CN115769601A

CN115769601A - Method for outputting a user-specific acoustic signal with an output unit, computer program product and electronic signal processing system

Info

Publication number: CN115769601A
Application number: CN202180047788.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: H.弗兰克; M.斯帕尔比尔
Original assignee: Volkswagen AG
Current assignee: Volkswagen AG
Priority date: 2020-06-17
Filing date: 2021-05-18
Publication date: 2023-03-07
Also published as: DE102020207482B4; WO2021254711A1; DE102020207482A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for outputting an acoustic signal at an output unit (3) which is designed to be worn on the ear, said method carrying out the following steps: -generating an electronic priority list (8) for different acoustic signals for the user (2) by inputting priority information into an input unit (9); -storing said electronic priority list (8) in a storage unit (5); -generating an acoustic signal by means of a vehicle (1) in which a user (2) is located; -wirelessly coupling (7) the wearable output unit (3) with an infotainment system (6) of the vehicle (1); -configuring said generated acoustic signals according to a priority list (8) and therewith generating configured acoustic signals; -transmitting the configured acoustic signal from the infotainment system (6) to the wearable output unit (3) and acoustically outputting the configured acoustic signal at the wearable output unit (3). The invention also relates to a computer program product and an electronic signal processing system (5).

Description

Method for outputting a user-specific acoustic signal with an output unit, computer program product and electronic signal processing system

The invention relates to a method for acoustically outputting an acoustic signal at an acoustic output unit which is designed in accordance with the specifications for being worn on the ear of a user. The invention also relates to a computer program product and an electronic signal processing system.

The vehicle interior space of a vehicle is acoustically complex (basic noise of the vehicle, external noise, audio entertainment, speech, warning signals, etc.), which is a challenge for hearing-impaired persons or hearing device wearers. Due to hearing impairment, driving tasks are mentally more demanding than people without hearing impairment. Typical hearing devices have a directional microphone and an auditory filter to improve hearing, but these result in limitations in the vehicle. Directional hearing is limited by the directional microphone on the hearing device and the need to look ahead when performing driving tasks. The interfering noise may overlap and in particular overlap with relevant acoustic information of the vehicle system. This can lead to an increase in the cognitive stress of the driver, among other things.

For example, the hearing instrument may be connected to a bluetooth enabled smartphone or media player.

Patent document DE 10 2015 012 39 A1 discloses a method for operating a vehicle in a traffic environment, wherein a radio signal containing output data for determining acoustic information related to objects located in the traffic environment is received from a transmitting device external to the vehicle. From the output data, an indication signal is determined and played acoustically.

Patent document DE 20 2013 006 009 U1 discloses a driver assistance system for a vehicle, wherein at least one acoustic warning or indicator signal is output for driver assistance.

A disadvantage is that the relevant acoustic information, such as vehicle warnings, navigation instructions, traffic information or audio entertainment, cannot be output exclusively with the hearing device. Although the hearing devices can be set to different acoustic spatial types by means of corresponding modes, motor vehicles are acoustic spaces with particularly complex acoustic properties, which are driven by the acoustic outside world and cannot be separated from interfering noise.

The technical problem to be solved by the invention is to directly output relevant acoustic information, such as vehicle warnings, navigation instructions, traffic information or audio entertainment signals, by a human hearing device, so that the hearing impaired person can better and more comfortably perceive the relevant acoustic information.

The above technical problem is solved by a method, a computer program product and an electronic signal processing system according to the independent claims. Suitable refinements emerge from the dependent claims.

An aspect of the invention relates to a method of acoustically outputting an acoustic signal at an acoustic output unit that is designed to be worn on an ear of a user. By inputting the priority information into the input unit by the user, a user-specific, electronic priority list is generated for the different acoustic signals for the user, which can be generated in the vehicle itself. The electronic priority list is stored in a memory unit and an acoustic signal is generated by a vehicle in which the user is located, said vehicle having a wearable output unit. The wearable output unit is wirelessly coupled with an infotainment system of the vehicle. At least one generated acoustic signal is configured according to the priority list and thereby a configured acoustic signal is generated by the configuration unit. The configured acoustic signal is transmitted from the infotainment system to the wearable output unit, and the configured acoustic signal is acoustically output at the wearable output unit.

