GB2611026A - Vehicle intercom system - Google Patents

Vehicle intercom system Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2611026A
GB2611026A GB2113275.8A GB202113275A GB2611026A GB 2611026 A GB2611026 A GB 2611026A GB 202113275 A GB202113275 A GB 202113275A GB 2611026 A GB2611026 A GB 2611026A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
vehicle
sound
window
transducer
signal
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
GB2113275.8A
Inventor
renaud Michael
Novianto Depari Leonardus
Matysek Marc
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.)
Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH
Original Assignee
Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH
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 Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH filed Critical Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH
Priority to GB2113275.8A priority Critical patent/GB2611026A/en
Publication of GB2611026A publication Critical patent/GB2611026A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R7/00—Diaphragms for electromechanical transducers; Cones
    • H04R7/02—Diaphragms for electromechanical transducers; Cones characterised by the construction
    • H04R7/04—Plane diaphragms
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R7/00—Diaphragms for electromechanical transducers; Cones
    • H04R7/02—Diaphragms for electromechanical transducers; Cones characterised by the construction
    • H04R7/04—Plane diaphragms
    • H04R7/045—Plane diaphragms using the distributed mode principle, i.e. whereby the acoustic radiation is emanated from uniformly distributed free bending wave vibration induced in a stiff panel and not from pistonic motion
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
    • H04R1/46—Special adaptations for use as contact microphones, e.g. on musical instrument, on stethoscope
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R17/00—Piezoelectric transducers; Electrostrictive transducers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R17/00—Piezoelectric transducers; Electrostrictive transducers
    • H04R17/02—Microphones
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R23/00—Transducers other than those covered by groups H04R9/00 - H04R21/00
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R9/00—Transducers of moving-coil, moving-strip, or moving-wire type
    • H04R9/06—Loudspeakers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R9/00—Transducers of moving-coil, moving-strip, or moving-wire type
    • H04R9/06—Loudspeakers
    • H04R9/066—Loudspeakers using the principle of inertia
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R9/00—Transducers of moving-coil, moving-strip, or moving-wire type
    • H04R9/08—Microphones
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
    • B60R11/02—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
    • B60R11/0217—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof for loud-speakers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
    • B60R11/02—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
    • B60R11/0247—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof for microphones or earphones
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R17/00—Piezoelectric transducers; Electrostrictive transducers
    • H04R17/005—Piezoelectric transducers; Electrostrictive transducers using a piezoelectric polymer
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R17/00—Piezoelectric transducers; Electrostrictive transducers
    • H04R17/02—Microphones
    • H04R17/025—Microphones using a piezoelectric polymer
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R23/00—Transducers other than those covered by groups H04R9/00 - H04R21/00
    • H04R23/008—Transducers other than those covered by groups H04R9/00 - H04R21/00 using optical signals for detecting or generating sound
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2307/00—Details of diaphragms or cones for electromechanical transducers, their suspension or their manufacture covered by H04R7/00 or H04R31/003, not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2307/023—Diaphragms comprising ceramic-like materials, e.g. pure ceramic, glass, boride, nitride, carbide, mica and carbon materials
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2400/00—Loudspeakers
    • H04R2400/01—Transducers used as a loudspeaker to generate sound aswell as a microphone to detect sound
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2440/00—Bending wave transducers covered by H04R, not provided for in its groups
    • H04R2440/01—Acoustic transducers using travelling bending waves to generate or detect sound
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2440/00—Bending wave transducers covered by H04R, not provided for in its groups
    • H04R2440/03—Resonant bending wave transducer used as a microphone
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; 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

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)

Abstract

A vehicle intercom system comprises an electromechanical, preferably a piezoelectric accelerometer (301, fig 3), transducer 202 generating an electric vibration signal representing vibrations of a vehicle window when external or ambient sounds impinge upon the window glass 201. A converter circuit 204 converts the electric vibration signal into an audio output signal and supplies the audio output signal a sound output device 206 within the vehicle. An occupant of the vehicle may then respond with speech that vibrates the window glass, these vibrations are passed to the converter circuit which generates an audio signal to vibrate the window glass with a transducer 203 so that a person external to the vehicle may hear the reply.

