WO1990005433A1 - Communication method and equipment - Google Patents

Communication method and equipment Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1990005433A1
WO1990005433A1 PCT/GB1989/001338 GB8901338W WO9005433A1 WO 1990005433 A1 WO1990005433 A1 WO 1990005433A1 GB 8901338 W GB8901338 W GB 8901338W WO 9005433 A1 WO9005433 A1 WO 9005433A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
vehicle
unit
window
units
occupant
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1989/001338
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Roynon Howes
Victor Sidney Griffiths
Original Assignee
Intersci Limited
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 Intersci Limited filed Critical Intersci Limited
Publication of WO1990005433A1 publication Critical patent/WO1990005433A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
    • H04R1/02—Casings; Cabinets ; Supports therefor; Mountings therein
    • 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
    • B60R2011/0026—Windows, e.g. windscreen
    • 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
    • B60R2011/004—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by position outside the vehicle
    • 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
    • B60R2011/0042—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by mounting means
    • B60R2011/0049—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by mounting means for non integrated articles
    • B60R2011/005—Connection with the vehicle part
    • B60R2011/0059—Connection with the vehicle part using clips, clamps, straps or the like
    • 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
    • B60R2011/0042—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by mounting means
    • B60R2011/008—Adjustable or movable supports
    • B60R2011/0084—Adjustable or movable supports with adjustment by linear movement in their operational position

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a communication method and equipment for providing voice communication between an occupant of a vehicle and a person outside the vehicle.
  • a person travelling in a vehicle is very vulnerable when the vehicle is halted in traffic, by breakdown, accident or other mishap or even when "lost". This is particularly true of a woman travelling alone.
  • the present invention is intended to obviate the need to open the vehicle window to speak to someone outside the vehicle.
  • a method of communicating between an occupant of a vehicle and a person outside the vehicle comprising providing a first unit mounted inside the vehicle and a second unit mounted on the exterior of the vehicle, each unit including transducer means which convert sound signals into electrical signals and vice versa, the units being linked so that the vehicle occupant and the person outside the vehicle can engage in two-way voice communication.
  • the units are mounted on respective sides of a motor vehicle window which is openable, so that voice communication is possible without opening the window.
  • communication equipment for providing voice communication between an occupant of a vehicle and a person outside the vehicle, comprises a first unit for mounting inside the vehicle and a second unit for mounting on the exterior of the vehicle, each unit including transducer means for converting sound signals into electrical signals and vice versa, and linking means for linking the units to afford two-way voice communication between the units.
  • the linking means are preferably wires which interconnent the two units, but could alternatively be in the form of radio communication.
  • the first and second units are preferably adapted to be attached to respective sides of a vehicle window, for example by suction pads, adhesive pads or the like.
  • the wires are then preferably in the form of a flat cable strap which can pass around the edge of the window glass without interfering with the action of the window seals as the window is opened or closed.
  • a preferred location for the two units is adjacent the top edge of the window in the vehicle driver's door, the cable strap then passing over the upper edge of the window. The vehicle occupant will then be the vehicle driver.
  • the first unit preferably includes a battery and operating electronics .
  • the transducer means * may include a microphone and a loudspeaker in the first unit, and a microphone and a loudspeaker in the second unit, a control such as a button on the first unit being pressed to activate the electronics and to allow the vehicle driver to speak to the person outside the vehicle. When the button is released the person outside the vehicle may speak to the vehicle driver.
