Vehicle sound systems

Abstract

To disclose a vehicle sound system that can provide a wider sound field to a seated passenger.SOLUTION: A control device 6 can execute a sound image generation control mode by cooperating with audio devices 2D to 5D. The sound image generation control mode is a control mode for generating a sound image that can be recognized by a person sitting in any of vehicle seats 2 to 5. For example, a first sound image generation control mode controls a change in the mounting position or the mounting posture of the vehicle seat 2 where the main occupant is seated and the vehicle seats 3 to 5 other than the vehicle seat in conjunction with the operation of the audio devices 2D to 5D.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle sound system that creates a sound field within a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, a speaker is built into the headrest of a vehicle seat. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-247388 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The invention described in Patent Document 1 outputs sound near the ears of seated occupants, making it possible to create a sound field similar to that of open headphones. This disclosure discloses an example of a vehicle sound system that can provide an even wider sound field to seated occupants. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A vehicle sound system that creates a sound field inside a vehicle preferably has at least one of the following configuration requirements: That is, the constituent elements are a seat (2) mounted in a vehicle, a first acoustic device (2D) that emits sound to an occupant of the seat (2), a second acoustic device (3D) that emits sound within the vehicle, the second acoustic device (3D) emitting sound from a location different from that of the first acoustic device (2D), and a control unit (6) that controls the operation of the first acoustic device (2D) and the second acoustic device (3D), the control unit (6) being capable of executing a sound image generation control mode in which the first acoustic device (2D) and the second acoustic device (3D) cooperate to generate a sound image that can be recognized by an occupant of the seat (2).

[0006] This allows the vehicle sound system to utilize the entire interior of the vehicle as a sound field, providing a wider sound field to seated passengers than open-type headphones.

[0007] The vehicle sound system may have the following configuration. That is, the vehicle sound system includes a second seat (3) different from the seat (2), and a seat mechanism for changing the mounting position or mounting posture of the second seat (3).

[0008] When the sound image generation control mode is executed, it is desirable that the control unit (6) changes the mounting position or mounting posture of the second seat (3) in conjunction with the operation of the first acoustic device (2D) and the second acoustic device (3D).

[0009] This allows the occupant of the seat (2) to clearly recognize the sound image and sound image localization of the sounds reproduced by the first sound device (2D) and the second sound device (3D). Furthermore, the vehicle sound system is provided with a second seat (3) different from the seat (2) and microphones (2E-5E) that pick up the sound emitted by the occupant of the second seat (3), and when the sound image generation control mode is executed, the control unit (6) preferably controls the operation of at least one of the first sound device (2D) and the second sound device (3D) so that the occupant of the seat (2) can recognize the sound image of the sound emitted by the occupant of the second seat (3).

[0010] This allows the occupant of the seat (2) to recognize the sound image of the voice emitted by the occupant of the second seat (3), making it possible to recognize the occupant of the second seat (3) by sound image even when there is a lot of noise associated with the movement of the vehicle.

[0011] It is desirable that the first acoustic device (2D) is composed of at least one speaker built into the headrest (2C) of the seat (2), and the second acoustic device (3D) is composed of at least one speaker built into the headrest (3C) of the second seat (3).

[0012] Incidentally, the symbols in each of the parentheses above are examples showing the correspondence with the specific configurations, etc. described in the embodiments described below, and the present disclosure is not limited to the specific configurations, etc. shown by the symbols in the parentheses above. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a vehicle sound system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a first sound image generation control mode. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a second sound image generation control mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The following "embodiments of the invention" are examples of embodiments that fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. In other words, the invention-specific matters described in the claims are not limited to the specific configurations and structures shown in the following embodiments.

[0015] This embodiment is an example in which a vehicle sound system according to the present disclosure is applied to a vehicle such as a car. At least one member or part that is described with a reference numeral is provided unless otherwise specified, such as "one."

[0016] In other words, unless otherwise specified, such as "one," two or more of the same element may be provided. The vehicle sound system disclosed in this disclosure includes at least the components such as the elements or parts that are numbered and described, as well as the structural parts shown in the drawings.

[0017] (First embodiment) <1. Overview of vehicle sound systems> The vehicle sound system 1 shown in Fig. 1 is an example applied to a so-called minivan or one-box car. As shown in Fig. 1, at least one vehicle seat 2 to 5 (four in this embodiment) is installed in the vehicle interior.

