Acoustic Control Apparatus for Vehicle Driver Audio Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles equipped with navigation systems and audio technologies, there is an increased likelihood of non-drivers being exposed to unwanted sounds, particularly in luxury vehicles where passengers desire a quiet environment.
Innovation Solution
An acoustic control apparatus that calculates and sets acoustic filter coefficients for loudspeakers to minimize sound exposure in regions other than the driver's seat by creating a virtual acoustic image, ensuring the driver receives necessary audio information while minimizing sound levels in other areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If speech guidance and warning sounds are used to support drivers, then driver assistance is improved, but sound exposure to non-drivers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating direction-dependent acoustic characteristics where the driver's seat region receives full audio output while other regions experience reduced sound levels. The acoustic filter coefficients are designed to provide spatially varying sound distribution, ensuring the driver hears navigation and warning sounds clearly while minimizing exposure to passengers in rear seats or other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acoustic filter coefficients as an intermediary element between the audio source and the listening positions. These coefficients act as a mediator that selectively attenuates or transmits sound waves based on spatial location, allowing the system to control sound distribution without modifying the original audio content. The filter coefficients serve as the mechanism that enables differential sound delivery to different regions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sound levels are reduced in non-driver regions, then passenger comfort is improved, but audio information delivery to driver may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system ensures that audio information is delivered with high fidelity to the driver's position while applying different acoustic characteristics to other regions. The acoustic filter coefficients are optimized to maintain sound quality and intelligibility in the driver's seat region while reducing sound levels in non-driver areas, thus preserving information delivery where needed while minimizing unwanted exposure elsewhere.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors and adjusts acoustic filter coefficients based on detected sound pressure levels at various positions. By measuring the actual acoustic environment and comparing it with target values, the system dynamically adjusts the filter coefficients to ensure the driver receives adequate audio information while maintaining reduced sound levels in passenger areas.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively reduces unwanted sound exposure in non-target regions, providing a quieter environment for passengers and maintaining essential audio clarity for the driver.
Implementation Method 1
calculates a first relational expression established between a plurality of acoustic filter coefficients allowing minimization of acoustic energies... calculates a second relational expression established between the acoustic filter coefficients by matching a first sound pressure ratio with a second sound pressure ratio... sets an acoustic filter coefficient corresponding to each of the sound sources, based on the first relational expression and the second relational expression
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an acoustic control apparatus includes a first calculator, a second calculator, and a first setting unit. The first calculator calculates a first relationship established between acoustic filter coefficients, based on sounds emitted from sound sources. The second calculator calculates a second relationship established between the acoustic filter coefficients by matching a first sound pressure ratio with a second sound pressure ratio, in a complex sound pressure ratio between ears of a user who desires the sound information. The first setting unit sets an acoustic filter coefficient corresponding to each of the sound sources, based on the first relationship and the second relationship.