In-Car Audio Routing Matrix for Multi-Zone Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional In-Car Communication systems are inefficient in supporting multiple acoustic zones due to high computational requirements for signal processing, leading to unstable operations and increased costs, as they require calculating multiple equalizers and notch filters for each acoustic path, making it impractical for mass market vehicles.
Innovation Solution
The system splits In-Car Communication instances into microphone-related (Mic-ICC) and loudspeaker-related (Ls-ICC) parts, utilizing a dynamic audio routing matrix to manage interactions and reduce computational power, allowing only active equalizers and a single notch filter to be calculated, thereby optimizing processing for multiple acoustic zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional ICC systems calculate multiple equalizers and notch filters for each acoustic path to support multiple acoustic zones, then communication quality across zones is improved, but computational requirements and system complexity increase prohibitively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the acoustic space into discrete zones with designated speaker and listener positions. By segmenting the communication paths into specific directional routes (speaker zone to listener zone) rather than calculating all possible paths, the system reduces the number of equalizers and notch filters needed while maintaining comprehensive multi-zone coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal ICC processing chain that can handle multiple acoustic zones through a standardized architecture. Rather than creating dedicated processing paths for each zone combination, a single processing chain with configurable parameters serves all zones, reducing overall computational requirements while maintaining versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional ICC systems implement bidirectional communication with multiple acoustic zones, then communication flexibility is improved, but system stability deteriorates due to unstable amplification in closed loops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the activation of ICC instances based on the detected active speaker zone. The loss control mechanism continuously monitors which zone contains the active speaker and enables communication paths only in that zone, preventing simultaneous bidirectional amplification that causes instability while maintaining flexibility when speaker position changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from speech activity detection to control the activation of ICC processing instances. By monitoring which zone has an active speaker and adjusting system operation accordingly, the feedback mechanism prevents unstable closed-loop conditions while preserving bidirectional communication capability when appropriate.
3Measurement precision
If conventional ICC systems use speech enhancement and amplification to overcome background noise, then speech intelligibility is improved, but the system becomes exhausting and uncomfortable for extended use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies speech enhancement and amplification locally only to the zone containing the active speaker, rather than uniformly across all zones. This targeted approach improves speech intelligibility for the relevant communication path while reducing overall system amplification levels, making extended use more comfortable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies speech enhancement selectively only when and where needed (in the active speaker zone) rather than continuously across all zones. This partial action approach maintains speech intelligibility during active communication while reducing unnecessary amplification during inactive periods, improving comfort for extended use.
Data Source
AI summary
An In-Car Communication (ICC) system supports the communication paths within a car by receiving the speech signals of a speaking passenger and playing it back for one or more listening passengers. Signal processing tasks are split into a microphone related part and into a loudspeaker related part. A sound processing system suitable for use in a vehicle having multiple acoustic zones includes a plurality of microphone In-Car Communication (Mic-ICC) instances coupled and a plurality of loudspeaker In-Car Communication (Ls-ICC) instances. The system further includes a dynamic audio routing matrix with a controller and coupled to the Mic-ICC instances, a mixer coupled to the plurality of Mic-ICC instances and a distributor coupled to the Ls-ICC instances.