Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US7483539?ie=ISO-8859-1
Timestamp: 2014-12-18 15:06:15
Document Index: 173093657

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 04102444', 'Application No. 05108733', 'Application No. 05108733', 'Application No. 04102444', 'Application No. 04102444', 'Application No. 2004100452310']

Patent US7483539 - Automobile audio system - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsThe invention features a dual-mode audio system for an automobile which in one mode is configured for play while the doors to the automobile are closed, and in a second mode, is configured for play while a door, such as a tailgate, is opened. Additionally, the invention also features a battery monitor...http://www.google.com/patents/US7483539?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7483539 - Automobile audio systemAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS7483539 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 10/290,989Publication dateJan 27, 2009Filing dateNov 8, 2002Priority dateNov 8, 2002Fee statusPaidAlso published asUS7724909, US7957540, US20040091123, US20080117038, US20080117070, US20080122602, US20080123870Publication number10290989, 290989, US 7483539 B2, US 7483539B2, US-B2-7483539, US7483539 B2, US7483539B2InventorsMichael W. Stark, Hiroshi Miyazaki, Christopher Ludwig, Douglas J. Holmi, Seiji Kawakami, Brandon B. Westley, William L. Givens, Hal P. GreenbergerOriginal AssigneeBose CorporationExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (29), Non-Patent Citations (12), Referenced by (4), Classifications (15), Legal Events (2) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetAutomobile audio systemUS 7483539 B2Abstract The invention features a dual-mode audio system for an automobile which in one mode is configured for play while the doors to the automobile are closed, and in a second mode, is configured for play while a door, such as a tailgate, is opened. Additionally, the invention also features a battery monitor which monitors the operating condition of the battery and may estimate the energy capacity of the battery. The system may also take power conservation measures if the system determines that the engine is not running or the operating condition of the batter reaches a predetermined state. The invention also features a remote control integrated within a key fob for controlling the audio system. The invention features various orientations for mounting a pair of loudspeakers within an automobile which directly radiate sound out of a rear opening of the automobile.
1. An automobile audio system in an automobile having a body with a tailgate moveable between a closed and open position, an engine and a battery comprising,
a plurality of loudspeakers in fixed relation to and on respective portions of the automobile body,
said loudspeakers comprising an audio system attached to the automobile constructed and arranged to have a first signal processing configuration in a first mode when the tailgate is closed and a second signal processing configuration in a second mode when the tailgate is open,
wherein in the first signal processing configuration the audio system is constructed and arranged to process audio signals radiated by a first set of said loudspeakers to have a first system electrical topology and a first frequency response that is different from a second system electrical topology and a second frequency response of audio signals processed in the second signal processing configuration and radiated by a second set of said loudspeakers different from said first set so that an overall frequency response of the audio system perceived outside the automobile with the tailgate open is smoother when the audio system is in the second mode than when the audio system is in the first mode.
2. An automobile audio system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the automobile engine is off during the first mode and the audio system receives electrical power from the battery.
3. An automobile audio system in accordance with claim 1 wherein during the second mode the tailgate is closed.
4. An automobile audio system in accordance with claim 3 wherein the automobile engine is on.
5. An automobile audio system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first speaker set comprises first and second speakers mounted on the tailgate oriented to direct sound through the inside of the automobile when the tailgate is closed and outside the automobile when the tailgate is open.
6. An automobile audio system in accordance with claim 5 wherein the second set of speakers comprises of third and fourth speakers constructed and arranged to direct sound outside the automobile in the second mode of operation. Description
The audio system may implement a different system electrical topology in the first and second system configurations, where the system electrical topology defines how different signals provided by an audio source are routed to the different speakers of the audio system.
In another aspect, the invention features a system and method for operating an audio system in a vehicle with a battery that includes monitoring one or more operating conditions of the battery, comparing one or more of the monitored conditions of the battery to a predetermined state, and if the monitored operating conditions of the battery reaches the predetermined state, then causing the automobile to start its engine.
