Acoustic Feedback System for Vehicle Driver Distraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Graphical displays used in vehicles to show gravitational forces can distract drivers, making them unsafe or unusable during high-performance driving, as they require visual attention.

Innovation Solution

An acoustic feedback system that converts sensor output signals into variably-scaled audible sound signals, alerting drivers to performance margins and unsafe conditions without visual distraction, by altering sound levels, pitch, or modulation based on threshold levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a graphical display is used to show gravitational forces, then information about vehicle performance is provided, but driver visual attention is distracted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle performance informationVSAvoiddriver distraction

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the visual display mechanism with an acoustic feedback mechanism. Instead of using a graphical display that requires visual attention, the system uses speakers to generate audible sounds that correspond to sensor readings, allowing drivers to receive performance information through hearing rather than sight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an acoustic intermediary system that translates sensor data into audible feedback. The processor converts numerical sensor readings into corresponding sound frequencies and volumes, acting as an intermediary between the sensor data and the driver, enabling information transmission without visual distraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If an acoustic feedback system is implemented, then driver distraction is eliminated, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver distractionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple functions into a single processing unit. The processor not only reads sensor data but also determines threshold levels, selects appropriate sounds, modulates audio signals, and controls speaker output. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parameter changes to encode information in the acoustic feedback. By varying sound frequency, volume, and timing based on sensor readings, the system conveys multiple pieces of information through a single acoustic channel, reducing the need for additional hardware components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9802536B2Acoustic feedback system

Publication Date: 2017.10.31 BOSE CORP

AI summary

An acoustic feedback system includes a memory and processor to receive at least one of a plurality of output signals from a plurality of sensors. The system determines whether an output signal has reached a first threshold, and sends an audible sound signal to a speaker(s) based on the first threshold. Thus, the acoustic feedback system utilizes output signals of various vehicle sensors and generates audible signals based on the sensor output signals.