Smart Horn Acoustic Data Transmission for Vehicle Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle communication systems face challenges in establishing communication networks without relying on licensed spectra, reducing signal interference, and requiring time-consuming network-dependent operations like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, especially in situations where these networks are unavailable.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing the upper audible frequency range (16-20 kHz) for vehicle communication, where a smart horn generates sound waves with embedded information, allowing data transmission between vehicles and receiving devices using existing audio interfaces without custom modifications, enabling communication in emergency scenarios and other applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If Bluetooth or Wi-Fi networks are used for vehicle communication, then data transmission can be achieved, but network setup time is increased and network availability becomes a constraint

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication availabilityVSAvoidnetwork setup time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts communication from network-dependent protocols (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) and implements it using the vehicle's existing audio interface and horn speaker. This removes the need for network setup and makes communication available independently of network availability, directly resolving the contradiction between communication reliability and setup time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the vehicle's own audio interface and horn speaker for communication, eliminating dependency on external networks. The horn speaker serves dual purposes: its traditional alert function and data transmission, making the system self-sufficient and immediately available without network configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If licensed spectra are used for vehicle communication, then communication reliability is improved, but signal interference from other devices increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidsignal interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the communication parameter from licensed radio frequency spectra to acoustic frequency spectra through the horn speaker. This parameter change shifts the domain from electromagnetic waves to sound waves, eliminating interference from other radio frequency devices while maintaining communication reliability through the vehicle's existing audio infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If custom audio interfaces are designed for upper frequency communication, then communication precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission accuracyVSAvoidinterface modification complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the vehicle's existing audio interface and horn speaker perform multiple functions: traditional audio output and data transmission. By encoding data in audio signals within the existing audio framework, the system achieves precise data transmission without requiring custom hardware interfaces, thus maintaining universality and avoiding increased device complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges data transmission functionality with the existing audio output system. The horn speaker combines its alert function with data transmission by modulating audio signals, eliminating the need for separate custom interfaces and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining transmission accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach allows for efficient, interference-reduced data communication between vehicles and external devices, including emergency alerts, without the need for licensed spectra or complex network setups, leveraging existing audio interfaces for broad applicability and simplicity.

Implementation Method 1

A system utilizing the upper audible frequency range (16-20 kHz) for vehicle communication, where a smart horn generates sound waves with embedded information

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound wave generation: Sound

Implementation Method 2

A receiving device having at least one microphone configured to receive the sound wave embedded with the plurality of information

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic detection: Sound

Data Source

PatentEP2624234B1A system, a method and an apparatus for vehicular communication
Publication Date: 2022.11.30 TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES LTD
  • EP2624234B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2624234B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A system and method vehicle-to-mobile communication using a smart horn (515) comprising, a first processor (520) embedded in the vehicle, configured to generate and broadcast a plurality of sound waves having two spectrums, an audible spectrum and an inaudible spectrum, the sound waves comprising a plurality of information embedded (530) into the inaudible spectrum. A vehicle-embedded system (505) coupled to the said first processor (520) to capture a plurality of signals associated with the vehicle-embedded system. A second processor embedded in a receiving device (540) configured to capture and interpret the plurality of information embedded into the inaudible spectrum. The receiving device (540) comprising an application (545) that enables the receiving device (540)to interpret the plurality of information embedded in the inaudible sound spectrum captured by at least one microphone (535).