GB2483857A

GB2483857A - Vehicle audio control system responsive to location data

Info

Publication number: GB2483857A
Application number: GB1015802.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Williams
Original assignee: Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Ltd
Current assignee: Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Ltd
Priority date: 2010-09-21
Filing date: 2010-09-21
Publication date: 2012-03-28
Also published as: GB201015802D0

Abstract

A vehicle audio control system includes an audio unit (4) having a volume control (22), and a navigation unit (2) that is adapted to transmit a control signal to said volume control (22). The navigation unit (2) includes a location sensing device (14) such as a GPS device, data storage means (18) containing data relating to the location of predetermined Points of Interest (POls) and optionally, control data associated with those POls. The navigation unit also includes a control unit (20) adapted to receive vehicle location data from the location sensing device (14) and POI data from the data storage means (18). The control unit (20) determines when the vehicle is near a POI by comparing the vehicle location data with the POI data, and controls the volume of the audio unit (4) when the vehicle is near a POI, optionally according to the control data associated with the POI.

Description

Vehicle audio control system and control method therefor The present invention relates to a vehicle audio control system, and to a method of controlling a vehicle audio unit.

Most modern road vehicles include an audio unit for entertaining the driver and passengers during a journey. Conventionally, such audio units have a manually operable volume control for adjusting the audible output volume of the audio unit.

Some drivers find it distracting to have the volume of the audio unit set too loud when performing a complicated manoeuvre, such as when parking the vehicle or reversing. Having the volume too loud may also be dangerous or inconvenient in certain circumstances, for example when it prevents the driver from hearing a warning signal or communicating with another person, for example at a toll booth or a drive-through restaurant. Having the volume too loud may also cause inconvenience or annoyance to others, for example when the vehicle is in a "quiet zone" such as near a hospital or residential housing. Although the driver can manually reduce the volume of the audio unit in such situations, frequently drivers forget to do so or may attempt to reduce the volume while manoeuvring the vehicle or attempting some other operation such as lowering a window, thereby giving rise to an increased risk of an accident.

U S7339462 describes an apparatus for reducing the volume of a vehicle audio system automatically when a reverse gear is engaged. This system helps to ensure that the driver is not distracted while performing a reversing manoeuvre and avoids the need for the driver to adjust the volume manually. However, it provides no solution to the other problems identified above.

Also known are various vehicle audio units or systems that automatically adjust the volume of the system according to the vehicle speed, in order to compensate for increased road and wind noise when the vehicle is travelling at high speed.

However, these systems do not take account of the type of manoeuvre being performed or the location of the vehicle.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle audio control system that mitigates one or more of the aforesaid problems. A further object of the invention is to provide a method of controlling a vehicle audio unit that mitigates one or more of the aforesaid problems.

According to an aspect of the present invention for which protection is sought, there is provided A vehicle audio control system including an audio unit having a volume control, and a navigation unit that is adapted to transmit a control signal to the audio unit so as to control the volume of the audio unit, wherein the navigation unit includes a location sensing device for sensing the vehicle location, data storage means containing data relating to the location of predetermined P0 Is, and a control unit adapted to receive vehicle location data from the location sensing device and P01 data from the data storage means, the control unit being constructed and arranged to determine whether the vehicle is in the vicinity of a P01 by comparing the vehicle location data with the P01 data, and to control the volume of the audio unit when it determines that the vehicle is in the vicinity of a P01.

In an example, the data storage means contains control data associated with the predetermined POls, and the control unit is constructed and arranged to control the volume of the audio unit according to the control data associated with the POls.

The system is able to control the output volume of the audio unit according to the location of the vehicle. It is therefore able to reduce the volume automatically in certain predetermined situations, for example when the vehicle is in a car park, to ensure that the driver is not distracted and is able to use his/her full senses, including hearing. The volume can also be reduced automatically in other appropriate situations, for example when communicating with toll booth operators or with staff in drive-through restaurants, or when driving through noise-sensitive areas such as near hospitals, schools or residential areas.

In an example, the data storage means contains data relating to various P01 categories, and the control unit is constructed and arranged to control the volume of the audio unit according to a predetermined control value when the vehicle is in the vicinity of a P01, wherein the predetermined control value depends on the category of the P01. Such categories may include, for example, car parks, tollbooths and hospitals.

