3D Sound Distribution Adapting to Driver Gaze
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for distributing 3D sound in vehicles fail to provide a real 3D experience for vehicle operators, leading to misinterpretation of directional and distance information, and are not adapted to the operator's head position or gaze direction, potentially causing confusion and safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A system with two speakers arranged near the vehicle operator's head, capable of determining the operator's head angle and gaze direction, to adapt and distribute 3D sound accordingly, providing pre-recorded 3D navigation speech and exclusive sound to the operator, potentially replacing or complementing visual displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If directional sound is presented close to the ears of the vehicle operator using ultrasound, then the 3D sound effect is enhanced, but it may lead to hearing losses or even fatal consequences due to excessive dB rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency parameter from ultrasound (>20kHz) to audible range (20Hz-20kHz), and controls the intensity parameter to stay within safe dB limits (below 120dB), thereby maintaining 3D sound effectiveness while eliminating hearing damage risks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses standard audible speakers instead of specialized ultrasound transducers, employing conventional audio equipment that is safer and more accessible, sacrificing the extreme directional precision of ultrasound for safe, practical 3D sound distribution
2Device complexity
If 3D sound is distributed without adapting to the operator's head position or gaze direction, then the system complexity is reduced, but the operator may misinterpret directional and distance information causing confusion and safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using cameras or sensors to detect the operator's head position and gaze direction, then dynamically adjusting the 3D sound parameters based on this information, ensuring accurate spatial audio presentation while maintaining manageable system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the 3D sound distribution dynamic by continuously adapting to the operator's changing head position and gaze direction, allowing the audio field to move and adjust in real-time to maintain accurate spatial relationships without requiring overly complex fixed-position systems
3Device complexity
If general audio playback is used instead of directional sound, then the system is simpler to implement, but the operator cannot intuitively associate the sound with specific directions, distances, or locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional 2D stereo audio to 3D spatial audio by distributing sound from multiple speakers positioned around the operator, adding the spatial dimension to audio playback and enabling intuitive directional and distance association while keeping the system relatively simple
4Loss of information
If visual displays are used to present navigation information, then the information is clear and accurate, but the operator's attention is diverted from the road reducing safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual display systems with an acoustic 3D sound system that uses spatial audio cues to convey navigation information, substituting the visual channel with the auditory channel and eliminating the need for operators to look at screens, thereby maintaining information clarity while removing distraction risks
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for distribution of 3D sound in a vehicle comprising two speakers arranged spaced apart in close vicinity of a head of a vehicle operator. The vehicle operator can look in multiple directions, and the system for distribution of 3D sound comprises means to determine at least one of angle and gaze direction of the head of the vehicle operator. Furthermore, the distribution of the 3D sound is based on the determined angle or gaze direction of the head of the vehicle operator.