US 11,794,772 B2
Systems and methods to increase driver awareness of exterior occurrences
Alexander L. Paradis, Ann Arbor, MI (US); and Frank A. Richards, Ann Arbor, MI (US)
Assigned to TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., Plano, TX (US)
Filed by TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., Plano, TX (US)
Filed on Jan. 14, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/576,823.
Prior Publication US 2023/0227060 A1, Jul. 20, 2023
Int. Cl. B60W 50/16 (2020.01); B60W 40/08 (2012.01); B60W 50/14 (2020.01)
CPC B60W 50/16 (2013.01) [B60W 40/08 (2013.01); B60W 2050/143 (2013.01); B60W 2050/146 (2013.01); B60W 2420/42 (2013.01); B60W 2420/54 (2013.01); B60W 2540/225 (2020.02)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vehicle system comprising:
an external audio sensor configured to detect audio outside a vehicle;
an internal audio sensor configured to detect an awareness, inside the vehicle, of the audio outside the vehicle;
an internal media device configured to present a media signal to an occupant of the vehicle;
a memory configured to store one or more instructions;
a processor configured to process the one or more instructions to:
detect an external audio signal generated outside the vehicle via the external audio sensor;
detect the internal awareness of the external audio signal; and
broadcast an indication of the external audio signal to the occupant of the vehicle via the internal media device based on a determination that a loudness of the internal audio signal awareness falls below a loudness threshold as compared to a loudness of the external audio signal.