In an example, the control unit is constructed and arranged to reduce the volume of the audio unit to a predetermined level when it determines that the vehicle is in the vicinity of a P01. If the volume is already at or below the predetermined level, no adjustment of the volume will take place. Alternatively, the control unit may be constructed and arranged to reduce the volume of the audio unit proportionally (for example by a predetermined percentage) when it determines that the vehicle is in the vicinity of a P01.

In an example, the control unit is constructed and arranged to restore the volume of the audio unit to its previous value when it determines that the vehicle is no longer in the vicinity of the P01.

In an example, the control unit is constructed and arranged to sense a loss of vehicle location information from the location sensing device and to assess whether the vehicle is in the vicinity of a P01 by determining whether the last known position of the vehicle was in the vicinity of a AOl. This allows it to assess whether the vehicle has entered a location such as an underground car park where the vehicle location cannot be verified.

In an example, the vehicle audio control system includes an interface unit allowing a user to control the operation of the system. Advantageously, the interface unit includes means for selecting the control values associated with the predetermined P0 Is. This allows the user to select the POIs to which the system reacts, and the audio output volumes associated with those POIs.

In an example, the interface unit includes means for enabling and disabling operation of the control system, allowing the user to disable the system when not required. Advantageously, the interface unit includes means for over-riding operation of the control system temporarily, for example when the vehicle is in the vicinity of a P01, but the circumstances dictate that volume control is not required.

According to another aspect of the invention for which protection is sought, there is provided a method of controlling a vehicle audio unit, the method comprising sensing the vehicle location, accessing P01 location data relating to predetermined POls and control data associated with those POls, determining when the vehicle is in the vicinity of a P01 by comparing the vehicle location with the P01 location data, and controlling the volume of the audio unit when the vehicle is in the vicinity of a P01 according to the control data associated with the P01.

In an example, the method includes controlling the volume of the audio unit according to a predetermined control value when the vehicle is in the vicinity of a P01, wherein the predetermined control value depends on the category of the P01.

In an example, the method includes reducing the volume of the audio unit to a predetermined control value when the vehicle is in the vicinity of a Pal.

In an example, the method includes restoring the volume of the audio unit to its previous value when the vehicle is no longer in the vicinity of the P01.

In an example, the method includes sensing a loss of vehicle location information and assessing whether the vehicle is in the vicinity of a P01 by determining whether the last known position of the vehicle was in the vicinity of a P01.

In an example, the method includes adapting operation of the system according to user control signals received via an interface unit.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a vehicle audio unit control system, and Figure 2 is a plan view illustrating vehicles at various locations on a road and in a car park.

The vehicle audio control system shown in Figure 1 is intended to be mounted in a road vehicle and includes a navigation unit 2, an audio unit 4 and a user interface unit 6. The audio unit 4 is connected to receive control signals from the navigation unit 2 via link 8, and to receive user control signals from the user interface 6 via link 10. Alternatively, the user interface 6 can be connected by optional link 12 to the navigation unit 2, in which case it transmits user control signals to the audio unit 4 via the navigation unit 2.

The navigation unit 2 includes a location sensing unit 14, for example a OPS (global positioning system) unit, which is arranged to receive CR5 signals from an antenna 16 and is able to determine from those signals the current location of the vehicle. It also includes a digital data store 18, for example a solid state memory device or a CD-ROM, and a control unit 20. The data store 18 contains P01 data relating to various predetermined POls (points of interest), including for each P01 its geographical location and category (for example, car park, school, hospital etc).

The control unit 20 is constructed and arranged to receive current location data from the location sensing unit 14 and P01 data from the data store 18, from which it can determine when the vehicle is in the vicinity of a P01. These components of the navigation unit are conventional and will not therefore be described in further detail.

The audio unit 4 includes an electronically controllable volume control 22 and a conventional audio player system 24 that includes, for example, a radio unit, CD player or MP3 player, and an audio amplifier having an output that is connected via line 26 to one or more external loudspeakers 28.

The user interface 6 includes various control devices (switches, buttons, touch screen etc) that can be operated by a user to control operation of the audio unit 4 and/or the navigation unit 2. The user control signals generated by the interface unit 6 in response to actions by the user are transmitted via link 10 to the audio unit 4 and/or via link 12 to the navigation unit 2.

The control unit 20 is constructed and arranged to generate control signals, which it transmits to the audio unit 4 via link 8. These control signals are generated when the control unit senses that the vehicle is in the vicinity of POls falling within certain predetermined categories, for example car parks, hospitals or schools.

