Abstract:
This invention describes a system that plays back content based on in-vehicle function triggers. The invention may be used for a variety of applications. In one example, the control unit ties to the remote keyless entry (RKE) system and uses the vehicle signal to the function as playback trigger 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:
[0001]     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/755,328 filed Dec. 31, 2005. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     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.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART  
       [0003]     Vehicle customization is 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.  
         [0004]     Sounding of the vehicle&#39;s horn for a remote keyless entry does provide a satisfactory signal so that the operator can verify whether the remote control device has been properly engaged and can also assist a driver to relocate his vehicle when he returns to a large and crowded parking area. However, car horns all sound very similar. If two or more vehicle operators concurrently engage their keyless entry remote control devices it may be difficult to distinguish one vehicle&#39;s horn from the other. Similarly, when a driver uses the remote control to lock his vehicle while walking away from it, the signal of a horn sounding cannot necessarily be identified as coming from his own vehicle.  
         [0005]     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.  
         [0006]     Accordingly, it is desirable to have a customized audible signal that is to verify the activation of a vehicle event.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     This invention describes a system that plays back content based on user-configurable vehicle 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. In-vehicle subsystems such as warning and information signals or other systems with manual triggers may also be tied to the vehicle unit to trigger content playback. The vehicle unit stores the content in a portable storage device. Content loading and operation of the system is configured using a computer.  
         [0008]     The invention comprises a vehicle unit, which interfaces to receive the content, store the content, and to receive playback event triggers. Additionally the system includes control circuitry, storage, software and lastly playback hardware if not already provided by the vehicle. The system may include a digital audio source with a signal amplifier and loudspeaker.  
         [0009]     The control unit is programmable with recorded sounds that can be transferred from a remote bank of digital sounds, for example by being downloaded from an internet website. The control unit includes connectivity means by which digital sound recording can be transferred to it.  
         [0010]     An almost limitless selection of sounds, for example from an Internet website, provides an audio signal for a vehicle event. These audio signals may include unique tones created specifically for the purpose. They may also include brief excerpts of recorded music or dialogue.  
         [0011]     The ease of selection of different sound recording also facilitates using the audio signal to provide a source of amusement. For example, the owner of a motor vehicle could regularly change the audio signal for his vehicle&#39;s remote control locking mechanism to his current favorite song, or different recorded lines of dialogue. Recorded sounds available on an Internet website could also include voice messages, such as greetings or warnings, or expressions of support for favorite sports teams. The control unit may be configured to play certain signals for different events, at certain times or the day, or on specific dates.  
         [0012]     Operation of an Internet website making available a bank of downloadable recorded sounds for such an audio signal system for vehicle remote control locking mechanisms may be undertaken on a commercial basis, with customers making payments for each recorded sound they download. The operator of the internet website could also derive revenue from selling advertising, for example, in connection with promoting recorded music and motion pictures for which sound extracts would be available for downloading.  
         [0013]     In order that the invention may be more fully understood, various embodiments thereof will now be described in greater detail, it being understood that such description is by way of example only, and is not limiting. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     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:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a schematic of an event-driven playback system according to the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  illustrates a system and method for distributing media to the event-driven playback system of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of a main window of a software application for loading content;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment of an add rule window of a software application for loading content;  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  illustrates one embodiment of a modify rule window of a software application for loading content; and  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  illustrate one method of converting content into the required playback system format.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0021]     An event-driven content playback system  10  according to the present invention is schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The playback system  10  is installed in a vehicle  12  having vehicle systems  14 , which may include a remote keyless entry (RKE)/vehicle security system  16  and other vehicle sensors  20 .  
         [0022]     The RKE/vehicle security system  16  may include sensors  17  and actuators  19  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 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.  
         [0023]     The playback system  10  further includes a control unit  24  with an interface to the vehicle event system triggers  30 . The control unit  24  interfaces with the vehicle event system trigger  30  to read the signal sent from the vehicle to the specific vehicle event. For example, the control unit  24  intercepts the signal from the vehicle to the door locks to unlock the doors, whether the signal is originated from the RKE/SS system or from within the car. As a result the control unit  24  utilizes the vehicle signal and does not require a separate signal to initiate the content playback.  
         [0024]     The control unit  24  is connected to the vehicle  12  through communication hardware  38 , such as wired and wireless communication hardware, for example, RF, BlueTooth, IEEE 802.11, USB port, removable media reader, etc. The communication hardware  38  is preferably a wired connection to reduce possible interference. The communication hardware  38  may include wiring to attach to each vehicle system  14  to intercept the system trigger  30 .  
