In-Vehicle Audio Control for Natural Volume Across Source Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional in-vehicle sound control systems fail to provide optimal automatic volume control when switching between different sound sources, particularly with multichannel and multimedia sources like DVD 5.1 ch signals, leading to unnatural sound experiences due to suppressed dialog outputs and sudden volume changes.
Innovation Solution
An in-vehicle sound control system connected to a vehicle speed detection unit and an in-vehicle communications network, featuring a sound source signal distribution section, sound control section, and microcontroller, which adjusts frequency characteristics and volumes based on vehicle speed and noise levels, allowing for optimal sound control by switching control amounts and methods depending on the type of medium and sound source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single automatic sound control method is used for all sound sources, then the system structure is simple, but the sound quality becomes unnatural when switching between different sound sources like DVD 5.1 ch signals
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different automatic sound control methods based on the detected sound source type. The microcontroller identifies whether the input is from a DVD deck, head unit, or navigation unit, and selectively applies appropriate control algorithms (first method for DVD 5.1 ch, second method for other sources), allowing the system to adapt its behavior to match the characteristics of each sound source type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameters and algorithms based on the sound source type. Different automatic sound control methods are employed with different control amounts and frequency characteristics adjustments depending on whether the input is from a DVD deck, head unit, or navigation unit, optimizing the sound output for each specific source type.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the control method is not changed for DVD 5.1 ch signals, then the system operates consistently, but dialog sound from center channel is suppressed and cannot be heard
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the control method specifically for DVD 5.1 ch signals detected from DVD decks. When a DVD 5.1 ch signal is identified, the system switches to a first automatic sound control method that prevents suppression of center channel dialog sounds, while maintaining different control behavior for other sound sources, thus adapting the control strategy to preserve dialog intelligibility.
3Extent of automation
If automatic sound control is applied to all sound sources, then volume is automatically adjusted, but sudden volume changes occur during switching between sound sources
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects different automatic sound control methods based on the sound source type to maintain volume stability during transitions. By identifying the specific sound source (DVD deck, head unit, or navigation unit) and applying the appropriate control algorithm, the system smooths out sudden volume changes that would otherwise occur during sound source switching.
Data Source
AI summary
An in-vehicle sound control system structured so that sound sources, a vehicle speed detection unit for detecting a vehicle running speed, and an acoustic reproduction apparatus are connected to in-vehicle communications network. The in-vehicle sound control system controls, in accordance with a vehicle speed signal transmitted from the vehicle speed detection unit, a reproduction acoustic signal. The acoustic reproduction apparatus switches, in accordance with a plurality of inputted sound sources and media information of a sound source, a control amount to sound control section determined based on a vehicle speed signal. In this manner, such an in-vehicle sound control system is provided that can provide an optimal automatic sound control for human ears even when the medium is exchanged or when a channel for a sound source in the medium is switched to another channel.