Abstract: A vehicle system is provided that includes a sound augmentation system with a sound augmentation generator that produces an augmented audio output to drive at least one audio output based on a transfer function. The vehicle system also includes a sound augmentation system health monitor that determines a current performance level of the sound augmentation system based on at least one audio input and a feedback of the augmented audio output, and triggers a transfer function update prompt based on a difference between the current performance level and an expected performance level being at a threshold level. A user interface outputs the transfer function update prompt and receives a transfer function calibration request in response to the transfer function update prompt. A transfer function calibration module drives a calibration sequence on at least one audio output and monitors at least one audio input to determine an updated transfer function.

Abstract: A system includes a stop-start module that determines, based on characteristics of a vehicle, whether to deactivate an engine of the vehicle, that selectively deactivates the engine based on the characteristics, that, subsequent to deactivating the engine, selectively reactivates the engine based on the characteristics, and that generates an indication signal corresponding to the determination. A driver alert module receives the indication signal and selectively generates, based on the indication signal, a masking sound to be played by an audio system of the vehicle while the engine is deactivated.

Abstract: A vehicle system is provided that includes a sound augmentation system with a sound augmentation generator that produces an augmented audio output to drive at least one audio output based on a transfer function and a plurality of audio tuning parameters. The vehicle system also includes a sound augmentation system health monitor that compares a feedback of the augmented audio output to a level of at least one input relative to at least one environmental condition to determine a current performance level of the sound augmentation system. The sound augmentation system health monitor also determines a difference between the current performance level of the sound augmentation system and at least one performance threshold level, and initiates an alert upon determining that the difference is at a predetermined level.

Abstract: A system is provided that includes an audio source configured to drive at least one audio output and a module under calibration integrated in a vehicle. The module under calibration is configured to receive a calibration command sequence from the audio source and decode the calibration command sequence into a digitally-encoded calibration command. The module under calibration is further configured to select a set of calibration data from a plurality of sets of calibration data to configure the module under calibration based on the digitally-encoded calibration command.

Abstract: A system is provided that includes an audio source configured to drive at least one audio output and a module under calibration integrated in a vehicle. The module under calibration is configured to receive a calibration command sequence from the audio source and decode the calibration command sequence into a digitally-encoded calibration command. The module under calibration is further configured to select a set of calibration data from a plurality of sets of calibration data to configure the module under calibration based on the digitally-encoded calibration command.

Abstract: A method of masking sounds associated with a vehicle is provided. The method includes performing on processing circuitry, monitoring of vehicle data. A tonal disturbance type and a tone to mask associated with the tonal disturbance type are identified based on the vehicle data. A shaped band of sounds is determined based on the tone to mask. The shaped band of sounds covers a range of frequencies around the tone to mask. The shaped band of sounds is applied to an audio output of the vehicle.

Abstract: Engine sound enhancement (ESE) for a vehicle includes determining a current rate of change (ROC) in a position of an acceleration device of the vehicle from sensor data received from at least one sensor in communication with the acceleration device and calculating an ESE value based on the current ROC in the position of the acceleration device. The ESE value reflects an intensity and tone quality of at least one of the exhaust and the engine of the vehicle. The ESE also includes receiving a current RPM value, comparing the RPM value and the ROC in the position of the acceleration device to corresponding pre-defined threshold values, the pre-defined threshold values mapped to ESE tunings, and activating one of the ESE tunings when each of the current RPM value and the current ROC in the position of the acceleration device meets a corresponding pre-defined threshold value.

Abstract: A control system is provided for a vehicle having an engine which transitions between an activated mode and a deactivated mode. The control system includes a vehicle bus transmitting a signal indicating a vehicle selected mode and if the engine is operating in one of the activated mode and the deactivated mode. The control system also includes an engine sound enhancement (“ESE”) module configured to receive the signal. The ESE module is configured to select at least one ESE tone and a set of ancillary tones associated with one or more of the deactivated mode, the activated mode, and an activation transition. The ESE module selects a specific type of ancillary tones based on the vehicle selected mode.

Abstract: A pseudo-tach signal system includes a pseudo-tach signal modeling module, and an output module operatively connected to the pseudo-tach signal modeling module. The output module exports a pseudo-tach signal based audible sound.

Abstract: A vehicle having a system is provided. The system has at least one operating output. The system includes an occupant module and a vehicle system module. The occupant module receives at least one occupant signal indicative of occupants currently located within the vehicle, and determines a current number and location of occupants in the vehicle based on the occupant signal. The vehicle system module receives as input the current number of occupants located in the vehicle. The vehicle system module is configured for determining whether the current number of occupants located in the vehicle is less than a total number of occupants the vehicle is configured to seat. The vehicles system module is configured for adjusting the at least one operating output of the system if the current number of occupants located in the vehicle is less than the total number of occupants the vehicle is configured to seat.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle having a fixed gear transmission and an engine that outputs an actual RPM signal is provided. The control system includes a vehicle bus, a shifting module, a simulated RPM module, and an engine sound enhancement (“ESE”) module. The vehicle bus transmits a signal indicating a plurality of operating conditions of the vehicle. The shifting module receives the signal from the vehicle bus to determine if the operating parameters of the vehicle indicate that a gear shift by the fixed gear transmission is imminent within a predetermined amount of time. The simulated RPM module is in communication with the shifting module for generating a simulated RPM signal if the gear shift is imminent. The simulated RPM signal has a greater increase in engine RPM with respect to time prior to the gear shift compared to the actual RPM signal.

Abstract: A non-bussed control module that receives an audio code is provided. The non-bussed control module includes a tone processing module, a self-diagnostic module, and a reporting module. The tone processing module receives the audio code, and sends a trigger signal if the audio code is received. The self-diagnostic module performs a self-diagnostic test for the non-bussed control module if the trigger signal is received, and generates a diagnostic signal indicative of the self-diagnostic test. The reporting module receives the diagnostic signal and determines a type of fault based on the diagnostic signal.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has a continuously variable transmission (“CVT”), an engine, and a speaker. The control system includes a vehicle bus, a shifting module, and an engine sound module. The vehicle bus transmits a signal. The signal indicates a plurality of operating conditions of the vehicle. The shifting module receives the signal from the vehicle bus. The shifting module determines if the plurality of operating parameters of the vehicle indicate that the speaker is required to emit an audio signal that is blended with an engine sound emitted from the engine to mimic a shifting sound that a theoretical fixed gear transmission creates while shifting gears. The shifting module generates a shift mode signal if the speaker is required to emit the audio signal. The engine sound enhancement (“ESE”) module receives the shift mode signal.

Abstract: Engine sound enhancement (ESE) for a vehicle includes determining a current rate of change (ROC) in a position of an acceleration device of the vehicle from sensor data received from at least one sensor in communication with the acceleration device and calculating an ESE value based on the current ROC in the position of the acceleration device. The ESE value reflects an intensity and tone quality of at least one of the exhaust and the engine of the vehicle. The ESE also includes receiving a current RPM value, comparing the RPM value and the ROC in the position of the acceleration device to corresponding pre-defined threshold values, the pre-defined threshold values mapped to ESE tunings, and activating one of the ESE tunings when each of the current RPM value and the current ROC in the position of the acceleration device meets a corresponding pre-defined threshold value.