Directional Audio Warning Control Based on Vehicle Occupant Gaze
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles driven by visually impaired individuals or occupants wearing audio devices may fail to perceive collision risks due to negligence, increasing the risk of accidents.
Innovation Solution
A sound control method and device that adaptively controls audio device outputs based on occupant gaze direction and hazard information, emitting warning sounds from specific directions and adjusting volume levels to indicate collision risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an audio device outputs sound to entertain the occupant, then the occupant enjoys music or radio broadcasts, but the occupant may fail to perceive collision risks with approaching objects
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the audio device as an intermediary to convey hazard information. Instead of directly alerting the occupant through visual or tactile means, the system mediates the warning through the existing audio device, utilizing it to output directional warning sounds that indicate collision risks while the occupant is engaged with entertainment content.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality by making the audio output directional rather than omnidirectional. The warning sound is emitted from a specific direction corresponding to the approaching hazard, allowing the occupant to perceive both the entertainment content and the directional warning signal, thereby maintaining entertainment while improving hazard awareness.
2Reliability
If the audio device outputs warning sound from all directions, then the occupant can perceive the warning, but the occupant cannot determine the direction of the hazard
Solution Approach 1:
The system makes the audio device's warning output directional by controlling it to emit sound from a specific direction corresponding to the hazard location. This allows the occupant to perceive the warning sound while also determining the hazard direction based on which direction the sound originates from, thus preserving directional information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensor information about the hazard location to dynamically control the direction of the warning sound output. This feedback loop ensures that the warning sound direction accurately reflects the actual hazard direction, allowing the occupant to perceive both the warning and its spatial origin.
3Reliability
If the audio device increases warning sound volume to alert the occupant, then the occupant perceives the hazard, but the occupant may be overwhelmed or distracted from normal audio content
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by directing the warning sound from a specific direction rather than outputting it omnidirectionally. This spatial separation allows the occupant to perceive the warning sound from a particular direction while maintaining awareness of normal audio content from other directions, reducing overwhelming effects while preserving hazard alert effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a method of controlling, by a sound control device for audio devices, sounds of an audio device worn by an occupant according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The method includes: obtaining information on the occupant and a hazard from sensors provided in a vehicle; and outputting a warning sound through the audio device worn by the occupant to indicate a hazardous situation. A direction in which the audio device outputs the warning sound may be adaptively determined based on the information on the occupant and the hazard.