By means of the proposed method, relevant acoustic information, such as warnings, navigation instructions, traffic information or audio entertainment signals of the vehicle, can be output directly to the user by means of a configured acoustic signal via a wearable output unit. The user can thus particularly better perceive the configured acoustic signal. The output of specific and situation-dependent, in particular specific acoustic signals to the user can be carried out in a particularly advantageous manner by prioritizing the relevant acoustic information according to a priority list of the acoustic signals. The user can himself predetermine which acoustic signals and in which way they are presented by the wearable output unit by means of the priority list. Based on the electronic user-specific priority list, the user can determine in advance which subsequently generated acoustic signals are more or less relevant to him. For example, the user can prioritize the acoustic signals so that they are output louder than other information that is less important to him. By means of a wireless communication coupling of the wearable output unit to the infotainment system of the vehicle, the configured acoustic signal can be output directly to the user at the ear. Thus, the information content of the acoustic signal can be clearly perceived and acquired by the user.

For example, the wireless coupling is implemented by bluetooth or WLAN or other mobile radio standards.

By outputting the acoustic signal at the ear of the user with the wearable output unit, the user is not affected by limited directional hearing. In particular, the user is thus not particularly affected by the position of the loudspeakers of the vehicle, which loudspeakers can also output these acoustic signals. Thus, the user can receive and perceive the information content of the acoustic signal directly at the ear. In particular, this makes it possible to output an acoustic signal to a user that is inaudible to another user in the vehicle.

The wearable output unit may be, for example, a medical hearing device for a hearing impaired person, a headphone or an ear plug or a cone or a ear hook or an ear seal or an ear canal. In particular, these variants are designed for wireless coupling with infotainment systems. In particular the wearable output unit is worn directly on the ear of the user. In particular, the output units can be arranged on both ears of the user.

In particular, an electronic user-specific priority list can be automatically stored in the memory unit. The memory unit may in particular be part of the electronic signal processing system or be integrated as an add-on module into the infotainment system. The configuration unit is in particular a possible part of an electronic signal processing system or is integrated as an add-on module into an infotainment system. The infotainment system may be an integral part of an electronic signal processing system.

In particular the acoustic signal is generated by the vehicle itself and independently. In particular, radio signals or digital radio signals are transmitted to the vehicle or are provided by a vehicle system, and the vehicle or the vehicle system generates or generates acoustic signals therefrom. The acoustic signal contains, inter alia, acoustic information.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the acoustic signals in the electronic priority list are characterized by user-specific presets with respect to at least one setting of at least one signal parameter of the acoustic signals. Additionally or alternatively, user-specific presets of an order of interest are generated in the electronic priority list, in which acoustic signals with different signal types are to be output. A priority list is thus created according to the user's interests. In addition or alternatively, a user-specific preset of an output format for simultaneously outputting a plurality of different acoustic signals at least temporarily is generated in the electronic priority list. The acoustic signal is output with the wearable output unit so that it can be provided to the user more comprehensively and more user-specifically, so that the output can be made user-specifically and user-adapted according to the priority list.

For example, the user may prioritize entertainment signals and/or speech over safety and driving related information based on user specific preset settings. The entertainment signal and/or speech is therefore of higher priority and adjusted so that it can be perceived explicitly by the user. For example, acoustic signals with higher priority can be output louder to the user. For example, the volume of the acoustic signal may be configured such that it can be output to the user via the wearable output unit decoupled from the volume of the vehicle's speaker system. These examples are not to be construed as conclusive.

For example, the pitch, frequency, duration, volume or timbre of the acoustic signal or the voice broadcast can be set as signal parameters according to user-specific presets. The acoustic signal can hereby be output to the user in a manner desired by the user. Information that is important to the user can thus be better output to the user and perceived by the user more effectively.

Depending on the sequence of interest, the user can set which acoustic signal should be output first according to a specific or personalized preset. It is also advantageous if a plurality of acoustic signals of different vehicle systems are to be output simultaneously to the user. With the sequence of interest, the acoustic signal at the first position of the sequence of interest is first output. For example, the different signal types or signal classes may be acoustic signals of a navigation system, a driver assistance system, an infotainment system, an audio system or a vehicle perception system. In this case, it can be determined by means of the sequence of interest whether the audio speech or the warning sound or the horn sound is more important to the user.

