In-Vehicle Mood Zone Audio Personalization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional in-vehicle audio systems fail to simultaneously optimize the listening experiences of all occupants, as they require manual selections that can be tedious and may not account for individual moods or safety, leading to potential distractions and unsuitable audio content.

Innovation Solution

An in-vehicle audio system with a mood zone subsystem that uses emotion classification based on sensor data to automatically deliver personalized audio content to individual sound zones, optimizing audio delivery through techniques like ultrasonic and digital signal processing, ensuring each occupant receives emotionally tailored audio without manual adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual selections are used for personalized audio content, then occupants can choose their preferred audio, but the process is tedious and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepersonalized audio content selectionVSAvoidtime for manual selections
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects occupant mood states using sensors and autonomously selects appropriate audio content without requiring manual input from occupants. The mood zone subsystem performs self-service by monitoring physiological signals, classifying emotional states, and adjusting audio delivery parameters automatically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical selection processes with automated electronic systems including sensors, processors, and algorithms that detect mood states and control audio delivery. This substitution eliminates the need for physical interaction with controls while maintaining personalized audio content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If manual selections are used for personalized audio content, then occupants can control their audio experience, but it may not optimize listening experience or safety

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio content controlVSAvoidoptimization of listening experience and safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors occupant mood states through sensors and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust audio content delivery. The closed-loop control ensures that audio recommendations are continuously optimized based on real-time emotional states, improving both listening experience and safety outcomes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes audio delivery parameters such as volume, content type, and sound zone distribution based on detected mood states. For example, calming audio is recommended for stressed drivers, while engaging content is provided for relaxed passengers, optimizing the listening experience for each occupant's current state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If different audio content is provided to each occupant, then personalized listening experience is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepersonalized audio deliveryVSAvoidaudio system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The audio system is divided into multiple independent sound zones, each associated with a specific seating position and occupant. The mood zone subsystem independently processes sensor data and controls audio delivery for each zone, allowing personalized audio content without requiring complex centralized control for the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mood zone subsystem serves multiple functions including mood detection, emotional state classification, audio content selection, and sound zone control, all within a single integrated system. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3496098B1Generating personalized audio content based on mood
Publication Date: 2021.09.29 HARMAN INT IND INC
  • EP3496098B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3496098B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3496098B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In one embodiment, a personalization application provides emotionally personalized audio content to co-located users. In operation, the personalization application acquires first personalized audio content for a first user based on an emotional state associated with the first user. The personalization application then causes a first audio device associated with the first user to output the first audio content. In addition, the personalization application causes a second audio device associated with a second user that is co-located with the first user to output second audio content while the first audio devices outputs the first audio content. Notably, the second audio content is different from the first audio content.