Audio system arranged in listening environment in vehicle and headrest for vehicle

Abstract

An audio system arranged in a listening environment in a vehicle includes: an audio unit configured to output an audio signal; a first speaker, a second speaker, a third speaker, and a fourth speaker disposed in a first headrest of the vehicle, each of which receives the audio signal from the audio unit and is configured to reproduce the audio signal, the first speaker is disposed in a position positioned toward the right side of the passenger's head and above the right ear of the passenger when the passenger sits in front of the headrest, and the second speaker is disposed in a position positioned toward the left side of the passenger's head and above the left ear of the passenger when the passenger sits in front of the headrest. The third speaker is disposed in a position positioned toward the right side of the passenger's head and below the right ear of the passenger when the passenger sits in front of the headrest, and the fourth speaker is disposed in a position positioned toward the left side of the passenger's head and below the left ear of the passenger when the passenger sits in front of the headrest.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an audio system arranged in a listening environment, in particular a listening environment arranged in a vehicle, and to a headrest for a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] The integration of loudspeakers in a listening environment, especially in a vehicle, can be challenging. When integrating loudspeakers into a vehicle, many different aspects and constraints must be considered. One important aspect to consider is that every passenger in the vehicle should enjoy a satisfactory listening experience. Providing a satisfactory listening experience for every passenger in the vehicle is particularly difficult when a 3D surround sound experience is to be provided to the passengers.

[0003] There is a need for an audio system disposed in a listening environment in a vehicle to provide a satisfactory listening experience for all occupants present in the listening environment. Summary of the invention

[0004] An audio system arranged in a listening environment in a vehicle includes: an audio unit configured to output an audio signal; a first speaker arranged in a first headrest of the vehicle; a second speaker arranged in the first headrest; a third speaker arranged in the first headrest; and a fourth speaker arranged in the first headrest, wherein each of the first speaker, the second speaker, the third speaker, and the fourth speaker receives the audio signal from the audio unit and is configured to reproduce the audio signal, the first speaker being arranged in a position positioned toward the right side of the passenger's head and above the passenger's right ear when the passenger sits in front of the headrest, the second speaker being arranged in a position positioned toward the left side of the passenger's head and above the passenger's left ear when the passenger sits in front of the headrest, the third speaker being arranged in a position positioned toward the right side of the passenger's head and below the passenger's right ear when the passenger sits in front of the headrest, and the fourth speaker being arranged in a position positioned toward the left side of the passenger's head and below the passenger's left ear when the passenger sits in front of the headrest.

[0005] A headrest for a vehicle seat includes: a first speaker, a second speaker, a third speaker, and a fourth speaker, wherein each of the first speaker, the second speaker, the third speaker, and the fourth speaker is configured to receive an audio signal from an audio unit of the vehicle, the first speaker is arranged in a position positioned toward the right side of the passenger's head and above the passenger's right ear when the passenger sits in front of the headrest, the second speaker is arranged in a position positioned toward the left side of the passenger's head and above the passenger's left ear when the passenger sits in front of the headrest, the third speaker is arranged in a position positioned toward the right side of the passenger's head and below the passenger's right ear when the passenger sits in front of the headrest, and the fourth speaker is arranged in a position positioned toward the left side of the passenger's head and below the passenger's left ear when the passenger sits in front of the headrest.

[0006] Other systems, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be or will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon studying the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages are included in this description, are within the scope of the present invention, and are protected by the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The method can be better understood with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings. The components in the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but rather emphasize illustrating the principles of the present invention. In addition, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals indicate corresponding parts in all different views.

[0008] Figure 1 A top view of the disclosed vehicle is schematically shown.

[0009] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C Different views of a vehicle headrest are schematically shown.