If a plurality of different acoustic signals are output to the user simultaneously, the output format can be automatically generated at least from the electronic priority list. Depending on the output format, it can be determined, for example, which of the plurality of simultaneously output acoustic signals is to be better perceived by the user. For example, one acoustic signal may be output at a significantly higher volume than another acoustic signal. The user can thus perceive a plurality of acoustic signals simultaneously, but the more important acoustic signals are highlighted. This is done, in particular, by an audio program, in particular a corresponding module. Likewise, sound programs or sound processes can also be carried out for this purpose. For example, it can be determined by means of the output unit that the acoustic signal of the radio receiver continues to be output, but at the same time the navigation instruction is output with a greater volume. For example, the generation of the output format may be implemented by an audio program module of the electronic signal processing system. Here, the audio source of the vehicle may correspond to the volume output determined in the priority list. For example, the warning tone may be weighted more important and other audio sources are reduced in volume relative to the warning tone for the duration of the warning tone output. For example, different audio signals may be mixed in real-time into an audio output stream. The audio output of the audio output stream is transmitted via bluetooth to the wearable output unit and output there as acoustic sound to the user.

Preferably, provision is also made for a user-specific, predetermined electronic priority list containing the user to be automatically stored in an electronic user profile, which is specifically assigned to the user. By the user inputting the priority information into the electronic input unit, a user-specific priority list is generated therefrom and is unambiguously assigned to the user by the user on the basis of the electronic user profile. Thus, the user-specific presets that have been executed and set can be permanently stored in the electronic user profile in the electronic priority list. Thus, when the electronic priority list is first created and stored in the electronic user profile, the electronic user profile can be automatically retrieved and the electronic priority list can be provided in the future when the user travels or stops in the vehicle. For example, after entering the vehicle, the user can either automatically call his electronic user profile via the input unit, or automatically identify or recognize the user and automatically provide or retrieve the electronic user profile belonging to the recognized user. User-specific presets can thus be retrieved and applied at any time via the electronic priority list.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a further wearable output unit of a further user is wirelessly coupled to the infotainment system, wherein the further user generates a further priority list for different acoustic signals and the further priority list is stored in a further electronic user profile of the further user. Thus, each user, and in particular each passenger of the vehicle, can be assigned its own electronic user profile. In a corresponding electronic user profile, the user or passenger can create and store his own priority list. Thus, an electronic user profile can be assigned to each user of the vehicle or each occupant of the vehicle for his wearable output unit.

For example, at least one first acoustic signal for the user can be configured according to the priority list and an electronic user profile of the user, and a second acoustic signal, which differs from the first acoustic signal, can be configured according to the further priority list and a further electronic user profile of the further user. The configured first acoustic signal is output to the user via the wearable output unit, in particular for acoustic perception only by the user. The configured second acoustic signal may be output to a further user by a further wearable output unit, in particular for acoustic perception only by the user. Thus, user-specific acoustic signals, in particular acoustic information, can be output to each user. Thus, user-specific acoustic information that is not determined for other users or other occupants in the vehicle may be output to the user. Thus, acoustic signals that are personalized and specific to the user can be output to the occupants and passengers in the vehicle via their respective wearable output units. For example, information which is determined not to be of interest to the user can thus not be output, so that the user is not influenced or disturbed by the information flow.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the user's priority list is adjusted, if necessary, by the electronic signal processing system depending on which vehicle seat the user is sitting in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. In particular the order of the acoustic signals in the priority list is changed or the number of acoustic signals in the priority list is reduced. By determining which vehicle seat the user is sitting on, the priority list can be specifically adjusted. By means of the detection unit and/or the camera system and/or the seat belt recognition system and/or the seat occupancy recognition system, it can be detected in which vehicle a user is sitting. In this case, it can be recognized, in particular, whether the user is in the driver's seat of the vehicle or whether the user is in the front passenger seat or in the rear seat. Depending on the position of the user in the vehicle, the user can be provided with specific acoustic signals and/or acoustic information. Especially if the user is sitting in the driver's seat, the user receives more information by means of acoustic signals than other occupants of the vehicle. For example, warnings of the vehicle and/or vehicle state data and/or vehicle state information and/or navigation instructions and/or traffic information are provided to the driver of the vehicle, since he needs these information in order to control the vehicle. Acoustic information from the voice dialog system or the telephone system or the radio system or the infotainment system is released to the other passengers (the passenger and/or the rear passenger).

