GB2549582A - An audio-visual communications system integrated into a vehicle - Google Patents

An audio-visual communications system integrated into a vehicle Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2549582A
GB2549582A GB1703112.1A GB201703112A GB2549582A GB 2549582 A GB2549582 A GB 2549582A GB 201703112 A GB201703112 A GB 201703112A GB 2549582 A GB2549582 A GB 2549582A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
audio
visual
communications system
seat location
user interface
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB1703112.1A
Other versions
GB201703112D0 (en
GB2549582B (en
Inventor
Ford Gary
Camps Marlon
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Original Assignee
Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Jaguar Land Rover Ltd filed Critical Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority to GB1703112.1A priority Critical patent/GB2549582B/en
Priority claimed from GB1406548.6A external-priority patent/GB2525039B/en
Publication of GB201703112D0 publication Critical patent/GB201703112D0/en
Publication of GB2549582A publication Critical patent/GB2549582A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2549582B publication Critical patent/GB2549582B/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/14—Systems for two-way working
    • H04N7/15—Conference systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/14—Systems for two-way working
    • H04N7/15—Conference systems
    • H04N7/152—Multipoint control units therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/80—Head-rests
    • B60N2/879—Head-rests with additional features not related to head-rest positioning, e.g. heating or cooling devices or loudspeakers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R1/00—Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
    • B60R1/008—Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles allowing the driver to see passengers, e.g. for busses
    • 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
    • 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
    • B60R11/0229—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof for displays, e.g. cathodic tubes
    • B60R11/0235—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof for displays, e.g. cathodic tubes of flat type, e.g. LCD
    • 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
    • B60R11/04—Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/14—Systems for two-way working
    • H04N7/141—Systems for two-way working between two video terminals, e.g. videophone
    • H04N7/142—Constructional details of the terminal equipment, e.g. arrangements of the camera and the display
    • 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
    • B60R2011/0001—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by position
    • B60R2011/0003—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by position inside the vehicle
    • B60R2011/0005—Dashboard
    • 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
    • B60R2011/0001—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by position
    • B60R2011/0003—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by position inside the vehicle
    • B60R2011/0012—Seats or parts thereof
    • B60R2011/0017—Head-rests
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R2300/00—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle
    • B60R2300/10—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the type of camera system used
    • B60R2300/105—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the type of camera system used using multiple cameras
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R2300/00—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle
    • B60R2300/20—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the type of display used
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R2300/00—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle
    • B60R2300/50—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the display information being shared, e.g. external display, data transfer to other traffic participants or centralised traffic controller
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R2300/00—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle
    • B60R2300/80—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the intended use of the viewing arrangement
    • B60R2300/8006—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the intended use of the viewing arrangement for monitoring and displaying scenes of vehicle interior, e.g. for monitoring passengers or cargo

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)

Abstract

An audio-visual communication system for use on a vehicle has multiple user interface units 112A-G associated with seat locations 106A-G and a control unit 114 to allow selective communication between any of those interface units 112A-G or between those interface units 112A-G and remote interface units such as over the internet or cellular networks. The interface units 112A-G comprise a visual display unit 400, an audio communication interface and a camera. An on-screen seating plan can be provided on the visual display 400 along with images provided by the other units 112A-G cameras to allow and control selective communication between passengers and/or the vehicle driver. Sensors can determine if a seat is occupied and so activate that seat locations camera. User interface units 112A-G can be mounted in seatbacks, headrests or the dashboard. Microphone 150 and speaker 140 ports may be provided in the interface units 112A-G. Communication between the interface units 112A-G and the control unit 114 can be by designated permanent links or wireless channels. The system allows for video conferencing within a vehicle. Facial recognition can be used to identify individuals and display their profile.

Description

AN AUDIO-VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM INTEGRATED INTO A VEHICLE
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to an audio-visual communications system integrated into a vehicle such as a car, van, minibus, bus or coach. Embodiments of the invention may be particularly useful for, but are not necessarily limited to, providing audio-visual communication links between passengers seated in different rows of a vehicle. Aspects of the invention relate to a system, to a method and to a vehicle.
BACKGROUND
Today’s vehicles are designed for comfort and safety and as such include high-backed seats with large headrests which can impede communication between people seated in different rows. Such vehicles may also be relatively long, especially when considering, for instance, coaches or cars with seven or more seats. It may therefore be difficult for people seated within the vehicle to communicate with other people in the vehicle, especially when they are seated in different rows.
