WO1999065151A1

WO1999065151A1 - Auto pc compliant audio system

Info

Publication number: WO1999065151A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/012281
Authority: WO
Inventors: William M. Jarocha; Lawrence D. Cepuran; Richard J. Chutorash; Francis M. Luk
Original assignee: Lear Automotive Dearborn, Inc.
Priority date: 1998-06-09
Filing date: 1999-06-02
Publication date: 1999-12-16

Abstract

The present invention comprises an audio system control interface that enables an input device to control a plurality of functions of an audio system through a computer mounted in a vehicle. Preferably, the audio system includes a data transfer device, such as a compact disc drive or a digital video disk drive. A command connection between the computer and the audio system enables the input device to control the plurality of functions of the audio system. A high speed data transfer connection between the computer and the data transfer device of the audio system permits audio and non-audio data to be exchanged between the data transfer device and the computer.

Description

AUTO PC COMPLIANT AUDIO SYSTEM

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to an audio system control interface and, more particularly, to an audio system control interface in a vehicle utilizing a computer mounted in the vehicle.

Current vehicles often include a computer mounted in the vehicle. The computer may be used to perform diagnostic analysis of various vehicle components. The computer may also be used to control a variety of vehicle components.

One common vehicle component is an audio system. Current vehicle audio systems often include a compact disc drive for playing audio compact discs. Frequently, users of a vehicle desire to replace the audio system provided with the vehicle. Providing a connection between a compact disc drive and a vehicle computer would permit the compact disc drive to be used for the transfer of data between a compact disc and the vehicle computer. Such data could include upgrades to the software located on the computer.

Thus, it is desirable to provide an audio system control interface that permits a computer in a vehicle to control the functions of the audio system. It is also desirable to provide an audio system control interface that would permit a variety of audio systems to be interfaced with the vehicle computer. It is furthermore desirable to provide an audio control system interface that enables a compact disc drive to be utilized for exchanging audio and non-audio data between a compact disc and the vehicle computer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general terms, the present invention provides an audio system control interface that permits a plurality of functions of an audio system to be controlled by a computer in a vehicle.

In a preferred embodiment, the audio system control interface includes an audio system having a radio wave receiver and a plurality of functions. The audio system is mountable in a vehicle. A computer is mounted in a vehicle and connected to the radio wave receiver. A command connection connects the computer to the audio system. An input device, connected to the computer, controls the plurality of functions of the audio system through the computer. In a most preferred embodiment, the audio system further includes a data transfer device that is connected to the computer by a high speed data transfer connection. The high speed data transfer connection enables data to be transferred between the computer and the data transfer device. Preferably, the data transfer device comprises either a compact disc drive or a digital video disk drive.

The present invention permits a computer mounted in a vehicle to control a plurality of functions of an audio system. In addition, the present invention permits a user to readily exchange a provided audio system with another audio system. The present invention also permits a data transfer device, of a type commonly incorporated in audio systems, to be utilized for transferring data between the data transfer device and the computer.

These and other features and advantages of this invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be described as follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a partial cross-sectional side view of an audio system control interface designed according to the present invention mounted within a vehicle;

Figure 2 is a schematic of the audio system control interface of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of a keypad; and

Figure 4 is a top plan view of a touch sensitive screen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In Figure 1 , a partial cross-sectional view of a vehicle is shown generally at 20. A computer 22 is mounted to vehicle 20. An input device 24 is connected to computer 22 by an input connection 30. An audio system 26 is connected to computer 22 by a command connection 32. Audio system 26 and input device 24 are mounted to a dashboard 38 of vehicle 20. Preferably, audio system 26 is removable from dashboard 38. A plurality of loud speakers 28 are mounted to vehicle 20 and connected to audio system 26 (connections not shown for simplicity). Preferably, computer 22 is mounted to a fire wall 36 of vehicle 20. Input device 24 is utilized to control a plurality of functions of audio system 26 through computer 22. Command connection 32 enables computer 22 to control a plurality of functions of audio system 26 based on input from input device 24. Preferably, command connection 32 comprises a serial bus connection, for example, a I²C or CAN bus, or command connection 32 may comprise an optical fiber connection as is known in the art. Input device 24 may comprise a variety of devices described more fully below.