[0018] The vehicle sound system 1 according to this embodiment is configured to include at least the vehicle seats 2 to 5 and the control device 6. In this embodiment, all four vehicle seats 2 to 5 have the same specifications.

[0019] <1.1 Vehicle seat configuration> Each of the vehicle seats 2 to 5 includes at least a seat cushion 2A to 5A, a seat back 2B to 5B, a headrest 2C to 5C, a seat mechanism (not shown), an acoustic device 2D to 5D, and a microphone 2E to 5E.

[0020] The seat cushions 2A to 5A are portions that support the buttocks of a seated person. The seat backs 2B to 5B are portions that support the back of the seated person. The headrests 2C to 5C are portions that support the back of the head of a seated person.

[0021] Each seat mechanism is a mechanism for changing the mounting position or mounting posture of the corresponding vehicle seat 2 to 5. "Allowing the mounting position of the vehicle seat to be changed" means, for example, making the vehicle seat movable in the front-to-rear direction or the left-to-right direction of the vehicle, or changing the orientation of the vehicle seat.

[0022] "The mounting position of the vehicle seat can be changed" means that, for example, the height of the seat cushion, the angle of the seat back, or the height or angle of the headrest can be changed. Each seat mechanism controls the mounting position and mounting position in cooperation with a drive unit (not shown) and a control device 6 provided in each vehicle seat 2 to 5.

[0023] Each of the acoustic devices 2D to 5D is configured with at least one speaker built into the corresponding headrest 2C to 5C. Each of the acoustic devices 2D to 5D according to this embodiment is configured with a speaker built into the right end side and the left end side of the headrest.

[0024] Therefore, when the mounting position or mounting posture of the vehicle seats 2 to 5 is changed by the seat mechanism, the acoustic devices 2D to 5D mounted on the vehicle seats 2 to 5 can emit sound toward any position within the vehicle cabin.

[0025] The microphones 2E to 5E are microphones for picking up the voices uttered by the occupants of the corresponding vehicle seats 2 to 5. The voices picked up by the microphones 2E to 5E are input to the control device 6.

[0026] 1.2 Control Device The control device 6 is an example of a control unit for controlling the operation of at least the acoustic devices 2D to 5D. The control device 6 then causes the acoustic devices 2D to 5D to cooperate with each other to execute a sound image generation control mode. The sound image generation control mode is a control mode for generating a sound image that can be recognized by a person seated in any of the vehicle seats 2 to 5.

[0027] The control device 6 according to this embodiment is configured with a microcomputer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The sound image generation control mode is realized by the CPU executing the control software. The software is pre-stored in a non-volatile storage unit (not shown) such as a ROM.

[0028] <2. Sound image generation control mode> The control device 6 can execute either a first sound image generation control mode or a second sound image generation control mode as the sound image generation control mode.

[0029] 2.1 First sound image generation control mode The first sound image generation control mode is, for example, as shown in Figure 2, a control that changes the mounting position or mounting posture of the vehicle seat in which the main occupant is seated (vehicle seat 2 in Figure 2) and vehicle seats other than that vehicle seat (vehicle seats 3 to 5 in Figure 2) in conjunction with the operation of acoustic devices 2D to 5D.

[0030] The "main seated person" refers to, for example, the person who instructed the execution of the first sound image generation control mode. That is, each of the vehicle seats 2 to 5 is provided with an operation unit (not shown) for activating the first sound image generation control mode.

[0031] Then, the control device 6 detects the operated operating unit and identifies the "vehicle seat in which the primary occupant is seated (hereinafter referred to as the primary vehicle seat)" and "vehicle seats other than the primary vehicle seat (hereinafter referred to as the other vehicle seats)."

[0032] In the first sound image generation control mode according to this embodiment, the distance from the acoustic device mounted on the other vehicle seat to the main vehicle seat is approximately equal, and each seat mechanism operates so that the main vehicle seat is positioned in front of the acoustic device mounted on the other vehicle seat.

[0033] 2.2 Second sound image generation control mode The second sound image generation control mode is a control mode for controlling the operation of at least one of the sound devices 2D to 5D so that the sound image of the voice generated by the speaker can be recognized by people other than the speaker.

