GB2561559A - Acoustic environmental system for electrical vehicles - Google Patents
Acoustic environmental system for electrical vehicles Download PDFInfo
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- GB2561559A GB2561559A GB1706033.6A GB201706033A GB2561559A GB 2561559 A GB2561559 A GB 2561559A GB 201706033 A GB201706033 A GB 201706033A GB 2561559 A GB2561559 A GB 2561559A
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- environmental system
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- G—PHYSICS
- G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
- G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G10K11/00—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
- G10K11/16—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
- G10K11/175—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound
- G10K11/178—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound by electro-acoustically regenerating the original acoustic waves in anti-phase
- G10K11/1787—General system configurations
- G10K11/17879—General system configurations using both a reference signal and an error signal
- G10K11/17881—General system configurations using both a reference signal and an error signal the reference signal being an acoustic signal, e.g. recorded with a microphone
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- G—PHYSICS
- G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
- G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G10K11/00—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
- G10K11/16—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
- G10K11/175—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound
- G10K11/178—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound by electro-acoustically regenerating the original acoustic waves in anti-phase
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
- G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G10K11/00—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
- G10K11/16—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
- G10K11/175—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound
- G10K11/178—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound by electro-acoustically regenerating the original acoustic waves in anti-phase
- G10K11/1785—Methods, e.g. algorithms; Devices
- G10K11/17857—Geometric disposition, e.g. placement of microphones
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- G—PHYSICS
- G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
- G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G10K15/00—Acoustics not otherwise provided for
- G10K15/02—Synthesis of acoustic waves
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- G—PHYSICS
- G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
- G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G10K2210/00—Details of active noise control [ANC] covered by G10K11/178 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
- G10K2210/10—Applications
- G10K2210/128—Vehicles
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- G—PHYSICS
- G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
- G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G10K2210/00—Details of active noise control [ANC] covered by G10K11/178 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
- G10K2210/10—Applications
- G10K2210/128—Vehicles
- G10K2210/1282—Automobiles
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
- G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G10K2210/00—Details of active noise control [ANC] covered by G10K11/178 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
- G10K2210/30—Means
- G10K2210/321—Physical
- G10K2210/3221—Headrests, seats or the like, for personal ANC systems
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- G—PHYSICS
- G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
- G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G10K2210/00—Details of active noise control [ANC] covered by G10K11/178 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
- G10K2210/50—Miscellaneous
- G10K2210/51—Improving tonal quality, e.g. mimicking sports cars
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)
- Soundproofing, Sound Blocking, And Sound Damping (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Audiology, Speech & Language Pathology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Details Of Audible-Bandwidth Transducers (AREA)
Abstract
The vehicle acoustic environmental system includes a speaker arrangement 114 disposed in a headrest of a seat of a driver and/or passenger of the vehicle. Furthermore, the headrest is provided with a microphone arrangement 104 for detecting sounds in a proximity to one or more ears of the driver and/or passenger to generate a corresponding microphone signal. The acoustic environmental system also includes an adaptive signal processing arrangement 108, 110, 112 for adjusting a gain and/or a phase shift, as a function of signal frequency, applied to the microphone signal to generate an output signal for exciting, in operation, the speaker arrangement, wherein the gain and/or the phase shift are adjusted so as to provide an anti-sound reduction in perceived sound at the one or more ears of the driver and/or passenger.
Description
(54) Title ofthe Invention: Acoustic environmental system for electrical vehicles
Abstract Title: Seat headrest includes elements of noise-cancelling or noise-enhancement system (57) The vehicle acoustic environmental system includes a speaker arrangement 114 disposed in a headrest of a seat of a driver and/or passenger ofthe vehicle. Furthermore, the headrest is provided with a microphone arrangement 104 for detecting sounds in a proximity to one or more ears of the driver and/or passenger to generate a corresponding microphone signal.
The acoustic environmental system also includes an adaptive signal processing arrangement 108, 110, 112 for adjusting a gain and/or a phase shift, as a function of signal frequency, applied to the microphone signal to generate an output signal for exciting, in operation, the speaker arrangement, wherein the gain and/or the phase shift are adjusted so as to provide an anti-sound reduction in perceived sound at the one or more ears ofthe driver and/or passenger.
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FIG. 2
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FIG. 3
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FIG. 4
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FIG. 5
ACOUSTIC ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEM FOR ELECTRICAL VEHICLES
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to acoustic environmental systems for vehicles, for example for electrical vehicles (or pure electrical vehicles) as well as internal combustion engine vehicles. Moreover, the present disclosure concerns methods of using aforesaid acoustic environmental systems. Furthermore, the present disclosure is concerned with computer program products comprising a non-transitory computerreadable storage medium having computer-readable instructions stored thereon, the computer-readable instructions being executable by a computerized device comprising processing hardware to execute aforesaid methods.
BACKGROUND
Noise insulation is one of an important aspect for providing improved driving quality when driving a vehicle. Typically, a driver of a vehicle may experience certain noises arising from operation of the vehicle and/or environment surrounding the vehicle. For example, such noises may include electrical motor whining noise, suspension system noise, tyre-on-road noise, noises due to rain or wind or thundering and so forth. Furthermore, the noise experienced within the aforementioned vehicle may interfere with the driver's communications.
However, certain types of noises (or sounds) are necessary for a driver of a vehicle to be heard clearly (for example fire/ambulance sirens, approaching vehicles, and so forth). In certain cases, it is even potentially desirable to add certain synthesized sounds. For example, engine roar (for example, akin to a sound of a Harley-Davidson motor cycle or similar) when the accelerator pedal of a pure electrical vehicle is depressed firmly by its driver, or bird tweets and farm cattle noises when the driver is driving at low speeds within a rural or forest environment.
Therefore, there exists a technical problem of how to provide an improved driving experience, for example, by eliminating unnecessary noises that can irritate a driver and/or by providing sounds that can add excitement or pleasure to a driving experience of the driver.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure seeks to provide an improved acoustic environmental system for a vehicle.
Moreover, the present disclosure seeks to provide a method of using an acoustic environmental system for a vehicle to provide an improved acoustic environmental system for a vehicle.