A schematic diagram of an audio control system interface is shown generally at 50 in Figure 2. A microphone 52 is connected to computer 22, and serves as one embodiment of input device 24. Computer 22 further includes an audio recognition module 54. Audio recognition module 54 receives audio input from microphone 52. Microphone 52 and audio recognition module 54 permit a user to control a plurality of functions of audio system 26 utilizing audio input from microphone 52. In addition, audio recognition module 54 includes an audio output synthesis function that enables computer 22 to provide a variety of audio outputs through loudspeakers 28 to inform a user of, for example, the status of a vehicle component. Such an audio recognition module 54 is known in the art.

Audio system 26 includes a radio wave receiver 56. Preferably, audio system 26 further includes a second receiver 58 and a decoder 60. Second receiver 58 may also comprise a radio wave receiver. In one preferred embodiment, second receiver 58 and decoder 60 are utilized to receive radio broadcast information from standardized broadcasts, for example, the Radio Broadcast Data System (RBDS) or RDS broadcasts or broadcasts from the National Weather Service. Such broadcasts may include information regarding traffic, weather or emergency information.

In addition, second receiver 58 may comprise a television signal receiver, a microwave signal receiver, or other wireless transmission receivers as are known in the art. Thus, second receiver 58 could be utilized to receive a variety of wireless signals that could be projected through audio system 26. Such microwave receivers are known in the art and are typically used for communication or paging. A television signal receiver could be coupled with display screens in vehicle 20, such as shown in Figures 3 and 4 below, or other screens mounted in vehicle 20. Thus, such a receiver would permit a user to view a television broadcast while in vehicle 20. As will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art, audio system 26 could include a plurality of such wireless transmission receivers with computer 22 controlling which receiver outputs are projected through audio system 26. When second receiver 58 comprises a radio wave receiver for receiving RBDS or RDS broadcast signals, computer 22 preferably continuously monitors second receiver 58 and alerts a user when such a broadcast signal is received, computer 22 then outputs the broadcast to the user through audio system 26.

Second receiver 58 and radio wave receiver 56 are connected to a preamplifier 62. A first connection 64 connects radio wave receiver 56 and second receiver 58 to computer 22. A second connection 68 connects computer 22 to an amplifier 66. A switch 70 in computer 22 enables computer 22 to control an audio output from radio wave receiver 56, second receiver 58, or an external communication device 71 through amplifier 66. External communication device 71 may comprise a mobile phone or an electronic mail receiver attached to computer 22. Thus, switch 70 permits computer 22 to mute audio system 26 and permit another audio output, for example a mobile phone, to be projected through loud speakers 28. Amplifier 66 is further connected to loudspeakers 28. Thus, first connection 64, second connection 68, and switch 70 permit computer 22 to control the audio output of audio system 26.

Preferably, first connection 64 and second connection 68 comprise either a differential analogue linkage or a digital data linkage between audio system 26 and computer 22. In a most preferred embodiment, first connection 64 and second connection 68 permit six channel 5.1 audio output from audio system 26, as is known in the art. A data transfer device 72, preferably incorporated in audio system 26, is connected to computer 22 by a high speed data connection 74. In a preferred embodiment, data transfer device 72 comprises either a compact disc drive or a digital video disk drive. Thus, data transfer device 72 can be used to project audio output to a user through audio system 26. When data transfer device 72 comprises a compact disc drive, preferably, high speed data connection 74 provides a high bandwidth compact disc data transfer capability between data transfer device 72 and computer 22. For example, high speed data connection 74 may comprise a Most Optical Bus or a Universal Serial Bus. When data transfer device 72 comprises a digital video disk drive, high speed data connection 74 is preferably able to transfer data at a rate of at least 1 Mbit/sec. One suitable example of such a high speed data connection 74 is a Firewire. Other suitable formats for high speed data connection 74 are known in the art. High speed data connection 74 permits data transfer device 72 to be used by computer 22 to exchange both audio and non-audio data between data transfer device 72 and computer 22. For example, data transfer device 72 could be used to upgrade the software located on computer 22. In addition, computer 22 could download data, such as diagnostic analysis, to a storage media (not shown) in data transfer device 72. High speed data connection 74 and data transfer device 72 also permits incorporation of a new audio system 26 in a plug and play manner by providing any required software information to computer 22 as is known in the art.