Description

Vehicle Intercom System
Description
The present invention relates to vehicle intercom systems.
The purpose of a vehicle intercom system is to allow a driver of a vehicle to talk to a person on the outside (e.g. a pedestrian) without lowering the vehicle window or opening the vehicle door.
This may for example be realized by including a microphone and a loudspeaker in a side mirror of the vehicle or in a special compartment provided for that purpose. However, this requires adding multiple devices to the vehicle which take space and not all vehicles may have compartments or side mirrors suited for providing the necessary space.
An object of the present invention is, hence, the provision of a vehicle intercom system which can be integrated in a wide range of vehicles and requires the addition of devices or parts to the vehicle which require little space (and add little weight).
According to the present invention, this object is attained by means of a vehicle intercom system as defined in claim 1 including an electromechanical transducer configured to generate an electric vibration signal representing a vibration of a vehicle window, a converter circuit configured to convert the electric vibration signal into an audio output signal and a sound output device, wherein the converter circuit is configured to supply the audio output signal to the sound output device and the sound output device is configured to output sound according to the audio output signal.
According to one embodiment, the converter circuit is configured to supply the audio output signal to the sound output device wirelessly.
According to one embodiment, the vibration of the vehicle window is a vibration of the vehicle window caused by a sound.
According to one embodiment, the electromechanical transducer consists of transparent piezoelectric material.
According to one embodiment, the electromechanical transducer provides the electric vibration signal to the converter circuit via a wired connection or via wireless connection.
According to one embodiment, the vehicle intercom system includes an intercom device, wherein the electromechanical transducer and the converter circuit (204) are arranged together in a housing of the intercom device.
According to one embodiment, the intercom device includes a non-permanent attachment member for attaching the housing to the vehicle window.
According to one embodiment, a vehicle is provided including the vehicle window and the vehicle intercom system according to one of the embodiments described above, wherein the electromechanical transducer is attached to the vehicle window.
According to one embodiment, the sound output device is an electromechanical interior output transducer attached to the vehicle window or attached to another vehicle window of the vehicle.
According to one embodiment, the sound output device is a vehicle audio system of the vehicle.
According to one embodiment, the vibration of the vehicle window is a vibration of the vehicle window caused by a sound on the outside of the vehicle.
According to one embodiment, the vehicle includes a further electromechanical transducer configured to generate a further electric vibration signal representing a vibration of the vehicle window caused by a sound on the inside of the vehicle, wherein the converter circuit is configured to convert the further electric vibration signal to a further audio output signal and further including a further sound output device configured to output sound according to the further audio output signal to the exterior of the vehicle.
According to one embodiment, the vehicle includes a microphone configured to generate an audio input signal representing a sound from the inside of the vehicle, wherein the converter circuit is configured to convert the audio input signal to a further audio output signal and further including a further sound output device configured to output sound according to the further audio output signal to the exterior of the vehicle.
According to one embodiment, the further sound output device is an electromechanical exterior output transducer attached to the vehicle window or attached to a further vehicle window of the vehicle.
The present invention will be described in more detail in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings: FIG. 1 shows a vehicle.
FIG. 2 shows a vehicle front door according to an embodiment.
FIG. 3 shows an intercom device according to an embodiment.
FIG. 1 shows a vehicle 100, e.g. a car or a van etc., i.e. a vehicle with a vehicle cabin.
A driver 101 sits at the steering wheel in the driver's seat of the vehicle 100. It may occur that the driver 101 wants to talk to a person (e.g. a pedestrian) 102 outside the vehicle 100.
The driver 101 may not want to lower the vehicle side window 103 for talking to the person 102. This may be for safety reasons but also to keep bad or hot air out of a car, for example.
This scenario is a typical application of an intercom system for sound transmission between the inside and outside of a vehicle. Such an intercom system may include multiple microphones and speakers inside and outside the vehicle interior. The microphones and speakers used to talk with pedestrians approaching the window 103 may for example be placed in the side mirrors assembly.
A system allowing outside to inside sound transmission can also be used to listen to a conversation between people or nature outside the vehicle (such as the sea, or birds). Such a system may also include a data processing (or control) device 104 (e.g. implemented by an electronic control unit) which analyzes outside sounds picked up system to provide a variety of information on the vehicle surroundings.
However, in an intercom system including multiple microphones and speakers, each microphone and speaker occupies space and adds weight to the vehicle. Moreover, depending on the intercom system's design, it may not be possible to install it in a vehicles that does not have a side mirror or an enclosure near the windows specifically designed to accommodate a microphone and speaker.
