SOUND FEEDBACK SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES

A feedback system is configured for providing a feedback sound representative of a first vehicle status of a first vehicle and a second vehicle status of a second vehicle. The feedback system comprises a first vehicle data bus of the first vehicle and a second vehicle data bus of the second vehicle. A first wireless communication device communicates with the first vehicle data bus and is configured to communicate first vehicle status data. A second wireless communication device communicates with the second vehicle data bus and is configured to communicate second vehicle status data. An electronic data processing system comprises a third wireless communication device configured to receive the first and second vehicle status data. A sound integration module is configured to form or determine the feedback sound from the first and second vehicle status data. A sound generator module is configured to communicate the feedback sound to a user.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a system and method for providing a feedback sound representative of one or more vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

To provide feedback regarding one vehicle to another vehicle, certain prior art utilizes an imaging device and a monitor such that an operator can visually monitor an operational status of one vehicle from another vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one embodiment, a sound feedback system and method is configured for providing a feedback sound representative of a first vehicle status of a first vehicle and a second vehicle status of a second vehicle. The sound feedback system comprises a first vehicle data bus of the first vehicle and a second vehicle data bus of the second vehicle. A first wireless communication device is in communication with the first vehicle data bus. The first wireless communication device is configured to communicate first vehicle status data. A second wireless communication device is in communication with the second vehicle data bus. The second wireless communication device is configured to communicate second vehicle status data. An electronic data processing system, which comprises a third wireless communication device is configured to receive the first vehicle status data and the second vehicle status data. A sound integration module is configured to form or determine the feedback sound from the first vehicle status data and the second vehicle status data. A sound generator module is configured to communicate the feedback sound to a user.

In another embodiment, a sound feedback system and method is configured for providing a feedback sound representative of a first vehicle status of a first vehicle and a second vehicle status of a second vehicle operating together in a work area. The sound feedback system comprises a first vehicle data bus of the first vehicle. A first wireless communication device is in communication with the first vehicle data bus. The first wireless communication device is configured to receive second vehicle status data from a second wireless communication device of a second vehicle. In the first vehicle, an electronic data processing system is configured to receive first vehicle status data and the second vehicle status data. A sound integration module is capable of forming or determining the feedback sound from the first vehicle status data and the second vehicle status data. A sound generator module is configured to communicate the feedback sound to a user.

In yet another embodiment, a method for providing a feedback sound representative of a first vehicle status of a first vehicle and a second vehicle status of a second vehicle is disclosed. The first vehicle status data and the second vehicle status data are communicated. The first vehicle status data and the second vehicle status data are received. The feedback sound is formed or determined from the first vehicle status data and the second vehicle status data. The feedback sound is communicated to a user.

Other features and aspects will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

Before any embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Further embodiments of the invention may include any combination of features from one or more dependent claims, and such features may be incorporated, collectively or separately, into any independent claim.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-6illustrate various embodiments of a sound feedback system10for providing a feedback sound representative of a vehicle. With reference toFIG. 1, in one embodiment the illustrated sound feedback system10is configured for providing a feedback sound15representative of a first vehicle status20of a first vehicle electronics25of a first vehicle27(e.g., tractor, combine, construction vehicle) and a second vehicle status30of a second vehicle electronics35of a second vehicle37(e.g., tractor, combine, construction vehicle).

The sound feedback system10comprises a first vehicle data bus40of the first vehicle electronics25. For example, the first vehicle data bus40may be a first CAN bus45. A first sound sensor50, or a first engine RPM sensor55, a first diagnostic module60, a first controller65, or other first device70(e.g., engine controller, transmission controller, controller, other sensor, network element), may be in communication with the first vehicle data bus40to collect and provide first vehicle status data75(e.g., ambient sound, engine sound, combine separator). For instance, the first diagnostic module60is capable of producing diagnostic codes, alarm data, warning data, trouble codes or status messages as the first vehicle status data75.

The sound feedback system10comprises a second vehicle data bus80of the second vehicle electronics35. For example, the second vehicle data bus80may be a second CAN bus85. A second sound sensor90, or a second engine RPM sensor95, a second diagnostic module100, a second controller105, or other second device110(e.g., engine controller, transmission controller, controller, other sensor, network element), may be in communication with the second vehicle data bus80to collect and provide second vehicle status data115(e.g., ambient sound, engine sound, combine separator). For instance, the second diagnostic module100is capable of producing diagnostic codes, alarm data, warning data, trouble codes or status messages as the second vehicle status data115.

A first wireless communication device120is in communication with the first vehicle data bus40. The first wireless communication device120is configured to communicate the first vehicle status data75. The first wireless communication device120may be a first transceiver125or a first transmitter130.

