Vehicle Control Device Integrating Sound Sensor for Pedestrian Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle control systems rely primarily on visual information from cameras, limiting their ability to assist driving through auditory cues and failing to provide effective communication between drivers and pedestrians without opening windows or offering comprehensive multimedia functions based on sound information.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control device and method that incorporates a sound sensor to detect situation information, a sound output unit for communication with pedestrians, and a controller to activate relevant functions based on sound information, enabling conversation without opening windows and providing multimedia functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If visual information from cameras is used for vehicle control, then the system can provide driving assistance through image recognition, but the system fails to detect auditory cues and provide effective communication with pedestrians
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle control system integrates multiple sensing modalities (visual cameras and auditory sound sensors) into a unified control framework. The controller processes both image data from the camera and sound data from the sound sensor to perform comprehensive situation recognition, enabling the system to handle both visual and auditory information for enhanced driving assistance and pedestrian communication capabilities
2Reliability
If sound sensors are added to detect situation information, then auditory cues can be utilized for driving assistance, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the camera and sound sensor into an integrated vehicle control system with a unified controller. The controller simultaneously processes visual information from the camera and auditory information from the sound sensor, merging multiple sensing functions into a single coordinated system that improves situation awareness while managing complexity through integration rather than separate independent systems
3Ease of operation
If the window is opened to communicate with pedestrians, then direct conversation is possible, but driving safety and comfort are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical solution of opening the window for communication with an electronic/acoustic solution. The sound output unit transmits the driver's voice to pedestrians outside the vehicle through the vehicle's existing audio system, eliminating the need to open the window while maintaining communication capability. This substitution preserves driving safety and comfort by keeping the window closed while still enabling effective auditory communication
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
Enables effective communication with pedestrians and enhances driving assistance by utilizing sound information for situation awareness and multimedia functions, improving driver convenience and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a sound sensor configured to sense a sound generated inside or outside the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a sound output unit configured to output the sound generated inside or outside the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control device including a camera configured to photograph an image around a vehicle; a display unit configured to display the image received from the camera; at least one sound sensor arranged on the vehicle and configured to sense a sound generated inside or outside the vehicle; at least one sound output unit arranged on the vehicle and configured to output sound inside or outside the vehicle; and a controller configured to sense a situation of the vehicle based on the sensed sound generated inside or outside the vehicle, and control at least one of the sound sensor, sound output unit and the display unit to output information based on the sensed situation of the vehicle.