Method for operating a vehicle sound system

Abstract

A method of operating a vehicle sound system to enhance the driving experience of vehicle occupants. Onboard sensors (e.g., LIDAR or RADAR systems) are used to identify objects in the vehicle environment. A database, which may be stored on a remote server, is queried, the database containing sounds stored therein that are associated with the object in electronic form. The sound may be a desired or pleasant sound. The sound is downloaded to the vehicle sound system, and the sound system produces the sound in the vehicle cabin for the enjoyment of the occupants. Other ambient sounds may be detected by an external microphone of the vehicle, and the characteristics and location of the sound are added to the database. When it is determined that the characteristics indicate that the ambient sound is undesirable, a vehicle noise reduction system may be activated when the vehicle approaches the location.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for vehicle sound systems, and particularly, but not exclusively, to vehicle sound systems including a sound prediction system and a noise reduction system. Background Art

[0002] It is desirable to reduce noise in the cabin of a vehicle, such as a motor vehicle. For example, unwanted noise reduces the comfort of the vehicle's occupants and may even distract the vehicle's driver. However, some sounds are desirable or pleasant and may have a positive effect on the vehicle's occupants. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a vehicle sound system for a vehicle (e.g., a motor vehicle), the vehicle sound system comprising:

[0004] a sound prediction system configured to determine sound characteristics associated with locations on a route of the vehicle;

[0005] a noise reduction system configured to reduce noise within a vehicle cabin caused by sound generated outside the vehicle cabin; and

[0006] A controller is configured to selectively control the noise reduction system to control sound within the vehicle cabin to reduce or transmit sound associated with the location based on the sound characteristics determined by the sound prediction system.

[0007] The noise reduction system may include at least one microphone configured to detect sounds outside a cabin of the vehicle. The noise reduction system may include at least one speaker configured to emit sounds in the cabin of the vehicle, for example, to at least partially cancel sounds detected by the microphone. The sound prediction system may determine a sound characteristic associated with a location on a route of the vehicle before a microphone of a sound system of the vehicle emits or detects the sound characteristic. The controller may control the noise reduction system to reduce or allow sounds associated with the sound characteristic associated with the location to be heard by an occupant of the vehicle at the location.

[0008] The sound characteristic may be an indication of the type of sound (e.g., man-made noise, such as construction, engine or traffic noise, etc., or naturally occurring sound, such as birdsong, wind in trees, river flow, etc.); an indication of whether the sound is desirable or undesirable; a sound level (e.g., volume); a sound waveform, or any other sound characteristic. As used herein, "desirable" is intended to mean pleasant or enjoyable to a vehicle occupant.

[0009] The sound prediction system may determine whether the sound characteristics associated with the location correspond to undesirable noise.The controller may control the noise reduction system (eg, at least one speaker) to reduce the undesirable noise.

[0010] The sound prediction system can determine whether the sound associated with the location corresponds to an expected sound. The controller can control the noise reduction system (e.g., at least one speaker) to allow the expected sound to be transmitted. The expected sound may come from outside the vehicle cabin. The controller can control the noise reduction system (e.g., at least one speaker) so as not to reduce the expected sound. Alternatively, the expected sound can be artificially generated or enhanced in the vehicle cabin by a speaker (e.g., by at least one speaker of the noise reduction system).

[0011] The sound prediction system may predict the future position of the vehicle, for example based on a route determined by a satellite navigation system and / or the current vehicle trajectory and road layout. The sound prediction system may predict sounds at the future position of the vehicle.

[0012] The sound prediction system can obtain the route of the vehicle, which can be determined by a satellite navigation system, for example. The sound prediction system can determine one or more locations that the vehicle passes through from the route. The sound prediction system can query a database that associates multiple locations with one or more associated sound characteristics of each location. The sound prediction system can be configured to query the database, which can be stored on a remote server (e.g., a computing cloud) and can be accessed by other vehicles. The sound prediction system can be configured to update the database with sounds detected by the vehicle as the vehicle passes through one or more locations. The vehicle sound system and / or the remote server can determine the sound characteristics from the detected sounds.

