Abstract:
This invention describes a system that plays back content based on user-configurable in-vehicle function triggers, and manual user triggers. The invention may be used for a variety of applications such as vehicle personalization and customization, vehicle event-acknowledgement, and entertainment. In one example, the control unit ties to the remote keyless entry (RKE) system and uses the RKE wireless buttons as playback triggers for the content. In-vehicle subsystems such as warning and information signals or other systems with manual triggers like the RKE system may also be tied to the vehicle unit to trigger content playback. Content delivery scenarios provide secure and robust transmission from an original source to the vehicle unit. The vehicle unit stores the content in an on-board storage. Content loading and operation of the system is configured using a computer or handheld device.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to an event-driven content playback system for vehicles, where user-selected media clips are associated with vehicle functions and are played based upon the activation of the associated vehicle functions.  
         [0002]     Vehicle customization has long been a hobby for many automobile enthusiasts. Modifications to vehicles such as tinted windows, additional lighting, large-capacity stereos, hydraulic suspensions, decals etc. have all been used as means of enthusiasts to entertain themselves and be unique. Similarly, the proliferation of customized ring tones has exploded amongst cell phone users. This invention combines the two ideas allowing the user to customize and improve the sound the vehicle makes when a given event occurs. This includes replacing the traditional horn sound outside the vehicle when pressing buttons on a key fob to replacing a low gas warning tone on the inside of the vehicle. In the previous examples, audio and/or visual/optical content could be used to replace the traditional tones.  
         [0003]     The prior art includes RKE and vehicle security systems that replace the existing manufacturer&#39;s RKE with added functionality such as a siren capable of pre-programmed tones. Traditional systems only make use of the vehicle&#39;s horn and occasionally the vehicle&#39;s head and tail lights. These systems are limited by the horn and siren&#39;s capabilities and are not capable of receiving and employing new content (audio or optical). The proposed invention can work with any existing RKE or vehicle security system, or any other event generating system such as the in-vehicle monitoring system that sends warning signals for low gas, low oil pressure etc.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     This invention describes a system that plays back content based on user-configurable in-vehicle subsystem triggers, and manual user triggers. The invention may be used for a variety of applications such as vehicle personalization and customization, vehicle event-acknowledgement, and entertainment. In one embodiment, the control unit ties to the remote keyless entry (RKE) and/or vehicle security system and uses the RKE wireless buttons as playback triggers for the content. In-vehicle subsystems such as warning and information signals or other systems with manual triggers like the RKE system may also be tied to the vehicle unit to trigger content playback. Included in the invention are content delivery scenarios that allow for secure and robust transmission from an original source to the vehicle unit. The vehicle unit stores the content in an on-board storage. Content loading and operation of the system is configured using a computer or handheld device software.  
         [0005]     The invention comprises a vehicle unit, which has interfaces to receive and store the content, interfaces to receive playback event triggers, control circuitry, storage, software and lastly playback hardware if not already provided by the vehicle. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]     Other advantages of the present invention can be understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:  
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a schematic of an event-driven playback system according to the present invention.  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates a first system and method for distributing media to the event-driven playback system of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  illustrates a second system and method for distributing media to the event-driven playback system of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  illustrates a third system and method for distributing media to the event-driven playback system of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0011]      FIG. 5  illustrates a fourth system and method for distributing media to the event-driven playback system of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 6  illustrates one possible user interface for providing content to the event-driven playback system of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0013]     An event-driven content playback system  10  according to the present invention is shown schematically in  FIG. 1  installed in a vehicle  12  having vehicle systems  14 , including an RKE/vehicle security system  16  and other vehicle sensors  20 . The RKE/vehicle security system  16  could be an RKE system, vehicle security system or both and may include sensors and actuators for door lock, primary door unlock, all doors unlock, trunk release, panic and remote start, for example. The sensors  20  include any other vehicle sensors  20  whose output may or could generate a warning or indication to a person. The sensors  20  may include low gas warning, low oil pressure warning, low windshield washer fluid warning, seatbelt(s) not connected warning, engine problem warning, brake problem warning, airbag problem warning, anti-lock-brake system problem warning, low battery warning, high temperature warning, door ajar warning, trunk ajar warning, hood ajar warning, etc.  
         [0014]     The system  10  includes a control unit  24  with an interface to present vehicle content playback hardware  26 , an interface to RKE/SS system triggers  28  and an interface to the other vehicle event system triggers  30 . The system  10  optionally includes content playback hardware  32 , such as a decoder, amplifier, etc and a transducer, such as a speaker  34 . Content playback hardware and software may be included for content-specific playback, such as, but not limited to an amplifier and external speaker for audio, or additional lighting for optical content. The control unit  24  is connected to communication hardware  38 , such as wired and wireless communication hardware, such as RF, BlueTooth, IEEE 802.11, USB port, removable media reader, etc. The communication hardware  38  is preferably a BlueTooth transceiver.  