In particular, it is possible to release or block a specific acoustic signal depending on the position of the user in the passenger compartment. Depending on whether the user is a co-driver or a driver, the acoustic signals may be automatically adjusted or changed in their order in the priority list. In particular, the driver of the vehicle gets a greater number of acoustic signals in the priority list than in the copilot. There are fewer acoustic signals in the priority list than the driver for the copilot and/or other occupants in the rear seats of the vehicle. Thus, the acoustic signal can be adapted to the user importance or priority in the vehicle.

Preferably, provision is also made for an acoustic signal to be generated by a vehicle system of the vehicle independently of the priority list and transmitted to the wearable output unit for acoustic output in the case of a safety-relevant situation when driving forward with the vehicle or in the case of a safety-relevant vehicle state of the vehicle. In this way, in unpredictable situations and/or in current critical traffic situations and/or current critical vehicle states, an acoustic signal can be generated and output to the user via the wearable output unit, independently of the user-specific presets. For example, a safety-relevant vehicle state and/or a safety-relevant situation can be damage and/or defects of vehicle systems or vehicle components (engine damage or tire blowout) or a danger along a route in the form of a vehicle. This information is currently more important than the user's preferred acoustic signal. Thus, this specific acoustic signal is output to the user immediately and without delay through the wearable output unit. Either the currently output acoustic signal is interrupted and only the specifically generated acoustic signal is output, or at least the output acoustic signal is reduced in its volume so that the currently generated acoustic signal can be effectively perceived by the user.

Preferably, the wearable output unit is produced as a digital hearing device, wherein the configured acoustic signal is output directly and individually by the digital hearing device at the ear of the user. Thus, hearing impaired persons and/or persons with impaired acoustic perception may be directly output acoustic signals by the digital hearing device. Thus, a person with impaired hearing can better perceive sound information, such as a warning of a vehicle, a navigation instruction, traffic information or an audio entertainment signal. In particular, the personalized volume for different acoustic signals can be better output by the hearing device of the user. In particular, the configured acoustic signal may be provided specifically for the hearing device output in terms of its volume. The output of these configured acoustic signals is decoupled in particular from the acoustic signals of the vehicle's loudspeaker system.

For example, "behind the ear" devices known as HDO devices may be used. "in-the-ear" devices that are fully inserted into the auditory canal may also be used. In particular, the digital hearing instrument is an electrical hearing instrument with an electronic circuit board or with a computing unit. With the aid of digital hearing devices, the acoustic signal can be configured such that it can be output directly on the ear, directly and individually.

Provision is preferably also made for the acoustic signals in the passenger compartment of the vehicle to be recorded by a microphone system of the vehicle. The recorded acoustic signals are configured according to a priority list, and the configured acoustic signals are transmitted to a wearable output unit for acoustic output. Thus, it is possible to record the sound or acoustic signals inside the vehicle in the passenger compartment. After recording these acoustic signals, they are treated or processed and configured accordingly, so that the acoustic signals in the passenger compartment can be output to the user via the wearable output unit. It is particularly advantageous that the acoustic signal at the rear seat of the passenger compartment is not clearly perceptible to the driver and/or the copilot. Thus, the acoustic signal may be recorded and processed so that the driver or copilot may better perceive the acoustic signal through the wearable output unit.

This is also particularly advantageous for hearing impaired people. In this case, the speech and/or acoustic signals on the rear seat can be recorded by a microphone system and acoustically output to the user by a wearable output device, in particular a digital hearing instrument.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out a method according to the improvement of the preceding aspect or one of the preceding aspects. In particular, the above-described method is carried out by means of the computer program product. In particular the corresponding computer program product is software for an infotainment system of a vehicle. In particular, the computer program product can be integrated as a hearing device model into an infotainment system of a vehicle.

