System and method for controlling noise output in a vehicle

Abstract

A system and method for controlling sound output in a vehicle can improve the driving experience. The system includes: a sensing device that receives vehicle information of the vehicle, a sound device that plays and outputs vehicle sounds through speakers, a seat device that controls seat vibrations based on the vehicle sounds, and a control device connected to the sensing device, the sound device, and the seat device. The control device determines a driving mode of the vehicle based on the vehicle information, performs sound switching control for the speakers based on the driving mode, and controls seat vibration in conjunction with the sound switching control.

Description

BACKGROUND(a) Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a system and method for controlling noise output in a vehicle, in particular the system and method configured to increase driving sensitivity by controlling the output of vehicle noise and / or seat vibrations in the vehicle. (b) Description of the prior art

[0002] In certain vehicles, such as high-performance vehicles and / or electric vehicles (EVs), an electronic sound generator (ESG) is provided to artificially generate a sound to enhance the auditory emotional quality. The ESG generates a sound appropriate for the vehicle's driving situation, which is controlled by a controller. The ESG can be mounted on the vehicle's hood. However, the vibration of the ESG can cause interference between parts in the weld of a vehicle body, resulting in allophones. To avoid the occurrence of such an allophone, the cost of structural reinforcement and vibration isolation is prohibitively high. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a system and method for controlling noise output in a vehicle to increase vehicle sensitivity, e.g., to maximize the effect of implementing high-performance vehicle sensitivity through the use of noise change control and seat vibration control according to a driving condition of the vehicle.

[0004] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a system and method for controlling sound output in a vehicle to control a time delay of the sound output for each speaker based on a driving condition of the vehicle to maximize a sense of immersion.

[0005] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a system and method for controlling sound output to improve driving sensitivity in a vehicle and to assign vibrations to a seat based on a driving condition.

[0006] The technical problems to be solved by the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and any other technical problems not mentioned here will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure relates from the following description.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a system for controlling sound output in a vehicle may include a sensing device that obtains vehicle information of the vehicle, a sound device that plays and outputs a vehicle sound through speakers, a seat device that controls seat vibrations based on the vehicle sound, and a control device connected to the sensing device, the sound device, and the seat device. The control device may determine a driving mode of a vehicle based on the vehicle information, perform sound switching control for the speakers based on the driving mode, and control seat vibration associated with the sound switching control.

[0008] The driving mode can be classified as low-speed oscillation mode, acceleration mode or braking curve mode.

[0009] The control device can sequentially control the sound outputs of the speakers based on a sound switching algorithm.

[0010] The control device can calculate the volume and coloration of the vehicle noise based on the response of the accelerator pedal.

[0011] The control device may distribute a sound source for each speaker with respect to a position of each speaker and a frequency band of each speaker, and calculate a time delay for each speaker to play and output the distributed sound source.

[0012] The control device may generate the noise switching algorithm using the result of calculating the volume and coloration of the vehicle noise, the result of distributing the noise source for each speaker, and the result of calculating the time delay for each speaker.

[0013] The sound device can play the vehicle sound and output the vehicle sound sequentially between a speaker mounted on the front of the vehicle and a speaker mounted on the rear of the vehicle.

[0014] The sound device can play the vehicle sound and output it alternately from a speaker mounted on the left side of the vehicle to a speaker mounted on the right side of the vehicle.

[0015] The control device may determine at least one of a vibration period, a vibration peak, a vibration generation position, a vibration magnitude, or a vibration pattern based on the driving mode and generate a vibration profile.

[0016] A vehicle may include a system for controlling sound output according to the present disclosure.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for controlling sound output in a vehicle may include receiving vehicle information from a sensing device, determining a driving mode of a vehicle based on the vehicle information, performing, based on a driving mode, sound switching control for speakers to play and output a vehicle sound, and controlling seat vibration associated with the sound switching.

[0018] The driving mode can be classified as low-speed oscillation mode, acceleration mode or braking curve mode.

[0019] Performing the sound switching control may include sequentially controlling the sound outputs of the speakers based on a sound switching algorithm.

[0020] Performing the noise change control may include calculating the volume and coloration of the vehicle noise based on the accelerator pedal response.

[0021] Performing the sound switching control may include distributing a sound source for each speaker with respect to a position of each speaker and a frequency band of each speaker, and calculating a time delay for each speaker to play and output the distributed sound source.

[0022] Performing the noise switching control may include generating the noise switching algorithm using the result of calculating the loudness and coloration of the vehicle noise, the result of distributing the noise source for each speaker, and the result of calculating the time delay for each speaker.

[0023] Performing the sound switching control may include playing the vehicle sound and sequentially outputting the vehicle sound from a speaker mounted at the front of the vehicle to a speaker mounted at the rear of the vehicle.

[0024] Performing the sound switching control may include playing the vehicle sound and sequentially outputting the vehicle sound from a speaker mounted at the rear of the vehicle to a speaker mounted at the front of the vehicle.

[0025] Performing the sound switching control may include playing the vehicle sound and alternately outputting the vehicle sound from a speaker mounted on the left side of the vehicle to a speaker mounted on the right side of the vehicle.

