Abstract:
A system for presenting separate audio and/or video signals to multiple occupants or groupings of occupants in an automobile is provided. The system includes an input mixer which is utilized to receive signals from a plurality of sources. The signals may include audio, video, graphical, textual, GPS and other signals. The sources may include cassette tape decks, compact disc drives, digital versatile disc players, radio frequency broadcasts, satellite signals and wireless communications signals. The system also includes a multi-channel receiver and amplifier which simultaneously receives and amplifies a plurality of signals. An output mixer also provides specificity as to the output ports upon which a given received and amplified channel is provided to an output device. Output devices include speakers, headphones, and video displays. In an alternative embodiment, a transmitter is provided for transmitting output signals over radio frequencies to wireless headphones and similar devices.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0001]    The technical field relates generally to audio distribution systems. More specifically, the technical field relates to audio distribution systems utilized in automobiles and other moving vehicles, wherein such systems enable multiple persons present in such vehicles to listen to distinct audio programs without interference from other audio programming being presented simultaneously to other persons.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    When traveling in automobiles, various occupants often desire to listen to distinct audio programs. For example, an adult occupant (which may be the driver or a passenger) might desire to listen to a certain type of music (for example, classic rock) whereas a teenage passenger might desire to listen to another type of music (for example, rap). Commonly, most automobile audio systems are equipped with certain standard audio components that allow a driver or passenger to select only a single output signal that is presented throughout the vehicle even though multiple input sources may be available. For example, an auto sound system might be configured to receive input signals from compact discs, cassette tapes, radio stations, television stations (when the automobile is video equipped), GPS signals, cellular communications and various other sources of information. FIG. 1 provides a schematic illustration of a simple system  100  in which standard audio sources are provided.  
           [0003]    As shown, such a system  100  commonly includes a receiver and amplifier  102  that receives signals from various input sources, amplifies the signal and outputs the selected signal to various speaker systems. Further, the system  100  commonly includes an antenna system  108  (which suitably includes any necessary pre-amplifiers, filters, and the like) that is connected to the receiver  102  through a communications medium  103  at an input port  114  on the receiver  102 . As is commonly appreciated, the antenna  108  (and, by correlation, the receiver  102 ) may be configured to receive communications signals on various frequencies including, but not limited to, AM radio frequencies, FM radio frequencies, broadcast TV frequencies, satellite TV frequencies, cellular frequencies, and other frequencies commonly used to receive and/or transmit communications signals. The receiver  102  suitably selects a communications signal from the antenna for reception and amplification when desired.  
           [0004]    The system  100  also commonly includes various input sources such as a cassette tape deck  104  and/or a compact disc player  106 . These are suitably connected to the receiver  102 , for example, through communications link  105  and  107  and through input ports  116  and  118 , respectively. Further, it is common for the compact disc player  106  and/or cassette tape deck  104  to be integrated into a single unit with the receiver  102 .  
           [0005]    Various speakers  110  and  112  are also commonly connected to the receiver  102 . Often four, six, or even eight speakers are provided in an automobile sound system. For purposes of simplicity, two speakers are shown in FIG. 1. Further, it is commonly appreciated that the speakers are often assigned to specific locations in the vehicle, for example, front speakers versus rear speakers. Suitable output ports  120  and  122  are usually provided by the receiver  102  and are used to connect the multitude of speakers to the receiver  102 . While volume control knobs are often provided and by which occupants may adjust the sound volume in a given location within the automobile, such systems  100  generally require all the occupants of the automobile to listen to the same audio signals  
           [0006]    Therefore, while automobile sound systems in recent years have increased tremendously the number of input sources, output ports and the quality of the sound provided in automobiles, there still exists a need for systems that enable various occupants to listen to one audio signal while other occupants listen to other audio signals. In short, a system is needed that enables occupants to listen to those audio programs they desire in an automobile while other occupants listen to a different audio program at the same time, without requiring the occupants to provide their own sound distribution systems (i.e., without requiring certain occupants to utilize a MP3 player, a SONY® WALKMAN®, a “boom box”, or a similar device).  
           [0007]    Further, automobiles often now include video systems, GPS systems, mobile computing systems and other systems that provide audio, video, graphical, textual, and/or other types of information signals. As such, the need is ever greater for a system and process that enables occupants and/or groups of occupants to be presented with specific audio/video signals while other occupants are presented with a different audio/video signal.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0008]    A system is provided that enables occupants of a vehicle to select specific audio programs for presentation to such occupant without requiring other occupants to listen to the same audio program. The system also enables such other occupants to select other audio programs which they may listen to simultaneously with the presentation of the first audio program. While the present Summary and Detailed Description are directed towards an audio sound system and audio signals, it is to be appreciated that the present invention is not to be construed as being so limited. Audio, video, graphical, textual and other types of signals may be suitably communicated to specific occupants or groups of occupants. As such, throughout this description audio signals are to be interpreted as including, where appropriate, video signals, graphical signals, textual signals and signals in other formats that can be suitably presented to a person.  