According to a first aspect, there is provided an acoustic environmental system for a vehicle, wherein a speaker arrangement is disposed in a headrest of a seat of a driver and/or passenger of the vehicle, characterized in that:
the headrest is provided with a microphone arrangement for detecting sounds in a proximity to one or more ears of the driver and/or passenger to generate a corresponding microphone signal, and the acoustic environmental system includes a signal processing arrangement for adjusting a gain and/or a phase shift, as a function of signal frequency, applied to the microphone signal to generate an output signal for exciting, in operation, the speaker arrangement, wherein the gain and/or the phase shift are adjusted so as to provide an anti-sound reduction in perceived sound at the one or more ears of the driver and/or passenger.
The acoustic environmental system of the present disclosure is operable to attenuate vehicle noise and enhance sounds as per the convenience of the driver and/or passengers to provide improved driving experience along with maintaining driving safety.
According to a second aspect, there is provided a method of using an acoustic environmental system for a vehicle, wherein the acoustic environmental system includes a speaker arrangement that is disposed is in a headrest of a seat of a driver and/or passenger of the vehicle, characterized in that the method includes:
(i) providing the headrest with a microphone arrangement for detecting sounds in a proximity to one or more ears of the driver and/or passenger to generate a corresponding microphone signal;
(ii) using a signal processing arrangement of the acoustic environmental system for adjusting a gain and/or a phase shift as a function of signal frequency applied to the microphone signal to generate an output signal for exciting, in operation, the speaker arrangement; and (iii) adjusting the gain and/or the phase shift so as to provide an anti-sound reduction in perceived sound at the one or more ears of the driver and/or passenger.
According to a third aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable instructions stored thereon, the computer-readable instructions being executable by a computerized device comprising processing hardware to execute the aforesaid method of the second aspect.
It will be appreciated that features of the disclosure are susceptible to being combined in various combinations without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
The present invention is included in the general business context, which aims to substitute vehicles powered by traditional fuels, for example gasoline or diesel, by electric vehicles. In particular, the present invention is intended for use in electric vehicles used within cities, which can be highly beneficial to the local environment due to is significant reduction of gaseous emissions as well as significant reduction of noise. Overall environmental benefits can also be significant when electric vehicles are charged from renewable energy sources.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DIAGRAMS
Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein:
FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an architecture of an acoustic environmental system for a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an architecture of a signal processing arrangement associated with the system of the FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an architecture of an arrangement, for addition of synthesized and/or pre-recorded sounds, to be associated with the signal processing arrangement of the FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
io FIG. 4 is an schematic illustration of a seat arrangement of a vehicle adapted for use with the acoustic environmental system of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
FIG. 5 is an illustration of steps of a method of using an acoustic is environmental system for a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
In the accompanying diagrams, an underlined number is employed to represent an item over which the underlined number is positioned or an item to which the underlined number is adjacent. A non-underlined number relates to an item identified by a line linking the nonunderlined number to the item. When a number is non-underlined and accompanied by an associated arrow, the non-underlined number is used to identify a general item at which the arrow is pointing.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
In overview, embodiments of the present disclosure are concerned with an acoustic environmental system for a vehicle, for example for a pure electrical vehicle, that is operable to enhance driving experience, to reduce driver fatigue, and to increase driving safety.
Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a schematic illustration of an architecture of an acoustic environmental system 100 for a vehicle (not shown), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, in FIG. 1, there is shown various primary io components of the acoustic environmental system 100. As shown, the acoustic environmental system 100 is operable to address a noise source 102, wherein the environmental system 100 includes a microphone arrangement 104, amplifiers 106, 110, a control filter
108, a control unit 112, and a speaker arrangement 114. The is acoustic environmental system 100 is configured to include the speaker arrangement 114 disposed in a headrest of a seat of a driver and/or passenger of the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the term 'acoustic environmental system' as used herein relates to a system for recording, processing and/or generating sound signals in an enclosed or semi-enclosed space, such as an interior region of a vehicle where a driver and/or passenger may be seated. Specifically, the acoustic environmental system 100 is implemented using hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of these, configured to attenuate noises generated in the vehicle and/or to enhance sounds that arise external to the vehicle. In an example, the acoustic environmental system 100 is operable to attenuate irritable noises generated while driving the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the term 'speaker arrangement’ used herein relates to a configuration of one or more loudspeakers that is operable to provide an acoustic output. Specifically, the speaker arrangement 114 is an electro-acoustic transducer that converts audio signal into a corresponding sound. Furthermore, the speaker arrangement 114 is implemented as a single loudspeaker and/or an array of loudspeakers. Optionally, the speaker arrangement 114 may include loudspeakers of various shapes and sizes. For example, the speaker arrangement 114 may be a single miniature loudspeaker and/or an array of miniature io loudspeakers arranged throughout the headrest of the seat of a driver and/or passenger of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the loudspeaker may be wired or wireless. Furthermore, the speaker arrangement 114 may be at least one of a woofer, a subwoofer, a mid-range speaker, a tweeter, and a super-tweeter. Additionally, the speaker arrangement is 114 may comprise components suitable for converting audio signal into a corresponding sound. For example, the components may comprise a yoke, a magnet, a front plate, a chassis, a voice-coil, a suspension, a cone, a diaphragm and so forth.
In an embodiment, the headrest of the seat relates to a top portion of the seat. In an example, the headrest of the car seat is provided with an inwards concave arc-shaped surface on which the neck of the driver and/or passenger leans. Optionally, the inwards concave arc-shaped surface forms two protruding arm-like structure which remains in a proximity of ears of the driver and/or the passenger, when seated on the seat of the vehicle. Furthermore in an embodiment, the speaker arrangement 114 is disposed on the two protruding arm-like structure of the headrest of the seat. Optionally, the protruding arm-like structure are padded with a soft material for driver and/or passenger comfort, for example when resting his/her head onto one or more of the structures.
The headrest is provided with a microphone arrangement for detecting sounds in a proximity to one or more ears of the driver and/or passenger to generate a corresponding microphone signal, and the acoustic environmental system includes a signal processing arrangement for adjusting a gain and/or a phase shift as a function of signal frequency (f) applied to the microphone signal to generate an output signal for exciting, in operation, the speaker arrangement, wherein the gain and/or the phase shift are adjusted (as a function of signal frequency) so as to provide an anti-sound reduction in perceived sound at the one or more ears of the driver and/or passenger.
