Active driving sound effect generating device

Abstract

A signal of a high-frequency component generated from the front side of a vehicle is associated as an intake sound, and a signal of a low-frequency component generated from the rear side of the vehicle is associated as an exhaust sound. The active driving sound effect generation device comprises: a waveform generation unit for generating a signal on the basis of vehicle information; a plurality of speakers that output the signal generated by the waveform generation unit; and an acoustic image control unit that changes the magnitude of the output of each of the plurality of speakers with respect to the signal. The waveform generation unit generates a low-frequency waveform signal containing a relatively large number of low-frequency components, and a high-frequency waveform signal containing a relatively large number of high-frequency components compared to the low-frequency waveform signal. The sound image control unit outputs a relatively small low-frequency waveform signal and a relatively small high-frequency component from a speaker disposed in the front of the vehicle, and outputs a relatively small low-frequency waveform signal and a relatively small high-frequency component from a speaker disposed in the rear of the vehicle than the speaker disposed in the front of the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an active driving sound effect generating device. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, active sound effect generating devices have been studied for vehicle driving operations, which generate sound effects corresponding to changes in vehicle speed associated with a driver's accelerator pedal operation (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0003] As a technology related to the active sound effect generator, the abstract of Patent Document 1 describes an active sound effect generator that can achieve at least one of the generation of more natural sound effects and application to electric vehicles (see Patent Document 1).

[0004] Furthermore, the abstract of Patent Document 2 describes an active sound effect generator that generates a sound effect in response to an increase in vehicle speed, which is highly realistic as a driving sound of a car even in a high-speed area (see Patent Document 2).

[0005] Furthermore, as a technology related to a sound output control device in a vehicle, the abstract of Patent Document 3 describes a sound output control device that plays sound from a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) as Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround sound (see Patent Document 3). The sound output control device described in Patent Document 3 outputs 5.1-channel surround sound signals from the vehicle's front left and right speakers, rear left and right speakers, center speakers, and a subwoofer through a surround speaker system.

[0006] Prior art literature

[0007] Patent Literature

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-229403

[0009] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-128378

[0010] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-209699 Summary of the Invention

[0011] However, in order to provide passengers with a more realistic driving sound effect, it is desirable to control the sound image of the sound effect generated according to the driving state so that it is produced in the appropriate location. For example, it is desirable to control the sound image of the component simulating the intake sound so that it is produced from the engine compartment in the front of the vehicle, while the sound image of the component simulating the exhaust sound is produced from the exhaust pipe in the rear of the vehicle.

[0012] However, the active sound effect generators described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 output the driving sound effects equally from each speaker, making it impossible to control the sound image. Furthermore, the sound output control device described in Patent Document 3 simply outputs the 5.1-channel surround sound signal as is from each speaker, with no consideration given to controlling the sound effects generated based on the driving state to further enhance the sense of presence for the occupants.

[0013] The present invention is made in view of the above-mentioned situation, and its purpose is to provide an active running sound generating device, which can associate the high-frequency component signal generated from the front side of the vehicle with the intake sound, and the low-frequency component signal generated from the rear side of the vehicle with the exhaust sound, and can provide the passengers with a sense of presence as if they were riding in a vehicle equipped with an engine.

[0014] That is, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the present invention, an active running sound effect generator is installed on a vehicle, and the active running sound effect generator is characterized in that it has: a waveform generating unit that generates a signal according to vehicle information; a plurality of speakers that output the signal generated by the waveform generating unit; and a sound and image control unit that changes the output size of each of the plurality of speakers relative to the signal, the waveform generating unit respectively generates a low-frequency waveform signal containing a relatively large number of low-frequency components, and a high-frequency waveform signal containing a relatively large number of high-frequency components compared with the low-frequency waveform signal, and the sound and image control unit is configured to output the low-frequency waveform signal relatively small and the high-frequency component relatively large from the speaker arranged in the front of the vehicle, and to output the low-frequency waveform signal relatively large and the high-frequency component relatively small from the speaker arranged in the rear of the vehicle compared with the speaker arranged in the front.

[0015] Effects of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, high-frequency component signals generated from the front of the vehicle can be associated with intake sounds, and low-frequency component signals generated from the rear of the vehicle can be associated with exhaust sounds, thereby providing passengers with a sense of immersion as if they were riding in a vehicle equipped with an engine. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle equipped with the active running sound generating device according to the present embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of a waveform generating unit.

[0019] Figure 3A This is an explanatory diagram (part 1) showing the concept of a signal (waveform data) read by a generation processing unit at a position obtained by adding an acquired skip number to the previous reading position.

[0020] Figure 3B This is an explanatory diagram (part 2) showing the concept of a generation processing unit reading a signal (waveform data) at a position obtained by adding the acquired skip number to the previous reading position.

[0021] Figure 4 This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of processing for waveform table synthesis.

[0022] Figure 5 This is an explanatory diagram showing characteristics of gain applied by the gain adjustment section of the gain control section to the signal acquired from the waveform generation section.

[0023] Figure 6 This is a block diagram showing the configuration of an audio and video control processing unit.

[0024] Figure 7A Indicates the display speaker installed in the vehicle.

[0025] Figure 7B This table shows a low-frequency waveform as an example of the timbre of a powerful EV sport.