           [0009]    In one embodiment, a system is provided that utilizes many of the input signals provided by commonly available input devices, for example, radio frequency signals provided through an antenna, signals from a cassette tape deck, and/or signals from a compact disc player. These signals are received by a single receiving device that includes multiple receiver/amplifiers, and multiple output channels. Input mixers are suitably provided and utilized to select an input signal for reception and/or amplification by one of the device&#39;s receivers/amplifiers. Similarly, output mixers are suitably provided and utilized to select which received and amplified signal is to be provided to a specific audio presentation device (for example, a speaker or a headphone). The location of the selected audio presentation device and the connection thereto, through the receiver/amplifier, to a given audio signal is suitably controlled by a simple and easy-to-use interface provided by the device.  
           [0010]    In another embodiment, a system further includes a transmitter that allows for the separate transmission of audio signals to wireless devices (for example, head-phones). Preferably, a transmitter is provided that is capable of transmitting multiple audio signals over multiple communications channels. Further, in yet another embodiment combinations of wired and wireless connections may be utilized to present distinct audio signals to specific occupants in an automobile and/or to specific regions of an automobile.  
           [0011]    These and other features are further described herein with reference to the drawing figures, detailed description and the claims. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a conventional audio sound system commonly utilized in automobiles;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of one embodiment where multiple audio signals are simultaneously presented to specific regions of an automobile through a wired speaker system;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of another embodiment where multiple audio signals are simultaneously presented to specific occupants of an automobile through a wireless sound distribution system;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of another embodiment where multiple audio signals are simultaneously presented to occupants of an automobile through a combined wired and wireless sound distribution system; and  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating one method by which a receiving unit may be configured to provide multiple channels to specific occupants and/or groups of occupants in an automobile. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0017]    As discussed previously, a system is provided for presenting a plurality of audio signals to various occupants of a vehicle. More specifically, the system enables occupants of a vehicle to listen to various audio signals without requiring all the occupants to listen to the same signal and without requiring the occupants to utilize additional and/or stand-alone sound reproduction systems (for example, separate WALKMAN® units or the like).  
         [0018]    As shown in FIG. 2, one embodiment of a system  200  for presenting multiple audio signals to occupants of an automobile utilizes a multiple channel receiver and amplifier system. The system  200  includes a receiving unit  202  that further includes a multi-channel receiver/amplifier  206 . In FIG. 2, the multi-channel receiver/amplifier  206  is illustrated as a two channel unit. It is to be appreciated, however, that any number of channels may be configured into the multi-channel receiver/amplifier  206  as particular needs may determine. For example, in a large automobile, carrying numerous persons (for example, a six passenger mini-van) a channel may be desired for every seat in the vehicle (i.e., a six channel unit may be desired). Contrarily, for a small vehicle (for example, a two passenger sports car) only two channels may be desired. Further, in most applications, it is anticipated that a two channel unit is sufficient to address the various listening needs of most occupants of an automobile.  
         [0019]    Further, the receiving unit  202  also includes an input mixer  204  and an output mixer  208 . As is commonly known and appreciated in the art, input and output mixers may be provided in solid-state components, or more commonly as portions of an integrated circuit or a circuit assembly. As such, in some devices the input and output mixers may not be separate or distinguishable units and may be provided as an element of the processing features and functions of a receiving unit  202 . Thus, it is to be appreciated that the input and output mixers  204  and  208 , respectively, are provided in FIG. 2 primarily for illustrative purposes and the receiving unit  202  is not to be construed as being limited to such an actual configuration and/or embodiment.  
         [0020]    As illustrated in FIG. 2, the input mixer  204  is configured to receive a plurality of input signals from a plurality of sources at input terminals  114 ,  116  and  118 . For example, sources may include a cassette tape deck  104  or a compact disc player  106 , or a similar device that provides a signal from a portable storage device, for example, a compact disc, a magnetic tape, a video tape, a digital versatile disc, a memory stick or any other data storage medium. Further, the input mixer  204  may be connected to an antenna(s)  108  that is configured to receive electromagnetic signals at various wavelengths. As is commonly known, such signals may include radio signals, cellular or other wireless communications signals, television signals, satellite signals and any other signal capable of being communicated to a receiving unit. Further, such sources  104 ,  106 , and/or  108  are also connected to the input mixer  204  through appropriate or desired communications links  105 ,  103 , and  107 , respectively. Such communications links may be wired or wireless.  