Another aspect of the invention relates to an electronic signal processing system comprising a configuration unit, a priority unit and a storage unit, wherein the electronic signal processing system is designed to perform a method according to one of the preceding aspects or an improvement thereof. In particular the above method is performed by the electronic signal processing system.

The invention even comprises a combination of features of the described embodiments.

The following describes examples of the present invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a vehicle having an infotainment system;

fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an electronic signal processing system integrated in the infotainment system of fig. 1.

The examples described below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In the examples, the components of the embodiments are features of the invention which are discussed separately and independently of one another, which features are also modified independently of one another and which form part of the invention either separately or in different combinations than those shown. Furthermore, the embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

In the figures, elements having the same function are provided with the same reference symbols.

Fig. 1 shows a vehicle 1 in which a user 2 is located. In particular, the user 2 can travel with the vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 is in particular a motor vehicle. With the aid of the vehicle 1, the user 2 can travel in real road traffic.

For example, the user 2 may wear the wearable output unit 3 on the ear of the user 2. The output unit 3, which is particularly wearable, can be an output unit that is designed to be worn on the ear of the user 2. The wearable output unit 3 may be, for example, an earphone or a digital or for a hearing impaired human electronic hearing device. An acoustic signal can be output to the user 2 by means of the wearable output unit 3.

For example, an electronic user profile 4 can be assigned to the user 2. The electronic user profile 4 can relate to user-specific and user-specific settings. In particular, an electronic user profile 4 can be stored in the memory unit 5. The storage unit 5 may be, for example, a server or a data cloud or a storage unit of the vehicle 1. The storage unit 5 may also be part of an infotainment system 6 of the vehicle.

Fig. 2 below shows in particular an electronic signal processing system 5, by means of which configured acoustic signals can be acoustically output to a user 2 in a user-specific manner by means of a wearable output unit 3.

In particular, the electronic signal processing system 5 is integrated in an infotainment system 6 of the vehicle 1 or vice versa. The electronic signal processing system 5 can have different software modules and/or other modules, which are integrated in the infotainment system 6 and in particular in the software of the infotainment system 6.

In an embodiment of the method of acoustically outputting an acoustic signal at the output unit 3, a wireless coupling 7 of the wearable output unit 3 to the infotainment system 6 is realized, in particular. This may be the first step. However, this is not necessarily done as a first step. This can be done here by a bluetooth or WLAN connection. In particular, the coupling 7 is realized by a radio connection between the output unit 3 and the infotainment system 6.

Before or after the output unit 3 of the user 2 is coupled to the infotainment system 6, the user 2 can generate a user-specific, electronic priority list 8. The user 2 can assign priority information to the different acoustic signals by means of a user-specific electronic priority list 8. Thus, different acoustic signals may be preferentially arranged by the user 2. In particular, the generation of priority list 8 is effected by user 2 inputting priority information into input unit 9. The input unit 9 may be, for example, a display unit or a wearable communication terminal (smartphone or tablet) or a web application in the vehicle 1. The different acoustic signals are in particular acoustic signals generated in the vehicle 1 itself. In particular the acoustic signal is acoustically output by a vehicle system and/or a vehicle audio system and/or a vehicle loudspeaker. For example, the acoustic signal is generated by the vehicle 1 itself from a radio signal. In particular, the acoustic signal is generated by the vehicle 1 in such a way that the user 2 selects it with his output unit 3.

The generated electronic priority list 8 is automatically stored in the storage unit 5, in particular after being entered in the input unit 9. The electronic priority list 8 can contain, in particular, user-specific presets of the user 2 and can additionally be stored in the electronic user profile 4 of the user 2. The generated priority list 8 can thus be retrieved and taken into account for future applications of the user 2 in the vehicle 1.

For example, different audio signals may be assigned to certain audio sources T1-T6. The audio source T1 may be, for example, a warning tone device of the vehicle 1. The audio source T2 is in particular the sound of the driver assistance system. The audio source T3 may be a speech dialog system. The audio source T4 may be, for example, a navigation broadcast of the navigation system of the vehicle 1. Audio source T5 is broadcast/media entertainment content. The audio source T6 may be, inter alia, a telephone call or a video call. The user 2 can assign priorities to the acoustic signals of the audio sources T1 to T6 in a user-specific manner via the input unit 9 and use them for the output of the output unit 3.

