Patent Application
20080273715
The present invention generally relates to vehicle audio communications and, more particularly, relates to a vehicle communication assembly that enables sound communication with the external environment outside of the vehicle.
Automotive passenger vehicles generally include a body, a chassis and a power train for driving the wheels. The vehicle body generally defines an enclosed passenger compartment for accommodating one or more passengers. Located within the body are various electronic systems, such as telematics and infotainment systems and devices. Some telematic systems employ communication systems that include a microphone for capturing driver input commands and one or more speakers for providing audio sound, generally within the passenger compartment.
Vehicles are increasingly being equipped with entertainment systems and devices that provide audio and video media in the mobile setting. Vehicles are commonly equipped with a variety of video displays, audio receivers and speakers within the passenger compartment to provide mobile enjoyment of movies, television, radio and recorded programs, to name a few. The car audio speakers typically employed within the passenger compartment of the vehicle provide audio sound within the vehicle, while a microphone may be employed to pickup driver spoken commands, such as for use in a navigation system or telephone system.
While various telematics and infotainment systems and devices are available for use within the vehicle passenger compartment, users may find it advantageous to expand such use outside of the vehicle. For example, a consumer may desire to utilize the vehicle radio as an entertainment source for use in the environment outside the passenger compartment. Additionally, a passenger within the vehicle may desire to communicate with a person outside of the vehicle such as when ordering food at a drive up ordering window at a restaurant. In order to do so, the vehicle consumer may roll down the window or open a door. However, this may pose a risk for vehicle security and subject the passenger compartment to adverse environmental conditions like rainy weather and insects.
Accordingly, it is therefore desirable to provide for a communication system that enables passengers within a vehicle to communicate with the outside environment. In particular, it is desirable to provide for a communication system that enables a vehicle passenger to provide audio sound from within the vehicle to the outside environment in a manner that is easy to use, cost-effective and poses a lessened threat to security and exposure to undesirable environmental conditions outside the vehicle. It is further desired to provide a communication system that enables a vehicle passenger to effectively receive sound from outside the vehicle.
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a communication assembly is provided for use on a vehicle to communicate audio sound in an environment outside the vehicle passenger compartment. According to one aspect of the present invention, the communication assembly includes a housing adapted to be mounted on a vehicle, the housing having a sound port in communication with an outside environment external to the vehicle. The assembly also includes an audio speaker located in the housing in audio communication with the sound port. The audio speaker is operable to provide audio sound to the outside environment external to the vehicle. The communication assembly further includes a communication link coupled to the audio speaker for providing signals to the audio speaker to broadcast audio sound to the outside environment.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle is provided having a communication assembly integrated into an external rearview mirror of the vehicle. The vehicle includes a body defining a passenger compartment within the interior of the vehicle, and an exterior rearview mirror assembly located on an exterior side of the body. The exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a rearview mirror, walls defining a housing, and a sound port formed in the housing in communication with an outside environment external to the vehicle. The vehicle has an audio speaker located in the exterior rearview mirror assembly in audio communication with the sound port. The audio speaker is operable to provide audio sound to the outside environment external to the vehicle. The vehicle further has a communication link coupled to the audio speaker for providing signals to the audio speaker to broadcast audio sound to the outside environment.
Accordingly, the communication assembly and vehicle of the present invention advantageously provide for communication between the passenger compartment of the vehicle and the surrounding outside environment. The communication assembly is easy to use, affordable and reduces risk to security and adverse environmental conditions by lessening the exposure of the vehicle passenger compartment to the outside environment.
These and other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims and appended drawings.
The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring to
Located within the passenger compartment 16 are various electronics systems and devices, such as an infotainment and telematics systems. The infotainment and telematics systems may include: an automotive personal computing device, a web browser, an Internet access device, a satellite communication system, a mobile multimedia system, a radio, a television, a DVD player, a video game player, a navigation system, a phone/address book lookup system, a rear or side obstruction system, a vehicle information and control system, and other types of electronic devices and systems.
Referring to
Referring to
The communication assembly further includes a communication link coupled to the various electrical components for providing signal communication. In the embodiment shown, the communication link includes electrical wires 28 that may be integrated in the mirror wiring harness. The communication link 28 includes wiring coupled to the exterior audio speaker 30 for providing electrical signals to the speaker 30 to broadcast audio sound to the outside environment. The communication link 28 may also include wiring to communicate signals from the exterior microphone 32. The communication link 28 may include other signal communication mediums including wireless communication, such as Bluetooth.