The above features of today’s vehicles also do not readily allow for easy identification and selective communication or monitoring by the driver of all passengers. This may be highly desirable especially when there are numerous passengers in the vehicle, or when the driver wishes to selectively monitor passengers for safety or security reasons.
It is an object of embodiments of the invention to at least mitigate one or more of the problems of the prior art. Other aims and advantages of the invention can be inferred from the following description, claims and drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an audio-visual communications system integrated into a vehicle. The system includes user interfaces each assigned to a seat location in the vehicle, and each of the user interfaces includes a visual display unit, an audio communications interface and an image capturing module. Each user interface is arranged, in use, to communicate audio-visual data and there is a control unit communicably coupled to each of the user interfaces. The control unit is programmed to selectively enable communication of audio-visual data between the user interfaces, or at least one of the user interfaces and at least one remote user interface, in response to a user input.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a communications system integrated into a vehicle. The system includes user interfaces each assigned to a seat location in the vehicle, and each of the user interfaces includes a visual display unit, an audio communications interface and an image capturing module. Each user interface is arranged, in use, to communicate data and there is a control unit communicably coupled to each of the user interfaces. The control unit is programmed to selectively enable communication of the data between the user interfaces, or at least one of the user interfaces and at least one remote user interface, in response to a user input.
The visual display means may be adapted to display indicia indicative of a seating arrangement in the vehicle, and wherein the indicia is associated with a respective call request actuator. Advantageously, this allows for easy identification of the occupiers of the vehicle and their seat location thus enabling a simple means of sleeting communication links.
The audio communications interface means may include at least one speaker port located in a headrest of the assigned seat location. This allows easy access to speakers which can be suitably located proximal to an occupier’s head.
Each said assigned seat location can be a rear passenger seat location, front passenger seat location or a driver seat location, and wherein the visual display means for at least one said rear passenger seat location is located in a back region of a headrest that is directly in front of the respective rear passenger seat location.
The image capturing means for at least one said rear passenger seat location can be located in back region of a headrest that is directly in front of the respective rear passenger seat location. This allows for easy access by an occupier.
The visual display means for the driver seat location can be located in a dashboard of the vehicle.
The image capturing means for the driver seat location may be located in a dashboard of the vehicle.
The visual display means for the front passenger seat location can be positioned adjacent a dashboard of the vehicle. The image capturing means for the front passenger seat location may also be positioned adjacent a dashboard of the vehicle.
Upon actuation of the system, the image capturing means of each one of the user interface means may capture an image comprising a respective said assigned seat location.
The image can be displayed on at least one of the visual display means with information to indicate the assigned seat location of the image. This advantageously allows for easy identification of the occupiers of the vehicle and their seat location.
The information to indicate the assigned seat location of the image may include a representation of a seating plan of the vehicle, and wherein the image is displayed in the seating plan. This also advantageously allows for easy identification of the occupiers of the vehicle and their seat location.
The system may further include a sensor means coupled to the control unit, the sensor means being adapted to detect a person seated in a said seat location.
The system may be adapted to control the image capturing means to capture an image of the person upon detection by the sensor means. This allows for automatic updating of the identification of the occupiers of the vehicle when passengers move seat locations or when passengers board or alight from the vehicle.
Each said captured image of the person may provide one of the indicia that is indicative of the seating arrangement.
The visual display means may include a touch screen and the respective call request actuator includes the area of the touch screen that displays said respective indicium.
The control unit can be adapted to selectively enable concurrent audio-visual links between the user interface means in response to activation of a said call request actuator. This advantageously allows for different groups of vehicle occupiers communicating over separate links.
The control unit can be adapted to selectively enable the audio-visual link between three or more of the user interface means in response to selective activation of a said call request actuator. This advantageously allows for different groups of more than two people to communicate over separate links.
The control unit may be adapted to selectively enable the audio-visual link between the user interface means in different seating rows of the vehicle.
The control unit can be adapted to store and selectively provide media to the user interface means.
The audio-visual communications system may further include a front facing image capturing means assigned to at least one said rear passenger seat location, the front facing image capturing means being located behind said assigned rear passenger seat location and positioned to capture images of the said assigned rear passenger seat location. This advantageously allows for monitoring infants.
The system can be adapted to selectively block the communication of a visual data component of the audio-visual data to the user interface means.
The system can also be adapted to selectively block one way communication of the visual data component of the audio-visual data. This is advantageous when the driver or a passenger to monitor communications whilst not actively participating.
