Rideshare Speech Masking via Audio Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
In autonomous vehicle ridesharing systems, passengers lack privacy during commutes due to the inability to mask speech from conversations, causing distractions for other occupants.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a processor and audio system to generate and provide masking sounds that distort or cancel the speech of a user upon request, triggered by recognizing a call on a mobile device and managed through user preferences and notifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple strangers occupy a restricted vehicle cabin during commutes, then ridesharing efficiency is improved, but passenger privacy is compromised due to audible conversations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sound masking as an intermediary mechanism between the passenger's speech and other occupants' hearing. The system generates masking sounds that interfere with speech transmission, creating a privacy barrier without requiring physical isolation. This mediator approach allows multiple occupants to share the vehicle while maintaining conversation privacy through acoustic interference.
2Ease of operation
If a passenger talks on their smart device, then communication functionality is improved, but other occupants experience distraction
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the harmful effect of speech transmission into a beneficial privacy protection mechanism. By detecting speech signals and generating corresponding masking sounds, the system transforms the problem of audible conversations into a solution where speech is automatically concealed. The masking sound, which could be considered noise, becomes a beneficial privacy shield that protects passengers while allowing uninterrupted communication.
3Loss of information
If sound masking is generated to mask speech, then passenger privacy is improved, but audio system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the existing audio system infrastructure to perform multiple functions: entertainment, announcements, and now speech masking. By reusing the same speakers and audio processing capabilities for privacy protection, the system avoids adding dedicated masking hardware. The audio system becomes a multi-functional component that provides both conventional entertainment and privacy protection without proportionally increasing complexity.
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 system effectively provides privacy to users by masking their speech, reducing distractions for other occupants and enhancing the commuting experience.
Implementation Method 1
generating, via the processor, a masking sound configured to mask speech of the user... The masking sound may correspond to the user's speech and may be output through one or more speakers of the audio system... The masking sound waves may interfere with the speech of the user such that other occupants of the vehicle will be unable to hear the speech
Data Source
AI summary
One general aspect includes a method of sound masking, the method including: receiving, via a processor, a privacy request from a user; generating, via the processor, a masking sound configured to mask speech of the user in response to the privacy request; and providing, via the processor, the masking sound as an audio output through an audio system.