In view of the above, according to various embodiments, an intercom system is provided which requires less parts, less weight and occupies less space than an intercom system with multiple (e.g. partially side mirror-mounted) microphones and speakers. The intercom system provided provides high design freedom, can be easily installed and can be fit to most vehicles On particular cars), including vehicles that do not have a specifically designed enclosure to accommodate speakers and microphones near the driver's window 103. It also provides a natural conversation feeling to the pedestrian 102 compared to a situation where the voice of the driver 101 does not originate from the same direction than where the driver is positioned relatively to the pedestrian.
According to various embodiments, this is achieved by making use of the vehicle window 103 to pick up sounds (microphone function) and (according to one embodiment) generate sounds (loudspeaker function). This is implemented by attaching electromechanical transducers to the window 103. These transducers pick up or generate mechanical vibrations that directly relate to the surrounding sound. The intercom system thus allows oral communication between driver 101 and the pedestrian 102 located close to the driver's window 103.
FIG. 2 shows a vehicle front door 200 according to an embodiment.
The vehicle front door 200 includes a vehicle window 201 (i.e. a glass pane) which for example corresponds to the vehicle window 103.
A first electromechanical transducer 202 is attached to the vehicle window 201 configured to pick up window vibrations (i.e. has a microphone function).
A second electromechanical transducer 203 is configured to generate window vibrations (i.e. has a loudspeaker function).
Driving and signal processing electronics, in the following referred to as converter circuitry 204, may be arranged in the vehicle front door. It is connected to the transducers 202, 203 to support the microphone and loudspeaker function, respectively. The converter circuitry 204 may be connected to a power supply 205 of the vehicle front door 200 which also powers the window motor. The converter circuitry 204 may also be powered by a battery and does not necessarily have to be arranged in the vehicle door but may be also located elsewhere in the vehicle, e.g. in form of an electronic control unit, e.g. corresponding to data processing device 104.
The converter circuitry 204 may have a connection to intercom power-on control and a connection to the vehicle audio system 105 which includes a loudspeaker arrangement and a microphone. As described below, the vehicle audio system 105 is not necessary for the intercom system for all embodiments.
The connection between the converter circuitry 204 and the vehicle audio system 206 can be wired or wireless.
The window 103 is used in this embodiment because installation of the transducers 202, 203 may be easiest in this case. Also, window sizes are standardized limiting required sizing variants for the transducers 202, 203.
In the following, various embodiments based on the components described with reference to FIG. 2 are described.
In a first embodiment, the vehicle window 201 acts as one-way microphone and speaker.
In that case, for outside to inside communication, the pedestrian 102 talks in the direction of the window 201. This generates vibrations in the window 201. The first transducer 202 picks up the vibrations and transmits a corresponding output signal to the converter circuitry 204 for signal processing. The converter circuitry 204 converts the transducer output signal to an audio output signal and supplies it to the vehicle audio system 206.
For inside to outside communication, the driver 101 talks into the microphone of the vehicle audio system 206. The vehicle audio system 206 sends an output signal of the microphone to the converter circuitry 204 which generates a corresponding driving signal (audio output signal) for the second transducer 203. The converter circuitry 204 supplies the driving signal to the second transducer 203 which in response generates vibrations in the window. The window vibrations produce sound that can be heard by the pedestrian 102.
In a second embodiment, the vehicle window 201 acts as two-way microphone and speaker.
For outside to inside communication, the pedestrian 102 talks in the direction of the vehicle window 201. This generates vibrations in the vehicle window 201. The first transducer 202 picks up the vibrations and transmits a corresponding output signal to the converter circuitry 204 for signal processing. The converter circuitry 204 converts the transducer output signal to a driving signal (audio output signal) for the second transducer 203. The converter circuitry 204 supplies the driving signal to the second transducer 203 which in response generates vibrations in the window. The window vibrations produce sound that can be heard by the driver 101.
For inside to outside communication, the driver 101 talks in the direction of the window 201. This generates vibrations in the window 201. The first transducer 202 picks up the vibrations and transmits a corresponding output signal to the converter circuitry 204 for signal processing. The converter circuitry 204 converts the transducer output signal to a driving signal (audio output signal) for the second transducer 203. The converter circuitry 204 supplies the driving signal to the second transducer 203 which in response generates vibrations in the window. The window vibrations produce sound that can be heard by the pedestrian 102.
The first embodiment is simpler in terms of design and control of the electromechanical transducers 202, 203 than the second embodiment. On the other hand, it requires interconnection with the vehicle audio system 206 (wired or wireless). This imposes compatibility between, in particular, the converter circuitry 204 and the vehicle audio system 206. Ideally, the second transducer 203 is configured such that, when the driver talks, the second transducer 203 vibrates the window 201 such that it generates sound radiating towards the outside of the vehicle 100 but not towards the inside, as it may create an unpleasant echo effect.
In the second embodiment, the intercom system is independent from the vehicle audio system 206. Thus, potential compatibility issues are eliminated. However, the intercom system becomes more complex in other ways.
