Vehicle Interior Noise Control for Conversation Clarity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio devices in vehicles fail to automatically adjust playback volume in response to impending conversations, requiring manual intervention from occupants, especially drivers who need to focus on driving.
Innovation Solution
A control system that detects conversation intentions through vehicle movement and location data, adjusting noise sources like car radios, air conditioning, and navigation systems to minimize noise before a conversation starts, using sensors and cameras to recognize approaching infrastructure or roadside situations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual volume adjustment is required for noise sources, then occupants can control audio playback, but driver distraction increases and conversation readiness is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs preliminary actions by detecting conversation intentions through vehicle movement and location data before the conversation actually starts. When the system anticipates a conversation situation (e.g., approaching roadside, infrequent location), it automatically adjusts noise sources and playback volume in advance, eliminating the need for manual intervention during the conversation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically detecting conversation intentions and adjusting noise sources without requiring manual operation. The control system uses sensors, cameras, and vehicle data to autonomously determine when a conversation is imminent and automatically modifies audio playback volume and noise source levels, freeing the driver from manual adjustment tasks.
2Reliability
If playback volume is increased to overcome background noise, then audio intelligibility is maintained, but conversation clarity deteriorates when occupants need to talk
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies dynamics by continuously and automatically adjusting the playback volume based on real-time detection of conversation intentions. Rather than maintaining a fixed high volume to overcome background noise, the volume dynamically adapts: it remains sufficient for audio intelligibility during normal operation, then automatically reduces when a conversation is anticipated or detected, ensuring conversation clarity is maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by proactively reducing noise source levels and playback volume before a conversation begins. When the control system detects indicators of an impending conversation (vehicle movement patterns, location data, camera input), it preemptively lowers the audio output, preventing the harmful effect of high volume on conversation clarity before it occurs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple noise sources are active simultaneously, then vehicle systems provide comprehensive functionality, but interior noise level increases and conversation ability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
When the control system detects a conversation intention, it performs preliminary actions by automatically identifying all active noise sources (air conditioning, radio, navigation, etc.) and reducing their output levels in advance. This coordinated preliminary reduction of multiple noise sources ensures that when the conversation begins, the interior noise level is already optimized for speech clarity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system applies universality by managing multiple different noise sources through a single integrated control mechanism. The system identifies and adjusts various types of noise-generating devices (climate control fans, audio playback, navigation speakers, phone systems) using unified detection and control logic, allowing comprehensive noise management across diverse vehicle systems.
Data Source
AI summary
The method involves identifying connection situation in a vehicle interior (11), where a unit for reducing the noise (71) generated by it in the vehicle interior is controlled. The presence or imminence of the connection situation is identified by a movement or place position information of a vehicle (1). The reduction of the vehicle speed and approximation of a vehicle position are detected at a road edge on the presence or imminence of a connection situation. An independent claim is included for a control device for automatically controlling a unit, which generates noise in an interior of a vehicle.