Voice output device

#THIS APPLICATION IS A U.S. NATIONAL PHASE APPLICATION OF PCT INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PCT/JP2009/006302.

#The present invention relates to a sound output device for outputting sounds, such as simulated engine sounds, in a vehicle, such as an automobile.

#In recent years, in order to enhance the operation sense of the driver and create driving amenity inside a vehicle, such as an automobile, mainly automobile manufacturers have been proposing various techniques. A known technique among these proposals is to output a simulated engine sound from the sound output part incorporated in the vehicle in response to the driving status of the vehicle.

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a sound output device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 shows a relation between a position inside a vehicle where the sound output device is disposed and a sound pressure according to the embodiment.

#FIG. 3 shows data of a waveform of a reference signal stored in the sound output device according to the embodiment.

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram of sound output device 1001 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Sound output device 1001 includes driving-status detector 1, sound signal generator 2, phase shifter 3, sound level adjusters 4A and 4B, and speakers 6A and 6B. Phase shifter 3 and sound level adjuster 4A constitute unit 5A. Sound level adjuster 4B constitutes 5B. Speakers 6A and 6B are connected to units 5A and 5B, respectively. Sound output device 1001 is installed in vehicle 7. In FIG. 1, components, such as sound signal generator 2, of sound output device 1001 are shown outside vehicle 7. However, these components are installed in vehicle 7 similarly to speakers 6A and 6B. Speakers 6A and 6B are disposed on wall surfaces 7A and 7B, respectively, which face each other across vehicle cabin space 7C of vehicle 7. The speakers output a sound in directions opposed to each other.

#Speakers 6A and 6B are sound output parts each for outputting a simulated engine sound from sound output device 1001 to an inside of vehicle 7, and are disposed on a door of a front passenger seat and a door of a driver seat of vehicle 7, respectively. Speakers 6A and 6B output a sound signal output from units 5A and 5B, respectively, actually as a sound. Speakers 6A and 6B may be disposed on left and right doors of a rear seat of vehicle 7, respectively.

#Driving-status detector 1 detects a driving status, i.e. a status in which vehicle 7 is driven. Specifically, driving-status detector 1 detects a running status of vehicle 7, such as the number of rotations of the engine, information on the degree of opening of the accelerator, and the acceleration of the vehicle. Further, based on the detected running status, the driving-status detector estimates a load on the actual engine and a response status, and detects the driving status of vehicle 7.