[0026] Figure 7C This table shows a high-frequency waveform as an example of the timbre of the futuristic EV.

[0027] Figure 8A This is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a button for adding a tone (wave table) on the tone screen of the display sound.

[0028] Figure 8B This is an explanatory diagram showing a waveform table added to the waveform generating unit by the user.

[0029] Figure 9A This is an explanatory diagram showing the first skip table.

[0030] Figure 9B This is an explanatory diagram showing the second skip table.

[0031] Description of Reference Numerals

[0032] 10Waveform generation unit

[0033] 11 Vehicle speed / rotation speed acquisition unit

[0034] 12, 12-1, 12-2, 12-N frequency component group generation processing unit

[0035] 20 Gain coefficient calculation unit

[0036] 21 Accelerator opening sensor

[0037] 22 Acceleration calculation unit

[0038] 23 Speed change calculation unit

[0039] 24 vehicle speed / speed gain table

[0040] 25 Accelerator Gain Table

[0041] 26 Acceleration gain table

[0042] 27 Speed change gain table

[0043] 30 gain control unit

[0044] 31 gain adjustment unit

[0045] 40 Sound Control Department

[0046] 41 Audio and video control processing unit

[0047] 121 Speed ​​Step Table

[0048] 122 Speed step table

[0049] 123 Skip Table

[0050] 124 Generation Processing Unit

[0051] 125, 127, 129, 134 Waveform Tables

[0052] 1201, 1202, 1203 waveform tables

[0053] 1231 Skip Table 1

[0054] 1232 Second Skip Table

[0055] 300 vehicles DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] The following describes in detail the methods for implementing the present invention. The embodiments described below are merely examples for implementing the present invention and can be modified or altered as appropriate depending on the configuration of the device to which the present invention is applied and various conditions. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. In the figures, identical components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

[0057] <First embodiment>

[0058] [General Structure of Active Driving Sound Generator]

[0059] Figure 1 Is to indicate that in the vehicle ( Figure 6 Reference) is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an active running sound generating device according to the first embodiment.

[0060] like Figure 1As shown, the active running sound effect generating device 100 of this embodiment includes a waveform generating unit 10 , a gain coefficient calculating unit 20 , a gain control unit 30 , an acoustic control unit 40 , and a speaker 50 .

[0061] In this embodiment, the waveform generation unit 10, the gain coefficient calculation unit 20, the gain control unit 30, and the audio control unit 40 constitute an active sound control (ASC) device. Active sound control is a system that improves the sound quality of the acceleration sound heard inside the vehicle based on the accelerator pedal position. Specifically, active sound control provides the user with an acceleration sound that corresponds to the vehicle speed or power unit rotational speed by emitting a sound synchronized with the vehicle speed or power unit rotational speed from the speaker 50 into the vehicle interior.

[0062] about Figure 1 The speaker 50 shown, as described later Figure 6 As shown in the vehicle 300, the speaker 51 is arranged on the front side of the vehicle 300 (for example, in front of the driver's seat and the front passenger seat), the speaker 52 is arranged at the approximate center of the vehicle 300 (for example, beside the driver's seat and the front passenger seat), and the speaker 5S is arranged on the rear side of the vehicle 300 (for example, behind the rear seat).

[0063] The vehicle 300 is constituted by an electric vehicle such as a fuel cell vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, and includes a motor (not shown) controlled by a motor ECU (Electronic Control Unit) (not shown).

[0064] The waveform generator 10 of the active driving sound effect generator 100 generates a signal from a waveform table based on vehicle information. The waveform generator 10 includes multiple waveform tables and generates signals from each of these tables. Vehicle information refers to vehicle speed or the rotational speed of the power unit. The power unit is not limited to a motor; for example, an engine may also be used.

[0065] The waveform generator 10 includes a vehicle speed / rotation speed acquiring unit 11 and frequency component group generating units 12 - 1 , . . . 12 -N. If any of the frequency component group generating units 12 - 1 , . . . 12 -N is not required, it is simply referred to as the frequency component group generating unit 12 .

[0066] The vehicle speed / rotation speed acquiring unit 11 obtains the vehicle 300 (see Figure 6 ) acquires the vehicle speed or the rotational speed of the power unit as vehicle information. The vehicle speed / rotational speed acquisition unit 11 is composed of, for example, a vehicle speed sensor. The vehicle speed / rotational speed acquisition unit 11 acquires the vehicle speed or the rotational speed of the power unit based on the rotational speed of the motor or axle (not shown) via the vehicle speed sensor and supplies the information to the gain coefficient calculation unit 20.

[0067] Each frequency component group generation processing unit 12-1, ... 12-N has a corresponding waveform table (timbre). For example, the frequency component group generation processing unit 12-1 has a low-frequency waveform table that contains relatively more low-frequency components, and the frequency component group generation processing unit 12-2 (when N is 2) has a high-frequency waveform table that contains relatively more high-frequency components than the low-frequency waveform table. In addition, the low-frequency waveform table can be composed only of low-frequency components as long as it contains more low-frequency components than high-frequency components. In addition, the high-frequency waveform table can be composed only of high-frequency components as long as it contains more high-frequency components than low-frequency components. In addition, the low-frequency waveform table and the high-frequency waveform table are not limited to waveform tables, and can also be data containing low-frequency waveform signals and high-frequency waveform signals.

