
  • control unit is attached to the interiorside surface of the window pane
  • those plotted wires of optical fibres can extend to the side edge of the pane and can there be connected to a flat conductor cable which extends around the side edge of the inner pane and leads to the control unit.
  • the control unit is attached to the interior-side surface of the window pane and the inner panes is provided with a through- hole at the position of the microphone, the control unit is preferably electrically connected to the microphone (and LED, if present) by electrical cables which run through the through-hole of the inner pane.
  • Said plotted wires of optical fibres can extend to the through-hole and can there be connected to a cable which extends through the through-hole and leads to the control unit.
  • control unit is not attached to the interior-side surface of the window pane, but, for example, is part of the vehicle electrical system, those plotted wires of optical fibres can extend to the side edge of the pane and can there be connected to cable which runs within the glue used for attaching the pane to the vehicle body or (if present) within a polymer encapsulation of the window pane.
  • the electrical connection is advantageously hidden and does not impair the aesthetic appearance of the pane.
  • the outer pane and the inner pane are preferably made of glass, in particular of soda lime glass, which is customary for window panes.
  • the pane(s) can also be made of other types of glass (for example, borosilicate glass, quartz glass, aluminosilicate glass) or transparent plastics (for example, polymethyl methacrylate or polycarbonate).
  • the thickness of the panes can vary widely.
  • panes are used with a thickness in the range from 0.8 mm to 5 mm, preferably from 1.4 mm to 2.5 mm (for the outer and inner pane of a composite pane) or from 2 mm to 4 mm (for a monolithic pane).
  • the thermoplastic intermediate layer contains at least a thermoplastic polymer, preferably ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), or polyurethane (PU) or mixtures or copolymers or derivatives thereof, particularly preferably PVB.
  • the intermediate layer is typically formed from a single thermoplastic film or several thermoplastic films stacked upon each other.
  • the thickness of the intermediate layer is preferably from 0.2 mm to 2 mm, particularly preferably from 0.3 mm to 1 mm.
  • the vehicle window pane can be provided with a functional coating, in particular with an IR reflective coating and/or a Low-E coating, which can significantly improve the thermal comfort within the vehicle.
  • the IR reflective coating preferably is arranged on the interior-side surface of the outer glass pane, if the pane is a composite pane. Alternatively, it can be arranged on a carrier foil within the intermediate layer.
  • the Low-E coating preferably is arranged on the interior-side surface of the inner glass pane. IR reflective coating reflect infrared components or the solar radiation (near IR range) and typically comprise at least one functional layer based on silver. Low-E coatings reflect the thermal radiation of the window pane itself (far IR range) and typically comprise at least one functional layer based on ITO or other TCOs, niobium nitride or other well-known materials.
  • the invention further includes a vehicle which comprises (or is equipped with) at least one vehicle window pane according to the invention.
  • the vehicle is equipped with a voice control system.
  • the microphones are used for receiving acoustic input for the voice control system.
  • the window panes of the vehicle are equipped with at least three microphones, preferably at least 5 microphones, more preferably at least 7 microphones. The higher the number of microphones, the higher is the precision of the voice control system.
  • the vehicle can comprise a single vehicle window pane according to the invention, then the totality of microphones is integrated into this single vehicle window pane, Alternatively, the vehicle can comprise several vehicle window panes according to the invention, then the totality of microphones is distributed among those window panes, each window pane according to the invention having at least one microphone. In addition to the window panes according to the invention, the vehicle can comprise “standard” window panes without microphones.
  • the vehicle preferably is a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car or a truck.
  • the invention can also be applied to other kinds of vehicles, like busses, trains, ships, aeroplanes or robotaxis.
  • the microphones are connected to a control unit which runs the voice control system.
  • the control unit is equipped with hardware components (in particular an electronic processor) and software necessary to this end.
  • the control unit is attached to one of the vehicle window panes according to the invention, but can alternatively also be positioned apart from the window panes, for example as a part of the electric system of the vehicle.
  • the voice control system can be used for controlling functions of the vehicle, like opening and closing windows or controlling the entertainment system or air-conditioning. If one or several of the window panes of the vehicle is equipped with a functional element with electrically controllable properties (like a PDLC element or an electrochromic element), the voice control system can also be used to control said functional element.
  • the voice control system can also be used to control other components like mobile phones, if they are connected to the vehicle system.
  • the control unit can be wirelessly connected to an internet cloud service.
  • the user can for example make orders from internet retailers or receive information from the internet upon spoken requests.
  • the control unit can also exchange information with or store information in the cloud server automatically, for example for extracting data for the vehicle manufacturer which can be used to improve the product or for providing advertisement tailored to the driver’s interests.
  • the control unit can control other functions aside the microphones for the voice control system.
  • this functional element can be controlled by the same control unit as the voice control system.
  • Examples for this kind of functional elements are PDLC elements (polymer dispersed liquid crystal), SPD elements (suspended particle device) or electrochromic elements incorporated within the intermediate layer of a composite pane.
  • the transparency of the viewing area of the vehicle window pane can be controlled electrically, in particular the degree of transmission of visible light (electrochromic, SPD) or the degree to scattering (PDLC).
  • the at least one vehicle window pane according to the invention of the vehicle is a roof pane (also called sunroof) and/or a side window pane (sidelite). Since the roof pane and the side window panes are more or less equally close to all passengers, the microphones in this case can reliably detect the voices of all passengers and the voice control system, due to the plurality of microphones and the spatial resolution enabled by this, can distinguish between the voices of the different passengers. However, additionally or alternatively, microphones can also be integrated into a windscreen and/or a rear window pane (backlite). In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the vehicle is further equipped with at least one acoustic speaker (loudspeaker).
  • the totality of microphones (or a subset of the totality of microphones) and the at least one speaker are connected to a common control unit, preferably a control unit attached to one of the window panes.
  • This configuration can be used for an active noise cancelling system and the control unit is suitable for this end.
  • the control unit makes the at least one speaker create a counter-noise which is suitable for compensating the detected noise.
