Vehicle and method of controlling the same

Abstract

The present application relates to a vehicle and a control method thereof. Specifically, a vehicle selectively providing an important sound to an occupant includes a microphone configured to receive a noise, a speaker, a storage configured to store a plurality of sound waveforms and a warning sound source corresponding to each of the plurality of sound waveforms, and a controller configured to generate a noise cancellation signal based on the noise, control the speaker to output a noise cancellation sound corresponding to the noise cancellation signal, compare a waveform of the noise with the plurality of sound waveforms when a sound pressure level of the noise is greater than a threshold, and control the speaker to play the warning sound source corresponding to the sound waveform matching the noise when the waveform of the noise matches any one of the plurality of sound waveforms.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle equipped with noise cancellation function and a control method thereof, and more specifically, to a vehicle for selectively providing important sounds to occupants and a control method thereof. Background Technology

[0002] The statements in this section are provided only as background information in relation to the present invention and do not constitute prior art.

[0003] Noise cancellation is a technique that blocks noise by generating destructive interference to cancel out ambient noise after it has been received via a microphone. It is a type of active noise control (ANC).

[0004] Recently, vehicles have been equipped with noise cancellation functions to block external and internal noise transmitted to occupants, thereby providing a more comfortable environment for them.

[0005] However, occupants must be able to hear important sounds, such as the horns of other vehicles and the sirens of emergency vehicles. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, the present invention provides a vehicle and a control method thereof, wherein the vehicle is capable of outputting a corresponding warning sound source by selecting a sound that the occupants must recognize when the noise cancellation function is in operation.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle includes: a microphone, a speaker, a storage device, and a controller, wherein the microphone is configured to receive noise; the storage device is configured to store a plurality of sound waveforms and a warning sound source corresponding to each of the plurality of sound waveforms; the controller is configured to generate a noise cancellation signal based on the noise and control the speaker to output a noise cancellation sound corresponding to the noise cancellation signal; the controller is configured to: when the sound pressure level of the noise is greater than a threshold, compare the waveform of the noise with the plurality of sound waveforms, and when the waveform of the noise matches any one of the plurality of sound waveforms, control the speaker to play a warning sound source corresponding to the sound waveform that matches the noise.

[0008] The controller can be configured to control the speaker to stop outputting noise-cancelling sound when comparing the waveform of noise with multiple sound waveforms.

[0009] The controller can be configured to stop the output of noise cancellation sound when the sound pressure level of the noise is greater than a threshold and the waveform of the noise does not match any of the multiple sound waveforms, until the sound pressure level of the noise is at or below the threshold.

[0010] The controller can be configured to set a threshold based on at least one of the average sound pressure level of noise received via the microphone over a preset time period and the vehicle speed.

[0011] The controller can be configured to classify noise as either single noise or continuous noise based on the time period during which the sound pressure level of the noise is greater than a threshold, and when the noise is classified as continuous noise, to determine the distance between the noise source and the vehicle based on the frequency of the noise.

[0012] The controller can be configured to adjust the volume of the warning sound source proportionally to the frequency of the noise when the sound pressure level of the noise is greater than or equal to a preset time period.

[0013] The controller can be configured to adjust the output intensity of the noise-cancelling sound inversely proportional to the frequency of the noise.

[0014] The controller can be configured to reduce the output intensity of the noise-canceling sound when a warning sound source is played through a speaker.

[0015] The controller can be configured to determine the volume of the warning sound source based on the sound pressure level of the noise.

[0016] The vehicle may further include: a display device; a storage device configured to store a warning message corresponding to each of a plurality of sound waveforms; and a controller configured to control the display device to output a warning message corresponding to a sound waveform that matches the noise.

[0017] The controller can be configured to: identify the sound waveform that matches the noise among multiple sound waveforms with a similarity to the noise waveform equal to or greater than a preset value, and change the preset value according to the environmental information around the vehicle.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle control method includes: receiving noise via a microphone; generating a noise cancellation signal based on the noise; controlling a loudspeaker to output a noise cancellation sound corresponding to the noise cancellation signal; comparing the waveform of the noise with a plurality of previously stored sound waveforms when the sound pressure level of the noise is greater than a threshold; and controlling the loudspeaker to play a warning sound source corresponding to the sound waveform that matches the noise when the waveform of the noise matches any one of the plurality of previously stored sound waveforms.