[0068] The frequency component group generation processing units 12 - 1 , . . . 12 -N have different waveform tables, and thus the waveform generation unit 10 has a plurality of waveform tables.

[0069] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing the schematic structure of the waveform generation unit. Figure 2 As shown, the waveform generation unit 10 includes a skip table 123 and a generation processing unit 124. The generation processing unit 124 includes a waveform table 125 for forming a timbre. The waveform table 125 is waveform data read by the generation processing unit 124 and is composed of table values. The waveform table 125 is an example of waveform data including multiple frequency components (1 [Hz], 2 [Hz], and 4 [Hz]) with a period of 1 [s].

[0070] The skip table 123 acquires the skip number of the read position based on the vehicle information. The skip table 123 is provided in the vehicle speed / rotation speed acquisition unit 11, for example.

[0071] The skip table 123 includes at least one of the vehicle speed step table 121 and the rotation speed step table 122. The vehicle speed step table 121 specifies the skip number (reading width) ΔP based on the vehicle speed [km / h] of the vehicle 300. The rotation speed step table 122 specifies the skip number ΔP based on the rotation speed [rpm] of the power unit. The skip number indicates, for example, the reading width of waveform data when reading waveform table 125. In other words, the skip number indicates the ratio by which waveform table 125 is thinned out, resulting in a speed value when waveform table 125 is replayed at double the speed.

[0072] The skip table 123 stores the skip number ΔP in table format. For example, based on the vehicle speed step table 121, the vehicle speed / rotation speed acquisition unit 11 reads 4 as the skip number ΔP when the vehicle speed is 10 [km / h], and 4 as the skip number ΔP when the vehicle speed is 20 [km / h]. Furthermore, the vehicle speed / rotation speed acquisition unit 11 reads 9 as the skip number ΔP when the vehicle speed is 30 [km / h], and 400 as the skip number ΔP when the vehicle speed is 200 [km / h].

[0073] For example, based on the speed step table 122, the vehicle speed / rotation speed acquisition unit 11 reads 1 as the skip number ΔP when the power unit speed is 600 [rpm], and reads 2 as the skip number ΔP when the power unit speed is 700 [rpm]. Furthermore, the vehicle speed / rotation speed acquisition unit 11 reads 4 as the skip number ΔP when the power unit speed is 800 [rpm], and reads 100 as the skip number ΔP when the power unit speed is 3000 [rpm].

[0074] Thus, after the vehicle speed or power unit rotation speed is acquired by the vehicle speed / rotation speed acquisition unit 11, the waveform generation unit 10 acquires the number of skips ΔP of the read position based on the vehicle speed or rotation speed. Furthermore, the number of skips ΔP in the vehicle speed step table 121 or the rotation speed step table 122 defines the number of skips desired by the user.

[0075] Meanwhile, the generation processing unit 124 is provided in each of the frequency component group generation processing units 12-1, ..., 12-N. In other words, the generation processing unit 124 corresponds to each of the frequency component group generation processing units 12-1, ..., 12-N. Based on the skip number ΔP acquired by the vehicle speed / rotation speed acquisition unit 11, the generation processing unit 124 reads a signal from the waveform table 125 at a position obtained by adding the acquired skip number ΔP to the previously read position. This generates a signal (that is, a waveform table with a skip number ΔP) to be input to the speaker 50.

[0076] Here, the signal generated by the generation processing unit 124 is defined by the following equation (1).

[0077]

Formula 1

[0078] P(t+1)=P(t)+ΔP(t)…(1)

[0079] Here, P(t): pointer, P(0): initial value 0, ΔP(t): skip number.

[0080] As shown in equation (1), the vehicle speed / rotation speed acquisition unit 11 reads the waveform table 125 corresponding to the skip number ΔP at the pointer P(t) corresponding to the previous value based on the skip number ΔP read from the skip table 123 and the previous value of the pointer P(t), thereby generating a signal to be input to the speaker 50. In this case, the waveform data in the waveform table 125 corresponding to the skip number ΔP becomes the signal (timbre).

[0081] Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B This is an explanatory diagram explaining the concept of a generation processing unit reading a signal (waveform data) at a position obtained by adding the acquired skip number to the previous reading position.

[0082] Figure 3A In the example, the concept of generating a signal (waveform data) that the processing unit 124 reads from the waveform table 126 is represented when the skip number ΔP is 2. Figure 3A As shown, the generation processing unit 124 reads waveform data (waveform table 127) from the previous reading position at a double cycle (two round trips) with respect to the waveform data (waveform table 126) having a cycle of 1 second.

[0083] Figure 3B For example, the concept of generating a signal for the processing unit 124 to read the waveform table 128 is shown in FIG. Figure 3B As shown, the generation processing unit 124 reads waveform data (waveform table 129 ) from the previous reading position at a triple cycle (three round trips) with respect to the waveform data (waveform table 128 ) having a cycle of 1 second.

[0084] Here, the waveform tables 126 and 128 hold the values of the signal (waveform data) in a table format for each cycle. This embodiment is characterized in that the waveform tables 126 and 128 are used by the waveform generator 10 to read the waveform data.