The system can be adapted to selectively block the communication of an audio data component of the audio-visual data to the user interface means. Again this allows the driver or a passenger to monitor communications whilst not actively participating.
The user interface may be adapted to selectively block one way communication of the audio data component of the audio-visual data. Again this allows the driver or a passenger to monitor communications whilst not actively participating.
The user interface means assigned to the driver seat location may be adapted to provide an override instruction that overrides a selectively blocked communication and therefore provides full audio-visual data communication between two or more of the user interface means.
The control unit can be adapted to selectively interrupt the audio-visual data communication and provide data to at least the visual display unit associated with the driver seat location. This can be useful when for example emergencies or changes in traffic conditions are required to be communicated immediately to the driver.
The control unit may include a seat occupant identification means that performs facial recognition on the captured image of the person.
The control unit may be further adapted to selectively limit the communication of the audiovisual data based on the facial recognition.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided method enabling communication between occupants of a vehicle, the method being effected by the audiovisual communications system a recited in any one of the above aspects of the invention, the method including: capturing, by a respective image capturing means, an image of an occupier of a seat location of the vehicle; displaying indicia indicative of a seating arrangement in the vehicle, the displaying including each captured image; and selectively enabling communication of audio-visual data between at least two of the user interface means, or at least one of the user interface means and at least one remote user interface means, in response to a user input.
The capturing may be in response to a step of identifying which of the seat locations of the vehicle are occupied.
The displaying may include an occupant’s profile that is provided by a facial recognition process of at least one said captured image. This advantageously allows for easy identification of the occupiers of the vehicle and their seat location.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of operating a communications system integrated into a vehicle, wherein the system includes user interfaces each assigned to a seat location in the vehicle. Each of the user interfaces includes a visual display unit, an audio communications interface and an image capturing module. Each user interface is arranged, in use, to communicate data and there is a control unit communicably coupled to each of the user interfaces. The method controls the control unit to selectively enable communication of the data between the user interfaces, or at least one of the user interfaces and at least one remote user interface, in response to a user input.
Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram, in top plan view, of an audio-visual communications system integrated into a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of circuitry comprising the audio-visual communications system of figure 1, according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 3 shows a schematic block diagram of a user interface representative of each of the user interfaces of figure 1, according to an embodiment of the invention; and
Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of a display screen that is part of a visual display unit of the user interface of figure 3, according to an embodiment of the invention; and
Figure 5 shows a flow diagram of a method of enabling communication between occupants of a vehicle using the audio-visual communications system of figure 1, according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following detailed description, and associated drawings, is intended to describe preferred embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the invention may be practised. It is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions may be accomplished by different embodiments of the invention.
Referring to Figure 1 there is illustrated a schematic diagram, in top plan view, of an audiovisual communications system 100 integrated into a vehicle 102, according to an embodiment of the invention. In this specific illustration only an interior region of the vehicle 102 is shown and this interior region includes a dashboard 104, and assigned seat locations (seats) 106A to 106G. Also, each of the assigned seat locations 106A to 106G has a corresponding backrest 108A to 108G and headrest 110A to 110G.
The audio-visual communications system 100 includes a plurality of user interfaces 112A to 112G each assigned to a respective seat location 106A to 106G in the vehicle 102. There is also a control unit 114 communicably coupled to each of the user interfaces 112A to 112G, and in this embodiment the control unit 114 is located under the dashboard 104.
Each assigned seat location 106A to 106G is one of a rear passenger seat location 106C to 106G, front passenger seat location 106B or a driver seat location 106A. In this particular embodiment, the seat locations 106A to 106G are in one of three seating rows 120, 122, 124.of the vehicle 102. Furthermore, the system also includes a front facing image capturing module 130 that is assigned to at least one of the rear passenger seat locations 106G. This front facing image capturing module 130 is located behind its assigned rear passenger seat location 106G and is positioned to capture images of the assigned rear passenger seat location 106G when occupied. This front facing image capturing module 130 is particularly useful for monitoring rearward facing infants that are strapped into a carrier and thus cannot be readily observed from at least the front passenger seat location 106B or a driver seat location 106A.