  • the outside noise is a regular, uniform noise with periodical sound waves
  • the speaker(s) could create sound waves which are phase shifted in a complementary manner such that the outside noise and the phase shifted sound waves essentially eliminate each other, thus muting the outside noise for the passengers of the vehicle.
  • the voice control system can be trained, using dedicated algorithms, to distinguish between exterior noise (like road noise or motor noise), interior background noise (like radio music) and the voices of the passengers.
  • the window pane(s) with a multitude or microphones and use a subset of the microphones to control the voice control system and another subset of microphones to capture noise (especially exterior noise) only.
  • the invention further includes a method for operating a voice control system of a vehicle.
  • the vehicle is a vehicle according to the invention, the window panes of which are equipped with, in total, at least three microphones.
  • the vehicle has a control unit, preferably directly attached to one of its window panes, which has the necessary processors and software for running the voice control system.
  • the totality of microphones is connected to the control system, such that sound detected by the microphones can be used for controlling the voice control system.
  • the voice control system Due to the plurality of microphones, the voice control system is provided with spatial resolution, and the control unit, using suitable algorithms, can identify the source of sound and distinguish the voice of a certain passenger (most notably the driver) from the voices of other passengers and/or from outside or inside background noise.
  • the voice control system is only activated if a spoken command (a specific word or phrase designed to cause response from the voice control system) of a passenger (or a certain passenger like the driver) are detected.
  • the spatial resolution of the voice control system (that means its ability to identify the spatial location of a sound source, most notably of a passenger giving a voice command) can be realised, for example, by the design and distribution of the detection ranges of the individual microphones (“beam forming”). The time when the sound reaches the individual microphones can be analysed and compared by the control unit in order to identify the source of the sound.
  • the voice control system due to the multitude of microphones, can spatially identify the passenger uttering a command, it is possible to relate the entitlement to give certain commands to the position of the passenger in the car.
  • the driver can have full entitlements to any command (for example “Open all side windows”), while other passengers only have restricted entitlement (for example they can only open the side window closest to them).
  • the vehicle window pane(s) is/are equipped with at least one LED for each microphone, being arranged on or near the respective microphone.
  • the LEDs are also connected to the control unit.
  • the method includes activating the LED (making it emit light) when the assigned microphone detects spoken commands uttered by a passenger. In this way, a kind of user feedback can be realised, indicating the currently active microphones.
  • the vehicle is equipped with at least one acoustic speaker which is also connected to the control unit.
  • the method includes, when the microphones detect noise from the outside environment (in particular a regular, uniform noise), the control unit making the at least one speaker emit sound waves which are suitable for compensation said outside noise, in particular sound waves which are phase shifted in relation to the outside noise in a complementary manner, such that sound peaks of the outside noise coincide with “sound troughs” of the compensating sound waves and vice versa.
  • the control unit makes the at least one speaker emit sound waves which are suitable for compensation said outside noise, in particular sound waves which are phase shifted in relation to the outside noise in a complementary manner, such that sound peaks of the outside noise coincide with “sound troughs” of the compensating sound waves and vice versa.
  • Fig. 1 a plan view of an embodiment of the vehicle window pane according to the invention
  • Fig. 2 a cross-section along X-X' through the vehicle window pane of Fig. 1 ,
  • Fig. 3 a cross-section along X-X' through another embodiment of the vehicle window pane according to the invention.
  • Fig. 4 a cross-section along X-X' through another embodiment of the vehicle window pane according to the invention.
  • Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 each show a detail of an embodiment of the vehicle window pane 10 according to the invention.
  • the vehicle window pane 10 is a roof pane of a passenger car. It is a composite pane, comprising an outer pane 1 and an inner pane 2, both made of sodalime glass.
  • the outer pane 1 has a thickness of 2.1 mm
  • the inner pane 2 has a thickness of 1.6 mm, for example.
  • the outer pane 1 has an exterior-side surface I, which is the exteriorside surface of the complete vehicle window 10, exposed to the outside environment, and an interior-side surface II, which faces the inner pane 2.
  • the inner pane 2 has an exterior-side surface III, which faces the outer pane 1 , and an interior-side surface IV, which is the interiorside surface of the complete vehicle window 10, exposed to the interior of the vehicle.
  • the interior-side surface II of the outer pane 1 and the exterior-side surface III of the inner pane 2 are connected to each other by a thermoplastic intermediate layer 3, which is made of a sheet of PVB film with a thickness of 0.76 mm, for example.
  • the vehicle window 10 has a circumferential peripheral opaque region B, which surrounds a transparent central viewing field.
  • the opaque region B is realised by a black cover print 8 on the interior-side surface II of the outer pane 1 and the interior-side surface IV of the inner pane 2.
  • the cover print 8 comprises glass frits and a black pigment and has been printed onto the respective surface II, IV by screen printing and then burnt into the surface II, IV.
  • the vehicle window 10 is equipped with seven microphones 4.
  • the microphones 4 are intended to receive sound signals for controlling a voice control system integrated into the vehicle. Due to their integration into the roof pane of the vehicle, they cover they are relatively close to all possible passengers of the car and can receive spoken commands from them. Due the plurality of microphones, the voice control system can spatially locate the source of sound, using a dedicated algorithm, and can thus distinguish between the passengers and identify, for example, the driver speaking the command.
  • the microphones 4 are glued to the interior-side surface IV of the inner pane 2, in the opaque region B above the cover print 8. Arranged in the opaque region B, the microphones are unobtrusive and do disturb the aesthetic aspect of the vehicle window pane 10 only to a minor extent.
  • the vehicle window pane 10 further is equipped with a control unit 7, also arranged on the interior-side surface IV of the inner pane 2.
  • the control unit 7 can be directly glued to the surface IV or can be received by a fixing element for reversibly attaching the control unit 7, for example made of plastics and being glued onto the surface IV.