[0010] Figure 3 An audio system for a listening environment in a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] Figure 1A top view of a vehicle 10 is schematically shown. The vehicle 10 includes a driver's seat 20, a front passenger seat 22, and two rear passenger seats 24. A car seat typically includes a seating area, a backrest, and a headrest 202. Today, each vehicle 10 typically includes an audio system configured to provide audio content to the passengers of the vehicle 10. It is generally desirable to provide a satisfactory listening experience for each passenger of the vehicle. An audio system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is capable of providing 3D surround sound for each passenger of the vehicle 10. To achieve this, a plurality of speakers are arranged in the headrest 202 of the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 may include a plurality of headrests 202. Specifically, the vehicle 10 may include a headrest for each seat in which an occupant of the vehicle 10 may sit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. However, it is also possible that not every seat of the vehicle 10 is equipped with a headrest 202 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] The audio system arranged in the listening environment in the vehicle 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes: an audio unit 50 configured to output an audio signal; a first speaker 402a arranged in the first headrest 202 of the vehicle 10; a second speaker 402b arranged in the first headrest 202; a third speaker 404a arranged in the first headrest 202; and a fourth speaker 404b arranged in the first headrest 202. Each of the first speaker 402a, the second speaker 402b, the third speaker 404a, and the fourth speaker 404b receives an audio signal from the audio unit 50 and is configured to reproduce the audio signal. Figure 3 The audio system is shown very schematically in . The first speaker 402a is arranged in a position positioned toward the right side of the passenger's head and above the passenger's right ear when the passenger 30 sits in front of the headrest 202. The second speaker 402b is arranged in a position positioned toward the left side of the passenger's head and above the passenger's left ear when the passenger 30 sits in front of the headrest 202. The third speaker 404a is arranged in a position positioned toward the right side of the passenger's head and below the passenger's right ear when the passenger 30 sits in front of the headrest 202. The fourth speaker 404b is arranged in a position positioned toward the left side of the passenger's head and below the passenger's left ear when the passenger 30 sits in front of the headrest 202. This is in Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C It is schematically shown in Figure 2A Schematically showing a front view of the headrest 202, Figure 2B A top view of the headrest 202 is schematically shown, and Figure 2C A side view of a headrest 202 is schematically shown.

[0013] The first speaker 402a, the second speaker 402b, the third speaker 404a and the fourth speaker 404b can be broadband speakers configured to emit a sound with a frequency between 200Hz and 10kHz. According to some examples, the first speaker 402a, the second speaker 402b, the third speaker 404a and the fourth speaker 404b can be configured to emit a sound with an even higher frequency (e.g., between 200Hz and 15kHz). The first speaker 402a, the second speaker 402b, the third speaker 404a and the fourth speaker 404b can be arranged on the front side of the headrest 202 or arranged towards the front side of the headrest. Each of the first speaker 402a, the second speaker 402b, the third speaker 404a and the fourth speaker 404b can include a sound radiating surface. The sound radiating surface of each of the first speaker 402a, the second speaker 402b, the third speaker 404a and the fourth speaker 404b can be directed to the front of the vehicle 10. In other words, the primary direction of sound propagation may be directed toward the front of the vehicle 10 , and therefore toward a passenger seated in front of the respective headrest 202 .

[0014] Each of the first speaker 402a, the second speaker 402b, the third speaker 404a, and the fourth speaker 404b may include a speaker housing. The speaker housing may be easily integrated in the headrest 202 of the car seat. Each speaker housing may include an opening, wherein the corresponding speaker is mounted in the opening so that when the headrest 202 is arranged in its expected position in the vehicle 10, the first side of the sound radiation surface faces the inside of the housing, and the second side of the sound radiation surface faces the outside of the housing and faces the front of the vehicle 10. The first speaker 402a, the second speaker 402b, the third speaker 404a, and the fourth speaker 404b are not visible to the occupants of the vehicle 10. For example, they may be covered with fabric.