In an embodiment, the term 'microphone arrangement’ as used herein relates to a microphone that is operable to capture acoustic signals, is Specifically, the microphone arrangement 104 is an electro-acoustic transducer that converts acoustic signals into the corresponding microphone signal such as an output electrical signal. Furthermore, the microphone arrangement 104 is implemented as a single microphone and/or an array of microphones. Optionally, the microphone arrangement 104 may include microphone of various shapes and sizes. For example, the microphone arrangement 104 may be a single miniature microphone and/or an array of miniature microphone arranged throughout the headrest of the seat of a driver and/or passenger of the vehicle and placed in a proximity to one or more ears of the driver and/or passenger to generate the corresponding microphone signal. In an embodiment, the microphone may be wired or wireless. Furthermore, the microphone may be at least one of a dynamic microphone, a condenser microphone, and a piezoelectric microphone. Optionally, the microphone arrangement
104 may be operable to employ different methods to convert air pressure variations of the acoustic signals to an electrical signal, such as usage of a coil of wire suspended in a magnetic field, usage of a vibrating diaphragm as a capacitor plate, usage of a crystal of piezoelectric material and so forth. Furthermore, the microphone arrangement 104 may comprise components suitable for converting acoustic signals into a corresponding electrical signal. The components may comprise a voice coil, a magnate, a diaphragm, a coaxial audio signal cable a diaphragm, and so forth.
io In an embodiment, the microphone arrangement 104 is configured to capture the acoustic signals of the noise generated from a noise source, such as the noise source 102, of a vehicle. Optionally, the term 'noise source’ used herein relates to the noise generated from a vehicle. Specifically, the vehicle is a pure electrical vehicle, and the is noise source in such electrical vehicle includes a combination of electrical motor whine and vehicle frame noise. Additionally, the noise source in such electrical vehicle may also include road noise and transmission noise from tyres on a road surface.
In an embodiment, the term 'signal processing arrangement’ as used herein relates to an electronic circuitry arrangement comprising programmable and/or non-programmable signal processing resources configured to process the corresponding microphone signal generated by the microphone arrangement 104. Specifically, the signal processing arrangement is configured to adjust a gain and/or a phase shift as a function of signal frequency (f) applied to the microphone signal to generate an output signal for exciting, in operation, the speaker arrangement. Furthermore, the gain and/or the phase shift in the microphone signal are adjusted for providing an anti-sound reduction (namely an anti-phase reduction) in the perceived sound (such as the electrical motor whine and vehicle frame noise) at the one or more ears of the driver and/or passenger. Optionally, the signal processing arrangement is configured to adjust a gain and/or a phase shift for dampening the electrical motor whine and vehicle frame noise.
In an embodiment, the signal processing arrangement of the acoustic environmental system 100 comprises amplifiers (such as the amplifiers 106, 110), a control filter (such as the control filter 108), and a control unit (such as the control unit 112). Optionally, the term 'amplifier' used herein relates to a device that is configured to amplify io a signal input to the device to produce an output signal of greater magnitude than the magnitude of the input signal. Specifically the amplifiers 106, 110 are configured to amplify the microphone signal generated by the microphone arrangement 104. Furthermore, the amplifier 106 may be a preamplifier. Specifically, the amplifier 106 is is configured to amplify the signal strength of the microphone signal generated by the microphone arrangement 104, before passing the microphone signal through the control filter 108. In an embodiment, the term 'control filter1 used herein relates to a device and/or a process that may be operable to amplify, pass or attenuate predefined frequency ranges. Specifically, the control filter 108 may be a phase/gain control filter that controls a phase and/or amplitude of a signal component of the amplified microphone signal at the corresponding frequency (f) of the signal component; such control of phase and/or amplitude is necessary in order to avoid the acoustic environmental system 100 suffering parasitic feedback from the microphone arrangement 104 to the speaker arrangement 114. Optionally, the control filter 108 may be operable to provide controlled signal amplitude to the amplified microphone signal generated by the amplifier 106. Furthermore, the control filter 108 is coupled with a control unit, such as control unit 112. In an embodiment, the term 'control unit’ as used herein relates to programmable and/or nonprogrammable hardware configured to control the operation of the control filter 108. Specifically, the control unit 112 may be configured to instruct the control filter 108 to reduce or eliminate sounds as experienced by a driver and/or a passenger that has his/her ears, for example, the electrical motor whine and vehicle frame noise. Furthermore, the amplified microphone signal with controlled signal amplitude is thereafter passed through another amplifier such as the io amplifier 106. In an embodiment, the amplifier 106 is an audio power amplifier. Specifically, the amplifier 106 may be operable to further amplify the amplified and processed microphone signal (wherein the amplifier and processed microphone signal has controlled signal amplitude and phase for its signal components as a function of is signal frequency). Optionally, thereafter the microphone signal is provided to excite the speaker arrangement 114 to provide the acoustic output. In an embodiment, as described in the foregoing, the acoustic output is an anti-sound signal that is operable to dampen perceived sounds, such as, the electrical motor whine and vehicle frame noise, captured by the microphone arrangement 104.
Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a schematic illustration of an architecture of a signal processing arrangement 200 associated with the system 100 of the FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, in FIG. 2, there is shown a system flow diagram illustrating of the signal processing arrangement 200. As shown, the signal processing arrangement 200 is operable to receive a signal from a noise source, such as the noise source 102, wherein the signal processing arrangement 200 includes an amplifier 106, such as an amplifier 106, an adder unit 202, a control filter, such as a control filter 108, and a control unit, such as control unit 112. In an embodiment, the acoustic signals of the noise generated from the noise source 102 are passed through the adder unit 202. According to an embodiment, the term 'adder' used herein relates to a process or a device that is configured to sum the two input signals. It may be appreciated that the acoustic signals generated from the noise source 102 is captured by a microphone arrangement, such as the microphone arrangement 104, described hereinabove in respect of the acoustic environmental system 100 of FIG.l. In an embodiment, io the acoustic signals after passing though the adder unit 202 are fed to the control unit 112. Optionally, the control unit 112 of the signal processing arrangement 200 is operable to adjust the gain and/or the phase shift in an adaptive manner during driving of the vehicle. Furthermore, the control unit 112 may instruct the amplifier 106 to is amplify an acoustic signal to a specific amount, and further control the functioning of the control filter 108 to modify the acoustic signal to specific signal amplitude to adjust the gain and/or the phase shift of the acoustic signal, for example to avoid any unwanted parasitic feedback that could cause self-oscillation of the signal processing arrangement 200. Furthermore, the adaptive manner is determined by the signal processing arrangement 200 in an iterative manner for increasing a ratio ofthe output signal relative to the microphone signal at a given frequency (f). Optionally, the control unit 112 includes programmable and non-programmable hardware. The programmable and non-programmable hardware may include a memory, a processor and so forth. In an embodiment, the control unit 112 is operable to store data related to the acoustic signals to be processed by the signal processing arrangement 200. Furthermore, the control unit 112 is operable to execute processing instructions such as a signal processing algorithm, instructions and coding to be executed by the processor of the control unit 112. In an example, the control unit 112 may be operable to store instruction to adjust the gain and/or the phase shift of the acoustic signal for providing dampening of the perceived sounds at the driver and/or the passenger, and provide an inverse cancelling acoustic signal (namely anti-sound) to be delivered by the speaker arrangement 114. In such example, in order to adjust the gain and/or the phase shift of the acoustic signal, a specific condition needs to be satisfied for controlling the gain and phase angle of the acoustic signal, io as a function of signal frequency (f), amplifying the acoustic signal and redirecting the amplified signal. Furthermore, in such example, the specific condition may be described in a manner of mathematical equation, such as Equation 1 (Eq. 1):
^speaker = & (6(f), G(f), S microphone) Ecl· 1 is where, element SmjCrOphone may represent acoustic signal sensed by the microphone arrangement, the element G(f) may represent amplifying signal gain as a function of signal frequency (f), the element 0(f) may represent phase correction as a function of signal frequency (f), the element A may represent a complex amplification function, and the element SSpeaker may represent signal applied to the speaker arrangement. Furthermore, the mathematical function of the aforementioned Equation 1 is beneficially determined in an adaptive manner, to adapt to variations, such as change in the position of the driver's head while driving, different head size, and so forth, that may affect a required phase shift and/or amplification required to achieve sound cancellation (namely anti-sound). In an embodiment, the signal processing arrangement 200 is operable to employ a Fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm for determining a required gain and/or phase shift at a given frequency to apply to the microphone signal to generate the output signal. Specifically, the Fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm is beneficially implemented using the control unit 112.
In an embodiment, the signal processing arrangement 200 is able to compute suitable amplitude and phases for an output signal for achieving an anti-sound effect at the headrest, thereafter the signal processing arrangement 200 has determined an acoustic transfer function. It may be appreciated that the acoustic transfer function io may be achieved by the signal processing arrangement 200 by implementing the aforementioned mathematical equation.
In an embodiment, the signal processing arrangement 200 is operable to determine a phase and amplitude relationship of a signal at various frequencies (f) (for example, continuously or at various test is frequencies in a range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz). Such determination may be performed by the signal processing arrangement 200 for a signal provided by the speaker arrangement 114 and detected at the microphone arrangement 104. Optionally, the signal processing arrangement 200 is operable to generate a frequency sweep signal via the microphone arrangement 104. Optionally, the frequency sweep signal may be an introduction jingle signal and/or similar signal containing a broad spectrum of tones.
Additionally, the signal processing arrangement 200 is operable to provide a 180 degree (180°) phase shift to a signal passing from the microphone arrangement 104 to the speaker arrangement 114 to achieve an anti-sound effect. Furthermore, such a phase shift is applied on all the operating frequencies of the signal, in operation. Furthermore, the signal processing arrangement 200 is operable to provide various phase shifts to the microphone signals provided by the microphone arrangement 104. Moreover, the signal processing arrangement 200 is achieved by implementing an array of frequencydependent phase shifters. In an example, the array of frequency5 dependent phase shifters may be any one or more of:
(i) digital recursive phase-shifting filters;
(ii) digital phase shifting filters; and (iii) by performing an FFT of the microphone signal to generate signal harmonic component amplitudes and phases in real-time, then io applying a phase shifting function to the phases of the signal.
Optionally, an amplitude adjusting function is applied to the component amplitudes of the microphone signals to generate a transformed component amplitudes and phases of the signal and subsequently reconstituting the microphone signals using inverse-FFT is of the transformed amplitudes and phases component.
Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a schematic illustration of an architecture of an arrangement, for addition of synthesized and/or prerecorded sounds, to be associated with the signal processing arrangement 200 of the FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, in FIG. 3, there is shown a system flow diagram illustrating the addition of the pre-recorded and/or synthesized sounds by the signal processing arrangement 200, for an output at the speaker arrangement, such as the speaker arrangement 114 of FIG. 1 (not shown). As shown, the arrangement 300 is operable to receive signals from a noise source, such as the noise source 102, wherein the arrangement 300 includes a software application management and infotainment (SAMI) arrangement 302, a data processing arrangement 304, adder units, such the adder units 202 and 306, an amplifier, such as the amplifier 106, and a control filter, such as the control filter 108.
In an embodiment, the term 'software application management and infotainment arrangement' (SAMI) used herein relates to a devicefunctionality software and/or an operating system software configured to execute other application programs and interface between the application programs and associated hardware (such as display, processor, memory, CAN bus, sensor and so forth). Specifically, the io software application management and infotainment (SAMI) arrangement 302 may be a computing platform, wherein a plurality of computer programs (namely software applications) may be installed. More specifically, the software application management and infotainment (SAMI) arrangement 302 may be operable to accept data is for performing data analysis, strategic control and reporting to a user of the electrical vehicle. In an embodiment, the system software defined herein may include a firmware and operating system that may be executed by a single and/or a plurality of processors. In such embodiment, the term 'firmware' used herein relates to processor routines that are stored in non-volatile memory structures such as read only memories (ROMs), flash memories, and so forth. Furthermore, the operating system may interact with the firmware for providing the computing platform in which plurality of computer programs may be installed and executed.