  • the control unit 7 has the necessary electronic components (like microprocessors and the like) and software to run the voice control system. All microphones 4 are connected to the control unit 7 by electrical cables, which - in order to hide them from view- for example run within an adhesive by which the vehicle window pane 10 is glued to the vehicle body or within an optional polymer or rubber encapsulation of the vehicle window pane 10.
  • each microphone 4 there is a Light-Emitting Diode (LED) 6, which is also connected to the control unit 7.
  • the LEDs 6 are intended to emit light when the respective microphone 4 receives spoken commands, in order to provide an optical user feedback.
  • the control unit 7 can be used for controlling other function apart from the voice control system.
  • the vehicle window pane 10 can be provided with a functional element with electrically controllable optical properties (like a PDLC or electrochromic element), in order to electrically control the transparency of the central viewing area.
  • the control unit 7 can equally control the functional element and the voice control system.
  • Fig. 3 shows a cross-section through a further embodiment of the vehicle window pane 10 according to the invention.
  • the microphones 4 are not attached on the interior-side surface IV of the inner pane 2, but are integrated within the intermediate layer 3. More precisely, the microphones 4 are arranged on the exterior-side surface III of the inner pane 2, for example glued thereon or just fixed there by the pressure within the laminate exerted via the intermediate layer 3.
  • the inner pane 2 is provided with through-holes 5, one through-hole 5 for each microphone 4, arranged directly under the respective microphone 4.
  • the through-hole 5 forms a kind of sound channel through the inner pane 2, such that sound waves can reach the microphone 4 without being attenuated by the inner pane 2.
  • the electrical connections of the microphones 4 within the intermediate layer 3 can be realised by copper wires plotted on the PVB film or optical fibres.
  • a cable can then be guided through one of the through-hole 5 and connected to the control unit 7 on the interior-side surface IV of the inner pane 2.
  • conductors printed onto inner pane 2 and running through a through-hole can be used for connecting the microphones 4 to the control unit 7.
  • the LEDs 6 are placed adjacent to the respective microphones 4, with a small distance of for example 5 mm. At the position of each LED 6, there is a pinhole 9 in the black print 8 in order to improve visibility of the LED radiation from the vehicle interior. However, if the black print is not completely opaque and the LEDs 6 have sufficiently high power, the pinhole 9 is not necessary and the LED radiation can be visible through the black print 8.
  • the LEDs 6 could be placed directly on top of and surrounding the microphones 4, as shown in Figure 2. Visibility can be ensured by a hole in the black print 8 (for example, the black print could be spaced from the edges of the through-hole 5) or by using strong LEDs 6 and a partially transmissive black print 8.
  • Fig. 4 shows a cross-section through a further embodiment of the vehicle window pane 10 according to the invention.
  • the microphones 4 are again integrated within the intermediate layer 3.
  • the inner pane 2 does not have through-holes 5.
  • the sound may be transmitted through the inner pane 2 by vibrations.
  • the electrical connections of the microphones 4 within the intermediate layer 3 can be realised by copper wires plotted on the PVB film or optical fibres.
  • a cable (like a flat conductor) can then be guided from the intermediate layer 3 around the edge of the inner pane 2 to the the interior-side surface IV of the inner pane 2, where is is connected to the control unit 7.
  • the LEDs 6 are placed adjacent to the respective microphones 4 and there is an optional dedicated pinhole 9 in the black print 8.

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Abstract

The present invention relates to vehicle window pane (10), intended and suitable for separating a vehicle interior from an outside environment, which is equipped with at least one microphone (4) incorporated within or attached to the vehicle window pane (10), wherein the microphone (4) is directed in the direction of the vehicle interior.

Description

Vehicle window pane with at least one microphone, and vehicle with at least one such vehicle window pane
The invention relates to a vehicle window pane equipped with at least one microphone. The invention further relates to a vehicle equipped with one or several of such vehicle window panes.
There is a tendency to increasingly provide vehicles with voice control technology. To this end, the vehicles have to be equipped with microphones which can detect a spoken command, in particular spoken by the driver, and with a control unit which can interpret the command. Using the voice control, the driver can, for example, control electronic functions of the vehicle itself (for example opening the side windows, select a radio channel or the like) and/or electronic devices connected to the vehicle (for example his mobile phone).
Voice control technology in a vehicle suffers from a comparatively noisy environment. The voice control system has to distinguish reliably between a command spoken by the driver and background noise, which can originate from outside the vehicle or from within the vehicle (for example radio music or conversations between the passengers). Car manufacturers have presented vehicles with several microphones integrated into the car architecture. With several microphones distributed within the vehicle, it is possible to identify the source of a noise using a dedicated algorithm. Thus, the driver (or other passengers) can be reliably identified and spoken commands can be differentiated from background noise.
The object of the invention is to provide ways for an improved incorporation of microphones in a vehicle, which can effectively detect spoken commands for a voice control system and differentiate them from background noise in an improved manner.
The object of the present invention is accomplished according to the invention by a vehicle window pane and a vehicle in accordance with the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims.
The invention includes a vehicle window pane, which is intended and suitable for separating a vehicle interior from an outside environment, when it is installed in a window opening of a vehicle. The vehicle window pane is equipped with at least one microphone which is incorporated within the vehicle window pane (if it is a laminated, composite pane) or which is attached to the vehicle window pane. The microphone is directed towards the vehicle interior.
Due to the integration of the microphone(s) in the vehicle window pane, they are positioned relatively close to the heads of the passengers. The positioning of the microphone(s) is helpful for receiving a clear voice signal with minimal amount of noise. That is the major advantage of the present invention.
The vehicle window pane has an exterior-side surface, substantially exposed to and facing the outside environment in the installed state, and an interior-side surface, substantially exposed to and facing the vehicle inside in the installed state. Typical radii of curvature are in the range from approx. 10 cm to approx. 40 m. Usually, the vehicle window pane is bent (curved), having a cylindrical curvature (in one spatial direction) or spherical curvature (in two spatial directions). Usually, the interior-side surface is substantially concave, while the exterior-side surface is substantially convex.