In particular, the priority of the arrangement of the acoustic signals can also be automatically carried out in accordance with the priority unit 10 of the electronic signal processing system 5. For example, priority unit 10 can take into account stored priority list 8 and electronic user profile 4.

By means of the electronic configuration unit 11, in particular the electronic signal processing system 5, at least one acoustic signal or generated acoustic signal can be configured according to the priority list 8. In particular, a configured acoustic signal can be generated by the configuration unit 11. The configured acoustic signals are generated in particular according to user-specific presets of the user 2, which are represented by a priority list 8. The configured acoustic signals can be transmitted from the infotainment system 6, in particular from the communication unit of the infotainment system 6, to the wearable output unit 3 via the wireless coupling 7. The transmitted configured acoustic signal can then be acoustically output to the user 2 via the wearable output unit 3. The acoustic signal, which is configured in particular, is output in such a way that it can be perceived substantially acoustically only by the user 2.

In particular, the acoustic signals can be prioritized by the user 2 or by the priority unit 10 in the electronic priority list 8 by a user-specific preset with respect to at least one setting of at least one signal parameter of the acoustic signals. For example, the user 2 can set the volume or level or tone of the acoustic signal via the touch screen of the vehicle 1. The user-specific setting can be made in particular by the user 2 or the priority unit 10 by means of signal parameters, such as pitch, duration, volume, intensity or timbre of the acoustic signal. In particular, the user 2 can individually pre-configure or set the acoustic signals for which they are of higher value.

Likewise, a user-specific preset of the sequence of interest can be generated in the electronic priority list 8, wherein acoustic signals with different signal types or signal classes are output depending on the location of interest of the user. The user 2 can thus determine in which order the different acoustic signals should be output. In particular, the acoustic signal with the highest priority should be output to the user 2 via the output unit 3. For example, in the sequence of interest, the audio sources T1-T6 may be set in terms of their volume ratios. For example, the user 2 may set that safety-and travel-related information should be prioritized over entertainment information. Thus, the vehicle warning tone and/or the vehicle information may be output first.

Likewise, user-specific presets of the output formats for simultaneously outputting a plurality of different acoustic signals at least temporarily can be generated in the electronic priority list 8. In this case, for example, an audio output stream can be mixed and generated in real time from a plurality of acoustic signals. The resulting audio output stream may be output through the output unit 3 as an output format of a plurality of acoustic signals. In particular, signal mixing is achieved here. In particular, the generation of the output format is effected by the audio processing module 12 of the electronic signal processing system 5. For example, a broadcasted acoustic signal and a navigation instruction of a navigation system may be simultaneously output to the user 2 through the output unit 3. Depending on the priority, one acoustic signal is output more strongly or more clearly than the other. In this case, in particular, the volume of the higher priority acoustic signal can be greater than the volume of the other acoustic signal. Therefore, important acoustic information is output in the foreground, where acoustic information of low priority continues to be output in parallel quieter in the background.

In particular, the signal processing system 5 has a security function. In this case, a special acoustic signal can be generated by the vehicle system 13 of the vehicle 1 independently of the priority list 8 and/or the electronic user profile 4 when there are safety-relevant situations during driving with the vehicle 1 or when there are safety-relevant states of the vehicle 1. This is achieved in particular in the event of unforeseen dangerous situations in the vehicle 1 or in the environment of the vehicle 1. Vehicle conditions (engine temperature or engine conditions) may also be taken into account, for example. Dangerous situations of travel along the vehicle 1 can likewise be considered. This safety-critical information can cause the electronic signal processing system 5 and in particular the vehicle system 13 to output a specific acoustic signal independently of the acoustic signal currently output with the output unit 3. In particular, priority list 8 can be bypassed here. In this case, either the currently output acoustic signals can now be completely interrupted or these acoustic signals can be shifted into the background, so that the acoustic signals adapted to the current safety-relevant situation can be immediately and unambiguously communicated and output to the user 3.