Optionally, the software application management and infotainment (SAMI) arrangement 302 is operable to provide a computing platform for installing a software application for implementing a control unit such as the control unit 112 (not shown).
In an embodiment, the term 'data processing arrangement’ used herein relates to hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of these, configured to generate pre-recorded and/or synthesized sounds, to be added by the sound processing arrangement 200 for output at the speaker arrangement 114. Specifically, the data processing arrangement 304 comprises of a software application for generating a pre-recorded and/or synthesized sounds to be added by the sound processing arrangement 200. Optionally, the software application management and infotainment (SAMI) arrangement 302 is operable to io provide a computing platform for executing a software application of the data processing arrangement 304 for generating pre-recorded and/or synthesized sounds.
Optionally, the pre-recorded and/or synthesized sounds include at least one of:
is (a) synthesized engine sounds depending upon a power being delivered to an electrical motor arrangement of the vehicle for propelling the vehicle;
(b) synthesized braking sounds depending upon a braking action being applied to the vehicle;
(c) synthesized environmental sounds depending upon a geographical location of the vehicle, based upon global positioning system (GPS) or general packet radio service (GPRS) position identification of the vehicle;
(d) external environmental sounds detected using a microphone arrangement that is mounted externally on the vehicle;
(e) sound entertainment signals (for example music); and (f) acoustic signals indicative of a state of charge of a battery unit of the vehicle, wherein the battery unit is operable to provide motive power to propel the vehicle.
In an example, the synthesized engine sounds may provide an electronically generated sound or a pre-recorded of an engine of a different vehicle. In such example, the synthesized engine sounds may be an engine sound a favourite car of the driver and/or passenger of the vehicle. In another example, the synthesized braking sounds may be an electronically generated sound or a pre-recorded in an amplified form similar to the car drift and/or a tyre burnout sound. In an example synthesized environmental sounds are implemented by using computer generated sounds. In such example, if the vehicle is passing by a river, then a sound of water flowing in a river may be provided. Moreover, if the vehicle is in tropical region, then sound of rain and thunder may be optionally provided. In another example, if the vehicle is passing by a passing by a market place, the microphone may be operable to record the sounds of the market place provide the is same to be heard by the driver and/or the passenger in the vehicle. In yet another example, the sound entertainment signals may be infotainment content, such as media content, advertising and/or webbased content and so forth. In such example, media content may be songs, videos, games, social networking, and advertising and/or web20 based content may be traffic conditions, sports scores and weather forecasts and so forth. In another example, the acoustic signals indicative of a state of charge of a battery unit may be may be a computer-generated voice describing the level of charge left in the battery, for example the computer generated voice may provide information The battery of your vehicle has only 25% charge remaining; please park at your nearest recharging station at a location ...to fast-recharge your vehicle. Do you need GPS navigation help to the nearest recharging station ?.
Optionally, the software application management and infotainment (SAMI) arrangement 302 provided with a graphical user interface (GUI), wherein the software application management and infotainment (SAMI) arrangement 302 is operable to enable user-adjustment of parameters of the signal processing arrangements 200 for generating the output signal from the microphone signal and/or for adjusting prerecorded and/or synthesized sounds applied by the data processing arrangement 304.
In an embodiment, the graphical user interface (GUI) facilitates io interaction between a user (such as a driver or a passenger of the electrical vehicle) and the software application management and infotainment (SAMI) arrangement 302. Optionally, the graphical user interface (GUI) may be displayed on a display terminal within the vehicle, such as a display panel of a carputer. In an embodiment, the is graphical user interface may include control options, on-screen keyboards and pull-down menus to receive input from the user.
Specifically, the user may interact with the graphical user interface (GUI) by employing voice input, keypad input, gesture input, and so forth. For example, the user may input information to the graphical user interface (GUI) in a form of a gesture via a keypad input. In such an example, the keypad input may be provided via a virtual keyboard and/or a physical keyboard. Furthermore, the user interface may consequently interact with the user by employing text output, voice output, image output, and so forth. In an embodiment, the driver and/or passenger of the vehicle is operable to provide user-adjustment parameters for the signal processing arrangements for generating the output signal from the microphone signal and/or for adjusting prerecorded and/or synthesized sounds applied by the data processing arrangement 304. Optionally, the driver and/or passenger of the vehicle are operable to provide user-adjustment of parameters via the graphical user interface (GUI). Optionally, the user-adjustment parameters may be related to various attributes, such as amount of output signal, time of the output signal, volume of the output signal, type of the output signal and so forth.
Optionally, the driver and/or passenger are allowed to generate a microphone signal for operating the software application management and infotainment (SAMI) arrangement302. In an example, the driver and/or passenger may generate a microphone signal to be recorded by the microphone arrangement 104. In such example, the driver and/or passenger may instruct the software application management and infotainment (SAMI) arrangement 302 to play an infotainment content, such as a song.
Optionally, the software application management and infotainment is (SAMI) arrangement 302 is communicably coupled to a user device for rendering a graphical user interface (GUI) thereon, to enable the user to adjust remotely parameters of the signal processing arrangements
200 for generating the output signal from the microphone signal and/or for adjusting pre-recorded and/or synthesized sounds applied by the data processing arrangement 304. In an example, the user device may comprise at least one of a smartphone, a tablet computer and/or a laptop computer and may comprise the graphical user interface (GUI) to allow the user (such as the driver and/or the passenger) to communicate with the software application management and infotainment (SAMI) arrangement 302, for example, using an input on a touch screen or a keyboard of the user device to instruct the software application management and infotainment(SAMI) arrangement 302 to reduce the amount of output signal produced by the speaker arrangement 114.
Optionally, the software application management and infotainment (SAMI) arrangement 302 further comprises a network interface for communicating with one or more user devices. In an embodiment, the term 'network interface’ used herein relates to a wired and/or wireless communication means comprising a software component, a hardware component, a network adapter component, a communication network and a combination thereof. In an example, the communication network used by the software application management and infotainment (SAMI) arrangement 302 may include Bluetooth®, io Internet of things (IoT), Visible Light Communication (VLC), Near Field Communication (NFC), Local Area Networks (LANs), Wide Area Networks (WANs), Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs), Wireless LANs (WLANs), Wireless WANs (WWANs), Wireless MANs (WMANs), the
Internet, telecommunication networks, radio networks, and so forth.
is Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a schematic illustration of a seat arrangement of a vehicle adapted for use with the acoustic environmental system 100 of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, the seat arrangement 400 is a seat back. As shown the seat arrangement 400 includes a headrest 402, a backrest 404, an abdominal-rest 406, a microphone arrangement 104, and a speaker arrangement 114.