Referring to Figure 2 there is illustrated a schematic diagram of circuitry 200 comprising the audio-visual communications system 100, according to an embodiment of the invention. The circuitry 200 includes the control unit 114 communicably coupled to each of the user interfaces 112A to 112G by a respective combined control and data buses 212A to 212G. However, in another embodiment the control unit 114 can be communicably coupled to each of the user interfaces 112A to 112G by a common bus or by designated permanent links. Furthermore the coupling of the control unit 114 the user interfaces 112A to 112G is typically by conventional wires or alternatively by wireless channels as will be apparent to a person skilled in the art.
The control unit includes both Random Access Memory and Read Only Memory and is adapted, by suitable stored executable code, to selectively enable the communication of audio-visual data between at least two of the user interfaces 112A to 112G. This communication of audio-visual data is enabled in response to a user input command at a respective one of the user interfaces 112A to 112G.
In this embodiment there is a radio transceiver 220 coupled, through a bus 222, to the control unit 114, to thereby allow the audio-visual communications system 100 to communicate with external sources over the internet or via cellular networks. Thus, the control unit 114 is able to download data, or upload data, via the radio transceiver 220 for subsequent selective access by any one of the user interfaces 112A to 112G. Thus, the control unit is adapted to store and selectively provide pre-loaded or downloaded media to user interfaces 112A to 112G. In addition the radio transceiver 220 allows for control unit 114 to selectively enable communication of audio-visual data between any or all the user interfaces 112A to 112G and at least one remote use interface that is external to the vehicle. Thus, the system 100 can provide for inter-vehicle conference calls, vehicle to office conference calls or vehicle to an individual communication. Such communication links between the user interfaces 112A to 112G and a remote interface are typically set up by one of the user interfaces being used to input or select a network address or telephone number to be called. Alternatively, the system 100 can be the recipient of audio-visual link connection requests by a remote user interface.
The circuitry 200 also optionally includes sensors 230 coupled to the control unit 114, and each of the sensors 230 is positioned in a seat location 106A to 106G to detect when a person is occupying (e.g. seated) a seta location. As will be apparent to a person skilled in the art the sensors 230 are typically pressure sensors similar to these used to generate seat belt warnings. In one embodiment, the sensors 230 may be shared sensors with the seat belt warning system of the vehicle 102.
Referring to Figure 3 there is illustrated a schematic block diagram of a user interface 300 representative of each of the user interfaces 112A to 112G, according to an embodiment of the invention. The user interface 300 includes a visual display unit 302, an audio communications interface 304 and an image capturing module 306. There is also a communications interface 308 that is arranged, in use, to communicate audio-visual data via a respective bus 212A.
The image capturing module 306 is typically a camera and the audio communications interface 304 includes speaker and microphone ports. Speakers and microphones can be integral with the user interface 300 or they be external accessories plugged into the speaker and microphone ports.
The system 100 is adapted to selectively block the communication of a visual data component of the audio-visual data to the user interface 300. Also, the system 100 is adapted to selectively block one way communication of the visual data component of the audio-visual data when monitoring is required. Similarly, the system 100 is adapted to selectively block the communication of an audio data component of the audio-visual data to the user interface 300 and also provides for selectively blocking one way communication of the audio data component of the audio-visual data.
Other features of the system 100 provide for the user interface 112A assigned the driver seat location 106A is adapted to provide an override instruction that overrides a selectively blocked communication and therefore provides full audio-visual data communication between two or more of the user interfaces 112A to 112G. Also, the control unit 114 is adapted to selectively interrupt the audio-visual data communication and provide data to at least the visual display unit associated with the driver seat location. This feature allows for emergency or important media information such as change in traffic conditions to be provided to the driver.
Referring to Figure 4 there is illustrated a schematic diagram of a display screen 400 that is part the visual display unit 302, according to an embodiment of the invention. The display screen 400 is adapted to display indicia 402 indicative of a seating arrangement in the vehicle 102 and the indicia 402 are associated with a respective call request actuator. In this particular embodiment the display screen 400 is a touch screen and the respective call request actuator includes the area of the touch screen that displays the respective indicium 402. However, in other embodiments the respective call request actuators may be, for instance, a designated push buttons assigned to each displayed indicium 402 as will be apparent to a person skilled in the art.
