In-Car Acoustic Evaluation Using Virtual Signal Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The evaluation of acoustic quality in in-car communication (ICC) systems is challenging due to the numerous combinations of seats and varying usage conditions within a vehicle, leading to a large number of required conversational tests.
Innovation Solution
An evaluation apparatus that assesses the acoustic quality across predetermined acoustic areas in a vehicle, using a voice signal collected by a microphone in one area and emitted from a speaker in another area, allowing for the acquisition of evaluation values without the need for extensive conversational tests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conversational tests are performed for all combinations of seats in a vehicle to evaluate ICC system quality, then evaluation accuracy is improved, but the number of required tests becomes enormous, increasing time and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual acoustic environments that copy and simulate real conversational test conditions. Instead of performing physical conversational tests for all seat combinations, the system uses acoustic simulation technology to generate virtual test scenarios that replicate the acoustic characteristics of different vehicle configurations, thereby reducing the number of actual tests needed while maintaining evaluation accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary acoustic measurements and characterizations of the vehicle interior to establish baseline acoustic models. By pre-characterizing the acoustic properties of different seat positions and vehicle configurations, the system can later evaluate ICC quality for any combination without needing to conduct full conversational tests, thus reducing the number of required tests while preserving measurement precision
2Adaptability or versatility
If conversational tests are conducted for all seat combinations and usage conditions, then evaluation comprehensiveness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a universal evaluation system that can handle multiple seat combinations and usage conditions through a single integrated platform. The acoustic simulation engine serves multiple functions by generating virtual test scenarios for different vehicle configurations, eliminating the need for separate test setups for each combination and thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive evaluation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent evaluates ICC quality by changing acoustic parameters in virtual simulations rather than physically reconfiguring test equipment for each scenario. By manipulating acoustic parameters such as echo delay, reverberation time, and signal-to-noise ratio in the simulation environment, the system can comprehensively evaluate different usage conditions without increasing physical device complexity
3Ease of operation
If objective evaluation methods are used, then ease of operation is improved, but the quality of experience perceived by users does not match
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces acoustic simulation technology as an intermediary between objective measurement and subjective quality assessment. The simulation system processes objective acoustic measurements and transforms them into virtual conversational scenarios that preserve the nuances of human perception, thereby bridging the gap between easy-to-perform objective tests and accurate quality-of-experience evaluation
Data Source
AI summary
The number of conversational tests required for evaluation of acoustic quality of the ICC system is reduced. An evaluation value converting device 3 evaluates the quality of a conversation made across a near-end acoustic area 100 and a far-end acoustic area 200 inside a vehicle in which a plurality of acoustic areas are predetermined. A voice signal collected by a microphone M2 disposed in the far-end acoustic area 200 is emitted from a speaker S1 disposed in the near-end acoustic area 100. An objective evaluation value acquisition unit 33 acquires an evaluation value using, as an evaluation target sound, a voice signal obtained by adding a voice signal obtained from a first voice signal emitted from a sound source in the far-end acoustic area 200, collected by the microphone M2, and emitted from the speaker S1 to a voice signal obtained from the first voice signal transmitted through a space inside the vehicle and reaching the near-end acoustic area 100, with the first voice signal being used as a reference sound.