The microphone is a device (a transducer) that converts sound (in particular sound waves transmitted through air) into an electrical signal. Different types of microphones employ different methods to convert the air pressure variations of a sound wave to an electrical signal. In principle, any type of microphone can be used in the framework of the present invention, for example dynamic microphones (which use a coil of wire suspended in a magnetic field), condenser microphones (which use the vibrating diaphragm as a capacitor plate) or contact microphones (which use a crystal of piezoelectric material). The microphone can comprise or be connected to typical support components, for example a preamplifier. In a preferred embodiment, MEMS (micro electro-mechanical system) microphones are used for the present invention, which have an advantageously small size, a high signal-to-noise ratio, a low power consumption, good sensitivity and strong vibration resistance.
According to the invention, the microphone is directed towards the vehicle interior. That means that the microphone is arranged in a way such that sounds from the vehicle interior can be detected most effectively by the microphone - its sensitive area (area designed for receiving sound) faces the vehicle interior. If the microphone is positioned between the exterior-side surface and the interior-side surface of the vehicle window pane, its sensitive area faces the interior-side surface. If the microphone is positioned closer to the interior than the interior-side surface (in particular on the interior-side surface), its sensitive area faces away from the interior-side surface.
Usually, a microphone has a housing around the detector, which is commonly made of plastics and/or metal (or metal alloys like steel). Part of the housing is typically provided with perforations such that sound waves can enter the housing efficiently. When, according to the invention, the microphone is directed towards the vehicle interior, this means that the perforated part of the housing (or more generally the part of the housing intended to receive sound waves) is directed towards the interior or faces the interior. If the microphone is arranged within a composite pane, said part of the housing faces the inner pane. If the microphone is attached to the interior-side surface of the vehicle window pane, said part of the housing faces away from the vehicle window pane.
The vehicle window pane according to the invention can comprise a single microphone or several microphones. In an advantageous embodiment, the vehicle window pane comprises a plurality of microphones, preferably at least three microphones, more preferably at least five microphones, for example from three to ten microphones or from five to eight microphones. By the plurality of microphones, the source of a sound can by identified using an algorithm, which allows for separating a command spoken by the driver (or another passenger) from background noise. However, since the totality of microphones can be distributed among several window panes of the vehicle, a single window pane can also comprise only one microphone.
It is also possible to equip the vehicle window pane with at least one microphone array, preferably several microphone arrays distributed over the pane.
In one embodiment of the invention, the vehicle window pane is a composite pane (alternatively often called laminated pane). The composite pane comprises an outer pane and an inner pane, which are joined to one another via a thermoplastic intermediate layer. In the context of the invention, the term "inner pane" refers to the pane of the composite pane facing (or intended to face) the vehicle interior. The term "outer pane" refers to the pane facing (or intended to face) the outside environment.
The outer pane and the inner pane each have an exterior-side surface and an interior-side surface and a peripheral side edge extending therebetween. In the context of the invention, "exterior-side surface" refers to that primary surface that is intended, in the installed position, to face the outside environment. "Interior-side surface" refers to that primary surface that is intended, in the installed position, to face the vehicle interior. The interior-side surface of the outer pane and the exterior-side surface of the inner pane face each other and are joined to one another by the thermoplastic intermediate layer. The exterior-side surface of the outer pane is the exterior-side surface of the vehicle window pane, while the interior-side surface of the inner pane is the interior-side surface of the vehicle window pane.
In a preferred embodiment of the composite pane, the (at least one) microphone is arranged between the outer pane and the inner pane. In other words, it is integrated into the thermoplastic intermediate layer. Thus, the microphone is secured within the composite pane and protected from mechanical or chemical damage. Preferably, the microphone is attached to the exterior-side surface of the inner pane, because then it has the smallest distance to the vehicle interior and therefore can detect sounds from the interior particularly efficiently. The microphone can, for example, be attached thereto by a layer of adhesive or simply secured there by the pressure exerted into it through the intermediate layer within the laminated structure. Alternatively, the microphone could be arranged between two thermoplastic layers which are part of the intermediate layer.
In a first embodiment of the composite pane with the microphone integrated between the outer and the inner pane, the inner pane has a through-hole, extending from the exterior-side surface to the interior-side surface, thus forming a breakthrough through the inner pane or a small cut-out within the inner pane. The microphone is arranged above the through-hole. That means the microphone is arranged between the through-hole of the inner pane and the opposing part of the outer pane, and is directed towards the through-hole, such that it can efficiently detect sound traveling from the vehicle interior through the through-hole. Preferably, the microphone is attached to the exterior-side surface of the inner pane and there covers the through-hole. By the through-hole, the detection efficiency of the microphone is increased, because sound from the vehicle interior is not damped or muted by the inner pane. Through- holes can be produced in the inner pane, for example, by laser drilling or mechanical drilling.
In a second embodiment of the composite pane with the microphone integrated between the outer and the inner pane, the inner pane does not have a through-hole, but the microphone is completely separated from the vehicle interior by the uninterrupted inner pane. The microphone is arranged within the composite pane and directed towards the inner glass pane and the vehicle interior, such that it can detect sound waves transmitted by the inner pane (in particular through vibrations). In this configuration, the production of the composite pane is more easy (because creating a through-hole in the inner pane is omitted) and the microphone is more securely protected within the laminate.
In a further preferred embodiment of the composite pane, the (at least one) microphone is attached to the interior-side surface of the inner pane. Thus, it has an even smaller distance to the vehicle interior and can particularly effectively detect sounds from the interior. The microphone can, for example, be attached to said surface by a layer of adhesive.
The composite pane can be produced by methods known per se. The inner pane, the intermediate layer and the outer pane are stacked above each other. The stack is then laminated to form the composite pane, for example by autoclave methods, vacuum bag methods, vacuum ring methods, calender methods, vacuum laminators, or combinations thereof. The bonding of the outer pane and the inner pane is customarily done under the influence of heat, vacuum, and/or pressure. If the microphones (and optionally LEDs) shall be integrated within the composite pane, they (as well as their electrical connection) are arranged within the stack before lamination. If, on the other hand, the microphones (and optionally LEDs) shall be arranged on the interior-side surface of the inner pane, they are fixed (for example glued) there preferably after lamination.