[0019] The control method may further include controlling the speaker to stop the output of noise cancellation sound while comparing the waveform of the noise with a plurality of previously stored sound waveforms.

[0020] The control method may further include: when the sound pressure level of the noise is greater than a threshold and the waveform of the noise does not match any of the multiple previously stored sound waveforms, controlling the loudspeaker to stop the output of noise cancellation sound until the sound pressure level of the noise is at or below the threshold.

[0021] The control method may further include setting a threshold based on at least one of the average sound pressure level of noise received via a microphone during a preset time period and the vehicle speed.

[0022] The control method may further include: classifying noise as single noise or continuous noise based on the time period during which the sound pressure level of the noise is greater than a threshold; and when the noise is classified as continuous noise, determining the distance between the noise source and the vehicle based on the frequency of the noise.

[0023] The control method may further include: adjusting the volume of the warning sound source proportionally to the frequency of the noise when the sound pressure level of the noise is greater than or equal to a preset time period.

[0024] The control method may further include adjusting the output intensity of the noise cancellation sound inversely proportional to the frequency of the noise.

[0025] The control method may further include: when a warning sound source is played via a speaker, controlling the speaker to reduce the output intensity of the noise cancellation sound.

[0026] The control method may further include: determining the volume of the warning sound source based on the sound pressure level of the noise.

[0027] The control method may further include: controlling the display device to output a warning message corresponding to an audio waveform that matches the noise.

[0028] Comparing the waveform of noise with multiple previously stored sound waveforms may include: identifying the sound waveform among the multiple previously stored sound waveforms whose similarity to the waveform of noise is equal to or greater than a preset value as the sound waveform that matches the noise; the preset value may be changed based on environmental information around the vehicle.

[0029] According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle includes: a microphone, a speaker, a storage device, and a controller, wherein the microphone is configured to receive noise; the storage device is configured to store a plurality of sound waveforms; the controller is configured to generate a noise cancellation signal based on the noise and control the speaker to output a noise cancellation sound corresponding to the noise cancellation signal; the controller is configured to: when the sound pressure level of the noise is greater than a threshold, compare the waveform of the noise with the plurality of sound waveforms, and when the waveform of the noise matches any one of the plurality of sound waveforms, generate a warning sound source by correcting the noise, and control the speaker to play the warning sound source.

[0030] The controller can be configured to use an A-weighted filter, a B-weighted filter, a C-weighted filter, or a D-weighted filter to correct noise.

[0031] Other applications will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the specification and specific examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0032] To provide a good understanding of the invention, various embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] These and / or other aspects of the invention will become apparent and more readily understood from the following description of embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Figure 1 This is a control block diagram of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of a vehicle control method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the criteria for selecting important sounds in a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the guidelines for adjusting the volume of a vehicle warning sound source according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a warning sound source output from a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the output of a warning message from a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] The accompanying drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention, application, or use. It should be understood that in all the drawings, corresponding reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts and features.

[0042] Throughout this specification, the same reference numerals denote the same elements. Not all elements of embodiments of the invention will be described, and descriptions of content well-known in the art or overlapping with the embodiments will be omitted.

[0043] It should be understood that when one element is referred to as being “connected” to another element, it can be directly or indirectly connected to the other element, where indirect connection includes “connection” via a wireless communication network.

[0044] Furthermore, when a component "comprises" or "includes" an element, the component may further include other elements without excluding them, unless there is a specific description to the contrary.

[0045] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “one,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0046] As used herein, the terms “part,” “unit,” “block,” “component,” and “module” refer to a unit capable of performing at least one function or operation. For example, these terms may refer to at least one process performed by at least one piece of hardware (e.g., a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) and an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) and at least one piece of software stored in a memory or processor.

[0047] The reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are for ease of description and are not intended to indicate the order of each step. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, each step may be performed in a different order than that shown.

[0048] In this manual, "occupant" may refer to any person located inside the vehicle and may include the driver.

