GB2363937A

GB2363937A - Vehicle sound system incorporating a mobile phone

Info

Publication number: GB2363937A
Application number: GB0015208A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Charles Antrobus
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-06-21
Filing date: 2000-06-21
Publication date: 2002-01-09
Also published as: GB0015208D0; WO2001098111A3; AU2001274314A1; WO2001098111A2

Abstract

The sound system comprises a stereo unit 12 for fitting in a vehicle, a telephone set 10, such as a mobile telephone, and means 14, 44 for interfacing the stereo unit and the telephone set. A conventional stereo unit having a conventional fascia maybe modified by providing the fascia with a mounting for receiving the mobile telephone and by adding to the stereo unit an interface circuit for interfacing the stereo unit and the telephone.

Description

2363937 Vehicle Sound System This invention concerns a sound system for

use in a vehicle, such as a car, a van and/or a lorry.

Vehicle stereo systems are well known for providing in-car entertainment and radio reception However, such systems have not hitherto been interactive nor capable of the transmission of signals from the vehicle to receivers or receiving devices elsewhere.

In-car telephone units, and converters for mounting mobile telephones within a vehicle for hands-free use, are also well known However, these units are not designed for radio reception, nor otherwise for providing in-car entertainment.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a single unit combining a telephone and a stereo system for use in a vehicle.

Another aim of the present invention, at least in its preferred form, is to provide a vehicle stereo system with a connection to a removable mobile telephone so that the functions of both can be made easily available to the driver and passengers of the vehicle.

A further aim of the present invention, at least in its preferred form, is to provide a communications link between a vehicle alarm and a remote telephone so as to generate a warning signal at the telephone in response to an alarm condition signifying tampering with the vehicle.

According to the present invention in a first aspect, there is provided a vehicle sound system comprising a stereo for fitting in a vehicle, a telephone unit and means for interfacing the two.

In a preferred form of the invention, the telephone unit is a mobile telephone, and the interfacing means are arranged to provide an electronic connection between the stereo unit and the mobile telephone.

Preferably, the stereo unit and the mobile telephone are also releasably connectable by way of a mechanical connection.

The interface may form a part of the mobile telephone or a part of the stereo unit.

Alternatively, the interface may comprise one or more separate parts, which are connectable respectively to the mobile telephone and the stereo unit.

The invention also provides a stereo unit including an interface for use in the above vehicle sound system.

The invention also provides a telephone unit including an interface for use in the above vehicle sound system.

The invention also provides interface means for use respectively with a stereo unit and/or a telephone unit for the above vehicle sound system.

The present invention has the advantage of providing a versatile handsfree system for use in a vehicle, which offers to the driver and passengers a variety of facilities including musical entertainment, radio reception, and telephone communication.

In its preferred form, the invention provides a compact arrangement including all of these facilities in a single unit, and the telephone unit is adapted to be removed for use as a mobile telephone when the driver leaves the vehicle.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle alarm system comprising sensing means for mounting in the vehicle, transmission means responsive to an output from the sensing means, and a mobile telephone having reception means for receiving a signal from the transmission means, the telephone further having a warning indicator for generating a warning in response to an alarm signal transmitted from the vehicle.

In this way, the vehicle owner can be notified that tampering is taking place with the vehicle and can take appropriate action immediately.

Advantageously, a vehicle alarm is also provided in the vehicle and is arranged to be activated in response to the sensing means detecting tampering.

The invention is described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of a vehicle sound system in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle sound system, showing a mobile telephone unit and fascia unit removed from a basic stereo unit of the system; Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram showing details of the in-vehicle parts of the vehicle sound system: and Figure 4 is a diagram showing details of the removable mobile telephone and fascia unit of the vehicle sound system.

As shown in figures 1 and 2, a vehicle sound system according to the present invention comprises a mobile telephone unit 10 in combination with a stereo unit 12 for mounting in a vehicle.

It is customary in a vehicle stereo unit to provide a removable fascia for security purposes, and in the present instance the stereo unit 12 has a removable fascia 14, which also serves as a mounting for the mobile telephone 10 The mobile telephone 10 is releasably mechanically connected to the fascia 14.

As shown in figure 1, the mobile phone 10 incorporates the usual keypad 16, display 18 and aerial 20 The fascia 14 for the stereo unit 12 also incorporates the usual control keys 22 and display 24 However, the otherwise conventional fascia 14 is modified in order to provide a mounting for the mobile telephone 10 and in order to provide an electronic interface with the stereo unit 12.

4 Likewise, the stereo unit 12 is modified by the addition of an extra circuit to be described in order to provide an electronic interface with the mobile telephone 10 It is envisaged that the mobile telephone 10 and the fascia 14 will be usable with existing stereo units 12 as will be described below so that upgrading of current vehicle stereo systems will be possible.