In another embodiment of the invention, the vehicle window pane is a monolithic pane. That means the vehicle window pane is a single pane, preferably a single glass pane, most preferably a (thermally or chemically) strengthened glass pane. The monolithic pane has with an exterior-side surface and an interior-side surface. The microphone is attached to said interior-side surface, for example by a layer of adhesive.
In an advantageous embodiment, the vehicle window pane is equipped with at least one Light- Emitting Diode (LED), preferably at least one LED for every microphone. The LED can be arranged directly on the respective microphone. Alternatively, the LED can be arranged near the microphone, in close proximity such that an operator will relate the LED to the respective microphone. Preferably, the distance between the LED and the microphone is less than 5 cm, more preferably less than 3 cm, even more preferably less than 1 cm. The LED is intended and suitable for signalling (that means emitting light) when the microphone is active (that means receives a sound signal which is interpreted as user input). In an advantageous embodiment, the vehicle window pane has an opaque region and the at least one microphone is arranged in this the opaque region. The opaque region is preferably arranged in a peripheral region of the vehicle window pane, more preferably in a circumferential peripheral region, which surrounds a central transparent viewing region, as it is common for vehicle window panes. The opaque region can be realised by a so-called “black print” or “covering print”, typically formed from an enamel containing glass frits and a black or dark pigment, printed (usually by screen-printing) and burnt into at least one of the surfaces of the vehicle window pane. If the vehicle window pane is a composite pane, the black print can be arranged on at least one of the surfaces of the outer pane and/or the inner pane, preferably at least on the interior-side surface of the inner pane. Alternatively, the opaque region can be realised by an opaque intermediate layer material, for example at least one layer or tinted thermoplastic material used for the intermediate layer. If the vehicle window pane is a monolithic pane, the black print is preferably arranged on its interior-side surface. In the opaque region, the microphone can be hidden in a way, making it less visible for an observer and thus improving the aesthetic quality of the pane.
All the microphones of the vehicle have to be connected to a common control unit which has the necessary processor and software to run the voice control system. In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle window pane itself is equipped with the control unit, which is electrically connected to the at least one microphone. The control unit preferably is attached to the interior-side surface of the vehicle window pane, that is the interior-side surface of the inner pane, if the vehicle window pane is a composite pane, or to the interior-side surface of the single pane, if the vehicle window pane is a monolithic pane.
The control unit can, for example, be fixed on the respective surface by a layer of adhesive. The control unit preferably is connected to the vehicles electrical system, which supplies it with electricity. If the vehicle window pane is equipped with LEDs (in order to provide a user feedback in which microphones are active at a certain time), those LEDs are preferably connected to and controlled by the same control unit.
The microphones (and LEDs, if present) are typically connected to the control unit via electrical conductors, for example cables, metal conductors (like metal wires or printed conductors) or the like. If the vehicle window pane is a composite pane and the at least one microphone (and LED, if present) is arranged within the interlayer, the electrical connection can include metal wires (like copper wires) plotted on a thermoplastic foil used for the intermediate layer and/or optical fibres placed on such a thermoplastic foil. Thus, the necessity of laminating electrical cables within the composite pane can be avoided. If the control unit is attached to the interiorside surface of the window pane, those plotted wires of optical fibres can extend to the side edge of the pane and can there be connected to a flat conductor cable which extends around the side edge of the inner pane and leads to the control unit. If the control unit is attached to the interior-side surface of the window pane and the inner panes is provided with a through- hole at the position of the microphone, the control unit is preferably electrically connected to the microphone (and LED, if present) by electrical cables which run through the through-hole of the inner pane. Said plotted wires of optical fibres can extend to the through-hole and can there be connected to a cable which extends through the through-hole and leads to the control unit. If the control unit is not attached to the interior-side surface of the window pane, but, for example, is part of the vehicle electrical system, those plotted wires of optical fibres can extend to the side edge of the pane and can there be connected to cable which runs within the glue used for attaching the pane to the vehicle body or (if present) within a polymer encapsulation of the window pane. Thus, the electrical connection is advantageously hidden and does not impair the aesthetic appearance of the pane.
The outer pane and the inner pane (in case of a composite pane) or the single pane (in case of a monolithic pane) are preferably made of glass, in particular of soda lime glass, which is customary for window panes. In principle, however, the pane(s) can also be made of other types of glass (for example, borosilicate glass, quartz glass, aluminosilicate glass) or transparent plastics (for example, polymethyl methacrylate or polycarbonate). The thickness of the panes can vary widely. Preferably, panes are used with a thickness in the range from 0.8 mm to 5 mm, preferably from 1.4 mm to 2.5 mm (for the outer and inner pane of a composite pane) or from 2 mm to 4 mm (for a monolithic pane).
In case of a composite pane, the thermoplastic intermediate layer contains at least a thermoplastic polymer, preferably ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), or polyurethane (PU) or mixtures or copolymers or derivatives thereof, particularly preferably PVB. The intermediate layer is typically formed from a single thermoplastic film or several thermoplastic films stacked upon each other. The thickness of the intermediate layer is preferably from 0.2 mm to 2 mm, particularly preferably from 0.3 mm to 1 mm. The vehicle window pane can be provided with a functional coating, in particular with an IR reflective coating and/or a Low-E coating, which can significantly improve the thermal comfort within the vehicle. The IR reflective coating preferably is arranged on the interior-side surface of the outer glass pane, if the pane is a composite pane. Alternatively, it can be arranged on a carrier foil within the intermediate layer. The Low-E coating preferably is arranged on the interior-side surface of the inner glass pane. IR reflective coating reflect infrared components or the solar radiation (near IR range) and typically comprise at least one functional layer based on silver. Low-E coatings reflect the thermal radiation of the window pane itself (far IR range) and typically comprise at least one functional layer based on ITO or other TCOs, niobium nitride or other well-known materials.