         [0025]     The system  10  also includes content playback hardware  32 , such as a decoder, amplifier, etc. and a transducer, such as a speaker. The content playback hardware  32  may be arranged such that the user may hear and/or see the content from within the vehicle  12  or from the vehicle  12  exterior, or both. For example, the content playback hardware  32  could include a speaker  34  located within the engine compartment of the vehicle  12  resulting in a user from the exterior of the vehicle  12  being able to hear the content playback. Additionally, the content playback hardware  32  can also include a speaker  34  within the passenger compartment allowing the user within the vehicle  12  to hear the content playback. Depending on the vehicle function  52  triggered, the control unit  24  may send a signal to either or both of the speakers  34 . Alternately, the playback system  10  may be connected through an interface  26  to the content playback hardware  32 , such as the vehicle speakers or lighting, not requiring separate units.  
         [0026]     The system  10  includes two interfitting portions, a cradle  28  and a core  18 . The cradle substantially  28  includes the interfaces  26 ,  30  and may be mounted within the vehicle  12 . The cradle  28  is preferably mounted under the dash of the vehicle  12  or in another easily accessible position. The core  18  is removably connected to the cradle  28  and includes the communication hardware  38 , the content playback hardware  32 , software  40  and storage  42 . Alternatively, the content playback hardware  32  could be on the cradle  28 . The core  18  is used to transfer content  50  to the vehicle  12  and to playback content  50  in the vehicle  12 . The software  40  and storage  42  are used for storing programs, algorithms, and other information needed to operate the playback system  10 . The storage  42  may be a hard drive, RAM or other memory or digital storage, 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.  
         [0027]     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 storage  42  to obtain the assigned content  50  for the vehicle function  52 . The content  50  plays back through content playback hardware  32 . Each vehicle function  52  may be assigned specific content  50  that is pre-selected by the user. For example, different content  50  may be selected for locking the vehicles doors, unlocking the vehicle doors, opening the vehicle trunk, etc.  
         [0028]      FIG. 2  illustrates one example for distributing the content  50  to the vehicle  12 . A provided software application runs on a computer  56 . The computer  56  includes a display  58 , mouse and keyboard or other input devices  60 . The control unit  24  is connected to the computer  56  through the core  18 , which may be removed from the vehicle  12 . The core  18  includes means for connecting to the computer  56 , such as a USB port or wireless connection, such as Bluetooth or wi-fi.  
         [0029]     In this embodiment, the system  10  can be configured to automatically initiate a data transfer upon connection of the control unit  24  to the computer  56  or allow the user to press a synchronize button on the control unit  24  to transfer the data. The software application permits a user to select content  50  and assign the content  50  to various vehicle functions  52 . The software provides a user-friendly interface to associate content  50  to a vehicle function  52  and an option to preview the content  50  prior to assigning it to a given vehicle function  52 . Content  50  may take many forms including but not limited to audio clips, video clips, ring tones, maps, documents etc. and from any source. For example, the user can choose a music clip or a ring-tone to play when he or she triggers the door unlock. Another example, the user can choose a music clip or ring tone to play when he/she triggers the trunk unlock. Each event may be assigned unique content  50  if desired. The software stores the content  50  in the storage  42  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) on the core  18 .  
         [0030]     The control unit  24  is then disconnected from the computer  56  and connected to the vehicle  12  by inserting the core  18  into a cradle  28  which is mounted in the vehicle  12 . The cradle  28  includes a plurality of wires  29  that are connected to various wires in the vehicle to monitor desired vehicle functions. 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 storage  42  to retrieve and playback the content  50 .  
         [0031]     As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the core  18  includes an override button  63  for selectively temporarily or permanently disabling playback. The override button  63  may occur for a temporary period of time, or pre-determined number of signals sent to the given vehicle function, or permanently until the override button  63  is pressed again. In this manner the user may prevent content playback that may be heard by others at inappropriate times or locations. For example, the user may choose to override the selected content  50 , such as a music clip, playing for the door lock or unlock function prior to attending a funeral. In one embodiment, pressing the override button  63  once disables playback for one hour, twice disables playback for 24 hours, three times disables playback until the override button  63  is pressed a fourth time. The override button  63  may be luminous so that it can remain solid (on), flash slowly (one hour delay), quickly (24-hour delay) or off (disabled).  
         [0032]     One way of connecting one of the wires  29  to associate it with one or two vehicle functions  52  (depending upon the vehicle  12 ) is shown in  FIG. 2A . The wire  29  is connected to a wire  89  between the RKE unit  16  and the door lock module  90 . If a relay  92  is needed, the wire  29  is connected between the relay  92  and the door lock module  90 . When the RKE unit  16  activates the lock module  90  to lock, e.g. when the RKE unit  16  connects wire  89  to ground, that vehicle function  52  is detected on wire  29 . If the RKE unit  16  uses the same wire  89  to activate lock module  90  to unlock (e.g. by connecting wire  89  to high), then the same wire  29  can be used to detect both the lock and unlock vehicle functions  52 . If it is desired that the manual lock relays (manual door lock/unlock switches)  94  do not activate vehicle content  50 , then an optional diode  96  can be placed on wire  89  between the wire  29  and the lock module  90  and lock relay  94 . This will permit the signal from the RKE unit  16  to activate the lock module  90  and to be detected by the core  18  and cradle  28 , but the signal from the lock relay  94  to the lock module  90  will not be detected by the core  18  and cradle  28 .  