Optionally, the headrest 402 of the seat arrangement 400 is an inwards concave arc-shaped surface. Therefore, when the driver and/or passenger are seated on the seat arrangement 400, the headrest 402 partially encircles around the head of the driver and/or passenger. Furthermore, the microphone arrangement 104, and the speaker arrangement 114 is positioned at the two extremities of the arc-shaped surface of the headrest 402, thereby reaming in a close proximity of the driver and/or passenger heads. Optionally, each ear of the driver and/or passenger is provided with a corresponding microphone arrangement, speaker arrangement and associated signal processing arrangement. Furthermore, the backrest 404 of the seat arrangement 400 comprises of a semi inwards concave arc-shaped surface, wherein the backward portion of the torso of the driver and/or passenger may be positioned and supported from the left and the right side of the torso. Additionally, the backrest 404 may comprise of a cushion at the lower end of the backrest 404 to provide support to the io upper portion of the waist of the driver and/or passenger. Furthermore, the abdominal-rest 406 is the portion of the seat arrangement 400 wherein the abdominal portion of the driver and/or passenger is placed when the driver and/or passenger is seated in the seat arrangement 400. Optionally, there is provided a sensor is arrangement for determining a head orientation of the driver and/or passenger relative to the backrest 404, and signals provided to the speaker arrangement 114 are adjusted adaptively, based upon the sensed head orientation, so that the driver and/or passenger continues to experience an anti-sound effect (noise cancellation effect), as aforementioned.
Optionally, the headrest 402, is further provided with a lighting arrangement. The term 'lighting arrangement’ used herein relates to a single light source and/or an array of light source arranged on the headrest 402. Optionally, the light source of the lighting arrangement may be two miniature light sources arranged at the two extremities of the arc-shaped surface of the headrest 402. Furthermore, the lighting arrangement may be implemented using light-emitting diode light, liquid crystal display light, incandescent light, fluorescent light, electroluminescent light and so forth. Optionally, the lighting arrangement is operable to emit lights of different colours. Optionally, the operation of the lighting arrangement is associated with the output at the speaker arrangement 114. In an example, the intensity of the light emitted by the light source may be high when the amplitude of the output signal of the speaker arrangement 114 is high. In such example, the intensity of the light emitted by the light source may be low when the amplitude of the output signal of the speaker arrangement 114 is low. Optionally, the light arrangement may be operable to generate a specific light signal in order to indicate the io functional aspect of the electrical vehicle. In an example, the light arrangement may be operable to dissipate a red coloured light blinking twice per second to indicate a low charge of the battery unit.
Optionally, the pre-recorded and/or synthesized sounds produced by the a data processing arrangement 304 is provided to the adder units is 306, which may be operable to add the pre-recorded and/or synthesized sounds to the microphone signal to generate a input signal for the signal processing arrangement 200. Thereafter, the input signal is passed through the amplifier 106 and thereafter is passed through the control filter 108 for generating controlled signal amplitude to excite the speaker arrangement 114 to provide an output audio signal.
Referring to FIG. 5, there are illustrated steps of a method 500 of using an acoustic environmental system for a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. At a step 502, a headrest is provided with a microphone arrangement for detecting sounds in a proximity to one or more ears of the driver and/or passenger to generate a corresponding microphone signal. At a step 504, a signal processing arrangement of the acoustic environmental system is used to adjust a gain and/or a phase shift as a function of signal frequency (f) applied to the microphone signal to generate an output signal for exciting, in operation, the speaker arrangement 114. At a step 506, the gain and/or the phase shift is adjusted so as to provide an anti-sound reduction in perceived sound at the one or more ears of the driver and/or passenger
The steps 502 to 506 are only illustrative and other alternatives can also be provided where one or more steps are added, one or more steps are removed, or one or more steps are provided in a different sequence without departing from the scope of the claims herein.
io Furthermore, the method of using an acoustic environmental system for a vehicle is implemented on a software product recording on machine-readable data storage media, characterized in that the software product is executable upon computing hardware, for example as aforementioned.
is The acoustic environmental system of the present disclosure is convenient to implement and provides a driver and/or passenger of the vehicle with an anti-sound system that attenuates vehicle noise, which can be irritable for the driver and/or passenger in long-distance journeys. For example, the acoustic environmental system filters noises (such as electrical motor whine, vehicle frame rattle, road noise and so forth) and provides the driver and/or passengers with a peaceful environment within the vehicle. Furthermore, the anti-sound system enhances sounds that may be pleasant for the driver and/or passenger. The enhanced sounds may be related to an external environment wherein the vehicle is located. Moreover, the enhanced sounds may be machine-generated sound that may be generated based on the geographical location of the vehicle; for example, when the vehicle is moving along a forested road, then machine generated sound is provided to include bird tweets and swishing of tree branches. Furthermore, in another example, if the vehicle is moving in city traffic and the microphone arrangement (that is mounted externally on the vehicle) captures an ambulance siren, then the sound of the siren may be enhanced for notifying the driver and/or passenger, thereby improving driving safety. Furthermore, in an event wherein the microphone arrangement (that is mounted externally on the vehicle) captures a crashing sound in a very close proximity to the vehicle, the acoustic environmental system for the vehicle is disabled so that the driver and/or passenger is maximally aware of their surroundings. Moreover, the software application management and infotainment (SAMI) arrangement is communicably coupled to a user device for rendering a graphical user interface thereon, to enable the user to adjust remotely parameters of the signal processing arrangements, is Furthermore, the software application management and infotainment (SAMI) arrangement may be operable to communicate with external resources to provide infotainment content for the driver and/or passenger. For example, the application management and infotainment arrangement may be operable to communicate with a third party mapping service provider, that provide the global positioning system and/or satellite navigation services for providing enhanced position locating service and navigational services.