[0015] The positions of the first speaker 402a, the second speaker 402b, the third speaker 404a, and the fourth speaker 404b will be described in more detail below with respect to FIG. Figure 2AAs can be seen, for example, the distance between the first speaker 402a and the right side of the headrest 202 may be equal to the distance between the second speaker 402b and the left side of the headrest 202. Similarly, the distance between the third speaker 404a and the right side of the headrest 202 may be equal to the distance between the fourth speaker 404b and the left side of the headrest 202. On the other hand, the distance between the first speaker 402a and the upper end of the headrest 202 may be equal to the distance between the second speaker 402b and the upper end of the headrest 202. The distance between the third speaker 404a and the lower end of the headrest 202 may be equal to the distance between the fourth speaker 404b and the lower end of the headrest 202. That is, the first speaker 402a, the second speaker 402b, the third speaker 404a and the fourth speaker 404b may form the corners of a quadrilateral. For example, the quadrilateral may be a square or a rectangle. In Figure 2A In the example shown in FIG. 4 , the first speaker 402 a , the second speaker 402 b , the third speaker 404 a , and the fourth speaker 404 b form the corners of a rectangle, as indicated by the dot-dashed lines.

[0016] The headrest 202 may have a substantially rectangular shape, for example, having a maximum height h202 in the vertical direction y and a maximum length w202 in the horizontal direction x. The headrest 202 may be divided into four quadrants (in Figure 2A ), and for example, each of the first speaker 402a, the second speaker 402b, the third speaker 404a, and the fourth speaker 404b may be arranged in a different quadrant among the four quadrants.

[0017] The average distance between the right ear and the left ear of a human being is about 16 cm. That is, the distance d1 between the first speaker 402a and the second speaker 402b and the distance d1 between the third speaker 404a and the fourth speaker 404b may each be between 15 cm and 17 cm. This may provide a satisfactory listening experience for most passengers of the vehicle 10. For passengers whose ears are spaced apart by a distance greater than or less than the average distance, the listening experience may be slightly deteriorated, however, this is generally acceptable.

[0018] exist Figure 2B, only the first speaker 402a and the second speaker 402b are visible. This is because, in this example, the third speaker 404a is arranged directly below the first speaker 402a in the vertical direction y (the vertical direction perpendicular to the ground on which the vehicle 10 is traveling), and the fourth speaker 404b is arranged directly below the second speaker 402b in the vertical direction y. That is, the first speaker 402a, the second speaker 402b, the third speaker 404a and the fourth speaker 404b can all be arranged in a plane perpendicular to the ground on which the vehicle 10 is traveling. For the same reason, the first speaker 402a and the third speaker 404a are arranged in a plane perpendicular to the ground on which the vehicle 10 is traveling. Figure 2C are not visible in the side view of because they are hidden by the second speaker 402b and the fourth speaker 404b, respectively.

[0019] Using the audio system described herein, a very satisfying 3D listening experience can be provided for each passenger of the vehicle 10. Each passenger is provided with audio from directly behind their ears. Using one speaker to provide audio from above the right ear and using another speaker to provide audio from below the right ear and similarly using one speaker to provide audio from above the left ear and using another speaker to provide audio from below the left ear, a very satisfying 3D surround experience can be achieved separately for each passenger. Since all four speakers 402a, 402b, 404a, 404b are arranged in close proximity to the ears of the respective passengers, the surround sound experience can be optimized for each passenger of the vehicle 10. In addition, the surround experience of one passenger will not (or at least not significantly) be impaired by the audio signal reproduced by the speakers arranged in the headrest of another passenger.

[0020] like Figure 2C As schematically shown in , the surround sound experience can be further optimized. According to one example, the angle α between the first straight line between the right ear of the passenger 30 (e.g., the entrance of the right ear canal) and the first speaker 402a and the second straight line between the right ear of the passenger 30 (e.g., the entrance of the right ear canal) and the third speaker 404a can be between 40° and 50°. Similarly, the angle α between the third straight line extending between the left ear of the passenger 30 (e.g., the entrance of the left ear canal) and the second speaker 402b and the fourth straight line between the left ear of the passenger 30 (e.g., the entrance of the left ear canal) and the fourth speaker 404b can be between 40° and 50°. According to one example, the angle α can be 45°. However, since the size of the heads of different users may not be exactly the same, there may be some deviations. It is generally assumed that the passenger correctly adjusts his headrest 202. For example, if a passenger sets their headrest 202 too high or too low, this is not only critical for safety reasons, but it may also negatively impact the user's surround sound experience if the speakers are placed too high or too low relative to the user's ears.