Turning now to figures 3 and 4, the electronic circuits within the mobile telephone 10, stereo unit 12 and fascia 14 will be described.

Figure 3 shows the in-car stereo unit 12 and the associated circuitry which is permanently mounted within the vehicle As shown, the unit 12 includes a tape deck 30, a CD player 32, and an FM/AM tuner 34, which is connected to an external aerial 36 for receiving radio signals The unit 12 also includes a central processing unit (CPU) 38 for receiving and processing control information from the control keys 22 on the fascia 14 relating firstly to selection respectively of the tape deck 30, CD player 32 and the tuner 34 and secondly to volume control, tuning etc In addition, the unit 12 includes amplifying means for receiving sound signals from the tape deck 30, the CD player 32 and the tuner 34 and for providing such signals to speakers 42 located within the body of the vehicle The amplifier 30 is controlled by signals received from the CPU 38 for adjusting volume control, tone etc.

At the front of the unit 12 and fixedly attached to the front face is an interface circuit 44.

In practice, it is envisaged that the circuit 44 will be added as a modification to an existing unit 12.

The interface circuit 44 comprises a number of different circuits, including particularly a control circuit 46 for receiving control signals froth the fascia 14 and for supplying such signals to the CPU 38 for activating the tape deck 30, the CD player 32 and the tuner 34.

The interface circuit 34 also includes an activation switch 48, which is mechanically tripped on removal of the fascia 14 firstly to disable the circuits within the unit 12 by way of the control circuit 46 and secondly to enable an infra-red sensor 50 connected to a conventional vehicle alarm circuit 52 The alarm circuit 52 includes an auditory alarm device.

In the event of the vehicle being broken into, the infra-red sensor 50 is arranged not only to trigger the alarm device within the car alarm circuit 52 but also to provide an output signal to the control circuit 46 The control circuit 46 responds by transmitting a signal via a transmitter 54 and a second aerial 56 to the mobile telephone 10.

Power for the stereo unit 12 and the interface circuit 44 is supplied from the vehicle battery 58, which is in addition connected to a battery charger 60 The battery charger 60 can be employed for charging the batteries of the mobile telephone 10, when in place, and may be connected to the cigarette lighter of the vehicle.

Turning now to figure 4, this shows the circuitry contained within the mobile telephone 10 and the fascia 14.

The fascia 14 is engageable with the interface circuit 44 by way of a releasable mechanical connection As described in relation to figure 1, the fascia 14 includes a control panel 22 for the input of control signals for the tape deck 30, the CD player 32 and the tuner 34, together with a display 24 for showing the current operating condition of the stereo unit 12.

The fascia 14 also comprises a second interface circuit 70 for transmitting signals from the control panel 22 by way of the interface circuit 44 to the stereo unit 12 and for transmitting signals between the mobile telephone 10 and the stereo unit 12 For this purpose, the interface circuit 70 includes a control circuit 80 An activation switch 82 in the interface circuit 70 serves to co-operate with the activation switch 48 in the interface circuit 44, for enabling the stereo unit 12 and for disabling the infra-red sensor 50 and hence the vehicle alarm circuit 52, when the fascia 14 is engaged mechanically with the stereo unit 12.

In addition, the interface circuit 70 includes a storage circuit 84 for the purpose of recording and storing information downloaded to the mobile telephone 10 or received from the tuner 34, such as radio programmes, route-finding information or information obtained from the Internet The storage circuit may also include a data storage carrier or means for recording and storing information received for example from a dictaphone or other recording device.

The mobile telephone 10 is arranged to receive input information respectively through the keypad 16, a microphone 100 and an external port 102, as well as from the fascia 14 by way of the control circuit 80 Such input information is supplied to a mode selection circuit 104 for determining the mode of operation of the mobile telephone 10.

In a first mode, the mobile phone 10 is set up for ordinary telephone communication, and the mode selection circuit 104 connects the control panel 16 directly with a central control unit 106, and thence to a central processing unit (CPU) 108 and respectively via a receiver or transmitter 112 to an aerial 20 The control unit 106 is further connected to the display 18 and by way of an amplification circuit 114 to an earphone 116 and mouthpiece 1 18 for normal telephone conversation.

In a second mode of operation, the mode selection circuit 104 connects the microphone to a voice activation circuit 120 and thence to the control circuit 106 and CPU 108 In this mode of operation, hands-free telephone communication is possible In addition, in this mode, when the fascia 14 is fitted in the vehicle, hands-free operation of the stereo unit 12 is possible by way of the CPU 108, the interface circuit 70 and the interface circuit 44.

In a third mode of operation, a computer (not shown) can be connected to the external port 102 for access to the control unit 106 and CPU 108 Information can then be displayed on the display 18 of the mobile telephone 10 and/or downloaded into the storage circuit 84 in the interface circuit 70.