[0026] Controlling the seat vibration may include determining, based on the driving mode, at least one of a vibration period, a vibration peak, a vibration generation position, a vibration magnitude, or a vibration pattern, and generating a vibration profile. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS

[0027] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a system for controlling sound output in a vehicle according to embodiments of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 is a drawing for describing a speaker system according to embodiments of the present disclosure; Fig. 3 is a drawing for describing a process for developing a noise design methodology for controlling noise output to improve vehicle sensitivity, usable for high-performance electric vehicle racing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling sound output in a vehicle according to embodiments of the present disclosure; Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling acceleration noise according to embodiments of the present disclosure; Fig. 6 is a drawing for describing a method of distributing a noise source for each speaker and calculating a time delay for each speaker associated with the present disclosure; Fig. 7 is a drawing for describing a sound change associated with the present disclosure; Fig. 8 is a drawing illustrating control logic for the noise switching algorithm associated with the present disclosure; Fig. 9 illustrates the generation of a vibration profile depending on the sitting posture according to embodiments of the present disclosure; Fig. 10 is a drawing for describing a process of converting a noise into a vibration profile according to embodiments of the present disclosure; and Fig. 11 is a drawing for describing an acceleration noise according to embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] It is to be understood that the term "vehicle" or "vehicle..." or other similar terms used herein refers to motor-driven vehicles in general, such as passenger cars, including sport utility vehicles (SUVs, derived from the English term "sports utility vehicle"), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including a variety of boats and ships, aircraft, and the like, and includes hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and vehicles using other alternative fuels (e.g., fuels derived from raw materials other than petroleum). A hybrid vehicle is defined herein as a vehicle that has two or more power sources, for example, vehicles that are both gasoline-powered and electric-powered.

[0029] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It is further understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integer multiples, steps, operating states, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integer multiples, steps, operating states, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated enumerated items.Throughout the specification, unless explicitly stated otherwise, the word "comprise" and variations thereof such as "comprises" or "having" are intended to imply the inclusion of specified elements but not the exclusion of any other elements. Furthermore, the terms "...unit," "...module," etc., used in the specification, refer to units for performing at least one function and operation and may be implemented by hardware components or software components, and combinations thereof.

[0030] Furthermore, the control logic of the present disclosure may be embodied as non-transitory computer-readable media on a computer-readable medium containing executable program instructions executed by a processor, controller, or the like. Examples of computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, ROMs, RAMs, compact discs (CD-ROMs), magnetic tapes, floppy disks, storage drives, smart cards, and optical storage devices. The computer-readable recording medium may also be distributable in network-coupled computer systems such that the computer-readable media is storable and executable in a distributed manner, for example, through a telematics server or a controller area network (CAN).

[0031] Embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to refer to the same or equivalent elements. Furthermore, detailed descriptions of well-known features or functions are omitted in order not to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present disclosure.

[0032] In describing elements of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc., may be used. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another, but the corresponding elements are not limited, regardless of the order or priority of the corresponding elements. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, are to be understood as commonly understood in the field to which the present invention relates.It is understood that the terms used herein should be interpreted to have a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of this disclosure and the relevant prior art, and that they should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined so herein.

[0033] Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a system for providing driving sensitivity in a vehicle according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0034] A system 100 for providing driving sensitivity may be applied to an electrified vehicle that runs on the energy generated by its electric motor. Increasingly, Fig. 1, the system 100 for providing driving sensitivity may include a user interface device 110, a sensing device 120, a sound device 130, a seating device 140, and a control device 150 interconnected via an in-vehicle network. The in-vehicle network may be implemented as a Controller Area Network (CAN), a Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) network, a Local Interconnect Network (LIN), an Ethernet, an X-by-Wire (Flexray), and / or the like.

[0035] The user interface device 110 may be a device that assists the system 100 for providing driving sensitivity and a user (e.g., a driver) in interacting with each other. The user interface device 110 may include an input device (e.g., a keyboard, a touchpad, a microphone, a touchscreen, and / or the like) for generating data corresponding to the user's manipulation, an output device (e.g., a display, a speaker, a device for outputting tactile signals, and / or the like) for outputting information corresponding to the operation of the system 100 for providing driving sensitivity, and / or the like. Such a user interface device 110 may be implemented as an audio, video, navigation (AVN) terminal, an in-vehicle infotainment terminal, a telematics terminal, and / or the like.

[0036] The sensing device 120 may obtain vehicle information (or driving information) and / or driving environment information (e.g., road information or the like). The sensing device 120 may obtain vehicle information, including a vehicle speed, an engine revolution per minute (RPM), an engine torque, an accelerator opening amount, a steering wheel steering angle, a tire steering angle, and / or the like, using at least one sensor and / or at least one electronic control unit (ECU) mounted on the vehicle. The at least one sensor may be an accelerator pedal position sensor (APS), a wheel speed sensor, an image sensor, an ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) sensor, a 3-axis accelerometer, an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), and / or the like. The at least one ECU may include an engine control unit (MCU), a vehicle control unit (VCU), and / or the like.The sensing device 120 may obtain a vehicle location, vehicle speed, and / or the like using a global positioning system (GPS).