[0013] The noise reduction system may be configured to at least partially eliminate sounds of a particular type or source. The noise reduction system may simultaneously allow other sounds to be transmitted into the vehicle cabin. The noise reduction system may be selectively activated.

[0014] The vehicle sound system may be configured to activate the noise reduction system when the noise prediction system predicts sound levels exceeding a threshold level and / or certain predetermined sound types. The noise reduction system may be configured to reduce (eg, block) certain types of noise.

[0015] The vehicle sound system may be configured to activate the noise reduction system when it is determined that sound characteristics indicate that the sound associated with the location is undesirable, such as when the vehicle approaches the location. The vehicle sound system may be configured to deactivate the noise reduction system when it is determined that sound characteristics indicate that the sound associated with the location is desirable, such as when the vehicle approaches the location.

[0016] The noise reduction system may be manually activated by an occupant of the vehicle. The sound prediction system may be configured to upload data about manual activation or deactivation of the noise reduction system and the associated location to a remote server. The remote server may infer from such data whether the sound associated with the location is desirable or undesirable.

[0017] The vehicle sound system may also include a directional microphone, such as an interferometric tube microphone, configured to detect sounds in front of the vehicle and that are not yet heard by the microphone. The interferometric tube microphone may include a microphone connected to a tube having a series of circumferential grooves. The grooves may create an interference pattern in sound waves coming from the sides, which results in at least partial cancellation of the sound from the sides and increases the detectability of the sound directly in front of the tube.

[0018] The vehicle sound system may also include at least one sensor configured to identify objects around the vehicle. The sensor may include a camera, a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor, a radio detection and ranging (RADAR) sensor, or any other type of sensor. At least one sensor may be used in a hazard awareness system to identify hazards, such as for an autonomous or semi-autonomous driving system. The sensor (e.g., together with an associated controller) may identify the type of object from a predetermined list of objects, such as other vehicles, construction excavators, trees, etc. The vehicle sound system may be configured to associate sound characteristics with objects identified around the vehicle. There may be a database of predetermined objects and associated sound characteristics. The vehicle sound system may use the sensor to determine the type of object and then consult the database to determine the characteristics of the sound. For example, if the vehicle sound system identifies a tree, the database may associate natural sounds (e.g., birdsong, wind in trees, etc.) with the tree. Similarly, if construction machinery is identified, the database may associate construction noise with machinery.

[0019] Having determined the characteristics of the sound, if the sound is deemed to be desirable (e.g., when the sound is within the audible range of the vehicle), the vehicle sound system may allow the sound to be transmitted into the vehicle cabin. The desired sound may be transmitted by not eliminating the desired sound or by artificially reconstructing the desired sound in the vehicle cabin (the reconstructed sound may be a reproduction of an external sound or a reproduction of a similar sound, such as from a sound library). Conversely, if the sound is deemed to be undesirable, the vehicle sound system may not allow the sound to be transmitted into the vehicle cabin. If both desired and undesired sounds are identified, the vehicle sound system may allow only the desired sound to be transmitted, such as by selectively eliminating the undesired sound. Alternatively, both desired and undesired sounds may be eliminated, and the desired sound (or an equivalent sound) may be artificially generated in the vehicle cabin.

[0020] The vehicle sound system may include a mode setting in which substantially all sounds originating from outside the vehicle cabin are at least partially eliminated unless external sounds associated with a location are determined to be desirable, in which case such sounds may be allowed in the vehicle cabin (e.g., not blocked by speakers or artificially created or enhanced using speakers).

[0021] The vehicle sound system may include a mode setting in which substantially all sounds from outside the vehicle cabin are allowed unless the external sounds associated with a location are determined to be undesirable, in which case the sounds may be at least partially eliminated.

[0022] A vehicle may include the vehicle sound system described above.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a remote server configured to communicate with a plurality of vehicles is provided, the remote server having a database associating a plurality of locations or objects with one or more associated sound characteristics of each location or object.

[0024] The remote server may be configured to receive location data and associated sounds detected by one or more vehicles. The remote server may be configured to analyze the detected sounds and determine characteristics of the sounds.