         [0033]     It should be noted that one way of dealing with the prospect of circuits that are normally open and connected to either high or ground when activated is to provide circuitry assigning some (e.g. half) of the wires  29  to treat open circuits as grounded and the rest to treat open circuits as high. When connecting to systems that signal between high and ground, any of the wires  29  can be used.  
         [0034]      FIG. 3  shows a main window  62  of the software application running on the computer  56  of  FIG. 2  for loading content onto the cradle  18 . The software includes two tabs  64  associated with each of the wires  29  ( FIG. 2 ), one for monitoring a rising edge on the associated wire  29  and one for monitoring a falling edge on the associated wire  29 . Thus, each tab  64  corresponds to a different vehicle function  52  (e.g. door lock, door unlock, etc). The tabs  64  are initially labeled according to the communication hardware identifiers (such as the colors of the wires  29 ) for simplicity. The user may rename the setting by double-clicking on the tab  64 . The user may note which color wires are associated with which vehicle functions  52  and then rename the tab  64  accordingly.  
         [0035]     The software also includes an Add button  66  that is used to associate content  50  to a vehicle function  52  (i.e. tab  64 ). The user selects the desired tab  64  and then selects the add button  66 . The software directs the user through a series of windows for selecting an event playback rule and associating content  50  with that rule. For example, the user may select a dark blue tab  64   a,  which (via choice of wires  29 ) is associated with the door unlock event. The user then selects the add button  66  to associate rules  67  and content  50  with the door unlock event. Generally, the content  50  will be played based upon the occurrence of the associated function  52  under the associated rule  67 .  
         [0036]     Upon clicking the add button  66 , a rule window  68  appears, as shown in  FIG. 4 . The user selects the desired rule for playing content, e.g. play the content  50  every Friday.  FIG. 4  displays a list of categories  69  of rules  67 : birthday (month and day), time range, temperature range, day of week, and only play a sound (without rules). Subsequent screens (not shown) would allow the user to program specific rules  67  within the selected category  69 .  
         [0037]     Once a rule is selected the content window  70  appears, as shown in  FIG. 5 . The user selects the desired content  50  to be played upon the occurrence of the vehicle function  52  ( FIG. 3 ) and the rule  67  selected in  FIG. 4 . The selected rule  67  and content  50  would then be displayed in the main window  62  shown in  FIG. 3 . As shown, more than one content  50 , each with a different rule  67 , can be associated with each tab  64  (i.e. vehicle function  52 ).  
         [0038]     Each tab  64  displays a list of the rules and content selected for that vehicle function  52 . The content  50  is prioritized by the order of the list. Thus, by moving a rule and content up the list it is given higher priority. Any conflicts among rules (e.g. when more than one rule is satisfied upon the occurrence of the associated vehicle function  52 ) are resolved based upon the order listed, with higher content  50  taking priority. Priority buttons  72  can be used to move a rule and content  50  up or down the list. As can be understood, multiple rules and content can be selected for each vehicle function  52 . A default setting (if no rules  67  are satisfied) of not playing any content is typically assigned to each setting. Alternatively, one content  52  may be assigned as default, as shown, so that it is played if none of the rules  67  are satisfied. The default setting is given lowest priority as rules  67  and content  50  are added.  
         [0039]     The modify button  74  can be used to modify the content  50  associated with a specific rule. Using the example of above, if the Friday rule is chosen and the user selects the modify button the software would open the content window  70  so a new content  50  may be chosen.  
         [0040]     The user may listen to the available content by double-clicking on a song while the content window is open, or by selecting the My Tones button  76  and selecting the desired content to be played.  
         [0041]     If the desired content  50  is not available the user may obtain more by selecting the Get Tones button  80 , which takes the user to a website where content  50  can be purchased. The content  50  is preferably encoded so that it only plays on the authorized core  18  and the core  18  is programmed to only play properly encoded content  50 .  
         [0042]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , one method  100  in which the user may obtain content  50  is to convert content available in one format to the encoded format appropriate for the system  10 . The user may for use a website providing the appropriate conversion software or may purchase and load the appropriate conversion software onto the computer  56 . In the first step  102  the user selects the desired content (on their own computer  56 ,  FIG. 2 ) to convert. The user then uploads  104  the content  50  to the website or computer conversion software. Upon paying a fee  106 , the website conversion software converts  108  the content  50  to the appropriate encoded format for the system  10 . The user then downloads the converted content  50  and then associates  110  the content  50  with the desired vehicle function  5  as explained above.  
         [0043]     Once the user has completed assigning the desired content  50  to the vehicle function  52  the Save Changes button  78  is selected to save the changes to the core  18 . The content  50  is assigned to vehicle functions  52  in the manner described above. The core  18  is then connected to the vehicle  12  by fitting within the cradle  28 .  
         [0044]     Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope of legal coverage available for this invention.