VEHICLE SOUND ENHANCEMENT

• US 20170078822A1
• Filed: 09/11/2015
• Published: 03/16/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: BARLOW, ROGER C. Jr., REILLY, SCOTT M., VALERI, FRANK C.
• Granted Patent: US 9,860,667 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 5/00 Arrangement or adaptation of acoustic signal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/13 Acoustic transducers and sound field adaptation in vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 2400/13 Aspects of volume control, not necessarily automatic, in stereophonic sound systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 7/307 Frequency adjustment, e.g. tone control H04S7/301 takes precedence

Abstract

Methods and systems for enhancing vehicle sound are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, a vehicle includes a powertrain, one or more sensors, and a processor. The one or more sensors are configured to measure a sound, a vibration, or both, produced by one or more vehicle components pertaining to the engine. The processor is configured to enhance the sound for audible display for one or more individuals within or in proximity to the vehicle.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

measuring a sound, a vibration, or both, produced by one or more vehicle components; and

enhancing the sound, vibration, or both, for audible display for one or more individuals within or in proximity to the vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of measuring the sound or vibration comprises:

measuring the sound, vibration, or both of one or more vehicle components that are mechanically coupled to a powertrain of the vehicle as the sound is naturally occurring within the vehicle.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of measuring the sound or vibration comprises measuring a sound, a vibration, or both from an induction system of the vehicle using a microphone, an accelerometer, or both.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of measuring the sound or vibration comprises measuring a sound, a vibration, or both from an exhaust system of the vehicle using a microphone, an accelerometer, or both.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of measuring the sound comprises measuring a vibration from a powertrain or suspension mount device using an accelerometer.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of enhancing the sound comprises:

selecting a portion of a bandwidth of the sound for audible display for the one or more individuals within or in proximity to the vehicle.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of enhancing the sound comprises:

manipulating one more orders of the sound for audible display for the one or more individuals within or in proximity to the vehicle.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

measuring one or more additional sounds entering the vehicle from outside the vehicle;

wherein the step of enhancing the sound comprises enhancing the sound from the one or more vehicle components based at least in part on the one or more additional sounds entering the vehicle.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

measuring one or more outputs of a powertrain of the vehicle;

wherein the step of enhancing the sound comprises enhancing the sound from the one or more vehicle components based at least in part on the outputs of the powertrain of the vehicle.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting the enhanced sound via an entertainment system of the vehicle for audible display via a speaker within an interior cabin of the vehicle.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting the enhanced sound for audible display via a speaker disposed on an exterior portion of the vehicle.

12. A system comprising:

one or more sensors configured to measure a sound, a vibration, or both produced by one or more vehicle components; and

a processor configured to enhance the sound, vibration, or both for audible display for one or more individuals within or in proximity to the vehicle.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the one or more sensors include a microphone configured to measure a sound from an induction system of the vehicle, an accelerometer configured to measure a vibration from the induction system, or both.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the one or more sensors include a microphone configured to measure a sound from an exhaust system of the vehicle, an accelerometer to measure a vibration from the exhaust system, or both.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the one or more sensors include an accelerometer configured to measure a vibration from a powertrain or suspension mount of the vehicle.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured to select a portion of a bandwidth of the sound for audible display for the one or more individuals within or in proximity to the vehicle.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured to modify an order of the sound for audible display for the one or more individuals within or in proximity to the vehicle.

18. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

a speaker configured to transmit the enhanced sound based on instructions provided by the processor.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising:

an amplifier configured to amplify the enhanced sound before it is transmitted by the speaker.

20. A vehicle comprising:

a plurality of systems including a powertrain, a suspension, an induction system, and an exhaust system;

one or more sensors configured to measure a sound, a vibration, or both, produced by one or more vehicle components pertaining to one or more of the powertrain, suspension, induction system, and exhaust system; and

a processor configured to enhance the sound, the vibration, or both, for audible display for one or more individuals within or in proximity to the vehicle.