[0037] The sound device 130 can play and output a sound source that has been previously stored or is streamed externally in real time. The sound device 130 can include a sound reproduction device, an amplifier, speakers (e.g., a tweeter, a woofer, a subwoofer, and the like), and / or the like. The amplifier can amplify an electrical signal of the sound played by the sound reproduction device. A plurality of speakers can be mounted at various locations inside and / or outside the vehicle. Each of the speakers can convert the electrical signal amplified by the amplifier into a sound wave.

[0038] The sound device 130 can play a sound under the control of the control device 150 and output it to the interior and / or exterior of the vehicle. The sound device 130 can adjust the volume, timbre (or sound quality), sound pattern, etc. of the sound and play it at the instruction of the control device 150. The sound device 130 can include a digital signal processor (DSP), microprocessors, and / or the like. The sound device 130 can output the played sound to speakers built into the vehicle (or an internal speaker). In addition, the sound device 130 can output the played sound to a speaker mounted on the exterior of the vehicle (or an external speaker).

[0039] The seat device 140 can control at least one vibration device mounted on the vehicle seat to generate a vibration (or a vibration signal). The at least one vibration device can be mounted at a specific location on the vehicle seat, e.g., on a backrest, a seat cushion, a leg rest, and / or the like. The seat device 140 can adjust a vibration pattern, a vibration intensity, a vibration frequency, and / or the like under the control of the control device 150.

[0040] The seating device 140 can determine a regular pattern and a variable pattern depending on an environmental condition, such as the weight of the user, the seating posture of the user, and the presence of a pedestrian, depending on the logic of the vibration pulses.

[0041] The seating device 140 can implement sound-based emotional vibration using a sound-based vibration classification algorithm. The seating device 140 can convert vehicle noise into a vibration signal in a multi-mode based on the sound-based vibration classification algorithm. The multi-mode can be divided into four types: beat machine, simple beat, natural beat, and live vocals. The seating device 140 can perform specific frequency filtering on the converted vibration signal. The seating device 140 can post-process the filtered vibration signal to generate emotional vibrations.

[0042] When the vehicle is in an acceleration phase, the seat device 140 can generate front and rear vibrations on the backrest (i.e., vibrations in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle). When the vehicle is decelerating, the seat device 140 can generate front and rear vibrations on the backrest and, in addition, upward and downward vibrations of the seat cushion (i.e., vibrations in a height direction of the vehicle). When the vehicle is in a braking cornering phase, the seat device 140 can generate left and right vibrations on the backrest (i.e., vibrations in the vehicle width direction).

[0043] The seat device 140 can control an air pocket-type neck pillow. The seat device 140 can control a vibration device, an actuator, and / or the like in the neck pillow to provide a haptic effect to the neck of the user sitting on the vehicle seat. The neck pillow can be removably attached to the boundary between a backrest and a headrest of the vehicle seat.

[0044] The controller 150 may control the overall operation of the system 100 for providing driving sensitivity. The controller 150 may include a processor 151 and a memory 152. The processor 151 may be implemented as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, a microprocessor, and / or the like. The memory 152 may be a non-volatile storage medium that stores instructions executed by the processor 151.The memory 152 may include at least one of the following storage media: random access memory (RAM), static RAM (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), hard disk drive (HDD), solid state disk (SSD), embedded multimedia card (eMMC), universal flash memory (UFS), or web storage.

[0045] Memory 152 may store sound sources used as vehicle sounds (or as virtual sounds or driving sounds). For example, memory 152 may store an acceleration sound, a cornering sound, an exhaust sound, a backfiring sound, and / or the like. Memory 152 may include a sound switching algorithm (SSA), a sound design algorithm (or sound design program), an emotional user model, drive mode determination logic, and / or the like.

[0046] Processor 151 may receive user input from user interface device 110. Processor 151 may receive, as user input, a signal corresponding to the user's selection of an "emotional care mode." Processor 151 may activate the "emotional care mode" depending on the user input. In other words, if the user selects the "emotional care mode," processor 151 may perform an emotional care function.

[0047] When the emotional support mode is activated, the processor 151 may obtain vehicle information using the sensing device 120. The vehicle information may include accelerator pedal response, vehicle speed, RPM, torque, steering angle (e.g., steering wheel angle), and / or the like.

[0048] The processor 151 may determine a driving mode (or driving state) of the vehicle based on the vehicle information obtained from the sensing device 120. The driving mode may be divided into a low-speed oscillation mode, an acceleration mode, and a deceleration curve mode.

[0049] The processor 151 may control the sound device 130 to play and output a vehicle sound (e.g., an acceleration sound or a cornering sound) corresponding to the determined driving mode.

[0050] Processor 151 may perform a noise design taking into account the vehicle's driving mode using a noise design program. Processor 151 may evaluate a signal received from the APS and determine the accelerator pedal response. Processor 151 may calculate the loudness and / or timbre of the vehicle noise based on the determined accelerator pedal response.