In another aspect, an audio system for an automobile having a passenger compartment and a tailgate hingidly connected to the automobile's frame and a rear seat or seats having a front portion and a rear portion includes first speaker set that includes a first speaker and a second speaker. The first speaker set is mounted on the rear portion of the rear seat or seats, such that each speaker in the first set of speakers directs sound along a primary axis of radiation and has a fixed orientation such that each speaker's primary axis of radiation directs sound substantially away from the passenger compartment of the automobile towards the tailgate when the tailgate is closed, and the speaker's primary axis of radiation is pointed away from the passenger compartment of the automobile and directs sound out of the rear of the automobile when the tailgate is opened.
Because the acoustic characteristics of the vehicle are significantly different when all of the doors are closed versus when one or more doors are opened, and because the listening positions of primary concern are different in the different modes, the audio system 20 adjusts system configuration in order to better optimize performance in each mode. As will be explained in greater detail below, adjustment of system configuration may include altering the system electrical topology for each mode of operation, as well as performing different signal processing operations such as equalization, signal mixing, amplification, dynamic range control, spatial enhancement processes and other signal processing techniques on the channels of audio data in each mode of operation. The system electrical topology defines how different signals provided by an audio source are routed to the different speakers of the audio system.
If a switching event is detected 108, mode detection process 100 places the system in the open mode of operation 110 and the system 20 is changed over to a second system configuration 112 which has a second system electrical topology and performs a second set signal processing operations that is configured for play with the tailgate of the vehicle opened and the primarily listening position outside of the vehicle, near the rear opening.
In each system configuration, 106, 112, the system 20 has a certain system electrical topology which defines how different signals provided by an audio source are routed to the various speakers in the system. In the first system configuration 106, the system electrical topology is arranged in order to better optimize the system for play with the doors of the automobile closed and the primary listening in the seating area in the passenger compartment. Similarly, in the second system configuration 112, the system electrical topology is arranged in order to better optimize the system for play with a rear tailgate opened and the primary listening position outside the automobile near the rear opening. For example, in an audio system having a speaker configuration similar to the arrangement in FIG. 1A and an audio source which produces 5.1 channels of audio data (i.e., front left, front right, front center, left surround, and right surround of full bandwidth (20-20 kHz) audio data plus a sixth channel of low frequency audio data), the first and second system configuration 106, 112 may have a system electrical topology as shown in Table I.
System Electrical Topology in
Conventional Mode (i.e.,
Open Mode (i.e., speakers
speakers (shown in FIG.IA)
(shown in FIG. IA) which
which receive audio data in the
receive audio data in the Open
Provided equally to front left and
Provided equally to rear left and rear
right speakers 24a-24d
right speakers 28a-28b
Side right speakers 26a and front
right speakers 24a, 24c
In other separate embodiments, many other speaker arrangements and routing of audio data is possible. For example, an audio system may have a speaker arrangement as shown in FIG. 1B and may have an audio source which produces 6.1 channels of audio data including a front left, front right, front center, left surround, right surround, and center surround of full bandwidth (20-15 20 kHz) of audio data plus a sixth channel of low frequency audio data. In this example, the system configuration 106, 112 may have the system electrical topology as shown in Table II.
speakers (shown in FIG. 1B)
(shown in FIG. 1B) which
In other embodiments, a system configuration may include an electrical topology in which one or more speakers are shut off in different modes of operation. For example, referring again to FIG. 1A, the front left and right speakers 24 a-24 d may be shut off in the open mode of play leaving the side speakers to output left and right surround sound. Alternatively, the side speakers may be shut off in the open mode, leaving the front speakers to output the left and right surround sound. Similarly, the rear speakers 28 a-28 b may be shut off in the conventional mode leaving the side speakers to output the surround sound.
Other embodiments may shut off front speakers 24 a-24 d (shown in FIG. 1) and side speakers 26 a-26 b in open mode. In this arrangement, left, right and center surround signals would be mixed with the left, right and center front signals that are fed to speakers 28 a-28 b. In addition to changing the system electrical topology in each mode of operation, the first and second system configuration 106, 112 also perform different signal processing operations in each mode. Signal processing operations may include operations such as equalization, amplification, signal mixing, spatial enhancement, dynamic range control and other signal processing techniques on one or more channels of audio data in order to alter the frequency response (both magnitude and phase as a function of frequency), polarity, and the magnitude of the voltage level of the signals delivered to each of the speaker channels in each the mode of operation.