         [0015]     The system  10  further includes software  40 , for storing the programs, algorithms, and other information needed to operate the present invention. The system  20  also includes on-board storage  42 , such as a hard drive, RAM or other memory or digital storage, for storing content  50  and associating them with vehicle functions  52 . In the example described here, the content  50  are audio files, such as MP3s, WAV, or other complex sound clips, which may be compressed.  
         [0016]     The control unit  24  is configured to play back the stored content  50  in the event of a set of predefined vehicle functions  52 . Upon detecting the occurrence of a vehicle function  52 , the control unit  24  references the assigned content  50  for the vehicle function  52  and plays back this content  50  through its own hardware, or content playback hardware  32 .  
         [0017]     As indicated, the present invention could be used in conjunction with may different vehicle functions. However, for purposes of illustration, the present invention will be described with respect to an RKE system. Operation of the present invention with other vehicle functions should be apparent in light of this description.  
         [0018]     One example for distributing the content  50  to the vehicle  12  is shown in  FIG. 2 . A provided software application runs on a computer  56  to permit a user to select content and assign it to various vehicle functions. The computer  56  includes a display  58 , mouse and keyboard or other input devices  60 , a wireless transceiver  62  and a microphone  63 . The computer program on the computer  56  allows the user to select from available content  50  and assign selected content  50  to the vehicle function event-triggers to which the vehicle unit has been tied. The available event triggers depends on the RKE system employed and what other systems may have been tied to the vehicle unit. For example, the user can choose a music clip or a ring-tone to play when he or she triggers the unlock key on his/her RKE fob. Another example, the user can choose a music clip or ring tone to play when he/she triggers the panic key on the RKE fob. Each event may be assigned unique content  50  if desired. The software provides a user-friendly interface to associate content  50  to a trigger function and an option to preview the content  50  prior to assigning it to a given vehicle function. Content  50  may take on a multitude of forms including but not limited to audio clips, video clips, ring tones, maps, documents etc. and may have come from any original source.  
         [0019]     The selected content  50  is then sent to the vehicle  12  (in one of a variety of ways) and stored in storage  42  ( FIG. 1 ). In order to playback content upon the occurrences of these events, the control unit  24  must have received and stored the content in the on-board storage  42 .  
         [0020]     Four differing transmission scenarios are presented as possible means of transferring content to the vehicle unit. In all cases, upon reception of the content data, the vehicle unit&#39;s software stores the content and which event the content is tied to in the on-board storage. The following transmission paths are disclosed as part of the invention  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  illustrates the transfer of the content  50  from a user computer  56  to the vehicle unit wirelessly via transceiver  62 . There are no intermediary steps; however, the personal computer must be within the functional range of the wireless hardware. The content is stored on the computer  56  from the original source  66  through any means available. The original source  66  may be servers on an internet web site. In this embodiment, both the computer  56  and vehicle  12  unit must be equipped with wireless communication hardware. In the preferred embodiment, the wireless protocol uses Bluetooth technology.  
         [0022]     A software application on the computer  56  is used to establish a connection via a wide area network  64  (such as the internet). Upon connecting, the control unit  24  transmits its status, including but not limited to currently stored content  50  and available vehicle functions  52 . Once the user has selected and assigned content to the vehicle functions  52 , the content  50  and assignment with the vehicle functions  52  is wirelessly transmitted to the control unit  24  via the software application. Additionally, the computer  56  includes a microphone  63 , such that recorded audio received over the microphone  63  is stored as content  50  on the computer  56  for transmission to the vehicle  12  and association with vehicle functions  52 .  
         [0023]     The second path is illustrated in  FIG. 3  and includes a wireless handheld device  72 , such as a PDA, cell phone, or email device, including on-board storage and a wireless transceiver  76 . In this system and method, the content  50  is selected and the user associates vehicle functions  52  with each content  50 . The content  50  is then transmitted from the original source  66  via a wireless transmitting system  68  to a wireless-enabled handheld device and then to the control unit  24 . The wireless transmitting system  68  may be wireless internet access, or a wireless email or phone network. The selected content from the original source  66  is stored on the handheld device  72  through any available means. This handheld device  72  must contain enough storage  74  to hold the transferred content  50  and have the ability to re-transmit the content to the control unit  24 . The wireless capabilities of the handheld device  72  and the control unit  24  must be compatible. In the preferred embodiment, the wireless protocol uses Bluetooth technology, which would be in addition to the wireless transceiver in the handheld device used to communicate with the system  68 .  