In operation upon actuation of the system 100 the image capturing module 306 of each one of the user interfaces 112A to 112G captures an image comprising a respective assigned seat location 106A to 106G. Consequently, the image will include a photographic representation of a person seated in the assigned seat location 106A to 106G. This image is displayed on each display screen 400 with information to indicate the assigned seat location of the image. More specifically, in this embodiment the information to indicate the assigned seat location of the image includes a representation of a seating plan of the vehicle 102, and the image is displayed in the seating plan. Thus, a captured image of the person provides one of the indicia 402 that is indicative of the seating arrangement. For instance, as shown, the assigned seat locations 106A, 106B, 106C and 106G are illustrated as occupied by an image of the occupiers. The image, typically a facial image 410 to 416, of each of the occupiers is displayed in an area of the display screen 400 associated with the occupied seat locations 106A, 106B, 106C and 106G.
In one embodiment, the sensors 230 detect whether or not a person is seated in a seat location 106A to 106G. Also, the system 100 is adapted to control each image capturing module 306 to capture an image of the seated person upon detection by the respective sensor 230.
In operation, the control unit 114 is adapted to selectively enable concurrent audio-visual links between the user interfaces 112A to 112G in response to activation of a call request actuator. For instance, the control unit 114 is adapted to selectively enable the audio-visual link via selected buses 212A to 212G between two of the user interfaces 112A to 112G in response to selective activation of each respective call request actuation. However, for conference type communications, the control unit 114 is adapted to selectively enable the audio-visual link via selected buses 212A to 212G between three or more of the user interfaces 112A to 112G in response to selective activation of each respective call request actuator. In this regard, the user interfaces 112A to 112G may be in the different seating rows 120, 122, 124 of the vehicle 102. The control unit 114 also includes a seat occupant identification module that performs facial recognition on the captured image of the person. Also, the control unit 141 is further adapted to selectively limit the communication of the audio-visual data based on the facial recognition.
Returning back to system 100 as shown in Figure 1, the visual display units 302 are in the same housing as their respective user interface 112A to 112G. Also, each of the display units 302 for each of the rear passenger seat locations 106C to 106E and 106G is located in a back region of a headrest 110A to 110D that is directly in front of the respective rear passenger seat location 106C to 106E and 106G. Also, the image capturing module 306 for each of the rear passenger seat locations 106C to 106E and 106G is located in back region of a headrest 110A to 110D that is directly in front of the respective rear passenger seat location 106C to 106E and 106G. As an alternative, the display units 302 for each of the rear passenger seat locations 106C to 106C to 106E and 106G can be located in a back region of a backrest 110A to 110D that is directly in front of the respective rear passenger seat location 106C to 106E and 106G. Also, the image capturing module 306 for each of the rear passenger seat locations 106C to 106E and 106G is located in back region of a backrest 110A to 110D that is directly in front of the respective rear passenger seat location.
In contrast, the visual display unit 302 and image capturing module 306 for the driver seat location 106A is located in the dashboard 104 of the vehicle 102. Similarly, the visual display unit 302 and image capturing module 306 for the front passenger seat location 106B is also located in the dashboard 104 of the vehicle 102. Furthermore, the audio communications interface includes at least one speaker port 140 and microphone port 150 located in a headrest of the assigned seat location. In this regard, the at least one speaker port 140 and microphone port 150 may include an integrated speaker and microphone embedded into the headrest. The one speaker port 140 and microphone port 150 may alternatively, or in addition, comprise interfaces for headphone and microphone set. It should also be apparent that the speaker port 140 and/or microphone port 150 may also be located in a headrest 110A to 110D that is directly in front of the respective rear passenger seat location. In addition, or as an alternative, the speaker port 140 and microphone port 150 includes a wireless transmitter/transceiver for communicating with a respective wireless earphone and microphone that are typically combined in a headset.
Referring to Figure 5 there is illustrated a flow diagram of a method 500 of enabling communication between occupants of the vehicle 102 using the audio-visual communications system 100, according to an embodiment of the invention. The method is initiated at start block 505 typically upon actuation of an ignition switch of the vehicle 102. Next, in one embodiment the sensors 230, at a block 510, identify which of the seat locations 106A to 106G are occupied and an image of the occupier of each seat location is captured by a respective image capturing module at block 515. The control unit 114 then, at a block 520, performs facial recognition on the captured image of the person occupying each seat location to identify an occupant’s profile. In this regard, the control unit 114 has a stored database of training set image data and name identifiers of individuals that is used to perform the process of facial recognition. As will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, an unrecognised captured image can be added to the database of training set image data for future use.
