Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R25/00—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles
  • B60R25/20—Means to switch the anti-theft system on or off
  • B60R25/2009—Antitheft state indicator
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
  • B60R11/02—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60Q5/00—Arrangement or adaptation of acoustic signal devices
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R16/00—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for
  • B60R16/02—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R25/00—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R25/00—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles
  • B60R25/10—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles actuating a signalling device
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R25/00—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles
  • B60R25/10—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles actuating a signalling device
  • B60R25/1003—Alarm systems characterised by arm or disarm features
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R25/00—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles
  • B60R25/10—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles actuating a signalling device
  • B60R25/104—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles actuating a signalling device characterised by the type of theft warning signal, e.g. visual or audible signals with special characteristics
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R25/00—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles
  • B60R25/20—Means to switch the anti-theft system on or off
  • B60R25/2081—Means to switch the anti-theft system on or off combined with personal settings of other vehicle devices, e.g. mirrors, seats, steering wheels
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R2325/00—Indexing scheme relating to vehicle anti-theft devices
  • B60R2325/10—Communication protocols, communication systems of vehicle anti-theft devices
  • B60R2325/101—Bluetooth

Definitions

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• the prior art includes RKE and vehicle security systems that replace the existing manufacturer's RKE with added functionality such as a siren capable of pre-programmed tones.
• Traditional systems only make use of the vehicle's horn and occasionally the vehicle's head and tail lights. These systems are limited by the horn and siren'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.
• a system 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.
• 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.
• RKE remote keyless entry
• 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.
• the invention includes a vehicle unit, which has interfaces to receive and store the content, interfaces to receive playback event triggers, control circuitry, storage, software and playback hardware if not already provided by the vehicle.
• Figure 1 is a schematic of an event-driven playback system according to the present invention.
• Figure 2 illustrates a first system and method for distributing media to the event-driven playback system of Figure 1.
• Figure 3 illustrates a second system and method for distributing media to the event-driven playback system of Figure 1.
• Figure 4 illustrates a third system and method for distributing media to the event-driven playback system of Figure 1.
• Figure 5 illustrates a fourth system and method for distributing media to the event-driven playback system of Figure 1.
• Figure 6 illustrates a fifth system and method for distributing media to the event-driven playback system of Figure 1.
• 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-lock4)rake system problem warning, low battery warning, high temperature warning, door ajar warning, trunk ajar warning, hood ajar warning, etc.
• 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, direct connection to the cellular phone network, etc.
• the communication hardware 38 is preferably a BlueTooth transceiver.
• 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.
• the content 50 are digital audio files, such as MP3s, WAV, or other complex sound clips, which may be compressed.
• 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.
• the present invention could be used in conjunction with many different vehicle functions. However, for purposes of illustration, the present invention will be described with respect to an RKE system 16. Operation of the present invention with other vehicle functions should be apparent in light of this description.
• a provided software application runs on a computer 56 to permit a user to select content 50 and assign it to various vehicle functions 52.
• 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 52 event-triggers to which the vehicle unit has been tied.
• the available event triggers depend on the RKE system 16 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.
• 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.
• the selected content 50 is then sent to the vehicle 12 (in one of a variety of ways) and stored in storage 42 ( Figure 1). After the control unit 24 has received and stored the content in the on-board storage 42, the content can be played back upon the occurrences of these events.
• 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.
• both the computer 56 and vehicle 12 unit must be equipped with wireless communication hardware, such as IEEE 802.11b or g, or BlueTooth.
• the wireless protocol uses BlueTooth technology. Operation of an internet website making available a bank of downloadable content 50 for such an event-driven content playback system 10 may be undertaken on a commercial basis, with customers making payments for each recorded sound or other content 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.
• 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.
• the content 50 and assignment with the vehicle functions 52 is wirelessly transmitted to the control unit 24 via the software application. Additionally, the content 50 may be created locally on the user's computer 56.
• 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.
• the computer 56 could obtain content 50 from CDs, DVD, etc to be stored on the vehicle 12.
• the second path is illustrated in Figure 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• a third path is illustrated in Figure 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.
• the software application allows the user to program the specific RKE key fob functions that replace the existing vehicle'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. 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 onboard storage 84 via a wired or wireless connection to the computer 56 or handheld device 72.
• 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.
• 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.
• the control unit 24 can make use of the portable storage media 90 rather than, or in addition to, using on-board storage 42 ( Figure 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.
• the portable storage media 90 may be magnetic or electronic, such as a USB flash drive.
• Figure 6 illustrates a fifth transmission scenario, wherein the communication hardware 38 is a direct interface to the cellular phone network.
• Source 66 serves as the communication intermediary between the internet-enabled handset, PDA, or personal computer, and the cellular network.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Figure 7 illustrates one possible user interface that could be displayed on the display 58 of the computer 56 ( Figure 2) and on the display of the handheld device 72 ( Figure 3).
• the user can associate the content 50 with the vehicle functions 52, preview the content 50, record new content 50 (using microphone 63 of Figure 2) and otherwise configure the system 10.
• alphanumeric identifiers for method steps are for convenience in referencing the steps in dependent claims and do not signify a required sequence unless otherwise indicated.
• 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.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
• Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
• Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=34426032

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Families Citing this family (1)

Family Cites Families (7)

• 2004
  • 2004-10-04 KR KR1020067006437A patent/KR20060069875A/ko not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2004-10-04 JP JP2006529520A patent/JP2007507378A/ja active Pending
  • 2004-10-04 EP EP04789703A patent/EP1667876A4/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2004-10-04 BR BRPI0415049-0A patent/BRPI0415049A/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2004-10-04 WO PCT/CA2004/001793 patent/WO2005032891A1/en active Application Filing

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events