[0049] In the following description, some embodiments of the vehicle and control method of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0050] Figure 1 This is a control block diagram of a vehicle according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0051] refer to Figure 1 In some embodiments of the present invention, a vehicle may include: a microphone 10, a storage device 20, a controller 30, at least one speaker 40, and a display device 50, wherein the microphone 10 is used to receive noise; the storage device 20 is used to store a plurality of sound waveforms and a warning sound source corresponding to each of the plurality of sound waveforms; the controller 30 controls various components in the vehicle to achieve a noise cancellation function; the at least one speaker 40 outputs various sounds; and the display device 50 outputs various information.

[0052] The microphone 10 can receive noise and output the noise as an electrical signal, and send it to the controller 30.

[0053] Noise can include external noise introduced from outside the vehicle and internal noise generated inside the vehicle.

[0054] The microphone 10 can be placed at various locations in the vehicle to receive noise, and there can be multiple microphones. In other words, as long as noise can be received, the installation location of the microphone 10 is not limited, and the number of microphones 10 installed is also not limited.

[0055] The storage device 20 can store multiple sound waveforms and a corresponding warning sound source for each of the multiple sound waveforms. Additionally, the storage device 20 can store warning messages corresponding to the multiple sound waveforms.

[0056] Multiple sound waveforms can be obtained by receiving raw sounds with various noises.

[0057] For example, multiple sound waveforms can include waveforms for various sounds, such as sound waveforms collected at a construction site, sound waveforms collected from the sirens of emergency vehicles, sound waveforms of collisions generated in a collision accident, sound waveforms of vehicle horns, waveforms of human screams, waveforms of police car broadcasts, and sound waveforms of national disaster alarms.

[0058] Thus, multiple sound waveforms can refer to the waveforms of sounds that vehicle occupants must hear to identify the external situation of the vehicle.

[0059] The warning sound source corresponding to each of the multiple sound waveforms can be a sound source generated by correcting or processing the multiple sound waveforms.

[0060] For example, the warning sound source corresponding to the sound waveform at the construction site could be a sound source obtained by processing the sound waveform at the construction site, or it could be a sound source obtained by increasing the loudness of the sound waveform at the construction site. See later. Figure 5 Describe it.

[0061] In addition, the warning message corresponding to each of the multiple sound waveforms may include information about the noise source that caused the multiple sound waveforms to appear.

[0062] For example, a warning message corresponding to the sound waveform at the construction site could include a diagram of the construction site and / or the phrase "under construction".

[0063] The storage device 20 for storing information / data (e.g., sound sources and / or multiple sound waveforms corresponding to each of multiple sound waveforms, and / or warning messages corresponding to each of multiple sound waveforms) can be implemented as at least one of a non-volatile storage device (e.g., cache, read-only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), and flash memory) or a volatile storage device (e.g., random access memory (RAM)) or storage medium (e.g., hard disk drive (HDD) or CD-ROM) to store various types of information. However, the invention is not limited thereto. The storage device 20 can be a memory implemented as a single chip, or it can be implemented as a single chip using at least one processor included in the controller 30.

[0064] The controller 30 can generate a noise cancellation signal based on the noise received via the microphone 10, and control the speaker 40 to output a noise cancellation sound corresponding to the noise cancellation signal.

[0065] Specifically, the controller 30 analyzes the waveform of the noise received via the microphone 10, generates a waveform signal with opposite phase, and controls the speaker 40 to output a waveform with opposite phase to produce destructive interference with the noise, thereby reducing the noise that the occupants can hear.

[0066] Additionally, as described later, the controller 30 can control the speaker 40 to select important sounds to be recognized by the occupants and play warning sound sources, and control the display device 50 to output warning messages.

[0067] The controller 30 may include at least one memory and at least one processor, wherein the at least one memory stores a program for performing the operations described above and later; and the at least one processor executes the stored program. When multiple memories and processors are present, they may be integrated on a single chip or located in practically separate locations.

[0068] For example, controller 30 may include at least one processor installed in an in-vehicle host, audio-visual navigation and telematics (AVNT) terminal unit, but is not limited thereto, and may also include a separate processor located inside the vehicle.

