Directional Acoustic Device for Autonomous Vehicle Pedestrian Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current autonomous vehicles lack effective communication methods with pedestrians, particularly in enriching sound-based interactions to enhance safety and navigation guidance.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a processor-implemented method using a directional acoustic device to project modulated ultrasonic sound waves along a calculated travel path, allowing pedestrians to perceive messages as if they originate from the path, thereby providing auditory guidance and alerts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional communication methods are used between autonomous vehicles and pedestrians, then the communication is simple and straightforward, but the communication effectiveness and pedestrian awareness are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication effectivenessVSAvoidpedestrian awareness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces sound waves as an intermediary medium to transmit communication between the autonomous vehicle and pedestrians. The acoustic device projects sound waves that carry vehicle intentions and instructions, enabling effective communication without direct electronic or visual interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional visual or electronic communication systems with an acoustic field-based communication system. By using sound wave projection and manipulation, the system creates an audible interface that enhances pedestrian awareness of vehicle intentions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If directional acoustic devices are used to project sound waves along travel paths, then auditory guidance and communication effectiveness are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauditory guidance effectivenessVSAvoidacoustic system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a movable acoustic device that can dynamically adjust its position and orientation to track and project sound waves along the vehicle's travel path. This dynamic positioning capability allows the system to maintain effective communication as the vehicle moves, despite the increased complexity of the acoustic subsystem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If sound waves are projected to communicate vehicle intentions, then pedestrian safety and navigation awareness are enhanced, but noise pollution may increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepedestrian safetyVSAvoidnoise pollution

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent projects sound waves in a directional manner along the specific travel path rather than omnidirectional broadcasting. This localized sound projection ensures that communication is targeted to relevant pedestrians in the vehicle's path while minimizing noise exposure to surrounding areas, thus reducing overall noise pollution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This solution enhances communication between autonomous vehicles and pedestrians by clearly conveying instructions and intentions through focused sound waves, improving safety and navigation awareness while reducing noise pollution.

Implementation Method 1

positioning, using a vehicle actuator, a directional acoustic device to project directional sound waves to a starting point of the travel path; modulating the message in the directional sound waves; and repositioning, using the vehicle actuator, the directional acoustic device to project the directional sound waves with the modulated message along the travel path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic sound waves: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 2

modulating the message in the directional sound waves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound wave modulation: Phase Modulation

Implementation Method 3

as the directional sound waves contact with a travel path surface the message is demodulated and a sound conveying the message appears to originate from and travel along the travel path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound demodulation:

Data Source

PatentUS10497255B1Autonomous vehicle to pedestrian communication using directional sound

Publication Date: 2019.12.03 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided in an autonomous vehicle for providing auditory guidance to a pedestrian. In one embodiment, a processor-implemented method in a vehicle for providing auditory guidance includes: identifying a desire to communicate with a pedestrian; determining a message to communicate to the pedestrian; calculating a travel path about which to make the pedestrian aware; positioning a directional acoustic device to project directional sound waves to a starting point of the travel path; modulating the message in the directional sound waves; and repositioning the directional acoustic device to project the directional sound waves with the modulated message along the travel path, wherein as the directional sound waves contact with a travel path surface the message is demodulated and a sound conveying the message appears to originate from and travel along the travel path.