Modifications to embodiments of the present disclosure described in the foregoing are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the accompanying claims. Expressions such as including, comprising, incorporating, have, is used to describe and claim the present disclosure are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural.
τι
Claims (14)
1. An acoustic environmental system (100) for a vehicle, wherein a speaker arrangement (114) is disposed in a headrest (402) of a seat of a driver and/or passenger of the vehicle, characterized in that:
5 the headrest (402) is provided with a microphone arrangement (104) for detecting sounds in a proximity to one or more ears of the driver and/or passenger to generate a corresponding microphone signal, and the acoustic environmental system (100) includes a signal processing arrangement (200) for adjusting a gain and/or a phase shift, as a io function of signal frequency, applied to the microphone signal to generate an output signal for exciting, in operation, the speaker arrangement (114), wherein the gain and/or the phase shift are adjusted so as to provide an anti-sound reduction in perceived sound at the one or more ears of the driver and/or passenger.
2. An acoustic environmental system (100) of claim 1, characterized in that each ear of the driver and/or passenger is provided with a corresponding microphone arrangement (104), a speaker arrangement (114) and an associated signal processing
20 arrangement (200).
3. An acoustic environmental system (100) of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the vehicle is a pure electrical vehicle, and the acoustic environmental system (100) is operable to dampen electrical
25 motor whine and vehicle frame noise.
4. An acoustic environmental system (100) of claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the signal processing arrangement (200) is operable to adjust the gain and/or the phase shift in an adaptive manner during driving of the vehicle.
5. An acoustic environmental system (100) of claim 4,
5 characterized in that the signal processing arrangement (200) is operable to employ a Fast Fourier transform algorithm for determining a required gain and/or phase shift at a given frequency to apply to the microphone signal to generate the output signal, to provide an antisound reduction in perceived sound at the one or more ears of the io driver and/or passenger.
6. An acoustic environmental system (100) of claim 4, characterized in that the adaptive manner is determined by the signal processing arrangement (200) in an iterative manner for increasing a is ratio of the output signal relative to the microphone signal at a given frequency.
7. An acoustic environmental system (100) of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sound processing
20 arrangement (200) is operable to add pre-recorded and/or synthesized sounds for output at the speaker arrangement (114), wherein the prerecorded and/or synthesized sounds include at least one of:
(a) synthesized engine sounds depending upon a power being delivered to an electrical motor arrangement of the vehicle for
25 propelling the vehicle;
(b) synthesized braking sounds depending upon a braking action being applied to the vehicle;
(c) synthesized environmental sounds depending upon a geographical location of the vehicle, based upon global positioning system or general packet radio service position identification of the vehicle;
(d) external environmental sounds detected using a microphone arrangement that is mounted externally on the vehicle;
5 (e) sound entertainment signals; and (f) acoustic signals indicative of a state of charge of a battery unit of the vehicle, wherein the battery unit is operable to provide motive power to propel the vehicle.
10
8. An acoustic environmental system (100) of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vehicle is provided with a software application management and infotainment arrangement (302) provided with a graphical user interface, wherein the software application management and infotainment arrangement (302) is is operable to enable user-adjustment of parameters of the signal processing arrangements (200) for generating the output signal from the microphone signal and/or for adjusting pre-recorded and/or synthesized sounds applied by a data processing arrangement (304).
20
9. An acoustic environmental system (100) of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the software application management and infotainment arrangement (302) is controllable using oral signals provided from the driver and/or passenger, wherein the oral signals are provided in a microphone signal to the software
25 application management and infotainment arrangement (302).
10. An acoustic environmental system (100) of claim 8, characterized in that the software application management and infotainment arrangement (302) is communicably coupled to a user device for rendering a graphical user interface thereon, to enable the user to remotely adjust parameters of the signal processing arrangements (200) for generating the output signal from the microphone signal and/or for adjusting pre-recorded and/or
5 synthesized sounds applied by the data processing arrangement (304).
11. An acoustic environmental system (100) of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the headrest (402) is further provided with a lighting arrangement.
io
12. A software product recording on machine-readable data storage media, characterized in that the software product is executable upon computing hardware for implementing a method as claimed in claim 11.
Intellectual
Property
Office
Application No: GB1706033.6
12. An acoustic environmental system (100) of claim 11, characterized in that operation of the lighting arrangement is associated with the output at the speaker arrangement (114).
is
13. A method (500) of using an acoustic environmental system for a vehicle, wherein the acoustic environmental system (100) includes a speaker arrangement (114) that is disposed in a headrest (402) of a seat of a driver and/or passenger of the vehicle, characterized in that the method includes:
20 (i) providing the headrest (402) with a microphone arrangement (104) for detecting sounds in a proximity to one or more ears of the driver and/or passenger to generate a corresponding microphone signal;
(ii) using a signal processing arrangement (200) of the acoustic
25 environmental system (100) for adjusting a gain and/or a phase shift, as a function of signal frequency, applied to the microphone signal to generate an output signal for exciting, in operation, the speaker arrangement (114); and (iii) adjusting the gain and/or the phase shift so as to provide an anti-sound reduction in perceived sound at the one or more ears of the driver and/or passenger.
5
14. A software product recording on machine-readable data storage media, characterized in that the software product is executable upon computing hardware for implementing a method as claimed in claim
13.
Amendments to the claims have been made as follows:
1. An acoustic environmental system (100) for a vehicle, wherein a speaker arrangement (114) is disposed in a headrest (402) of a seat of a driver and/or passenger of the vehicle, wherein:
the headrest (402) is provided with a microphone arrangement (104) for detecting sounds in a proximity to one or more ears of the driver and/or passenger to generate a corresponding microphone signal, and the acoustic environmental system (100) includes a signal processing arrangement (200) for adjusting a gain and/or a phase shift, as a function of signal frequency, applied to the microphone signal to generate an output signal for exciting, in operation, the speaker arrangement (114), wherein the gain and/or the phase shift are adjusted so as to provide an anti-sound reduction in perceived sound at the one or more ears of the driver and/or passenger, wherein the signal processing arrangement (200) is operable to adjust the gain and/or the phase shift in an adaptive manner during driving of the vehicle, and wherein the adaptive manner is determined iteratively for increasing a ratio of the output signal relative to the microphone signal at a given frequency;
characterized in that:
(i) the sound processing arrangement (200) is operable to add external environmental sounds detected using a microphone arrangement that is mounted externally on the vehicle;
(ii) the microphone arrangement that is mounted externally on the vehicle in operation captures a sound of a siren, wherein the sound of the siren is enhanced for notifying the driver and/or passenger, thereby improving driving safety; and (iii) the microphone arrangement that is mounted externally on the vehicle captures in operation a crashing sound in a proximity to the vehicle, wherein the acoustic environmental system for the vehicle is disabled so that the driver and/or passenger is maximally aware of their surroundings.