At a displaying block 525, the captured images of each occupant are displayed on the visual display units 302 of the system 100. Also, if required, each occupant’s profile can be used to selectively limit the communication of the audio-visual data to selected user interfaces 112A to 112G. At a decision block 530, any input commands at a respective one of the user interfaces 112A to 112G are processed to identify if there has been a communications request between any of the user interfaces in the vehicle 102 or a remote user interface external to the vehicle 102. Such communications requests are detected by actuation of a call request actuator or actuators associated with respective seating designations and their respective captured images. If any such communications requests are identified the method 500 goes to block 535, alternatively if no such communications requests are identified the method 500 bypasses block 535.
The method 500 at block 535 performs a process that enables requested audio-visual links between the user interfaces 112A to 112G to be connected. Also, if the sensors 230 detect a change in seat occupancy, at a test block 540, the method 500 returns to block 510. Alternatively, if a change in seat occupancy is not detected the method 500 returns to the decision block 530 and the method can be terminated at any time by operation of the ignition switch or a master switch associated with the control unit 114.
Advantageously, the embodiments of the invention allow for identification and selective communication or monitoring by the driver of the passengers in the vehicle. This is achieved by the driver looking at the visual display 302 of their assigned seat location to determine the identification of each passenger and their assigned seat location. The driver, and passengers, can then determine what if any communication links are required to be enabled by the system 100.
It will be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention can be realised in the form of hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software. Any such software may be stored in the form of volatile or non-volatile storage such as, for example, a storage device like a ROM, whether erasable or rewritable or not, or in the form of memory such as, for example, RAM, memory chips, device or integrated circuits or on an optically or magnetically readable medium such as, for example, a CD, DVD, magnetic disk or magnetic tape. It will be appreciated that the storage devices and storage media are embodiments of machine-readable storage that are suitable for storing a program or programs that, when executed, implement embodiments of the present invention. Accordingly, embodiments provide a program comprising code for implementing a system or method as claimed in any preceding claim and a machine readable storage storing such a program. Still further, embodiments of the present invention may be conveyed electronically via any medium such as a communication signal carried over a wired or wireless connection and embodiments suitably encompass the same.
All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.
Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed. The claims should not be construed to cover merely the foregoing embodiments, but also any embodiments which fall within the scope of the claims.
Further aspects of the invention are set out in the following numbered paragraphs: 1. An audio-visual communications system integrated into a vehicle, the system comprising: a plurality of user interfaces each assigned to a seat location in the vehicle, each of the user interfaces including a visual display unit, an audio communications interface and an image capturing module, wherein each user interface is arranged, in use, to communicate audio-visual data; and a control unit communicably coupled to each of the user interfaces, wherein the control unit is adapted to selectively enable communication of audio-visual data between at least two of the user interfaces, or at least one of the user interface means and at least one remote user interface means, in response to a user input. 2. The audio-visual communications system of paragraph 1, wherein the visual display unit is adapted to display indicia indicative of a seating arrangement in the vehicle, and wherein the indicia is associated with a respective call request actuator. 3. The audio-visual communications system of paragraph 1, wherein the audio communications interface includes at least one speaker port located in a headrest of the assigned seat location. 4. The audio-visual communications system of paragraph 3, wherein each said assigned seat location is a rear passenger seat location, front passenger seat location or a driver seat location, and wherein the visual display unit for at least one said rear passenger seat location is located in a back region of a headrest that is directly in front of the respective rear passenger seat location. 5. The audio-visual communications system of paragraph 4, wherein the image capturing module for at least one said rear passenger seat location is located in back region of a headrest that is directly in front of the respective rear passenger seat location. 6. The audio-visual communications system of paragraph 4, wherein the visual display unit for the driver seat location is located in a dashboard of the vehicle. 7. The audio-visual communications system of paragraph 4, wherein the image capturing module for the driver seat location is located in a dashboard of the vehicle. 8. The audio-visual communications system of paragraph 4, wherein the visual display unit for the front passenger seat location is positioned adjacent a dashboard of the vehicle. 9. The audio-visual communications system of paragraph 4, wherein the image capturing module for the front passenger seat location is positioned adjacent a dashboard of the vehicle. 10. The audio-visual communications system of paragraph 3, wherein upon actuation of the system the image capturing module of each one of the user interfaces captures an image comprising a respective said assigned seat location. 11. The audio-visual communications system of paragraph 10, wherein the image is displayed on at least one said visual display unit with information to indicate the assigned seat location of the image. 