[0085] Figure 4 This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of processing for waveform table synthesis. Figure 4 , a process of synthesizing a waveform table 134 having waveform data of three frequency components from a waveform table 131 of a frequency of 1 [Hz], a waveform table 132 of a frequency of 1.25 [Hz], and a waveform table 133 of a frequency of 1.5 [Hz] is shown.

[0086] The three waveform tables 131, 132, and 133 each have different periods, making it impossible to achieve synchronization in 1-second units. Therefore, in this embodiment, since waveform table 134 having three frequency components is generated, the ratio of the frequencies of waveform tables 131, 132, and 133 is set to an integer multiple while maintaining the ratio, and the minimum time [s] (multiplier) for achieving synchronization is determined from the value that makes this value an integer. The waveform data of waveform tables 131, 132, and 133 can achieve synchronization at each timing by setting the ratio of the frequencies to an integer so that their starting and ending points have the same value. Therefore, in this embodiment, the waveform data of each waveform table 131, 132, and 133 are synthesized, with the minimum time [s] for achieving synchronization of waveform tables 131, 132, and 133 as a period, thereby generating waveform table 134 containing three frequency components.

[0087] As described above, in this embodiment, after the ratio of the frequencies of the waveform tables 131 , 132 , and 133 is set to an integer, the minimum required time (minimum time) of the data sequence of the waveform data is determined.

[0088] exist Figure 4 In this case, the frequency ratios of waveform table 131 (1 Hz), waveform table 132 (1.25 Hz), and waveform table 133 (1.5 Hz) are 1:1.25:1.5. Integer multiples of these frequency ratios yield 4:5:6 and 100:125:150. In this case, the minimum time (s) required to synchronize waveform tables 131, 132, and 133 is 4:5:6, calculated as (1:1.25:1.5) x 4, resulting in a value of 4:5:6. This is determined as 4 s. Once the minimum time (4 s) is determined, the waveform data in waveform table 131 corresponds to four cycles, the waveform data in waveform table 132 corresponds to five cycles, and the waveform data in waveform table 133 corresponds to six cycles.

[0089] Waveform table 134 then adds together the periodic data (four, five, or six periods) of waveform tables 131, 132, and 133, each representing an integer multiple of the minimum time (4 seconds) required to synchronize waveform tables 131, 132, and 133. This generates waveform data whose minimum time (seconds) constitutes one period. The resulting waveform table 134 is a periodic waveform table with continuous end and start points, and contains multiple frequency components.

[0090] In other words, in this embodiment, the waveform table 134 is formed by waveform data in which the minimum multiplier (that is, the minimum time) that makes all the ratios of the frequencies integers is set as the period of the waveform table while maintaining the ratios of the multiple frequencies.

[0091] In this manner, the waveform table 134 including a plurality of frequency components is generated from the waveform data of the waveform tables 131 , 132 , and 133 including the frequency components desired by the user.

[0092] return Figure 1 The gain coefficient calculation unit 20 of the active driving sound generating device 100 is composed of an accelerator opening sensor 21, an acceleration calculation unit 22, a speed change calculation unit 23, a vehicle speed / speed gain table 24, an accelerator gain table 25, an acceleration gain table 26, and a speed change gain table 27.

[0093] The accelerator opening sensor 21 detects the opening of the accelerator pedal when a user steps on the accelerator pedal of the vehicle 300 (this will be referred to as the accelerator opening θ).

[0094] The acceleration calculation unit 22 acquires the vehicle speed or the rotation speed of the power unit from the vehicle speed / rotation speed acquisition unit 11 and calculates the acceleration Δa.

[0095] The rotation speed change amount calculation unit 23 acquires the vehicle speed or the rotation speed of the power unit from the vehicle speed / rotation speed acquisition unit 11 and calculates the rotation speed change amount Δb.

[0096] The vehicle speed / rotation speed gain table 24 has a characteristic of applying a gain to the supplied vehicle speed or power unit rotation speed. The accelerator gain table 25 has a characteristic of applying a gain to the detected accelerator opening θ. The acceleration gain table 26 has a characteristic of applying a gain to the calculated acceleration Δa. The rotation speed change gain table 27 has a characteristic of applying a gain to the calculated rotation speed change Δb.

[0097] Furthermore, the vehicle speed / rotation speed gain table 24 , the accelerator gain table 25 , the acceleration gain table 26 , and the rotation speed change gain table 27 are appropriately set with predetermined characteristics desired by the user in a table format.

[0098] The gain control unit 30 of the active running sound effect generator 100 is configured with a plurality of gain adjustment units 31, 3N. The gain control unit 30 receives signals u1, 3N generated by the frequency component group generation processing units 12-1, 12-N from the waveform generator 10, and receives coefficients for adjusting the gain of each signal u1, 3N from the gain coefficient calculator 20.

[0099] Each of the plurality of gain adjustment units 31, ..., 3N corresponds to a signal u1, ..., uN generated from the waveform table of the frequency component group generation processing unit 12-1, ..., 12-N. Thus, each gain adjustment unit 31, ..., 3N adjusts the gain of the corresponding signal u1, ..., uN generated by the frequency component group generation processing unit 12-1, ..., 12-N using the gain coefficient obtained from the gain coefficient calculation unit 20.

[0100] Figure 5 This is an explanatory diagram showing characteristics of gain applied by the gain adjustment section of the gain control section to the signal acquired from the waveform generation section.

