Vehicle Audio Zone Control for Driving Mode Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle audio systems lack the ability to dynamically adjust audio output levels based on driving modes, leading to suboptimal user experience and interoperability issues across different firmware and operating systems.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an audio control module that determines the current driving mode and adjusts audio output levels using preconfigured audio zone profiles, with standardized signaling protocols to control speaker systems, enhancing user interaction and software module interoperability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If audio output levels are fixed for all driving modes, then device complexity is reduced, but user experience deteriorates due to lack of adaptability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio output adaptabilityVSAvoidaudio control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The audio control system dynamically adjusts audio output levels based on detected driving modes. The system transitions from static fixed levels to dynamic adaptive control by monitoring vehicle operating conditions (speed, acceleration, gear position) and automatically selecting appropriate audio profiles, thereby improving adaptability without requiring manual user intervention for each condition change.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The audio control system performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting driving modes and selecting corresponding audio profiles without user input. The system monitors its own operating context through vehicle sensors and autonomously configures audio output parameters, eliminating the need for manual user configuration while maintaining high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If audio output levels are manually adjusted for each driving mode, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to increased user interaction requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio output adaptabilityVSAvoiduser interaction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects driving modes through vehicle sensors and autonomously selects and applies the corresponding audio profile without requiring user interaction. This self-service mechanism maintains high adaptability across different driving conditions while completely eliminating manual adjustment operations, thereby improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors vehicle operating conditions (speed, acceleration, gear position) and uses this feedback to automatically adjust audio output levels. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the audio system adapts to current driving modes in real-time without user intervention, maintaining both adaptability and operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If different audio profiles are used for different driving modes, then user experience is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple configuration sets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio zone profile customizationVSAvoidprofile management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple audio profiles are consolidated into a single unified data structure that can represent different driving mode configurations. The system uses one versatile profile format that adapts to various driving conditions through parameter selection rather than requiring separate management of multiple independent profile sets, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining full customization capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system manages audio profile complexity by changing parameters within a unified profile structure rather than switching between entirely separate configurations. By adjusting specific parameters (volume levels, balance, fade) within a single adaptable profile framework based on detected driving modes, the system achieves multiple configuration states without the overhead of managing multiple independent profile sets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If audio output is not adjusted for driving conditions, then ease of operation is maintained, but reliability deteriorates due to suboptimal audio performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidaudio output performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The audio control system autonomously monitors vehicle operating conditions and self-adjusts audio output parameters without user intervention. This automatic adaptation ensures optimal audio performance for each driving mode while maintaining operational simplicity, as users neither need to manually adjust settings nor are burdened with complex configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static audio output to dynamic adaptive control by continuously adjusting audio parameters based on real-time driving conditions. This dynamic adjustment ensures reliable optimal performance across varying driving modes while requiring no user action, thereby maintaining ease of operation alongside improved reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4358544A1Controlling audio output in a vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP4358544A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4358544A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4358544A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems, methods, and software can be used to control audio output of a vehicle. In some aspects, a method is disclosed comprising: determining, at a vehicle, a current driving mode of the vehicle; determining, at the vehicle, a plurality of audio output levels based on the current driving mode and one or more preconfigured audio zone profiles; and controlling, by the vehicle, audio equipment of the vehicle to output audio according to the plurality of audio output levels.