[0051] The processor 151 can distribute a sound source to each speaker and calculate a time delay for each speaker. In other words, the processor 151 can distribute a sound source to be played and output by each speaker, and calculate a time at which each speaker plays and outputs the distributed sound source.

[0052] The processor 151 may generate the SSA using the result of calculating the loudness and / or timbre, the result of the distribution of the noise source for each loudspeaker, and / or the result of calculating the time delay for each loudspeaker.

[0053] The processor 151 may control the sound device 130 to sequentially play and output a vehicle sound from a speaker mounted in a front part of the vehicle to a speaker mounted in a rear part of the vehicle, or control the sound device 130 to play and output a vehicle sound in the reverse direction.

[0054] The processor 151 can control the sound device 130 to play and output a backfire sound and / or an exhaust sound from an exhaust system through an external speaker. The processor 151 can receive an afterburning signal according to a user input (e.g., a steering wheel angle, information about the accelerator pedal position, and / or the like). The processor 151 can convert an afterburning signal into an afterburning sound. The processor 151 can store a sound source of the previously selected afterburning sound or correct the previously stored sound source. Furthermore, the processor 151 can adjust the timbre and volume of the afterburning sound, i.e., the exhaust sound. The processor 151 can control the sound device 130 to output an exhaust sound through an external speaker mounted at the rear of the vehicle.

[0055] Processor 151 may generate a vibration profile based on the played vehicle sound. Processor 151 may transmit the generated vibration profile to seat device 140. Processor 151 may generate a vibration profile of the seat using the exhaust sound of an electric vehicle with the aid of noise analysis. Processor 151 may reflect a sound from the speaker to generate a vibration profile of the neck pillow.

[0056] The processor 151 can apply a vibration profile to a seat and neck cushion depending on the user's sitting posture and the distribution of body pressure on the seat. The processor 151 can perform optimal vibration depending on the user's weight and sitting posture. The processor 151 can analyze the distribution of body pressure on the backrest and seat cushion to determine the user's sitting posture. The processor 151 can determine a vibration profile depending on the sitting posture.

[0057] The processor 151 can determine a vibration profile depending on a driving mode. The processor 151 can determine at least one of a vibration period, a vibration generation position, a vibration peak, a vibration magnitude, or a vibration pattern depending on the driving mode and generate a vibration profile. If the driving mode is a braking curve mode, the processor 151 can apply different loads to the left and right vibration values ​​of the seat and neck cushion to assign thigh and back vibrations in a diagonal direction. If the driving mode is a low-speed vibration mode, the processor 151 can increase the level of a separate actuator in one mode from zero to one hundred and assign a peak time at the beginning of the vibration approximately three times.If the driving mode is an acceleration mode and the speed and magnitude of the vibrations of the seat and the neck cushion are determined in conjunction with the APS, the processor 151 can calculate a vibration excitation force in the X direction (or in the direction of travel of the vehicle) and in the Z direction.

[0058] The processor 151 can evaluate information about an image of the vehicle's surroundings to determine a critical situation. The processor 151 can stimulate the seat vibration more strongly when the vehicle's surroundings are determined to be a critical situation than when the vehicle's surroundings are non-critical.

[0059] When a signal is received that excessively excites the vibration of a high-pitched noise, the processor 151 can disperse the vibration by filtering an interval identified as a high-frequency range to avoid a sense of difference. The processor 151 can determine a position on the seat that generates a low vibration based on noise. The processor 151 can assign the low noise-based vibration differently to the backrest and the seat cushion to avoid a sense of difference.

[0060] Fig. 2 is a drawing for describing a speaker system according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0061] Referring to Fig. 2, a speaker system 200 may include a subwoofer 210, tweeters 220, woofers 230, first midrange speakers 240, a second midrange speaker 250, and an external speaker 260.

[0062] The subwoofer 210 can be a low-frequency speaker located in a parcel compartment at the rear of the vehicle. The subwoofer 210 can be mounted in a side panel or on the underside of a seat.

[0063] The tweeters 220 can be loudspeakers, each responsible for a high frequency range, and can be mounted on the front door panels.

[0064] The Woofers 230 may be loudspeakers, each responsible for a low frequency range, and may be mounted at a lower end of a front door panel and / or a lower end of a rear door panel.

[0065] The first midrange speakers 240 may be mounted on either side of a luggage rack at the rear of the vehicle and may be speakers each responsible for a mid-frequency range.

[0066] The second midrange speaker 250 may be installed in a center console in the front part of the vehicle and may be a mid-frequency speaker.

[0067] A 5-way speaker system consisting of the subwoofer 210, the tweeters 220, the woofers 230, the first midrange speakers 240 and the second midrange speaker 250 can be installed in the interior of the vehicle.

[0068] The external speaker 260 may be responsible for outputting sound in an audible frequency range. The external speaker 260 may be mounted on a rear cross member in a rear portion of the body platform at a lower end of the vehicle. The external speaker 260 may output a sound played by a sound device 130 to the exterior of the vehicle. The external speaker 260 may convert an electrical signal amplified by an amplifier of the sound device 130 into a sound wave.