[0069] The speaker 40 can output various sounds based on control signals received from the controller 30. For example, the speaker 40 can output noise-canceling sounds based on noise-canceling signals received from the controller 30, and can output warning sounds based on warning sound source output signals.

[0070] In other words, the speaker 40 can transmit various sounds to the occupants by converting electrical signals into sound.

[0071] The speaker 40 can be installed in various locations within the vehicle to output noise cancellation sound and / or warning sound sources, and there can be multiple speakers. That is to say, the installation location of the speaker 40 is not limited, as long as it is a location that can transmit various sounds to the occupants, and the number of speakers 40 installed is also not limited.

[0072] When multiple speakers 40 are present, the controller 30 can increase the directionality of the warning sound transmitted to the occupants by controlling the volume of the warning sound source transmitted to each speaker 40 to be different.

[0073] For example, when the volume of the warning sound source output from the speaker 40 located on the right side of the occupant is increased, and the volume of the warning sound source output from the speaker 40 located on the left side of the occupant is decreased, the occupant can feel that the warning sound is coming from the right.

[0074] The display device 50 can visually output various types of information based on control signals received from the controller 30. For example, the display device 50 can output a warning message based on a warning message output signal received from the controller 30.

[0075] Therefore, the display device 50 may include various display devices installed inside the vehicle. For example, the display device 50 may include the vehicle's instrument cluster, head-up display (HUD) device, AVNT device display, etc.

[0076] In other words, the display device 50 may include all components capable of visually providing various types of information to the occupants.

[0077] In some embodiments of the present invention, the microphone 10, storage device 20, controller 30, speaker 40, and display device 50 can communicate with each other to transmit corresponding information by performing Controller Area Network (CAN) communication, and can also perform wired communication to transmit corresponding information. For example, in order to control various electrical loads installed on a vehicle and to enable communication between these electrical loads, a communication network including a body network, a multimedia network, and a chassis network is configured in the vehicle, and each of these separate networks can be connected by the controller 30 to exchange CAN communication messages.

[0078] The vehicle configurations of some embodiments of the present invention, as well as the operation and structure of each component, have been described above. Below, control methods for vehicles utilizing various vehicle configurations are described in detail.

[0079] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of a vehicle control method according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 3This is a schematic diagram illustrating the criteria for selecting important sounds in a vehicle according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0080] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating guidelines for adjusting the volume of a vehicle's warning sound source according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a warning sound source output from a vehicle in some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the output of warning messages from a vehicle in some embodiments of the present invention.

[0081] refer to Figure 2 The microphone 10 can receive noise and output it as an electrical signal, and the controller 30 can receive the noise (1000) that is output as an electrical signal from the microphone 10.

[0082] The controller 30 can analyze the waveform, sound pressure level, and frequency of the noise (1100), generate a noise cancellation signal based on the noise, and control the loudspeaker 40 to output a noise cancellation sound corresponding to the noise cancellation signal (1200). In this case, the noise cancellation signal may have a waveform with a phase opposite to that of the noise waveform.

[0083] When the sound pressure level of the noise is at or below the threshold (1300 is no), the controller 30 can control the speaker 40 to continuously output noise cancellation sound to block noise directed at the occupants.

[0084] When the sound pressure level of the noise is greater than the threshold (1300 is yes), the controller 30 can compare the waveform of the noise with multiple sound waveforms stored in the storage device 20 (1400).

[0085] The controller 30 may determine that a comparison has been completed when the waveform of the noise matches any one of the plurality of sound waveforms stored in the storage device 20, or when the waveform of the noise does not match any of the plurality of waveforms stored in the storage device 20 (1500).

[0086] The controller 30 can control the speaker 40 to stop the output of noise cancellation sound when comparing the waveform of the noise with multiple sound waveforms stored in the storage device 20 (1500 is no).

[0087] Accordingly, noise with a sound pressure level greater than a threshold (hereinafter referred to as "special noise") can be transmitted to the occupants. In the case of special noise, special noise can be an important sound that the occupants must recognize, and can include, for example, collision sounds between other vehicles, noise from a construction site, sirens of emergency vehicles, etc.