  • the second unit may be fitted with a light controlled by a manual control such as a push-button on the first unit, the light being useful to check the credentials or identity of the person outside the vehicle.
  • the second unit may also include an alarm which sounds if a panic button or the like is depressed on the first unit, or if the second unit is wrenched off the vehicle.
  • the invention also includes within its scope a vehicle fitted with the inventive communication equipment.
  • Figure 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view through the communication equipment fitted to a vehicle window
  • Figure 2 is an elevation of an internal unit of the communication equipment
  • Figure 3 is an elevation of an external unit of the communication equipment
  • Figure 4 is a circuit diagram of the communication equipment.
  • the equipment comprises a first unit 10 fitted by suction pads or adhesive pads to the internal side of a vehicle window 12, and a second unit 14 similarly fitted to the external side of the window.
  • the window 12 is the window in the vehicle driver's door, it being understood that the window 12 is openable and moves up and down in the door frame 18.
  • the first and second units 10 and 14 are interconnected by a flat cable strap 16 which passes over the upper edge of the window 12.
  • the strap is sufficiently flat so as not to impair the action of the window seals (not shown) fitted in the upper edge of the door frame 18.
  • the units may be attached to the window 12 by resilient or compliant mountings to reduce acoustic coupling between the units.
  • the first unit 10 comprises a microphone 20, a loudspeaker 22, a battery 24 and the requisite operating electronics on a board 26.
  • the second unit 14 comprises a microphone 28, a loudspeaker 30, a battery 32 and operating electronics on a board 34.
  • the components of the first unit 10 are enclosed in a housing the front surface of which has, in addition to the loudspeaker and microphone, a press to speak button 36, a light button 38 and a panic button or radio alarm 40.
  • the light button 38 is linked to lights 42 on the second unit 14.
  • the external face of the second unit 14 is shown in Figure 3 which illustrates the second unit 14 in position on the vehicle window 12.
  • the second unit may have a radio aerial 44 ( Figure 1) for transmitting an emergency signal to police.
  • Figure 4 shows the circuitry of the units 10 and 14.
  • the unit 10 incorporates an amplifier 46 (in the electronics on the board 26), and Figure 4 also illustrates the audible alarm 48 which sounds if the button 40 is depressed or if the second unit 14 is wrenched away from the window 12.
  • a vehicle occupant presses the switch 36 to enable the vehicle occupant to speak to a person outside the vehicle by means of the internal microphone 20 and the external loudspeaker 30.
  • the button 36 When the button 36 is released the person outside the vehicle may speak to the vehicle occupant by means of the external microphone 28 and the internal loudspeaker 22.
  • the vehicle occupant can communicate with the person outside the vehicle without the need to wind down the vehicle window.
  • the vehicle occupant may ask for the person outside the vehicle to produce identification, and this can be checked by means of the lights 42. Once satisfactory identification has been produced, the vehicle occupant may lower the window or may continue to communicate with the person outside the vehicle by means of the units 10 and 14. If satisfactory identification is not produced to the vehicle occupant, or if the latter is in any way suspicious, the vehicle occupant may press the panic button 36 which activates the alarm 48.
  • the units are so made that if the external unit 14 is wrenched from the outside of the window, the alarm 48 is automatically activated and continues to operate.
  • the lights on the external unit may also be automatically turned on to facilitate location of the device.
  • the alarm may be so wired- that the battery has to be removed to stop the alarm sounding.
  • the described equipment is powered by batteries, but it is possible to power the equipment from the vehicle battery.
  • the internal unit could be included in a vehicle mobile telephone, and the external unit could be fitted on the outside of the vehicle in a location other than on the vehicle window, for example incorporated in the vehicle wing mirror.
  • the equipment may be fitted with a "low battery” warning indicator.
  • the external unit 14 may be fitted with a flashing warning light.
  • the link between the internal and external units 10, 14 may be infra red in nature.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Burglar Alarm Systems (AREA)

