Audio reception control arrangement and method for a vehicle

• US 20010038698A1
• Filed: 04/20/2001
• Published: 11/08/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1992
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: American Vehicular Sciences LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Automotive Technologies International Incorporated
• Inventors: Breed, David S., Johnson, Wendell C., Du Vall, Wilbur E.
• Granted Patent: US 6,778,672 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/86
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/00 Sealing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0022 for sensing anthropometric parameters, e.g. heart rate or body temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0026 for distinguishing between humans, animals or objects
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0028 of a body part, e.g. of an arm or a leg
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0029 for detecting the motion of the occupant
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0248 with memory of positions
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0268 using sensors or detectors for adapting the seat or seat part, e.g. to the position of an occupant
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0272 using sensors or detectors for detecting the position of seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0276 reaction to emergency situations, e.g. crash
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2806 for securing the child seat to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2863 backward facing
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/829 characterised by their adjusting mechanisms, e.g. electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/888 with arrangements for protecting against abnormal g-forces, e.g. by displacement of the head-rest
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/12 Capacitive; Electric field
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/20 Radar
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2230/30 Signal processing of sensor data
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/037 : for occupant comfort , e.g. for automatic adjustment of appliances according to personal settings, e.g. seats, mirrors, steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 : with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 : with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0027 : Post collision measures, e.g. notifying emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01315 : monitoring occupant displacement
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23153 : specially adapted for rear seat passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26094 : characterised by fluid flow controlling valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2765 : comprising means to control the venting
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/208 : by automatic or remote control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4825 : for sensing amount of belt winded on retractor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 : responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0136 : responsive to actual contact with an obstacle , e.g. to vehicle deformation, bumper displacement or bumper velocity relative to the vehicle monitoring crash strength in combination with passenger seat detection B60R21/01558
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 : using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01534 : using electromagneticwaves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01536 : using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01538 : for image processing, e.g. cameras or sensor arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0154 : in combination with seat heating
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01542 : detecting passenger motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01544 : detecting seat belt parameters, e.g. length, tension or height-adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01548 : sensing the amount of belt winded on retractor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01552 : detecting position of specific human body parts, e.g. face, eyes or hands
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01554 : Seat position sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/21656 : Steering wheel covers or similar cup-shaped covers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/276 : with means to vent the inflation fluid source, e.g. in case of overpressure B60R21/30 takes precedence; venting means on inflatable member walls B60R21/239
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/20 : adjustable in position, e.g. in height
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 : using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/255 : Eye recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/257 : Voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/43 : responsive to disruption of energy beams, e.g. light or sound
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/431 : specially adapted for vehicle windows or roofs
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 2015/433 : using reflection from the obstruction
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 : Windows
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/20 : by measurement of weight, e.g. to determine the level of stored liquefied gas
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/2962 : Measuring transit time of reflected waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/804 : containing circuits handling parameters other than liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/04 : Systems determining presence of a target based on relative movement of target G01S13/56
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/04 : Systems determining presence of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/06 : Systems determining the position data of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/87 : Combinations of sonar systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/88 : Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting G01V1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/88 : Lidar systems specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/89 : for mapping or imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/417 : involving the use of neural networks
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4802 : using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/539 : using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/59 : inside of a vehicle, e.g. relating to seat occupancy, driver state or inner lighting conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/10 : Human or animal bodies, e.g. vehicle occupants or pedestrians; Body parts, e.g. hands
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/1282 : Automobiles
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3219 : Geometry of the configuration

Abstract

Arrangement and method for controlling audio reception by occupants of a vehicle in which the position of any occupants is determined and the entertainment system controlled to provide specific sound for the occupants based on the determined positions of the occupants. Sound generating components of the entertainment system are automatically adjustable based on the determined position of the occupants. A hypersonic sound generating system may be used wherein ultrasonic frequency generators generate ultrasonic waves which mix with ultrasonic waves generated by another ultrasonic frequency generator to thereby cause the creation of new audio frequencies in an area determined based on the position of the occupants. In addition, the presence and direction of unwanted noise may be detected and sound created to cancel the unwanted noise in the area including the determined positions of any occupants.

Claims

1. A vehicle including an arrangement for controlling audio reception by at least one occupant of a passenger compartment of the vehicle, comprising:

a monitoring system for determining the position of the at least one occupant; and

sound generating means coupled to said monitoring system for generating specific sounds, said sound generating means being automatically adjustable based on the determined position of the at least one occupant such that the specific sounds are audible to the at least one occupant.

2. The vehicle of

claim 1

, wherein said sound generating means utilize hypersonic sound.

3. The vehicle of

claim 1

, wherein said sound generating means comprise ultrasonic frequency generators for generating ultrasonic waves, each of said ultrasonic frequency generators generating ultrasonic waves which mix with ultrasonic waves generated by another one of said ultrasonic frequency generators to thereby create new audio frequencies.

4. The vehicle of

claim 1

, further comprising:

a system for detecting the presence and direction of unwanted noise, said sound generating means being coupled to said unwanted noise presence and detection system and being structured and arranged to direct sound to prevent reception of the unwanted noise by the at least one occupant.

5. The vehicle of

claim 1

, wherein said arrangement controls audio reception by a plurality of occupants, said monitoring system determines the position of the occupants and said sound generating means are automatically adjustable to generate different specific sounds for each of the occupants based on the determined position of the occupant such that each of the specific sounds are audible only to that occupant.

6. The vehicle of

claim 5

, wherein said sound generating means comprising a plurality of sets of two ultrasonic frequency generators, one of said ultrasonic frequency generators in each of said sets generating ultrasonic waves which mix with ultrasonic waves generated by the other of said ultrasonic frequency generators in said set to thereby create new audio frequencies.

