Vehicle Audio System Frequency Response Adjustment for Portable Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable audio devices often have limited performance in low frequencies due to their small size, resulting in suboptimal sound quality, and increasing their size would make them cumbersome to transport.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle audio system method that receives data from both a portable audio device outside the vehicle and internal speakers inside, determines the device's position and distance, processes the data to adjust the frequency response of the internal speakers based on the portable device's response, and controls the speakers to output the processed data, thereby enhancing sound quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the size of the portable audio device is increased to improve low-frequency performance, then the sound quality is improved, but the device becomes cumbersome to transport

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound qualityVSAvoidportability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the portable audio device with the vehicle audio system by establishing wireless communication between them. The vehicle's internal speakers are controlled to output processed audio data that complements the portable device's frequency response, effectively merging their audio capabilities. This allows the small portable device to achieve enhanced sound quality without increasing its size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle audio system acts as an intermediary between the portable audio device and the final sound output. The system receives audio data from the portable device, processes it through filters adjusted based on the portable device's frequency response characteristics, and outputs the processed data through the vehicle's internal speakers. This intermediary processing resolves the contradiction by decoupling the portable device's small size from the need for high-quality low-frequency output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the portable audio device is used alone, then it maintains portability, but the frequency range and dynamic range are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveportabilityVSAvoidfrequency range
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the audio output capabilities of the portable device with the vehicle's internal speaker system. By establishing wireless communication and coordinating their operation, the system combines the portability of the small device with the extended frequency range and higher dynamic range of the vehicle audio system, achieving both portability and enhanced audio performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the frequency response of the vehicle's internal speakers based on the portable device's characteristics and position. Filters are configured in real-time to complement the portable device's frequency response, allowing the system to adaptively expand the overall frequency range while maintaining portability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4568281A1Enhanced sound performance
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 VOLVO CAR CORP
  • EP4568281A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4568281A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3B
  • EP4568281A1 patent drawingFigure 3C~4B

AI summary

A method, by a vehicle audio system, for playing audio comprising receiving data for being output through at least an internal speaker mounted inside the vehicle and at least another speaker, wherein the at least another speaker comprises one of an external speaker mounted on an outside of the vehicle and another internal speaker mounted inside the vehicle, receiving first data comprising an indication that a target listening area is outside the vehicle, processing the data based on the first data; and controlling the at least internal speaker and the at least another speaker to output the processed data, wherein the data is processed such that a frequency response of an output of the at least external speaker and/or a frequency response of an output of the at least another speaker is adjusted for audio playing outside the vehicle.