Abstract

Communication between a vehicle occupant (normally the driver) and a person outside the vehicle is achieved by fitting a first unit (10) with loudspeaker (22) and microphone (20) on the inside of the vehicle driver's openable window (12), a second unit (14) with loudspeaker (30) and microphone (28) on the outside of the vehicle window and a cable strap (16) which interconnects the units (10, 14) and passes over the top edge of the window (12). This allows voice communication between the vehicle occupant and a person outside the vehicle, without the need to open the window, which provides protection for the vehicle occupant against personal attack from someone outside the vehicle.

Description

Title: Communication Method and Equipment
Field of the invention
This invention relates to a communication method and equipment for providing voice communication between an occupant of a vehicle and a person outside the vehicle.
Background to the invention
A person travelling in a vehicle, particularly if alone, is very vulnerable when the vehicle is halted in traffic, by breakdown, accident or other mishap or even when "lost". This is particularly true of a woman travelling alone. There are numerous cases of women being stopped by persons posing as police or other security officers, or by someone offering help and assistance, and upon opening the car window they have been attacked, mugged, raped and even murdered. The present invention is intended to obviate the need to open the vehicle window to speak to someone outside the vehicle.
Summary of the invention
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of communicating between an occupant of a vehicle and a person outside the vehicle, comprising providing a first unit mounted inside the vehicle and a second unit mounted on the exterior of the vehicle, each unit including transducer means which convert sound signals into electrical signals and vice versa, the units being linked so that the vehicle occupant and the person outside the vehicle can engage in two-way voice communication.
Preferably the units are mounted on respective sides of a motor vehicle window which is openable, so that voice communication is possible without opening the window.
According to another aspect of the invention communication equipment for providing voice communication between an occupant of a vehicle and a person outside the vehicle, comprises a first unit for mounting inside the vehicle and a second unit for mounting on the exterior of the vehicle, each unit including transducer means for converting sound signals into electrical signals and vice versa, and linking means for linking the units to afford two-way voice communication between the units.
The linking means are preferably wires which interconnent the two units, but could alternatively be in the form of radio communication.
The first and second units are preferably adapted to be attached to respective sides of a vehicle window, for example by suction pads, adhesive pads or the like. The wires are then preferably in the form of a flat cable strap which can pass around the edge of the window glass without interfering with the action of the window seals as the window is opened or closed. A preferred location for the two units is adjacent the top edge of the window in the vehicle driver's door, the cable strap then passing over the upper edge of the window. The vehicle occupant will then be the vehicle driver. The first unit preferably includes a battery and operating electronics .
The transducer means* may include a microphone and a loudspeaker in the first unit, and a microphone and a loudspeaker in the second unit, a control such as a button on the first unit being pressed to activate the electronics and to allow the vehicle driver to speak to the person outside the vehicle. When the button is released the person outside the vehicle may speak to the vehicle driver.
The second unit may be fitted with a light controlled by a manual control such as a push-button on the first unit, the light being useful to check the credentials or identity of the person outside the vehicle. The second unit may also include an alarm which sounds if a panic button or the like is depressed on the first unit, or if the second unit is wrenched off the vehicle.
The invention also includes within its scope a vehicle fitted with the inventive communication equipment.
Communication equipment according to the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view through the communication equipment fitted to a vehicle window,
Figure 2 is an elevation of an internal unit of the communication equipment,
Figure 3 is an elevation of an external unit of the communication equipment, and
Figure 4 is a circuit diagram of the communication equipment.
Referring to Figure 1, the equipment comprises a first unit 10 fitted by suction pads or adhesive pads to the internal side of a vehicle window 12, and a second unit 14 similarly fitted to the external side of the window. The window 12 is the window in the vehicle driver's door, it being understood that the window 12 is openable and moves up and down in the door frame 18. The first and second units 10 and 14 are interconnected by a flat cable strap 16 which passes over the upper edge of the window 12. The strap is sufficiently flat so as not to impair the action of the window seals (not shown) fitted in the upper edge of the door frame 18. The units may be attached to the window 12 by resilient or compliant mountings to reduce acoustic coupling between the units.
The first unit 10 comprises a microphone 20, a loudspeaker 22, a battery 24 and the requisite operating electronics on a board 26.
The second unit 14 comprises a microphone 28, a loudspeaker 30, a battery 32 and operating electronics on a board 34.
Referring to Figure 2, the components of the first unit 10 are enclosed in a housing the front surface of which has, in addition to the loudspeaker and microphone, a press to speak button 36, a light button 38 and a panic button or radio alarm 40. The light button 38 is linked to lights 42 on the second unit 14. The external face of the second unit 14 is shown in Figure 3 which illustrates the second unit 14 in position on the vehicle window 12. The second unit may have a radio aerial 44 (Figure 1) for transmitting an emergency signal to police.
Figure 4 shows the circuitry of the units 10 and 14. The unit 10 incorporates an amplifier 46 (in the electronics on the board 26), and Figure 4 also illustrates the audible alarm 48 which sounds if the button 40 is depressed or if the second unit 14 is wrenched away from the window 12.
In use, a vehicle occupant (normally the driver) presses the switch 36 to enable the vehicle occupant to speak to a person outside the vehicle by means of the internal microphone 20 and the external loudspeaker 30. When the button 36 is released the person outside the vehicle may speak to the vehicle occupant by means of the external microphone 28 and the internal loudspeaker 22. Hence, the vehicle occupant can communicate with the person outside the vehicle without the need to wind down the vehicle window. The vehicle occupant may ask for the person outside the vehicle to produce identification, and this can be checked by means of the lights 42. Once satisfactory identification has been produced, the vehicle occupant may lower the window or may continue to communicate with the person outside the vehicle by means of the units 10 and 14. If satisfactory identification is not produced to the vehicle occupant, or if the latter is in any way suspicious, the vehicle occupant may press the panic button 36 which activates the alarm 48.
The units are so made that if the external unit 14 is wrenched from the outside of the window, the alarm 48 is automatically activated and continues to operate. The lights on the external unit may also be automatically turned on to facilitate location of the device. The alarm may be so wired- that the battery has to be removed to stop the alarm sounding.
The described equipment is powered by batteries, but it is possible to power the equipment from the vehicle battery. The internal unit could be included in a vehicle mobile telephone, and the external unit could be fitted on the outside of the vehicle in a location other than on the vehicle window, for example incorporated in the vehicle wing mirror.
The equipment may be fitted with a "low battery" warning indicator.
The external unit 14 may be fitted with a flashing warning light.
The link between the internal and external units 10, 14 may be infra red in nature.