[0021] According to one example, when the headrest 202 is properly adjusted (generally, when the height of the headrest is adjusted, the majority of the headrest should be located directly behind the passenger's head, at the same height as the ears) and the passenger sits in front of the headrest 202, the distance d2 between the horizontal plane and the first speaker 402a is equal to each of the distance d2 between the horizontal plane and the third speaker 404a, the distance d2 between the horizontal plane and the second speaker 402b, and the distance d2 between the horizontal plane and the fourth speaker 404b. The horizontal plane is substantially parallel to the ground on which the vehicle 10 travels and extends through the entrance of the passenger's ear canal. That is, the first speaker 402a, the third speaker 404a, and the right ear canal of the passenger sitting in front of the corresponding headrest 202 can form the corner of an equilateral triangle. Similarly, the second speaker 402b, the fourth speaker 404b, and the left ear canal of the passenger sitting in front of the corresponding headrest 202 can form the corner of an equilateral triangle.

[0022] In addition to the speakers 402a, 402b, 404a, 404b arranged in the headrest 202, the audio system may also include additional speakers, such as, for example, overhead speakers arranged in the headliner, speakers arranged in the luggage rack, speakers arranged in the C-pillar or D-pillar, speakers arranged in the dashboard, and / or speakers arranged in the side panels of the vehicle 10. The audio signal output by the audio unit 50 may include at least one of the following: music or spoken content received from, for example, a radio or any other audio source available in the vehicle 10, instructions of the navigation system of the vehicle 10, and speech received via a hands-free system of the vehicle 10.

[0023] Typically, instead of arranging a physical speaker in the headrest 202, a virtual speaker may be used. That is, the audio signals emitted by the speakers at different positions in the vehicle 10 may be processed so that the audio signals are perceived by the occupants in the positions described above. According to one example, four virtual speakers similar to the speakers described above may be simulated by means of two physical speakers arranged in the corresponding headrests. Each of the two physical speakers may be arranged behind different ears of the occupant sitting in front of the headrest. The two physical speakers may be arranged substantially at the same height as the ears of the occupant. This is generally sufficient to simulate, by means of a suitable processing method, a virtual speaker perceived as being arranged above the ear of the occupant and a virtual speaker perceived as being arranged below the ear of the occupant for each ear. However, the virtual speakers in the corresponding positions may also be implemented in any other suitable manner.

[0024] The general concepts have been described above with respect to the listening environment in a passenger vehicle. However, in general, the vehicle 10 can be any type of vehicle, such as, for example, a passenger car, a van, a camper, a caravan, a truck, a bus, a tractor, an airplane, a ship, etc. It will be appreciated that the illustrated system is merely an example. Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that there may be more embodiments and implementations within the scope of the present invention. Specifically, the technician will recognize the interchangeability of various features from different implementations. Although these techniques and systems have been disclosed in the context of certain embodiments and examples, it will be appreciated that these techniques and systems may extend beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other embodiments and / or their uses and obvious modifications. Therefore, the present invention is not limited except in accordance with the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0025] The description of the embodiment has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. Suitable modifications and variations of the embodiment may be performed according to the above description or may be obtained by the practice method. The arrangement is exemplary in nature and may include additional elements and / or omit elements. As used in this application, elements listed in singular form and preceded by the wording "one" or "a kind of" should be understood as not excluding multiple elements, unless such exclusion is indicated. In addition, reference to "one embodiment" or "an example" of the present disclosure is not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also contain the listed features. The terms "first", "second" and "third" etc. are used only as labels, without the intention of imposing numerical requirements or specific positional order on their objects. The system is exemplary in nature and may include additional elements and / or omit elements. The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various systems and configurations disclosed and other features, functions and / or properties. The attached claims specifically point out the subject matter that is considered to be novel and non-obvious from the above disclosure.