         [0024]     A software application on the handheld device  72  is used to establish a connection. Upon connecting, the control unit  24  transmits its status, including but not limited to currently stored content  50  and available vehicle functions  52 . Once the user has selected and assigned content  50  to the vehicle functions  52 , the content  50  and assignment is wirelessly transmitted to the control unit  24  via the software application.  
         [0025]     Intermediate steps from the original source  66  to the handheld device  72  are also possible. The content  50  may be transferred by any means from the original source  66 , to the computer  56 , or other intermediate device, and then transferred again, by any means available to the handheld device  72 . Alternatively, the content may be transmitted to the handheld device  72  via a wired connection, such as USB, Firewire, etc. The content  50  is then transferred wirelessly to the control unit  24  as described above.  
         [0026]     A third path is illustrated in  FIG. 4 , and includes an additional device, the wireless key fob  80 . This device contains a wireless transceiver  82 , storage  84 , and any necessary control circuitry and software (not shown). This wireless key fob  80  can be programmed to perform the functions of the pre-existing remote keyless entry system as well as content delivery functions for the current invention. Configuration of the wireless key fob  80  (for both remote keyless entry and content delivery) is done using the computer  56  or handheld device  72  running a software application and may be performed over wire or wirelessly.  
         [0027]     The software application allows the user to program the specific RKE key fob functions that replace the existing vehicle&#39;s remote keyless entry fob  80 . Additionally, the software allows the user to configure automated content transfer or manual content transfer and lastly, the software allows the user to select and assign the content  50  to the available vehicle functions  52 .  
         [0028]     The content  50  is initially transferred from the original source  66  to a personal computer  56  or handheld device  72  and then to the wireless key fob  80 , and lastly to the control unit  24 . Once the user has selected and assigned the desired content to the available events, the wireless key fob  80  stores the content  50  in on-board storage  84  via a wired or wireless connection to the computer  56  or handheld device  72 . When the wireless key fob  80  is in range of the control unit  24 , a wireless link is established and the wireless key fob  80  can transfer the content  50  to the control unit  24 . This transmission can be configured in the software application to occur automatically when in range, or manually by the user using a button on the wireless key fob  80 . An indicator may be provided on the wireless key fob  80  to notify the user of the system status, which may include but is not limited to the following states: connection established, on going transmission, error has occurred and transmission complete.  
         [0029]      FIG. 5  illustrates the transmission of content  50  from any original source  66 , to the vehicle  12  via a portable portable storage media  90 . A software application on a computer  56  or handheld device  72  allows the user to select the available stored content  50  and assign it to the vehicle functions  52  available to the control unit  24 . In this embodiment, the system  10  can be configured to automatically initiate a data transfer upon connection or allow the user to press a synchronize button on the control unit  24 . The software then stores the content  50  and assigned trigger data to the portable storage media  90 . The portable storage media  90  is then physically connected to the control unit  24  where to transmission to the control unit  24  occurs automatically or manually depending on its configuration. Optionally, the control unit  24  can make use of the portable storage media  90  rather than, or in addition to, using on-board storage  42  ( FIG. 1 ). In this case, when an event is detected by the control unit  24  for which content is to be played, the control unit  24  accesses the portable storage media  90  to retrieve and playback the content  50 . An indicator may be provided on the control unit  24  to notify the user of the system status and may include but is not limited to the following: a connection is established, transmission is on going, an error has occurred and transmission has completed. The physical connection of the portable media storage  90  can be directly to the control unit  24  or to a provided port located in the vehicle.  
         [0030]     In the wireless transmission paths disclosed above, the devices communicating with the control unit  24  must establish a wireless connection. There is the possibility that more than one control units  24  is in the proximity of the connecting device. Therefore, there exists the need to perform a discovery and authorization process. Software on the connecting device, will enumerate the control units  24  that are in the vicinity and automatically establish a connection to the control unit  24  that was linked during the initial configuration of the system. During the initial configuration, the connecting device(s) are “married” to the control unit  24 (s) to which they will be connecting using an identification/authorization scheme. The connecting devices may be “married” to multiple control units  24 ; in this case, if both control units  24  are in the vicinity of the connecting device, the software will allow the user to select which vehicle they wish to connect to. The control unit  24  will only allow connections from “married” connecting devices to ensure unauthorized access to the control unit  24  is prevented. This applies to the wireless communication methodologies utilizing a computer  56 , handheld devices  72  and wireless key fob  80 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 6  illustrates one possible user interface that could be displayed on the display  58  of the computer  56  ( FIG. 2 ) and on the display of the handheld device  72  ( FIG. 3 ). In this user interface, the user can associate the content  50  with the vehicle functions  52 , preview the content  50 , record new content  50  (using microphone  63  of  FIG. 2 ) and otherwise configure the system  10 .  
         [0032]     In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes and jurisprudence, exemplary configurations described above are considered to represent a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.