[0025] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for a vehicle sound system of a vehicle, the vehicle sound system comprising:

[0026] a sound prediction system configured to determine sound characteristics associated with locations on a route of the vehicle; and

[0027] a noise reduction system configured to reduce noise within a vehicle cabin caused by sounds generated outside the vehicle cabin;

[0028] Among them, the method includes:

[0029] determining, using a sound prediction system, sound characteristics associated with a location on a route of the vehicle; and

[0030] Based on the sound characteristics determined by the sound prediction system, the noise reduction system is selectively controlled to control the sound within the vehicle cabin to reduce or transmit the sound associated with the location.

[0031] Features described in relation to the previous aspects of the present disclosure may equally apply to the present aspect.

[0032] In order to avoid unnecessary duplication of work and repeated text in the specification, certain features are described only with respect to one or more aspects or embodiments of the present invention. However, it should be understood that, where technically feasible, the features described with respect to any aspect or embodiment of the present invention may also be used with any other aspect or embodiment of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] For a better understanding of the present invention, and in order to more clearly show how the invention may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0034] Figure 1 is a block diagram depicting a vehicle sound system in accordance with an arrangement of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram depicting a vehicle sound system according to a first particular arrangement of the present disclosure;

[0036] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram depicting a vehicle sound system according to a second particular arrangement of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram depicting a vehicle sound system according to a third particular arrangement of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figure 5 is a block diagram depicting a method for a vehicle sound system in accordance with an arrangement of the present disclosure; and

[0039] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram depicting a remote server configured to communicate with a plurality of vehicles in accordance with an arrangement of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, which may be implemented in various and alternative forms. The accompanying drawings are not necessarily to scale; certain features may be exaggerated or minimized to show the details of a particular component. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to use the present invention in various ways.

[0041] refer to Figure 1, the present disclosure relates to a vehicle sound system 10 for a vehicle, such as a motor vehicle. The vehicle sound system 10 includes a sound prediction system 20, a noise reduction (e.g., cancellation) system 30, and a controller 40, which is operably connected to the sound prediction system 20 and the noise reduction system 30. The sound prediction system 20 determines a sound characteristic associated with a location on a vehicle route. The noise reduction system 30 is configured to reduce noise within a vehicle cabin caused by sounds generated outside the vehicle cabin, such as by emitting sound waves to at least partially cancel the noise within the cabin. The controller 40 selectively controls the noise reduction system 30 to control the sound within the cabin to either reduce or transmit the sound associated with the location on the vehicle route. The controller 40 can control the noise reduction system based on the sound characteristics determined by the sound prediction system 20.

[0042] The sound characteristics may be an indication of the type of sound, such as whether it is man-made or natural. Examples of man-made noise include sounds from construction machinery, other vehicles and their engines, or any other man-made noise. Examples of natural sounds include animal noises, such as sounds from birds or insects, the sound of trees caused by wind, the sound of flowing water, or any other natural sound. The sound characteristics may indicate whether the sound is desired or undesirable. For example, man-made noise may be considered undesirable and natural sound may be considered desirable. The sound characteristics may also or otherwise include sound levels, such as volume, sound characteristics, sound waveforms, Fourier transforms of sound waveforms, or any other characteristics of the sound.

[0043] The sound prediction system 20 may determine whether a sound characteristic associated with a location on the vehicle route corresponds to an undesirable sound. When the sound prediction system 20 determines a sound characteristic associated with the location, the noise reduction system 30 may be generally unable to detect the sound associated with the sound characteristic. The controller 40 may control the noise reduction system 30 to reduce the undesirable sound that may be heard in the vehicle cabin. Conversely, the sound prediction system 20 may determine whether a sound associated with a location on the vehicle route corresponds to a desired sound. The controller 40 may control the noise reduction system 30 to allow the desired sound to be transmitted in the vehicle cabin. For example, the desired sound may originate from outside the vehicle cabin, and the controller 40 may control the noise reduction system 30 so as not to reduce the desired sound. Alternatively, the desired sound may be artificially generated or enhanced in the vehicle cabin by a speaker of the noise reduction system 30.

