Vehicle Voice Command Detection Using Position Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Voice command recognition in vehicle environments is severely affected by noise from sources like wind, rain, and passing vehicles, leading to false detection and reduced reliability of voice command processing.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize position information of the vehicle user to differentiate between signal components from the user and noise, employing microphone arrays, optical signals, ultrasonic signals, and existing monitoring systems to adapt sound detection and processing, ensuring accurate voice command recognition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If voice command detection is performed in vehicle environment, then voice control functionality is enabled, but noise from wind, rain, and passing vehicles causes false detection and reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a directional sound detection zone that focuses sensitivity on the vehicle user's location while reducing sensitivity in other directions. The microphone array processes sound signals with position-specific weighting, enhancing detection reliability by making the system's response quality location-dependent rather than uniform in all directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces position information as an intermediary element that mediates between the sound signal and the voice command identification process. By using position information from monitoring systems to weight and filter sound signals, the system creates an intermediate processing stage that separates user-directed sounds from environmental noise, thereby improving detection reliability.
2Reliability
If position information is used to filter sound signals, then noise interference is reduced, but system complexity increases due to integration of multiple detection systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by utilizing existing monitoring systems (designed for other purposes such as safety or convenience monitoring) to provide position information for voice command processing. This multi-functional use of existing systems reduces the need for dedicated new hardware, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity while still achieving improved noise rejection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the voice command detection function with existing monitoring systems by integrating their position information outputs into the sound signal processing pipeline. This combination allows the voice control system to leverage already-deployed sensors and processors, reducing overall system complexity compared to implementing a completely separate position detection subsystem.
3Measurement precision
If microphone array with beam-forming is used, then sound detection precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing beam-forming processing only for the specific directional zone where the vehicle user is located, rather than performing full 360-degree high-precision sound source localization. This selective application of beam-forming achieves sufficient precision for the intended purpose while reducing computational complexity and hardware requirements compared to omnidirectional high-precision arrays.
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
Significantly enhances the reliability of voice command detection and processing by reducing noise interference and ensuring accurate identification of voice commands, even in noisy vehicle environments.
Implementation Method 1
detecting a sound signal in the vehicle environment and identifying a voice command
Implementation Method 2
sound-detection zone of the microphone array can be directed toward the position of a vehicle user
Implementation Method 3
information concerning the position of the vehicle user may be obtained on the basis of non-acoustical signals, such as optical signals
Implementation Method 4
information concerning the position of the vehicle user may be obtained on the basis of non-acoustical signals, such as optical signals, ultrasonic signals
Data Source
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AI summary
In order to improve the reliability of voice processing in a vehicle environment it is proposed to detect a sound signal in the vehicle environment and to identify a voice command, which originates from a vehicle user outside the vehicle, in the detected sound signal, taking into account a position information relating to the position of the vehicle user in the vehicle environment. Information on the position of the vehicle user may be obtained from a keyless-go-system (30) or another monitoring device (20) of the motor vehicle, for example an optical imaging device of a parking-assistance system or a driver-assistance system.