Forward Speaker Noise Cancellation In a Vehicle

• US 20140233748A1
• Filed: 02/15/2013
• Published: 08/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bose Corporation
• Original Assignee: Bose Corporation
• Inventors: May, James, Pan, Davis, Klug, Dennis
• Granted Patent: US 9,245,519 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/71.4
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17857 Geometric disposition, e.g. placement of microphones
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17875 using an error signal without a reference signal, e.g. pure feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17883 the reference signal being derived from a machine operating condition, e.g. engine RPM or vehicle speed
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/1282 Automobiles

Abstract

Systems and methods to cancel noise in a vehicle are disclosed. A first speaker is positioned forward of a steering wheel of a vehicle. The first speaker generates a first signal configured to acoustically cancel noise produced by operation of the vehicle. A second speaker is positioned forward of the steering wheel. The second speaker generates a second signal to acoustically cancel the noise produced by the operation of the vehicle. The first and the second speakers are capable of generating the first and the second signals independently of one another.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a first speaker positioned forward of a steering wheel of a vehicle, the first speaker generating a first signal configured to acoustically cancel noise produced by operation of the vehicle; and

a second speaker positioned forward of the steering wheel, the second speaker generating a second signal to acoustically cancel the noise produced by the operation of the vehicle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first speaker and the second speaker are low frequency capable speakers.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first signal and the second signal generate a frequency above 180 hertz in an area comprising a dimension larger than seven and one half inches in length.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first speaker and the second speaker generate the first and the second signals independently of one another.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to execute an active noise cancellation algorithm to affect operation of at least one of the first speaker and the second speaker.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a plurality of microphones configured to convert sensed sound into a plurality of input signals, wherein the controller receives the plurality of inputs signals from the plurality of microphones.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the controller receives engine noise cancellation information.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first speaker and the second speaker are positioned in at least one of an instrument panel, a dashboard, a kick panel, a floorboard, a shark-fin location, and an A-pillar location.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first speaker and the second speaker selectively operate in a non-autonomous mode.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to affect the generation of both of the first signal and the second signal.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first signal and the second signal are continuously adjusted according to a sensed sound.

12. An apparatus, comprising:

a speaker positioned forward of a steering wheel of a vehicle, the speaker configured, in response to a control signal, to generate a noise cancelling signal to acoustically cancel noise produced by operation of the vehicle;

a plurality of microphones, each of the plurality of microphones configured to convert sensed sound into one of a plurality of input signals; and

a controller in communication with the speaker and the plurality of microphones, the controller configured to receive the plurality of input signals and to execute an active noise cancellation algorithm to generate the control signal.

13. A method of cancelling noise in a vehicle, the method comprising:

positioning a first speaker forward of a steering wheel of a vehicle, the first speaker generating a first signal to acoustically cancel noise produced by operation of the vehicle; and

positioning a second speaker forward of the steering wheel, the second speaker generating a second signal to acoustically cancel the noise produced by the operation of the vehicle.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising generating the first and the second signals independently of one another.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the first speaker and the second speaker are low frequency capable speakers.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising executing an active noise cancellation algorithm to affect operation of at least one of the first speaker and the second speaker.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising receiving a plurality of inputs signals from a plurality of microphones, the plurality of microphones configured to convert sensed sound into the plurality of input signals.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising receiving engine noise cancellation information.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein positioning the first speaker further comprises positioning the first speaker in at least one of an instrument panel, a dashboard, a kick panel, a floorboard, a shark-fin location, and an A-pillar location.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising continuously adjusting the first signal and the second signal according to a sensed sound.