[0044] If the sound prediction system 20 identifies both desired and undesired sounds, the vehicle sound system 10 may allow only the desired sounds to be transmitted in the vehicle cabin. For example, the controller 40 may control the noise reduction system 30 so as to selectively eliminate only the undesired sounds and allow the desired sounds to be transmitted into the vehicle cabin. Alternatively, both the desired and undesired sounds may be eliminated by the noise reduction system 30, and the desired sounds (or equivalent sounds) may be artificially generated by the speakers of the noise reduction system 30.

[0045] The vehicle sound system 10 may be operated in a variety of modes that may be selected by an occupant of the vehicle. For example, in a first mode, the vehicle sound system 10 may substantially eliminate all sounds from outside the vehicle cabin so that such sounds are reduced or inaudible within the vehicle cabin. In a second mode, the vehicle sound system 10 may substantially eliminate all sounds from outside the vehicle unless it is determined that certain external sounds associated with the location are desirable, in which case such desirable sounds may be allowed within the vehicle cabin. As described above, desirable sounds may be allowed to be transmitted from the outside within the vehicle cabin, or they may be artificially created or enhanced by the speakers of the noise reduction system 30. In a third mode, the vehicle sound system 10 may substantially allow all sounds from outside the vehicle to be transmitted into the vehicle cabin. In a fourth mode, the vehicle sound system 10 may substantially allow all sounds from outside the vehicle to be transmitted into the vehicle cabin unless it is determined that external sounds associated with the location are undesirable, in which case such undesirable sounds may be at least partially eliminated by the noise reduction system 30.

[0046] refer to Figure 2 , a vehicle sound system 100 for a vehicle 102 according to a first particular arrangement of the present disclosure includes a sound prediction system 120 , a noise reduction system 130 , and a controller 140 operatively connected to the sound prediction system 120 and the noise reduction system 130 .

[0047] The noise reduction system 130 may include at least one microphone 132 configured to detect sounds originating from outside the vehicle cabin (e.g., outside the vehicle or from within the engine compartment or within the exhaust port of the vehicle). The noise reduction system 130 may also include at least one speaker 134 configured to emit sounds in the vehicle cabin. The controller 140 may also at least partially form a part of the noise reduction system 130. Alternatively, a separate controller may be provided as part of the noise reduction system 130. In either case, the controller may control the at least one speaker 134 to generate sound waves that interfere with sound waves originating from outside the vehicle cabin so as to at least partially cancel the sound originating from outside the vehicle cabin. The noise reduction system 130 may be selectively activated, for example, an occupant of the vehicle may choose to activate the noise reduction system through a user setting.

[0048] The sound prediction system 120 may determine a sound characteristic associated with a location 106 on the route 104 of the vehicle 102 before the microphone 132 emits or detects the sound characteristic. The controller 140 may then control the noise reduction system 130 to reduce or allow the sound associated with the sound characteristic associated with the location to be heard by occupants of the vehicle when the vehicle is at or within an audible range of the location.

[0049] exist Figure 2 In the particular arrangement shown, the sound prediction system 120 may include a directional microphone 122 configured to detect sounds from an object 108 at a position 106 in front of the vehicle 102. At the time of detection by the microphone 122, the microphone 132 may not necessarily be able to detect the sound. The directional microphone 122 may be configured to increase the amplitude of sounds originating from a position far from the vehicle compared to the amplitude of sounds originating from closer to the vehicle. The directional microphone 122 may be configured to detect sounds originating from a position in a specific direction or range of directions relative to the vehicle. For example, the directional microphone 122 may include a guide that reduces the sound from closer to the vehicle reaching the microphone's sensor and guides the sound originating from a position far from the vehicle. In this way, the directional microphone 122 can detect sounds originating from a position at a certain distance from the vehicle, which the microphone 132 will not be able to detect to the same extent.

[0050] For example, the directional microphone 122 may include an interferometric tube microphone, which may include a tube connected to a sensor of the microphone. The tube may include a series of circumferential grooves that may produce an interference pattern in sound waves originating from the sides of the tube, and the interference pattern may cause at least partial cancellation of sound from the sides, thereby increasing the detectability of sound entering the end of the tube.