If the driver 102 and the pedestrian 102 do not speak simultaneously, the second transducer 202 should be configured to vibrate the windows to selectively generate sound radiating towards the outside or the inside of the vehicle, depending on who is talking. This also means that the first transducer 201 (including its electronics) which acts as microphone should be able to identify whether a voice comes from inside or outside the vehicle.
In addition, the first transducer 201 should be configured to determine whether the vibrations measured at a given time are the results of a voice or of the vibration generating second transducer 203. These challenges may be addressed in terms of transducer signal processing, control of physical design, placement and quantity. One possibility is to use two sets of microphone and loudspeaker transducers placed on different areas of the window 201 or on different windows. Each of the set would be dedicated to picking-up and reproducing either the driver's or the pedestrian's voice.
Both driver and pedestrian talking simultaneously adds a layer of complexity. An example of addressing this scenario is using a system of voice priority, for example ignoring the pedestrian voice when the driver is talking.
As explained above, the role of the first transducer 202 is to convert a vibration of the window 201 into an electrical signal that can be further converted into an audio output signal (and eventually sound). Such a device is typically referred to as a contact microphone. It can be made with any kind of transducer measuring the acceleration, velocity of displacement of a surface. MEMS (microelectricalmechanical system) accelerometers are an example of a low cost option for a contact microphone. While these devices are not adapted for attachment on the mobile part of the window (aesthetic + they would block the down motion of the windows), they could be relevant if the surfaces radiating sound are made of vehicle body panels.
A possibility for a contact microphone compatible with the use of the window as sound radiating panel are films or layer of electroactive material such as piezoelectric polymer and ceramic. Electroactive polymer can be made quasitransparent and conforming, so that they could be integrated seamlessly on the windows, i.e. an e.g. thin film transparent acoustic transducer may be used.
Another advantage of electroactive materials films is that they can be used for both sensing and generating vibration. Therefore, they can be used for the first transducer 202 as well as the second transducer 203, i.e. a transparent piezoelectric film speaker for a window may be used both as loudspeaker as well as microphone.
It should be noted that in principle, the microphone functionality (provided in the above embodiment by the first transducer 201) could be to use a high-speed, high resolution CCD (charge coupled device) imaging the motion of the windows, a technology referred to as visual microphone. This approach is convenient because camera sensors are becoming common elements of car interior. However, high speed camera components remain expensive and the signal processing technology associated with visual microphones is in its infancy.
The second transducer 203 generates vibrations on the window 201 (or, in another embodiment, on the vehicle body) that produce sound hearable inside and/or outside the vehicle. Such devices are referred to as surface loudspeakers.
Cylindrical shaped surface loudspeakers are commercially available but due to their profile, these loudspeakers cannot be part of an intercom system making use of the window for outputting sound installed in a permanent fashion, as they block the downward motion of the window.
However, as described above, film shaped surface loudspeakers can be made with electroactive material such as piezoelectric ceramics and polymers. Due to their thin profile, they do not block the motion of a window when installed on the window and can thus be installed in a permanent way.
A detachable and low-cost alternative to electroacfive material film surface speakers is the integration of battery powered cylindrical surface loudspeaker, an accelerometer playing the role of microphone and a non-permanent attachment member such as a suction cup, as it is illustrated in FIG. 3.
FIG. 3 shows an intercom device 300 including a housing 301 having a surface loudspeaker, an accelerator and electronics which may implement (at least one of) the transducers 202, 203 and electronics, e.g. at least partially the circuitry 204.
The device 300 may be provided with a non-permanent attachment member 302 such as a suction cup. The intercom device 300 may for example use a Bluetooth connection to the vehicle audio system to be used for the first embodiment. The vehicle driver 101 would have to compromise between the possibility to use an intercom and the possibility to open the vehicle window. The driver 101 could however easily transition from one possibility to the other by attaching/detaching the device by means of the non-permanent attachment medium 302.
Other applications of the intercom device provided according to various embodiments include that the driver 101 listens to a conversation between a people located outside of the vehicle or to nature sound (sea, birds). Picked up outside sounds can also be analyzed by the system (e.g. circuitry 304) to provide a variety of information on the vehicle surroundings. For example, the first transducer 201 could be used to pick-up the sound produced by emergency vehicles and the circuitry 204 may be configured to output a corresponding warning to the driver (e.g. using a display of the vehicle 100) or, by performing a corresponding analysis of the sound, indicate to the driver the incoming direction of an emergency vehicle approaching the vehicle's position. Generally, the intercom system may be configured to perform external sound origin detection (possibly using multiple transducers operating as microphone). The intercom system may further be configured to perform active noise and vibration cancellation, e.g. by picking up an incoming vibration and causing a vibration to cancel the incoming vibration.
Reference Signs List Vehicle 101 Driver 102 Pedestrian 103 Vehicle window 104 Control device Vehicle door 201 Vehicle window 202, 203 Electromechanical transducers 204 Converter circuitry 205 Power supply 206 Vehicle audio system 300 Intercom device 301 Housing 302 Attachment member