The invention further includes a vehicle which comprises (or is equipped with) at least one vehicle window pane according to the invention. Preferably, the vehicle is equipped with a voice control system. The microphones are used for receiving acoustic input for the voice control system. In total, the window panes of the vehicle are equipped with at least three microphones, preferably at least 5 microphones, more preferably at least 7 microphones. The higher the number of microphones, the higher is the precision of the voice control system. The vehicle can comprise a single vehicle window pane according to the invention, then the totality of microphones is integrated into this single vehicle window pane, Alternatively, the vehicle can comprise several vehicle window panes according to the invention, then the totality of microphones is distributed among those window panes, each window pane according to the invention having at least one microphone. In addition to the window panes according to the invention, the vehicle can comprise “standard” window panes without microphones.
The vehicle preferably is a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car or a truck. However, the invention can also be applied to other kinds of vehicles, like busses, trains, ships, aeroplanes or robotaxis.
The microphones are connected to a control unit which runs the voice control system. The control unit is equipped with hardware components (in particular an electronic processor) and software necessary to this end. Preferably, the control unit is attached to one of the vehicle window panes according to the invention, but can alternatively also be positioned apart from the window panes, for example as a part of the electric system of the vehicle. The voice control system can be used for controlling functions of the vehicle, like opening and closing windows or controlling the entertainment system or air-conditioning. If one or several of the window panes of the vehicle is equipped with a functional element with electrically controllable properties (like a PDLC element or an electrochromic element), the voice control system can also be used to control said functional element. The voice control system can also be used to control other components like mobile phones, if they are connected to the vehicle system.
The control unit can be wirelessly connected to an internet cloud service. Thus, the user can for example make orders from internet retailers or receive information from the internet upon spoken requests. The control unit can also exchange information with or store information in the cloud server automatically, for example for extracting data for the vehicle manufacturer which can be used to improve the product or for providing advertisement tailored to the driver’s interests.
The control unit can control other functions aside the microphones for the voice control system. For example, if the vehicle window pane is provided with a functional element with electrically controllable optical properties, this functional element can be controlled by the same control unit as the voice control system. Examples for this kind of functional elements are PDLC elements (polymer dispersed liquid crystal), SPD elements (suspended particle device) or electrochromic elements incorporated within the intermediate layer of a composite pane. With those functional elements, the transparency of the viewing area of the vehicle window pane can be controlled electrically, in particular the degree of transmission of visible light (electrochromic, SPD) or the degree to scattering (PDLC).
In a preferred embodiment, the at least one vehicle window pane according to the invention of the vehicle is a roof pane (also called sunroof) and/or a side window pane (sidelite). Since the roof pane and the side window panes are more or less equally close to all passengers, the microphones in this case can reliably detect the voices of all passengers and the voice control system, due to the plurality of microphones and the spatial resolution enabled by this, can distinguish between the voices of the different passengers. However, additionally or alternatively, microphones can also be integrated into a windscreen and/or a rear window pane (backlite). In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the vehicle is further equipped with at least one acoustic speaker (loudspeaker). The totality of microphones (or a subset of the totality of microphones) and the at least one speaker are connected to a common control unit, preferably a control unit attached to one of the window panes. This configuration can be used for an active noise cancelling system and the control unit is suitable for this end. When the microphones detect a noise originating from the outside environment of the car, the control unit makes the at least one speaker create a counter-noise which is suitable for compensating the detected noise. In particular, if the outside noise is a regular, uniform noise with periodical sound waves, the speaker(s) could create sound waves which are phase shifted in a complementary manner such that the outside noise and the phase shifted sound waves essentially eliminate each other, thus muting the outside noise for the passengers of the vehicle. The voice control system can be trained, using dedicated algorithms, to distinguish between exterior noise (like road noise or motor noise), interior background noise (like radio music) and the voices of the passengers.
It is possible to equip the window pane(s) with a multitude or microphones and use a subset of the microphones to control the voice control system and another subset of microphones to capture noise (especially exterior noise) only.
The invention further includes a method for operating a voice control system of a vehicle. The vehicle is a vehicle according to the invention, the window panes of which are equipped with, in total, at least three microphones. The vehicle has a control unit, preferably directly attached to one of its window panes, which has the necessary processors and software for running the voice control system. The totality of microphones is connected to the control system, such that sound detected by the microphones can be used for controlling the voice control system. Due to the plurality of microphones, the voice control system is provided with spatial resolution, and the control unit, using suitable algorithms, can identify the source of sound and distinguish the voice of a certain passenger (most notably the driver) from the voices of other passengers and/or from outside or inside background noise. Thus, the voice control system is only activated if a spoken command (a specific word or phrase designed to cause response from the voice control system) of a passenger (or a certain passenger like the driver) are detected.
The spatial resolution of the voice control system (that means its ability to identify the spatial location of a sound source, most notably of a passenger giving a voice command) can be realised, for example, by the design and distribution of the detection ranges of the individual microphones (“beam forming”). The time when the sound reaches the individual microphones can be analysed and compared by the control unit in order to identify the source of the sound.
Since the voice control system, due to the multitude of microphones, can spatially identify the passenger uttering a command, it is possible to relate the entitlement to give certain commands to the position of the passenger in the car. For example, the driver can have full entitlements to any command (for example “Open all side windows”), while other passengers only have restricted entitlement (for example they can only open the side window closest to them).
Preferably, the vehicle window pane(s) is/are equipped with at least one LED for each microphone, being arranged on or near the respective microphone. The LEDs are also connected to the control unit. The method includes activating the LED (making it emit light) when the assigned microphone detects spoken commands uttered by a passenger. In this way, a kind of user feedback can be realised, indicating the currently active microphones.
