Vehicle External Speaker Gesture Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Occupants of vehicles face challenges in communicating with pedestrians or others outside the vehicle without exposing themselves to external risks, relying on voice volume for attention and understanding.

Innovation Solution

A speaker system integrated with a microphone, camera, and computer within the vehicle, which detects gestures and noise levels to automatically activate external speakers for communication without rolling down the windows, offering one-way or two-way communication modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the occupant rolls down the window to speak with a pedestrian, then communication is enabled, but security exposure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidsecurity risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an external speaker system mounted on the vehicle exterior as an intermediary device. The speaker transmits the occupant's voice to pedestrians outside without requiring the occupant to expose themselves to the external environment. This mediator enables communication while maintaining the protective barrier of the closed window.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical action of rolling down the window with an electronic acoustic system. Instead of physically moving the window to enable voice transmission, the system uses microphones, processors, and external speakers to electronically transmit voice signals, substituting a mechanical operation with an electronic one.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of information

If the occupant increases voice volume to be heard outside, then communication effectiveness improves, but energy consumption increases and comfort decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication effectivenessVSAvoidvoice energy expenditure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The external speaker system acts as an acoustic amplifier intermediary. The microphone captures the occupant's voice at normal volume levels, the processor enhances and transmits the signal, and the external speaker projects it to pedestrians. This intermediary system provides the energy amplification needed for effective communication without requiring the occupant to expend additional vocal energy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the biological mechanical system of vocal cord vibration and air flow with an electronic acoustic system. The electronic system captures, amplifies, and transmits voice signals, replacing the need for the occupant to mechanically increase their voice volume through greater respiratory and muscular effort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the speaker system is always activated, then communication readiness is maximized, but false activation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication readinessVSAvoidfalse activation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of the occupant's intent to communicate before activating the speaker system. The camera captures images of the occupant's face and upper body, and image processing algorithms analyze these images to detect specific gestures (such as pointing or hand movements) that indicate the occupant wants to communicate with someone outside. Only when such a gesture is detected does the system activate, preventing false activation while maintaining readiness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the camera continuously monitors the occupant's gestures and the system responds by activating or deactivating the speaker system based on detected intent. This closed-loop feedback system allows the speaker system to be highly adaptable to communication needs while relying on objective gesture detection to prevent false activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 intuitive and secure communication with individuals outside the vehicle, enhancing safety by maintaining a sealed environment while allowing for effective conversation without yelling.

Implementation Method 1

data from the camera indicating a gesture by an occupant of the seat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImage processing: Image Processing

Implementation Method 2

data transmitted by a microphone mounted inside the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound wave detection: Sound

Implementation Method 3

activate the speaker to broadcast based on data transmitted by the microphone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroacoustic conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS10708700B1Vehicle external speaker system

Publication Date: 2020.07.07 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A system includes a microphone mounted inside a vehicle, a speaker mounted outside the vehicle, a camera with a field of view encompassing a seat of the vehicle, and a computer in communication with the microphone, speaker, and camera. The computer is programmed to, in response to data from the camera indicating a gesture by an occupant of the seat, activate the speaker to broadcast based on data transmitted by the microphone.