Virtual Sound Source Simulation for Natural Driver Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles, audible signals from loudspeakers often originate from the side or rear, making it unnatural for drivers to respond verbally without turning their heads, as there is no provision for a loudspeaker in front of the driver, necessitating a method to electronically simulate a virtual sound source ahead.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses sensors to estimate the driver's head position, computes acoustical transfer functions based on this position, the loudspeaker location, and vehicle acoustics, and applies these functions to audible signals to create a filtered sound that appears to originate from a virtual source in front of the driver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If audible signals are transmitted from loudspeakers located at side or rear positions in the vehicle, then the physical constraint of loudspeaker placement is satisfied, but the naturalness of driver interaction deteriorates as drivers must turn their heads to respond verbally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual sound source that copies the acoustic characteristics of a physical loudspeaker positioned in front of the driver. By computing and applying head-related transfer functions (HRTFs), the system synthesizes audio signals that replicate how sound would naturally propagate from a forward-facing source,欺骗ing the driver's auditory system into perceiving the sound as originating from the desired location without requiring physical repositioning of loudspeakers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical solution of physically installing loudspeakers in front of the driver with an electronic signal processing system. Instead of mechanically positioning hardware, the system uses computational acoustics to simulate the desired spatial audio effect, substituting complex mechanical installation with electronic filtering and signal manipulation
2Ease of operation
If a virtual sound source is simulated in front of the driver through electronic signal processing, then the naturalness of driver interaction is improved, but the computational complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-computes head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) for various head positions and orientations before actual audio playback. By calculating these acoustical transfer functions in advance and storing them for rapid retrieval and application, the system reduces real-time computational burden while maintaining the ability to create accurate virtual sound sources as the driver moves or changes orientation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic system that continuously adapts the acoustical transfer function based on the driver's current head position and orientation. Sensors detect head movements and the system dynamically selects or adjusts the appropriate HRTF to maintain accurate spatial audio perception, allowing the virtual sound source to track and remain natural as the driver moves
3Measurement precision
If the acoustical transfer function is computed based on estimated head position, then the accuracy of virtual sound source localization is improved, but the requirement for precise sensor data and position estimation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediate sensors (such as seat position sensors, steering wheel position sensors, or camera-based systems) that indirectly measure or estimate head position rather than requiring direct measurement. These intermediary devices provide sufficient positional data for computing appropriate acoustical transfer functions without the complexity of direct head tracking, achieving acceptable localization accuracy through indirect observation
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing audible signals (such as speech) to a driver of a vehicle which appear to originate from a virtual sound source in front of the driver, so that it will feel normal for the driver to respond interactively by speaking without turning the head to the source of the audible signal. The driver's head position is estimated according to data provided by sensors in the driver's seat, and this position data, together with acoustical characteristics of the vehicle interior, is used to derive a transfer function for filtering electrical audible signals to the loudspeakers to simulate a virtual sound source in front of the driver.