It is also possible that further wearable output units of further users 15 are wirelessly coupled with the infotainment system 6. It is particularly feasible that any number of output units of any user in the vehicle 1 are coupled to the infotainment system 5. Different acoustic signals can be output to different users in the vehicle by means of respective output units. In particular, further users 15 may generate further priority lists for different acoustic signals. Here, the further user 15 may prioritize the acoustic signals differently than the user 2. This further priority list can be stored in a further electronic user profile of the user 15. In particular, at least one first acoustic signal can be assigned to the user 2 on the basis of the priority list and in the priority list 8 and the electronic user profile 4 of the user 2 and output to the user 2 via the wearable output unit 3, in particular only acoustically perceived by him. For this purpose, a second acoustic signal, which is different from the first acoustic signal, can be configured according to the further priority list 8 and a further electronic user profile of the further user 15. The second acoustic signal can be output to the further user 15 by means of the further acoustic output unit, in particular for acoustic perception only by him. The further priority list and the further electronic user profile may also be stored in the memory unit 5.

By means of the electronic signal processing system 5, the priority list 8 of the

users

2,15 can be adjusted according to which vehicle seat 16 in the passenger compartment 17 the

user

2,15 is sitting in. In particular, the priority list 8 is adapted according to whether the user 2 is a driver or a co-driver in the vehicle 1. The priority list 8 is adjusted according to the user's seat position in the passenger compartment 17. This can be done dynamically and automatically by the priority unit 10, among other things. The detection of the position of the user 2 in the passenger compartment 17 can be carried out in particular by means of a detection unit 18. The detection unit 18 may be, for example, a camera system or an interior space camera or an observation camera or a sensor system or a radio vehicle key. The identification can likewise be entered manually by the user 2 via the input unit 9. By the position of the

users

2,15 in the vehicle 1, it is possible to change the order of the acoustic signals in the priority list 8 or to reduce the number of acoustic signals in the priority list 8. This is particularly relevant in the context of decisive and/or important information about the vehicle 1 and/or the driving route only relating to the vehicle driver. The other passengers of the vehicle 1 do not have to be informed of this information. For example, safety and driving-related information is informed to the driver of the vehicle. Only the entertainment or radio signals and/or the telephone are informed of the copilot or other passengers in the vehicle 1. In particular, the warning sound and/or the warning signal are determined for the vehicle driver. This makes it possible in particular to ensure that the persons in the vehicle 1 are not overloaded and/or disturbed by unnecessary information.

Another exemplary embodiment provides for the acoustic signals in the vehicle interior or in the passenger compartment 17 of the vehicle 1 to be recorded by a microphone system 19 of the vehicle.

In particular, the microphone system 19 may be a microphone of the vehicle 1 or a microphone of the infotainment system 6. By means of the microphone system 19, for example, a voice conversation of a vehicle occupant in the rear seat can be recorded. This can be optimized or processed accordingly, in particular by the electronic memory unit 5, so that these acoustic signals or acoustic information of the speech dialog are output to the user 2 via the output unit 3 without perceptible delay. This is particularly advantageous if, due to external or other disturbing noises, the person in the front region of the vehicle and in particular the driver or the copilot cannot clearly understand what is said on the rear seat. In this way, better communication between the persons in the front and rear vehicle zones can be achieved.

In a further exemplary embodiment, it can be provided that the audio signals of the infotainment system 6 output via the loudspeakers 20 of the infotainment system 6 are transmitted directly to the output unit 3. The audio signals of the infotainment system 6 can thus be transmitted directly to the output unit 3 via the loudspeaker 20 and be provided to the user 2.

