Vehicle Call System Using ANC Microphones for Occupant Voice Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle communication systems inaccurately deliver call voices from second-row occupants due to the lack of call microphones at their positions, leading to economic disadvantages when additional microphones are installed for channel separation.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a vehicle call system based on active noise control using multiple active noise cancellation (ANC) microphones and speakers to classify and deliver talker voices in three dimensions, eliminating the need for additional call microphones by determining occupant locations and adjusting speaker outputs for optimal call quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional call microphones are installed in the back seat to capture second-row occupant voices, then call voice accuracy is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ANC microphones, originally designed for noise cancellation purposes, are made multi-functional by enabling them to also serve as call microphones for capturing occupant voices during phone calls. This eliminates the need for separate call microphones in each seating position while maintaining call voice accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that processes signals from ANC microphones, applies noise cancellation algorithms, and routes the processed voice signals to appropriate speakers. This intermediary processing enables accurate call voice delivery without requiring dedicated call microphones at each position.
2Reliability
If additional call microphones are installed for channel separation, then call quality is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system makes the existing ANC microphones multi-functional, allowing them to serve both noise cancellation and call recording purposes. This eliminates the need for additional call microphones, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining call quality through the controller's signal processing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of noise cancellation and call recording into a single integrated system using the same microphone array. The controller combines these functions by processing ANC microphone signals for both noise suppression and voice capture, eliminating the need for separate microphone systems.
3Device complexity
If call microphones are installed only in front seats, then device complexity is reduced, but call voice delivery accuracy for second-row occupants deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ANC microphones distributed throughout the vehicle cabin are made multi-functional to serve as call microphones. This existing distributed microphone network, originally for noise cancellation, is leveraged to capture voices from any seating position, eliminating the need for additional front-seat-only call microphones while improving coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from multiple ANC microphones positioned throughout the cabin to detect and identify the location of the talking occupant. The controller receives signals from various ANC microphones, processes them to determine the talker's position, and routes the voice signal through appropriate speakers for accurate delivery.
4Measurement precision
If speakers are positioned at multiple locations, then voice delivery accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller receives feedback from multiple ANC microphones to identify the talker's location, then uses this information to selectively activate and direct voice output through specific speakers positioned at optimal locations. This feedback-driven speaker selection achieves accurate voice delivery while managing system complexity through intelligent control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality by directing voice output through specific speakers located near the corresponding occupant position. Instead of uniform voice distribution through all speakers, the controller selectively activates local speakers based on talker identification, achieving position-specific voice delivery accuracy.
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 delivers occupant and driver voices during calls by classifying talkers and matching speakers with their locations, enhancing call quality and reducing production costs by eliminating the need for additional call microphones, while maintaining concentration on driving during multi-party calls.
Implementation Method 1
activating a plurality of active noise cancellation (ANC) microphones positioned in a vehicle to respectively correspond to locations of occupants
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of speakers each outputting a talker voice
Data Source
AI summary
A voice call method based on active noise control including: activating a plurality of active noise cancellation (ANC) microphones positioned in a vehicle to respectively correspond to locations of occupants; classifying a talker primarily based on a talker tone for a received voice signal of a counterpart as a call is connected with the counterpart; classifying the talker secondarily by receiving a voice signal of the occupant in the vehicle that is output through a speaker in the vehicle, through the ANC microphone; matching the speaker positioned at the location of the occupant corresponding to the talker with each occupant as the classification of the talker is completed; and reproducing a call voice through the matched speaker.