First and second system configurations 106, 112, may include different amplification processing operations of the audio signals applied to a speaker for each mode of operation. In other words, the first system configuration 106 may include signal processing operations which adjust the amplification of the audio signals in one manner, and the second system configuration may include signal processing operations which adjust the amplification of the audio signals in a different manner. Adjusting the amplification of the audio signals may be performed using any of the techniques known in the art. Adjusting gain can be done in multiple places within the signal path of an audio signal, and the system is not limited in the locations where gain adjustment occurs. For example, the amplification of an audio signal applied to a speaker may be adjusted by changing the gain of an amplifier in the signal path of a particular speaker. In a digital system, the gain for each channel for each mode of operation may be determined by a multiplication coefficient or set of filter coefficients stored in memory and supplied to a digital signal processor in order to control the level of the signal supplied to one or more speakers in each mode of operation. The gain may also be adjusted in the analog domain by controlling a variable gain analog amplifier (or other known methods of controlling gain in an analog system) located in the signal path of each channel of audio data.
In the open mode of operation, spatial enhancement may be performed on the signals provided to the rear speakers (e.g., speakers 28 a-28 b in FIG. 1A) since these speakers will most likely be the primary speakers providing sound to listeners. Spatial enhancement may be performed on the complete signals applied to the rear speakers, or may be applied to only a portion of the signals applied to the rear speakers. For example, for reproduction of a surround sound signal source, center channel information may be applied to each rear speaker equally, without any spatial enhancement processing. Simultaneously, left and right channel signals may be applied to left and right speakers respectively. These could be applied with or without spatial enhancement processing. Similarly, left and right surround signals could be applied with or without spatial enhancement processing to left and right speakers respectively, where the spatial enhancement processing used could either be the same as or different from that applied to the left and right channel signals. In one particular embodiment, the second configuration feeds center channel signals equally to rear speakers 28 a-28 b (shown in FIG. 1A) without spatial enhancement, front left and right signals to left and right rear speakers 28 a-28 b respectively without spatial enhancement, and spatially enhanced left and right surround signals to left and right rear speakers 28 a-28 b respectively.
Additionally, while a dual-mode audio system is illustrated in FIG. 2A, the concept may be extended to audio systems which operate in three or more modes of operation. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, an audio system may have a first system configuration 154 (with a first electrical topology and a first set of signal processing operations) in a conventional mode when all of the doors of the automobile are closed, a second system configuration 162 (with a second electrical topology and second set of signal processing operations) when one set of doors (e.g., a tailgate only) are open, and a third system configuration 168 (with a third electrical topology and a third set signal processing operations) when a different set of doors (e.g., a tailgate and a rear door) are open. When a switching event occurs 156, 164, 170, mode detection process 150 determines at 158 the proper mode of operation 152, 160, 166 based on the state of a switch and/or the state of one or more physical conditions of the automobile (e.g., whether doors are opened/closed, engine is off/running, passenger in/out of driver's seat, etc.) and modifies the audio data accordingly.
One use of dynamic range control devices in audio systems is to keep a device (typically a power amplifier) from clipping its output. A dynamic range control device used in this type of application is commonly known as a limiter and is configured to keep the maximum voltage applied to the amplifier below a set minimum value under all operating conditions.
Referring again to FIG. 3, the battery condition monitoring process 200 receives input 208 about various operating conditions 209 of the battery and estimates the approximate amount of energy remaining in the battery, in order to ensure that there is sufficient charge remaining in the battery to re-start the automobile. If the estimated battery capacity reaches or falls below a predetermined threshold value, then the system 20 may notify the user that battery energy is getting low 210 and may take further power conservations measures 212.
In other separate embodiments, a battery condition monitoring process may have several predetermined thresholds which cause the system to take different power conservation measures (e.g., shutting off speakers, adjusting equalization, automatically starting the automobile, reducing the magnitude of voltage of the audio signals applied to a speaker, placing the system in a standby mode, shutting off the system, etc.) at different predetermined thresholds.