Finally, in a fourth mode of operation, which can be activated in addition to, or instead of, the other modes of operation, the mode selection circuit 104 activates an alarm circuit 122 in response to an alarm setting signal triggered from the activation switch 82 by way of the control unit 80 The alarm circuit 122 is connected to the control unit 106 for receiving alarm signals from the vehicle by way of the aerial 20 In response to the receipt of an alarm signal, the alarm circuit 122 activates a warning indicator 124 to provide for example a warning vibration or an auditory warning to the vehicle owner The control unit 106 may be arranged to cause the alarm circuit 122 to over-ride other functions of the mobile telephone for triggering the warning indicator 124 Alternatively, the warning indicator 124 can be triggered simultaneously with, and in addition to, other functions.

-7 The mobile telephone is supplied with power from internal batteries 126 However, when the mobile telephone 10 and fascia 14 are fitted to the stereo unit 12 so that the interface circuits 70 and 44 are electrically interconnected, the batteries 126 are arranged to be charged from the car battery 58 via the charger 60.

It will be appreciated that a number of modifications are possible in the described vehicle sound system, incorporating a combined mobile telephone and stereo unit, without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, in the described embodiment a first interface circuit 44 is retro fitted to an existing stereo unit 12 and a second interface circuit 70 is provided in the removable fascia 14 However, it is equally possible for the second interface circuit 70 to be included within the mobile telephone 10 itself or for the interface circuit 44 to be incorporated within the stereo unit 12 as an integral part during manufacture It is also possible for the two interface circuits 70 and 44 to be replaced by a single interface circuit to be provided either in the stereo unit 12 or in the mobile telephone 10.

It would also be possible to add other functions to the combined unit, such as a recording unit for hands-free dictation and/or a personal organiser.

The described sound system provides a flexible and compact telephone and entertainment system for use in a vehicle, with the added benefit of the safety of hands-free operation.

The described sound system also enhances vehicle security by ensuring that the vehicle owner can be aware of breaking in and tampering at all times, without the need for additional expensive surveillance or monitoring.

Claims

1 A vehicle sound system, comprising a stereo unit for fitting in a vehicle, a telephone set, and means for interfacing the stereo unit and the telephone set.

2 A system according to claim 1 in which the telephone set comprises a mobile telephone.

3 A system according to claim 1 or 2 in which the telephone set is mounted on the stereo unit by way of a releasable mechanical connection.

4 A system according to any of claims 1 to 3 in which the interface means comprise electronic circuitry connecting the telephone set to the stereo unit so that the functions of the stereo unit and the telephone set may be combined.

A system according to claim 4 in which at least a portion of the interface circuitry is provided on or in the stereo unit.

6 A system according to claim 4 or 5 in which at least a portion of the interface circuitry is provided in or on the telephone set.

7 A system according to claim 4 in which the interface circuitry comprises a separate device comprising means for electronically connecting the device to the stereo unit and the telephone set.

8 A system according to any of claims 4 to 7 in which the interface circuit comprises a control circuit for transmitting signals from the telephone set to the stereo unit.

9 A system according to any of claims 4 to 8 in which the interface means comprise transmission means arranged to be responsive to the vehicle alarm system for transmitting an alarm signal to the telephone set.

A system according to claim 9 in which the interface means comprise a switch device arranged when the telephone set is removed from the vehicle to enable the vehicle alarm system and to enable an alarm circuit within the telephone set for monitoring the transmission of an alarm signal from the interface means.

11 An interface circuit for connecting a stereo unit for a vehicle electronically to a telephone set for transmitting signals from one to the other.

12 A telephone set containing an interface circuit for electronically connecting a telephone set to a stereo unit for a vehicle for transmitting signals from one to the other.

13 A stereo unit for a vehicle containing an interface circuit for connecting the stereo unit to a telephone set for receiving signals from the telephone set.

14 A vehicle alarm system comprising sensing means for mounting in the vehicle for detecting tampering, transmission means responsive to an output from the sensing means, and a telephone set having reception means for receiving a signal from the transmission means and having a warning indicator for generating a warning in response to an alarm signal transmitted from the sensing means.

15 A vehicle alarm system according to claim 14 further comprising a mounting arrangement for receiving the telephone in the vehicle, the mounting arrangement comprising a switch device responsive to removal of the telephone for enabling the sensing means, the transmission means and the reception means.

16 A vehicle alarm system according to claim 14 or 15 further comprising a vehicle alarm for mounting in the vehicle, the vehicle alarm being responsive to the sensing means for providing a warning.

17 A vehicle sound system substantially as herein particularly described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanied drawings.

18 Interface circuitry substantially as herein particularly described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanied drawings.

to 19 A vehicle alarm system substantially as herein particularly described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanied drawings.