12. The audio-visual communications system of paragraph 11, wherein the information to indicate the assigned seat location of the image includes a representation of a seating plan of the vehicle, and wherein the image is displayed in the seating plan. 13. The audio-visual communications system of paragraph 3, the system further including a sensor coupled to the control unit, the sensor being adapted to detect a person seated in a said seat location. 14. The audio-visual communications system of paragraph 3, wherein the system is adapted to control the image capturing module to capture an image of the person upon detection by the sensor. 15. The audio-visual communications system of paragraph 3, wherein each said captured image of the person provides one of the indicia that is indicative of the seating arrangement. 16. The audio-visual communications system of paragraph 1, wherein the visual display unit includes a touch screen and the respective call request actuator includes the area of the touch screen that displays said respective indicium. 17. The audio-visual communications system of paragraph 1, wherein the control unit is adapted to selectively enable concurrent audio-visual links between the user interfaces in response to activation of a said call request actuator. 18. The audio-visual communications system of paragraph 1, wherein the control unit is adapted to selectively enable the audio-visual link between three or more of the user interfaces in response to selective activation of a said call request actuator. 19. The audio-visual communications system as of paragraph 18, wherein the control unit is adapted to selectively enable the audio-visual link between user interfaces in different seating rows of the vehicle. 20. The audio-visual communications system of paragraph 1, wherein the control unit is adapted to store and selectively provide media to user interfaces. 21. The audio-visual communications system of paragraph 5, further including a front facing image capturing module assigned to at least one said rear passenger seat location, the front facing image capturing module being located behind said assigned rear passenger seat location and positioned to capture images of the said assigned rear passenger seat location. 22. The audio-visual communications system of paragraph 5, wherein the system is adapted to selectively block the communication of a visual data component of the audio-visual data to the user interface. 23. The audio-visual communications system of paragraph 22, wherein the system is adapted to selectively block one way communication of the visual data component of the audio-visual data. 24. The audio-visual communications system of paragraph 5, wherein the system is adapted to selectively block the communication of an audio data component of the audio-visual data to the user interface. 25. The audio-visual communications system of paragraph 21, wherein the user interface is adapted to selectively block one way communication of the audio data component of the audio-visual data. 26. The audio-visual communications system of paragraph 19, wherein the user interface assigned to the driver seat location is adapted to provide an override instruction that overrides a selectively blocked communication and therefore provides full audiovisual data communication between two or more of the user interfaces. 27. The audio-visual communications system of paragraph 5, wherein the control unit is adapted to selectively interrupt the audio-visual data communication and provide data to at least the visual display unit associated with the driver seat location. 28. The audio-visual communications system of paragraph 14, wherein the control unit includes a seat occupant identification module that performs facial recognition on the captured image of the person. 29. The audio-visual communications system of paragraph 28, wherein the control unit is further adapted to selectively limit the communication of the audio-visual data based on the facial recognition. 30. A vehicle, comprising an audio visual communications system of paragraph 1. 31. A method enabling communication between occupants of a vehicle, the method being effected by the audio-visual communications system of paragraph 1, the method including: capturing, by a respective image capturing module, an image of an occupier of a seat location of the vehicle; displaying indicia indicative of a seating arrangement in the vehicle, the displaying including each captured image; and selectively enabling communication of audio-visual data between at least two of the user interfaces, or at least one of the user interfaces and at least one remote user interface, in response to a user input. 32. The method of paragraph 31 wherein the capturing is in response to a step of identifying which of the seat locations of the vehicle are occupied. 33. The method of paragraph 31, wherein the displaying includes an occupant’s profile that is provided by a facial recognition process of at least one said captured image.

Claims (33)

1. An audio-visual communications system for a vehicle, the system comprising: a plurality of user interface means each assigned to a seat location in the vehicle, each of the user interface means including a visual display means, an audio communications interface means and an image capturing means, wherein each user interface means is arranged, in use, to communicate audio-visual data; and a control unit communicably coupled to each of the user interface means, wherein the control unit is adapted to selectively enable communication of audiovisual data between at least one of the user interface means and at least one remote user interface means, in response to a user input.
2. The audio-visual communications system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the visual display means is adapted to display indicia indicative of a seating arrangement in the vehicle, and wherein the indicia is associated with a respective call request actuator.
3. The audio-visual communications system as claimed in claiml or claim 2, wherein the audio communications interface means includes at least one speaker port located in a headrest of the assigned seat location.
4. The audio-visual communications system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each said assigned seat location is a rear passenger seat location, front passenger seat location or a driver seat location, and wherein the visual display means for at least one said rear passenger seat location is located in a back region of a headrest that is directly in front of the respective rear passenger seat location.