Referring to
In
By installing a speaker 30 and microphone 32 in the outside rearview mirror assembly 20, the communication assembly allows vehicle occupant(s) to communicate with one or more persons outside of the vehicle without having to roll down the window or open a door of the vehicle 10. It should be appreciated that the outside exterior microphone 32 and inside internal microphone 34 can be connected to the vehicle radio for amplification or may include independent amplifiers. It should also be appreciated that the interior microphone 34 could be part of an existing telematics system, or a separate unit located within range of the vehicle occupant's voice. The activation of the exterior speaker 30 could be via a pushbutton integral to an existing telematics or audio system for a stand-alone unit, or may be located elsewhere such as in the steering wheel control buttons of the vehicle 10.
To address any problems related to poor audio quality, such as may exist in the external environment, such as at a drive-up service window, the vehicle exterior speaker 30 and microphone 32 may employ noise reduction signal processing circuitry. Conventional signal processing circuitry may be employed to optimize voice communications, equalize frequency response of the drive-up window speaker system, and cancel out engine or motor noise from the vehicle 10. Echo cancellation could also be employed to eliminate feedback resulting from the close proximity of the exterior microphone 32 and speaker 30 or the interior microphone 34 and speaker 40.
The signal processing circuitry 70 is illustrated in
Referring to
As further seen in
The external speaker 30 and mirror housing 22 can be moved using a small motor such a flat pack style electric motor commercially available from CEI Company. Such a motor is known for use to rotate HVAC system doors and flaps on vehicles. The flat pack motor can provide capability to rotate the speaker/microphone housing assembly and to position the speaker and microphone for unimpeded sound travel. With the motor control, the speakers can be automated for selection with the vehicle audio system such that selecting the exterior speaker 30 and/or microphone 32 activates the motor 52 to rotate the housing 50 into position. Also, the motor 52 would return the communication housing 50 when the external speaker and microphone functions are deactivated or when the audio system is turned off. Additionally, the housing 50 may automatically be returned to the closed position and deactivate the exterior speaker 30 and microphone 32 when rain or other adverse environmental conditions are sensed.
The exterior speaker 30 and microphone 32 and the flat pack motor 52 are coupled to the rearview mirror wiring harness 28 that extends through the body 14 of the vehicle 10. The wiring harness 28 may also include wiring connected to heating element(s) for defrosting of the rearview mirror, wiring for turn signal indicators, wiring for a satellite digital radio service antenna, and other electronic devices that may be located within or on the external rearview mirror assembly 20.
According to an alternative embodiment, in lieu of a motor 52, it should be appreciated that the housing 50 containing the exterior speaker 30 and microphone 32 may be moved relative to the mirror housing 22 by employing a manual operated mechanical assembly. For example, a simple release catch could be used with a spring assisted lever to raise the speaker and microphone housing 50 into position and controlled by a cable that is activated by an operator within the vehicle, similar to a conventional fuel filler door release. With a motor activated embodiment, the motor could be controlled through the audio system or could be controlled via other sources, such as a key fob.
Referring to
The exterior speaker 30 and microphone 32 may be utilized to provide a variety of enhanced audio features. For example, the exterior speaker 30 and microphone 32 may be useful for an intercom system, tailgating, or otherwise allowing owners of vehicles to enjoy a sound system while located outside of the vehicle 10. With a Bluetooth connection or an auxiliary jack, a phone ringer could be set to ring through the exterior speaker 30 to alert someone outside the vehicle 10, while the phone remains secure in the vehicle 10. Additionally, the external speaker 30 can allow those with a soft or weak voice to be better heard. The communication assembly also allows communication from the vehicle occupant to one or more persons outside the vehicle while maintaining security and preventing subjecting the occupants to adverse weather conditions. The exterior speaker system can also serve to provide additional warning for a vehicle security system. In conjunction with various security sensors, the speaker system could allow a telematics call center to deliver a warning message to possible vandals or crooks such as “step away from the vehicle, the police are on their way,” for example.
By providing both internal and external speakers and microphones, the communication assembly further provides for an intercom system that may be incorporated into the car radio system to allow the vehicle occupant(s) to control the volume of the external vehicle sound and to use the radio amplification. With the communication assembly of the present invention, drive-up window patrons that usually are exposed to the elements at an ordering station are able to place an order without having to roll down the vehicle window.
Accordingly, the communication assembly of the present invention advantageously allows for enjoyment of audio sound in an outside environment external to the passenger compartment 16 of a vehicle 10. The communication system allows for enhanced sound communication in a manner that minimizes exposure to adverse environmental conditions outside of the vehicle and enhances security to passengers within the vehicle 10.
It will be understood by those who practice the invention and those skilled in the art, that various modifications and improvements may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit of the disclosed concept. The scope of protection afforded is to be determined by the claims and by the breadth of interpretation allowed by law.
