Vehicle Window Vibration Sensors for External Voice Command Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle microphone systems are unable to detect audio commands from operators outside the vehicle cabin and are prone to damage from inclement weather or contact with objects, limiting their functionality for voice-activated vehicle features.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle system that utilizes vibration sensors and audio actuators integrated into the vehicle's outer layers, such as windows, to function as microphones and speakers, allowing voice command recognition and response to users outside the cabin, with communication nodes detecting the presence of a key fob or mobile device to activate the system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional microphones are installed inside the vehicle cabin to detect voice commands, then the voice recognition function is achieved, but the system cannot detect commands from users outside the vehicle and is vulnerable to damage from weather or objects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrophone protectionVSAvoidvoice command detection range

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the vehicle's window as an intermediary surface to transmit sound vibrations from outside the cabin to vibration sensors mounted on the interior side of the window. This allows the system to detect voice commands from users outside the vehicle while the sensors remain protected inside the cabin, resolving the contradiction between protection and detection range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If microphones are placed outside the vehicle cabin to detect voice commands from users, then the detection range is extended, but the microphones become vulnerable to damage from inclement weather and contact with objects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoice command detection rangeVSAvoidmicrophone protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The window serves as a mediator that transmits acoustic vibrations from the external environment to the protected vibration sensors inside the cabin. This eliminates the need to place sensitive microphones outside, thereby maintaining both extended detection capability and component protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces conventional electromagnetic microphones with vibration sensors that detect mechanical vibrations transmitted through the window. This substitution allows the use of a durable, protected sensor system while maintaining the ability to detect external sound sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If vibration sensors are integrated into the vehicle window to detect audio vibrations, then voice commands can be detected from users outside the cabin, but the system complexity increases with additional components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoice command detection capabilityVSAvoidsystem component count

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration sensors mounted on the window serve multiple functions: they act as microphones for voice command detection, can function as speakers when driven by audio actuators to provide feedback to users, and can potentially detect other vibrations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the functions of microphone and speaker into the same window structure, using vibration sensors for input and audio actuators for output. This merging of functions into a single integrated system reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 voice activation of vehicle features for users outside the cabin, providing information or performing functions like starting the engine or sending messages, while being resistant to environmental damage and improving user interaction with the vehicle.

Implementation Method 1

a vibration sensor coupled to the window to detect audio vibrations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration detection: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

an audio actuator coupled to the outer layer to vibrate the outer layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical vibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS11180098B2Monitoring of vehicle window vibrations for voice-command recognition

Publication Date: 2021.11.23 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

Method and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring of vehicle window vibrations for voice-command recognition. An example vehicle includes a window, an outer layer, a vibration sensor coupled to the window to detect audio vibrations, an audio actuator coupled to the outer layer to vibrate the outer layer, and a controller. The controller is to detect a voice command from a user via the vibration sensor, identify an audio response based upon the voice command, and emit the audio response to the user via the audio actuator.