5. The audio-visual communications system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the image capturing means for at least one said rear passenger seat location is located in back region of a headrest that is directly in front of the respective rear passenger seat location.
6. The audio-visual communications system as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the visual display means for the driver seat location is located in a dashboard of the vehicle.
7. The audio-visual communications system as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the image capturing means for the driver seat location is located in a dashboard of the vehicle.
8. The audio-visual communications system as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the visual display means for the front passenger seat location is positioned adjacent a dashboard of the vehicle.
9. The audio-visual communications system as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the image capturing means for the front passenger seat location is positioned adjacent a dashboard of the vehicle.
10. The audio-visual communications system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein upon actuation of the system the image capturing means of each one of the user interface means captures an image comprising a respective said assigned seat location.
11. The audio-visual communications system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the image is displayed on at least one of the visual display means with information to indicate the assigned seat location of the image.
12. The audio-visual communications system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the information to indicate the assigned seat location of the image includes a representation of a seating plan of the vehicle, and wherein the image is displayed in the seating plan.
13. The audio-visual communications system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the system further including a sensor means coupled to the control unit, the sensor means being adapted to detect a person seated in a said seat location.
14. The audio-visual communications system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system is adapted to control the image capturing means to capture an image of the person upon detection by the sensor means.
15. The audio-visual communications system as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 14 when directly or indirectly dependent on claim 2, wherein each said captured image of the person provides one of the indicia that is indicative of the seating arrangement.
16. The audio-visual communications system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the visual display means includes a touch screen and the respective call request actuator includes the area of the touch screen that displays said respective indicium.
17. The audio-visual communications system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the control unit is adapted to selectively enable concurrent audio-visual links between the user interface means and/or at least one remote user interface means in response to activation of a said call request actuator.
18. The audio-visual communications system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the control unit is adapted to selectively enable the audio-visual link between three or more of the user interface means and/or at least one remote user interface means.in response to selective activation of a said call request actuator.
19. The audio-visual communications system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the control unit is adapted to selectively enable the audio-visual link between the user interface means in different seating rows of the vehicle and/or at least one remote user interface means..
20. The audio-visual communications system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the control unit is adapted to store and selectively provide media to the user interface means.
21. The audio-visual communications system as claimed in claim 4, further including a front facing image capturing means assigned to at least one said rear passenger seat location, the front facing image capturing means being located behind said assigned rear passenger seat location and positioned to capture images of the said assigned rear passenger seat location.
22. The audio-visual communications system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the system is adapted to selectively block the communication of a visual data component of the audio-visual data to the user interface means.
23. The audio-visual communications system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the system is adapted to selectively block one way communication of the visual data component of the audio-visual data.
24. The audio-visual communications system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the system is adapted to selectively block the communication of an audio data component of the audio-visual data to the user interface means.
25. The audio-visual communications system as claimed in claim 24, wherein the user interface means is adapted to selectively block one way communication of the audio data component of the audio-visual data.
26. The audio-visual communications system as claimed in claim 22 to 25, wherein the user interface means assigned to the driver seat location is adapted to provide an override instruction that overrides a selectively blocked communication and therefore provides full audio-visual data communication between two or more of the user interface means.
27. The audio-visual communications system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the control unit is adapted to selectively interrupt the audio-visual data communication and provide data to at least the visual display means associated with the driver seat location.
28. The audio-visual communications system as claimed in claims 14 to 16, wherein the control unit includes a seat occupant identification means that performs facial recognition on the captured image of the person.
29. The audio-visual communications system as claimed in claim 28, wherein the control unit is further adapted to selectively limit the communication of the audio-visual data based on the facial recognition.
30. A vehicle, comprising an audio visual communications system as claimed in any of claims 1 -29.
31. A method enabling communication between an occupant of a vehicle and a remote user, the method being effected by the audio-visual communications system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 29, the method including: capturing, by a respective image capturing means, an image of an occupier of a seat location of the vehicle; displaying indicia indicative of a seating arrangement in the vehicle, the displaying including each captured image; and selectively enabling communication of audio-visual data between at least one of the user interface means and at least one remote user interface means, in response to a user input.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein the capturing is in response to a step of identifying which of the seat locations of the vehicle are occupied.
33. The method of claim 31 or claim 32, wherein the displaying includes an occupant’s profile that is provided by a facial recognition process of at least one said captured image.
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