Vehicle Ventilation Outlet Control Using Sound Position Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle ventilation systems require manual control by drivers, diverting attention from traffic conditions, as they need to interact with knobs, wheels, or touch-sensitive displays to direct and adjust air flow, which is inconvenient and distracting.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle ventilation control system using microphones to detect specific sounds, such as a snap of the fingers, to automatically control the direction, spread, and intensity of air flow from ventilation outlets, allowing drivers to maintain attention on the road without manual interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual control using knobs and wheels is used to direct air flow, then the direction and amount of air can be controlled, but the driver's attention is diverted from traffic conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control (knobs and wheels) with voice recognition technology. The system uses microphones to capture voice commands, processes them through speech-to-text conversion, and automatically adjusts ventilation settings based on interpreted instructions, eliminating the need for physical interaction with control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces voice recognition technology as an intermediary between the driver and the ventilation system. The voice command processing system acts as a mediator that translates spoken instructions into automated control actions, allowing the driver to control ventilation without direct manual manipulation of controls.
2Extent of automation
If touch-sensitive display is used to control ventilation outlets, then automation is improved, but the driver still needs to look at the display which diverts attention from the road
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual interaction with touch-sensitive displays by implementing voice recognition technology. The system captures voice commands through microphones, converts speech to text, and automatically executes ventilation control adjustments without requiring the driver to visually engage with or physically touch any display interface.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple ventilation outlets are controlled manually, then each outlet can be individually adjusted, but the complexity of control increases and requires more time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal voice recognition system that can control multiple ventilation outlets through a single integrated interface. The system processes voice commands to simultaneously adjust multiple outlets based on the driver's instructions, eliminating the need to sequentially manipulate separate controls for each outlet.
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
Enables hands-free control of air flow, improving driver safety by allowing attention to remain focused on traffic while adjusting ventilation settings, enhancing user experience through precise sound pattern recognition and adaptive control.
Implementation Method 1
at least a first microphone configured to detect a sound
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method and computer program product for managing the flow of air from a ventilation outlet. The method includes determining a position of a sound detected by at least a first microphone determining a ventilation outlet control data based on the position of the sound controlling the air flow of the at least first ventilation outlet based on the ventilation outlet control data for changing at least one of a direction of the air flow, a spread of the air flow and an intensity of the air flow from at least a first ventilation outlet.