The plurality of functions of audio system 26 that may be controlled by input device 24 through computer 22 include: volume, base, treble, balance, equalization, muting, seek, scan, pre-select, track, next, up, down, surround sound, clock and date functions, last state of operation, other audio programming functions, and user personalization of audio system 26. A muting function, for example, could be utilized by computer 22 to mute audio system 26 when a user receives an incoming message from external communication device 71 mounted in vehicle 20 as discussed above. Preferably, computer 22 includes software that permits computer 22 to recognize and be compatible with a variety of audio systems 26 to simplify exchange of audio system 26.

In Figure 3, a top plan view of a keypad 80 is shown. Keypad 80 includes a display 82 and a power button 84. Keypad 80 is another alternative embodiment of input device 24. A plurality of input keys 86 enable a user to use keypad 80 to control a plurality of functions of audio system 26.

In Figure 4, a touch sensitive display 90 is shown. Touch sensitive display 90 includes a screen 92 and a power button 94. Touch sensitive display 90 is an alternative embodiment of input device 24. Touch sensitive display 90 permits a user to control a plurality of functions of audio system 26 through screen 92.

One of controls microphone 52, keypad 80, or touch sensitive display 90 provides operator signals to computer 22. Computer 22 then controls audio system 26 in response to the control input signals.

The controls necessary to achieve these functions are within the skill of a worker in the art given the disclosure of this application. The present invention has been described in accordance with the relevant legal standards, thus the foregoing description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed embodiment may become apparent to those skilled in the art and do come within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the scope of legal protection afforded this invention can only be determined by studying the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWe claim:

1. An audio system control interface for a vehicle comprising: an audio system having a first radio wave receiver, a plurality of functions and mountable in a vehicle; a computer mounted in a vehicle and connected to said first radio wave receiver; a command connection connecting said computer to said audio system; and an input device connected to said computer, said input device controlling said plurality of functions through said computer.

2. An audio system control interface as recited in Claim 1 further comprising: at least a second receiver; at least one amplifier having an audio output; a first connection connecting said second receiver to said computer; and a second connection connecting said amplifier to said computer, said computer controlling said audio output.

3. An audio system control interface as recited in Claim 2 wherein said second receiver comprises a radio wave receiver.

4. An audio system control interface as recited in Claim 2 further comprising a plurality of loudspeakers, said plurality of loudspeakers receiving said audio output.

5. An audio system control interface as recited in Claim 4 wherein said audio output comprises a six channel audio output.

6. An audio system control interface as recited in Claim 1 wherein said audio system further includes a data transfer device and said computer includes a high speed data transfer connection, said high speed data transfer connection transferring data between said computer and said data transfer device.

7. An audio system control interface as recited in Claim 6 wherein said data transfer device comprises one of a compact disc drive and a digital video disk drive.

8. An audio system control interface as recited in Claim 1 wherein said input device comprises a microphone for receiving an audio input and said computer further includes an audio recognition module; and said audio recognition module receiving said audio input and controlling said plurality of functions based on said audio input to said microphone, and said audio recognition module generating a plurality of audio outputs.

9. An audio system control interface as recited in Claim 1 wherein said input device comprises one of a keypad and a touch sensitive display.