7. The vehicle of

claim 6

, wherein said sets of ultrasonic frequency generators are controlled independently of one another so that each of the occupants is able to have different new audio frequencies created.

8. The vehicle of

claim 5

, wherein said sound generating means comprise speakers, said speakers being controllable based on the determined positions of the occupants such that at least one of said speakers directs sounds toward each of the occupants.

9. The vehicle of

claim 1

, wherein said monitoring system is structured and arranged to determine the position of the head of the at least one occupant, said sound generating means being adjustable based on the determined position of the head of the at least one occupant.

10. The vehicle of

claim 1

, wherein said monitoring system is structured and arranged to determine the position of the ears of the at least one occupant, said sound generating means being adjustable based on the determined position of the ears of the at least one occupant.

11. The vehicle of

claim 1

, wherein said monitoring system comprises

at least one wave-receiving sensor for receiving waves from the passenger compartment, and

a processor coupled to said at least one wave-receiving sensor for determining the position of the at least one occupant based on the waves received by said at least one wave-receiving sensor.

12. The vehicle of

claim 11

, further comprising at least one transmitter for transmitting waves into a passenger compartment such that each of said at least one wave-receiving sensor receives waves transmitted from one of said at least one transmitter and passed into and at least partially through the passenger compartment.

13. The vehicle of

claim 11

, wherein said processor includes pattern recognition means for determining the position of the at least one occupant.

14. The vehicle of

claim 1

, wherein said monitoring system is arranged to determine the position of at least one object other than the occupants, said sound generating means being controlled in consideration of the determined position of the at least one object.

15. A method for controlling audio reception by occupants in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

determining the position of at least one occupant of the vehicle;

providing a sound generator for generating specific sounds; and

automatically adjusting the sound generator based on the determined position of the at least one occupant such that the specific sounds are audible to the at least one occupant.

16. The method of

claim 15

, wherein the step of providing a sound generator comprises the step of utilizing at least one hypersonic sound generator.

17. The method of

claim 15

, wherein the step of providing a sound generator comprises the steps of providing ultrasonic frequency generators and generating ultrasonic waves by means of each ultrasonic frequency generator which mix with ultrasonic waves generated by another ultrasonic frequency generator to thereby create new audio frequencies.

18. The method of

claim 15

, further comprising the step of detecting the presence and direction of unwanted noise and directing sound from the sound generator to prevent reception of the unwanted noise by the at least one occupant.

19. The method of

claim 15

, wherein the step of determining the position of at least one occupant of the vehicle comprises the step of determining the position of a plurality of occupants, the step of automatically adjusting the sound generator based on the determined position of the at least one occupant comprising the step of automatically adjusting the sound generator to generate different specific sounds for each of the occupants based on the determined position of the occupant such that each of the specific sounds are audible only to that occupant.

20. The method of

claim 19

, wherein the step of providing the sound generator comprises the step of providing a plurality of sets of two ultrasonic frequency generators, one of the ultrasonic frequency generators in each of the sets generating ultrasonic waves which mix with ultrasonic waves generated by the other of the ultrasonic frequency generators in that set to thereby create new audio frequencies.

21. The method of

claim 20

, further comprising the step of independently controlling the sets of ultrasonic frequency generators so that each of the occupants is able to have different new audio frequencies created.

22. The method of

claim 19

, wherein the step of providing the sound generator comprises the step of providing speakers, the step of automatically adjusting the sound generator to generate different specific sounds for each of the occupants comprising the step of controlling the speakers based on the determined positions of the occupants such that at least one of the speakers directs sounds toward each of the occupants.

23. The method of

claim 15

, wherein the step of determining the position of at least one occupant of the vehicle comprises the step of determining the position of the head of the at least one occupant, the step of automatically adjusting the sound generator based on the determined position of the at least one occupant comprising the step of automatically adjusting the sound generator based on the determined position of the head of the at least one occupant.

24. The method of

claim 15

, wherein the step of determining the position of at least one occupant of the vehicle comprises the step of determining the position of the ears of the at least one occupant, the step of automatically adjusting the sound generator based on the determined position of the at least one occupant comprising the step of automatically adjusting the sound generator based on the determined position of the ears of the at least one occupant.

25. The method of

claim 15

, wherein the step of determining the position of the at least one occupant comprises the steps of receiving waves from the passenger compartment at at least one wave-receiving sensor, and determining the position of the at least one occupant based on the waves received by the at least one wave-receiving sensor.

26. The method of

claim 25

, further comprising the step of transmitting waves into the passenger compartment such that each of the at least one wave-receiving sensor receives transmitted waves which have passed into and at least partially through the passenger compartment.

27. The method of

claim 25

, wherein the step of determining the position of the at least one occupant based on the waves received by the at least one wave-receiving sensor comprises the step of utilizing pattern recognition means.

28. The method of

claim 15

, further comprising the steps of:

determining the positions of objects other than the at least one occupant; and

controlling the sound generator in consideration of the determined positions of the objects other than the at least one occupant.

29. A vehicle including an arrangement for controlling audio reception by occupants of a passenger compartment of the vehicle, comprising:

a monitoring system for determining the presence of any occupants; and

sound generating means coupled to said monitoring system for generating specific sounds, said sound generating means being automatically adjustable based on the determined presence of any occupants such that the specific sounds are audible to any occupants present in the passenger compartment.

30. The vehicle of

claim 29

, wherein said sound generating means comprise ultrasonic frequency generators for generating ultrasonic waves, each of said ultrasonic frequency generators generating ultrasonic waves which mix with ultrasonic waves generated by another one of said ultrasonic frequency generators to thereby create new audio frequencies.

31. The vehicle of

claim 29

, wherein said sound generating means comprise speakers, said speakers being controllable based on the determined presence of any occupants such that at least one of said speakers directs sounds toward each of the occupants.