[0101] like Figure 5 As shown, when the vehicle speed or rotational speed is relatively low, the gain control unit 30 increases (raises) the gain of the low-frequency waveform table by using the gain G1 representing the low-frequency component. On the other hand, when the vehicle speed or rotational speed is relatively high, the gain control unit 30 increases the gain of the high-frequency waveform table by using the gain G2 representing the high-frequency component.

[0102] Figure 5 In FIG, the gain G1 represents the characteristics of the gain of the low-frequency component (low-frequency waveform signal), and the gain G2 represents the characteristics of the gain of the high-frequency component (high-frequency waveform signal).

[0103] For example, the frequency component group generation processing unit 12-1 has a low-frequency waveform table, and the frequency component group generation processing unit 12-2 (when N is 2) has a high-frequency waveform table. In this case, when the vehicle speed or rotation speed is relatively small, the gain adjustment unit 31 emphasizes the low-frequency component of the low-frequency waveform table of the output frequency component group generation processing unit 12-1 through the gain G1.

[0104] On the other hand, when the vehicle speed or rotation speed is relatively high, the gain adjustment unit 32 (when N is 2) emphasizes the high-frequency components of the high-frequency waveform table of the output frequency component group generation processing unit 12 - 2 by the gain G2 .

[0105] The sound control unit 40 (see Figure 1 ) has an image control processing unit 41. The image control processing unit 41 changes (adjusts) the magnitude of the output of each of the plurality of speakers 50 (51, 52, ... 5S) with respect to the plurality of signal components y1, ... yN.

[0106] The sound image control processing unit 41 inputs a signal to each speaker 50 , and the output sound output from each speaker 50 is expressed by the following equation (2).

[0107]

Formula 2

[0108]

[0109] Here, S S : the output sound of the S-th speaker; n: the frequency component number; N: the total number of frequency component groups; K nS : Gain coefficient when the nth frequency component group is output from the Sth speaker; D nS : The time delay when the nth frequency component group is output from the Sth speaker.

[0110] As shown in equation (2), the image control processing unit 41 multiplies the signals u1, ..., uN generated by the frequency component group generation processing units 12-1, ..., 12-N by the gain coefficients set for each speaker 50 to adjust the magnitude and delay time. As a result, the sound output from each speaker 51, 52, ..., 5S becomes the sum (result) of the frequency components after the magnitude adjustments.

[0111] Thus, the audio-visual control processing unit 41 outputs a relatively small low-frequency waveform signal (low-frequency waveform component) and a relatively large high-frequency component from the speaker 51 arranged in the front of the vehicle 300, and outputs a relatively large low-frequency waveform signal (low-frequency waveform component) and a relatively small high-frequency component from the speaker 5S arranged at the rear of the vehicle 300 compared to the speakers 51 and 52 arranged in the front.

[0112] Furthermore, the image control processing unit 41 can adjust the phase of the signal of each speaker 50 for each of the plurality of signal components y1, ..., yN. Therefore, the speaker 51 located at the front of the vehicle 300 can output a high-frequency waveform signal earlier and a low-frequency waveform signal later than the speaker 5S located at the rear of the vehicle 300.

[0113] Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of the audio and video control processing unit. Figure 6 As shown, the image control processing unit 41 includes amplifiers 421, 422, ... 42S, 441, 442, ... 44S for multiplying each of the plurality of signal components y1, ... yN by a constant for each of the speakers 51, 52, ... 5S.

[0114] Figure 6 In the case where speakers 51, 52, ..., 5S are provided, the sound image control processing unit 41 generates the signal component y1 of the processing unit 12-1, for example, by setting a coefficient of 1.0 for amplifier 421, a coefficient of 0.5 for amplifier 422, and a coefficient of 0.0 for amplifier 42S. This causes the sound image of the signal component y1 to be localized in the front of the vehicle cabin.

[0115] Meanwhile, the sound image control processing unit 41 generates the signal component yN of the processing unit 12-N, which assumes the frequency component group of exhaust sound. For example, the sound image control processing unit 41 sets a coefficient of 0.0 for amplifier 441, a coefficient of 0.5 for amplifier 442, and a coefficient of 1.0 for amplifier 44S. This causes the sound image of the signal component yN to be localized behind the vehicle cabin.

[0116] Thus, speaker 51 outputs relatively greater high-frequency components than speakers 52 and 5S, and speaker 52 outputs relatively greater high-frequency components than speaker 5S. On the other hand, speaker 5S outputs relatively greater low-frequency components than speakers 51 and 52, and speaker 52 outputs relatively greater low-frequency components than speaker 51. Alternatively, the audio and video control processing unit 41 may divide the plurality of speakers 50 (51, 52, ..., 5S) into groups for the front and rear of the vehicle compartment and control them collectively.

[0117] Furthermore, the image control processing unit 41 includes delay adjustment elements 431 , 432 , . . . 43S, 451 , 452 , . . . 45S for adjusting the phase of the signal of each of the speakers 51 , 52 , . . . 5S for each of the plurality of signal components y1 , . . . yN.

[0118] Delay adjustment elements 431, 432, ..., 43S, 451, 452, ..., 45S set delay times using digital values for each signal component y1, ..., yN. This allows speaker 51, located at the front of vehicle 300, to output high-frequency waveform components earlier and low-frequency waveform signals (low-frequency waveform components) later than speakers 52, ..., 5S, located at the rear of vehicle 300.