A second wireless communication device135is in communication with the second vehicle data bus80. The second wireless communication device135is configured to communicate the second vehicle status data115. The second wireless communication device135may be a second transceiver140or a second transmitter145.

An electronic data processing system150is configured to receive the first vehicle status data75and the second vehicle status data115from the first vehicle data bus40and the second vehicle data bus80via the first wireless communication device120and the second wireless communication device135, respectively. The electronic data processing system150may comprise a third wireless communication device155to communicate with the first wireless communication device120and the second wireless communication device135. The third wireless communication device155may be a third transceiver160or a receiver165.

In one embodiment, a sound integration module170comprises one or more amplifiers, attenuators, combiners, mixers, multipliers, frequency shifters, analog-to-digital converters, digital-to-analog converters, software emulators, software modules, or electronic modules for processing vehicle status data or vehicle sounds in the analog or digital domain. In one configuration, the sound integration module170is adapted to derive, form, or create synthetically-created sounds from one or both of the first vehicle status20and the second vehicle status30, data diagnostic codes, alarm data, warning data, or trouble codes from one or both of the first vehicle electronics25and the second vehicle electronics35, for example.

In an alternate configuration, the sound integration module170is capable of generating, combining (equally or weighted), mixing, amplifying, attenuating, frequency shifting, multiplying, creating (e.g., synthetically-derived or synthetically-created vehicle sounds), or processing sounds (e.g., recorded sounds) representative of an operational or functional status of the first vehicle electronics25, the second vehicle electronics35, or both.

The sound integration module170is configured to form or determine the feedback sound15from the first vehicle status data75and the second vehicle status data115. The sound integration module170may match the first vehicle status data75and the second vehicle status data115to a library of feedback sounds175and communicate the feedback sound15.

The sound integration module170may be configured to determine whether the first vehicle electronics25and the second vehicle electronics35are operating properly and form the feedback sound15as a dissonant chord180if at least one of the first vehicle electronics25and the second vehicle electronics35is not operating properly and form the feedback sound15as a major chord185if the first vehicle electronics25and the second vehicle electronics35are operating properly. The determination of whether the first vehicle electronics25and the second vehicle electronics35are operating properly may be determined by a threshold deviation between an expected and actual first vehicle status data75and second vehicle status data115.

The sound integration module170may be configured to determine whether the first vehicle electronics25and the second vehicle electronics35are operating properly and form the feedback sound15in an amplified manner190if at least one of the first vehicle electronics25and the second vehicle electronics35is not operating properly and form the feedback sound15in a non-amplified manner195if the first vehicle electronics25and the second vehicle electronics35are operating properly.

A sound generator module200is configured to communicate the feedback sound15to a user205. The sound integration module170and the sound generator module200may be separate electronic hardware modules or software included in a memory210of a data storage215of the electronic data processing system150.

Alternatively, the sound generator module200may be configured to determine whether the first vehicle electronics25and the second vehicle electronics35are operating properly and generate a first tone220representative of the first vehicle status data75and a second tone225representative of the second vehicle status data115. If at least one of the first vehicle electronics25and the second vehicle electronics35is not operating properly, the first tone220and the second tone225may be on different frequencies or spaced apart in the frequencies of a minor chord230or a dissonant sound235. If the first vehicle electronics25and the second vehicle electronics35are operating properly, the first tone220and the second tone225may be on the same frequency or spaced on frequencies that form notes of the major chord185. In addition, the feedback sound15may comprise a voice recording240if at least one of the first vehicle electronics25and the second vehicle electronics35is not operating properly. For example, the voice recording240may state “check engine” or other phrases.

For example, a user interface245comprising a speaker250is in communication with the sound generator module200. The user interface245is configured to communicate the feedback sound15through the speaker250. The user interface245may provide additional detail on a display255(e.g., LCD screen).