Preferably, the vehicle is equipped with at least one acoustic speaker which is also connected to the control unit. The method includes, when the microphones detect noise from the outside environment (in particular a regular, uniform noise), the control unit making the at least one speaker emit sound waves which are suitable for compensation said outside noise, in particular sound waves which are phase shifted in relation to the outside noise in a complementary manner, such that sound peaks of the outside noise coincide with “sound troughs” of the compensating sound waves and vice versa. In this way, an active noise cancelling system can be realised.
In the following, the invention is explained in detail with reference to drawings and exemplary embodiments. The drawings are schematic representations and are not true to scale. The drawings in no way restrict the invention.
They depict:
Fig. 1 a plan view of an embodiment of the vehicle window pane according to the invention, Fig. 2 a cross-section along X-X' through the vehicle window pane of Fig. 1 ,
Fig. 3 a cross-section along X-X' through another embodiment of the vehicle window pane according to the invention and
Fig. 4 a cross-section along X-X' through another embodiment of the vehicle window pane according to the invention.
Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 each show a detail of an embodiment of the vehicle window pane 10 according to the invention. The vehicle window pane 10 is a roof pane of a passenger car. It is a composite pane, comprising an outer pane 1 and an inner pane 2, both made of sodalime glass. The outer pane 1 has a thickness of 2.1 mm, the inner pane 2 has a thickness of 1.6 mm, for example. The outer pane 1 has an exterior-side surface I, which is the exteriorside surface of the complete vehicle window 10, exposed to the outside environment, and an interior-side surface II, which faces the inner pane 2. The inner pane 2 has an exterior-side surface III, which faces the outer pane 1 , and an interior-side surface IV, which is the interiorside surface of the complete vehicle window 10, exposed to the interior of the vehicle. The interior-side surface II of the outer pane 1 and the exterior-side surface III of the inner pane 2 are connected to each other by a thermoplastic intermediate layer 3, which is made of a sheet of PVB film with a thickness of 0.76 mm, for example.
The vehicle window 10 has a circumferential peripheral opaque region B, which surrounds a transparent central viewing field. The opaque region B is realised by a black cover print 8 on the interior-side surface II of the outer pane 1 and the interior-side surface IV of the inner pane 2. The cover print 8 comprises glass frits and a black pigment and has been printed onto the respective surface II, IV by screen printing and then burnt into the surface II, IV.
The vehicle window 10 is equipped with seven microphones 4. The microphones 4 are intended to receive sound signals for controlling a voice control system integrated into the vehicle. Due to their integration into the roof pane of the vehicle, they cover they are relatively close to all possible passengers of the car and can receive spoken commands from them. Due the plurality of microphones, the voice control system can spatially locate the source of sound, using a dedicated algorithm, and can thus distinguish between the passengers and identify, for example, the driver speaking the command.
The microphones 4 are glued to the interior-side surface IV of the inner pane 2, in the opaque region B above the cover print 8. Arranged in the opaque region B, the microphones are unobtrusive and do disturb the aesthetic aspect of the vehicle window pane 10 only to a minor extent.
The vehicle window pane 10 further is equipped with a control unit 7, also arranged on the interior-side surface IV of the inner pane 2. The control unit 7 can be directly glued to the surface IV or can be received by a fixing element for reversibly attaching the control unit 7, for example made of plastics and being glued onto the surface IV. The control unit 7 has the necessary electronic components (like microprocessors and the like) and software to run the voice control system. All microphones 4 are connected to the control unit 7 by electrical cables, which - in order to hide them from view- for example run within an adhesive by which the vehicle window pane 10 is glued to the vehicle body or within an optional polymer or rubber encapsulation of the vehicle window pane 10. Optionally, there can be another microphone inside the control unit 7 or on the control unit 7 (on the surface facing away from inner pane 2) or under the control unit 7 (between control unit 7 and inner pane 2) or in close proximity to the control unit 7, in order to improve the spatial coverage.
On each microphone 4, there is a Light-Emitting Diode (LED) 6, which is also connected to the control unit 7. The LEDs 6 are intended to emit light when the respective microphone 4 receives spoken commands, in order to provide an optical user feedback.
The control unit 7 can be used for controlling other function apart from the voice control system. For example, the vehicle window pane 10 can be provided with a functional element with electrically controllable optical properties (like a PDLC or electrochromic element), in order to electrically control the transparency of the central viewing area. In this case, the control unit 7 can equally control the functional element and the voice control system.
Fig. 3 shows a cross-section through a further embodiment of the vehicle window pane 10 according to the invention. In contrast to the previous embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the microphones 4 are not attached on the interior-side surface IV of the inner pane 2, but are integrated within the intermediate layer 3. More precisely, the microphones 4 are arranged on the exterior-side surface III of the inner pane 2, for example glued thereon or just fixed there by the pressure within the laminate exerted via the intermediate layer 3.
In order to improve the sensitivity of the microphones 4, the inner pane 2 is provided with through-holes 5, one through-hole 5 for each microphone 4, arranged directly under the respective microphone 4. The through-hole 5 forms a kind of sound channel through the inner pane 2, such that sound waves can reach the microphone 4 without being attenuated by the inner pane 2.
The electrical connections of the microphones 4 within the intermediate layer 3 can be realised by copper wires plotted on the PVB film or optical fibres. Thus, the necessity to laminate cables within the intermediate layer 3 can be avoided. A cable can then be guided through one of the through-hole 5 and connected to the control unit 7 on the interior-side surface IV of the inner pane 2. Alternatively, there can be another through-hole directly under the control unit 7 through which the cable is guided. Instead of cables, conductors printed onto inner pane 2 and running through a through-hole can be used for connecting the microphones 4 to the control unit 7.
The LEDs 6 are placed adjacent to the respective microphones 4, with a small distance of for example 5 mm. At the position of each LED 6, there is a pinhole 9 in the black print 8 in order to improve visibility of the LED radiation from the vehicle interior. However, if the black print is not completely opaque and the LEDs 6 have sufficiently high power, the pinhole 9 is not necessary and the LED radiation can be visible through the black print 8.