The invention is particularly advantageous in that the wearable output unit 3 is provided as a digital hearing instrument. The digital hearing device is a "behind-the-ear" device (HDO device) or an "in-the-ear" device. Thus, a better acoustic perception of relevant information, such as warnings, navigation instructions, traffic information or audio entertainment signals of the vehicle, can be provided to the hearing-impaired person during driving of the vehicle 1 or in a parked state of the vehicle 1. In particular, a user 2 wearing the hearing device 21 on one or both ears can prioritize the acoustic signals so that the vehicle 1 can be driven as efficiently and safely as possible. With the digital hearing instrument 21, the configured acoustic signal can be output to the user 2 directly and individually on the ear of the user 2. For example, the electronic signal processing system 5 can be integrated into the infotainment system 6 by means of a hearing device model. Thus, a hearing impaired person can travel with the vehicle 1 or in the vehicle 1 better and more comfortably and particularly safely. In particular, by the hearing device 21 of the user 2 wearing the hearing device 21 on his ear, acoustic signals are output which are not influenced by the restricted directional hearing in relation to the loudspeaker position of the loudspeaker 20 of the infotainment system 6.

List of reference numbers:

1. transportation means

2. User's hand

3. Wearable output unit

4. Electronic user file

5. Memory cell

6. Information entertainment system

7. Wireless coupling

8. Priority list

9. Input unit

10. Priority unit

11. Configuration unit

12. Audio processing module

13. Vehicle system

14 further wearable output unit

15. Other users

16. Vehicle seat

17. Passenger cabin

18. Detection unit

19. Microphone system

20. Loudspeaker

21. Digital hearing device

Claims

1. A method of acoustically outputting an acoustic signal at an output unit (3) that is designed in accordance for wearing on the ear of a user (2), in which method the following steps are performed:

-generating a user-specific, electronic priority list (8) for different acoustic signals for the user (2) that can be generated in the vehicle (1) itself, by entering priority information into an input unit (9) by the user (2);

-storing said electronic priority list (8) in a storage unit (5);

-generating an acoustic signal by means of a vehicle (1) in which a user (2) with a wearable output unit (3) is located;

-wirelessly coupling (7) the wearable output unit (3) with an infotainment system (6) of the vehicle (1);

-configuring the at least one generated acoustic signal according to a priority list (8) and therewith generating a configured acoustic signal by means of a configuration unit (11);

-transmitting the configured acoustic signal from the infotainment system (6) to the wearable output unit (3) and acoustically outputting the configured acoustic signal at the wearable output unit (3).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein

-characterizing the acoustic signals in an electronic priority list (8) by user-specific presets in respect of at least one setting of at least one signal parameter of the acoustic signals, and/or

-generating user-specific presets of interest sequence in an electronic priority list (8), in which acoustic signals with different signal types are to be output, and/or

-generating, in an electronic priority list (8), a user-specific preset of output formats for simultaneously outputting a plurality of different acoustic signals at least temporarily.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an electronic priority list (8) containing user-specific presets of a user (2) is automatically stored in an electronic user profile (4), which explicitly corresponds to the user (2).

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a further wearable output unit (3) of a further user (15) is wirelessly coupled with the infotainment system (6), wherein the further user (15) generates a further priority list for different acoustic signals and the further priority list is stored in a further electronic user profile of the further user (15).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the priority list (8) of the users (2, 15) is adjusted, if necessary, by the electronic signal processing system (4) depending on which vehicle seat (16) the user (2, 15) is sitting in the passenger compartment (17) of the vehicle (1), in particular the order of the acoustic signals in the priority list (8) is changed or the number of acoustic signals in the priority list (8) is reduced.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, in case of safety-relevant situations when the vehicle (1) is driving forward, or in case of safety-relevant vehicle states of the vehicle (1), acoustic signals are generated by a vehicle system (13) of the vehicle (1) independently of the priority list (8) and transmitted to the wearable output unit (3) for acoustic output.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wearable output unit (3, 14) is prepared as a digital hearing device (21), wherein the configured acoustic signal is output directly and individually to the user (2, 15) at the ear of the user (2, 15) by means of the digital hearing device (21).

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein acoustic signals within a passenger compartment (17) of the vehicle (1) are recorded with a microphone system (19) of the vehicle (1), wherein the recorded acoustic signals are configured according to the priority list (8) and the configured acoustic signals are transmitted to the wearable output unit (3) for acoustic output.

9. A computer program product containing instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, enable it to carry out the method according to one of claims 1 to 8.

10. An electronic signal processing system (4) having a configuration unit (11), a priority unit (10) and a memory unit (5), wherein the electronic signal processing system (4) is designed to carry out the method according to one of claims 1 to 8.