Modular headrest-based audio system
First Claim
1. A method for processing audio signals in an automobile audio system that is connected to a first headrest speaker coupled to a driver'"'"'s seat and connectable to a second headrest speaker coupled to a passenger'"'"'s seat, the driver'"'"'s seat and the passenger'"'"'s seat being located in a vehicle cabin, wherein the automobile audio system includes an amplifier, a first fixed speaker positioned near a left corner of the vehicle cabin forward of the first headrest, and a second fixed speaker positioned near a right corner of the vehicle cabin forward of the first headrest, the method comprising:
- receiving audio signals from a source;
detecting whether a second headrest comprising the second headrest speaker is present or absent by detecting whether the second headrest speaker is connected to the automobile audio system; and
based on a result of the detecting,processing the received audio signals with a first set of processing parameters to form first processed audio signals and providing the first processed audio signals to the amplifier for provision to the first and second fixed speakers and to the first headrest speaker, to manipulate a first gain and a first phase of the audio signals to control a soundstage perceived by a first listener seated in the driver'"'"'s seat by manipulating signals output by the first and second fixed speakers and the first headrest speaker to control interaural level and time differences of the first listener, when the second headrest speaker is not detected as being connected to the automobile audio system; and
processsing the received audio signals with a second set of processing parameters to form second processed audio signals and providing the second processed audio signals to the amplifier for provision to the first and second fixed speakers and to the first and second headrest speakers, to manipulate a second gain and a second phase of the audio signals to control a soundstage perceived by the first listener seated in the driver'"'"'s seat and a second listener seated in the passenger seat by manipulating signals output by the first and second fixed speakers and the first and second headrest speakers to control interaural level and time differences of the first listener and the second listener, when the second headrest speaker is detected as being connected to the automobile audio system.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automobile audio system includes a signal processor configured to receive and process audio signals from a source and provide processed audio signals to an amplifier, a first headrest including a headrest speaker and coupled to a driver'"'"'s seat, a first fixed speaker positioned near a left corner of the vehicle'"'"'s cabin forward of the headrest, a second fixed speaker positioned near a right corner of the vehicle'"'"'s cabin forward of the headrest, and a headrest accessory port located in a passenger'"'"'s seat. The port is configured to connect the audio system to a second headrest speaker. The processor uses a first set of parameters for processing the received audio signals when the first headrest speaker is connected and the second headrest speaker is not connected, and a second set of parameters for processing the received audio signals when both the first and second headrest speaker are connected.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method for processing audio signals in an automobile audio system that is connected to a first headrest speaker coupled to a driver'"'"'s seat and connectable to a second headrest speaker coupled to a passenger'"'"'s seat, the driver'"'"'s seat and the passenger'"'"'s seat being located in a vehicle cabin, wherein the automobile audio system includes an amplifier, a first fixed speaker positioned near a left corner of the vehicle cabin forward of the first headrest, and a second fixed speaker positioned near a right corner of the vehicle cabin forward of the first headrest, the method comprising:
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receiving audio signals from a source; detecting whether a second headrest comprising the second headrest speaker is present or absent by detecting whether the second headrest speaker is connected to the automobile audio system; and based on a result of the detecting, processing the received audio signals with a first set of processing parameters to form first processed audio signals and providing the first processed audio signals to the amplifier for provision to the first and second fixed speakers and to the first headrest speaker, to manipulate a first gain and a first phase of the audio signals to control a soundstage perceived by a first listener seated in the driver'"'"'s seat by manipulating signals output by the first and second fixed speakers and the first headrest speaker to control interaural level and time differences of the first listener, when the second headrest speaker is not detected as being connected to the automobile audio system; and processsing the received audio signals with a second set of processing parameters to form second processed audio signals and providing the second processed audio signals to the amplifier for provision to the first and second fixed speakers and to the first and second headrest speakers, to manipulate a second gain and a second phase of the audio signals to control a soundstage perceived by the first listener seated in the driver'"'"'s seat and a second listener seated in the passenger seat by manipulating signals output by the first and second fixed speakers and the first and second headrest speakers to control interaural level and time differences of the first listener and the second listener, when the second headrest speaker is detected as being connected to the automobile audio system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for processing audio signals in an automobile audio system that is connected to a first headrest speaker coupled to a driver'"'"'s seat and connectable to a second headrest speaker coupled to a passenger'"'"'s seat, the driver'"'"'s seat and the passenger'"'"'s seat being located in a vehicle cabin, wherein the automobile audio system includes an amplifier, a first fixed speaker positioned near a left corner of the vehicle cabin forward of the first headrest, and a second fixed speaker positioned near a right corner of the vehicle cabin forward of the first headrest, the method comprising:
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receiving audio signals from a source; detecting whether a second headrest comprising the second headrest speaker is present or absent by detecting whether the second headrest speaker is connected to the automobile audio system; and based on a result of the detecting, processing the received audio signals using a first set of processing parameters to form first processed audio signals and outputting the first processed audio signals by the first and second fixed speakers and the first headrest speaker to; control first inter-aural level and time differences between sounds arriving at a first listener'"'"'s ears, the first listener seated in the driver'"'"'s seat, when the second headrest speaker is not detected as being connected to the automobile audio system, to provide a perceived first soundstage for the first listener and processing the received audio signals using a second set of processing parameters to form second processed audio signals and outputting the second processed audio signals to the first and second fixed speakers and the first and second headrest speakers to control second inter-aural level and time differences between sounds arriving at a second listener'"'"'s ears, the second listener seated in the passenger seat, to provide a perceived second soundstage for the second listener, when the second headrest speaker is detected as being connected to the automobile audio system.
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Specification