         [0021]    As shown in FIG. 2, the input mixer  204  effectively establishes connections between a given source and a channel provided by the multi-channel receiver/amplifier  206 . For purposes of illustration, nodes  210  and  212  are shown as providing inputs to respective channels in the multi-channel receiver/amplifier  206 . It is to be appreciated, however, that the various channels provided by a receiving unit may be received, amplified and output by a single amplifying circuit that utilizes the needed filters, amplifiers, and other devices necessary to so configure a multiple channel output signal. Thus, any available multi-channel receiver/amplifier may be utilized or, alternatively, multiple instances of single channel receivers/amplifiers may be used.  
         [0022]    Further, as illustrated in FIG. 2, such receivers/amplifiers effectively include output nodes  214  and  216  that correspond to the given channels. The signals at such output nodes  214  and  216  are appropriately routed by the output mixer  208 , or its functional equivalent, at any instant and/or as specified by a user to a desired output device. Examples of such output devices may include, for example, the front audio speakers  110  and the rear audio speakers  112  in an automobile. As illustrated, each such set of speakers may be configured to receive any of the plurality of channels processed by the multi-channel receiver/amplifier  206 . For example, the channel  1  signal might be connected to both node  120  and node  122 , from which suitable connections  109  and  111  (which may be wired or wireless) are provided to the audio speakers  110  and  112 . Alternatively, channel  1  might be configured to be presented on only the rear audio speakers  112 , through node  122  only, while channel  2  is configured to be presented on only the front audio speakers  110 , through node  120  only. As such, numerous combinations and permutations may be provided by the plurality of input sources, the number of channels on the multi-channel receiver/amplifier  206  and the number of output devices.  
         [0023]    Further, the receiving unit  202  is preferably configured so that users may easily specify particular signals to be presented to users through particular output devices. In short, the system  200  may be configured such that the users specify the destination of particular audio channels. In additional embodiments, the system  200  may also be configured such that the receiving unit  202  automatically routes the audio signal to specific output devices based upon the type of signal received, driving regulations (for example, video signals should not be presented to a driver of a moving vehicle) and the intended audience.  
         [0024]    For example, when the antenna  108  receives a wireless telephone call intended for the driver, the system may be configured to automatically present the call to the driver through output devices proximate to the driver. Meanwhile, music or other audio signals may be increased in volume in the proximity of other passengers, as desired and/or necessary. Such a configuration may create some semblance of privacy in a call (by prohibiting others from hearing the call), while minimizing the interference of other audio signals during the call. Thus, it is to be appreciated that the receiving unit  202  may be configured to manually and/or automatically distribute audio signals, as desired, to a plurality of output devices.  
         [0025]    Referring now to FIG. 3, another embodiment of a system  300  is illustrated. In this embodiment, the receiving unit  302  further includes a multi-channel transmitter  302 . The multi-channel transmitter  302  is appropriately configured to transmit electromagnetic signals on appropriate communications links  308  and  310  at appropriate frequencies to receiving units, such as a set of combined receiver and audio headphones  304  and  306 , respectively. In this embodiment, even greater selectivity and/or exclusivity of audio communications can be provided since various occupants of an automobile may be presented with unique audio signals that only they can hear through the wireless headphone devices.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a system  400  wherein both general broadcast audio signals can be presented through an audio speaker  112  and private communications can be provided through headphones  304 . In FIG. 4, the transmitter  402  is illustrated as a single channel transmitter, however, it is to be appreciated that multiple channel transmitters may be utilized as desired. Similarly, only rear audio speakers  112  are illustrated. As discussed previously herein and provided in the previous embodiments multiple speaker arrangements may be utilized as desired. Thus, FIGS.  2 - 4  illustrate various embodiments that may be utilized to provide multiple audio and/or video channels in an automobile so that specific occupants, areas of a vehicle, or other groupings may be presented with specific audio and/or video signals. As discussed previously, such groupings may be predetermined, manually specified, and/or automatically specified. Further, the automatic specification may be based upon the intended audience for a given audio/video signal, the content of the audio/video signal, and/or any other parameter. Such parameters may be suitably loaded or programmed into the receiving unit  202  and stored in registers or a suitable data storage device (not shown).  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 5 provides a flow chart illustrating one method which may be utilized to specifically tailor audio/video signals to specific occupants in a vehicle. As shown this process begins (block  500 ) with specifying occupants or groups of occupants for a given audio channel and their relative position in a vehicle (Block  502 ). For example, a receiving unit  202  might be configured with preset buttons specifying, for example, front seat and back seat of a vehicle, adults and kids, driver and passengers, or any other designation. Similarly, a receiving unit  202  might be configured with a touch screen display (for example, on which one may identify positions of occupants in a vehicle and their desired audio selections). Similarly, a voice recognition unit, or other device may be utilized and may enable an operator of the receiving unit to specify how the automobile&#39;s audio distribution system (i.e., the combination of wired and/or wireless speakers and/or headphones) is to be configured. It is to be appreciated that as the number of channels provided by the receiving unit  202  increases, so does the complexity of specifying audio/video groupings. Therefore, to limit the amount of configurations necessary, the preferred embodiment utilizes a two channel receiving unit.  