When the control unit determines that the vehicle is in the vicinity of one of these POls, it transmits a control signal to the audio unit which controls the output volume of the audio unit 4. It does this by looking up in the data store 18 a control value associated with the P01 and instructing the audio unit to reduce the output volume to the level determined by the control value, if the present output volume is above that level. If the present output volume of the audio unit is at or below the level determined by the control value, then the control signal does not adjust the output volume of the audio unit 4.

The data held in the data store 18 may include multiple sets of data relating to different categories of P01, for example car parks, hospitals or schools. This data may include for each category of P01 a control value that determines the maximum volume of the audio unit when the vehicle is in the vicinity of that P01, and a radius value that determines the size of the region surrounding the P01 within which the vehicle is considered to be in the vicinity of that P01. The data may also include alternative control values for each category of P01, from which the appropriate control value is selected depending on other factors such as, for example, the time of day, vehicle speed, and whether the vehicle windows are opened or closed. Signals relating to these other factors may for example be transmitted to the control unit 20 via the user interface 6 or directly from sensors provided within the vehicle.

For example, in a typical configuration, the control values for different categories of P01 may be as follows: P01 category Vicinity radius Audio volume Audio volume level level (window (window open) closed) Car park 5m 0 0 Hospital 200m 10 5 Residential area lOOm 15 8 from 10pm to 6am Toll booth lOm unlimited 2 In this example, the audio volume is reduced to zero when the vehicle is in the vicinity of a car park, to ensure that the driver is not distracted. However, the vicinity radius is restricted to, for example, 5m so that the audio volume will normally be unaffected when the vehicle is simply passing by a car park. The vicinity radius is much larger for hospitals and residential areas to avoid annoyance and inconvenience to others, and the audio volume is reduced more when one or more vehicle windows are open as this tends to allow more noise to escape from the vehicle. For residential areas, the restriction applies only between 10pm and 6am to avoid disturbing the sleep of residents. The vicinity radius is again quite small for toll booths so that the volume is limited only as the vehicle approaches the toll booth, and the volume reduction applies only when one of the windows in opened to allow the driver to talk to the toll booth operator.

The user interface 6 may be operated by the user to pre-select the categories of P01 to which audio volume restrictions apply, and the volume levels and vicinity radii associated with each of those P0 Is. It may also be used to over-ride operation of the control system at any time, so that the audio volume can be increased or decreased as desired, or restored immediately to its previous level.

The interface unit 6 may also be used to enable or disable operation of the audio control system. The user may also enter the locations of other non-standard POls where operation of the system is required, for example home or work locations.

In addition to applying the control value to the audio unit 4 when it senses that the vehicle is in the vicinity of a P01, the control unit 20 also restores the volume of the audio unit to its previous value when it determines that the vehicle is no longer in the vicinity of the P01. When either reducing or increasing the output volume of the audio unit, the control unit 20 preferably uses a fader control to change the volume gradually, for user comfort.

In certain circumstances, for example when the vehicle enters a multi-storey or underground car park, or when driving through a tunnel, the navigation unit 14 may lose the GPS signal and therefore be unable to determine the location of the vehicle. In that case, the control unit 20 assesses whether the vehicle is likely to be in the vicinity of a P01 based on its last known position. For example, if the last known position of the vehicle was close to the entrance to a multi-storey or underground car park, the control unit 20 automatically assumes that the vehicle has entered the car park. The control signal associated with a car park will then be applied to the audio unit 4. Conversely, if the last known position of the vehicle was close to the entrance to a tunnel and not a predetermined P01, the control unit will automatically assume that the vehicle is not in the vicinity of a P01 and will not then reduce the volume of the audio unit 4. Of course, in either situation, operation of the system can be over-ridden, or the volume of the audio unit can be controlled manually if required.

An example illustrating typical operation of the vehicle audio control system will now be described with reference to Figure 2, which shows a multi-storey car park located adjacent a road 32. The car park 30 is categorised in the data store of the vehicle audio control system as a P01, the location of the car park entrance/exit 34 being stored in the data store 18. Associated with this P01 is a vicinity radius represented by the circle 38.

A vehicle is shown at position A travelling along the road 32 towards the car park 30. At this point A the vehicle is not located within the circle 38 and therefore it will not be categorised as being in the vicinity of the car park 30. Accordingly, the output volume of the audio unit will be unaffected by the control system.

At point B the vehicle is shown entering the car park 30. It is now within the circle 38 and thus will be categorised as being in the vicinity of the car park. The control system will then operate to control the output volume of the audio unit according to the predetermined criteria associated with that category of P01: the output volume may for example be reduced to a predetermined level or to zero where the output is muted.

