Infotainment Audio Video Attenuation for Emergency Vehicle Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increased use of automobiles has led to a rise in accidents, particularly due to drivers being unaware of approaching emergency vehicles, as modern infotainment systems and noise insulation create an environment where external alerts, such as sirens and lights, are often overlooked.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses transceivers in emergency vehicles to transmit GPS coordinates, which are received by automobiles, triggering an interrupt signal to attenuate audio and video signals in the infotainment system when an emergency vehicle is near, thereby alerting the driver to its presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If modern infotainment systems with audio/video functions are used, then entertainment and comfort for occupants are improved, but driver awareness of external emergency vehicle alerts deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of emergency vehicles using GPS coordinates and transceiver signals before the driver would naturally perceive them. By detecting emergency vehicles in advance and proactively attenuating infotainment outputs, the system prepares the driver for external alerts before they occur, preventing information loss rather than reacting after the fact.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors GPS coordinates from emergency vehicles and feedback loop adjusts infotainment system output based on detected proximity. When an emergency vehicle is detected within a predetermined distance, the system provides feedback by attenuating audio/video signals, creating a closed-loop control system that dynamically responds to external conditions while maintaining driver awareness.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sound insulation and noise cancellation are enhanced, then comfort and insulation from external noise are improved, but driver perception of emergency vehicle sirens deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary electronic alert signal that mediates between the emergency vehicle's siren and the driver's perception. Rather than relying solely on the physical siren sound that may be blocked by insulation, the transceiver system captures the emergency vehicle's signals electronically and delivers them directly to the driver through the infotainment system, bypassing the physical barriers of sound insulation.
3Reliability
If GPS tracking and proximity detection are implemented, then collision avoidance capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs multi-functionality by using the GPS transceiver for multiple purposes: emergency vehicle detection, proximity calculation, and triggering infotainment attenuation. This single multi-functional component replaces what would otherwise require separate systems for detection, processing, and response, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining collision avoidance capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for alerting drivers to the presence of oncoming emergency vehicles. According to an embodiment, the system includes: a first transceiver located in an emergency vehicle for transmitting GPS coordinates of the emergency vehicle, and second transceiver located in an automobile. The second transceiver is receives the transmitted information and determines a proximity of the emergency vehicle relative to the automobile. If the emergency vehicle is within a predetermined proximity of the automobile, the second transceiver causes selective attenuation of audio and video signals currently being output in order to raise driver awareness to audio/video alerts generated by the emergency vehicle.