[0119] Thus, speaker 51 uses adder 461 to add the signal amplified by amplifier 421 and delayed by delay adjustment element 431, and the signal amplified by amplifier 441 and delayed by delay adjustment element 451, and outputs the added signal s1 into the vehicle cabin. Speaker 52 uses adder 462 to add the signal amplified by amplifier 422 and delayed by delay adjustment element 432, and the signal amplified by amplifier 442 and delayed by delay adjustment element 452, and outputs the added signal s2 into the vehicle cabin. Speaker 5S uses adder 46S to add the signal amplified by amplifier 42S and delayed by delay adjustment element 43S, and the signal amplified by amplifier 44S and delayed by delay adjustment element 45S, and outputs the added signal sS into the vehicle cabin.

[0120] [Operation of the active driving sound generator]

[0121] Action 1

[0122] Next, refer to Figure 1 、 Figures 7A to 9B , while explaining the operation of the active running sound generating device 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0123] The active running sound effect generator 100 acquires the vehicle speed or the rotation speed of the power unit as vehicle information of the vehicle 300 by the vehicle speed / rotation speed acquiring unit 11. The vehicle speed / rotation speed acquiring unit 11 acquires the skip number ΔP based on the acquired vehicle speed or the rotation speed of the power unit.

[0124] The frequency component group generation processing units 12 - 1 , . . . 12 -N (generation processing unit 124 ) read the signal at the position increased by the skip number ΔP at the reading position P(t) of each waveform table, and input it to the gain control unit 30 .

[0125] The gain coefficient calculation unit 20 calculates the gain coefficients of each signal u1, ··uN from the vehicle speed / speed gain table 24, the accelerator gain table 25, the acceleration gain table 26, and the acceleration gain table 26 based on the accelerator opening θ of the accelerator opening sensor 21, the vehicle speed or the speed of the power unit obtained by the vehicle speed / speed acquisition unit 11.

[0126] The gain control unit 30 controls (adjusts) the corresponding gain of each signal u1 , . . . uN generated from the plurality of waveform tables of the frequency component group generation processing units 12 - 1 , . . . 12 -N using the gain coefficient calculated by the gain coefficient calculation unit 20 .

[0127] The sound control unit 40 changes the magnitude of the output of each of the plurality of speakers 50 relative to each signal component y1, ...yN and inputs the signal to each speaker 50. Thus, each speaker 50 can output the signal u1, ...uN generated by the waveform generator 10.

[0128] Action 2

[0129] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the active running sound effect generator 100 includes a waveform table for each of the frequency component group generation processing units 12-1, ..., 12-N in the waveform generation unit 10, thereby providing multiple waveform tables. Therefore, the waveform generation unit 10 can accept user operations and switch between the multiple waveform tables in response to the user's operation.

[0130] Figures 7A to 7C This is an explanatory diagram showing a case where a desired waveform table can be selected from a plurality of waveform tables included in the frequency component group generation processing section of the waveform generation section.

[0131] Figure 7A Indicates a display screen speaker provided in the vehicle 300. Figure 7AAs shown, the display screen audio 200 is provided with a volume screen 201 and a tone screen 202.

[0132] The volume screen 201 receives on / off of customized adjustment of the volume by the user, and when on, the volume can be adjusted.

[0133] The tone screen 202 switches tones by the button according to the user's selection operation. For example, the tone of the electric vehicle (EV) movement and the tone of the futuristic EV can be selected in the tone screen 202. In this case, if the user selects the electric vehicle (EV) movement tone, the frequency component group generation processing unit 12-1, ... 12-N of the waveform generation unit 10 is selected. Figure 7B On the other hand, if the user selects the futuristic EV tone, the frequency component group generation processing units 12-1, ... 12-N of the waveform generation unit 10 select Figure 7C Waveform table 1202 is shown.

[0134] Figure 7B The waveform table 1201 shows a low-frequency waveform table as an example of the timbre of the powerful EV movement, for example. Figure 7C The waveform table 1202 shows a high-frequency waveform table as an example of the futuristic EV sound.

[0135] The waveform table 1201 corresponds to, for example, the frequency component group generation processing unit 12 - 1 , and the waveform table 1202 corresponds to, for example, the frequency component group generation processing unit 12 - 2 . This allows the user to select a waveform table that outputs a personalized tone.

[0136] Furthermore, the waveform table for outputting the personalized timbre may be added by the user. For example, the timbre screen 202 may include a button 203 for accepting the addition of a timbre by the user.

[0137] Action 3

[0138] Figure 8A This is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of a button for adding a tone (wave table) in the tone screen of the display sound. Figure 8B This diagram illustrates a waveform table added by the user to the waveform generation unit. Waveform table 1203 is waveform data downloaded by the user from the Internet as timbre data. Like waveform table 134, waveform table 1203 is a periodic waveform table with a continuous end point and starting point, and contains multiple frequency components.

[0139] Figure 8AIn the waveform generator 10, the user can add a desired waveform table to the waveform generator 10 by pressing the button 203. Thus, the waveform generator 10 can add the waveform table 1203 to a plurality of waveform tables (frequency component group generation processing units 12-1, ..., 12-N).