At point C the vehicle is shown within the multi-storey car park 30. At this location it is unlikely that a GPS signal can be received owing to the overhead structure of the car park, and the location of the vehicle cannot therefore be determined.

However, as the last known position of the vehicle was in the vicinity of the car park entrance 34, the system automatically assumes that the vehicle has entered the car park and the output volume of the audio unit is controlled accordingly.

At point D the vehicle is shown having left the vicinity of the car park 30. The output volume of the audio unit will thus be restored to its normal, unadjusted level.

At least one further category of P01 may be provided for open-air, as opposed to underground or multi-storey, car parks. Where the car park has a single entrance and exit, audio unit volume would be checked (and if required, reduced) as the vehicle enters the car park at point B, and restored as the vehicle leaves the car park at point B. Where the car park or other P01 has multiple entrances and exits, the control unit could be programmed through the interface unit to recognize each entrance and exit as a boundary to the car park or other P01.

Various modifications and adaptations of the system and method described herein are of course possible. For example, the connections between the navigation unit 2, the audio unit 4 and the user interface 6 may be hard wired, or those components may be interconnected via the vehicle data bus. The navigation unit 2, the audio unit 4 and the user interface 6 may also be separate items or they may be incorporated into a single integrated unit.

Claims

CLAIMSA vehicle audio control system including an audio unit having a volume control, and a navigation unit that is adapted to transmit a control signal to the audio unit so as to control the volume of the audio unit, wherein the navigation unit includes a location sensing device for sensing the vehicle location, data storage means containing data relating to the location of predetermined POls, and a control unit adapted to receive vehicle location data from the location sensing device and P01 data from the data storage means, the control unit being constructed and arranged to determine whether the vehicle is in the vicinity of a P01 by comparing the vehicle location data with the P01 data, and to control the volume of the audio unit when it determines that the vehicie is in the vicinity of a P01.
2. A vehicle audio control system according to claim 1, in which the data storage means contains control data associated with the predetermined POIs, and the control unit is constructed and arranged to control the volume of the audio unit according to the control data associated with the POls.
3. A vehicle audio control system according to claim I or claim 2, in which the data storage means contains data relating to various P01 categories, and the control unit is constructed and arranged to control the volume of the audio unit according to a predetermined control value when the vehicle is in the vicinity of a P01, wherein the predetermined control value depends on the category of the P01.
4. A vehicle audio control system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit is constructed and arranged to reduce the volume of the audio unit to a predetermined level when it determines that the vehicle is in the vicinity of a P01.
5. A vehicle audio control system according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the control unit is constructed and arranged to restore the volume of the audio unit to its previous value when it determines that the vehicle is no longer in the vicinity of the P01.
6. A vehicle audio control system according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the control unit is constructed and arranged to sense a loss of vehicle location information from the location sensing device and to assess whether the vehicle is in the vicinity of a P01 by determining whether the last known position of the vehicle was in the vicinity of a P01.
7. A vehicle audio control system according to any one of the preceding claims, including an interface unit allowing a user to control the operation of the system.
8. A vehicle audio control system according to claim 7, in which the interface unit includes means for selecting the control values associated with the predetermined POIs.
9. A vehicle audio control system according to claim 7 or claim 8, in which the interface unit includes means for enabling and disabling operation of the control system.
10. A vehicle audio control system according to claim 7, 8 or 9, in which the interface unit includes means for over-riding operation of the control system.
11. A method of controlling a vehicle audio unit, the method comprising sensing the vehicle location, accessing P01 location data relating to predetermined POls and control data associated with those POls, determining whether the vehicle is in the vicinity of a P01 by comparing the vehicle location with the P01 location data, and controlling the volume of the audio unit when the vehicle is in the vicinity of a P01 according to the control data associated with the P01.
12. A method according to claim 11, including controlling the volume of the audio unit according to a predetermined control value when the vehicle is in the vicinity of a P01, wherein the predetermined control value depends on the category of the P01.
13. A method according to claim 11 or claim 12, including reducing the volume of the audio unit to a predetermined level when the vehicle is in the vicinity of a P01.
14. A method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, including restoring the volume of the audio unit to its previous value when the vehicle is no longer in the vicinity of the P01.
15. A method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, including sensing a loss of vehicle location information and assessing whether the vehicle is in the vicinity of a P01 by determining whether the last known position of the vehicle was in the vicinity of a P01.
16. A method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, including adapting operation of the volume control according to user control signals received via an interface unit.