Smart Sound Sensor Voice Control for Parked Vehicle Functions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voice-activated remote control systems for vehicles face challenges such as inaccurate voice recognition due to complex acoustic environments, high power consumption, and significant costs associated with additional hardware and software modifications, limiting their functionality and availability when the vehicle is parked.
Innovation Solution
A low-power smart sound sensor module that detects sound events and correlates them with codes to activate vehicle functions, allowing for local voice command recognition and processing, which can be integrated into a key fob or installed on the vehicle, enabling 'always listening' mode without excessive power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If voice commands are processed by cloud or ECU, then voice recognition capability is achieved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the voice processing system into two parts: a smart sound sensor module that performs local voice command recognition and processing, and a vehicle control module that receives and executes commands. This segmentation allows voice processing to occur locally without requiring continuous cloud or ECU processing, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining recognition capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The smart sound sensor module acts as an intermediary between the user's voice commands and the vehicle control module. It captures, processes, and translates voice commands into control signals locally, eliminating the need for high-power cloud or ECU processing for every voice interaction.
2Use of energy by moving object
If vehicle is started to enable voice processing, then power is available for processing, but voice activated functions are unavailable when vehicle is parked
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates voice processing functionality from the main vehicle power system by placing it in a standalone smart sound sensor module with its own power supply. This allows the voice processing function to operate independently of the vehicle's ignition state, enabling functionality when the vehicle is parked.
Solution Approach 2:
The smart sound sensor module is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate when the vehicle is running and when it is parked, providing universal voice control capability across all vehicle states. The module handles both voice command recognition and initial processing universally, regardless of vehicle power state.
3Ease of operation
If microphones are installed on vehicle exterior, then voice commands can be captured, but acoustic noise from environment reduces recognition accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The smart sound sensor module serves as an intermediary that not only captures voice commands but also processes and filters them locally. It can implement noise filtering and voice activation algorithms to distinguish genuine commands from environmental noise, improving recognition accuracy despite exterior microphone placement.
4Measurement precision
If additional hardware and software are added for voice processing, then voice recognition is enabled, but system cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates voice processing hardware and software into a single integrated smart sound sensor module, rather than distributing components across multiple vehicle systems. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity by creating a self-contained voice control subsystem that interfaces simply with the existing vehicle control module.
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
The solution provides reliable and cost-effective voice-activated remote control capabilities for vehicles, enabling functionality even when parked, with reduced power consumption and minimal modifications to existing systems, enhancing user convenience and security.
Implementation Method 1
the smart sound sensor detects sound-induced vibration and correlates the sound-induced vibration with a code recognized by the vehicle control module
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A system and method for sound-activated remote control of vehicle functions for a vehicle having a remote-control system, the remote-control system has a key fob and at least one vehicle control module. A sound sensor module of a stand-alone smart sound sensor detects a sound event, correlates the sound event with a code, and transmits the code to the remote-control system to activate a function on the vehicle that is associated with the code.