Alternatively, the user interface245may comprise a first speaker260and a second speaker265. The user interface245may be configured to communicate the feedback sound15representative of the first vehicle status20of the first vehicle electronics25primarily through the first speaker260and the feedback sound15representative of the second vehicle status30of the second vehicle electronics35primarily through the second speaker265. This enables a stereo effect, where an illusion of directionality and audible perspective is provided, when the first vehicle electronics25and the second vehicle electronics35are positioned left and right of one another, the first speaker260and the second speaker265are positioned left and right of one another, and the feedback sound15representative of the vehicle on the left is communicated primarily through the speaker on the left and the feedback sound15representative of the vehicle on the right is communicated primarily through the speaker on the right, depending on the relative position of the first vehicle electronics25and the second vehicle electronics35. Once the first vehicle electronics25and the second vehicle electronics35are positioned adjacent one another, the feedback sound15representative of the vehicle on the left and the vehicle on the right may be the same in the first speaker260and the second speaker265. The stereo effect is also possible when the first vehicle electronics25and the second vehicle electronics35are positioned front and rear of one another, the first speaker260and the second speaker265are positioned front and rear of one another, and the feedback sound15representative of the vehicle in the front is communicated primarily through the speaker in the front and the feedback sound15representative of the vehicle in the rear is communicated primarily through the speaker in the rear, depending on the relative position of the first vehicle electronics25and the second vehicle electronics35. Once the first vehicle electronics25and the second vehicle electronics35are positioned adjacent one another, the feedback sound15representative of the vehicle in front and the vehicle in the rear may be the same in the first speaker260and the second speaker265. Other vehicle and speaker configurations are contemplated by this disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 2, in another embodiment, the illustrated feedback system10is configured for providing the feedback sound15representative of the first vehicle status20of the first vehicle electronics25(e.g., tractor, combine, construction vehicle) and the second vehicle status30of the second vehicle electronics35(e.g., tractor, combine, construction vehicle) working together in a work area270. The feedback system10ofFIG. 2is similar to the feedback system10ofFIG. 1, except that the feedback sound15is provided to a user205of the first vehicle27, such as within a cab or at the user interface245of the first vehicle27. Like reference numbers inFIG. 1andFIG. 2indicate like elements.

The feedback system10comprises the first vehicle data bus40of the first vehicle electronics25. The first wireless communication device120is in communication with the first vehicle data bus40. The first wireless communication device120is configured to receive second vehicle status data115from the second wireless communication device135of the second vehicle electronics35. In the first vehicle electronics25, the electronic data processing system150is configured to receive the first vehicle status data75and the second vehicle status data115. The sound integration module170is capable of forming or determining the feedback sound15from the first vehicle status data75and the second vehicle status data115. The sound generator module200is configured to communicate the feedback sound15to the user205.

With reference toFIG. 3, the first vehicle electronics25may be supported on a lead vehicle275(e.g., combine). The lead vehicle275may comprise a lead implement280(e.g., header). The second vehicle electronics35may be supported on a follower vehicle285(e.g., combine) configured to follow the lead vehicle275. The follower vehicle285may comprise a follower implement290(e.g., header). It is contemplated that the lead vehicle275may operate in front of, behind, to the left, or to the right of the follower vehicle280. The electronic data processing system150may be coupled to the lead vehicle275. The first vehicle status data75(FIG. 2) may pertain to the lead implement280. The second vehicle status data115(FIG. 2) may pertain to the follower implement290.

Referring toFIG. 4, a flow chart of the steps of the method for providing sound feedback to a user or manager of one or more vehicles is disclosed according to one embodiment. In step295, the first vehicle status data75is communicated. In step300, the second vehicle status data115is communicated. In step305, the first vehicle status data75and the second vehicle status data115are received by an electronic data processing system150. In step310, the feedback sound15is formed or determined from the first vehicle status data75and the second vehicle status data115by a sound integration module170. In step315, the first vehicle status data75and the second vehicle status data115are matched to a library of feedback sounds175by the sound integration module170. In step320, the feedback sound15representative of the first vehicle status20is communicated primarily through a first speaker260. The feedback sound15representative of the second vehicle status30is communicated primarily through a second speaker265.

With reference toFIG. 5, a flow chart of the steps of the method for providing sound feedback to a user or manager of one or more vehicles is disclosed according to another embodiment. In step295, the first vehicle status data75is communicated. In step300, the second vehicle status data115is communicated. In step305, the first vehicle status data75and the second vehicle status data115are received by an electronic data processing system150. In step325, the feedback sound15is formed or determined from the first vehicle status data75and the second vehicle status data115by determining whether the first vehicle27and the second vehicle37are operating properly. The feedback sound15is a dissonant chord180if at least one of the first vehicle27and the second vehicle37is not operating properly. The feedback sound15is a major chord185if the first vehicle27and the second vehicle37are operating properly.

Referring toFIG. 6, a flow chart of the steps of the method for providing sound feedback to a user or manager of one or more vehicles is disclosed according to yet another embodiment. In step295, the first vehicle status data75is communicated. In step300, the second vehicle status data115is communicated. In step305, the first vehicle status data75and the second vehicle status data115are received by an electronic data processing system150. In step330, the feedback sound15is formed or determined from the first vehicle status data75and the second vehicle status data115by determining whether the first vehicle27and the second vehicle37are operating properly. The feedback sound15is produced in an amplified manner190if at least one of the first vehicle27and the second vehicle37is not operating properly. The feedback sound15is produced in a non-amplified manner195if the first vehicle27and the second vehicle37are operating properly.

Advantageously, the feedback system10enables the user205to react more quickly to changing conditions by listening for the feedback sound15. This saves fuel, prevents damage to the first vehicle27and the second vehicle37, and provides other benefits.

Various features are set forth in the following claims.