In-Vehicle Audio Communication Using Attention-Triggered Voice Augmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communication between vehicle occupants, particularly between those seated in the front and back seats, is often difficult due to the inability to hear each other, leading to frustration and inefficiencies in audio exchange.
Innovation Solution
An audio communication system utilizing an image capturing device for eye-tracking, face recognition, and movement monitoring to determine when a vehicle occupant is attracting attention, activating audio augmentation in associated microphones and speakers to ensure seamless communication without raising voices, even in noisy environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If microphones and speakers are continuously activated to enable audio communication between vehicle occupants, then communication quality is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic monitoring of occupant attention states through image capturing devices, activating audio augmentation only during periods when attention is detected. This intermittent activation pattern reduces overall power consumption while maintaining communication quality when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects when audio communication is needed by monitoring occupant attention states, eliminating the need for manual activation. The microphones and speakers self-regulate their operation based on real-time detection of communication requirements
2Reliability
If audio augmentation is continuously active to ensure clear communication, then communication clarity is improved, but noise interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
Audio augmentation is activated periodically only when attention states indicate communication is needed, rather than continuously. This reduces the cumulative noise interference in the vehicle cabin while maintaining clarity during actual communication events
3Measurement precision
If image capturing devices are used to monitor occupant attention, then communication initiation accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image capturing device performs multiple functions: monitoring occupant presence, detecting attention states, and triggering audio communication. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated sensors, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
An audio communication system (100A,100B) for communication between vehicle occupants in a vehicle, comprising an image capturing device (101) configured to monitor a first vehicle occupant (102), a processor configured to receive an image of the first vehicle occupant from the image capturing device (101) and determine whether the first vehicle occupant is attracting attention from a second vehicle occupant (103), a first microphone (104) associated to the first vehicle occupant (102) configured to receive an audio input from the first vehicle occupant in response to the determination of the first vehicle occupant attracting the second vehicle occupant's attention, and a first speaker (105) associated to the second vehicle occupant (103) configured to activate an audio augmentation of the received audio input in the first speaker (105) and output the augmented audio input. Corresponding apparatus, method and computer program product are also disclosed.