[0140] The waveform generating unit 10 can switch the waveform table for generating the signal input to the speaker 50 from among the plurality of waveform tables to the added waveform table 1203. In this case, the user can add the waveform table 1203 from, for example, the Internet or an external memory, and can select to output the signal of the added waveform table 1203.

[0141] In this manner, the waveform generation unit 10 can accept the addition of the waveform table 1203 and can accept the selection of waveform data (timbre) in the waveform table 1203 to be output to the speaker 50 .

[0142] Action 4

[0143] Furthermore, the waveform generating unit 10 is configured to include a vehicle speed / rotation speed acquiring unit 11 , and the vehicle speed / rotation speed acquiring unit 11 includes a skip table 123 .

[0144] The skip table 123 may include, for example, a vehicle speed step table 121 and a rotation speed step table 122 , and may include a plurality of them.

[0145] Figure 9A 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the first skip table 1231. Figure 9A As shown, first skip table 1231 exponentially increases from a lower limit to an upper limit as vehicle speed or power unit rotational speed increases, and then returns to the lower limit after reaching the upper limit. In first skip table 1231, after the skip count returns to the lower limit, it increases exponentially again. Thus, first skip table 1231 can generate an infinite scale signal.

[0146] in addition, Figure 9B 1232 is an explanatory diagram showing the second skip table 1232. Figure 9B As shown, second skip table 1232 increases the frequency in proportion to increases in vehicle speed or power unit rotational speed, and then decreases the frequency by a predetermined amount after the vehicle speed or rotational speed reaches a predetermined value. In second skip table 1232, after decreasing the frequency, the frequency is again increased in a stepwise manner in proportion to increases in vehicle speed or power unit rotational speed. Thus, second skip table 1232 can generate an engine style signal.

[0147] For example, in Figure 7A or Figure 8AIn the tone color screen 202 of the EV, if the tone color of the future sense EV is selected by the user's selection operation, the Figure 9A On the other hand, in the tone color screen 202, if the tone color of the engine style is selected by the user's selection operation, the selected Figure 9B The second skip table 1232.

[0148] Thus, when the first skip table 1231 is selected, the waveform generating unit 10 can generate a futuristic EV signal (infinite scale signal) in the vehicle speed / rotation speed acquiring unit 11 .

[0149] On the other hand, when the second skip table 1232 is selected, the waveform generating unit 10 can generate the engine style signal in the vehicle speed / rpm acquiring unit 11 .

[0150] In particular, when the first skip table 1231 (infinite scale signal) is selected, the waveform generating unit 10 does not intentionally control the low-frequency waveform signal and the high-frequency waveform signal according to the position of the speaker 50, regardless of whether the engine-style tone can be output, but outputs them originally from the speakers 51, 52,...5S, thereby being able to output an infinite scale signal.

[0151] As described above, the active running sound effect generating device 100 of the present embodiment includes the waveform generating unit 10 , the speaker 50 , and the sound and image control processing unit 41 .

[0152] According to the present embodiment, the waveform generation unit 10 generates a low-frequency waveform signal containing a relatively large amount of low-frequency components and a high-frequency waveform signal containing a relatively large amount of high-frequency components compared to the low-frequency waveform signal. The audio-visual control processing unit 41 outputs a relatively small amount of the low-frequency waveform signal (low-frequency component) and a relatively large amount of the high-frequency component (high-frequency waveform signal) from the speaker 51 disposed at the front of the vehicle 300, and outputs a relatively large amount of the low-frequency waveform signal (low-frequency component) and a relatively small amount of the high-frequency component (high-frequency waveform signal) from the speaker 5S disposed at the rear of the vehicle compared to the speaker 51 disposed at the front.

[0153] With this configuration, the active running sound effect generator 100 uses the sound image control processing unit 41 to output a relatively low-frequency waveform signal (low-frequency component) from the speaker 51, while outputting a relatively high-frequency component (high-frequency waveform signal). This allows the high-frequency component signal generated from the front of the vehicle to be associated with an intake sound. Furthermore, compared to the front-mounted speaker 51, the speaker 5S outputs a relatively high-frequency waveform signal (low-frequency component) while outputting a relatively low-frequency component (high-frequency waveform signal). This allows the low-frequency component signal generated from the rear of the vehicle to be associated with an exhaust sound.

[0154] Thus, the active running sound generating device 100 can provide the passengers of the vehicle 300 with a sense of immersion as if they were riding in a vehicle equipped with an engine.

[0155] In addition, if you use Figure 6 As described above, the image control processing unit 41 can adjust the phase of the signal from each speaker 50 for each of the plurality of signal components y1, ...yN. Consequently, the speaker 51 located at the front of the vehicle 300 outputs a high-frequency waveform signal earlier and a low-frequency waveform signal later than the speaker 5S located at the rear of the vehicle 300. Adjusting the signal phase means setting a digital delay time for the signal.

[0156] According to this configuration, in the active running sound generating device 100 , high-frequency components (high-frequency waveform signals) can arrive earlier in the front area than in the rear area of the vehicle, while low-frequency components (low-frequency waveform signals) can arrive later.

[0157] Thus, the active running sound generating device 100 can provide the occupants of the vehicle 300 with a more realistic sense of being close to a vehicle equipped with an engine.