[0069] Fig. 3 is a drawing for describing a process for developing a noise design methodology for vehicle sensitivity in high performance electric vehicle racing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0070] A sound-based emotion factor and a dynamic feature-based emotion factor derived from user needs analysis for a vehicle sound (or auditory experience modeling analysis) can be considered to perform powerful user emotion modeling (or user emotion modeling). The sound-based emotion factor may include acceleration and deceleration during downshifting, accelerator slippage and response during drifting, tire slippage and exhaust noise for power and response, and / or the like. The dynamic feature-based emotion factor may include appropriate vibration for sound feedback, body stiffness for ride comfort, chassis balance for maneuverability, and / or the like.

[0071] From this, an emotion modeling-based design concept can be derived that considers a user's personalization and diversification. The target users can be grouped into a representative user using propensity surveys for the target users using a persona technique, and the personalization emotions of a user of a high-performance electric vehicle can be modeled using a design thinking process.

[0072] User emotion modeling can include a harmonious sound, an entertaining driving sound, and a customizable sound. The harmonious sound can be an entertaining, healing sound (e.g., a memorable RED) where the concept is entertainment and harmony, and which can satisfy the need for differentiated sounds for a starting sound (e.g., a zero-to-100 sound) of the high-performance electric vehicle. The entertaining, healing sound can use a formant filter that uses mixing logic to synthesize an animal sound with an engine sound and / or an exhaust sound and convert an analog voice into a digital sound. The entertaining driving sound can be a comfortable and familiar sound (e.g., futuristic BLUE) for a user who wants to experience a sense of acceleration and engine emotion.An immersiveness enhancement technology can be applied to the entertaining driving sound to meet the requirements of the acceleration sound of high-performance engines.

[0073] The concept of an N-Sound Equalizer (NSE) aims to improve a problem where an allophone is generated and costs increase because a sporty sound is generated by vibrations of the vehicle body in a driver (e.g., electronic sound generator (ESG)) mounted on a hood. The concept of an engine sound equalizer (ESE) of a high-performance internal combustion engine vehicle is implemented by developing an emotional sound design methodology for a high-performance electric vehicle. The emotional sound design methodology may include a CAN-coupled amplification methodology and a sound design algorithm to implement a sense of acceleration of the high-performance vehicle. The emotional sound design methodology can be a useful methodology for developing high-performance content for electric vehicles based on an entertaining, wholesome sound (e.g.,memorable RED) and a comfortable and familiar sound (e.g. futuristic BLUE) based on the user experience (UX).

[0074] Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing driving sensitivity in a vehicle according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0075] In S400, a control device 150 may receive data (or a signal) indicating the selection of an emotional care mode from a user interface device 110. For example, if a user selects a virtual sound menu on an AVN screen and selects a comfortable and familiar sound, "futuristic BLUE," from the submenus of the virtual sound menu, the user interface device 110 may transmit a signal (or a command) corresponding to the user's selection. The control device 150 may receive the signal transmitted from the user interface device 110 and, depending on the received signal, execute an emotional care function of the "futuristic BLUE" concept.

[0076] In S410, the control device 150 may obtain vehicle information using a sensing device 120. The vehicle information may include accelerator pedal response, vehicle speed, steering wheel angle, and / or the like.

[0077] In S420, the controller 150 may determine a driving mode (or driving state) based on the obtained vehicle information. The driving mode may be divided into a low-speed oscillation mode, an acceleration mode, and a deceleration curve mode.

[0078] In S430, the controller 150 may calculate the volume and / or timbre based on the accelerator pedal response in the determined driving mode. The controller 150 may calculate the volume and / or timbre of the vehicle noise according to the accelerator pedal response using a noise design program.

[0079] In S440, the controller 150 may distribute a noise source to each speaker and calculate a time delay for each speaker. The controller 150 may distribute a noise source to each speaker based on the accelerator pedal response and calculate a time delay for each speaker.

[0080] In S450, the controller 150 may generate a sound switching algorithm (SSA) based on the calculated loudness and / or timbre, the result of calculating the sound source for each speaker, and the time delay for each speaker.

[0081] In S460, the controller 150 may control sound output via the SSA. A sound device 130 may play and output a vehicle sound through a loudspeaker upon instruction from the controller 150. The sound device 130 may adjust the volume and / or timbre of the played vehicle sound based on the volume and / or timbre calculated by the controller 150. Furthermore, the sound device 130 may control a timing of sound output for each of the loudspeakers using the SSA.

[0082] In S470, the control device 150 may control the sound-based vibration of the seat. The seat device 140 may generate a seat vibration based on the vehicle sound played by the sound device 130. The seat device 140 may control any of the operations of the vibration devices mounted in a seatback, a seat cushion, and / or a neck pillow.

[0083] Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling acceleration noise according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0084] A control device 150 can perform noise design from zero to 100 using APS control. APS control is a function for adjusting an accelerator opening amount, which is a method for noise design taking into account a driving condition such as vibration at low speed, acceleration, or deceleration cornering of a vehicle.

