EP-4738341-A1 - IN-VEHICLE PROCESSING OF VOCAL INPUTS

EP4738341A1EP 4738341 A1EP4738341 A1EP 4738341A1EP-4738341-A1

Abstract

Various embodiments disclose a computer-implemented method comprising causing playback of a first audio input an audio source by at least one speaker within a vehicle, detecting a second a first audio input using a microphone that is movable within the vehicle, modifying at least one audio property of the second first audio input to generate a modified second first audio input, and causing playback of the modified second first audio input by the at least one speaker within the vehicle.

Inventors

WILLIS, MAXWELL B.
WINTON, Riley
DAFTUAR, RISHI
TRESTAIN, Christopher, Michael

Assignees

Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH

Dates

Publication Date: 20260506
Application Date: 20251015

Claims (15)

A computer-implemented method comprising: causing playback of an audio source by at least one speaker within a vehicle; detecting a first audio input using a microphone that is movable within the vehicle; modifying at least one audio property of the first audio input to generate a modified first audio input; and causing playback of the modified first audio input by the at least one speaker within the vehicle.
The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: determining a location of the microphone within the vehicle, wherein modifying the at least one audio property of the first audio input is based on the location of the microphone within the vehicle.
The computer-implemented method of claim 1 or 2, wherein determining the location of the microphone within the vehicle is based on sensor data received from at least one of a camera or a motion sensor.
The computer-implemented method of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein determining the location of the microphone within the vehicle is based on sensor data a compartment sensor.
The computer-implemented method of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein determining the location of the microphone within the vehicle is based on a second audio input captured by a fixed microphone within the vehicle.
The computer-implemented method of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein modifying the at least one audio property of the first audio input comprises compressing the first audio input to reduce a dynamic range of the first audio input.
The computer-implemented method of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein modifying the at least one audio property of the first audio input comprises applying reverb or an autotune effect to the first audio input.
The computer-implemented method of any of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: detecting a second audio input using a fixed microphone integrated into the vehicle; modifying at least one audio property of the second audio input to generate a modified second audio input; and causing playback of the modified second audio input by the at least one speaker within the vehicle.
The computer-implemented method of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein a first microphone sensitivity associated with the microphone that is movable within the vehicle is lower than a second microphone sensitivity associated with the fixed microphone.
The computer-implemented method of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the microphone that is movable within the vehicle comprises a handheld microphone.
One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of the method of any of claims 1 to 10.
The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11, wherein the steps further comprise: determining a location of the microphone within the vehicle, wherein modifying the at least one audio property of the first audio input is based on the location of the microphone within the vehicle.
A system comprising: a microphone movable within a vehicle; at least one speaker; a memory storing an audio playback application; and a processor coupled to the memory that executes the audio playback application by performing the steps of: causing playback of an audio source by the at least one speaker; detecting a first audio input using the microphone; modifying at least one audio property of the first audio input to generate a modified first audio input; and causing playback of the modified first audio input by the at least one speaker within the vehicle.
The system of claim 13, wherein the steps further comprise: determining a location of the microphone within the vehicle, wherein modifying the at least one audio property of the first audio input is based on the location of the microphone within the vehicle.
The system of claim 13 or 14, wherein the microphone comprises a wireless microphone.

Description

BACKGROUND Field of the Various Embodiments The various embodiments relate generally to audio processing and, more specifically, to in-vehicle processing of vocal inputs. Description of the Related Art Modern vehicles include in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) systems that receive audio and video inputs from various sources. The IVI system includes various output devices, such as displays and loudspeakers that are positioned throughout the vehicle. An IVI system obtains an audio source that is selected by a user from a local or remote source and plays back the audio source using an output device associated with the IVI system. Karaoke experiences involve singing along with a prerecorded audio performance that is played back by an audio output device. A user sings along with the prerecorded audio performance and in some instances, a microphone is utilized to capture the singer's voice, which is reproduced using the same audio output device that plays back the prerecorded audio performance. Karaoke experiences can be provided in a vehicle using an audio source that includes the prerecorded audio performance as well as an audio input that includes the user's voice that is captured using an input device associated with the IVI system. In general, vehicles utilize microphones that are integrated into the vehicle interior. These built-in microphones are generally installed at fixed locations in the vehicle behind or within interior trim panels of the vehicle. An array of built-in microphones can also be utilized to capture audio inputs from users seated in various locations within a vehicle interior. One drawback with utilizing conventional built-in microphones or microphone arrays in a vehicle is that utilizing the audio captured by these microphones for playback within the vehicle during a karaoke experience limits the quality and fidelity of the captured audio. In other words, the signal to noise ratio of the audio captured by conventional built-in microphones or microphone arrays is limited. By limiting the quality and fidelity of the captured audio, the ability to compress or apply effects to the captured audio input can lead to undesirable audio artifacts, such as acoustic feedback. Additionally, the distance between an occupant of a vehicle and a built-in microphone that is located behind or within an interior trim panel requires utilizing a relatively high microphone sensitivity to capture vocal input from the vehicle occupant. By utilizing a relatively high microphone sensitivity, the microphones often capture background noises other than the occupants voice, which can also cause acoustic feedback when the audio is played back on the vehicle loudspeakers. As the foregoing illustrates, what is needed in the art are more effective techniques for capturing and processing vocal inputs that are captured by microphones within a vehicle and provided to an IVI system for playback within the vehicle. SUMMARY In various embodiments, a computer-implemented method comprises causing playback of an audio source by at least one speaker within a vehicle, detecting an audio input using a microphone that is movable within the vehicle, modifying at least one audio property of the audio input to generate a modified audio input, and causing playback of the modified audio input by the at least one speaker within the vehicle. At least one technical advantage of the disclosed techniques relative to the prior art is that, with the disclosed techniques, utilizing a movable microphone, such as a handheld microphone, to capture vocal or audio inputs within the vehicle improves the quality and fidelity of the audio captured within a vehicle's interior cabin. Additionally, a lower microphone sensitivity can be utilized relative to implementations relying on immovable or built-in microphones, which reduces the amount of background noise captured by the movable microphone, improves the quality of processing steps taken to compress or add effects to the audio, and/or reduces acoustic feedback. Finally, the disclosed techniques support personalization of a karaoke experience provided by the IVI system based on the seating location of the occupant. These technical advantages provide one or more technological advancements over prior art approaches. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS So that the manner in which the above recited features of the various embodiments can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the inventive concepts, briefly summarized above, can be had by reference to various embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the inventive concepts and are therefore not to be considered limiting of scope in any way, and that there are other equally effective embodiments. Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of an audio playback system configured to implement one or more aspects of the present disclosure.