Claims

Claims
1. A method of communicating between an occupant of a vehicle and a person outside the vehicle, comprising providing a first unit mounted inside the vehicle and a second unit mounted on the exterior of the vehicle, each unit including transducer means which convert sound signals into electrical signals and vice versa, the units being linked so that the vehicle occupant and the person outside the vehicle can engage in two-way voice communication.
2. A method according to Claim 1, wherein the units are mounted on respective sides of a motor vehicle window which is openable, so that voice communication is possible without opening the window.
3. A method according to Claim 2, wherein the window is the openable window beside the vehicle driver and the units are linked by a cable strap which passes over the upper edge of the window, said occupant then being the driver of the vehicle.
4. Communication equipment for providing voice communication between an occupant of a vehicle and a person outside the vehicle, comprising a first unit for mounting inside the vehicle and a second unit for mounting on the exterior of the vehicle, each unit including transducer means for converting sound signals into electrical signals and vice versa, and linking means for linking the units to afford two-way voice communication between the units.
5. Communication equipment according to Claim 4, wherein the linking means are wires which interconnect the two units.
6. Communication equipment according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the first and second units are adapted to be attached to respective sides of a vehicle window by suction pads or adhesive pads.
7. Communication equipment according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the first unit includes a battery and operating electronics.
8. Communication equipment according to any of claims 4 to 7, wherein the transducer means include a microphone and a loudspeaker in the first unit, and a microphone and a loudspeaker in the second unit.
9. Communication equipment according to Claims 7 and 8, wherein the first unit has a control such as a button which is actuated to activate the electronics and to allow the vehicle occupant to speak to the person outside the vehicle, hen the control is released the person outside the vehicle having the facility to speak to the vehicle occupant.
10. Communication equipment according to Claim 9, wherein the second unit is fitted with a light controlled by a manual control such as a push-button on the first unit, the light being useful to check the credentials or identity of the person outside the vehicle.
PCT/GB1989/001338 1988-11-12 1989-11-10 Communication method and equipment WO1990005433A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB888826495A GB8826495D0 (en) 1988-11-12 1988-11-12 Communication equipment
GB8826495.7 1988-11-12

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1990005433A1 true WO1990005433A1 (en) 1990-05-17

Family

ID=10646753

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1989/001338 WO1990005433A1 (en) 1988-11-12 1989-11-10 Communication method and equipment

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB8826495D0 (en)
WO (1) WO1990005433A1 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1993021034A1 (en) * 1992-04-15 1993-10-28 Karl-Heinz Kirmes Gerätetechnik Gmbh Communications device
US5309510A (en) * 1992-09-04 1994-05-03 Hunterwood Holdings Ltd. Door intercom device
GB2333924A (en) * 1998-01-31 1999-08-04 Rover Group A motor vehicle communication arrangement
US11523196B1 (en) 2021-10-06 2022-12-06 Keith Roe Two way communication assembly

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4597470A (en) * 1984-04-22 1986-07-01 Pioneer Electronic Corporation Car speaker system
US4833700A (en) * 1987-07-17 1989-05-23 Seaburg Stephen L Mobile phone interface

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4597470A (en) * 1984-04-22 1986-07-01 Pioneer Electronic Corporation Car speaker system
US4833700A (en) * 1987-07-17 1989-05-23 Seaburg Stephen L Mobile phone interface

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
Patent Abstracts of Japan, Vol 8, No 49, E230, abstract of JP 58-204640, TEI DEI ERU K.K. publ 1983-11-29 *

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1993021034A1 (en) * 1992-04-15 1993-10-28 Karl-Heinz Kirmes Gerätetechnik Gmbh Communications device
US5309510A (en) * 1992-09-04 1994-05-03 Hunterwood Holdings Ltd. Door intercom device
GB2333924A (en) * 1998-01-31 1999-08-04 Rover Group A motor vehicle communication arrangement
US11523196B1 (en) 2021-10-06 2022-12-06 Keith Roe Two way communication assembly

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8826495D0 (en) 1988-12-14

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