Claims (6)

  1. Patent claims 1. A vehicle intercom system comprising: an electromechanical transducer (202) configured to generate an electric vibration signal representing a vibration of a vehicle window (201); a converter circuit (204) configured to convert the electric vibration signal into an audio output signal; a sound output device (203, 206), wherein the converter circuit (204) is configured to supply the audio output signal to the sound output device and the sound output device is configured to output sound according to the audio output signal.
  2. 2. The vehicle intercom system of claim 1, wherein the converter circuit (204) is configured to supply the audio output signal to the sound output device (203, 206) wirelessly.
  3. The vehicle intercom system of claim 1or 2, wherein the vibration of the vehicle window (201) is a vibration of the vehicle window (201) caused by a sound.
  4. The vehicle intercom system of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the electromechanical transducer (202) consists of transparent piezoelectric material.
  5. 5. The vehicle intercom system of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the electromechanical transducer (202) provides the electric vibration signal to the converter circuit (204) via a wired connection or via wireless connection.
  6. 6. The vehicle intercom system of any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising an intercom device (300), wherein the electromechanical transducer (202) and the converter circuit (204) are arranged together in a housing (301) of the intercom device (300). 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.The vehicle intercom system of claim 6, wherein the intercom device (300) comprises a non-permanent attachment member (302) for attaching the housing (301) to the vehicle window (201).A vehicle (100) comprising the vehicle window (201) and the vehicle intercom system of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the electromechanical transducer (202) is attached to the vehicle window (201).The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the sound output device is an electromechanical interior output transducer (203) attached to the vehicle window (201) or attached to another vehicle window (201) of the vehicle (100) The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the sound output device is a vehicle audio system (206) of the vehicle (100) The vehicle of any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the vibration of the vehicle window (201) is a vibration of the vehicle window (201) caused by a sound on the outside of the vehicle.The vehicle of claim 11, comprising a further electromechanical transducer configured to generate a further electric vibration signal representing a vibration of the vehicle window (201) caused by a sound on the inside of the vehicle, wherein the converter circuit (204) is configured to convert the further electric vibration signal to a further audio output signal and further comprising a further sound output device configured to output sound according to the further audio output signal to the exterior of the vehicle.The vehicle of claim 11, comprising a microphone configured to generate an audio input signal representing a sound from the inside of the vehicle, wherein the converter circuit (204) is configured to convert the audio input signal to a further audio output signal and further comprising a further sound output device configured to output sound according to the further audio output signal to the exterior of the vehicle.14. The vehicle of claim 12 or 13, wherein the further sound output device is an electromechanical exterior output transducer attached to the vehicle window (201) or attached to a further vehicle window (201) of the vehicle (100).
GB2113275.8A 2021-09-17 2021-09-17 Vehicle intercom system Pending GB2611026A (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB2113275.8A GB2611026A (en) 2021-09-17 2021-09-17 Vehicle intercom system

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB2113275.8A GB2611026A (en) 2021-09-17 2021-09-17 Vehicle intercom system

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