[0088] The controller 30 can stop the output of noise cancellation sound until the controller 30 correctly grasps the noise type of the special noise, so that the occupants can immediately identify the dangerous situation.

[0089] In this case, the threshold for comparison with the sound pressure level of the noise can be a specific value stored in the storage device 20, or it can be a specific value determined by the controller 30 based on the vehicle's surrounding environment.

[0090] For example, the controller 30 may set a threshold based on the average sound pressure level of noise received via the microphone 10 and / or the vehicle speed within a preset time period.

[0091] refer to Figure 3 The controller 30 can determine the average sound pressure level (average value) of the noise received via the microphone 10 within a preset time period. Specifically, the controller 30 can determine the average sound pressure level (average value) of the noise received via the microphone 10 within a preset time period, and can set a threshold based on the average sound pressure level (average value).

[0092] The controller 30 can set the threshold by adding the preset sound pressure level to the average sound pressure level (average value) or by multiplying the average sound pressure level (average value) by a preset weight.

[0093] For example, when the average sound pressure level is 40dB, the controller 30 can add 40dB to 20dB, which is a preset sound pressure level, to set 60dB as the threshold, or it can multiply 40dB by a preset weight of 1.5 to set 60dB as the threshold.

[0094] Furthermore, the controller 30 can set a threshold that is proportional to the vehicle speed. This is because as the vehicle speed increases, the friction noise generated by air friction and / or road friction increases, thus requiring a larger threshold to be set.

[0095] When the duration for which the sound pressure level of the noise is greater than the threshold is shorter than the preset time period, the controller 30 can identify the noise type as single-shot special noise S. Conversely, when the duration for which the sound pressure level of the noise is greater than the threshold is equal to or greater than the preset time period, the controller 30 can identify the noise type as continuous special noise C.

[0096] In this case, the preset time period can be set to approximately 1 second, but it is not limited to this. As long as it is a reference value used to distinguish between single-shot special noise S and continuous special noise C, it can be set without restriction.

[0097] Multiple sound waveforms stored in storage device 20 can be classified into single-shot special noise S-waveforms and continuous special noise C-waveforms and stored accordingly.

[0098] When the noise is determined to be a single-shot specific noise S, the controller 30 can compare the waveform of the noise with the waveform of the single-shot specific noise S. When the noise is determined to be a continuous specific noise C, the controller 30 can compare the waveform of the noise with the waveform of the continuous specific noise C.

[0099] For example, single-shot special noise S can include collision sounds, horn sounds, pedestrian shouts, etc., while continuous special noise C can include sirens from ambulances, noise from construction sites, broadcasts from police cars, etc.

[0100] When the type of noise is unknown, that is, when the waveform of the noise does not match any of the multiple sound waveforms stored in the storage device 20 (1600 is no), the controller 30 can control the speaker 40 to stop the output of the noise cancellation sound until the sound pressure level of the noise received via the microphone 10 is less than or equal to a threshold.

[0101] In other words, according to some embodiments of the vehicle control method of the present invention, when the type of a particular noise cannot be determined, it may be necessary for the occupants to identify it. Therefore, the output of noise cancellation sound can be continuously stopped so that the occupants can identify the particular noise.

[0102] When the waveform of the noise matches any one of the multiple sound waveforms stored in the storage device 20 (1600 is yes), the controller 30 can control the speaker 40 to restore the output of the noise cancellation sound (1700) and control the speaker 40 to play a warning sound source corresponding to the sound waveform that matches the noise (1800).

[0103] The volume of the warning sound source played via speaker 40 can be determined based on the sound pressure level of the noise. For example, controller 30 can determine the volume of the warning sound source based on the sound pressure level of the noise. Specifically, controller 30 can adjust the volume of the warning sound source to increase proportionally to the sound pressure level of the noise.

[0104] In addition, when the waveform of the noise matches any one of the multiple sound waveforms stored in the storage device 20 (1600 is yes), the controller 30 can control the speaker 40 to reduce the output intensity of the noise cancellation sound.

[0105] The controller 30 can control the speaker 40 to reduce the output intensity of the noise cancellation sound when a warning sound source is played through the speaker 40. Reducing the output intensity of the noise cancellation sound can mean reducing the noise cancellation intensity.

