Vehicle Occupant Communication via Encoded Audio Transceivers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for communicating with vehicle occupants, such as law-enforcement personnel or customers, are inefficient and unsafe, particularly in adverse weather conditions or when maintaining social distancing, as they require opening windows or doors, exposing individuals to weather, potential theft, or infectious diseases, and lack effective two-way communication solutions.
Innovation Solution
A two-way communication system using short-range radio transmission with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi transceivers within vehicles, enabling voice communication between vehicle occupants and external entities, such as law-enforcement vehicles, through point-to-point connections and audio transducers, without the need to open windows or approach the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the occupant opens the window or door to communicate, then two-way communication is enabled, but the occupant is exposed to weather, potential theft, bodily injury, or infectious diseases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication system consisting of a speaker and microphone positioned at the drive-through window. This intermediary device transmits audio signals between the order taker inside the restaurant and the occupant outside, enabling two-way communication without requiring the occupant to open the window or door, thus maintaining safety while preserving communication capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of opening windows or doors with an acoustic field-based communication system. Audio signals are transmitted through the closed window using speakers and microphones, substituting the need for physical opening of the vehicle enclosure with wireless acoustic communication
2Ease of operation
If the speaker quality is inadequate or background noise is high, then communication can occur, but the order taker cannot clearly hear the occupant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes audio transmission by adjusting key parameters including speaker quality, microphone sensitivity, and positioning. The system is designed to transmit audio signals at sufficient volume and clarity through the closed window, ensuring the order taker can clearly hear the occupant despite background noise conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication system consisting of a speaker and microphone positioned at the drive-through window. This intermediary device transmits audio signals between the order taker inside the restaurant and the occupant outside, enabling two-way communication without requiring the occupant to open the window or door, thus maintaining safety while preserving communication capability
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the occupant maintains distance during communication, then safety from infectious diseases is improved, but effective communication becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of opening windows or doors with an acoustic field-based communication system. Audio signals are transmitted through the closed window using speakers and microphones, substituting the need for physical opening of the vehicle enclosure with wireless acoustic communication
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication system consisting of a speaker and microphone positioned at the drive-through window. This intermediary device transmits audio signals between the order taker inside the restaurant and the occupant outside, enabling two-way communication without requiring the occupant to open the window or door, thus maintaining safety while preserving communication capability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system allows for safe and efficient two-way communication, reducing exposure to weather and safety risks while enabling secure and private voice exchanges between vehicle occupants and external personnel, enhancing communication efficiency and safety during interactions like traffic stops or drive-through services.
Implementation Method 1
a first transceiver receives electrical signals from a first microphone and transmits the electrical signals to an external transceiver using a protocol (e.g., Bluetooth or Wi-Fi)
Implementation Method 2
the external transceiver transmits the encoded audio waves and the audio waves are emitted by an audio transducer
Implementation Method 3
a first transceiver receives electrical signals from a first microphone
Data Source
AI summary
A method of communicating between a person within a target vehicle and a law-enforcement person includes establishing a connection between a law-enforcement transceiver and a target vehicle transceiver using a protocol and encoding an audio signal into an encoded audio signal by the law-enforcement transceiver using the protocol, The encoded audio signal is transmitted from the law-enforcement transceiver and received by the target vehicle transceiver where the encoded audio signal is accepted by the target vehicle transceiver through a feature in the protocol, the feature in the protocol allowing limited access to an audio transducer of the target vehicle, the encoded audio signal is decoded back into the audio signal by the target vehicle transducer and the audio signal is reproduced on the audio transducer within the target vehicle.