Smart Sound Sensor Gating for Low-Power Vehicle Voice Remote Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voice-activated remote control systems for vehicles face challenges such as inaccurate voice recognition due to complex acoustic environments, high power consumption, and significant costs associated with additional hardware and software modifications, limiting their availability and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A low-power smart sound sensor module that detects sound events and correlates them with codes to activate vehicle functions, allowing for local voice command recognition and operation in an 'always listening' mode, integrated with a key fob or installed on the vehicle, using a dedicated processor and MEMS microphone for efficient voice processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If voice commands are processed by cloud or ECU, then voice recognition capability is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the voice processing system into two segments: a smart sound sensor module that performs initial voice detection and filtering, and a cloud/ECU system that handles complex recognition tasks. This segmentation allows the majority of the time to pass without activating the high-power ECU, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining voice recognition accuracy when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic voice detection using the low-power smart sound sensor, which continuously monitors for voice commands in a periodic manner. Only when a voice event is detected does the system activate the higher-power ECU for detailed processing. This periodic action pattern significantly reduces average power consumption compared to continuous ECU operation.
2Ease of operation
If voice processing is always active, then voice commands can be recognized at any time, but battery power is depleted quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments monitoring into two levels: continuous low-level monitoring by the smart sound sensor and intermittent high-level processing by the ECU. This ensures voice command availability is maintained through the always-on sensor while battery power is preserved by limiting full processing to only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The smart sound sensor acts as an intermediary between the always-on microphone and the power-consuming ECU. It filters and pre-processes audio inputs, serving as a gatekeeper that determines when the ECU needs to activate, thereby maintaining ease of operation while managing battery power consumption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional hardware and software are added for voice processing, then voice recognition functionality is enabled, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The smart sound sensor module is designed as a universal component that can be integrated into existing vehicle architectures without requiring extensive custom hardware or software development. It provides multi-functional capability by handling both noise filtering and voice detection, reducing the need for additional specialized components and lowering overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The smart sound sensor serves as an intermediary layer that bridges existing vehicle microphones and the ECU, adding voice recognition functionality without requiring complete system redesign. This intermediary approach minimizes hardware additions and software complexity by leveraging existing infrastructure.
4Ease of operation
If microphones are installed on vehicle exterior, then voice commands can be captured outside vehicle, but noise from environment reduces recognition accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of environmental noise into a beneficial filtering opportunity. The smart sound sensor continuously analyzes audio inputs and identifies noise patterns, then applies adaptive filtering to remove these harmful noises while preserving the desired voice commands. This transforms the noise problem into a demonstration of the system's noise-rejection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the smart sound sensor continuously monitors environmental noise levels and adjusts filtering parameters in real-time. This feedback loop allows the system to adapt to changing acoustic conditions, maintaining voice recognition accuracy despite varying external noise environments.
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 reliable and cost-effective voice-activated remote control of vehicle functions, even when the vehicle is parked, with reduced power consumption and minimal modifications to existing systems, enhancing user convenience and security.
Implementation Method 1
the smart sound sensor detects sound-induced vibration and correlates the sound-induced vibration with a code recognized by the vehicle control module
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for sound-activated remote control of vehicle functions for a vehicle having a remote-control system, the remote-control system has a key fob and at least one vehicle control module. A sound sensor module of a stand-alone smart sound sensor detects a sound event, correlates the sound event with a code, and transmits the code to the remote-control system to activate a function on the vehicle that is associated with the code.