[0051] The directional microphone 122 can be positioned to detect sounds originating from a location in front of the vehicle. The direction of the directional microphone 122 can be changed (e.g., by an actuator) so that a series of locations can be scanned to obtain sounds originating from the locations. The direction of the directional microphone 122 can be changed according to the predicted path 104 of the vehicle. For example, if it is predicted that the vehicle will go around a curve, the directional microphone 122 can be positioned to point to a location on or past the curve. The directional microphone can scan a series of directions in other ways. Alternatively, multiple directional microphones can be provided to obtain sounds from a series of locations.

[0052] The sound prediction system 120 can determine a sound characteristic of the detected sound. The sound characteristic can be one of those mentioned above. If it is determined that the sound characteristic indicates that the sound associated with the location is undesirable and the noise reduction system has not been activated, the vehicle sound system 100 can activate the noise reduction system 130. The noise reduction system can thus be activated before the vehicle reaches the location and before the sound originating from the location is audible to the occupants of the vehicle. Conversely, if it is determined that the sound characteristic indicates that the sound associated with the location is desired, the vehicle sound system 100 can at least partially deactivate the noise reduction system 130. In this way, the noise reduction system can be deactivated before the vehicle reaches the location of the desired sound source.

[0053] Reference now Figure 3 , the vehicle sound system 200 according to the second specific arrangement of the present disclosure may include at least one sensor 224, the sensor 224 being configured to identify an object 208 at a location 206 around the vehicle 202. For example, the sensor 224 may include a camera, a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor, a radio detection and ranging (RADAR) sensor, or any other type of sensor capable of sensing an object around the vehicle. The vehicle sound system 200 may also include a sound prediction system 220, a controller 240, and a noise reduction system 230. The noise reduction system 230 may include a microphone 232 and a speaker 234. Therefore, the vehicle sound system 200 is similar to the vehicle sound system 100 and the features described above with respect to the vehicle sound system 100 may be equally applied to the vehicle sound system 200. For example, the vehicle sound system 200 may include the directional microphone 122 of the vehicle sound system 100 in addition to the sensor 224.

[0054] Sensors 224 may be used in a hazard perception system of vehicle 202. For example, the hazard perception system may identify hazards to an autonomous or semi-autonomous driving system of vehicle 202.

[0055] The sensor 224 may be configured to at least approximately determine the shapes of objects surrounding the vehicle 202. A controller associated with the sensor 224 may identify the type of object from the shape data obtained by the sensor 224. For example, the sensor and associated controller may identify objects such as other vehicles, construction machinery, trees, etc.

[0056] The vehicle sound system 200 may associate the sound characteristics with the type of object identified by the sensor 224 and its associated controller. The controller 240 may reference a predetermined database of object types and associated sound characteristics. For example, if the sensor 224 and its associated controller identify a naturally occurring object, such as a tree, the database may associate natural sounds (e.g., birdsong, wind in the trees, etc.) with the tree. Similarly, if the sensor 224 and its associated controller identify a construction machine, the database may associate construction noises with the construction machine.

[0057] Having determined the characteristics of the sound, the vehicle sound system 200 can then determine whether the associated sound is desirable or undesirable. As described above, if the sound is deemed desirable, the noise reduction system 230 can allow transmission to artificially reproduce or enhance the desired sound. Conversely, if the sound is determined to be undesirable, the noise reduction system 230 can prevent or reduce the transmission of the sound into the vehicle cabin.

[0058] Sensors 224 can detect objects 208 on or around the vehicle's future path 204, and sounds from these objects may not yet be heard by the vehicle's occupants. In this way, the vehicle sound system 200 can prevent or reduce undesirable sounds in the vehicle cabin before they become audible to the occupants.

[0059] Reference now Figure 4 , the vehicle sound system 300 according to the third specific setting of the present disclosure includes a navigation system 326, which is configured to determine the position of the vehicle 302. The navigation system 326 can be a satellite navigation system or any other navigation system capable of determining the position of the vehicle 302. In addition, the vehicle sound system 300 includes a sound prediction system 320, a controller 340, and the above-mentioned noise reduction system 330. In particular, the noise reduction system 330 may include a microphone 332 and a speaker 334. The features described with respect to the first and second specific settings may also apply to the vehicle sound system 300 according to the third specific setting.