2. An acoustic environmental system (100) of claim 1, characterized in that each ear of the driver and/or passenger is provided with a corresponding microphone arrangement (104), a speaker arrangement (114) and an associated signal processing arrangement (200).
3. An acoustic environmental system (100) of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the vehicle is a pure electrical vehicle, and the acoustic environmental system (100) is operable to dampen electrical motor whine and vehicle frame noise.
4. An acoustic environmental system (100) of claims 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the signal processing arrangement (200) is operable to employ a Fast Fourier transform algorithm for determining a required gain and/or phase shift at a given frequency to apply to the microphone signal to generate the output signal, to provide an anti-sound reduction in perceived sound at the one or more ears of the driver and/or passenger.
5. An acoustic environmental system (100) of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sound processing arrangement (200) is operable to add pre-recorded and/or synthesized sounds for output at the speaker arrangement (114), wherein the pre-recorded and/or synthesized sounds include at least one of:
(a) synthesized engine sounds depending upon a power being delivered to an electrical motor arrangement of the vehicle for propelling the vehicle;
(b) synthesized braking sounds depending upon a braking action being applied to the vehicle;
(c) synthesized environmental sounds depending upon a geographical location of the vehicle, based upon global positioning system or general packet radio service position identification of the vehicle;
(d) sound entertainment signals; and (e) acoustic signals indicative of a state of charge of a battery unit of the vehicle, wherein the battery unit is operable to provide motive power to propel the vehicle.
6. An acoustic environmental system (100) of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vehicle is provided with a software application management and infotainment arrangement (302) provided with a graphical user interface, wherein the software application management and infotainment arrangement (302) is operable to enable user-adjustment of parameters of the signal processing arrangements (200) for generating the output signal from the microphone signal and/or for adjusting pre-recorded and/or synthesized sounds applied by a data processing arrangement (304).
7. An acoustic environmental system (100) of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the software application management and infotainment arrangement (302) is controllable using oral signals provided from the driver and/or passenger, wherein the oral signals are provided in a microphone signal to the software application management and infotainment arrangement (302).
8. An acoustic environmental system (100) of claim 7, characterized in that the software application management and infotainment arrangement (302) is communicably coupled to a user device for rendering a graphical user interface thereon, to enable the user to remotely adjust parameters of the signal processing arrangements (200) for generating the output signal from the microphone signal and/or for adjusting pre-recorded and/or synthesized sounds applied by the data processing arrangement (304).
9. An acoustic environmental system (100) of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the headrest (402) is further provided with a lighting arrangement.
10. An acoustic environmental system (100) of claim 9, characterized in that operation of the lighting arrangement is associated with the output at the speaker arrangement (114).
11. A method (500) of using an acoustic environmental system (100) of any one of the preceding claims for a vehicle, wherein the acoustic environmental system (100) includes a speaker arrangement (114) that is disposed in a headrest (402) of a seat of a driver and/or passenger of the vehicle, wherein the method includes:
(i) providing the headrest (402) with a microphone arrangement (104) for detecting sounds in a proximity to one or more ears of the driver and/or passenger to generate a corresponding microphone signal;
(ii) using a signal processing arrangement (200) of the acoustic environmental system (100) for adjusting a gain and/or a phase shift, as a function of signal frequency, applied to the microphone signal to generate an output signal for exciting, in operation, the speaker arrangement (114); and (iii) adjusting the gain and/or the phase shift so as to provide an anti-sound reduction in perceived sound at the one or more ears of the driver and/or passenger;
characterized in that the method further includes:
(i) operating the sound processing arrangement (200) add external environmental sounds detected using a microphone arrangement that is mounted externally on the vehicle;
(ii) using the microphone arrangement that is mounted externally on the vehicle in operation to capture a sound of a siren, wherein the sound of the siren is enhanced for notifying the driver and/or passenger, thereby improving driving safety; and (iii) using the microphone arrangement that is mounted externally on the vehicle to capture in operation a crashing sound in a proximity to the vehicle, wherein the acoustic environmental system for the vehicle is disabled so that the driver and/or passenger is maximally aware of their surroundings.
Priority Applications (2)
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|---|---|---|---|
| GB1706033.6A GB2561559A (en) | 2017-04-13 | 2017-04-13 | Acoustic environmental system for electrical vehicles |
| PCT/IB2018/052572 WO2018189713A2 (en) | 2017-04-13 | 2018-04-12 | Vehicular acoustic environmental system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1706033.6A GB2561559A (en) | 2017-04-13 | 2017-04-13 | Acoustic environmental system for electrical vehicles |
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| GB201706033D0 GB201706033D0 (en) | 2017-05-31 |
| GB2561559A true GB2561559A (en) | 2018-10-24 |
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| GB1706033.6A Withdrawn GB2561559A (en) | 2017-04-13 | 2017-04-13 | Acoustic environmental system for electrical vehicles |
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| WO (1) | WO2018189713A2 (en) |
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| WO2023228961A1 (en) * | 2022-05-24 | 2023-11-30 | テイ・エス テック株式会社 | Vehicle seat |
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| DE102020205678A1 (en) * | 2019-05-08 | 2020-11-12 | Robert Bosch Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung | Method and device for detecting damage to a motor vehicle |
| CN111452579B (en) * | 2020-01-16 | 2021-09-14 | 吉林大学 | Semi-active self-adaptive control system and method for vehicle based on suspension invariant point theory |
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| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB201706033D0 (en) | 2017-05-31 |
| WO2018189713A2 (en) | 2018-10-18 |
| WO2018189713A3 (en) | 2018-11-29 |
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