Vehicle Audio System Spatial Feedback Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current motor vehicle audio systems primarily focus on entertainment and information, lacking integration with driving safety features to provide acoustically perceptible feedback about surrounding objects, especially those not visible to the driver.

Innovation Solution

A motor vehicle device comprising an audio output system with multiple audio elements and a control device that adjusts audio signal output based on movement information of objects relative to the vehicle, allowing for acoustically perceptible feedback and enhanced driving safety by indicating the presence and movement of objects through controlled audio signal direction and intensity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If audio output elements are arranged in different areas of the passenger compartment to provide spatial audio distribution, then the entertainment and information function is improved, but the system cannot provide acoustically perceptible feedback about surrounding objects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio signal output capabilityVSAvoiddriving safety feedback
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The audio output device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can output entertainment audio signals through multiple audio output elements arranged in different areas, and simultaneously provide driving safety feedback by directing audio signals based on object movement information. The control device manages both functions by selectively controlling which audio output elements are activated and how they are controlled based on the type of audio signal being output.

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

2Loss of information

If the audio system is dedicated to entertainment and information purposes, then audio quality for media consumption is improved, but the system lacks integration with driving safety features

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio content fidelityVSAvoiddriving safety integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control device dynamically adjusts the operation of audio output elements based on real-time object movement information. When an object is detected moving in a specific direction, the control device activates specific audio output elements to provide directional acoustic feedback to the driver. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to switch between entertainment mode and driving safety feedback mode without compromising audio quality for either purpose.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If multiple audio output elements are controlled independently based on object movement, then acoustically perceptible feedback about object direction is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject position indication accuracyVSAvoidcontrol device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device receives object movement information from a detection device and uses this feedback to determine which audio output elements should be activated. The control device continuously monitors the position and movement of objects around the vehicle and adjusts the audio output accordingly, providing real-time acoustic feedback to the driver about the direction and movement of detected objects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Reliability

If the audio system provides comprehensive environmental feedback, then driving safety awareness is improved, but the system may distract the driver from primary driving tasks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesituational awarenessVSAvoiddriver distraction
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of providing omnidirectional audio feedback through all audio output elements simultaneously, the control device activates only the specific audio output elements corresponding to the direction of detected objects. This localized audio feedback provides necessary situational awareness information while minimizing unnecessary audio stimuli that could distract the driver. The system focuses acoustic attention on relevant directional information only.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3807860B1Motor vehicle, comprising an apparatus for outputting an audio signal to a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.10.02 ASK IND GMBH
  • EP3807860B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3807860B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3807860B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A motor vehicle (1), comprising an apparatus (2) for outputting an audio signal (3) to a passenger compartment (4) of the motor vehicle (1), which apparatus comprises: an audio output device (5), comprising multiple audio output elements (5a -5d) arranged in the passenger compartment (4) of the motor vehicle (1), for outputting an audio signal (3) to the passenger compartment (4) of the motor vehicle (1), a control device (6) for controlling the output of the audio signal (3) via respective audio output elements (5a -5d), wherein the control device (6) is configured to control the output of an audio signal (3) to the passenger compartment (4) of the motor vehicle (1) on the basis of movement information describing a movement of at least one object (7), in particular a road user, relative to the motor vehicle (1).