[0158] In particular, the sound and image control processing unit 41 can finely adjust the delay adjustment elements 431, 432, ..., 43S, 451, 452, ..., 45S using digital values according to the position of the occupant of the vehicle 300. This allows the active driving sound generating device 100 to provide a realistic sense of presence close to the actual engine sound, regardless of the occupant's position in the vehicle 300.

[0159] In addition, in the active driving sound effect generating device 100, as in action 2, 7A to 7C As described, the vehicle information is the vehicle speed or the rotational speed of the power unit, and the waveform generating unit 10 can also be capable of generating an engine style signal, which increases the frequency in proportion to the increase in vehicle speed or rotational speed, and when the vehicle speed or the rotational speed reaches a specified value, reduces the frequency by a specified number.

[0160] With this configuration, active running sound effect generator 100 can output an engine-style signal from speaker 50 by increasing or decreasing the frequency using waveform generator 10, thereby providing occupants of vehicle 300 with a more realistic sense of being in a vehicle equipped with an engine. Specifically, active running sound effect generator 100 can generate a sound similar to a transmission shifting up using waveform generator 10.

[0161] And, as used in action 4 Figure 9A as well as Figure 9BAs described above, the waveform generator 10 may also be configured to generate an infinite scale signal in which the frequency exponentially increases from a lower limit to an upper limit as the vehicle speed or rotational speed increases. After reaching the upper limit, the frequency returns to the lower limit and increases exponentially again. This allows for selection between generating an engine flavor signal and generating an infinite scale signal. In this embodiment, when the infinite scale signal is selected, the pan / tilt control unit 41 does not control the low-frequency and high-frequency waveform signals based on the position of the speakers 50, and the signal components y1, ..., yN are outputted as they are from the front and rear speakers 50.

[0162] With this configuration, the active running sound effect generator 100 can further generate an infinite scale signal through the waveform generator 10, allowing selection between the engine-style signal and the infinite scale signal. When the infinite scale signal is selected, the active running sound effect generator 100 does not separate the sound and image signals into low-frequency and high-frequency signals through the sound and image control processing unit 41. Furthermore, the low-frequency and high-frequency signals are not controlled based on the position of the speakers 50, but are instead outputted natively from the front and rear speakers 50.

[0163] Thus, the active running sound effect generating device 100 can easily output an infinite scale signal through the waveform generating unit 10 , and can provide the occupants of the vehicle 300 with a sense of presence (eg, acceleration) different from that of a vehicle equipped with an engine.

[0164] In addition, if you use Figure 6 As described above, the image control processing unit 41 includes amplifiers 421, 422, ... 42S, 441, 442, ... 44S for multiplying each of the plurality of signal components y1, ... yN by a constant for each speaker 50. The constant also includes 0.

[0165] With this configuration, the active running sound effect generator 100 can easily multiply the signals u1, ...uN (or signal components y1, ...yN) generated by the generation processing unit 124 by a constant using the multiple amplifiers 421, 422, ...42S, 441, 442, ...44S. Thus, the active running sound effect generator 100 can easily control the output of each speaker 51, 52, ...5S of the vehicle 300 using the multiple amplifiers 421, 422, ...42S, 441, 442, ...44S.

Claims

1. An active driving sound effect generating device, mounted on a vehicle, characterized in that it has: A waveform generating unit for generating a signal based on vehicle information; a plurality of speakers for outputting the signal generated by the waveform generating unit; and a sound image control unit for changing the output level of each of the plurality of speakers relative to the signal; The waveform generating section generates a low-frequency waveform signal containing relatively more low-frequency components and a high-frequency waveform signal containing relatively more high-frequency components than the low-frequency waveform signal. The audio-visual control unit is configured as follows: The speaker disposed in front of the vehicle outputs the low-frequency waveform signal relatively low and the high-frequency component relatively high, and The speaker arranged at the rear of the vehicle outputs the low-frequency waveform signal at a relatively large level and outputs the high-frequency component at a relatively small level, compared to the speaker arranged at the front.

2. The active driving sound effect generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The image control unit can adjust the phase of each signal of each speaker with respect to each of the plurality of signals. The speaker disposed at the front of the vehicle outputs the high-frequency waveform signal earlier and outputs the low-frequency waveform signal later than the speaker disposed at the rear of the vehicle.

3. The active driving sound effect generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vehicle information is the vehicle speed or the rotation speed of the power unit, The waveform generating unit is capable of generating an engine style signal in which a frequency increases in proportion to an increase in the vehicle speed or the rotation speed, and in which the frequency decreases by a predetermined amount after the vehicle speed or the rotation speed reaches a predetermined value.

4. The active driving sound effect generating device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The waveform generating unit is capable of generating an infinite scale signal, wherein the frequency of the infinite scale signal increases exponentially from a lower limit value to an upper limit value based on an increase in the vehicle speed or the rotation speed, and returns to the lower limit value after reaching the upper limit value, and increases exponentially again. It is possible to select between the generation of the engine style signal and the generation of the infinite scale signal, When the generation of the infinite scale signal is selected, the image control unit does not control the low-frequency waveform signal and the high-frequency waveform signal according to the positions of the speakers, but outputs them as they are from the front and rear speakers.

5. The active driving sound effect generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The image and sound control unit includes an amplifier for multiplying each of the plurality of signals by a constant factor for each speaker.

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