IP Library Granted Patent US 10,380,990
Granted Patent B2
US 10,380,990 · App. 16/136,380 · Granted Aug 13, 2019

Active noise control simulated noise audio output for active noise control testing

Inventors: Benjamin David Sweet (West Bloomfield, MI); Richard Lawrence Cooper (Newnan, GA)
Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
G10K11/178G10K11/17883G10K2210/1282G10K2210/3026G10K2210/3027G10K2210/3052G10K2210/3057G10K2210/504
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,380,990
App. No.
16/136,380
Granted
Aug 13, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vehicle includes an engine and/or powertrain producing noise that is audible in a passenger compartment of the vehicle when the engine and/or powertrain is running. An active noise control arrangement includes a first loudspeaker disposed within a passenger compartment of the vehicle. A digital signal processor receives audio data and transmits an audio signal to the first loudspeaker dependent upon the audio data. A microphone is disposed within the passenger compartment and converts the sound from the first loudspeaker and the noise within the passenger compartment into a microphone signal. The microphone signal is transmitted to the digital signal processor, and the digital signal processor modifies the audio signal such that the audio signal attenuates the noise in the passenger compartment. A vehicle processor transmits a simulated noise signal to a second loudspeaker for use in testing effectiveness of the active noise control arrangement in attenuating noise when the engine and/or powertrain is not running and not producing noise.

Claims (56)

1. A vehicle comprising:

a passenger compartment;

an engine and/or powertrain producing noise that is audible in the passenger compartment when the engine and/or powertrain is running; and

an active noise control arrangement, including:

a first loudspeaker disposed within a passenger compartment of the vehicle;

a digital signal processor configured to receive audio data and transmit an audio signal to the first loudspeaker dependent upon the audio data;

a microphone disposed within the passenger compartment and configured to:

convert the sound from the first loudspeaker and the noise within the passenger compartment into a microphone signal; and

transmit the microphone signal to the digital signal processor, wherein the digital signal processor modifies the audio signal such that the audio signal attenuates the noise in the passenger compartment;

a second loudspeaker; and

a vehicle processor configured to:

receive actual vehicle operational data; and

transmit a simulated noise signal to the second loudspeaker for use in testing effectiveness of the active noise control arrangement in attenuating noise when the engine and/or powertrain is not running and not producing noise, the simulated noise signal being dependent upon the actual vehicle operational data.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the actual vehicle operational data comprises actual dynamic vehicle operational parameter data.

3. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the vehicle processor stores the actual vehicle operational data in a memory device, the vehicle processor being configured to create the simulated noise signal based on the stored actual vehicle operational data while the engine is not running.

4. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the digital signal processor is configured to receive the actual vehicle operational data and modify the audio signal dependent upon the actual vehicle operational data.

5. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the digital signal processor is configured to receive the audio data from an audio source that is permanently installed in the vehicle.

6. The vehicle of claim 5 wherein the audio source comprises a radio or a compact disc player.

7. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the digital signal processor is configured to receive the audio data from an audio source that is brought into the vehicle.

8. The vehicle of claim 7 wherein the audio source comprises a personal media device.

9. A vehicle comprising:

a passenger compartment;

an engine and/or powertrain producing noise that is audible in the passenger compartment when the engine and/or powertrain is running; and

an active noise control arrangement, including:

a first loudspeaker disposed within a passenger compartment of the vehicle;

a processing device configured to receive audio content and transmit an audio signal to the first loudspeaker dependent upon the audio content;

a microphone disposed within the passenger compartment and configured to:

convert the sound from the first loudspeaker and the noise within the passenger compartment into a microphone signal; and

transmit the microphone signal to the processing device, wherein the processing device modifies the audio signal such that the audio signal attenuates the noise in the passenger compartment;

a second loudspeaker; and

a vehicle processor configured to:

receive real time dynamic vehicle operational parameter data while the engine is running, the received dynamic vehicle operational parameter data being indicative of a current operating condition of the engine; and

transmit a simulated noise signal to the second loudspeaker for use in testing effectiveness of the active noise control arrangement in attenuating noise when the engine and/or powertrain is not running and not producing noise, the simulated noise signal being dependent upon the dynamic vehicle operational parameter data.

10. The vehicle of claim 9 wherein the processing device is configured to receive the dynamic vehicle operational parameter data and modify the audio signal dependent upon the dynamic vehicle operational parameter data.

11. The vehicle of claim 9 wherein the processing device is configured to receive the audio data from an audio source that is permanently installed in the vehicle.

12. The vehicle of claim 11 wherein the audio source comprises a radio or a compact disc player.

13. The vehicle of claim 9 wherein the processing device is configured to receive the audio data from an audio source that is brought into the vehicle.

14. The vehicle of claim 13 wherein the audio source comprises a personal media device.

15. A vehicle comprising:

a passenger compartment;

an engine and/or powertrain producing noise that is audible in the passenger compartment when the engine and/or powertrain is running; and

an active noise control arrangement, including:

a first loudspeaker disposed within a passenger compartment of the vehicle;

a processing device configured to receive audio content and transmit an audio signal to the first loudspeaker dependent upon the audio content;

a microphone disposed within the passenger compartment and configured to:

convert the sound from the first loudspeaker and the noise within the passenger compartment into a microphone signal; and

transmit the microphone signal to the processing device, wherein the processing device modifies the audio signal such that the audio signal attenuates the noise in the passenger compartment;

a second loudspeaker; and

a vehicle processor configured to:

receive an external signal from a source external to the vehicle engine, the external signal being dependent upon actual dynamic vehicle operational parameter values; and

transmit a simulated noise signal to the second loudspeaker for use in testing effectiveness of the active noise control arrangement in attenuating noise when the engine and/or powertrain is not running and not producing noise, the simulated noise signal being dependent upon the external signal.

16. The vehicle of claim 15 wherein the processing device is configured to receive the external signal and modify the audio signal dependent upon the external signal.

17. The vehicle of claim 15 wherein the processing device is configured to receive the audio data from an audio source that is permanently installed in the vehicle.

18. The vehicle of claim 17 wherein the audio source comprises a radio or a compact disc player.

19. The vehicle of claim 15 wherein the processing device is configured to receive the audio data from an audio source that is brought into the vehicle.

20. The vehicle of claim 19 wherein the audio source comprises a personal media device.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE SUPPORTIVE DOCUMENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 72222 FRAME 267. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Sep 23, 2025
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH AMERICA
To: PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS AMERICA, LLC.
Reel/Frame 072930/0871 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2025
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH AMERICA
To: PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS AMERICA, LLC
Reel/Frame 072222/0267 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 20, 2018
From: SWEET, BENJAMIN DAVID; COOPER, RICHARD LAWRENCE
To: PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS COMPANY OF AMERICA, DIVISION OF PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH AMERICA
Reel/Frame 046920/0918 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 15423995 · Feb 3, 2017
Provisional Application 62290980 · Feb 4, 2016
Related Publication 20190019492A1 · Jan 17, 2019