[0085] In S510, the controller 150 may receive an APS output signal output from an APS. In S520, the controller 150 may determine the accelerator pedal response based on the received APS output signal. The accelerator pedal response may be divided into "medium," "full," and "boost." A driver fully depresses the accelerator pedal at low speed. The driver depresses the accelerator pedal in a boost mode during acceleration. The driver depresses the accelerator pedal in a medium mode during braking cornering.

[0086] In S530, the controller 150 may calculate the performance, i.e., the volume and timbre, for a sense of driving acceleration based on the accelerator pedal response. In S540, the controller 150 may output an acceleration sound control signal based on the calculated performance.

[0087] The control device 150 may obtain information such as a speed, an rpm, a yaw rate, or a side slip angle in a running state of the vehicle, and calculate the volume and timbre in a low-speed vibration state, an acceleration state, and a low-speed cornering state from the APS output signal by means of a sound design program.

[0088] Fig. 6 is a drawing for describing a method of distributing a noise source for each speaker and calculating a time delay for each speaker associated with the present disclosure;

[0089] A controller 150 may distribute a sound source for each speaker and calculate a time delay for each speaker depending on a driving condition (i.e., a driving mode) to implement a sound switching algorithm (SSA).

[0090] The control device 150 can identify a position and frequency band of each speaker. The control device 150 can distribute a noise source to each speaker, taking into account the position and frequency band of each speaker in the driving state. The control device 150 can identify the left and right positions of a subwoofer, woofer, and midrange speaker of an internal speaker, and distribute a noise source with respect to the frequency band of each speaker.

[0091] The controller 150 can adjust the frequency of an external speaker serving as a high-power amplifier depending on the type of sound to achieve a dramatic effect in a high-performance electric vehicle.

[0092] The controller 150 may calculate a time delay for each of the speakers through a preprocessing process to implement a noise switching algorithm (SSA).

[0093] The controller 150 may calculate a time delay for each of the speakers using a hardware-in-the-loop (HiLS) simulation method of a tuning simulator. The controller 150 may perform a CAN interface process using a high-performance electric vehicle sound design program and proceed to a Controller Area Network Open Environment (CANoe) process (generating a CAN signal), a speaker connection, and a sound playback controller. After that, the controller 150 may synthesize a sound in real time using ASD playback. Furthermore, the controller 150 may reproduce a current vehicle sound room characteristic and calculate a time delay for each of the speakers with respect to an APS.

[0094] The immersiveness of vehicle noise and seat vibration can be assessed in a virtual reality (VR) environment. Based on real road data, VR simulations of city, highway, rural road, and tunnel driving, etc., can be performed using a driving scenario editor. A user can assess the immersiveness of vehicle noise and seat vibration using VR simulation.

[0095] Fig. 7 is a drawing for describing a sound change associated with the present disclosure;

[0096] A controller 150 of a system 100 for providing driving sensitivity may set a timing at which a sound is played and output for each of the speakers, depending on a driving mode (or driving condition), using a sound switching algorithm (SSA).

[0097] For example, when the vehicle's driving mode is a low-speed vibration mode, the control device 150 may sequentially play and output a sound source distributed to each of the speakers ⑤, ②, ⑫ at the front of the vehicle to the speakers ③, ⑬, ①, ④ at the rear of the vehicle. Furthermore, the control device 150 may control a sound device 130 to play and output an exhaust sound through an external speaker, i.e., a speaker ⑥, thereby achieving a backfiring effect.

[0098] As another example, when the driving mode of the vehicle is an acceleration mode, the control device 150 may, in a reverse order in which the driving mode of the vehicle is the low-speed vibration mode, play and output a sound through speaker 6 which is the external speaker, play and output a sound in an order of speakers 4, 1, 3, and 4, and play and output a sound in an order of speakers 2, 3, and 4 at the front of the vehicle.

[0099] As another example, when the vehicle's driving mode is braking cornering, the controller 150 may determine whether the vehicle is turning left or right. The controller 150 may play and output a sound through the speakers 2 and 3 on the right side of the vehicle when the vehicle is turning left, and may then play and output a sound through the speakers ⑫ and ⑬ on the left side of the vehicle. The controller 150 may play and output a sound from the speakers ⑫ and ⑬ on the left side of the vehicle to the speakers ② and ③ on the right side of the vehicle when the vehicle is turning right. The controller 150 may output an alternately played sound to a speaker mounted on the left side of the vehicle and a speaker mounted on the right side of the vehicle.

[0100] Fig. 8 is a drawing illustrating control logic for the noise switching algorithm associated with the present disclosure;

[0101] A controller 150 can calculate the volume and timbre according to the accelerator pedal response using a noise design program in the driving state, and perform the distribution of noise sources for each speaker and calculate the time delay for each speaker. The controller 150 can assign a time delay to the interior and exterior speakers of a vehicle using a sound switching algorithm (SSA).

