System and application for auditory guidance and signaling

• US 10,322,671 B1
• Filed: 05/02/2018
• Issued: 06/18/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Mesic, Jr., Ronald J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Previl, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US15/969,406
• Time in Patent Office: 412 Days
• Field of Search: 340944, 340947, 340950, 340951, 340953, 340964, 340965, 340992-994, 3409952, 340427, 340446, 340525
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5025 Activation means
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/061 with electronic detecting or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 5/005 automatically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 90/205 Building evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/066 guiding along a path, e.g. evacuation path lighting strip
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/005 including pedestrian guidance indicator

Abstract

In various embodiments, methods, systems, and mobile platforms are provided for providing auditory guidance. In certain exemplary embodiments, a method includes receiving information pertaining to a guidance task to provide auditory guidance proximate a location or target for a platform; selecting, via a processor, a plurality of transducers proximate the location or target, the plurality of transducers including: a first transducer disposed on a first side of the location or target; and a second transducer disposed on a second side of the location or target, opposite the first side; and controlling, via the processor, the plurality of transducers to provide auditory signals, such that the first transducer and the second transducer produce respective auditory signals that are phase cancelled with respect to one another, to thereby provide the auditory guidance to the location or target.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving information pertaining to a guidance task to provide auditory guidance proximate a location or target for a platform;

selecting, via a processor, a plurality of transducers proximate the location or target, the plurality of transducers comprising;

a first transducer disposed on a first side of the location or target; and

a second transducer disposed on a second side of the location or target, opposite the first side; and

controlling, via the processor, the plurality of transducers to provide auditory signals, such that the first transducer and the second transducer produce respective auditory signals that are phase cancelled with respect to one another, to thereby provide the auditory guidance to the location or target;

wherein the step of controlling the plurality of transducers comprises controlling the plurality of transducers such that the auditory signals have relatively less magnitude in a plane that is orthogonal to the location or target, as compared with regions surrounding the location or target, such that an individual can follow the relatively less magnitude of the auditory signals along the plane to the location or target.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of selecting the plurality of transducers comprises selecting the plurality of transducers such that the first transducer and the second transducer are disposed an equal distance from the location or target.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first transducer comprises a first loudspeaker, the second transducer comprises a second loudspeaker, and the step of controlling the plurality of transducers comprises controlling the first loudspeaker and the second loudspeaker such that respective sound waves of the first loudspeaker and the second loudspeaker are equal in magnitude, but with respective phases that are inverted relative to one another.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving information pertaining to the guidance task comprises receiving information pertaining to a person having a visual impairment who is to move to the location or target.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the step of receiving information pertaining to the guidance task comprises receiving inputs via a transceiver; and

the method further comprises identifying the guidance task, via the processor, based on the inputs.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the step of receiving information pertaining to the guidance task comprises receiving information pertaining to auditorily guiding a person to a portal of the platform; and

the step of selecting the plurality of transducers comprises selecting the plurality of transducers such that;

the first transducer is disposed on a first side of the portal; and

the second transducer is disposed on a second side of the portal, opposite the first side.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein:

the step of receiving information comprises receiving information pertaining to auditorily guiding the person to a door of a vehicle; and

the step of selecting the plurality of transducers comprises selecting the plurality of transducers such that;

the first transducer is disposed on a first side of the door; and

the second transducer is disposed on a second side of the door, opposite the first side.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the step of receiving information pertaining to the guidance task comprises receiving information pertaining to auditorily guiding a person to a path of the platform; and

the step of selecting the plurality of transducers comprises selecting the plurality of transducers such that;

the first transducer is disposed on a first side of the path; and

the second transducer is disposed on a second side of the path, opposite the first side.

9. A system comprising:

a first module configured to receive information as to a guidance task to provide auditory guidance proximate a location or target of a platform; and

a second module configured to;

select, via a processor, a plurality of transducers proximate the location or target, the plurality of transducers comprising;

a first transducer disposed on a first side of the location or target; and

a second transducer disposed on a second side of the location or target, opposite the first side; and

control, via the processor, the plurality of transducers to provide auditory signals, such that the first transducer and the second transducer produce respective auditory signals that are phase cancelled with respect to one another, to thereby provide the auditory guidance to the location or target;

wherein the second module is configured to control the plurality of transducers such that the auditory signals have relatively less magnitude in a plane that is orthogonal to the location or target, as compared with regions surrounding the location or target, such that an individual can follow the relatively less magnitude of the auditory signals along the plane to the location or target.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the second module is configured to select the plurality of transducers such that the first transducer and the second transducer are disposed an equal distance from the location or target side and positioned at a distance apart such that the phase cancellation line aligns with the intended target, portal or path.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the first module is configured to receive information as to an individual having a visual impairment who is to move to the location or target.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein:

the guidance task pertains to auditorily guiding a person to a portal of the platform; and

the second module is configured to select the plurality of transducers such that;

the first transducer is disposed on a first side of the portal; and

the second transducer is disposed on a second side of the portal, opposite the first side.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein:

the platform comprises a vehicle; and

the portal comprises a door of the vehicle.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein:

the guidance task pertains to auditorily guiding a person to a path of the platform; and

the second module is configured to select the plurality of transducers such that;

the first transducer is disposed on a first side of the path; and

the second transducer is disposed on a second side of the path, opposite the first side.

15. A system comprising:

an input device configured to receive information as to a guidance task to provide auditory guidance proximate a location or target of a platform;

a plurality of transducers; and

a processor configured to;

select a first transducer and a second transducer of the plurality of transducers, such that;

the first transducer is disposed on a first side of the location or target; and

the second transducer is disposed on a second side of the location or target, opposite the first side; and

control the first transducer and the second transducer to provide auditory signals, such that the first transducer and the second transducer produce respective auditory signals that are phase cancelled with respect to one another, to thereby provide the auditory guidance to the location or target;

wherein the processor is configured to control the plurality of transducers such that the auditory signals have relatively less magnitude in a plane that is orthogonal to the location or target, as compared with regions surrounding the location or target, such that an individual can follow the relatively less magnitude of the auditory signals along the plane to the location or target.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein:

the platform comprises a vehicle; and

the system is configured for implementation in the vehicle.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein:

the vehicle includes a door; and

the input device comprises a transceiver that is configured to receive information as to an individual having a visual impairment who is to enter the vehicle through the door.