[0034] For example, in the example shown in Figure 3, when an occupant of the vehicle seat 2 (hereinafter referred to as the speaker) speaks, the acoustic device 5D of the vehicle seat 5 is controlled so that the occupant of the vehicle seat 5 can recognize the sound image of the voice emitted by the speaker.

[0035] The control device 6 executes the second sound image generation control mode when voice is input to any of the microphones 2E to 5E and an occupant of any of the vehicle seats 2 to 5 instructs execution of the second sound image generation control mode via the operating unit.

[0036] 3. Features of the vehicle sound system according to this embodiment In the vehicle sound system 1 according to this embodiment, the use of the acoustic devices 2D to 5D makes it possible to use the entire interior of the vehicle as a sound field, thereby providing a wider sound field to seated occupants than with open headphones.

[0037] When the vehicle sound system 1 according to this embodiment is in the first sound image generation control mode, it changes the mounting position or mounting posture of each of the vehicle seats 2 to 5 in conjunction with the operation of each of the acoustic devices 2D to 5D, which allows the occupant of the main vehicle seat 2 to clearly recognize the sound image and sound image localization of the sound reproduced by each of the acoustic devices 2D to 5D.

[0038] When the vehicle sound system 1 of this embodiment is in the second sound image generation control mode, the operation of at least one of the acoustic devices 2D to 5D is controlled so that persons other than the speaker can recognize the sound image of the voice uttered by the speaker.

[0039] This allows people other than the speaker to recognize the sound image of the voice emitted by the speaker, so even when there is a lot of noise accompanying the movement of the vehicle, it becomes possible to recognize from the sound image which vehicle seat is speaking.

[0040] (Other embodiments) The acoustic device according to the above-described embodiment is configured with a speaker built into a headrest. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the present disclosure may be configured with, for example, a speaker fixed to a vehicle body or a speaker built into a portion of a vehicle seat other than the headrest.

[0041] In the above-described embodiment, the acoustic device of the vehicle sound system is configured only with a speaker built into the headrest. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the present disclosure may be configured, for example, to combine a speaker built into the headrest with a speaker fixed to the vehicle body.

[0042] The vehicle sound system according to the above-described embodiment is capable of executing the first sound image generation control mode and the second sound image generation control mode. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the present disclosure may be capable of executing, for example, only one of the first sound image generation control mode and the second sound image generation control mode.

[0043] In the second sound image generation control mode according to the above embodiment, the seating position or posture of each vehicle seat is not changed in conjunction with the operation of the acoustic device. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the present disclosure may also be, for example, a control mode in which the seating position or posture of each vehicle seat is changed in conjunction with the operation of the acoustic device.

[0044] The vehicle sound system according to the above embodiment can only control the sound. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the present disclosure may also display an image on a display in conjunction with the sound control.

[0045] In the above-described embodiment, the vehicle seat according to the present disclosure is applied to an autonomous vehicle. However, the application of the invention disclosed in this specification is not limited to this. That is, the present disclosure can also be applied to seats used in vehicles such as railway cars, ships, and aircraft, as well as stationary seats used in theaters, homes, etc.

[0046] Furthermore, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments as long as it conforms to the spirit of the disclosure described in the above-described embodiments. Therefore, the present disclosure may be a configuration in which at least two of the above-described embodiments are combined, or a configuration in which any of the components illustrated or described with reference numerals in the above-described embodiments is eliminated. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1. Vehicle sound system 2~5... Main vehicle seats 2D~5D… Sound equipment 2E~5E... Microphone 6... Control device

Claims

1. In a vehicle sound system that creates a sound field within a vehicle, a first seat mounted on the vehicle; a second sheet different from the first sheet; a first sound device that emits a sound to an occupant of the first seat; a second acoustic device that emits sound within the vehicle, the second acoustic device emitting sound from a location different from that of the first acoustic device; a control unit that controls operation of the first acoustic device and the second acoustic device, and that is capable of executing a sound image generation control mode in which the first acoustic device and the second acoustic device cooperate to generate a sound image that can be recognized by an occupant of the first seat; a seat mechanism for changing the mounting position or mounting posture of the second seat, The control unit changes the mounting position or mounting posture of the second seat in conjunction with the operation of the first acoustic device and the second acoustic device when the sound image generation control mode is executed.

2. the first acoustic device is configured by at least one speaker built into a headrest of the first seat, 2. The vehicle sound system according to claim 1, wherein the second acoustic device comprises at least one speaker built into a headrest of the second seat.

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