Claims

1. An audio system arranged in a listening environment in a vehicle (10), wherein include: an audio unit (50), the audio unit being configured to output an audio signal; a first speaker (402a), the first speaker being arranged in a first headrest (202) of the vehicle (10), a second speaker (402b), the second speaker being arranged in the first headrest (202), a third speaker (404a), the third speaker being arranged in the first headrest (202), and a fourth speaker (404b), the fourth speaker being arranged in the first headrest (202), wherein Each of the first speaker, the second speaker, the third speaker and the fourth speaker (402a, 402b, 404a, 404b) receives the audio signal from the audio unit (50) and is configured to reproduce the audio signal, The first speaker (402a) is arranged in a position positioned toward the right side of the passenger's head and above the passenger's right ear when the passenger (30) sits in front of the headrest (202), The second speaker (402b) is arranged in a position positioned toward the left side of the passenger's head and above the passenger's left ear when the passenger (30) sits in front of the headrest (202), The third speaker (404a) is arranged in a position positioned toward the right side of the passenger's head and below the passenger's right ear when the passenger (30) sits in front of the headrest (202), and The fourth speaker (404b) is arranged in a position positioned toward the left side of the passenger's head and below the passenger's left ear when the passenger (30) sits in front of the headrest (202).

2. The audio system of claim 1, wherein the first speaker, the second speaker, the third speaker and the fourth speaker (402a, 402b, 404a, 404b) form corners of a quadrilateral. The audio system of claim 2 , wherein the quadrilateral is a square or a rectangle.

4. An audio system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the first speaker, the second speaker, the third speaker and the fourth speaker (402a, 402b, 404a, 404b) is configured to emit sound with a frequency between 200 Hz and 10 kHz or between 200 Hz and 15 kHz.

5. An audio system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the audio signal output by the audio unit (50) includes at least one of music or spoken content received from an audio source capable of being used in the vehicle (10), instructions of a navigation system of the vehicle (10), and speech received via a hands-free system of the vehicle (10).

6. An audio system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an angle (α) between a first straight line between the right ear of the passenger (30) and the first speaker (402a) and a second straight line between the right ear of the passenger (30) and the third speaker (404a) is between 40° and 50°, and An angle (α) between a third straight line between the left ear of the passenger (30) and the second speaker (402b) and a fourth straight line between the left ear of the passenger (30) and the fourth speaker (404b) is between 40° and 50°.

7. An audio system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein when the headrest (202) is properly adjusted and a passenger (30) is seated in front of the headrest (202), a distance (d1) between a horizontal plane and the first speaker (402a) is equal to each of a distance (d1) between the horizontal plane and the third speaker (404a), a distance (d1) between the horizontal plane and the second speaker (402b), and a distance (d1) between the horizontal plane and the fourth speaker (404b), wherein the horizontal plane is substantially parallel to the ground on which the vehicle (10) is traveling and extends through an entrance to the passenger's ear canal.

8. The audio system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first headrest (202) is the headrest of a driver's seat (20).

9. An audio system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein Each of the first speaker, the second speaker, the third speaker and the fourth speaker (402a, 402b, 404a, 404b) includes a sound radiating surface, and The first speaker, the second speaker, the third speaker and the fourth speaker (402a, 402b, 404a, 404b) are arranged in the headrest (202) so that their sound radiation surfaces are directed toward the front of the vehicle (10).

10. A headrest (202) for a vehicle (10), comprising a first speaker (402a), a second speaker (402b), a third speaker (404a) and a fourth speaker (404b), wherein Each of the first speaker, the second speaker, the third speaker, and the fourth speaker (402a, 402b, 404a, 404b) is configured to receive an audio signal from an audio unit (50) of the vehicle (10), The first speaker (402a) is arranged in a position positioned toward the right side of the passenger's head and above the passenger's right ear when the passenger (30) sits in front of the headrest (202), The second speaker (402b) is arranged in a position positioned toward the left side of the passenger's head and above the passenger's left ear when the passenger (30) sits in front of the headrest (202), The third speaker (404a) is arranged in a position positioned toward the right side of the passenger's head and below the passenger's right ear when the passenger (30) sits in front of the headrest (202), and The fourth speaker (404b) is arranged in a position positioned toward the left side of the passenger's head and below the passenger's left ear when the passenger (30) sits in front of the headrest (202).

Images