In another embodiment, an audio system may include a battery monitoring process which does not estimate the remaining capacity of the battery, but which monitors one or more operating conditions of the battery such as the discharge current, current drawn by the audio system, temperature, or the battery's voltage. The battery monitoring process which monitors the operating condition of the battery may take one or more actions, such as triggering an alarm, reducing power consumption, placing the system in a standby mode, or completely shutting down the system, if the operating condition of the battery reaches a predetermined state. The predetermined state may be the state of one or more of the monitored conditions such as the battery voltage, discharge current, and ambient temperature, or a combination of conditions.
In other separate embodiments, an audio system may raise the cut-off frequencies of the high pass filters, shut off speakers, limit the gain of the amplifiers, reduce the dynamic range of audio signals, or take other energy conservation measures either whenever operation on battery power is detected (as shown in FIG. 2A), or when remaining battery energy decreases to a predetermined threshold. It should be understood that a battery monitoring process may be implemented in a dual mode audio system (as in audio system 20 shown in FIG. 1A-B) or in a purely conventional audio system.
In a conventional vehicle audio system, the audio sources are typically located in front of the vehicle or at least a control interface for the audio sources is located in the front. When the audio system is operating in the open mode, for convenience, the audio sources or at least a set of controls for the audio sources should be accessible from the open tailgate (or door), which would normally be at the rear of the vehicle where the listeners would be located. As shown in FIG. 4, a duplicate set of user controls is provided within the vehicle 10 cabin in the rear console 22 near the opening of the rear tailgate 50. This may be a complete set of duplicate controls, such as source selection, volume, and source transport controls (e.g., play, stop, pause, skip forward, skip backwards, fast forward, fast reverse, preset selection, tune up or down, etc.). Alternatively, the rear console may be some subset of the complete control interface present in the front of the vehicle. Additionally, FIG. 4 shows a set of speakers 64 mounted on the vehicle's tailgate 50 such that their primary axis of radiation 70 is directed at an angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to the plane of the ground on which the vehicle sits when the tailgate 50 is opened, and the primary axis of radiation 70 substantially faces into the passenger compartment of the vehicle when the tailgate is closed. All the speakers are mounted in fixed relation to and on a portion of the vehicle body, such as tailgate 50 or as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.
The primary axis of radiation of a speaker is the direction in which the speaker radiates maximum energy over the majority of its operating range. This direction is typically in line with physical center axis of symmetry of an axi-symmetric transducer. For ease of understanding, axi-symmetric transducers are assumed to be used here, and the axis of primary radiation is assumed to be aligned with the center axis of symmetry of the transducer and points away from the front surface of the primary radiating surface of the transducer, where the front surface is the surface that is coupled to the listening environment. It should be noted, however, that the invention is not limited to use of axi-symmetric transducers. The orientations described can be adjusted as needed such that sound radiation is directed in the desired directions.
As shown in FIG. 5A, an automobile 10 includes a rear tailgate 50 having an upper hinge 51 which is shown as open. A pair of rear speakers 60 (e.g., mid-range speakers) are mounted within the automobile cabin near the opening of the tailgate 50 such that the pair of speakers 60 are outwardly directed from the cabin when the tailgate 50 is opened. When the tailgate 50 is closed, sound from speaker pair 60 is reflected off of the tailgate back into the automobile cabin. There are numerous locations in the rear portion of the cabin of the automobile where speakers 60 may be mounted and the invention is not limited to the specific location illustrated in FIG. 5A. Additionally the speaker pair 60 may be oriented such that they do not point directly at the tailgate 50 when the tailgate is closed, but may be angled with respect to the tailgate 50. For example, in separate embodiments, speaker pair 60 may be mounted on the cabin floor, cabin ceiling, cabin sidewalls, rear cabin deck, or back of the rearmost seat in the automobile 10. Finally, an additional speaker, such as a subwoofer, may also be mounted within the passenger compartment near the tailgate.
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