Sound Event Map Layer for Vehicle Route Planning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle operators often fail to detect and respond to sound events in their vicinity due to limited auditory range and cabin isolation, leading to potential accidents, as they cannot readily alter their route based on sound preferences.
Innovation Solution
An audio-based mapping platform that uses sound event classification and a map layer to identify road segments associated with specific sounds, allowing vehicles to adjust routes and provide notifications or sound enhancements based on user preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vehicle operators rely on natural hearing to detect sound events, then no additional equipment is needed, but the detection range and reliability are limited due to cabin isolation and human auditory limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sound capturing devices (microphones, acoustic sensors) as intermediaries between the external sound environment and the vehicle operator. These devices capture sound events outside the vehicle and transmit them to the operator, overcoming the barriers of cabin isolation and limited human hearing range. The sound capturing devices act as mediators that extend the operator's auditory capabilities without requiring direct exposure to external sounds.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If vehicle operators lower vehicle windows or remove cabin isolation to improve sound detection, then sound event detection improves, but vehicle comfort, safety, and noise isolation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Sound capturing devices mounted on the vehicle exterior serve as intermediaries that allow sound detection without compromising cabin integrity. These devices capture sound events in the external environment and transmit them to the operator through the vehicle's audio system, enabling sound awareness while maintaining closed windows and cabin isolation for comfort and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the sound detection function from the cabin environment by placing sound capturing devices on the vehicle exterior rather than requiring open windows. This separation allows the detection system to operate independently in the external environment while the cabin remains isolated, eliminating the need to compromise comfort for detection capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle route is adjusted in real-time based on sound events, then responsiveness to sound preferences improves, but route planning complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-processes and stores sound event data along with their geographic locations in a map layer before route planning is needed. By提前 capturing and organizing sound event information during map creation or updates, the system eliminates the need for complex real-time analysis during route selection. The route planning algorithm simply queries pre-processed sound event data based on user preferences, significantly reducing computational complexity during actual route determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to traditional route planning by incorporating sound event preferences as a routing criterion alongside conventional factors like distance and traffic. This transforms the route selection problem from a two-dimensional optimization (distance vs. time) to a multi-dimensional problem that includes acoustic characteristics. The system creates a sound-aware map layer that integrates sound event locations with geographic data, enabling routes to be optimized based on sound preferences without requiring complex real-time adjustments.
4Reliability
If sound capturing devices are deployed to detect sound events, then detection range and reliability improve, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates sound capturing devices into existing vehicle systems that already serve multiple functions. For example, the vehicle's existing audio system, infotainment system, or telematics infrastructure is utilized to process and present sound events to the operator. This multi-functional approach allows sound detection capability to be added without requiring entirely separate systems, thereby reducing overall device complexity and cost while maintaining reliable sound event detection.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, method and computer program product provide a route using a map layer of one or more sound events. For example, the apparatus receives a user preference indicating a sound type, identifies a road segment associated with the sound type from a plurality of road segments, selects a subset from the plurality of road segments as a route based on association of the subset with respect to the road segment, and outputs the route.