[0060] Navigation system 326 can determine a route 304 for vehicle 302, for example, based on a destination selected by a vehicle occupant. Sound prediction system 320 can determine from the route one or more locations 350 that the vehicle is predicted to pass through. Having determined the locations 350 that the vehicle is predicted to pass through, sound prediction system 320 can query a database that associates the locations with one or more relevant sound characteristics for each location. The database can be stored on a remote server (e.g., a computing cloud) and can be accessed by other vehicles.

[0061] Having determined the sound characteristics of location 350 through which vehicle 302 may pass, if it is determined that the sound that may be encountered at location 350 is undesirable, vehicle sound system 300 may activate noise reduction system 330. Similarly, if it is determined that the sound that may be encountered at location 350 is desirable, noise reduction system 330 may be at least partially deactivated. Alternatively, if it is determined that the sound at location 350 is desirable, noise reduction system 330 may remain activated and sounds corresponding to the sounds that may be encountered at location 350 may be artificially generated in the vehicle cabin.

[0062] As described above, the sound prediction system 320 can predict the future position of the vehicle 302 based on the route determined by the navigation system 326 (e.g., a satellite navigation system). Additionally or alternatively, the vehicle sound system 300 can use the current vehicle trajectory and road layout to predict the future position of the vehicle 302. In either case, the sound prediction system 320 can predict the sound at the future position of the vehicle 302 and the vehicle sound system 300 can control the noise reduction system 330 according to the predicted sound characteristics.

[0063] refer to Figure 5 , the present disclosure relates to a method 400 for a vehicle sound system 10, 100, 200, 300. In a first step 402, the method 400 includes determining a sound characteristic associated with a location on a vehicle route using a sound prediction system 120, 220, 320, 20. In a second step 404, the method 400 includes selectively controlling a noise reduction system 30, 130, 230, 330 to control sound within a vehicle cabin to reduce or transmit sound associated with the location based on the sound characteristic determined by the sound prediction system in the first step 402.

[0064] Reference now Figure 6 , the remote server 500 can communicate with multiple vehicles 502. The remote server 500 can be provided on a computing cloud or any other computing network accessible to the vehicle 502. The vehicle 502 can communicate with the remote server 500 wirelessly, for example, via a mobile telecommunications network. The remote server 500 can also be provided within an infrastructure associated with a road network, and the vehicle 502 can communicate with such infrastructure. The remote server 500 can have a database that associates multiple locations with one or more relevant sound characteristics of each location. For example, the database can associate a specific location with certain sound characteristics. For example, the database can associate the location of a park to naturally occurring and desired sounds (such as birdsong or wind in trees). These locations can correspond to specific points (e.g., defined by a coordinate system), or areas with defined boundaries. For example, these locations can correspond to geo-fenced areas.

[0065] The vehicle 502 may communicate with the remote server 500, providing details of the location through which the vehicle is predicted to travel. The remote server 500 may in turn provide the vehicle with the sound characteristics associated with the specific location. The vehicle sound system on the vehicle 502 may then determine how to control the onboard noise reduction system based on the sound characteristics obtained from the remote server 500.

[0066] The remote server 500 may also receive location data and associated sounds detected by the vehicle 502. For example, the microphones 132, 232, 332 may detect sounds when the vehicle 502 passes a particular location. The detected sounds or characteristics associated with the sounds may be uploaded to the remote server along with the location where the sounds were detected. The remote server 500 may analyze the detected sounds and determine the relevant characteristics of the sounds, or the onboard vehicle sound system may perform the analysis. In this way, the remote server's database of associated locations and sound characteristics may be curated and kept up to date.

[0067] The remote server 500 may additionally or alternatively store or access thereon a database associating objects or object types with specific sound characteristics. The controller 240 of the vehicle sound system 200 according to the second particular arrangement of the present disclosure may query such a database.