[0106] In other words, in some embodiments of the present invention, when noise is determined to be an important sound that the occupant needs to recognize, outputting a warning sound source and reducing the intensity of noise cancellation can help the occupant to more effectively grasp the situation around the vehicle.

[0107] Matching the waveform of noise with the sound waveform stored in the storage device 20 can indicate that the similarity between the waveform of noise and the sound waveform stored in the storage device 20 is greater than or equal to a preset value.

[0108] To this end, the controller 30 extracts sound quality factors such as the frequency band, sound pressure level and loudness of the noise based on the noise waveform, and can compare these sound quality factors with the sound quality factors of the sound waveform stored in the storage device 20.

[0109] Furthermore, the controller 30 can identify the type of noise by using the waveform of the noise as input data to a pre-learned neural network. In this case, the pre-learned neural network can learn by using multiple noise sources as input data and can learn to output information about the type of noise sources as output data.

[0110] When the controller 30 identifies the type of noise, the controller 30 can control the speaker 40 to play a warning sound source corresponding to the type of noise.

[0111] In addition, the controller 30 can receive information about the vehicle’s surrounding environment via sensors such as cameras and radar installed in the vehicle, and can identify the type of noise by referring to the information about the vehicle’s surrounding environment.

[0112] For example, when a construction site sign is identified via a camera, the controller 30 can determine the type of noise as construction site sound even if the similarity between the waveform of the noise and the sound waveform of the construction site stored in the storage device 20 is less than or equal to a preset value.

[0113] In other words, a preset value can be changed based on information about the vehicle's surrounding environment. This preset value is a reference used to compare the waveform of noise received via microphone 10 with multiple sound waveforms stored in storage device 20.

[0114] In addition, the controller 30 can receive information about the vehicle's surrounding environment via a navigation device, and can identify the type of noise by referring to the information about the vehicle's surrounding environment.

[0115] When the noise is a continuous special noise C, the noise source can be fixed in a specific location, or the noise source can be moved.

[0116] As the vehicle of some embodiments of the present invention approaches the noise source, that is, as the distance between the vehicle and the noise source gets closer, the frequency of the noise source increases according to the Doppler effect.

[0117] Conversely, the farther the vehicle is from the noise source, that is, as the distance between the vehicle and the noise source increases, the frequency of the noise source decreases according to the Doppler effect.

[0118] When the noise source is far from the vehicle, the occupants do not need to worry about the noise source.

[0119] Accordingly, refer to Figure 4 When the noise received via microphone 10 is determined to be a continuous special noise C, controller 30 can adjust the volume of the warning sound source proportionally to the frequency of the noise.

[0120] When the sound pressure level of the noise is greater than the threshold for a period of time that is equal to or greater than a preset time period, the controller 30 can adjust the volume of the warning sound source proportionally to the frequency of the noise.

[0121] Specifically, the controller 30 can increase the volume of the warning sound source as the frequency of the noise increases, and decrease the volume of the warning sound source as the frequency of the noise decreases.

[0122] Furthermore, the controller 30 can adjust the output intensity of the noise cancellation sound inversely proportional to the frequency of the noise. That is, the controller 30 can adjust the intensity of the noise cancellation to decrease as the frequency of the noise increases, and can adjust the intensity of the noise cancellation to increase as the frequency of the noise decreases.

[0123] Thus, when it is determined that the noise received by the microphone 10 is a continuous special noise C, the reason for determining the distance to the noise source based on the frequency of the noise is that if the distance to the noise source is simply determined as the sound pressure level of the noise, there may be errors due to changes in the volume of the noise generated by the noise source itself.

[0124] The process of playing a warning sound source through a vehicle according to some embodiments of the present invention has been described above. The warning sound source will be described in detail below.

[0125] According to some embodiments of the vehicle control method of the present invention, a warning sound source corresponding to a sound waveform that matches the noise can be stored in a storage device 20.

[0126] A warning sound source can be generated by correcting each of the multiple waveforms stored in the storage device 20.

[0127] Equal loudness contours are curves that form the basis for obtaining the frequency weights of noise amplitude. To account for human sensitivity to frequency, filters made by inverting equal loudness contours can improve occupant perception of warning sounds.

