Formant Filter Synthesis for Immersive Electric Vehicle Audio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Eco-friendly vehicles generate minimal noise and vibration, leading to a lack of immersive driving experience due to insufficient engine sound, necessitating a sound control system that artificially recreates a driving sound to enhance user comfort and immersion.
Innovation Solution
A sound control apparatus that selects a base sound and generates an integrated formant filter by analyzing the vehicle's condition and object sounds, using the Passaggio technique to synthesize a driving sound that simulates the vehicle's sound transfer path and resonators, thereby providing a comfortable and immersive experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If eco-friendly vehicles are used to reduce noise and vibration, then environmental friendliness is improved, but driving immersion and user comfort deteriorate due to insufficient engine sound
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful absence of engine sound (which causes lack of immersion) into a beneficial artificial sound generation system. The sound control apparatus synthesizes engine sounds using formant filters and base sounds, transforming the silent eco-friendly vehicle into one that provides both environmental benefits and immersive driving experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary sound control apparatus that mediates between the silent electric powertrain and the driver's need for immersive sound feedback. The apparatus generates artificial engine sounds through formant filter synthesis, acting as a mediator that provides the missing auditory feedback without requiring actual engine noise.
2Ease of operation
If artificial engine sound is generated to improve driving immersion, then user comfort is improved, but system complexity increases due to sound synthesis requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sound synthesis process into distinct functional modules: a sound selector that chooses base sounds, a filter generator that creates formant filters, and a sound synthesizer that combines them. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to provide immersive sound without excessive overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by synthesizing artificial engine sounds that replicate the characteristics of real engine noises. Instead of using actual engine sounds, the system creates copies through formant filter synthesis, capturing the essential auditory features of engine sound while avoiding the need for complex mechanical systems.
3Measurement precision
If formant filters are generated by analyzing object sounds to simulate sound transfer path, then sound accuracy is improved, but processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-generating and storing multiple formant filters corresponding to different vehicle conditions (speed, acceleration, gear). Instead of analyzing object sounds in real-time during driving, the system prepares the sound synthesis components in advance, reducing processing time during actual operation while maintaining high sound 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
The system effectively generates a driving sound that enhances user immersion and comfort by simulating the vehicle's sound features, improving the driving experience by recreating a sense of unity and familiarity with the vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
a filter generator that analyzes a sound of an object, generates one or more partial formant filters, and synthesizes the generated one or more partial formant filters to generate an integrated formant filter
Data Source
AI summary
A sound control apparatus includes a sound selector that selects a base sound corresponding to condition information of a vehicle, a filter generator that analyzes a sound of an object, generates one or more partial formant filters, and synthesizes the generated one or more partial formant filters to generate an integrated formant filter, and a sound controller that uses the generated integrated formant filter and the selected base sound to generate a driving sound.