         [0028]    After specifying how a group of occupants are organized or located in the automobile and associated with a given channel, the process continues with the operator designating which audio signal is to be provided to a given channel (block  504 ). For example, a given channel may be designated to receive cellular telephone calls and a signal from a radio station, while another channel may be configured to receive the audio and/or video signals for a movie playing on a DVD player. Preferably, the selection of the audio/video signal to provide through a given channel (which is associated with an occupant or grouping of occupants) is accomplished after specifying the occupant grouping. However, a system may also be configured such that the assignment of audio/video signals to a given channel is accomplished first and the occupants that are to receive a given channel are specified at a later time.  
         [0029]    Regardless of the order in which the occupant to channel specification or the audio/video selection to channel specification occurs, the process continues with matching occupants to channels and channels to audio/video signal selections until either all the occupant and audio/video selections have been specified (block  506 ), or all the available channels have been specified (block  508 ). More specifically, when all the occupants and audio/video selections have been specified (block  506 ), the process continues with presenting the audio/video signals on the designated channels ( 510 ). When additional occupant and audio/video selections remain to be specified (block  506 ), the process determines whether additional channels are available (block  508 ). If additional channels are available, the process then loops through blocks  502 - 508  until either all the occupant and audio/video selections have been specified or nor are no more additional channels available (block  508 ). At which instance, the process continues with providing the desired audio/video signals on the specified channels to the occupants (block  510 ).  
         [0030]    It is to be appreciated that a given system is often limited as to the number audio/video signals the system can present at any given time by the number of channels provided by the system. However, it is also to be appreciated that a given channel may be assigned (or switched between) more than one input signal source and the receiving unit may be configured to appropriately select a signal available for a given channel based upon the occurrence of a pre-determined event. For example, a channel might be configured to provide an audio signal from a radio station until either a cellular call is received or an outgoing call is initiated. In both instances, the receiving unit desirably switches off the incoming audio radio signal and provides the cellular signal on the channel, thereby facilitating a clearer cellular telephone call. Meanwhile, a second channel (which may or may not, at that time, be configured to present a distinct signal) may be configured to automatically continue presenting the audio radio signal to other areas or occupants of the automobile, and thereby provide some privacy to the occupant receiving the incoming or outgoing call. Such privacy could be especially provided when headphones were being used by certain occupants to receive an audio signal.  
         [0031]    Upon presenting the audio/video signal(s) to the occupant(s) on the desired channels, the process continues to provide such signals until the receiving unit: receives a request to modify groupings of occupants with a channel (block  512 ); receives a request to modify an audio/video signal associated with a given channel (block  514 ); or is turned off (block  516 ). As shown in FIG. 5, upon receiving a request to modify groupings of occupants with a channel (block  512 , the process continues with the operator again specifying occupant grouping for a channel (block  502 ). Similarly, upon receiving a request to modify an audio/video signal associated with a given channel (block  514 ), the process continues with the operator again specifying an audio/video signal selection to provide to channel (block  504 ).  
         [0032]    Further, it is to be appreciated, that the receiving unit may be configured such that a given channel is the active channel. When so configured, an operator may change the input audio/video signal selections for the active channel without effecting the signal selection being provided on another channel. Such a feature may be desirable, for example, when children are watching a movie on channel two and the driver is constantly surfing radio signals on channel  1 . Further, in certain other embodiments, remote signal controls may be provided in the vehicle, for example, in the rear seating area of a minivan. Such remote signal controls may be utilized by occupants in the general proximity to control the volume, channel, and/or audio/video input selection provided on a channel.  
         [0033]    While the present invention has been described in the context of certain system embodiments and process flows, it is to be appreciated that the present invention is not so limited and should be considered to include modifications, additions and deletions thereto and such shall be considered to be within the scope of the present invention, as set forth by the specification, the drawing figures and the claims.