[0102] The controller 150 can reproduce the control logic in a vehicle AMP with respect to accelerator pedal response and speed during slow oscillation. A separate sound source can be played sequentially toward a rear interior speaker from a front interior speaker, with an exhaust sound finally played through an external speaker, and a sound-based emotional oscillation can be implemented in the front and rear directions to maximize a user's sense of immersion.

[0103] Sound-based emotional vibrations can be implemented toward the front and rear of the vehicle by playing a sound source from an external speaker of the vehicle to the front speaker in the interior via the rear speaker in the interior in the reverse direction during acceleration, doubling the feeling of speed.

[0104] The logic can be implemented by a time delay between the left and right speakers corresponding to a left or right turn during braking cornering, and the sound-based emotional vibration can be reproduced as alternating left and right emotional vibration.

[0105] The controller 150 can optimize the time delay between the speakers and the control logic for each individual system using the tuning simulator's HiLS and apply the optimized time delay and volume control logic to an actual vehicle. A sound switching algorithm (SSA) can be programmatically rotated in a virtual environment when tuning the SSA, rather than testing a real vehicle, to reduce development costs. Furthermore, the controller 150 can optimize a sound pattern for the binaural effect and the Haas effect.

[0106] Fig. 9 illustrates the generation of a vibration profile depending on the sitting posture according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0107] Referring to Fig. 9, a control device 150 can determine a user's sitting posture with respect to the distribution of body pressure on a seat. The control device 150 can reproduce a vibration profile depending on the sitting posture on a seat and a neck pillow. If only the user's waist is in close contact with a backrest, the control device 150 can apply a vibration profile in mode 1 to the seat surface and the neck pillow. If only the user's back and waist are in close contact with the backrest, the control device 150 can apply a vibration profile in mode 2 or 3 to the backrest and the neck pillow.

[0108] The controller 150 may determine a vibration profile depending on a driving mode. If the driving mode is braking cornering, the controller 150 may apply the vibration profile to the seat and neck cushion in Mode 1. If the driving mode is a low-speed vibration mode, the controller 150 may apply the vibration profile to the seat and neck cushion in Mode 2. If the driving mode is an acceleration mode, the controller 150 may apply the vibration profile to the seat and neck cushion in Mode 3.

[0109] Fig. 10 is a drawing for describing a process of converting a noise into a vibration profile according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0110] A controller 150 may derive a noise characteristic from a vehicle noise. The controller 150 may select a peak of the vehicle noise and analyze a frequency and amplitude of the vehicle noise.

[0111] The controller 150 may determine the vibration intensity and a vibration pattern based on the sound characteristics. The controller 150 may select the emotional timing (i.e., the effect) based on the characteristics of the sound.

[0112] Furthermore, the controller 150 can determine an emotional conversion pattern and intensity based on the sound characteristics. The emotional conversion pattern can be a regular pattern or a variable pattern.

[0113] When a vehicle performs a braking turn, the controller 150 may generate an initial vibration peak and then generate a slight, repeated vibration.

[0114] When the vehicle performs a low-speed oscillation, the controller 150 may generate an excessive oscillation peak in which an initial peak is maximized and then assign a gentle oscillation.

[0115] As the vehicle accelerates, the controller 150 may determine a period and peak of the vibration depending on the slow or rapid acceleration and provide an initial impact vibration to generate a vibration of intermediate magnitude. The sensitivity of the vibrations of a seat and neck cushion may be adjusted by an algorithm using an effectiveness rating.

[0116] Fig.11 is a drawing for describing an acceleration noise according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0117] A control device 150 may determine a driving mode based on vehicle information, such as a speed, torque, or steering angle, obtained from a sensing device 120. The driving mode may be divided into a low-speed oscillation mode, an acceleration mode, and / or a deceleration curve mode.

[0118] The control device 150 may output a virtual sound, ie, an acceleration sound, a cornering sound, and / or the like, to a sound device 130 by means of a CAN algorithm, a sound design, and a playback device controller.

[0119] The controller 150 can determine a driving tendency based on information such as the cruise control and the driving system temperature using the CAN algorithm. The controller 150 can determine a road environment based on information such as GPS information and a difference between external noise and internal noise based on the CAN algorithm. The controller 150 can design a virtual sound based on the determined driving tendency and the determined road environment. The controller 150 can design an acceleration sound based on a pitch, gain, torque, speed, and the like. The controller 150 can design a cornering sound based on an APS, tire slip, and the like.

[0120] The control device 150 can control a playback device (e.g., a sound device 130) to play the designed virtual sound. The playback device can adjust the sound quality, volume, etc. of the played virtual sound at the instruction of the control device 150. The control device 150 can control a speaker and an exhaust system to output the virtual sound played by the playback device.

[0121] Embodiments of the present disclosure can maximize the effect of implementing high-performance vehicle sensitivity through noise change control and seat vibration control depending on the driving state of the vehicle, thus providing the user with improved sensory sensitivity.

[0122] Embodiments of the present disclosure can adjust the time delay of sound output for each of the speakers by means of sound switching control according to the driving state of the vehicle, thus maximizing the sense of immersion.