Alternatively, the LEDs 6 could be placed directly on top of and surrounding the microphones 4, as shown in Figure 2. Visibility can be ensured by a hole in the black print 8 (for example, the black print could be spaced from the edges of the through-hole 5) or by using strong LEDs 6 and a partially transmissive black print 8.
Fig. 4 shows a cross-section through a further embodiment of the vehicle window pane 10 according to the invention. The microphones 4 are again integrated within the intermediate layer 3. However, in contrast to the embodiment of Fig. 3, the inner pane 2 does not have through-holes 5. The sound may be transmitted through the inner pane 2 by vibrations. The electrical connections of the microphones 4 within the intermediate layer 3 can be realised by copper wires plotted on the PVB film or optical fibres. A cable (like a flat conductor) can then be guided from the intermediate layer 3 around the edge of the inner pane 2 to the the interior-side surface IV of the inner pane 2, where is is connected to the control unit 7.
Again, the LEDs 6 are placed adjacent to the respective microphones 4 and there is an optional dedicated pinhole 9 in the black print 8.
List of Reference Characters:
(10) Vehicle window pane
(1) outer pane
(2) inner pane
(3) thermoplastic intermediate layer
(4) Microphone
(5) through-hole of the inner pane 2
(6) Light-Emitting Diode (LED)
(7) control unit
(8) cover print
(9) pinhole in the cover print 8
(B) opaque region of the vehicle window pane
(I) exterior-side surface of the outer pane 1
(11) interior-side surface of the outer pane 1
(III) exterior-side surface of the inner pane 2
(IV) interior-side surface of the inner pane 2
X-X‘ section line

Claims

Claims Vehicle window pane (10), intended and suitable for separating a vehicle interior from an outside environment, which is equipped with at least one microphone (4) incorporated within or attached to the vehicle window pane (10), wherein the microphone (4) is directed towards the vehicle interior. Vehicle window pane (10) according to claim 1 , which is a composite pane, comprising an outer pane (1) with an exterior-side surface (I) and an interior-side surface (II) and an inner pane (2) with an exterior-side surface (III) and an interior-side surface (IV), which are joined to one another via a thermoplastic intermediate layer (3), wherein the microphone (4) is arranged between the outer pane (1) and the inner pane (2), preferably attached to the exterior-side surface (III) of the inner pane (2). Vehicle window pane (10) according to claim 2, wherein the microphone (4) is electrically contacted by metal wires plotted on a thermoplastic foil within the intermediate layer (3) or by optical fibres within the intermediate layer (3). Vehicle window pane (10) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the inner pane (2) has a through-hole (5) and wherein the microphone (4) is arranged above the through-hole (5), preferably covering the through-hole (5) on the exterior-side surface (III) of the inner pane (2). Vehicle window pane (10) according to claim 1 , which is a composite pane, comprising an outer pane (1) with an exterior-side surface (I) and an interior-side surface (II) and an inner pane (2) with an exterior-side surface (III) and an interior-side surface (IV), which are joined to one another via a thermoplastic intermediate layer (3), wherein the microphone (4) is attached to the interior-side surface (IV) of the inner pane (2). Vehicle window pane (10) according to claim 1 , which is a monolithic pane, preferably a single glass pane, with an exterior-side surface and an interior-side surface, wherein the microphone (4) is attached to the interior-side surface. Vehicle window pane (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, which is equipped with a Light-Emitting Diode (6) on or near the microphone (4), which is intended and suitable for signalling when the microphone (4) is active. Vehicle window pane (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, which has an opaque region (B), preferably in a peripheral region, wherein the microphone (4) is arranged in said the opaque region (B). Vehicle window pane (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, equipped with a control unit (7), which is electrically connected to the microphone (4) and which is attached to the interior-side surface (IV) of the inner pane (2), if the vehicle window pane (10) is a composite pane, or to the interior-side surface, if the vehicle window pane (10) is a monolithic pane. Vehicle window pane (10) according to claim 9, referring back to claim 4, wherein the control unit (7) is electrically connected to the microphone (4) by electrical cables which run through the through-hole (5) of the inner pane (2). Vehicle, comprising one or several vehicle window pane(s) (10) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the one or several vehicle window pane(s) (10), in total, is/are equipped with at least three microphones (4). Vehicle according to claim 11 , wherein the one or several vehicle window pane(s) (10) include a roof pane and/or a side window pane. Vehicle according to claim 11 or 12, which is equipped with at least one acoustic speaker, wherein the at least three microphones (4) and the at least one speaker are connected to a common control unit, which, when the at least three microphones (4) detect a noise from the outside environment, is suitable to make the at least one speaker create a counter-noise in order to compensate the detected noise. Vehicle according to one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the at least three microphones (4) are configured to detect the voice of a passenger of the vehicles for controlling a voice control system. 19
Vehicle according to one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the at least three microphones (4) are connected to a control unit (7) which is wirelessly connected to an internet cloud service.
EP22741526.2A 2021-08-12 2022-07-12 Vehicle window pane with at least one microphone, and vehicle with at least one such vehicle window pane Pending EP4384403A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP21190944 2021-08-12
PCT/EP2022/069436 WO2023016735A1 (en) 2021-08-12 2022-07-12 Vehicle window pane with at least one microphone, and vehicle with at least one such vehicle window pane

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WO (1) WO2023016735A1 (en)

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US20250031579A1 (en) 2023-07-18 2025-01-23 GM Global Technology Operations LLC Laminated vehicle glass structures including three-dimensional printed piezoelectric speakers for sound generation

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WO2012059126A1 (en) * 2010-11-03 2012-05-10 Agc Glass Europe Laminated inorganic and organic glass diffused lighting panel
US11335312B2 (en) * 2016-11-08 2022-05-17 Andersen Corporation Active noise cancellation systems and methods
AU2018371173A1 (en) * 2017-11-22 2020-06-11 Agc Glass Europe Glazing having sensors
CN113103846B (en) * 2021-05-12 2024-08-06 江苏省安全生产科学研究院 Noise reduction car window design based on double-layer ventilation glass

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