[0068] In an alternative arrangement, a particular vehicle may communicate with another vehicle in a vehicle-to-vehicle communication network. A first vehicle may detect a sound at the location of the first vehicle, and a second vehicle may communicate with the first vehicle to obtain characteristics of the sound at the location before the sound is audible to the second vehicle.

[0069] The remote server 500 may also receive data from the vehicle 502 regarding manual activation or deactivation of the noise reduction system 30, 130, 230, 330. For example, if an occupant of the vehicle manually activates the noise reduction system, it may be inferred that the sound at the location is undesirable. Conversely, if an occupant of the vehicle manually deactivates the noise reduction system, it may be inferred that the sound at the location is desirable. The remote server 500 may store such data in a database as a sound characteristic associated with the location.

[0070] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, although the invention has been described by way of examples, with reference to one or more examples, the invention is not limited to the disclosed examples and that alternative examples may be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0071] Although exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the present invention. On the contrary, the words used in the specification are descriptive rather than restrictive, and it should be understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, the features of various implementation embodiments may be combined to form other embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for operating a vehicle, comprising: operate on-board sensors to identify objects; operating the electronic device to access a database and identify a sound stored therein that is associated with the object; and operating a vehicle sound system to produce said sound in a vehicle cabin; Also included is predicting sounds at a future position of the vehicle and generating desired sounds and / or preventing undesired sounds based on characteristics of the predicted sounds.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: operating an exterior microphone of the vehicle to detect a second sound; associating a characteristic of the second sound with a location where it was detected; and The location and the characteristic are added to the database.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising analyzing the second sound and determining its characteristics. 4 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising operating the electronic device to automatically activate a noise reduction system of the vehicle when the vehicle approaches the location when the characteristic is determined to indicate that the second sound is undesirable.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising: Data regarding locations where manual activation or deactivation of the noise reduction system occurs is uploaded to a remote server, wherein the remote server infers from the data whether sounds associated with the locations are desirable or undesirable. The method of claim 1 , wherein the object is a naturally occurring object and the sound is desired.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the database is stored on a remote server and is accessible by a plurality of vehicles.

8. A method for operating a vehicle sound system, comprising: operate on-board sensors to identify objects; operating the electronic device to query a database stored on a remote server, the database containing sounds associated with the object stored therein in electronic form; and downloading the sound to a vehicle sound system and operating the sound system to produce the sound in a vehicle cabin; Also included is predicting sounds at a future position of the vehicle and generating desired sounds and / or preventing undesired sounds based on characteristics of the predicted sounds.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: operating an exterior microphone of the vehicle to detect a second sound; associating a characteristic of the second sound with a location where it was detected; and The location and the characteristic are added to the database.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising analyzing the second sound and determining its characteristics.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising operating the electronic device to automatically activate a noise reduction system of the vehicle when the vehicle approaches the location when the characteristic is determined to indicate that the second sound is undesirable.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: Data regarding locations where manual activation or deactivation of the noise reduction system occurs is uploaded to the remote server, wherein the remote server infers from the data whether sounds associated with the locations are desirable or undesirable.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the object is a naturally occurring object and the sound is desired.

14. A method of operating a vehicle sound system, comprising: Operate onboard sensors to identify naturally occurring objects in the vehicle environment; operating the electronic device to query a database containing desired sounds associated with the object in electronic form and to retrieve the desired sounds from the database; and operating a vehicle sound system to produce the desired sound in a cabin of the vehicle; Also included is predicting sounds at a future position of the vehicle and generating desired sounds and / or preventing undesired sounds based on characteristics of the predicted sounds.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: operating an exterior microphone of the vehicle to detect a second sound; associating a characteristic of the second sound with a location where it was detected; and The location and the characteristic are added to the database.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising analyzing the second sound and determining its characteristics.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising operating the electronic device to automatically activate a noise reduction system of the vehicle when the vehicle approaches the location when the characteristic is determined to indicate that the second sound is undesirable.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising: Data regarding locations where manual activation or deactivation of the noise reduction system occurs is uploaded to a remote server, wherein the remote server infers from the data whether sounds associated with the locations are desirable or undesirable.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the database is stored on a remote server and is accessible by a plurality of vehicles.

Images