[0123] Furthermore, embodiments of the present disclosure can control the seat vibration based on a sound depending on the driving state of the vehicle, thus conveying the five senses based on sound.

[0124] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, but can be modified and altered in various ways by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as claimed in the following claims. Therefore, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not intended to limit the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure, but are given only for the purpose of illustration. The scope of the present invention or disclosure should be interpreted based on the appended claims, and all technical ideas within the scope corresponding to the claims should be understood as included in the scope of the present invention or disclosure. 100 SYSTEM 110 User Interface Device 120 DETECTION DEVICE 130 NOISE DEVICE 140 SEATING DEVICE 150 CONTROL DEVICE 151 PROCESSOR 152 STORAGE 200 SPEAKER SYSTEM 210 subwoofers 220 tweeters 230 woofers 240 FIRST MID-RANGE SPEAKERS 250 SECOND MID-RANGE SPEAKER 260 EXTERNAL SPEAKER

Claims

[1] A system for controlling noise output in a vehicle, the system comprising: a detection device configured to obtain vehicle information of the vehicle; a sound device configured to play and output a vehicle sound through loudspeakers; a seat device configured to control seat vibration based on vehicle noise; and a control device connected to the detection device, the noise device and the seating device, wherein the control device is arranged to Determining a driving mode of the vehicle based on the vehicle information, Performing sound change control for the speakers based on the driving mode, and Controlling seat vibration in conjunction with noise change control. [2] The system of claim 1, wherein the driving mode is classified as a low-speed oscillation mode, an acceleration mode, or a braking curve mode. [3] The system of claim 1, wherein the control device sequentially controls the sound outputs of the speakers based on a sound switching algorithm. [4] The system of claim 3, wherein the controller calculates the volume and coloration of the vehicle noise based on the response of the accelerator pedal. [5] The system of claim 4, wherein the controller distributes a sound source for each of the speakers with respect to a position of each of the speakers and a frequency band of each of the speakers, and calculates a time delay for each of the speakers for playing and outputting the distributed sound source. [6] The system according to claim 5, wherein the control device generates the noise switching algorithm using the result of calculating the loudness and coloration of the vehicle noise, the result of distributing the noise source for each of the loudspeakers, and the result of calculating the time delay for each of the loudspeakers. [7] The system according to claim 1, wherein the sound device plays the vehicle sound and outputs the vehicle sound sequentially between a speaker mounted on the front of the vehicle and a speaker mounted on the rear of the vehicle. [8] The system of claim 1, wherein the sound device plays the vehicle sound and outputs the vehicle sound alternately from a speaker mounted on the left side of the vehicle to a speaker mounted on the right side of the vehicle. [9] The system of claim 1, wherein the controller determines at least one of a vibration period, a vibration peak, a vibration generation position, a vibration magnitude, or a vibration pattern based on the driving mode and generates a vibration profile. [10] A vehicle having the system according to claim 1. [11] A method for controlling noise output in a vehicle, the method comprising: Receiving vehicle information of the vehicle by a sensing device; Determining, based on the vehicle information, a driving mode of the vehicle by a control device; Performing, by the control device, based on the driving mode of the vehicle, a sound change control for speakers to play and output a vehicle sound; and Controlling, by the control device, the seat vibration in conjunction with the sound change control of the speakers. [12] The method of claim 11, wherein the driving mode is classified as a low-speed oscillation mode, an acceleration mode, or a braking curve mode. [13] The method of claim 11, wherein performing the noise change control comprises: sequential control of the loudspeaker sound outputs based on a sound switching algorithm. [14] The method of claim 13, wherein performing the noise change control comprises: Calculate the volume and coloration of the vehicle noise based on the response of the accelerator pedal. [15] The method of claim 14, wherein performing the noise change control comprises: Distributing a sound source for each of the loudspeakers with respect to a position of each of the loudspeakers and a frequency band of each of the loudspeakers; and Calculate a time delay for each of the speakers to play and output the distributed sound source. [16] The method of claim 15, wherein performing the noise change control comprises: Generating the noise switching algorithm using the result of calculating the loudness and coloration of the vehicle noise, the result of distributing the noise source for each of the loudspeakers, and the result of calculating the time delay for each of the loudspeakers. [17] The method of claim 11, wherein performing the noise change control comprises: Playing the vehicle sound and sequentially outputting the vehicle sound from a speaker mounted at the front of the vehicle to a speaker mounted at the rear of the vehicle. [18] The method of claim 11, wherein performing the noise change control comprises: Playing the vehicle sound and sequentially outputting the vehicle sound from a speaker mounted at the rear of the vehicle to a speaker mounted at the front of the vehicle. [19] The method of claim 11, wherein performing the noise change control comprises: Playing the vehicle sound and alternately outputting the vehicle sound from a speaker mounted on the left side of the vehicle to a speaker mounted on the right side of the vehicle. [20] The method of claim 11, wherein controlling the seat vibration comprises: Determining, based on the driving mode, at least one of a vibration period, a vibration peak, a vibration generation position, a vibration magnitude, or a vibration pattern, and generating a vibration profile.

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