[0128] A-weighted filters, B-weighted filters, C-weighted filters, or D-weighted filters can be used as filters to improve occupant warning sound recognition.

[0129] In other words, the warning sound source corresponding to each of the multiple waveforms can be the result of processing each of the multiple waveforms via an A-weighted filter, a B-weighted filter, a C-weighted filter, or a D-weighted filter.

[0130] refer to Figure 5 The process of generating a specific warning sound source can be confirmed by processing each signal of a specific original noise using A-weighted filters, B-weighted filters, C-weighted filters, or D-weighted filters.

[0131] As an example, the first warning sound source corresponding to the first sound waveform of an emergency vehicle siren can be a sound source obtained by processing the first sound waveform through an A-weighted filter, a B-weighted filter, a C-weighted filter, or a D-weighted filter.

[0132] Typically, A-weighted filters are used when processing noise, but D-weighted filters can be used to generate the warning sound source according to the present invention. Accordingly, the warning sound source can be played and the warning sound source can be delivered to the user more effectively.

[0133] For example, the first warning sound source corresponding to the first sound waveform of an ambulance siren can be a sound source generated by processing the first sound waveform using a D-weighted filter.

[0134] According to a vehicle control method of some embodiments of the present invention, when the sound pressure level of noise is greater than a threshold, the controller 30 compares the waveform of the noise with a plurality of sound waveforms stored in the storage device 20. When the waveform of the noise matches any one of the plurality of sound waveforms, the controller 30 generates a warning sound source by correcting the noise and controls the speaker 40 to play the warning sound source.

[0135] In this case, the controller 30 can use an A-weighted filter, a B-weighted filter, a C-weighted filter, or a D-weighted filter to correct the noise.

[0136] In other words, in some embodiments of the present invention, instead of using a warning sound source stored in the storage device 20, a specific noise can be processed immediately to generate a warning sound source. Accordingly, a warning sound that is most similar to the noise generated around the current vehicle and has improved recognizability can be provided to the user.

[0137] refer to Figure 6 In some embodiments of the present invention, the controller 30 can control the display device 50 to output a warning message corresponding to an audio waveform that matches the noise.

[0138] When the sound waveform matched with the noise is the siren waveform of an emergency vehicle, the warning message corresponding to the siren waveform of the emergency vehicle may include a diagram representing a hospital and / or a phrase indicating that an emergency vehicle is approaching.

[0139] In some embodiments of the invention, the external conditions of the vehicle can be sent to occupants who cannot hear (e.g., deaf people).

[0140] According to one aspect of the vehicle and its control method, a comfortable space is provided by blocking noise transmitted to the occupants, while selectively outputting important sounds that the occupants must recognize in order to pursue stability.

[0141] In addition, it can also communicate the external situation of the vehicle to occupants who cannot hear (e.g., deaf people).

[0142] Furthermore, some embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in the form of instructions stored in a computer-executable recording medium. These instructions can be stored as program code, and when executed by a processor, they can generate program modules to perform the operations of some embodiments of the present invention. The recording medium can be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium.

[0143] The computer-readable recording medium can include all kinds of recording media that store commands that can be interpreted by a computer. For example, computer-readable recording media can be ROM, RAM, magnetic tape, hard disk, flash memory, optical data storage devices, etc.

[0144] Therefore, embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be implemented in other embodiments than the exemplary embodiments described above, without altering the technical concept or essential characteristics of the invention. The exemplary embodiments described above are merely examples and should not be construed as limiting.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising: A microphone configured to receive noise; speaker; A storage device configured to store a plurality of sound waveforms and a warning sound source corresponding to each of the plurality of sound waveforms; as well as The controller is configured as follows: Noise cancellation signal is generated based on noise; Control the speaker output to produce noise-canceling sound corresponding to the noise-canceling signal; When the sound pressure level of the noise is greater than the threshold, the waveform of the noise is compared with multiple sound waveforms. When the waveform of the noise matches any one of the multiple sound waveforms, the speaker is controlled to play a warning sound source corresponding to the sound waveform that matches the noise. When the noise sound pressure level is greater than the threshold and the noise waveform does not match any of the multiple sound waveforms, the speaker is controlled to stop outputting noise cancellation sound until the noise sound pressure level is equal to or less than the threshold.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The controller is configured as follows: When the waveform of noise is compared with multiple sound waveforms, the speaker is controlled to stop the output of noise-cancelling sound.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The controller is configured as follows: The threshold is set based on at least one of the average sound pressure level of noise received via a microphone within a preset time period or the vehicle speed.

4. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The controller is configured as follows: Noise is classified as either single-shot noise or continuous noise based on the time period during which the sound pressure level is greater than a threshold. When noise is classified as continuous noise, the distance between the noise source and the vehicle is determined based on the noise frequency.

5. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The controller is configured as follows: When the noise sound pressure level is greater than the threshold for a period of time that is greater than or equal to a preset time period, the volume of the warning sound source is adjusted proportionally to the frequency of the noise.

6. The vehicle according to claim 5, wherein, The controller is configured as follows: The output intensity of the noise is adjusted inversely to the frequency of the noise to cancel out the sound.

7. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The controller is configured as follows: When a warning sound is played through a speaker, the speaker is controlled to reduce the output intensity of the noise-canceling sound.

8. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The controller is configured as follows: The volume of the warning sound source is determined based on the sound pressure level of the noise.

9. The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising: Display device; The storage device is configured to store a warning message corresponding to each of the plurality of sound waveforms. The controller is configured to control the display device to output a warning message corresponding to an audio waveform that matches the noise.

10. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The controller is configured as follows: Among multiple sound waveforms, the sound waveform whose similarity to the noise waveform is equal to or greater than a preset value is determined as the sound waveform that matches the noise; The preset value is changed based on the environmental information surrounding the vehicle.

11. A method for controlling a vehicle, the method comprising: Noise is received via microphone; Noise cancellation signal is generated based on noise; Control the speaker output to produce noise-canceling sound corresponding to the noise-canceling signal; When the sound pressure level of the noise is greater than the threshold, the waveform of the noise is compared with multiple previously stored sound waveforms. When the waveform of the noise matches any one of the multiple previously stored sound waveforms, the speaker is controlled to play a warning sound source corresponding to the sound waveform that matches the noise. When the noise's sound pressure level is greater than the threshold and the noise's waveform does not match any of the multiple previously stored sound waveforms, the speaker is controlled to stop outputting noise-cancelling sound until the noise's sound pressure level is equal to or less than the threshold.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: When the waveform of the noise is compared with multiple previously stored sound waveforms, the speaker is controlled to stop the output of noise-cancelling sound.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising: The threshold is set based on at least one of the average sound pressure level of noise received via a microphone within a preset time period or the vehicle speed.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising: Noise is classified as either single-shot noise or continuous noise based on the time period during which the sound pressure level is greater than a threshold. When noise is classified as continuous noise, the distance between the noise source and the vehicle is determined based on the noise frequency.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising: When the noise sound pressure level is greater than the threshold for a period of time that is greater than or equal to a preset time period, the volume of the warning sound source is adjusted proportionally to the frequency of the noise.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: The output intensity of the noise is adjusted inversely to the frequency of the noise to cancel out the sound.

17. A vehicle comprising: A microphone configured to receive noise; speaker; A storage device configured to store multiple sound waveforms; as well as The controller is configured as follows: Noise cancellation signal is generated based on noise; Control the speaker output to produce noise-canceling sound corresponding to the noise-canceling signal; When the sound pressure level of the noise is greater than the threshold, the waveform of the noise is compared with multiple sound waveforms. When the waveform of noise matches any one of multiple sound waveforms, a warning sound source is generated by correcting the noise, and the speaker is controlled to play the warning sound source. When the noise sound pressure level is greater than the threshold and the noise waveform does not match any of the multiple sound waveforms, the speaker is controlled to stop outputting noise cancellation sound until the noise sound pressure level is equal to or less than the threshold.

18. The vehicle according to claim 17, wherein, The controller is configured as follows: Noise can be corrected using A-weighted filters, B-weighted filters, C-weighted filters, or D-weighted filters.

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